Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-15

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 15 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE SENDS FIRST TROOPS TO ALBANIA TOMORROW

The first part of the Greek battallion which is to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force to Albania will depart tomorrow from Thessaloniki for Vlore, according to Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos. . The first troops will fly from Thessaloniki for Tirana with C- 130. The second part of the battallion will arrive in Vlore on April 17 by a tank landing ship, while the remaining troops will depart for Albania by the end of this week. In all, the Greek battallion comprises 760 soldiers, 17 armoured vehicles and 20 jeeps.

Eight countries will participate in the mission assigned to Albania and 1,200 Italian, French and Spanish troops are expected to arrive in Durres today.

According to the French Press Agency, the Italian information services told officials in Rome that they have received reports of terrorist threats against the mission. A.F.

[02] THE GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE MET TO DISCUSS THE GREEK MISSION TO ALBANIA

The Government Council on Foreign Affairs and Defence met today to discuss details concerning the Greek participation in the multi-national force that will be deployed in Albania.

In statements made after the meeting, Minister of Defence Akis Tsochatzopoulos announced that the two first battalions will leave from Thessaloniki tomorrow with destination the Albanian capital of Tirana.

Mr.Tsochatzopoulos stated that the political goal of this intervention is to guarantee the holding of free political elections in a period of three months, adding that this is an objective that is being promoted by the Greek government in cooperation with the European Union.

[03] GREEK PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE EU ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE PRESIDENT

The meeting of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis with the EU Economic and Social Committee President Tom Jenkins focused on social dialogue and employment related issues.

In statements they made after the meeting they pointed out that the positions of the EU partners will be promoted in the Inter-Governmental Conference that will be held in Amsterdam in June and will be part of the agreement concerning employment issues.

[04] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART

The procedures for the materialization of the Burgas- Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project are in progress and the technical details will be clarified in talks with the new Bulgarian government after the upcoming elections in the country. The above were stated by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos after meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Stoyan Stalev who is visiting Athens.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed issues concerning the Greek-Bulgarian relations and the situation in the Balkans as well as, the infrastructure projects that will contribute to the economic development and the strengthening of relations between Greece and Bulgaria. Specifically, the talks focused on issues of energy, transportations and communications.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction for the support of the Greek government to the efforts of his country for the gradual incorporation of its market into the European institutions and for its accession into NATO.

[05] G. PAPANDREOU TO MEET WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN MALTA TODAY

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

Mr. Papandreou has stated 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.

The Greek alternate Foreign Minister himself 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 today'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.

[06] 24-HOUR TRAIN STRIKE HELD TODAY, 13 OUT OF 300 ROUTES TO BE CONDUCTED

Employees of the state-owned railway organization (OSE) have embarked on a 24-hour, country-wide strike today.

Only 13 out of OSE's 300 programmed routes will be conducted, although some routes are maintained for those interested in travelling abroad by train. Specifically, passengers can travel to Belgrade and to Budapest from Thessaloniki and back, by train connections. A.F.

[07] A GROUP OF GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTRY SPECIALISTS WILL VISIT SKOPJE

A group of Greek Public Order Ministry specialists are expected to arrive in Skopje today.

According to FYROM's state radio, their visit aims at the continuation of the talks for the cooperation between the two Ministries in countering illegal drugs and weapons trade. Also, it was mentioned that will be discussed the issue of the illegal trade of radioactive materials especially, after FYROM's police arrested 3 citizens who had in their possession 250 gramms of enriched uranium.

[08] CARAVAGGIO'S ART EXHIBIT OPENS TOMORROW IN THESSALONIKI

The works of one of the most significant, yet controversial, figures in the wolrd of art Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1610) will be exhibited in Thessaloniki, with the event being inaugurated tomorrow evening officially.

Along with Caravaggio's works, paintings drawn by his followers, the "Caravaggeschi", will also be exhibited, namely works of Bartolomeo Manfredi, Orazio Gentileschi, Carlo Saraceni, Orazio Borgianni and Battistello Caracciolo.

The exhibit is held within the framework of events organized by the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki '97". A.F.

[09] TWO FRENCH STUDENTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO STEAL ANTIQUITIES

Two French college students were arrested today in Thessaloniki for attempting to steal antiquities from the city's Archaeological Museum and were sentenced to four months and forty days, respectively, by a local court.

The two, a man and a woman, were arrested by Thessaloniki's police after having stolen fragments of vessels dating back to the Byzantine and pre-Christian period. A museum guard detected the couple from a closed circuit security system lifting the fragments, placing them into two bags and exiting the museum. He detained them until the police arrived who took them into custody.

The 25-year-old male defendant and his 21-year-old girlfriend are students at France's Saint Etien School of Fine Arts, currently staying in Thessaloniki where they attended training seminars at the city's Institute Francais. Claiming that he was intoxicated during the act, the man filed an appeal, while his girlfriend, who was tried as an accessory to theft of antiquities, was released after paying a fine. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] IVAN KOSTOV: THE POTENTIAL FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREEK-BULGARIAN RELATIONS IS GREAT

There is great potential for the further development of the Greek-Bulgarian relations and the new Bulgarian government that will be formed after the April 19 elections will work toward this direction, stated the leader of the Democratic Forces Union mr.Ivan Kostov in an exclusive interview to MPA. Based on public opinion polls, mr.Kostov is seen as the country's new Prime Minister and the center-right coalition of the Democratic Forces Union he leads is expected to achieve an sweeping victory in the elections.

The 48yearold mathematics professor, who was trained as an Air Force pilot in the former Soviet Union, studied Political Economy in the Karl Marx Institute of Sofia and was appointed Finance Minister in the period 1991-1993, maintains that the Greek- Bulgarian relations can develop even further if his country becomes a member of the EU and NATO.

Mr.Kostov stated that his country will try to develop bilateral relations with Russia and that the new government will use in an effective way the expected financial assistance from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

He also stated that the increased inter-dependence in economy and infrastructures among the Balkan states will lead to a greater guarantee for stability in South-Eastern Europe.

[11] BULGARIANS RESIDING IN N. GREECE CAN VOTE AT THESSALONIKI'S CONSULATE

In light of Saturday's parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, Bulgarian citizens residing in northern Greece can cast vote at their country's consulate in Thessaloniki on April 19 between 6 am and 7 pm.

According to Bulgaria's Consu-General in Thessaloniki Ilko Sivacev, a cross-party eLectorate committee will also be present at the consulate.

Mostly Bulgarian women who have wed Greeks reside in northern Greece, as well as businessmen who engage in trade activity between the two countries. Two hundred and twenty Bulgarians voted from Thessaloniki during last year's presidential elections. A.F.

[12] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHUFFLES ITS LEADERS

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

About forty party deputies openly questioned the Democratic Party and directly held former Premier Aleksander Mecsi as the man responsible for the crisis, not to mention their opposition to President Sal Berisha, as well as party leader and former Foreign Minister Tritan Sehu.

Former ministers Diasiamir Siexi, Bashkim Koplicou and Dylber Vrioni were removed from the party's leadership. These three members of the Democratic Party's National Council had signed the common statement issued by 13 deputies wherein they distanced themselves from President Sali Berisha and hold him as being responsible for today's crisis. This common statement was rejected by the National Council. Also, the party's secretary-general Mr. Giugetsai resigned and was replaced by G. Polo.

During the session, the parliamentarians 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 leadership turned against the dissenting deputies and held them equally responsible for today's crisis since, it said, they too are part of the government. A.F.

[13] FOOD AND MEDICINE WERE SENT TO BLAGOEVGRAD IN BULGARIA

The municipality of Neapolis in Thessaloniki in an effort to help the suffering Bulgarian people has sent humanitarian aid of food and medicine to the city of Blagoevgrad in south Bulgaria.

In the 8,5 tons of aid are included olive oil, flour, rice, pasta, milk, baby food and other non-perishable goods, as well as medicine.

[14] TWO PEOPLE HELD BY THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES IN CYPRUS WILL BE TRIED WITHIN THE WEEK

Two people, who are being held by the British authorities in Cyprus, will appear before the British Bases' Court accused of assaulting an officer and of disturbing peace during yesterday's incidents in Episkopi.

According to the press spokesman of the British Bases, other 5 people arrested last night for obstructing police officers and disturbing peace were released from custody but all of them will have to appear before the British Bases' Court.

[15] THE LEADER OF CYPRUS' UNITED DEMOCRATS IS VISITING ATHENS

The leader of the United Democrats in Cyprus mr.Giorgos Vasiliou is visiting Athens heading a delegation of his party and is scheduled to meet with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, government ministers and political party leaders.

The objective of his visit is the exchange of views on issues concerning the course of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Vasiliou stated before leaving from Larnaka Airport that the Cyprus problem is not stagnant and stressed that Cyprus should go to direct talks as soon as the UN Secretary General issues an invitation. He also stated that only through talks can be established if there is even a small chance for the Turkish side to change its position and abandon its negative stance.

[16] MOST POLITICAL PARTIES IN FYROM SUPPORT PARTICIPATION IN THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO ALBANIA

Most political parties in FYROM support the participation of the country's army in the multi-national protection force that will be deployed in Albania for the safe distribution of the humanitarian aid in the country.

The likelihood to send a military force to Albania was discussed yesterday by FYROM's cabinet but no final decision was made on the matter.

Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckovski, in statements published in the semi-official newspaper "Nova Makedonia", left open the possibility of FYROM's participation in the humanitarian aid distribution phase of the mission.

[17] TURKEY COULD FACE AN EMBARGO BY THE UNITED STATES

The Turkish newspapers mention that the United States are considering to end the credit to the Turkish natural gas state company "Botas" in case Turkey does not cancel the agreement for the purchase of natural gas from Iran. According to the Turkish newspapers, a proposal on the matter has been tabled to the responsible US Senate committee by Senator D'Amato.

The newspaper "Yeni Yuzyil" published a statement made by the General Director of the Turkish company according to which, if this threat is put into effect there will be a problem with the investment plans of the US companies Amoco, Mobil and Exxon worth 3-3,5 billion US dollars.

[18] GERMANY CALLS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION OF IRAN

Many German politicians called for Iran's international isolation as during the past 24 hours tensions increased in relations between Bonn and Teheran, due to the continuing demonstrations in the Iranian capital against Germany ignited by statements made by President Rafsadjani and Iranian Parliament members in protest to a recent German Court ruling. According to the Berlin Court decision, the Iranian leadership was behind the assassination of 4 Iranian Kurdish dissidents in a Berlin restaurant in 1992.

In Bonn, representatives of the Federal Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee called for Iran's international isolation and also called on the EU members to adopt a united stance on the issue.

[19] MOSLEMS IN JERUSALEM EXTEND MOSQUE INTO GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SPACE

Moslems in Jerusalem have stirred a reaction among the city's Christian community when, during construction repairs of a Moslem mosque, they tore down an in-between wall and extended the mosque into two rooms belonging to the Greek-Orthodox Church.

The mosque is located adjacent to the Orthodox Church of the Holy Tomb.

[20] ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER ON VISIT TO ANKARA

Albania's Defense Minister S. Vukai is currently on a formal visit to Ankara, upon the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Turhan Tayan.

The two men are to discuss military cooperation between their countries and Turkey's participation in the multinational peacekeeping force to be assigned to Albania.

Mr. Vukai is also expected to be received by Turkish President Suleiman Demirel. At the same time, a delegation of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee is curently in Tirana where it is to be received by the President of the Albanian Parliament Pieter Arbnori and members of the Albanian Parliamentary Committee of Defense and Foreign Affairs. A.F.

[21] MONTENEGRO'S PREMIER TO BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW ON A PRIVATE VISIT

The Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Juganovic is expected to be in Athens tomorrow on a private, one-day visit.

According to Montenegro's diplomatic circles, Mr. Juganovic may request to meet with Greek political leaders in order to brief them on the political crisis currently tormenting his country, stemming from the conflict between the Premier and Montenegro's President Momir Bulatovic.

The differences between Msgrs. Bulatovic and Juganovic concern the latter's negative remarks against Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and Montenegro's ties wih international economic organizations. A.F.

[22] TURKEY'S PLACE IS IN EUROPE, BUT WITHOUT ERBAKAN, SAYS DUTCH OFFICIAL

The President of the Dutch Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs Mr. Traa told the leader of Turkey's Socialdemocratic Party Mr.Baykal that Turkey's place is in Europe, but without its Premier Necmettin Erbakan.

According to the Turkish daily "Sabah", Mr. Traa stated that Mr. Erbakan negatively affects his country's relations with the European Union, but, the article continued, the Dutch official also gave Mr. Baykal positive mesages on the prospects of Turkey's accession to the EU. A.F.

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