From: "Theodoros Sp. Zarros" Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 31 Dec 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Athens News Agency Bulletin, Dec. 31, 1993 Athens, 31/12/1993 (ANA): Premier Andreas Papandreou has charged the leadership of the previous conservative government with attempting "to cover up both the nature and size" of Greece's economic problems, adding it had even presented false economic data to international organisations. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr. Papandreou stressed Greek economy was the "healthiest" in the Balkans, adding that if the country succeeded in maintaining this edge, it would be able to neutralise all external threats. Mr. Papandreou reiterated Greece did not pose a threat to any country, stressing it was determined to play an active role in establishing peace and security in the region. Referring to the European Union, he said Greece would "promote" applications by four countries to join the European union as E.C. chair-country beginning January 1. He added Greece would also "pave the way" for the future admission of Cyprus and Malta. Mr. Papandreou said the Greek presidency would aim at strengthening European Union in the institutional, social and economic sectors. The Greek presidency would tackle the major problem of unemployment within the framework of a target to create 15 million new jobs in Europe by the year 2000, he said. "To us, employment is as equally important as monetary union, to say the least", Mr. Papandreou added. Athens, 31/12/1993 (ANA): "Measures taken by Greece to strengthen defence of its East Aegean islands are in line with Article 50 of the U.N. Charter giving states the right to defend themselves", Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas said yesterday, countering allegations by Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Ferhat Ataman in Ankara Monday. Mr. Ataman claimed "fortifying Limnos island shows Athens is violating international treaties in force". "Such groundless allegations by Mr. Ataman prove that Turkey continues to cultivate a climate of tension", Mr. Bikas said. The measures had also been taken in light of Turkish provocative stance and invasion of Cyprus, he stressed. "The Greek government has repeatedly stated that it wishes to improve the climate between the two countries. This presupposes, above all, respect for international law and Turkey's refraining from provocations", the spokesman added. "By invoking international treaties, Ankara simply reminds us of the countless violations it has committed, notably the invasion of Cyprus and the ongoing occupation of 40 per cent of the island by Turkish troops, as well as a sharp decline of Greek minorities in Istanbul, Imvros and Tenedos", Mr. Bikas went on. Referring to Turkish claims that the islands of the Eastern Aegean should be demilitarised, Mr. Bikas recalled demilitarisation of Limnos, the Dardanelles Straits and of the islands of Imvros and Tenedos had been abolished under the Treaty of Montreux. He stressed Turkey had agreed at the time, both verbally and in writing, to the annulment of the demilitarisation of Limnos and Samothrace. Greek sovereignty over the islands of the Eastern Aegean and the Dodecannese is absolute, Mr. Bikas said, "and does not depend on any prior condition or treaty obligation". "Turkey, which is not even a signatory to the 1947 Paris Treaty, is the last (country) entitled to speak", Mr. Bikas said. Athens, 31/12/1993 (ANA): The government yesterday confirmed the contents of a document concerning a meeting on the Skopje issue between then prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, on November 6 last year. The document, which appeared in yesterday's edition of the newspaper "Thessaloniki", records conclusions of talks between the two men, and reveals Mr. Mitsotakis was both discussing and willing to accept the name of "Northern Macedonia" for Skopje. It also depicts Mr. Mitsotakis as condemning the opposition a the time, as well as senior members of his own New Democracy party. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the document confirmed "a miserable policy of continuous diplomatic concessions, ambiguous statements, giving in and indecisiveness by the New Democracy government". He accused Mr. Mitsotakis of being solely motivated by considerations relating to his own party and domestic politics. Mr. Venizelos reiterated Greece would be willing to resume dialogue with Skopje provided "specific steps" were taken by the neighbouring state, showing it would abstain from provocations and abandon its uncompromising attitude. He added, however, he was pessimistic of such a development, quoting statements by Skopje President Kiro Gligorov which "recycle Skopje provocations and intransigence". Reminding members of the international community of their obligations under international conventions, Mr. Venizelos said Skopjan propaganda against Greece, its use of national Greek symbols and the neighbouring state's "liberating" designs were provocations which should not be acceptable to the international community. Athens, 31/12/1993 (ANA): Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos yesterday wrote President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Warren Christopher and other U.S. officials, calling on them not to grant US recognition to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).