MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (05/03/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.ee.auth.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIA PRESS AGENCY

March 5, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] TURKEY TO THREATEN GREECE WITH SHIPPING BOYCOTT

Numerous reports in the turkish press refer to an imminent boycott that will impede Greece's shipping to and from Turkey's ports, if Greece carries on with the veto.

Turkey had resorted to similar measures in the past during former crises between the two countries. However, such measures had quickly been lifted as they proved to cause more harm to the turkish economy.

According to diplomatic circles, the row is part of a "psychological war" aimed at exerting pressure on Athens. Last week Greece vetoed a proposal by the European Investment Bank to grant Turkey approximately 750 million ECU. Sources in Brussels estimate that the veto issue will most likely be raised during the next Council of Economy and Finance Ministers, scheduled to take place on March 13.

[02] UN ENVOY CONFIRMS DENKTASH'S STATEMENTS ON MISSING

Speaking to journalists after the meeting he had today with EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek, mr.Feisel said that only a few were surprised by the content of the statements made by mr.Denktash, according to which, all the missing in Cyprus are dead. Mr. Feisel said that the statements are referring to a very sad chapter in the history of Cyprus.

To the question if he has any evidence or if he shares the view that all those missing are dead, mr.Feisel replied that none has given to the UN Fact-Finding Committee any information or evidence that could imply there is anyone still alive.

[03] IMIA ISSUE SHOULD BE HEARD IN COURT, SAYS BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER

Also, Britain expresses its opposition to the threats launched by Turkey against Greece and according to the newspaper this opposition has been made known to Ankara.

Mr.Rifkind stresses in his letter that he does not agree with the association of the Aegean issues or the Greek-Turkish disputes with the EU-Turkey customs union.

[04] ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS MET WITH NEW DEMOCRACY LEADER

Mr.Sason in his statements accused Iran and Sudan of being behind the terrorist activities of "Hamas" and stressed that already there is enough information to prove that those two countries finance, support and train the terrorists.

The israeli ambassador to Athens expressed the hope that the friendly countries to Israel and Palestine will use their connections and influence in order to persuade Arafat to fight against the palestinian terrorism.

Mr.Sason stressed that peace and stability in the region are in danger and assured mr.Evert that the majority of Israelis want peace and that the leadership of Israel is devoted to it. He also underlined that the people of Israel must be safe in their own country.

[05] TALKS FOR CYPRUS' ACCESSION INTO THE EU WILL BEGIN IN 1997

The Dutch EU Commissioner made it clear that both sides prefare a united Cyprus to be a member of the European Union because as he said none wants a new Berlin. Nevertheless, he said that the EU can not postpone indefinately a favourable response to the vision of the island's majority namely, its full membership in the European Union.

The EU Commissioner also stated that in the talks he had with Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis were discussed ways through which the Turkish-Cypriot community could be informed on the benefits of the EU membership.

[06] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS MEETS WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER

According to cypriot government spokesperson Yiannis Kasoulides, Mr. Klerides was briefed by Mr. Van Den Broek on the EU's interest to participate in the effort to find a solution to the Cyprus issue, given that Cyprus constitutes a future EU country-member.

[07] EU SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE IN THE CYPRUS PROBLEM, STATED FERARIS

In statements he made after the meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis, mr.Feraris said that they discussed the situation in Cyprus and that the message he got was that the European Union must deal more with the Cyprus problem and with the issue of the country's accession into the EU. Mr.Feraris also said that coordination of the activities of all the interested parties is necessary.

He said that the Italian EU Presidency is attributing great importance to the issue and pointed out that an initiative on Cyprus has been undertaken since January. The Italian Undersecretary also expressed the hope that the initiatives will be continued and by the next EU Presidency.

[08] PAPANDREOU'S RECUPERATION PROGRESSING NORMALLY

According to today's medical bulletin issued by the Onasion Cardiosurgery Center, various breathing tests will be performed on Mr.Papandreou this week, thereby making the first step towards the patient's release from the hospital.

The treating phycisians will attempt to close the patient's tracheostomy tomorrow. The dialysis is now performed via two methods, a catheter and a fistula that is placed on Mr. Papandreou' s hand. According to the physicians, the fistula will most likely be the method used for the future dialyses.

Overall, Mr. Papandreou's health is developing normally, with the patient following an intensive physiotherapy program and walking as much as possible.

He was visited today by the President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis and the former Minister of Press and Media Tylemachos Hytiris.

[09] GREEK FILM MAKER EXHIBITED IN NEW YORK

Organized in part by the New York chapter of the Institute of Hellenic Culture, the exhibition is within the auspices of the Museum's 25th dedication to american cinema and video.

Considered to be one of the most accomplished filmmakers of his time, Markopoulos, son of immigrants, was born in Toledo, Ohio.

A romanticist, Markopoulos revolutionized against the traditional movie-making narrative sequence and experimented with the relationship between space and time. His image remained true to tradition while supporting the collaboration of myth and modern time, as his frequent references to the greek thought attest.

[10] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING         BUY         SELL
ECU              303.3700     302.4600    304.2800
U.S. Dollar	 240.5400     239.8180    241.2620
Deutsche Mark	 163.9000     163.4080    164.3920
UK Sterling	 368.4600     367.3550    369.5650
French Franc	  47.8280      47.6850     47.9710
Swedish Crown	  35.7400      35.6330     35.8470
Danish Kroner	  42.4190      42.2920     42.5460
Norwegian Crown	  37.6600      37.5470     37.7730
Italian Lira	  15.4990      15.4530     15.5450
Swiss Franc	 200.7400     200.1380    201.3420
Spanish Peseta	   1.9474       1.9416      1.9532
Finnish Mark	  53.1360      52.9770     53.2950
Yen              229.6500     228.9610