MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (29/05/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 29, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE PANGALOS-GONENSAY MEETING WAS CANCELLED

The greek government has decided on the cancellation of the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey scheduled to take place in Berlin on June 3. The decision was made due to the political instability in Turkey but mainly because of the worsening of the relations between the two countries, as a result of the expansion of the turkish claims against Greece and the violations practice followed lately by Ankara.

Until the appropriate pre-conditions are created for a new contact between the two countries at a Foreign Ministrers level, the greek government reiterates the necessity for the implementation of the 1988 Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement, calling Turkey to also respect it in order to avoid situations that threaten peace in the Aegean.

The greek Foreign Ministry underlines in a statement issued today that the decision by the greek government to accept a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey on the sidelines of the NATO Summit and later in Bucharest was made in an effort to find a basis for the beginning of a course toward the de-escalation of the tension and constituted no organised dialogue, neither was a preparation for negotiation. Within the same framework was held in Geneva yesterday the meeting between officials of the two Foreign Ministries, but the governmental instability in Turkey made the continuation of the effort difficult because the prospects of the turkish government are vague.

In the greek Foreign Foreign Ministry statement issued today is also mentioned that with the continuation of the violations of the greek territorial waters and airspace Turkey does not fulfil the obligations it has undertaken for the preservation of the "status quo ante" in the regions from where the military forces had been withdrawn after the Imia crisis.

Also, it is underlined that today's decision by the greek government to indefinitely cancel the Pangalos-Gonensay meeting, was made after the third incident between a greek patrol boat and a turkish warship, since the crisis in Imia, that took place yesterday in the greek territorial waters in the sea region between the islets of Imia and Kalolimnos.

The greek government yesterday protested to Ankara but its protestation was rejected by the turkish government which maintained that the incident took place in turkish territorial waters. Also, in the past weeks the climate in the scheduled meeting had been seriously strained due to Ankara's position, according to which, there are "grey zones" in the Aegean and also, due to its refusal to bring its case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, as well as, because of its stance for an unconditional dialogue between the two countries covering all issues.

[02] GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE CANCELLATION OF THE PANGALOS-GONENSAY MEETING IN BERLIN

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas speaking to reporters after the inauguration of Macedonian Press Agency's new offices, commented on the cancellation of the Pangalos- Gonensay meeting that was going to be held in Berlin. Mr.Reppas underlined that the meetings of greek and turkish diplomats in Bucharest and Geneva were of preparatory nature and did not constitute organised or structured dialogue between the two countries.

Mr. Reppas said that those communication procedures were aimed at increasing the efforts made by both sides seeking a basis for the de-escalation of the tension between Greece and Turkey. The turkish violations and the statements made by officials of the turkish political leadership, in which are repeated the known turkish claims against Greece, have led the greek government to the conclusion that there is no reason to hold the scheduled Berlin meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey and therefore, this meeting will not take place.

Commenting on the information that Turkey will send 400 settlers to the island of Imvros from the region of Tsanakale, mr.Reppas said that such actions prove once again that is not within Turkey's intentions to make every effort for a rapprochement with Greece. He said that if Turkey sends settlers to Imvros this will alter the greek identity of the island in violation of the existing treaties and Greece will react.

On the Cyprus issue, mr.Reppas said that any initiative is welcomed by the greek government if it promotes a fair and permanent solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN resolutions. He also said that the greek government will intensify its efforts for the completion of the procedures for Cyprus' accesion into the European Union immediately after the Inter-Governmental Conference.

[03] TURKEY SPEAKS OF CONFIDENCE BULDING MEASURES IN THE AEGEAN SEA

Turkey requested from Greece during the meeting held yesterday in Geneva between the diplomatic delegations from both countries that confidence building measures in the Aegean be taken soon.

Speaking in a press conference in Ankara today, Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Omer Akbel also added that Monday's incident between a turkish patrol boat and a greek coastguard vessel in the Imia rock island region, illustrates the need to enforce confidence building measures in the Aegean.

The turkish news agency "Anadolu" has reported a statement by Greek Ambassador to Ankara Mr. Dimitris Nezeritis who emphasized that Turkey has violated the "status quo ante" which was agreed upon between the two countries following the Imia crisis that erupted in January.

[04] THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREEK PARLIAMENT ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PERMANENT COMMITTEE

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said today during the meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe meeting, held within the framework of the Council's Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Thessaloniki, that there is a procedure still pending aimed at reaching a solution to the problem with FYROM. He said that Greece proceeded to the so-called interim solution which already gave results and certain secondary issues have been resolved. Mr.Kaklamanis said that there is good intention on behalf of the greek side and expressed the wish that a solution will be found solving and not creating problems in the future.

Mr.Kaklamanis expressed the certainty that the Council of Europe will continue to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem pointing out that the dragging on of the problem does not serve the principles of peace, security and democratic freedoms.

On the issue of the implementation of the Dayton and Paris agreements for former Yugoslavia, mr.Kaklamanis stressed that Greece had supported the peaceful solution of the Bosnian crisis from the beginning and activelly participated in the procedure for the reconstruction of the war torn regions.

The greek Parliament President also pointed out that Greece supports the efforts by the Council of Europe for peace in the Middle East, both on governmental and parliamentary level.

He also stated that Greece favours the cooperation developed among the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Commission. Also, on the expansion of the Council of Europe to include central and eastern European states, he said that Greece is among the devout supporters of Romania's, Albania's and Russia's membership in the Council of Europe. He characteristically said that it is inconceivable to speak about a european security system if Russia is left outside this system.

On the greek-turkish relations, mr.Kaklamanis said that Greece faces crucial problems, adding that there are certain "friends of ours" who appear indifferent both toward the principles of International Law and the treaties defining the borders between the states, particularly in "our region", where the status in the Aegean is defined by the treaties of Lauzanne and Paris. He added that those "friends of ours" want to drag Greece either to compromise or to conflict.

Mr.Kaklamanis stated that there will be no compromise because no greek government will want that and of course, there will be no armed conflict because "our unity, our strong economy and armed forces" will make it clear to the other side that the materialization of the threats for the use of force it uses until now, will be a dangerous venture.

[05] NEW OFFICES OF MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY INAUGURATED TODAY

The new offices of Macedonian Press Agency were inaugurated today in the presence of Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Press Minister Dimitris Reppas, Minister of Macedonia- Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, Thessaloniki's Prefect Kostas Papadopoulos, opposition party New Democracy spokesman Vasilis Magginas, PASOK and New Democracy parliament deputies and Thessaloniki's mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos.

Also, present were the French, German and Bulgarian Consuls, the turkish Vice-Consul, the Director of the American Center in Thessaloniki and a representative of the US Consulate. The inauguration of MPA's new offices was attended and by the Association of Balkan News Agencies Executive Director and bulgarian BIP news agency General Director, Stefan Velev, Athens News Agency General Director Andreas Christodoulidis and others.

In his speech Parliament President mr.Kaklamanis expressed the wish for MPA to become a tool for the exercise of national policy and an example for all the mass media, while he praised its work in the five years of its operation and stressed that it must be strengthened for an even more complete and effective promotion of the problems faced by the country.

He also underlined the importance of MPA's work in informing the greek and international public opinion on the situation in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries, adding that it meets its goals in serving the public and national interests. Also, mr.Kaklamanis specifically mentioned MPA's effort to become a "bridge" for the greek communities abroad in order for them to be more closely linked with their fatherland.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas underlined MPA's role in the efforts for the development of a world communications system and also in meeting the challenge of global economy and universal moral standards. He also praised MPA's contribution to issues concerning the greeks abroad, the Balkans and the rest of the world.

Opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vasilis Magginas stated that the founding of Macedonian Press Agency was the product of the cosmogonic changes that took place in the period 1989-90 and conveyed a message by New Democracy President mr.Miltiadis Evert for the official opening of the new MPA offices.

Mr.Magginas stressed that MPA, beyond its operation as a news organization, has an important national task to accomplish and therefore, its operation and its development is of a very critical importance, as it has undertaken a very sensitive mission in a very sensitive region.

MPA's Board of Directors President prof.Pavlos Petridis in his speech stressed that the heart of Greece is in Thessaloniki and not in Athens and went on discribing the conditions under which MPA began its operation, while he stressed the need for cooperation between the Macedonian Press Agency and the Athens News Agency.

General Director of MPA, Spiros Kouzinopoulos in his speech referred to the news agency's course until now and to its objectives for the future. He mentioned the numerous initiatives undertaken by MPA in the sector of information, mainly in the Balkan region, and particularly stressed the establishment of the Balkan News Bank which began materializing with the participation of the Balkan national news agencies.

He also reminded that on the initiative of MPA the Association of Balkan News Agencies was established while he specifically mentioned the DIAVLOS programme which was hammered out by MPA and provides for the satellite link up, through Thessaloniki, of all the Balkan national news agencies. Mr.Kouzinopoulos also announced that due to the personal interest shown by Parliament President mr.Kaklamanis, there is a home page for the greek Parliament in MPA's Internet server offered since this morning.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[06] ALBANIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY WILL PARTICIPATE IN PARLIAMENT

The President of the Human Rights Party in Albania, Mr.Vassilis Melos, supports his party's participation at the Albanian Parliament and has forewarned that as soon as the new Parliament convenes, his party will request the Albanian President's Sali Berisha's resignation.

In an exclusive interview to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Melos expressed his intense concern for the direction of the Human Rights Party and stated that his party aims to participate in Parliament because it considers this to be a "long-term beneficial solution." According to Mr. Melos this view is related to the "emerging concession on behalf of Mr. Berisha's Democratic Party, which now states that there were irregularities which should be taken care of by the following Sunday's second round and is now attempting to form an artificial opposition."

Mr. Melos also added that the Human Rights Party will participate in Parliament under certain conditions, given that it plans to ask for a repeat of elections, although it has not yet determined when it will do so.

"If we are excluded from Parliament, the Party's own existence is endangered, which is already fragile and economically powerless," Mr. Melos stated.

Referring to Mr. Berisha, Mr. Melos placed the sum of the responsibility on the Albanian President's shoulders and stated that for this reason alone Berisha should resign.

Moreover, he characterized yesterday's incidents of violence during the opposition's rally as a lack of control and emphasized that the political cost being paid by President Berisha is higher than what the rally was worth.

President of Omonoia Sotiris Kyriazatis in statements to the M.P.A. stated that the position to be taken by the organization of the Albanians of greek origin will be finally determined tomorrow, during the General Assembly that will take place at Aghii Saranta.

Mr. Kyriazatis emphasized the need to avoid any hurried decisions in light of the official outcomes and noted that "the picture of the offical results will surely be different from the first assessments, since the Democratic Party will 'sacrifice' some of its own, without undermining the majority."

[07] FYROM-EU EC0NOMIC COOPERATION NEGOTIATIONS EMBARK ON SECOND ROUND

A second round of negotiations has begun in Brussels between the European Union and FYROM, aiming at achieving an economic and trade cooperation agreement.

According to the skopjan state-owned television station, a diplomatic delegation from FYROM, headed by vice-president Yiane Miljovski, and EU officials discussed the further development of FYROM's relations with the EU.

The EU holds that the further development of its relations with Skopje is directly dependent upon FYROM's regional cooperation with its neighboring countries, a view not shared by FYROM's government.

According to comments made by the skopjan t.v., notable progress was achieved during yesterday's meeting, since European Commission representatives retreated on the issue of regional cooperation, emphasizing that this is not a necessary pre- condition for the development of EU-FYROM relations.

Negotiations are continuing today for the bringing of skopjan products into the EU market.

[08] THESSALONIKI:ROMANIA INVITED EUROPEAN RAPPORTEURS TO ATTEND ELECTIONS

"Quite often the strategic and tactic elements of a foreign policy can be achieved through straight contacts between people and less from the official microphone during a meeting," stated Mr. Florin Radulescu Botica, parlamentarian of the ruling Romanian Social Democracy Party and leader of Romanian delegation at the Council of Europe, in an interview with Macedonian Press Agency.

Mr. Botica and a Romanian parlamentarian delegation attended the spring session of the Parlamentary Assembly of Council of Europe held in Thessaloniki between May 27-29.

"This specific session was very constructive, but I would like to remark some elements of the so-called personal diplomacy and I have to announce that an invitation has been made to the European rapporteurs to come in Romania during this year's elections," Mr. Botica also said, adding that this invitation is in acordance with Romanian government decision, which "is a logic one, necesary and natural for the political climate of transparency which prevails in the current political life in Romania."

According to Mr. Botica, Council's raporteurs received the invitation with interest and pleasure.Mr. Jansen, Mrs. Durrieu and Mr. Schwimmer, representing the Juridical Commission, the political Commission and the advisor Commission of the assembly are encharged with drowing up the report concerning the implementation of Romania's committments with the European Council. Therefore, they will not be simply observers, but their role will be more significant for the democratic spreading of Romania's political, social and economic life, said mr Botica.

"We deeply believe that their presence at the elections, at the local ones as well at the parlamentarian and presidential ones, the European rapporteurs's work would be crowned with a new page that will mark Romania's future," Mr. Botica underlined but afmitted thta yet, a definitive answer has not been given.

A prerequisite for Romania's european integration is the signing of the political basic treaties with its neighbouring countries as well as the soling the possible territorial problems. Regarding the tergiversation of the final touches on Romanian-Ukrainian basic treaty, Mr Botica said that the main impediment is Romania's legitimate insistence that the treaty should contains a denunciation of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

"In no way does such a request represent a territorial claim - as only someone with bad will could understand - which would be an absurd thing in the frame of the postwar Europe, determined by the Paris Treaty," Mr. Botica said, pointing out that Romania's request "is a reparatory act against the history, a right which belongs to the Romanian people and nobody could it take away."

Concerning the political basic treaty with Russian Federation, Mr. Botica stated that "the situation is similar (with Ukraine), but not identical, because for the time being Russia's territorial composition does not contain territories which from the historical point of view belonged to Romania. As fara as it concerns Ukraine, it has inherited some territories which historically were Romanian and in this respect the situation has different diplomatic view." He also reminded that even the Supreme Soviet proceeded to such denunciation of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

"This is a logic from the which deviation harder can be accepted," Mr. Botica stressed, adding that a viable and unanimously acceptable solution would be reached during the negotiation.

[09] ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ILIESCU HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO RUN FOR ANOTHER MANDATE

Two days before the electoral campaign ends, on May 28 Romanian Social Democracy Party (PDSR), voiced by its President Oliviu Gherman, admitted that Romania's current President Ion Iliescu has the constitutional right to run for another mandate in the forthcoming elections.

"According to the country's Constitution, there are no doubts. Every person has the right to run for two presidential mandates of four years each," stated the President of the ruling PDSR Oliviu Gherman who also pointed out that the simultaneousness of the parlamentarian and presidential election would bring about more voters, "incomparably more than in other conditions."

The PDSR leader mentioned also that during the talks with the Romanian National Unity Party (PUNR), the strife situation between the two parties still has not been solved.

"A high level meeting between PDSR and PUNR will solve the current problems," Mr. Gherman said.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the Liberal '93 Party (PL '93 ) stated that "the flagrant violations of the Electoral Law" request the dismissal of the chief of Bucharest Police, as well as the removal of the current mayor and the president of the Electoral Bureau. Party's leader Dinu Zanfirescu accused also the Minister of Interior.

Mr. Zamfirescu's opinion is that the current situation becomes day by day clearer, as an alliance between the ruling party PDSR and the oposition main body, the Romanian Democratic Convention (CDR) could be foreseen.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/