Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-02-14

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, February 14, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

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[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PM TO STRIKING TEACHERS: THERE IS NO ROOM FOR MORE WAGE INCREASES

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in Parliament today reiterated that the secondary and elementary school teachers will not receive any wage increase, stressing that they got more money than any other workers' sector.

The Communist party and the Democratic Social Movement of the opposition accused the government of intransigence and the strikers appear determined to continue their mobilizations.

On Monday, a rally will be held in front of Thessaloniki's White Tower with the participation of striking teachers from all over northern Greece. Many students' associations have expressed support to the strikers. A.F.

[02] GREEK TEACHERS CONTINUE THEIR ALREADY MONTH-LONG STRIKE

Greece's primary and secondary school teachers, as well as kindergarten school teaching staff, are continuing their strikes which are to stretch into a fifth consecutive week for the high- school staff and until Wednesday for the primary education staff.

The teachers of Thessaloniki will hold a massive rally on Monday. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has firmly stated that there will be no changes made in the government's revenue policy.

[03] CULTURE MINISTRY STAFF ON 48-HOUR STRIKE, MUSEUMS CLOSED

Greece's Culture Ministry employees are currently on a 48- hour strike, demanding the stay of wage benefits, while, as they warned, they may embark on a full-blown strike next week if the Culture Minister does not respond to their claims.

As a result, the country's museums remain closed during the work stoppage, including Thessaloniki's Byzantine and Archaelological Museum, the White Tower Museum, as well as the Acropolis in Athens.

The workers' demands do not concern salary increases but, instead, they ask that certain bonuses already granted will not be abolished.

The Culture Ministry has issued an announcement wherein it stated that the dialogue route with the employees is open but, it added, "it is clear that they cannot demand that all their claims are met or else they keep the Acropolis closed."

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that the strike is "a simple case of hostage-taking."

[04] DEFENSE MINISTRY STAFF TO OBSERVE FOUR-HOUR WORK STOPPAGE ON MONDAY

Employees of the Ministry of National Defense will conduct a four-hour work stoppage on Monday, to be followed by a protest rally in Thessaloniki's Third Army Corps.

The Ministry's staff are demanding additional benefits in the form of danger- and insanitary-pay, as afforded to those employed at the Local Administration offices.

Also, the workers have stated that they will conduct a 24- hour strike the following Wednesday, a move that will up the ante of their mobilizations.

[05] UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: WORST CASE SCENARIA ARE NOT HELPFUL

Undersecretary of Foregnn Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated that the United States worst case scenaria that foresee armed conflict between Greece and Turkey do not contribute to the efforts that are being exerted to resolve the existing tensions between the two neighbors and the Cyprus issue.

"There is an approach of equal distances where the culprit is leveled with the victim," Mr. Kraniditotis said, and added that this stance aims at the effort to create a climate which will result in certain initiatives and pressures exerted towards both sides.

[06] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE TO VISIT GERMANY ON MONDAY

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will be in Germany on Monday for a two-day formal visit.

During his stay in Bonn, mr.Tsochatzopoulos will meet with his German counterpart Folker Rue and will attend working meetings with German Defense Ministry officials.

The Greek Minister will have talks over issues concerning bilateral relations, the Greek-Turkish issues, the Cyprus issue, the developments in the Balkan region and the Alliance's eastward expansion.

Also, mr.Tsochatzopoulos will meet with members of the German- Hellenic Parliamentary Group and leading members of the Greek community in Germany.

[07] TOBACCO SUBSIDIES ABOUT TO GO UP IN SMOKE, WARNS GREEK EUROMEP

Tobacco subsidies are in danger of going up in smoke, stated the Greek Euro-deputy Alekos Alavanos commending on the imminent plans of Commissioner for Health Issues.

Speaking at a conference in Greece's region Pieria, Mr. Alavanos stated that the European Commission is preparing a proposal that may actually contain certain traps for Greece's tobacco growers..

Being that Greece is the European Union's largest tobacco producer, Mr. Alavanos warned that Greece's Ministry of Agriculture should be on the alert over this report, given that once it gains the EU's approval any changes will be unlikely.

The Euro-deputy emphasized that the Greek state must push for increased production quotas, espcially for the region of Katerini, and to back the farmer's interests.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler, addressing the annual conference of the German Association for Agricultural and Environmental Policy in Bonn today, stated that three issues will have a decisive influence on European agricultural policy in the beginning of the next century. These are the developments on world markets, the EU's imminent eastward enlargement and the demands imposed by society on agriculture in regards to preserving rural areas and living space. A.F.

[08] PAPAKYRIAZIS: THE EU WANTS KOZLODUI TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY

European Union wants the Kozlodui nuclear plant to close permanently but this can not be done immediately because Bulgaria will face serious energy problem, stated governing PASOK party Euro-deputy Nikos Papakyriazis speaking to MPA on the issue of the operation of the electricity production nuclear plant. He also said that for this reason the EU has pledged to offer economic and scientific assistance to Bulgaria to find an alternative solution to the energy issue.

Mr.Papakyriazis characterized as "correct" the decision of alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou to raise the issue of Kozlodui's operation in the EU-Bulgaria Association Council meeting.

Mr.Papakyriazis stated that it was pointed out from the beginning that measures should be taken for the nuclear plant's safe operation. He said that after a detailed scientific inspection the permission for its re-opening was issued under the pre-condition that the inspections will be repeated regularly for safety reasons.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] INFERNO AT ISTANBUL'S TUZLA SHIPYARDS CONTAINED LATE LAST NIGHT

The fire which broke out early yesterday evening at Istanbul's Tuzla shipyards, where Turkey's largest oil tanker turned into a raging inferno, was contained during the early morning hours today.

The spontaneous fire erupted at 5:30 pm when three sizeable explosions literally shook the area as far away as four kilometers. The city's fire brigade in its entirety wrestled with the catastrophe and 26 firemen have been hospitalized so far. Causes of the fire remain unknown.

[10] UN CHIEF BELIEVES THAT A GREEK-TURKISH WAR OVER CYPRUS IS RULED OUT

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stated that tensions between Greece and Turkey have been reduced to such a degree that any possibility of war erupting between the two neighbors is ruled out.

Mr. Annan also expressed the hope that the direct talks which the UN special envoy for Cyprus Han Sung Ju recently embarked upon will continue and will be followed by direct negotiations between the island's two communities, prior to September, which is when the pre-election period starts. Otherwise, he warned, "we will be overcome by pre-election fever and a series of other issues."

When asked to comment on the recent statements made by British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind who stated that the possibility of Greek-Turkish conflict is serious, Mr. Annan responded that "there were tensions in the area but I don't think that there will be war. We tried to defuse the tensions and our view is that there has been improvement."

Moreover, the UN Secretary-General called on the two communities of Cyprus to bridge their differences and pointed out that the UN will play a leading role in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus isue, while the US and Britain will hold assisting roles.

United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, speaking to Reuters, stated that the next two years present a significant opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue, in spite of the recently climaxing tensions in the region.

While Ms. Albright admitted that there is no specific plan for resolving the matter, she did say that the international community must take advantage of Cyprus' wish to enter the European Union, as well as the fact the 1998 will be presidential elections year for Cyprus.

[11] TURKISH-CYPRIOTS REITERATE THREATS OF SETTLING INTO FAMAGUSTA

Turkish-Cypriots have reiterated their threats of settling into Famagusta, while the Cypriot Parliament approved the down payment funds earmarked for the purchase of Russian-made anti- aircraft missiles S-300.

Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash told the AFP that Famagusta is being prepared to house settlers, while one of his political advisers told the BBC that the city is undergoing ecological cleaning which is in no way related to a settlement.

[12] CYPRUS TO ISSUE DEMARCHE TO US OVER DEFENSE SECRETARY'S STATEMENTS

The Cypriot Ambassador to the United States Andros Nicolaides has been instructed to issue a demarche to the US over the recent statements made by Secretary of State William Cohen who stated that Cyprus' purchase of Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles intensify the likelihood of war.

According to the President of the Cypriot Parliament, Spyros Kyprianou, such statements do not help in diffusing the tension. Mr. Kyprianou added that such comments should be made behind closed doors, because, once publicised, they do not really express fear but rather imply an ulterior motive or a hidden tactic, which, in his view, is to exert pressure on Athens and Nicosia over the Aegean Sea and Cyprus. A.F.

[13] PRESIDENT OF CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT: CYPRUS APPLAUDS UN CHIEF'S STATEMENT

The President of Cypriot Parliament Spyros Kyprianou welcomed the statements made by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan who said that tensions between Greece and Turkey have been reduced to such a degree that any possibility of war erupting between the two neighbors is ruled out.

Referring to the United States initiative for the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kyprianou said that at this stage the plan is contained at reducing tensions, while he also said that it is not known if the State Department will take an initiative similar to Britain's.

Regarding Russia's role in the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kyprianou said that as one of the Security Council's five permanent members, Moscow will also "enter the game." A.F.

[14]CYPRUS WILL PROTEST TO THE UN ON DENKTASH'S THREATS TO SEND SETTLERS TO FAMAGUSTA

Cyprus' permanent representative to the United Nations Ambassador Nikos Agathokleous will deliver a protest document to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan concerning the threats made by Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to send settlers to Famagusta.

The announcement was made by Cypriot Parliament President Spyros Kyprianou adding that mr.Agatholeous will brief on the issue all the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

According to mr.Kyprianou, alternate UN Secretary General special envoy in Cyprus Gustav Feissel and Britain's High Commissioner David Maten mentioned that they were not informed of Denktash's intentions, while mr.Feissel pledged to investigate the issue and inform mr.Kyprianou.

Mr.Kyprianou stated that there is a special referrence in UN Security Council resolution 550 which prohibids anyone from settling in the city of Varosia except its legal residents.

Famagusta's mayor Andreas Pougiuros also made strong demarches after Denktash's threats to send settlers to the city of Famagusta.

The demarches were made to the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European Union, the Parliaments of Britain, Russia and other european countries and to the US Congress, calling for the immediate implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions and also for the immediate return of the legal residents of Famagusta.

In a statement, the municipality of Famagusta stresses that the return of the city's legal residents can be regarded as a first step toward a permanent solution of the Cyprus problem.

[15] "GREY WOLVES" WILL MARCH TO VAROSIA NEXT MONTH

The turkish extreme-right organization "Grey Wolves" will hold a march to Varosia on March 1st, according to the organization's leader in the turkish occupied territories of northern Cyprus, Mehmet Aslan, who expressed the certainty that participation will be massive.

The march's goal, according to the Turkish-Cypriot press, is the settlement of Varosia. Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is opposed to Aslan's intentions and to the march which he characterized as "unnecessary action".

Meanwhile, only two Turkish-Cypriot newspapers, "Ortam" and "Kipris", refer to the statements made by Denktash on the issue of the cleaning up operation of Varosia. According to the newspaper "Ortam", Rauf Denktash confirmed that the cleaning up operation will start soon but he did not clarify how long it will last.

Alternate UN Secretary General special envoy to Cyprus, Gustav Feissel has expressed ignorance over the cleaning up operation.

[16] FIVE GREEKS ARE AMONG THE CANDIDATES FOR THE FRANKFURT CITY COUNCIL

Five Greeks representing Germany's political party spectrum are candidates for Frankfurt's city council in the local elections that will be held in the German state of Essen on March 2.

Nikos Athanasiades is a Liberal party candidate, Elias Galanos runs with the Christian-Democrats, Grigoris Zarkadas with the Social-Democrats, Natasa Apostolidou with the Greens and Charalambos Kefalides is an independent candidate.

[17] FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANKS GOVERNORS FROM 12 IMF COUNTRIES WILL MEET IN CYPRUS

A meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Banks Directors from 12 International Monetary Fund member-states will meet in Cyprus on February 22-24.

In the meeting will take part about 50 technocrats from Armenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Republic of Georgia, Israel, FYROM, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine and Holland.

[18] NEW CLASHES BETWEEN DEMONSTRATORS AND PRESIDENT BERISHA'S SUPPORTERS

New clashes broke out this morning between demonstrators and supporters of President Sali Berisha in the albanian city of Fieri. In the violent clashes 6 people were injured among them a 10yearold girl.

The demonstrations continued in the city of Vlore, in southern Albania, while anti-government rallies have been scheduled for today in Tirana, Durres and Elpasan.

The thousands of citizens who have lost their life savings in illegal investment schemes demand compensation and the resignation of Prime Minister Meksi's government which is accused of being responsible for the economic crisis in the country.

Meanwhile, the British newspaper "The Independent" refers to corruption cases in the Democratic party concerning illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons and the violation of the international embargo on Serbia by supplying Belgrade with oil.

[19] THE OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGRADE CONTINUE

The demonstrations of Serb opposition supporters and students continue in Belgrade, calling on Serb President Slobodan Milosevic to meet the rest of their demands concerning the country's democratization.

Meanwhile, there is tension in the relations between Yugoslavia and the United States as the Serb government refused to issue visas for American Senators who publicly expressed their support to the opposition.

Meanwhile, it was officially announced in Rome today that the strategically important city of Brcko in northern Bosnia will remain under Serb control for one more year.

[20] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID ARRIVES IN BULGARIA

Seven hundred tons of corn arrived in Bulgaria's Haskovo, part of Greece's humanitarian aid mission that began last week.

The largest part of this corn will be used for cattle feed while the remaining 200 tons will be distributed to the veterinarian institute of Stara Zagora.

Another 300 tons of corn is to be sent to Bulgaria next week, while last week Greece forwarded 700 tons of flour which were distributed to chindren's institutions and military camps. A.F.

[21] THE BULGARIAN PRESIDENT BEGAN CONSULTATIONS WITH POLITICAL PARTIES IN VIEW OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov began consultations today with political forces in the country for the forming of the Electoral Central Committee and the establishment of polling stations in view of the April 19 early general elections.

During the meeting with representatives of the Euro-Left movement mr.Stoyanov pledged that all political forces in Bulgaria that will run in the upcoming elections will have equal treatment during the pre-election period, including the presentation of their party agenda through the mass media.

Mr.Stoyanov also met with representatives of the Democratic Left who requested that the proportional participation of the political forces in the Electoral Central Committee should be maintained.

[22] GERMANY WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BULGARIA

Germany will continue to support Bulgaria promised Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel in statements he made on the occasion of the appointment of a new government in the country.

Mr.Kinkel referred to the difficult challenges the Sofiyanski government will have to face as it will have to create the preconditions for the implementation of radical and painful reforms, while at the same time will have to consolidate the Bulgarian people's trust in the power and effectiveness of the democratic institutions.

The German Foreign Minister also pointed out the support offered by Germany and the other EU partners to President Stoyanov in his mediatory role aimed at achieving an agreement among the country's political forces.

[23] FUEL PRICES WILL INCREASE AGAIN IN BULGARIA

The fuel prices in Bulgaria will reach new highs, while starting next Monday fuel exports will be prohibided, according to an announcement made by caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Sofiyanski after the first meeting of the Economic Stabilization Council. Mr.Sofiyaski said that those decisions were unavoidable due to the serious economic problems in the "Neftochem" oil refinery in the city of Burgas.

Mr.Sofiyanski refused to give more information on the new fuel prices but underlined that they will create a shock.

The Prime Minister promised that the new fuel prices will stabilize the situation in the market for a certain period of time and will allow the start of consultations with suppliers, while he also confirmed that the "Neftochem" oil refinery will be privatized.

[24] MONETARY COUNCIL WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN BULGARIA

The Economic Stabilization Council formed by the Bulgarian caretaker government decided today the establishment of a Monetary Council as suggested by the International Monetary Fund.

As it was announced by Prime Minister Stefan Sofiyanski an IMF delegation will visit Sofia next week for the necessary consultations.

With the IMF delegation and the EU representatives, who will visit Bulgaria in the next few days, the Bulgarian government will examine the possibility of economic support to the country's balance of payments. Also, is expected to be discussed West's support to Bulgaria to deal with its foreign debt which has taken huge dimensions and absorbs 50% of the budget's revenues paralyzing the country's economy.

The Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister pledged that the government will not "freeze" bank accounts and called on the citizens to deposit again to reliable banks the money they have withdrawn.

[25] CLASHES IN ALBANIA ARE MOUNTING, SIX PERSONS INJURED

Violent clashes broke out between Prime Minister Alexander Meksi's supporters and the Albanian opposition in the city of Fieri where six persons were injured, while thousands of people, who were cheated by the illegal investment schemes in the southern city of Vlore, continued their demonstrations today demanding the government's resignation.

The anti-government demonstrations in Albania are expanding now to other cities in the country. In Avlona, the demonstrations continued for a tenth consecutive day. A.F.

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