Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-02-28

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, February 28, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS MET WITH NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL XAVIER SOLANA

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis characterized as very constructive and useful the meeting he had with NATO Secretary- General Xavier Solana in Athens today, held in the presence of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Defence Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

The Prime Minister stated that the meeting focused on the important developments expected to take place this year. He said that the North Atlantic Alliance is in a process of reorganization which will affect its military and political wing, adding that decisions must be made and the discussion held was aimed at getting those decisions underway. Mr.Simitis said that the meeting was aimed at clarifying which are the shared positions, how the talks will continue and which will be the procedure that will be followed for the preparation of the Summit in Madrid.

Mr.Simitis added that NATO must contribute to peace and stability in the whole of Europe and for this reason, he raised to mr.Solana the Greek-Turkish issues, the Cyprus issue, the alliance's expansion eastwards, as well as the relations with Russia.

In conclusion, mr.Simitis expressed the belief that today's meeting will contribute to the clarification of the shared positions and Greece's common course with NATO.

The NATO Secretary-General stated regarding the Papoulias- Yilmaz memorandum that efforts had been made last year to put into effect certain of its points, adding that NATO wants more of its points to be put into effect before the Summit meeting in Madrid.

[02] SIMITIS-SOLANA MEETING IN ATHENS DEEMED AS CONSTRUCTIVE

The Turkish provocations in the Aegean Sea and Cyprus, as well as the Alliance's eastward expansion were the key subjects during the talks held in Athens today between Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana, with Greece's Defense and Foreign Ministers attending.

Mr. Simitis insisted that the Papoulias-Yimaz memorandum of 1988 (named after the then-foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey respectively) concerning Greek-Turkish relations be applied. Mr. Solana, stated that efforts to apply certain sections of this memorandum were made last year.

"NATO would like most of these points to be enforced before the Madrit Summit," Mr. Solana said.

Premier Simitis characterized his meeting with Mr. Solana as constructive and useful. At the same time, Ankara proceeded to new procovations, by claiming that there are 937 islets in the Aegean, some of which belonged to the Ottomans, and today belong to their descendants.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to depart for the United States tomorrow where he is to attend the Byzantine art exhibit's inauguration at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to reports, Mr. Pangalos may meet with U.S. Secretary of State Madleine Albright during his stay in the U.S. A.F.

[03] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADERSHIP BATTLE IN THESSALONIKI THIS WEEKEND

The main opposition (New Democracy) party's four contenders will cross swords this weekend in Thessaloniki where the party's pre-congress will take place.

The four nominees, who are current President Miltiades Evert, George Souflias, Kostas Karamanlis and Byron Polydoras, are to develop their policy programs and positions regarding the party's statutes.

President Evert arrived in town this afternoon, Mr. Karamanlis this evening, while Msgrs. Souflias and Polydoras are expected this evening. A.F.

[04] STRIKING TEACHERS AND GOVERNMENT REACH IMPASSE

The deadlock in Greece's secondary education sector is continuing, as the high school teachers just completed six weeks of continuous strikes while Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis doesn't seem willing to satisfy their economic demands.

The secretary-general of the teachers national union OLME said that the government did not try to provide solutions that would have led to a resolution of the differences. A.F.

[05] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT ARRIVES AT THE HAGUE

The President of Greece's Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis is currently at the Hague where he is attending the informal conference of the presidents of parliaments of European Union member-states.

In his address, Mr. Kaklamanis pointed out the difficulties faced within the community in forming common positions over the role that the national parliaments should play in the EU's internal affairs.

Moreover, Mr. Kaklamanis referred to the Hellenic Parliament's initiative in organizing two significant conferences in Athens, one being the Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Cooperation of the Black Sea countries and the other being the Conference of Parliament Presidents of Mediterranean countries.

Mr. Kaklamanis proposed that a special task group be formed which will organize a document of common positions which, after it gains approval at the Helsinki Conference, will be formally submitted to the European Council at Amsterdam in June. A.F.

[06] THE GREEK CANDIDATURE FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL IS BEING PROMOTED

The first round of exploratory contacts Greek permanent representative in the UN Ambassador Christos Zacharakis has in New York, which are aimed at winning Greece's election to the UN Security Council for the period 1999-2000, will be completed next week.

The reactions are positive and Greece's argument that all countries should be elected to the UN Security Council, is being adopted by many countries, while among the Greek arguments is also the fact that Greece has been elected to the UN Security Council only once in the beginning of the 1950's.

Nevertheless, many delegations are stressing the fact that Canada and Holland, two other candidates for the UN Security Council, have participated in peace missions in many regions of the world, while they have also mediated for peace solutions in war ravaged regions.

Those remarks lead the Greek delegation to the conclusion that Canada's candidature is especially strong.

[07] NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA IN ATHENS TO MEET WITH PREMIER SIMITIS

The NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana is in Athens today, bearing proposals on ways to reduce the tension n Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Solana will meet with Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the two men will discuss the possibility of extending the flights moratorium over the Aegean for at least two months.

Meanwhile, Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos asked international organizations to bring the Mediterranean's number one destabilizing factor, that is Turkey, back to order. A.F.

[08] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADERSHIP CONTENDERS IN THESSALONIKI FOR PRE- CONGRESS

Main opposition (New Democracy) party deputy Kostas Karamanlis is the newest -and youngest- nominee for the party's leadership, as he officially announced his candidacy last night.

As such, the contenders for the party's top seat now number four, as they are, aside from current President Miltiades Evert, Kostas Karamanlis, Byron Polydoras and George Souflias. The four contenders will be in Thessaloniki today where they will attend the party's pre-congress meeting to be held during the weekend. A.F.

[09] PASOK DEPUTY IN GERMANY TO BE AWARDED BY GERMAN-GREEK ASSC. UNION

PASOK parliamentarian and former alternate Foreign Minister George-Alexandros Magakis is currently in Germany where he is to be awarded by the Union of German-Greek Associations, for his contribution to the promotion of bilateral relations between the two countries.

During his three-day stay in Munich, Mr. Magakis will meet with the President of the German-Hellenic Parliamentary Group of the Federal Parliament Ziegrid Scarpelis-Sperc. The two will speak at a press conference over matters concerning Greece. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] ZACHARAKIS: THE TALKS WITH FYROM ARE AT A NON PRODUCTIVE STAGE

Greece's permanent representative in the United Nations Ambassador Christos Zacharakis stated, speaking to reporters in New York, that talks with FYROM on the name that will be finally used by this country, are at a non productive stage.

Mr.Zacharakis also stated that there was no change, or development that could lead to the end of the negotiations.

According to the Greek Ambassador, the next meeting will be held on March 26 or 27 and its prospects are completely unknown, as he characteristically said, while he denied the scenarios based on which, UN special mediator Cyrus Vance is about to return his mandate, stressing that on behalf of the UN there is the intention and the willingness for the continuation of the talks.

[11] STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: PANGALOS AND ALBRIGHT MAY MEET IN MARCH

United States State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns has stated that a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Madleine Albirght and Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos may occur during the beginning of March.

Specifically, Mr. Burns stated that "Ms. Albright hopes that both officials will find the free time to meet", adding that the State Department is aware that Mr. Pangalos will be in New York to attend the Byzantine art exhibit at the city's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

He added that "our relations with Greece are very significant and Ms. Albright holds Mr. Pangalos at high esteem." A.F.

[12] MILITARY DIALOGUE IN CYPRUS IS STAGNANT DUE TO THE TURKISH SIDE'S OBSTRUCTIONISM AND INTRANSIGENCE

The military dialogue in Cyprus is stagnant due to the obstructionism and the intransigence of the Turkish side.

According to the Cypriot Broadcasting Company, the Cypriot government has suggested the disengagement talks to start from Louroudzina and Lefka, while the UN wants them to start from the regions of Nicosia, a demand that favours the Turkish side.

The Cypriot radio and television maintains that in case the dialogue proceeds in Nicosia based on the UNFICYP proposals, populated areas will be unprotected. The Turks react concerning Louroudzina because the small church of the Holy Cross and the surrounding hills will be placed under UN control.

[13] THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT BONN ON MARCH 10

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides will start a campaign next month for the promotion of all aspects of the Cyprus problem, as well as the positions of the Cypriot government on the issue of the EU accession.

The Cypriot minister will tour the European capitals and on March 10 will visit Bonn where he will meet with his German counterpart Klaus Kinkel.

During his visit to Germany, mr.Michaelides will also visit Berlin for a series of consultations and contacts on the Cyprus problem.

[14] FRANCE RECOGNIZES ONE GOVERNMENT IN CYPRUS

The international recognition of one legitimate government in Cyprus was reiterated by France through the French Foreign Ministry spokesman.

In his statements it was made clear that on the issue of Cyprus' accession into the EU, France supports the March 6, 1995 decision which determines that the accession should be for the benefit of all communities and peace.

The French Foreign Ministry spokesman underlined that the accession negotiations will be made with one Cypriot state, the one that is internationally recognized, while he stated that France wants the Cypriot delegation, that will undertake the future negotiations, to be able to represent the total of the island's population.

[15] FORMER MONARCH MICHAIL IS TO VISIT ROMANIA

Former monarch Michail is expected to arrive in Romania today for a six-day visit after the Romanian government decision to reinstate his Romanian citizenship.

In spite of the fact that this is a private visit, during his stay Michail will have talks with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and other government officials, while he will also be received by President Constantinescu, who will give a formal dinner in his honour in the former Royal Palace.

Former King Michail will stay at the Elisabeta Palace, where 50 years ago he had signed his abdication.

[16] STUDENTS' DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE IN FYROM

With main slogan "One state - One nation", hundreds of students continued their protests yesterday in FYROM's capital of Skopje, against the law allowing the use of the Albanian language in the Education Department of the city's University.

According to the mass media, the university's students' union announced that it will begin an information campaign directed at the foreign diplomatic missions in Skopje. Already, students' representatives met yesterday with the French Ambassador, while today are expected to visit the Russian Embassy.

[17] BERISHA IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOMINEE FOR THE ALBANIAN PRESIDENCY

Albanian President Sali Berisha will be the Democratic Party's nominee for re-election to the country's Presidency.

The decision was made through a secret ballot during the meeting of the party's National Council in which participated 90 of its 140 members. For Berisha voted 85 members while 5 abstained. According to the state television, 14 council members were absent for different reasons.

Speaking in the meeting of the National Council, after the decision was announced, mr.Berisha stated that the government will not meet the demands of the hunger strikers in the southern Albanian city of Vlore, who are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Meksi's government, while they also demand the compensation of the investors who lost their life savings in the collapsed "pyramid" investment schemes.

Sali Berisha was elected President of the Albanian Republic on April 9, 1992 and according to the Albanian Constitution, the President's term must be renewed by the Albanian Parliament with the election of a new President or the re-election of the incumbent President, one month before the end of the President's five-year term.

[18] TURKISH SECURITY POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON REACTIONARY ACTIVITIES TARGETING THE SECULAR STATE

A report drawn up by the Turkish Security Police Department concerning reactionary activities that are targeting the Turkish secular state, is expected to be put up for discussion in Turkey's National Security Council that meets today.

According to the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet", in the report that was put to the attention of President Demirel, is mentioned that certain moves have been made targeting the Turkish secular state and which are aimed at establishing an islamist state in Turkey that will be governed based on religious regulations. In the report is included detailed information on the strategy and the activities of certain religious groups and tendencies that exist in Turkey.

"Milliyet" stresses that in the report are mentioned and the methods that will be followed by those groups to achieve their goals and which will be applied in three stages namely, proselytism, founding of communities and finally, armed struggle for the establishment of an islamist state.

[19] THE EU WILL NOT RECOGNIZE RAUF DENKTASH'S "STATE", SAYS VAN DEN BROEK

The European Union's Dutch Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek stated today that the EU cannot recognize the self-called "state" of Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Mr. Van Den Broek asked Mr. Denktash to bring his community out of the isolation and exile.

Specifically, Mr. Van Den Broek said "I told Mr. Denktash 'don't ask us, the European Union, to recognize the state in nortern Cyprus. No one in the world recognizes it, expect from Turkey, and we want to uphold the United Nations' regulations and resolutions.' "

Moreover, the Dutch Commissioner said that Cyprus' negotiations for accession to the EU will begin as planned, sans conditions. A.F.

[20] HANS VAN DEN BROEK: CYRPUS IS EU'S PRIORITY ISSUE FOR 1997

Dutch EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek stated that the European Union considers the embarkment of direct negotiations for the Cyprus issue within this year as being a top priority matter, and, as such, the community is committed to help in finding a solution to the problem.

Moreover, Mr. Van Den Broek said that his efforts to inform the Turkish-Cypriot community for the benefits gained by entering the EU were not in vain. Moreover, he said that a third country does not have the right to exercise veto power over the accession of a new member-state to the EU, and he added that he conveyed this point of view to Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides emphasized that Cyprus' wish is to gain accession to the EU, yet the matter of resolving the Cyprus issue is of greater concern.

Moreover, the Cypriot official critisized certain EU member- states which, through their stances, relay a message that they link the island's accession to the EU with the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Mr. Michaelides stated that this line of thinking is damaging to Cyprus since it gives the wrong message to Ankara. A.F.

[21] ANKARA IN CRISIS, DEMIREL WARNS ERBAKAN AND ADVISES CILLER TO WITHDRAW

Turkey appears to be undergoing a constitutional crisis as President Suleiman Demirel is said to have forwarded a letter to Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan wherein he warns that the government's actions are jeopardizing Turkey's cosmic character.

Also, according to reports stemming from the Turkish privately-owned television station UBA, President Demirel is said to have asked Foreign Minister and deputy Premier Tansu Ciller to withdraw from the coalition government.

However, both Mr. Erbakan and Ms. Ciller have denied having received such letter from the President. A.F.

[22] MICHAIL, THE FORMER KING OF ROMANIA, ARRIVES IN BUCHAREST TODAY

Amidst strong security forces, Romania's former monarch Michail arrived in Bucharest today, this being the first time he returns to his country after the government decided to reinstate his citizenship rights.

The bodyguards were present to protect the former king from the disgruntled opposition supporters who fear that the government might attempt to give him back the estate once belonging to the kingdom.

During his six-stay stay, Michael will meet with Romanian Premier Victor Corbea, Foreign Minister Adrian Severin and will also be received by President Emil Constantinescu, who will host a formal dinner in his honour in the former Royal Palace. A.F.

[23] AUSTRALIA: 19 INJURED BY CHLORIDE BOMB ATTACK AT A MALL IN SIDNEY

At least 19 persons suffered injuries from fumes and smoke inhalation when a chloride bomb was exposed today at a busy shopping centre in Sidney, Australia.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet, although three days ago another bomb was found at the same mall and was extinguished by the local police. A.F.

[24] RADICAL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS SPROUTING UP ALL OVER TURKEY, SAYS MIT

A sharp increase of radical religious organizations has been noted in Turkey lately, posing an apparent threat to the country's cosmic make-up since they provide the Turkish with an alternative to the Islam, according to Turkey's secret service MIT.

The relevant report was presented by the MIT during today's National Security Council, currently being held in Ankara amidst a tense climate that stems from the evident separation between the country's presidency and armed forces, on one hand, and the Erbakan-Ciller coalition government on the other. A.F.

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