MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (02/04/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Tuesday, April 2 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREECE WILL NOT ENTER A DIALOGUE WITH ANKARA OVER THE ISSUE OF THE IMIA ISLETS, STATED THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER

The greek Foreign Minister underlined that in reality the issue of Imia is a turkish territorial claim on the Dodecanese and stressed that Greece will always repeat that Turkey in a way that is unprecedented and unacceptable, maintains that it will not respect the two international treaties in existence dealing with the issue.

[02] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR DELIVERED A VERBAL NOTE TO THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

In the verbal note once again are presented the firm greek positions regarding the regime over the islets, after the provocation by Ankara which disputed the right of the greek citizens to visit Imia.

[03] ANKARA CHARACTERIZES AS "HOSTILE" THE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz underlined the negative effects of the statements made by the greek Minister and responding to a question by a reporter yesterday, he said that this is a behaviour that undermines the climate of peace Turkey wants to create.

A statement issued by the turkish Foreign Ministry refers to mr.Arsenis' recent speech made in front of university students in Thessaloniki in which he "spoke about the creation of anti-turkish coalitions in the region". In the statement is mentioned that the greek Minister's allegations that "kemalism is expansionist" are "totally groundless".

The turkish Foreign Ministry also points out that mr.Arsenis "rejected the dialogue" and "maintained that every Greek can go to Imia".

The turkish Foreign Ministry also mentions that those statements will make harder the solution of the differences between the two countries, adding that they are contrary to the agreement reached with the US mediation after one dangerous crisis, in the morning of January 31st, 1996.

[04] TURKISH PROVOCATIONS AGAINST GREEK TERRITORIAL RIGHTS CONTINUE

Referring to unnamed "experts", the article titled "Kalolimnos is turkish territory" asserts that "according to the Lauzanne Treaty, the ilets found three miles away from the (country's) shores, belong to that specific country. Greece does not have a direct right to any of the Aegean Sea islands since in 1947 with the Paris Treaty Greece was granted 14 islands by Italy and as such, Greece's rights in effect are limited to that transfer process."

[05] FOUR TONS OF PET FOOD HAVE BEEN CONFISCATED IN THESSALONIKI

According to the Center's supervisor George Tsolis, the cans were discovered in searches conducted throughout warehouses and supermarkets in Thessaloniki.

Reports state that the cans were imported to Greece prior to the ban imposed on british meat imports.

Meanwhile, amid rising consumer fear that the "mad cow disease", properly known as the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) that has been linked to the deadly Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease found in humans, can spread to chickens, Thessaloniki Aristotle University's professor Evstr. Artopios, emphasized that there have been no indications of this disease spreading to birds.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr.Artopios, Professor of Bird Pathology at the University, stated that following extensive research, no occassions of the Creutzfeldt- Jakob Disease have been found, neither does the relevant international bibliography refer to any such incident.

Aiming at reassuring the public of the unlikeliness of the disease appearing in farm birds, he stated that wild falcon birds that feed on small-size mammals such as eagles, hawks and crows, have not been linked to the disease. More so, the bigger size wild birds such as vultures and crows, which feed entirely on the carcasses and intenstines of dead animals, have not been inflicted with the disease.

"I repeat, there is no evidence pointing that the birds can be inflicted by the Spongiform Encephalopathy," the Professor stated categorically.

However, Mr. Artopios stated that the uproar created over beef is understandable, although, as he pointed out, "nothing has been proven scientifically and all the measures taken are preventive."

[06] THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREEK PARLIAMENT EXPRESSED SATISFACTION OVER THE RESULTS OF HIS TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES

In statements he made after his return to Athens, mr.Kaklamanis expressed the position that the greek-american community needs to be more informed while it should be made better use of it. He also expressed the position that the United States have interests in the wider region and that they will not stop supporting Turkey.

The greek Parliament President said that Turkey does not want dialogue but it wants to force on Greece a package of claims that are totally unfounded and beyond any reason.

[07] PRESIDENT OF PARLIAMENT SENDS MESSAGE TO FYROM COUNTERPART

According to the Skopjan state radio, the message was conveyed to Mr. Petkovski by the head of the greek liaison office in FYROM, Alexandros Mallias.

The meeting between Petkovski-Mallias was marked with a mutual satisfaction stemming from the level of the up-to-date bilateral relations in the areas of economy and trade, while it was assessed that the influence in the area of political relations will be positive as well.

[08] STRONG EARTHQUAKE IN THE AEGEAN ISLAND OF SAMOS CAUSED DAMAGES TO OLD BUILDINGS

The earthquake was also felt in the island of Chios and in Ismir on the turkish coast.

[09] SECRETARY GENERAL OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT

This morning, Mr. Tarccschys met with the Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos with whom he discussed matters of the Council of Europe.

[10] BRITISH MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR EU ISSUES WILL VISIT GREECE ON APRIL 8

On Moday, April 8th mr.Freeman will have talks with Development Minister ms.Vasso Papandreou and alternate Foreign Minister mr.Romeos while he will also meet with the President of the Greek Industries Association and with greek businessmen.

At noon on the same day, mr.Freeman will be the main speaker in a luncheon that will be given to his honour by the Hellenic- British Chamber of Commerce in the Intercontinental Hotel in Athens.

[11] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH GREEKS IN NEW YORK

Mr. Romaios is currently in the United States attending the festivities organized by New York's greek community honoring the 175th anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution.

Mr. Romaios, who is also responsible for matters concerning Greeks abroad and community affairs, viewed yesterday's large scale parade in New York, along with other greek dignitaries such as former Prime Minister of Greece and main opposition New Democracy honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

[12] ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF OTE SHARES OFFERED TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

The foreign investors were chosen among a pool of 126 and were selected on the premise of credibility and long-term investment intentions, the Ministry stated.

Domestic institutional investors will absorb 19,750 shares each, resulting from the large public demand for OTE shares. Yet, private investors will be able to buy fewer than the 100 shares originally announced.

Negotiation of the titles will begin on April 19, while certificates of deposit will be ready in the mext few days.

The government hopes to raise at least 90 billion drachmas to fund new investment by OTE, which plans to set up a third mobile telephone network and build strategic alliances with state telecoms operators in the Balkans.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou also has stated that the total value of OTE was set at 1,676 trillion drachmas, higher than all previous estimates.

Currently, one sixth of the 24 million shares are being offered for sale at a discount to OTE employees and pensioners.

Papantoniou said that the share price of 4,000 drachmas includes a 125-drachma dividend derived from OTE's 1995 profits. Underwriters are required to support the issue price during the first six months of trading. Buyers who kept their shares for 18 months can then participate in a one-for ten bonus issue.

The issue is the biggest to date on the Athens stock exhange and brokers say that it will increase the market's total capitalization by about 25 per cent, thereby giving a welcome boost to liquidity.

[13] GREEK-AMERICAN TRADE FAIR TO BE HELD IN APRIL AT ATLANTIC CITY

The fair, which is expected to be a landmark in the development of economic and trade activities of Greeks in the U.S., is wholeheartedly supported by the greek community and provides a vast number of opportunities for the promotion of greek products and services in the United States.

[14] GREEK INVESTMENT IN FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA IS ON THE RISE

According to Greek Embassy reports, greek businesses have signed sizeable agreements with the Yugoslav counterparts. Specifically, in the public sector, the Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) has embarked upon the placement of cable and optical fibers connecting Corfu with Montenegro, as well as the telecommunication modernization of Voivodina.

Recently, Olympic Airways began flights to Belgrade, while the Greek Automobile Industry has promoted its products and is looking into collaborating with Yugoslav producers for the placement of automobile parts on its cars.

Also, there has been noted increase in the tourism sector as 200,00o Yugoslav tourists vacation in Greece every year. In Belgrade, about ten greek travel agencies are currently in business, four of which conduct travel by bus to Greece on a regular basis.

[15] THE GREEK AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY ENTERED THE SERBIAN MARKET

The Greek Automobile Industry participates in the International Exhibition held in Belgrade and within its framework the President of the industry mr.Argiris Hatzipetrou had a number of contacts with representatives of the public transportation organization, the tourist sector and transport companies from Serbia and Montenegro.

[16] GREECE TO LOAN $100 MILLION TO SERB REPUBLIC

Speaking to the bosnianserb television, Mr. Kafejic stated that the loan was agreed upon during his recent two-day visit to Greece.

Seventy per cent of the loan is earmarked for investment purposes, while the remaining thirty per cent will be allocated for the purchase of various goods.

In line to receive the loan are bosnianserb companies which have already signed co-operation agreements with greek businesses.

[17] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WILL VISIT ATHENS ON MAY 7

During his stay in the greek capital mr.Kliridis will have contacts with members of the greek government.

[18] DENKTASH REPEATS ASSERTIONS ON MISSING IN FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE AFTER HEART EPISODE

In an interview granted to turkish television, which Ankara broadcast via the Eurovision station, the self-proclaimed leader stated that "all those who claim that there are still missing persons who are alive and being kept in Turkey and Cyprus' turkish grounds, will have to account for their actions during the 1974 coup."

In another part of his interview to the turkish telelvision, Rauf Denktash embarked on a stern offensive against the European Union, accusing the Europeans of believing that Cyprus must be included in the Community, regardless of the turk-cypriot positions.

[19] EASTERN EUROPE HAS PROGRESS IN TRANSITION TO THE MARKET ECONOMY

"Progres in transition to the market economy has laid the foundations for a strong economic growth in the following years",stressed Nicholas Stern, the EBRD' s chief economist.

Annual economic growth alternates between 6-7% in Albania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, while The Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia recorded 4-5% which might be seen as slower, but still positive growth, the EBRD said. This has been accompanied by an increase of local and foreign direct investments from $13 bilion in the past years to $21 bilion in 1995. The inflation is coming under control in Albania, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, where the prices change are single digit rates, while in half of the Commonwealth of Independent States countries the annual rate of inflation fall in a decline no more than 100 percent a year.

"Under the circumstances of increasingly economic development and stability and further advancement of market reforms, investments opportunities will keep expanding", the EBRD said.

[20] THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ANNOUNCED 100 MILLION DOLLARS MILITARY AID TO ALBANIA

One of the aspects of the new cooperation between Tirana and Washington is the operation of a military training center in Biza, 50 kilometers north-east of Tirana where since February there have been held joint US-Albanian military exercises, added the US Pentagon chief.

This is a significant increase in the US aid to Tirana, as according to diplomatic sources, the United States military aid to Albania in the period 1991-1995 is estimated at 10 million dollars.

[21] CONCRETE FORMS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND IMF

Issues like the revival of production, stabilisation of the dinar, further curbing of inflation, increasing export trade and securig working capital are major in the Yugoslav economy, stressed Avramovic, Yugoslav delegation's chief, during a detailed analysis of the economic situation presented at the talks. He also said that, in order to overcome its present difficulties, it is indispensable for Yugoslav economy to get favourable foreign credits and other international support.

[22] "TRANSYLVANIA" BANK, A FINANCIAL TIE IN THE EASTERN ZONE

Founded two years ago, "Transylvania" Bank started its activity with a nominal capital of 2 billion lei and in present the subscribed capital amounts to 20 billion lei by means of capitalization and new shareholders. The total of the bank's assets grew by 10.8 times against 1994 and it also have an increasing number of clients.

Following to the rules which foresees that no foreign investors holds more than 5 percent of the bank's capital, Romanian investors own 79% of the bank's capital and the rest of 21% belong to foreign investors from France, Germany, Italy, USA, Greece, Austria and Hungary. "Transylvania" Bank is also member of the Association of Banks in Eastern Europe - MACOBE - which provides financial ties in the region.

[23] FYROM SIGNED A DECLARATION ON COOPERATION WITH EFTA

The Foreign Ministry of FYROM quoted in a official announcement the high officials of EFTA member countries as expressing their satisfaction with the development of the democracy in this fomer Yugoslav republic and with the results of the economy reforms.

The Declaration on Cooperation with EFTA have a great significance for the improvement of the bilateral cooperation of FYROM with the EFTA member countries and should embolde the private initiative, stated for the media Foreign Minister of FYROM Ljubomir Frchovski. Pointing out that the Declaration will be carried out by removing all the technical barriers and by exchanging trade information, Frchovski added that the next step is to set up a joint Committee and free trade zone with EFTA member countries.

[24] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              302.3900   301.4830    303.2970
U.S. Dollar      240.9500   240.2270    241.6730
Deutsche Mark    162.6640   162.1760    163.1520
UK Sterling      367.6800   366.5770    368.7830
French Franc      47.7260    47.5830     47.8690
Swedish Crown     36.0900    35.9820     36.1980
Danish Kroner     42.1720    42.0450     42.2990
Norwegian Crown   37.5680    37.4550     37.6810
Italian Lira      15.3815    15.3350     15.4280
Swiss Franc      201.9800   201.3740    202.5860
Spanish Peseta     1.9374     1.9316      1.9432
Finnish Mark      52.0670    51.9110     52.2230
Yen              224.5200   223.8460    225.1940