NEWS IN DETAIL

Greece says Turkey again heightening tensions

"Turkey's effort," the spokesman said in an announcement, "to base its claims on unfounded theories which offend international law is ineffectual, especially in view of the continued illegal occupation of a part of the Cyprus Republic as well as provocative violations of Greek airspace in the Aegean, and in general the neighbouring country's refusal to respect the existing legal status quo in the region."

Commenting on the Rome meeting, Mr. Bikas said "it was outside the European Union's standard practice", and "certainly it did not contribute to the principle of flexibility that is discussed in the Inter-governmental (conference)."

"The problems emanating from the islands, isles and rocky islets in the Aegean, which are under dispute, maintain their significance and seriousness and are pending solution," Mr. Akbel said in Ankara yesterday, on the occasion of the Imia crisis one year ago, which brought Greece and Turkey to the brink of war.

Turkish FM comments on EU pressures

Returning from Rome, where she met with a five-member 'contact group' of EU foreign ministers and announced that Turkey will submit a new application for full EU membership, Ms Ciller added: "Our goals and explanations regarding the issue of relations with Greece were most clear.

"Greece, by interrupting dialogue for no reason and installing Russian missiles in 'southern' Cyprus has made a great mistake," she said.

"Under these circumstances, for Europe to set as a condition the overcoming of disputes with Greece is tantamount to saying to Turkey 'we don't want you'."

"It is impossible for Turkey to accept any of these," she added.

Alternate FM meets with UN Secterary General in Davos

Settlement on FYROM name dispute may be at hand

"When realising that a solution is to the benefit of the national interest, a responsible government must endorse it and not surrender to blackmail," he said.

The foreign minister was replying to a main opposition New Democracy question regarding the issue.

Mr. Pangalos said that special United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance was expected to turn in his mandate and that "everything now depends on the UN Security Council."

Describing as "one-sided" the Sept. 13, 1995 New York interim agreement between Greece and FYROM, Mr. Pangalos went on to say that neither Prime Minister Costas Simitis nor himself had any involvement in the course of this issue over recent years.

Elaborating on likely developments over the issue, following Mr. Vance's pending resignation as special mediator, Mr. Pangalos said two possibilities were likely.

He noted that the UN Security Council will either recognise the neighbouring country by the name "Macedonia" or, "in the best development for us, it will recognise it (FYROM) under a composite name."

The foreign minister said the issue had reached a point where all political parties, especially the main opposition party, will have to take a clear position.

Premier denies "authoritarianism" in handling protests

Mr. Tsovolas, a one-time PASOK minister, had criticised the government for "displaying authoritarianism" in confronting a new round of farmers' protests.

Mr. Simitis retorted saying authoritarianism is to block roads and prevent citizens from moving freely.

"Authoritarianism means road blockades, authoritarianism is to cause damage to the property of others, authoritarianism is to place your own interest above the interest of all others," Mr. Simitis said.

The premier said the government would not accept behaviour which was contrary to the provisions of the law and the Constitution.

Mr. Tsovolas charged that the government's "heartless" policy, as he said, would lead society to an impasse. He also accused the government of using "police methods" to frighten farmers and cause social strife.

Instead of engaging in dialogue with the farmers, Mr. Tsovolas said, government ministers were provoking and insulting them.

Mr. Simitis responded that the government had entered into a dialogue with farmers and had taken a series of measures to resolve their problems.

Simitis defends gov't policies on education, teachers' wages

Mr. Simitis said the new wage scale for teachers was "a significant step towards improving teachers' incomes" and that spending on education would total 3.6 per cent of GDP, compared to 2.9 per cent in 1991. "These are the amounts which the government can give in the framework of its fiscal policy, " he concluded.

Meanwhile, high school teachers in the second week of their strike said a meeting with government members yesterday was "fruitless", but did not rule out another meeting with Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis over the weekend.

Teachers are demanding a salary increase of 75,000 drachmas and have said they will extend their strike until Feb. 8 if their demands are not met. Primary school teachers will join the strike on Monday.

Illegal immigrant smugglers arrested

Mehmet Berberoglu, 50, and Abdulerak Balat, 21, were apprehended while transporting 15 Iraqi nationals of Kurdish origin, including three children, by boat from Turkey.

The same men are reported to have transported 42 illegal immigrants to Greece last Saturday. The two are due to appear before a Hios prosecutor.

During the last 45 days, 11 Turkish nationals have been arested on various eastern Aegean islands on charges of smuggling illegal immigrants into the country.

Leaders arrive in Thessaoniki for Cultural Capital opening

On arrival at Macedonia Airport he was welcomed by ministers, deputies and local authorities.

Mr. Simitis said the second cycle of the Cultural Capital of Europe was starting with Thessaloniki today, with the first cycle beginning in Athens under the late Melina Mercouri.

"Thessaloniki is a city in which many cultures co-existed. It showed that history has continuity and that the synthesis of many cultures can be achieved. It gives the example that we can have many cultural sensitivities in Europe of tomorrow and every country can benefit from the contribution of the other," he said.

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is due to arrive in Thessaloniki today for the official opening, which will be attended by 40 ministers of culture from Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Black Sea countries.

Bulgarian road, rail links to Greece blockaded

According to an announcement issued yesterday by the Bulgarian transport ministry, traffic on the international Sofia-Athens highway has been interrupted by a blockade at the border town of Santanski, while the Radmir- Koulata railway line was blocked at the town of Doupnitsa.

According to a dispatch by the Bulgarian news agency BTA, blockades were being lifted at the Koulata-Promahona and Zlatarevo-Skopje border posts. The road between Blagoevgrad and Koulata was also opened.

BTA said the blockade at Santanski was not creating any particular problems, as drivers were using auxiliary roads.

Bulgarian union and opposition organisations have called on those manning the blockades not to use such forms of protest.

Protests are being held in an effort hinder a new socialist government being formed by prime minister-designate Nikolai Dobrev.

Conference on drug abuse held in Crete

Addressing a conference in Hania, Crete, the Undersecretary expressed concern that drug abuse was spreading to younger and younger age groups. At the conference it was also announced that the drug rehabilitation organisation (OKANA) was to sign an agreement with the Municipality of Hania to initiate an education programme against drugs.

Athens to host European Sailing Week

At a meeting yesterday, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos made all the municipality's services available to the event's organising committee. It was decided to display Olympic sailing craft in Syntagma Square and in front of the Panathenian Stadium, along with information booths. Lighting and special effects will be contributed by the city of Athens.

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