MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (96-10-07)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, October 7, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE GREEK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE IS STUDYING THE NEW VIOLATION OF GREEK TERRITORIAL WATERS BY A TURKISH PATROL BOAT

The greek Ministry of Defence is evaluating yesterday's violation of greek territorial waters by a turkish patrol boat in the region of the Aegean islets of Imia, stated government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas.

Mr.Reppas added that the Ministry of Defence will brief on the incident the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will decide on the moves that need to be made.

[02] THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED THE VIOLATIONS OF NICOSIA'S FIR BY TURKISH WAR PLANES

Cypriot government spokesman, Yiannakis Kasoulidis confirmed today that turkish war planes have violated Nicosia's FIR and harassed greek airplanes.

As it was clarified by mr.Kasoulidis, the cypriot government has information according to which, turkish war planes violated the FIR and that mock air combats had followed.

[03] NATIONAL GUARD OF CYPRUS BEGINS "NIKIFOROS" WITH GREECE'S PARTICIPATION

The Cypriot National Guard's military exercise "Nikiforos '96" embarked on its operative phase today, utilizing real ammunition with the back up of greek fighter jets and warships.

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides observed the exercise's first part today, along with Cyprus' Minister of Defense Kostas Heliades, and commented that "the participation of Greek armed forces in 'Nikiforos' gives the clear message that the joint defense area doctrine is firm. It is what secures the future of the cypriot Hellenism."

Greece's warships, the fregate "Aegean", the destroyer "Themistocles" and two rocket launchers participating in the greek exercise "Toxotis" are also taking part in "Nikiforos."

The Cypriot exercise also features, for the first time, russian artillery BMP 3 and T-80.

[04] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT SUPPORTS GREEK PARTICIPATION IN MILITARY EXERCISE

Greek Air Force flights will be conducted in Cyprus whenever it is deemed necessary, stated the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides.

Mr. Clerides also stated that there were no pressures exerted to prevent greek forces from participating in the cypriot national guard's military exercise "Nikiforos '96" and pointed out that "even if pressure is exerted, our side will not succumb to it."

Mr. Clerides observed the first part of the exercise and commended the National Guard's leadership.

The National Guard's Lieutenant General Mr. Vorvolakos stated that "stemming form the analysis and study of the coordinated acts, we derive knowledge and experience which allow us to further a common plan, common training, event readiness, all within the realm of the joint defense doctrine."

[05] STATEMENTS BY THE CYPRIOT MINISTER OF DEFENCE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE MILITARY EXERCISE "NIKIFOROS"

Cypriot Minister of Defence, Kostas Eliadis in statements he made after the completion of the second phase of the military exercise "Nikiforos" underlined that the presence of the greek Air Force in coperation with the National Guard gives the message that the joint defence area exists and that there is a deterrent force.

Mr.Eliadis stated that the second phase of the military exercise was completed successfully by saying characteristically that everything was done with great timing and success. He also added that the precision fires were successful while the weapons systems participating in the military exercise operated exactly as programmed.

[06] THE COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND CYPRUS IS EXPRESSED THROUGH MILITARY EXERCISES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE JOINT DEFENCE DOCTRINE

Greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas stated that the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus is being expressed through military exercises held within the framework of the joint defence doctrine. Mr.Reppas stated that if the island was demilitarized there would have been no reason for the joint defence doctrine or for the planning of such exercises.

Responding to the question on the information concerning US pressures exerted in order to have a memorandum issued on the flights of greek and turkish planes over Cyprus, he pointed out that the only proposal existing is the one made by american ambassador to the UN, ms.Albright for a military dialogue aimed at the disengagement of military forces on both sides of the Attila line in Cyprus.

The greek government spokesman stated that to this proposal the cypriot government has responded positively while obstacles are being presented by mr.Denktash.

[07] GREECE'S ALTERNATE AND DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTERS TO VISIT CYPRUS

Greece's deputy Foreign Minister Christos Rozakis and alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou will visit Cyprus within the folowing days, in light of the United States initiative on the cypriot issue.

During their stay, Messrs. Rozakis and Papandreou will hold contacts with Cypriot political leaders.

[08] GREEK PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO FINLAND TOMORROW FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will depart for Finland tomorrow, embarking on a three-day, formal visit after an invitation issued by Finnish President Maarti Ahtisari.

The President and his counterpart will discuss bilateral relations and the overall developments in the European Union.

According to his schedule, President Stephanopoulos will visit Helsinki's City Hall, the Uspenski Cathedral, the University of Kuopio and large industry plants.

[09] GREECE'S NEW PARLIAMENT SUMMONS FIRST SESSION TODAY

The country's newly elected Parliament summoned its first session today beginning with the traditional blessing and followed by the swearing-in of the 300 Parliament deputies. The ceremony consisted of two parts, the first for the 297 Christian deputies and the second for the three Muslim deputies who were elected, two in Rodopi and one in Xanthi.

The new Parliament includes 84 new faces as well as 27 former deputies who did not participate at the previous parliamentary composition.

In all, there are 162 deputies from the ruling party PASOK, 108 from the main opposition New Democracy, 11 from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), ten from the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) and nine from the Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI).

The Parliament's opening session was held in the presence of former President of the Hellenic Republic Christos Sartzetakis, former Prime Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, the mayor of Athens, Supreme Court justices, the President of the Athens Academy, the armed forces leadership and other dignitaries.

The Parliament President will be elected by secret ballot in the Parliament's Plenary session tomorrow, October 8, while the remaining members of the legislative body's Presiding Board will be elected on Wednesday, October 9.

The three-day discussion of the Government's policy statements will begin on Thursday, October 10 and will be completed on Saturday around midnight when the Government will ask for the Parliament's vote of confidence.

[10] MR.KAKLAMANIS' RE-ELECTION TO THE POST OF PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IS REGARDED AS CERTAIN

The re-election of mr.Apostolos Kaklamanis to the post of Parliament President is regarded as certain in tomorrow's voting.

Mr.Kaklamanis' candidature to the post is supported by the governing majority, while it is not known yet what will be New Democracy's stance, namely if the party will support its own condidate, possibly former Parliament President Athanasios Tsaldaris, or if it will simply vote against the sole candidate for the position.

The Communist party will decide today in its parliamentary group meeting what its position will be. According to information, the Communist party deputies possibly will cast blank ballots, and their example is expected to be followed by the Coalition of the Left and the Social Democratic Movement Parliament deputies.

[11] ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN GREECE-FYROM HELD TODAY IN NEW YORK

Talks on the name issue between Greece and FYROM will be continued today in New York, under the auspice of international mediator Cyrus Vance.

Mr. Vance will meet with the Greek Ambassador Christos Zacharakis and with FYROM's Ivan Tosevski. Thereafter, the two officials will return to their respective countries wherein they will hold talks with their governments.

FYROM is considering a name for Greece's exclusive use, as FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov has recently stated "they (Greece) can call us with any name they want."

The applications of this name could be for FYROM's domestic use, for bilateral uses or as a substitute for the acronym FYROM to be used by international organizations and which name will be used by third parties as they deem proper, or a name which will be used by third parties obligatorily, something that demands the signing of an agreement which will force a compromise.

The same UN sources have stated that the use of "FYROM" as a name has certain drawbacks since, first, it has not been accepted by the Skopjan leadership, second, use of acronyms is avoided, and third, it contains no adjective thereby making it difficult to address the country's residents.

[12] THE CRISIS IN NEW DEMOCRACY CONTINUES AFTER THE RE-ELECTION OF MR.EVERT TO THE PARTY LEADERSHIP

New Democracy leading party members continue their contacts as the crisis in the party persists, while the party's Parliament members' meeting will be held this afternoon.

This morning mr.Stefanos Manos met with ms.Dora Bakoyianni, while later in the day the two were expected to meet with mr.Giorgos Souflias to determine the stance they will adopt after the re-election of mr.Miltiadis Evert to the party leadership.

Meanwhile, in statements he made today, ND Parliament deputy mr.Yiannis Kefaloyiannis maintained that when the party congress will be held a final and permanent solution to the issue of the party leadership can be found, adding that a "clean" solution for New Democracy will be the nomination of Kostas Karamanlis as party President.

Meanwhile, ND Parliamentary Group General Secretary mr.Stavros Dimas submitted his resignation to the party President clarifying that he does not want to be reappointed to the post.

[13] INTERNET HACKERS AT IT AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY STRIKE M.P.A.'S SERVER

The Macedonian Press Agency's server was shut down for several hours yesterday, October 6, when unknown hackers secretly entered the news agency's computer system three times, causing damages and making alterations to the M.P.A.'s first page.

The same persons also filtered into the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki's server "Vergina" yesterday.

The first similar incident in Greece's Internet chronicles, albeit with greater severity, was noted in December of 1995 when hackers had infiltrated the server of Greek daily Eleftherotypia and entered the false report that the late Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, who was then hospitalized, had died. The newspaper's eagle-eyed staff caught the alarming falsity on time.

The Macedonian Press Agency has imminent plans to provide, on a permanent basis, taped news bulletins for use by radio stations both in Greece and abroad, while video footage of the most significant news releases from Greece and the Balkans will also be available.

M.P.A.'s server can be found in Thessaloniki on (http:..www.mpa.gr), in Athens on (http://www.ntua.gr), in the United States on (http://www.hri.org/MPA/gr) and in Australia on (http://www.grausnet.aust.com).

[14] UNDERSECRETARY OF DEVELOPMENT SPEAKS AT INFORMATION SYSTEMS EXHBIT

A business without electronic data information (EDI) is unheard of in the United States and western Europe, according to Greece's under-Secretary of Development Anna Diamantopoulou.

Speaking at the Thessaloniki-held 2nd Congress of Information and Telecommunication Applications, Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that the Development Ministry is currently promoting an EDI application program in Greece, for an 18-month duration.

The Congress, organized within the framework of the 10th International Information Exhibition INFOSYSTEM, gave extensive coverage to sound broadcasts via the Internet.

However, the latest technological boost bears a downside for some in the field.

"Its impact on the revenues of telecommunication organizations will be dramatic as it provides the user with access to anywhere in the world at a cost of local calling," explained an official from Greece's telecommunications organization OTE.

[15] HELLENIC-BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOLD TOURISM SEMINAR AT XANTHI

Tourism experts from Great Britain will present the sector's development opportunities that exist in eastern Macedonia and Thrace during a seminar organized by the British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce on Friday, October 11, in Xanthi.

Aside from displaying the various methods of promoting the sector and attracting tourists, the seminar will also look into ways of arriving at European Union resources which support tourism- related initiatives.

[16] NEW EVIDENCE ON THE GREEK PRESENCE AND INFLUENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WILL BE PRESENTED IN AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM IN CAIRO

New evidence on the greek presence and influence in the Middle East and also new findings from the sea region of Alexandria Bay will be presented until Wednesday within the framework of a three-day International Symposium on Alexander of History and Alexander of Legend. The Symposium is being held in the egyptian cities of Cairo and Alexandria.

The Symposium is organized for a second year by the Hellenic Institute of Culture in Egypt on the initiative of the greek embassy's cultural attache, mr.Kostis Moskov in cooperation with the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki '97" and the Prefecture of Thessaloniki.

Speaking to MPA, mr.Moskov stated that the aim is to locate ancient greek findings in the Middle East, as it happened in the first Symposium on Alexander the Great and added that the presentations of the scientists participating in it are very promising.

In the Symposium participate 22 archeologists, historians and University professors from Greece, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, Cyprus, Britain and Italy. The presentations begin today in Cairo and will continue in Alexandria until Wednesday.

[17] GREECE, BULGARIA, RUSSIA TO MEET OVER BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

A tripartite meeting of Greek, Bulgarian and Russian experts on the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline is expected to be held in October.

Bulgarian Minister of Public Works and Projects D. Grigorov has stated that both Bulgaria and Greece have proposed a specific timetable to the russian side for this meeting and are awaiting a response.

The pipeline's technical specifications are expected to be determined at the upcoming session. According to the Bulgarian daily Trud, Sofia, with Athens' cooperation, is ready to submit seven alternative plans for the pipeline's construction and course.

The project's cost estimates range between $570-640 million, and its construction is expected to start during 1997.

[18] FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER HELMUT NEWTON IS IN THESSALONIKI FOR THE FIRST EXHIBITION OF HIS WORK IN GREECE

Famous and controversial photographer, Helmut Newton spoke about his art, women and his relationship with Greece and his native country Germany in a press conference he gave in Thessaloniki on the occasion of the first exhibition of his work in Greece, which is being held within the framework of the cultural events "Dimitria '96" in Thessaloniki.

Mr.Newton said that his photographs reflect the essence of our times, while the 76yearold german photographer also stated that is very happy to be in Greece, adding that in the 60's he used to visit the country very often, mainly for business reasons.

He said that in spite of his age he does not plan to give up photography but added that he will stop doing fashion photography and will turn toward new persuits without abandoning the main theme of his photographs, namely women, who were always a source of inspiration for him.

Regarding his country, he said that with Germany he has a love-hate relationship and stressed that he can not face the germans of his generation without a certain suspicion.

[19] SOFIA-THESSALONIKI BY TRAIN IN FOUR HOURS, BEGINNING IN DECEMBER

Come December, the Sofia-Thessaloniki route will be covered in merely four hours, the Railway Organization of Bulgaria announced today.

Aside from the new trains that will be used for this route, another time-reducing factor will be the on-board passenger check- in.

[20] BULGARIA, YUGOSLAVIA AND RUSSIA ATTEND TRADE SEMINAR IN KAVALA TODAY

In an effort to increase trade activity to and from Northern Greece, trade attaches from the Embassies of Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Russia are attending a seminar held in Kavala today where they will also meet with officials from Greece's National Economy Ministry.

The trade attaches from Albania, Romania and FYROM have cancelled their scheduled participation in the seminar.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[21] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR TO NICOSIA

Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis met in Nicosia today with US ambassador, Kenneth Brill to discuss the results of the talks the cypriot President had with US officials during his recent visit to the United States.

The US ambassador in statements he made after the meeting expressed the US government's interest in all the aspects of the Cyprus problem and clarified that he did not discuss with mr.Kliridis the issue of the military exercise "Nikiforos".

[22] CYPRUS: U.S. PROPOSAL FOR MILITARY DIALOGUE EXPECTED THIS MONTH

The United States' new proposal for military dialogue in Cyprus is expected to be revealed within the month, according to Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides.

The Cypriot Minister stated that the U.S. is interested in achieving a cohesive, not partial, solution to the Cyprus problem and emphasized that this approach represents both the U.S. and the Security Council.

[23] AUSTRALIAN AND SWISS DOCTORS JOINTLY AWARDED NOBEL PRIZE IN MEDICINE

The Nobel Prize in medicine for 1996 has been awarded jointly to Australian doctor Peter Doherty from Cambera and Ralph Cinkernagel, a Swiss doctor from Zurich, for their study concerning "the immune system's recognition of virus-stricken cells."

The two scientists collaborated at the John Kerting School of Medical Research, in Cambera, Australia.

Their study is deemed as being highly significant in the field of clinical medicine. It concerns the efforts to strengthen the immune system from microorganisms and viruses which enter the body as specific types of cancer, as well as the reduction of infection-related complications in illnesses such as diabetes, rheumatisms and multiple sclerosis.

[24] IRENE PAPA TO BE AWARDED THE "RUDOLPH VALENTINO" CINEMA PRIZE IN BERLIN

The international award of cinema "Rudolpho Valentino" will be bestowed upon Greek actress Irene Papa on Wednesday in Berlin.

The gold statue, bearing the figure of the legendary silent movie actor, Rudolph Valentino, will also be granted to two of Spain's most famous names in the movie industry, actor Antonio Banderas and director Pedro Almodovar.

Since 1972, the award ceremony has been held in Los Angeles and past recipients include Robert Altman, Elizabeth Taylor and Sean Connery.

This year's awards will be held under the auspices of Italian Premier Romano Prodi.

[25] MODERN GREEK IS SECOND MOST POPULAR LANGUAGE COURSE IN AUSTRALIA

Modern Greek is a stronghold among university students in Australia, who in increasing numbers choose to learn the language of Homer's descendants.

Coming second to French, the Greek language study programs are respectively followed in popularity by Italian and Japanese, according to data provided by Victoria's Ministry of Education.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/