MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (05/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 5, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] TURKEY MUST APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN ORDER TO DEFUSE THE TENSION IN THE AEGEAN, STATED THE GREEK PRESIDENT

Greek President, Kostis Stephanopoulos after reviewing a unit of the greek Navy fleet on the occasion of the Navy Week celebrations, stated that Ankara should appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague in order to defuse the tension in the Aegean.

Mr.Stephanopoulos stated that everyone knows, and Turkey knows better than anyone else, that with the 1923 Treaty of Lauzanne it has waived any claim on islands or islets located at a distance of over 3 miles away from the turkish coasts.

The greek President stated that the only exception are the three islands that are being specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Lauzanne, namely Imvros, Tenedos and the Rabbit Islands.

President Stephanopoulos stated that Greece needs a strong fleet to protect its coasts, its islands and its sovereign rights, adding that this need is covered in the best possible way by its Navy.

[02] GREECE IS WILLING TO SIGN PROTOCOL WITH TURKEY, UNDER PROVISIONS

The Greek government is willing to sign a protocol with Turkey which would include the contents of the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum, as well as additional issues that have surfaced, such as the resort to the International Court and the lack of use of force or the use of force.

Such was the statement issued today by government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas, who, commenting on US President Bill Clinton's letter to Premier Kostas Simitis, added that the State Department has coinciding views with some of the Greek positions.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller announced her government's acceptance of NATO's and the State Department's initiative in regards to undertaking trust- building measures, and asked the Alliance's Secretary-General Javier Solana to continue his efforts.

Moreover, Ms. Ciller announced Turkey's abstention from carrying out military exercises in the Aegean until September 1.

Also, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, honorary president of Greece's main opposition party New Democracy, stated yesterday that the Greek government is handling the greco-turkish relations well and considers the American initiatives to be positive.

[03] SULEIMAN DEMIREL PROPOSES GRECO-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT

Greek and Turkish differences wil not be resolved, if they are not addressed timely, stated the Turkish President Suleiman Demirel in a recent interview to the "Balkan Review".

The Turkish leader called on the different nations to learn and live together along with the many political problems that burden them, adding that Ankara calls on all of its neighbors to approach the negotiations table in order to resolve the issues of concernor, at the very least, to avoid creating new ones.

Mr. Demirel stated that it is Greece who does not have a friendly disposition towards Turkey. "There is no reason for hostility and, afterall, this hostility cannot last forever.

Moreover, the Turkish president emphasized that the Balkan countries' accession to Europe is the most significant step to be taken in order to overcome the problems in the region. Mr. Demirel stated that some day, Europe and China will be united with Turkey and the Balkans serving as a bridge.

"What is missing in the Balkans now is the infrastructure," Mr. Demirel stated, "and when this necessity is taken care of, then the Balkans will become a bridge between the north and the south, the east and the west."

[04] PREMIER ADDRESSES PASOK'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE

In his address during today's PASOK Central Committee's session, where the Party's Secretary and Executive Bureau will be elected, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis characterized the recently-held Fourth Congress as one of the most significant processes of Greece's post-war political era.

"We have closed the circle of the post-war era and have opened a new circle for Greece in the 21st century. We are paving the way for renewal and modernization of the Greek society," the Premier stated, and emphasized that the government will defend the national rights and the social state, thereby shaping a new public ethic.

The Executive Bureau comprises 17 members, nine of which can, concurrently, participate in the Cabinet.

[05] KOSTAS SKANDALIDIS REELECTED SECRETARY OF CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Mr. Kostas Skandalidis was reelected to the post of PASOK's Central Committee Secretary. Of the 149 Central Committee members, 118 voted for mr. Skandalidis, 22 voted blank and there were 3 spoilt ballots.

After his reelection, mr.Skandalidis referred to the new role of PASOK and stressed that the party must win the next elections and be effective in its governmental work.

[06] PANGALOS TO ATTEND BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS SUMMIT IN SOFIA

For the first time since the beginning of the war in former Yugoslavia, the Balkan Foreign Ministers will hold a Summit meeting in Sofia this weekend, in order to examine the security and cooperation in the region and to sign a joint resolution.

Participating at the Summit will be the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Theodoros Pangalos, Romania, Teodor Melescanu, Yugoslavia, Milan Milutinovic and Bulgaria, Georgi Pirinski. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey and FYROM will be represented by their Foreign Undersecretaries. Also partaking at the Summit will be delegates from the five-nation contact group for the Bosnian issue.

FYROM has attributed its undersecretary-level representation to Athens' refusal to accept the "Republic of Macedonia" name with which Skopje wants to participate in the Summit. However, this issue will be further examined today in a special meeting, as Greece is insisting that Skopje participate with the name recognized by the United Nations, "FYROM."

Albania is expected to issue a response today on its participation, since the country is currently undergoing the formation of a new government following the recently-held parliamentary elections in Tirana.

Also participating at the Summit will be international mediator Carl Bildt and the Council of Europe's Secretary- General Daniel Tarschys. Representing the United States will be President Bill Clinton's advisor William Montgomery, while Russia will be represented by its undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Nikolai Athanasievski.

[07] SCOPJE:FORTHCOMING CONTACTS ON NAME MIGHT CLOSE THE GAP

According to a press release issued by FYROM's Foreign Ministry today, negotiations between Greece and Skopje are expected to resume on July 11.

The press release states that the scheduled date results from "the obligation which had been agreed by the two countries on September 13 in New York."

Moreover, FYROM's Foreign Ministry states that no progress has been made on the issue since then, but,it adds,the forthcoming contacts between ambassadors Christos Zacharakis and Ivan Tosevski "might close the gap in the present circumstances which left both sides unable to find a common ground on the problem."

[08] BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIANS WANT PARTHENON MARBLES RETURNED TO GREECE

Ninety-eight British parliamentarians have signed -so far- a House of Commons resolution for the return of the Marbles of Parthenon to their homeland, although Britain's Prime Minister John Major does not appear to share their sentiment.

Following Mr. Major's surprise announcement yesterday that the famous Stone of Scone will be returned to Scotland (after serving as an ornament to England's coronation throne for 700 years), a Labour Party deputy asked whether this act constitutes a precedent for the return of other antiquities, such as the Parthenon Marbles. Mr. Major's response was that "the decision to return the Scone was driven by the 700th anniversary of its removal from Scotland and it is not expected to lead to the return of other works of art, such as the Elgin Marbles, which constitute a different case."

However, London's daily "The Guardian" dedicates an article to the issue, in which it points out that Mr. Major does create a precedent by his decision to return the Scone.

"If it is considered proper that the Stone of Scone be returned to Scotland, why should it not be proper that the Elgin Marbles are returned to Greece,'" wondered the article's author.

The famous "Stone of Scone" had been purloined by England's King Edward I in 1926 and was brought to Westminster's Abbey where it adorned the British royal throne during coronation ceremonies.

The Scottish people believe that the stone's origin stems from the Holy Land and, according to legend, it was used by Saint Jacob as a pillow.

Historians track the Stone's journey through Egypt, Spain and Ireland. It is believed that it arrived in Scotland in 846 AD and became a symbol of sovereignty for the Scottish Kings.

Within 1996, the Scottish national symbol is expected to be brought back to Edinburgh's Cathedral.

Meanwhile, Greek Eurodeputy of the Coalition of the Left Party Alekos Alavanos took the opportunity yesterday to compare the two issues in a letter he forwarded to Mr. Major, where he states that "Great Britain should display the same sensitivity for the Parthenon Marbles as it did recently with Scotland's Stone of Scone."

In his letter, Mr. Alavanos wrote that "I hope that you proceed in taking the courageous decision to return the marbles to the Parthenon, in order to reinstate the unified Memorial of International Cultural Heritage, which is in accordance to the UNESCO desicion.

"The return of the Parthenon marbles will constitute a symbol of justice, respect to the Ancient Greek Culture and promotion of the European cultural unity on behalf of the United Kingdom, a view that is, afterall, adopted by the overwhelming majority of your people," Mr. Alavanos pointed out.

[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS WILL BE AWARDED A HONORARY Ph.D. BY THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURG

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos left today for Edinburg to attend the formal ceremony during which he will be awarded a honorary Ph.D. by the Edinburg University School of Theology.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is accompanied by Archbishop of Great Britain, Grigorios and by the Metropolites of Theodoroupolis, Germanos and of Pergamos, Ioannis.

[10] EU TO FUND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN 12 GREEK CITIES

The European Union will pour large sums of money on to the greek environment, as the Cohesion Fund has decided to fund irrigation and sewage systems projects.

The EU funding, which amounts to 101,75 MECU, will be allocated to the following cities: Patra, 7.55MECU, Volos 6.1, Chania, 8.82, Rethymno, 10.68 Argos 16.76, along with Sparta, Chios, Komotene, Orestiada, Kalamata, Tripoli and Larisa, whose allocated funds have not been fully determined yet.

[11] MACEDONIA WILL BE THE STARTING POINT OF NEW ERA IN TOURISM

Macedonia has the structure o become the starting point of a new strategy in the nation's tourism policy, according to the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT).

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency during the Halkidiki-held 3rd Ecological Congress today, EOT's Secretary- General Vasilis Kourtesis emphasized that the application of a new policy which will give weight to the development of alternative forms of tourism, is the main target in the fight against the current crisis hampering Greece's tourism industry for the second year in a row.

Mr. Kourtesis atributted this crisis to the current economic recession noted in those coutnries that supplied Greece with traditional vacationers.

"Our country must turn its direction to another level of visitors, one that is in a better financial position and which will display a different behavior towards Greece, its environment and culture," the EOT official stated.

Moreover, he proposed that tourism-related studies be drafted into the secondary education system.

Nevertheless, the Halkidiki Hotel Owners' Association, who co-host the Congress with the area's Municipalities and Communities Association, expressed their optimism that the pendulum will swing the other way, but not before five years have passed.

"We have been tangled in a very difficult situation for two years now," stated the President of the Hotel Owners' Association, Andreas Andreadis.

"Last year was the tip of the iceberg and I think that most are beginning to realize the size of the problem now. We will go through some very difficult and lean years but Greece has an unbeatable product and will be able to overcome this crisis," he said.

[12] SERB CHILDREN HOSTED IN THESSALONIKI RETURN TO BOSNIA TONIGHT

The time to say farewell has come for a group of Bosnianserb chilrden who were ebraced for seven months by local host-families in Thessaloniki's Kalamaria municipality.

During their stay in Greece, the elementary-level school children attended special educational programs provided by the greek schools district and taught by Serbian teachers, but were also given lessons in the Greek language.

Under the auspices of a program funded by the Central Association of Municipalities and Communities, more than 1,200 children -mostly orphans- of the war-torn Bosnia were hosted in Greece by 50 various regions in the country.

[13] THIRD ECOLOGICAL CONGRESS STARTED IN HALKIDIKI TODAY

The 3rd Ecological Congress, which started in Halkidiki, will study the interaction between tourism activity and the enviroment.

The congress is jointly organized by the Halkidiki Hotel Owners' Association and the area's Municipalities and Communities Association.

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos are scheduled to address the Congress, along with undersecretary of National Economy Christos Pachtas and the secretary of the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT).

[14] MINISTERIAL COUNCIL APPOINTS SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

The government's Ministerial Council convened this morning in a meeting during which it appointed the country's highest justice and the supreme court's district attorney.

Stefanos Mathias has been appointed President of the Supreme Court, while Panayiotis Demopoulos will be the Court's District Attorney.

Mr. Mathias, 61 years old, held the fifth position in the calendars of the Supreme Court's vice-presidency rank and will be eligible for retirement in the year 2002. He is president of the National School of Justices and a supervisor of the Court's Review.

Mr. Demopoulos, 62, held the 22nd position in the rank and had served as supervisor of Athens' First Tribunal.

[15] SPECIAL PROGRAM TO BE BROADCAST FOR SERB TOURISTS IN GREECE

A special program targeted at Serb tourists in Greece will be broadcast daily by the Greek Radio Company (ERA), providing news and public service announcements, in the Serbian language, on local festivities and entertainment to take place in the areas where the tourists are vacationing.

The program, which will run through August 31, will be broadcast every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 18:05 to 18:55 from the local radio stations of Kavala, Serres, Volos, Larisa.

The broadcasts constitute the beginning of cooperation between Yugoslav radio-television and ERA. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] THE KORNBLUM STATEMENT ON THOSE STILL MISSING AFTER THE TURKISH INVASION TO CYPRUS CREATED A MORAL ISSUE FOR THE US GOVERNMENT

The Coordinating Council of the Committees of the relatives of those still missing after the turkish invasion to Cyprus, characterized as big moral issue for the US government and the United Nations the statement made by US assistant Secretary of State, John Kornblum on the missing cypriots. Mr.Kornblum had maintained that due to the lack of strong evidence for the contrary, the United Nations and others assume that those missing are dead.

The Council called the Cypriot government to protest strongly to the United States and the United Nations in order to avert the visible risk of having the issue of those missing closed without an investigation.

The Council also mentions that the US government requests information on the americans still missing in Vietnam and Korea but at the same time, adopts a totally different position in the case of the missing cypriots.

[17] EU REPRESENTATIVE VISITS BULGARIA ON THE ISSUE OF KOZLODUI

EU Commissioner on issues of environmental protection, ms.Beregard arrived in Bulgaria and according to her statements at the Sofia Airport, she will have talks with bulgarian Minister of Ecological Environment, Georgi Georgiev.

Ms.Beregard stated that Bulgaria should know that if she wants to become an EU member must give special attention to ecological and environmental issues, adding that the discussions she will have will focus on the Kozlodui nuclear plant. She also stressed that the EU wants the nuclear plant's safety levels to be improved before its reactors are in full operation.

[18] THE AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY LEADER STRONGLY CRITICIZED DENKTASH ON THE ISSUE OF THE MISSING CYPRIOTS

South Australia's Labour Party leader, mr.Michael Runn addressing the state's parliament, strongly criticized turkish- cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash for his statement according to which, the missing cypriots have been killed by para-military organizations. Mr.Runn said that the issue is not closed and investigations should be made on their fate.

Also, he called the australian governmnet to undertake an initiative in order to start an investigation on the fate of the missing cypriots and also to bring their issue to the UN General Assembly for the adoption of a resolution that will pressure Ankara and Denktash to have an honest cooperation with the responsible UN Committee.

He also called on the australian Foreign Minister to renew the presence of the australian peace-keeping force in Cyprus, to support Cyprus' accesion course into the European Union and to promote, in a more dynamic way, the process for the solution of the Cyprus problem through the UN, the Commonwealth and other international institutions.

[19] NATO MILITARY EXERCISE TAKES PLACE IN BULGARIA

Multi-national military exercise is being held in Sofia with the participation of forces from NATO, the United States, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Albania, Malta and Moldavia.

The military exercise is held within the framework of NATO's "Partnership for Peace" programme and aims at training the armed forces for peace-keeping and humanitarian missions.

The operation which will end tomorrow is under the command of US Admiral Leighton Smith, who is also the commander of the NATO forces in southern Europe.

[20] OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY'S 5TH ANNUAL SESSION HELD IN STOCKHOLM

The Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe will hold its 5th annual parliamentary assembly in Stockholm, beginning today and until Tuesday, July 9.

The Session will be inaugurated with a welcoming address given by the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Brigitte Dahl and a statement by Sweden's Foreign Minister.

Also taking place today will be the presentation of the OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy, which will be awarded by the Organization's Parliamentary Assembly, and will be followed by a meeting of women parliamentarians.

The session will also feature discussions on Political Affairs and Security as well as a speech given by Gret Hailer who is the Ombudsperson for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

[21] DENMARK'S MEDICAL DOCTORS ACCUSE TURKEY OF TORTURES

Denmark's medical community accused the turkish government of allowing the torture of citizens and expressed its support to those who are being prosecuted because they had treated torture victims in the four special centers for their rehabilitation which operate in the neighbouring country.

According to the newspaper, "Kristeligt Dagblad", the president of Denmark's Medical Association, mr.Jorgen Funder will attend as an observer the trial of individuals, who used to work in a Turture Victims Relief Center. Their trial begins in the city of Adana today.

On trial are a doctor and a lawyer accused of refusing to give information to the turkish security forces on the torture victims who had been under their care in the rehabilitation center.

Meanwhile, according to a report by Amnesty International, the torture of political and penal prisoners is an everyday practice in the turkish police stations and based on the available data, at least 15 detainees have lost their lives in 1995.

The Danish News Agency mentions that the court trial in Adana will be attended and by a Parliament deputy of the danish Social-democratic party.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/