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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 16, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Resignation of Greek Prime Minister Papandreou

Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou has decided to resign from office as he continues to struggle against a serious illness. President Clinton sent the Prime Minister a get-well message shortly after he became ill, and we continue to hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

Prime Minster Papandreou has been one of the most prominent leaders in modern Greek history and worked tirelessly to ensure the victory of democracy in the country of its birth. During his current term of office, he renewed his former association with the United States and was instrumental in further deepening the warm ties that exist between our two countries. He also played a key role as statesman in striving to improve relations between Greece and its neighbors to the north, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. He leaves behind a formidable legacy of accomplishment that will continue to inspire his countrymen.

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