MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (24/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki May 24, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE UPHOLDS CONVERGENCE PROGRAM, SAYS EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT

The visiting President of the European Commission Jacques Santer stated that Greece closely upholds the convergence program, thereby seeing no reason to impose any conditions on Greece's financing from the Cohesion Fund.

Mr. Santer met with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Alternate Minister George Romeos, whom he informed that the Commission yesterday approved funding of ECU 250 million for the under-construction Spata airport, a project that he characterized as one of Europe's largest investments.

During the meeting held between Mr. Santer, Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Romeos, there was a coincidence of views regarding the "Employment Confidence Pact", an initiative to battle unemployment at a European level and improve European competitiveness internationallly, proposed by Mr. Santer in January.

Moreover, there was a discussion held on Greece's relations with some of its neighbors, granting particular attention to the MEDA funding program regulations. Mr. Pangalos stated that Greece is actively interested in seeing the MEDA program materialize, which provides funding to Mediterranean countries outside the EU, yet he emphasized that "Greece wishes that the specific problem that exists with Turkey be taken into consideration."

The Foreign Minister reminded that it was Greece which introduced the EU Mediterranean policy during the Corfu Summit.

Mr. Santer stated that "it is known that Greece wishes to have smooth and friendly relations with all of the countries in the Meditarranean Basin. It only faces problems with Turkey, but it wishes to settle, as much as possible the problems in the relations between the two coutnries."

It should be noted that Mr. Santer, responding to a question, declined that the Commission applies double standards in its positions towards the countries-members, stating that there are no differences in the positions, but simply, there are different problems.

It appears, from Mr. Santer's and Mr. Pangalos' statements tthat the EU is leaning towards a separation between the Mediterranean countries who are set to receive MEDA funds, and Turkey, for which the Greek veto has been exercised. According to information from diplomatic sources, the Foreign Ministry has recommended such distinction, especially after the pressure exerted upon Greece following the Council of General Affairs, to lifti the veto on MEDA funds allocation to Turkey.

[02] EUROPE'S MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS COUNCIL ENDS 20TH SESSION TOMORROW

The Thessaloniki-held 20th General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) will close tomorrow, after its three-day deliberations which were inaugurated by European Commission President Jacques Santer.

According to tomorrow's program, CEMR first vice-president Josef Hofmann will present the Assembly's conclusions, followed by an address given by the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece first vice-president Thrasyvoulos Lazarides and messages given by the Chilean Mayor of Santiago Jaime Ravinct de la Fuente, who is also President of the World Association of Municipalities and Regions, and by the President of the CLRAE Alexander Tehernoff.

The formal closing ceremony will continue with an address given by Baroness Josephine Farrington of Ribbicton, President of the Committee on Education and Culture of the Regions Committee, and with a message by Finnish Mayor of Ulu, the city to host CEMR's next general assembly.

This year's General Assembly will come to an end with an address given by Thessaloniki's Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos.

[03] GREEK ARMED FORCES HAVE THE SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE OF GREEKS, SAYS PM

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis gave the assurance that the greek armed forces have the backing and the confidence of the greek people and the government. The statements were made after the Governmental Committee meeting and on the occasion of the Prime Minister's earlier meeting with the Defense and Foreign Ministers.

The Prime Minister also stressed that the armed forces will be left undistructed to perform their work and to acquire defense and deterrent power for the consolidation of peace in the region and the further strengthening of the country.

[04] SKOPJE MAYOR IN THESSALONIKI, PARTICIPATES IN CEMR 20TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Proposal for the cooperation of the local self-governments of Thessaloniki and Skopje aiming at the normalization of the greek- skopjan relations, was made by Assembly of the city of Skopje President Yove Kekenofski, who visited Thessaloniki to participate in the 20th General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.

Mr.Kekenofski this morning had a short meeting with mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos and in the afternoon was scheduled to meet with mayor of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Responding to the question on what must be done, according to his opinion, by Thessaloniki and Skopje for the normalization of the situation mr.Kekenofski expressed the view that "they can do a lot for this issue", adding that both sides lose a lot as a result of the exisiting situation. Also, mr.Kekenofski said that efforts will be made for achieving communication at all levels starting with culture.

To the question whether certain initiatives have been undertaken toward this direction, he responded negatively, adding that "this is the first time we come here and this is the first move that is being made".

In statements after his meeting with mr.Kekenofski, the mayor of Thessaloniki ruled out any possibility of cooperation between the municipalities of Thessaloniki and Skopje, for as long as, the issue of the name that will be used by the neighbouring country remains open. Mr.Kosmopoulos said that if solutions are reached serving the right demands of Greece and its clear positions, then the possibilities for the promotion of any cooperation will be examined.

Mr.Kosmopoulos clarified that the meeting with mr.Kekenofski was held within the framework of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and no talks were held beyond the issues examined during the conference. Mr.Kosmopoulos said that he pointed out to mr.Kekenofski that local governments can and must contribute to a quick and just solution based on the greek positions.

Finally, responding to the question if he will accept mr.Kekenofski's invitation to visit Skopje mr.Kosmopoulos said that he will think about it.

[05] JACQUES SANTER MEETS WITH LEADER OF NEW DEMOCRACY, MILTIADES EVERT

Greece's main opposition party New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert met with the President of European Commission Jacques Santer and stated that he was glad to hear Mr. Santer's positive stances towards Greece and especially his recognition that Greece's borders are Europe's borders as well.

The main opposition party leader also thanked Mr. Santer for his friendly sentiments towards Greece and the Greek people.

Mr. Santer emphasized that the European Union's solidarity must find "effective ways of expression", while, regarding Cyprus, he stated that the negotiations for the island's EU accession will begin six months following the Inter-Governmental Conference. Mr. Santer stated that the "timeline" will be followed, and added that there is no chance that it will be threatened by "other, external factors."

Present at the meeting were the New Democracy Vice- President Yiannis Varvitsiotis and the Parliamentary Group's Secretary-General Stavros Dimas.

[06] PRESIDENT OF GREECE ATTENDS BATTLE OF CRETE COMMEMMORATION ACTIVITIES

The President of Greece Kostis Stephanopoulos is in Heraklion, Crete today, where he will attend festivities commemmorating the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

The first President to attend these annual festivities in Crete, Mr. Stephanopoulos will attend commemmoration ceremonies in all four of the island's counties.

The Battle of Crete took place in May 1941 when Australian, New Zealand, British and Greek forces fought against the invading Nazis. The island of Crete was the last part of Greece to come under German occupation. Losses were heavy on both sides during this famous battle, one of whose most notable elements was that Germany used the most paratroopers for this battle than anywhere else during World War II.

[07] US MILITARY AID TO GREECE AND TURKEY TO BE MAINTAINED AT 7:10 RATIO

The United States will maintain the 7 to ten ratio of military aid allocation to Greece and Turkey for 1997, according to a decision drawn by the US Allocations Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee's proposal curtails by 50 per cent the military aid provided to both countries, in relation to 1996, allocating $103 million in military aid to Greece and $148 million to Turkey.

According to the Sub-Committee's report, these figures are limited to the maintenance of the already exisitng programs and cannot be used for purchases of new armaments.

Moreover, the Sub-Committee upkeeps its proposal for $15 million in economic aid to Cyprus.

The Sub-Committee's proposal is subject to Congress approval, and, while it will be subjected to minor changes, the 7:10 ratio will not be affected.

[08] GREEK EXPORTS TO MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES REACHED 569 MILLION ECU IN 1994

The countries of the Middle East are among Greece's most important trade partners. In 1994 greek exports to those countries reached 569 million ECU increasing by 20,43% compared to 1993, while imports from the Middle East countries reached 1,1 billion ECU, droping by 18,81% compared to 1993.

Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt are the main markets for the greek products in the Middle East.

The products exported from Greece to the Middle East are mainly minerals and asphalt material (about 1/3 of the greek exports), metals, chemicals and plastics.

[09] CONSULATE OF PHILIPPINES ESTABLISHED TODAY IN THESSALONIKI

The Philippines have established a consulate in Thessaloniki, thereby further paving the way for the development of ties between the two countries.

Consul-General will be the greek businessman Damianos Labides and vice-consul will be attorney at law Nikolaos Margaropoulos.

The Philippines Ambassador to Greece Jose Fernandez, stated that great efforts are under way to develop cultural cooperation between the two countries, "an area in which Northern Greece excels."

According to Mr. Fernandez, economic cooperation between Greece and the Philippines is steadily on the rise and, according to 1994 data, trade volume rose by 64.9 per cent in comparison to 1993.

An economic and trade association between Greece and the Philippines has been established in Greece since 1994 and already has 74 members. Greek businessmen who have relations with the Philippines mostly represent the shipping industry.

[10] GREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL OPEN IN BUDAPEST

Greek Chamber of Commerce will open in Budapest on the initiative of greek businessmen in Hungary.

The Chamber's President ms.Martha Politidou, stated that it aims at securing the necessary preconditions, based on reliable information exchange concerning the sectors of commerce and economy, which will help toward the further development of bilateral trade relations.

[11] GREEK-SERB SYMPOSIUM ON EDUCATION'S HISTORY BEGAN IN KOMOTENE TODAY

The Greek-Serb Symposium titled "Greek and Serbian education during the 18th and 19th centuries" began its session today in Komotene.

During the first part of the four-day symposium, discussions focused on issues of education, lliterature, poetry, legal institutions and letters of the Diaspora.

The Symposium, to end on May 26, has been jointly organized by the Department of History and Ethnology at Thrace's Demokritus University and Belgrade University's Department of Philosophy.

[12] GREEK YOUTH DELEGATION FROM THRACE TRAVELS TO PORTUGAL

A six-member delegation of young persons from Thrace's Sappae unicipality will depart for Portugal tomorrow, in the framework of the "Youth for Europe" program.

The delegation's projects will include the signing of a cooperation agreement, visits to the Portuguese cities of Setubal and Moita, meetings with educators, and sightseeing tours throughout the island's archaeological sites.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] EU CULTURAL POLICY IS PART OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SAY EUROPE'S MAYORS

The need for the establishment of an institutional framework based on which local government will be able to intervene in cultural events, as well as the strengthening of the role of local government in the sector of culture through the Maastricht Treaty revision process, were stressed in a special meeting for the discussion of the issue "Local and Regional Authorities and Culture", held during the 20th General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.

The participants stressed that what is missing is not the initiatives undertaken by the cities, but the necessary infrastructure and funds. It was also stressed that the efforts by the local government should focus on the artistic creation and cultural activity of the urban centers, through the establishment of cultural programmes and the support of new activities which will pass on the cultural heritage to the next generations, safeguarding communication, understanding and mutual respect among the peoples.

[14] EUROPEAN WOMEN DEMAND EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The women elected to local government posts in the EU move toward the establishment of an information network, within the framework of their efforts for the equal representation of women in local government, according to ms.McKenna, President of the Permanent Committee of Women in European Municipalities and Communities and also President of Municipalities and Communities in Scotland.

In a press conference on the sidelines of the 20th General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, ms.McKenna stated that the goal of women mayors in the European Union is to increase the participation of women in local government in order to be paid more attention to the social factors and to the needs of the young people and the elderly during the decision making process.

[15] WOMAN DIES IN CYPRUS FROM THE "MAD COW" DISEASE

A 59yearold woman died in Cyprus from "mad cow" disease. The cause of her death has been confirmed by the results of tests made on part of her brain which was sent to a special laboratory abroad in order to have an independent verification of the findings of the cypriot doctors.

According to official information, the type of the disease recorded in Cyprus is not the same with that recorded in Britain but nevertheless, it is a typical case of "mad cow" disease.

Vathoula Christaki Digeni died on July 4th, 1995 and developed symptoms of the disease 4 months earlier, while it is believed that she had the "mad cow" diseace for 5 years. This is the first "mad cow" disease victim in Cyprus.

[16] EU TO DECIDE ON CYPRUS' ACCESSION, SAYS US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN

United States State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated today that Cyprus' EU accession prior to reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem is dependent upon the European Union itself.

Mr. Burns, as such, contradicted the Turkish Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay, who recently said that if Cyprus is to gain EU accession, there must be first reached a political solution to the Cyprus problem and claimed that this position is also supported by the US.

"The question of Cyrpus' ability to participate in the EU prior to a political solution having been reached, is something upon which the EU can decide, likewise for the when and how of Cyprus' EU accession," Mr. Burns stated. He stressed that while the US support the EU's expansion, it cannot impose which countries will become members.

According to Mr. Burns, who assessed that Cyprus would benefit by the EU-accession, this would be aided by a two- community agreement on the island, and by reaching a final solution on the matter, something upon which the US is focusing its efforts.

[17] NO MEETING BETWEEN CYPRIOT PRESIDENT AND TURKISH-CYPRIOT LEADER

Cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Kasoulidis stated that there will be no meeting between Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis and turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash neither in Geneva nor in New York.

Mr.Kasoulidis stated that the meeting with the UN Secretary- General will be held on June 11th and not on the 12th, as it was originally scheduled, while the date for the meeting between the UN Secretary-General and mr.Denktash has not been set yet.

He also added that after Geneva, the cypriot President will visit the United States and on June 18th will meet with US President Bill Clinton at the White House, while the following day, mr.Kliridis will meet in London with british Prime Minister, John Major.

[18] ISSUE OF MISSING PERSONS TO BE DISCUSSED AGAIN IN CYPRUS

Another discussion on the issue of missing persons is held today at Nicosia's Presidential Mansion, with the direct involvement of the relatives of those missing, throughout the deliberations.

Meanwhile, turk-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has responded positively to the conditions set forth by the United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali, which call for expediency in the proceedings of the Investigation Committee for the Missing Persons.

[19] FIRST ROMANIAN-HUNGARIAN BANK IN BUCHAREST

"Hungary ranks eight on top of exporters to Romania, and second after the Russian Federation, as a commercial partner," commercial counsellor of the Hungarian Embassy to Bucharest Laszlo Konya stated in an interview with "Curierul National".

The value of Hungaria's exports to Romania amount $367 million, while the Romanian exports to Hungary are amounted to $132 million. Also, according to Mr. Konya, there are 3,318 Hungarian companies which export items to Romania, while Romania boasts as many as 1,534 own companies exporting to Hungary.

Mr. Konya also said that he expects a slowing down of the commercial exchanges by 5-15 % during the year 1996, owing to causes such as the cutting of the good volume from Hungary and the increase costums duties provided by Romania for several agricultural products.

Concerning the Romanian-Hungarian talks on free trade exchange and the backing Hungary was granting to Romania in order to join the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), Hungarian counseller said that "The latest round of negotiations between Romanian and Hungarian Ministries of Trade in the field of the free trade exchange were aimed at the degree of liberalization of bilateral exchanges in the field of industrial products." He also said he is expecting that the accord would come into force on January 1, 1997.

Political observers estimate that this agreement is also meant to send a positive signal to the European Union, besides on its major goal, that is to boost the trade relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the first-ever joint Romanian-Hungarian bank started to operate on Monday in Bucharest. According to its chairman, Lazslo Peter, the credit bank Pater was mainly designed to assist bilateral trade exchange which amounted to $487 million in 1995. The main share holder of the bank is Budapest Bank, one of the biggest in Hungary, which was privatizated last December. The $600 million capital of the Romanian-Hungarian bank comes in a proportion of 99.99% from Budapest Bank, while 1% comes from private investors in Transylvania.

[20] U.S. MFN CLAUSE SHOULD NOT INFLUENCE THE ELECTIONS IN ROMANIA

In an appreciative declaration on the U.S. Congres's legislative initiative regarding to the extension on permanent basis of the most favourite nation clause (M.F.N.) Romanian Chamber of Deputies calls al the members of the US Congres to continue and finalize as soon as possible the procedures pertaining to the granting. The document is rejecting the allegations that the MFN clause would anticipate to bear upon the electoral process ongoing in Romania. It is also mentioned that the MFN status would best serve the the interest of the Romanian people and society, as well as the extending of the Romanian-US ties at all levels, and not the interest of a political party.

[21] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING       BUY       SELL
U.S. Dollar      244.2000   243.4670    244.9330
Deutsche Mark    158.4000   157.9250    158.8750
French Franc      46.8280    46.6880     46.9680
UK Sterling      369.8800   368.7700    370.9900
Swiss Franc      193.2120   192.6320    193.7920
Italian Lira      15.6580    15.6110     15.7050
Danish Kroner     41.0400    40.9170     41.1630
Swedish Crown     35.6800    35.5730     35.7870
Norwegian Crown   37.0260    36.9150     37.1370
Yen              227.1150   226.4340    227.7960
Spanish Peseta     1.9022     1.8965      1.9079
Finnish Mark      51.3440    51.1900     51.4980
ECU              299.3300   298.4320    300.2280

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