NEWS IN DETAIL

Greece welcomes appointment of new Albanian interim premier

The appointment came after news that the violence in the neighbouring country had spread to northern Albania for the first time since the insurgency broke out last month.

In another development, Athens made representations yesterday afternoon to Tirana for the release of imprisoned Albanian Socialist leader Fatos Nano, as announced earlier in the day by Mr. Pangalos. Soon after the Berisha announcement last night, Mr . Pangalos described Albania's new prime minister, Bashkim Fino, as being "reliable and modest".

He also expressed the hope that Mr. Fino, Gjirokaster's former mayor, "will contribute to the finding of a peaceful solution to the Albanian problem."

Mr. Pangalos said there was a possibility of a Greek official travelling to Tirana during the next few days, depending on how the situation develops and whether a visit is deemed to be positive.

The foreign minister said the Greek government was in contact with the Italian government over the issue, saying the international community's aim is for a national consensus government to be formed in Albania and for the creation of conditions for calm and restoration of order in the country.

Mr. Pangalos stressed that Greece was opposed to the involvement of an international force in Albania and that it prefered for the problems to be resolved by the Albanians themselves.

He reiterated that Greece was ready to provide economic, food and pharmaceutical aid to Albania, "which we are already doing".

Patra donations

Led by the town's former prefect, Vasilis Tsakos, they were to meet yesterday and today with local government representatives and aid groups.

WEU parliamentary conference opens in Athens

The president of the WEU Parliamentary Assembly, Luis Maria de Puig, opened the conference yesterday, stressing Greece's important position in Europe's security and defence sector.

Mr. de Puig stressed the need to reinforce the WEU's role, saying that "the Western European Union is jointly responsible for issues which relate to the expansion of the alliance or the European Union".

According to sources, NATO officials were reportedly annoyed at the fact that the WEU had proceeded with organisation of the Athens conference, as well as the WEU's assumption of several important initiatives.

In welcoming WEU delegates, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis reiterated a Greek proposal for the signing of a protocol agreement that will commit NATO member-states not to use aggression against allies.

NATO's Assistant Secretary-General Donald MacConnel said the alliance played an important role in the shaping of a new "peaceful, undivided and free" Europe.

Mr. MacConnell said the term NATO enlargement was misleading, "because it implies that NATO is moving towards the east, while in reality the countries of central and eastern Europe are moving towards the west."

The Athens conference ends Thursday.

Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou are scheduled to address the conference today.

Mr. Kaklamanis also referred to the latest developments in Albania, the dangers of ignoring Russia's views on NATO expansion and a "confidence deficit" in the alliance arising from Greece's experience with Turkey.

Referring to Greece's efforts to peacefully restore stability in Albania and to protect the human rights of the Albanian people and the Greek minority, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that "the new political stage in the countries of central and eastern Europe has released the forces of nationalism and fosters a climate of dangerous instability."

Turning again to NATO expansion, Mr. Kaklamanis said that the reservations from Moscow should be understood.

Russia's cooperation is necessary for abolition of dividing lines and avoiding the growth of nationalist danger, he added.

Doctors of the World mission to Albania

"Hospitals were derelict. The lack of bandaging materials, serums and medicines rendered treatment or surgery for the wounded impossible and as a result their transfer to other cities is necessary,"according to a physician, who added that most injuries are due to random shooting.

In addition, the organisation is preparing another mission aimed at meeting needs in regions further to the north where clashes are taking place.

German President honoured at Athens University

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Herzog expressed views in favour of the "principle of the separation of powers" in order for a country to be able to operate.

During his speech, entitled "The State and Perceptions of the State at the End of the 20th Century," the German president supported international cooperation for resolving problems such as those concerning the environment, the economy, the creation of n ew jobs and the safeguarding of existing ones.

He stressed that political power is not only allocated to governments, parliaments and courts, but "is simultaneously found under the determining influence of political parties, public opinion expressed through the media, important economic businesses a nd large social groups."

Those attending the ceremony included President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, former president Christos Sartzetakis, main opposition New Democracy President Miltiades Evert, honorary ND president Constantine Mitsotakis, Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Papandreou holds talks with Austrian defence minister

Pangalos-Michaelides discuss recent developments in Cyprus

In view of proximity talks currently underway in Nicosia between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Mr. Michaelides said all opportunities must be used in order to encourage those who must become involved in the issue.

Speaking on the involvement of Turkish Cypriots in negotiations for Cyprus' entry into the EU, Mr. Pangalos said negotiations could not take place between an existing EU and an existing government (of the Cyprus republic) with a unity which is not recognised by the international community.

"We will try to press our associates on this issue," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that following a concession made by Greece, the EU pledged that its next expansion would take place with a group of countries including Cyprus.

US State Department statement

Mr. Burns said the Cyprus issue was discussed extensively between Ms Albright and her British counterpart, Malcolm Rifkind at the US State Department on Monday.

Noted philhellene scholar Robert Browning dies

Browning, who suffered from cancer, headed the Byzantine Studies department at the University of London for many years and was actively involved in the promotion of many of Greece's political and cultural issues.

He had been declared an official lecturer at Athens University and had been honoured on two occasions by Greece.

French director Jules Dassin, the widow of former culture minister Melina Mercouri, also expressed their grief at the death of Browning, as did Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Mr. Dassin, who heads the effort for return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum, said Greece has lost a "loving friend."

New York to host number of Greek cultural events

The events will begin with the opening of a Greek archaeological exhibition at New York's National Gallery.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Mr. Venizelos referred to the "Glory of the Byzantium" exhibition currently held at New York's Metropolitan Museum, considered to be one of the major events in the museum's history and the first Greek major cultural event in the United States since 1992.

In reference to his trip to New York, where he attended the opening of the exhibition, Mr. Venizelos elaborated on his meetings with the president of the National Foundation for the Arts, the secretary-general of the Smithsonian Institute, the director of the Library of Congress and the director of the National Gallery.

The minister also held a meeting with a delegation from the American Jewish Committee regarding the construction of a monument dedicated to the Nazi genocide of Greek Jews. The monument will be erected in Thessaloniki, as part of events marking the institution of the Cultural Capital of Europe.

Aheloos river diversion project awarded

The runners-up for the 35-billion-drachmas project was the Terna-Ferrocemento consortium (43.05 per cent).

Tourist arrivals expected to rise in '97

Ms Papandreou recently visited Berlin to attend the international tourism exhibition ITB. While there, the Greek minister had meetings with representatives of several major tourist agencies.

Greece is a traditional tourist destination for many German tourists who together with tourists from Britain account for one half of the overall tourist arrivals each year.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ms Papandreou announced that Greece will launch a campaign this month to improve the country's tourism image.

WEATHER

SPORTS

National team reps tour Athens '97 facilities

The Athens '97 World Championships are due to take place in the Greek capital between Aug. 1-10.

Representatives of teams from the United States, Jamaica, Germany, France, Italy and Australia yesterday visited the facilities at Athens' Olympic Stadium. They were accompanied on their visit by International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) technic al director Sandro Giovannelli.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(C.E.)

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