Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-01-10

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, January 10, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE VIEWS LATEST WORD FROM WASHINGTON ON CYPRUS AS "SIGNIFICANT"

Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou commented today that the State Department's disapproval of Turkey's recent threats is "significant".

Mr. Papandreou also added that regardless of the stance Turkey is to finally adopt, Greece must be prepared for the worst.

"The issue of international law is included in Mr. Burns' statements, (who said) that only within this framework can there be policies which will be acceptable," Mr. Papandreou said.

Referring to the imminent visits to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara by State Department's Director of South European Affairs, Carey Cavanaugh, PASOK Euro-deputy Yiannos Kranidiotis clarified that the Greek Government does not have information of what the American official plans to relay, although he added that Greece is open to listen to his proposals.

"All these efforts must by associated with the course and opportunity of resolving the Cyprus issue and the beginning of an inter-community dialogue," Mr. Kranidiotis stated and added "we are not dogmatically opposed to some measures for easing-off the tension and the situation, but these measures must always be within the framework of potential negotiations for resolving the Cyprus issue." A.F.

[02] GREEK PREMIER TO RECEIVE CYRPIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES ON JANUARY 17

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides will meet with the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Athens on January 17, announced the Cypriot government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides today.

When asked if the Cypriot Government has been informed on the matters discussed during yesterday's conference held in the Greek Foreign Ministry, Mr. Kasoulides replied that it has not and added that this will be the topic of the discussions to be held between Msgrs. Clerides and Simitis. A.F.

[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN BELGRADE ON SUNDAY

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will be in Belgrade Sunday on an "exploratory" visit, where he will meet with Serbian government leaders, as well as with heads of the opposition party and the church.

It has been clarified that Mr. Pangalos' visit is not intended to have a mediatory character regarding the crisis that has emerged between the Serb government and the main opposition tri-partite coalition "Zajedno" since November 17's local elections.

Instead, Mr. Pangalos plans to get a "first hand" report on the current political situation of the country, since it is widely believed that if the tension were to escalate it could have an impact on the wider region.

In all, Mr. Pangalos is expected to relay to the Serb leaders that Greece wishes to see the tensions reduced in orer to avoid potential destabilization in the area.

During his one-day stay, he will meet with Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, as well as with opposition leaders and Archbishop of Serbia Pavlos. A.F.

[04] NEW FOREIGN POLICY MEETING WILL BE CHAIRED ON MONDAY BY MR.SIMITIS

A new meeting on the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem will be held on Monday chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, after the situation that was created as a result of the purchase of Russian S-300 missiles by Cyprus. In the meeting will participate the Foreign and Defence Ministries leadership.

Meanwhile, Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides will visit Greece before the end of the month.

Within the framework of the US initiative on the Cyprus issue, Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum and Director of the US State Department Office for Southern Europe mr.Cavanaugh will visit The Hague.

Tomorrow, mr.Cavanaugh will be in Nicosia for talks with the Cypriot government while on Monday he will be in Athens and on Wednesday will visit Ankara.

The United States want Cyprus to cancel the purchase of the Russian missiles and are expected to re-introduce the package of confidence-building-measures between Greece and Turkey.

[05] DIALOGUE ON EQUAL TERMS CAN LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FARMERS AND THE GREEK GOVERNMENT

Only a dialogue on equal terms can lead to an agreement between the farmers and the Greek government, stressed Prime Minister Kostas Simitis addressing the National Council on Agricultural Policy which met in Athens today without the participation of two minor opposition parties, the Communist Party and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

Mr.Simitis referred to the repercussions the farmers' mobilizations had on the regions they had blockaded as well as on different production sectors. He added that the government's goals are the backing of farmers in production planning, so that their products will get the highest prices in the market, the gradual abandonment of products and forms of production that create problems, the establishment of stronger agricultural production poles and the development of links between rural economy and other sectors of the economy and society.

[06] GREECE TAKES INITIATIVE TO EASE OFF CRISIS IN BELGRADE

Greece will undertake a mediator role in the crisis noted in Belgrade, according to Macedonian Press Agency reports.

Reliable sources have confirmed that Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will visit Belgrade during the weekend where he will have contacts with Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, as well as with opposition leaders and Archbishop of Serbia Pavlos.

The MPA's corresponding office in Belgrade has reported that France, as well, intends to dispatch an envoy to the Federal Yugoslav Republic. According to the radio station "Free Europe", France will send a high-ranking diplomat who is responsible for his country's relations with other European countries. A.F.

[07] GREECE RATIFIES COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S PROTOCOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Greece's permanent representative to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Antonios Exarchos, has ratified the 11th Protocol of the European Agreement for Human Rights of the C of E.

The protocol establishes the joint European Court of Human Rights which will function on a permanent basis, thus replacing today's mechanisms as advised by the Court and the Commission.

The parties will have direct access to the new court, while, in the majority of cases, the court sessions will be officiated by seven judges who will adjudicate personal and interstate cases. A.F.

[08] COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY BEGINS SESSION TODAY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis opened the two-day session of the Council of Agricultural Policy.

The Council, which comprises 135 members, also includes political party representatives, academicians and leaders of the local government, as well as consumers and representatives of farmers' organizations. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] WASHINGTON WARNS TURKEY NOT TO ATTEMPT AN ATTACK ON CYPRUS

Washington sternly warned Ankara yesterday not to attempt an attack on Cyprus, following the threats hurled by Turkey's Defense Minister Turhan Tayan concerning a turkish military invasion in Cyprus.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated that neither Turkey nor any other country has the right to threaten Cyprus with an attack and added that the international community does not support Mr. Tayan's statements.

"This is not the time to make such hard and dramatic statements. Such act means that Turkey has surpassed all limits," Mr. Burns said.

Moreover, he reiterated the U.S.' objection to the Nicosia- Moscow S-300 missile deal, but he clarified that this purchase does not justify the Turkish government's threats.

"We hope that this is a misunderstanding, that these statements do not reflect the Turkish government's views," Mr. Burns said, adding that all countries must respect the rules of the game.

When asked about what measures the U.S. Administration plans to take in case Turkey does not comply with the State Department's suggestions and continues to direct threats at Cyprus, Mr. Burns replied:

"As an ally-member of NATO, it is beyond all doubt that Turkey must not threaten Cyprus. And the Turks are aware of that.

"What is needed in the eastern Mediterranean is stability and the State Department's Director of South European Affairs, Carey Cavanaugh, will try to convince both sides in Cyprus to begin anew a political dialogue."

Mr. Cavanaugh is expected in Nicosia tomorrow, while on Monday he will be in Athens and on Wednesday in Ankara. A.F.

[10] CILLER: WE WILL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO - WE WILL ATTACK CYPRUS IF NECESSARY

Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, approving the statements made by Defence Minister Turhan Tayan that caused the United States' reaction, stated that Turkey will do what it has to do and if it is deemed as necessary it will attack Cyprus, adding that her country will not be just an observer of the Russian missiles' deployment in Cyprus.

Ciller in a press conference today stressed, using her favourite expression meaning that there is no other choice, that "those missiles won't be deployed there or they won't be deployed". She also added that it should not be expected from Turkey to show tolerance toward the Greek-Cypriot government which is a source of threat for the Turkish-Cypriots and Turkey.

The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that Greece has a responsibility because it backs and directs Cyprus' "aggressive policy". She said that Greece as a NATO member-state uses the Greek-Cypriots as a tool in a policy against Turkey and threatens her country through southern Cyprus.

Ciller maintained that the Greek-Cypriot government by purchasing Russian missiles and other weapons is trying to turn the island into a powder-keg and accused it that instead of a compromise prefers a policy of aggression and tension.

Turkey can not be just an observer when Greece is turning Cyprus into a hot spot in Eastern Mediterranean surrounds it from the south and overturns the balance of power between the two countries, she added.

Referring to Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's statements on the likelihood of the unification of Famagusta with Varosia she said that Turkey supports this position and added that her country constitutes a guarantee for the lives of the Turkish- Cypriot people and their property.

Tansu Ciller also reminded that the Russian Prime Minister had assured her that Moscow would not go ahead with the selling of the missiles to Cyprus and stressed that she will send a protest note to Russia on the issue.

[11] UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER CYPRUS

The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed his profound concern today over the tension noted during the recent days in Cyprus, and indirectly criticised Turkey.

Albeit without mentioning names, Mr. Annan reminded all sides that the UN charter forbids the threat of the use of force.

The UN Secretary-General's positions, which were relayed by UN spokesperson Fred Eckhard, were expressed after Turkey began issuing threats of attacking Cyprus over Nicosia's purchase from Moscow of S-300 surface-to-air missiles. A.F.

[12] AHEPA BLAMES THE US FOR THE TURKISH THREATS BUT EXPRESSES SATISFACTION FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S CRITICISM AGAINST ANKARA

The Greek-American organization AHEPA expressed satisfaction for the statements made yesterday by US State Department spokesman Nicolas Burns who strongly criticised Turkey over the threats it has made against Cyprus on the occasion of the purchase of the Russian S-300 missiles. AHEPA, nevertheless stressed that the American over-reaction to the agreement reached by Cyprus and Russia had favoured the expression of the Turkish aggressiveness.

AHEPA's head of Public Relations Office George Savides referring to the criticism made by the US State Department on the purchase of the Russian missiles stated that the Americans had no reason to publicly attack Cyprus on the issue of the missiles. He said that Cyprus is an independent state and is clearly the victim and not the perpetrator of the millitary aggression.

Mr.Savides stated that the S-300 missiles are undoubtedly defensive weapons while Turkey continues to have a military superiority and stressed that the most important and alarming fact is that the US statements were obviously used by Ankara as a channel for more threats.

[13] GERMANY IS NOT WILLING TO MEDIATE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY

Germany is not willing to undertake a mediatory role between Greece and Turkey stated Chancellor Helmut Kohl in his first interview for 1997 denying information according to which, Bonn had no objection to undertake initiatives for the normalizing of relations between the two countries. Mr.Kohl blamed Greece which, as he said, blocks Turkey's road to the European Union and in doing so it pushes it to the direction of Islam.

Meanwhile, the German government appears annoyed by the Cypriot government's decision to purchase Russian weapons systems for the reinforcement of the National Guard's defense capability.

German government officials mention that the purchase of S- 300 missiles does not help the efforts made by the international community for the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem. They also maintained that this way the armaments' race of both sides intensifies, while they did not rule out the temporary "freezing" of negotiations for Cyprus accession into the EU. At the same time, they reminded the known threats made by Ankara that the situation as it develops could lead to Turkey's annexation of the occupied northern part of the island.

The fears expressed by Germany on the purchase of the missiles can only be regarded as fabricated because Germany continues to supply Turkey with military equipment in spite of the international outcry over the human rights violations commited by the Turkish authorities. It should be noted that many of the weapons Bonn sends to Ankara are transported to the occupied territories where Turkey continues to deploy 35.000 soldiers threatening the Cypriot Republic.

[14] TWO STATES IN CYPRUS WANTS DENKTASH

Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash wants Cyprus to become a EU member not as a single state but as two separate states. According to the Turkish-Cypriot press, mr.Denktash stated that the Greek-Cypriot side has proven that it does not want Cyprus to become a federation and that the EU accession of the northern and southern part of the island will increase the likelihood of the island's reunification.

The newspaper "Yeni Duzen" writes that Denktash has adopted a new position according to which, Cyprus should become an EU member not as a single state but as two separate states.

Meanwhile, speaking to Turkish businessmen in Istanbul, the Turkish-Cypriot so-called Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu characterized Russia's decision to sell the S-300 missiles system as a disgrace maintaining that it is an offensive and not a defensive weapon.

[15] SERB GOVERNMENT'S BUILDING BESIEGED BY THOUSANDS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Thousands of college students have formed a human chain around the Serb Government's administration building this morning, demanding that they meet with Prime Minister Mirko Marianovic.

The students camped out all night at Belgrade's central plaza, this being the new form of their rallies which will last for 24-hour periods from now on.

Yesterday evening, strong police forces surrounded the plaza and prevented the students from rallying in the streets.

The Federal Yugoslav Republic's tri-partite main opposition coalition "Zajedno" has announced that it will continue its rallies until its victory in November 17's local elections is recognized by the Serb government.

Meanwhile, the crisis that has been fermenting in Serbia since mid-November has earned the world's watchful eye. A.F.

[16] FYROM FOREIGN MINISTER INSISTS: "IN'TL LAW IS ON OUR SIDE ON NAME ISSUE"

FYROM's Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frtchkovski insisted today that his country has the international law on its side when it comes to the name issue and stated that "we believe that our formula is logically the one that must be accepted at an international level, as well."

In an interview given to the state-owned radio station in Skopje, Mr. Frtchkovski also tabled his optimism that in the course of the dialogue held between Greece-FYROM, "both Athens and the international community will recognize FYROM's right to be called with its constitutional name in its international contacts and talks."

Moreover, the FYROM's Foreign Minister added that his country will display strong will in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue. A.F.

[17] TURKEY TO RECEIVE 72 ARMY TACTICAL MISSILES FROM THE US IN 1998

Ankara is set to receive 72 US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in 1998, based on a $50 million agreement the Turkish government signed with the American firm Loral-Wought which manufactures these surface-to-surface missiles.

According to Turkey's "Turkish Daily News", Ankara will pay approximately $700,000 per missile, a large amount of which has already been paid in advance, "in order to bolster mutual confidence."

The ATACMS have a range of 150 kilometers. Turkey's purchase is expected to be delivered in May or June 1998. A.F.

[18] DENKTASH THREATENS TO JOIN VAROSIA-FAMAGUSTA IF S-300 IS DEPLOYED

Following the stern warning issued from Washington, where State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns said that Ankara must not attempt an attack on Cyprus, the leader of the occupation regime in northern Cyprus Rauf Denktash stated today that if the S- 300 missiles Cyprus has purchased from Russia are deployed, he will unify the cities of Famagusta and Varosia.

Moreover, Mr. Denktash stated that the United States are responsible for the fact that the Cyprus issue has become so convoluted.

"The United States which recognize the Greek-Cypriot government as a legitimate one, heigthen the Greek-Cypriot intransigence," Mr. Denktash stated.

[19] ROMANIA: NEW PRESIDENT ESTABLISHES COUNCIL TO COMBAT CORRUPTION

Romania's new president Emil Constantinescu has formed a council to combat corruption, in an effort to purge the country from the money-laundering rings whose activity has even permeated into the government.

Mr. Constantinescu stated that he will personally supervise the Council and will be solely responsible for its performance.

The Romanian President's statement coincided with the arrest of a Romanian former tennis champion, Sever Muresan, who is charged with fraudulently receiving loans amounting to millions of dollars from a Romanian bank and, as such, having brought on the bank's closure.

The President also fired his economic advisor Drago Tanescu after the latter was charged with corruption. A.F.

[20] BULGARIA: PROTESTERS DEMAND EARLY ELECTIONS

Episodes broke out this morning in front of the Parliament building in Sofia where opposition supporters demanded early elections.

Rallies are also being held in various cities of the country, while during today's Parliamentary session the deputies of the Democratic Left and the Unified Democratic Forces did not manage to reach a concensus on a national policy that would salvage the country from its severe economic crisis. A.F.

[21] SERBIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS TIRE POLICE WITH THEIR PERSISTENCE

Thousands of college students camped out all night at Belgrade's central plaza yesterday evening, while a strong police force surrounded the plaza and prevented the students from rallying in the streets but withdrew during the early morning hours. The students then proceeded to hold a massive -and peaceful- rally through the streets of central Belgrade, the first march since the Serb authorities had banned the demonstrations on December 25.

The Federal Yugoslav Republic's tri-partite main opposition coalition "Zajedno" has announced that it will continue its rallies until its victory in November 17's local elections is recognized by the Serb government. A.F.

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