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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-04-27The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Socialist party HQs in Belgrade under heavy attack againThe headquarters of Yugoslavia's ruling Socialist party in Belgrade came under heavy attack by NATO planes again last night. The raids were targeted at the state and private television channel transmitters on the roof of the 23-storey building, which was bombed last Thursday as well. Nevertheless, TV programmes are still being aired normally in Belgrade. The general area around the capital of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, and central Yugoslavia were also bombed.[02] Apache helicopter crashes in TiranaThe American Pentagon has announced that an Apache helicopter crashed at Tirana airport during a training mission yesterday. According to the statement, the helicopter's two pilots managed to escape from the wreckage, but the spokesman had no information concerning their condition. The helicopter was one of 23 Apache combat helicopters sent to Tirana to be used by NATO against Serbian tanks and troops in Kosovo.[03] EU to adopt tougher standThe EU is to adopt a tougher stand against Yugoslavia to exert pressure on the Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, while NATO is increasing the Alliance's forces in the region.At yesterday's meeting in Luxemburg, the 15 EU foreign ministers decided to ban entry by President Milosevic, members of his family and Yugoslav ministers to EU member states, and to freeze Yugoslav capital abroad. They also discussed the German EU presidency's plan for stability in south- eastern Europe. Problems are likely to arise from the implementation on 30 April at the latest of the oil embargo against Yugoslavia, which has already caused reaction from Russia. A possible sea blockade to stop oil supplies is not legally valid for Russia, Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov has said, while prime minister Yevgeni Primakov stressed that his country would act taking into account all the circumstances. Late last night, American defence secretary William Cohen ordered the boosting of NATO forces and 30 supply aircraft are to leave for the Balkans next weekend. [04] Diplomatic initiatives continueDiplomatic initiatives to resolve the crisis have not stopped. Speaking at the EU foreign ministers' council, Greek alternate foreign minister, Iannos Kranidiotis, reiterated that Greece wanted a political solution to the Kosovo crisis to be found as soon as possible, while agreeing with the stability pact proposed by the German presidency.The NATO spokesman, Jamie Shea, said the UN had begun informal discussion of a draft resolution for Kosovo after the war is over. The Libyan news agency reported yesterday that Yugoslavia's alternate prime minister, Zoran Lilic, had presented a peace plan to the Libyan leader, Muammar Kaddafy. In an interview yesterday with the American television channel, CNN, the Greek national defence minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, said the time was now ripe to begin political and diplomatic efforts with prospects of success in resolving the Kosovo problem. Meanwhile, in an unexpected move, the Yugoslav deputy premier, Vuk Draskovic, said yesterday that Belgrade should be prepared to make some brave compromises over Kosovo. He added that everything was negotiable, except Kosovo's independence. NATO and the United States have responded with satisfaction to Mr Draskovic's statements. The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, is expected to arrive in Moscow for talks tomorrow. The American undersecretary of state, Strobe Talbot, has already arrived in the Russian capital. The Czech prime minister, Milos Zeman, called yesterday for the Kosovo Liberation Army to be disarmed because of its links with the so-called drugs mafia. He reiterated his reservations concerning the point of the NATO operations. The Russian patriarch, Alexei II, has condemned the role NATO is playing as the world's policeman. Finally, developments in the Balkans are to be discussed today at the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe. [05] Greek premier says national interest to be main considerationGreece appears strengthened after the sessions of the NATO summit, since both its special role as well as its contribution to peace in the Kosovo crisis have been acknowledged, prime minister Kostas Simitis said at a press conference he gave following the NATO summit in Washington. "We enjoy credibility and our contribution was praised by all sides", the prime minister said, adding that Greece's national interest would be the main consideration in drawing up Greek national policy.[06] Anti-war concert in AthensThousands of people attended last night's anti-war concert in Constitution Square in Athens, in a show of solidarity with Belgrade. Composer Mikis Theodorakis was among the many well-known musicians and performers who participated in the event.[07] Greek party leaders agree on need for national strategyAfter a series of meetings yesterday, New Democracy party leader Kostas Karamanlis, Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas, leader of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress Nikos Konstantopoulos and the general secretary of the Greek Communist party, Aleka Papariga, agreed on the need to draw up a national strategy, with the establishment of a national foreign policy council and the convening of the political leaders' council.Mr Karamanlis has also sent a letter to the speaker of the Greek parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis, calling for a pre-agenda debate in parliament on the Kosovo issue. [08] Cyprus accepts EU oil embargo on YugoslaviaCypriot foreign minister Yannakis Kasoulidis yesterday said that Cyprus would accept the EU's decision to impose an oil embargo on Yugoslavia.Mr Kasoulidis stated that the EU had already made its final and unanimous decision on the embargo, and that the 11 states associated with it had also been called upon to implement the decision. The decision to accept the oil embargo was made after consultations with Cypriot president Glafkos Kliridis and political party leaders have already been briefed on the issue, Mr Kasoulidis added. [09] King and queen of Sweden on a visit to GreeceThe king and queen of Sweden, who are on an official four-day visit to Greece, yesterday met with president of the Greek republic Kostis Stefanopoulos. Later, the royal couple met with speaker of the house Apostolos Kaklamanis.[10] Former public order minister testifies on Ocalan affairFormer public order minister Philippos Petsalnikos testified yesterday before the special committee of enquiry investigating the Ocalan affair. Mr Petsalnikos spoke of insufficient police forces at Athens airport when the Kurdish leader, Abdullah Ocalan, arrived in the country.The New Democracy party is to press charges today against the former director of the Greek Intelligence Service, Haralambos Stavrakakis, for his refusal to testify before the committee. [11] Student elections in GreeceGreek students go to the polls tomorrow to elect representatives. Student unions have said the climate is rather flat this year as well and abstention is expected to run high.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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