Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-14

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 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] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER: WE WON'T CHANGE STANCE TOWARDS TURKEY

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated today that the Greek government's positions towards Turkey remain unchanged.

Mr. Pangalos participated in the Cabinet meeting chaired today by the Premier Kostas Simitis wherein he and the Foreign Ministry officials discussed the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

In light of the European Union's Association Council with Turkey, to be held on April 29, Mr. Pangalos stated that Greece has set a guideline through which it asks its neighbour to not threaten war, not resort to violence and to respect and uphold international laws and accords.

"If these three conditions are observed by Turkey than we can discuss matters of interpretation at the International Court of Justice at The Hague," Mr. Pangalos stated, adding "we await a response from Turkey, even a symbolic one, in order to proceed with freeing the financial agreement (with the EU). "

Mr. Pangalos is likely to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller on the sidelines of the Black Sea Co-operation countries meeting, to be held in Istanbul on April 29. A.F.

[02] GREECE TO SENT 760 SOLDIERS TO ALBANIA, THEY WILL ARRIVE ON APRIL 17

One hundred and twenty Greek soldiers, out of the 760 total who are to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force to Albania, will arrive in Vlore on April 17, to be followed by a second battalion on April 19 which will land in Tirana with C-130.

In all the Greek force will comprise 760 soldiers, 17 armoured vehicles and 20 jeeps.

The Greek battalion was inspected yesterday by the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. General Parayioudakis, who declared at its readiness. A.F.

[03] G. PAPANDREOU TO MEET WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN MALTA TOMORROW

Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet with his Turkish counterpart Onur Oymen in Malta tomorrow, on the sidelines of the Euro-mediterraean Conference.

Mr. Papandreou stated today that the meeting is simply a typical one, wherein the two officials will merely exchange points of view. He added that in order for such meeting to be substantive, Ankara must display a sense of good will to resolve the pending issues. Mr. Papandreou requested such meeting and clarified that Turkey's response to the Dutch-held EU Presidency's proposal for the formation of a committee of wise men will be given through the Presidency which has undertaken the role of mediator on all matters concerning relations between Greece and Turkey.

Regarding tomorrow's meeting, the participants will focus on matters concerning the future of European cooperation in policy issues and security, as well as free trade. A.F.

[04] GREEK PREMIER TO HEAD CABINET MEETING OVER GREEK-TURKISH ISSUES

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis headed an extraordinary meeting today with officials from the Foreign Ministry, in light of tomorrow's meeting between Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Onur Oymen in Malta.

Mr. Papandreou stated that in order for such meeting to be substantive, Ankara must display a sense of good will to resolve the pending issues.

Also, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is likely to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller on the sidelines of the Black Sea Cooperation countries meeting, to be held in Istanbul on April 29. A.F.

[05] GREECE'S FIRST BATCH OF SOLDIERS TO DEPART FOR ALBANIA TOMORROW

The first batch of soldiers who are to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force to Albania will depart tomorrow evening by plane from Thgessaloniki for Tirana.

The Council of Defense and Security is to convene tomorrow morning and solely discuss this issue, accoridng to government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas.

The Greek batallion was inspected yesterday by the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. General Parayioudakis.

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Greek soldiers will first be stationed in Tirana and then a part of the batallion willl be transferred to Vlore. A.F.

[06] THEODORAKIS PRESENTED "ZORBA" IN THE THEATER OF SKOPJE WITH SUCCESS

World renowned Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis created a bridge of friendship between Greece and FYROM on Saturday when he presented "Zorba" in the National Theater of Skopje.

Mr. Theodorakis characterized this initiative as a political event and expressed optimism that the two countries are close to an agreement on the issue of the name pending between the two countries.

The Greek parliament deputies, prefects, mayors and trade unionists who travelled to Skopje to attend the concert, hailed the event as a success and all expressed the hope that this initiative will lead to a resolutin over the name issue pending between the two countries. A.F.

[07] REPPAS ON THEODORAKIS' PERFORMANCE IN FYROM

Greek Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas expressed his hope that the willingness of the people of Greece and FYROM to have good relations will help resolve the name issue pending between the two countries.

Mr. Reppas characterized the concert given in Skopje by Greece's world-famous composer Mikis Theodorakis as an exemplary step and said that the government is welcoming initiatives that aid in the improvement of relations between countries. A.F.

[08] GREECE'S FORMER FM PAPAKONSTANTINOU COMMENTS ON FYROM NAME ISSUE

"The name of the neighboring state must be such as to offer a clear ethnological separation," stated Greece's former Foreign Minister Michalis Papakonstantinou, adding that "I am a Greek Macedon and I should stand apart from the Slav who resides in that geographical part of Macedonia."

Mr. Papakonstantinou spoke to the Macedonian Press Agency in regards to the name issue pending between Greece and FYROM and the course of the related talks held in New York between the two countries' representatives.

The former minister also travelled to Skopje during the weekend in order to attend the "Zorbas" concert performed by Greece's famous composer Mikis Theodorakis. During his stay in FYROM Mr. Papakonstantinou also met with FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov.

"This was the second time I met with the President of FYROM," Mr. Papakonstantinou said, adding that "of course, I cannot reveal what we said, but what I can say is that events such as Theodorakis' concert, develop ties and help the countries and their peoples to overcome problems." A.F.

[09] THEODORAKIS' CONCERT WAS JUST THAT, NOT A POLITICAL MESSAGE, SAYS MP

PASOK deputy and former minister Stelios Papathemelis commented on the recent concert "Zorbas" performed by Greece's famous composer Mikis Theodorakis in Skopje on Saturday, which he attended, and stated that it was a fine musical event, not containing a political message.

The former minister also stated that the name issue currently pending between Greece and FYROM is "just as Mr. Theodorakis describes in his book: it constitutes a vehicle that filters their propaganda (FYROM's) and if it ever becomes accepted it will mean that Macedonia, northern Greece, is under Greek occupation."

Mr.Papathemelis pointed out that such a concert could be held in Ankara and be equally or even more so warmly embraced.

Yet, he added that the event was warped by FYROM into a "monstrous campaign of delusion" which does not resolve the political problem that lies between the two countries. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] GREECE-BULGARIA TO SIGN MILITARY ACCORD

Greece and Bulgaria are to soon sign a military agreement, according to the two countries' Defence Ministers, Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Georgi Ananiev, respectively.

The two officials met in South Bulgaria today and discussed bilateral issues as well as matters concerning the fortification of peace, security and stability in the Balkan region. A.F.

[11] CROATIA'S RULING PART LEADS IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Croatia's leading party, Franjo Tudjman's Democratic Croatian Union, has a slight lead over the coalition of opposition parties, according to the first results of yesterday's local elections.

A series of technical problems were noted during the voting process, especially in eastern Slavonia which still remains under Serb control. Eastern Slavonia, currently under the administration of the United Nations, is to be permanently assigned to Croatia in the beginning of July.

The elections were extended to one more day, today, so that the problems that surfaced yesterday may be overcome. A series of complaints were heard by Serbs who weren't able to vote because their names were absent from the ballot lists, although they had registered on time. Today's extension is expected to resolve this problem since the voters can vote by simply showing identification, regardless of whether or not their names appear on voting lists. A.F.

[12] ZORBAS, THE BALLET, TO BE PERFORMED IN SKOPJE THIS SUMMER

Rehearsals are underway for the performance of the ballet "Zorbas", whose music is composed by Greece's renowned artist Mikis Theodroakis and which will be perfomed by the dance troupe of Skopje.

Italy's Lorca Massini, who holds the ballet's intellectual rights, is to choreograph the ballet and aims at opening the performance this summer during the festival of Ohrid.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Theodorakis stated that he would like to have the opportunity to conduct a series of events and concerts in the capitals of neighboring countries, namely Albania's Tirana whose musicians he hailed as exceptional.

Officials in Tirana have expressed their desire to host a performance by Mr. Theodorakis as soon as the situation in Albania stabilizes. A.F.

[13] GREEK MANUFACTURERS EXHIBIT PRODUCTS IN KHAZAKSTAN

Nineteen Greek manufacturers are to exhibit their products in Khazakstan, participating in the International Exhibit of Consumer Products (Consumer Expo '97) at an international stand organized by the Greek Organization of Foreign Trade (OPE).

Six of the Greek companies to participate in the Fair are based in northern Greece and are mostly active in the sectors of food, beverages, housewares, cosmetics and fragrances. Also participating in the event are representatives from the Greek tourism company KINISSI which features an extensive clientele from the Balkan region and the countries of the former Soviet Union. A.F.

[14] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S N/NAL COUNCIL MEETS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Albanian Democratic Party's National Council met behind closed doors during the weekend, in a meeting that searched for the reasons the Mecsi government collapsed.

About forty party deputies openly question the Democratic Party and directly hold former Premier Alexander Mecsi as the man responsible for the crisis, not to mention their opposition against President Sali Berisha, as well as party leader and former Foreign Minister Tritan Sehu.

The parliamentarians have asked the party's National Council to table a censure vote against the party's leadership, which in turn accused them of corruption and collaboration with the Sigurimi, the country's former secret services. Also, the Democratic Party leaders turned against the dissenting deputies and held them equally responsible for today's crisis since they, too, are part of the government. A.F.

[15] COUNCIL OF DEFENSE AND SECURITY CONVENES TOMORROW

The first batch of soldiers who are to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force to Albania will depart tomorrow evening by plane from Thessaloniki for Tirana. Eight countries will participate in the peacekeeping force to be assigned to Albania and their military chiefs are to meet in Rome this evening.

Greece's Council of Defense and Security is to convene tomorrow morning and solely discuss the issue of the multinational force's assignment to Albania and will iron out the details of Greece's participation therein.

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Greek soldiers will first be stationed in Tirana and then a part of the battallion willl be transferred to Vlore. A.F.

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