From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Wed, 18 May 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, New York talks with FYROM end, new round June 13 ----------------------------------------------- United Nations, 18/5/1994 (ANA-M.Georgiadou): The round of parallel talks between UN Skopje mediator Cyrus Vance and representatives from Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) ended yesterday, in New York, with a new round of talks set to begin on or about June 13 at foreign minister level. In a press briefing, yesterday, UN chief's representative Joe Sills told reporters both parties had agreed to participate in a new round of talks. "The talks which ended today were thorough and both parties exchanged views on a series of suggestions submitted to them," Mr. Sills said. He also distributed an announcement by Mr. Vance, reading as follows: "In continuation of ongoing efforts pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 845 (1993), delegations of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia headed by Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, and Greece, headed by the Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry, Christos Zaharakis, have held parallel, in-depth talks with me in New York since 13 May. The parties exchanged views with me on various suggestions submitted to them. "Both parties in response to my invitation, have agreed to return to New York on or about 13 June for further talks under my auspices at the level of foreign minister," the announcement said. Meanwhile, in Athens, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, in a reply to a press question on developments in the Skopje issue, said he expected a briefing from Mr. Zaharakis, due in Athens today. In a related development, Mr. Crvenkovski implied, after his third meeting with Mr. Vance, that there was evidence pointing to a settlement of the Greek-Skopje dispute. According to Skopje television, the Minister did not elaborate on the nature of evidence, saying he was bound by agreement not to comment on the contents of the talks. Mr. Crvenkovski said he would go to Washington for a series of contacts, adding that the New York talks would resume next month. Athens insists that FYROM change its flag, name, and preamble of its Constitution, saying they conceal irredentist designs against Greece's northern province of Macedonia. Government spokesman -------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): Talks between Greece and UN mediator on the Skopje issue Cyrus Vance always cover all aspects of the problem, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. Responding to press questions, Mr. Venizelos said the name issue with the neighbouring state was also included in the talks with Mr. Vance. Asked if talks between Mr. Zaharakis and Mr. Vance were being conducted on the substance of the problem or were of a procedural nature only, the spokesman replied that they were being conducted "within the procedural and substantive framework announced by the government." Mr. Venizelos denied the government was under pressure to make concessions on the issue, or that Premier Andreas Papandreou had committed himself in the course of a telephone conversation with President Clinton, to propose "a reasonable alternative" on the name issue. Skopje president claims "permanent will" for talks on "all" issues ----------------------------------------------------------------- Vienna, 18/5/1994 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis): Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) president Kiro Gligorov referred to Skopje's "permanent will" for negotiations with Greece on all issues ("to take place in coming days") in an interview published yesterday in the "Die Presse" daily. He described as mere gossip recent rumours alleging Skopje's intention to change its flag and symbols. President Gligorov said: "There is no objective reason for a dispute between Greece and FYROM, at least there are no territorial claims. Co-operation is to the benefit of both countries, and what is happening now does not serve their interests. It is a matter of sentimentality which, unfortunately, plays a significant role in the Balkans." Drachma holds its own against other currencies ---------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): The drachma held its own against most currencies yesterday, effectively the first day of the application of new measures lifting all restrictions on foreign exchange transactions in the country. Interbank overnight rates as high as 200% were quoted and returns on repos were especially perky, as banks offered interests as much as 35% to secure liquidity. The one-month Athens Interbank Offered Rate (ATHIBOR) was at 77.69 % yesterday, up from Monday's 57.29%. Three months was 65.31%, up from 48.96%. Economic analysts said that high interest rates will have side-effects in the market, and indicated that rates could not stay at these levels for long without starting to hurt the economy. Many companies with cash flow problems were now borrowing at 80 and 90%. At the same time, it is conceded that attacks on the currency would intensify if the Bank of Greece allowed interbank rates and the cost of money to decline. Another feature which helped the drachma yesterday was a net inflow of foreign exchange, to the tune of $21 million, for the purchase of dollar and ECU-linked government bonds, which will continue being on sale today. According to reports, sales exceeded 200 billion drachmas. The Bank of Greece had to spend up to $1 billion last week to defend the drachma against currency speculators, shortly before the early lifting of all restrictions on capital movements. Gov't satisfied with deregulation progress, Venizelos lauds Opposition party stand ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday the government is very satisfied with the outcome of capital movement deregulation so far. Referring to the attitude of opposition parties on economic affairs, Mr. Venizelos said it was positive, adding that when opposition parties display a sense of responsibility it was appropriate to give due credit and acknowledge it accordingly. PM has talks with Netherlands counterpart ----------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday held talks with his Dutch counterpart Ruud Lubers. The Dutch Prime Minister was in Athens on a one-day working visit in light of the Corfu European Union Summit. The Summit, scheduled to take place in late June, will appoint a new President for the European Commission, for which Mr. Lubers is candidate. Greek Gov't agrees to renew talks with Albania ---------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): According to a Reuter dispatch from Tirana, Albanian television yesterday reported Greek ambassador to Tirana Christodoulos Tsalikis formally conveyed Athens' approval of an Albanian proposal Friday for renewed talks at foreign minister level. The report did not set a date for the talks, to take place at the Greek-Albanian border, but quoted Albanian deputy foreign minister Arjan Starova as saying the agenda should be previously discussed by experts, and all major problems between the two countries should be put forward for discussion. Relations between Tirana and Athens have been especially strained since a border incident on April 10, when two Albanian conscripts were killed in a border raid the Albanians attribute to Greek separatists. EU presidency appeals for reconciliation in Tadzhikistan -------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): The European Union has made an urgent appeal to the government and all political forces in Tadzhikistan to co-operate with UN and Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) representatives in their efforts to achieve national reconciliation. In an announcement issued by the Greek presidency, the EU also praises the efforts of its special envoy, Ambassador Piriz-Ballon, as well as those of the CSCE and Russia aimed at making dialogue and national reconciliation possible in Tadzhikistan. "The European Union addresses an urgent appeal to the government of Tadzhikistan and to all the political forces which may consider themselves as representing population groups of Tadzhikistan, to fully co-operate with the representatives of the UN and t he CSCE to achieve a new political agreement, on the basis of which broad and permanent national reconciliation may be attained," the announcement said. G. Papandreou, UNESCO Director General confer on co-operation against illiteracy ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): Foreign Under-secretary George Papandreou yesterday had talks with visiting UNESCO Director General, Federico Mayor, on battling illiteracy in the third world countries, co-operation between Athens and UNESCO, and protection of cultural monuments in the world. Today, Mr. Mayor will have talks with Education Minister Dimitris Fatouros, Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos and will also attend an event marking the International Museum Day. He will also visit the grave of Melina Mercouri and later call on Jules Dassin. Tomorrow he will inaugurate UNESCO's Balkan Women Centre in Thessaloniki, visit the Vergina archaeological site, and be proclaimed honorary lecturer of the School of Biology at Thessaloniki University. Boeing, Greek Aircraft Industry 26 mil. dollars agreement -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): A 26 million dollars agreement for the manufacture and assembly of parts of the wings of Boeing 757 aircraft was signed yesterday between the American manufacturers and the Greek Aircraft Industry. "Everything ready" for Euroelections ------------------------------------ Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): Everything is ready for the June 12 Euro-elections, Interior Ministry officials making all efforts to ensure everything will be in order on election night. A total of 8,459,636 registered voters, of whom 4,135,380 are men and 4,324,251 women, have the right to cast a ballot in the Euro-elections. Voters not living in their place of registration, but have applied for the right to vote in their place of residence total 479,000. On Sunday June 12, voting for 25 Greek representatives at the European Community Assembly (European Parliament) will start at 6.02 a.m. and end at 8.45 p.m.. In other European Union member-states where Greeks either reside permanently (58,760 persons have registered in this category) or happen to be there on polling day, voting will take place on Saturday June 11 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local summer time). Romaios, Millan discuss CSF in Brussels --------------------------------------- Brussels, 18/5/1994 (ANA/M.Savvas-F.Stangos): Alternate National Economy Minister George Romaios held talks with Regional Policy Commissioner Bruce Millan in Brussels yesterday on the Community Support Framework for the 1994-1999 period. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Romaios said that in essence negotiations for the 1994-1999 Community Support Framework were concluded yesterday, which is of great importance since the Community Support Frameworks for Spain and Portugal have not yet been ratified. The Commission is expected to give formal approval for the Greek Regional Development Plan to enable it to be endorsed as a Community Support Framework. In this way the first disbursement amounting to about one billion ECUs will take place in early August. The remaining one billion ECUs Greece is entitled to in 1994 will be given by the end of the year. The total amount for the Greek Community Support Framework is estimated at about 18 billion ECUs. "I consider it a success for the government that the negotiations were completed in the set timetable. The negotiations will formally end in Athens this Thursday with a meeting on the Greek Regional Development Plan between representatives of the Nation al Economy Ministry and European Commission officials," Mr. Romaios said. EU Farm Ministers end Ioannina meeting, "very satisfactory" results ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/5/1994 (ANA): The two-day informal Council of European Union Agriculture Ministers on "Succession in agriculture and young farmers" ended in Ioannina yesterday with very satisfactory results. Speaking at a press conference at the end of the session, both EU Agriculture Commissioner Mr. Steichen and Greek Agriculture Minister and Council President George Moraitis expressed satisfaction at the positions outlined by all delegations on the problem of succession and on the Commission's positive positions. The session was based on two texts, one by the Greek delegation submitted by Agriculture Under-secretary Floros Constantinou, and the other by Mr. Steichen. Greece's representative Mr. Constantinou referred to European and international developments (adjustment of Common Agricultural Policy, EU enlargement and GATT agreements), stressing their negative repercussions, particularly on young farmers. Presenting the structural state of European agriculture, he made special reference to Greek agriculture, underlining increased structural problems such as a reduction in the percentage of young farmers and ageing agricultural population. He underlined the unwillingness of young people to join the farming profession, belated retirement of elderly farmers, attributing the causes on current EU policy which addresses the problem through narrow public finance criteria.