MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (29/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN RRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 29, 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 TRIUMPHS AT OLYMPIC GAMES WITH TWO MORE GOLD MEDALS

All of Greece is rejoicing the victory of its athletes who earned the gold medals in yesterday's weightlifting and floor gymnastics competitions at the Atlanta-held centennial Olympic Games.

Competing in the 99 kilos category, weightlifter Akakios Kahiasvilis broke the world record by lifting 235 kilos, in total 420.

Floor gymnast Yiannis Melissanides amassed the high score of 9,850 with his impressive performance.

Following the event, an exuberant Kahiasvilis thanked all Greeks "whereever they are, my trainer, my team, the people in the stadium because they gave me strength and I was able to lift the weight."

The Greek weighlifting team holds first place worldwide, after the two gold medals of Pyrros Demas and Akakios Kahiasvilis, along with the three silver medals of Leonidas Sabanis, Valerios Leonides and Leonidas Kokkas.

Also, Greece's national water polo team finally got the sixth place in the olympic tournament after the defeat yesterday by Russia in a match which ended 10-8 in extratime (the game had finished 7-7).

It is the best place ever achieved by the greek national polo team in the 10 appearances it had in olympic games.

En masse, the Greek political leaders have sent congratulatory messages to the gold medalists and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos has ordered that the city be adorned with thousands of lights.

[02] GREECE REJOICES THE VICTORY, PRIME MINISTER SALUTES GOLD MEDALISTS

All of Greece is rejoicing the victory of its athletes who earned the gold medals in yesterday's weightlifting and floor gymnastics competitions at the Atlanta-held centennial Olympic Games.

Competing in the 99 kilos category, weightlifter Akakios Kahiasvilis broke the world record by lifting 235 kilos, in total 420, and gymnast Yiannis Melissanides amassed the high score of 9,850 with his impressive performance at floor.

In his congratulatory telegraph to the champions, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis wrote that "Greece's future is reflected in your gold medals."

En masse, the country's political leadership has showered the gold medalists with congratularoty messages. Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis wrote that "this exceptional distinction especially honors and promotes Greece internationally and recognizes its hard work and superhuman effort for the recognition of the most noble ideas and ideals of man."

Main opposition party president New Democracy's Miltiades Evert, noted is his messages to the athletes that they have honored Greece through their hard work.

In his telegraph to Melissanides, Mr. Evert stated "you are the ideal of a fighter who knows how to set aims and achieve them. Your gold medal paves the way for gymnastics and Greek athletics in general."

Minor Opposition Political Spring party president Antonis Samaras, in his message to Kahiasvilis stated "your feat has shaken all of Greece" and in his message to Mellissanides he wrote "we sang the national humn with you. You made us all proud."

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) president Nikos Konstantopoulos wrote to Mellisanides that "you have filled us with admiration and emotion for your amazing victory" and in his message to the weightlifting team he wrote "through your valuable input the weightlifting team has granted pride to Greeks, strength to Greece and attracks as a magnet all youth to the idea of athletic competition."

In honor of Thessaloniki resident Yiannis Melissanides, the city will be brightly lit throughout the night, following the order given by Thessaloniki Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos who is currently in Atlanta.

In his message to the gold medalist, Mr. Kosmopoulos stated that "Thessaloniki is right to feel proud of its golden child."

[03] REPPAS: GOVERNMENT'S STANCE ON GRECO-TURKISH RELATIONS IS DECISIVE

"The government's stance is sensible and decisive when it comes to greco-turkish relations," stated the Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas today.

Mr. Reppas stated that there has been progress made in Greece's foreign policy, especially in the allies' acceptance of Greece's positions in regards to "respect for international law and international accords for the avoidance of violence and for taking advantage of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in order to face any claims that are presented."

The Press Minister also pointed out that Greece's allies stopped exerting pressure on Greece in order to hold an all- subject dialogue with Turkey while he dismissed turkish accusations that Kurdish commandos are being trained in Greece..

Mr. Reppas also referred to main opposition party leader, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert, and his helicopter flight over the Imia islets. Mr. Reppas stated that such flights are routine and Mr. Evert happened to be a passenger on one of them after having been given permission by the armed forces.

The Press Minister also commented on the accusations hurled by FYROM, according to which Greece is violating the terms of the interim agreement. Mr. Reppas stated that "no such issue exists, but perhaps the opposite is happening."

[04] ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS FORMALLY RESIGNS, SUCCESSOR STILL UNANNOUNCED

The Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos ends today his 37-year-old stay in the Greek Orthodox Chruch, by formally submitting his resignation.

Mr. Iakovos' successor has not been announced yet by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, although numerous reports stated that he will be replaced by the Archbishop of Australia Stylianos who will receive a well-organized greek orthodox community that has 600 parishes.

In an interview given to New York's greek-american newspaper "Proini", Mr. Iakovos referred to Greece extensively, as well as to the political situation that is currently formed in the southeastern Mediterranean region.

The Archbishop, who played a significant role in the Greece- US relations, stated that he does not foresee a war taking place between Greece and Turkey, but, at the same time, pointed out that turkish expansionism poses dangers for the nation and the country's integrity.

"American policy will not allow a conflict to erupt between Greece and Turkey, from what I understood during my conversations with Henry Kissinger," Mr. Iakovos stated. ""We may see skirmishes, provocations, but, at least during my time, I do not foresee war."

Speaking on the name issue between Greece and FYROM, Mr. Iakovos expressed his deep sadness over the fact that "a small country in the north borders claims the most significant name in greek history, the name Macedonia, and unfortunately, we have not achieved anything that justifies our positions."

Mr. Iakovos also stated that he departs from his role satisfied by the work he performed, leaving behind him 600 greek parishes which he referred to as "national forts."

He stressed that he does not know whom he will be replaced by and expressed his wish that his successor will surpass him since "the 21st century will be even more difficult than ours and the office demands the presence of a person who is sensitive to national issues."

The Archbishop of North and South America also emphasized that he remains at the church's and the nation's disposal, ready to offer his services.

Mr. Iakovos served the Greek Orthodox Church for 37 years and has gone through all of its hierarchal posts. His resignation process began last year on August 15, when he met with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Imvros. During that meeting, Mr. Vartholomeos had asked for Mr. Iakovos' resignation.

[05] GREEK COMMUNIST MP TRAVELS TO TURKEY, OFFERS SUPPORT TO PRISONERS

Greek Communisty Party (KKE) parliamentarian Stratis Korakas returned today from Constantinople where he had traveled in a sign of support to the turkish prisoners, and stated that "no one assures us that the turkish government will keep its promises to the prisoners so that they stop their hunger strike."

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Korakas characterized the international organizations' reactions as "crocodile tears" and stated that they basically support the turkish government. He added that the pressure must mount upon Turkey in order to improve the prison conditions and to stop the genocide of the kurdish people.

The communist Party MP was accompanied on his trip to Constantinople by representatives of the greek media, and the Athens Bar Association.

Meanwhile, the greek government spokeman Dimitris Reppas stated today that there was initially an intention by the European Union's "troika" to proceed to a letter of protest regarding the situation in Turkey's prisons, but this action has not materialized yet.

This evening, the Coalition of Left and Progress Party (Synaspismos) organized a protest rally outside Athens' turkish embassy "in honor of the dead hunger strikers and in an expressionof solidarity to the continued struggle for democracy and respect of human rights in Turkey."

[06] AFTERSHOCK SHAKES REGION OF KONITSA IN NORTHWESTERN GREECE

The tremor, measuring 4 on the Richter scale that hit early this morning the region of Konitsa in north-western Greece, is placed within the framework of the aftershock activity of last week's earthquake that measured 5,2 on the Richter scale.

Aristotle University Geophysics Institute confirmed that the seismic activity in the region is easing off.

Meanwhile, Konitsa's mayor stated that 140 houses were badly hit by the earthquake and must by demolished, while 214 suffered serious damages.

[07] COURSE OF GREECE'S ECONOMY STUDIED TODAY BY FINANCE LEAGUE

The course of the country's economy and the situation of the basic economic sizes were at the center of discussions held today at the Ministry of National Economy.

The budget for the 1996 fiscal year is expected to close smoothly with very few variances, although inflation's downward trend will be a stringent process before reaching the coveted 7% mark by the end of the year.

Participating at the meeting were the ministers of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, Finance Alekos Papadopoulos.

The government's economic team will present its proposals tomorrow to Prime Minister Kostas Simtis who will announce the final decisions.

[08] NEW YORK TIMES HOLD SIMITIS IN FAVORABLE VIEW

A "New York Times" newspaper publication refers to the work and personality of greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis making favourable comments.

The Prime Minister is described as methodical, cool-headed and decisively pro-european, while it is stressed that mr.Simitis is a model Maastricht era politician.

Also, the "New York Times" publication underlines mr.Simitis' popularity based on recent public opinion polls and praises his down to earth government programme in dealing with the country's big problems.

It specifically mentions the statement made by government spokesman Dimitris Reppas according to which, mr.Simitis became a Prime Minister at the right moment and stresses the straight position he has adopted regarding the country's problems.

[09] TURKISH MP ASKS ANKARA TO SHOW INTEREST IN TRIAL OF KOMOTINI'S PSEUDO-MUFTI

Turkish parliamentarian Ismael Ojgiun, who had travelled to Komotini last week with five other mps in order to attend the memorial service of Sadik Ahmet, has called upon the turkish government to show its interest in the trial of Komotini's pseudo- mufti Ibrahim Serif, scheduled to be held on October 15.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Suleiman Demirel was granted today the "Sadik Ahmet" award by the muslim association of Western Thrace, who call themselves Turks, in Constantinople.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] EU IS NOT READY TO APPOINT PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE IN CYPRUS

The present stage is not the right time for the appointment of a European Union permanent representative to the Cyprus problem, stated today the special envoy of the Irish-held EU Presidency to Cyprus Kester Heaslip, following his afternoon meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Mihaelides in Nicosia.

The Irish official stated that the issue of appointing an EU representative will be discussed when the events are mobilizerd further.

This morning Mr. Heaslip met with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and characterized their meeting as "very useful and substantive" through which he learned a lot for the cyrpiot issue.

Referring to his two-hour meeting with Mr. Mihaelides, the irish official stated that it was very constructive.

In turn, Mr. Mihaelides expressed his satisfaction over Mr.Heaslip's visit and stated that their discussion centered around the EU's potential role in the effort to resolve the cypriot issue. However, Mr. Mihaelides stated that when it comes to appointing a permanent EU representative to Cyprus, it is an issue to be discussed with EU member-states, and not with Mr. Heaslip, as it is not an issue that depends upon his own volition.

The Irish official today travelled to Cyprus' occupied territory where he will meet with turk-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. He is accompanied by the Irish Ambassador to Cyprus Liam Rigney, who is stationed in Athens.

[11] PROBLEMS IN OPENING CYPRUS-TURKEY MILITARY DIALOGUE

The problems in the opening of a military dialogue between Cyprus and Turkey continue stemming from the efforts made by the turkish side to take advatange of the fact, in order to give a substance to the pseudo-state in the turkish occupied northern Cyprus by demanding to participate in the dialogue and the commander of the so-called turkish-cypriot security forces.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether the dialogue is possible will be made today or tomorrow. An UNFICYP spokesman stated that the United Nations are working on the issuing of invitations for participation in the dialogue and also mentioned that there will be no invitation for the commander of the turkish-cypriot security forces.

[12] EU MUST BLOCK FUNDS FOR TURKEY, SAID FORMER FRENCH MINISTER

Former French Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Bernard Cushner stated today that the European Union must block the funds for Turkey provided by the customs union agreement because, as he said, former turkish Prime Minister, Tansu Ciller has tricked the europeans.

He said that the turks had promised that if the customs union was approved there would be no religious fanaticism and no more massacres, "but there still is religious fanaticism and even more massacres" added the former french Minister in an interview to radio station "France-Inter", referring to the problems of the kurds and those jailed in Turkey.

He stressed that the europeans were literally tricked by ms.Ciller because she finally became an ally of religious fanaticism when she agreed to be appointed government vice- president and Foreign Minister in the islamists led turkish government.

[13] THIRTEEN KILOS OF HEROINE CONFISCATED AT BULGARIAN-TURKISH BORDER

Thirteen kilos of heroine were discovered by the Bulgarian customs authorities at the border station "Capitan Andreevo" in a car with Spanish passengers Manuel Marino eres and Josefina Blanca Labrador.

Wrapped in about twenty packages, the heroine was concealed in glass vases inside a specially-made hidden compartment. The two Spaniards were going to drive from Constantinople to Spain.

[14] CHINA HELD ITS LAST NUCLEAR TEST TODAY

China held another nuclear test today and the country's government announced that it is the last one.

After the first atomic bomb test ever, that was held in the desert of the US State of New Mexico in July 16, 1945, China has held a total of 45 nuclear tests.

Heading the list of the countries with the largest number of nuclear tests are the United States with 1.030, followed by the former Soviet Union with 715, France with 210, Britain with 44 and India with 1 nuclear test.

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