Antenna News in English 190696

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: [email protected]

News in English, of 19/06/1996

TITLES

• The US says Gavdos is undoubtedly Greek.
• US president Clinton meets with Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides.
• And, George Bush continues his holiday in Greece.

PANGALOS/BURNS

Turkey made an unlikely issue of the Greek-populated island near Crete recently, asking that Nato exercises in the Aegean avoid it because of its supposedly dubious legal status.

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns spelled out Washington's position on Gavdos.

"It's a Greek island", he said, "and Greece has sovereignty over it. The inhabitants of the island are Greek citizens".

When a Turkish officer tried to make an issue of Gavdos by asking that Nato exercises steer clear of it because of its quote questionable status unquote, Greece was incensed and dumbfounded.

Nato officials never took the Turkish ploy seriously, and neither is the US.

Turkey beat a retreat, saying it never intended to question the status of Gavdos, that its reservations were of a quote technical nature unquote.

Nonetheless, Greece is on its guard. Foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos says technical issues can have political consequences.

And prime minister Kostas Simitis has warned that no one can challenge Greek rights over Gavdos.

After consulting Greece and Turkey, the US has come down unwaveringly on Greece's side. Burns says, "The Turkish government has assured us that its reservations over the naval exercises were merely technical and have nothing to do with the sovereignty issue".

Burns adds that the US didn't want to make any statements on the issue until it had spoken to both sides. Now, he says, things have been cleared up in a way that should please Greece.

Pangalos agrees. "Mr Burn's statement is very positive", he says. "The US was obviously waiting for Turkey to adopt a specific position on the issue. Of course, the matter can't be resolved by a statement from the US. Turkey provoked, and Turkey has to smoothe things out, by clearly stating that it doesn't question Greek sovereignty over Gavdos".

Greece is reaching out not only to its Western allies, but also to its neighbours to preserve the status quo in the Aegean. Pangalos and the Armenian foreign minister signed a cooperation pact Tuesday. They also looked at the possibility of a regional defence agreement, to include a number of countries, among them Iran and Georgia.

CLINTON/CLERIDES

Mr Clinton discussed Aegean issues with Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides at the White House.

The American president said he wants to open the way for a resolution of the Cyprus problem this year.

But Mr Clinton also believes the political instability in Turkey could lead to further problems for Cyprus and in the Aegean.

After meeting with Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides US president Bill Clinton expressed his concerns over Turkey's current ability to contribute to improving Greek-Turkish relations:

"It's difficult for any government that's not settled to make agreements, because all agreements normally require some concessions by all concerned and we hope that Turkey will be able to resolve its internal problems and establish a strong government that'll effectively come to agreements with its neighbours".

During his meeting with the Amerilcan president, Mr Clirides went through the various aspects of the Cyprus issue, which has been divided by Turkish troops since 1974.

Mr Clirides said US intervention is essential if there is to be any progress in resolving the issue, and Mr Clinton said he'll do whatever he can to ensure that things start moving this year.

After the meeting , the American national security advisor for European affairs criticised Turkey's stand over Gavdos. Alexander Vershbaou said, "Making an issue of Gavdos wasn't useful. Sovereignty over the island has never been doubted before, and the issue should be resolved in a friendly manner between the two Nato members".

Vershabou also talked about another issue Turkey has created: that of sovereignty over the isle of Imia. He said the US believes it should go to the international court to be resolved once and for all.

ARSENIS

Arsenis says, "We're not playing the game called making impressions. We're sticking to our own agenda. We're closely watching developments and will react accordingly if anything happens. There is no reason to worry about anything".

The Turkish navy is engaged in war games in the Mediterranean, Turkish ships and aircraft are in action around Cyprus. Greece is watching the Turkish navy, and sent six Greek jets to fly over Cyprus, a message to Turkey that Hellenism is ready to defend itself.

Greek military officials have made proposals on what weapons Greece needs to acquire to better defend itself. The government is expected to decide the issue later this month.

Greece could buy 40 F-16 C jets and 80 F-16 B jets, 18 patriot anti-aircraft systems M-1 Abrams tanks, and MLRS multiple missile launchers.

The cost is estimated at 22 billion dollars, and the weapons would all be delivered by the year 2000.

BUSH

Before leaving for Germany, Tuesday, former US president George Bush visited the island of Gavdos.

When asked about the significance of Gavdos, Bush said,

When he was asked about Gavdos, US general Colin Powell, travelling with Bush, said he hopes that all the Aegean issues will be worked out diplomatically.

Bush, who says he's been looking forward to his summer vacation in Greece since last winter, stayed on Gavdos for about two hours, walking village streets and taking in the natural beauty. The island's president gave him local embroideries to help him remember his visit.

The former president stressed that his trip is strictly for pleasure - a chance to rest and enjoy the company of his family and friends.

But he did talk about his political friends. He mentioned his friendship with former Greek prime minister Constantinos Mitsotakis.

Bush will only be in Germany overnight. He recommences his Greek holiday on the island of Rhodes on Wednesday.

PASOK

In a newspaper interview, Tsochatzopoulos called Pangalos dangerous.

Pangalos responded at length. "I don't know whether he means I'm dangerous at the foreign ministry or a danger to him", he said. "Of course, the first chance I get, I'll be sure to tell him that I have the best of feelings for him, and won't create any dangers".

Tsochatzopoulos, who will likely rival prime minister Kostas Simitis for the vice presidency of Pasok during Pasok's congress next week.

With things getting hot as the congress appropaches, justice minister Evangelos Venizelos is urging everyone to avoid conflict.

SERBIAN AID

The Holy Synod of the Serbian church and Bosnian-Serb president Radovan Karatjitch launched the aid initiative.

Aigio metropolitan bishop Amvrosios warmly thanked the Serb orthodox leaders who delivered the aid. Empathy is easy for the Serbs, who have suffered so much during the tragedy in the former Yugoslavia.

Throughout the war there, Greece sent food, clothing and medical assistance to the Serbs on a number of occasions. Now, the help is being reciprocated.

Aigio mayor Lelos Siavezis thanked the Serb's delivering the aid, saying the assistance is "a sign of the kindness and deep human feelings of the Serb people".

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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