MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (06/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, Mai 6th, 1996

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT, UPHOLDS FOREIGN POLICY

Referring to Turkey's "unprecedented" escalation aggression displayed towards Greece, and its territorial designs through the means of questioning the status of borders, as it was formulated by International Law and the Internatioanl Treaty, the Premier reiterated that "the immediate reaction was the defense of our sovereignty and the avoidance of an escalation that could have led to an armed conflict."

Referring to the confidence vote granted to the government in January, Mr. Simitis stated that "the primary element of our strategy will be to always exhaust the peaceful means and not to take any hotheaded avenue that could lead the country to national turmoil."

Mr. Simitis firmly defended the government's handling of the Imia crisis, stating that Greece must foil Turkey's plans for an all-out conflict. The Premier added that Greece is not willing to negotiate with Ankara, whom it has called upon to withdraw its territorial claims in Imia, before any step forward is taken.

[02] PRIME MINISTER BRIEFS PARLIAMENT ON HIS VISIT TO US, POLICY ON TURKEY

Mr. Simitis stated that his meeting with US President Bill Clinton was aimed at promoting the Greek national positions. He added that the government is now reaping the rewards of its labors as everyone knows that international law must be the road to follow if the Greek-Turkish differences are to be resolved.

Speaking specifically on Greek-Turkish relations and the governmental strategy, the Premier stated that "Greece's active participation in the international arena, its input in solving international problems, the developments of alliances with contemporary countries, all lead to a longterm protective shield for our moments of crisis."

Referring to Turkey's new government under the leadership of Mesut Yilmaz, Mr. Simitis stated that it appears to correspond to its statements, and to the three conditions set by Greece, but added that Greece will not withdraw its misgivings for Turkey's funding from the European Union, as long as steps are not taken in the direction of solving issues of concern between the two countries.

Mr. Simitis added that "Mr. Pangalos' contacts with his Turk counterpart must continue since they grant the opportunity for a direct exchange of points of view."

[03] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER MILTIADES EVERT ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT

Mr. Evert made reference to efforts exerted by third parties to create conditions of separatism among the parties in order to impose solutions in a politically weakened sytem.

Mr. Evert called upon Turkey to conform to the European ideas, International Law, and to help in finding a fair and viable solution to the Cypriot issue.

Moreover, the new Democracy leader openly doubted the ruling party's handling of the Greek-Turkish issues, noting that Turkey's ulterior policy is to bring forth an all-talks dialogue that will result in a conclusive settlement.

[04] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS DEPARTS TOMORROW FOR UNITED STATES

Mr. Stephanopoulos' visit is of special significance since it marks the first time a Greek leader has officially travelled to the US during the past 50 years. The President's itinerary includes stopovers in Washington, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Chicago, all of which are cities with a pronounced Greek population.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will depart Athens tomorrow morning at 9:50am and will arrive at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington D.C. at 6pm. He will be accompanied by the Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Education Minister George Papandreou, while alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos will be in Washington on May 9.

President Stephanopoulos and President Clinton are expected to touch upon all the issues that concern the two countries and are of mutual interest. Following their meeting, the two leaders will give a joint press conference.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will also give a series of speeches at various universities, TV and print media interviews, as well as hold discussions with the Greek-American community. The President will also meet with the Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos.

On Wednesday, May 8, Mr. Stephanopoulos will begin his contacts in Washington, starting with a breakfast meal shared with the "Washington Post" publisher Kathy Graham along with the paper's senior diplomatic editors and "New York Times" editors. He will also give a talk on "Greece's Role in the Balkans", during a dinner hosted jointly by the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, the Flercher School of Law and Diplomacy and the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will also meet with leaders of the Greek- American commuity in Congress at the famous Blair House, where he will be staying.

In Atlanta, the city-host of the Summer Olympic Games, the President will be welcomed by the leader of the Administration of External Affairs of the Olumpic Games Committee Charles Battje, city officials and outstanding members of the Greek-American community.

The Greek President's visit to the US is taking place shortly after the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis' working visit to the US, as well as Turk President Suleiman Demirel's, while expected to visit the White House soon is Turk Premier Mesut Yilmaz.

[05] PARLIAMENT DEBATE ON NATIONAL ISSUES AWAITED WITH INTEREST

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will brief the National Assembly on the developments in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the outcome of his recently-held talks with United States President Bill Clinton and other US officials.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER TO ACCOMPANY PRESIDENT IN THE US

Today, Mr. Pangalos met with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and briefed him on the positions he will present during his US contacts.

[07] GREEK-AMERICAN RELATIONS ON THE FOREFRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

Representing the United States will be the US Department of Defense Deputy Secretary Mr. Lodal, US Presidential Advisor George Stephanopoulos assistant Secretary of State Responsible for Foreign Affairs John Kornblum.

On Greece's behalf, participating will be Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Education Minister George Papandreou, main opposition party New Democracy's Vice President Yiannis Varvitsiotis, ND parliamentarian Kostas Karamanlis, and others.

The Conference will address all of the aspects of Greek- American relations, as well as Greek-Turkish issues and the situation in the Balkan region.

The session will formally begin on Wednesday evening, with a dinner attended by 200 guests where President Kostis Stephanopoulos will give a speech.

[08] THE CYPRUS PROBLEM AND THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS WERE DISCUSSED BY THE PRESIDENTS OF GREECE AND CYPRUS

Mr.Stephanopoulos and mr.Kliridis discussed the Cyprus problem and the latest developments in the greek-turkish relations, while as the Cypriot President stated, were also discussed and the positions that they will present during the contacts they will have in the United States.

[09] TURKEY FOR THE FIRST TIME ACCEPTS A THIRD PARTY ARBITRATION FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE DIFFERENCES WITH GREECE IN THE AEGEAN

The turkish Prime Minister in a press conference in Ankara today characterized the Aegean as a "region of problems for the two countries" and reiterated the appeal made to Greece for the solution of the greek-turkish disputes. Mr.Yilmaz stated that Turkey until now was supporting the solution of the problems in the Aegean only through negotiations, but with the new proposals it presented accepts a different approach and for the first time is open to solutions that "will result from the participation of third parties".

Mr.Yilmaz also said that the danger of creating new problems, like the one over Imia, which can result from the denial to face the existing problems, must not be ignored.

The turkish Prime Minister stated that this way the road will open for a period of cooperation that will contribute to the prosperity of both peoples, as well as to peace and stability in the region.

The turkish Prime Minister concluded that it will not be a mistake to think that the prevalence of common sense will have a positive effect and on the Cyprus problem as well.

[10] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 3,9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE SHOOK THE REGION OF THESSALONIKI

According to Thessaloniki's Aristotle University Geophysics Laboratory, the earthquake's epicenter was 20 kilometers south- east of Thessaloniki in the region between the villages of Vasilika and Peristera.

Aristotle University seismologist Vasilis Karakostas stated that the tremor is placed within the framework of the normal seismic activity in the region, known as the "Anthemountas Basin".

In the year 1677 the region was hit by an earthquake measuring 6,2 on the Richter scale which destroyed the town of Vasilika.

In the past few days there was no pre-shock seismic activity observed, while the last earthquake had hit the region in January 1995 and was measuring 4,5 on the Richter scale.

[11] GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE TO CONVENE TOMORROW

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis already held a preparatory meeting with the Transportation Minister Haris Kastanides this afternoon.

On Wednesday afternoon, a discussion will focus on the issue of unemployment while, during the same day, the PASOK Parliamentary Group will hold a session.

On Thursday, the Premier will meet with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides.

[12] ATHENS ACADEMY WELCOMES BRITISH MEMBER TO ITS GATES

During tomorrow's ceremony, Mr. Hammond will give a speech, in Greek, on "The Political Ideas and the Political Outcomes of Philippos and Alexandros."

The British academic will be introduced by Academy member Michael Sakellariou while the Academy's President John Pesmazoglou will give a brief speech.

Professor Hammond has a rich background and deep knowledge of Ancient Greece. He taught at Cambridge University between 1930-54, and was Professor of Greek Literature at Bristol University between 1962-73. He was authored numerous books, among which 21 are themed after Greece.

[13] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE MET WITH THE DUTCH AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

Mr.Petsalnikos briefed the Dutch ambassador on the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace objectives and the prospects that are being opened through the region's development with the completion of the Egnatia road network and also through the large infrastructure projects that are being constructed or have been scheduled for construction in northern Greece.

It was also stressed northern Greece's role in the development of the economies in the Balkan, the Black Sea and Middle East countries.

Regarding the greek-turkish relations, mr.Petsalnikos reiterated that Greece is not willing to give away its sovereign rights which are based on International Law and international agreements.

On the issue of Skopje, mr.Petsalnikos stated that Greece's goal is the continuous improvement of its relations with Skopje, as well as with all the neighbouring states and also the safeguarding of peace in the Balkans and the wider region.

Mr.Waggenmakers stressed that regarding the issue of the name that will be used by Skopje, his country believes that only a solution acceptable by Greece can be viable.

[14] THE 1ST GREEK CINEMA PRESENTATION IN ROMANIA

Within the framework of the Greek Cinema Week will be screened 8 films which are representative of the past 20 years and had not only artistic but commercial success as well.

In the festival's opening will also be screened and the film "1992" which deals with the uprooting of hellenism from Asia Minor and is directed by Nikos Koundouros.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[15] AUTHORITIES IN BULGARIA ARE INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONS OF "INTRACOM" WITH THE BULGARIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION

The Bulgarian Telecommunications Organization and "INTRACOM" have founded the "BULFON" company in which the greek company holds 68% of its shares and the bulgarian side the rest 32%.

According to the bulgarian state radio, the preliminary investigation is being held based on Article 3 (paragraph 282) of the Bulgarian penal code and violators can receive a prison term from 3 to 10 years.

[16] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV REITERATES: HIS COUNTRY CANNOT GIVE UP ITS NAME

President Gligorov emphasized that FYROM's government could not give up the constitutional name of its country - "Macedonia", but he said he would not like to jump into conclusions regarding the negotiations with Greece in New York.

FYROM is the only country that had established diplomatic relations with all former Yugoslav states so far, Gligorov said, adding once again he was categorically against any kind of ideas for a new association of the former Yugoslav republics, which are now independent states.

Gligorov also said he was worried about the latest incidents in Kosovo and expressed the opinion the clashes in that region would inevitably lead to a new Balkan war. He said the only peaceful solution would be to have direct negotiations between the Kosovo Albanians and Belgrade authorities.

[17] TENSE RELATIONS BETWEEN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND IFOR

Bosnian federal police in Trnovo, near Sarajevo, said the presence of the IFOR and the International Police Task Force (IPTF) in the area is "not desired" and that their security cannot be guaranteed. According to international media reports, in order to prevent conflicts, IFOR troops kept the Muslims out of Serb territory elsewhere. IFOR's Gen. Michael Walker said that IFOR cannot guarantee freedom of movement for "larger civilian groups."

Moreover, Bosnian Prime Minister Hasan Muratovic, visiting an IFOR waste dump in central Bosnia, said that the responsible unit's commanders must leave the country at once.

A federal police commander said "Serbs will not be allowed freedom of movement." A Bosnian federal police checkpoint has been set up in Trnovo, after a Bosnian police commander's statement that his officers will block the roads linking Trnovo with Lukavica and Dobrinja and cut off all telephone wires in the area.

IPTF commisioner Peter Fitzgerald will meet with federal Interior Minister Avdo Hebib to discuss these developments.

[18] KOSOVO - A NEW HOTBED IS EMERGING IN YUGOSLAVIA

"The situation in Kosovo is not being radicalized, following the models of IRA and ETA, but is more like the case of Intifada," the editor in chief of the Kosovo weekly "Koha" Veto Suroi said in an interview with the FYROM's weekly "Fokus". He spoke about some groups called "the base, which had directed the development of the policy." "I expect that we will have that new cycle during this year. It will determine the so-called 'low level conflict', which would not inevitably lead to a war, but will keep the tension in the region, not only in Kosovo, but wider," Suroi said.

The Vice-President of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo Fehmi Agani stated in an interview to the FYROM's weekly "Puls" that any kind of autonomy in Kosovo within Serbian borders was out of the question.

"The only solution possible would be a greater autonomy within FR Yugoslav borders, similar to the one of Montenegro," Agani said.

According to "Nasa Borba" Kosovo has been a potential war territory for a decade and a half already, and the 'status quo' situation has been kept due to the fear from repression, to the international diplomatic pressure, and to the exhausting mutual policy of 'waiting'. There have been no formal talks, however, since Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic abolished the region's autonomy in 1989.

Meanwhile, frustration among the population has been rising, since many feel that they have achieved nothing by their policy of restraint. There is also a strong feeling of resentment that those Serbian nationalists who started the war in Yugoslavia have now been rewarded by the Dayton agreement.

"A war in Kosovo would make a foreign intervention very possible and could provoke an all-against-all war in the Balkans," "Nasa Borba concluded in its article analyzing the prospects of a military uprising by the Kosovo Albanians.

[19] INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS PREOCCUPIED WITH KOSOVO

European Union special envoy in former Yugoslavia Carl Bildt, after his visit to Kosovo, expressed his worry about the situation there and promised to send his special envoy to Kosovo, the German Ambassador Martin Linc.

Reportedly he said the situation in Kosovo might influence not only Bosnia, but also the future stability of the whole region, including Serbia.

A serious concern for the situation in Kosovo expressed also the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Elizabeth Rehn, who met with the leader of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova.

[20] KOSOVO TO BE PLACED UNDER INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE

Mr. Perina, who is in charge of the former Yugoslavia issues, said that, after Dayton, the American Administration would seriously deal with solving of this problem. He also said Kosovo is the focus of the international diplomats' attention.

[21] SERB EXTREMIST LEADER WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR OF KOSOVO

Seselj expressed the opinion that the current regime in Belgrade was incapable of settling the situation in Kosovo and Metohia and accused the United States and NATO of promoting a policy that favors Kosovo's and Montenegro's secession from FR Yugoslavia.

[22] ROMANIAN PREMIER GUARDED OVER BASIC TREATY WITH HUNGARY

The Romanian Premier illustrated his reasons for not signing such a treaty by pointing to the current situation between Slovakia and Hungary, one that he did not wish to see duplicated between Romania and Hungary.

Meanwhile, a note, drafted at the request of Romanian deputy vice-chairman of the Democratic Party Adrian Severin by the Council of Europe's legal commission, gives a single and formal interpretation of the article 11 of the 1201 Recommendation, concerning minorities rights, Rador reported.

"According to this note, the Recommendation provides support for the state and its national security, as a single entity, and for adressing the ethnic minorities issue within this frame," Mr. Severin explained.

"In my opinion this move will ease the efforts aimed to the conclusion of the Romanian-Hungarian basic treaty," Mr. Severin said.

[23] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY         BUY        SELL        FIXING
ECU              299.1000   298.2030    299.9970
U.S. Dollar      242.8300   242.1020    243.5580
Deutsche Mark    159.2800   158.8020    159.7580
UK Sterling      366.2300   365.1310    367.3290
French Franc      47.1330    46.9920     47.2740
Swedish Crown     35.5230    35.4160     35.6300
Danish Kroner     41.3040    41.1800     41.4280
Norwegian Crown   37.0660    36.9550     37.1770
Italian Lira      15.5760    15.5290     15.6230
Swiss Franc      195.4120   194.8260    195.9980
Spanish Peseta     1.9096     1.9039      1.9153
Finnish Mark      50.5470    50.3950     50.6990
Yen              231.5650   230.8700    232.2600

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