MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (05/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

‹ACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 5 (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] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS SALUTES THESSALONIKI'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos has issued an appeal of unity to the nation in his message to Thessaloniki's 61st International Trade Fair.

President Stephanopoulos writes that "the spirit of unity is necessary in order to protect the present and earn a better future, so deserved by the Greek people."

The Head of State adds that functions such as Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair "strengthen all those who truly believe in the values of national unity and productive participation of all Greeks in justifying our national aims and the peaceful cooperation among the peoples."

Mr. Stephanopoulos also states that during its 61 years of existence, the International Trade Fair follows and reenacts the modern development of the Greek state, succeeding in the task of becoming an internationallly recognized trade and economic institution.

"This is due to those responsible for organizing this event, to the acute interest of the country's production sector and to the active support of the people of Thessaloniki."

[02] THE PRIME MINISTER UNDERLINED THE CATALYTIC ROLE THE SPATA AIRPORT WILL PLAY IN THE RECOVERY OF THE ECONOMY

Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis underlined the catalytic role the construction of the Spata Airport will play in the efforts for the recovery of the economy, in statements he made today, during the project's foundation laying ceremony.

The Prime Minister pointed out that this new project will create thousands of new jobs, adding that the large projects which are under construction in the country are a message of cosmogony and are Greece's voice in international competition, as they lay the pre-conditions for wide cooperation and new initiatives.

Mr.Simitis clarified that the day of the project's foundation laying ceremony had been decided many months ago and is simple coincidence that is taking place during the pre-election period.

Mr.Simitis stated that the construction of Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Spata will be completed in 4,5 years from today stressing that this huge project becomes a reality after long procedures that demanded numerous decisions to be taken by the greek state. He said that the new airport will strengthen Greece's geo-political position in the sector of air transportations and will consolidate the country as a bridge linking Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The Prime Minister referring to the rest huge public works, under construction in Greece, stated that the Egnatia Road Network, a public work of national importance, slowly becomes a reality, while stable progress is being observed and in the public works under construction in the ports of Igumenitsa, Thessaloniki, Volos, Kavala and Alexandroupolis and also in the 8 vertical road axes connecting Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace with the Balkan countries, which will accelerate the development rate in northern Greece.

The road axis of Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni, the backbone of the country's road network, is also being promoted in a quick pace, while the construction of the Rion-Antirion Bridge connecting the Peloponnese with western Greece has already begun. Also, significant progress has been made in the construction of the Aktion-Preveza Bridge.

The project that will supply Thessaly with water from River Acheloos and has environmental, energy and production value, is expected to start soon, while 50% of the metro network in Athens has been completed and the construction of the Attica Road Network is ready to begin soon.

Also, the construction of water supply projects is moving fast, as well as, the biological purification projects in Athens and Thessaloniki. Mr.Simitis stated that the hammering out of the national real estate registry is a significant project that had to be done years ago since the establishment of the greek state.

Environment, Planning and Public Works Minister, Kostas Laliotis stressed that the construction of the Stata Airport project will create 22 thousand new jobs and characterized the day of its foundation as a day of honour for those who worked for the safeguarding of public interest. Mr.Laliotis said that with the new negotiations on the project that were held after 1993 the greek state had a financial benefit of over 100 billion drachmas.

[03] PASOK LOCAL CHAPTER STORES MAGNIFICENT WELCOME FOR PREMIER'S ARRIVAL

The local chapter of the ruling PASOK party is preparing a magnificent welcome for the arrival of Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis when he reaches Thessaloniki for the formal inauguration of the 61st International Trade Fair on Friday evening at 8 p.m.

The Premier is scheduled to arrive at the "Macedonia" airport on Friday, 6:45 p.m. where he will be formally received by local dignitaries.

The International Trade Fair's gates will open to the public on Saturday at 10 a.m. while in the evening the Premier will customarily present his government's economic outlook, a speech awaited with heightened interest given the country's upcoming elections of September 22.

On Sunday morning, Mr. Simitis will meet with the administrators of HELEXPO, the organization in charge of the Fair, and will give a press conference at 1 p.m.

[04] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN STATED THAT TURKEY CAN NOT PLAY A STABILIZING ROLE IN THE REGION IF IT CONTINUES TO VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS

Turkey can not play a stabilizing role in the region if it continues to violate human rights, stated Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas commenting on US President Clinton's letter to Prime Minister Simitis in which is mentioned that Turkey should be recognized as a country playing a significant role in the wider region of South-Eastern Mediterranean.

Mr. Bikas stressed that Greece expects that a common position on the developments in Iraq and the US military operations will be adopted during the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers that will be held in Ireland next weekend.

The greek Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that Greece's position is based on the respect of UN resolutions and Iraq's territorial integrity and also on the respect of the kurds' human rights and international law.

Also, the greek government will raise, during the Informal Council of the Irish Presidency, the issue of the greek-turkish relations and the latest events that took place in Cyprus.

It should be noted that Turkey's response is still pending regarding the MEDA programme and the obligations Ankara is called to undertake.

Meanwhile, as it was made known, Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos will leave tomorrow for a formal visit to Lisbon.

[05] GREEK PRESIDENT BRIEFS 30 FOREIGN DIGNITARIES OF GREEK ORIGIN ON THE ISSUES OF NATIONAL INTEREST

President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos briefed 30 foreign government ministers, Senators and Parliament deputies of greek origin on the issues of greek national interest.

Mr.Stephanopoulos referred to Ankara's provocative actions in the Aegean mentioning the turkish National Assembly decision to start a war against Greece in case the greek territorial waters are expanded to 12 nautical miles. He also referred to the systematic violations of the greek air space and the Imia islet incident, while he stated that Ankara systematically violates international law and treaties.

President Stephanopoulos also accused Turkey of creating fabricated disputes in order to impose its foreign policy.

Referring to the issue of Skopje, President Stephanopoulos said that for historical, ethnological and geographic reasons, FYROM can not be called "Macedonia" and asked for the help of the greek communities abroad for the promotion of Greece's national positions in international organizations.

[06] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: IRAQ TURBULANCE TO CONTINUE, WE MUST BE ALERT

Greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis emphasized today that the European Union must undertake a common decision regarding the crisis that erupted in southern Iraq after the United States bombarded the region.

"The turbulance in that region is going to continue and we must be very careful," stated Minister Arsenis, while pointing out that Greece is not subjected to any direct dangers other than the global effects that will arise from any de-stabilization in that region.

[07] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALOS WILL TRAVEL TO PORTUGAL TOMORROW

Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos will depart for a one-day visit to Portugal tomorrow, prior to traveling to Dublin where he will attend the European Union's Foreign Minsiters informal Council.

According to Press Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas, Mr. Pangalos will brief Greece's allies on the latest developments in greco-turkish relations and the latest incidents in Cyprus.

Mr. Pangalos is expected to emphasize that Turkey has yet to respond to the allies' common position, taken during the latest Foreign Ministers Council, wherein terms were drawn for the pre- conditions on euro-turkish relations and EU funding to Turkey.

[08] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGNS OF THE OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES

New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert will tour in municipalities of the city of Pireaus, while Coalition of the Left party leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos is touring the north-eastern city of Komotini.

Communist party General Secretary, Aleka Papariga will give a press conference in Athens, while President of the Democratic Social Movement, Dimitiris Tsovolas will speak tonight in an outdoor political rally in the northern city of Kavala.

[09] FORMER MINISTER OF INTERIOR, TSOHATZOPOULOS, FORESEES VICTORY FOR PASOK

Embarking on his pre-election campaign as a PASOK party list candidate, former Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos foresees that his party will win the September 22 general elections.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who had been a contender for the party presidential seat in the June-held PASOK elections and a runner-up for the Premiership in January -losing both times to Kostas Simitis, emphasized that PASOK is the only party that can guarantee political stability, a promise that can be fulfiled by following the path carved by the socialist movement's founder, the late Andreas Papandreou.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos criticised main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert as being "responsible for the destruction ND brought to Greece during 1990-93," along with ND's honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis, and wished upon Mr. Evert "a long term on the opposition's benches."

Referring to the greco-turkish relations and Turkey's provocative behavior, the former Minister stated that Greece must respond decisively to these challenges.

When told by reporters that speculations abound on cooperation between PASOK and other left-wing parties, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stated that "a true cooperation was noted in the regional elections" adding that "such cooperation will be enforced through sheer necessity, whether we want to or not. This is a factor that must be understood by the parties which are to prevail after the elections."

In turn, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos referred extensively to the major issues faced by Thessaloniki, such as unemployment and traffic congestion, and acknowledged that the city is suffocating, while he announced that the greater city's largest projects, such as the subway and underwater tunnel, will be completed within the next three years.

[10] THESSALONIKI'S TRADE FAIR MAY BECOME PRE-ELECTION BATTLEGROUND, FEARS MP

Main opposition parliamentarian, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis stated today that Thessaloniki's 61st International Trade Fair, slated to open this Saturday, runs the risk of being turned into a pre-election battleground by the ruling party PASOK.

Mr. Karamanlis, who gave his first interview today in light of the September 22 general elections, critizised the ruling PASOK party and its President, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, of being "idle" during its current three years in power, as it has not proceeded to carrying through with any major project in Thessaloniki.

Regarding the name issue between Greece and FYROM, Mr. Karamanlis lashed out against all previous governments which he accused of having made serious mistakes in the handling of the matter, while he characterized as "irresponsible" the dialogue Greece embarked on with FYROM in the spring of '96. Mr. Karamanlis' stance on the issue is that a basic prerequisite for such talks to take place is for FYROM to adopt a different stance on the matter.

[11] BULGARIAN TRADE MINISTER, ROMANIAN TRADE DEPUTY TO BE IN THESSALONIKI

Bulgarian Trade Minister Athanas Paparizov and Romanian Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Berinde Michael will visit the Thessaloniki 61st International Trade Fair and will also meet with the Northern Greece Exporters Association (SEVE) on Saturday.

The two men and SEVE officials will discuss bilateral trade between the countries.

[12] THESSALONIKI PORT TRAFFIC MARKS TENFOLD INCREASE IN A DECADE

The number of passengers boarding and arriving at Thessaloniki's port has increased tenfold in the last decade, according to data provided by the Thessaloniki Port Organization (TPO).

Trade and shipping have increased by 13 percent and 41 percent respectively, according to the TPO, which will exhibit the course of its impressive development during Thessaloniki's 61st international Trade Fair, at Stand 16.

The Port Organization will formally inaugurate its exhibit on Tuesday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m.

[13] EARLY ELECTIONS ARE THE FINAL BLOW TO LOCAL TOURISM, SAYS INDUSTRY

On top of the humdrum plaguing Greek tourism, the snap elections of September 22 come to bring the final blow to the industry, according to the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (HATTA).

According to HATTA, the upcoming elections have created a so- called "black hole" in local tourism since all vacations still due to public-sector employees have been postponed and, generally speaking, Greeks are reluctant to travel during an election period.

"We believe that the huge problem created by the elections must not result in comflict among tourism agents, hoteliers and other tourism-related businessmen and any given differences must be resolved based on good faith and understanding," according to an announcement issued by HATTA.

As such, the Association holds that in those cases where the travel agent has covered his client's expenses to other parties, i.e. hotels, transit, etc, and a refund is unattainable, the incurred expenses will burden the person who cancelled the services.

[14] BLACK SEA TRADE-DEVELOPMENT BANK TO MAP OUT LONG-TERM BUSINESS PLAN

The Thessaloniki-based Black Sea Trade and Development Bank will convene the third session of its Interim Committee today wherein representatives of all participating countries will map out the bank's business plan.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos will inaugurate the opening of the session which will also be attended by the Bank's President Mr. Volcan. The BSTD Bank is scheduled to open in January 1997.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[15] MISSION IN NORTHERN IRAQ ACCOMPLISHED, SAYS US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

United States President Bill Clinton announced today that the cruise-missile strikes against northern Iraq have been completed, emphasizing that the Iraqi forces have withdrawn from the Kurdish areas.

However, President Clinton clarified that further attacks may be deployed if it is deemed necessary.

According to the Iraqi News Agency, President Saddam Hussein visited the Iraqi military headquarters and is said to have issued new directions for the defense of his country's air space and land territory.

The Iraqi President condemned the U.S. and stated that they launched a strike against the center of Baghdad last night, a report which Mr. Clinton has denied. However, according to reports, a US aircraft, opened fire against an Iraqi radar in order to avoid the risk of being downed.

[16] CANADIAN PRESS REPORTS THAT UNITED STATES EMPLOY A DOUBLE STANDARD

The recent cruise missile strikes fired upon Iraq by the United States have sparked a fiery response from the Canadian press which, in unisom, points out that the American government appears to employ double-standard policies for that region.

Canadian daily "Citizen" writes that "the U.S. undertake military action against the Iraqi military forces and against kurdish forces within Iraq, yet they turn a blind eye to Israel's attacks against the rebels in Lebanon and Turkey's military operations against Kurds on Iraqi soil."

The "Toronto Star" opines that while the attack on Iraq may have been necessary, the U.S.' overall policy in the region has lent Washington a lack of credibility since it appears to "handle the region's issues with a double standard."

Specifically, the "Star" mentions that the U.S. do not display the same level of sensitivity to the persecuted Shiites living in southern Iraq, analogous with that displayed towards the Kurds living in northern Iraq, simply because the Shiites are considered to be Iran's allies.

[17] HOLBROOKE: CYPRUS IS THE KEY TO IMPROVING ATHENS-ANKARA RELATIONS

Southeastern Europe is the most unstable region in the world and Bosnia is not the only powder keg in the Balkans, according to the former United States Undersecretary of State Richard Holbrooke.

The U.S. diplomat, in Stockholm where he participated at the Council of the Baltic states, gave an exclusive interview to the swedish daily "Svenska Dagbladet" and referred to the greco- turkish relations, as well as to the ever-burning issue of Cyprus' division.

Mr. Holbrooke, stating that he is concerned over the strained relations between Greece and Turkey regarding the Aegean Sea and Cyprus, noted that "southeastern Europe is the most unstable region in the world" and, as such, "the United States and the European Union must exert every effort to resolve the Cyprus problem which constitutes the key to improving relations between Athens and Ankara."

[18] TURKISH-CYPRIOT PARTY LEADER EXPRESSES SORROW FOR GREEK- CYPRIOTS' DEATH

The President of the Turkish-Cypriot party Community Freedom, Mustafa Akkingi, expressed his sorrow for the recent episodes in Deryneia where two unarmed Greek-Cypriots were brutally killed by Turkish military forces.

In an interview to a Cypriot newspaper, Mr. Akkingi stated that "our geography and history force us to live together and, as such, we must find a way to do so."

Mr. Akkingi visited the village of Pyla yesterday and spoke with the local Turkish-Cypriots regarding the current situation.

In Pyla both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots are making efforts to restore the climate of trust that existed prior to the incidents.

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