Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-11-15

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 15, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE CAN PLAY A PRIMARY ROLE IN THE BALKANS, STATED PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in Parliament, in response to a question made by Coalition of the Left party deputy ms.Maria Damanaki on the government's intentions concerning the inter-Balkan cooperation, said that Greece can play a primary role in the Balkans and that it moves toward this direction.

The Prime Minister pointed out that in order for the country to achieve this goal needs the continuous improvement of its bilateral relations with all the Balkan countries as well as, the sensitization of its partners in the European Union for the handling of the problems faced by the Balkan states.

Mr.Simitis stated that within this framework Greece has raised the issue of Bulgaria's economic assistance in the Council of Ministers and has promoted the initiative on good neighbourly relations and stability in the Balkans.

He also stressed that the greek government works toward the development of infrastructure and cooperation between Greece and the rest Balkan states and within this framework is placed the effort for the opening of border crossings to Bulgaria and other countries. Also, mr.Simitis underlined that plans are being examined concerning the Kastoria - Agii Saranta road, the Florina - Bogradec railway line and the pan-dalmacian road network as well as, the immigration policy in cooperation with the rest european countries.

The Prime Minister also referred to the inter-Balkan conference that will be held in Thessaloniki in June 1997 as well as, to the proposal made by the greek government for the strengthening of peace, friendship and cooperation in the region.

Mr.Simitis agreed with the remark made by ms.Damanaki that certain things like the border crossings to Bulgaria move with a very slow pace and said that this is due to the fact that public administration in both countries is not ready. Regarding the Egnatia road network, mr.Simitis said that now begins the period of its materialization.

Finally, the Prime Minister called on all the political parties to present their own proposals on inter-balkan cooperation and pledged that he will personally undertake an initiative for the better use of the Parliament Committees on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

[02] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS A STRONG AND STABLE MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT AND ITS DOWNFALL IS NOT POSSIBLE NOT EVEN IN THE WORLD OF FANTASY

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commenting on press reports according to which, government members are in disagreement with the government's economic policy, stated that the government has a strong and stable majority in Parliament and its downfall is not possible not even in the world of fantasy.

Mr.Reppas stressed that Prime Minister Kostas Simitis had underlined the responsibilities of PASOK's leading party members toward the greek people, adding that this was a general position expressed by the Prime Minister and not a reaction provoked by a specific event.

[03] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT NEVER GAVE ITS CONSENT TO A POSSIBLE TURKISH APPEAL TO THE HAGUE ON EVERYTHING THAT ANKARA CLAIMS FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE AEGEAN

The information according to which, the greek government consents to a possible turkish appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague concerning not only the issue of the rocky islets in the Aegean, but everything that Turkey from time to time claims in the region, is being categorically denied.

An official greek Foreign Ministry source stated to MPA that such a case is out of the question for the greek government.

Information from Brussels mentioned that Athens is likely to give its consent, under the pressure of its EU partners and the United States, to a possible turkish appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague concerning a series of matters and not just an isolated issue. The information was reported by BBC invoking reliable diplomatic sources.

[04] GREECE MAINTAINS ITS RIGHT TO EXTEND ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS TO 12 MILES

Greece maintains to the utmost degree -in acordance with the International Law of the Sea- the right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles, and will do so when it deems it advisable and necessary, stated the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today, in response to a relevant question posed by main opposition leader New Democracy's Miltiades Evert.

Mr. Simitis emphasized that Greece has not abandoned this right of hers and added that all of the country's governments, both of Konstantinos Karamanlis and Andreas Papandreou and Konstantinos Mitsotakis, all of whom served as Premiers in the past, could have acted on this right although they did not do so for certain specific and valid reasons, which continue to stand today.

[05] PREMIER ANNOUNCES MEASURES FOR REFORM OF ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis announced today that the government will proceed to measures for the immediate reform of the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE).

Mr. Simitis, responding to a question posed by a PASOK deputy, stated that legislative adjustments are already in the works for the reform of the Joint Surety Fund and the Titles Depository, and for the security of trading and investors.

"The Government faced the problem in the ASE immediately and responsibly and as such we were able to avoid its extended in operation," Mr. Simitis stated.

"We took measures to cover the 2.6 billion drachmas opening that had been created by Delta Securities and at the same time conducted the nesessary checks towards all directions and created safety valves to make the ASE more credible," the Premier added.

[06] PRIME MINISTER KOSTAS SIMITIS TO VISIT ROME ON NOVEMBER 20-21

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will travel to Rome on November 20-21 for a two-day visit where he will meet with Italian Premier Romano Prodi and the President of the Democratic Left Party Massimo Di Alema.

On December 2-3 he will attend the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit Meeting in Lisbon and on December 12 he will be on a working visit to The Hague. On December 13-14 he will attend the European Union's Summit Meeting in Dublin.

[07] THREE-DAY COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS FOR ATHENS POLYTECHNIC BEGIN TODAY

Three-day activities commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic's students uprising against the colonels' junta have began on campus.

The School Senate did not accept the proposal of the University's Dean Nikos Markatos to seal the building and instead conduct the festivities at Patesion Avenue, since the student body representatives (EFEE) have vowed to guard the campus premises themselves.

Yet, the Dean warned that if the guarding of the grounds proves to be insufficient, the School's Senate reserves the right to recall its decision at any time.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Order George Romeos has emphasized that Athens police have proceeded to all the necessary security measures to guard the area and protect the planned marches.

[08] THESSALONIKI STARTS CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY OF POLYTECHNIC'S UPRISING

Three-day activities commemorating the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic's students uprising of 1973 began in Thessaloniki today where the Minister pf Macedonia-Thrace and the Dean of Thessaloniki's Aristotle Univeristy (���) Antonis Mantis laid wreaths in honor of the memories of those college students who lost their lives 23 years ago while defending democracy.

The University's students revolted on November 17, 1973, against the seven-year military junta that ruled Greece between 1967-1974. The events that followed brought on the overthrow of the dictatorship.

Minister Petsalnikos stated that "the anniversary's message is timeless, since it represents a most significant moment in history which must be honored."

Heightened security measures have not been taken at ��� since, according to Dr. Mantis, there are no worrisome signs to warrant them, as opposed to Athens where the city's police force will be present in its entirety to guard the area and protect Sunday's planned march to the U.S. Embassy.

[09] GREEK INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO ATTEND NATO'S 42ND SUMMIT

An inter-party delegation from the Hellenic Parliament will depart for Paris on Sunday to attend NATO's 42nd parliamentary session.

Heading the delegation will be PASOK deputy Eleftherios Veryvakis, along with PASOK parliamentarians Elias Papaelias, Dimitris Sarris, Kyriakos Spyriounis, Avgerinos Petralias and main opposition New Democracy deputies Alexandros Papadogonas, Spylios Spyliotopoulos, George Kalatzis, as well as the Communist Party of Greece's deputy Orestis Kolozov and the Democratic and Social Movement's anastasios Inges.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] THE GREEK AND THE GERMAN ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTERS MET IN BONN TODAY

The greek-turkish relations, Cyprus' EU accesion course, the Maastricht Treaty revision and Turkey's relations with the European Union were the subjects of the discussions held in Bonn today by greek and german alternate Foreign Ministers Giorgos Papandreou and Werner Hoyer.

Mr.Papandreou underlined the need for the consolidation of the greek borders with a political solidarity clause adopted by the European Union and stated that he was met with mr.Hoyer's understanding on this issue.

He also stated that for the improvement of Turkey's relations with the European Union general declarations are not enough but instead specific examples of good will are needed on the Cyprus issue and the respect of human rights and borders.

[11] MASS PROTEST RALLIES WERE HELD IN CYPRUS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROCLAMATION OF THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT PSEUDOSTATE

Thousands of greek-cypriot high school and university students participated in mass protest rallies in Nicosia and in other cities in free Cyprus against the turkish-cypriot pseudostate, which 13 years ago today unlawfully proceeded to its proclamation.

The protesters approved a resolution to be delivered to UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali in which they ask the international community to assume its responsibilities toward Cyprus. Within the framework of today's events greek-cypriot students distributed information material on the recent turkish atrocities to all those entering the leaving the country.

On the other side of the demarcation line, the anniversary was celebrated with military parades in the presence of turkish dignitaries, while a march was held by members of the turkish extremist organization "Grey Wolves". Six turkish F-5 fighter jets flew over the military parade in the turkish occupied part of Nicosia and violated the cypriot air space.

Cypriot Parliament President Spyros Kyprianou made a demarche to the United Nations and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council protesting against the cypriot air space violations.

[12] THE SECOND ROUND OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY

The coalition of leftist parties, which in the parliamentary elections was headed by serb President Slobodan Milosevic, aims at winning most seats in local government in Sunday's second round of local elections in order to seal the great victory it won in the parliamentary elections held two weeks ago in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Meanwhile, the "Zajedno" coalition tries to overcome the painful defeat it had suffered and directs its efforts toward winning certain large municipalities in order to secure its political future.

The candidates of nationalist Vojclav Seselje, strengthened by the result of the November 3 elections, are also trying to increase their influence in the large municipalities.

Great interest presents the yugoslav capital Belgrade where the opposition has considerable support. Only 4 out of a total of 110 town councillors, who in turn elect the city mayor, managed to get enough votes and were elected in the first round. The municipality of Belgrade is claimed with equal possibility of success by Milosevic's Left and by the center-right coalition "Zajedno", while the same situation exists in all urban centers of Serbia.

The November 3 election results showed that the opposition had considerable success in urban areas, while Milosevic's socialists were the winners in rural regions.

Of the 7.670 city councillors in the 186 municipalities in Serbia only 2.067 have been elected in the first round. The city councillors will elect the city mayors who will be nominated by the political parties and the party coalitions.

[13] ANTI-OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS EVENTS HELD TODAY ON THE ISLAND AND GREECE

A series of protests will be held in Cyprus and Greece today to condemn the anniversary of the declaration of the Rauf Denktash regime's breakaway state in northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey.

In Nicosia, the police have taken draconean security measures to avert any episodes during the anti-occupation rallies.

The rally will be held at the center of the cypriot capital and not at the passage of Ledra Palace, following the threats issued by the Turk-Cypriots that they intend to open fire on anyone who crosses the demarcation line.

Already, the Cypriot police have not allowed Cypriot students to conduct an all-night protest at the passage and has pulled them 500 meters away from the buffer zone.

A rally will be held in Athens this evening, protesting to the cold-blood killing of Greek-Cypriots by turkish occupation forces. The event will be followed by a march towards the Turkish Embassy.

[14] TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION MINISTER ON VISIT TO CYPRUS

The Minister of Transportation and Communication Haris Kastanides, currently on a visit to Cyprus, stated that his aim is to "relay the message of the Greek Government and the Greek people that they will remain steadfast supporters of the Cypriot Hellenism's struggle for its rights."

Following an invitation issued by the Cypriot party United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK), Mr. Kastanides arrived in Cyprus yesterday to attend and address the activities that will denounce the illegal regime of Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the island's northern territory, as well as the festivities that will celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic School's student uprising that led to the fall of the military junta that was ruling Greece then.

"In fateful times," Mr. Kastanides added, "we want to maintain the historic memories unquenched, memories which are a heritage for future developments. And that is why we must honor the sacrifices, older and newer ones, of the Cypriot citizens who gave their lives fighting for the rights of Cyprus' Hellenism."

The Greek Minister went on to say that "it is a duty of honor for us, coming from Greece, to participate in the general festivities of resistance, after 13 years of a pseudostate's existence, one that the International Community must condemn, not only in words but in action."

[15] U.S PRESIDENT CONDEMNS RECENT BOMBING OF ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

United States President Bill Clinton has forwarded a letter to Archbishop of America Spyridon wherein he wholly condemns the recent bomb attack against the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople by fanatic islamists.

In his letter, President Clinton states that "the Patriarchate constitutes one of the grandest religious foundations in the world" and emphasizes his commitment to "continue to intensely support the right of His Holiness to freely perform His duties as the Ecumenical Patriarch."

Mr. Clinton's letter was sent on November 6, one day after his victory in the U.S. presidential elections.

[16] S.E. EUROPE'S ECONOMICS SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN THESSALONIKI

An Association ofUniversities of Economics in Southeastern Europe has been founded by the representatives from 24 economics schools from Greece, Bulgaria Albania and Yugoslavia, with the headquarters to be established in Thessaloniki.

According to Thessaloniki's University of Macedonia officials, who took the intitiative to found the association, the main targets of this affiliation will be the promotion of the interests held by the economics departments in the region, especially in regards to cooperation, exchange of informations and experiences, improvement of the educational levels and conditions, as well as the professional and research cooperation in the economic sciences.

[17] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS IN MELBOURNE UNTIL MONDAY

The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is continuing his visit to Melbourne today, where he is scheduled to stay until Monday.

During his visit to the Australian capital, the Ecumenical Patriarch met with Victoria's Prime Minister Jeff Kennet and with Melbourne's Mayor Ivan Davidson.

At a formal dinner given in the Ecumenical Patriarch's honor, the Australian Prime Minister praised the role of His Holiness as the spiritual leader of 250 million Orthodox Christians all over the world.

[18] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERCIA SPYRIDON APPOINTED TO U.S. COMMITTEE ON RELIGION

The Archbishop of America Spyridon has been appointed as a permament member of the United States' Special Committee for Religious Freedoms Abroad, which has been founded by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

U.S. President Clinton has saluted the appointment of Archbishop Spyridon to the 20-member Committee whose task is to serve in an advisory capacity the U.S. government on matters involving religious persecution.

[19] FYROM DECLARES TUG-OF-WAR AT FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SUMMIT IN ROME

An absurd tug-of-war was witnessed today during the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Summit Conference in Rome, when participating FYROM officials repeatedly insisted on replacing their country's name tag on the forum's table with the name of their choice "Macedonia".

It all began on Wednesday when the FYROM officials masked the first two words of their country's "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" name and left unveiled only the remaining three words. On Thursday FAO officials removed the masking but when they arrived at the forum this morning, they saw that the masking had returned.

This time, FAO officials took a more stern approach as they circulated a document stating that no country has the right to use a name different from the one recognized by the United Nations.

Specifically, the document reads as follows: "The honorary President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has repeatedly and unlawfully referred to his country as the 'Republic of Macedonia'."

"Yet," the document continues, 'the ruling 817/13 of the Security Council of the United Nations crystal-clearly mentions how this new country became accepted by the U.N. As such, on all matters concerning the U.N., this country must be referred to as FYROM, for as long as the negotiations between the two sides are still pending on the name issue."

Greece's Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas, participating in FAO, characterized the whole event as "silly" and added that these acts have no place in such a forum.

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