From: Theodore Zarros Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 25 Feb 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, Papoulias: Greece firm on Skopje package --------------------------------------- The government said yesterday it would stand firm on the conditions it had set in order to induce the Skopjan regime abandon its intransigence and achieve a resumption of dialogue under UN auspices to resolve differences between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said yesterday he had stressed to European External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek that Athens would "stand firm on the conditions it has set in order to induce the Skopjan regime abandon its intransigence and achieve a resumption of dialogue under UN auspices". Mr Papoulias was speaking to reporters after a 30-minute meeting with Mr van den Broek. The EU Commissioner had talks with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and Mr Papoulias since arriving in Athens Wednesday night from Skopje, where he had met with FYROM President Kiro Gligorov, as part of a mediation bid to resolve the dispute between the two neighbouring countries. Mr van den Broek had lengthy talks with Premier Andreas Papandreou and Mr Papoulias. Mr van den Broek handed Mr Papandreou a letter from Mr Gligorov, in which the Skopjan President expressed willingness to sign an agreement with Greece guaranteeing the inviolability of existing borders between the two countries, and to resume talks "without prior conditions" on such issues as the symbols and the name of the new state. He also proposed a meeting between foreign ministers of the two countries. The letter was released Wednesday night by Skopje. Mr Papoulias told reporters that satisfaction by FYROM of the conditions set by Greece was a prerequisite for normalising relations with Skopje. In the present circumstances, it would not be conceivable for him to meet with his Skopjan counterpart, Stevo Chervenkofski, as suggested by Mr Gligorov, Mr Papoulias said. Greece insists that the use of the term 'Macedonia' applies only to its northern province of the same name, accusing Skopje authorities of using the term to imply territorial designs against this Greek northern province. Athens insists the former Yugoslav republic amend its Constitution, remove a Greek symbol from its flag and cease hostile propaganda against Greece, as a package of prior conditions for resuming UN-sponsored dialogue. Mr Papoulias also stood firm on Greece's veto of Skopje's accession to the CSCE. He told reporters that an effort to that effect was under way, and "we hope it will bear fruit". He said Greece was prepared to resume dialogue with Skopje provided prerequisites which it had set were met. "If Skopje abandons its intransigent stance, there should be satisfactory future developments, that may even lead to an accord under UN auspices, as long as Greece's stand is satisfied", Mr Papoulias said. He added nobody expected Mr Gligorov to change his positions "from one day to the next", noting that the Skopje president was facing domestic problems and elections in November. Mr Papoulias said any form of dialogue on the name issue would take a long time, owing to the fact that Mr Gligorov's positions were known and Greece stood firm. The Foreign Minister told questioners Skopje satisfaction of Greek demands was a prerequisite for the neighbouring state's accession to the CSCE. Mr Papoulias also gave the EU Commissioner a verbal response to Mr Gligorov's letter at their meeting. At the same time, it was made known Mr Papoulias would keep in touch with Mr van den Broek today, after the Commissioner's talks with Mr Gligorov. Van den Broek --------------- European External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek said his "prime goal" was to get talks between Athens and Skopje resumed, in order to prevent the present condition from deterioration. Mr van den Broek said he had received "a number of positive points" which he would convey to Skopje President Kiro Gligorov. "We further discussed various ways and means by which dialogue on the well-known problem might resume between Athens and Skopje. I certainly received a number of positive points that I will convey to President Gligorov whom I shall be seeing for a couple of hours later today (yesterday)," Mr van den Broek told reporters after conferring with Mr Papoulias. "That is not to say that all problems as such have been resolved, and the way is now clear for official talks to resume. But I wouldn't exclude the possibility that we will find ways and means to bridge the gap to get dialogue back on track again, to get negotiations on the substance going again under the good offices of the UN, of Cyrus Vance. However, it is simply too early to say" , he said. Mr van den Broek added his mission was "of a very temporary nature", adding he had not received a mandate from his EU counterparts "to start a whole new track of negotiations as such". "our only task", he went on, "is to try to facilitate resumption of the talks that should lead to final negotiated political solutions". The Commissioner said he would continue his journey to Skopje (yesterday), adding the hope that "in a couple of days it may be possible to provide a little more clarity". Asked to comment on the fact that Mr Gligorov's letter to Mr Papandreou had been released in Skopje before he delivered to the Greek premier, Mr van den Broek said: "I don't know whether it was a bureaucratic lapse, so to speak. I don't hide from you that I would have preferred that it had not happened. I hope such an incident should not influence the substance of what we are trying to achieve". Mr Van den Broek underlined the "urgency" of resolving "differences that still exist regarding the resumption of dialogue". He said that negotiations themselves were "complicated and sensitive enough not to wait too long before resuming them". "What I am personally extremely worried about, is that the situation would sharpen up and become more tense for the simple reason that the parties are not officially talking to each other. So our prime goal is absolutely clear ... let's try to get the parameters straight in order to get this dialogue going", Mr van den Broek concluded. Meanwhile government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that Greece would view the continuation of Mr van den Broek initiative in a positive light. The government, he said, believes that "there is no need for his mission to end after just a single effort". He said that Mr van den Broek's mediation had provided the Commission with an opportunity to gain "first hand" knowledge of Skopje's provocativeness and intransigence and "it will thus perhaps better understand why Greece was forced to take the retortion measures". Mr Venizelos said that retortion measures would be lifted only when the reasons for their implementation ceased to exist, namely the abandonment by Skopje of provocativeness and intransigence. He said the measures had been taken with the aim of continuing dialogue under UN auspices, adding that Mr van den Broek had not demanded lifting of measures as a prerequisite for resuming dialogue. Greece last week suspended movement of goods to and from FYROM through the port of Thessaloniki as retortion measures against Skopje intransigence. Dialogue, Mr Venizelos said, would focus on economic and development co-operation and on the name of the neighbouring state. He told questioners if Skopje provided concrete examples of good will would be prepared to reconsider its stance on the issue of FYROM's accession to CSCE. He clarified that conditions set by Greece for resuming dialogue were virtually identical to prerequisites for a country's admission to CSCE. Commenting on the Gligorov letter Mr Venizelos said that " Gligorov's offer" was a self-evident obligation for all UN member countries. He said Mr Gligorov's proposal for signing and agreement guaranteeing inviolability of existing borders between the two countries would be positive, only if the accord covered the issues of the (Greek) symbols used by Skopje, its Constitution and irredentist propaganda. 'Good cause for hope' VDB says after Skopje talks -------------------------------------------------- Skopje, 25/2/94 (ANA - M. Vihou) - European Union Foreign Political Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek said yesterday "there is good cause for us to maintain hope that we will find a way for dialogue to resume between Greece and his country (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - FYROM)." Mr van den Broek, who made his statements after holding talks with FYROM President Kiro Gligorov and Foreign Minister Stevo Chervenkovsky in Skopje, said important problems still remain to be resolved, adding that he does not underestimate repercussions caused by Greek retortion measures against the neighbouring state. "We would like to reconsider the situation in Brussels after we brief European Union Foreign Ministers first, and see what can be done afterwards", Mr van den Broek said. "We must examine the arguments put forward by the Greek side on the measures. However, I reiterate my concern on the possible negative repercussions of such measures on stability in the region", he said when asked to comment on the Greek retortion measures against FYROM. Arriving at Skopje airport from Athens earlier in the day, Mr van den Broek had said "I believe I have certain positive points which I will convey to President Gligorov. I also believe that quite a few efforts have still to be made for dialogue to resume in the near future". In a statement before Mr van den Broek's departure from Skopje, Mr Chervenkovsky said: "We had a long discussion with Mr van den Broek whom we briefed well on our positions. I believe we will continue to co-operate with him. For our part, we made it clear that we are ready to discuss all the problems together, and in view of the practical aspect of pressure from the (Greek) measures, we are in a difficult position for a smooth continuation of negotiations. What is positive is that the European Union has assumed this initiative to find a way out of the present situation". No positive FYROM Co-operation unless retortion measures lifted, van den Broek in Brussels ----------------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 25/2/94 (ANA) - Mr van den Broek said here last night that obstacles still remained in resolving differences between Greece and FYROM "as long Greece imposes a commercial embargo against FYROM". Mr van den Broek was speaking to reporters at Brussels airport after his arrival from Skopje. "If a solution to the harsh economic measures imposed against FYROM is not found, it will be difficult to continue talks in a constructive way and achieve a real solution which is very necessary for the region at this moment. If the measures are lifted dialogue may begin", he said. "Skopje's view is there will be nothing left to negotiate if Greece's terms are met unilaterally", Mr van den Broek added. "Possibly, even before the beginning of the official dialogue the foreign ministers of the two countries could meet to remove obstacles to dialogue. Unless measures are lifted, it will be very difficult to seek co-operation from FYROM for a positive settlement", Mr van den Broek concluded. UK Foreign Secretary to confer with PM, FM ------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/2/94 (ANA) - British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd is due in Athens Sunday, on a two-day visit for talks with the government, the British Embassy said yesterday. Mr Hurd will have talks with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis. The UK Foreign Secretary will give a press conference at the British Ambassador's residence Monday at 3:30 pm. Political party reactions to van den Broek's mission ---------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/02/94 (ANA) - Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Dimitris Avramopoulos said yesterday after talks with Ambassador George Papoulias on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), "ND is closely watching consultations taking place and will state its position when they are completed". Commenting on the initiative by European Union Foreign Political Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek and developments on the FYROM issue, Mr Avramopoulos said ND "will not become an accessory to possible negative developments". Meanwhile, alternate ND leader Ioannis Varvitsiotis termed the letter FYROM President Kiro Gligorov sent to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou "unacceptable". Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras said the Skopje issue should be raised at EU summit level, calling on Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou to terminate Mr Van den Broek's mediation mission. "We call on the Prime Minister to take the Skopje issue off Van den Broek's mediation and raise it at a summit meeting of the Twelve, while informing Europe and the United States on the next measures the Greek government will take", Mr Samaras said. "Emanating from a (party) leaders' Council, such measures should acquire added weight", he stressed. In a similar statement, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Central Committee Politburo member Orestis Kolozov said "the Gligorov letter would be utilised to pave the way for dialogue". He added" it would be better for direct contact to take place, at a level to be determined, clarifying that this does not mean recognition in advance of the state of Skopje and negotiation should follow promptly, without mediators, who frequently adulterate factors". Christopher: Skopje recognition dictated by 'many reasons' ---------------------------------------------------------- Washington, 25/2/94 (ANA - D. Dimas) - Secretary of State Warren Christopher told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday recognition of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) by the US was dictated by many reasons, placing emphasis on the republic's "security" and the need to "prevent" the war in Bosnia from spreading. Mr Christopher said that after an exchange of letters between US President Bill Clinton and FYROM President Kiro Gligorov, the US are moving to establish diplomatic relations with FYROM, but set no date, adding Mr Gligorov's reply "is complicated and is being analysed". "On the issue of 'Macedonia' the US sent message that it was prepared to recognise 'Macedonia' . A letter had been sent to President Gligorov pointing out certain things have to be done before full diplomatic relations were established. A reply has been received, and it is being analysed. It is quite complicated. The letter (by President Clinton to Mr Gligorov) was complicated and the reply was also somewhat complex. But we are moving along with course, because we believe it is very important that we should we try to ensure that the horrendous war would not spread to neighbouring countries. The way to do this is to appease the 'Macedonians' with recognition', Mr Christopher said, referring to prospects of FYROM's diplomatic recognition. Trucks lying idle at Skopje border ---------------------------------- Athens, 25/294 (ANA) - About fifty trucks are still waiting at the Evzonoi checkpoint on the Greek authorities are not allowing passage since documents accompanying goods indicate the "Republic of Macedonia" as their destination or origin, and not FYROM as the state is recognised internationally. Meanwhile, no truck crossed the border yesterday with foodstuffs for FYROM, but a cargo of timber is being loaded on behalf of FYROM on a Lebanese-flag freighter expected to sail today. The timber had been stored in warehouses in the port of Thessaloniki by businesses in FYROM planning to export it before Greece implemented retortion measures against the state and consequently their loading is proceeding according to schedule. Panmacedonian rally on March 31 ------------------------------- Athens, 25/2/94 (ANA) - A Panmacedonian rally will be held in Thessaloniki on March 31 to protest recognition of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the effort to forge the history of Macedonia. The date was set in Thessaloniki yesterday at a meeting of the co-ordinating committee of Macedonian mayors. The rally will take place at noon in front of a downtown hotel and the organisers intend to be even larger and more impressive than the one held in Thessaloniki last year.