From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 18 Mar 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, PM hopeful Skopje issue will "bear fruit' ----------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/3/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday expressed optimism Greece's position on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) would "bear fruit". "Our position remains firm and will bear fruit", Mr. Papandreou told reporters after attending a special House session to mark 150 years of free parliamentarianism. Replying to a question on developments in the region and possible negative repercussions for Greece, Mr. Papandreou said: "If we keep our eyes open and remain united, we shall overcome the difficulties". Asked if certain elements were trying to create tension in the region, Mr. Papandreou replied that "there are always circles which pursue fragmentation and try to promote their own interests, but they will not succeed". Arsenis has talks with Cyprus FM --------------------------------- Nicosia, 18/3/1994 (ANA/CNA): Greek Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, who is here to implement a common defence police between Cyprus and Greece, told the press after a meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides yesterday evening "the talks are going very well". WEU leader acknowledges Skopje stance provocative -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/3/1994 (ANA): Visiting West European Union (WEU) Assembly President Sir Dudley Smith said yesterday the tactic used by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on using (Ancient Greek) symbols and articles of the Constitution was provocation. Speaking to reporters, Sir Dudley expressed enthusiasm over what he and his WEU colleagues had seen, saying that from now on they could reply to anything regarding Macedonia. "I believe it (the issue) should be discussed at a negotiating table and Greece wants to take it to the UN. It is something very good. I believe the two countries can find a way to live side by side", Sir Dudley said. Asked how this compared with FYROM's efforts to usurp Greek symbols and its overall provocative stance, Sir Dudley said all this was provocation and this is known to all. "This is one thing and a discussion with understanding is another. I think Greece will gain what it wants with talks", he added. Responding to a questioner, Sir Dudley recalled Britain was the first country that had accepted Greece in WEU. He expressed the view that blocking Greece's entry to the WEU was mistake on Germany's part, adding he hoped the Germans would fail in achieving their aim and, anyway, it would be bad for Germany especially in light of elections, as it would have an impact. "I am sure Greece will be a full member of the WEU by the end of the year", he said. Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Costas Triarides received Sir Dudley expressing a wish efforts of all will aim at peace and security in the wider Balkan region. Greece's reply to Vance Skopje package 'in a few days' ------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 18/3/1994 (ANA): Greece's reply to the package of ideas put forward by UN mediator on the Skopje issue, Cyrus Vance, will be forwarded within he next few days through diplomatic channels, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said in Athens yesterday, shortly before departing for Washington D.C. via Paris. Mr. Papoulias, as European Union Council of Ministers chairman, flew to the American capital to attend the signing of a US-sponsored agreement for establishing a federation between Bosnian Croats and Moslems in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mr. Papoulias will be heading an EU "troika" delegation comprising the Foreign Ministers of Belgium and Germany. The troika includes the previous, current and next EU presidents (Belgium, Greece and Germany respectively). He told reporters at Athens Airport the government's initial reaction to the Vance ideas was "a good beginning". Mr. Papoulias will also confer with EU mediator on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek, who met with FYROM leader Kiro Gligorov in Bonn Wednesday. No meeting, however, was scheduled with Mr. Vance, Mr. Papoulias said. Asked what the government would do in the event it was decided Turkish soldiers would participate in the UN peace-keeping force in Bosnia, Mr. Papoulias referred to the announcement issued by President Constantine Karamanlis' office after the latter's meeting with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou Wednesday, adding that there was also a relevant decision by the Council of Political Leaders. The announcement released after the Karamanlis-Papandreou meeting said: "...Greece's position that no Balkan country should participate in any form of military intervention in former Yugoslavia, not even as part of UN peacekeeping forces, was reiterated". "Greece", Mr. Papoulias said, "insists on its fundamental resolve that no Balkan force should be deployed in Bosnia". "We insist (on that position), and are trying to convince those who share Turkey's view, to avoid such an eventuality, as Turkish participation would complicate the situation in the Balkans", Mr. Papoulias added. Germany tells Gligorov to show good will ---------------------------------------- Bonn, 18/3/1994 (ANA - P. Stangos): German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel yesterday called on Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov to show good will and give clarification on all issues which might cause concern to Greece. Mr. Kinkel and Mr. Gligorov discussed the Greek-FYROM dispute at a meeting yesterday, but refrained from answering press questions. A German Foreign Ministry statement after the talks said Mr. Gligorov favoured resumption of dialogue to find a "package solution", that would also include a mutually acceptable name, while hinting he was not willing to negotiate unless Greece retortion measures were lifted. The Greek government clamped a package of retortion measures against FYROM in February as a reaction to Skopje intransigence. Greece insists that the use of the term "Macedonia" applies only to its northern province of that name, accuses 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 preconditions for resuming UN-sponsored dialogue. Mr. Kinkel, the announcement added, expressed "understanding" for Skopje positions, but called on Mr. Gligorov to provide clarification on all issues "which might cause concern (to Greece) in relation to possible territorial claims". FYROM calls name issue negotiable --------------------------------- Athens, 18/3/1994 (ANA): FYROM's Parliament President Stojan Antov said Skopje was willing to negotiate with Greece the name "Macedonia", calling the issue "negotiable". He was speaking at a press conference before departing for FYROM after attending the European Transport Conference in Crete. Mr. Antov said, however, that Skopje would not raise the issue in the negotiations. "But if Greece raises it, we will discuss it and we will defend our 'name'", he said. Mr. Antov said the Skopjan government wished to negotiate a "package" of issues with Greece, not just "isolated issues". In reference to the retortion measures against Skopje, he said they cause harm to both sides, adding that his country could last it out with the help of its friends abroad. He said the lifting of the retortion measures was a requirement for the resumption of dialogue between the two countries. Mr. Antov visited Crete to participate in the Pan-European Transport Conference. UN appreciates Greek anxiety over Turkish Bosnia contingent ----------------------------------------------------------- United Nations, 18/3/1994 (ANA / M. Georgiadou): "There is no change in the United Nations Secretary General's position on the exclusion of countries from UNPROFOR of countries bordering on the former Yugoslavia or with historical ties with any of the embattled sides", stated yesterday Dr. Ghali's assistant, responsible for peace keeping forces Mr. Anan. The UN official, who presided over a meeting on the increase of peace keeping forces, said many countries already contributing men were in favour of Turkish participation but no decision had been reached. "The organisation fully understands Greece's anxiety" and Greece is right on insisting on this principle, as well as on considering its participation in UNPROFOR if hitherto given facts change, he added. Diplomatic circles in New York pointed out that although none of the five countries invited to attend the meeting as observers - Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Austria - spoke, those already contributing took Greek objections very seriously. Meanwhile Russian permanent representative Yuli Voronchov said that if Turkish forces are, in the end deployed, this must be done in neutral areas and, in any case, far from the Serbs. European Commissioner message to Gligorov ----------------------------------------- Brussels, 18/3/1994 (ANA - M. Savva): EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek conveyed a message from the European Union to Skopje President Kiro Gligorov during their Bonn meeting, Wednesday, a commission spokesman told reporters in Bonn. The meeting took place in the framework of a mediation attempt by the Commission, the spokesman said. He did not elaborate. The spokesman said other meetings would take place in the near future. "We have to be patient", he added.