NEWS IN DETAIL

Athens reserved over Turkish general's overtures

It was the first time in a decade that the Turkish Chief of Staff had attended the Greek Embassy's independence day reception. The Turkish press gave extensive coverage to the story, also emphasising the low-level representation of the foreign ministry at the reception, which was attended by an assistant undersecretary.

Informed sources say Karadayi, who is considered to be a moderate and stabilising force and had indirectly criticised the Ciller goverment's handling of the Imia crisis in early 1996, was sending a message to the political leaders of Turkey's diplomatic service.

The general is also seen to be responding to recent gestures by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, gestures which were positively received by the Turkish public but met with a lukewarm response from the Turkish foreign ministry. There was a high turnout by politicians, the military and business circles at independence day receptions held by the Ankara embassy and the Istanbul consulate.

Karadayi reportedly spoke to Greek Ambassador Dimitris Nezeritis of the need to resolve bilateral differences "so that future generations will not be burdened by these problems". He also drew attention to the ease with which Greeks and Turks developed friendly relations on the social level.

General Karadayi, referring to his presence at the reception, said that Greece and Turkey were "neighbours in the same apartment building" and that there were more things uniting than dividing the two countries..

"We are under the same safety umbrella, we are members of NATO," he said, adding that the two countries should "sit down and talk before the arguments get beyond certain points. We haven't got anywhere with arguments".

The general extended an invitation, via the Greek military attache in Ankara Constantine Balanos, to the Greek chief of staff to visit Turkey. He also indicated that he himself was willing to visit Greece.

Athens' reaction to Karadayi's statements was reserved, as government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called the general's attendance at the reception a "polite gesture". Reppas said that while the statements were positive, he hoped they also expressed a more general political direction.

He added that Greece expected similar political initiatives to show these were not empty words, while the important thing was for Turkey to express fully and concisely its positions on the entirety of Greek-Turkish issues.

In response to a question regarding the possibility of Prime Minister Costas Simitis visiting Ankara, Reppas linked the issue with a resolution of the problems between the two countries.

With regard to Cyprus, he stressed that the European Union had committed itself to starting accession talks with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference. Greece, he said, would be undertaking initiatives so that the EU respected that commitment.

Turkish fighters violate Greek airspace

The Turkish fighters were identified and intercepted by Greek Mirage 2000 aircraft.

According to the same sources, a Turkish minesweeper today illegally entered Greek territorial waters east of the islet of Imia.

The Greek gunboat ''Armatolos'' which was patrolling the area at the time and a coastguard vessel forced the Turkish minesweeper to leave Greek territorial waters.

No Simitis visit to FYROM before name decision reached

He added that bilateral summit talks would be held once the necessary groundwork had been laid in bilateral relations, which needed improvement. He called on Skopje to show its willingness to improve those relations.

Reppas indirectly ruled out a visit to Skopje by Simitis in order to discuss the Albanian crisis. He referred to the recent visit by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos on the same issue, adding that if the need arose, Greece would then decide on what action to take.

Greece ready to participate in protection force for Albania

The four nations were the only EU countries willing to participate in such a force, although all EU members approve of the sending of humanitarian aid, Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said after an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Rome yesterday,in which Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino participated.

French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette said the sending of troops was a very sensitive issue and needs further discussion, while Austria announced it will only send military observers.

However, a protection force from only two countries was judged as being unable to escort humanitarian aid to Albania. Thus, a delegation comprised of a representative of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and military advisers of certain EU countries has left for Tirana in order to examine developments and inform their respective organisations. Within the OSCE's legal framework, a protection force is expected to be formed.

Fino thanks Greece for support

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said after the meeting that "we had the opportunity, both Italy and Greece, to stress our support to Mr. Fino. I also had the opportunity to underline the friendly relations between Greece and Albania and our unlimited suppport in all help and long- term cooperation for the reorganisation of Albania.

"I stressed common ties, which (stem) from common borders and the (Greek) minority and the mutual interest for security in the region," he said.

Mr. Papandreou added that Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and himself had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Fino personally, inviting him to visit Greece.

Council of Foreign Ministers

Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Papandreou, who represented Greece at the meeting, said the 15 foreign ministers agreed on the dispatch of an "advance team" to Albania which would pave the way for the arrival of a large "advisory committee" to draw up a plan for Albania's transition into political, social and economic normality.

Dutch reporter shot in Albania brought to Corfu

Vilma Gundabel, 32, whose condition was described as critical, was operated on at Corfu General Hospital.

According to a companion, she was shot by an unidentified individual while speaking on the telephone. He said Ms Gundabel's reports over the past month had been critical of Albanian President Sali Berisha. The Dutch reporter has been working in Albania for the past five years as correspondent for a number of international media outlets.

Foreign ministry reacts to Albanian statement

"It seems that there is a gap of communication between the Albanian government and the embassy in Athens," the announcement stated.

The foreign ministry expressed the hope that the positive cooperation between the two countries will continue, and reiterated that Mr. Kranidiotis' visit to Albania "was made known in advance to the Albanian government and was carried out with its conse nt and in accordance with established practice.

"The consulate general of Greece in Gjirokaster and the consul general carry out their duties under particularly difficult circumstances, aiming at cooperating with the local Albanian authorities, at encouraging the suffering Greek minority and at secur ing the effective distribution of Greek humanitarian aid," the announcement continued.

"All missions of Greek vessels, military or civilian, in Albanian territorial waters was carried out in full knowledge of Albanian authorities and after the granting of permission.

"The Greek government undertook from the outset of the Albanian crisis concrete measures both at bilateral and multilateral levels for a peaceful solution," the foreign ministry said.

"The Greek government has expressed its support to the government of national reconciliation led by Prime Minister Fino and its determination to assist its efforts, and...will continue this policy," the statement concluded.

Transport commissioner Kinnock to visit

Announcing the visit today, Soumakis said both he and Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis would be having talks with Kinnock.

Kinnock will also be meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Soumakis said.

US businessmen seek trade cooperation in Greece

The event, sponsored by the commerical section of the US embassy in Athens, will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The US firms are seeking commercial cooperation and/or representation in Greece. Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to obtain information on the products and services of an additional 100 US companies through their catalogs, which will be avai lable during the event.

Those interested in discussing cooperation ventures with the state trade directors can make arrangements through the commercial section of the US embassy, 91, Vassilissis Sofias Ave., Athens 10 160 P Fax: 72.18.660.

German-language information on Greece available on Internet

The office aims to provide information on Greece in several sectors, including the economy, media, tourism, culture and politics.

This programme marks the first German-language access to a web site of an official Greek service. Its address is: http://www.griechenlandinformation.de

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