Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-02-05

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, February 5, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK FARMERS TO OCCUPY NATIONAL ROADS TODAY

Greece's protesting farmers will proceed to occupy parts of the national road network, according to statements made by representatives of agricultural committees.

Meanwhile, the old national highway Larisa-Lamia remains blocked by a motley crew of 2,000 tractors. Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas stated that the government has exhausted every of its abilities by granting the farmers with 191 billion GRD, approximately $764 million. A.F.

[02] PRIMARY, SECONDARY, KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL TEACHERS CONTINUE STRIKE

High schools continue to remain closed for the third consecutive week as the country's primary, secondary and kindergarten school teachers press on with their strikes, demanding improved salaries and wage benefits.

Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, referring to lost classroom hours, said that the matter will be handled once the strike has ended. A.F.

[03] KOHL: GERMANY WILL NOT PAY WWII REPARATIONS TO GREEKS

Germany is not willing to pay World War II reparations to Greece and to Greek nationals as a compensation for what they suffered during the Nazi occupation. This position was expressed by Chancellor Helmut Kohl during the foundation laying ceremony of the new Chancellery building in Berlin yesterday.

Mr.Kohl stated that he is firm to the positions he expressed last year namely, that the issue of war reparations to Greece has been resolved with an agreement signed by the two countries in 1960.

The agreement provided that certain reparations should be paid to the Greek state but not to the Greek citizens who suffered persecutions and destruction by the Nazis.

It should be reminded that thousands of Greeks have filed suits individually demanding compensation and those suits have been delivered to the responsible German courts by the Greek Foreign Ministry.

The German justice has not ruled yet on the issue in its entirety but until now the rulings of regional courts are negative.

[04] UNIFIED DEFENSE DOCTRINE IS BASE OF GREECE-CYPRUS DEFENSE COOPERATION

The Unified Defense Doctrine constitutes the base of Greece's and Cyprus' political will to cooperate in the defense sector, since Greece is one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus' independence and territorial integrity, stated the Greek Undersecretary pf Defense Dimitris Apostolakis, in his address to a Greek and Cypriot gathering in northern London.

Also addressing the gathering, which was organized by PASOK's and EDEK's local offices, was the president of Britain's Labor Party and President of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Pauline Green. Ms. Green supported that Cyprus will retain its priority status within the European Parliament, reiterating that she herself will table the Cyprus issue in the House. A.F.

[05] BULGARIA-GREECE BORDERS RE-OPEN, TRAFFIC FLOW BACK TO NORMAL

Traffic flow has returned back to normal at the Greek- Bulgarian border station in Promahonas, which had been blocked by protesting Bulgarians and had resulted in a line of trucks waiting to get through.

Last evening's announcement issued by Bulgaria's President Petar Stoyanov that early elections will be held in mid-April satisfied the protesters who abandoned the roadblocks. A.F.

[06] EGYPT'S DEFENSE MINISTER EXPECTED IN ATHENS THIS MONTH

Egypt's Defense Minister marshalll Mohamed Huiein Tadaui is expected to visit Athens at the end of this month, in order to hold talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

On December 21, 1996, Mr. Tadaui had met in Cairo with Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos when the latter accompanied President Kostis Stephanopoulos on his formal visit to Egypt. A.F.

[07] GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE HOLDS EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

The Governmental Committee is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in order to brainstorm on various ways to address the farmers' mobilizations and the teachers strikes.

Also, the Economy Commitee will convene this evening headed by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou. The Minister of Public Order George Romeos stated that he is pleased by yesterday's police mobilization and noted that, if needed, the same forces will be assigned today as well. A.F.

[08] GREECE SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO BULGARIA

The Greek government will forward 1,000 tons of corn and 700 tons of flour in humanitarian aid to its neighbor Bulgaria.

The aid will be distributed to Bulgarian hospitals and social institutions and the first portion is expected to arrive in Bulgaria on February 7. A.F.

[09] ALBANIAN AUTHOR I. KANTARE IN THESSALONIKI

"The Balkan peoples must stop fighting with one another and instead must turn towards those activities and contacts that are similar to today's," stated I. Kantare, the Albanian writer who is particularly popular among Greece's well-read audience.

Mr. Kantare, who is currently in Thessaloniki as part of the event "Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe 1997", also stated that serious literature is not directly influenced by current affairs, when asked to comment on the situation currently noted in his home country.

"What is happening now is very sad, it's like a natural disaster or an illness, but I want to believe that my people, as they have in the past, will find the strength to overcome this painful process." Mr. Kantare skillfully avoided commenting on who is responsible for the current crisis plaguing his country, but he did say that "with the fall of the old regime we all believed that the situation would change radically and that we would live in a paradise. The events that followed illustrated just how difficult this process is and that the distance between dream and reality is indeed vast. But today's situation is certainly better then the past." A.F.

[10] KOZANI'S TECHNICAL COLLEGE, CONNECTICUT'S EASTERN U BECOME SISTER SCHOOLS

A delegation of the Association of Friendship Kozani-Bristol and Greeks Abroad will depart tomorrow for the United States in order to participate at the annual conference of the company "Education" at Hartford, Connecticut.

During the conference, Archbishop of America Spyridon will officiate the signing of the sister-school agreement between Kozani's Technical College and Connecticut's Eastern University. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] THE TURKISH GENERALS WARN PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN

There are increased indications that the Turkish Armed forces are worried over the policy followed by the government of islamist Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan. Yesterday's show of force when a number of armoured tanks appeared in the streets of an Ankara suburb was interpreted by political analysts as a first indication of the Turkish Army Generals' stance toward the changes Erbakan intends to make in Turkey's secular establishment.

The same political analysts underlined the nervousness observed in the armed forces due to the islamists' persistence to proceed with building a mosque in Istanbul's Taxim Square as well as, reinstating the women's right to wear head covers when they work in public agencies.

The Army Generals expressed their complaints to President Suleiman Demirel and issued an indirect warning against the islamists' actions.

The German press writes about the dispute underlining that the islamist government irritates the army, while Erbakan's policy creates concern in the military leadership.

The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung refers to the conflict between the army and the islamists and maintains that this crisis shows that Islam's role in Turkey has not been clarified yet. Also, the newspaper's correspondent stresses that former Prime Minister Bulent Etsevit has declared that there is a danger of a coup and that this danger is real. The newspaper writes that under those circumstances no one knows for how long the Erbakan-Ciller coalition government will remain in power.

According to the newspaper, if elections were held now Erbakan's Welfare party would possibly be the winner of the absolute majority in the National Assembly. This development would not have left the pro-western generals apathetic and they could have stopped the islamists from taking power with a coup held with the silent tolerance of Turkey's NATO allies, just like in 1980.

[12] BURNS: THE US HAVE EXAMINED BUT RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A COUP IN "THE SECULAR AND STABLE TURKEY"

The political leadership of the US State Department is seriously concerned over the likelihood of a coup in Turkey. According to US State Department spokesman Nicolas Burns the issue has been discussed with all the specialists in the Department.

Mr.Burns stated that after the discussions he saw no reason for concern over Turkey's political stability clarifying that it is beyond his practice to comment on military units' movements, such as those made yesterday in an Ankara suburb populated mostly by islamists.

The US State Department spokesman reiterated that Turkey is a democracy and an ally of the United States in NATO and characterized it as a "secular and stable country". He also added that Washington will continue to work with Ankara and trust it as a close ally within the framework of NATO.

[13] CLERIDES: THE US INITIATIVE WILL COLLAPSE IF IT MOVES TOWARD THE DIRECTION OF A CONFEDERATION AND NOT A FEDERATION

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in a television interview expressed the position that he will not accept direct negotiations if there is no agreement in the basic aspects of the Cyprus problem, while he pointed out that the US initiative will collapse if it will move toward the direction of a confederation and not a federation.

Mr.Clerides pointed out that he believes he should respond to an invitation for the discussion of the issue of demilitarization after consultations are made with the Greek government and Cyprus' National Council.

The Cypriot President stated that he did not give in to pressures coming from the US or elsewhere on the issue of the moratorium and the deployment of the Russian S-300 missile system in Cyprus and stressed that the Americans want to give the impression that they are successful in their efforts. He also said that he did not commit himself that Greek warplanes will not use the under construction Air Base in Paphos.

[14] THE DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER STATED THAT THE EU-CYPRUS ASSOCIATION COUNCIL WILL MEET BY THE END OF FEBRUARY

Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo, who is currently holding the EU's rotating Presidency, reiterated the EU decision that the accession negotiations with Cyprus will start six months after the end of the Inter-Governmental Conference for the revision of the Maastricht Treaty.

Mr.Van Mierlo briefed the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee members on the activities and the positions of the Dutch EU Presidency and referring to the Cyprus problem reiterated that the EU-Cyprus Association Council will be held at the end of February. The Dutch minister underlined that the negotiations will become easier if Cyprus' political problem is resolved without this being a pre-condition for the opening of the negotiations.

Regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem, mr.Van Mierlo stated that the Dutch EU Presidency will move within the framework of the efforts made by the EU special envoy, the United States and the UN Secretary General under the auspices of whom should be held all efforts for the solution of the problem.

Referring to the relations between the European Union and Turkey, speculated that the Association Council should meet because in spite of the violation of values observed in Turkey this country must remain close to Europe and not move toward islamism.

He also pointed out that Europe should decide the framework of relations it wants with a muslim state namely, whether it will be a cooperation or a full membership. He said that there is the problem of a big muslim state and the question that no one can express openly is whether this big muslim state is wanted inside Europe.

On Tansu Ciller's meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy that was held in Rome on January 29, mr.Van Mierlo said that the meeting was not held within the EU framework but it was an initiative of the countries that organized it. He also said that he hopes the EU will do what is necessary so that initiatives that could be mistakenly attributed to the EU itself will not be repeated.

[15] SOFIYANSKI IS FAVOURITE TO HEAD BULGARIA'S CARETAKER GOVERNMENT

The emergency measures and the laws that have to be voted through by the end of next week when the Bulgarian Parliament is expected to be dissolved are being examined today by the country's political powers represented in Parliament. Within this period of time must be voted through new laws on the holding of elections, the state budget, the taxes and the changing of the Board of Directors in Bulgaria's National Bank.

By this afternoon, Bulgaria's polical forces had to present to President Stoyanov their programmes that will lead the country out of the economic crisis.

Sofia's mayor Stefan Sofiyanski speaking today in Bulgaria's state radio did not deny the press publications according to which he will be caretaker Prime Minister in the government that will be appointed by the Bulgarian President after the Parliament is dissolved next week.

Mr.Sofiyanski pointed out that his final decision will depend on the joint declaration on the emergency measures that will lead the country out of the crisis and is expected to be adopted by the country's political forces.

[16] THE EU "FREEZES" ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN TURKEY

The European Parliament Culture Committee decided late last night to "freeze" the process through which the EU education programmes "Leonardo", "Socrates" and "Youth for Europe" were expanding to Turkey.

Specifically, the Culture Committee decided to "freeze" the report submitted by a a German Euro-deputy of the European Popular Party in which was included the request for the expansion of the above mentioned education programmes to Turkey.

The Committee after deciding to "freeze" the report accepted the proposal made by a Belgian Socialist Euro-MP according to which, representatives of Turkish human rights organizations will be invited to present their views before its members.

[17] BRITISH OFFICIAL TO MEET WITH KORNBLUM IN UNITED STATES TODAY

Britain's special representative for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay is to be received by United States assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs John Kornblum in Washington today.

Mr. Hannay has already met with Madleine Albright, the U.S. Secretary of State.

According to State Department spokeperson Nicholas Burns, Ms. Albright believes that the U.S. must think creatively on how they should proceed along with Europe on the matter of the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Hannay emphasized that the U.S. must undertake a significant initiative for the resolution of this matter, as soon as possible. A.F.

[18] BULGARIA: EARLY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN APRIL

Early elections will be held in Bulgaria during mid-April. Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov said that through declaring early elections, the public won a victory by averting -at the last minute- a conflict that could have led to unforeseeable consequences, regarding the agreement reached between the Democratic Left and other opposition parties. A.F.

[19] BULGARIA: GENERAL STRIKE CALLED OFF

Bulgaria's labor unions have called off their planned general strike and instead have decided to discuss a plan of temporary social agreement on February 17, which they will in turn submit to the acting government.

Meanwhile, the jubilant leader of the Union of Democratic Forces, Ivan Kostov, celebrated the decision to hold early elections by uncorking champagne bottles for the opposition's supporters. A.F.

[20] UN TO SOON PROMOTE RESOLUTION OF CYPRUS ISSUE, SAYS KOFI ANNAN

The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan assured Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou that the international organization will soon move to promote the resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Papandreou met with Mr. Annan in Davos, Switzerland in the parameters of an ecnomic forum currently taking place.

Moreover, Mr. Annan stated that he awaits an initiative on behalf of the United States so that the UN's efforts can be coordinated with those exerted by the State Department.

In a press conference, Mr. Papandreou stated that the Cyprus issue is gaining status on the European Union's agenda and this could be directly related to Cyprus' approaching accession to the EU, although he reiterated that such accession is independent from the resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Also, Mr. Papandreou stated that, in regards to Greece's role in the Balkans, Athens is promoting a Center of Democracy in Thessaloniki which will aim at tackling the various crises that erupt in the Balkan peninsula. A.F.

[21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES READY TO DISCUSS CYPRUS DEMILITARIZATION WITH DENKTASH

Cypriot government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides relayed President Glafkos Clerides' readiness to open a discussion on the island's demilitarization with Rauf Denktash, the leader of Northern Cyprus' occupied territory.

"President Clerides' personal point of view is that in case that the other side is ready to discuss his proposal for demilitarization, independedly of all the other issues concerning the Cyprus problem, then the view is that this discussion should be held," Mr. Kasoulides stated.

Also, Mr. Kasoulides reiterated Mr. Clerides' words who said yesterday that "if the issue has closed, then of course the future demands of common grounds will be different." A.F.

[22] F.R.Y.: STUDENTS, OPPOSITION CONTINUE RALLIES, WANT ACTIONS, NOT WORDS

The main oppposition coalition "Zajedno" and students in the Federal Yugoslav Republic continue their protests in Belgrade, despite the Serb President Slobodan Milosevic' eleventh hour retreat when he stated yesterday that the results of last November's municipal elections will be fully recognized.

Tens of thousands of opposition party followers and about 30,000 students held a protest march today demanding that Milosevic's retreat be enforced and that the Dean of Belgrade's University resign.

Meanwhile, Zajedno's three leaders, Vuk Drascovic, Vesna Pesic and Zoran Djindjic, will travel to Paris tomorrow on the invitation of French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette. 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/