Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-11-27

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 27, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] FOSSILIZED HUMAN BONES DATING BACK 11 MILLION YEARS FOUND IN HALKIDIKI

The recent discovery of an 11 million-year-old fossilized human tibia (shinbone) in northern Greece's Halkidiki peninsula has come to cast doubt over current theories on the chronology of human history and man's existence.

Greek anthropologist Aris Poulanios, member of the Permanent International Council of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences and of the New York Academy of Sciences, will present this finding on Friday evening in Thessaloniki.

"I shudder as I speak," Mr. Poulianos told the Macedonian Press Agency.

"The cradle of the human race is Macedonia, not Africa as we have maintained up to now. As it was known, human life on earth appeared four million years ago," the anthropologist stated, adding that the discovery of a fossilized human tibia, belonging to an erect man, topples these theories.

During his November 29 lecture, titled "Macedonia: Cradle of the Human Race-Anthropology in the Region of Greece", Mr. Poulianos will present additional human bones discovered in Halkidiki which document that the human race first appeared in the region of Macedonia.

[02] THE DECISIONS ANNOUNCED BY THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY AND FINANCE ARE FINAL, STATED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the decisions on the tax policy, announced by the Minister of National Economy and Finance, are final. He said that the government sets specific targets in order for the results of the policy followed to be visible instead of having dispersal of resources that results in no positive effect on the groups of the population toward which the economic policy is being directed.

Commenting on the decision to cut the allowance received by mothers with three or more children, the greek government spokesman stated that with this measure funds are transferred to new mothers, as priority is given to those with children under the age of 6. He also pointed out that the welfare spending for the Ministry of Health, included in the proposed budget, is increased by 15,8% compared to last year.

Meanwhile, President of the Association of Greek Industries, Iason Stratos stated that the industries are already heavily taxed, stressing that the tax increase for businesses is not an incentive for attracting new capital. He said that it is only natural for the international capital to prefer countries with more favourable taxation system.

On the situation in the opposition party of New Democracy, mr.Reppas stated that the rivalry observed within the party is a problem that does not concern the greek society adding that the party's leading members are called to find a solution.

[03] GOVERNMENT TO POUR IN THE MONEY OVER CULTURE PROJECTS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis received the Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos today and the two men discussed the Government's granting of priority status to the country's cultural projects, beginning with the upcoming year's "Thesaloniki: Cultural Capital of Europe '97".

Mr. Simitis stated that Thessaloniki is ready to be pronounced the capital of cultural, not construction, in Europe during 1997.

Referring to 1997's program, the Premier emphasized that it will span the whole spectrum of the arts: music, theater, cinema, and plastic arts. Mr. Simitis stated that over 70 billion GRD has been allocated in the annual budget for construction works, while the budget drawn for artistic events rises to 16 billion GRD.

In all, Mr. Simitis stated, the Government owes to its people not only economic reforms but also maintaining and strengthening culture, both of which are basic axes of every cultural policy.

Msrs. Simitis and Venizelos also discussed the legal and policy venues for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece from Britain, the signing of a contract with Italian bidders for Acropolis' new museum, at a cost of 30 billion GRD, as well as the Culture Ministry's proposals on studies concerning the Aegean's heritage.

[04] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT MEETS WITH WEU'S GREEK DEPUTIES

The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis met today with the members of the Greek Parliamentarian Delegation in the Western European Union's Assembly, in light of the WEU's upcoming 42nd session to be held in Paris.

The session, to be held on December 2-5, will address security and cooperation in the expanded Europe, parliamentarian cooperation in the Black Sea region, as well as security in the Mediterranean.

Also, the Session will appoint the WEU's presidium as well as the leaders of the Assembly's various committees. The leader of Greece's delegation, Dinos Vrettos, is the candidate for the vice- president's post.

[05] THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR WILL HOLD A 24-HOUR STRIKE TOMORROW IN PROTEST TO THE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC MEASURES

The public and private sector employees will participate in the 24-hour strike that will be held tomorrow in protest to the economic measures announced by the government, while preparations have already begun for a second 24-hour strike that will take place in the first half of December.

The strikers react to the new economic measures that are included in the proposed budget and demand a fair taxation system as well as, the safeguarding of collective work contracts through a democratic framework.

[06] GREECE'S MINISTER OF JUSTICE TO ATTEND EU COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW

Greece's Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos will depart for Brussels tomorrow in order to participate in the European Union's Council.

The Council will address issues of justice and interior affairs of the European Union.

[07] THE CHIEF OF THE GREEK NATIONAL DEFENCE GENERAL STAFF WILL MAKE A TWO-DAY FORMAL VISIT TO BULGARIA

Chief of the greek National Defence General Staff, wing- commander Athanasios Tzoganis will leave on December 2 for a two- day formal visit to Bulgaria accepting the invitation by his bulgarian counterpart general Tsvetan Mladenov Totomirov.

Mr.Tzoganis will visit army units and facilities of the bulgarian armed forces and will have contacts with the political and military leadership of the bulgarian Ministry of Defence, while he is also expected to sign a programme of bilateral military cooperation for 1997.

[08] THE 4TH PAN-HELLENIC CONFERENCE ON THE HELLENISM OF ASIA MINOR BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

The 4th Pan-Hellenic Conference on the Hellenism of Asia Minor begins in Thessaloniki tomorrow and will be completed on November 30.

The conference will be held in Aristotle University and according to prof.Ioannis Touloumakos the gathering of information on the greeks in Asia Minor, who lived in the region for over 3.000 years should be a national top priority.

Co-organizers of the conference are Aristotle University and the municipality of Thessaloniki in cooperation with the Organization of the Cultural Capital of Europe and the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] GREEK EURODEPUTY:EU-FYROM RELATIONS ROCKY IF NAME ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED

Relations between the European Union and FYROM will be marked with problems, given Greece's refusal to grant its consent on matters concerning that country's ties with the EU, as long as the name issue remains pending between Athens and Skopje, according to a Greek eurodeputy.

Panayiotis Sarlis, a eurodeputy with Greece's main opposition party New Democracy, participated in the delegation of the European Parliament's Committee for Relations with southeastern European countries, during its current visit to FYROM.

The delegation, which oversees the Europarliament's relations with Yugoslavia, FYROM, Croatia and Albania, met yesterday with FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov and Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frtckovski.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Sarlis stated that Greece does not intend to further develop its relations with FYROM, especially in the political area and the sector of collective security in the Balkans, for as long as there is no shift in FYROM's stance regarding the name issue.

Mr. Sarlis also stated that FYROM officials do not foresee a solution to the name issue, although they believe that the development of economic relations between the two countries is a foremost priority.

During his contacts in Skopje, Mr. Sarlis emphasized that the name issue bears great siginficance for the Greek people, Greece and every Greek government.

Speaking to officials and parliamentarians in FYROM, Mr. Sarlis stated that "I do not see Greece participating in a common security and defense policy with FYROM. The two countries' relations will remain as accorded by the interim agreement, which simply allows for communication, trade, economic relations and nothing more."

[10] CYPRUS ROCKED BY EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5,2 ON RICHTER SCALE

A strong earthquake measuring 5,2 on the Richter scale shook Cyprus this morning at 2:44 a.m.

The quake was felt in Nicosia, Lemessos, Pafos and Larnaca, while its epicenter was noted at the sea region near Pafos. According to Cyprus' Geological Survey Department, this morning's quake is an aftershock of October 9th's strong earthquake, which measured 6,4 on the Richter scale.

Vassilis Papazachos, a professor at Thessaloniki's Geophysical Institute of Aristotle University, stated that today's earthquake is viewed as normal aftershock activity, since its smaller size shows that the region's seismic activity is waning.

The strongest quake noted in the region, 6,5 Richter, dates back to 1896. The Richter scale is logarithmic, which means that a quake of 5-Richter is ten times the power of a 4 Richter quake.

[11] EU TRANSPORTATION MINISTERS COUNCIL CONVENES IN BRUSSELS TOMORROW

The European Union's Council of Transportation Ministers will convene in Brussels tomorrow in order to discuss issues concerning communications, transportations and transit.

Among the issues to be studied willl be a resolution regarding the illicit material in the Internet.

[12] EU PRESIDENCY'S CYPRUS ENVOY TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES, DENKTASH

The EU Irish-held presidency's representative for the Cyprus issue Kessler Heaslip arrived in Nicosia today where he will conduct separate meetings with the leaders of both of the divided island's sides.

According to Mr. Heaslip's statements upon his arrival, he intends to suggest to both sides to examine ways which will secure a united Cyprus' future as a member of the European Union.

During his week-long stay, Mr. Heaslip will also meet with Cyprus' Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides, the United Nations' alternate special envoy Gustav Feischel and the ambassadors of the EU's member-states.

[13] F.R.Y.: THIRD ROUND OF LOCAL ELECTIONS HELD UNDER EXTREME POLARIZATION

The Federal Yugoslav Republic's third round of local elections was held today under a shadow of the strongest polarization the country has known during the past five years.

Over 100,000 followers of the disgruntled opposition Zajedno (Together) (three-member coalition party) rallied in the streets of Belgrade for the eighth day in a row, but today's notable outcry was not so much the recognition of Zajedno's victory in the second round of the elections, but rather the demand that President Slobodan Milosevic resign from his post.

The local authorities decided to annul the second round's results in most of the cities where "Zajedno" prevailed, claiming that various shortcomings, irregularities and violations of law were noted during the voting procedure.

Opposition officials asked the voters not to participate in today's round, which they dubbed as "a process of theft and distortion of the second round's election results where 'Zajendno' was elected the winner in 15 out of Yugoslavia's 18 largest cities."

The Belgrade Electoral Commission warned Zajedno and the oppostition press that an infringement of silence would cast a doubt over the regularity of the third round s well.

The profound polarization will probably not subside as additional rallies are planned for tomorrow.

[14] GREEK AND TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO MEET IN ATHENS ON DECEMBER 9

In an effort to establish the friendship their governments have been unable to achieve, Greek and Turkish businessmen will meet in Athens on December 9, in an event hosted by the Turkish- Greek Business Council.

According to press reports, the private-sector businessmen will examine ways to turn the Aegean Sea into a "lake of peace".

Also, the participants will form a committee for the improvement of greek-turkish business relations and will also examine their economic cooperation potential.

President of the committee will be the Turkish-Greek Business Council vice-President, Selim Egeli.

[15] EU PRESIDENCY'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR CYPRUS TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

The EU Irish-held presidency's representative for the Cyprus issue Kessler Heaslip will arrive in Nicosia today where he will meet with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides.

During his week-long stay, Mr. Heaslip will also meet with Cyprus' Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides, the United Nations' alternate special envoy Gustav Feischel and the ambassadors of the EU's member-states.

The Irish representative will also meet with Rauf Denktash, the leader of the occupying regime in northern Cyprus.

[16] YUGOSLAVIA: THIRD ROUND OF LOCAL ELECTIONS TODAY, OPPOSITION ABSTAINS

The third round of local elections will be held in most of Yugoslavia's larger cities today, while the protesting main opposition coalition "Zayendno" has announced its intent to abstain from the voting process.

The local authorities recently annulled the second round's election results in most of the cities where "Zayendno" prevailed, claiming that various shortcomings, irregularities and violations of law were noted during the voting procedure.

Opposition officials have asked the voters not to participate in today's round, which they have dubbed as "a process of theft and distortion of the second round's election results where 'Zayendno' was elected the winner in 15 out of Yugoslavia's 18 largest cities."

Moreover, the opposition party has outcried President Slobodan Milosevic's decision to annul the elections as "a provocation to public opinion", and has warned the Yugoslav President that in case the situation gets out of hand, "then he will bear full responsibility."

Profound polarization is noted in most cities, as locals have been holding marches and protests on a daily basis.

[17] THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN DUMA MET WITH THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis met today with Genadi Selesnyov, President of the russian Duma, the Lower House of Parliament in the Russian Federation, who is on a formal visit to Athens.

Their talks focused on bilateral issues and on the relations between the Parliaments of Russia and Greece, while mr.Kaklamanis expressed satisfaction for the russian Parliament decision to condemn the turkish provocativeness.

[18] MEETING OF BALKAN WOMEN IS ORGANIZED BY THE PARTY COALITION OF THE LEFT IN THESSALONIKI

A two-day meeting of Balkan women, representatives of leftist and progressive political forces in the Balkans, is organized in Thessaloniki to be held on December 7 and 8 on the initiative of the greek opposition party Coalition of the Left.

In the meeting, under the title "Women for the Balkans of the year 2000", will participate for the first time representatives of political parties and organizations from Croatia, Montenegro and Moldavia who will be among the 62 conference participants representing 33 political parties from 10 countries.

The participants will propose the holding of regular meetings for the exchange of information and the strengthening of the women's movement, while the basic target will be the development of closer relations and cooperation in the Balkans.

[19] THE NEED TO FIND COMMON GROUND FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM WAS STRESSED BY THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

The need to find common ground on the Cyprus issue before any discussion for the opening of negotiations, was stressed by cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Kasoulidis commenting on the statements made yesterday by UN Secretary-General alternate envoy to Cyprus, Gustav Feissel according to which the UN would support a Dayton type process.

On the military dialogue between the two sides in Cyprus, the cypriot government spokesman reiterated the statements made yesterday by President Kliridis that the dialogue is in its first stages.

[20] THE GOVERNMENT OF BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIDENOV WILL RESIGN IN EARLY DECEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER "CONTINENT"

Bulgarian Prime Minister Jan Videnov is preparing his government's resignation to take place in early December and this is the reason for the delay in bringing the issue of Foreign Minister Pirinski's resignation to Parliament, according to the newspaper "Continent".

In the report is underlined among others that according to this scenario mr.Videnov is certain that he will be the winner in the Socialist party conference and therefore he will be able to form the second government of the Left in the country.

[21] TOUGH BATTLE FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF SKOPJE IS EXPECTED IN FYROM'S SECOND ROUND OF LOCAL ELECTIONS

The governing Social-democratic Union and the opposition parties will give a tough battle in order to win the municipality of Skopje in Sunday's second round of local elections that will be held in FYROM.

The municipality of Skopje is contested by four candidates. More favourite to win are the candidates of the triple electoral coalition "VMRO-DPMNE - Democratic party - MAAK" and the Socialist Union, Risto Penov and neurosurgeon Yovitsa Ugrinofski. The latter has the support of most candidates, who lost in the first round of the elections.

[22] THE SERB ARMY IS ON WAR FOOTING DUE TO THE OPPOSITION'S DEMONSTRATIONS, ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS

FRY's Supreme Council of Defence has ordered the army units to be on war footing in all serb cities where in the past few days the situation is very tense due to the continuous demonstrations organized by the opposition. The opposition organizes daily anti- government demonstrations in protest to the authorities' decision to annul the local election results in cities where the opposition candidates were the winners. The above were mentioned in Belgrade's weekly newspaper "Nedelnji Telegraph" citing sources in the army.

The newspaper underlines that the Supreme Council of Defence in a meeting held on November 21 decided to revoke the leave of officers and soldiers while special forces are guarding the army buildings in the cities where the demonstrations are taking place.

According to the newspaper, Chief of the Army Staff, general Momcilo Perisic has stated during the Supreme Council of Defence meeting that the armed forces must remain in their camps and under no circumstances be involved in possible disputes with civilians.

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