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Saturday, 21 December 2024
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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-02-01Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.Last Update: 21:10 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANSNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] PANGALOS: THERE IS DANGER OF ARMED CONFRONTATION IF TURKEY DOES NOT CHANGE BEHAVIOURWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Athens 1 February (MPA)Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in a magazine interview pointed out that there is a danger of armed confrontation with Turkey if the neighbouring country does not change its behaviour.Mr.Pangalos characterized 1997 as the year of challenge for the Cyprus problem stressing that if developments are negative and if the Turks are not willing to talk then Greece will have to take final and unpleasant decisions, such as the defense preparation and shielding of Greece and Cyprus, because, as he said, it will be clear that we are heading toward an armed confrontation. Mr.Pangalos stressed that Greece can not accept any more pressures because already it is with its back against the wall. [02] TURKEY'S THEORIES ON DISPUTED ISLANDS IN THE AEGEAN ARE UNFOUNDEDWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Athens 1 February (MPA)The Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman has spoken of a problem of disputed islands, and rocky islets in the Aegean that awaits for its solution.In response the Greek Foreign Ministry stated that Turkey's effort to base its claims on unfounded theories that insult the International Law is fruitless. [03] SIMITIS: THESSALONIKI CAN PLAY AN MPORTANT ROLE IN THE UNION OF DIFFERENT CULTURESWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Thessaloniki 1 February (MPA)President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will inaugurate this evening the formal opening of the events that will be held within the framework of the Cultural Capital of Europe in Thessaloniki.Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, who is in Thessaloniki since yesterday afternoon, stated that the capital of Macedonia can play an important role in the union of different cultures, while New Democracy opposition leader Miltiadis Evert underlined that on the occasion of the cultural events in Thessaloniki serious thought should be given to the organizing of the Olympiad of the intellectuals in the 21st century. [04] THE TEACHERS' STRIKE WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT NEXT WEEKWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Athens 1 February (MPA)High-schools in Greece will remain closed for five more days, while on Monday elementary and kindergarden school teachers will start a five-day strike and on Tuesday private school teachers will go on a 24-hour strike.Prime Minister Kostas Simitis characterized the wage increases received by secondary education school teachers as significant. [05] THE PRESIDENT CROWNS THESSALONIKI AS "CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE 1997"Web Posted: 21:10 GMT+2Thessaloniki, February 1 (MPA)"If culture means knowledge, convictions, arts, values, then the mission of every Cultural Capital is to optimally promote the various forms of culture that have been developed within its arena," stated the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, currently in Thessaloniki to officiate the inauguration of "Thessaloniki, Cultural Capital of Europe 1997".President Stephanopoulos, addressing the natoinal and foreign dignitaries attending tonight's formal inauguration ceremony, added that no culture is independent and self-contained, given the ebb and the flow of influence among the various cultures. [06] PREMIER SALUTES "THESSALONIKI AS CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE 1997"Web Posted: 21:10 GMT+2Thessaloniki, February 1 (MPA)"The institution 'Cultural Capital of Europe -Thessaloniki 1997' is an opportunity for Greece to introduce to Europe -and to the international community at large- the ideal of culture as a different angle of international relations. Culture is the necessary basis for respect towards mankind and the upholding of international law," stated the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis this evening, addresing the formal inauguration dinner he hosted in honor of the attending national and foreign dignitaries.In his address, the Prime Minister rightfully acknowledged the person who 13 years ago conceived the "cultural capital" theme, the unforgettable Melina Mercouri. He also referred extensively to the city's 233 projects that have been set in motion in order to propell Thessaloniki into a city that will ably carry out a leading role in Greece, the Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea countries. "The choice of Thessaloniki," Mr. Simitis stated, "also bears a symbolic meaning, given that this is the city of culture, the city which, throughout the ages of history, was inhabited by cultures and heritages that were not always European. "Nevertheless," the Premier added, "the city always remained deeply Greek. It is the city with hellenistic and byzantine roots. It is the city that united the East with the West, an area of composition, exchange and communication. "Thessaloniki is a city with a living past, with a rich history in intermingling, in memories that rise from the past, not only from the Greeks' past, but also that of the other Balkan peoples, as well as from the Mediterranean and European. "We believe," Mr. Simitis stated, "in Europe's cultural future because we believe that we must take advantage of the culture that unites us all. For many centuries, Thessaloniki was shared by many races, various communities and opposing religious movements in a climate of tolerance, not always trouble-free. "There is, though, an additional ecumenical side to Thessaloniki's history which is of concern to us," the Premier pointed out. "Thessaloniki, due to its geographical position, has been a city-key for the Balkans. This is role it currently carries out, due to its economic development and its cultural radiance. One of the most important political happenings of the "Cultural Capital of Europe- Thessaloniki 1997" is the rise of the common cultural future in the Balkans, with the creation of the Balkan Cultural Network of Cities and Arts, which will intersect the cultural networks of all of the Balkan countries. "Our aim, is to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the cooperation among European, Mediterranean and Black Sea countries," the Prime Minister concluded. [07] THESSALONIKI: CITY OF MYTHS, LEGENDS, HISTORY OF TODAY AND TOMORROWWeb Posted: 21:10 GMT+2Thessaloniki, February 1 (MPA)Thessaloniki's Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos, who is also the President of the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki 1997" welcomed this evening the score of dignitaries who have been invited to the city of myths, legends, the history of today and tomorrow."1997 is the center, the heart and the nucleus of the cultural happenings, developments and creations of our continent. Through this institution, United Europe wants and tries to drape its unified form into culture, whi;e also providing the opportunities to promote and display the local cultural values, inspirations, creations, traditons and abilities," Mr. Kosmopoulos said. The Organization's president also referred to the city's 23 centuries-long history, while he also mentioned the obstacles the city faced in undertaking the title and organizing the year-long events. "It was clear that our city could neither follow Athens' example, nor possessed Paris' infrastructure, but it was given an opportunity to shine with its abilities in a distinct role." The organization's artistic director Panos Theodorides referred to the upcoming year's artistic events, a program rich with diverse festivities, and outlined the significant input provided by the city's Jewish and Armenian communities. Ms. Vibeke Storm Rasmussen Mayor of Copenhagen, the city which was crowned Cutural Capital last year, handed over the torch to Thessaloniki and wished that 1997 will be a year of success not only for the European community, but for Thessaloniki as well. "In Copenhagen we wanted to celebrate a capital with a personal dimension, a culture that extended into everyday life. As such, we lived moments that determined new meanings and demanded the understanding of new forms," Ms. Rasmussen stated. EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, who represented the European Commission and President Santer, said in his speech that from Thessaloniki begins a new round of the institution of the Cultural Capital of Europe and underlined Melina Merkouri's contribution to the effort for the development of a European cultural policy. Mr.Papoutsis characterized the event as a celebration of culture, art and creativity and also as a European celebration because it promotes the history and cultural heritage of Europe. He stressed that it is a European celebration because it guarantees the best possible future for Europe. He said that Europe nowadays cannot be solely associated with the economy and economic indicators adding that for Europe to have a future it must embrace the human side of the European citizen. Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos referred to Thessaloniki's distinctiveness which, as he stated "has amassed the multifaceted nature of the European culture and the authenticity of the Greek word." "This year Thessaloniki excavated its historical past, its foundations and its cosmopolitan nature, and arrived at the tools with which it builds its modern and dynamic dimension. A dimension that has Balkan, Mediterranean and Black Sea sides," Mr. Venizelos said. [B] BALKANS[08] THE US REGARD AS A MISTAKE THE ASSOCIATION OF THE PURCHASE OF THE RUSSIAN MISSILES WITH THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEMWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Washington 1 February (MPA)The United States regard as a mistake the association of the purchase of the Russian S-300 missiles with the solution of the Cyprus problem.Commenting on the statements made yesterday by Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides, who left open the possibility to cancel the purchase in case the Cyprus problem is resolved, US State Department spokesman Nicolas Burns stated that the Cypriot President's position can complicate the diplomatic efforts for the solution of the problem. Mr.Burns called the Cypriot government to reexamine its decision on the S- 300 missiles and reiterated the strong interest of the US to play a coordinated and active role in 1997 for the solution of the problem in Cyprus. Meanwhile, Cyprus has issued a strong demarche to the UN protesting against the illegal visit of three Turkish warships to the port of Famagusta last week. In a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, charge d'affaires of the Cypriot delegation to the UN Dimitris Drousiotis mentions that the Turkish warships have violated the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the Cypriot Republic. [09] THE FAMILY OF GREEK-CYPRIOT TASOS ISAAK WANTS TURKEY TO BE FOUND GUILTY OF HIS KILLING IN AN APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPEWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Nicosia 1 February (MPA)The family of Greek-Cypriot Tasos Isaak made an appeal to the Council of Europe Human Rights Committee asking for Turkey's condemnation for his killing during the bloody incidents in Derinia last summer, while similar appeals are expected to be made for the killings of two other Greek- Cypriots Solomos Solomou and Petros Kakkoulis.The family's lawyer, Andreas Papacharalambus stated that initially his clients want Turkey's condemnation as a country and later they will demand compensation and the implementation of sanctions. The Committee decision on the case is expected to be issued within the year. [10] PROBLEMS IN THE FORMING OF A NEW GOVERNMENT IN BULGARIAWeb Posted: 17:28 GMT+2Sofia 1 February (MPA)The procedure for the forming of a new government in Bulgaria takes place with great difficulty.Interior Minister Nikolai Dobrev, who is the Prime Minister designate, suggested the forming of a wide base government, but yesterday he did not meet with President Petar Stoyanov as it was scheduled. Meanwhile, the IMF's General Director pointed out to the Bulgarian President that the political and economic situation in Bulgaria is in a crucial state. 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/Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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