Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-01-14

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, January 14, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER VISITS FTHIOTIS TO ANNOUNCE RELIEF MEASURES

The torrential floods and storms that raged on Sunday may have subsided, but they left behind a disaster of biblical dimensions in Corinth, Argos, Fthiotis and Athens where six persons were killed.

Minister of Environment, Planning and Public Works will visit Fthiotis in central Greece today, after yesterday's visit to Corinth, where he will announce relief measures to the area's flood victims.

In central Greece's region of Thessaly, the country's most fertile area, 5,000 acres of cultivated land were destroyed when water overflowed from the banks of the Pinios River.

The electricity lines which were cut off during the storms have been restored in Corinth. The city's fire department has been "flooded" with hundreds of calls and estimates that it will take over a week to pump the water out of the flooded houses and stores.

Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas has emphasized that the state mechanism worked finely during the disaster and a batallion of armed forces and engineers has been called on the premises to provide assistance and begin re-building projects. A.F.

[02] US DIPLOMAT CAVANAUGH TO MEET WITH FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS TODAY

The Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs at the U.S. State Department, Carey Cavanaugh, will be received by Foreign Ministry officials today in Athens.

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides met with Mr. Cavanaugh yesterday in Nicosia and allowed for a 16-month time period so that Washington will have the opportunity to develop its initiative on the Cyprus issue.

Meanwhile, the leader of the occupation regime in northern Cyprus Rauf Denktash, following his meeting yesterday with Mr. Cavanaugh, stated that if Cyprus' Russian-made S-300 missiles arrive on the island sixteen months from now, the crisis will be created once again.

Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis stated yesterday that Cyprus is a sovereign state, free to decide for its defense and all those who worry have only to stop the island's illegal occupation.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated that Msgrs. Clerides and Denktash agreed to strenghten the security measures along the demarcation line, based on proposals promoted by the United Nations.

In Athens yesterday, Russian Minister of Energy Piotr Rodionov was asked by reporters to comment on the Cypriot government's decision to purchase the Russian-made missiles and he replied that "this is an issue of competition and if the purchase was made by a western country it would not have been given such dimensions by the media." A.F.

[03] ELEFSINA'S NATURAL GAS PROJECT INAUGURATED TODAY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Russia's Energy Minister Piotr Rodionov inaugurated Elefsina's natural gas project today.

Mr. Simitis stated that the natural gas project is Greece's largest investment following electricity, and noted that Greece's future in the Balkans greatly depends on how the country will be able to remain at the center of a series of networks that link the East with the West, the North and with the South.

Moreover, the Premier added that the natural gas project will lessen Greece's dependence on crude oil and will boost the economy through the creation of jobs and increases in imports-exports.

Minister of Development Vasso Papandreou, also present at the ceremony, stated that the major portion of the project has been completed and all that remains is the commercial part which will need cooperation betwen privately-owned firms and the State. A.F.

[04] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS WITH CYPRIOT COUNTERPART IN ATHENS TODAY

Greece's Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos received his Cypriot counterpart Kostas Heliades in Athens today.

Earlier, the Ministry's political and military leaderships briefed the Cypriot parliamentary commitee of defense and security on issues concerning Greece-Cyprus cooperation.

What arose from these contacts was the two countries' firm commitment to the joint defense doctrine. Also, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos commended on the statement made by U.S. official Carey Cavanaugh regarding a moratorium on flights over Cyprus and stated that there is no such issue following the official positions adopted by both governments. A.F.

[05] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADER COMPLAINS THAT GOVERNMENT'S BRIEFING IS FRUGAL

The leader of Greece's main opposition party New Democracy's Miltiades Evert accused the Government today of being frugal in its briefing over national policy issues.

"We are called to meet with Mr. Cavanaugh (the U.S. official responsible for Southeast European issues) without having a thorough briefing. These are the shortcomings of our foreign policy," Mr. Evert said, adding that "all parties should be informed on a daily basis, even in writing, on Greece's positions."

Meanwhile, on inter-party issues, Mr. Evert announced that the N.D. Congress will be held on March 21-23 and that the party's Executive Committee will grant authority to its Organizing Committee which is to be set forth this week headed by former premier George Rallis. A.F.

[06] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER DEPARTS FOR CYPRUS TOMORROW

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos will depart for Cyprus tomorrow where he will represent the Government at the inauguration of the Fourth Exhibit of Greek Products in Cyprus.

The exhibit is organized by HELEXPO, Thessaloniki's International Fair, in Nicosia, and aims at strengthening the trade relations between the two countries. A.F.

[07] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY'S EXECUTIVE AND CENTRAL COMMITTEES MEET TODAY

In successive meetings, the main opposition party New Democracy's Executive and Central Committees will convene today in order to ratify the decisions drawn during a recent meeting held among N.D. leader Miltiadis Evert with former Prime Minister Giorgos Rallis.

Mr. Rallis accepted the invitation to chair the party congress' Organizing Committee made up of six Parliament deputies, members of the party's Executive Committee, and of an additional six members selected by him. A.F.

[08] 50 YEARS OF ACTION FOR THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION OF US- CANADA

The Pan-Macedonian Association of US-Canada celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding in the Macedonian Studies Center in New York in the presence of a representative of Archbishop of America, Spyridon.

In the celebrations were also present Greek and Cypriot Consul Generals in New York, Charalambos Rokanas and Pantelis Eliadis, Cypriot Consul Vasilios Philippou, President of the Greek- American National Council Theodoros Spyropoulos, Vice-President of Pan-Epirotic Association Menelaos Tzelios, former Presidents of the Pan-Macedonian Association and governors.

In his speech High President of the Pan-Macedonian Association Evangelos Michalopoulos referred to its 50year history and to its positive action on the issue of Macedonia as well as, on other issues of Greek national importance. He also called on the Macedonians all over the world to participate in the World Conference of the Pan-Macedonian Associations that will be held in Thessaloniki on July 20-27.

Mr.Michalopoulos stated to MPA that a number of events will be held in New York's Governor's House on February 8, where the signing of the Pan-Macedonian Association of US-Canada founding charter took place 50 years ago on that date. Also, celebrations will be held during the World Conference when all the Presidents of the Association will be honoured.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] CAVANAUGH: THE CRISIS DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE IN CYPRUS

The crisis created after Nicosia's decision to purchase the Russian S-300 missile system does not exist anymore. The above was stated by US State Department Director responsible for South- Eastern European issues mr.Cavanaugh, after the meeting he had with Greek Foreign Ministry general secretary mr.Philonas.

The United States, stressed the US official, are determined to play an important role in the solution of the Cyprus problem. Mr.Cavanaugh maintained that the Cypriot government's decision to purchase the Russian S-300 missiles was a setback for the efforts made toward the solution of the Cyprus problem, while he expressed the certainty and hope that Ankara will display a positive stance and that in the immediate future positive steps will be made on the Cyprus issue.

Mr.Cavanaugh pointed out that progress has been made on the confidence-building-measures on this matter within the framework of the UN resolutions.

It should be noted that the US State Department representative is in Athens for contacts with Foreign Ministry officials within the framework of his tour to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara in an effort undertaken by Washington aimed at helping toward defusing the tension that has been created. Already, he has completed his contacts with the Cypriot leadership and this afternoon departs for Ankara.

[10] CLERIDES CLARIFIES: NOTHING NEW BETWEEN NATIONAL GUARD AND OCCUPATION REGIME

No additional agreement has been drawn between the Cypriot National Guard and the turkish occupation forces in northern Cyprus, stated the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides, commenting on the statements made by the U.S. official Carey Cavanaugh who said that he secured an agreement from both sides for a speedy and immediate application of the United Nations' proposals.

Mr. Clerides stated that the military dialogue will continue as it is, based on the relevant UN resolution. That is, to clarify the terms for engagement, to find a way which will secure that neither of the sides will bear live bullets, to remove all mines from the demarcation line and to continue talks for disengagement on the points where both sides agree that they can be held.

Moreover, the Cypriot President clarified that in regards to the island's purchase of the Russian-made S-300 missile system, Mr. Cavanaugh's visit to Nicosia did not bring a change since it was Moscow which said that the soonest the missiles can be delivered to Cyprus is 16 months from now. A.F.

[11] ERBAKAN THREATENS GREECE AND CYPRUS

Turkish Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan hurled threats against Greece and Cyprus today, characterizing as unacceptable provocation the Cypriot government's decision to purchase the Russian S-300 missiles.

He said that Greece and Cyprus must behave themselves because the Turkish army is the world's largest and strogest, adding that Chief of the General Army Staff Ismael Hakki Karadayi has sent out this message from Cyprus. The Greeks know the Turkish people well and have experience on that, said Erbakan, who pointed out that in 1922 and in 1974 the Greeks saw what was the result of their experiments. He concluded by expressing the hope that history will not repeat itself. The Turkish Prime Minister reiterated that Turkey's clear position is that armaments in Cyprus and the Aegean islands should stop and added that the efforts aimed at turning the islands into a powder-keg are a mistake.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel in statements he made today stressed that in case the missiles are deployed the balance of power in eastern Mediterranean will be in danger. Therefore, he said, Turkey's reaction should not be regarded as a threat. Mr.Akbel accused Greece and Cyprus of trying to turn the issue of the purchase of the missiles into a "bargaining tool" and that they prefer conflict instead of compromise.

Chief of the Turkish General Army Staff Ismael Hakki Karadayi completed his visit to the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus at noon today. Responding to a question made by a reporter on the likelihood of building an Air Force or Naval Base in the occupied territories, he said that everything necessary for the security of the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus will be done, adding that the Turkish occupied territories will not accept threats by anybody. Karadayi also added that the Turkish armed forces, the peace- keeping force and the security forces are capable to carry out their duty in time and in the right way.

[12] DENKTASH: CRISIS WILL SUBSIDE ONLY IF CYPRUS' MISSILE PURCHASE IS CANCELLED

The leader of the Turkish occupation regime in northern Cyprus Rauf Denktash stated that the crisis which erupted in over Cyprus' purchase of Russian-made missiles will eclipse only if the Cypriot Government calls off the purchase.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Denktash emphasized that if the S- 300 missiles are deployed on the island, Turkey's reaction must be immediate.

"If the missiles are deployed, I believe that Turkey must react like any other country would. Even if there was no agreement between us on defense and security issues, Turkey would have the right to tell its neighbors 'don't do this'," he stated, adding that "for some time now, I begged Turkey to take action against the Greek-Cypriots. How long will we wait for them?', I would ask, 'until they cover us with an umbrella of missiles?' "

Moreover, Mr. Denktash stated that the Turkish-Cypriots have no belligerent military intentions, "contrary to the Greek-Cypriot side.

"If some want to start a war in Cyprus, it is the Greek- Cypriots who think that they can carry out a limited war and that the whole world will then stop Turkey." A.F.

[13] KARADAYI: TURKEY WILL NOT BE JUST AN OBSERVER IN CYPRUS

Turkey will not be just an observer in Cyprus and will not allow its rights, that are being provided by international agreements, to be altered, stated Turkish Armed Forces Chief of Staff general Hakki Karadayi, who is visiting the Turkish occupied territories in Cyprus.

Karadayi met yesterday with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and with occupation forces commander, general Ali Yaltsin. General Karadayi maintained that the Greek-Cypriot side does not want a fair and lasting peace on the island and characterized as a "trick" and a "trap for peace" the Joint Defence Doctrine agreed by Greece and Cyprus.

Referring to the Russian S-300 missile system the Cypriot government decided to purchase, said that those are not defensive weapons and stated that his country is a big power which wants peace and tries to avoid war.

Karadayi also maintained that the Turks in their history as a nation have never commited a crime against humanity for which to be ashamed of, adding that Greece and Cyprus have built their policy on their hostility toward the Turks. It should be noted that Karadayi has served in the Turkish occupied territories in Cyprus as an army division commander for 2 years in the 1980's.

Meanwhile, Rauf Denktash stated that is not an urgency for Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller to visit the occupied part of Cyprus. The Turkish-Cypriot leader stated that is possible to visit the Turkish capital this month on the invitation of Turkish President Suleiman Demirel to evaluate the develoments in the Cyprus problem.

[14] TURKEY TURNS TO BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS WITH MISSILES SHOPPING LIST

Belgium's Defense Ministry has confirmed reports that Turkey is negotiating the purchase of the U.S.-made surface-to-air missile system "Hawk" type from Brussels and the Netherlands.

According to the BBC, acting as a mediator for the purchase is the French electronics company "Thompson".

A spokesperson for Belgium's Defense Ministry appeared evasive regarding his country's direct involvement in the missile sale. He stated that before any decision can be drawn, his country's defense and foreign ministries must agree on the sale, as well as secure the State Department's approval.

Also according to the BBC broadcast, the Greek government is aware of these negotiations and has tried to avert the purchase.

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos met with his Belgian and Dutch counterparts during last month's Brussels-held conference of NATO's defense ministers and discussed the issue. A.F.

[15] NEW KALAMARIA: A VILLAGE WITH GREEK ARCHITECTURE IS BUILT IN BOSNIA

New Kalamaria, a village designed based on Greek architecture, is being built in the municipality of Laktasi in Bosnia, 10 kilometers from Banja Luka, to houe the children who had been hosted by the municipality of Kalamaria in Thessaloniki. Kalamaria's mayor Thrasivoulos Lazarides, to whom belongs the idea for the building of the village, stated to MPA that the construction will be completed in 2 to 3 years.

Bosnia's Reconstruction Organization has already begun cooperation with Greek engineers. The village will be built in a large area that donated by the Bosnian government and will consist of 98 houses of three types which, as the mayor of Kalamaria said, will be designed based on Greek architecture.

Mr.Lazarides visited the Serb Republic of Bosnia a few days ago and had contacts with its President Biljana Plavisic and representatives of local administration on the issue. It should be reminded that mr.Lazarides had suggested the building of such a village to ms.Plavsic a few months ago when she visited Thessaloniki and his proposal hab been immediately accepted.

[16] THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY TOUGHENS ITS STANCE TOWARD IMMIGRANTS

The Federal government of Germany toughens its stance toward the immigrants in its effort to put under control and to drastically limit the immigration wave which will bring a additional economic burden to the country during a very difficult time for the German people.

This is the objective of a government decision which puts restrictions to the entry and residence in the country of minors from four specific countries because their presence has a great economic cost for Germany, mainly in benefits.

The decision concerns children under the age of 16 from Turkey, Maroco, Tunisia and Former Yugoslavia who, from now on, will need a special entry visa to be able to visit their families in Germany.

The decision was ratified yesterday by the Federal Council and will be put into effect tomorrow. Within the framework of the same decision, the children from those countries, who are already residing in Germany, will also need a special permit to be able to stay in the country.

[17] THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE WITHDREW BELARUS' OBSERVER STATUS

The Council of Europe decided that Belarus should not keep its observer status in the European organization because of the new Constitution that was adopted in the country after a referendum last November.

Head of the European Parliament's parliamentary group ms.Fischer, explaining the reasons that led the european organization to this decision, stated that relations with the Belarusian Parliament is impossible to be maintained, as all of its members have been appointed by the Belarusian President himself. Ms.Fischer referring to the new Constitution of Belarus underlined that it does not guarantee the respect of the basic democratic rights.

Meanwhile, Belarusian President Lukasenko welcomed the proposal made by his Russian counterpart for the speeding up of the process for the unification of their two countries. In a letter to President Lukasenko the Russian President had proposed the holding of a referendum in the two countries for their unification.

[18] MONTENEGRO: BULATOVIC REJECTS A PROPOSAL BY THE NATIONAL PARTY

President of Montenegro Momir Bulatovic rejected the proposal made by the National Party, headed by Novac Kilibarda, that suggested the dissolution of the coalition in the Federal Parliament between Montenegro's Social-democrats and the Serb Socialists, and the forming of a new government made up of all political powers in the country, except the Serb Socialists. The Socialists in Serbia hold 64 of the 138 seats in the Federal Parliament.

Bulatovic, explaining the reasons that led him to reject the proposal, pointed out that the isolation of Serbia's largest political party would create a serious precedent in Yugoslavia's political scene.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Jukanovic expressed his belief that common sense will prevail in Serb President Milosevic's moves for the defusing of the situation and appeared optimistic that the political crisis in Sebia will be overcomed.

He also added that Montenegro's leadership will use all legal means and the means provided by the Constitution to protect its interests.

[19] ALBANIA: SOCIALISTS TO COOPERATE WITH LEFT AND RIGHT OPPOSITION PARTIES

Albania's Socialist Party has undertaken an initiiative which foresees cooperation with both the left- and the right-wing opposition parties, as well as with unions and former political prisoners.

According to the Party's spokesperson, this initiative was necessitated by the country's need to reform its constitution and to hold elections. A.F.

[20] THE NUMBER OF DRAFT-DODGERS IN ALBANIA IS ON THE INCREASE

The number of draft-dodgers in Albania is on the increase as more young men refuse to serve in the army.

According to the newspaper "Koha Yone", in the prefectures of Durres and Krugia alone have been reported 4.700 cases of draft- dodgers and the recruiting offices have requested the assistance of the local administration for the handling of the problem.

[21] F.R.Y.: BELGRADE'S ELECTORATE COMMITTEE UPHOLDS "ZAJEDNO" VICTORY

The crisis that has been steadily fermenting at the Federal Yugoslav Republic for two months now is expected to fully eclipse after today's decison issued by Belgrade's Elelctorate Committee, which rejected the regional court's rulings and upheld the results of November 17's local elections.

According to its president Radomir Lazarovic, the Committee retains the right to reverse the court's ruling. He also stated that those parties which disagree with the decision may file an appeal during the next 48 hours.

Absent from the Committee's voting was the Socialist Party's representative. However, according to the spokesperson of the tri- partite coalition opposition "Zajedno", there are no indications that the Milosevic-led Socialist Party will file such appeals. A.F.

[22] BULGARIA: EARLY ELECTIONS FEVER INTENSIFIES

Bulgaria's Socialist Party has accepted -in principle- the proposal for early elections, but when they will be held remains to be seen, as the opposition party insists that they be carried out in June of 1997.

The National Council of the center-right faction "Union of Democratic Forces" proposes that the Videnov Cabinet remain in place until an acting government is formed. A.F.

[23] "KOSSOVO LIBERATING ARMY" CLAIMS THE MURDER OF ALBANIAN MALIK SEHOLI

The self-called "Kossovo Liberating Army" has claimed the responsibility for the murder of Albanian Socialist Party Member Malik Seholi who was found dead on last Thursday.

The organization also claimed responsiblity for December 26th's murder of Faik Belopoe, who, along with Seholi, was a fervent opponent of Kossovo's secession. In an announcement forwarded to foreign correspondents stationed in Prishtina, the "Kossovo Liberating Army" wrote that "these executions constitute a warning to the nation's enemies and traitors and especially for those who, pressured by international centers, have began talks with the conqueror."

Last year the same organization admitted to murdering two Serbs and claimed responsibility for a series of bombing attacks. 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/