MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (09/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 9, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[C] EUROPEAN NEWS

TITLES

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[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[C] EUROPEAN NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK GOVERNMENT CONCERNED OVER POSSIBLE TURKISH ADVANCE IN IRAQ

The Greek government expressed its concern over a potential Turkish invasion in Iraq and re-emphasized the potential danger such possibility could result in, according to Acting Press Minister Dimitris Konstas.

Mr. Konstas, responding to a relevant question, confirmed that there are some unverified reports regarding the invasion of northern Iraq by Turkish troops.

Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis also characterized such potential invasion as a "highly dangerous event" for the region's stability and peace. Mr. Arsenis met with a delegation from the Parliamentary Group of the Western European Union and briefed them on Greece's national issues.

The Defense Minister stated that according to reports, turkish armaments are being brought into northern Iraq but, up to date, there is no official report of troops actually advancing in the region.

According to Mr. Arsenis, "we must view it as a given fact that Turkey seeks to create a 'security zone', as it calls it, on Iraqi soil.

"This act violates international UN resolutions, the inviolability of borders, and raises significant concerns regarding human rights."

[02] PREMIER PRESENTS GOVERNMENT'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR EPIRUS

Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis visited Ioannina today, as part of his campaign in light of the September 22 elections, where he presented the government's development program for the region of Epirus.

The Premier focused his speech on PASOK's commitment to strengthen the region's transportation and infrastructures.

He spoke at length on the Egnatia Road project, the construction of the road axis Arta-Karditsa, the upgrading of the Ioannina airport and the creation of new border stations.

Moreover, Mr. Simitis announced measures aimed at breathing life into the middle- size businesses and supporting farmers and promised to increase fring benefits in the health and education sectors.

[03] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER ON UNEMPLOYMENT

In a press conference themed after unemployment, leader of main opposition New Democracy, Miltiadis Evert, stated that exchanging votes for jobs would consititute an insult to the country's jobless and their families.

Mr. Evert stated that the ever-increasing phenomenon of unemployment is not only Greek but, rather, has struck all of Europe and if the appropriate measures are not enforced soon enough, it could reach explosive dimensions, perhaps reaching the astounding rate of 15 percent by the end of the century.

The N.D. leader itemized the leading factors of unemployment as being primarily due to the downsizing trend in the farming industry, to the crisis noted in the middle-sized businesses and to the increased flow of immigrants, not taking into account the Greeks from Pontus or those from northern Epirus.

As part of his proposed measures, Mr. Evert promised support to farmers and middle-sized businesses, aimed at stabilizing the going rate of unemployment. Yet, the core of his proposal in facing unemployment, according to Mr. Evert, is to boost the rate of the Gross National Product development, which must reach 4-5% within the next few years, coupled by the timely and correct absorption of European Union funds.

"This is the only way to bring forth investments which will result in job increases," Mr. Evert stated.

The main opposition leader also advised that the country must review the convergence plan that has been submitted to the EU, according to which, the country's development rate will be set at a 2.2 per cent figure.

In closing today's press conference, Mr. Evert did not miss the opportunity to challenge the Premier to three televised debates.

[04] POLITICAL SPRING CONDEMNS POLLS

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras is touring Argolida and Korinthia in the Peloponnese. Commenting from the town of Argos on the recent opinion polls, Mr. Samaras stated that they are an insult to the greek citizens and a threat to democracy.

He also stressed that his party will never accept the fate of the country to be left in the hands of big newspaper publishers, while he maintained that Political Spring will never allow the issues of national interest to be closed or the implementation of a new round of austerity measures on the people.

The leader of Political Spring underlined that the attack launched against democracy will fail because his party and the people will not allow it to succeed.

[05] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER ALEKA PAPAREGA SPEAKS IN THESSALONIKI

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Paparega has called for a condemnation of the bi-partisan system in politics and, while she pointed out that KKE is a firm supporter of cooperation among the parties, she ruled out any such marriages with both PASOK and main opposition New Democracy.

Ms. Paparega stated that both PASOK and New Democracy have in store another austerity attack, although she clarified that neither of the two parties' leaders, namely Premier Kostas Simitis and ND leader Miltiades Evert, are the "problem."

"The problem is their parties and the special interests they represent," Ms. Paparega stated.

During her Thessaloniki-tour, Ms.Paparega visited the Macedonian Press Agency's offices where she met with General- Director Spyros Kouzinopoulos and President of the Board of Directors Pavlos Petrides.

Ms. Paparega noted the significant task undertaken by the MPA in providing news to Greece and the Balkan region and emphasized the need to support the Agency through all means.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega stated today that her party is opposed to the flood of privatizations taking place within the public sector, fearing that falling into this trend will also be Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair (ITF).

In Thessaloniki today, part of a series of stops in her pre- election campaign tour, the KKE Secretary-General visited the Fair's grounds and met with ITF officials.

Ms. Paparega emphasized that if the Fair becomes privately- owned it will truly be alienated from the Greek people and will produce radical changes in the exhibit correlation of Greek and foreign products.

[06] COALITION LEADER ON PRESS INTERVIEW

In a press conference this evening, Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos, warned that it would be a fatal mistake for Greece to turn all of its attention into the elections at a time when Turkey is threatening with an imminent invasion of northern Iraq.

Mr. Konstantopoulos stated that the Coalition party seeks to bring a change in Greece's political scenery and stressed that when his party-along with other minor parties- enter the parliament, such changes will lead towards a "progressive, people- oriented and truly modernizing direction."

[07] LOAN SUBSIDIES TO BE GRANTED TO FARMERS FOR SLAUGHTERED LIVESTOCK

The ministries of Agriculture, National Economy and Finance have agreed to subsidize 38 per cent of the loans granted to cattle breeders for the replacement of their livestock which was slaugthered for the foot nd muth disease epidemic that atruckEvrps two monrhs ago.

Speakng to the Macedonian Press Agency, in an exclusive interview, Undersecretary of Agriculture Apostolos Fotiades stated that the subsidized loans will be on a five-year repayment plan while, up until Friday, the region's cattlebreeders will be compensated for their losses, which, in sum, are estimated at 3.2 billion GRD.

[08] SAE LEADER ANDREW ATHENS MEETS WITH MINISTER OF MACEDONIA- THRACE

The Council of World Hellenism (SAE) will hold its second international council next July, a long time away for most, yet its leader Andrew Athens has already empobarkred on organiziing the event's agenda.

Meedting with Mwecadonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, Mr,Athens received the minister's request that among the isues to be presented during the July session of SAE, shuld be specific proposals for the input of Greeks l;iving abroad in Macedonia's cultural, social and economic development.

Accompanied by the vice-president of South Australia's Labour Party Dimitris Dollis, Mr Athens thanked the minister for taking the intitaitve to establishe permanent offices for SAE, to be located at the newly-created building of Macedonia-Thrace Bank, in the center of Thessaloniki.

[09] COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE LEADER VISITS THESSALONIKI TODAY

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega stated today that her party is opposed to the flood of privatizations taking place within the public sector, fearing that falling into this trend will also be Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair (ITF).

In Thessaloniki today, part of a series of stops in her pre- election campaign tour, the KKE Secretary-General visited the Fair's grounds and met with ITF officials.

Ms. Paparega emphasized that if the Fair becomes privately- owned it will truly be alienated from the Greek people and will produce radical changes in the exhibit correlation of Greek and foreign products.

"We recognize and view as significant the Fair's premise," emphasized Ms. Paparega, adding that this was the reason her party opposed the Fair's privatization during a Parliament session.

Moreover, Ms. Paparega supported that an additional reason KKE is categorically opposed to privatization is the resulting job losses.

Focusing on the upcoming elections of September 22, Ms. Paparega held that the Greek people must cast their vote based on political criteria and not on a "horse-race attitude where one bets on the first, last or middle party," referring to recent polls that give KKE a 4.9% share of votes.

Ms. Paparega emphasized that KKE does not pay attention to polls, and maintained that the candidates must decide on what serves best the lower classes and the country's independence and sovereignty.

This afternoon, the Communist Party leader will also tour through Thessaloniki's municipalities of Evosmos and Polihni, while in the evening she will also visit the Macedonian Press Agency's offices.

[10] THESSALONIKI'S 61ST INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR BECOMES ECONOMIC NUCLEUS

The success marking Thessaloniki's 61st International Trade Fair, to be held until September 15, is transforming the city's annual event into a southeastern European economic nucleus.

Thousands of visitors from all over the world passed through the Fair's gates yesterday to view the numerous exhibits.

[11] GREECE'S POLITICAL LEADERS CONTINUE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

PASOK President and Prime Minister Kostas Simitis continued his pre-election tour today with a stop in Yiannitsa and the earthquake-stricken city of Konitsa.

In Thessaloniki and Serres yesterday, where he addressed an exuberant crowd of supporters at an open rally, Mr. Simitis stressed with confidence that the ruling paty PASOK will win the upcoming elections on September 22.

In Karditsa yesterday, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert also spoke in front of a cheering crowd, where, in an indirect reference to PASOK, he said that ND never thanked the Americans and never asked for the Germans' opinion.

Today Mr. Evert will speak at a press conference in Athens.

Minor opposition party leader, Political Spring's Antonis Samaras, was in Komotene yesterday where he warned that a PASOK re- election would result in a new era of austerity and bring about increases in unemployment.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega arrived in Thessaloniki today where she visited the city's International Trade Fair grounds and gave a press conference in the afternoon. Speaking from the island of Lesvos yesterday, Ms. Paparega emphasized that the KKE wants neither to see Greece's submission to foreign powers nor its alienation, but instead supports domestic growth.

Coalition of the Left and Progress Party (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Konstantopoulos speaking from Yiannitsa yesterday, criticised the country's bi-partisan policy. Mr. Konstantopoulos will also give a press conference in Athens this evening.

Leader of the Democratic Social Movement, (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas, criticised both the ruling party and the main opposition for planning to enforce a tougher economic policy, starting on the day following the elections. Mr. Tsovolas will speak this evening in Lamia.

[12] PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY TO THE US PRESIDENT'S LETTER ON TURKEY'S ROLE IN THE REGION

Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis in a letter addressed to US President Bill Clinton on the issue of a possible turkish military intervention in Iraq, points out that the observence of international law and treaties is necessary and underlines that any turkish intervention will be in violation of international treaties.

The greek Prime Minister's letter is in response to a letter sent by the US President in which he was asking for the recognition of Turkey's significant role in the region on the occasion of the US military operations in Iraq. Mr.Clinton had sent the same letter to all the EU leaders.

The Prime Minister mentions that Greece hopes the situation in Iraq will defuse in accordance with UN resolutions, while he stresses that Greece respects the Treaty of Lausanne which consolidates the borders in the region. Mr.Simitis added that Turkey is the country disputing the treaty which defines its borders from the Black Sea to Eastern Mediterranean, including Iraq and Iran.

Mr.Simitis emphasized that Turkey's allegations concerning its security can be taken under consideration only within the framework of international law and after taking into account the legitimate interests of the rest of the countries in the region.

The Prime Minister mentions that after he received the US President's letter, Turkey had already reached the decision to establish a security zone at its borders with Iraq, while the military preparations had already begun. Mr.Simitis writes that those developments spelled distabilization for the region, violating the basic principles of International Law and restricting the UN resolutions, while they set a dangerous precedent in the region.

[13] THE CARETAKER MINISTER OF PRESS MADE AN APPEAL TO TURKEY TO BE VERY CAREFUL REGARDING YESTERDAY'S SHOOTING INCIDENT IN CYPRUS

Caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas made an appeal to Turkey to be very careful regarding yesterday's shooting incident in the turkish occupied territories in Cyprus in which a turkish soldier was killed.

Responding to turkish Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller's statement that southern Cyprus has become a den of greek-cypriot terrorists, mr.Konstas stated that Turkey is the country that can be accused of such actions.

Meanwhile, Parliament President, Apostolos Kaklamanis accused Turkey of provocation on the occasion of yesterday's incident and stressed that he has briefed the belgian delegation hosted by the greek Parliament on Turkey's stance which is aggressive, provocative and threatens peace and stability in the region.

[14] THE POLITICAL PARTIES CONTINUE THEIR PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

PASOK party leader and Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis is visiting the region of Konitsa in north-western Greece which was recently hit by a strong earthquake.

Speaking in the city of Ioannina, mr.Simitis expressed the certainty that PASOK will win the elections and announced the party's development programme for the region which has as basic axes the improvement of the sectors of transportations and infrastructure.

He criticized New Democracy stating that its policy toward the neighbouring states was characterized by distrust and did not want the improvement of relations with them. Earlier, speaking in the town of Konitsa referred to the greek-albanian relations stressing that the greek people should decide if they want a government that will make Greece strong in the Balkans or if they want the country to be isolated.

Mr.Simitis before leaving Thessaloniki last night, expressed satisfaction regarding his visit to the city and his tour in prefectures of northern Greece, while he expressed the certainty that PASOK will win the elections with a large majority.

The Prime Minister stated that there is enthusiasm, mobilization and will among the people who want the country to follow a new course, adding that the existing climate shows that PASOK will be the winner in the elections and this victory will open new possibilities for the country.

Earlier, during his visit to the city of Serres, mr.Simitis gave a strong response to the provocative statements made by turkish Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller that the greek-cypriots have turned the southern part of Cyprus into a den of terrorists. Mr.Simitis spoke about turkish provocations aiming at dragging Greece into negotiations and added that Greece is non negotiable and that its position on its sovereign rights is non negotiable too.

New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert had a meeting with University Deans and tonight will give a press conference in Athens.

Mr.Evert stated that his party pledged two years ago that if is elected in power will allocate 5% of the gross domestic product for the sector of education, adding that a National Council on Education will be established, as well as the post of a permanent caretaker undersecretary on issues of education. Later, mr.Evert met with members of the Travel Agents Association.

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras is touring Argolida and Korinthia in the Peloponnese. Commenting from the town of Argos on the recent opinion polls, mr.Samaras stated that they are an insult to the greek citizens and a threat to democracy.

He also stressed that his party will never accept the fate of the country to be left in the hands of big newspaper publishers, while he maintained that Political Spring will never allow the issues of national interest to be closed or the implementation of a new round of austerity measures on the people.

The leader of Political Spring underlined that the attack launched against democracy will fail because his party and the people will not allow it to succeed.

Communist party leader, Aleka Papariga stated during her visit to Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair, that her party is against the mass privatizations of state-owned businesses which will affect and Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair.

Coalition of the Left party leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos will give a press conference in Athens this afternoon, while the Democratic Social Movement leader, Dimitris Tsovolas will speak in an open-air political rally in the town of Lamia.

[15] TWO OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT THE TWO MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES ARE NECK AND NECK IN THE ELECTION RACE

The pre-election activities of the political parties intensified after the publication of two statewide opinion polls based on which, the two main political parties are neck and neck in the election race.

According to the opinion poll conducted by the polling company MRB, the conservative party of New Democracy with 31%, has a lead of 0,4% over the ruling socialist party of PASOK that got 30,6%.

Political Spring party got 3%, the Communist party 4,9%, Coalition of the Left 4,2% and Democratic Social Movement 6%.

Meanwhile, according to another opinion poll conducted by the polling company PRC, PASOK is ahead with 32,8%, followed by New Democracy with 31,9% and Coalition of the Left with 5,3%. The Democratic Social Movement got 5,2%, Political Spring 4,1%, the Communist party 4,1% and the rest parties 2,9%.

It should be mentioned that in both opinion polls, the percentage of those who say that they will cast a blank or spoiled ballot paper and the undecided is around 15%.

[16] THE GREEK EU COMMISSIONER WAS IMPRESSED AFTER THE VISIT TO THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY OFFICES

Greek EU Commissioner, Christos Papoutsis stated that he was impressed after his visit to the Macedonian Press Agency offices today.

Mr.Papoutsis was briefed by Board of Directors President prof. Pavlos Petridis and MPA's General Director Spiros Kouzinopoulos on the establishment of the Balkan News Bank, the news agency's presence in cyberspace and its activities concerning the better information of the greeks living abroad through Internet and also through the monthly magazine "Elliniki Diaspora".

Mr.Papoutsis stated that the news agency's wide spectrum of activities was not unknown to him as MPA's General Director had met with him at his office in Brussels where again they had the opportunity to discuss the news agency's achievements and prospects.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS HOLD INFORMAL COUNCIL, OPPOSE U.S. RAID IN IRAQ

The Foreign Ministers of European Union member-states held an informal council in Ireland, the country holding the EU presidency this term, and voiced their opposition to the United States air strike against Iraq last week, as well as their disagreement with Turkey's proposal to enforce a "security zone" in northern Iraq's borders.

The "15" agreed to hold the extraordinary summit meeting on October 5 in Dublin where they will discuss issues concerning European institutional reforms.

[18] CYPRUS: YESTERDAY'S INCIDENT WAS PROVOCATION PLANTED BY TURKEY

It was a matter of turkish provocation aimed at incriminating the Greek-Cypriot side, is the prevailing view regarding yesterday's incident in Cyprus' occupied territory where a Turkish- Cypriot soldier was shot dead in the Turkish military outpost and another was wounded.

An officer from the British military forces stationed on the divided island, announced that the victim was killed by a bullet fired from within the occupied territory.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis also spoke of a provocation and dismissed the claims made by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller who said that "Greek-Cypriots have turned the island's southern part into a "haven for terrorists."

"There is not any Greek aggression, there is instead Turkish savaregy," Mr. Simitis stated. The Greek Premier stated that both the Turkish government and the Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are attempting to temper the international community's disapproval for the killing of two unarmed Greek-Cypriot civilians by the turkish military last month.

[19] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO ATTEND FUNERAL OF KILLED TURKISH SOLDIER

Turkey's Foreign Minister and ex-Premier Tansu Ciller will travel to the occupied territory of Cyrpus tomorrow in order to attend the funeral of the turkish soldier who was shot yesterday.

Ms. Ciller, has asked for the immediate arrest and punsihment of thoe responsible for the soldier's murder on the occyoired territory." Regarding Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simistis' statement that the perpetrators of this act are unknown, Ms.Ciller hhas expresded her "surprise and sadness."

[C] EUROPEAN NEWS

[20] EUROTUNNEL REPORTS UP TO 3BN FFR

Eurotunnel announced today losses up to 3bn Ffr, for the first half of 1996.Analysts had been predicting a loss of about $546m. The loss comes despite the success of the company's Eurostar passenger service and Shuttle car service.

UK co-chairman Alastair Morton has set the end of October as the date for his retirement. The company didn't offer any news on its debt negotiations.

[21] LUFTHANSA STARTS WAGE TALKS TODAY

The German airline Lufthansa started wage talks today, hoping to make workers accept a three-year wage freeze due to the company's needs to cut costs by 1.5bn DM ($1bn) .

The OeTV union is asking for a 2.3% pay rise and protection for workers as the company reorganises.

[22] CONSOB CONTINUES OLIVETTI PROBE

Italian stock market authority Consob said it would continue a probe into possible irregular accounting at Olivetti by questioning the company's board of auditors this week, reports Monday's Wall Street Journal Europe.

The investigaation began on Thursday, when Consob suspended trading ofOlivetti's shares and summoned the company's new chief executive officer, Francesco Caio, demanding he defend Olivetti's first-half results following accusations of irregularities from departing General manager Renzo Francesconi.

Consob also confirmed that it will open a routine investigation into whether any insider trading may have occurred in last week's rollercoaster trading. In a bid to bolster confidence,the new chief executive officer of Olivetti has said the troubled group won't sell its loss-making personal computer operations. Olivetti's shares plunged about 9% in the first two days of last week amid rumors of boardroom wrangling.

On the Tuesday, Carlo De Benedetti, Olivetti's chairman for 18 years, resigned after clashing with Caio over the information and telecommunications company's first-half accounts.

De Benedetti had promised shareholders during a 2.257 trillion lire capital increase last year that he would turn the company around once and for all. But Caio insisted on setting aside 200bn lire in the first-half accounts for further restructuring charges, inflating the company's first-half pretax loss to 440.2bn lire.

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