Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-12-16

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, December 16, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PREMIER TO FARMERS: NO DIALOGUE UNDER REGIME OF THREATS AND BLACKMAIL

The Government will not conduct a dialogue with the farmers under a regime of threats and blackmail tactics, stated the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in a raised tone this evening, during his first address to the protesters since his return fom Dublin.

Mr. Simitis emphasized that the Government is not refusing to hold a dialogue with anyone, the farmers included. Instead, he called on the farmers to lift the roadblocks and promised that immediately thereafter the Government will discuss all of their burning issues.

Meanwhile, the Regional Council of Central Macedonia, which conferred in Naoussa today, announced that there are serious and long-term problems faced by the agricultural sector, which have driven the farmers' incomes to an ever-shrinking deadlock.

In its ruling, the Council deemed that it is necessary that the Government proceed to a substantive dialogue with the farmer's representatives and appealed to the protesting farmers to free the country's national highways.

[02] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER: THE EU EXPECTS TURKEY TO RESPECT THE LAW

Prompted by the statements made earlier today by Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated today that the European Union expects Turkey to respect the power of justice and not to threaten with the power of arms.

Specifically, Ms. Ciller had stated that "Greece is right in fearing the turkish military prowess, but Turkey wants peace and if the arm it has extended peacefully is rejected and remains outside the EU, then there will be real reasons for Greece to fear."

Mr. Papandreou, currently in Thessaloniki where he addressed the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), also commented on his contacts with Ms. Ciller in Dublin recently, where he told the Turkish Foreign Minister that he will be "very honest, because honesty is the only way to create proper and good relations."

This evening, Mr. Papandreou stated that it is a shame that following such an honest juxtaposition between them, Ms. Ciller reacts in such a spasmodic manner.

It is Europe which has extended the arm of peace and cooperation and it expects Turkey to find the political will to do the same, Mr. Papandreou stated, adding that these statements on behalf of Ms. Ciller show the contrary.

[03] THE GREEK FARMERS' DEMAND FOR COMPENSATION WILL BE RAISED IN BRUSSELS

The outcome of today's Council of EU's Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels will be of great importance to the course of the Greek farmers mobilizations. In the meeting, Greek Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas will ask for more compensation for the Greek farmers whose crops were hit by natural disaster.

The farmers' issue will be at the center of discussions in the meeting of PASOK's Political Secretariat, which is being held today chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, as well as, in the joint meeting of opposition New Democracy party Political Council and Executive Committee.

In northern Greece and in the central-western regions the farmers mobilizations are easing off.

In the meantime, the coordinating committees of farmers in Thessaly, central Greece and also in northern regions of Macedonia and Thrace announced after a joint meeting that they persist in stepping up mobilizations, for as long as the basic demands of the farmers are not being met by the government.

Meanwhile, the economic damage suffered by the 2.000 exporting companies in northern Greece, as a result of the farmers' roadblocks, is estimated at 170 billion drachmas based on a research made by the Export Research and Studies Institute of the Northern Greece Exporters Association. According to the research, which was based on statements by 150 association members, the damages declared so far worth over 13 billion drachmas.

Northern Greece Exporters Association President, Apostolos Genitsaris filed a suit today against anyone who is responsible for the unlawful occupation and blocking of the national and provincial road network and for the intentional obstruction of communications and transportations.

[04] THE DISCUSSION ON GREECE'S 1997 BUDGET BEGINS IN PARLIAMENT TOMORROW

The five-day discussion on Greece's 1997 state budget opens in Parliament tomorrow and will end on December 21 with an open vote. In the meantime, a week of strike action begins in the country today in reaction to the government's economic policy.

On strike are elementary and kindergarden school teachers, employees in the geo-technical sector and merchant marine sailors, while work stoppages are being held by the doctors working in the state Social Security System.

The main public sector employees union has announced a 24- hour strike for tomorrow while the Greek Confederation of Labour, the main union of private sector employees, will hold 3-hour work stoppages and a protest rally outside the Parliament building.

A three-day strike will begin tomorrow by customs employees while the mobilizations of diplomatic employees and hospital workers continue.

[05] THE DUBLIN EU SUMMIT DECISIONS ARE IMPORTANT FOR GREECE, SAID MR.PAPANDREOU

Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, speaking in the 3rd meeting of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Presiding Board, which began in Thessaloniki today, stated that in the Dublin EU Summit was reiterated that the negotiations for Cyprus' accession into the EU will start as scheduled, six months after the end of the Inter-Governmental Conference.

Mr.Papandreou described the decisions made in the Dublin Summit as important. He said that Greece presented its positions before all the representatives of the EU Foreign Ministries and was stressed that Greece supports Turkey's european orientation which depends on this country's behaviour. Regarding Turkey's european orientation, the EU is concerned over the issues in the Aegean, the solution of the Cyprus issue and human rights. As of the recent crisis in Imia, the European Union insists that Turkey bring the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Mr.Papandreou stated that included in the EU Summit conclusions is an explicit reference to those issues. The EU gives emphasis to the need for it to be able to monitor the protection of human rights in Turkey and also, to the continuation of the EU Presidency efforts, based on the July 15 statement, aimed at the solution of those issues. The EU Summit, concluded mr.Papandreou, makes recommendations to Turkey to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council principles.

Mr.Papandreou characterized as positive the EU Summit's conclusions regarding the economic and monetary union, saying that it was accepted Greece's proposal according to which, in the criteria that should be met by the EU member-states must be included the difficulties a country might face due to exceptional circumstances. He also characterized as important the acceptance of the Greek demand to have the name of the single currency written both in latin and in greek.

Progress was achieved, according to alternate Foreign Minister Papandreou, toward the adoption of a common EU foreign policy and political defence. He pointed out that all member- states stressed the need to strengthen the common foreign policy and the policy of defence, while in the Irish EU Presidency plan are mentioned the principles of integrity and solidarity.

[06] THE PRIORITIES FOR WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD ARE BEING DISCUSSED IN THESSALONIKI

The main axes of the Greek state's activities in 1997 concerning the Greek communities abroad will be holding a second World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Plenary Session, the founding meeting of the World Assembly of Hellenism, the exploitation of Internet for the better communication of the Greek communities and the strengthening of the cultural ties between the Greeks living abroad and the motherland.

The above were stressed in the opening of the World Council's Presiding Board 3rd meeting that began in Thessaloniki this morning and will last three days. The meeting opened in the presence of alternate Foreign Minister, responsible for issues concerning the Greek communities abroad, Giorgos Papandreou. Also present were Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, Hellenes Abroad Secretary-General Stavros Lambrinidis and the Presiding Board of the Parliamentary Committee for the Hellenes Abroad. In the meeting participated the President and the vice- president of the World Inter-Parliamentary Committee of Hellenism, Dimitris Dollis (Parliament deputy in the australian state of Victoria) and Nikos Papadopoulos (Swedish Parliament member), Thessaloniki's Prefect Kostas Papadopoulos and Parliament deputies elected in the prefecture of Thessaloniki.

The morning session focused on the issue of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad priorities for 1997. Both the Council's Presiding Board and the representatives of the Greek political leadership agreed that the first year of SAE's operation was especially productive and the assessment of its work was positive.

According to mr.Papandreou, a priority for SAE should be the strengthening of the cultural ties between the Greeks abroad and the motherland, specifically, through the education process and also, through the possibilities provided by the new law on Greek education abroad passed in Parliament last July. The alternate Foreign Minister emphasized the need for regular contacts between SAE and non governmental institutions and organizations and the need for the participation of the Greek communities abroad in the effort to bring the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athens.

SAE's President Andrew Athens stressed the need for the World Council's economic independence and strengthening of its offices and regions, while he stated that SAE must continue to give priority to the issues of national importance.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos stressed that SAE's image must be strengthened to have greater prestige in its international contacts, while he stressed that SAE must be mainly occupied with the issue of the preservation of the Greek language which, as he said, is an issue of utmost national importance. Mr.Petsalnikos said that the building, where SAE's new offices will be housed, will be ready in March and suggested to its Presiding Board to seriously consider the prospect of SAE's independent participation in the cultural events that will be held in Thessaloniki in 1997, when the city will be the Cultural Capital of Europe.

Extensive reference to the better communication of the Greeks living abroad through the Internet was made by Hellenes Abroad Secretary-General Stavros Lambrinidis. He said that all pending economic issues for 1996 have been resolved and that a large programme, that will be hammered out by SAE for the location and exploitation of the Greeks and Philhellenes all over the world, has been approved.

President of the Parliamentary Committee for Hellenes Abroad, Grigoris Niotis stressed that 1997 begins with very positive prospects due to the positive assessment of the first year of SAE's operation and pointed out the need for close cooperation among the Committee he chairs, SAE, the Foreign Ministry and the World Inter-Parliamentary Committee. President of the World Inter- Parliamentary Committee Dimitris Dollis agreed with the suggestion and stated that a cooperation toward this direction could have as a result a Greek foreign policy of unprecedented effectiveness.

[07] NATIONAL ECONOMY MINISTRY TO MEET WITH SAE'S PRESIDIUM THIS WEEK

Officials from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance will meet with the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Presiding Board this week in order to present the Government's proposals regarding the abolishment of the transfer tax for the Greeks living abroad who purchase real estate.

According to George Drys, Undersecretary of Naitonal Economy, the Government will pay close attention to SAE's proposals and will examine the possibility of a mutually acceptible solution.

[08] TRANSIT-COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY TO OPEN BRANCH IN THESSALONIKI

In an effort to address northern Greece's issues more effectively and to strengthen its role in the Balkans, the Ministry of Transit and Communications will establish a secretariat office in Thessaloniki.

According to Minister of Transit and Communications Haris Kastanides, this office will be housed in the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

Mr. Kastanides summarized the office's role by saying that "our aim is to establish in Thessaloniki a specific civic and administative report center, where the locals can resort to in order to express their complaints or claims."

Moreover, the Minister added that this office will fortify Thessaloniki's role and enable the region to correspond to the new challenges created in the Balkans.

The office's first secretary will be Yiannis Maniatis, an alternate professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki's Polytechnic School.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] FYROM'S FOREIGN MINISTER APPEARS OPTIMISTIC OVER RELATIONS WITH GREECE

FYROM's Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frtchkovski expressed his optimism over his country's relations with Greece, during a recent press conference given on the occasion of his recent tour through Canada, England and Portugal.

Mr. Frtchkovski stated that he is certain both countries are willing to continue their talks in New York regarding the name issue pending betweeen FYROM and Greece, although he did add that no new proposal has been submitted by either side in regards to what the name of FYROM will be.

"There is a status quo and the new negotiations will be conducted within this general framework," Mr. Frtchkovski stated.

[10] THE BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP

British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind had meetings in Cyprus with President Glafkos Cleridis and Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis.

The British minister stressed the need for the slowing down of the armaments pace in Cyprus, in view of the prospect of achieving progress toward the solution of the problem in the next few months.

During the meetings was discussed the issue of security and mr.Rifking stressed that there is a strong military presence in the island, maintaining that such armaments for a country with the size of Cyprus, are irrationally and dangerously large. He admitted nevertheless that the island's demilitarization can not be achieved overnight.

After his meeting with the British Foreign Minister, mr.Michailidis stated that Britain sends the message of a more essential involvement and contribution to the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on mr.Rifkind's statement for the slowing down of the armaments programmes, mr.Michailidis stressed that Cyprus should not become an area of a huge military machine.

Mr.Rifkind is also expected to meet with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[11] CONTAINERS FULL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL SEIZED BY BULGARIAN AUTHORITIES

Eight containers transporting radioactive material from Bulgaria's Isperich to Razgrad, where seized by local authorities, according to Sofia's daily "Continent".

According to the reports so far, the freight includes radium, uranium, plutonium, iridium and caesium 137. The source of these materials has not been ascertained yet, although radioactivity counts in the vicinity revealed that the substance emits quite strong radiation.

Bulgaria's Administration of Civil Defense has stated that there is no danger for the public, although the discovery constitutes the largest amount of radioactive material discovered in Bulgaria ever.

[12] BULGARIAN PRESIDENT: ORGANIZED CRIME UNDERMINES PROGRESS IN EAST EUROPE

Addressing European Union leaders at a working luncheon held in Dublin, Bulgarian President Zeliu Zhelev stated that mafia and organized crime have replaced the basic societal values and undermine the foundations in Eastern Europe.

According to the Bulgarian daily "Continent", President Zhelev pointed out that security has come to replace freedom, which was the ideal following the fall of the previously ruling regime.

As such, the Bulgarian President said, the ideal of freedom was demoted to second place, a move that can prove to be very dangerous for new democracies.

[13] IRANIANS TRIED FOR MURDER IN BERLIN PUT STRAIN ON GERMANY- IRAN RELATIONS

The recent revelations that have surfaced regarding the role of Tehran's secret services in the mass murder of four Iranian subversives, of Kurdish origin, in Berlin four years ago, have strained relations between Germany and Iran.

It all began when on September 17, 1992, three individuals entered Berlin's greek restaurant '"Mykonos" and literally riddled the four victims, an act that initially gave the impression of "ending unfinished business", without a shadow of political dimensions cast over.

However, the culprits of that violent act have been arrested and are currently being tried in Berlin's courts, behind closed doors. The prosecuting witnesses' testimony is of arresting interest since it implicates the Iranian government in the murders.

The witnesses, most of whom are German policemen, support that the four Kurdish victims were executed by Iranian agents, an accusation that Iran dismisses by dubbing Germany as the Americans' "lackey". Iran's Islamist government has also stated that this affair is simply a political trial-ploy aimed at hurting their country.

Meanwhile, Iranian fanatic Islamists have held a series of rallies in Tehran denouncing Germany and asking Bonn's government to intervene in order to adjudicate the matter in a way favorable to the three Iranians on trial.

However, German government officials have responded by emphasizing that their country's judicial system is independent and the German government has no intention of influencing the case in order to achieve the outcome so desired by Iran.

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