MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (03/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

‹ACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 3 (M.P.A.)

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

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[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE PRIME MINISTER OUTLINED PASOK'S PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES SPEAKING IN THE OPENING OF THE PARTY'S NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

Prime Minister and PASOK President, Kostas Simitis in his speech during the opening of the party's National Council meeting, which coincides with the 22nd anniversary of PASOK's founding, stated that today is the day of a new start for a political course unprecedented in Greece.

Mr.Simitis outlined the party's principles and objectives, as well as, the policy it will follow in the next four years. The Prime Minister stressed that the September 22 election victory will open a "new frontier" and a "new horizon" for PASOK and the country.

Mr.Simitis referred to the PASOK of the past, while he specifically mentioned party founder, Andreas Papandreou proposing to change the name of the Strategic Stadies Foundation into Andreas Papandreou Foundation.

He said that special attention will be given to the development of rural areas, while he added that his government will support the small and medium-sized businesses.

Mr.Simitis gave a special emphasis to the country's european orientation and to its Balkan policy, stressing that Greece must have numerous connections and that its presence must be strong in order to be able to mobilize support, while it should also undertake initiatives, mainly in the Balkans.

Referring to the turkish expansionism, mr.Simitis reiterated that Turkey acts in a distabilizing manner and wants "to play the role of regional power" in the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East.

The turkish expansionism, said the Prime Minister, is the most serious and possibly the only threat for Greece and hellenism and the response to it will be a strong Greece in every way, warning that any one having designs against Greece should think twice.

Mr.Simitis strongly criticized domestic powers, such as the traditional left and the old right for professing isolationism in the name of a state protectionism which will lead, as he characteristically said, to the "albanization of Greece", while he also accused New Democracy of persisting in an out-dated "Thatcher- like neo-liberalism".

The Prime Minister said that the party's democratic operation constitutes essential proof that it can produce policy and called the center-left to a post-election dialogue, stressing that PASOK's ties with the center-left are ties of communication and unity.

[02] THE FIRST OPINION POLL GIVES A LEAD TO PASOK OVER NEW DEMOCRACY

The first opinion poll on the outcome of the September 22 elections, conducted on behalf of radio-station "Flash 9.61" by the polling company Metro-analysis, shows that the ruling socialist party of PASOK has a lead over the conservative New Democracy with 29,7% compared to New Democracy's 26,2%.

The opinion poll was held in A' and B' constituencies in Athens and in A' and B' constituencies in Pireaus from August 27 to September 1, and was based on a sample of 1.230 voters.

The party Coalition of the Left got 6%, the Democratic Social Movement 5,9%, the Communist party 5,3% and Political Spring 3,5%, while the percentage of the undecided is 5,6%.

[03] THE CARETAKER MINISTER OF PRESS MET TODAY WITH NEWS DIRECTORS OF PRIVATE TV STATIONS

Caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas met today with News Directors of private television stations within the framework of the ministry's initiatives in view of the September 22 elections.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry cross-party Election Committee meets today in order to determine the air-time that will be allocated to each political party within the framework of the pre-election period and to decide on the way the party candidates' messages will be broadcast on radio and television networks.

[04] THE GREEK CARETAKER PRESS MINISTER COMMENTED ON THE EVENTS IN IRAQ

The greek government follows the situation in Iraq, as it develops after the US cruise missile strikes, with special interest and strong concern, stated greek caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas who also pointed out that the kurdish problem often created upheaval and tensions in the region underlining that the issue must be handled by the international community.

The caretaker Press Minister also clarified that the greek government had not been briefed in advance and did not take part in any manner in the US military operations.

He stated that no greek territory or means were used in the operation.

[05] COMMENTS BY COALITION OF THE LEFT PARTY AND BY THE COMMUNIST PARTY ON THE US CRUISE MISSILE STRIKES ON TARGETS IN IRAQ

The party Coalition of the Left condemned the US cruise missile strikes on targets in Iraq and atributed the military action to the November Presidential elections in the United States and not to sensitivity toward the kurds who, according to the party's statement, are being left unprotected by the strong countries and are being denied of the right to have a homeland and a state.

Communist party General Secretary, Aleka Papariga stated that the government entrusts the solution of problems, concerning national issues that have to do with territorial integrity and independence, to "the murderers of the peoples".

Ms.Papariga called the greek people to draw their conclusions from the statements made by mr.Simitis and mr.Evert according to which, an american intervention will resolve serious problems, like the Cyprus problem and the greek-turkish relations. She said that in Greece the american imperialism and mr.Clinton's murderous plan do not have supporters, adding that this policy will be punished with the vote of the people.

[06] OPPOSITION LEADERS TO OFFER PROPOSALS ON GREECE'S COURSE AT TRADE FAIR

The cream of the crop of Greece's political world is set to salute Thessaloniki's 61st International Trade Fair, that opens offcially next Saturday, and opposition parties leaders are seizing the opportunity to strut their ideas on what course Greece should follow in order to reach further development levels.

Main opposition party New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert will emphasize that the key to development is competitiveness, since the era is marked by intense progress in technology and market globalization. His proposal will be to expedite the country's biggest infrastructure projects and to harmonize all of the public sector's activities into a strategy of development.

Antonis Samaras, the leader of minor opposition party Political Spring, appears to agree that recognizing competition is the golden rule for achieving progress in the country's development.

"Rescuing Greek economy from the vicious cycle of static inflation and adopting a new regulatory and organization framework for the promotion of exports would allow Greek businesses to carry out a decisive role in the development of our country," Mr. Samaras will emhasize.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega will underline the positive impact brought about by Thessaloniki's Trade Fair given the opportunity the event provides for communication among the participating countries.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) President Nikos Konstantopoulos will adopt a more negative approach to convey his proposals for expediting the country's development progress.

Mr. Konstantopoulos will note that Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair proves the various levels of development and, simultaneously, illustrates the shortcomings that result from the absence of a political plan for development and modernization.

[07] MICHAEL DUKAKIS STATED THAT SADAM HUSSEIN ALWAYS MAKES THE WRONG ASSESSMENTS

Former Governor of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis commenting on the US cruise missile strikes on Iraq after his meeting with New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert said that iraqui President, Sadam Hussein always makes the wrong assessments.

Responding to the question if the military action decided will hurt or benefit mr.Clinton's presidential campaign, he stressed that the US President had the opportunity to act and to prove his leadership ability, while Sadam Hussein showed that he is not in a position to understand the US policy.

The leader of New Democracy stated that in the meeting with mr.Dukakis exchanged views on the strengthening of relations between Greece and the United States and also discussed the problems created in the region by Turkey. Mr.Evert expressed the belief that mr.Dukakis will help Greece as he did in the past.

The former Governor of Massachusetts also stressed that after the elections the two countries will have a closer cooperation on wider issues concerning the region.

[08] THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC WILL MEET WITH 28 FOREIGN DIGNITARIES OF GREEK-ORIGIN

President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos will meet on Thursday with 28 foreign Parliament members and government officials of greek origin from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Kenya, Cameroon, Holland, Romania, Switzerland, Panama, Argentina, Peru and Ukraine.

Among the representatives, who will meet with the Greek President, are not included greek-americans due to the imminent presidential elections in the United States.

The group of foreign dignitaries will be accompanied to the Presidential Building by alternate Foreign Minister, Giorgos Romeos.

[09] FORMER US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DUKAKIS MEETS WITH PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

Former US presidential candidate and former Massachussets governor Michael Doukakis, met with the President of Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis today.

In light of the recent episodes in Iraq, where the United States fired cruise missiles against Iraqi military forces, the two men steered their discussion on the region and Mr. Doukakis stated that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is "crazy."

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that Greece would be content if the US agreed to act similarly for Cyprus.

In turn, Mr. Doukakis expressed his optimism by stating that, in case US President Clinton is elected, he is more so optimistic for the resolvement of Greece's national issues.

"These problems cannot be resolved without international cooperation," Mr. Doukakis stated.

Mr. Kaklamanis commented that Mr. Clinton has displayed sensitivity but, he added, he believes that Greece's positions will be better served through the help of the Greek community living abroad and Mr. Doukakis' input.

[10] LOCAL INDUSTRY WORKERS CANCEL THURSDAY'S PLANNED 24-HOUR STRIKE

Thessaloniki's Local Worker's Union has called off the 24- hour strilke, which it had planned for the upcoming Thrusday, taking into consideration the devastating effects such protest could have for the city's since it would have taken place a mere two days prior to the opening of Thessaloniki's 61st internatinal Trade Fair.

The strike was to be held in protest of the closing of Goodyear's Thessaloniki plant last month whcih left over 350 people unemployed, in spite of reports that the company was in the black.

The decision to cancel the strike was drawn by the Union's plenary session during which Goodyear wan added reason to cancel the strike was the pre-election campaign period in Greece which surely would have averted the public's attention from the Union's claims.

Meanwhile, the Local Workers Union has not received an answer to the invitation for dialogue sent to the Premier and other political parties leaders, given the opportunity of their presence at the Trade Fair.

[11] AUSTRALIA'S SHADOW JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS HIS GOVR'NT BETRAYED CYPRUS

Australia's Shadow Justice Minister Nikos Bolkas, who is of Greek-origin, lashed out against the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer by stating that in the recent months Australia has betrayed the Greek and Cypriot community and has abandoned its firm position towards international peace.

Mr. Bolkas, currently in Greece along with approximately 30 other deputies of greek origin from around the world, referred to the recent tragic incidents in Cyprus, where two unarmed Greek- Cypriot men were brutally killed by turkish soldiers, and denounced his country's refusal to adopt a position in favior of Greece on the Aegean Sea issue. Moreover, Mr. Bolkas criticised the Australian Foreign Ministry for adopting a "softer approach" towards the name issue between Greece and FYROM, a decision that was adopted in exchange for a few favorable votes of other European countries in the Unied Nations, according to Mr. Bolkas.

In a written statement, Mr.Bolkas called on John Howard, Australian Prime Minister, to "keep Mr. Downer away from Greece and Cyprus." The Shadow Justice Minister also accused the Australian Foreign Minister of nearly destroying his coutnry's relations with Asia.

[12] INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERTS TEACH SEMINARS N THESSALONIKI

Eleven outstanding international relations and law experts are to offer a series of seminars and lectures in Thessaloniki between September 9-27, offered for the 24th year by the city's Institute of International Law and International Relations.

The series will focus on the theme "International Law at the Turn of the Century" and is organized jointly by the Law School of Thessaloniki's Aristotle University, Municipality of Thessaloniki and the local Bar Association.

The issues to be discussed include "The International Court of Justice Today", "The United Nations, Regional Security and State Succession" ,"Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Non- International Armed Forces", "The Development of hte Law of International Organizations", "The Role of the U.N. Charter in the Future Development of International Law", "The Dilution of Members States' Sovereignty and European Economic Integration", "The International Law and the Mass Destruction Weapons", "New Law of the Sea: the Emergent Norms and Institutions".

The seminars are aimed at academics, diplomats, journalists and lawyers. Speakers include Ferrari Bravo, Italian Professor and Judge at the International Court of Justice, E. McWhinney, Canadian Professor of International Law and Member of Parliament, M. Sahovic Yugoslavian Professor of International Law and former member of the UN Law Commission, R. P. Anand, Indian Professor at J. Nehru University New Delhi, among others.

[13] GREEK STUDIES OFFERED BY ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY IN BLACK SEA AND BALKANS

Thessaloniki's Aristotle University will launch Greek Studies programs in ten chosen universities of the Black Sea and Eastern Europe, through "Jason", an academic program set to start this fall.

Countries whose universities are participating in the program include the Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Romania and Armenia, all of which will provide lessons in Greek literature, history, ancient and modern Greek.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[14] UNITED STATES FIRE CRUISE MISSILES ON IRAQI MILITARY BASES

The United States fired 25 to 30 cruise missiles on south Iraq today, in retaliation for Baghdad's massive military incursion into the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.

The Pentagon announced that the unmanned cruise missiles were fired at "selected air defense targets in Iraq," but defense officials said that the missiles were fired from U.S. warships in the Gulf and by at least one B-52 bomber against air defense and command-control targets in southern Iraq.

The decision to strike was drawn by US President Bill Clinton last night and the attack lasted one hour. The United States government will await reactions from Baghdad and has adopted a wait-and-see attitude on whether or not the Iraqi forces will withdraw from the region, which has been assigned protected-zone status by the United Nations.

American officials are not ruling out the possibility that President Clinton may order new attacks on Iraq, in light of the upcoming presidential elections in the US. Mr. Clinton had been criticised for lack of leadership in dealing with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

[15] WORLD REACTS TO US ATTACK ON IRAQ, GREECE NOT SURPRISED BY RAID

Greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, commenting on this morning's cruise missile attack on southern Iraq by the United States, stated that the event did not exactly come as a surprise.

"One way or another, we were all waitng for this to happen. It's an episode in line with many other episodes that have taken place in the past," Mr. Arsenis stated.

However, he did express the fear that similar episodes could occur in the future "in a wider region where the international competitions continue strong."

The Greek Defense Minister stated that the region's uncertainty is a given factor, and the conditions provide Greece with the opportunity to play a dynamic, stabilizing and peacekeeping role. "It's not only the era of dangers, it's also the era of opportunities," Mr. Arsenis concluded.

According to BBC radio, British Defense Minister Michael Portillo has stated that Britain has lent logistical support to the US but no British attack aircraft. Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes stated in a radio interview that Spain wished Washington had delayed its strike against the Iraqi targets and declined to voice support for the attack. China urged Washington and Baghdad to exercise restraint, while Russia's news agency Interfax quoted country officials as saying that the events in the Gulf were "extremely dangerous." Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller cancelled her scheduled two-day visit to Jordan, were she was to travel today.

Japan said that it supported the US air raid. The French News Agency reported that the dollar rose sharply on the Tokyo stock exhange as soon as it became known that the Americans attacked Iraq. The dollar is presently set at around 109.30 yen.

[16] CYPRIOT NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETS WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides convened the Cypriot National Council today, in a session held for the purpose of assessing the current situation on the divided island following the recent violent incidents in Deryneia where two Greek-Cypriot unarmed men were brutally killed by Turkish military forces.

Cypriot government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides, commending on reports that claim retribution is to be taken against Turkish-Cypriotts, states that there is not one Greek- Cypriot who is looking to put the blame on Turkish-Cypriots, since everyone knows that the culprits where either members of the Turkish ultra-right organization "Grey Wolves" or active members of the Denktash regime.

[17] TURKISH-CYPRIOT REGIME THUGS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TENSIONS IN THE VILLAGE OF PILA IN CYPRUS

Turkish-cypriot regime thugs are responsible for the climate of tension in the village of Pila in Cyprus populated by 800 greek- cypriots and 400 turkish-cypriots.

Local community President, Christakis Antoniou referred to the situation during a meeting in Pila that was held with the participation of Parliament deputies and political party representatives and emphasized that the tension was created in mid August, at the same time with the bloody events in Derynia.

The Parliament deputies and the party officials present in the meeting stressed that they will back any effort made by the local community aiming at the normalization of the situation.

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