Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-12-20

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, December 20, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS EMBARKS ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO EGYPT TODAY

President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos embarked today on his four-day offficial visit to Egypt, at the invitation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

In Cairo, President Stephanopoulos, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, will meet with the Egyptian President tomorrow, while today's contacts will be dedicated mostly to Alexandria's Greek community. Mr. President will also visit the Konstantinos Kavafis Museum, dedicated to the memory of the famous Greek poet who was born and raised in Alexandria, and is scheduled to meet with Metropolitan Dionysus. A.F.

[02] STATE SHIFTED ITS STANCE, BUT FARMERS REMAIN UNWAVERING, SAYS REPPAS

The Government has shifted from its original positions, but the farmers remain unwavering in their barricades, stated the Press and Mass Media Minister Dimitris Reppas today.

The Government spokesperson also implicated the opposition party leaders as having played a role in the farmers' mobilizations by stating that "their silence speaks volumes" since they've appeared reluctant to denounce the road blockades so far. A.F.

[03] TENSIONS RISE IN PARLIAMENT OVER FARMERS' MOBILIZATIONS

Tensions rose in Parliament last evening, during the discussion of the 1997 State budget, over the farmers' mobilizations.

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis accused the main opposition - New Democracy- leader Miltiades Evert of demagogery, while Mr. Evert called the Premier a "liar."

Meanwhile, the Pan-Thessaly Farmers Coordinating Committee will convene once again this afternoon to map out its next moves, following the impasse reached yesterday during its meeting with Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas. A.F.

[04] SEAMEN, DOCKWORKERS CONTINUE STRIKE, SHIPS IMMOBILIZED AT PIRAEUS PORT

Ships under domestic and foreign flags continue to remain moored at Greece's ports, due to the continued strike of the country's seamen and dockworkers who have decided to extend their work stoppage until tomorrow.

At Thessaloniki's port, vessels were allowed to sail later this morning, although hundreds of others remain stranded at the rest of the country's ports, unable to embark on their destinations.

Minister of Merchant Marine Stavros Soumakis stated that the seamen's problems cannot be solved under a state of threats.

The National Marine Federation will convene this afternoon in order to see whether or not the strikes will be extended. A.F.

[05] FARMERS IN NORTHERN GREECE CALLED OFF THEIR MOBILIZATIONS

The Coordinating Committee of the striking farmers in Macedonia-Thrace decided to call off their mobilizations in northern Greece.

In a statement the Committee stresses that the decision was made in view of the Christmas holidays and in order to give time to the Prime Minister to materialize his promise-pledge to meet with the farmers' Coordinating Committees for a dialogue aimed at the solution of existing problems.

Also, is mentioned that if those pledges are not turned into actions soon, the farmers will again be ready to assert their demands with new mobilizations.

The Coordinating Committee will not be dissolved and will meet again after the Christmas holidays to assess the government's actions and to respond accordingly.

[06] FARMERS' COMMITTEES TO DECIDE TODAY IF THEY WILL CONTINUE MOBILIZATIONS

The Farmers Coordinating Committee of Thessaly, a valley in central Greece, will convene this afternoon in order to decide whether or not they will continue their mobilizations.

Their meeting yesterday with Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas was fruitless, since none of the six demands they put forward was met.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee of Macedonia-Thrace Farmers is currently holding a meeting, although the barricades in this region have come down, with the exception of the roadblock in Malgara which the farmers open and close at will. A.F.

[07] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER FORWARDS X-MAS MESSAGE TO GREEKS ABROAD

Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou has forwarded a holiday message to the Greek communities living abroad.

In his message, Mr. Papandreou reminds the Greeks living abroad that "especially these days, everyone's thoughts are on Hellenism living all over the world which, through the bastions of Hellenism and Orthodoxy, tradition and faith, shines with its bright presence every day." A.F.

[08] EUROPARIAMENT OF YOUTH'S 24TH CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

The 24th International Conference of the European Parliament of Youth will convene in Thessaloniki betweeen March 6-16 1997, an event featuring the participation of students from at least 22 European countries.

The General Assembly of Greece's branch of the European Parliament of Youth will convene on Sunday and will address the relations between the European Union and Turkey, especially in light of the European Commission's recent decisions, as well as the EU's regional restructure and the principle of subsidiarity. The participants will look into ways to harmonize the university entrance procedures for EU member-states.

They will also discuss anti-terrorist policies and will debate on constitutional rights both at a national and individual level. A.F.

[09] NORTHERN GREECE'S EXPORTERS TO BREAK INTO EASTERN EUROPEAN MARKETS

Greek fresh and processed foodstuffs will be introduced more dynamically in eastern European markets, after a program organized by the Association of Northern Greece's Exporters (SEVE).

Specifically, SEVE will break into the markets of Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldavia and Ukraine. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] NEW PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA TAKES OVER TODAY

NATO defense ministers have ordered new alliance-led peace force into Bosnia to police the Dayton peace accords, as the mandate of the current force expires today.

The NATO foreign ministers last week formally agreed to send a 25,000-30,000-strong force to Bosnia for a further 18 months to police the peace accords which ended the 3-1/2 year war in November 1995. The new Stabilization Force (SFOR), which takes over from an Implementation Force (IFOR) double its size, was endorsed by the UN Security Council.

The 16 ministers, who recently met Brussels to discuss reform of the Alliance and relations with Russia, issued an "ACT-ORD" (order to act) to the new force one week in advance so that commanders could begin deployment ahead of the transfer date. A.F.

[11] IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO TURKEY DIVIDES ANKARA, CONCERNS U.S.

Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's current visit to Turkey has apparently divided Ankara's political circles, while also raising a few eyebrows within the U.S. State Department which interprets such contacts as a sign of Islamist-led Turkey's further alienation from western ideals.

The Iranian president's official four-day visit is to result in a series of Iranian-Turkish trade, economic and environmental agreements, according to the BBC, while Turkish Premier Necmettin Erbakan has emphasized that cooperation in the arms industry could only be to the benefit of both Tehran and Ankara.

However, Turkish Defense Minister Turhan Dayan, a deputy with Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's "True Path" party, appeared linearly opposed to the Islamist Premier's proposals and stated that "under the current circumstances, cooperation between the two countries is not appropriate." A.F.

[12] THREE GREEK-AMERICANS WERE APPOINTED AS HIGH OFFICIALS IN THE WHITE HOUSE

US newspapers write about the appointment of seven new high officials in the White House, among whom are three Greek- Americans. George Stephanopoulos, who leaves his post in the White House to teach in Columbia University, work for ABC television channel and write a book, will be replaced by Ram Emanuel.

Two of the three Greek-Americans, John Pontesta and Silvia Mathius, were appointed deputies of the new White House Chief of Staff mr.E.Bowls, while the third of them, Victoria Rant was appointed as mr.Bowls' Office Director.

The "Washington Post" writes that the selection of those specific persons reflects the preference the Chief of Staff has to young and bright people who are easy to work with. The newspaper writes that the White House Chief of Staff had described 31yearold Silvia Mathius, as one of the brightest young women in America. It is believed that due to her personality and the fact that she has a good relationship with television cameras, will be a new George Stephanopoulos, in a female version.

[13] CONCERN IN CYPRUS OVER THE POSITION OF THE NEW UN SECRETARY- GENERAL ON THOSE MISSING SINCE THE TURKISH INVASION

The families and relatives of those still missing since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the Parliamentary Committee on refugees express concern over the information that new UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will ask from Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides to declare as pressumed dead the 992 Greek- Cypriots whose fate is unknown since July and August of 1974.

President of the Parliamentary Committee for the Missing and Refugees, Aristophanis Georgiou mentioned that the UN Secretary- General must clarify his position on Cyprus' accession course into the EU and on the plans of the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the missing people.

Both the Cypriot Parliament and the families of the missing are calling the Cypriot government to ask for explanations from mr.Annan.

[14] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR TO NICOSIA

Foreign governments are realizing that the situation in Cyprus can be likened to an active volcano ready to explode, stressed Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides after his meeting with US Ambassador to Nicosia Keneth Brill.

The US Ambassador referring to the recent statements made by US President Bill Clinton, who has pledged to work hard for Cyprus and the Greek-Turkish relations, underlined that his government's objective is the promotion of negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem in the first half of 1997.

[15] TOSEFSKI DENIES PUBLICATIONS ALLEGING THAT FYROM'S GOVERNMENT HAS THE POLITICAL WILL TO CHANGE THE ARTICLE OF THE CONSTITUTION CONCERNING THE COUNTRY'S NAME

Ambassador Ivan Tosefski, who represents FYROM in the talks held with Greece in New York, denied press publications according to which he allegedly stated that his government has the political will to change the article in the Constitution concerning the name of his country.

Mr.Tosefski in a telephone interview with FYROM's state radio station, maintained that his statement was misinterpreted by the Greek mass media, clarifying that he had stated that there is a political will for finding a solution mutually advantageous to both countries.

[16] ERBAKAN CALLS FOR RENEGOTIATION OF THE TURKISH-ISRAELI AGREEMENT FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF TURKISH AIRCRAFT

Turkish Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan reneges on the terms of the latest agreemnet signed with Israel for the modernization of 54 "F-4" military planes, in an effort to minimize reactions from the Welfare Party and from certain islamist countries.

According to the newspaper "Zaman", mr.Erbakan after the ratification of the agreement with Israel began strong efforts to cut the estimated cost of 632 million dollars which will be paid to Israel for the modernization of the Turkish Air Force.

In a letter he sent last week to the Ministry of Defence, mr.Erbakan calls for significant changes in the agreement and specifically, asks that the aircraft's electronic navigation systems, with a total cost of 100 million dollars, be manufactured by turkish companies.

[17] ERBAKAN TRIES TO DOWNGRADE CILLER'S ROLE

The Turkish press saw the decision of Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan to limit certain powers of the Turkish Foreign Ministry as an effort to downgrade the role of Tansu Ciller.

Mr.Erbakan with a surprise circular, as it is described by the newspaper "Hurriyet", takes away from the Foreign Ministry the authority to coordinate all the economic and political relations with the Turks living abroad and with islamist countries and gives it to Minister of Prime Minister's Department Abdullah Gul.

The newspaper stresses that with this action the Foreign Minister's powers are restricted to the promotion of political relations, while "shadow" Minister Abdullah Gul, from the Welfare Party, is being upgraded.

According to the newspaper, Minister Namik Kemal Zeimbek, from Ciller's "True Path" Party, who chairs the joint economic committees of Turkey, Kazakstan and Azerbadjan, is also being upgraded.

[18] THE TURKISH MILITARY SENT A WARNING LETTER TO DEMIREL

According to the Turkish press, the Turkish General Army Staff has prepared a warning letter addressed to Turkish President Suleiman Demirel.

Turkish newspaper "Zaman" writes in a front page article that a high ranking military officer has confirmed the letter's existence stressing that the letter is not a warning but rather has an advisory role especially, on issues on which the military is sensitive.

According to "Zaman", the letter was prepared in the Navy headquarters and was drawn up by Land Forces Chief, General Dogu Aktulga and General Staff deputy Chief, General Tsevik Bir. Mr.Demirel will convey the contents of the letter to the political party leaders in their meeting on December 22.

[19] F.R.Y.: OSCE DELEGATION ARRIVES IN BELGRADE, LED BY SPAIN FORMER PREMIER

A delegation from the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) arrived in Belgrade late this evening, to investigate the process followed in the Federal Yugoslav Republic's recent municipal elections that led to month- long cries of foul from the main opposition whose victory was annuled in a number of municipalities.

Leading the delegation, Spain's former Premier Felipe Gonzalez stated that the visit is not to be seen as "mediation" but rather as an effort to shed light into what exactly happened during the local elections.

The OSCE delegates are to meet with the F.R.Y.'s Serb President Slobodan Milosevic this evening, as well as with the leader of the tri-partite main opposition "Zajedno" (Together).

Mr. Gonzalez did clarify that the results of the investigation process will be publicised through the OSCE headquarters in Vienna, not through Belgrade.

Meanwhile, students and opposition supporters continue to rally in the streets of Belgrade, with similar rallies held in other seven cities in the Serb Republic.

One of Zajedno's leaders, Zoran Djindjic, has told the Macedonian Press Agency that the opposition will ask for local elections to be reheld in every municipality, not only in those whose results were annuled. A.F.

[20] REPEATED THREATS DROVE KEMAL TO FLEE TURKEY FOR SWITZERLAND

Turkish author Yasar Kemal fled his land fo Switzerland after being repeatedly subjected to threats by ultra-right Turks, according to Dennmark's daily "Politicken".

According to the article, the popular author did not seek asylum in Switzerland, but instead chose this country in order to continue with his work without harassment and also as a sign of protest against the pressures exerted by the Turkish government.

Kemal has stated that Turkey's National Security Council and military staff are sensitive to criticism of the country's judicial system and they do not tolerate any form of criticism.

"To be critical, is a natural right," Kemal has stated, "but in Turkey it's a crime. The State now threatens us with the death penalty or incarceration. The Turkish Republic was founded upon crimes against the people. In eastern Turkey, the Kurds and my relatives are thrown off their land by force." A.F.

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