Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-03-14

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, March 14, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] AN INITIATIVE BY GREECE AND THE OSCE IS IN PROGRESS IN ALBANIA

The crisis in Albania continues, while an initiative undertaken by Greece and the OSCE is underway aimed at defusing the tension.

This morning a meeting was held on board an Italian Navy frigate in the port of Vlora with the participation of newly appointed Albanian Prime Minister Baskim Fino, representatives of the new Albanian government, OSCE mediator Frants Vranitski and Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, while since noon today mr.Kranidiotis and mr.Vranitski are holding meetings with leaders of the insurgents.

Also, in Vlora are meeting representatives of the insurgents in south Albania to form a committee and to elect a representative who will participate in the negotiations with members of the Albanian government.

During the night, the clashes in Tirana continued and 10 people were killed while at least 100 were injured. Similar incidents took place in the city of Skodra where 3 people were killed.

Tension is reported along the Greek-Albanian border and many police officers have joined the insurgents.

The Greek Consulate in south Albania has closed and its personnel is on stand-by, while outside the residence of Consul General Nikos Kanellos a large crowd has gathered demanding a visa in order to find refuge in Greece.

During the night, a group of unidentified persons robbed a bank in Argirokastro using an armoured tank, while a clinic was seized by a number of families.

The reports on the fate of President Berisha are conflicting and as it was made known yesterday, he has already sent his family to Italy for safety reasons, while the jailed Socialist leader Fatos Nano has escaped from prison and is now free.

[02] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT WATCHES CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA

The Greek government watches closely the developments in Albania, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Parliament today responding to a demand for a meeting of all political party leaders to assess the situation in the neighbouring country, made by a New Democracy deputy.

Earlier in the morning, mr.Simitis and the President of the Western European Union had discussed in Parliament the developments in Albania and also, the ways in which the European states can react in case the situation deteriorates further.

Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the objective of Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and OSCE mediator Frants Vranitski is to hold discussions with President Berisha, the new government and representatives of the insurgents in an effort to reach an understanding and find a political solution to the crisis.

Mr.Reppas said that the Greek government is ready to undertake any initiative to prevend civil war from erupting in the neighbouring country, while he said that Sali Berisha has not requested political asylum in Greece and therefore, the government has not dealt with this likelihood.

In the informal meeting of the EU Council of Ministers tomorrow will participate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. Mr.Pangalos spoke yesterday with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo, who presides in the EU Council of Foreign Ministers and also with his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini, while he had a cooperation with US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles.

[03] ALBANIA IS A VOLCANO READY TO ERUPT, SAYS GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER

Albania is a volcano ready to erupt, said the Greek Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos this evening, pointing out that if one does not pay attention to the reasons that drive this eruption in Albania, then there is a danger for more such crises arising.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that Albania is in need of immediate help, adding that the Greek government, in cooperation with other governments, is moving towards a program of productive reformation of the neighboring country.

"It is clear that Greece has a special interest over the developments in Albania, since any whatsoever negative developments will affect us directly since they will lead to the de-stabilization of the wider area," the Defense Minister said, adding that, of course, we are interested in the security of the Greek ethnic minority.

On other matters, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos referred to the Greek- Turkish relations and reiterated that there is nothing to negotiate with Turkey and that Greece will not accept any doubts over its sovereign rights and change the status quo in the Aegean Sea.

Seeking recourse at the International Court of Justice at The Hague for the Imia islets, and the precise application of the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum of 1988 (the then-foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, repsectively) are the two basic prerequisites that have to be met before Greece conducts talks with Turkey, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said. A.F.

[04] THE CENTRAL LEFT'S CHALLENGES DISCUSSED IN ATHENS TODAY

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the leader of Italy's Democratic Party of the Left Massimo d'Alema are to hold a discussion on "The 12 Challenges of the Central Left" in Athens today. While representatives of Greece's political parties will be present at these talks, the Communist Party of Greece has opted to refrain. A.F.

[05] GREECE'S UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN TIRANA TODAY

Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis is to travel to Tirana today, along with Franz Vranitski, the representative of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Msgrs. Kranidiotis and Vranitski will meet with government officials, as well as with representatives of the rioters. This will be the first time that representatives of the international community will meet with the rioters.

The Albanian crisis is to be at the center of talks during today's informal ministerial council of the European Union, where Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will also be present. A.F.

[06] GREECE WILL SEND ARMY REGIMENT TO ALBANIA IF INT/L ORGANIZATION DECIDES SO

Greece's General Staff leaders have proposed to the National Defense Ministry that an army regiment be sent to Albania within the framework of an multinational force, if an international organization decides to do so.

Meanwhile, an attempt to get about 40 Greeks out of Albania is currently under development.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas stated that there are three navy ships currently stationed near Dyrachio and are waiting to be given orders to sail into port so that they can receive the Greek passengers. At the same time, a crowd a Albanian residents are currently at the port, threatening to take over the ships so that they can escape to Greece or Italy.

Considered as an alternative is to send a transport aircraft C-130 although this is deemed as difficult since the Tirana airport is closed and is in the hands of the armed rioters.

Mr. Bikas said that the situation in Albania is out of control, with almost all civilians being armed. A.F.

[07] 44 GREEKS WERE EVACUATED FROM ALBANIA ON A MISSILE-CARRIER

Forty four Greeks, businessmen and private citizens, who lived in Albania boarded, without any problem, a Greek missile- carrier at the port of Durres with destination the Ionian island of Corfu.

The 44 Greeks, accompanied by diplomatic personnel from the Greek Embassy, left Tirana this morning and arrived by car in Durres. As it was made known, the Greek diplomats will remain in Tirana.

In the port of Durres had arrived the Greek frigate "Egeon" and Greek Navy divers to assist if necessary in the safe transport of the Greek nationals.

[08] AN ATHENS' COURT RULED THAT THE TEACHERS STRIKE IS UNLAWFUL

A court in Athens issued a decision today on the appeal made by 4 parents of secondary school students, ruling that the teachers' strike is unlawful and ordering the end of their mobilizations.

This development is characterized as decisive for the future of the teachers' mobilizations on the continuation of which will decide today the local teachers' unions.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] BERISHA IS NOT RESIGNING, DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES INTENSIFY

Albanian President Sali Berisha is determined not to succumb to the pressures of the rioting civilians in southern Albania and has stated that he will not resign. He is to meet this evening with Premier Bashkim Fino.

The situation throughout the country remains critical as shots are ripping the air in most cities.

According to the Albanian Telegraph Agency "ATA", the President and the government have requested military aid from the European Union.

Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and OSCE's envoy Franz Vranitski continue their contacts with all sides, including the rioters. A.F.

[10] FOREIGNERS FLEE ALBANIAN GROUNDS

Foreigners are fleeing Albania in a mass exodus that has peaked today, as helicopters from the United States, Germany, Italy and other western countries are providing airlifts, while Greek and Italian ships are also boarding foreign nationals. Hundreds of Albanians, among them officials from the previous government, have fled to Italy. Six helicopters and ten missile carriers of Albania have landed in Italy and their crews are requesting asylum.

President Sali Berisha's two children sought refuge in Italy yesterday. A.F.

[11] GREEK EU COMMISSIONER PAPOUTSIS RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT CLERIDES IN CYPRUS

Greece's Commissioner in the European Union Christos Papoutsis was received by Cypriot President Glakfos Celrides in Cyprus today, where the two men discussed issues concerning Cyprus, the island's accession to the EU and the overall developments in Europe.

Mr. Papoutsis is to also meet with the President of the Cypriot Parliament Spyros Kyprianou, Archbishopric Chrysostomos, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Trade, Industry and Tourism, Alekos Michaelides and Kyriakos Christofis, respectively. A.F.

[12] GREEK-AMERICAN MISSIONARIES AND ARCHBISHOPRIC CLERICS ARE IN ALBANIA

Missionaries of the Archbishopric of America and Greek- American clerics are in Albania along with their families, among the 2,000 U.S. citizens who are currently in the crisis-torn country, according to the Archbishopric.

The Archbishop of America Spyridon expressed his concern over the developments in Albania and said that he hopes that the clerics will be able to overcome this crisis and return home safely.

According to reports given from the US Embassy in Tirana, the US citizens are being removed from Albania through airlifts. A.F.

[13] CYPRUS' EUROPEAN ORIENTATION IS A GIVEN, STATED MR.PAPOUTSIS

Cyprus' European orientation is firm and its European prospect is a given and therefore, this prospect is not subjected to terms and blackmail by third countries. The above were stated by Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis in a lecture he gave in Nicosia on the small and medium sized businesses.

Mr.Papoutsis was received this morning by Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides, Parliament President Spyros Kyprianou, Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrisostomos and Minister of Industry and Tourism mr.Christofis.

The Greek EU Commissioner stated that the European Union hopes that the accession prospect will facilitate the progress toward the solution of the Cyprus problem and taking under consideration that that the EU membership concerns the whole of the island, the European Commission has undertaken to brief the Turkish-Cypriots on the benefits that will come from the accession into the EU, in consultation with the Cypriot government. In his speech, he also mentioned that the need for the briefing of the Turkish-Cypriots, which is aimed at easing their concerns, can not lead to misinterpretations.

Mr.Papoutsis also clarified that the official negotiations with the EU for Cyprus' membership will be made only by the legal and internationally recognized government of the Cypriot Republic.

[14] CRISIS REACHES TIRANA, TEN DEAD, OVER 100 INJURED

The crisis has spread throughout Albania, as the government's forces are unable to control the capital, Tirana. According to reports, ten persons were killed and over 100 were injured during exchange of fire that occurred last night in the capital.

Reports bring Albanian President Sali Berisha as having left the country, while his family is said to have fled to Italy.

Meanwhile, the Tirana state-owned radio station began its broadcast again this morning after it had gone off the air last night, but there was no mention of the conflicts that ripped the city apart throughout the night. A.F.

[15] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS TO CONVENE INFORMALLY TOMORROW IN HOLLAND

The European Union's Dutch Presidency believes that improving its ties with Turkey will promote the solution of the Cyprus problem, wrote the Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo in an address to his counterparts in the community, in light of tomorrow's informal Ministerial Council to be held in Holland.

The session will mostly deal with Turkey and the Cyprus issue and its outcome is expected to be decisive on the EU rotating Presidency's next moves.

Meanwhile, according to diplomatic sources in Brussels, the Hague will seek to close the "Imia file", that is, the decision drawn on July 15, 1996. Moreover, the sources reveal that the Dutch Presidency will propose that the EU-Turkey Association Council be held in April and as such the community funds could be unshelved for Ankara. A.F.

[16] EUROPE CANNOT REMAIN IDLE IN REGARDS TO ALBANIA, SAYS WEU HOUSE CHIEF

Europe must try to find a solution to the Albanian problem through civil and peaceful means and, if this is not achievable, then Europe cannot remain silent but must be prepaped, if necessary, even for intervention, according to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union Lluis Maria de Puig.

Mr. de Puig was received this morning in Athens by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis who, in turn, emphasized Greece's heightened concern over the current dramatic developments in the neighboring country.

Greece is to hold the WEU's presidency during the first half of 1998. Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that the Greek Parliament will support all of the WEU's initiatives. A.F.

[17] COMMISSIONER HANS VAN DEN BROEK: THE EU SUPPORTS REFORMS IN BULGARIA

The European Union's Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek stated today the Community salutes Bulgaria's reform efforts.

Mr. Van Den Broek is to visit Bulgaria between March 17-18 and he is to meet with Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov and Premier Stefan Sofianski.

Meanwhile, the World Bank will support Bulgaria's social security reconstruction program through a USD 80 million loan. A.F.

[18] BRITISH SPECIAL ENVOY TO CYPRUS: USEFUL THE CONTACTS WITH CLERIDES, DENKTASH

Britain's special envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay has characterized as "very useful the contacts he had yesterday with the Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish- Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

In a press conference, Sir Hannay stated that the direct talks are to begin before the end of the first six months of 1997, although he did not specify an exact date.

The British diplomat stated that much ground has been covered and characterized the possibilities of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem as being "the best they have been in a long time."

Moreover, Sir Hannay emphasized the significance of both sides taking "goodwill measures" and referred to the need to reduce the tension, following last summer's episodes and the Cypriot government's decision to purchase the Russian-made anti- missile system S-300.

Referring to the international effort to resolve the Cyprus issue, Sir Hannay said that it is a "coordinated one" and added that it has began taking "shape and substance" stressing that the principal aim is to strengthen the initiatives taken by the United Nations for the Cyprus issue.

[19] CYPRUS ISSUE DISCUSSED BY EU OFFICIALS, US, BRITAIN AND UN ENVOYS

The Cyprus issue is being discussed in Brussels today by European Union officials and envoys from the United States, Britain, and the United Nations.

Representing the US is the State Department's Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs Carey Cavanaugh, representing Britain is Sir David Hannay, and from the UN is the alternate Secretary-General Mr. Pendercost, the special envoy Han Sung Ju and his alternate Gustav Feishel. Representing the EU is Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek.

[20] EPISODE ERUPTS AT ALBANIA-FYROM BORDER

An episode erupted last evening at the Albania-FYROM border "Kiafasan" when seven Albanian armed guards attempted to enter FYROM's grounds.

According to FYROM's Defense Ministry, the armed Albanians were confronted by FYROM's soldiers who forced them to return to Albania. No injuries were noted in the episode.

The Albania-FYROM borders remain closed since last night and FYROM is allowing entrance only to its citizens or citizens from other countries except Albania.

[21] ERBAKAN PLANS TO SACK THE GENERAL ARMY STAFF CHIEF ACCORDING TO TURKISH AND FRENCH PRESS

Turkey's islamist Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan allegedly gave the promise, during his meeting with representatives of the organization "Muslim Brothers" in Istanbul last December, that he will retire from the military service General Army Staff Chief Ismael Hakki Karadayi.

The information was republished in the French bulletin Le Monde du Renseignment and the Turkish newspaper "Radical" and according to it, General Karadayi, who has dismissed 50 officers because they were supporting the islamist Welfare Party, will be replaced by the Chief of the 1st Army Corps, General Kivrikoglu.

[22] THE ISSUE OF THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN FYROM'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ON MARCH 27

The constitutionality of the law allowing the use of the Albanian language in FYROM's higher education will be discussed in the country's Constitutional Court on March 27.

According to private television station A-1, the Constitutional Court examined yesterday the legality of the appeals made by the Democratic party, the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, the Students' Association in the University of Skopje and two private individuals and decided to set the date for a new session in which the controversial law will be discussed analytically.

[23] THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FYROM'S NATIONAL BANK WAS REMANDED IN CUSTODY IN RELATION TO THE "TAT" BANKING SCHEME SCANDAL

The government in FYROM is determined to clear up the scandal revealed in the largest private bank, TAT, based in Monastiri, that has created strong concern in the country as according to information, in the scandal are allegedly involved officials and members of the government.

According to a statement made yesterday by the Ministry of the Interior, among those arrested are Deputy Director of the National Bank Tome Nevofski, the bank's inspector Pavlina Popofska and TAT's branch Director in Skopje Olga Galubofska. The decision for their arrest was made to facilitate the investigations on the case.

[24] THE GERMAN SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS WANT THE TOTAL BAN OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

The German Social-Democrats want the total ban of the nuclear energy after the serious incidents that occured during the transport of nuclear waste from Stuttgard to Golember in South Saxony.

The SPD expressed this position in a meeting with federal Minister of the Environment Angela Merkel, suggesting the use of alternative sources of energy in an effort for an agreement to be reached between the government and the opposition on this issue that has taken international dimensions.

Germany covers 30% of its energy needs through 19 nuclear plants located in different parts of the country.

The nuclear waste from those plants is being processed in France and then it is being returned to Germany where it is burried in dump sites.

[25] EUROPARLIAMENT ASKS THAT WANTED NAZI ALOIS BRUNNER BE ARRESTED

In a resolution tabled after an initiative of Greek Eurodeputy Nikos Papakyriazis (PASOK) on behalf of the Parliamentary Group of the European Socialist Party, the European Parliament asks for international cooperation that would lead to the arrest of wanted WWII Nazi criminal Alois Brunner.

According to persistent press reports, Brunner is said to be living in Damascus, Syria. A.F.

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