MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (11/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 11 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PREMIER: GREEK ARMED FORCES ARE READY TO AVERT ANY TURKISH THREAT

Referring to turkish expansionism, Mr. Simitis stated that Turkey is increasingly making its threats clear, not only in the Aegean Sea region, but also along the greek borders that lie at the asiatic shores.

"The outrageous example of placing the island of Gavdos in a 'gray area' constitutes part of a strategy that undauntedly violates not only international law, but common sense as well," stated the Premier.

Mr. Simitis also reiterated the firm position that Greece neither claims, nor cedes anything" and added that this belief is strengthened by the government's immovable decision to defend its national rights without hesitation.

"The Armed Forces are in a position, both with their manpower and through the means they employ, to successfully avert any threat that is dared to be issued along the 'contact line' between Greece and the turkish side."

Mr. Simitis also spoke of a strong Greece, emphasizing that the government has strengthened the National Defense's business sector, taking into consideration the Imia islets experience.

"We are promoting the negotiations for cooperation in the defense sector with Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Russia and Poland. We focus our efforts in the continuous improvement of the armed forces' effectiveness and their support through the necessary outfiting programs."

Lastly, the Premier stated that Greece maintains continuous contact with the Cypriot government, pointing out that Greece is strategically addressing the greek-turkish relations, as well as the turkish provocations.

[02] OPPOSITION PARTIES COMMENT ON GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

Following in the State Department's foot steps, Germany also appears to maintain a policy of equal distances towards Greece and Turkey, stated today Antonis Samaras, the leader of the opposition party Political Spring, commenting on the meeting held between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his German counterpart Klaus Kinkel.

Mr. Samaras will travel to Dublin, Ireland, tomorrow, where he will meet with Irish Premier John Bruton and will address the Euroean Parliament's session on "Union for Europe."

Another opposition party leader, Coaliton of the Left and Progress Nikos Constantopoulos addressed a conference today, organized by "The Economist", where he denounced the crazed race of stockpiling military armaments that both Greece and Turkey appear to engage in.

Mr. Constantopoulos has asked the government to adopt a foreign policy that will aim at shaping the country's relations with Turkey differently, through the use of de-escalation initiatives that are based on international law.

This morning the Prime Minister addressed the PASOK Parliamentary Group where he stated that "Greece is the only European country that is faced with a direct threat to its national sovereingty," adding that "the Armed Forces are in a position, both with their manpower and through the means they employ, to successfully avert any threat that is dared to be issued along the 'contact line' between Greece and the turkish side."

[03] TURKISH PATROL BOAT INTIMIDATED A GREEK HYDROFOIL

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the turkish patrol boat was sailing parallel to the greek hydrofoil from a distance of 70 meters and did not harass it, while there was no dialogue between the two captains, adding that the greek government will protest today to the turkish government.

Mr.Reppas stressed that today's incident confirms that the turkish provocativeness has assumed a permanent character, adding that this turkish behaviour will have duration. He stressed that the greek government will face decisively and with every means the aggressive and hostile turkish actions.

[04] BONN:GREEK PRESIDENT MET GERMAN FOR.MINISTER AND BUSINESSMEN

Mr.Stephanopoulos, in the presence of greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who later had a separate meeting with his german counterpart, outlined the greek positions on the greek-turkish relations and stressed that Germany has warm feelings toward Greece.

Later, the greek President had long talks with representatives of large german companies with considerable business activities in Greece, including large tourist organizations.

Mr.Stephanopoulos characterized the meeting with the german businessmen as extremely interesting, adding that he discussed with them and the specific problems each company faces in Greece. He said that he gave answers to the issues raised and also recognized that Greece is partially liable for those problems. Mr.Stephanopoulos also said that he received assurances, particularly in the tourist sector, that there is willingness on behalf of the germans to increase their activities in Greece.

Also, there was detailed discussion on the potential of economic activity in the Balkan countries and the greek President underlined the excellent relations between Greece and its Balkan neighbours.

Responding to the question if there was a discussion on the relations between "Siemens" and a certain greek company, mr.Stephanopoulos pointed out that was discussed the potential for the continuation of the State Tele-communications Company (OTE) investment programme, adding that the speedy continuation of the programme is necessary.

According to information, the "Siemens" representative raised the issue concerning the absorption of the company's production by OTE, while the representatives of "ABB" and "HOCHTIEF", participating in the construction of the Spata Airport near Athens, appeared especially positive and optimistic on the project's future. On June 14, a contract will be signed with the European Investment Bank for the financing of the project, while a consortium of german companies will be formed in order to secure private capital of 600 million german marks for this project.

[05] GREEK AND GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTERS DO NOT SEE EYE-TO-EYE

In statements they made after their long meeting, the two Foreign Ministers made it clear that they were not able to agree on the greek-turkish issues and also, on the lifting of the greek veto on the EU funds for Turkey, within the framework of the Mediterranean policy (MEDA) and the materialization of Turkey's customs union with the EU.

Mr.Kinkel expressed Germany's strong interest in the de- escalation of the tension and in the region's stability, but he was firm in the policy of equal distances and called on the two sides to show restraint.

Mr.Pangalos made it clear that a policy of equal distances is not effective and is not contributing to the solution of the problem. He also said that the European Union can not remain an observer and called on the EU to undertake an initiative that will make Turkey respect International Law, adding that it must also undertake a more active role in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The greek Foreign Minister made it clear that if Turkey does not change its stance and policy, Greece will not consent to its financing from EU funds.

[06] NO PROGRESS IN THE DIALOGUE WITH SKOPJE, SAYS ATHENS

The greek government spokesman, added that mr.Vance must decide if he must continue his efforts in order to have results based on the interim accord.

He also said that Greece participates in the negotiations with its known positions in which it remains firm.

[07] FORMER US PRESIDENT BUSH WILL SPEND HIS VACATION IN GREECE

The former US President will be accompanied by his wife Barbara, members of his family and by US army general, Collin Powell.

[08] TWO EARTHQUAKES HIT THE PELOPONNESE IN SOUTHERN GREECE

Meanwhile, another earthquake measuring 4,6 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 11:51am. According to the Athens National Observatory, the earthquake's epicenter was located 95 kilometers south-west of Athens in the Argolis Bay.

[09] GREEK ECONOMY IS ON RIGHT TRACK, SAY INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS

Meeting with officials from the Ministries of Finance and National Economy, and the Bank of Greece, the commission president Mr. Malitor spoke of a "very significant progress" noted on behalf of Greece and specifically pointed out his satisfaction at the government's tightening on public expenses, a plan that was announced on May 31.

"This fact constitutes additional proof for the belief that the political situation in Greece is stable, regardless of any possible inter-party juxtapositions, which, afterall, are considered natural in a western democracy," Mr. Malitor stated.

Also optimisitc that the country's inflation rate is expected to stabilize at approximately 7.5 percent appeared today the Minister of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, during his address at the conference organized in Athens by "The Economist".

Mr. Papantoniou noted that the progress will continue based on the convergence program and emphasized the need to reduce public debt and state expenses.

[10] EUROPEAN COMMISSION REJECTS GREECE'S LIMITS ON SHIP REGISTERS

The Commission claims that a similar british legislation was crushed by the European Court recently on the premises that it was contrary to the orders provided by the Treaty of a United Europe. Although the European Court's ruling referred to british law concerning fishing boats, the Commission assesses that the rulings can also be applied to commerce and entertainment ships.

Moreover, the EC states that the shipowners of entertainment ships that are from other EU member-countries and work in Greece, must enjoy the same conditions with the Greek citizens when it comes to registering their ships in greek ports.

[11] CONTRACT FOR ATHENS NEW AIRPORT SIGNED TODAY, NAMED "VENIZELOS"

Targeted date for completion is set towards the end of the year 2000, and by then the "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport will have employed 8,000 laborers.

[12] RUSSIAN JOURNALISTS VISITED THESSALONIKI

The russian journalists were briefed on the course of the preparations for the events that will be held next year when Thessaloniki will be the cultural capital of Europe.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] LEADERS OF 16 COUNTRIES TO ATTEND SUMMIT IN CONSTANTINOPLE

Also participating will be United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali, making his second visit to Constantinople this month.

[14] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT AND UN SECRETARY-GENERAL MEET IN GENEVA

President Kliridis and UN Secretary-General Ghali met in Geneva at noon today and discussed all aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Ghali characterized the talks as very constructive and expressed optimism and hope that common ground will be found soon.

After his one-day stop in Switzerland, Mr. Clerides will travel to New York where he will meet with the representatives from the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as with United States special envoy to Cyprus, Richard Beatty.

The following week, on June 18, President Clerides will meet with US President Bill Clinton in Washington, a meeting that is considered to be of utmost significance given the imminent american initiative on the Cypriot issue.

Earlier, he will have successive meeetings with US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the House of Representatives Committee on International Affairs president Ben Gilman and members of the Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee.

On Wednesday, June 19, the President of Cyprus will travel to London where he will meet with British Prime Minister John Major and British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind. On Thursday, June 20, he will move on to Florence, Italy where he will attend the European Union Summit, following an invitation issued by the Italian EU presidency.

[15] UN SEC-GEN'S REPORT ON CYPRIOT GUARD'S KILLING BLAMES TURKEY

The report refers to the murder of National Guardsman Stelios Panagis who was killed on June 3 at the island's disengagement area, and also blames the turk-cypriot side for obstructing the peacekeeping forces effots to provide aid to the dying guardsman.

According to sources, the turkish diplomats were especially displeased by the fact that the report asks for legal charges to be filed against those responsible for the killing. The report states that Panagis was killed with malice by the turk-cypriot guard who fired his gun at the greek-cypriot in ambush.

The report also mentions that the turkish soldiers shot three times and obstructed the peacekeeping forces men from getting to Panagis on time in order to transport him safely to a hospital. It is reported that Panagis still had a faint pulse when he was given first aid.

In a session that lasted until late last evening, the turkish diplomats met with members of the UN Secretariat and discussed possible modifications on the document's plan. However, diplomatic circles state that the report's meaning is not expected to change significantly.

[16] CYPRIOT INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

Mr.Michailidis briefed the Patriarch on the situation in Cyprus and on issues concerning the refugees, those trapped in the turkish occupied territories and those who are still missing since the turkish invasion of Cyprus.

The Ecumenical Patriarch updated the cypriot minister on the situation in the Patriarchate and generally, on the life of the greeks in Constantinople.

Mr.Michailidis is in Constantinople to participate in the UN Conference HABITAT-II and will address the meeting on June 13. In the Conference participate delegations from 140 UN member states.

[17] ORTHODOXY'S INTER-PARLIAMENTARIANS CONDEMN TURKEY

The resolutions were introduced by the participating greek parliamentarians, S. Papathemelis, K. Papanayiotou, O. Papastratis, H. Vizovitis, G. Katsaros, V. Korahais and S. Stephanopoulos.

In the resolution that regards the turkish behavior, the group's plenary session condemns Turkey for its "dangerous subversion of peace in the Aegean and other regions."

These provocations are continuing, thereby increasing the tension in the region, the resolution adds, which asks the european and international organizations to provide a more "direct intervention to the turkish side in order to avoid similar acts in the greater region, which do not promote the co-existence, friendship and peace among the nations."

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