Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-03-05

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, March 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] SIMITIS: ALL MEASURES TO PROTECT GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA HAVE BEEN TAKEN

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated today that the government has taken all the necessary measures to protect the Greek minority living in Albania and added that, beginning today, the European Union will move to promote a political soultion to the crisis.

Moreover, the Premier stated that the problem in the neighboring country is an issue of democracy, peaceful development of the political life and human rights. However, Mr. Simitis added that the crisis in Albania is an issue that not only concerns Greece and is certainly not an issue limited to the Greek minority.

Referring to his telephone conversation held this morning with Albanian President Sali Berisha, Mr. Simitis said that the Albanian head of state assured him he will do whatever possible to avoid the creation of a negative climate in regards to the Greek minority. A.F.

[02] GREEK PREMIER ASKS SALI BERISHA TO PROTECT GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

Greek Premier Kostas Simitis has asked Albanian President Sali Berisha to protect the Greek minority living in Albania, in light of the volatile situation in that country.

The Greek-Albanian border is being fortified and strong police forces are also being stationed there in order to avert a possible incoming wave of immigrants. Corfu's port authorities are to take additional guarding measures, according to Minister of Merchant Marine Stavros Soumakis.

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will submit a proposal to the Socialist International meeting today wherein he will ask that ways be found to end the crisis in Albania. The European Commission will also tackle the same problem today. A.F.

[03] PANGALOS: GREECE WILL PROTECT THE GREEK COMMUNITY AND WILL HELP THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE BUT WILL STOP A NEW WAVE OF REFUGEES

According to the Greek-American daily "Ethnikos Kirix", Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated in New York, after his meeting with Archbishop Spyridon, that Greece had suggested to its EU partners that a Council of Ministers had to meet to discuss the situation in Albania. He said that unfortunately the calls made by Greece found no response, possibly because the big powers want to be the only decision makers, but subsequent events have vindicated the Greek stance.

Mr.Pangalos said that everything possible will be done to lessen the suffering of the Albanian people, safeguard peace in Greece and protect it from an uncontrolable wave of refugees as well as, protect the Greek minority in Albania.

The Foreign Minister stressed that Greece suggests as a way out of the crisis the adoption of a process of understanding among all factors representing the Albanian people in an effort to reach an emergency solution.

Also, mr.Pangalos underlined the economic aid Greece gave to Albania by offering work to hundreds of thousands of its citizens, pointing out that there are limits to this by stressing that a new wave of refugees will not be allowed to enter the country. He said that the borders will be guarded and different forms of aid will be promoted.

[04] GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MR.KRANIDIOTIS WILL VISIT TIRANA POSSIBLY ON FRIDAY

According to information, a Greek government official will visit Tirana in the next few days. Based on the same information, is possible this official to be Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is likely to be in Albania next Friday with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo, who presides over the EU Council of Ministers.

Mr.Van Mierlo will be in Athens tomorrow for contacts with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Foreign Ministry officials.

Meanwhile, the volatile situation in Albania and Greece's initiatives for the defusing of the crisis and the protection of the Greek minority were at the center of the two-hour meeting the Prime Minister had with mr.Kranidiotis. Mr.Simitis was briefed on the diplomatic moves made by the Foreign Ministry and their results.

Mr.Kranidiotis stated after the meeting that Greece will send humanitarian aid to the neighbouring country only if it is requested by the Albanian government, while the government's goal is to activate international interest in order for Greece to have help in its efforts to protect the Greek minority in Albania.

Mr.Simitis also had a telephone contact with his Italian counterpart Romano Prodi and mr.Kranidiotis with EU Foreign Relations Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek.

[05] THE GREEK-AMERICANS HAVE MOBILIZED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

The Greek-Americans are greatly concerned over developments in Albania and especially over the fate of the Greek minority in the country, underlined the Greek-American National Council President Thodoros Spiropoulos in a press conference in Thessaloniki.

Mr.Spiropoulos pointed out that the Greek-American lobby is watching closely the events of the past weeks in Albania and especially those concerning the Greek minority in the country and reiterated the will for the protection of the Greek minority through the interventions of the US government which is especially sensitive to the humen rights protection issues.

[06] WE SHOULD SEND OFFICIALS TO TIRANA, SAYS GREEK FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER

A Greek former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias stated today that the Greek government should commission one of its ministers or a governmental delegation to Tirana, in order to make it clear to the Albanian government that the Greek minority must be protected.

Moreover, Mr. Papoulias said that he thinks Albanian President Sali Berisha is down to his last card and added that the only salvation for Albania is to form a government of national unity which would lead to democratic elections. A.F.

[07] GREEK JEWELLERS WILL PRESENT THEIR CREATIONS IN LAS VEGAS, USA

Gold and silver jewellery designed by Greek jewellers, characterized by high quality and unique taste, will travel to Las Vegas in the United States where they will be exhibited in the international fair "JCK SHOW" to be held on May 30-June 3.

Greece's official participation in the exhibition is organized by the Greek Foreign Trade Organization.

[08] GERMANY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE EVENTS IS NOTABLE

Germany's participation in the Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki '97" events is notable and includes art exhibitions, music and theater events, film screenings and special presentations.

The German participation is coordinated by the Goethe Institute which celebrates 42 years of continuous contribution to Thessaloniki's culture.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] ALBANIA: FIRST BATTLES BEGIN, SALI BERISHA ORDERS ATTACK ON AGII SARANTA

The Berisha regime in Albania appears determined to quash the rioting in the country's southern region where, in Agii Saranta specifically, troops are moving in on the city with tanks currently stationed at about 15 kilometers outside the city.

At the same time, the armed civilians in Agii Saranta are organizing their defense with the aid of former military officials who were dismissed form the armed forces when President Sali Berisha came to office.

Gunshots were heard throughout last night at Agii Saranta where government forces and armed protesters opened fire against one another. The situation in Vlore continues to be out of control.

Also according to reports provided by the Greek minority living in Albania, the troops opened fire last night in Delvino and said that there were several victims among the city's residents.

Meanwhile, the Albanian government's spokesperson has officially denied reports that those organizing the riots are persons who belong to the country's Greek minority. A.F.

[10] FOUR PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED IN DELVINO AND AGII SARANTA

Four people were wounded, one seriously, and were taken to a hospital in Agii Saranta. According to information, they were wounded this morning during an exchange of gun shots with the police in Delvino that lasted about an hour and a half and ended when the police forces withdrew.

Human Rights Party Parliament deputy Thomas Mitsiou and the hospital's administration requested medical supplies which have already been sent there from the island of Corfu.

It is possible that in any moment the armed clashes can turn into battles with unforeseeable consequencies, as many citizens are heavily armed. According to confirmed information, Albanian citizens hold 30 armoured tanks, a number of rockets as well as thousands of Kalaznikovs.

Outside Agii Saranta, armed demonstrators seized an armoured tank this morning which had fired a warning shot to a hill near the city, while since this morning two war planes have been flying over the region.

[11] PRESIDENT OF OMONIA SAYS THAT GREEK STORES WERE PILLAGED IN DROPOLIS

Most of Greek-owned stores in Dropolis were pillaged durinng the course of last night, said the president of the Greek minority organization in Albania "Omonia" G. Labovitiades.

"The looters destroyed everything," Mr. Labovitiades told the Macedonian Press Agency. "They stole goods and kept shooting in the air throughout the night, but we're not going to play their game, we remain calm and determined to protect our estates and families."

The President of Omonia added that the situation is Albania is "bad" and the presence of armed policemen and troops in the streets is heavily felt. Mr. Labovitiades added that the Sali Berisha regime is trying to present the country's Greek minority as being one of the "subvertive factors" responsible for the situation in the south's larger cities.

Meanwhile, an MPA correspondent currently in Albania, said that two Albanian villages lived by Greeks -Georgousates and Vrysera- were quiet last night, as opposed to the night before when they were pillaged by armed looters. Both of these villages were protected throughout the night by police and army forces. Nevertheless, the Greek-origin villagers are quite alarmed and want to abandon their houses and flee to Greece. A.F.

[12] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CRISIS IN ALBANIA

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis ripping Albania apart are being intensified throughout the international community as the European Union has been tackling the issue since this morning in a meeting initiated by Greek Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo is to travel to Tirana today, while the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announced today that Austria's former chancellor Franz Vranitski has been commissioned to Albania in order to find ways to restore order and promote political dialogue among the opposing forces.

Both the EU and the United States, as well as Russia, have asked the Albanian government to begin negotiations at once with all of the country's political forces in order to rise above the deadlock and overcome the threat of civil war. A.F.

[13] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY SAYS TURKEY'S REQUEST TO ENTER EU IS "UNACCEPTABLE"

[14] THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ASKED THE OSCE TO SEND A DELEGATION TO TIRANA

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel asked OSCE President Danish Foreign Minister mr.Petersen to send a high level three- member delegation to Tirana to mediate for the defusing of the situation in Albania.

Also, mr.Kinkel called on his Albanian counterpart to give his assent to the OSCE mission which will also safeguard the freedom of press in the country and will do everything possible for the protection of the 168 Germans currently in Albania.

Already, the OSCE has announced that former Chancellor of Austria Frants Vranitski will undertake the mission to go to Albania to examine ways for the restoration of order in the country and to promote political dialogue between the rival sides.

Earlier, mr.Kinkel had protested strongly to the Albanian side for the attacks against the mass media among them German private radio and television crews.

Mr.Kinkel has already stated that he supports a European Union mission to Tirana, a proposal that has been adopted by France.

The European Union, the United States and Russia have called the Albanian government to start negotiations immediately with all political forces in Albania aimed at finding a way out of the crisis and avoid civil war.

[15] TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED BY AN EXPLOSION IN THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO PRISTINA

Two people were injured in Pristina this morning by a bomb mechanism that was hidden in garbage-cans in front of the building where the Philosophy School of the University of Pristina is housed.

The explosion caused serious damage to neigbouring buildings and strong police forces have surrounded the center of the city. According to information, the explosion was a terrorist attack.

[16] THE ALBANIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS WILL VISIT STRASBURG

The presidents of all major opposition parties in Albania and the Presiding Board of the "Forum for Democracy" will visit Strasburg during the European Parliament's plenary session that will be held on March 10-13 responding to an invitation of political groups in the Euro-Parliament issued on the initiative of Greek Euro-deputy Alekos Alavanos from the party Coalition of the Left.

In Strasburg they will meet with President of the EU Council of Ministers Dutch Foreign Minister mr.Van Mierlo, EU Foreign Relations Commissioner mr.Van Den Broek and also with the Presidents of the political groups in the European Parliament.

[17] THE ALBANIAN PARTIES IN FYROM EXPRESSED SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT BERISHA

The leaders of the Albanian parties in FYROM expressed their support to Albanian President Sali Berisha.

In statements they made to the Skopje newspaper "Flaka", which were re-published in today's issue of the semi-official newspaper "Nova Makedonia", the leaders of the Albanian-speaking population in FYROM expressed their support to the suppressive measures imposed by the Berisha regime, stating that they were necessary for the protection of Albania's national interest and the restoration of calm in the country.

[18] THE CENTER-RIGHT PARTIES IN EUROPE ARE AGAINST TURKEY'S ACCESSION INTO THE EU

Ankara suffered another blow to its EU membership plans when during yesterday's extraordinary meeting of the European Popular Party held in Brussels, six leaders of center-right parties in Europe, among them German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the Prime Ministers of Italy and Spain, expressed their opposition to Turkey's accession into the EU characterizing its demand as unacceptable.

In the meeting was unanimously agreed that this country's accession can not take place, while the leader of the Conservative opposition in Portugal pointed out in his speech that human rights are not being respected in Turkey.

[19] TURKEY IS THE MAIN HEROIN TRAFFICKING ROUTE, ACCORDING TO US STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT

The Ankara english-speaking newspaper "Daily News" published facts included in the annual US State Department report on illegal drug trafficking and especially the chapter on Turkey, observing that in the report is underlined that Turkey is the main drug trafficking route especially for heroin which comes from countries in south-western Asia and is destined for the European markets and to a lesser degree for the United States' market.

In the report is underlined that the Susurluk scandal brought to light the corruption among the Turkish officials while it is pointed out that the corruption of the Turkish officials and the money laundering have become the main issues on the daily political agenda in Turkey.

It is also mentioned in the report, that up to 75% of the heroin seized in Europe has been processed in Turkey or has arrived through this country. According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, it is estimated that 4-6 metric tons of heroin leave each month from Turkey having as destination Western Europe.

Also, is mentioned that money laundering is extensive in Turkey and it is done through casinos or construction companies, as huge sums of "dirty" money come from illegal drug trafficking and other related sources. The newspaper concludes by mentioning that Turkey is included in the list of "high priority" countries as far as money laundering is concerned.

[20] THE FIRST STAGE OF PRIVATIZATIONS IN FYROM WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1997

The privatization of all state companies in FYROM, that are included in the first stage of the privatization process, will be completed by the end of the first half of 1997.

According to the Skopje magazine "PULS", of the 1.216 state companies on the privatization process, 914 had entered the private sector in 1996.

The profits already made by FYROM's Privatization Organization are 2,35 billion DM, while the profits estimated for this year will be 734,5 million DM.

[21] HALF OF BULGARIA'S ELECTRICITY IS PRODUCED IN KOZLODUI

The new head of Bulgaria's Committee on Atomic Energy Vladimir Christov stated that Kozlodui's electricity-producing nuclear plant is safe, and was quick to criticize the Bulgarian Minister of Energy Georgu Stoilov who had previously stated that Kozlodoui is actually a dangerous place.

According to Mr. Christov, the samples taken from the plant's first nuclear reactor prove that the plant can function for another three-to-four years, while additional analyses will be performed to determine the exact limit of the plant's operational ability.

Moreover, Mr. Christov emphasized that this plant produces more than half of all of Bulgaria's electrical energy. A.F.

[22] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS ON TURKEY'S PRACTICE OF TORTURING YOUNG CHILDREN

The European Union is accused of having turned a blind eye to Turkey's torturing practices on children, in a report published by Amnesty International.

The internationally-recognized organization condemns the Turkish authorities for torturing young children, at times even using the most painful method of electroshock.

According to Amnesty International, the EU has adopted this "hear-no-evil, see-no-evil" stance in order to maintain its good ties with Turkey.

"The sought-after security and political interests have averted a strong reaction to the United Nations Committee for Human Rights," Amnesty International reports, adding that "this must not be allowed to continue."

The report also counts a number of cases of missing individuals and reports that there has been a worrisome increase in torture-violence committed against children during 1995 and 1996.

The organization proposes that the EU make efforts to convince the Turkish government that it should cooperate with the UN specialists and its task force on missing individuals. A.F.

[23] CONFLICT IN ALBANIA REACHES A PEAK, AN END IS NOT IN SIGHT

The Albanian government's spokesperson once again this evening officially denied reports that those organizing the riots are persons who belong to the country's Greek minority. A.F.

[24] GREEK ARMY AND POLICE PLACED ON ALERT IN GREEK-ALBANIAN BORDER

[25] TRAFFIC AT YUGOSLAVIA-ALBANIA BORDERS IS REDUCED, YET TROUBLE FREE

Transportation at the Albania-Yugoslavia borders is carried out normally, albeit reduced, while at certain sections which border with Montenegro the situation is so calm that nothing indicates the chaotic climate existing further into the Albanian land.

Border officials stated that while certain measures of increased watch have been taken at the Albania-Federal Republic of Yugoslaiva borders, nothing extraordinary is actually happening.

The main reason is that the situation in Albania's northern region, which borders with Yugoslavia, is calm and can in no way be compared to the crisis that has erupted in the country's southern region. A.F.

[26] TURKISH AID FORWARDED TO BULGARIA

Humanitarian aid has been forwarded by Turkey to Bulgaria, albeit with the indication that the hefty amounts of food stuffs be dispersed to the Muslims community.

Specifically, Ankara has forwarded 10,000 USD worth of flour, pasta and oil, to be dispersed to child care centers and poor families in the city of Kirtzali in South Bulgaria. Another humanitarian aid mission is to be sent from Turkey by the end of this month. A.F.

[27] TURK SENTENCED BY BULGARIAN COURT ON CHARGES OF ESPIONAGE

A Turkish citizen, Kamouran Dogou, has been sentenced to ten years in jail by a Bulgarian court, on the count of espionage.

According to data submitted by the prosecution, between 1992- 94 Dogou, posing as a businessman, gained access to classified information pertaining to the outfitting and staffing of military units stationed in Bulgaria's border region of Svilengraad and Ljubmec, as well as the arrangement of military helicopters throughout Bulgaria.

According to testimony, Dogu had the acquaintance of several persons working with the Turkish anti-terrorist services and had access to off-limits areas where he was accompanied by both military officials and leaders of the Moslim "Movement of Rights and Freedoms".

After the Court of Plovdiv announced a guilty verdict, Dogu's defense attorney threatened that the sentence endangers the relations between Bulgaria and Turkey. 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/