MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (01/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 1, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ELECTIONS IN GREECE TO BE HELD AS SCHEDULED IN 1997, SAYS ATHENS

Elections will be held in 1997, stated greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked by reporters if the government will stay in power till the end of its term.

Mr.Reppas stressed that the government will do everything to meet the expectations of the greek people in order to be elected again in power in 1997.

Responding to questions by reporters, the greek government spokesman pointed out that changes in the government is the last thing in the Prime Minister's mind at the present time. "The members of the government remain in their posts and they enjoy the Prime Minister's confidence", said mr.Reppas.

[02] OPPOSITION PARTIES COMMENT ON PASOK CONGRESS, NEW PRESIDENT

Greece's opposition parties have issued their statements and congratulatory wishes to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis for his election to the PASOK party's presidential post, after the ruling party's recently-held congress. President of the main opposition New Democracy party Miltiades Evert has forwarded a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis for his election as President of PASOK.

In his message, Mr. Evert mentioned the "enormous" problems faced by the country and emphasized that a national effort must be put forth, independently of the political or ideological positions of the two parties.

Mr. Evert will convene the party's electoral committee. Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras is expected to comment on mr Simitis' selection during an open meeting of his party at Athens late tonight.

Dimitris Gontikas member of the Political Bureau of the Greek Communist Party (KKE) spoke of the ultimate extortion, political hypocricy and demagoguery having taken place at the PASOK congress.

Mr. Gontikas noted that there is no change in policy and assessed that "the political climate which the governing party is called to act in is already a given," and pointed out that PASOK's political bases have no effect on its policy, as none of the country's cogent issues were discussed during the congress.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Nikos Konstantopoulos, expressed his sincere congratulations to Mr. Simitis and forwarded his wishes for "success in his new duties."

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS

Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos had a one-hour meeting with the UN Secretary-General special envoy for Cyprus, mr.Khan.

After the end of the meeting, mr.Pangalos pointed out that the interest of UN Secretary-General, Boutros Ghali in the solution of the Cyprus problem is always there, adding that he discussed with mr.Khan the present situation in the Cyprus problem, the possible developments and the initiatives mr.Khan could undertake.

Mr.Khan characterized as useful his discussion with mr.Pangalos pointing out that at the moment there are no new initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He also said that he is making a number of visits to european capitals looking for a feasible and acceptable solution for the Cyprus problem.

The greek Foreign Minister strongly criticized Britain's position toward the Cyprus problem on the occasion of the recent statements made by the british envoy to Cyprus, who was destined for the position of the EU observer in the Cyprus problem talks.

Mr.Pangalos underlined again that the Cyprus problem is an international problem that needs the greatest possible involvement of international factors in order to be led to a solution course. He underlined that Britain showed indifference and continue to be indifferent to the turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus and every time an initiative within the framework of the European Union is undertaken it tries either to avert it or to limit it.

The greek Foreign Minister underlined that Greece follows closely the british envoy's activities and regards as unthinkable his appointment to the position of the EU representative, saying characteristically that Greece will not allow it.

[04] FYROM:LIVESTOCK PUT TO SLEEP DUE TO FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease cases noted in the southwestern part of FYROM appear to be taking unprecedented dimensions as the livestock that has been stricken by the illness is being put to sleep and strict exportation bans have been imposed by neighboring Greece .

According to the Skopjan press, the A-22 virus considered responsible for the deadly illness is highly resistant and extremely dangerous.

FYROM's Agriculture Ministry maintains that the outbreak stems frolm livestock that was illegally imported to Skopje from Albania.

Goeroge Koukakis, supervisor of the Evzonon Greek-Skopjan border, spoke to the Macedonian Press Agency and stated that the importation of any livestock or animal products from FYROM is strictly banned and vehicles entering Greece from Skopje have to immerse their tires in a trench filed with disinfeccting caustic potash.

[05] STOCK MARKET ENCOURAGED BY ELECTION OF SIMITIS

The country's business world welcomed the news of Premier Kostas Simitis' election to the post of PASOK party president, albeit asking the government to now turn its attention to the economy.

"The government must turn its attention to increasing competitiveness, and needs to combat the weaknesses noted in the public sector, in which there has been close to no progress," stated the President of the Federation of Greek Industries (SEV) Jason Stratos.

According to Mr. Stratos, industrialists want the government to carve-out an economic strategy in order to contain the deficit and to speed up investment programs for businesses with quicker absorption rates for the approximately 700 billion drachmas of European Union funds.

[06] GERMAN POLICE COLLABORATES WITH GREEK OFFICERS IN CRIME FIGHT

Senior German police officers conducted a two-day visit to Kavala and met with their Greek counterparts within the framework of international police cooperation.

An agreement was reached for constant cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal immigration. The agreement also included cooperation in the fight against car theft rings, which steal luxury automobiles from Germany and import them to Greece only to dismantle them into spare parts.

After the cars are re-assembled in scrap yards, they are sold to the (usually unsuspecting) public, bringing about inestimable losses for the country through tax evasion. One such ring was recently uncovered in Kavala.

[07] "PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE" COUNTRIES TO PARTAKE IN NATO EXERCISE

Four "Partnership for Peace" countries, Bulgaria, Malta, Moldova and Romania, will participate in NATO's military exercises to be held on July 4-12, according to a communique issued by the Alliance.

Greece, Turkey and the United States will also participate in the army exercise which is named "Cooperative Determination '96." The exercise will take place in Bulgaria's Belene training camp and its aim is to train forces for peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster rescue missions.

The operation will be commanded by US Admiral Leighton Smith, who is the commander of southern Europe's allied forces, and will be coordinated by Greek General Dimitrios Spyridon.

[08] BRITISH PRESS COVERED EXTENSIVELY THE ELECTION OF KOSTAS SIMITIS

Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis' election to the presidency of the governing party of PASOK was extensively covered by the british press. Almost all the british newspapers mention that the majority the technocrat Prime Minister got will allow him to modernize the economy and the public sector, if he encounters no obstacles from PASOK's traditional wing represented by Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who was also a candidate for party President.

The newspaper "Independent" points out, among others, that mr.Simitis was faced with the challenge to win the party delegates' support and to successfully deal with the emotional effect of Andreas Papandreou's death.

The newspaper mentions that the majority of votes mr.Simitis got will allow him to implement his government's policy but is not enough to secure the party's unity. It also stresses that the western governments should be very satisfied with mr.Simitis election, who is regarded as the politician with the ability to decisively contribute to Greece's rapprochement with Europe and to the solution of Greece's differences with its neighbours and especially with Turkey.

According to the "Financial Times", the greek Prime Minister and PASOK party leader is expected to face difficulties in his effort to preserve his party's unity. The newspaper mentions that according to political commentators, if the supporters of mr.Tsohatzopoulos try to stop the government's efforts to cut down the number of public sector employees and limit the public expenses, mr.Simitis will be forced to call early elections in the Fall in order to win the electorate's approval for the materialization of his reforms.

The same stance is expressed and by the "Daily Telegraf" which mentions that early elections are likely to be held in the Fall for the consolidation of mr.Simitis position as after yesterday's vote the party is left divided.

The "Guardian" is publishing a telegram by Reuters news agency which mentions that the election of Kostas Simitis as PASOK's President will allow him to modernize the economy and the public sector after years of stagnation that were the result of Andreas Papandreou's bad health. The newspaper continues that many believe that mr.Simitis will replace the cabinet ministers who disagree with his reform policy but he will leave mr.Tsohatzopoulos in his post in order to preserve the delicate balance within PASOK.

[09] ANKARA ADOPTS A WAIT AND SEE POSITION AFTER ELECTION OF SIMITIS

Ankara will adopt a wait and see position on the issue of its relations with Greece after the election of Kostas Simitis to the Presidency of PASOK, mentions the turkish news agency Anadolu. According to the news agency, Turkey, which had expected improvement of its relations with Greece when mr.Simitis became Prime Minister but was disappointed, this time has adopted a more cautious position.

Turkey expects a government reshuffle in Greece and wants to see if Gerasimos Arsenis, Theodoros Pangalos and Akis Tsohatzopoulos will remain Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior respectively.

Meanwhile, the turkish private television station HBB reported, that with the election of mr.Simitis to the leadership of PASOK, which was achieved after a hard battle with his rival Akis Tsohatzopoulos, is expected in-party restructuring and revision.

According to HBB, Kostas Simitis, who was involved in fewer behind the scenes activities than his rival Tsohatzopoulos before the party congress was held, is against the nationalist socialists and is following a more pro-european social-democratic course, while he is characterized by a more low-key stand on the issue of the greek-turkish relations.

[10] VOTES ARE IN FOR THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF PASOK

Votes for the election of members to PASOK's Central Committee were counted early this morning, and the top ten seats are given to: George Papandreou, Minister of Education, Kostas Laliotis, Minister of Environment, Public Works and City Planning, Vasso Papandreou, Minister of Development, Kostas Skandalides, Paraskevas Avgerinos europarliamentarian, Miltiades Papaioannou MP, Theodoros Pangalos Foreign Minister, Michalis Haralampides, Apostolos Kaklamanis, Speaker of Parliam,ent and Gerasimos Arsenis defense Minister.

Elected at the new Central Commmittee are 150 regular members. Minister of Interior Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who was the Premier's rival in the party's presidential race, is also a member by law.

[11] NATIONAL COUNCIL OF HELLENISM PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES MR. SIMITIS

The president of the National Council of Hellenism Theodoros Spyropoulos has forwarded a congratulatory telegraph to Prime Minister and newly-elected PASOK President Kostas Simitis.

In his telegraph, Mr. Spyropulos also conveys the wishes of all officers in the National Council as well as those of the presidents of the Federation. "We wish to give you our warmest wishes for success in your difficult and crucial work. We assure you that the Greek community living in the United States will always be on your and the government's side for the achievement of the nation's aims and visions."

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] CYPRIOT POLITICAL LEADERS SALUTE NEW PASOK PRESIDENT

With the hope that Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' election to the presidency seat of PASOK Greece's policy and support of the Cyprus issue will not change, all of the cypriot political party leaders saluted the new president.

Also, Mr. Simitis' election to the party presidency was featured in the front page of most cypriot newspapers.

[13] FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE NOTED IN FYROM, EMERGENCY MEASURES TAKEN AT BORDER

Emergency measures have been taken at the Greek-Skopjan border where the importation of any animal product from FYROM is stricktly forbidden, following reports of foot and mouth disease cases in the southwestern part of FYROM.

The director of the veterinary clinic in Kilkis Anna Rakou, stated to the Macedonian Press Agency that aside from the importation restriction imposed on FYROM, all vehicles entering Greece from Skopje have to immerse their tires in a trench filed with a disinfecting chemical substance.

[14] ANOTHER PARLIAMENT DEPUTY RESIGNED FROM CILLER'S "TRUE PATH" PARTY

Another Parliament deputy resigned from Tansu Ciller's "True Path" party. Safter Gaitali, resigned today stating that Turkey is in a climate of insecurity and chaos which day by day is getting worse, adding that he will never deviate from his principles.

In the past few weeks 8 deputies left Ciller's party, and now the "True Path" has 127 seats in the turkish National Assembly.

[15] COUNCIL OF EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE APPROVED CYPRUS' APPEAL

The Council of Europe Human Rights Committee approved the fourth inter-state appeal made by Cyprus concerning the human rights violations committed by Turkey.

This decision reaffirms that the Cypriot Republic is the government of all Cyprus, while at the same time, confirms that the turkish government is responsible for the situation in the occupied northern part of Cyprus and rejects any recognition of the occupied territories' status.

The hearing aiming at determining if the appeal is acceptable had been held last Friday, while the official decision is likely to be issued today. The next stage will be the hearing of testimonies by witnesses on specific cases of human rights violations.

[16] RADIATION LEAKED FROM THE CHERNOBIL NUCLEAR PLANT LAST FRIDAY

Radiation leaked last Friday from the Number 1 reactor of the Chernobil nuclear plant, according to a representative of the Ukrainian Atomic Energy Committee in Kiev.

The Committee's spokesperson stated that the radiation leak was five times over the acceptable levels and occured in a corridor used by the nuclear plant's personnel.

According to the Committee's spokesperson, the radiation leak was detected on Friday and the problem was solved the next day, while there was no danger neither for the personnel working in the nuclear plant nor the environment.

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