Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-02-07

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, February 7, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] TENSION IN ALMIROS BETWEEN POLICE AND FARMERS

Tension is high in Almiros near the city of Volos in the region of Mikrothives. Police immobilized the striking farmers' tractors along the Athens- Thessaloniki national road by deflating their tyres and made 9 arrests. Traffic in the national road in the region of Mikrothives has stopped.

Meanwhile, the appeal made by the Organization of Railways to a Larisa court for restrictive measures to be applied on the members of the farmers' coordinating committee in Thessaly will be discussed today.

[02] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO IMPLEMENT THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAW AND IS DETERMINED TO DO SO

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated in Parliament today, responding to a question made by Communist party General Secretary ms.Aleka Papariga, that the government has taken all necessary measures and will continue to do so by implementing the laws and the Constitution for the country's smooth course, adding that blackmail will not be acceptable under no circumstances.

Referring to the farmers' blockades mr.Simitis stressed that it is an extreme and authoritative form of protest which is being done by only a few individuals and is aimed at abolishing the procedures provided by the Constitution and the laws. Mr.Simitis also pointed out that a social group must seek to resolve its problems in connection with the problems of other social sectors.

The Prime Minister stated that the economic policy followed is aimed at an overall solution of the problems and after pointing out that the social development means frictions added that there is a need for new solutions.

Earlier, responding to a timely question by PASOK Parliament deputy Lambros Kanellopoulos the Prime Minister gave emphasis to social dialogue, stressing that reaching a social contract of national character is imperative because only this way will be achieved consensus and mobilization of society. Also, he announced that in the next cabinet meeting will be discussed new ways for conducting a dialogue while in the next few weeks there will be initiatives undertaken by the government concerning social dialogue.

[03] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER: SKOPJE SHOULD END ITS DELAYING TACTICS

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated in Parliament today that Greece has upheld all the terms of the Interim Agreement with FYROM, referring to the name issue between the two countries, and added that, Skopje, which so far has followed a "delaying tactics" policy, will hopefully observe all the terms provided for in Article 5 of the Agreement, thereby aiding in the further improvement of bilateral relations.

"We have proceeded to bilateral economic, political and trade agreements with FYROM," Mr. Papandreou said.

On the matter of Cyprus, Mr. Papandreou reiterated Greece's commitment, which stems from its role as a guarantor power, to become directly involved in any invasion of Turkish forces into the island's free region. A.F.

[04] DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARY WARNS ANKARA TO ABANDON THREATS OF VIOLENCE

The Undersecretary of National Defense Dimitris Apostolakis warned Ankara today to abandon its threats of use of violence and to clearly state that it does not aspire to disturb the existing borders.

Mr. Apostolakis made the above statement in light of the NATO Secretary-General Xavier Solana's visit to Athens later this month.

Mr. Apostolakis also stated that a basic prerequisite for normalizing relations between Greece and Turkey is for Ankara to abandon its aggressive tactics, which is also a basic premise for any Alliance-directed discussion on the de-escalation of tension in the Aegean.

The Undersecretary also stated that NATO's proposals for de- escalating tension in the Aegean should be included in a cohesive process aiming to achieve approach between the two countries, with the basic premise being Turkey's abandonment of its claims. A.F.

[05] U.S TO MAINTAIN 7-10 RATIO IN DEFENSE AID TO GREECE - TURKEY

The United States will maintain the seven-to-ten ratio currently enforced in defense aid to Greece and Turkey respectively, for the next fiscal year.

Also, according to the relevant US Congress report, the Clinton Administration will give Greece $135 million in loans and grants, while an additional $200,000 is earmarked for scholarships to Greek students. A.F.

[06] INFLATION DROPS TO 6.8% IN JANUARY, LOWEST IN 25 YEARS

Inflation dropped to 6.8 per cent in January, reaching the lowest point in 25 years, according to figures released today by the National Statistics Service.

Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou characterized the drop as a significant development for the economy and added that "it affords protection for low incomes while at the same time interest rates are falling."

"We mustn't forget that this drop resulted from the stability and prudency with which the state has exercised its economic policy during the recent years," Mr. Papantoniou said. A.F.

[07] FARMERS PRESS ON WITH MOBILIZATIONS

The tension continues to mount at central Greece's region of Thessaly, where protesting farmers press on with their mobilizations.

The Panthessaly Coordinating Committee is to convene this evening in order to decide on its next moves. Premier Kostas Simitis and government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas emphasized that the state is determined and obligated to apply the law and the country's constitution. Nine farmers were arrested for attempted obstruction of traffic and were also charged with resisting arrest.

At the same time, the Greek Editors' Federation asked that the reporters' integrity be protected and the freedom of press principle be upheld. Minor episodes were noted today at the roadblocks site when the police tried to obstruct access to the reporters and photojournalists. A.F.

[08] CRISIS IN EDUCATION TO BE EXTENDED, TEACHERS STRIKES TO CONTINUE

The crisis in Greece's education sector is expected to stretch further as high-school teachers and primary school teaching staff have decided to extend their strikes into next week as well.

Undersecretary of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis stated this morning that it is impossible to meet the teachers' financial demands. In Thessaloniki this evening, local teachers, public servants and workers from other sectors conducted a populous rally in the center of town. A.F.

[09] GREECE IMPLEMENTS THE INTERIM ACCORD WITH FYROM

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis responding to a timely question made by opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert on the issue with FYROM and the recent statements made by the Foreign Minister, underlined that the government remains firm to its positions while he accused mr.Evert of trying to create false impressions for party purposes.

Greece, stated the Prime Minister, implements the interim accord, seeks to find a mutually acceptable name and participates in the talks with the position that the name "Macedonia" or any of its derivatives will not be accepted.

Mr.Simitis also underlined that there is the danger FYROM to be named "Macedonia", as it has been pointed out by mr.Pangalos. The Prime Minister stated that if the New York negotiations reach a deadlock, UN mediator Cyrus Vance will suggest a name tolerable by both sides or by one of them. He can also suggest no name and then the UN Security Council will state that FYROM can use its constitutional name and be called "Macedonia".

[10] THE WAGE DEMANDS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL NOT BE MET

Undersecretary of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis stated that the wage demands of the secondary school teachers will not be met under no circumstances.

Meanwhile, the mobilizations of the secondary school teachers will continue throughout next week, while elementary school and kindergarden teachers are also expected to continue their strike. Teachers in Thessaloniki will hold a rally this afternoon.

[11] A SIX BILLION DRACHMAS INVESTMENT IN KILKIS FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE REDUCTION OF AIR POLLUTION

An industry plant that will manufacture a system that limits air pollution caused by car exhaust-gases, called the CELCAT, will be built in the industrial zone of the northern Greek city of Kilkis by Basmatzis business group.

It will be a 6 billion drachmas investment that will create at least 500 new jobs in the region from where the product will be distributed to Greece and Europe. The plant is scheduled to begin operation by the end of the year.

CELCAT is an invention of Greek-American Miltiades Markos which was completed after 10 years of experiments and has the approval of international pollution control centers such as the US Environmental Protection Agency.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] OPPOSITION IN SERBIA WILL STOP ITS MOBILIZATIONS WHEN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES ITS VICTORY

The political parties of the opposition in Serbia promised to stop their mobilizations in the streets of Belgrade as soon as the country's Parliament ratifies their victory in a number of municipalities next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the three leaders of the Serb opposition, who are on a visit to Paris, met with the French Foreign Minister.

[13] CLERIDES: THE INFORMATION ON THE US' DISCONTENT OVER THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE TWO COMMUNITIES IN CYPRUS IS IMAGINARY

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides characterized as completely imaginary the information according to which, the fact that US President Bill Clinton did not mention the Cyprus issue in his speech is the result of the american discontent over the behaviour of the two comunities in Cyprus.

Mr.Clerides stated referring to yesterday's incident caused by the Turks in Louroutzina that it is of little importance adding that after the investigation is completed it will be obvious that nothing happened.

The Cypriot President responded negatively when asked if the issue of the British bases should be raised in the new initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

He also mentioned that the goal of his imminent visit to India is to further improve the already excellent relations between the two countries, the exchange of views on international issues, including the Cyprus issue, and the signing of certain agreements on cultural and shipping issues.

[14] PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FREE TRADE ZONE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION

Proposals for the establishment of a free trade zone in the region of the Black Sea aimed at increasing the trade transactions will be presented in the meeting of Foreign Affairs and Finance Ministers from the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact countries that opens in Istanbul today.

In the meeting that will be presided over by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller will participate Ministers from Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Republic of Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and Greece.

Today is expected to be approved the declaration in which it will be stressed the member-states' determination for the creation of a free trade zone in the region of the Black Sea.

[15] THE VICTIMS OF ILLEGAL BANKS CONTINUE THE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE IN ALBANIA

A protest demonstration was held today in the city of Avlona in southern Albania where about 15 thousand people took to the streets calling for the resignation of Sali Berisha's government and demanding the return of the money they invested in get-rich- quick "pyramid" schemes.

The Socialist party reiterated its full support to the victims of the illegal banks and in a statement published in the newspaper "Zeri i Populit" condemned the "state's criminal acts" and attributed the tension to the fact that the President and the government chose to cheat the investors.

[16] HANS VAN DEN BROOK WILL VISIT CYPRUS

EU Commissioner for International Relations, Hans Van Den Brook, will visit Cyprus from February 26- 28.

According to the BBC, during his visit in Cyprus, he will meet with President Clerides, the head of the political party and Turkish- Cypriot leader, Raouf Denktash.

It is the first time that Mr. Brook is meeting with Denktash.

In March, when Mr. Brook was in Cyprus, their planned meeting was cancelled due to the Turkish- Cypriot Leaders' heart attack.

[17] MR. G. CLERIDES - IN ATHENS THIS AFTERNOON AND IN INDIA ON SUNDAY

The President of Cyprus, Glafkos Clerides,while in Athens this afternoon, will give checks to the families of Greek officers killed and missing in action,.

Mr. Clerides will visit Athens on his way to India , where he will have an official visit.

He will be in India on Sunday, where he is awaited in New Delhi by, the President, the Prime Minister and other high officials. He will return to Cyprus on Sunday, February 16th.

[18] HUMANITARIAN AID FROM EVROS ARRIVED IN BULGARIA

Twenty eight trucks with 700 tons of flour crossed the Greek- Bulgarian borders in Ormenio of Evros, northern Greece destined for the Bulgarian city of Haskovo.

This is the first part of a humanitarian aid from the Prefecture of Evros destined for the people of Bulgaria and mainly for the region of Haskovo with which a protocol of cooperation has been signed.

The Greek mission was welcomed at the borders by Hoskovo's chief administrator Angel Naidenov who thanked Prefect of Evros Giorgos Dolios for this initiative. The flour will be destributed in Haskovo and in Stara Zagora to cover the needs of hospitals, orphanages and other institutions.

In a second mission will be transported to Bulgaria about 1.000 tons of corn.

[19] CONTEST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NATURAL GAS PIPE LINE IN BULGARIA

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Resources in Bulgaria have set up two contests on May 19 and 21, for the construction of a natural gas pipe-line.

The contest guidelines have been given in todays' Bulgarian government newspaper.

The prospective builders will have until April 4th to confirm, in a written proposal, their wish to take part in the contests and give a receipt for a five million dollar deposit.

[20] BULGARIA: OPPOSITION TABLES MANDATE TO FORM GOVERNMENT

Bulgaria's centrist-right opposition party "Union of Democratic Forces" today presented to President Petar Stoyanov the mandate to form a government which it had received two days earlier, according to its vice-president Alexander Bozkov.

The decision to present the mandate falls under the agreement reached between the country's political forces to hold early elections in April.

Mr. Stoyanov, following his meeting with Mr. Bozkov, received the Mayor of Sofia Stefan Sofiyianski, who is viewed as the surest contender for the position of acting premier. A.F.

[21] A NEW CREW IN STATE DEPARTMENT TO TACKLE CYPRUS ISSUE

Cyprus has been formally informed by the United States that a new task force is being formed within the State Department to tackle the Cyprus issue, according to Cypriot government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides.

Mr. Kasoulides added that the Cypriot government has no reports on U.S. envoy to Cyprus Richard Beatty being replaced, or that the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Han Sung Ju will be replaced.

On the contrary, Mr. Kasoulides said, in a recent UN press release, Mr. Ju is referred to as the Special Envoy for Cyprus. A.F.

[22] BUSINESS AGREEMENT IN THE WORKS BETWEEN TURKEY AND LIBYA

Ankara proceeds with a new business cooperation agreement with Libya, ignoring the sanctions imposed on Tripoli by Washington.

Turkish daily "Cumhurriyet" writes that Turkey is planning to get oil from Libya in exchange for the large sums of money Tripoli owes to Turkish construction companies.

According to Turkish Undersecretary to the Prime Minister Kardi Keskin, the oil will be processed in the oil refinery of TURPAS.

It should be noted that the recent visit of Turkish Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan to Libya had created serious problems for Ankara when Libyan leader Mohamar Kadafi demanded the creation of an independent Kurdish state.

[23] IRATE ALBANIANS DEMAND RETURN OF MONEY LOST IN "PYRAMID"

Thousands of Albanians, who were de-frauded by the illicit banking activity known as the "pyramid", rallied in the streets of Avlonas today, demanding that the government immediately return to them their lost money.

The country's Socialist Party asked once again that the government resign and condemned the police for its unjustifiable use of violence.

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