Newsgroups: bit.listserv.hellas
Date:         Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:39:21 EST
Reply-To:     "Efstratios N. Kontogiannis" <enkontog@MAILBOX.SYR.EDU>
From:         "Efstratios N. Kontogiannis" <enkontog@MAILBOX.SYR.EDU>
Subject:      MITSOTAKIS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

P.M. Constantine Mitsotakis preparef for the EC EDinburgh summit fighting
for his political life, as pressure grew in his own party for a new leader.
Despita a snap cabinet reshuffle aimed at placating disgruntled MP's, the
74 year-old Democrat premier has come under heavy attack from rebel
 back-benchers. The reshuffle, which saw the appointment, had been billed as a
 "new
beginning" for the conservatives.

But Panayiotis Dimitras, a leading political commentator said;"Mitsotakis
has failed to give the impression of the clean new beginning he so desperately
needs.

The crtitcism has unleashed widespread speculation that Mitsotakis could be
 forced to hold early elections. Greeks are due to go to the polls in mid-1994.

Attacks on P.M. have focused largely on hos foreign and economic policies.
Many say he has been to lenient on his battle to block recognition of the
former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia and too harsh in the economic austerity
measures imposed by his government.

Unless Mitsotakis manages to pull off a stunning victory over MAcedonian
recognition at the Edinburgh summit, there is growing speculation he could
fall victim to a number of backbench plots allegedly under way to replace him.

--------
COMMENT
-------
The special UN envoy to the former Yugoslav republic, Robin O' Neill, in his
report which he will present at the summit, states that "Macedonia" should be
recognised immediately as either as "Northern Macedonia" or "Slavic Macedonia."

P.M. Mitsotakis said when he reviewed the O'Neill report that " it has too many
elements and that he dosen't want to go into details, but the conclusion is
that we reject it." (European 10-13 Dec. 1992)

The EC shift towards recognition of the former Yugoslav republic as Macedonia
, despite Greece's strong objections comes with the wave of protest from the
Islamic states pressuring the an intervention in Bosnia.

The UN under a plea from president Gligorov, had asked for a 17-member
military team to set up a permanent mission and isolate the former Yugoslav
republic from the spreading conflict. Although, the Skopje state has asked
for 1,000 troops to be stationed, the UN will at most senf 300, of its troops.

The 300 UN army will act as visible deterrents against incursions across the
borders.

In talking about the proposal of the O'Neill report, Greece has also
recommended that the decision of the Lisbon Declaration be abandoned and that
each EC member take its own decision over recognition. (WHY?)

The feared Balkan war scenario is as follows: There would be a revolt from
the Albanianmajority inthe Kosovo republic against the Serbs. The Serbs would
 then intervene in "MAcedonia" and Bulgaria, which regards MAcedonia as Bulgaria
 would
come to their aid. Turkey, being Bulgaria's traditional enemy, would intervene,
to assist the Albanian Muslims. Greece as a memeber of NATO, might then also
get involved.

STRATOS KONTOGIANNHS
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, MAXWELL SCHOOL
P.S. PLEASE READ THE DEC. ISSUE OF THE EUROPAN PP. 10-ON 'MACEDONIA'
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU