Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-11-19

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 19, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PREMIER TO MEET WITH ITALIAN PREMIER IN ROME TOMORROW

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will travel to Rome tomorrow for a two-day visit where he will meet with Italian Premier Romano Prodi and the president of Italy's Democratic Left Party Massimo Di Alema.

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

[02] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER LOOKS AT BUSINESS TIES WITH ONTARIO

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, currently on an official visit to Canada, is examining the opportunities for economic collaboration between northern Greece and Ontario.

In Toronto yesterday, Mr. Petsalnikos met with Ontario's Minister of Economics David Johnson who stated that, despite the vast geographical distance, Canadian businessmen are quite interested in investing in Greece. Also, it was ascertained that the obstacles in the operation of the Canadian gold-mining firm TVX-Gold have been overcome in its Halkidiki plant.

The Canadian Minister briefed Mr. Petsalnikos on his country's drastic austerity measures, with marked cutbacks in the public sector aimed at reducing the deficit. Mr. Johnson emphasized that as a result of the austerity program, public servants in his country have been reduced from 80,000 to 75,000, while a further 12,000 reduction is expected.

Mr. Petsalnikos stated that these measures should not be allowed to affect Ontario's significant and pioneering multi- cultural program, especially the sector of Greek language studies.

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace also met with the Greek- origin Canadian parliamentarians Mssrs. Karygiannis and Kannis with whom he discussed national matters as well as issues that concern Hellenism's substantive presence in the economic, cultural and social life of their "second" country.

In Montreal, Mr. Petsalnikos had a very constructive meeting with the Liberal Party's deputy and former minister in Quebec's Cabinet Christos Syros, especially on issues concerning the upgrading of Greek education in all sectors. Mr. Petsalnikos emhasized the need not to cut back on the funds earmarked for Greek studies.

Mr. Syros expressed his fears that the Quebec government may intend to close the national minorities schools and emphasized the need for Greek-Canadians to concert their efforts in order to avert such potential.

While in Montreal, Mr. Petsalnikos also met with various leaders of the city's Greek community and attended a dinner organized by Quebec's Greek-Canadian Congress.

[03] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER INSPIRES GREEK-CANADIANS IN TORONTO

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos presented the Greek government's strategic targets in becoming a source of stability in the Balkans, through strengthening national defense and reinforcing development in the economic, social and cultural fields.

Addressing a large gathering at the Greek community's Cultural Center in Toronto, Mr. Petsalnikos stated that Hellenism can face the future with confidence, as long as it gains on lost time and doesn't let opportunities created at home go to waste.

The Minister added that Greece has a difficult eastern neighbor -as he characterized Turkey- emphasizing that Ankara's political, economic and military policies create continuous problems not only for Greece but for the greater region as well.

Mr. Petsalnikos in turn referred to Greece's five-year defense program, noting that "defense demands sacrifices."

"If the balance of powers in the Aegean is overturned, then Turkey will not be contained to verbal statements," The Minister stated.

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Petsalnikos inaugurated the Cultural Center of Ontario's Pan-Macedonian Union and announced that the center will be funded by the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace with a first-phase award of ten thousand dollars. Moreover, the Ministry will establish two annual awards, "Alexander the Great" for politicians and "Aristotle" for scientists, which will be bestowed upon international figures who are Greece's friends.

[04] THE ECONOMIC MEASURES ANNOUNCED ARE TOUGH BUT FAIR, STATED PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS

In statements he made after the cabinet meeting that was held today, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis emphasized that this is the most important period for Greece since democracy was restored in the country, adding that the future begins now and it will depend on the efforts made now if Greece will participate actively and on equal terms in global developments. He also warned that the planning of the economic policy and the 1997 budget that the government has decided use up all the existing potential.

The cabinet ratified the economic policy and the 1997 budget that were discussed yesterday in the joint session of PASOK's Central Committee and Parliamentary Group. After the end of the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the basic issues are Greece's equal participation in the European Union developments, the protection of its territorial integrity from Turkey's aggressiveness, the exercising of an effective Balkan policy and the strengthening of the economy, society and welfare state.

The Prime Minister stressed that starting on New Year's Day of 1999 there will be a new global decision-making center namely, the Economic and Monetary Unification established within the framework of the European Union, where all decisions affecting the greek national policy will be made. Therefore, stated mr.Simitis, the issue of Greece's participation is mainly political and concerns the country's future. The government's economic policy aims at Greece's participation in the European Economic and Monetary Unification with the second group of countries in the year 2000 or 2001. Mr.Simitis stated that this policy is followed not because convergence is desired simply for its own sake but because the objective is a better society and economy.

If Greece fails to be included in the second round of economic and monetary unification it will lose funds and its negotiating position will be weakened, said mr.Simitis, who at this point made a comparison with the recent decisions made by the spanish and the italian governments to accelerate the pace of their economies in order to be included in the first group of countries participating in the european economic and monetary unification.

Mr.Simitis went on by saying that the economic policy is a part of an overall plan of changes and stated that the main problem is the public deficit which in the year ahead must be reduced from 7,6% of the GDP to 4,2% and this can be achieved through a number of measures he characterized as tough but fair, calling the greek people to contribute to the success of the national goals.

Finally, he referred to the economic burden created by the armaments programme and pointed out that everything must be done to improve Greece's economy and its position internationally in order to be able to cut defence spending in the future.

[05] TRUE CONVERGENCE WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS BEGUN, STATED THE NATIONAL ECONOMY AND FINANCE MINISTER

Minister of National Economy and Finance, Yiannos Papantoniou made an assessment of the economic developments in Greece for 1996 characterizing them as positive, while he pointed out that in essence it was the first year of true convergence with the European Union.

Mr.Papantoniou stated that the GDP increased by 2,6%, private investments by 8,3% and public investments by 15%. The public deficit from 9,1% dropped to 7,6%, while inflation resisted and will close at the end of the year at 8% compared to 9,3% last year.

In total, from 1993 until today, were released funds worth 2 trillion drachmas as a result of the public deficit reduction and this is the contribution of economic stabilization to development.

The Minister predicted that in 1997 the GDP growth rate will be 3,3% and inflation will drop from 8,5% to 6,5%, while the target set is to drop under 5% to 4,9% in December of 1997, stating that this is an ambitious but necessary objective.

Mr.Papantoniou stated that there is no dilemma between economic stabilization and development and referred in detail to the 1997 budget and to the ways through which funds will be found.

[06] GREECE'S BEHAVIOUR TOWARD THE JEWS IS A MODEL FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, STATED LEADING MEMBERS OF THE GREEK- AMERICAN COMMUNITY

The need to handle the issue of the protection of the estate of the Jewish victims of the holocaust from Sweden and other countries, based on the example set by Greece, was stressed by leading members of the greek-american community in the United States after their meeting with President of the Jewish Community in Thessaloniki Andreas Sefiha and President of the Community's General Assembly Heinz Kunio.

The two leading members of the Jewish Community in Thessaloniki are on a visit to the United States since November 11 during which they had contacts with the greek-american community and with US House Representatives and Senators.

Mr.Manatos, President of the greek-american organization "National Coordinating Effort" and coordinator of the World Greek Lobby, stated that many greeks, including his relatives in the island of Crete, lost their lives protecting the victims of the holocaust. He said that Greece's respect to the jewish property is a natural extension of its moral values, adding that Sweden's behaviour shows disrespect for those who suffered in order to have justice done to the jewish community.

Greece's exemplary behaviour was praised and by President of the Pan-cypriot Association of America and World Coordinating Committee of Cypriot Struggle, Phillip Christopher, who said characteristically, that the Bishop of Athens was the only religious leader of a nazi occupied country who in an open letter to the nazis appealed for an end of the executions of jews and called the greeks to offer them shelter.

Mr.Andrew Athens, President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, stressed the importance of the jewish presence in Thessaloniki and said that the city was a jewish center for over 2.300 years. He said that in 50AD Apostle Pavlos preached in the city's synagogue and in 1492 over 20.000 spanish jews arrived in Thessaloniki after they were forced out of Spain. He also stressed that 96% of Thessaloniki's jewish population died in nazi concentration camps during WWII.

[07] ASE CLEARING HOUSE AND JOINT GUARANTOR TO COVER DELTA'S OBLIGATIONS

The Athens Stock Exchange's Clearing House and the brokerage firms' Joint-Guarantor Capital are to cover the 2.6 billion drachmas owed by the Delta Securities brokerage firm, but at the same time are looking into imposing a ceiling in brokerage firms' exchanges in accordance with the amount of their share capital.

Officials from the Delta Securities firm are faced with criminal charges for non-compliance with clearing regulations which resulted in trade suspension on November 8 for the first time in ASE's history.

[08] RETIRED COP AND CUSTOMS OFFICIAL SOLD AMMONIUM CHLORIDE AS HEROINE

The "heroine" two Greeks tried to sell in the street a year ago turned out to be a dangerous mixture of ammonium chloride, according to results from a lab examination that was recently conducted in the United States.

Retired policeman Ioannis Basdanis, 51, and customs official Christos Avramopoulos, 42, were arrested in July of 1995 in Thessaloniki when they tried to sell a kilo (2.205 pounds) of what they claimed to be "heroine" for 67 thousand german marks (about $42,500).

Both men have been sentenced to imprisonment, 20 years for Avramopoulos who imported the substance through customs, and six years to the retired policeman who attempted to sell it.

Ammonium chloride is highly toxic and can be lethal. One week following the arrest of the two men, a young person was found dead from a drug overdose, having in his pocket a small amount of this mixture.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PERSONIFY THE POST OF THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, STATED THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

The cypriot government does not link the post of the UN Secretary-General with a specific individual and believes that the international organization will continue its efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem regardless of who will be elected to the post, stated cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Kasoulidis.

To the remark that the election of a new UN Secretary-General will affect the Cyprus problem because he will need time in order to be familiar with the problem, mr.Kasoulidis responded expressing the hope that the special envoys of the UN Secretary- General will brief him on the issue.

Mr.Kasoulidis avoided to take a position on the issue of the candidate Cyprus supports, stressing that the government will present its position when it will be called to vote in the UN General Assembly, while referring to mr.Boutros-Boutros Ghali the cypriot government spokesman said that "we have no complaints".

The UN Security Council will decide today on mr.Ghali's nomination for re-election to the post of the international organization's Secretary-General. His re-electon is supported by the majority of the UN member-states, while objections have been expressed by the United States and the possibility to use their veto power in the Security Council in case mr.Ghali is nominated is not ruled out.

The spokesman of the US delegation in the UN in his effort to justify the US government's opposition to mr.Ghali's nomination, stated to BBC that the election of a new Secretary-General will strengthen the international organization's prestige.

[10] ROMANIA: VICTOR CHIORBEA APPOINTED PRIME MINISTER

Romania's new prime minister is Victor Chiorbea, according to a statement issued this evening by the Central Returning Board of the National Agriculture Party, one of the larger factions composing the ruling Democratic Coalition of Romania (CDR).

Mr. Chiorbea, a 42-year-old ex-communist, has studied law and in 1989 switched to the opposition, heading the union movement of Bucharest University Law School.

Yesterday, Emil Constantinescu, leader of CDR, emerged as the victor in the second round of the country's presidential elections.

Constantinescu announced his victory last night with the ambitious pledge that if he doesn't achieve great improvements in Romania within the next 200 days, he'll resign.

[11] U.S. REPORTEDLY IMPEDED RECOGNITION OF TURK-CYPRIOT REGIME'S STATE IN 1983

Just when Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Jordan were ready to recognize the breakaway state occupied by Turkish-Cypriot Rauf Denktash in nortern Cyprus, the United States interfered and impeded such diplomatic coup on November 15, 1983, a day long remembered by Mr. Denktash accordIng to an interview he granted to the turkish-cypriot daily "Milli Gazette".

Meanwhile, another news report appearing in the turkish "Radical" daily assesses that Cyprus constitutes Turkey's last hope in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the article's author, should Cyprus gain accession to the European Union, Denktash's state will disappear and the Turkish-Cypriots will have a place in the EU.

[12] WEU MEMBERS SIGN AGREEMENT FOR ARMAMENT PROGRAM, TURKEY TO PARTAKE

The Western European Union's ten full members have signed an agreement for the founding of a western european armament organization, following the meeting of WEU's participating Foreign and Defense Ministers which began today in Ostand, Belgium.

The formation of this organization, which will first tackle research and then will address actual armament programs, is foreseen by the Maastricht Treaty.

Turkey, an associate WEU member, will participate on equal terms in the armament organization. Yet, according to Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, such decision does not foresee any modifications to WEU's status, and in no case do the associate members gain equal standing with the full members.

This evening the WEU session examined the issue of its human aid missions to be sent to Zair.

[13] GREEK INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS GERMANY

A six-member inter-parliamentary delegation, headed by the Hellenic Parliament's second vice-president Panayiotis Sgourides, conducted a formal visit to Baden-Vutenberg, following an invitation issued by the German local parliament.

During the formal visit, held between November 12-15, the delegates met with the miniature state's Premier Erwin Teufel and the undersecretary of Economy Dr. Mohrlander, as well as other parliamentary officials.

Following a proposal suggested by the Greek delegation, German businessmen who wish to invest in Greece and the Balkans will accompany the German parliamentary delegation that is to visit Greece in June of 1997.

During a press conference, Mr. Sgourides emphasized that the Greek citizens believe in a united Europe, in the European Economic Cohesion and the European Monetary Union, and are making sacrifices in order to meet these targets.

Nevertheless, Mr. Sgourides added, Greece's starting point for these goals differs from that of the European Union's other member-states since Greece is obliged to spend more on its defense, given the existing threat of its territorial rights posed by Turkey.

[14] MEETING OF BLACK SEA AND EU MUNICIPALITIES' REPRESENTATIVES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE COOPERATION PILOT PROGRAMME, ECOS, WILL BE HELD IN KALAMARIA ON NOVEMBER 21-23

The second meeting within the framework of the pilot programme of cooperation, Ecos-Ouverture, will be held in the municipality of Kalamaria on November 21-23 with the participation of municipalities from the Black Sea, the European Union, the former Soviet Republics and the Phare countries.

The overall objective of the Ecos-Ouverture programme is the development of the EU local administration relations with the corresponding bodies in the former Soviet Republics and the countries of Eastern Europe for the expansion of the possible sectors of cooperation and the promotion of local development.

Since the opening of the pilot programme a year ago, a number of meetings were held with the participation of tele- communications officials.

Also, meetings were held on issues of local administration, sea transportation and economic and trade activities aimed at creating a permanent network of communication and information exchange among the representatives of Port Organizations from the participating countries.

[15] THE US PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE CYPRUS ISSUE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IN CAMBERRA TOMORROW

US President Bill Clinton, heading a large delegation, arrived in Sidney today within the framework of his four-day visit to Australia.

Tomorrow, the United States President will arrive in Camberra for talks with the australian government during which is expected to be discussed and the Cyprus problem.

It should be noted, that in the meeting the australian Foreign Minister had on October 30 with a greek-australian delegation had stressed that Australia supports the immediate solution of the problem, adding that it can not be resolved without the direct intervention of the United States. He had also stated that the australian government will seek the discussion of the problem during mr.Clinton's visit to Australia.

[16] THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS WERE EXAMINED IN A CONFERENCE HELD IN OTTAWA

An International Conference on "Sovereignty and Maritime Law" that focused on the history of the Aegean and the greek-turkish issues concerning territorial waters was organized in Ottawa, Canada by the Greek Studies Department of the University of Vancouver in cooperation with the Law School of Halifax.

In the conference participated distinguished scientists from Canada, Britain, Greece, Israel and the United States and were discussed the issues concerning air space, continental shelf and the islets of Imia, while there were also discussed aspects of the NATO policy followed in the wider region. A special emphasis was given to methods, which if followed, could contribute to the settlement of the differences, focusing mainly on the option to bring those differences to the International Court of Justice.

Andreas Gerolimatos head of the Greek Studies Department in the University of Vancouver stated characteristically that the intensified armaments race proves with great accuracy the escalation of tension and the high risk of an armed conflict.

A special interest presents the observation made by british professor Richard Klogg who maintained that the military bases Britain has in Cyprus must be returned to the cypriot government.

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