MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (25/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 25, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PRESIDENT AND PREMIER SPEAK ON GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos stated that Greece will not make any concessions in its sovereign rights, in a direct reference made to Greek-Turkish relations, during a speech he gave last night commemmorating the 22nd anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece.

"The only way is through Turkey abandoning its threats of war and infringements of our national air space, and behaving as a civilized state which respects international law, existing international treaties and also international procedures through which it must seek recourse if it insists on its claims," he stated.

The President also referred to Cyprus, stating that the Cypriot issue is currently at an impasse due to Turkey's intransigence, the inability of international organizations to implement their resolutions and the lack of adequate interest by major powers.

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis also spoke at the official reception and stated that Greece is facing a new era, as in 1974.

"Then we had to consolidate democracy. Today we have to proceed to the modernization of the country in order to create a strong Greece. As then, this task will be achieved jointly by all, through systematic work, consistency and effort."

[02] PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE

"The Central Committee must function as a body of strategic and political planning," stated Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis during his address at PASOK's Central Committee meeting held today.

The Premier also emphasized the need for the Parliamentary Group to acquire an organized presence in the party's functions and repeated that the Executive Bureau, along with the President, must plan the party's political input by employing the relevant decisions issued by the Central Committee.

Regarding national issues, Mr. Simitis stated that when it comes to greco-turkish relations, "the government must avert any doubt of Greece's sovereign rights and secure behaviors that will lead to the eradication of threats and the establishment of peace in the region."

Speaking on the country's economy, the Premier stated that the goverment must promote a fiscal recovery ehich will constitute a starting point for any substantive interception to society.

[03] PREMIER WILL COMPLETE THE TERM, SAYS GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

Although Prime Minister Kostas Simitis did not refer to his commitment to complete his four year term during today's PASOK Central Committee meeting address, it bears no significance as he has categorically answered on this matter in the past and as such does not need to repeat himself constantly, stated today the Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas.

During today's Central Committee session, the Premier and PASOK President emphasized that the body must function as a force of strategic and political planning, and also stressed the need for the Parliamentary Group to acquire an organized presence in the party's functions.

Mr. Simitis repeated that the Executive Bureau, along with the President, must plan the party's political input by employing the relevant decisions issued by the Central Committee.

Regarding national issues, Mr. Simitis stated that when it comes to greco-turkish relations, "the government must avert any doubt of Greece's sovereignty and secure behaviors that will lead to the eradication of threats and the establishment of peace in the region."

[04] FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN COMMENTS ON DEATHS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas characterized as "distressing" the situation that has been created in Turkey as a result of the deaths of political prisoners, who were on a hunger strike demanding the improvement of living conditions in the turkish prisons. Mr.Bikas stated characteristically that this situation is the result of Turkey's relation with human rights.

Mr.Bikas said that Greece wants Turkey to be a democratic country with european orientation that will respect human rights.

[05] A GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY DELEGATION IS VISITING MOSCOW

The political dialogue between the Foreign Ministries of Greece and Russia continues in Moscow. Head of the greek Foreign Ministry delegation visiting the russian capital is Foreign Ministry General Secretary, Konstantinos Georgiou.

According to greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas the two sides are discussing the situation in the Balkans and in former Yugoslavia, the new european security system, the Cyprus problem, the developments in the Middle East and the situation in the Caucasus.

The russian side is represented in the talks by alternate Foreign Minister, Nikolai Afanasiefski.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN COMMENTS ON BOSNIAN DELEGATION'S VISIT

The greek Foreign Ministry sees the Bosnian delegation's visit to Belgrade as "very positive step". The Bosnian delegation agreed yesterday with New Yugoslavia to cooperate in the tele-communications and transportations sectors.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas stated today that the contacts between the two sides will contribute to the consolidation of the Dayton peace agreement and also to the region's security, stability and economic development.

[07] GREEK MPs IMPLORE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACT NOW IN TURKEY

Thirty-four Greek parliamentarians from various parties have signed a letter-appeal asking the international community to get involved in stopping the crimes being committed against Turkey's political prisoners.

In their statement, the parliamentarians point out that Turkey has displayed inhumane behavior towards the prisoners and demand that the international community take whatever action is necessary to stop this blatant violation of human rights.

[08] GREEK EUROPARLIAMENTARIAN URGES EU TO ISSUE PROTESTS TO ANKARA

The European Union's Irish-held rotation presidency must immediately issue a remonstration to Ankara for the re-establishment of humane living conditions in the Turkish prisons, according to Greek europarliamentarian of the Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Party Alekos Alavanos.

In a message given to the Irish Ambassador in Athens, Mr. Alavanos stressed it is imperative that the remontration be issued immediately due to "the direct danger for tens more of lives. "

Three hunger strikers died today in turkish prisons raising the total number of deaths to six.

The hunger strike began in May with hundreds of prisoners held in many turkish prisons participating, whose main demand is the improvement of living conditions in the country's jails. Mr. Alavanos and the Irish Ambasador met briefly this morning and spoke with Magda Spyliopoulou, a woman who was recently expelled from Turkey for her support to the striking political prisoners.

[09] CONSUL-GENERAL IN MELBOURNE COUNTERS DEFAMING PRESS REPORTS

An article published in Melbourne's "Herald Sun" which claims that Athens' Hellenikon airport is a haven for terrorists, has prompted a response by Greece's Consul-General George Veis which was also published in the same Australian paper.

Mr. Veis refutes the article author's arguments and writes that the security forces at New York's Kennedy International Airport had the responsibility for the airplane's security since that was where the jet departed from.

Moreover, the Consul-General refers to the Greek Minister of Transportation Haris Kastanides, according to whom Hellenikon airport is among the safest in Europe and the specific TWA jet had undergone extensive security checks while in Athens.

[10] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN ATLANTA'S OLYMPIC GAMES

The Greek men's team in lightweight double sculls crew qualified for the semifinals after it finished in second place behind the Italian crew in yesterday's race.

The women's lightweight double sculls crew of Aggeliki Gremou and Chrissa Biskitzi finished fifth in their race, six seconds behind Japan.

In swimming, Katerina Sarakatsani came in fourth in the women's 200m individual medley race, with the time of 2 min, 19.74, not making it to the final, and the women's 4X100 medley relay team reached the eighth positon in yesterday's race.

In water polo, the Greek national team lost 10-8 to Italy.

[11] THOUSANDS FLOCK TO ATHENS METROPOLIS AND GIVE LAST GOODBYE TO ALIKI

Thousands of Greeks gathered today in the Athens Metropolis Cathedral to attend the funeral service of Aliki Vouyouklaki, Greece's beloved "national star" who died on Tuesday morning after an illness.

Easily recognized by a first-name reference, Aliki had been popular for more than three decades and will likely continue to be beyond her passage to eternity.

Aside from her family and friends, present at the screen and theater actress' funeral were people of all ages and from all walks of life, while Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos also dedicated a wreath to her memory.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] THREE HUNGER STRIKERS DIED IN TURKISH PRISONS TODAY, TOTAL RISES TO SIX

Three hunger strikers died today in turkish prisons raising the total number of deaths to six. The hunger strike began in May with the participation of hundreds of prisoners held in many turkish prisons and with main demand the improvement of living conditions in the country's jails.

The first of the three political prisoners, who died today, was Huseyin Demircioglu. He was held in Ankara's central prisons and died after 67 days on a hunger strike. Another political prisoner, Ali Ayiata also died today in the prisons of Bursa, while the sixth death occured in the Aydin Prison.

The issue of the hunger strike in the turkish prisons is expected to be discussed in the turkish National Security Council that meets in Constantinople today, chaired by turkish President, Suleiman Demirel.

The turkish news agency Anadolu reported that Justice Minister, Sevket Kazan has stated that certain prisoners are armed and are getting ready to attack the security forces.

The deaths of hunger strikers in the turkish prisons have caused reactions in Europe and European Parliament Socialist Group leader, ms.Pauline Green warned Ankara that the European Socialists will undertake an initiative in order to stop the EU funds for Turkey in response to the unacceptable conditions in the country's prisons.

Ms.Green in a letter to turkish Prime Minister, Erbakan points out that the situation of human rights and democratic freedoms in Turkey is deteriorating, while it is underlined that no progress has been made in the Cyprus problem and the Kurdish issue.

[13] EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS WARN ANKARA OVER THE DEATH OF PRISONERS

The deaths of hunger strikers in the turkish prisons have also provoked the reactions of European Parliament Socialist Group leader, Pauline Green, who warned Ankara that the European Socialists will undertake an initiative in order to stop the EU funds for Turkey in response to the unacceptable conditions in the country's prisons.

In a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, Ms. Green points out that the situation of human rights and democratic freedoms in Turkey is deteriorating, while it is underlined that no progress has been made in the Cyprus problem and the Kurdish issue.

[14] FALLEN PLANE'S BLACK BOXES DISCOVERED, LIGHT TO BE SHED SOON

A step closer to solving the mystery of last Wednesday's Boeing 747 crash, United States Coast Guard have discovered the plane's two black boxes in the frozen waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Long Island.

According to US authorities, the boxes appear to be in good condition and contain he last conversation held between the pilots and the airport's control tower.

Also, according to US television network CBS, fragments of metal have been found on the discovered bodies, both on the passengers who sat in the jet's front area and on those who sat on the rear section, which could mean that the fall was caused by an explosion that took place inside the plane.

The American authorities, however, are focusing their investigations on the possibility of the plane havng been hit by a rocket and are currently gathering eyewitness reports from Long Island's locals.

Today US President Bill Clinton is scheduled to meet with relatives of the crash's victims.

[15] DENKTASH IS MORE INTRANSIGENT THAN EVER ON CYPRUS' ACCESSION TO EU

Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash stated today that the Greek-Cypriots do not stand a chance of becoming members of the European Union before the Cyprus problem is resolved.

The ruler of the divided island's occupied section made the arrogant remark during his meeting with the leader of the European Parliament's Liberal Group Mr. M De Vries and his assistant T.T. J. Bertens who are visiting the island.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. de Dries stressed that a fair solution must be quickly reached, based upon the United Nations' relevant resolutions that emphasize the absolute necessity to reach a balance between the two communities, one that will be based upon the bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.

When asked if a solution to the issue must be found prior to Cyprus' accession to the EU, Mr. de Vries stated that there are parallel directions in the issue and it isn't necessary that one precede the other.

Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to the UN Madleine Albright stated today that the negotiations for the island's accession to the EU open a "new, workable window of opportunity" to solve the Cyprus problem.

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/