MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (18/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 18, 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] POLITICAL LEADERS CONTINUE CAMPAIGNS, ELECTION DAY NEARS

Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis continues his pre-election campaign tonight with speaking engagements in the cities of Volos and Lamia.

Speaking in Larisa yesterday, Mr. Simitis announced PASOK's policies for the farmers and promised dairy and cotton producers that their incomes will be secured. Once again, he criticised the main opposition party New Democracy for using black propaganda tactics.

New Democracy President Miltiades Evert will also speak at an open rally in Serres this evening. In Kalamata yesterday, Mr. Evert turned against the Premier and the Government whom he accused of breeding discord.

Appearing certain of enjoying victory in Sunday's elections, Mr. Evert reiterated the seven axes of his economic policies.

Minor opposition party leader, Political Spring's Antonis Samaras is in Kalamata today where he will address an open rally.

Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Aleka Paparega spoke at her party's central gathering in Athens last night and, after criticising both PASOK and N.D., asked her audience to turn its support away from the larger parties and instead give its votes to KKE.

The President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party Nikos Konstantopoulos will tour Athens' Peristeri District and President of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) will give a press conference this afternoon in Athens.

[02] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES CONTINUE IN GREECE

The pre-election campaign in Greece continues with only a few days left before the September 22 elections.

Prime Minister and PASOK leader, Kostas Simitis spoke today in open-air political rallies in the cities of Volos and Larisa, while in an interview to an Athens daily underlines the social dimensions of PASOK's policy. New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert spoke today in the northern city of Serres, while tomorrow he will give a press conference in Athens.

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras toured Athens suburbs and in the evening spoke in his party's central political rally in the southern city of Kalamata. Coalition of the Left leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos toured Athens suburbs, while honorary Communist party President, Harilaos Florakis will visit Kavala and Thasos tomorrow.

Democratic Social Movement leader, Dimitris Tsovolas in a press conference in Athens presented his party's positions concerning the way the country should be governed. He said that incentives should be given for the modernization and the development of medium-sized businesses, while he characterized as unfair the objective criteria taxation system. Mr.Tsovolas said that his party will not accept the recognition of FYROM under the name "Macedonia" or any of its derivatives, while he stated that it was a mistake for Greece to lift its veto blocking the EU funds for Turkey stressing that it led to the turkish provocations in the Aegean and Cyprus.

The proposal made by New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert to change the date of his scheduled press conference to Friday night, after Prime Minister and PASOK leader, Kostas Simitis' speech in the central political rally of his party in Athens, has caused the strong reaction of the rest political parties.

PASOK's spokesman during the pre-election period Environment, Planning and Public Works Minister, Kostas Laliotis characterized mr.Evert's proposal as "pre-election coup", while he criticized him for his statements concerning the issues of national importance asking if he is really ready to discuss with Turkey the international accords and the Treaty of Lausanne that define the status of the Dodecanese.

[03] FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER IN THESSALONIKI, BLASTS MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY

Akis Tsohatzopoulos, PASOK's former Minister of the Interior, De-Centralization and Public Administration accused the main opposition party New Democracy and its President Miltiades Evert of using a barbaric form of demagogy, a most audacious trading of national issues and an unprecedented expression of despotism and disdain towards the Cross-Party Committee, all in regards to the on-air time allocated to the political partiesby the media.

Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki this afternoon, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also emphasized that the important message during this pre-election campaign is the need of an immediate redistribution of the national income towards those groups that have paid the dues of converging the greek economy. Moreover, the former Minister stated that the new government needs an application of a long-term plan to face the problems and concerns of the lower and middle classes.

[04] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER INSISTS ON HOLDING INTERVIEW ON FRIDAY

The main opposition party New Democracy is insistent on its leader's (Miltiades Evert) proposal to hold an interview on Friday night.

According to New Democracy's spokesperson Prokopis Pavlopoulos, if the Cross-Party Committee does not accept the proposal to hold Mr. Evert's interview on a national television network, then the party will opt to hold the interview at its offices and will provide the interview to all the networks which will request it.

With this in mind, Mr. Evert has forwarded letters to the state-owned television channels and the major private networks in which he asks that the stations assign a reporter to the interview.

[05] GOVERNMENT-ARMED FORCES JUXTAPOSITION MUST END NOW, SAYS N.D. LEADER

The leader of the main opposition party New Democracy's Miltiades Evert has asked that the on-going juxtaposition between the government and the armed forces regarding the Imia crisis must end now.

Speaking from Thessaloniki's "Macedonia" airport, Mr. Evert called on Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis to clarify what exactly happened the night of the Imia crisis that broke out in January and criticised the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis by stating that through his display of irresponsibility resulted in a conflict between the Government and the armed forces.

[06] COMMUNIST PARTY TO HOLD ITS CENTRAL RALLY IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega will speak at the party's central pre-election rally tomorrow, scheduled to be held in the center of Thessaloniki at Aristotle Square.

Meanwhile, KKE's honorary President Harilaos Florakis, speaking in Komotini, asked the crowd of supporters to denounce bipartisanism.

"The current government, PASOK, says that it will continue with the same policy, which it deems correct and does not intend to change. Therefore, do not wait for a better change but, instead, prepare for the worse if it wins the people's vote," Mr. Florakis stated.

Turning to the main opposition party next, he said "New Democracy makes promises and offers specious arguments, yet its policy does not differ much from the government's" and added that all these years the policy that led the way was one shaped by the decisions drawn by the "powerful" in Brusells, and acquiesced to the desires of the United States and the demands of NATO.

[07] M.P.A. TO PROVIDE ON-LINE COVERAGE OF ELECTIONS, WITH SOUND AND VIDEO

Through the use of innovation and employing all the capabilities of modern technology, the Macedonian Press Agency is prepared to broadcast the September 22 Greek election outcomes throughout the world.

The election process will be provided through the Internet not only with data, graphs and charts, but also with sound and video coverage of the political leaders' statemnets, mostly for the use of radio stations and television networks targeting the greek community abroad.

Over 80,000 persons linked up with M.P.A.'s special edition for the elections located at its Thessaloniki server (http://www.mpa.gr/gr/ekloges96) and in Athens at (http://www.ntua.gr/gr/ekloges96). Also, this edition is mirrored on the server of the Hellenic Research Institute (http://hri.org/MPA/gr/ekloges96) and in Australia's (http://www.grausnet.aust.com).

Since the traffic onto M.P.A.'s server is expected to startingly multiply this week and will most likely reach a peak on the evening of September 22, the M.P.A. has upgraded its link with the Internet to 128 kbs, in order to serve the high number of recipients.

Moreover, on M.P.A.'s server one can find each political party's positions on foreign policy and overseas-Hellenism policies, the MP candidates, all supplied with color photographs amd brief resumes. Also, M.P.A.'s server provides a history of election outcomes since 1974, the Prime Ministers and the Presidents of the Republic.

[08] UNDERSECRETARY OF HEALTH UNDERGOES SURGERY, CONDITION IS STILL CRITICAL

Critical remains the condition of Greek Undersecretary of Health Franklinos Papadellis who underwent a neurosurgical operation in Athens yesterday after having suffered a stroke on Sunday night while he was campaigning in the island of Limnos.

Mr. Papadellis is hospitalized at the General Hospital's Neurosurgical Clinic where the medical director, Thanasis Leventis, stated that the patient's condition could be reversible.

According to the medical bulletin, Mr. Papadellis' vital functions are stable while an ECG has shown that the brain haemorrhage has stopped.

In spite of the contained optimism, the treating physicians do state that the following 24-hour period is deemed as being highly critical.

[09] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT RECEIVED ASSURANCES THAT THE US MAP PRESENTING GREEK ISLETS AS BEING INCLUDED IN DISPUTED AREAS WILL CHANGE

The greek Foreign Ministry confirmed with a statement that the greek government was informed of the existence of a US map concerning Imia. The statement was issued after yesterday's statement made by Political Spring leader, Antonis Samaras according to which a US map presents the islets of Imia as being included in disputed areas in the Aegean.

In the greek Foreign Ministry statement is mentioned that after the necessary steps were made assurances were given by the US government that in the new edition of the map will be included corrections indicating the greek sovereignty over the Imia islets.

Meanwhile, retired armed forces chief, admiral Christos Limberis responding to a statement made by Prime Minister Simitis according to which, the armed forces leadership did not carry out his orders on the night of the crisis in Imia, has issued a written statement in which he mentions that he will give details on what happened that night after the elections.

[10] THE GREEK CARETAKER MINISTER OF PRESS STATED THAT THERE IS NO SPECIFIC MESSAGE ON CYPRUS FROM THE US PRESIDENT TO THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER

Greek caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas stated that there is no specific message on Cyprus from the US President to the greek Prime Minister, clarifying that the greek government welcomes the interest, coming from any country, for the easing of tensions in Cyprus and the greek-turkish relations.

Mr.Konstas also denied the existence of a new UN Secretary General initiative for Cyprus pointing out that there is only one statement made by mr.Ghali in which expresses the hope for progress in the efforts for the solution of the problem and states that he will contribute toward this direction.

[11] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY DECIDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPARTMENT OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EU

The greek Foreign Ministry decided the establishment of a special department with the task to offer assistance to european countries that are not European Union members.

This department will assist those countries in order to be better prepared for the negotiations aimed at their accesion into the EU. The department's more specific objectives will be determined by the prospects opened by the EU enlargement.

[12] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT BULGARIA TOMORROW

Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos is visiting Sofia tomorrow where he will meet with his bulgarian counterpart, Georgi Pirinski to discuss the agreements ratified by the two countries concerning the exploitation of the waters of Nestos River and the opening of three new border crossings.

Meanwhile, bulgarian President, Zeliu Zelev honoured greek ambassador to Sofia, mr.Sideris with the "Stara Planina" medal on the occasion of the end of his term as Greece's ambassador in the country.

"Bulgaria and Greece have common interests", stressed mr.Sideris pointing out that for the two countries is very important "to live in a united Europe".

[13] RUSSIAN NATURAL GAS ARRIVES IN GREECE THROUGH BULGARIA

The first natural gas from Russia arrived in Greece through Bulgaria today earmarked to supply Athens's local industry.

According to an announcement made by Bulgarian "Bulgargaz" company, the natural gas supply began yesterday at the bulgarian border station "Kulata" and finished at the greek natural gas station outside of Strymonohori, near Serres.

Through the pipeline, whose length so far measures 70 kilometers, approximately 500,000 cubic meters of natural gas will be transferred, an amount set to be increased to 60 million cubic meters by the end of the year. The target set for 1997 reaches one billion cubic meters.

The second greek city to be supplied with natural gas from Russia will be Thessaloniki.

[14] PRINCESS DIANA ARRIVED IN ATHENS ON A PRIVATE JET TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF A 28YEAROLD LAWYER

Princess Diana arrived in Athens on a private jet at noon today and immediately left for the small town of Limni in Evia to attend the funeral of 28yearold lawyer Yiannis Kaliviotis who was suffering from a serious heart condition.

Princess Diana had met Kaliviotis when she visited the London hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

[15] THE CREW OF A GREEK SHIP WILL BE HONOURED BY THE US COASTGUARD FOR HEROIC RESCUE EFFORTS

The greek ownership tanker "Nissos Thera" will be honoured tomorrow by the US Coastguard with the prize of "Heroic Rescue". The prize is awarded to ships participating in the automated mutual assistance rescue system.

The crew of the greek ship will be honoured for the efforts that led to the rescue of a spanish fishing boat crew, after the vessel capsized off the coasts of the Canary Islands on March 8, 1995.

The prize will be awarded to the ship's captain in a special ceremony that will be held in Washington's Capitol Hill.

[16] "TEST TUBE BABY" PIONEERS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI IN REPRODUCTION SEMINAR

The doctor who pioneered the "test tube baby" reproduction method, Belgian Andre Van Steirteguilme, will visit Thessaloniki on September 20-21 where he will speak at the conference of the European Association of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

Dr. Steirteguilme was the first physician who successfully performed in-vitro fertilization. His method, which revolutionized sterility therapies and constitutes a further application of artificial insemination, is mostly used in cases of infertility due to sperm-related problems.

Also present at the conference will be Robert Edwards, a British professor who is the father of the first "test tube baby", 18-year-old Louise Brown.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] PRESIDENT CLERIDES: NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN OF WARM INCIDENT IN CYPRUS

"There is no cause of concern" stated the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides, referring to reports given to the Cypriot authorities that Turkish aircraft would bomb key targets in Cyprus' free region.

Concurrently, President Clerides emphasized that Cypriot authorities are undertaking all the necesary diplomatic, political and military measures, adding that the rumors are being calmly analyzed and, if needed, all the necessary measures will be drawn.

Meanwile, the various embassies in Nicosia consider it absurd that Turkey would provoke a warm incident and maintain that the situation is calm. Moreover, they added that neither the Turk- Cypriots nor Ankara would gain any benefit from creating a warm episode.

Cypriot police continues to undertake heightened security measures in the sensitive areas, although last night shooting was heard in Nicosia's Aghios Pavlos area. The Cypriot police and UNFICYP are investigating the episode in order to ascertain if the shooting was directed from the occupied territory.

[18] EURO-MPS EXPECTED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION BARRING ALL EU FUNDS TO TURKEY

All groups composing the European Parliament are expected to adopt a draft resolution that would bar Turkey from receiving any European Union funding, during its plenary session to be held today in Strasburg.

According to the draft resolution, Turkey's behavior in Cyprus, on the Kurdish issue, on respect for human rights and on its democratization course is not consistent with its commitments to the EU and is contrary to the items contained in its agreement with the Customs Union.

Moreover, the draft resolution calls the Turkish government to accept the United Nations resolution on the withdrawal of the occupation forces and the search of a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

Also, it is assessed as being more necessary than ever to start the negotiations for Cyprus's EU accession six months after the intergovernmental conference, in order to alleviate the current situation on the island.

[19] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ELECTION OUTCOMES TO BE ANNOUNCED TODAY

Approximately 2.9 millions of Bosnia-Herzegovina's electorate body have cast their votes in the country's first post-war free elections, with results expected to be announced today.

Up to date readings show Bosnia's current President Alijia Izetbegobic, a Muslim, Krezimir Zubac, current President of the Mulsim-Croatian Federation, and Serb Momcilo Kraijnic, current President of the Bosnianserb Parliament as being the likely choices to each win a seat of the tripartite, rotating presidium.

According to reports published by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in the Muslim sector Izetbegovic's SDA (Party of the Democratic Action) has so far gathered 598,000 votes, an 82.4% rate, against the 496,000 gathered by Momcilo Kraijnic.

The candidate with the most votes will be elected as the first president of the three-member collective presidium, which will be on a rotating, six-month basis.

British Defense Minister Michael Portillo arrived in Sarajevo yesterday and plans to meet with his German counterpart Faulker Rye. The two officials will visit their countries' armed forces stationed in Croatia and Bosnia.

According to Minister Portillo, the purpose of his visit is to assess the election outcome and to search for the best possible way of cooperation between the international community and the Bosnian government.

"Britain and Germany has undertaken inordinate efforts within the framework of the NATO forces' mission in Bosnia for the application of the Dayton agreement for the achievement of stability in former Yugoslavia," Mr. Portillo stated.

[20] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO MEET WITH TANSU CILLER TODAY

The United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus, Han Sung Ju will today with Turkish Foreign Minister and ex-Premier Tansu Ciller in Ankara today.

The UN official has stated that while he is not seeking an immediate resolvement of the Cyprus problem, he does give himself a deadline for achieving progress at the latest until the beginning of the accession negotiations between Cyprus and the European Union.

Moreover, Mr. Ju has said that while a meeting between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is necessary for the achievement of progress, it will not solve the problem. Mr. Ju also hinted that his next meeting to Cyprus will take place at the end of the year.

[21] THERE IS NO INDICATION OF GREEK-CYPRIOT PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN ACHERITOS, STATED THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

Cypriot government spokesman, Yiannakis Kasoulidis reiterated today that there is no indication of greek-cypriot participation in the incidents that took place in Acheritos.

Mr.Kasoulidis added that there are serious questions concerning the way the turkish occupation forces present the killing of the turkish soldier and the injuring of another one.

The cypriot government spokesman stated that police continues the investigation covering all aspects of the issue.

Meanwhile, mr.Kasoulidis stated that the information on the likelihood of a limited turkish military action on the island concerned the region of Derinia.

Speaking to reporters, mr.Kasoulidis stated that based on the representations already made the Cypriot government is confident that the danger has passed.

[22] THE SENARIO OF THE MILITARY EXERCISE "NIKIFOROS '96" WILL BE CHANGED

The senario of the military exercise "Nikiforos '96", that will be held in Cyprus on October 4-9, will be changed this year due to the incidents in Derynia and Imia.

According to the cypriot newspaper "Machi", "Nikiforos '96" will be held at the same time with the military exercise "Parmenion '96" that will take place in Greece.

Both manoeuvres are more upgraded compared to previous years and are being held within the framework of the Joint Defence Doctrine. Greece's presence will be more visible in the military exercise "Nikiforos '96" with the participation not only of the Air Force but of the Navy and land forces as well.

[23] THE AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING TURKEY

The australian Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Turkey's intransigence, the continuing division of Cyprus and the turkish occupation of the northern part of the island, while it also blames the turkish side for the recent bloody incidents on the island.

The resolution was tabled for approval by shadow Foreign Minister mr.Brereton and its content was discussed by the australian Parliament deputies for two hours.

It should be noted that this is the forth discussion on the Cyprus issue held in the australian Parliament in the past weeks.

[24] FORMER US VICE-PRESIDENT, SPYROS AGNEW DIED IN MERYLAND, USA

Former US vice-President, Spyros Agnew died today in Atlantic General Hospital in Ocean City in the state of Meryland, at the age of 77.

Agnew was US vice-President during Richard Nixon's Presidency in the period of 1969-1973. He resigned from his position on October 10, 1973 accused of embezzling public money during his term as State of Meryland Governor in 1967-1968.

A hospital spokesman refused to give details concerning the illness that caused his death.

[25] FYROM FOREIGN MINISTER: RELATIONS WITH GREECE ARE GOOD

"Our relations with Greece are good and our economic cooperation is constantly increasing," stated today the Foreign Minister of FYROM, Ljubomir Frckovski during a session of his country's parliamentary committee on foreign affairs.

Mr. Frtchkovski also pointed out the significance of the role played by Greece's Liaison Office in FYROM, headed by Ambassador Alexandros Malias.

Referring to his country's relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Foreign Minister from FYROM emhasized that their cooperation is developing on all areas, following the signing of an agreement regarding the mutual recognition of both countries.

He also referred to FYROM's good relations with Bulgaria and in regards to Albania Mr. Frckovski stated that contacts were reinstated, after they had been interrupted due to the elections held in Tirana.

[26] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO CUPRUS IN ANKARA

The United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus, Han Sung Ju began his contacts in Ankara today, starting with meetings held with the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Inal Batu and assistant ambassador Onur Oymen.

The UN official stated yesterday that he is looking into ways to reduce the tension in Cyprus so that the latest incidents will not impede future solution proposals. In response to a question on whether he has new proposals for solving the Cyprus issue, Mr. Ju stated that "it is impossible to appear with miracle solutions."

[27] BOSNIA'S PRESIDENT IZETBEGOBIC WILL LEAD COUNTRY'S TRIPARTITE GOVERNMENT

Bosnia's President Alijia Izetbegobic, a Muslim, is the winner of the elections held in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday, according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The final vote count in 86 out of 89 electoral precincts in the Muslim-Croat Federation, show Izetbegobic (head of Party of the Democratic Action SDA) as having gathered approximately 700,000 votes and, as such, will lead the country's three-member collective presidency, which will be on a rotating, six-month basis.

Following closely behind is the Serb Momcilo Kraijnic, current President of the Bosnianserb Parliament, who gathered 631,767 votes in 59 out of 61 electoral precincts in the serb region.

Meanwhile, British Defense Minister Michael Portillo arrived in Sarajevo yesterday where, coupled by his German counterpart Faulker Rye, visited the British and German armed forces stationed in Croatia and Bosnia.

According to Minister Portillo, the purpose of his visit was to assess the election outcome and to search for the best possible way of cooperation between the international community and the Bosnian government.

"Britain and Germany have undertaken inordinate efforts within the framework of the NATO forces' mission in Bosnia for the application of the Dayton agreement," Mr. Portillo stated.

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