Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-02-25

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, February 25, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT EXAMINES CLOSELY THE NEW FACTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the government examines carefully the new facts and developments created after the pressures exerted by France, Germany and Britain for the participation of the Turkish-Cypriots in Cyprus' EU accession negotiations and will make the necessary moves in the appropriate way and time.

Mr.Reppas underlined that the position of the Turkish- Cypriots, who want to block Cyprus' accession into the EU, should not be accepted. He said that Greece's firm position is that Cyprus' accession into the EU should under no circumstances be linked to the developments in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[02] CYPRUS CANNOT BE KEPT HOSTAGE BY TURKEY, SAYS GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

[03] TEACHERS NATIONAL UNION PROPOSES THAT STRIKE BE CONTINUED FOR SEVENTH WEEK

The secondary education teachers might extend their strike into a seventh week, as per a proposal tabled by their national union (OLME).

The president of OLME asked the government to return to the negotiations table for talks spanning all subjects. Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas revealed that Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis has forwarded a letter to OLME proposing a dialogue on all institutional matters concerning education.

Also, the country's largest labour union (ADEDY) is conducting a 24-hour strike today, protesting the public servants' salary scale which was voted on principle late last night in Parliament. A.F.

[04] THE CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER IN ATHENS

Cypriot Parliament President Spyros Kiprianou met in Athens today with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Kostas Simitis to discuss the developments in Cyprus.

Mr.Kiprianou characterized as unacceptable the persistance of the Foreign Ministers of Britain, Germany and France to include in the text of the EU partners' joint position a proposal for the participation of the Turkish-Cypriot side to the negotiations for Cyprus' accession into the European Union. He said that this does not serve the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem but on the contrary, Turkey is encoraged to maintain its intransigence and its expansionist policy.

The Cypriot Parliament President stressed that the Cyprus issue will not be resolved neither by exerting pressures nor through blackmail and linked these developments to the US initiatives for direct negotiations between the Greek-Cypriot and the Turkish-Cypriot side.

[05] GOVERNMENT, TEACHERS APPEAR WILLING TO TAKE A STEP BACK

[06] PROTESTING FISHERMEN CLOSE OFF ACCESS TO THESSALONIKI'S PORT

Fishermen from central Macedonia and the region of Volos, demanding untaxed fuel, have upped the ante in their mobilizations, blocking access to the eastern gate of Thessaloniki's port after their negotations with the Undersecretary of Finance George Drys were unsuccessful.

The decision to close off the city's port was taken by the fishermen's representatives after their meeting with the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos was fruitless. A.F.

[07] FISHERMEN DOCK BOATS INTO THESSALONIKI, VOLOS IN PROTEST OF FUEL TAX

[08] "THESSALONIKI CULTURAL CAPITAL" ORGANIZATION REFUTES REPORTS OF FOUL PLAY

The director of the "Thessaloniki, Cultural Capital of Europe '97" Organization Kostas Loizos has refuted the numerous press reports of foul play in the organization's finances.

Mr. Loizos said that those who are hurling these accusations are targeting aims that are contrary to the best interests of the cultural capital institution. A.F.

[09] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTRY TO CELEBRATE YEAR AGAINST RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA

Greece's Ministry of Public Order is to conduct a series of celebratory events to commemmorate 1997 as the year against racism and xenophobia.

Specifically, seminars will be held in nine cities throughout Greece, cengered around the thems of racism and xenophobia. These one-day seminars will be held during mid-April. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] CYPRUS' EU PRE-ACCESSION PROCEDURES TROUBLESOME

Cyprus' pre-accession procedures to the European Union don't appear to move on trouble-free.

In spite of the pressures exerted by the French, British and Germans during yesterday's EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Greece firmly refused to allow the inclusion in the "15"'s common statement of a reference to the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash which constitutes him as an equitable negotiator in the island's accession procedures.

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos spoke of underhanded and hostile behavior against Cyprus.

"The European Union belongs to no one. We will not accept bosses. If some have mistaken our modesty and willingness to cooperate as a weakness, they are wrong," Mr. Pangalos said. A.F.

[11] BRITISH SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY

Britain's special envoy to Cyprus Sir David Hannay is expected to arrive in Athens today where he will have talks with the Greek government within the framework of a new round of contacts he is performing in the region.

Sir Hannay embarked on these contacts yesterday in Ankara where he met with Inal Batu, assistant to the Turkish Foreign Minister. Mr. Hannay stated that Britain's aim is to embark on direct talks for the Cyprus issue within the year's first six months, pointing out that there are more opportunities for such talks today than there were in the past. A.F.

[12] THE EU-CYPRUS ASSOCIATION COUNCIL MEETS IN BRUSSELS THIS AFTERNOON

The EU-Cyprus Association Council meets in Brussels this afternoon without a political dialogue or a joint position by the EU partners and will deal with technical issues.

Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou characterized the policy followed by Britain, Germany and France as "a present to Turkey".

Meanwhile, Dutch EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek leaves tomorrow for Nicosia where he will have talks with the Cypriot government and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

According to European press reports today, there is blackmail coming from the three European countries which is in violation of the decisions made in two EU Summit meetings those held in Madrid, Spain and in Florence, Italy.

[13] EU TEMPORARILY FREEZES ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID TO ALBANIA

The European Union has decided to temporarily "freeze" the granting of additional economic aid to Albania, asking that the country proceed to new political and financial reforms.

The EU's 15 Foreign Ministers issued a common statement yesterday where they said that "under the present conditions, it is very significant that the Albanian government display respect towards the basic democratic principles and fulfil its international obligations."

This is apparently a clear reference to the Albanian police's violent interceptions during the mass rallies conducted by the people after the collapse of the get-rich-quick money-making schemes known as "pyramids". A.F.

[14] TURKISH AIRCRAFT VIOLATE CYPRUS' FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION

Two Turkish espionage aircraft, specially equipped for taking photographs, violated the Cypriot FIR yesterday during their flights to Israel.

The aircraft, which took off from the Eski Sehir military base, flew into the open regions of Apostle Andreas and Famagusta and then moved on Israel where they landed at Tel Aviv's airport.

Last Thursday the same aircraft violated Nicosia's FIR and flew above the sea regions of Rhodes-Cyprus and Pafos-Lemessos.

According to the National Guard's General Staff, the Turkish aircraft were searching for photo targets related to the Joint Defense Doctrine. A.F.

[15] KOSSOVO'S REBEL ORGANIZATION CALLS ALBANIANS TO AN UPRISE

A rebel organization in Kossovo that calls itself the "National Movememt for the Liberation of Kossovo" has called on the area's Albanian-speaking population to embark on an armed, populous uprising "against the Serb conqueror".

In a press release forwarded by the organization's members to Pristina's daily "Dnevi Telegrapgh", they write that "the recent terrorist acts performed by the Serb authorities against the Albanians, the arrests and the murders, all lead to the need to undertake the necessary measures for an armed uprising." They also add that this solution is a difficult one, but is the only one that leads to freedom and victory against the Serb conqueror. A.F.

[16] FINNISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION ON VISIT TO FYROM

A parliamentary delegation from Finland is currently conducting a visit to FYROM, in order to collect data of the activities performed by the peacekeeping mission UNPREDEP in Skopje.

Headed by the President of Finland's Parliamentary Commitee on Foreign Affairs Marku Alonen, the delegates met with the President of FYROM's Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and discussed the tasks of the peacekeeping missions and their contribution to peace and stability in the greater region.

The Finnish parliamentary delegation was also received by FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov and the President of FYROM's Parliament Tito Petkovski. A.F.

[17] THE VISITING LITHUANIAN PRESIDENT MET WITH THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IN ATHENS

Lithuanian President Brazauskas, who is on a 2-day formal visit to Greece, briefed Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on the course of the reforms taking place in his country in the political, social and economic sector.

Mr.Kaklamanis expressed satisfaction for the changes in Lithuania and underlined the Greek Parliament's sensitivity concerning the democratization procedures in the newly formed republic. He also reassured the Lithuanian President that the Greek Parliament will accelerate the process for the country's association with the EU.

The two men agreed on the strengthening of cooperation between the two Parliaments with the exchange of visits by Parliamentary delegations, while they underlined the importance of the education agreement they signed for the development of the cultural relations between the two countries.

[18] A PRE-CONDITION FOR CYPRUS' ACCESSION INTO THE EU IS THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO THE BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER

In an interview to the Athens newspaper "TA NEA", British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind expressed the position that the Cyprus problem must be resolved before Cyprus becomes an EU member.

Responding to the question if the EU must move ahead with the accession negotiations even if no solution is found for the Cyprus problem, mr.Rifkind stated that the way the accession negotiations will continue will depend on the prospects for a solution of the Cyprus problem. He said that the accession of a divided island would create serious problems for the EU and this is not a course the EU wants to follow. Mr.Rifkind stated that the two sides involved in the dispute should work in a constructive way to find a solution, taking advantage of the historical chance offered to them with the opening of the negotiations.

Mr.Rifkind clarified that his concerns over a Greek-Turkish armed conflict stemmed from the tension in the Aegean and were not related with the developments in Cyprus.

He said that relations between the EU and Turkey must be improved and that certain actions are necessary on behalf of Ankara, concerning human rights and the individual freedoms, adding that Turkey should also make an effort to contribute toward the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[19] VAROSIA WILL BE UNITED WITH THE REST OF FAMAGUSTA IF RUSSIAN S-300 MISSILES ARE DEPLOYED IN CYPRUS, ACCORDING TO OMER AKBEL

In case the Russian S-300 missiles are installed in Cyprus, then Varosia will be united with the rest of Famagusta, stated Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel, who responded negatively to a question made by a reporter on whether Turkey supports the march called by the Turkish extreme-right organization "Grey Wolves".

Meanwhile, the "Grey Wolves" are being prepared for the "mass" rally, as they call it, to Varosia that will be held on Sunday, March 2.

Yesterday, the leader of the "Grey Wolves" in the Turkish occupied territories and President of the Committee that undertook the organizing of the march, Mehmet Aslan stated in a press conference in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia that the settlement of Varosia concerns only the Turkish-Cypriots.

He said that in Sunday's rally there will be no demonstrators from Turkey, while he added that all necessary measures will be taken to avoid "provocations".

Mr.Mehmet Aslan stated to the Turkish-Cypriot newspaper "Ortam" and to the French News Agency that the "Grey Wolves" are determined to enter the fenced city.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller stated after yesterday's meeting with Britain's special envoy to Cyprus Sir David Hanney, that Turkey was always supporting direct talks between the two sides in Cyprus.

Referring to the deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus she stated that this action will not contribute to peace in the region and stated that the Turkish-Cypriot side and Turkey will not accept this.

[20] ARRESTED GREEK-CYPRIOT SENTENCED TO 8-DAYS IN JAIL BY PSEUDO-COURT IN TURKISH OCCUPIED PART OF CYPRUS

A pseudo-court in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus has sentenced the 23-year-old Greek-Cypriot Savvas Siderenou to eight days jail time for supposedly having violated the occupied region's borders.

The Greek-Cypriot was arrested last Friday in the Turkish occupied region of Achna where he drove his car by mistake after having gotten lost. A.F.

[21] AN ARRESTED GREEK-CYPRIOT WILL BE LED TODAY BEFORE A PSEUDO-COURT IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED PART OF CYPRUS

A pseudo-court in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus will decide on the release of 23yearold Greek-Cypriot Savvas Sidereniou.

According to the Australian police of the UN peace-keeping force, Sidereniou is being held in the so-called "central police station" in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia.

UNFICYP informed the Cypriot Police that the Greek-Cypriot needs special pills for his blood pressure and as it was made known the medicine will be delivered through the UN.

The Greek-Cypriot was arrested last Friday in the Turkish occupied region of Achna where he drove his car by mistake when he lost his way.

[22] BRITAIN AIMS AT THE OPENING OF DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE

Britain's special envoy to Cyprus Sir David Hanney stated during his visit to Turkey that his country aims at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem in the first six months of 1997 and at the opening of direct negotiations between the two sides in Cyprus.

He said to reporters that the fact that this is his third visit to Turkey is a proof that Britain wants to find a viable solution to the Cyprus issue, as well as that dialogue with the Turkish government is of vital importance.

From his part, Turkish assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Inal Batu expressed the belief that this is a period of mobility for the Cyprus problem and pointed out that Turkey expects from Britain to contribute significantly to the UN efforts for a solution.

[23] IRAN SUGGESTED TO BULGARIA THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NATURAL GAS PIPE LINE

Iran is ready to build a natural gas pipe line in Bulgaria which will be a branch of the existing pipe line in Turkey through and will carry Iranian natural gas to western Europe.

According to a report published in the Sofia newspaper "Demokratsia", the above were stated by the Iranian Ambassador to Sofia during his meeting with leader of Democratic Forces Union mr.Ivan Kostov. The Iranian diplomat also expressed his country's readiness to invest in the Bulgarian oil processing industry.

[24] AN IMF DELEGATION IS VISITING SOFIA

Bulgaria's caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Sofianski, during his meeting in Sofia today with a representative of the International Monetary Fund, expressed his government's readiness to help in the establishment of a Monetary Council in the country. The two sides also examined the issue of a new stabilization agreement between Bulgaria and the IMF.

After the meeting, the Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction for the talks and referred to the need of hammering out a programme that will be based on the consensus of all political forces and will open the way for the signing of a new agreement between Bulgaria and the IMF.

[25] EU WILLING AND READY TO GRANT AID TO BULGARIA

The European Union is closely watching the latest developments in Bulgaria, according to a press release issued after the completion of the third meeting of the EU-Bulgaria Association, held today in Brussels.

EU Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Hans Van Den Broek expressed his satisfaction at the measures taken by Sofianski's caretaker government, which aim at salvaging the country from the formidable economic crisis. Moreover, Mr. Van den Broek confirmed the EU's readiness and willingness to assist Bulgaria, albeit avoiding any mention of specific amounts and figures. A.F.

[26] SIEMENS SAYS KOZLODUI'S FIRST REACTOR IS SAFE

The Germany-based electronics company Siemens, confrimed today that the first reactor of Bulgaria's nuclear energy plant in Kozlodui is safe, according to assessments resluting from related checks.

Siemens also stated that this finding was reached at with the cooperation of the Russian energy institute "Kurcatov".

These findings were in turn approved by the Bulgarian Committee on Atomic Energy, during a meeting with European Union officials, and representatives from Russia and Germany. A.F.

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