MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (15/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 15, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE SECURES SOLIDARITY FROM EU, LIFTS VETO OVER MEDA FUNDING

Greece has lifted its veto exercised over the MEDA program that provides aid to 12 non-EU Mediterranean countries, including Turkey, after the EU General Affairs Council expressed its solidarity to Greece in a written statement in which it asked Ankara to respect international laws and to avoid any act -or threat- of use of force.

The statement released by the Council also points out the EU's intense concern over the situation that arose after the turkish claims over the Imia islets, in east Aegean Sea and expresses the EU's solidarity towards a member-state, i.e. Greece.

Also, the Council's statement reminds Turkey that its relations with the EU are based on a clear commitment to the principle of respecting international laws and accords, as well as upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of EU member- states.

The Ministerial Council's decision will be presented on Wednesday to Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller who will be asked to respond to the statement if she accepts it.

No MEDA funding will be issued to Turkey prior to September 15 and the financial aid will take place only after Ankara responds to the Irish-held EU Presidency with a statement that Turkey accepts the conditions set forth by tthe statement.

In a press conference given after the session, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos thanked EU member states for their display of solidarity towards Greece and their commitment to the principles of international law.

Mr. Pangalos stated that it now falls upon Turkey to respond to the EU.

[02] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL HELD TODAY TO DISCUSS MEDA

The European Union General Affairs Ministerial Council convened today in Brussels where among the topics discussed were the MEDA funding program for twelve non-EU Mediterranean countries and the holding of the Association Council between Turkey-EU.

The Greek side had expressed its intention to maintain its veto exercised over the billion-dollar MEDA package, for as long as Turkey continues to threaten Greece's territorial integrity.

Dick Spring, Foreign Minister of the Ireland-held EU Presidency, visited Athens on Friday and met with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos -as well as alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos- to whom he stated that his country's aim is to achieve an agreement over MEDA in light of the Council.

While hailing the MEDA program as a very significant one for the mediterranean countries, Mr. Spring did not clarify how such agreement could be reached.

Mr. Pangalos characterized Mr. Spring's visit as an "exploratory" one and emphasized that the Irish Foreign Minister is too experienced a politician to make proposals before a complete discussion has taken place.

Nevertheless, the greek side would like to see the EU expressing its policies on one hand and, at the same time, to send a message towards Turkey and reiterate that when these two factors are taken into account and are included in a common position adopted by the "15", then Greece could consider lifting its veto.

[03] EU REPORT ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IS EXPECTED TO BE POSITIVE FOR GREECE

Greek Undersecretary of Agriculture Dimitris Fotiades is awaiting with optimism the imminent results of the European Union's report on the foot and mouth disease cases noted in Northern Greece's Evros region.

Earlier today, Mr. Fotiades met with the EU specialists who will travel to Alexandroupolis tomorrow in order to visit the areas where the outbreak was noted.

Mr. Fotiades stated that "we are not afraid of the report since we have taken all the necessary measures and respect the EU's firm positions" and added that "the Greek government's aim is to convince the EU that its directions are being followed closely."

The EU report will be submitted to the EU Standard Agricultural Committee which will convene on Friday. Depending on the report, the EU will decide either to extend the applied restricting measures or to lift them.

[04] STOCKBREEDERS TO BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR SLAUGHTERED ANIMALS

Agriculture Ministry Undersecretary Apostolos Fotiades gave his assurances to the Evros stockbreeders in Northern Greece, next to grecoturkish border,whose animals are being slaughtered since last night due to the foot and mouth disease, that they will be compensated in full.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Fotiades expressed his optimism that the European Union Veterinary commissioners who are to visit Alexandroupolis tomorrow will be convinced by the drastic measures applied by the Greek government and hopes that the eight-day quarantine imposed last week will be confined to the Evros region.

"The measures we took where preventine and were especially strict, more so that the ones suggested by the EU, they could even be characterized as excessive," stated the Undersecretary.

Evros Prefect George Dolios decided yesterday that all cattle and sheep in the region be slaughtered, amassing damages that surpass one billion greek dracmhas (4 million dollars).

Regarding the quarantine placed on the exportation of live animals from Evros to other countries,Mr. Fotiades pointed out that it does not bear any direct economic damages to the region since the area does not have significant exports to Europe. However, there is a risk of "psychological extensions" of indeterminable economic-damage dimensions, if issued orders of dairy products and processed meat are cancelled. Thus far, no such cases have been reported.

Earlier today, Mr. Fotiades met with the EU veterinarians who will travel to Alexandroupolis tomorrow in order to visit the areas where the outbreak was noted.

[05] MT.ATHOS DENIES REPORTS OF KARADJIC-MLADIC BEING GIVEN ASYLUM

Monks in Greece's Mt. Athos monastery are denying recent reports published in Swiss and Austrian newspapers which claim that the two Bosnianserb leaders against whom international arrest warrants have been issued, Radovan Karadjic and Ratko Mladic, have sought asylum in the monastery.

Mt. Athos' Father Superior Moses has ruled out the possibility that the two men could have gained asylum in the monastery and stated that whoever wishes to visit the sequestered cloister must first obtain a residence permit issued by the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry's civil services office.

In an article titled "Athens Provides Asylum to Karadjic" Vienna's daily "Die Presse" reports that officials from the International Court at The Hague have informed Greece of their objections to the possibility of Athens providing a secure stay for the two men.

[06] PRIME MINISTER TO MEET WITH US REPRESENTATIVE TO UN ON WEDNESDAY

The United States permanent representative to the United Nations Madleine Albright will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis on Wednesday in order to discuss greco-turkish relations and the issue of Cyprus.

Ms. Albright will be accompanied by the US special emissary for Cyprus Richard Beatty.

On July 17, the US ambassador will travel to Nicosia in order to examine the "effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus" and discuss potential opportunities for a comprehensive agreement.

Following Nicosia, Ms. Albright will travel to Ankara on July 18 and 19 where she will meet with officials of the newly-formed Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

[07] CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL LAW OF SEA BEGINS IN RHODES

The Rhodes Academy of International Law of the Sea began its first convention today, embarking on this year's three-week program that will cover general subjects of maritime law.

The program is funded by the European Union and the founding institutes, which are the Aegean Institute of the Law of the Sea and of Nautical Law, the University of Virginia's Center for Ocean Law and Policy, the Max-Panck University and the Netherlands Institute of Law of the Sea.

The Rhodes Academy is largely viewed as the nautical law's equivalent to The Hague's international law.

[08] DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY CRACKS DOWN ON SUMMERTIME RIP-OFFS

Remember when you were really thirsty and paid 400 drachmas for a mere bottle of water that normally retails for 100?

Well, no more rip offs, as the Development Ministry plans to introduce suggested retail prices on certain mass consumption goods during the summer season, a method applied by most other European countries, in order to put an end to audacious profiteering during tourist season.

According to Michalis Chrysochoides, development undersecretary responsible for trade, the government has held talks with industry representatives after looking into introducing suggested retail prices for bottled water, juices and beverages and the measure has already been endorsed by the Greek Commission on Competition.

[09] GREECE TO PARTICIPATE IN MILITARY EXERCISE, WILL BE HELD IN BULGARIA

A multi-national military exercise titled "Bridge '96" will be held in the Black Sea by the Bulgarian Naval Forces on August 10-16, with the participation of Greece, Russia, the Ukraine, Romania, Turkey, Italy and the United States.

The exercise, which falls within the auspices of NATO's initiative "Partnership for Peace" aims at establishing trust and stability in the Black Sea region and will be performed under the supervision of Bulgaria's Naval Chief Christo Kontrov.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] CYPRUS: 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION COMMEMMORATED TODAY

A memorial service will be held today at the St. John Cathedral in Nicosia, commemmorating the 22nd-year anniversary of the island's invasion by Turkey in 1974.

Present at the memorial service will be the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides, all leaders of Cypriot political parties and distinguished members of the Cypriot community.

At precisely 8:20 a.m., the time when the coup took place 22 years ago, sirens were activated and the city's Freedom Square was covered with black flags as a sign of mourning.

Meanwhile, thousands Cypriots living in Britain participated in a grandiose rally held yesterday in London's Hyde Park where speeches were given by Cypriot Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou and the European Parliament's Socialist Group leader Pauline Green.

In a resolution presented to British Prime Minister John Major, the Cypriot community asked that Britain become more actively involved in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

[11] UNITED NATIONS DISATISFIED BY US STANCE ON CUPRUS' SECURITY

The United States have not informed yet the United Nations on their intent to review and submit proposals on the issue of security in Cyprus, and the UN appear dissatisfied by the US' stance of putting aside the cohesive approach to the Cyprus problem.

These issues are expected to take center stage on the following Thursday when the UN's Han Sung Ju and Gustav Feishel are expected to meet with officials from the State Department.

[12] INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL HELD IN NAOUSA

For the eighth year in a row, the International Folk Dance Festival is being held in the city of Naousa, with the participation of dance groups from throughout the world.

The festivities began on July 10 and will last until July 24. Organizers are the Council of International Folkoric Festivities (CIOFF) and Naousa's Cultural Association "PYRSOS".

According to Alexandros Economou, President of the Cultural Center of the Naousa Municipality, the festival does not receive any funding from the Culture Ministry.

[13] THREE GREEK-AUSTRALIANS TO BE AWARDED BY CHAMBER IN MELBOURNE

Three awards wil be given to the most outstanding Greek- Australian businessmen by the Hellenic-Australian Chamber of Commerce (HACCI).

One of the awards regards the area of construction, the second regards the service sector and the third will be given to a new entrepreneur.

The awards ceremony will take place on October 11.

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