MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (13/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki May 13, 1996

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PRESIDENT VISITS CALIFORNIA, SPEAKS MOVINGLY TO GREEKS ABROAD

The Greek head of state was welcomed to Los Angeles by local dignitaries, representatives from the Federation of Greek-American Unions of Southern California, and a large crowd from the city's Greek community.

One of Los Angeles' most beautiful churches is the Greek Orthodox Aghia Sofia where President Stephanopoulos attended the services and afterwards gave a speech saluting the generations of Greek immigrants who live in the US.

Expressing his warm sentiments brought by his visit to the United States, President Stephanopoulos stated that it is a country that has close ties with Greece, mostly due to the bond the Greek-Americans maintain with their mother country.

"Greece needs your presence and your patriotic sentiments and services," the President said, adding that "Greece hasn't come here to ask or beg. Our integrity and pride do not allow it. Your presence here can contribute to our interests. You are the most organized community, after the Jewish one, in the United States. Remember your country. You can influence the American leadership. During the pre-election period you can ask more carefully so we can have better results," President Stephanopoulos advised his numerous audience.

Also, the President reminded the Greek-Americans that the most stable and strong path for ties with the mother country is the language factor, promising that the greek state will provide the necessary tools to strengthen the teaching of the mother tongue to Greeks abroad.

Addressing his audience, the President stated that "We are proud of you because you are exemplary American citizens" and called upon the Greeks abroad to "maintain in your soul the love for your mother country" and told them that patriotism overrides any distance.

Referring to his talks with US President Bill Clinton, President Stephanopoulos stated that "I didn't expect him (Clinton) to take a position on the greek- turkish issues during our talks. He listened to me intently. There was no disagreement and that is positive. I am certain that Mr.Clinton is aware of the problems and understands them."

Referring to greek-turkish issues, Mr. Stephanopoulos stated that "the Dodekanese are Greek, starting from the smallest islet to the largest island.

"The Aegean has 140 inhabited islands, thousands of smaller ones, and they are all Greek. Now, after the 1923 Lauzane Treaty, our neighbors come and claim that there are islets in the Aegean which they do not know to whom they belong. This reveals Turkey's deceit," the President stated.

"We will struggle for Greece, for maintaining was is just and for revealing this deceit.

"Through your voice," he continued, "we can prove our rights. Don't let your patriotic conscience lay dormant. In democracy, public opinion has a crucial role. I bring to you your mother country's love.Greece adores you. Every immigrant we lose is like a drop of blood from Greece's heart. Return to Greece regularly. I know you and I love you. I offer you the love of the Greek people."

This morning, President Stephanopoulos was granted the golden key to the city of Los Angeles by City Council President John Ferraro.

Today, he will travel to the state capital Sacramento where he will meet with city Mayor Joe Cerna and California Governor Pete Wilson.

Tomorrow and Wednesday, the President will visit Chicago, illinois and will return to Athens on May 16.

[02] RATKO MLADIC: THE SERBS HAVE PAID THE PRICE FOR DAYTON AGREEMENT

"I believe that we must give all the fighting sides a chance for peace, to establish it in the region, although we are concerned over some militaristic statements made by certain Muslim leaders, headed by Izetbekovic, and the effort by certain islamic countries, and unfortunately the United States as well, to arm the Muslims," Mladic stated, fearing that this could pose a serious threat to peace.

Referring to those rumors according to which none of the armed forces involved in the fighting upheld the military part of the Agreement, Mr. Mladic stated that the Bosnianserbs maintained the agreement without difficulty, even though, according to the General, the Bosnianserbs had the most difficult task of all.

Moreover, Mr. Mladic referred those who doubt his statements to General Juluan, who reportedly has admitted that the Serb side had made strong efforts in establishing peace in the region.

When asked about the international community's efforts to achieve peaceful co-existence among Serbs, Croats and Muslims, Mr. Mladic ruled them out as not feasible, "as has been proven by 20th century's history."

"It's inconceivable how we could all live together in a small country like Bosnia, given that the Croats, the Muslims and the Slovenians who were separated could not live together even in the former Yugoslavia," he stated characteristically.

When asked about his referral on "war criminal charges" by the international community to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Mr. Mladic responded that the Court of Justice at The Hague "is a body through which foreign interests are imposed in the region.

"Everyone knows very well that defending your people is not a crime," the General said. "This is the ultimate aim, afterall. You know that we did not carry on an expansionist war, but instead defended our homes. We did not attack The Hague, London or Berlin, we defended what was ours. And what they couldn't take from us through war, they took through the Dayton Agreement."

The Bosnianserb General maintained that his referral to The Hague constitutes an attempt to disorientate public opinion.

"The paradoxical part is that they are asking that I be tried for defending my people from the american, english and french fighter planes, and from the Mujahedin, the Muslims, the Croats and from whoever else was attacking us.

"They should be tried at The Hague before the pilots who killed our women and children with their deadly bombs, aiming at the serb villages, hospitals and factories," Mladic said.

"I would be found in a difficult position if I was tried before my people, because I only recognize our court. The Court of Justice at The Hague does not exist for me. It's certain I am right because I was defending my people."

Referring to Greece, Gen. Mladic, stated that Greece is found in a similar position to his country, with the only difference being that Greece is the eastern gate, whereas his country is the western gate.

"Greece and the Serb Republic must not fall into the trap of becoming opponents to Islam. Since our fate has brought us to live next to one another, we must live with Islam as good neighbors, with understanding and cooperation."

[03] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN MOSCOW

Mr.Kaklamanis met with a Communist Party delegation, the President of the Parliamentary group of "Our Home is Russia" party, the russian Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Vladimir Lukin, members of Duma's Greek-Russian Friendship Group and with Moscow's mayor Yuri Luzkov.

Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, mr.Lukin supported the speedy solution of the Cyprus problem and stated that in the recent crisis in the Aegean Greece's positions were based on International Law. He also said Greece's problems prove that the NATO membership does not safeguard the security of the states and called the West to adopt a more objective stance on the Bosnian issue.

The President of the greek Parliament is scheduled to meet tomorrow with the Presidents of the two bodies of the russian Parliament, the vice-president of the russian government responsible for economic issues, Foreign Minister Primakov and Patriarch of Moscow, Alexios.

[04] NATIONAL ECONOMY UNDERMINISTER SPEAKS ON GREEK- RUSSIAN TRADE

"We must do whatever we can in order to strengthen the bilateral relations with Russia in areas of common interest, such as industry, energy, tourism and agriculture," Mr. Pachtas stated.

In the areas of industry and energy, the first steps have been taken, given the aluminium factory and the oil pipeline of Burgas-Alexandroupolis, while in the area of tourism, and especially its religion-oriented sector, the opportunities are numerous, the Underminister stated.

The area to which, according to Mr.Pachtas, attention much be granted are the common business ventures between Greek and Russian businessmen, while Greece's emergence as the Balkan region's and Russia's link with the European Union and as a stability factor in the Balkan area -due to its stronger economy- is the third area where Greece must focus its interests. The produce and livestock sectors, fishing industry, agricultural research and land reclamations are all together the agriculture areas which provide the amplest opportunities for cooperation with the Russian side.

Northern Greece is and must continue to be the starting point for these plans, Mr. Pachtas emphasized, stating that "the whole coutnry and the state must realize that Greece's future is in Northern Greece."

The Underminister pointed out that the states creation of combined transport and infrastructure networks does not constitute a panacea. "The business itself must realize its role as well. And this will not be accomplished only through the state's funding, but when the businesses themselves, through taking advantage of the Delors B Package programs and the overall intitiatives, create their own networks by transporting their products, reducing production cost and becoming more competitive."

Mr. Pachtas referred to the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis' recent tour of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and stated that the Prime Minister's visit conveyed a new message, that is "we should not bring Northern Greece to Athens, but, instead, Northern Greece itself should be the starting point of the drive to meet the new opportunities that have been created. Never before did we have such an opportunity. We mustn't miss it."

[05] GERMAN UNIONISTS TO MEET WITH MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER

Also discussed will be the various transportation, sewage and irrigation systems in Northern Greece and their environmental impact.

The delegation is comprised of 25 union members from various areas of Germany who have been in Greece since last Thursday under the auspice of an educational program of the Arbeit und Leben Organization.

The delegates will visit the German Consulate in Thessaloniki and will make contacts with representatives from the Greek-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who will give them a tour of the area's businesses and industries.

[06] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GREEK- TURKISH RELATIONS

Speaking to the turkish daily "Zaman", Mr. Vartholomeos stated that the Patriarchate is an instititution which abides by turkish laws and pays its taxes, yet "we are found in the midst of greek-turkish relations.

"Since as citizens we meet our obligations to the state, then the state must grant us our rights, without making distinctions if we are a minority or not," Mr. Vartholomeos stated, adding that ever since he took over the Patriarchate, he has been exerting efforts to improve greek-turkish relations.

[07] TURK PREMIER MESUT YILMAZ WANTS TO MEET WITH PREMIER SIMITIS

During an exclusive interview to the turkish daily "Hurriet", Premier Yilmaz stated that should there be a meeting between the two premiers, it should be preceeded by one held between the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, and pointed to the European Union's upcoming Intergovernmental Conference in Turin as a prime opportunity.

"The Greek Foreign Minister (Theodoros Pangalos) will participate at this meeting and for this purpose I have requested that (Turk Foreign Minister) Mr. Gionensai also be present."

[08] BULGARIA TO SUPPLY GREECE WITH 180 MILLION CUBIC METERS OF WATER

According to the bulgarian newspaper "Douma", the committee's decision is based on the agreement concerning the war reparations paid by Bulgaria since the end of World War II,which will be in effect until the year 2.024.

[09] GREEK-SYRIAN TALKS WERE HELD IN DAMASCUS YESTERDAY

In those meetings, views were exchanged on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest in the light of the friendly relations between Greece and Syria.

[10] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE SHAPING OF THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY

The participants will discuss the involvement of women in the centers of power, the mass media, culture and the environment. Also, will be discussed and the topic "Women in the Mediterranean and the Balkans".

The conference participants will examine issues concerning the promotion of equal opportunities for both sexes in Greece, the challenges and prospects and the quality of life in Greece today, the possibilities offered in Europe for the strengthening of the position of women in the mediterranean countries, the economic conditions for the working women and the reponsibilities of women in the protection of the environment.

Among the speakers are included, ms.Fr.Mulfinger, member of the European Commission General Directorate V equal opportunity department, ms.L.Castellina and ms.M.Banotti president and vice-president of the European Parliament Culture, Youth, Education and Mass Media Committee, ms.Fr.Bennasar Tours Euro-Deputy and vice- president of the European Parliament Committee on the Women's Rights and vice-president of the same committee ms.A.Fouque, greek Parliament deputies Marietta Koutsikou- Yiannakou and Fanny Petralia President of the Inter- Balkan Women's Association and also President of UNESCO for women and Thessaloniki's Aristotle University professors ms.Mika Haritou-Fatourou and ms.Anna Panagiotarea.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL IN GENEVA

From Geneva, mr.Kliridis will go to the United States where he will meet with US President Bill Clinton on June 18th.

[12] RELATIVES OF MISSING IN CYPRUS RESPOND TO GHALI'S WARNING THAT INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE MAY BE CANCELLED

According to the two Committees, those responsible for the recent outcome are the authorities who overlook the matter, and Committee members now ask that a new strategy be carved.

Today, Committee representatives are scheduled to meet with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and will discuss the content of Mr. Ghali's letters.

In the said letter, the UN Secretary-General refers to lack of progress, sets conditions and deadlines, and threatens with cancelation of the Investigation Committee if it does not complete its project within 18 months.

[13] UN SECRETARY-GENERAL SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO VISIT CYPRUS IN JUNE

The new special representative has already met with UN Secretary General assistant Marak Goulding, his predecessor John Clark and US Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum, who briefed him on the developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

Responding to the question, if mr.Kornblum mentioned to him what form the US initiative will have, mr.Chan said that he did not get the impression that the United States have a specific plan and stressed that coordination with the United Nations is necessary.

[14] INTER-BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN EARLY JUNE

During the meeting will be discussed measures for the strengthening of security in the Balkans, the participation of the Balkan countries in infrastructure projects, the expansion of trade relations and investments and also measures against crime, terrorism and drugs.

According to the bulgarian newspaper, Slovenia refused to participate in the meeting, while Croatia will attend as an observer.

[15] THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' COUNCIL MEETS IN BRUSSELS

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, while in the United States last week, foresaw the climate that will prevail in today's meeting and denounced as an unacceptable blackmail against Greece the efforts made by the so-called strong EU countries to link Cyprus' EU accession process with the greek stance regarding the EU funding to Turkey.

It should be noted, that the EU-Cyprus Association Council meets tomorrow.

[16] BULGARIA: STATE-OWNED BUSINESSES CLOSE, PRIVATIZATION PROMOTED

"Bulgaria is facing the danger of a complete economic destabilization if the party (Socialist Party) does not support the urgent governmental measures," stated the Bulgarian Premier Zan Videnov.

Meanwhile, according to the bulgarian daily "24 Hours", the application of these new measures will lead to a 1.1% increase in the unemployment rate, which will rise to 13.5 per cent from the current 12.4% rate.

The bulgarian national currency lev slid downward at an unprecedented rate last week , hitting 150 leva to the dollar on Saturday, whereas ten days ago it broke the barrier of 100 leva to the dollar.

[17] ROMANIA RISKS BECOMING A TRANSIT COUNTRY FOR CENTRAL ASIA'S HEROIN

Mr. Leroy and Jean-Piere Leborde, chief within the UN's Department for Preventing Crime and Implementation of Criminal Laws attended a conference in Bucharest. According to Rador, after its requirement, Romania is receiving UN's assistance in order to create viable legislation against drugs.

[18] YUGOSLAV BANK GOVERNOR ASKED FOR PREMIER'S RESIGNATION

Meanwhile, the Yugoslav Government decided at a session on Saturday that talks with the IMF, the World Bank and other foreign creditors should be urgently resumed, preferably in Belgrade, Tanjug reported.

[19] ROMANIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT BELGRADE

According to a statement released by the Yugoslav President's offfice, the visit would continue dialogue at the top and strengthen the atmosphere of understanding not only between Yugoslavia and Romania, but in the whole region.

[20] BULGARIAN SHIP FISHING INTO ROMANIAN TERRITORIAL WATERS

[21] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              298.4000   297.5050    299.2950
U.S. Dollar      243.2650   242.5350    243.9950
Deutsche Mark    158.7000   158.2240    159.1760
UK Sterling      369.0000   367.8930    370.1070
French Franc      46.9290    46.7880     47.0700
Swedish Crown     35.7380    35.6310     35.8450
Danish Kroner     41.0880    40.9650     41.2110
Norwegian Crown   36.9470    36.8360     37.0580
Italian Lira      15.5710    15.5240     15.6180
Swiss Franc      194.4300   193.8470    195.0130
Spanish Peseta     1.9040     1.8983      1.9097
Finnish Mark      51.0590    50.9060     51.2120
Yen              231.3050   230.6110    231.9990

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