MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (07/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki May 7, 1996

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ARRIVES THIS EVENING IN THE UNITED STATES

The Greek President's visit is of special significance since it marks the first time a Greek elected head of state officially travels to the US, since more than forty years ago.

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 departed Athens this morning at 9:50am and will arrive at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington D.C. at 6pm. He is accompanied by 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.

While in Washington, Mr. Stephanopoulos will also meet with Vice-President Al Gore and Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

In the US, Mr. Stephanopoulos will give a series of speeches at various universities, grant 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.

Tomorrow, 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 community 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, 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.

[02] GREEK FURMAKERS TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT

The Underminister announced the creation of an international trade company that will look into new markets, as well as into the creation of an Organization for Promoting Exports (OPE) office in Kastoria.

Specifically, Mr. Beteniotis referred to the measures taken for securing credits and the insurance of exported goods, while concurrently he expressed his optimism for the industry's recovery and its promotion in the European and eastern countries market.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos stated that the government's aim is to support the furmaking industry which brings to Greece a sizeable amount of foreign currency.

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace also referred to a series of projects that will provide Kastoria with the necessary structure for modernizing the industry and promoting its fur products.

[03] PREMIER ADDRESSED PARLIAMENT, DEFENDED FOREIGN POLICY YESTERDAY

During the debate on foreign policy, the Premier defended the strategy he employed during the Imia islets crisis and stated that the socialist government averted a crisis from erupting in the Aegean Sea.

Referring to Turk Premier Mesut Yilmaz's suggestion for dialogue, the Prime Minister stated that "Athens will not enter a 'dead-end' dialogue with Ankara," and called on Turkey to stop disputing Greece's territorial sovereignty.

Moreover, the Premier reiterated that Greece will not enter into such talks "because such negotiations would result in new claims and would create new deadlocks."

Mr. Simitis also told the National Assembly that Greece will not lift its objections on Turkey's financing through European Union funds "before Ankara takes positive steps and stops disputing our territory."

Referring to the recently-held meeting of foreign ministers in Bucharest, the Premier admitted that Turkey has shown some positive signs that allude to that direction.

"It made a step by renouncing the use of force in our relations, but did not complete this step because it raised more issues like the grey areas in the Aegean," Mr. Simitis stated.

"Turkey must take a clear position and prove that it wants good relations and that the latest crisis is over," Mr. Simitis said.

Referring to his recent meeting with United States President President Bill Clinton, and various European leaders, the Premier noted 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.

[04] OPPOSITION PARTIES COUNTER THE PREMIER IN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE

Mr. Evert pointed to Turkey's minority government and stated that the Greek government did not have the required political validity.

The New Democracy leader also made mention of a turkish memorandum to the European Union which reportedly sets as a condition that Greece's territorial waters will not be extended to 12 miles.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras told the country's parliamentarians that the government's contacts with United States President Bill Clinton constitute a cooperation without concrete aims and outcomes.

Moreover, Mr. Samaras was critical of the government's invitation to Turkey to take the Imia islets dispute to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, and challenged the Premier to declare that any decision of The Hague regarding Imia, would not concern any other part of the Aegean.

The Political Spring leader claimed that Washington was preparing a plan that would place under one roof all of the differences between Greece and Turkey, such as Cyprus, Thrace and the Aegean Sea, thereby addressing all the Greek-Turkish issues as a single one.

Addressing the country's deputies, the Greek Communist Party (KKE) Secretary Aleka Paparega attributed the Greek-Turkish dispute over the Imia islets, which almost led the two countries to war, to Amercian efforts to partition the Aegean Sea in order to take advantage of its rich resources.

[05] WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS SUMMIT CONTINUES

In a formal dinner for the delegations participating in the Summit, Greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis presented his views on the issue.

Responding to a question made today by a reporter regarding his stance, mr.Arsenis stated that the question is what will be the WEU's role adding that the proposal he made, which has been generaly accepted, is that the WEU has to evolve into European Union's defense wing. He said that because the WEU has no military structure it could borrow, through an agreement, NATO's infrastructure in european affairs, such as peace-keeping missions.

Also, Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis stated regarding Turkey's new request to become a WEU member, that this country will not become a full member of the Western European Union because it does not meet the preconditions needed to become a European Union member. He said that according to the WEU charter, Western European Union full members become the full EU members.

[06] NO EARLY ELECTIONS, SAYS GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

Mr. Reppas stated that the government has clearly expressed its positions on the issue and that the Premier himself has reiterated in the past that elections will take place in 1997 and that PASOK will win.

[07] GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE DISCUSSES ISSUE OF UNEMPLOYMENT

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

Tomorrow afternoon, a parliamentary session will focus on the issue of unemployment while, during the same day, the PASOK Parliamentary Group will hold a discussion on its operating regulation.

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

[08] THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREEK PARLIAMENT MET WITH THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

Within the framework of the meeting were examined political, economic, and other bilateral issues.

Also, mr.Kaklamanis referred to issues of national importance, while they were discussed and issues concerning the strengthening of cooperation between the Parliaments of Greece and Russia.

[09] NATIONAL ECONOMY AND LABOUR MINISTERS MEET TO DISCUSS EU FUNDS

From a total budget of approximately GRD one trillion, Labour and Agriculture ministries have the highest absorption percentage, although the unemployment issue also holds top priority status.

[10] PANHELLENIC UNION OF WORKERS ASKS FOR CASINO CONTROLS

The Union's President Mr. Papakosmas stated that one year after the issuing of private casino operation licences, the institutional framework necessary for the control checks of these operations has not been formed.

[11] THE PSEUDO-MUFTI OF XANTHI, EMIN AGA WAS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON

The pseudo-mufti immediately after his conviction lodged an appeal and was released. Mehmet Emin Aga issues a written message on the occasion of every muslim religious holiday which he signs as mufti and as a result, every time he is led before the court. The pseudo-mufti has already served a prison term while many cases are still pending against him.

In the trial were present about 60 members of the muslim minority in Thrace, as well as Turkey's Consul General in Thessaloniki Koray Targay.

[12] THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE OF THE GREEK PROPERTIES IN CONSTANTINOPLE

The above are concluded from the statements made today to reporters by greek Coalition of the Left party Euro-deputy mr.Alekos Alavanos and lawyer ms.Elpida Frangopoulou, who is dealing with those cases in the past 30 years, on the occasion of the outcome of the report they submitted in 1994 to the responsible European Parliament special committee regarding the greek properties in Constantinople.

Specifically, in their report mr.Alavanos and ms.Frangopoulou are presenting evidence proving that through the practice followed by the Turkish Courts under the guidance of the turkish state, the greek properties in Constantinople are essentially confiscated and this way human rights and minority rights are violated, as well as, Article 9 of the EU-Turkey Association Agreement which forbits any discrimination based on nationality.

Mr.Alavanos stressed that the results of the report are very positive as the EU Commission will make every effort in order to have the issue of the greek properties in Constantinople mentioned in the next EU-Turkey Association Council.

Mr.Alavanos stated that the Greek government now has the opportunity to ask Ankara to respect everything agreed in the 1988 meeting of the Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey, namely, to lift the decrees blocking any right on real estate titles in Turkey that belonged to individuals with greek nationality.

It should be noted, that the EU Commission's new complementary response to the special European Parliament committee, received on March 5th, stresses that supplementary information from the turkish authorities was requested through the Commission's representation in Ankara. The turkish authorities are invoking the principle of the separation of powers, provided by the Turkish Constitution, and they maintain that they can not interfere with the rulings issued by the turkish courts.

The information the EU Commission's representation in Ankara received from non governmental sources, appear to confirm that there are certain problems in the implementation of the law and the Commission intends to make every effort to have this issue mentioned in the next EU-Turkey Association Council.

Ms.Frangopoulou also mentioned to reporters, that in 1964 about 8.000 greeks left Constantinople in one night leaving behind huge properties.

[13] GREEK-BULGARIAN MAP DRILL CODE NAMED "STRIMONAS '96" WILL BE HELD ON MAY 13-16

According to an announcement by the National Defense General Staff, the exercise's scenario includes actions and procedures that will be undertaken by the greek and bulgarian armed forces in case a border region is hit by floods, in order to jointly face the disaster and cover the immediate needs of the population.

The "Strimonas '96" map drill is being held within the framework of bilateral cooperation by laying down mutually acceptable procedures.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[14] REPORT ON THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE PEOPLE TRAPPED IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS IS BEING PREPARED

The report will be submitted to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Legal and Human Rights Committee. Today mr.Jurgens met with acting Cypriot President mr.Alexis Galanos, acting Parliament President Vassos Lissaridis and Prosecutor General Alekos Markidis.

In statements he made, mr.Jurgens pointed out that is very important to raise again before the international community the issue of the human rights of those trapped in Karpasia adding that he will visit the turkish occupied northern Cyprus in order to have a clear conception of the problems they face.

He also said that the report he will prepare, together with Lord Finsberg's report on the same issue, will be discussed in the Council of Europe plenary session next September.

[15] AUSTRALIA'S MPS TO BE BRIEFED ON CYPRIOT ISSUE

The Australian MPs will be asked to convey to their government a request that it take a more active approach to exerting pressure on Ankara and Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in order to arrive at a solution to the 21-year old unresolved problem.

This was one of the decisions taken during last evening's Greek-Australians conference held in Melbourne, in preparation of a series of July-held events that will commemmorate this year's anniversary of Cyprus' invasion by the Turkish armed forces.

The events will feature various speakers, student reports on Cyprus, a rally outside Melbourne's Turkish consulate and a concert by Cypriot singer and composer Marios Tokas.

[16] GLIGOROV SAID NATO'S SOUTHERN FRONT WILL BE MORE SECURE WITH FYROM AND ALBANIA

Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Gligorov stated that "the southern NATO area is too 'thin'. If FYROM and Albania are added to it, the southern front of the NATO would be more secure."

In Gligorov's opinion, Russia's resistance on the NATO- membership of former communist countries - such as Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, etc.- can be understood for they are either near Russia or sharing their borders with it. However, according to Gligorov, in this respect there is no reason for any disagreement on FYROM's and Albania's eventual accession to NATO, because they do not directly jeopardize Russia.

Maximum efforts will be made to conform FYROM's army to NATO standards, Gligorov said, giving emphasis to his country's determination on becoming a NATO member.

[17] NATO AND FYROM DISCUSS ASPECTS OF COOPERATION

After meeting with FYROM's Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frchkovski and Defense Minister Blagoj Hajinski, Mr. Craig said that the final decisions on how and why the new members join NATO are expected to be made after the ministers' meeting in Brussels in December.

Mr. Craig was informed about the democratic development of FYROM, on its international position and its relations with the neighbouring countries as well as on its determination to become a full member of the Alliance.

Today, Mr. Craig will hold meetings with President Kiro Gligorov and Prime Minister Branko Tsrvenkovski.

[18] RUGOVA: A NEUTRAL AND INDEPENDENT KOSOVO IS AN OPTIMAL SOLUTION

"The only goal of Albanians was and still is to have a sovereign Kosovo country," Rugova said.

Rugova's opinion is that the Albanians in Kosovo are in danger and accused Serb President Milosevic of looking for an alibi for a military intervention in Kosovo. He also said the Serbs were trying to break the peaceful resistance of the Albanians, aiming at provoking hem to make imprudent moves.

"We hope that the West will make a pressure on Belgrade and that the Serbian authorities will yield to this issue," said Rugova to "Spiegel".

In a press conference in Prishtina held on Friday after the meeting with Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Rudolf Perina, Mr. Rugova said "an optimal solution is an idependent and neutral Kosovo, open both to Serbia and Albania. He also emphasized the need to establish an international civil administration in Kosovo as an interim stage in order to remove the potential for conflict in the region.

When he was asked to comment on the prospects for an international conference on the Kosovo issue, Ibrahim Rugova said he would like very much to see such a conference soon and mentioned that efforts will be made to stage "a conference on Kosovo and this part of the Balkans. According to Rugova, the European Parliament, in a resolution passed recently, supported this idea.

[19] ROMANIA: NEW LAW ON THE STATUS OF REFUGEES COMES INTO FORCE

In recent press allegations, based on an Intelligence Servi=81e report, there are warnings against the risk that movements like PKK or Hezbollah could be created in Romania. On that issue, Mr. Andrita said the list of countries for which tighter immigration controls would be required will be increased from 21 to 77 members, starting May 15.

The head of the UNHCR liaison office in Romania, Damtew Dessaligne, said the UNHCR was generally satisfied with the law, with the exception of the five-years time limit for the refugee status, Rador reported.

[20] UKRAINE WANTS TO INVEST IN THE ROMANIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Ukraine is under international pressure to close its nuclear power plant of Chernobyl and the financial aid it could get from the international community in this respect could be partially used for electricity imports or building of alternative power sources.

[21] INFLATION SLIDING IN ROMANIA

He also said the present price rise in Romania is now slower compared with the previous periods and that this year's price increases will be capped at under 20 percent.

"As a result of privatisation, restructuring, financial discipline's growth and of stricter fiscal administration such paces of five percent-increase will be achieved in Romania in five to seven years," Mr. Georgescu pointed out.

Referring to the measures on fiscal relaxation, Mr. Georgescu said that they have been taken and will be extended with the achievement of a better system of taxation of the global incomes of tax payers.

In regards to taxes on the profits of economic operators, he mentioned a series of amendments which will be made and which will be stimulative measures.

"The state collects less revenues through taxes by comparison to the previous years," Romanian Finance Minister said, adding that the state budget revenues dropped from 28.4 percent to 18.4 percent and the budget's expenses went down from 38.8% to 34.4%, following the economic and fiscal-bugetary reform. The budgetary deficit at the consolidated level dropped from 4.5% in 1992 to 2.6% in 1995, specified the Finance Minister.

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