Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-12-03

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, December 3, 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 URGES OSCE MEMBERS TO PEACEFULLY RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated today that the OSCE member-countries must utilize the mechanisms provided by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in order to resolve their differences peacefully.

Addressing the delegates attending the Lisbon-held Summit, Mr. Simitis stated that OSCE's authority can efficiently resolve challenges posed not only by national tensions, but also by arms sales, drug trafficking, environmental pollution and other perils.

Furthermore, the Premier emphasized that transparency, stability and mutual trust must prevail not only in the relations among OSCE's member-countries but in the neighboring regions as well.

Also today, Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who along with Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas is accompanying the Premier in Lisbon, met today with Carey Cavanaugh, Director of the United States' Office of Southeastern European Affairs.

[02] GREEK PREMIER MEETS FYROM'S AND TURKEY'S PRESIDENTS DURING OSCE SUMMIT

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met the President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov for the first time today and briefly met with Turkey's President Suleiman Demirel, within the sidelines of the Lisbon-held Summit conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Mr. Simitis told reporters that these meetings were of a social character and perhaps even a political one, "meaning that we didn''t talk about the weather, we commented that there are some issues that need to come to a close."

In his brief and informal meeting with Mr. Gligorov, Mr. Simitis mentioned the need for the two countries to further develop their relations and, in order for this to be achieved, the President of FYROM must look into the name issue currently pending between the two countries and seek its resolve.

When asked if Greece plans to hold direct talks with FYROM and Turkey, Mr. Simitis reminded the reporters that the dialogue with FYROM is currently taking place through the United Nations, while regarding Turkey, he said that "there is no room for dialogue."

[03] GREEK PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS IN HIS SPEECH TO THE OSCE CALLED FOR SAFEGUARDS GUARANTEEING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND THE EXISTING BORDERS

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in the OSCE Summit meeting in Lisbon reiterated the greek positions and emphasized, obviously referring to neighbouring Turkey, that Greece wants its neighbours to become part of the family of democratic states that respect the rights of ethnic minorities, the values of pluralistic democracy, international law and human rights in an environment free of armed conflicts, tensions and threats.

He said that Greece's policy in south-eastern Europe is based on the respect of territorial integrity of all states and the principle of non interference in a country's internal affairs. Mr.Simitis said that it is Greece's position that problems should be solved through peaceful means namely, through the International Court of Justice based on international law and by refraining from threats for the use of force.

Mr.Simitis stressed that Greece is involved in regional initiatives which promote stability and good neighbourly relations referring to the Black Sea cooperation and to the initiatives undertaken for the Balkan cooperation. He also stressed that Greece and the Russian Federation have suggested high level political consultations to take place with the participation of Balkan and other countries.

The greek Prime Minister stressed that a new golden rule of co-existence for the european peoples must be found aimed at preserving the territorial integrity and political independence of states and protecting the distinctive characteristics of certain populations living inside those borders.

He also said that there should be certain safeguards that will guarantee the territorial integrity of states within the existing borders. Mr.Simitis said that all the OSCE bodies and institutions must contribute to the building of a safer Europe and all are being called to deal with the threats and provocations which arise daily within the international community in order to prevent disputes and armed conflicts.

Mr.Simitis added that the OSCE is called to play a unique role in the peaceful settlement of disputes through early warning and the mechanism for the prevention of armed conflicts as well as, through the mechanism for the managing of crisis and the reconstruction after an armed conflict.

He stressed that a special emphasis should be given to the OSCE bodies for the settlement of provocations against security which are created not only by ethnic tensions and human rights abuse but by problems such as, arms proliferation and illegal drugs trafficking.

The greek Prime Minister, within the framework of his contacts on the sidelines of the OSCE Summit in Lisbon, had meetings with European leaders and heads of governmental delegations from Europe, the United States and Canada.

[04] PROTESTING GREEK FARMERS BLOCK ALL NORTH-SOUTH TRANSPORTATION ROUTES

Greece's disgruntled farmers have mounted their protests today by seriously disrupting the country's interstate motor, air and railway transportation with continued roadblocks, the fourth successive day of their rallies.

The protesting farmers denounce the Government's economic policy and demand from the State to clear their debts and offer them increased crop subsidies.

Thessaloniki has been "sliced-off" from the remaining country as roadblocks have been place in all intrastate roads, although access to the "Macedonia" airport is feasible through detour roads.

Yesterday evening, the Thessaly Coordinating Committee of Farmers turned down the Agriculture Minister's (Stefanos Tzoumakas) proposed measures for cotton farmers regarding the settlement of outstanding debts and increased cotton subsidies.

Mr. Tzoumakas announced that a Committee will be formed which, by December 10, will submit a proposal for an overall settlement of the farmers' current debts.

Meanwhile, the leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert, stated that while his party does not espouse these drastic mobilizations, it does stand by the side of those who are being tried by the Government. Mr. Evert also called upon Prime Minister Kostas Simitis to come in personal contact with the protesting farmers and address the problem in its true dinension, which is, he said, a national one.

[05] DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESSES OBSTRUCTION CHARGES AGAINST RALLYING FARMERS

The Thessaloniki District Attorney's Office pressed charges today for obstruction of public transportation against the farmers who have been rallying in the area and have placed roadblocks in most of the city's intrastate routes, slicing off the city from the remaining country.

Throughout Greece, disgruntled farmers today continued their protests against the State's economic policies by seriously disrupting the country's interstate motor, air and railway transportation.

The protesting farmers denounce the Government's economic policy and demand from the State to clear their debts and offer them increased crop subsidies.

Aside from the anomalies created in cross-country transportation, fresh food deliveries are also greatly affected as the goods are being held up at the production site and deliveries cannot proceed to out-of-town markets.

Ironically, these delays in food deliveries could lead to an increase in market prices, thereby causing an inflation spurt which inevitably will damage the farmers themselves as well.

Concurrently, the city's port remains inactive for the eighth day in a row, with its administrative employees participating in a country-wide strike. The strikers demand that the Government hand them productivity bonuses and adjust their incomes to inflation.

The President of the Thessaloniki Port Authority Apostolos Genitsaris told the Macedonian Press Agency that while every individual has the inalienable right to strike, the consequences brought on by this work stoppage include a devastating effect upon the local economy and a blow to the port's credibility.

Twenty-three ships were awaiting to berth at the port yesterday, of which 14 were rerouted towards Cyprus, Turkey or other, smaller ports in Greece.

[06] GOVERNMENT GRANTS FINANCIAL AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN XANTHI

The Government began issuing today GRD200,000 ($810) to the families that suffered damages and losses during from the torrential rains that flooded Xanthi, a city in northeastern Greece, on Sunday.

Also, a relief fund of two million drachmas ($8,100) will be given to each of the families whose members lost their lives during the flood.

The Undersecretary of Health and Welfare is currently in the stricken region in order to execute the decision drawn yesterday by the Minister of Environment, Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis. Also, Undersecretary of the Interior Labros Papademas announced that interest-free loans and emergency financial subsidies will be given to the region's municipalities for reconstruction projects.

Currently, damage estimates are been assessed by perfectural committees on the premises. The heavy rain caused severe losses to the region's crops, while many houses and stores have been devastated by damages. Hundreds of families from the surrounding villages have been rendered homeless. The committees' reports will be submitted to Mr. Laliotis within the following ten days whereupon the Minister wil once again visit the region.

The rainfall has subsided in Xanthi and the Kossynthos River's water line, which came dangerously close to overtflowing, has substantially lowered.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[07] RUSSIA INSISTS THAT NATO MUST NOT EXPAND TOWARDS EAST

Moscow opposed NATO's plans to expand eastward, during yesterday's first-day session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit held in Lisbon.

Instead, Russia proposed that OSCE be strengthened in such as a way as to gain equal status with the Alliance. This proposal was turned down by the OSCE delegates.

Russian Prime Minister Victor Cernomyrdin, who spoke after the Portuguese Premier Antonio Guterres inaugurated the session, stated that it would be a great mistake if NATO continued with its efforts to expand to central and eastern European countries.

"This will create new divisive lines and the geopolitical situation in the world will worsen," Mr. Cernomyrdin stated.

The United States and NATO contested the Russian official's arguments, assuring that the Aliance's expansion does not pose a threat to any country and that it ultimately seeks cooperation with Russia.

"NATO was, is and will remain a defense alliance," stated U.S. Vice-President Al Gore, adding that "it can contibute to stability and is in a position to vow for the security of the countries in central and eastern Europe."

[08] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT KLIRIDIS SPEAKING IN OSCE CALLED FOR THE WITHDRAWAL FROM CYPRUS OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION FORCES AND TURKISH SETTLERS

Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis speaking in the OSCE Summit in Lisbon called for the withdrawal from Cyprus of the turkish occupation forces and turkish settlers, while he also proposed the disbanding of the National Guard and the deployment of an international force in the island.

The cypriot President underlined that he regards regional security as very important and that the OSCE must facilitated security through institutions and certain means, such as the stability pact, pointing out that the OSCE must seek closer cooperation ties with other organizations such as the UN Security Council.

Mr.Kliridis stated that the OSCE should not allow the creation of unresolved security problems. He referred to a code of behaviour that must be put into force for all the countries and also, to a code of security that must be adopted by all the member states.

The cypriot President stated that no member state should deploy military forces in another state unless the latter gives its consent after negotiations and in accordance with International Law. He went on by saying that this has been accepted by everybody, except Turkey, which refuses to comply with those principles and instead it increases its forces in the part of Cyprus it occupies.

Mr.Kliridis said that Cyprus has submitted to the UN Secretary General a detailed plan for the island's demilitarization which will help toward the restoration of peace.

He also said that the OSCE can promote the proposal providing for the withdrawal of the turkish occupation forces and turkish settlers, the disbanding of the National Guard and the deployment of an international force in Cyprus and also it can play an essential role in the process for its implementation.

[09] THE FIRST METROPOLITE OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED METROPOLIS OF HONG-KONG WILL BE ARCHIMANDRITE NIKITAS LOULIAS

Archimandrite Nikitas Loulias, who served in Chicago's St.Dimitrios Church, will be the first Metropolite of the newly established Metropolis of Hong-Kong, according to information that will be published tomorrow in a Chicago greek-speaking newspaper.

Archimandrite Nikitas Loulias was born in 1955 in Tarpon Springs in Florida, USA. His mother is from the Aegean island of Kalymnos and his father comes from Kozani in north-western Greece. He studied religion in Florida University and continued his studies in the Boston Theology School, while he completed his post- gradute studies in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Archimandrite Nikitas Loulias will be consecrated Metropolite in the Ecumenical Patriarchate on December 14.

[10] LEADING PERSONALITIES FROM THE BALKAN REGION WILL DISCUSS THE INTER-BALKAN COOPERATION IN A CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY MPA IN THESSALONIKI

Leading historians, among them many academicians, from all the Balkan states as well as, the General Directors of all the Balkan national news agencies together with politicians and journalists will discuss during the two-day conference that will be held in Thessaloniki on December 5 and 6 the historical and political legacy of Eleftherios Venizelos and Alexandros Papanastasiou concerning the development and the expansion of cooperation among the Balkan states and the restoration of a lasting climate of peace and friendship.

The two-day symposium under the title "E.Venizelos and A.Papanastasiou, 60 years after: The idea of Inter-Balkan Cooperation" is organized by Macedonian Press agency on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the deaths of those two leading greek politicians who contributed greatly to the promotion of the idea of Balkan understanding.

[11] THE 10TH GREEK CINEMA WEEK ENDED IN MUNICH WITH GREAT SUCCESS

The 10th Greek Cinema Week was completed in Munich yesterday with great success.

In the event participated famous greek film directors, while the contribution of the greek Consulate in Munich to its organizing was significant. The response of the local press was enthusiastic with complimentary remarks and reports on the greek cinema.

[12] TENSIONS ARE HEIGHTENED IN SERBIA AFTER THE ANNULMENT OF THE LOCAL ELECTIONS RESULTS

Tensions are heightened in Serbia as a result of the annulment of the local elections results and the continuing mass anti-government demonstrations of the opposition calling for the resignation of the socialist government and President Milosevic.

The unsettled situation was further charged after the announcement by the serb authorities that they have arrested 32 demonstrators accused of damaging public buildings during the opposition rallies.

[13] F.R.Y.: OPPOSITION'S ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLIES REACH A PEAK TODAY

Anti-government rallies reached a peak today, the ninth day in a row, as thousands of disgruntled followers of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's three-member coalition opposition Zajedno (Together) have taken to the streets calling President Slobodan Milosevic to step down and demanding that the Government resign.

Over 25,000 Zajedno supporters and student leaders participated in a rally held in Belgrade this afternoon protesting the Government's threat to stop tolerating the demonstrations and begin a crackdown on the protesters.

One of Zajedno's leaders, Vuk Drascovic, urged Belgrade's locals to proceed undaunted with the rallying and said that if the opposition holds strong today, then Milosevic will be forced to concede tomorrow.

The rallies stem from the Government's decision to annul results of the local elections in those municipalities where Zajedno prevailed.

The third round of the local elections was held last week under a shadow of the strongest polarization the country has known during the past five years.

The local authorities annulled the second round's results claiming that various shortcomings, irregularities and violations of law were noted during the voting procedure.

Opposition officials asked the voters not to participate in the voting, 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."

Meanwhile, Government officials have began arresting the protesters and sentencing them to jail.

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/