From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 7 Oct 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, October, 7, 1994 --------------------------------------------- * Tirana upholds guilty verdicts on ethnic Greeks. Greece insists on release before dialogue * Sentences reduced * Opposition party responses * Bonn awaits briefing * Council of Europe * US official meets with Iakovos on Greek issues * EU observer on Cyprus to visit Athens * Extension of Greek territorial waters 'a sovereign right', FM says * Greece: FYROM may join CSCE if shows 'tangible signs of good will' * Constantopoulos: early elections in April a good idea * Papathemelis confers with Romanian PM, Public Order Minister * Varvitsiotis on Bonn briefing visit * OTE privatisation bill approved in principle Tirana upholds guilty verdicts on ethnic Greeks. Greece insists on release before dialogue ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday accused Albania of perpetuating tension between the two states after a Tirana appeals court upheld guilty verdicts for five ethnic Greek minority members convicted of espionage. The five had their sentences reduced at the end of their appeal hearing for reasons of clemency. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos, reflecting Athens' disappointment, said that Tirana had "refused to take advantage of the opportunity provided by (the appeal)" to de-escalate tension. "The Tirana appeals court seems to be mocking the international community," Mr. Venizelos said. "Unfortunately, the Albanian government does not realise that perpetuating tension is not to the benefit of the entire (Balkan) region, which is burdened with many great problems," he added. Mr. Venizelos said the government insisted on its terms - the outright release of the five - before it entered into dialogue with Albania. "Albanian officials are fully responsible and fully aware of what needs to be done to facilitate dialogue between the two countries and restore Albania's international image," Mr. Venizelos said. The Greek government has repeatedly called on Albania to release the five in order to enter talks with the neighbouring state and also lift a veto on EU financial assistance to Albania. The five were arrested in April after a fatal assault was launched at a border conscript centre inside Albania. The incident led to heightened tension between the two neighbouring states. Tirana accused Athens of staging the attack which killed two Albanian conscripts, but the Greek government flatly denied the charge. The five ethnic Greeks, members of the political organisation Omonia, were charged with spying for Greece and illegal possession of arms. In a recent trial by a Tirana lower court, a sixth ethnic Greek, also a member of Omonia, was convicted and imprisoned on charges of possession of illegal arms. Greece denounced the trials, calling them a "political farce" and a "parody" of justice, and said they were meant to terrorise the ethnic Greek minority in south Albania. It retaliated by blocking the first part of a European Union macroeconomic assistance to Albania, in the form of a total loan worth 35 million ECU. In light of the appeal, Athens said it would lift the veto if Albania freed the five and improved its human rights record. The trial also drew strong reaction and criticism from the European Parliament and European Union member states. Pledging solidarity with Greece, the EU German presidency, representing the European Union member states, said earlier in the week that it would lodge demarches with Albania to secure amnesty or pardon for the five. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said the European Union called on Albania "to do everything possible" to reduce tension in its relations with Greece. According to a Reuters dispatch yesterday, Albania's observer delegation to the Council of Europe on Wednesday had ruled out any intervention by Tirana to overturn the conviction of the five. Sentences reduced ----------------- Tirana, 7/10/1994 (ANA): The presiding appeals judge ruled that the "guilty verdict of the first court ... is right but we feel there is place for changing the jail sentences considering their health and family problems." The court reduced jail sentences for Theodoros Benzianis, Vangelis Papachristos, Panayiotis Martos and Kostas Kyriakou by one year to six, five, five and seven years respectively. The fifth defendant, Iraklis Sirmos, had his sentenced reduced to six years from eight. Prior to the Tirana ruling yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas told the press Greece "is awaiting a move by the Tirana government, especially President (Sali) Berisha which will lead to the release of the ethnic Greeks." "This is both a Greek request and demand for the restoration of justice," Mr. Bikas said. He added that unless this request was met by Tirana, Athens would not enter talks with its neighbour. Opposition party responses --------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): The main opposition New Democracy party also expressed dissatisfaction at yesterday's decision saying that the "Tirana appeals court ruling confirms the Albanian government's persistence in maintaining the impasse in Greek-Albanian relations." "New Democracy believes in dialogue as the founding principle for the settlement of disputes ... only in the case that good intentions are borne by both sides," ND said, in a statement. Political Spring party spokesman Akis Gerontopoulos said the "fresh conviction of the Northern Epirots is also a condemnation of the passive attitude of the (Greek) government." A Coalition of the Left and Progress statement said that "Greece's foreign policy should be based on a policy of friendship and dialogue with neighbouring countries." "The policy of dialogue has been and will be the only strategy to bring about stability in the region and secure and protect the minority today and tomorrow," it said. It added that "the persistence in upholding the sentences cannot be seen as a sign of good will by Tirana." Bonn awaits briefing -------------------- Bonn, 7/10/1994 (ANA-P.Stangos): The German Foreign Ministry was awaiting an "official briefing" by the German embassy in Tirana before it reacted to the conviction and ruling of the appeals court, a ministry spokesman said yesterday. Asked to comment on the Greek government's reaction to the ruling the spokesman said "it is too soon for an evaluation or comment." Council of Europe ----------------- Strasbourg, 7/10/1994 (ANA-H.Galanakis): In a further development yesterday, head of the Greek parliamentary group to the Council of Europe Vasso Papandreou sent a letter to the heads of all national representations, political groups and parliamentary delegations outlining Greece's positions on Greek-Albanian relations. In her letter, which she signed on behalf of all Greek deputies, Ms Papandreou presented concrete evidence on the violation of human and minority rights in Albania, listed the problems faced by the Greek minority and cited breach of procedures in the trial of the five ethnic Greeks. She also had a meeting with the president of the Parliamentary Assembly Miguel Angel Martinez to present the facts as well as the Greek government's efforts to thaw frosty relations with Albania. US official meets with Iakovos on Greek issues ---------------------------------------------- New York, 7/10/1994 (ANA-M. Georgiadou): Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke met yesterday with Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos for a discussion that covered all major Greek national issues. "The assistant secretary is acquainted with the Albanian issue very well," Archbishop Iakovos said after the meeting. "I reiterated the need for the release of these people [the five ethnic Greeks convicted of espionage], either through a government decision, or amnesty, or other act. I hope a man of Mr Holbrooke's character, knowledge and ability will be able to offer his good offices for the solution of these issues which are of interest to us." Asked whether he would visit Athens and Tirana, Mr Holbrooke said he hoped to visit both capitals and Nicosia and other capitals "as soon as possible". He said the visit would probably take place in November. "First of all, we have to deal with the crisis in Bosnia, and we are getting ready for the Security Council session next month. Secondly, the Archbishop and I agreed that we should wait for the results of the elections in the FYROM. And thirdly, we wish to form a new strong team inside the Clinton administration that will deal with Cyprus," he said. EU observer on Cyprus to visit Athens ------------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): The European Union's observer on the Cyprus issue Serge Abou was expected to arrive in Athens late last night for talks with the Greek government. Mr. Abou is scheduled to meet today with Foreign Under-Secretary for European Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis with whom he will discuss developments in the Cyprus issue. Mr. Abou's visit to Athens is in preparation of his report to the EU Council of Ministers on the confidence-building measures in Cyprus, Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas said. Extension of Greek territorial waters 'a sovereign right', FM says ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): The extension of Greece's territorial waters from the present six to 12 nautical miles is Greece's inalienable, sovereign right, and whether or when it will exercise that right is at the discretion of the Greek government, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday. Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias stressed this to his Turkish counterpart Mumtaz Soysal during their meeting in New York on the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly, Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas said in response to press questions. He said that this right was "clearly founded on international law and the International Treaty on Maritime Law which goes into effect on November 16". Mr. Bikas declined to comment on statements by Mr. Soysal that if Greece exercised that right it would be a casus belli, adding that "Greece does not negotiate its sovereign rights". Greece: FYROM may join CSCE if shows 'tangible signs of good will' ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday it would support the accession of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) if FYROM displayed tangible signs of good will in relations with Athens. "Greece links its vote of support for Skopje's accession to the CSCE to tangible examples of good will," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. His statement came in response to a German proposal to admit the former Yugoslav republic to the 53-member forum. Greece has been at odds with the former Yugoslav republic for years, demanding that it change its name, flag and constitution. Athens argues that claims by the Balkan state to the name "Macedonia" imply territorial designs on the northern Greek province of the same name. Constantopoulos: early elections in April a good idea ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday said he was in favour of early general elections in April next year during the ballot for a new president. At a press conference, Mr. Constantopoulos levelled harsh criticism at both the government and main opposition party New Democracy for their foreign policy positions and their stance on the election of a new president next April. He asked for transparency in the election of the new president and said that the likelihood of an early general election was strong, despite claims to the contrary by the government, which has refused to provide answers to very serious questions regarding its nominee, constitutional revision and the electoral law. He asked for a new and fairer electoral law, on the principles of proportional representation. He summarised the Coalition's programme as three-pronged: a radical reorientation of foreign policy; revitalisation of democracy at all levels; and a reorganisation of the economy and production. Regarding foreign policy, Mr Constantopoulos said that a Greek initiative for dialogue with Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia would be beneficial. Referring to his recent visit to Albania, he said that the Coalition would undertake an initiative to co-operate with forces in Albania which wanted friendship with Greece. He acknowledged the existence of a general democratisation problem in Albania, and said the Greek minority there was concerned at becoming the victim of the two countries' dispute. Papathemelis confers with Romanian PM, Public Order Minister ------------------------------------------------------------ Bucharest, 7/10/1994 (ANA): Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis and Romanian counterpart Doron Taratsila yesterday signed an agreement on police co-operation, aimed at combating organised crime and drug trafficking. Mr Papathemelis also met with Romanian Prime Minister Nikolae Vacaroiu. Discussion focused on Balkan affairs, Romanian relations with the European Union and NATO, including bilateral issues relating to economic and political co-operation. Varvitsiotis on Bonn briefing visit ----------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): New Democracy Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis will leave for Bonn Sunday for talks with German leaders on Greek national issues The visit is part of an intensive information drive aimed at Greece's European partners, launched by party leader Miltiades Evert. Visits to other European capitals will follow in November. OTE privatisation bill approved in principle -------------------------------------------- Athens, 7/10/1994 (ANA): A bill providing for the sale of 25 per cent of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation's (OTE) share capital to the public was ratified in principle in parliament yesterday. The bill will be debated at a plenary session after local council elections are held on October 16 and 23. During the debate, Transport and Communications Minister Thanassis Tsouras said that the management and control of OTE would remain in the hands of the Greek state. He said the government expected to receive 80 billion drachmas from the share sale, adding that the money would be used for development. The National Bank of Greece, together with Schroeders and Credit Suisse/First Boston will act as financial consultants on the share float. The main opposition New Democracy party abstained from the vote; parliamentary representative George Souflias said the reason was to protest the procedures followed by the government. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) withdrew when the debate started, invoking the same reason. Political Spring party representative Costas Hadzidimitriou said his party was opposed to the bill and called on the government to ensure that OTE's management remain under state control and that revenue from the sale be used for investments. The Federation of OTE Employees (OME-OTE) staged a protest march to parliament yesterday, part of a 24-hour strike called by OTE employees in Attica, Euboea, Sterea Ellada and Thessaly. A federation delegation visited Parliament Vice President Panayiotis Kritikos, conveying the protesters' demand for a withdrawal of the bill on OTE and the tabling of a new one without clauses on privatisation and with new proposals safeguarding the organisation's development and modernisation approved by the trade unions.