Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-04

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 4, 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: EUROPE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAP OUT A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY IN THE BALKANS

Greek Prime Minister and President of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK Kostas Simitis suggested a comprehensive plan aimed at overcoming the crisis in the Balkan states, in his speech delivered in the European Socialist Party Conference held in Thessaloniki.

The Prime Minister underlined that "the European Union does not yet possess a comprehensive policy capable of supporting these countries effectively. The resolutions passed by the European Parliament on issues arising in the Balkans, for the response to emergency situations, as well as the general thrust of the Union for expansion toward the East are correct, but cannot suffice. Similarly, the immediate response of the Union to the recent crisis in Albania is correct, but not sufficient."

It is apparent, said the Prime Minister, that in the priorities of many of our partners in the EU other matters have precedence such as, overcoming the difficulties in completing the EMU, the negotiations in the Inter-Governmental Conference for the reform of the treaties of the Union, the economic aspects of enlargement and the transformation of NATO. Nevertheless, the Balkan countries are a part of Europe, their problems a part of contemporary European reality and our approach should be in this vein.

The European Union is faced with a dilemma: immediate mobilization or tolerance toward a course of destabilization.

Greece, stressed the Prime Minister, despite the tight economic position it finds itself in, does all it can to help its neighbouring countries deal with their problems. The government, local authorities and non-governmental organisations have, since the start of 1997, been active in sending food and medicine to Bulgaria and Albania and will continue this effort, with every means at its disposal.

During the recent crisis in Albania, whether through direct initiatives with political forces in Albania or within the framework of international organisations, we attempted and we continue to contribute towards the search for the best possible way out of the crisis, said mr.Simitis.

However, neither bilateral initiatives nor the reaction of international organisations can be sufficient if they come after the fact to meet the flow of unfolding events.

The President of PASOK highlighted three crucial questions: Why should there be special mobilisation and action for the Balkans? What should be the necessary content of this aid? The Balkan countries are looking forward to coming closer or to being included in international organisations which are the basis of European cooperation? Should the movement of Central and Eastern European countries towards the European Union and NATO be simultaneous?

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis underlined that this brief description of the situation in the Balkans gives rise to three major areas of responsibility for all:

"First duty: We, and especially we in the European Socialist Party, should try to build into our political priorities the necessity for a comprehensive policy for Southeastern Europe. This requires mobilization and interventions with this aim, towards all who directly or indirecly are in a position to affect the general trend of developments in Europe: the institutions of the European Union, NATO, WEU, OSCE, governments, political parties, non- governmental organisations. We must awaken Europe to the fact that in the Balkan peninsula exist crisis points and our presence is required.

Second duty: What is required is a comprehensive plan of actions, availability of funds and technical assistance. A framework of commitments by all interested parties as to how we should proceed to transform the Balkans of instability and uncertainty into the Balkans of peace, democrasy, economic growth, social justice and cooperation.

This plan should aim at five interlinked targets: 1. Overcoming of today's emergency situation and economic crisis. 2. Macroeconomic stabilisation of Balkan countries. 3. Acceleration of the reforms necessary for the transition to the market economy. 4. Support, through technical assistance or other forms of cooperation, for the development of institutions necessary for the operation of democracy and the rule of law as well as social solidarity mechanisms. 5. Equal treatment and a visible future course for all Balkan countries that desire to come closer to or to be included in the European Union and NATO's security structures.

Third duty: No policy, no plan, whether comprehensive or partial, can develop the totality of benefits to our neighbouring countries, if it is not accompanied by: A minimum level of political stability and internal security, a minimum level of democratization and adaptation of institutions, a minimum social consensus on the major long-term goals those countries seek to attain.

Here the major part of the effort must be borne by social and political forces in our neighbouring countries themselves. They must help us to help them".

The Prime Minister concluded that the European Socialist Party can and should plan the next steps of a course that will ultimately lead to the transformation of Southeastern Europe into an area of peace, creativity, well-being and cooperation for all the peoples sharing it.

[02] GREEK PREMIER SIMITIS MEETS WITH ALBANIAN SOCIALIST LEADER NANO

Albanian Socialist leader Fatos Nano met with Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today, on the sidelines of the European Socialist Party's Meeting on the Balkans.

Mr. Nano characterized his meeting with the Greek Premier as very useful and emphasized that there must be both contact and dialogue sought by Greece's Socialist Party PASOK with Albania's Socialists in order to aid in defusing the tension in his country. A.F.

[03] EU SEES COOPERATION AMONG BALKAN COUNTRIES AS NECESSARY

The European Union wants to contribute to stability, security and economic prosperity of the Balkan region, stated Greece's EU Commissioner on Energy and Tourism Christos Papoutsis, addressing the European Socialist Party's Meeting on the Balkans, held in Thessaloniki today.

Mr. Papoutsis added that the EU also wants to strenghten political and economic regulations, as well as reforms regarding human and minority rights.

The Commissioner also stated that the Community closely watches the developments taking place in Albania and has already taken a series of initiatives for the alleviation of the crisis and the restoration of political tranquility and stability. A.F.

[04] THE 5TH CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INTER-BALKAN COOPERATION OF WOMEN OPENED IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

Greece's peaceful orientation was underlined today by Undersecretary of Agriculture Vasilios Geranides in his opening address delivered in the 5th International Conference of the Association of Inter-Balkan Cooperation of Women.

Mr.Geranides stressed that the friendship ties linking Greece with the Balkan states are old and strong and added that Greece wants friendship and cooperation with all countries.

On the role of women, the Undersecretary of Agriculture stressed the need for their active participation in the decision- making procedures, while the conference participants pointed out that the pre-conditions for better social security and healthcare must be safeguarded.

[05] DYNAMIC INTERVENTION OF THE GREEK DIPLOMACY IN THE BALKAN DEVELOPMENTS

The important role played by Greece in the Balkans, as the only member-state of the EU and NATO in the region and also, due to its geographic position was obvious through the latest initiatives undertaken by the Greek government.

The dynamic intervention of the Greek diplomacy in the course of the Balkan developments was confirmed yesterday after the meeting in Athens of mr.Pangalos, mr.Fino, mr.Van Mierlo and mr.Vranitski and also through the important speech Prime Minister Simitis delivered in Thessaloniki in the opening of the European Socialist Party Conference that is being held in the city with the participation of 100 high officials of European and Balkan Socialist Parties.

The Greek initiatives follow the recent diplomatic efforts by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in Skopje and Belgrade and by the Prime Minister in Romania.

During the March 21 talks in Bucharest, mr.Simitis assured the Romanian political leadership of Greece's support to the country's request for EU and NATO membership. According to the Greek position, Romania's accession into those two organizations will have a positive effect in the strengthening of stability and cooperation in the Balkans.

On the Albanian issue, the Athens talks showed that there is convergence of views on the effort to keep the roads open for the passage of humanitarian aid and also on the backing of the government of Prime Minister Fino to facilitate the procedures that will lead the country to normality.

[06] THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS CAN BE SOLVED THROUGH DIALOGUE AND UNDERSTANDING

The problems in the Balkans can be dealt with through dialogue and understanding while the necessary pre-conditions for security and stability in the region can be safeguarded. This was stressed in the joint press conference of the European Socialist Party President Rudolf Scharping and vice-President Akis Tsochatzopoulos on the occasion of the Conference on the Balkans that opened in Thessaloniki today.

The developments in the Balkans will be of decisive importance for the whole of Europe, underlined mr.Scharping, who expressed concern over the domestic developments in Turkey and pointed out that its accession into the European Union is not discussed now but it will be discussed in the following years. He said that if Turkey wants to continue to be a western type democracy must accept Europe's friendly remarks concerning its democratic tradition which is very good but now is at risk.

European Socialist Party General Secretary Jean Francois Valen disagreed with the position of the Christian-Democrats according to which, Turkey has no place in Europe because it is not a Christian state and said that Europe is not Christian but secular and if Turkey is secular then it can be a part of Europe.

Mr.Scharping, from his part, pointed out the danger of armed conflicts in the Balkans, if no understanding is achieved, and mentioned examples of states where clashes erupted (Middle East) when there was a breakdown of negotiations.

Both mr.Scharping and mr.Tsochatzopoulos referred to the EU and NATO enlargement procedures, pointing out that this way a system of security in Southeastern Europe is being consolidated.

[07] FIVE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES BEGIN IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

Thessaloniki is living up to its name as the "Balkan Metropolis" with the five international conferences that are set to begin today in town.

The European Socialists Party will embark on its two-day session today, which will be formally inaugurated by Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis.

The deans of universities from the Balkan region will meet at the city's Aristotelean University and will examine cooperation opportunities. Taking place concurrently is the fifth conference of Inter-Balkan Women's Cooperation, the Conference of Balkan Choir Singers and the Meeting of Policemen from Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary who will tackle issues such as drug trafficking and car thefts.

Specifically, the Socialists' conference will address Balkans- related issues such as regional security and internal stability, the necessary pre-conditions for economic and institutional development and the process of democratization.

The deans of universities from the Balkan and the Black Sea region's countries are meeting in order to create a sub-group of the European Rectors Association, which will aim at developing relations of friendship and co-operation among the schools that belong to the same geographic area but are also linked by common historical and cultural elements. Within the same frame of thought, other sub-groups are to be formed for the universities from the Baltic area and other schools belonging to the same region.

The conference organized by the Balkan Women's Cooperation, in coordination with UNESCO's center for women and peace in the Balkans, is to promote the agrarian women's rights, and to create a plan of action that will determine ways to address the various problems.

[08] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY MEETS IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

A two-day Conference of the European Socialist Party began in Thessaloniki today, formally inaugurated with a speech given by Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Participating in the meeting are European Socialist leaders and leaders of Socialist parties from the Balkan region.

The conference will tackle Balkans-related issues such as regional security and internal stability, the necessary pre- conditions for economic and institutional development and the process of democratization.

Mr. Simitis' speech was preceded by a press conference given by the vice-president of the European Socialist Party, Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Hains Fisher.

Representing Greece are the Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and PASOK euro-deputies.

Among those present at the conference are the President of the European Socialist Party Rudolf Scharping, the party's Secretary-General Mr. Valen, the President of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Pauline Green, the President of Cyprus' Socialist Party Vassos Lyssarides, the leader of Albania's Socialist Party Fatos Nano, Bulgaria's former Foreign Minister Geroki Pirinski, and other officials of Socialist parties from Turkey, FYROM, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary and Ireland. A.F.

[09] DEANS OF BALKAN, BLACK SEA REGION UNIVERSITIES TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI

The deans of universities from the Balkan and the Black Sea region's countries have convened in Thessaloniki's Aristotelean University (AUT) in order to create a sub-group of the European Rectors Association, which will aim at developing relations of friendship and co-operation among the schools that belong to the same geographic area but are also linked by common historical and cultural elements.

The Dean of AUT Antonis Mantis addressed his peers to whom he relayed his confidence that the common historical course among the countries represented at the Conference creates vast hopes for the fruitful cooperation among the academic institutions.

Within the same frame of thought, other sub-groups are to be formed for the universities from the Baltic area and other schools belonging to the same region. The Dean of the University of Ioannina, who is the founder of the sub-group idea, referred to the common problems faced by the European countries, such as environmental pollution, overpopulation, etc, and stated that the universities have a duty to protect the future of the next generations and to cooperate for the establishment of a peaceful climate and friendship in the region. A.F.

[10] POLICEMEN FROM GREECE, BULGARIA AND HUNGARY MEET IN THESSALONIKI

A one-day, trilateral meeting is held in Thessaloniki today among experienced police officers from Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary, who are to tackle the issues "Smuggling and Car Thefts."

Bulgaria and Hungary are represented by two officers each, while Greece is represented by one officer from the Office of Public Security of the Public Order Ministry and three oficers from the Property Crime Bureau of Thessaloniki's Police Headquarters.

According to Thessaloniki's Police Chief George Plakas, among the topics to be discussed will be the methods used by car thieves, such how the cars are stolen, which models are most popular, and what is the destination followed. Also, the police officers are to exchange points of view in regards to each country's legislation concerning customs clearance of incoming vehicles. A.F.

[11] BOMB PLACED AT ALITALIA'S OFFICES IN ATHENS, DEFUSED BY POLICE

A makeshift time-regulated bomb placed outside the Italian airline Alitalia's offices near the Athens airport was defused today by Greek anti-terrorist experts, after a warning call was received by an urban guerilla group.

According to police reports, the Fighting Guerilla Formation group, which is known for its time-regulated bomb attacks, telephoned an Athens newspaper and warned of the attack which, they said, was staged in order to "support the suffering Albanian people."

The Alitalia offices were closed at that time.

The same group had placed a bomb earlier this year outside the Peruvian Embassy in Athens, as an act of solidarity to the Peruvian rebels holding hostages in Lima. A.F.

[12] INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES IN UKRAINE TEACHES GREEK TO STUDENTS

A one-of-a-kind university is in operation at the Ukraine where all the students are being taught the Greek language for the past five years.

The only one at the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Institute of Social Studies at the city of Marioupolis teaches Greek to all students, concurrently with their field of study.

The school's dean Konstantin Balabanov, he is also of Greek descent, stated that 40% of the school's students are of Greek origin.

"Our Institute is open to all those who reside near the Azophic Sea, as well as to those who wish to learn the Greek language," Mr. Balabanov stated, adding that the students have an interest in the language since they consider Greek as being the language of culture and also because it is a European one. A.F.

[13] MEDITERRANEAN, BALKANS, BLACK SEA, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

A seminar titled "Inter-regional - Cross-Border Cooperation: Mediterranean, Balkans, Black Sea" is organized by the Prefectures of Central Macedonia and Crete, to be held tomorrow in Crete's city of Rethymno.

The seminar will examine opportunities for achieving closer cooperation between the two regions, which represent the two basic axis of cooperation with the countries of the Balkan region, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. A.F.

[14] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN MADE CLARIFICATIONS ON THE HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO ALBANIA

Details on the initiative for the restoration of order and the safe distribution of humanitarian aid in Albania were given by Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who pointed out that the Greek government has suggested mr.Vranitski to head the effort, being the representative of OSCE President mr.Petersen.

According to mr.Reppas, a specific representative of the Dutch EU Presidency will refer to him. This representative will be placed in Tirana and will stay there and after the end of the term of the Dutch EU Presidency.

[15] INFLATION IN GREECE DROPPED TO 6% IN MARCH

Inflation in Greece dropped to 6% in March from 6,6% in February, as it was announced today by Minister of Finance and National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou.

Mr.Papantoniou stated that the drop of inflation proves the effectiveness of the government's economic policy and predicted that the same trend will continue in the following months.

This development creates new prospects as the government's economic staff speculates that the goal, to bring inflation down to 5% by the end of the year, is feasible.

[16] GREECE'S ARIS WINS KORAC CUP, BEATS TURKEY'S TOFAS 88-70

Revenge is a dish best eaten cold and Thessaloniki's Aris basketball team seems to know it well, beating Turkey's Tofas 88- 70, in last night's playoff game in Brusa, snatching victory back from the Turkish team since it beat Aris with an 11-point lead last week in Thessaloniki's home game.

Shouts of intoxicated jubilation were heard throughout the night in Thessaloniki as fans literally ran out in the streets, triumphantly hailing the Corac Cup winner, Aris. This is the second time the Korac Cup is won by a Thessaloniki team, the first being PAOK in 1993. A.F.

[17] GREECE'S CULTURE MINISTER TO BE IN THE NETHERLANDS NEXT WEEK

Greece's Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will be in the Netherlands on Monday in order to participate at the European Union's two-day informal Culture Ministers Council.

According to the meeting's agenda, the EU Ministers will discuss matters concerning cultural policies and cooperation, uniform book prices in European Committee's proposal for the Cultural Capital of Europe beyond the year 2000. A.F.

[18] GREECE'S ARIS WINS KORAC CUP, RECEIVES HEROES WELCOME IN THESSALONIKI

Thessaloniki's Aris basketball team received a heroes welcome upon its arrival at the city's Macedonia airport, where thousands of jubillant fans literally carried the players in their arms.

Aris beat Turkey's Tofas 88-70 in last night's playoff game in Brusa, snatching victory back from the Turkish team since it beat Aris with an 11-point lead last week in Thessaloniki's home game.

Shouts of intoxicated joy were heard throughout the night in Thessaloniki as fans literally ran out in the streets, triumphantly hailing the Corac Cup winner, Aris. This is the second time the Korac Cup is won by a Thessaloniki team, the first being PAOK in 1993. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[19] NORWAY, SWEDEN, FINLAND AND DENMARK REQUESTED THE EXTENSION OF THE UN PEACE-KEEPING MISSION IN FYROM

Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, which participate in the UN peace-keeping force in FYROM, back the extension of the term of its mission.

According to the Ministers of Defence of the four countries, who met in Stockholm yesterday, the presence of the blue-helmets in FYROM will contribute to further safeguard the stability in the region which was recently threatened by the events in Albania.

[20] ANKARA SEES POSITIVELY THE PROPOSALS OF THE DUTCH EU PRESIDENCY FOR THE NORMALIZATION OF THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo, who is presiding over the EU Council of Ministers, conveyed to Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller a proposal to form a committee of Greek and Turkish specialists, who will deal with Greek-Turkish issues. Mr.Van Mierlo was in Ankara yesterday within the framework of the efforts of the EU for the normalization of the relations between the two countries.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel commented positivelly on the Dutch EU Presidency proposal, stressing that the Turkish government will welcome it "if the use of such methods proves to be useful in a dialogue".

[21] ROME MADE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IN ALBANIA

Rome made announcements today on the issue of the multi- national force that will be deployed in Albania

The force will be made up of 6.000 soldiers. Specifically, 2.500 Italians, 1.000 French, 700 Greeks, 500 Turks and 400 Romanians.

The Greek force will be deployed in the town of Leza, 90 kilometers north of Tirana, the Turks in Fieri, the Italians in Tirana and Vlora, the French in Durres and the Romanians in Saranta.

[22] ALBANIAN PREMIER BASHKIM FINO SEES VISIT TO GREECE AS A SUCCESS

Albania's Prime Minister Bashkim Fino has stated that his visit to Greece and the contacts he had with Greek government officials have been a success. Mr. Fino extensively referred to the economic and technical aid Greece is to provide his country with.

Meanwhile, the Greek consulate in Gjirocaster was attacked for the third time yesterday, when armed Albanians entered the building demanding a visa to enter Greece. A.F.

[23] MEETING OF LAWYERS FROM SKOPJE AND THESSALONIKI WAS HELD TODAY

Lawyers from Skopje and Thessaloniki met today in Thessaloniki within the framework of the Balkan Bar Association.

Members of the Association are New Yugoslavia, Romania, Albania, Greece and Cyprus while invitations have been issued to Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovenia and Croatia.

President of Thessaloniki's Bar mr.Giorgos Ignatiades stated that the Association does not have political aims, but added that political relations affect life and the association's course.

Vice-President of FYROM's Bar mr.Milorad Martinovski agreed that politics should not affect their relations and stated that FYROM wants to become a member of the Balkan Bar Association.

Member of FYROM's National Bar mr.Bulnet Presnov added that law has no borders and appeared optimistic regarding the prospect of cooperation.

Thessaloniki's Bar is expected to visit Skopje on Sunday to continue the talks for the accession of FYROM's Bar into the Association.

[24] THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER

The assurance that Romania will continue to support the struggle of the government and the people of Cyprus was given last night in Bucharest by Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea during his meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides.

Mr.Michaelides, who is on a two-day formal visit to Romania on the invitation of his counterpart mr.Adrian Severtin, briefed the Romanian Prime Minister on the present phase of the Cyprus issue and exchange views on the further promotion of the friendly relations between Cyprus and Romania.

[25] BULGARIAN FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER G. PIRINSKI: WE NEED EMERGENCY AID

Bulgaria's former Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski told the Macedonian Press Agency today that his coutnry needs emergency aid for its economic revitalization and stabilization.

Mr. Pirinski, who is a deputy of Bulgaria's Socialist Party, is currently in Thessaloniki participating at the European Socialist Party's Conference on the Balkans.

He stated that what his country needs are shots of economic resources in order to stabilize incomes and encourage consumption which has fallen to a minimal level. A.F.

[26] AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY IN TURKEY OFFERS MODERN GREEK COURSES

Courses in modern Greek are being offered at an English- language university in Turkey, in order to meet its students' expressed interests.

Istanbul's Bogazici University is offering classes in modern Greek in its Department of Western Languages and Literature and, according to the school's vice-dean Giulen Aktas, the school also offers ancient Greek during its summer and winter semesters.

Ms. Aktas was in Thessaloniki today where she participated at the conference of the Deans of Balkan and Black Sea region universities.

The Turkish academicians stated that the conference is a very siginificant event, especially for the areas in need of cooperation among them, such as financial and administrative.

"It would be wonderful if there was also a political benefit derived from this meeting," Ms. Aktas said. A.F.

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