MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (06/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 6, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRIME MINISTER ARRIVES IN THESSALONIKI FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

Mr. Simitis was greeted by local dignitaries in a formal welcoming ceremony at the "Macedonia" airport and then moved on to the Thessaloniki International Fair Conference Center where he gave a speech on regional developent and decentralization.

Accpridning to the premier, his visit to Thesslaoniki is tergeting specific avctions that will promote the city's leading role in Northern Greece and the greater region of the Balkans.

Tomorrow morning, the Prime Minister will meet with Macedonia- Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and in the afternoon will meet with officials from the Thessaloniki European Cultural Capital Organization.

The Premier is be accompanied by the Ministers of Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos, National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, Agriculture Stefanos Tzoumakas, Health and Welfare Anastasios Peponis, Justice, Evangelos Venizelos, Culture, Stavros Benos, Transportations Haris Kastanides.

Also accompanying the Prime Minister are the under-Secretaries of National Economy Christos Pachtas, Development Michalis Chrysochoides, Health, Franklinos Papadelis and Education George Paschalides.

[02] PREMIER:LET'S CONSTRUCT AN ERA OF RENAISSANCE FOR THESSALONIKI

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis presented the government's basic axes for developing Thessaloniki and Northern Greece, during a speech he gave this evening in the city's Helexpo Conference Center.

Mr. Simitis singled out Northern Greece's significance by noting that Thrace, Macedonia and Epirus constitute the natural economic arena in which business opportunities are constantly being created and investments are pouring in.

The Premier stated that when it comes to breathing new life into the region, among the government's priorities is the establishment of a Coordinating Council of Macedonia-Thrace, under the presidency of Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and the participation of the secretaries-general from the region's three districts.

Specifically, on the Egnatia Road project the Premier pointed out that 254 kilometers are currently under construction while the government is set to complete the remaining 135 until the year 2000.

Regarding the "Macedonia" airport, Mr. Simitis proposed that the best option would be to upgrade its current facilities to international airport status.

On constructing Thessaloniki's sixth wharf on the port, nine billion drachmas have been already secured.

Regarding the issue of the metro, the government is viewing it as a basic element of its cohesive transportation strategy and has already secured Community funds that amount to 50 billion drachmas.

The Premier also referred to the creation of an Inter-balkan Center of Technological Cooperation in Thessaloniki, in collaboration with the United States, which will aim at modernizing production in the Balkan countries.

Minister Petsalnikos in turn stated that the region of Northern Greece is being transformed into a bridge of communication for all countries.

"Northern Greece aims to become the most dynamic pole of a rising balkan economic arena," concluded mr Petsalnikos.

[03] TRANSPORTATIONS MINISTER PROPOSES NEW PROCUREMENT LEGISLATION

Transportations and Communications Minister Haris Kastanides is making a series of rounds among the oppostion in order to gather support for his proposal that legislative adjustments need to be made regarding public procurements.

In a meeting he held with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert this morning, Mr. Kastanides laid out his plans to organize an inter-party committee for procurements and public works.

Also present at the meeting was the former Minister of Communications and Trasportations Mr. Theodoros Anagnostopoulos.

In turn, Mr. Kastanides met with Political Spring Party leader Antonis Samaras who agreed with the Minister's proposal, adding that the proposed committee should also have the participation of a high-ranking official from the State's judicial body and preferably one who would be appointed by the legal sector.

Coalition of the Left and Progress Party leader Nikos Konstantopoulos, was also in agreement with the Minister's proposal and commented that a reliable and productive support structure must be created through the formation of an independent body that will undertake all of the relevant issues.

[04] GAVDOS NOT A GREEK-TURKISH ISSUE SAY COMMUNISTS

The Greek government must ask NATO and the European Union to safeguard the region's existing borders, stated the Secretary- General of Greece's Communist Party (KKE) Aleka Paparega today.

Ms. Paparega emphasized that such is not merely an issue that lies between Greece and Turkey.

"If the EU and NATO had actively secured the Balkan region's borders, then Turkey would not have the stamina to create issues such as the Imia, or Gavdos or to pave the way for reconsidering the Lauzanne Treaty," Ms. Paparega stated.

The Communist Party leader added that in case the Alliance and the Union do not secure the borders, then Greece will have to re- examine its positions.

[05] EC ASKED TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ELECTRICITY TO GAVDOS ISLAND

The European Commission is currently considering the funding of electricity for the island of Gavdos, following a relevant proposal tabled by New Democracy eurodeputy K. Hatzidakis.

According to Mr. Hatzidakis, the Gavdos village president had discussed the problems faced by the local residents who lack access to electricity during a recent meeting he had with a delegation of eurodeputies from the European People's Party which had travelled to Crete.

Moreover, Mr. Hatzidakis brought forth to the EC and the Ministerial Council the issues created by Turkey's latest claim on the island's sovereingty and asked the Commissioners and the Council's members what measures they plan to undertake so that Turkey stops inflaming the already sensitive Mediterranean region.

[06] TURKISH JETS OBSTRUCTED LANDING OF GREEK PASSENGER PLANE

New turkish provocation, which has not been confirmed yet by the greek Air Force General Staff, was made yesterday, according to the greek state television channel ET-1.

As it was reported, the new turkish provocation took place last night when two turkish fighter jets obstructed the landing of an Olympic Airways passenger plane in the Limnos Airport.

The incident occured at 10:30pm last night when two turkish fighter jets violated the greek air-space over the island of Limnos in north-eastern Aegean, as the OA flight 778 was about to land. The turkish jets harassed the Olympic Airways passenger plane which was carrying a number of journalists, television crews and members of New Democracy leader Miltiadis Evert personal security. The New Democracy leader is expected to arrive at the island this afternoon.

According to information, the turkish fighter jets were flying left and right of the passenger plane preventing it from landing and its captain announced to the passengers that landing at the Airport of Limnos would be delayed for 15 minutes due to increased air traffic.

At one point, one of the two turkish fighter jets made a sudden manoeuvre and appeared under the passenger plane blocking its landing, while at the same time, the Limnos Airport was put on a state of alert. Two greek fighter jets took off immediately, intercepted the turkish jets and forced them to leave the greek air- space, allowing the Olympic Airways passenger plane to land.

[07] SIMITIS:NO ONE CAN HAVE DESIGNS ON OUR SOVEREIGNTY

"Mr. Yilmaz needs to be told that his country's foreign policy cannot be exercised based on the criterion of internal bickering or the various pressures exerted by miliraty officvials," stated the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis upon his arrival in Thessaloniki today.

"Greece is united and very capable of facing every and any foreign threat and will not allow to anyone to have designs on Greece's territorial sovereignty," the Premier added.

[08] ATHENS:TUREKY IS LED TO A FOREIGN POLICY OF ABSURDITY

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commenting on the statements made by Mesut Yilmaz, who disputed the greek sovereignty over Gavdos, said that Turkey must stop living in the world of its illusory dreams and come down to earth to the world of international law and order.

The greek government, added mr.Reppas, will not allow the continuation of this policy that is being followed by Turkey. The greek government spokesman attributed the turkish policy to the political situation in the neighbouring country which leads, as he said, to a foreign policy that reaches the limits of absurdity.

[09] TURKEY'S POLICY MARKED BY HYPERBOLE, SAYS FOR. MINISTRY

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas stated today that the new turkish positions which question the greek sovereignty of the Gavdos island are marked by irresponsibility, audacity and hyperbole.

The Greek government does not intent to follow Ankara's tactic which is contrary to the international community's legal principles, Mr. Bikas added.

Moreover, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson reminded that NATO has categorically rejected Turkey's claims and noted that the international community is no longer able to comprehend such policies and is viewing Ankara with scepticism.

[10] TURKISH CLAIMS CONCERNING ISLAND OF GAVDOS UNFOUNDED

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas characterized as unfounded the turkish government's allegations, according to which, the greek sovereignty over the island of Gavdos is in dispute, while he pointed out that this was the reason that led the North-Atlantic Alliance to reject Ankara's demand calling for the region's exception from the NATO military exercises planning.

Mr.Bikas stressed that Greece is always taking seriously and examines every threat coming from the neighbouring country. Also, responding to a question by a reporter he characterized as "taunting" the way in which US State Department spokesman Nikolas Burns dealt with the issue in the statements he made yesterday.

The US State Department spokesman speaking to reporters had said that "Crete is a greek region and no turk claims the sovereignty over it", while when he was asked about Gavdos he responded that he has no comment, adding that first will have to examine the question, avoiding to directly condemn the new absurd turkish provocation concerning this populated greek island south of Crete.

Also, mr.Bikas clarified that the issue of the date on which the EU-Turkey Association Council will be held will not be included in the agenda of the EU General Affairs Council meeting on Monday.

[11] ATHENS-SCOPJE NEGOTIATIONS ON NAME NEXT WEEK

The greek Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that the negotiations between the representatives of Greece and FYROM, held under the mediation of Cyrus Vance for the settlement of the pending issue concerning the final name that will be used by FYROM, will possibly resume in New York next week

According to greek Foreign Ministry this week's talks were cancelled following Skopje's request.

[12] OPPOSITION LEADER IS ON LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN TO US,EU

Main opposition party New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert has embarked on a letter writing campaign to the international community in which he appeals that Ankara is brought back to sense and conforms to international rules.

According to Mr. Evert, the purpose of his letter is not merely to illustrate the lack of merit in the issues suddenly brought forth by Ankara, but rather to point out the increasing dangers in the regions such expanionist tactics create.

The New Democracy President has forwarded his letter to the European Commission President Jacques Santer, NATO Secretary-General Xavier Solana, European Parliament President Klaus Haensch President of the European People's Party Wielfried Martens, as well as all the ambassadors of EU member-countries, the United Nations and Russia.

[13] GREEK POET ODYSSEAS ELYTIS COMMEMMORATED IN PARIS EVENT

Amidst a crowded room with a packed audience of French and Greek supporters of the arts and literature an evening of poetry was dedicated yesterday to the late Greek poet Odysseas Elytis at the House of Poetry in Paris.

Elytis died on March 18, at the age of 85. A Nobel prize winner, he is considered as being one of the most important contemporary European wtiters and one of the leading representatives of surrealism in Greece.

[B]

[14] TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz submitted his resignation today to President Suleiman Demirel, thereby leading the country to a new coalition government.

Following his meeting with the turkish President, Mr. Yilmaz stated that Mr. Demirel will embark on contacts with party leaders tomorrow and, until a new government is formed, today's Motherland Party Cabinet will keep its post, albeit temporary.

[15] PRESIDENTS OF EU COMMISSION AND COUNCIL IN BALKANS

EU Commission President Jacques Santer and Council President italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini will visit Balkan states on June 7-8.

According to an announcement issued by the European Commission the visit aims at presenting the way the European Union views the long-term development of its relations with the Balkan countries.

Mr.Santer and mr.Dini will visit Sarajevo, Zagreb, Belgrade and Skopje, while as it was announced, the scheduled visit to Albania was cancelled due to the election procedures.

[16] CYPRUS DENOUNCES KILLING OF GREEK-CYPRIOT SOLDIER TO UN

The Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, ambassador Nikos Agathokleous in a written protest to the UN Secretary-General denounced the killing of greek-cypriot soldier Stelios Panagis Kallis as provocative and criminal act committed by the turkish occupation forces in Cyprus.

In the protest is mentioned that the unarmed soldier was shot and killed without a warning or an attempt for his arrest.

The written protest circulated as a UN Security Council and General Assembly official document.

[17] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH BILL CLINTON ON JUNE 18

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides will meet with United States President Bill Clinton at the White House on June 18, where they will discuss the Cyprus situation and will examine the ways the US can promote the possibilities of finding a permanent and peaceful solution.

According to a White House announcement, Presidents Clinton and Clerides will also exchange views on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[18] UN SECRETARY-GENERAL GHALI MET WITH RAUF DENKTASH TODAY

The meeting held in Constaninople today between United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali and Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has been mutually characterized as "constructive."

"I, as well as Mr. Denktash, am optimistic," Mr. Ghali stated after the meeting and reminded that he is scheduled to soon meet in Geneva with Greek-Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides. Mr. Ghali expressed the hope that a meeting will be secured between Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash.

In turn, Mr. Denktash stated that he hopes Mr. Clerides will agree to negotiations since they constitute "the only solution."

The Turk-Cypriot leader expressed his discomfort over the ever- increasing involvement of third parties in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

"I have asked the Secretary-General to put an end to the path followed by Greece," Denktash stated. "If an end is not put to this situation and the Greek side gains accession to the European Union, the island will be divided in two."

[19] UN HABITAT CONFERENCE IN TURKEY IS AN OXYMORON SAYS MEP

A Flemish eurodeputy participating at the United Nations international conference "Habitat" in Constantinople has sterny criticised the event as an "oxymoron", and made lengthy references to the continuous violations of human rights in Turkeyu.

Ms. A. Aelvoet, member of the Ecologists Party, stated that the decision to hold the conference in Turkey is "oxymoron" since the turkish army has uprooted 2,675 kurdish villages and is continuing to do so, leaving the homeless villagers to wander aimlessly in Constantinople.

The Habitat conference is themed after human settlements and the right to housing.

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