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

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, December 12, 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 IN DUBLIN TO ADDRESS TOMORROW'S EU SUMMIT

The European Union's political and economic "well-being" will be tested the following two days during the Dublin-held Summit meeting which will examine the general outline of the Maastricht Treaty and will aim to achieve a meeting of the "15" minds.

The range of issues to be raised during the Dublin Summit meeting tomorrow and Saturday includes the consolidation of security and territorial integrity of European Union member-states and the protection of the Union's external borders.

The Summit will be held in light of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and the revision of the Maastricht Treaty, as well as on the Economic and Monetary Union and the single currency process.

Greece's positions to be tabled during the Summit have more or less been summarized in a letter forwarded to the its EU allies on December 4 by Mr. Simitis.

Therein, the Greek Premier had stated that Greece is facing great difficulties in responding to certain issues of integration.

"One of the basic causes of these difficulties is the continuing aggressive behavior of Turkey, which remains a factor of destabilization in the broader region and a threat to Greece's sovereign rights," Mr. Simtis wrote.

"This situation inescapably affects Greece' positions and options in a series of other issues," he continued, "for instance, our obligation to adopt a new armaments program, which constitutes an additional annual burden exceeding one per cent of our country's GDP on a medium-term basis, renders almost impossible the attainment of Maastricht criteria at this time. This same cause affects our positions regarding the IGC, e.g. on issues of external policy and defense."

In his address tomorrow, Mr. Simitis will stress that Greece attributes great importance to soilidariry, joint action and cooperation towards consolidating the 15-member Union's territorial integrity and the external borders.

The Greek Premier is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, and the Ministers of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou, Press and Mass Media Dimitris Reppas, alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and PASOK eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis. National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos is also in Dublin where he will attend the Socialist Leaders Summit. A.F.

[02] GREEK FARMERS SHOW HINT OF COMPROMISE, SOME STAY, BUT SOME LEAVE

Greek farmers in central Greece remain unyielding in their protests, although in some areas of northern Greece and the Peloponnese some have abandoned their roadblocks, allowing traffic to pass.

Meanwhile, the Association of Northern Greece's Exporters (SEVE) intends to file suits for damages by tomorrow, according to SEVE's president Apostolos Yenitsaris, who estimated the economic losses suffered so far by the area's exporters to more than ten billion drachmas.

The Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas issued another appeal to the farmers to open the roads and proceed to a dialogue with the Government. He also criticised the main opposition's leader (New Democracy's Miltiades Evert) for visiting the roadblocks, and stated that he is attempting to take advantage of the farmers' protests for the sake of party gains.

The Minister of Agriculture Stephanos Tzoumakas is currently chairing a parliamentary agriculture committee meeting in order to assess the situation.

Aleka Paparega, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece, will tour Thessaly tomorrow and will visit roadblocks in Larissa. A.F.

[03] PREMIER IN THE HAGUE TODAY, WILL MEET WITH DUTCH COUNTERPART VIM KOK

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will meet with the Netherlands Premier Vim Kok in The Hague today, where the two leaders will discuss issues concerning the consolidation of security and territorial integrity of the EU's member-states and the protection of the EU's external borders.

The Netherlands will hold the EU's rotating Presidency beginning January 1, 1997. This evening, Mr. Simitis will travel to Dublin, Ireland, (EU's current President) to attend the European Union's Summit meeting to be held tomorrow and Saturday.

In his visits to The Hague and Dublin, Mr. Simitis is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, and the Ministers of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou, Press and Mass Media Dimitris Reppas, alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and PASOK eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis. A.F.

[04] ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES BID COMMITTEE PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO SIDNEY

The President of the Athens 2004 Bid Committee Yianna Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki will be in Sidney, Australia, on Saturday, to find out how the city managed to convince the International Olympic Committee to grant them the Olympic Games of 2000.

Ms. Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki stated that Australia's Greek community can play an important role in Athens' bid for the Games, by influencing the local communities to support Greece.

The President of Melbourne's Greek Community George Fountas said that, without a doubt, Australia's Greek community stands by Athens' side. A.F.

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT RECEIVED BY GEORGIA'S HEAD OF STATE TODAY

The president of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis has been appointed President of the eighth Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly meeting of the Black Sea Cooperation Pact countries, whose term is on a six-motnh rotating basis.

Mr. Kaklamanis was received by Georgia's President Edward Sevardnadze in TbIlisi today where the two men discussed bilateral relations and isues concerning the Greek community in Georgia.

President Sevardnadze stated that he is in favor of peaceful resolutions to issues concerning the Aegean, while he concurrently emphasized as prerequisites for this the necessary guarantees for the security and protection of territorial integrity and the respect of borders. These guarantees, Mr. Sevardnadze stated, must be secured from both the European Union and the United Nations.

During his address to the Assembly, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed Greece's interest in safeguarding international peace and security, upholding International Law, respecting human rights and developing friendly relations with all countries. A.F.

[06] BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS TO FILE DAMAGE CLAIMS AGAINST FARMERS AND STATE

The Association of Northern Greece's Exporters (SEVE) intends to file suits for economic damages against the country's protesting farmers by tomorrow, a move to be followed by Thessaloniki's Trade Association, which will file two separate claims, one against all those responsible for the obstruction of transportation and another against the State for breach of duty.

According to SEVE's president Apostolos Yenitsaris, who estimated the economic losses suffered so far by the area's exporters to more than 12 billion drachmas, his organization's claims could actually be filed against specific individuals, surpassing the vague "general liability" claims. A.F.

[07] GREECE-FYROM TRADE AMOUNTS TO 113 MILLION DOLLARS SO FAR IN THE YEAR

Economic trade between Greece and FYROM during the first ten months of 1996 has risen to $US 110 million, stated the President of Greece's Association of Chambers Andreas Kyriazis and his counterpart from FYROM Dusan Petrovski, during a joint press conference held in Skopje today.

According to Mr. Kyriazis, FYROM's exports to Greece amounted to approximately 52 million dollars and, conversely, Greece's exports to FYROM rose to 61 million dollars. A.F.

[08] TERM OF WORLD HELLENISM COUNCIL'S PRESIDIUM EXTENDED TO ONE MORE YEAR

The Presidium of the World Hellenism Council (SAE) will have a two-year term from now on, while a regular session will be held on an annual basis henceforth, according to modifications approved today by majority rule in Parliament.

These amendments were submitted by the Alternate Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, who oversees issues concerning Greeks living abroad, and the Minister of Public Order, George Romeos.

The amendments were deemed necessary because an annual convention of SAE and the formation of a new presidium on a yearly basis does not allow for sufficient time in the interim and disables the operation and productiveness of the organization.

SAE will hold its Presidium's third session in Thessaloniki during December 14-18. A.F.

[09] "BESIKTAS" PLAYER GARRY ALEXANDER APPEARED BEFORE A PROSECUTOR

The greek police arrested American basketball player in the Turkish team "Besiktas", Garry Alexander after a suit was filed against him by Greek basketball player in "Aris" of Thessaloniki, Dinos Aggelidis. The latter was attacted yesterday by Alexander during a game in Thessaloniki.

Alexander was free to leave with his team for Istanbul after appearing before a prosecutor who started proceedings against him. The day of his trial will be set later.

It should be noted that Garry Alexander was thrown out of the Italian basketball championship because he was a trouble-maker and drug user.

The members of "Besiktas" team remained in the Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki thoughout the morning today and at noon left for "Macedonia" Airport.

FIBA's Sports Judge, Alfred Drost is expected to decide today on the fate of yesterday's game which was interrupted about two minutes after the beginning of the second half due to the incident. Mr.Drost has in his possession a copy of the tape with the squabble, while three other copies are in the possession of the two referees and FIBA's commisioner to the game.

[10] THE MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI VISITED THE EURO-PARLIAMENT

Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos visited the European Parliament accompanied by mr.Panos Theodoridis, artistic director of the events that will be held in the city in 1997 when it will be the Cultural Capital of Europe, mr.Thanasis Papadopoulos director of the Cultural Capital of Europe administration network and head of press office ms.Thalia Ioannidou. The visit was aimed at the promotion of Thessaloniki as the Cultural Capital of Europe in 1997.

Mr.Kosmopoulos had meetings with Euro-deputies, members of the Cultural Affairs Committee and general secretary of the Cultural Capital of Europe Organization mr.Vinci, while he also met with representatives of the Council of Europe.

The mayor of Thessaloniki appeared very satisfied with the results of the meetings stressing that the projects underway in the city are very positive.

Mayor Kosmopoulos and the members of the delegation he heads will also visit Amsterdam, Roterdam and other cities.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] CYPRUS' ACCESSION INTO THE EU CAN PLAY A CATALYTIC ROLE IN THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis characterized as correct the position that Cyprus' accession into the European Union can play a catalytic role in the solution of the Cyprus issue.

Mr.Michailidis, who is in Dublin to attend the EU Summit meeting, will have contacts with the Foreign Ministers of the European Union member-states.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister stressed the importance of Cyprus' participation in the Summit and underlined that the goal is to reach a solution for the Cyprus problem before the country's accession into the European Union.

[12] BRITAIN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE DENKTASH'S PSEUDOSTATE, SAYS RIFKIND TO BBC

Britain will not recognize the Turkish-Cypriot pseudostate in Cyprus, stated the British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind during an interview with BBC, in light of his imminent visit to Cyprus.

Mr. Rifkind's forthcoming meeting with Rauf Denktash, the leader of the occupying regime in northern Cyprus, has created a flurry of reactions within the Greek-Cypriot community and has prompted the Democratic Party (DIKO) to discuss the possibility of breaking up its governmental coalition with the Democratic Rally party (DISY).

The Foreign Office diplomat clarified that he will meet Mr. Denktash as "the leader of the Turkish-Cypriot community."

He added that "there is no shift in our positions, we do not recognized the so-called 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.' No country recognizes it." However, he went on to say that dialogue is crucial for achieving progress in the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Albeit foreseeing that the path to such resolution will be a long one, Mr. Rifkind supported that in order to reach a fair and viable solution, the island's two communities must conduct talks.

Moreover, Mr. Rifkind fully adopted the positions expressed by Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos who has stated that Greece will not accept any whatsoever interrelation between the Cypriot issue and Cyprus's accession to the European Union.

"Mr. Pangalos is absolutely right," Mr. Rifkind said. "These are two separate issues, each of which must be dealt with separately. Of course, if Cyprus is united again, the negotiation for its accession to the EU will be easier, but one issue cannot be dependent upon the other."

[13] ROMANIA'S NEW CABINET SWORN IN TODAY

Romania's new Cabinet will be sworn in today, in a ceremony officiated by President Emil Constantinescu.

Romanian Premier Victor Ciorbea received the Parliament's confidence vote yesterday, with a majority vote.

The new Cabinet, elected in November, comprises 27 ministers and undersecretaries and features the participation of all the parties in the "Democratic Alliance" coalition.

The Democratic Convention of Romania (CDR) led by Constantinescu, is the main party in both chambers of the country's Parliament, with approximately 30 per cent, while the Party of Social Democracy in Romania PDSR, a stronghold in Parliament ever since the overthrow of the communist regime in December 1989, holds 23.1 per cent in the Senate and 21.6 in the House of Representatives. A.F.

[14] TURKEY: PREMIER ERBAKAN TO BREAK INTO INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Turkish Premier Necmetin Erbakan intends to break into international media by creating a network that will provide exclusively news of, from, and about the world of Islam, according to the turkish daily Huriyet, along with plans for transforming NATO, the Common Market and the United Nations into Islamic organizations.

First signs of these ambitious plans were unveiled last weekend during the conference of the Islamist Union Observation Committee, organized by the Welfare Party's "Center of Economic and Social Research."

Among those present at the conference was Gaazi Hussein, one of the leaders of Pakistan's opposition party. A.F.

[15] F.R.Y.:OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO RALLY, ALBANIAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES SUPPORT

The Federal Yugoslav Republic's (FRY) main opposition, the three-member coalition Zajedno (Together), and Yugoslav students continue to rally in the streets of Belgrade demanding Serb President Slobodan Milosevic to resign, with the city's labor force joining in.

A European Parliament envoy is expected to arrive in Belgrade this week to have contacts with opposition leaders and Belgrade's student community.

Meanwhile in Tirana yesterday, Albanian President Sali Berisha officially expressed his support for Zajedno's protests. He stated characteristically that "Milosevic is, essentially, the only person in Serbia who doesn't agree with the protesters." A.F.

[16] IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER MAINTAINS THAT TURKEY VIOLATES THE IRAQI BORDERS

Iraq's Foreign Minister Mohammad el Sahaf in a new letter adressed to UN Secretary-General Boutros Ghali maintains that the Turkish armed forces violate his country's borders and air space.

The Iraqui Foreign Minister points out in his letter that special army units are involved in military operations in the Sirvan region and mentioned which Iraqui villages are being bombarded by the Turkish forces calling for UN's mediation to make Turkey respect Iraq's sovereignty.

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