MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (96-10-14)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, October 14, 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 GOVERNMENT WILL BACK NICOSIA IN CASE IT APPEALS TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL, STATED MR.REPPAS

Greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas stated that the greek government will back Nicosia in case it decides to appeal to the UN Security Council regarding yesterday's sad incident, an option that is being seriously considered by the cypriot government as cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis has already stated.

Commenting on the same issue, mr.Reppas said that this time the possibility of an appeal is more likely as yesterday's incident has a cumulative effect together with the recent killings of two greek-cypriots that occured after the motorcyclists' march in Cyprus.

Mr.Reppas added that it would be best if the appeal was made after the necessary pre-conditions for its success were secured. The greek government spokesman stated that the government will contribute at an international level in order to be made clear that for as long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved it will be a potential hot spot for the region.

Mr.Reppas added that it is within the greek government's discretion to raise the issue in tomorrow's meeting of the EU Foreign Ministries' Political Directors Council that will be held in Brussels.

[02] TURKISH AMBASSADOR VISITS KOMOTINI, CALLS THE MUSLIM MINORITY "TURKISH"

Turkish Ambassador to Athens Umit Pamir visited the city of Komotene in north-eastern Greece today, where he addressed Thrace's muslim minority as "turkish."

When reminded by reporters that the Treaty of Lauzanne recognizes a muslim minority and not a "turkish" one, Mr. Pamir stated that each one has the right to call the minority any way he wants, while he refused to comment on questions raised regarding the Kurdish issue.

The Turkish Ambassador stated that the purpose of his visit to Thrace is to ascertain whether or not equal rights are being upheld. He did state that since 1974, when he was vice-consul in Komotene, the living conditions have greatly improved.

This evening the turkish diplomat is expected to attend a formal dinner given in his honour by the turkish consulate. Tomorrow he will visit the market of Komotene and will meet with Parliament deputies elected in the region, while in the afternoon will visit Alexandroupolis.

On Wednesday, Mr. Pamir will arrive in Thessaloniki and on Thursday he will end his scheduled tour in northern Greece.

[03] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS INFORMED ON THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR'S INTEREST IN VISITING KOMOTINI, STATED MR.REPPAS

The greek government is informed on turkish ambassador to Athens Umit Pamir's interest in making a visit to the city of Komotini, in north-eastern Greece, stated greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas.

Mr.Reppas called the region's population to face calmly any efforts for unrest and tension, adding that the muslims in Thrace are greek citizens enjoying all rights.

The greek policy in the region, stressed mr.Reppas will not allow Ankara or any third party to use the muslims as a tool or argument.

Meanwhile, strong security measures have been taken in the region of Thrace in order to be avoided any incidents due to the turkish ambassador's visit to the region.

The turkish diplomat is expected to have meetings with local authorities in Komotini this afternoon and afterwards he will tour the city's muslim quarters. In the evening he will attend a formal dinner given in his honour by the turkish consulate. On Tuesday, he will visit the market of Komotini and will meet with Parliament deputies elected in the region, while in the afternoon of the same day he will visit Alexandroupolis.

On Wednesday, mr.Pamir will arrive in Thessaloniki and on Thursday he will end his scheduled tour in northern Greece.

[04] MR.REPPAS' COMMENTS ON THE AEGEAN

Commenting on yesterday's newspaper publications that referred to US initiatives for the disengagement of the military forces from the Aegean, greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas stated that no such proposal or idea was presented to the greek government.

Mr.Reppas also said that there is no scheduled visit by US Pentagon officials for consultations in Athens.

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT CONDEMNS TURKEY TO HIS COUNTERPARTS IN EU, US

President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis has forwarded a letter to his counterparts in the European Union, the United States, Canada and Russia, through which he denounces the latest act of turkish savagery.

Referring to the murder of the unarmed Greek-Cypriot civilian Petros Kakoulis, Mr. Kaklamanis wrote that the act represents the latest atrocity on behalf of Turkey which once more displayed its true colors.

Mr. Kaklamanis' letter was also forwarded to the Council of Europe the Western European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

[06] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO TOUR SARAJEVO, BELGRADE, ZAGREB THIS WEEK

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will travel to the cities of Sarajevo, Belgrade and Zagreb this week, in an effort to display Greece's active involvement in the Balkans and its interest in promoting bilateral relations with Bosnia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia.

Starting with Sarajevo on Wednesday, Mr. Pangalos will address issues of bilateral relations between Greece and Bosnia- Herzegovina as well as Greece's participation in Bosnia's reconstruction projects.

In Belgrade, where Mr. Pangalos' visit is awaited eagerly as it marks the first time a high-ranking official is visiting the city after sanctions imposed on FRY where lifted a few days ago, a cooperation agreement will be signed between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. Before the end of the year, Greece and FRY will also sign bilateral agreements regarding investments and the avoidance of double-taxation.

In Zagreb, Mr. Pangalos will meet with his Croatian counterpart and is also scheduled to meet with Croat President Franjo Tudjman.

[07] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER STATED THAT TURKEY DOES NOT WANT ANY SERIOUS DISCUSSION FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos stated that it is clear there has been an order issued by the turkish occupation authorities for the killing of anyone who comes near their murderous guns and that there is only one reason and excuse for this, namely, that Turkey does not want any kind of serious discussion for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Pangalos added that the international community in similar cases of foreign occupation has decided the implementation of economic and military sanctions against those responsible but in the case of Turkey it displays a peculiar tolerance.

The greek Foreign Minister characterized the behaviour of the turkish occupation forces as unjustified and stressed that Turkey tries to prove, contrary to reality, that the two communities in Cyprus can not co-exist by using to this end its armed settlers, the fascist organizations it has founded on the island and its armed forces. Mr.Pangalos said that this is contradictory, as only a few days ago delegations of greek-cypriots and turkish-cypriots met in a very positive climate.

Regarding the international community's stance, mr.Pangalos said that it should stop avoiding reality with hypocritical behaviour and theoretical declarations. He said that measures should be taken that will bring the turkish occupation of Cyprus to an end and added that in other cases and in regions closeby the international community has displayed its ability to take decisions of economic and military nature and to implement them, stressing that it should do the same with Cyprus.

Mr.Pangalos stated that he supports dialogue but wondered what Greece could discuss with Turkey. He characteristically said that the turks are violating the greek air space and there is a serious cost, that is not just an economic one but in many cases concerns human lives.

He added that the solution is simple, stressing that Turkey must stop the systematic, provocative and frequent violations of the greek air space.

Mr.Pangalos concluded that if the turks change policy there will be a better climate and possibly will be examined other, more technical issues, certain of which have been discussed in the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum, which Greece is ready to implement while Turkey refuses to do so.

Meanwhile, the greek Foreign Minister commenting on the greek- skopjan talks that begin in Geneva today stated that Greece discusses the issue of the name that will be used by FYROM on the basis that there will be only one name.

The point is, stated mr.Pangalos, whether FYROM wants to contribute in the search for a mutually acceptable name, adding that obviously this name can not be the one that is being used today. It has to be a different one, stated mr.Pangalos.

[08] THE HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CHARACTERIZED HIS MEETING WITH HIS GREEK COUNTERPART AS CONSTRUCTIVE

Greek Foreign Minister, Thedoros Pangalos met today with his hungarian counterpart, Laszlo Kovacs who is on a two-day formal visit to Greece.

The two men discussed bilateral issues concerning the development of political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

The hungarian Foreign Minister stated that the cultural relations will be further advanced in 1997 with Hungary's participation in the events organised to take place within the framework of the Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki 97".

Also, mr.Pangalos and mr.Kovacs discussed issues concerning Hungary's european orientation and its EU accesion course.

Mr.Kovacs characterized the meeting as very important and constructive, while he referred specifically to the assistance offered to his country on the issue of its european prospects when Greece was holding the EU Presidency.

[09] THE GREEK PRESIDENT WILL VISIT THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY OFFICES

President, Kostis Stephanopoulos will visit the Macedonian Press Agency's new offices on Monday, October 28.

Mr.Stephanopoulos will be informed by the members of the news agency's Board of Directors on its activities concerning the Balkan region, the greeks living abroad and cyberspace. He will also visit the "Balkan News Bank" that is being created by MPA through the community programe INTERREG II, in which will participate all the Balkan national news agencies.

The greek President will arrive in Thessaloniki on October 25 in order to attend the three-day festivities organised for the celebrations of the 84th anniversary of Thessaloniki's liberation from the turks, the feast of Thessaloniki's patron saint Agios Dimitrios and the "NO" the greeks said to the fascists during the 2nd World War. The President will also watch the large military parade that will be held on October 28.

[10] ATHENS AND NICOSIA CONDEMN THE MURDER OF GREEK-CYPRIOT CIVILIAN

In unisom, the Greek and Cypriot governments have denounced the "cold-blooded" killing of the Greek-Cypriot civilian Petros Kakoulis who was shot yesterday at close range by Turkish occupation troops at the island's demarcation line.

Both Athens and Nicosia are expected to formally protest to international organizations.

Meanwhile, no reaction was forwarded from Washington and the first reaction from the United Nations was reportedly lukewarm.

Turkish-Cypriot staff performed an autopsy on Kakoulis' body in Famagusta this morning without the presence of an independent coroner. The Turkish-Cypriot "authorities" will hand the body over to the UN peacekeeping forces today who in turn will forward it to the Cypriot police. A second autopsy will be performed in Cyprus this afternoon.

Meawhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry characterised the murder as part of "the Greek and Greek-Cypriot provocations."

Greece's Armed Forces and Cyprus' National Guard have drawn increased measures of protection in light of potential turkish provocations. This concern also stems from the turkish military exercise "Taurus", currently taking place between the Greek island of Rhodes and Cyprus.

[11] GREEK EUROMPS TO SUBMIT RESOLUTION CONDEMNING TURKEY IN PARLIAMENT

Greek eurodeputies will submit to the European Parliament today a draft resolution condemning the Turks' new provocation in Cyprus, where a 50-year-old Greek-Cypriot civilian was shot and killed at close range yesterday, according to Greek euroMP Yiannos Kranidiotis.

Mr. Kraniditiotis yesterday participated at the anti- occupation march in Cyprus' Morphou area along with greek eurodeputies Alekos Alavanos, Panayotis Lamprias and Katerina Daskalaki. The group had travelled to Cyprus yesterday in order to participate at the march, along with hundreds of locals. They were informed of the murder by Cyprus' Speaker of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou.

[12] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODOROS PANGALOS ON FYROM NAME ISSUE

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated today that FYROM does not display the necessary spirit of cooperation in resolving the name issue with Greece.

Speaking to a radio station in Thessaloniki, Mr. Pangalos stated that should this tactic continue on behalf of FYROM, a dead end will result and either the United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance or the UN Security Council will be called on to provide a solution.

"FYROM has not shifted from its primary position on the name, (Republic of Macedonia)" Mr. Pangalos stated and added that if they insist on this position then a solution will not be reached, which means that the UN representative will be asked to offer a solution.

The talks are continuing in Geneva today between Greek Ambassador Christos Zacharakis and FYROM's representative Ivan Tosevski, under Mr. Vance's auspice.

[13] HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LASZLO KOVACS IN ATHENS TODAY

Hungary's Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs is in Athens today and is scheduled to have successive meetings with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

According to reports, aside from matters of bilateral interest, Mr. Kovacs is expected to discuss the efforts currently being made by Hungary to join European and Atlanic institutions. He will meet with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Kovacs will travel to Cyprus where he will meet with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Speaker of the House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou in Nicosia.

While there, Mr. Kovacs will also meet with Hungarian soldiers participating in the Austrian detachment of the United Nations peacekeeping forces.

[14] RENOWNED BRITISH PROFESSOR OF GREEK HISTORY TO BE IN THESSALONIKI

World renowned professor Nicholas Hammond from Great Britain will be in Thessaloniki tomorrow where he will address the Sixth International Conference for ancient Macedonia and is expected to emphasize the region's Greek character.

Mr. Hammond has authored numerous books on the history of Macedonia, dating back to prehistoric times until the Roman conquest, and has dedicated a large part of his decades-long research to the history of ancient Macedonia.

In his three-volume work "History of Macedonia" Mr. Hammond has written that "the macedonian language is not a separate one, but rather is a dialect of Greek."

Speaking on the region's Greek character, Mr Hammond has stated that it is clear that Macedonia is Greek since from very early on, the region's people spoke the Greek language.

[15] LOCAL LABORERS MARCH IN FAVOR OF GOLD MINING PROJECT IN HALKIDIKI

Hundreds of local laborers and residents of Halkidiki took part in a march held in the city of Poligyros today, expressing their support to the gold production project in the Halkidiki peninsula operated by canadian company TVX Gold.

The local laborers association, joined by many local residents, has asked that those who are opposed to the project - fearing that it will result in immeasurable environmental pollution- should stop impeding the plant's operation.

The President of the Laborers Association Aggelos Pratsas stated that if the delays continue, caused by the protests, there is a serious threat that the investor will pull out and the region's much-desired development will be halted.

The project, operated by TVX-Gold Hellas, an affiliate of the Canadian mining company TVX Gold Inc., will cost the greek government 63 billion drachmas, approximately 262 million USD, and is scheduled to be completed by next year.

TVX Gold foresees that the project will triple the area's gold output to 1.2 million ounces by 1998.

According to environmental impact reports published by TVX Gold, the project is environmentally sound as it will employ modern technology to process the gold.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] GREECE-FYROM TALKS ON NAME ISSUE HELD IN GENEVA TODAY

Altough specific outcomes have not been achieved yet, steps towards progress have been taken, stated Cyrus Vance the United Nations mediator for the name issue between Greece and FYROM, referring to the meeting held in Geneva today between the two countries' representatives.

No statements were made following the two-hour meeting between Greece's Ambassador Christos Zacharakis and his counterpart from FYROM Ivan Tosevski, although both men implied that the talks are on a good track.

Mr. Zacharakis stated that there is no dead-end, while Mr. Tosevski stated that he is optimistic.

The two officials will meet again in approximately two weeks in New York under Mr. Vance's auspice.

[17] BODY OF MURDERED GREEK-CYPRIOT TURNED OVER TO CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES

The body of Petros Kakkoulis, the 58-year-old Greek-Cypriot civilian who was shot at close range by turkish occupation forces in Cyprus yesterday, was returned to the Cypriot authorities this evening.

The Turks turned the body over to the staff of the United Nations peacekeeping forces who in turn brought it to the Cypriot authorities.

An autopsy will be performed this evening at the Hospital of Larnaca by a coroner appointed by the cypriot government.

The tragic man's funeral will be held tomorrow at state expense in the village of Avgoros where Mr. Kakkoulis lived. Representing the cypriot government will be Minister of Finance Christodoulos Christodoulou, who will also read the funeral oration.

The Avgoros Council of Improvement has declared a 40-day mourning period in the community and welcomes any offering of support and aid to the victim's family.

[18] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT MEETS WITH BRITISH ENVOY TO CYPRUS SIR DAVID HANNAY

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides met with Britain's special representative on the Cyprus problem Sir David Hannay in Nicosia today and discussed yesterday's murder of Greek-Cypriot Petros Kakoulis by turkish occupation forces.

Following their two-hour meeting, the British official condemned the murder of the Greek-Cypriot civilian, altough he avoided making any direct characterizations.

"I will not demand an explanation from Denktash (Turk-Cypriot leader)," Sir Hannay stated, adding that the british policy is not based on making demands but rather on friendly persuasion.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Mr. Denktash stated today that a dialogue should be held between the island's two communities.

"For the Turks, as well as for the Greeks, this death is an unfortunate incident," the Turkish-Cypriot leader stated, adding that "the way to discover the causes provoking these episodes is found at the negotiations table."

[19] CYPRIOT PARTY LEADER TO M.P.A.: MOBILIZE THE LEADERS AND CHANGE TACTICS

The President of Cyprus' United Democratic Union of the Center party (EDEK) Vasos Lyssarides spoke to the Macedonia News Agency today and commented on the latest murder of a Greek-Cypriot civilian by turkish occupation forces.

"After the third murder of a Greek-Cypriot, we must show that our patience has limits and that we will not tolerate for much longer the cold-blooded murder of unarmed persons," Mr. Lyssarides stated.

The EDEK party President added that the leaders must mobilize and change their tactics in handling the matter.

[20] CYPRUS CONSIDERS RECOURSE TO SECURITY COUNCIL

The Cypriot Government will consider seeking recourse to the Security Council over the cold-blooded murder of the Greek-Cypriot civilian Petros Kakoulis.

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides has stated that he will wait until all testimony is gathered, along with the United Nations report in order to examine the recourse venue.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Mihaelides will issue a demarche to the Ambassadors of Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, the Security Council's five permanent members.

Mr. Mihaelides stated that the Cypriot government will condemn the turkish brutality in all directions and emphasized that Turkey's policy is to shoot and kill all those who cross the demarcation line and aims at giving the impression that the Cypriot issue is complex and, as such, should discourage those who are interested in solving it.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister also speculated that an order must have been given to open fire against those who cross the demarcation line, although, he pointed out, no tension was noted in the recent days which could have somehow brought about the murder.

Given that the international community has decided to put an end to the Cyprus problem and the american initiative is moving along, while the negotiations for Cyprus's accession to the European Union are to begin soon, are all factors of concern for Ankara, which does not wish to resolve the issue but rather to prolong the situation, Mr. Mihaelides concluded.

[21] KILLING OF GREEK-CYPRIOT WAS AN "UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT" SAYS DENKTASH

Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has characterized yesterday's killing of Petros Kakoulis as an "unfortunate incident."

In an interview with BBC, Mr. Denktash made provocative statements and blamed the Greek-Cypriot side for the murder by stating that "the Greek-Cypriots, through their intransigence, maintain the tension in Cyprus."

[22] THE DENKTASH REGIME HAS CHANGED POSITION SHOOTING AND KILLING ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, STATED MR.KASOULIDIS

Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis will have meetings with the cypriot political party leaders on Friday, while next week there will be a meeting of the National Council in order to discuss yesterday's cold-blooded murder of greek-cypriot, Petros Kakkoulis.

Cypriot government spokesman, Yiannakis Kasoulidis expressed his concern over the change in the position of the Denktash regime, which now shoots and kills anyone who enters the occupied territories.

[23] BRITAIN CONDEMNS THE KILLING, NO COMMENT YET FROM WASHINGTON

Great Britain has condemned the killing of the unarmed Greek- Cypriot civilian Petros Kakoulis who was shot yesterday morning by Turkish-Cypriot forces at the island's demarcation line.

Britain has asked both communities to contain the juxtaposition, according to statements made by the Foreign Office spokesperson.

Sir David Hannay, Britain's special envoy for Cyprus, upon his arrival in Cyprus yesterday stated that the tragic death of one more person shows that the status quo on the island should no longer be allowed to continue.

Also, United Nations special envoy for Cyprus Han Sung Ju expressed his deep sorrow for the tragic occurance but avoided condemning the turkish brutality and merely stated that he will wait until a complete picture of the situation is formed.

Meanwhile, no reaction has been expressed by Washington, while a State Department spokesman stated that the US government is aware of the incident and will await a thorough briefing from its embassy in Nicosia prior to making any statements.

[24] 20 SMALL AFTERSHOCKS SHOOK CYPRUS IN THE PAST 24 HOURS

Twenty small aftershocks shook Cyprus in the past 24 hours measuring 3 to 3,5 on the Richter scale.

According to an announcement by the cypriot Geological Survey, there is a decrease in the frequency and size of aftershocks and now is expected a normal post- earthquake activity.

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