From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca () Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 21 Feb 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens,21/02/1994(ANA)--Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Foreign Under-secretary George Papandreou left for Brussels yesterday, to attend the General Affairs Council on European Union enlargement. The Greek delegation will deliver a document on reasons Greece took measures against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), explaining the political and legal basis of its arguments, diplomatic sources said. It will also refer to FYROM's intransigence, stressing cases of counter-measures had also been used in the past on the international scene. Moreover, the issue is provided in both International and Community law. Speaking at Athens airport shortly before boarding his flight, Mr.Pangalos said Greece's role was over. "We are now waiting for (FYROM President) Kiro Gligorov to speak up. We will accept all initiatives aimed at defusing the situation to bring peace and stability in the Balkans, "he said. Mr. Papandreou also expressed optimism, saying the measures would produce results." We all stand united and will give battle. We expect our partners in the European Union to support our country's struggle", he said. Athens, 21/02/1994 (ANA)--Parliamentary groups of the main opposition New Democracy party will visit Brussels, Bonn, London, Washington and New York "as part of the party's overall programme to promote our national issues and support the Greek Presidency." According to a ND announcement, a parliamentary delegation headed by Marietta Yiannakou-Koutsikou, Christos Koskinas and Vassilis Manginas will leave for Brussels today, for a round of meeting with European Parliament President Egon Klepsch and officials of European Union institutional agencies. Athens, 21/02/1994 (ANA)--Finance Under-secretary Alexandros Papadopoulos said Saturday government measures against FYROM "leave no room for circumvention". He said "Greece's customs authorities had received detailed instructions for dealing with all possible cases, even special ones." The government Wednesday halted all movement of goods through the port of Thessaloniki to and from FYROM, and closed its consulate there. Activity at customs on the border with FYROM came to a standstill during the weekend. Only six lorries-carrying furniture of the now closed Greek consulate in Skopje-and three private cars, belonging to consular families, crossed the border into Greece at 13:30 yesterday. Despite a supplementary order issued Friday authorising transit to lorries carrying humanitarian aid, no such consignment, was reported through the border post at Evzones. Another ten lorries from Skopje heading for Thessaloniki, lie stranded at Evzones, after being refused entry into Greece. On the other hand, as of today, business in expected to step up at the Promahon customs post on the Bulgarian border. Cargoes that had began to be loaded or unloaded in the port of Thessaloniki before the imposition of measures will be processed normally this week. Melbourne, 21/02/1994 (ANA-S Hatzimanolis)--Visiting Gyrokaster Deputy Costas Makariadis yesterday said "Greek language tuition is denied in every possible way in Albania even today and the Greek minority's human rights continue to be violated." Mr. Makariadis is visiting Melbourne at the invitation of the Panepirotic Federation of Australia to attend celebrations marking the liberation of Ioannina and the anniversary of the proclamation of autonomy in Northern Epirus. In an interview, Mr. Makariadis said the Greek ethnic minority in Albania did not receive adequate support from any Greek government. "We have only heard slogans and words so far but have seen no substantive action. I would say there is indifference and that the problem of Northern Epirus is ignored by Greece's foreign policy, "he said. Reiterating charges that the Greek ethnic minority's human rights were violated by the Albanian regime, Mr. Makariadis said Albania's economy relies on savings sent by Albanians working in Greece, adding that without such economic support a civil war would break out in Albania. Athens, 21/02/1994 (ANA)--National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis underwent surgery at 251 Air Force General Hospital Saturday, a hospital spokesman said yesterday. "Mr. Arsenis had a rectal polyp removed. His condition is satisfactory," the spokesman added. Athens, 21/02/1994 (ANA)--The National Defence General Staff is cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the crisis in Bosnia, yet should air strikes begin, they were not likely to take place at least 12 hours after expiry of the NATO ultimatum, press reports said yesterday. Bad weather conditions over Bosnia are considered a contributing factor for such optimism, the reports added. Athens, 21/02/1994 (ANA)--"Barring another shell explosion in the market of Sarajevo, I can say that we'll get through the crisis", Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said in Ioannina yesterday, at celebrations to mark the 81st anniversary of the city's liberation from Turkish rule. Referring to the removal of AWACS from the Aktion base, he said that NATO already knew from Premier Andreas Papandreou statement that Greece would not participate in any way in the escalation of the crisis through a bombing of Sarajevo. Commenting on measures against Skopje, Mr. Papoulias said that they were meant as a message to President Kiro Gligorov that the government could not back down on an issue of such vital importance to the Greek People. Defence under-secretary Nikos Kouris, also in Ioannina, reiterated Greece's right to decide on the AWACS. Political Spring (Pol.A) party leader Antonis Samaras also argued against any Greek participation in a possible bombing of Sarajevo. Athens, 21/02/1994 (ANA)--New Democracy will support the government, despite possible mistakes on national issues, and will not tolerate threats of insults against the country, said party leader Miltiadis Evert said in Preveza Saturday. "Peace in the Balkans goes through dialogue with Hellenism", he added. Yet, he criticised the government for lack of orientation in its foreign policy, which has led to "hasty and spasmodic moves". Regarding shortcomings in the economic field, Mr. Evert said his party's criticism would be ruthless, as the government appeared to be "paralysed and at a loss".