MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (08/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki May 8, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS AT CONFERENCE ON GREEK-AMERICAN RELATIONS

Addressing an audience of American and Greek academics, Mr. Pangalos stated that Turkey's aggression " did not serve them (Ankara) well." Moreoever, The Minister stated that following the meeting he had with his Turk counterpart Emre Gionensay in Bucharest, Greece is now " in a worse position" than before the meeting.

Mr. Pangalos stated that Turkey's agreesion is taken for granted by Greece and pointed out that during the duration of the Greek Premier's visit to the United States, Turkey violated Greek aerial space above the Aegean a total of 96 times.

The Foreign Minister noted that it is a mistake on behalf of the US foreign policymakers to believe that their country should invest in Turkey, since it is an "unstable" country." He referred to religious differences echoing throughout Turkey, made mention of the Kurdish issue and forewarned that there will be episodes in large Turkish cities.

[02] US UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE: THIS IS THE YEAR TO SOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE

Mr. Kornblum repeatedly stated that the US is mostly concerned with noting stability in the region, the Balkans and Greece, since there are numerous issues of concern at Caucasus, the Middle East and elsewhere. That is why, he stated, the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and President Bill Clinton mostly discussed business opportunities during their recent meeting.

Mr. Kornblum emphasized that the US does not want to play a role of mediator between Greece and Turkey and assessed that both countries are "ready for dialogue."

Of great significance was Mr. Kornblum's statement that "this year is the only opportunity to solve the Cyprus issue."

[03] GREEK PRESIDENT SALUTES THE UNITED STATES AND GREEK-AMERICANS

Speaking to Macedonian Press Agency reporters during his flight to the US, the President stated that he looks forward to the improvement of Greek-American relations, although he added that he does not have specific expectations from his visit to the White House, while noting that the Greek Premier's recent visit to the US, as well as the Turk Premier's and Turk President's, is "a matter of balances."

The President's aircraft landed at Andrews Air Force Base last night and was ceremoniously welcomed with military honors.

"With special joy I arrive at the United States, a friend and ally country, following an invitation by President Bill Clinton, with whom I will meet on May 9," the President stated upon his arrival.

"I will hold talks with the US President regarding Greek- American relations and we will exchange points of view on the situation in Southeastern Europe, as well as Europe and the world in whole," President Stephanopoulos added.

He went on to say that his joy is especially pronounced as he will meet with outstanding members of the American government and administration, "having the opportunity to hear their interesting points of view on a series of issues of specific or general interest.

"You understand the significance of such a trip for the President of the Hellenic Republic, when he arrives at the US to meet, in the larger part of his travel, Greeks abroad, these able and distinguished American citizens, who maintain indissoluble bonds with Greece and their love for their country which they display at every opportunity," the President stated.

[04] THE PRESIDENT'S FULL SCHEDULE IN WASHINGTON TODAY

This morning began with breakfast at Blair House, shared with US newspaper columnists Tim Hoagland, Tom Lippman and Steven Rosenfeld and "Washington Post" publisher Katherine Graham.

Following the meal, he will lay a wreath at the Arlington National Cemetery where he will visit US President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, as well as the tombs of the fallen Challenger astronauts.

Afterwards, the President will return to Blair House where he will meet with US Congress and Administration officials who are distinguished members of the Greek-American community.

In the afternoon he will grant an exclusive interview to CNN and will visit George Washington University where he will meet with Greek professors and students.

This evening, he will attend a dinner-inauguration of the "Conference on the Greek-US Relationship and the Future of Southeastern Europe", which is jointly organized by the Institute for Foreign Policy of Law and Diplomacy and the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation.

The President will speak on "Strengthening stability in a troubled area: Greece's role in the Balkans."

President Stephanopoulos will remain in Washington until Friday, May 10, when he will depart for Atlanta.

[05] THE GREEK PRESIDENT WILL MEET WITH THE US PRESIDENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE TOMORROW

The Greek President will arrive at the White House at 10am (local time) and after his meeting with the US President, the two leaders will hold a joint press conference at 20:30pm (greek time).

At 21:30pm (greek time), US Vice-President Al Gore will host a formal breakfast at the State Department in honour of the greek President.

Tomorrow at midnight (greek time), the greek President will have a short meeting with the leadership and the members of the US House International Relations Committee and with greek-american US House Representatives.

Afterwards, President Stephanopoulos will meet with the Republican and the Democrat leadership in the US Senate,and later he will attend the formal reception and the formal dinner in the White House given in his honour by the US President.

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will also have a heavy schedule tomorrow. In the morning, he will meet with high level US officials at the Blair House and later will meet with Secretary of State, Warren Christopher.

At midnight (greek time), mr.Pangalos will meet with US House Representative and US House International Relations Committee Chairman, mr.B.Gilman, as well as with members of the same Committee.

President Stephanopoulos is the first greek head of state to visit the United States in the past 43 years (in 1953 the then US President Eisenhower had welcomed in the White House former King Pavlos and former Queen Frideriki).

Prime Ministers of Greece who have visited the United States are, Konstantinos Karamanlis, Georgios Papandreou, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Andreas Papandreou and Kostas Simitis.

[06] GREEK MINISTERIAL DELEGATION ACCOMPANIES PRESIDENT TO THE US

Also present at this meeting, from the US side, will be Vice- President Al Gore, National Security Advisor Anthony Lake, and - possibly- Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

A second, and longer, session will follow, where the Greek team will be joined by Education Minister George Papandreou, the first General Director of the Foreign Ministry Mr. Filon, the Director of Bilateral Relations Mr. Ladopoulos, the Director of the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Office Mr. Zografos and his counterpart from the Office of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Kaklikis.

On the US behalf at this meeting, aside from President Clinton, Mr. Gore, Mr. Lake and Mr. Christopher, will be the White House Personnel Director Leon Panetta, the US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles, the US Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum, and the Presidential Aide and Director of European Affairs of the National Security Council Mr. Vershbow.

Following the meeting, the two Presidents will give a joint press conference.

In turn, President Stephanopoulos will go to the State Department, where he will attend a meal hosted in his honor by Vice-President Al Gore.

In the evening, the President will meet with Senators Dole and Dachle, as well as other members of the US Congress.

Later that night, President Clinton and his wife Hillary, will host a formal reception dinner at the White House grounds to honor the Greek head of state.

[07] PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS STRONG DEFENSE POLICY

Mr. Simitis emphasized that in order for Greece to secure its rights, it must -concurrently with its peaceful disposition and diplomatic means- maintain a strong means of prevention to the often unexplainable turkish policy. This approach, the Premier added, must be maintained by Greece for a long time until the turkish expansionist tendency eclipses.

On another front, the Premier called on all the ruling party's members to focus their attention on the country's burning issues, which constitute the only issues of concern at the conference.

[08] PREMIER ADDRESSES UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE BEFORE PARLIAMENT

Mr. Simitis pointed out that the decade ahead is one where Greece will be faced with the consequences of an ever-increasing international competition, and foresaw that the closing of businesses and the reduction of manpower are phenomena that will continue for some time. Moreover, according to the Premier, the increased competition in the area of agriculture opens a new front of problems.

Mr. Simitis itemized his policy for facing the rising unemployment rates and stated that the government should aim at enriching the country's production sector, that is businesses and their employees, with new technology. Also, restructuring production, strengthening mobility among the workforce and promoting investments are all ways to counter the plighjt of unemployment, according to the Premier.

Mr. Simitis noted that Greece's 10% unemployment rate is still below the European Union's median rate.

[09] THE MEETING OF PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WITH ARCHBISHOP OF NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, IAKOVOS WAS CANCELLED

[10] PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE SECRETARY SPEAKS IN ASTORIA

Mr. Scandalides stated that "everything around us in changing at a 'running-fire' rate and all of us must seek a new pace." The Committee's Secretary added that " we must find ourselves again among things, independently of the New World Order. Greece is in the forefront of playing a sifgnificant role."

Mr. Scandalides also spoke of the World Hellenism Council stating that although there is talk of upgrading its role to an Underministry, its current work as a General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad is equally significant.

[11] GREEK PEACE TRAIN ARRIVES IN BOSNIA'S BIELINA WITH 400 TONS OF AID

The belief that the historic friendship among Greek and Serb peoples will be strengthened, was expressed by the Army Colonel of the Bosnianserb Republic Peter Peiker.

Bielina mayor Dragomir Lubojevic noted that during recent years, the Boosnianserbs are inundated with the support, moral and physical, expressed by the Greek people, especially during a time when the whole world was against them.

"The Greek people's support was significant and contributed to the Serbs' effort to stand on their feet and not allow our historical enemies, Muslims and Croats, to bring us to our knees as they've wanted to do for a hundred years," stated Lubojevic. He added that in his city today there are approximately 50,000 refugees and hundreds of disabled war veterans who, as they themselves state, are willing to fight again if needed. The Bielina mayor expressed his satisfaction because his people "finally have their own republic-state, although it is not what they actually deserved."

The Greek mission's leader, President of the Institute for Developing Balkan Cooperation (IDBC) Miltos Karakepelis, wished upon the Serb people to never have to face the horrors of war again, meaning the Bosnianserbs, and added that today's aid is the last part of the humanitarian effort to arrive in Bielina. He also pointed out that the coordinating body of the Macedonian and Thrace organizations that collected this aid, amounting to 270 million drachmas worth of foodstuffs, clothing and medical supplies, decided to deliver it to the Bosnianserb military in order to secure a fair distribution.

More than 60 Northern Greece organizations participated in the effort to collect the aid, which was brainstormed last summer and began to take form in the fall, prior to the Dayton Agreement.

Participating in the mission, aside from the IDCB, are organizations from the prefectures of Kozani, Drama, Kavala, Pella, as well as municipalities of Thessaloniki.

While in Bosnia, the mission will visit Sarajevo and Pale, where it will meet with Radovan Koradic and General Mladic.

[12] DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS WITH CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES

When asked to what degree does the millitary accord between Greece and Israel affect Cyprus, given Israel's similar accord with Turkey, Mr. Arsenis stated that it concerns a significant agreement that promotes peace and stability in the region to the benefit of all countries.

[13] THE EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT WILL VISIT ATHENS ON MAY 23 AND 24

Mr.Santer is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos on May 24th.

[14] 21ST INTERNATIONAL FUR CONFERENCE BRINGING POSITIVE RESULTS SO FAR

Also, awaited with intense interest is the beginning of the two-day Greek-Russian Symposium of Fur, Trade and Tourism, to start on Friday morning. Present will be the Underministers of National Economy Christos Pachtas and Development Michalis Chrysochoides, as well as Political Spring President Antonis Samaras.

The Symposium will address the institutional support framework of the business and investment activities, the role of the Organization of Insurance of Exporting Credits in the promotion of economic ties between Greece and Russia and the new role of the Organization of Promoting Exports in supporting greek trade to the markets of the former Soviet Union.

[15] GREEK PRODUCTS EXHBIT IN BELGRADE

The exhibit of greek products will provide Yugoslav businessmen with the opportunity to further develop their trade with Greece.

[16] GREEK CINEMA WEEK OPENED IN BUCHAREST

Representatives of the greek film industry among them, Nikos Koundouros, Tasos Goudelis, Kostas Ferris and Sotiria Matziris arrived in Bucharest yesterday and they will present in the romanian capital and in the city of Iasi the greek cinema, its problems and its achievements and also the state and private participation in this particular sector.

The greek delegation members will also present the connections the greek cinema has with the European Union and will exchange experience with their colleagues in Romania, a country where a few years ago significant activity in cinema had developed with sole producer the state.

During the "Greek Cinema Week", a total of 9 greek films, representative of the greek film industry, will be screened in Bucharest.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] THE GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF THE EU WILL MEET IN BRUSSELS ON MAY 13 AND 14

The EU Foreign Ministers will discuss issues concerning the Inter-Governmental Conference and the MEDA regulations (a programme of EU funding to third Mediterranean countries in which Turkey is included). In the previous General Affairs Council mr.Pangalos had expressed the greek government's objections to the procedures for the implementation of the regulations.

Britain had also objected to the same issue, specifically to the procedure through which the interruption of the EU aid could be decided in case of human rights violations.

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos stated today to reporters, Greece can not accept, that specifically for those regulations, there will be no provision for the interruption of EU funding in cases of human rights violations.

[18] IRELAND WILL UPGRADE THE ROLE OF THE COORDINATOR IN CYPRUS

According to statements made by the irish diplomat who is dealing with the issue, his country, which will hold the EU Presidency in the second half of 1996, will not only accept the continuation of the process undertaken by mr.Di Roberto but it will also examine the approval of his upgrading to European Union Coordinator from the position of the EU Presidency Coordinator.

The decision for mr.Di Roberto's possible upgrading will be made by the Council of Ministers in June. In that meeting he is expected to submit a second report on Cyprus and for this reason he will make a new visit to this country.

Regarding the press publications concerning mr.Di Roberto's possible replacement as a result of the turkish reactions, the irish diplomat stated that his country has no such intention and clarified that on this issue there will be a decision by the Council of Ministers.

The issue of mr.Di Roberto's upgrading had also been discussed and during the recent meeting of the Prime Ministers of Ireland and Greece.

[19] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WILL MEET WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL IN JUNE

Following their meeting, Mr. Clerides will travel to Washington where he will meet with United States President Bill Clinton.

[20] A GATE STOLEN FROM A CHURCH IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS WAS LOCATED IN JAPAN

The stolen exhibit, which is part of Cyprus' cultural heritage, was discovered by Cyprus Consul General in The Hague, ms.Tasoula Hatzitofis who demanded its immediate return to the church in Cyprus where it belongs, warning that otherwise legal procedures will be initiated.

[21] THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS CONTINUES IN THE GREAT PRESPA LAKE WHERE A BOAT WITH 13 ALBANIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHER CAPSIZED

The greek fishermen began the search in the greek part of the lake at dawn today, as soon as they heard about the accident which took place yesterday afternoon.

The albanian authorities have requested the greek assistance and it is expected that the greek fishermen will be allowed to cross the border line in the lake in order to be able to search closer to the site of the accident, about 3 miles from the greek village of Psarades.

According to information from the greek fishermen, the accident happened about 500 meters from the albanian village of Pustesi and 3 miles from the greek shore at a region where the waters of the lake are about 20 meters deep.

The schoolchildren had gone to the islet of Deligati to visit an old byzantine church and their small boat capsized while they were returning home.

Based on information from local fishermen, the small boat capsized because it was overloaded and not because of bad weather, as it was reported by the Tirana radio. The local fishermen stressed that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were very good and there was no wind.

[22] THE PATRIARCH OF ROMANIA ARRIVED IN CYPRUS FOR A FORMAL VISIT

Patriarch Theoktistos is scheduled to meet with President Kliridis and will also visit dioceses and monasteries on the island.

[23] BULGARIA-NATO DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE IN JUNE

The context of this particular dialogue, focusing on NATO's role and the expansion of the Alliance, was European security architecture, institutional interaction, the parallel expansion of the European Union and the Western European Union and the future of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and Partnership for Peace.

The Bulgarian side presented government initiatives due to consolidate the regional stability, security and cooperation. The two sides also exchanged opinions on a wide range of issues raised by Bulgaria. The talks are expected to continue in June.

[24] IZETBEGOVIC DEMANDS "ENTRANCE TARIFF" FOR THE EVERY REFUGEE

German Minister of Interior Manfred Kanter stated that "they are asking for more and more money and this can not be accepted. They are now playing poker by testing German hospitality and generosity."

According to the "Guardian", even "the government of President Tudjman is postponing the Muslims' return to Bosnia also, by preventing the transit through Croatia, because this would disturb the ethnic balance in the Muslim-Croat Federation, at the expence of Croats."

The "Guardian" foresees a "somber future" for Bosnia, putting the blame on all the three sides, but this time mostly the Croat and the Muslim ones. Quoting a confidential analysis of the German Foreign Ministry, Bonn reporter of the London "Guardian" is concluding that there are possibilities for the Muslim-Croat Federation "to sink soon" in case of a refugees mass return.

[25] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN THE UNITED STATES

[26] ALBANIAN OFFICIALS SPEED UP THE ELECTORAL PREPARATIONS

For the first time Albanian citizens can use their passports as identification and not only papers printed by the Interior Ministry. Following a Defense Ministry's proposal, it has been decided that only soldiers will be given specially designed certificates so they can vote in the barracks where they serve.

[27] BOSNIAN PRESIDENT STATED "OUR STRUGGLE WILL NOT END..."

In a recent speech delivered in Gorazde before a large audience, Alija Izetbegovic stated that "the Muslims will return to the places they have been expelled from."

Those statements have provoked general concern about an escalation of the new militant and war passions of the Muslims in Bosnia, international media reported. Besides that, Izetbegovic's statements are making the implementation of the Dayton Agreement more difficult, for they are an attempt to revive the war atmosphere in the inter-ethnic relations.

France is warning that the situation in Bosnia is still dangerous and demands restraining from all the actions which might renew the ethnic intolerance.

[28] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              298.6600   297.7640    299.5560
U.S. Dollar      242.4850   241.7580    243.2120
Deutsche Mark    159.0500   158.5730    159.5270
UK Sterling      366.7300   365.6300    367.8300
French Franc      47.0160    46.8750     47.1570
Swedish Crown     35.4900    35.3840     35.5960
Danish Kroner     41.2280    41.1040     41.3520
Norwegian Crown   36.9700    36.8590     37.0810
Italian Lira      15.5310    15.4840     15.5780
Swiss Franc      195.3220   194.7360    195.9080
Spanish Peseta     1.9110     1.9053      1.9167
Finnish Mark      50.6670    50.5150     50.8190
Yen              230.3200   229.6290    231.0110

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