From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 28 Mar 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, Greece proposes hopeful compromise over voting rights in EU Council ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 28/3/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday proposed a compromise to settle a split over voting rights in the European Union, prompting a generally hopeful response that it might avert a delay in admitting four new members, at the EU foreign ministers' informal meeting in Ioannina over the weekend. Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos expressed optimism the problem of the number of votes needed to block legislation in the Council of Ministers would soon be resolved. The Greek idea is to entitle countries mustering between 23 and 27 votes between them to a 'reasonable' delay before decisions which they opposed could be imposed on them. Britain and Spain had wanted the number of votes in the Council of Ministers needed to make up a so-called blocking minority to be kept at 23 after four new countries - Norway, Sweden, Finland and Austria - join the EU January. The majority view is that the number should increase to 27 in order not to slow further the EU's unwieldy decision-making process. Spanish Foreign Minister Javier Solana said the plan proposed by the EU's Greek presidency was a likely breakthrough in the dispute which has pitted his country and Britain against their 10 EU partners. British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, whose governing Conservative Party is divided over European integration, said he had not accepted the proposal, but it would be seriously considered in London. Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of talks in Ioannina, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said that "the Twelve" had reaffirmed their desire for the EU to play a leading role on the international scene. He said that the European peace plan provided the basis for the only overall solution to the conflict in Bosnia, adding EU welcomed US participation in efforts to resolve the situation in former Yugoslavia. The main objective of the EU, Mr. Papoulias went on, was to persuade Serbs to sit at the negotiating table, since a Croat-Moslem rapprochement was not sufficient in itself to bring peace to Bosnia, and provide a viable and lasting solution to the problem of Krajina. The ministers also discussed the volatile situation in the Middle East, adding interest in furthering the peace process and direct EU involvement in peace efforts. They decided to send observers to Palestine, help PLO leader Yasser Arafat form a Palestinian police force and contribute materially to the reconstruction of Palestine territory. On the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the EU foreign ministers requested External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek to meet with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou in Athens today, as part of his mediation mission between FYROM and Greece. Mr. van den Broek will most likely visit Skopje after his talks in Athens, well-informed sources said. Asked about the possibility of sanctions being imposed against Greece because of retortion measures against FYROM, European Commission President Jacques Delors said such action had been delayed, as Greece had invoked political reasons to justify the measures. Mr. Delors said the issue no longer fell within the competence of the Commission, and any action against Greece should be taken by the Council of Ministers. He intimated that as long as Mr. van den Broek's mediation mission was in progress, it was unlikely Greece would be referred to the European Court. Mr. Papoulias said criticism of trade sanctions as retortion measures against FYROM, had been levelled at Greece by partners who insist Athens should lift the measures, discussion had been "constru-ctive and friendly". In a related development, Spanish Foreign Minister Javier Solana said the Commission would meet with the Greek government in a few days, to avert the possibility of Greece's being brought before the European Court. At the same time, Mr. van den Broek said the EU mediation bid did not remove the need for UN- sponsored dialogue to resume with special mediator Cyrus Vance. Austrian FM lauds Greek presidency ----------------------------------- Vienna, 28/3/1994 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis): Austrian Foreign Minister Alois Mock described as "positive" the Greek EU presidency's contribution to seeking agreement on a formula relating to the number of votes in EU Council of Ministers needed to block legislation. "The Greek presidency has made a great contribution to solving this problem," the Austrian Minister said. Mr. Mock was speaking to reporters in Ioannina, at the close of the informal meeting of the "Twelve" over the weekend. President Clinton writes Premier on visit ----------------------------------------- Athens, 28/3/1994 (ANA): US President Bill Clinton wrote Premier Andreas Papandreou within the framework of preparations for the latter's forthcoming visit to the US, the government said Saturday. Describing the letter as "friendly and constructive", government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said it contained a list of the issues, including the Cyprus issue and Greek-American relations, for discussion during Mr. Papandreou's visit, and providing a "serious basis" for talks. Mr. Venizelos said the issue of Turkish troop deployment with the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia had not been referred to in the letter, although it did contain "known US positions" on the Skopje issue. The letter was handed to Mr. Papandreou at a meeting with US Ambassador Thomas Niles Thursday. Mr. Venizelos told questioners appointment of US mediator on the Skopje issue Matthew Nimitz was "welcome". "American interest as also any other form of interest aimed at finding a solution is welcome," Mr. Venizelos said. The spokesman said Mr. Nimitz would be co-ordinating efforts with UN special envoy on the Skopje issue Cyrus Vance. Mr. Venizelos accused the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) of maintaining intransigence. "I am under the impression both EU External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek and German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel (in recent talks) should have ascertained (FYROM President Kiro) Gligorov's intransigence," Mr. Venizelos said, adding: "It is significant, since Greece is putting forward proposals for a settlement safeguarding peace, security and stability in the region." The spokesman said Greece's retortion measures against FYROM would be raised by the Greek presidency either Saturday or Sunday, at the European Union foreign ministers' informal meeting in Ioannina, northern Greece. EU commissioner to meet PM, FM over Skopje ----------------------------------------- Athens, 28/3/1994 (ANA): EU External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek will have talks here today with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, to step up efforts for a solution to the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). This was announced by Mr. Papoulias at a press conference yesterday, in the Northwest town of Ioannina, where EU foreign ministers met informally over the weekend. Greece raised the Skopje issue at talks last night, explaining its EU partners why it had imposed trade sanctions as retortion measures against FYROM, stressing the measures were purely political in nature, and justified under Article 224 of the Maastricht Treaty. Greece also insisted its European partners exert pressure on Skopje to abandon intransigence. Greece's partners displayed willingness to help find an overall solution that would satisfy Athens, well-informed sources said. The first phase of the European plan provides for pressure on Skopje to change its flag which bears the Vergina Star, an ancient Greek symbol found on the golden casket of Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, the sources added. Greece's EU partners believe such a move by Skopje would encourage Athens lift trade sanctions against its northern neighbour, the sources opined. Archbishop Iacovos meets US mediator ------------------------------------ Washington, 28/3/1994 (ANA - D. Dimas) Archbishop Iacovos of North and South America met last night with US mediator on the Skopje issue Matthew Nimitz. Archbishop Iacovos told reporters after the meeting he was "determined to do everything possible" to promote a solution to Greek-Skopje differences. President Bill Clinton has portrayed his determination for greater US involvement in finding a solution to the Skopje issue by appointing Mr. Nimitz as Skopje mediator. The Archbishop told newsmen Mr. Nimitz would commence a tour of the Balkan region today, in quest of a "viable solution." He added Mr. Nimitz "appears optimistic ... and hopes that by the end of April a viable solution will have been found, a solution that should be acceptable and satisfy Greek sensitivities over the Hellenic character of Macedonia, while also providing fulfilment of Skopje expectations..." Pangalos chairs San Jose meeting -------------------------------- Athens, 28/3/1994 (ANA): Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will chair the San Jose two-day intra-ministerial meeting which begins today in Athens. The meeting between the members of the European Union and countries of the Tegusigalpa Protocol (Countries of Central America with Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia as associate members) will focus on bilateral political and economic issues.