Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-04-26

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greece maintains that int'l law,UN charter must govern NATO actions

[02] Papantoniou: Kosovo crisis won't affect Greece EMU entry

[03] US embassy denies reports of departing personnel

[04] NATO communique cites 'new role,missions'

[05] Tsohatzopoulos firm on view regarding necessity of political solution for Kosovo

[06] Greek humanitarian aid transported to Kosovo

[07] G. Papandreou concern over oil embargo repercussions against Yugoslavia

[08] Tsohatzopoulos briefs US counterpart Cohen on Greek positions vis-a- vis Balkan crisis

[09] Karamanlis accuses gov't of duplicity in dealing with Kosovo issue

[10] Leftist parties call for end of all hostilities in Kosovo, Yugoslavia

[11] Veteran Greek politician relays Milosevic's conditions for Kosovo observers

[12] Shots fired at UN representation

[13] Opposition against NATO charter

[14] Residents protest against Voice of America facility in Xanthi

[01] Greece maintains that int'l law,UN charter must govern NATO actions

WASHINGTON, 26/04/1999 (ANA - S. Liarellis)

Mr. Simitis said the United Nations had to provide a legal basis for each decision that spells intervention by NATO beyond its scope of responsibility, as the view of unilateral NATO intervention in crises has been abandoned, as he said.

"There are today much more regional and local confrontations and the question is how NATO should deal with them. There is a question, this is what would be the legal base, while at the same time the alliance must convince that it is in the right," Mr. Simitis said.

The leaders of the alliance's 19 nations discussed NATO's new strategic approach in the wake of the end of bipolarism and the creation of new security conditions.

Greece has stressed that implementation of international law is a necessary prerequisite for every action, otherwise, the Greek premier said, any party can be justified in undertaking unilateral action.

He added that Greece's participation in NATO was a necessity since security and defence issues were today being dealt with on an international level.

"Our strength depends on the alliances we have. The position that Greece should be a non-aligned nation is unworkable," he said, citing as an example the discussion on the European security identity, which Turkey did not desire. If Greece were not parti cipating, he noted, then Turkey would have a leading role in all the regional issues.

The Greek PM said Athens continued to support the need for NATO's expansion and gave particular emphasis to the need to promote a Mediterranean dialogue.

Press conference : Assessing the outcome of the summit's morning session on Saturday, at which the Kosovo issue was discussed, Mr. Simitis said "the climate was not very friendly" for the views expressed by the Greek side (or they do not see things in this way, as he said) as "most countries desire an intensification of bombings."

Conversely, he added that "the climate was very friendly for Greece" since there is understanding for the special problems and double identity of the country.

Mr. Simitis said the overall impression he got of the session was that on the one hand the desire is expressed for NATO to display greater determination to achieve the desired result and on the other there is the feeling that political initiatives are necessary.

He said NATO Secretary General Javier Solana also spoke of political initiatives, conceding that there will be no solution "from military intervention alone", and referred to the role of the UN and Russia. He added that wider scepticism exists than at the beginning.

Mr. Simitis said during his intercession, he presented certain aspects of the policy which had not received due attention so far, referring in particular to Greece's special role. He pointed to repercussions of the crisis, which are leading Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to economic destabilisation, underlining the dangers of political destabilisation from the wave of refugees. He added that war operations did not deter operations of ethnic cleansing by the Milosevic gover nment and noted that Mr. Milosevic did not lose but, on the contrary, strengthened his prestige and appeal in his country.

He further placed particular emphasis on the repercussions resulting from other options, such as the equipping and strengthening of the rebel UCK, which could create problems on the position for no change in borders.

Mr. Simitis said a discussion on ground forces is not expedient since such decisions have not been taken. He added that the war is creating conflicts and hatred between populations and as a result the prime target which is the pacification of the region is obstructed.

Mr. Simitis went on to say that initiatives are necessary and as such determined the need for a role for the UN and the need for a legal framework to be set for a peacekeeping force and the return of refugees by the Security Council, as well as the deve lopment of good relations with Russia.

He said that, according to the communique, mention is made of both the UN and Russia. He further said a lengthy discussion was held on the new form the region will have and it is generally accepted that borders must not change.

Mr. Simitis referred at the session to the need to prepare a plan on the restructuring of the region and said that Greece will proceed with convening a conference with the participation of the involved parties, the US, the European Union and Russia on this issue. Humanitarian aid On the question of humanitarian aid, he said he underlined the need for greater emphasis to be attached and reiterated that a conference will be convened in Athens and mentioned that the idea is being considered of dropping foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals in Kosovo with parachutes.

Mr. Simitis said he considers positive every reference made to the UN and expressed regret for destruction and the victims. He reiterated that Greece will not participate in military operations while (replying to a relevant question) adding that so far there is no reason for Greece to place an asterisk or a subnote to decisions.

Clinton : Mr. Simitis said the Kosovo issue was discussed in particular in his meeting with US President Bill Clinton and said he mentioned to him that the extension of operations renders difficult and might thwart what is being pursued.

On Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, Mr. Clinton again expressed the intention of undertaking initiatives.

However, Mr. Simitis said he is neither more or less optimistic since there is a distance from the intention until something is done. He also clarified that Mr. Clinton did not propose a tripartite meeting with Mr. Demirel, since he understands that there is no preparation at the present moment and a Turkish government has not yet been formed.

Mr. Simitis also discussed the issue of political developments in Turkey with Mr. Demirel, but the discussion was not extended since, as he said, moves or contacts cannot take place before the new Turkish government is formed.

Finally, Mr. Simitis said that on the Kosovo crisis the two countries have parallel views, and that he also had discussions with other leaders, making special reference to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Athens News Agency

[02] Papantoniou: Kosovo crisis won't affect Greece EMU entry

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

"Repercussions (of the Kosovo crisis) on the real economy, tourism, on elections will exist, but they will be small. And there will be no substantial influence on the growth rate of our economy," he said.

"Balkan developments will have no influence on our course towards EMU because all the indicators, inflation, interest rates, are moving at very positive rates," he added.

Meanwhile, Greek businesses with interests and investments in the Balkans will hold a meeting on May 3 to begin coordinating action for reconstruction when hostilities end.

Mr. Papantoniou said Greece would play a leading role in the reconstruction of the Balkans.

"This is an opportunity for Greece to consolidate its position as a power for peace and stability in all the Balkans," he said.

Athens News Agency

[03] US embassy denies reports of departing personnel

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

"We reiterate also that neither the embassy nor the (US) State Department has advised American citizens to leave Greece, nor has issued advisories cautioning American citizens to leave Greece and warning American tourists against travel to Greece. The embassy is open and functioning normally and we have no plans to leave the country," the press release read.

Athens News Agency

[04] NATO communique cites 'new role,missions'

WASHINGTON, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

The communique underlined that NATO's new role and missions constitute the "natural consequence of recognised risks the alliance is called on to face". Peacekeeping operations, the handling of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism are recognised as such missions.

The need for a mandate by an international organisation is recognised to ensure the legality of every possible NATO operation, while the need for strategic cooperation with Russia is recognised in parallel, according to the 19-nation alliance.

Athens News Agency

[05] Tsohatzopoulos firm on view regarding necessity of political solution for Kosovo

WASHINGTON, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, speaking at a press conference concerning the NATO summit's session in the US capital, insisted that military forces cannot provide a solution, reiterating that "political forces must approach a solution to the problem."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the scenario regarding the deployment of ground forces by NATO in Yugoslavia has been abandoned all together.

Referring to NATO's decision to continue the air strikes, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said "Greece emerged with a position on a political solution to Kosovo, promoting its role as a member of the North Atlantic alliance and of Balkan countries."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that some maintain that NATO should not be defeated and made to lose its credibility by backing down but, as he said, the decision for bombings was temporary following the collapse of the Rambouillet agreement.

However, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Yugoslav side continued to escalate the crisis with a policy of "ethnic cleansing, a policy which Greece, as a sufferer, condemns."

"The Greek side desires the safe return of the Albanian refugees to their homes," he said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also underlined that NATO's communique on Saturday refers to no change in the borders of the region and the utilisation of the existing institutional framework to enable whichever initiative to be based on UN principles with the simul taneous establishment of peacekeeping forces in the region to guarantee the safe return of refugees.

Commenting on the new Chernomyrdin proposal, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said its details have not yet been made known officially and for this reason it has not yet been rejected by NATO.

Athens News Agency Athens 26/04/1999 (ANA)

Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis held talks with German Dem ocratic Socialist Party (PDS) President Lothar Biski yesterday, focusing primarily on current developments in Kosovo and the entire region, as well as on bilateral relations between the ruling PASOK party and PDS.

Athens News Agency

[06] Greek humanitarian aid transported to Kosovo

PRISTINA, 26/04/1999 (ANA/AFP)

The shipment is the first humanitarian aid from a foreign country to reach Pristina. The trucks began their journey from Thessaloniki and were escorted from the FYROM border to Pristina by the Greek ambassador to Belgrade.

The aid, mostly foodstuffs and medical supplies, was delivered to Pristina University Hospital, while the Athens branch of the organisation "Doctors of the World" transported 42 tons of medical equipment and eight tons of pharmaceuticals last week to Pristina.

According to reports, the trucks were painted blue and white - the colours of the Greek flag - to protect them from NATO bombs.

Athens News Agency

[07] G. Papandreou concern over oil embargo repercussions against Yugoslavia

WASHINGTON, 26/04/1999 (ANA/AP)

"If we have a big blockade, our commercial transactions with Europe will be blocked," he said, adding that transportation by road is not a realistic alternative due to its high cost.

Mr. Papandreou expressed hope that the embargo will be implemented in a way which will limit losses for Greek shipping.

He added that Greece can face the Serbs of Yugoslavia honourably due to friendly relations with them.

"We have criticised them for what they have done but we maintain reservations over the (NATO) bombings," he said.

Athens News Agency

[08] Tsohatzopoulos briefs US counterpart Cohen on Greek positions vis-a- vis Balkan crisis

WASHINGTON, 26/04/1999 (ANA - S. Liarellis)

According to Greek sources, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed the arguments of Greek policy regarding the need for a political solution, underlining that escalation of military operations distances the possibility of a political solution without providing ano ther breakthrough for a solution.

Mr. Cohen, according to the same sources, expressed Washington's understanding over the particularity of Greece's position and stance - non-participation of forces in operations - as well as over the role Athens can play in promoting humanitarian aid and support for refugees.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reminded of Greece's support for Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and underlined that it is the only country promoting aid both in Kosovo and the rest of Yugoslavia.

Reppas : On his part, Press Minister Dimitris Reppas held talks with White House chief of staff John Podesta regarding overall developments and the Kosovo crisis.

Mr. Podesta told Mr. Reppas that Mr. Clinton intends to assume an initiative on the Cyprus issue, which the US president referred to with Mr. Simitis and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.

The Greek minister also invited Mr. Podesta to visit Greece. The invitation was accepted, according to reports, as the White House official's mother hailed from the Peloponnese town of Leonidio in Arcadia prefecture, Mr. Reppas election district.

Athens News Agency

[09] Karamanlis accuses gov't of duplicity in dealing with Kosovo issue

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

Referring to developments in Yugoslavia and the PM's stance, Mr. Karamanlis said the government says "yes to everything abroad" and "then whispers for domestic consumption" that it supposedly disagrees and even apologises for mistaken options.

Mr. Karamanlis said Greece must speak with a clear voice, warn of concealed dangers, influence developments as much as it can, to put an end to irrationality an hour earlier and, at last it should have a unified strategy on this issue.

He further said that the country must not speak to its neighbours with half truths or whispers, but should speak up with a clear and bold voice.

He also referred to the premier's great responsibility in insisting on his "sterile and sole" refusal to accept the creation of a foreign policy council at a time when all political forces, even the foreign minister of the present government, accept the need for national understanding.

Mr. Karamanlis also spoke of a fiasco in the government's handling of a series of foreign issues such as the Imia islets crisis, the Madrid communique on Greek-Turkish relations, the Russian S-300 missiles issue in Cyprus and the case of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Athens News Agency

[10] Leftist parties call for end of all hostilities in Kosovo, Yugoslavia

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

The resolution stressed the need for talks to begin immediately for a political settlement of the conflict on the basis of wide autonomy for the province, within the framework of the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The delegations were attending a two-day conference on peace in the Balkans which opened in Athens on Friday.

Finally, a marathon peace walk was held yesterday, the final day of the conference, organised by Synaspismos. The walk began in Marathon and concluded after several hours in front of the US embassy.

Athens News Agency

[11] Veteran Greek politician relays Milosevic's conditions for Kosovo observers

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

Harilaos Florakis, KKE's honorary president, said Mr. Milosevic was categorical about the presence of foreign soldiers in Kosovo.

"He said they have not started the war and set some conditions to begin talks with the first being the cessation of the bombing," Mr. Florakis said.

However, he said the Yugoslav president was willing to allow Greek observers to oversee implementation of an agreement for Kosovo, which would be his only exception to a ban on NATO forces, Mr. Florakis said.

Yugoslavia accepted autonomous status for Kosovo but wanted guarantees for the freedoms and rights of the seven ethnic groups resident in the province, he added.

Mr. Florakis said Belgrade believed that to ensure this, the creation of two legislative bodies was necessary: one to express all the people of Kosovo, and the other to be made up of five representatives of the seven groups.

Decisions would be implemented on the agreement of both bodies, he said.

Athens News Agency

[12] Shots fired at UN representation

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

No injuries were reported, as the bullets merely penetrated the glass of the building's gate.

An organisation called "Red Line" claimed responsibility for the shooting through an anonymous call to Athens daily "Eleftherotypia".

Police found and collected two cartridges at the site of the shooting.

A group of Greek officers and non-commissioned officers departed from Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki at noon on Saturday to replace colleagues serving with the Greek contingent in Albania.

The troops departed aboard a Hellenic Air Force C-130 transport aircraft.

Athens News Agency

[13] Opposition against NATO charter

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

In a statement yesterday, Ms Papariga called on all parties to state their position on whether they agree with the Greek government's signature.

She said KKE does not legitimise the decision and considers it illegal.

Referring to NATO's new structure, Ms Papariga said "we have modern Euro- Atlantic fascism before us..."

In an announcement yesterday, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said the NATO summit's decision formally transforms the alliance int o an "ag-gressive organisation and international gendarme" which can attack everywhere, violating international legality and sidestepping the UN.

Athens News Agency

[14] Residents protest against Voice of America facility in Xanthi

Athens, 26/04/1999 (ANA)

VOA has used the Xanthi site as a base for decades, broadcasting in dozens of languages.

Members of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Committee for Peace, days after a bloody NATO attack on the state-run Serbian television's headquarters in downtown Belgrade, claimed the radio station was broadcasting "warmon- gering and provocative messages against Yugoslavia and Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic."

There were no reports of violence during the protest.

Athens News Agency

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