MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (27/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 27, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] SIMITIS PUTS BID FOR PASOK PRESIDENT, WILL RESIGN IF NOT ELECTED

Addressing the PASOK fourth congress today, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis announced his bid for the PASOK party presidential post and stressed that if he doesn't become party president, he will resign from the premiership.

"Whoever becomes President will also have to become Premier and replace me," stated Simitis, addressing the 5000 delegates, some of whom yelled "Shame!"

"If I remain, I will give the impression that I hold powers which I cannot exercise," Mr. Simitis explained.

"Multi-headed formations are causes for concern," the Premier said and added that there could be no difference in policy between the government and the party.

"A prerequisite for success is the synchronization and the direction of the government which has the responsibility and the direction of the party. When these persons differ and there is a difference in points of view, no statute or rules can avert antagonism and the resulting impression of uncertainty and division."

Moreover, the Premier added, during the 16 months that lay ahead in the ruling party's term before general elections take place, there are great tasks left to accomplish before a victory is secured.

Mr. Simitis is expected to propose different ways of functioning for PASOK, through the creation of a new political council that wil safeguard a single center of policy for both government and party. Mr. Simitis is opposed to establishing the post of vice-president, since, according to Mr. Simitis, this could lead to dual leadership that would seek the approval of collective functions, instead of collective leadership.

[02] PASOK FOURTH CONGRESS BEGINS WITH PLEDGES TO ANDREAS

Beneath the 1gigantic photographs of its founder, the late Andreas Papandreou, amidst frequent and reverential references to his name, PASOK's fourth congress began today at the Athens Olympic Stadium with more than 5,000 party delegates participating.

Minister of Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, who is also a member of the Executive Bureau, characterized the Congress as a turning point in the party's life, stating that "we are here alone, at this most critical moment, without our founder.

Andreas Papandreou didn't have the chance to finish his message to the congress. But through his absence, he calls on us and challenges us to breath new life and open great horizons for the generations to come."

Mr. Lalliotis, in his appeal to the delegates to stay united, stated that "we should give our pledges for unity, the potential and the victorious path of the great democratic movement."

Executive Bureau member Yiannis Souladakis spoke in memory of Papandreou and simply said "here we are again Andreas," bringing about enthusiastic applause from the party's delegates who began chanting in unisom "Andreas you're alive, you're giving us the drive."

During the congress extensive references were made on the organization of the Council of Greeks Abroad and the appointment of Thessaloniki as the epicenter of Ecumenical Hellenism.

[03] ATHENS COMMENTS ON TURKEY AND THE HAGUE

If mr.Yilmaz or the turkish government decide to bring the issue of the Imia islets to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, then their proposal will be evaluated and there will be a greek response, stated greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas speaking to reporters today.

Mr.Reppas added that until now, mr.Yilmaz has made only comments on that issue without taking on any commitments.

[04] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT GREECE ON JULY 3

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas announced today that US Assistant Secretary of State responsible for Political Affairs, mr.Peter Tarnov will visit Athens on July 3 for consultations with the greek government, the content of which he did not clarify.

Mr.Bikas said that mr.Tarnov's next stop will be Ankara.

[05] EUROPEAN FUNDING OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS CUT FOR EIGHT CITIES

European Union funding for irrigation provided to eight greek cities, was interrupted without notificaiton given to the communities, stated the European Commisisoner Monika Wulf-Mathies, but that was due to apathy on behald of the greek authorities, she explained.

The Commissioner, replying to a relevant questioned posed by Greek Coalition of the Left and Progress europarliamentarian Alekos Alavanos, stated that she had informed the greek agencies since December of 1995 for irrigation projects in the cities of Halkida, Ptolemaida, Yiannitsa, Veria, Trikala, florina, Argos and Tripoli.

Ms. Mathies stated that had the local agencies submited the necessary documentation for the irrigation, the Commission could have re-examined the projects, case by case.

[06] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT BULGARIA ON MONDAY

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos will travel to Sofia on Monday, where he will meet with his Bulgarian counterpart Irina Bokova and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski.

Mr. Romeos' visit is conducted under the auspices of his communications with those Balkan-region countries that have drawn the so-called "European agreements" with the European Union.

Following his scheduled meeting with Bulgarian Premier Zhan Videnov on Tuesday, Mr. Romeos will also visit the neighboring country's Kozlodui nuclear plant that has been in the center of recent controversy storm over its functional safety.

[07] NO SCANDAL IN OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH INTRACOM, SAYS BTC

"There is no scandal in our affiliation with Intracom," stated categorically the President of Bulgarian Telecommunications Company Michael Danov in an interview with Sofia's "24 Hours" daily.

According to Mr.Danov's interview, there are rumors and unsupported claims circulated by various business rivals who are bothered by Bulgaria's dive into the telecommunicaitons sector.

[08] INTERNATIONAL DANCE MONTH BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI

A month dedicated to Terpsichore is beginning tonight in Thessaloniki, with top-of-the-line dance groups from Greece and other countries strutting their stuff in local theaters.

The "Thessaloniki: Cultural Capital of Europe 1997" organization will sponsor and promote dance-related events throughout the city with six local dance companies performing, along with four other dance groups from Belgium, Bulgaria, France and Holland.

Opening the events tonight will be the Jackie Steffanel Dance Group from Montpellier, France, followed by the Jose Besprosvany Dance Group from Belgium, on Sunday, Thessaloniki's Betty Bytinarou Dance Theater on Tuesday and "Ilaeira" on Thursday, Vitaly's Vladikin's Dance Group and the Polidans Group, both from Bulgaria on Sunday.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] JOHN MAJOR, BUTROS GHALI MEET IN LONDON, DISCUSS CYPRUS

British Prime Minister, John Major in a meeting in London with UN Secretary-General, Boutros Ghali conveyed his country's determination to continue the efforts for the creation of the pre- conditions for the resumption of talks between the two sides in Cyprus.

Mr.Major also said that the british envoy to Cyprus will work in cooperation with the United Nations.

[10] BRITISH MP DENOUNCES HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CYPRUS

There are blatant violations of the human rights and basic freedoms of the Greek-Cypriots who are living in the island's occupied territory, stated the British Labour Party parliamentarian Tom Cox in his address to the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly.

Mr. Cox characteristically stated that the Greek-Cypriots living in the occupied territory have become a minority in their own country, due to the systematic persecution they are subjected to by the Denktash regime.

The Labour Party parliamentarian also stated that children living in the occupied territory do not have the right to education as there is no provision for post-high school academic training.

"They are forced to leave home and are not allowed to ever return to their parents. There are strict limitations placed on church services and it has come to my understanding that the church bells are not allowed to toll when the services take place."

Mr. Cox expressed the hope that a Council of Europe delegation will soon visit the occupied territory in order to examine on the spot the living conditions.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister John Major met with the United Nations Secretary-Gerenal Butros Ghali in London today and conveyed to him his country's determination to promote the efforts in reinstating talks between both sides in Cyprus.

Mr. Major also said that the British representative for the Cypriot issue Sir David Hunney will cooperate with the UN.

[11] TURKEY: ISLAMIST LEADER ERBAKAN, TO MEET WITH CILLER TODAY

New meeting between islamist leader, Necmetin Erbakan and "True Path" party leader, Tansu Ciller is expected to take place today within the framework of the contacts for the formation of a coalition government in Turkey.

Already, Erbakan and Ciller have met three times but they failed to reach an agreement. "True Path" party officials maintain that this time both sides are very close to forming a coalition government.

According to information, the "True Path" party suggests a rotating Premiership. Based on the party's proposal, Erbakan will become Prime Minister the first year, followed by Ciller the second year. If during that period no early elections are held then Erbakan will become Prime Minister for another year followed by Ciller.

In case this proposal is rejected by mr.Erbakan's "Welfare" party, then it will be suggested that Erbakan and Ciller should hold the premiership for two years each. If no agreement is reached there will be the alternative of holding new elections.

Based on the "True Path" proposal, 19 of the ministry posts in the government will be given to the Prime Minister's party and 17 to the other coalition partner.

The "True Path" party seeks to get the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Education and Finance, while for as long as Erbakan is the Prime Minister of Turkey, ms. Ciller will be deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

[12] KARADJIC RESIGNS FROM PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC

Radovan Karadjic will resign from President of the Bosnian Serb Republic immediately after the parliamentary elections in Bosnia which will be held on September 14, the above were stated by bosnian-serb Prime Minister, Goiko Gliskovic.

Mr.Karadjic is willing to resign immediately after the elections if the international community guarantees the security and integrity of the Serb Republic in Bosnia and with the condition that the town of Brsko remains under serb occupation. This town, also known as Posavina, links the northern with the southern part of the republic and according to the Dayton peace agreement, a decision on the region's status should be made through international arbitration.

Mr.Gliskovic also mentioned that Karadjic will not head the governing bosnian-serb SDS party, neither will be a candidate in the upcoming elections. The bosnian-serb Prime Minister said that this was a personal decision made by mr.Karadjic, but according to information from Pale, Karadjic was forced to resign after pressures exerted both by the international community and Belgrade.

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