From: zarros@turing.scs.carleton.ca (Theodoros Sp. Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Tue, 16 Nov 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou had talks yesterday with President Constantine Karamanlis on the economy and a range of national issues including the Cyprus problem, relations with Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. "The Cyprus problem is again at a new impasse", Mr. Papandreou said after the meeting. "As you know the Turkish side has rejected the confidence-building measures. This does not mean that the Greek Cypriot side is satisfied with these measures ... and the aim of my meeting with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides (today) will be to formulate a joint policy on the Cyprus issue". Mr. Papandreou said that he agreed with Mr. Clerides that "our principle is not 'Cyprus decides and we support', but rather 'we jointly decide' ". Replying to questions on the results of Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias' tour of Balkan capitals, which included Tirana, Mr. Papandreou said that there was a "general agreement" that the ethnic Greek minority in Albania will be entitled to Greek education "wherever they live in Albania, not just in Northern Epirus". He said there would also be a "corresponding" agreement on the issue of illegal Albanian immigrants entering Greece which would "conclusively" settle the problem. When the issue of the Tsamides was raised, Mr. Papandreou said, Mr. Papoulias told the Albanian side that the issue of compensation could be examined by the legal departments of the Greek and Albanian foreign ministries. The Tsamides are an Albanian-speaking group which collaborated with the Italian and German fascist occupation forces in Greece during the Second World War. After the liberation, they sought refuge in neighbouring Albania. On the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Papandreou said that President Kiro Gligorov "now has the responsibility to demonstrate that he desires good relations with Greece, which is the only country that does not pose a threat to Skopje". Mr. Papandreou reiterated that Greece would not recognise a country on its northern border under the name of 'Macedonia' or any derivative of that word. The talks were the first between Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Karamanlis since the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) came to power following elections on October 10. Mr. Papandreou said that he intended to have regular meetings with the president in the future. Tirana, 11/10/1993 (ANA - M. Vihou / K. Christodoulou): Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi yesterday expressed "contained optimism" on improving and expanding relations with Greece, stressing both sides had displayed good will in objectively addressing bilateral problems in talks with Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias in Tirana. Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr. Papoulias, Mr. Serreqi added "we have paved the way for new prospects, at a troubled time for the Balkan peninsula". Mr. Papoulias said talks had been both friendly and productive, underscoring the political will displayed by both sides to open a fresh chapter in bilateral relations. Referring to the question of the right of the ethnic Greek minority to education in its mother-tongue, he stressed that a law settling education issues would be passed soon, adding President Sali Berisha had given him an assurance the question of seven schools that had been closed would be reviewed. Mr. Serreqi also said a law on education would be passed, providing guarantees the Albanian government would respect the most advanced international standards. He acknowledged the ethnic Greek minority was scattered all over Albania, confirming two "positive", as he said, trends: the preservation of its own ethnic and cultural identity and a trend to become incorporated with the democratic reality prevailing in Albania. The new law on human rights will also lay the foundation for anyone wishing to revert to one's original national identity to do so, after signing a statement to that effect. Mr. Papoulias reiterated a desire for multifaceted co-operation on economic, cultural, commercial as well as military matters, including the establishment of a joint commission to safeguard borders. With regard to Albanians working in Greece, Mr. Papoulias stressed the need for a legal framework regulating their employment relations, adding that within 10 days a joint ministerial commission would be set up to prepare a plan of common acceptance, to be subsequently endorsed by the Greek parliament. To Albanian journalists who raised the question of a return of Tsamides and restoration of their property, Mr. Papoulias said Greek "memories were still vivid", ruling out such a return. But the question of their property could be examined by a legal committee of the Greek Foreign Ministry. Tsamides are an Albanian-speaking group which collaborated with Italian and German occupation forces in Greece in the Second World War. After the liberation, they sought refuge in neighbouring Albania. Responding to a question on holding a Balkan conference, Mr. Papoulias said it would be held only when suitable conditions were established, the first being a cease-fire in Bosnia. On the freezing of dialogue with Skopje, Mr. Papoulias told an Albanian questioner this was due to Skopjan President Kiro Gligorov's attitude. Greece expected an attitude suggesting Skopje sought a fruitful dialogue. Both ministers acknowledged partial differences had been noted on matters of broader Balkan interest. "We agreed to make joint efforts to settle the crisis in former Yugoslavia through dialogue. We also agreed on respect of national borders, accepted the crisis is multifaceted, and acknowledged the international community should try its best to put an end to the war, in order to prevent its escalation. We disagreed on the causes of the crisis, and on imposing stricter sanctions on Serbia, as well as on placing Kosovo under international control", Mr. Serreqi said. Mr. Papoulias said it had been agreed peace was the only road to follow and a cease-fire was the prime objective in Bosnia. Maintaining sanctions against Serbia was a sop to fanaticism and fostered the idea that only military operations might put an end to the tragedy, and, although they had imposed an intolerable burden on the Serbian people, they had led to nothing. Referring to the arrest of former communist Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Mr. Papoulias told the ANA developments relating to Nano's prosecution was an internal matter for Albania. "Of course, it is well known both PASOK and Premier Andreas Papandreou, in particular, have shown support for Mr. Nano. "I told Mr. Serreqi, during our talks, that the impact of such cases was negative, not positive", Mr. Papoulias said. Fatos Nano, chairman of the Socialist party --the renamed Communist Partyis alleged to have caused damage to the Albanian state amounting to 8.4 billion leks, or about 8 million dollars. He has been held in total isolation in jail since June, while his court case has been constantly adjourned. European diplomatic circles refer to it as a manifest case of political persecution. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias returned to Athens yesterday from his tour of Balkan capitals saying he was satisfied with its "successful outcome". Mr. Papoulias arrived from Tirana, the last leg of his nine-day tour. "The trip was positive and necessary for Greek foreign policy and in light of the Greek presidency of the European Community", Mr. Papoulias said. he said he would brief the press on the results of his Balkan tour at a news conference tomorrow. Mr. Papoulias will fly to Sarajevo later this week to meet with Bosnian Moslem leader Alija Izetbegovic. The main opposition New Democracy party, however, yesterday described Mr. Papoulias' tour as a "pitiful failure". "The much-publicised visit of Foreign Minister Mr. Papoulias to the Balkan peninsula was a pitiful failure", a New Democracy announcement said. According to the announcement, Mr. Papoulias failed to achieve the aims outlined by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, namely the promotion of the Skopje issue, as compensation for the break-up of the United nations dialogue. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): The government said yesterday that no neighbouring country should intervene in any way in the conflict in former Yugoslavia. "As you know, the commitment undertaken by the previous government remains in effect, according to which Greece believes that no neighbouring country should intervene in any way in the conflict in former Yugoslavia, either directly or indirectly, that is, either by sending troops or arms and munitions", Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos told the press. He was replying to a question on possible measures to be taken by the EC Council of Ministers to prevent the break-up of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the outbreak of fresh conflict in the region. Stressing that Greece was against all sources of tension and unrest, especially armed conflict, Mr. Pangalos said the government desired that the human rights and the rights of "strong" minorities in Skopje would be respected. He said the government also wished that extremist views be avoided, such as re-consideration of the borders, and also extremist actions such as arming and plotting schemes. Nine ethnic Albanians in FYROM, including Deputy Defence Minister Hisen Haskaj were arrested early last week on alleged charges of conspiracy against the state, with the Skopjan press reporting that the conspirators had smuggled some 300 automatic rifles from Albania for an estimated 20,000 supporters. According to Skopjan television, Haskaj belongs to a group plotting union with Albania. This organisation is reportedly linked with like-minded Albanian nationalist groups in the neighbouring Serbian province of Kosovo. Ethnic Albanians account for at least a quarter of FYROM's two million people, and 90 per cent of Kosovo's (southern Serbia) two million. Albania itself has three million people. Rome, 16/11/1993 (ANA - S. Aravopoulou): Italy said yesterday that it intended to recognise Skopje under the name of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. "Italy will recognise the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under the name of FYROM, not as 'Macedonia' ", an Italian Foreign Ministry spokesman told the ANA yesterday. In Paris meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe yesterday referred to the possibilities of forging diplomatic ties "at any given moment" with Skopje. Expressing his regrets that no solution has yet been found to the dispute between Greece and FYROM on the latter's name, he noted that "since it concerns a member-state of the United Nations, I believe, that at any given moment one should accept the consequences, and forge diplomatic relations with this small country of two million people". Mr. Juppe also expressed his "full understanding for the positions of our Greek friends", and hoped that negotiations to find a solution would continue. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): US President Bill Clinton may meet with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou in his capacity of chairman of the EC when Mr. Clinton makes a scheduled visit to Strasbourg in January for talks with Council of Europe representatives, European Community officials and leaders and NATO officials, Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will visit Lisbon and Madrid on Thursday as part of his tour of EC capitals in preparation for Greece's assumption of the Community presidency in January. His visit to Portugal and Spain follows recent contacts in Brussels, Luxembourg, the Hague, Paris, Bonn and Rome where he briefed officials on the priorities of the forthcoming Greek presidency. On December 1 Mr. Pangalos will visit Britain for talks with Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd before concluding his contacts with the Dutch and Danish foreign ministers, most likely on the sidelines of the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): An urban guerrilla group yesterday claimed responsibility for burning the car of former deputy chief of the Greek police Alexandros Kontoyiannis. An anonymous caller told an Athens radio station that "May 15" had carried out the attack because of the "protection provided by the police to fascists". The caller warned that other attacks would follow "if the police continue to protect these people". The same organisation claimed responsibility for damage to the car of another police officer three weeks ago. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides arrived in Athens yesterday for a three-day visit which will include his first official talks with the newly-elected socialist government of Andreas Papandreou. Speaking to reporters at Larnaca airport shortly before leaving for Athens, Mr. Clerides said that his talks would cover all aspects of the Cyprus problem. He underlined that one of the most important issues for discussion would be the defence of Cyprus, particularly in view of recent statements by Mr. Papandreou that the island republic was part of Greece's "defence area". Mr. Clerides said that it must be clarified "precisely what this dogma means". An evaluation would be made, he said, of Turkey's "aspirations and tactics" in order to examine various ways of dealing with the Cyprus problem. The Athens talks will also focus on Mr. Clerides' efforts to convene a Panhellenic conference in a bid to chart a common policy on the Cyprus problem. President Clerides was met at Athens airport by Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Anastasios Peponis and Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus Alexandros Sandis. Mr. Clerides is accompanied by his wife Lila, government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, and Under-secretary to the President Pandelis Kouros. Also present at the airport was Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, who has been in Athens since Friday. According to his schedule, President Clerides will meet Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou today. He will also have meetings with new Democracy President Miltiades Evert and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleca Paparriga. His foreign minister will also have talks today with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias and Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. Mr. Michaelides is due to leave later today for Tel Aviv an official visit to Israel, the first ever by a Cypriot minister. Tomorrow, President Clerides will have talks with President Constantine Karamanlis and, later, meet with Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras. The Athens visit will end with a lunch hosted by the Foreign Press Association. Athens, 16/11/1993 (ANA): The "fixed and steady" target of the Greek government is to attain a lasting and viable solution to the Cyprus problem in accordance with international law, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. In a statement marking ten years since the unilateral declaration of independence of the Turkish-Cypriot pseudo-state, Mr. Venizelos said that the solution must respect the independence, integrity and legal entity of the Cyprus Republic and safeguard the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Cypriots. Strongly condemning the unilateral declaration of independence, Mr. Venizelos underlined that the action had been met with the disapproval of the entire international community and the condemnation of the UN Security Council. The Cyprus problem, he said, is one of violation of international law, of invasion and occupation which continues due to the provocative stance and intransigence of the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot sides. The participation of Turkish occupation troops in "celebrations" marking the declaration of independence was proof of this, Mr. Venizelos said.