Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-12-05

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, December 5, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] MPA'S INTERBALKAN SYMPOSIUM BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI THIS EVENING

An event hailed by most as opening new frontiers in interbalkan cooperation, the Macedonian Press Agency's Interbalkan Symposium "Eleftherios Venizelos and Alexandros Papanastasiou, 60 Years Later: The Idea of Interbalkan Cooperation" began tonight in Thessaloniki.

Minister of Macedonia and Thrace, Philippos Petsalnikos, inaugurated the two-day Symposium and stated that it is a common hope and desire of all involved that the inter-balkan cooperation become reality for a better future in the region.

Also, Minister of Press and Mass Media Dimitris Reppas saluted the Symposium and the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos kosmopoulos welcomed the guests and congratulated the MPA for undertaking this initiative.

Among the participating Balkan historians, journalists and directors of Balkan national news agencies, featured speakers during the Symposium are Vesna Jovanovic, President of the Association of Balkan News Agencies, Stefan Velef, Secretary- General of the Association Balkan News Agencies, Neagu Undroiu, General Director of the Romanian News Agency ROMPRESS (Romania), Stefan Velef, General Director of �alkan Information Pool (BIP) (Bulgaria) Mil�n Valkov, General Director of Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) (Bulgaria) Jana Kojouharova, Executive Secretary of BTA (Bulgaria), Milovan Stefanofski, General Director of ��� (FYROM) and Eurodeputy Nikos Papakyriazis, President of the European Union's Joint Parliamentary Committee for Bulgaria and Romania.

It should be noted that an electronic page has been created on MPA's Internet server (http://www.mpa.gr.) which provides written reports and information relevant to the Symposium in the English language, as well as photographs. A.F.

[02] TURKISH JOURNALIST AT MPA'S SYMPOSIUM, BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

Elvan Baransel, the alternate General Director of the turkish news agency ANADOLU addressed the MPA's Interbalkan Symposium this evening in Thessaloniki, and supported that cooperation in the Balkans is based on mutual friendship, confidence and respect.

Ms. Baransel saluted the MPA's effort in organizing the two- day event and stated that she came to Thessaloniki "by passing the bridge of peace between turkish and greek societies, launched by Ataturk and Venizelos."

Ms. Baransel also stated that it is well known that the Balkans have been the most strategical areas of Europe for many centuries.

"The stability and security of Balkan which constitute the main and important part of Europe have always been closely linked to the stability and peace of Europe," Ms. Baransel stated, adding that the basic principles for cooperation should be the respect to the sovereignty, independence, security, territorial integrity and human rights.

Ms. Baransel pointed out that the fact is that the geography Greece and Turkey live on has made the two nations neighbors in a sea which is embroidered with the most beautiful coastal lines in the world and concluded with the eloquent turkish proverb "every neighbor needs a neighbor." A.F.

[03] GREEK PREMIER ADDRESSES LETTER TO EU ALLIES OVER DUBLIN'S IMMINENT SUMMIT

In a letter forwarded to the European Union's state leaders, in light of the upcoming EU Summit -to be held in Dublin on December 12 through 14-, Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated that solidarity, joint action and unity are the starting points towards consolidating the EU's 15 member states.

In all, the Greek Premier writes that the European peoples must understand that steps are being taken towards strengthening the ties among the EU member-states, a necessary process of the European completion.

Stressing Greece's support for the enlargement of the EU, Mr. Simitis wrote that the further strengthening of the principle of solidarity and the common positions on matters concerning foreign policy must display the idea of completion as materializing gradually on crucial areas. A.F.

[04] GREECE'S PORT WORKERS CALL OFF STRIKE AFTER PREMIER'S INTERVENTION

Greece's port workers called off their country-wide strike late this evening after meeting with the Minister of Merchant Marine Stavros Soumakis, who relayed to them the Premier's promise to give them a productivity bonus.

Thessaloniki's port was inactivated for nine successive days. Today, twenty-three ships were waiting to berth at the port, of which it is unknown how many were rerouted towards Cyprus, Turkey or other, smaller ports in Greece. A.F.

[05] GREEK FARMERS TO PRESS ON WITH STRIKES

Greece's farmers have decided to remain in the country's highways, blocking all interstate and intrastate traffic, after their representatives' talks with government officials reached an impasse today.

As a result, there are first signs of a scarcity in fresh foods supplies at some of the country's larger markets, a situation certain to worsen if a resolve is not reached soon. A.F.

[06] GREECE'S PROTESTING FARMERS DEMAND MEETING WITH PREMIER

Greece's protesting farmers are demanding a tete-a-tete meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today and warn that they will intensify their road blockades that have sliced the country in half for eight days in a row.

Yesterday's talks between Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas and farmers' representatives collapsed after the protesters rejected the Government's proposals. Mr. Tzoumakas told the farmers that the Government is unable to meet their one- trillion-drachma demands. The farmers' representatives countered that the cost of meeting their basic demands does not surpass 100 billion drachmas.

Meanwhile, the rallying is continued throughout Greece, while fresh food supplies are also greatly affected. In Thessaloniki, access to "Macedonia" airport is possible only via side roads as the farmers have blocked off the main road. A.F.

[07] THE FARMERS' ACTIONS CONSTITUTE BLACKMAIL, STATED PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated that the government can not offer new benefits and characterized the farmers' mobilizations as blackmail.

Mr.Simitis said that the government has responded to the farmers' demands recognizing their sector's social role and stressed that the government's policy, through a number of measures, aims at increasing the competitiveness of greek agriculture and also at its modernization, while he called on the strikers to end the blockade of national highways and railway links.

He said that the government will not accept such behaviour which violates the rights of other sectors of the economy and puts in danger the work and income of other working classes, adding that if the blockade continues will have a chain reaction effect on the workers and the greek people in general.

The Prime Minister pointed out that certain of the farmers' demands are excessive and if are met will overturn the government's economic policy which is absolutely necessary to be implemented in order to have social justice and also in order for the country to be included in the european economic and monetary union. N.X.

[08] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS UNIONS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met today with representatives of public and private sector workers unions in an effort to achieve the de-escalation of the workers' mobilization. In the meeting participated Public Administration Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, Labour Minister Militiadis Papaioannou and Undersecretary of Finance Giorgos Dris.

President of the Greek General Confederation of Labour, mr.Christos Polizogopoulos stated after the meeting that the Prime Minister informed the unions on the new economic policy planning but he did not appear willing to make any changes based on the workers' demands.

On the likelihood of more actions by the workers, mr.Polizogopoulos stated that there will be mobilizations for as long as there will be problems, adding that decisions on the issue will be made next Tuesday in the Confederation's Presiding Board plenary session.

President of the main public sector employees union, ADEDY, mr.Yiannis Koutsoukos pointed out that the Prime Minister was convinced that with the proposed new wages the real income of certain public sector employees will be reduced. N.X.

[09] IS UNFEASIBLE FOR GREECE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FIRST GROUP OF EU STATES PARTICIPATING IN THE EMU, STATED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that is completely unfeasible for Greece to be included in the first group of EU states participating in the european economic and monetary union, EMU.

Mr.Reppas clarified that the government has set the ambitious goal for Greece to be included in the second group of EU countries that will meet the Maastricht Treaty criteria and be eligible for the economic and monetary union. N.X.

[10] STATEMENTS BY MR.REPPAS ON THE MORATORIUM ON GREEK AND TURKISH MILITARY FLIGHTS OVER CYPRUS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that behind the US proposal for a moratorium on greek and turkish military flights over Cyprus is a US initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Reppas stated that this proposal does not affect the joint defence doctrine and added that the greek government expects this initiative to be fully undertaken. He said that the greek and cypriot response will depend on the good will and honesty that will be displayed for the fair solution of the problem. N.X.

[11] STATEMENTS BY MR.REPPAS ON THE GREEK AIR SPACE

The greek air space has been set to 10 miles since 1931 and Greece defends its sovereign rights in this air space, stated greek government spokesman Dimitiris Reppas referring to statements made by US State Department spokesman Nicolas Burns according to which the United States do not recognize the 10mile limit.

Mr.Reppas stated that the US positions on the limits of the greek air space are known since a long time ago, as known and unchanged are the greek positions on this matter. N.X.

[12] HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THESSALONIKI WILL VISIT BRUSSELS

A delegation of 14yearold high-school students from Thesaloniki will visit Brussels to present to Euro-deputies the unique dictionary they compiled. This dictionary includes 5.000 greek words that are found in the languages spoken in European Union member states.

Their trip to Brussels will be financed by the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace which will also undertake to send 1.000 copies of the dictionary to the European Parliament to be distributed to the euro-deputies. Furthermore, the Ministry pledged to finance a new improved edition of the dictionary which will be put together by the students.

The Agios Athanasios High-School students decided to compile the dictionary on the suggestion of their professor Giorgos Tastsidis after a proposal was submitted to the European Parliament by two spanish Euro-deputies to institute the greek language as the official language of the European Union. N.X.

[13] A GREEK SEAMAN WAS RELEASED FROM EGYPT'S PRISONS AFTER 7 YEARS IN JAIL

Greek national Nikos Zagelidis, one of the three crew members of the motorship "Thanasis" sentenced to death in Egypt on drug smuggling charges, arrived in Athens today after serving 7 years in jail.

The three sailors, who were convicted of smuggling 7,5 tons of hashish aboard the motorship, were sentenced to death in 1992 and later their sentence was commuted to life inprisonment.

Nikos Zagelidis was released for health reasons after intense efforts made by the greek authorities and his relatives. Meanwhile, the efforts continue for the release of the other two sailors, Konstantinos Kastanias and Anastasios Kontoyiannis, who are also in bad health. N.X.

[14] MPA'S INTERBALKAN SYMPOSIUM BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI THIS EVENING

The Macedonian Press Agency's Interbalkan Symposium titled "Eleftherios Venizelos and Alexandros Papanastasiou, 60 Years Later: The Idea of Interbalkan Cooperation" will begin this evening, in spite of the obstacles some of the participants faced during their arrival.

Participating Balkan historians, journalists and directors of Balkan national news agencies, who began arriving in Thessaloniki during today's early morning hours, were able to circumvent the protesting farmers' roadblocks although troubles were faced by the Bulgarian delegates who, when faced with the blocked Greek- Bulgarian border in Promahonas, had to return towards Sofia and reroute their journey to Greece through FYROM.

Also, the Albanian News Agency's (ATA) General Director and Albanian professor Paschal Milo, had to wait for hours to overcome the farmers' roadblocks on their route from Edessa to Thessaloniki.

Nevertheless, the Symposium will take place as scheduled, as most of the delegates are arriving by airplane.

The event is hailed by most as opening new frontiers in interbalkan cooperation. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's alternate Foreign Minister has saluted the event in a letter addressed to MPA.

The two-day Symposium will start today in HELEXPO at 6 p.m. A.F.

[15] NEW TAX BILL SUBMITTED IN PARLIAMENT

The Government's new tax bill was submitted to Parliament today, containing new taxes and abolishing or modifying over 200 tax exemptions.

The bill foresees new taxes to be levied on high-value real estate, state bonds, treasury bills, bank profits, as well as foreign exchange deposits made by permanent residents of Greece.

Moreover, the draft bill includes changes on the current objective criteria and an increase on the criteria used for private cars and pleasure craft.

The objective criteria serve the Greek tax authorities as an indicator of income, declared or undeclared. A.F.

[16] GREEK MUSEUMS CLOSED TODAY, EMPLOYEES ON THREE-HOUR WORK STOPPAGE

Greece's museums will remain closed today as the sector's employees held a three-hour work stoppage this afternoon.

The country's arhaeologists, museum guards, administrative staff and the Culture Ministry's employees have mostly financial claims and ask for a Sunday-work bonus which is normally given to those employed in other sectors.

The President of the Antiquities Guards Union, Konstantinos Kasides, told the Macedonian Press Agency that today's work stoppage is a warning-one, "expressing our dissatisfaction over the fact that the new (Culture) Minister will not meet with us in order to discuss the solidarity bonus that we are due." A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] F.R.Y.'S MASS MEDIA EXTENSIVELY REPORT ON MPA'S INTERBALKAN SYMPOSIUM

The mass media in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia made extensive references to the Macedonian Press Agency's Interbalkan Symposium titled "Eleftherios Venizelos and Alexandros Papanastasiou, 60 Years Later: The Idea of Interbalkan Cooperation".

The Serb television stations emphasized that participating at the Symposium will be historians from all the Balkan countries and representatives from the region's national news agencies, whose cooperation in the sector of information will contribute to the better understanding of the relations among the Balkan peoples. A.F.

[18] AUSTRALIAN PREMIER TO VISIT GREECE IN 1997

Australia's federal Premier John Howard will visit Greece during 1997, a stop in a series of formal visits he will embark on next year.

Among the countries he will visit are Malaysia, China and Singapore, followed by the United States, and in turn he will be in Greece and then Italy. A.F.

[19] UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS TO ARRIVE IN NICOSIA ON TUESDAY

The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Cypriot issue Han Sung Ju, is expected to arrive in Nicosia next Tuesday, December 10, where he will hold talks with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the self-called leader of the occupying regime in northern Cyprus Rauf Denktash.

In turn, the UN official, who will be accompanied by the UN's alternate special enoy for Cyprus Gustav Feischel, will travel to Athens and Ankara for talks with the respective countries' governments. A.F.

[20] AN ANKARA PROSECUTOR QUESTIONED A "TRUE PATH" MP ON THE CASE CONCERNING THE LINKS BETWEEN THE TURKISH STATE AND ORGANIZED CRIME

"True Path" parliament deputy Sentat Butzak, the sole survivor of the traffic accident in Susurluk that brought to light evidence on the relations of turkish politicians with the organized crime, gave his testimony to the prosecutor in Ankara's State Security Court.

Mr.Butzak had stated recently to private TV station HBB that he was ready to testify regarding the accident even though he has the right not to do so due to the fact that he has parliamentary immunity. N.X.

[21] FYROM'S BUDGET REVENUES FOR 1997 WILL BE 41,52 BILLION DENARS

Austerity is the main characteristic of FYROM's state budget for 1997 as the cuts in appropriations will be 1,595 billion denars.

According to FYROM's Minister of Finance, mr.Taki Fiti the overall revenues in the 1997 budget are estimated to be 41,52 billion denars. Budget spending is estimated to exceed revenues and reach 44,454 billion denars. N.X.

[22] THE PRESIDENTS OF ALBANIA AND TURKEY MET BRIEFLY IN LISBON

Albanian President Sali Berisha and Turkey's President Suleiman Demirel had a brief meeting in Lisbon.

According to the albanian television, the two men referred to the very good relations existing between their countries, while they discussed their further development in the future as well as, issues concerning the visit turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller is expected to make to Albania shortly. N.X.

[23] BULGARIA WILL NOT BE A BLACK SEA BANK FOUNDING MEMBER

Bulgaria will not participate in the Black Sea Bank as a founding member due to the bad economic situation in the country.

In a front-page article the newspaper "Pari" mentions that seven countries participating in the Black Sea economic cooperation, namely, Greece, Albania, Armenia, Moldavia, Russia, Romania and Turkey have ratified the agreement for the establishment of the Black Sea Commerce and Development Bank.

According to a proposal presented to the cabinet by the Finance Minister, the agreement must be ratified by the Bulgarian government today and later by the Parliament. In the proposal is also mentioned that due to the country's bad economic situation the initial capital can be paid-up by Bulgaria in the second half of 1997 and only then the country can participate in the Black Sea Bank. N.X.

[24] RESOLUTION TO TRANSFORM BALKANS INTO FREE TRADE ZONE PROPOSED

The General Assembly of the Balkan Chambers of Commerce Association concluded today with a joint resolution forwarded to all of the Balkan countries, which proposes the establishment of a free trade zone in the Balkans.

The President of Greece's Chamber of Commerce, Andreas Kyriazis, is to preside over the Association during 1997, according to Bulgaria's Trade and Industry Chamber Bozidar Bozinov.

Mr. Bozinov further stated that the Balkan commerce chambers have voted on a code of common ethics, an agreement for ways to resolve trade disputes and the publication of an informative leaflet regarding businesses in the Balkans, all of which aim to further the multilateral exchange of information. A.F.

[25] PEACE IMPLEMENTATION CONFERENCE FOR BOSNIA HELD IN LONDON TODAY

Concern over the current situation stemming from the mass rallies held for 15 successive days against F.R.Y's President Slobodan Milosevic abounded during the London-held Peace Implementation Conference for Bosnia, which was completed today.

Britain's Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind stated that he relayed his Government's concern to his Yugoslav counterpart, Milan Milutinovic. A.F.

[26] F.R.Y.: ANNULMENT OF LOCAL ELECTIONS WILL BE TAKEN TO SUPREME COURT

The President of Belgrade's Electoral Commission Radomir Lazarevic, said today that he intends to resort to the country's Supreme Court in order to re-examine the State's decision to annul the elections results in 45 of the city's 110 electorate centers.

A similar move was drawn by the country's main opposition, the three-member coalition "Zajedno" (Together). A.F.

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/