Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-03-20

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, March 20, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH ROMANIAN COUNTERPART

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with his Romanian counterpart Victor Corbea in Bucharest this evening, and, in an address he gave at a dinner hosted in his honor, Mr. Simitis emphasized the significance of the S.E. Europe's Foreign Ministers' summit meeting to take place in Thessaloniki in June.

Specifically, Mr. Simitis stated that "the Summit will constitute a mark in the strengthening of ties among the Balkan peoples and will establish a productive and systematic cooperation in sectors that are critical for the economic development and prosperity of these countries."

Moreover, the Greek Premier stated that both Greece and Romania have a common desire to see the southeastern European region transform into a region of stability, peace and cooperation.

Tomorrow Mr. Simitis will embark on marathon talks with Romanian President Emil Constantinescu, the leader of the main opposition party Ion Iliescu, the Patriarch of Romania Theoktistos and other political leaders.

The Premier is to return to Athens tomorrow evening. A.F.

[02] TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 5 WERE INJURED IN AN EXPLOSION IN ATHENS

Two people were killed and 5 were injured last night in Athens in an explosion in the central produce market in the region of Renti. The explosion occured in a storehouse where bananas were being ripened.

According to the Athens Fire Department, the explosion was caused by a leak of a gas used in the banana-ripening process.

Authorities have started an investigation for evidence that will lead to what were the exact causes of the explosion. Local merchants have mentioned that safety measures in the region are inadequate.

[03] NEW DEMOCRACY DELEGATES TO ELECT NEW LEADER TOMORROW

Greece's main opposition party New Democracy is to hold its fourth Congress tomorrow where the party's 3,600 delegates are to vote on their new leader.

The congress is to start tomorrow morning and it will be officially opened with an address given by the party's current President Miltiades Evert. As protocol calls for it, the party's leader will submit his resignation and then the president of the party's organizing committee and former premier George Rallis will submit his proposal for increasing the number of delegates.

The four contenders for the leadership are President Miltiades Evert and deputies George Souflias, Kostas Karamanlis and Byron Polydoras. As expected, mobilization is felt throughout the party as the contenders have intensified their contacts, public appearances and juxtapositions. A.F.

[04] GREECE'S PREMIER EMBARKS ON BALKAN TOUR, STARTS WITH ROMANIA TODAY

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to arrive in Bucharest today, accompanied by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, where he will have contacts with the political and church leaders of Romania.

Mr. Simitis will discuss the overall situation in the Balkans, as well as the Greek initiative taken to alleviate the crisis in Albania.

Following Bucharest, Mr. Simitis will tour the capitals of all Balkan countries where he will meet with political leaders and he will also visit Skopje. FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov yesterday issued an invitation to Mr. Simitis to visit Skopje, after his meeting with Mr. Pangalos who was yesterday in FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In Romania, Mr. Simitis will meet with Romanian Premier Victor Corbea this evening. Tomorrow he will embark on marathon talks with Romanian President Emil Constantinescu, the leader of the main opposition party Ion Iliescu, Patriarch of Romania Theoktistos and other political leaders.

The Premier is to return to Athens tomorrow evening. A.F.

[05] GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER IN STOCKHOLM TOMORROW

Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou will embark on an official visit to Stockholm tomorrow, after an invitation issued by Sweden's Foreign Minister Lena H. Wallen.

The two officials will discuss issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference, the European Union's expansion, the relations between the EU and Cyprus, as well as Greece's role in the Balkans.

Mr. Papandreou is to also meet with the Swedish Undersecretary of European Affairs Gunar Lud and Minister of Trade Leif Pagrotski. A.F.

[06] GREEK CHARGES D'AFFAIRES IN BOSNIA RECEIVED BY MOMCILO KRAISNIC

The Greek Embassy's Charge d'Affaires in Sarajevo Roussos Koundouros, met in Pale yesterday with Momcilo Kraisnic, the Serb Republic's representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina's tri-partite Presidium.

Mr. Kraisnic briefed Mr. Koundouros on his country's activities and its Central Bank currently in the works. Moreover, he relayed to the Greek diplomat his people's gratitude for the help Greece offered to the Bosnian-Serbs during the war. A.F.

[07] FORMER PARLIAMENT DEPUTY ANDREAS LENTAKIS DIED FROM A HEART ATTACK

Andreas Lentakis died suddenly this morning from a heart attack. He was born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia in 1934 and studied Philosophy in the University of Athens. He was an author and his work is characterized as rich and versatile. He spoke five languages.

Andreas Lentakis got involved in politics at a young age. He was a member of the Unified Democratic Left, EDA, and a founding member of the Lambrakis Youth Movement. In 1967 he was arrested and tortured by the junta. His Greek nationality was taken away from 1969 until 1974 and in 1977 he became the President of EDA.

He was elected mayor of Imittos three times in 1978, 1982 and 1986 and in the elections of June 1989 and April 1990 was elected to Parliament as a deputy of the party Coalition of the Left. He was one of the founding members of the party Political Spring and in 1993 was elected to Parliament as its deputy.

Andreas Lentakis was married and had two sons.

[08] GREECE SEEN AS A DRIVING FORCE IN ESTABLISHING PEACE IN THE BALKANS

The President of Albania's Democratic Alliance Party Neritan Geka believes that Greece could serve as a driving force for the establishment of peace, stability and prosperity in the Balkans.

Mr. Gika met in Munich yesterday with two other party representatives from Bulgaria and Serbia.

During the meeting, which was initiated under the auspice of the Southeastern Europe Association and the Sud-Ost Institute, the participants discussed the latest events in Albania. Mr. Giga saluted Greece and Italy for their assistance in facing the crisis. A.F.

[09] THESSALONIKI'S INTERBALKAN MEDICAL CENTER TO FORM SATELLITE OFFICES

"Health in Greece and the Balkans" was the topic of a forum held in Edessa yesterday by the President of the Medical Center of Athens and Thessaloniki's Interbalkan Medical Center, George Apostolopoulos.

Mr. Apostolopoulos stated that the two medical centers plan on forming satellite offices in various Balkan countries, specifically by establishing five first aid clinics in Bucharest, Podgoritsa, Skopje, Sofia and Belgrade.

These clinics are expected to be operable in 1998 and will be supervised by Thessaloniki's Interbalkan Medical Center. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] ALBANIAN PREMIER TO MEET WITH RIOTERS' LEADERS IN SOUTHERN REGION

Albania's new Premier Bashkim Fino is to meet with representatives of the rioting civilians from the country's southern region today.

Mr. Fino urged all Albanians to turn in their guns and cooperate with the government so that the crisis will end.

The deadline issued by the southern region's rebels for President Sali Berisha's resignation expires today but Mr. Fino has rejected their demand. He has replied to them that the government will not negotiate under the shadow of threats.

The rebels' leader Gevat Kutsio, he is the head of the "National Salvation Committee", said that the rioters will not resort to violence in order to force Berisha to step down from his post, but added that as long as the President remains in power, they will not turn in their guns.

Meanwhile, life in Tirana is slowly returning back to normal and the city's airport began re-operating this morning.

Yet, thousands of refugees continue to flee their country. The Italian navy rescued about 400 Albanians whose ship almost ran aground in the Adriatic Sea. In all, about 11,000 Albanians have sought shelter in Italy so far.

Italian Foreign Minister Laberto Dini requested that humanitarian aid be sent to Albania as soon as possible. He characteristically added that this mission should be accompanied by a "security force" so that the goods will securely arrive at their destination.

A delegation of European Union officials and representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is currently brainstorming to find ways of ending the crisis in Albania. A.F.

[11] ALBANIAN HOSPITALS PARALYZED, HEALTH MINISTRY FEARS EPIDEMICS

The looting and pillaging that storms Albania has paralyzed the country's hospitals in many cities where medical care is so scarce that even children's innoculation is not being performed as needed, according to Albania's Health Ministry.

The severe problems in health care are exarcebated by the country's disastrous economy, an aftermath of the recent crisis. A foremost concern of the Health Ministry is a fear of an epidemic. A.F.

[12] GREECE-FYROM TO MEET AGAIN ON APRIL 2 OVER THE NAME ISSUE

Greece's Ambassador Christos Zacharakis is to meet anew with FYROM's representative Ivan Tosevski on April 2 in New York where they will discuss the name issue pending between the two countries.

The talks will be conducted under the auspice of the United Nations Secretary-General's special representative Cyrus Vance.

According to Mr. Zacharakis, this meeting is not expected to bear any significant developments. He clarified that the talks are currently at a point of scoping the opportunities to overcome the constitutional barriers presented by FYROM's side.

The Greek Ambassador also stated that the Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' recent meeting with FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov did not really focus their talks on the name topic, aside from a passing reference to the issue. According to Mr. Zacharakis, both he and Mr. Tosevski agree that the issue cannot escape the negotiations as they are foreseen by the interim agreement drawn by the UN. A.F.

[13] COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL FUND OF HELLENES

The Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), in an effort to financially assist the international programs and events that promote Greece, will establish a National Fund of Hellenes.

The proposal was made by SAE's President Andrew Athens who stated that its establishment aims at promoting Greece's national issues abroad. A.F.

[14] TURKISH DEPUTY FM RELAYS HIS COUNTRY'S SATISFACTION OVER PANGALOS' STANCE

Ankara has welcomed the recent statements made by Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in regards to Turkey's European orientation.

Turkey's deputy Foreign Minister Inal Batu expressed the hope that Mr. Pangalos' statements signify the beginning of a change in Greece's stance towards Turkey.

Nevertheless, the Turkish officials stated that it is still too early to tell if these words do represent such a shift.

Mr. Batu referred to the measures that must be taken in order to reduce the tension existing between the two countries. He said that discussions are currently in the works to extend the two- month moratorium of military exercises in the Aegean Sea during the summer. He also stated that among the issues being disussed is the reduction in the number of military aricraft that conduct flights over the Aegean. A.F.

[15] BRITISH DEPUTIES ASSURE CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT OF THEIR SUPPORT

Nine British parliamentarians gave their assurances to Cypriot Parliament President Spyros Kyprianou that they will continue to give their support until a fair and viable solution is found for the Cyprus problem.

The Cypriot Parliament President met with the parliamentarians in London and briefed them on the latest developments regarding the island and emphasized the need for international support towards Cyprus.

Yesterday, Mr. Kyprianou met with his British counterpart and today he will embark on talks with Britain's special envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay. Sir Hannay gave an interview to a Turkish- Cypriot daily yesterday where he stated that resolving the Cyprus issue will be to the benefit of both of the island's communities as well as for the greater region.

The British official stated that his country wishes for a federated solution to the problem and would like to see Cyprus enter the European Union as a federated state. A.F.

[16] STATE DEPARTMENT SALUTES FYROM'S PARLIAMENTARY DECLARATION

The U.S. State Department today expressed its support to the recent declaration issued by the Parliament of FYROM which promotes mutual trust and respect among ethnic minorities.

As was broadcast by the state-owned radio station in Skopje, State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated that "the United States support FYROM's stability and territorial sovereignty as a necessary factor of stability for the overall region." A.F.

[17] THE US PRESIDENT WILL PROPOSE A GREEK-AMERICAN FOR THE POSITION OF THE CIA CHIEF

US President Bill Clinton announced that he will propose Greek-American George Tenet to the Senate for the position of the Chief of the CIA.

Mr.Clinton praised the role of mr.Tenet in the White House where he served as his assistant in the National Security Council, while since 1995 he is serving as a deputy chief of the CIA.

The US President expressed optimism that the appointment of the 44yearold Greek-American will be ratified easily by the Senate as he enjoys the respect of both the Democrats and the Republicans.

Mr.Tenet has promised that he will provide complete and objective information to the President on issues concerning security and information collection, while he referred to the fact that his father had immigrated to the United States from Greece 50 years ago.

[18] THE YEAR AGAINST RACISM HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN IN BERLIN

The European Union has declared 1997 as the Year Against Racism, while the phenomenon of racism is taking dangerous dimensions all over Europe even in the form of government actions like in the recent cases of France and Germany.

The European Union aims through a wide variety of initiatives and events to contribute in the fight against racism, xenophobia and social discrimination.

In Germany, the official opening of the events was declared in Berlin by German President Roman Hertzog.

According to the schedule announced, seminars will take place for the discussion of issues such as, the role of political parties in the increase of racism as well as, the implementation of legal means in the effort to limit social discrimination.

[19] THE US-RUSSIAN SUMMIT BEGINS IN HELSINKI TODAY

The US-Russian Summit begins in Helsinki, Finland today and will focus on the issue of NATO's eastward expansion, as Russia continues to object strongly to this possibility while the United States underline its necessity.

In the Summit will participate Russian President Boris Yeltsin and US President Bill Clinton.

[20] CILLER PLEDGED TO BRING THE ISSUE OF IMIA ISLETS TO THE HAGUE

Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has pledged to bring the issue of the Imia islets in the Aegean to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, according to the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet". The newspaper maintains that she made the pledge in the EU Foreign Ministers meeting that was held recently in Rome.

The article's writer Yaltsin Doyan mentions that a Greek- Turkish meeting was held on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Ministers meeting, in which Athens asked that the issue of the Imia islets be brought to The Hague and ms.Ciller agreed.

The article writer also maintains that in return Athens has pledged not only to end its negative stance toward Turkey's inclusion in a list of future EU members but to back its membership bid as well.

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