MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (28/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 28, 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, TSOHATZOPOULOS VIE FOR LEADERSHIP IN PASOK CONGRESS

Amidst frequent and reverential references to its founder, the late Andreas Papandreou, PASOK's fourth congress continued its second day session at the Athens Olympic Stadium with passionate speeches and, at times, vocal differences of opinion among the 5,000 participating delegates.

Today, Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization, Akis Tsohatzopoulos announced his bid for the party's presidential post, suggesting that the party's Political Secretariat should include the party's President, the Prime Minister, the Central Committee Secretary, the Speaker of the Parliament (if he belongs to the party) and members of the party's Executive Office.

Yesterday, 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 5,000 delegates, among whom some jeered "Shame!"

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

The Congress will conclude on Sunday, when the new president of PASOK will be elected.

[02] TSOHATZOPOULOS BIDS FOR PASOK LEADERSHIP, CHALLENGES PREMIER

Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization, Akis Tsohatzopoulos announced his candidature in the elections for PASOK's leadership. He also suggested that in the party's Political Secretariat should participate the party's President, the party Secretary, the President of the Parliament and members of the party's Executive Office.

Mr.Tsohatzopoulos also suggested the establishment of a vice- President post with specific responsibilities rejecting the Prime Minister's position presented yesterday according to which, whoever becomes party President must also be the country's Prime Minister. Mr.Tsohatzopoulos also said that the new President of PASOK will have all the responsibilities and powers provided in the party's charter.

He also pointed out that PASOK's patriotic character was and will remain an essential part of its own nature.

On the turkish expansionism, he said that Greece's peace- loving disposition is known and given adding that the greek position toward the turkish expansionism should be characterized by firmness and strength and therefore, Greece's ability to avert war must be strengthened in all levels.

[03] PANGALOS ADDRESSES CONGRESS, TALKS OF PASOK'S PATRIOTISM

Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos in his address to the PASOK party congress did not mention anything on the internal party issues but referred to the patriotic character of the movement and to the foreign policy followed by the governments of PASOK.

He said that PASOK was and is the biggest patriotic movement of the greek people pointing out that this specific distinction made it different from the rest political parties.

Mr.Pangalos also suggested the formation of a pan-national front for the promotion of national issues and pointed out that PASOK must not turn into a political party of nationalists.

[04] PRESIDENT OF PARLIAMENT COLLAPSES AFTER HIS SPEECH IN CONGRESS

The condition of greek Parliament President, Apostolos Kaklamanis' health temporarily caused alarm, when he fainted a few minutes after a dramatic speech in the PASOK party Congress. Mr.Kaklamanis made a passionate last moment appeal for unity in the governing party calling on the 5.200 party delegates participating in the PASOK congress not to hurt the movement's unity.

Mr.Kaklamanis said that he appeals to the three factions that have divided PASOK in three parts and to anyone who still has a free conscience, adding that this is a crucial moment and probably the most crucial moment ever in PASOK's history.

Mr.Kaklamanis stated that PASOK does not have only past and present it also has a future too, stressing that the future does not depend on the will of a majority that was formed at a certain time during a party congress.

[05] PANMACEDONIANS HOLDS 50TH CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA

The Pan-Macedonian Association of US-Canada's 50th Conference has officially begun in Clearwater, Florida with more than 200 representatives of Macedonian unions from North America participating.

The conference's primary targets are to prevent Skopje from acquiring the name "Republic of Macedonia" and to prepare the way for the Union's International Conference that will be held in Thessaloniki in 1997.

The Association's President Athanasios Voulgaropoulos stated to the Macedonian-Press Agency that the main topic of concern is to find a lasting solution to the FYROM name issue, although, he added, there are other national issues that matter equally, such as Cyprus, safeguarding the human rights of the greek minority living in Albania, the turkish threats in the Aegean Sea and Thrace, and the existance of the Patriarchate.

Today's session will brainstrom over the election of a presidium and committee, while various discussions will be held regarding communication between the Association and the various organizations of Greeks Aborad.

Participating at the Conference are the Greek Ambassador to the United States Lukas Tsilas, Macedonia-Thrace Ministry's Secretary General of Repatriation Christos Kamenides, the Director of the Ministry's Cultural Office Gabriel Koptsides and the Director of the Center of Macedonians Abroad Kostas Pyrzas.

[06] ARCHBISHOP IACOVOS LEAVES HOLY SUB-PREFECT SYNOD

Archbishop of North and South America Iacovos presided for the last time the Holy Sub-prefect Synod of the Archbishopry, putting an end to his lengthy presence in the leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Duirng the Synod, Mr. Iakovos announced his departure and thanked the Metropolite of New Jersey Mr. Sila, who is Mr. Iakovos' successor, as well as the other bishops for their lengthy cooperation.

Mr. Iakovos will fully depart from the Archbishopry on July 29, as was agreed upon with the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos. His successor has not yet been appointed, although included among the likely candidates are the Archbishop of Italy, the Metropolite of Switzerland and possibly the Archbishop of Australia.

[07] GREEKS ABROAD EMBARK ON CAMPAIGN TO STRAIGHTEN UP TURKEY

The Greek-American organizations based in the United States will inform American officials and various media each time Turkey proceeds to a provocative act against Greece.

According to an announcement issued by the Council of Greeks Abroad, presided by Andrew Athens, these efforts will aim at gaining the Americans' awareness of Turkey's intentions.

Moreover, the President of the World Co-ordinated Committee on the Cypriot Struggle Phillip Christopher pointed out that the Americans who shape public opinion in the United States, as well as the media, are not always fully aware of the turkish acts.

[08] SHARE OF GREEK MARBLES IN THE US MARKET ON DOWNWARD SLIDE

The United States marble industry, after an overall slump in the beginning of the decade, has taken the recovery path come of lately, resulting in a reduction of Greece's exports over the Atlantic.

Greece held 10 per cent of the US marble-imports in 1995, a five per cent reduction from 1993, while Italy and Spain, considered leaders in the filed of marble produciton maintained the lion's share in the industry, with 66 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

Two other countries have entered the field, India and China, and have been able to hold on to appreciative claims by offering a competitive product.

[09] FULL MOON SUMMER NIGHTS ON HOLY ROCK WITH MORE MONEY

What do the days of July 1, July 30 and August 28 have in common?

Full moon, you saw me standing....on the Acropolis!

In a decision issued today by the Ministry of Culture, during this summer's full moon nights the public can visit the Holy Rock during the specified hours of 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on July 1, and 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on July 30 and August 28. The Acropolis will be open to the public free of charge.

[10] EXHIBIT ON "CYPRUS, 9,000 YEARS OF CIVILIZATION" ENDS ON SUNDAY

The four-month long exhibit on "Cyprus, 9,000 Years of Civilization" will end this Sunday at the Greek Parliament Building.

The Exhibit, which was inaugurated on March 21, 1996, by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, ran concurrently with the exhibit of "Memorabilia of the Cypriot Struggle for Freedom."

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] ISLAMISTS AND CILLER SETTLE DIFFERENCES, READY TO FORM COALITION

Necmetin Erbakan's islamist "Welfare" party and Tansu Ciller's "True Path" party settled their differences and are ready to form a coalition government, according to the turkish newspaper "Sabah".

Citing information from "True Path" party vice-President, Hassan Ekintzi the turkish newspaper mentions that an agreement has been reached for the formation of a coalition and the text of its protocol is likely to be signed today. Mr.Ekintzi also added that the members of the new government are likely to be presented to turkish President, Suleiman Demirel later today.

The vice-President of the "True Path" party also mentioned that based on the agreement that was reached, Erbakan will be first to become Prime Minister for a period of one year and his term is possible to continue for a second year if the two parties find that their cooperation is harmonious. During that time, Ciller will be alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In any other case, ms.Ciller will become Prime Minister after a year and will lead the country to early elections.

The Ministries of Interior and Religious Affairs were given to the "True Path" party which insisted not to leave them in the hands of the islamists.

[12] BOSNIAN-SERB GENERAL MLADIC SUFFERS STROKE, CONDITION IS CRITICAL

According to well-informed sources bosnian-serb army leader, general Ratko Mladic has suffered a stroke after the international community's pressures exerted for the resignation of bosnian-serb President, Radovan Karadzic. Reliable sources stated to MPA, that general Mladic was taken to Belgrade's military hospital and his condition is described as very serious.

As it is known, strong pressures were exerted by the international community on Karadzic to resign and to leave the bosnian political scene. Today, the spokesman of international mediator Carl Bilt, warned Karadzic that he will have to resign until Monday otherwise the international community will re-impose sanctions on the bosnian-serbs.

Yesterday, Karadzic threatened that if the international community does not guarantee the integrity and security of the Serb Republic in Bosnia then he will be a candidate in the elections that will be held in Bosnia in September, inspite of the fact that the Dayton peace agreement provides that the individuals accused of war crimes will not participate in the elections. Karadzic's demand was rejected last night by Washington and US State Department spokesman Bill Davis stated that the international community will not accept the terms set by Karadzic.

The governing bosnian-serb SDS party meets in Pale today to elect a new party Central Committee which will decide if Karadzic, who is the party's leader, will be a candidate in the elections.

[13] US, BRITAIN COORDINATE EFFORTS ON CYPRIOT PROBLEM

United States President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister John Major have agreed to coordinate their efforts in order to arrive at a safe settlemenm of the cypriot problem next month.

According to a White House spokesperson, the two leaders, who met in Lyon, France during a summit meeting of the seven major industrial nations, noted that the imminent negotiations between Cyprus and the European Union provide a valuable opportunity to proceed in finding a solution to the issue.

[14] WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, SAYS UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS

The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cyprus Han Sung Ju stated today that a lot of effort must be put forth for solving the Cyprus issue.

Commenting on the recent statements made by US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister John Major regarding their intent to coordinated efforts on the issue, Mr. Ju stated that it is of utmost importance that the international community work together.

Mr. Ju met this afternoon with the Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and will meet this evening with the Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides.

[15] SECURITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE RESOLUTION OF UNFICYP'S STAY RENEWAL

Members of the Security Council have issued a resolution regarding the renewal of the UNFICYP peacekeeping forces' stay in Cyprus, a plan that is expected to be approved today.

Moreover, the resolution refers to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and expresses its support for the UN Secretary- General's services, while also recognizing the European Union's decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus, one that is characterized in the resolution as a significant development that can aid the total settlelemt.

Also, the resolution denounces the recent killing of the Greek-Cypriot National Guardsman Stellios Panagis and expresses the Security Council's concern over the turkish militarization and fly-overs in Cyprus' FIR, during military exercises, which end up in increasing tension in the region.

Lastly, the Security Council calls the Turk-Cypriot side to fully respect the basic freedoms of those who live in the occupied territory.

[16] FYROM PRESIDENT GLIGOROF MEETS WITH TURKEY'S SULEIMAN DEMIREL

President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov met with his Turkish counterpart Suleiman Demirel in Ankara today in a contact that was marked by reciprocated friendliness.

Mr. Gligorov stated that the exchange of points of view on bilateral, regional and international issues will aid the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

In turn, Mr. Demirel stated that Mr. Gligorov's visit provides an optimal opportunity for the further development of political, economic, cultural and trade relations between Turkey and FYROM.

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