Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-08-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek, FYROM PMs agree on future of Balkans and bilateral relations

[02] Kranidiotis says Cyprus issue remains touchstone of Greek-Turkish relations

[03] Theododorakis proposed for Nobel peace prize

[04] Turkey cannot overlook Greece's sensitivity, Cem says

[05] PM Simitis congratulates javelin gold medallist

[01] Greek, FYROM PMs agree on future of Balkans and bilateral relations

Athens, 30/08/99 (ANA)

On the agenda for the meeting lasting several minutes between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his FYROM counterpart, Ljupco Georgievski, were expanding bilateral economic and trade links and attaining Balkan peace and stability.

At the same time, the two leaders avoided broaching sensitive issues due to the brief duration of the meeting and the fact that presidential elections will be held in FYROM on October 31, a Greek diplomatic source said.

Also present at the meeting held in Florina's archaeological museum were Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his FYROM counterpart, Aleksandar Dimitrov.

After the talks, Mr. Simitis told reporters that the two countries were on very good terms, which, as neighbours, they should maintain.

He added that he hoped bilateral difficulties would have a positive outcome.

The premier also said that ties between Greece and FYROM could act as a paradigm for relations between countries in the Balkans.

Mr. Simitis said "we discussed Balkan developments as well. We have a common stance. There is a need for a policy, which secures borders, cooperation and peace, because this is the precondition for the development of the region.

"We - I believe - have considerably contributed to stability. We contribute to development and will contribute in this manner, so the region may slowly develop a different relation with Europe. This is the only way for the Balkans to enter the Euro-Atlantic complex," he added.

Mr. Georgievski, who described the talks as "ideal", commented that recent problems in the bilateral economic sector would very soon be overcome, creating a better framework for Greek companies to invest in FYROM.

Mr. Georgievski said "besides participating in this cultural event, we had the chance to exchange opinions on several subjects on issues of politics and economy. We realised anew that both countries have the same view in regards to Balkan issues, as well as the deep set belief and wish to change the Balkans.

"We believe that our bilateral relations are on a very high level. Besides our intensive political communication we have a very good economic cooperation as well. The economic projects and contacts are proceeding at a very fast pace," he said.

He added "one always expects small problems to appear. Problems which we will certainly overcome. While I believe that the two imporant projects ahead, the privatisation of the oil refinery and the discussions for the construction of the pipeline connec ting the two countries, as well as the ongoing discussions for the privatisation of "Stopanska Banka", will become a guarantee for many small and medium Greek enterprises to come as soon as possible and to develop investment activities in our country."

Officials are trying to iron out difficulties in the agreed purchase of the OKTA refinery in Skopje by Hellenic Petroleum, construction of an oil pipeline between the two countries, and a major bank sale in the neighbouring country that Greek units are eager to take part in.

The two premiers were in Florina to attend an annual arts festival held in nearby Prespes.

Finally, Mr. Georgievski was quoted as saying that the foreign ministers of Greece and FYROM should promote a conservation effort for the lakes in Prespes, which span the border between the two countries.

Athens News Agency

[02] Kranidiotis says Cyprus issue remains touchstone of Greek-Turkish relations

NICOSIA, 30/08/99 (ANA)

"It is a standing position of ours that as long as the Cyprus issue goes unsolved there cannot be a full and substantive normalisation of relations between Greece and Turkey," Mr. Kranidiotis said in an interview to the Cypriot Phileleftheros newspaper.

He was asked to comment on Greece's veto of Turkey in the European Union as a "lever of pressure."

"You should know that 'levers of pressure' and 'weapons' often have some kind of limit. Overstepping the limit diminishes their value," Mr. Kranidiotis replied.

"At the same time, a new set of circumstances raises the value of other means at our disposal. So if the use of a weapon ceases to be so advantageous, I believe it warrants study of the use of other means."

But use of the veto against Turkey was fully justified in the case of Cyprus, he added.

"That is why we have said that Turkey cannot move towards the EU if the terms and conditions in place for all candidate countries do not apply in Turkey's case also; if it does not change its policy on Cyprus and the Aegean," Mr. Kranidiotis said.

"In other words, we have said that for Greece to consent to a European orientation for Turkey, it wants an exchange in (the form of) Cyprus and the Aegean."

Athens News Agency

[03] Theododorakis proposed for Nobel peace prize

Athens, 30/08/99 (ANA)

Heading a list of celebrities from the arts, media, science, sports and politics to sign a petition proposing Theodorakis is Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Among the petition's signatories are directors Jules Dassin and Costas Gavras; and authors Antonis Samarakis and Vassilis Vassilikos.

Other signatories include Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, Panathinaikos chairman George Vardinoyannis, and singers George Dalaras and Dimitris Mitropanos.

Among members of the government to sign are Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Public Works Minister Kostas Laliotis.

A campaign will be launched in Europe and the US to collect more signatures for Theodorakis, known abroad for his resistance to Greece's 1967-1974 dictatorship.

Announcement of the proposal was made by author George Skourtis on Saturday evening at a major outdoor concert Theodorakis gave at the Prespes arts festival in northern Greece that was attended by the premier and much of the Cabinet.

Basking in the full moon, more than 4,000 spectators listened to the internationally acclaimed Axion Esti, a work by the late Nobel-winning poet Odysseas Elytis that Theodorakis set to music.

Athens News Agency

[04] Turkey cannot overlook Greece's sensitivity, Cem says

ISTANBUL, 30/08/99 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

In a televised discussion Mr. Cem said "the Greek people did more than any neighbouring people should have done."

He said that this altruistic and humanist reaction will decisively formulate politics, adding "both Greek politicians and us became witnesses of this expression of friendly feelings. It is not possible to overlook this in the formulation of our policies ."

During the same programme, Mr. Cem noted as very important the observations of his Greek counterpart George Papandreou that the earthquake revealed a nostalgia for peace and the accumulation of friendly feelings existing in both peoples."

He said that no politician could have artificially caused those feelings. "Mr. Papandreou was perceptive and knew his people very well, so as to be able to take several steps (in that direction) before the earthquake."

Mr. Cem reiterated that Mr. Papandreou was the first foreigner to call him that same morning of the earthquake, to ask whether Greece could provide aid in any way possible.

In a related development, a Greek team of experts of Greece's foreign ministry is in Istanbul to coordinate aid reaching Turkey from several regions of Greece.

Team chief Alexandros Rondos aleady met with Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurduna and expressed Greece's condolences over the disaster, adding "we will try to offer aid of every kind."

On his part, Mr. Gurduna said that Greece showed great sensitivity from the first moments following the quake and thanked the Greek people for their reaction.

In addition to the team of experts, a team of the Greek Red Cross, which has been in the city since the earthquake struck, continues to provide aid to the devasted population.

In the meantime on Saturday a Greek engineer arrived in the city to prepare the arrival and instalation of 150 prefabricated homes.

Meanwhile, two Greek Airforce C-130 transport planes on Friday arrived in Istanbul loaded with 300 tents, a gift from the Greek armed forces to the Turkish armed forces.

Papandreou proposal : Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to set out to his European Union counterparts in Saariseka, Finland, on September 4, a Greek proposal incorporating the three existing EU regulations for financial aid to Turkey into a new one, and also including one regarding assistance for the recent earthquake.

According to sources, the new regulation would have a different legal basis from the previous ones and will place emphasis on the sectors of energy, transport and industry.

Mr. Papandreou has already tentatively discussed the issue with the current president of the EU Council of Ministers Tarja Halonen and Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Other sources said the foreign minister will be meeting with representatives of Greek political parties this week with a view to securing the broadest possible consensus on the matter.

Athens News Agency

[05] PM Simitis congratulates javelin gold medallist

Athens, 30/08/199 (ANA)

In his telegram the premier said "we thank you for bringing tears of joy and pride to our eyes. In you as well the prolonged Spring of Greek athletics continues and I am sure that this spring will continue for ever. Congratulations!"

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis, Coalition of the Left (SYN) leader Nikos Constantopoulos and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas also sent congratulatory telegrammes to Tzelili.

Athens News Agency

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