MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (10/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 10, 1996

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] GREECE CONTINUOUSLY BRIEFED ON SITUATION AT TURKISH-IRAQI BORDER

The Greek government is constantly being informed on the concerns regarding the turkish-iraqi border, stated caretaker Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Konstas today, referring to the mass exits of Kurds from Iraq.

Mr. Konstas emphasized that the government is closely following all matters that involve persecution of races or violation of human rights, since such acts are linearly against the international law's provisions and run contrary to the principles of a civilized international community.

[02] THRACE'S MUSLIMS ARE BETTER NOW, SAYS "HELSINKI WATCH" PRESIDENT

The President of the international human rights organization "Helsinki Watch" in Denmark stated today that significant improvement has been noted in the conditions of the Muslim minority living in Thrace.

Eric Sisby, who in 1990 had written a caustic report on the Greek government's policies towards the Muslims living in Thrace, recently visited the region and noted that the "prohibition zones" have been done away with and that the region's Mulslims are now free to purchase land and acquire drivers licenses.

The "Helsinki Watch" President also emphasized the positive impact of the recent decision issued by the Minister of Education George Papandreou, according to which children of the Muslim minority can enter the Greek universities through a special status system.

[03] PASOK IS A MAJORITY FORCE THROUGHOUT, SAYS PREMIER

Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis stated today that the ruling party is a "majority force" and will bring Greece into a new era.

Speaking in the city of Patras today, Mr. Simitis referred to the reasons that drove him to announce snap elections and noted that Greece needs a government that upholds a responsible position in facing the current issues.

[04] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER: GREECE'S LOW BIRTH RATE IS SERIOUS PROBLEM

Following a meeting held with representatives from families that have more than four children, Miltiades Evert, leader of the main opposition party New Democracy, stated that the Greek economy must be strengthened in order to address the country's low birth rate.

Mr. Evert characterized the low birth rate as an expecially significant problem and promised that if N.D. wins the upcoming elections of September 22, all the previously abolished measures that aimed at providing aid to large families will be reinstated.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party announced today that its honorary president and ex-premier Konstantinos Mitsotrakis will visit Kastoria on Thursday where he will speak at an open rally.

[05] POLITICAL SPRING LEADER TO VISIT THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY

The President of minor opposition party Political Spring's Antonis Samaras will be in Thessaloniki on Thursday where he will visit the city's 61st International Trade Fair.

Mr. Samaras will tour through verious neighborhoods of Thessaloniki on Thursday morning while in the evening will speak at an open rally in Serres.

On Friday morning, Mr. Samaras will return and will give a press conference at Thessaloniki's "Macedonia Palace" hotel.

[06] COMMUNIST PARTY SECRETARY-GENERAL: GOODYEAR PLANT SHOULD REOPEN

Aleka Paparega, the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), lamented the closing of Thessaloniki's Goodyear tire-making plant, after she met with the laid-off workers outside the factory's premises in Sindos.

Ms. Paparega stated that the factory shoud re-open and promised the jobless workers that their demands will be given her party's support and stated that, until the problem is resolved, the Goodyear former employees should be given posts in the public or private sectors.

Ms. Paparega criticised the government for not having had the hindsight to safeguard against the closing of profitable operations.

"Up to date, only losing businesses closed," she commented. "Now, profitable ones are closng too."

[07] DEMOCRATIC SOCIAL MOVEMENT: VOTES TO PASOK AND N.D. ARE "LOST"

Leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas, in an interview to an Athens daily ,stated that no political party will get the necessary majority of votes in Parliament in order to be able to form a government.

Mr.Tsovolas characterized as "lost votes", the votes PASOK and New Democracy will get and expressed the position that there will be a total change in the country's political setting.

[08] BOY SCOUTS 36TH INTERNATIONAL JAMBOREE TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

Thessaloniki will host the 36th International Boy Scouts Jamboree in the year 2002, an honor embraced warmly by the city's Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos.

Mr. Kosmopoulos congratulated the Greek Boy Scouts Chapter during the 34th General Assembly held in Oslo, Norway, and promised them that Thessaloniki will provide them with its immeasurable support.

[09] ROMANIA WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND COMMERCIAL TRADE WITH GREECE

"Greek-Romanian relations are in a continuous ascendant curb in the last five years," Romanian Ambassador in Greece Cristian Ionescu stated at the International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki. He also said that the economic and commercial relations with Greece and the perspectives which Romania can provide at this moment to this Balkan country, which is at the same time the only state member of the EEC, grow bigger year after year. "Both sides manifested continuous interest in import-export transactions," Mr. Ionescu said, adding that last year the import-export trade registered $400 million.

According to Mr. Ionescu trade between Greece and Romania marks this year, until the end of August, an increase comparing with the same period of the last year.

"Greece is interested in products of metallurgy industry, oil and chemical industry and products of wood. On the other side, Romania imports from Greece oranges, olives, medicines and medical equipment as well as equipment used in telecommunication," the Romanian Ambassador said, emphasizing the fact that Bucharest's wish is to extend commercial relations in the car construction field.

"In the past years Romania was among the countries with a permanent presence in Greek market with cars, "Dacia" and the last model "Dacia-Nova" - which is on display at the Fair this year - along with the cars produced at the Rodae plant in Craiova. We hope that Romania will become an active presence in the car construction field."

Regarding the investments made by Greece in Romania, Mr. Ionescu said that the 13th place is not reflecting the real potential which Romania can provide to Greek investors, because the main part of the investments were made in banking and commercial sectors.

"Greek businessmen should invest more in production sectors. Romania is interested in cooperation with Greece in cellular- telecommunications in which this country has capital, knowledge and experience. Also, Greece has experience in navigation and Romania wishes to modernize its shipyards on the Danube. Greece can set up companies which can use this European segment, which is the Danube, for transport. Danube is the cheaper way for transport between the Black Sea and Northern Sea," the Romanian Ambassador said.

[10] POLITICAL LEADERS CANVASS THE COUNTRY IN PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

In light of the September 22 elections, Greek Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis continues his pre-election campaign today by touring Agrinio and Patras.

During his talk in Arta yesterday, Mr. Simitis emphasized that the dilemma in the upcoming elections is the maintenance of the status quo on one hand, or modernization on the other.

Referring to the statement made by Miltiades Evert, leader of the main opposition party New Democracy, wherein he had said that every turkish aircraft will be intercepted by two Greek aircraft, Mr. Simitis said that the N.D. leader is a "jingoist."

In a press conference given yesterday, Mr. Evert promised to provide immediate solutions to the problems of unemployment in the agricultural sector and the problems faced by the small-to-middle size businesses.

In minor opposition parties, leader of Political Spring Antonis Samaras will tour Etoloakarnania today, while Secretary- General of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka Paparega -currently in Thessaloniki- will visit the city of Kilkis.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party leader Nikos Konstantopoulos will travel to Crete, while President of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) will tour Thessalia and will speak at an open rally in Trikala this evening.

[11] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT WARNED TURKEY THERE WILL BE A DIRECT GREEK REACTION IF IT CONTINUES THE TACTIC OF GROSS MISINFORMATION

The greek government issued a strong warning to Turkey that there will be a direct greek reaction if it continues the tactic of gross misinformation.

In a statement read by caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas turkish Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller and the turkish government are being warned that any attempt to escalate the tension on the occasion of the killing of the turkish soldier, for which the cypriot leadership has no responsibility whatsoever, will lead to direct reaction from Greece.

In the statement is also stressed that ms.Ciller must be certain that the international public opinion will not be tricked by an attempt of gross misinformation and ignore the cold-blooded killings of the two greek-cypriots.

The greek government also expresses the hope that the turkish people will realize ms.Ciller's choice to base her political future on the escalation of tension in the relations between the two countries will have a high political cost for Turkey and the international community.

Commenting on the information that the turkish-cypriot pseudo- state Agriculture Minister had participated in the killing of greek-cypriot, Solomos Solomou in Derinia, mr.Konstas stated that if those allegations are proven to be true there will be repercussions both from the greek side and the international community.

[12] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENCE REFERRED TO THE RECENT SHOOTING INCIDENT IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES IN CYPRUS

Greek Minister of Defence, Gerasimos Arsenis commenting on the recent shooting incident in the turkish occupied part of Cyprus, stated that it is the policy of Denktash's pseudo-state to skilfully create a situation of terror in order to bring about a gap between the greek-cypriot and the turkish-cypriot societies and lead to the division of the island.

Mr.Arsenis stressed that the problem is not between the two communities but stems from Denktash's establishment, the occupation forces and the turkish settlers in northern Cyprus. Mr.Arsenis added that if the two communities on the island are left alone within the framework of an independent and united Cyprus can jointly face the problems in the country.

[13] CONFLICTING VALUATIONS ON THE OUTCOME OF THE OPINION POLLS

The second part of the opinion poll that was conducted in Greece by the polling company PRC, showed that the best candidate for the premiership is PASOK leader and Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis having the support of 50,7% of the electorate, while New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert got 27,2%.

It should be noted that 12% of New Democracy's voters expressed their preference to Kostas Simitis responding to the question on who will be the best choice for Prime Minister. Also, 22,1% believes that none is right for the premiership.

In spite of the fact that the two main parties are neck and neck in the election race, the electorate when asked which one of the parties will be better in dealing with the country's problems PASOK is leading with 33,6%, compared to New Democracy's 24,6%.

[14] THE LEADER OF POLITICAL SPRING SAYS IS READY FOR TALKS WITH THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES IN CASE NONE GETS THE NECESSARY MAJORITY OF SEATS IN PARLIAMENT

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras in an interview to an Athens daily expressed his party's readiness to enter a public discussion with the two major political parties for an agreement in case no party gets the necessary majority of seats in Parliament to form a government.

Mr.Samaras stated that Political Spring has the will to make the biggest possible election leap. Referring to the political positions of his party, mr.Samaras mentioned that Greece's national issues are non negotiable, while he repeated that there can be economic growth without austerity measures. He also proposed the formation of a new Constitution and the establishment of a solidarity society and a fair state.

[15] THE LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIAL MOVEMENT BELIEVES THAT NO PARTY WILL GET THE MAJORITY OF SEATS IN PARLIAMENT NEEDED TO FORM A GOVERNMENT

Leader of Democratic Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas in an interview to an Athens daily stated that no political party will get the necessary majority of votes in Parliament in order to be able to form a government.

Mr.Tsovolas characterized as "lost votes", the votes PASOK and New Democracy will get and expressed the position that there will be a total change in the country's political setting.

[16] PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS ARE HELD BY MEMBERS OF KURDISH ORGANIZATIONS IN ATHENS

A protest march to the US Embassy in Athens was held by members of kurdish organizations in a show of protest against Turkey's intentions to establish a so-called "security zone", along its borders with northern Iraq.

Earlier, another protest demonstration was held in front of the turkish Embassy while a protest rally was held in a central Athens square.

[17] THERE IS NO LEGISLATION REGARDING POLLS, SAYS PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

The various polls that spring up during pre-election campaigns in Greece often serve special inerests, yet there is not legislation to control them, according to President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Commenting on the recent polls that present ruling party PASOK as prevailing over the main opposition New Democracy, while others show exactly the opposite, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that PASOK does not take these polls for granted.

The President of Parliament added that the margin of voters who have yet to decide mostly stem from the ruling party.

[18] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT AWARDS PARALYMPICS PARTICIPANTS

In a ceremony held this morning in Greece's Parliament, Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis awarded the athletes who participated in the Atlanta-held Paralympics, the Games for people with physical handicaps.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that the state must grant equal status to the persons with special needs and emphasized that being at the threshold of the 21st century, discrimination against handicapped persons must be eradicated through proper training and awareness- raising at schools and at home.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[19] THE TURKISH ALLEGATIONS ON GREEK-CYPRIOT INVOLVEMENT IN THE RECENT SHOOTING INCIDENT IN ACHERITOS ARE BEING OVERTURNED

New evidence and information overturn the turkish allegations according to which, greek-cypriots were involved in the recent shooting incident in Acheritos.

Based on new evidence at the disposal of the cypriot security authorities, access to the turkish outpost, where the shooting happened, is possible only from the occupied territories, while it can not be reached by car from the free territories.

This fact supports the suspicions that the turkish military vehicle that had approached the outpost just before the shooting and left immediately after, had something to do with the whole incident.

[20] THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF CYPRUS FOR THE FUNERAL OF THE TURKISH SOLDIER

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller, accompanied by a large government delegation, arrived in the turkish occupied part of Cyprus and attended the funeral of the turkish soldier, who was killed last Sunday in the region of Acheritos.

Ms.Ciller met with turkish-cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash and in statements she made underlined the support Turkey will offer to the turkish-cypriots.

Meanwhile, according to statements made by the cousin of the dead soldier to the greek radio station in London, the victim, as well as, the injured soldier are kurds and were shot by turkish soldiers.

In another development, turkish-cypriot pseudo-state Agriculture Minister, Kenan Akin denied allegations that he was among the killers of greek-cypriot, Solomos Solomou in Derinia and characterized the information as "another fabrication of the greek- cypriot mass media".

[21] THE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVED A RESOLUTION CALLING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE AN INITIAVE FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

The australian Parliament unaninously approved a resolution calling the australian Federal government to undertake an international initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Shadow Foreign Minister mr.Brereton, who tabled the resolution proposal, stressed that Australia must undertake an initiative for the promotion of a solution to the problem of Cyprus within the framework of the UN and the British Commonwealth.

[22] GREECE WON THE FIRST PRIZE IN MELBOURNE'S FOOD AND DRINK INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

The greek stand in Melbourne's Food and Drink International Exhibition "Fine Food" got the first prize. The stand's decoration was inspired from the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean.

According to mr.Thanasis Makrandreou, commercial attache in Greece's General Consulate in Sidney, who organised the exhibition in cooperation with the Organization for the Promotion of Exports and 27 greek export companies, this distinction constitutes a new recognition of the high quality characterizing the greek products, while at the same time it strengthens the efforts aimed at increasing their demand in the australian market.

[23] RUSSIA IS AGAINST A POSSIBLE TURKISH INVASION OF IRAQ

Russian Foreign Minister Primakov expressed his government's deep concern over the situation in northern Iraq and the possibility of a turkish invasion for the purpose of establishing a "security zone" along the turkish-iraqui borders.

In his statement the russian Foreign Minister stresses that the turkish actions constitute serious violation of a sovereign state's territorial integrity and underlines that Ankara's stance adds distabilization to the already tense situation in the region.

The russian Foreign Minister calls the turkish government to avoid measures that can threaten not only Iraq's unity but the rest countries in the region as well and concludes by suggesting that a solution to the problem can be found through dialogue among Ankara, Baghdad and the kurdish parties.

[24] ’URKISH-CYPRIOT AGRICULTURE MINISTER INVOLVED IN KILLING GREEK-CYPRIOT

Turkish-Cypriot Agriculture Minister Kenan Akin appears to be one of the men who killed Greek-Cypriot Solomos Solomou last month in Deryneia.

Cypriot officials recognized the Minister's face in a close- caption analysis of the video footage.

Meanwhile, relatives of the Turkish-Cypriot soldier who was shot dead on Sunday on the occupied territory, stated that the Kurdish-origin victim was shot by Turks either because he expressed his opposition to Ankara's military advance in northern Iraq, or to create a provocation.

Tansu Ciller, Turkey's Foreign Minister and ex-Premier, will attend the soldier's funeral today in Cyprus.

[25] CYRPIOT PARLIAMENT EMBARKS ON INTERNATIONAL MISSION

The Cypriot Parliament will embark on an international mission to condemn the turkish savaregy, starting with efforts to "freeze" the funding proposals to Turkey through the European Parliament.

The Parliament will also forward a delegation to Peking's Congress of the Interparliamentary Union, where over 700 Mps will be represented, to be followed by delegations that will address the Council of Europe, and travel to the United States and Russia.

[26] TURKEY TO PROCEEED WITH CONSTRUCTION OF ITS FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

In spite of the international protests and reactions, mainly from ecological organizations, Turkey will proceed to the construction of its first nuclear power plant.

According to reports from Ankara, the nuclear plant will be built at Akuyiou, neat the Myrsini port.

It will have a 600-1400 megawatts capacity and its operation is scheduled to begin in the year 2005.

[27] UN SECRETARY-GENERAL SPECIAL ENVOY TO MEET WITH CLERIDES AND DENKTASH

The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy Han Sung Ju arrives in Nicosia today in order to orchestrate direct talks between both sides of the divided island.

According to reports, Mr. Han's ultimate aim is to reduce the tension and to create the pre-conditions for promoting a final solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Han will hold separate meetings with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. On Friday, the three men will meet together and thereafter Mr. Han will travel to Athens and Ankara.

[28] 70,000 KURDS FROM NORTHERN IRAQ SEEK REFUGE IN IRAN

Over 70,000 Kurds from northern Iraq have sought refuge in Iran, which reportedly has opened its borders following yesterday's overtake of Suleimanya by men of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan.

The conquest of Suleimanya, which constituted the stronghold of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, re-ignited fears of a repeat of the 1991 tragedy when approximately two million Kurds fled to Turkey and Iran in order to escape from the Iraqi troops.

According to reports, the city of Suleimanya put up no resistance and a spokesperson from a European human rights organization stationed in northern Iraq stated that the current situation is calm.

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