MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (17/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessalonki, July 17, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[C] EUROPEAN NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[C] EUROPEAN NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PANGALOS: WE AWAIT A POSITIVE ANSWER FROM ANKARA

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos expressed his hope today that the document signed by the European Union's "15" will be assessed positively by the turkish side.

When asked if the proposals for establishing a multinational force in Cyprus were accepted, Mr. Pangalos pointed out that the Cypriot government has already taken its positions on this issue and Greece will not suggest what the solution is, but, instead, will cooperate with the Cypriot government.

Moreover, Mr. Pangalos stated that he suggested to the United States Ambassador to the UN Madleine Albright to utilize her potential and make new proposals towards Ankara because "that's where we are waitng for answers from.

"And when I speak of answers, I mean positive answers, not diplomatic ones."

[02] TURKISH FOREIGN MINSITRY COMMENTS ON MEDA DECISION

Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Omer Akbel stated today that "freeing the MEDA program is a step towards a positive direction" adding that the decision taken by the European Union's Ministerial Council opens the way again for an economic cooperation between Turkey and the EU, which had been interrupted since 1981."

Mr. Akbel added that "our relations with the EU will be examined wihin the framework of tomorrow's visit to Dublin by Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller."

[03] US PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER

The United States permanent representative to the United Nations Madleine Albright met with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos today in Athens, prior to departing for Cyprus.

According to reports, Ms. Albright expressed her contained optimism for solving the Cyprus problem while expressing fears for a new, warm episode between Greece and Turkey. Ms. Albright is said to favor a resort to The Hague International Court regading the Imia islets.

" Our position regarding the Aegean Sea is to discuss the resort to The Hague International Court, or to another arbitration method, and we hope that this will be accomplished soon," she stated.

"The time has come for a compromise solution to the Cyprus problem," she stated following the rmeeting with Mr. Pangalos, and she saluted Greece's stance on the MEDA financing program, as well as the greco-turkish agreement not to hold military exercises in the Aegean Sea during the July-August period.

When asked if Greece has the US's understanding on the issue of the Defense Doctrine between Greece-Turkey, Ms. Albright stated that "we understand the Defense Doctrine and its meaning. but at the same time we are concerned over the increase of military forces in the region. We understand Greece's interest for Cyrpus, however the tension of de-militarization creates a problem in this sensitive region."

Moreover, Ms. Albright denied reports that present her as a friend of the turkish lobby.

"I did not create the turkish lobby, but I have dealt with the Cyprus issue for many years and my friends Dukakis and Sarbanis will be surprised if they read those reports," she stated.

According to US State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns, Ms. Albright is expected to present specific proposals both for the Aegean Sea, as well as for the Cyprus problem.

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

In Nicosia, the US ambassador will 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 Friday, July 19, where she will meet with officials of the newly- formed Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

[04] REPPAS COMMENTS ON ALBRIGHT'S CONCERNS OVER JOINT DEFENSE DOCTRINE

Greece will not discuss lifting the Joint Defense Dotrine unless there is a change in Cyprus' current status, stated today the Greek Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas, commenting on the concerns expressed by US ambassador to the UN Madleine Albright.

Ms. Albright, who was in Athens today, had expressed her worry over the increase of forces in Cyprus.

Moreover, responding to a question regarding de- militarization of the island, Mr. Reppas stated that Greece can discuss this issue in detail only under the basic prerequsite that there will be a committment given by all for complete de- militarization of Cyprus and pointed out that such commitment does not yet exist.

[05] EU VETERINARIANS SATISFIED BY GREECE'S MEASURES ENFORCED ON EVROS

Aside from a few bureaucratic procedures, the European Union's veterinarians are satisfied by the measures Greece has taken in Thrace's Evros region for combating the foot ad mouth disease outbreak and for preventing its spread to other areas.

The EU veterinarians have performed sample checks on animals stricken by the disease in northeastern Greece and will submit their findings to the EU Standard Agricultural Committee which will convene on Monday.

Prior to their departure for Brussels, the two EU representatives met with Agriculture Undersecretary Apostolos Fotiades and pointed out to the local authorities and Greek veterinarians that they are to submit written testimony on their findings, instead of the verbal reports they gave so far.

Meanwhile, some local stockbreeders are refusing to comply with the state's orders that they must turn over their livestock for slaughtering, demanding that they reach an agreement with the Ministry over the amount of compensation that they are to receive.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Fotiades stated that a refusal to cooperate with the Ministry's veterinarian officers will result in the halting of any compensation to be granted.

[06] EU VETERINARIANS TO SUBMIT FINDINGS ON MONDAY, WILL DECIDE ON THE BAN

The European Union veterinarians who are performing sample checks on animals stricken by the foot and mouth disease in northeastern Greece will submit their findings to the EU Standard Agricultural Committee which will convene on Monday. Depending on the report, the EU will decide either to extend the applied restricting measures or to lift them.

The checks so far have focused in the villages of Makri and Dikela while the whole prefectures of Rodopi and Evros have been placed in quarantine.

Meawhile, local stockbreeders are threatening not to allow the slaughter of their animals unless they reach an agreement with the Agriculture Ministry over the amount of compensation they will be receiving.

Yesterday, more than 1,300 calves were slaughtered in the Doriskos community.

[07] TUNISIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED BY PANGALOS AND KAKLAMANIS

As part of his three-day formal visit to Greece, Tunisian Foreign Minister Habimbi Ben Iahia met with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos and Speaker of Parliament Apostolos Kalkamanis in Athens today, and discussed Mediterranean cooperation as well as the situation in the Middle East.

Mr. Pangalos briefed his Tunisian counterpart on Greece's positions in the Cypriot issue, as well as the greco-turkish relations, and the two men proceeded to sign an agreement regarding Greek and Tunisian citizens.

In a later meeting with Mr. Kaklamanis, the Tunisian Minister received assurances of the lenghty ties of friendship between the two countries and, given the current bilateral relations, the further development of these ties is guarranteed.

[08] A. PAPANDREOU HAILED AS GREEK DEMOCRACY'S FATHER, BY EUROPARLIAMENT

The late Andreas Papandreou, Greece's former Premier and PASOK founder, was commemmorated today with a moment of silence in the European Parliament's plenary session today.

The Speaker of the European Parliament Klaus Hensch hailed Papandreou as a great politician who as president of the European Council was able to unite and promote the community in significant progress.

"He had a rare gift to unite people through his personality and his life's work. He was for Greece and its people something more than what can be described by the numerous public titles he held."

[09] SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS WITH SAE PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES MEDA

Speaker of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis met with the President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens this morning and discussed issues concerning the Greek community abroad and the Parliament's support to SAE's project.

Commenting on the recent MEDA decision, Mr. Kaklamanis commented that it is a significant event.

"It is a positive response within the parameters of community solidarity, which our country sought.

"I believe that Turkey will have to commit to the conditions set and will stop creating problems against international law and Greece," Mr. Kaklamanis stated.

[10] FYROM AIRPLANE HAD TO CHANGE ITS NAMEPLATE PRIOR TO DEPARTING CORFU

A FYROM airplane was directed to change its fuselage's "Macedonian Airlines" nameplate before being given permission to depart from Corfu's airport today.

The airplane, carrying 162 passengers, arrived in Corfu today at 8 a.m. and was allowed to take off at noon.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO BRIEF TANSU CILLER ON MEDA PROGRAM

Turkey is expected to take a position today regarding the conditions set forth by the European Union Ministerial Council over the funding programe MEDA through which Ankara is to receive aid.

Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, who also presides over the Council will meet in Dublin today with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, in order to brief her on the recent decision drawn by the "15."

President of European Parliament Claus Hensch pointed out that the MEDA program's funds will be allocated only if the countries who are to receive the funds respect international law.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of France and Germany have expressed their satisfaction over the Council's results and the lift of Greece's veto over MEDA.

During Monday's EU Ministerial Council held in Brussels, Greece lifted its veto over the MEDA financing program 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 pointed out the EU's intense concern over the situation that arose after the turkish claims over the Imia islets, in east Aegean Sea and expressed the EU's solidarity towards a member-state, i.e. Greece.

Also, the Council's statement reminded 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.

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.

[12] ALBANIA'S LARGEST NEWSPAPER "KOHA JONE" FOLDS

Albania's largest circulation paper "Koha Jone" has closed its doors, after its ownership realized that it could not possibly surmount the $300,000 debt it has amassed.

"Koha Jone" ("Our Times") was an opposition paper, its publisher Nicol Lesi was a Socialdemocratic Party candidate, with a daily circulation of approximately 50,000.

Its troubles became apparent last Sunday when its chief editor and co-owner Alexander Frangai announced the withdrawal of his assets from the paper and accused Lesi of mishandling the publication and leading it to bankruptcy.

In the paper's Sunday edition, the last time the presses ran, Frangai stated that Lesi proceeded to spend money excessively, while the paper's journalists indirectly stated that the chief editor's actions are directed by the government.

The paper has known some turbulent times in its history, as its editing team had been subjected to imprisonment, police raids, beatings, extortion and distribution interruption.

According to "Koha Jone"'s Greek correspodent Roberto Goro, he writes for Greece's "Avgi", "the paper overcame all these obstacles only to be faced with an irresponsible management of the efforts and sacrifices put forth by the 110 employees and mostly the journalists who fell in love with their paper, much in the same way as teenagers become enamored with their first love."

[C] EUROPEAN NEWS

[13] COMMISSION'S REACTION ON US DECISION ABOUT HELMS-BURTON ACT

United States President Bill Clinton's decision to suspend for six months the right to bring an action under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act was welcomed Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, and Sir Leon Brittan, Commissioner inter alia for EU-US relations.

It should be reminded that Title III of the Helms-Burton Act allows lawsuits to be filed in U.S. courts against foreign firms that own or operate properties nationalised from U.S. citizens and firms before the 1959 revolution which brought President Fidel Castro to power.

Nevertheless, Mr. Santer and Sir Leon Britan stated that the EU will therefore continue urgently to consider how best to defend its interests because the extraterritorial nature of the law remained in place and European companies were already suffering from its effects.

Meanwhile, commenting on President Clinton's decision, Cuba said that it "in no way alters the illegal and interventionist nature of the law."

Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina said Clinton had sought to "keep in with both God and the devil" with his decision.

[14] FREE MOVEMENT DIRECTIVE NOT VOTED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The European Parliament refused to vote today on plans aimed at allowing EU member-states citizens to move freely within the European Union.

The refusal stemmed from a move to bring the controversial issue back under national control.

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