Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-18

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

Last Update: 21:42 GMT+2

SECTIONS

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

[D] WORLD

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

[D] WORLD

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] GREECE

[01] THE GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE AND THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE MET IN ATHENS TODAY

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Athens 18 April (MPA)

In both meetings was underlined Greece's firm position that a necessary pre- condition for the essential improvement of the Greek-Turkish relations is Ankara's respect of International Law and international treaties as well as, the lifting of the turkish threats of war in case Greece extends its territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 nautical miles.

Regarding the Greek-Turkish committee of specialists, it was stressed that it will deal only with procedural issues. Among the other issues discussed in the meetings was the government's policy on the repatriated Greeks.

[02] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER BRIEFED THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC ON THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Athens 18 April (MPA)

Mr.Pangalos stated that he briefed the President on the latest developments in the region, the Greek mission to Albania, the recent visit of the Bulgarian Foreign Minister to Athens, the imminent visit by the Cypriot Foreign Minister as well as, on the contacts Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou had with his Turkish counterpart in Malta and finally, on the discussion with the Dutch EU Presidency for the clarification of the procedural preconditions for the solution of certain Greek-Turkish disputes.

The Foreign Minister reiterated, in statements he made after his meeting with the President, that Greece remains firm on its terms for the normalization of the Greek-Turkish relations namely, the lifting of the threat of war and the use of force by Turkey as well as, the respect of the institutional framework concerning the Greek borders, as defined by the International Law and international treaties. Mr.Pangalos also stated that the issue of the continental shelf can be resolved in the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Mr.Pangalos stressed that the Greek-Turkish Committee has a clearly defined character and will not be turned into an informal dialogue tool unconditionally.

Responding to the question on the meeting he will have with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller in Istanbul on April 30, on the sidelines of the meeting of the Black Sea Cooperation Pact Countries, mr.Pangalos stated that ms.Ciller will be the hostess of the meeting and she will meet with all the participants. He said that he will accept any invitation for an informal meeting with ms.Ciller and added that their meeting will not have as a subject the Greek-Turkish affairs but the economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.

[03] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REFERRED TO THE TWO HIGH-LEVEL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Athens 18 April (MPA)

Mr.Reppas pointed out that the government examines the possibility to deploy the Greek force that was sent to Albania to the outposts of Kakavia and Kristalopigi and generally to the southern Albanian regions to assist more effectivelly in the safe distribution of the humanitarian aid to the country.

He also pointed out the likelihood of consultations with the local authorities of certain regions in the Albanian south aimed at the distribution of the humanitarian aid before the Christian Orthodox Easter next week.

[04] PAPANTONIOU: THE GREEK ECONOMY HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

New York 18 April (MPA)

Mr.Papantoniou stated that in Greece a wide political consensus prevails on the issue of the monetary union and the objective is for the country to remain in the nucleus of the European Union, while preserving its credibility and improving its economy's competitiveness, transparency and efficiency.

The Greek Minister of National Economy and Finance stated that in the past three years the Greek economy has made significant progress. He stressed that the public deficit has been reduced by 7% since 1993, adding that it is expected to be 4,2% of the GDP by the end of 1997, compared to 7,4% in 1996. Mr.Papantoniou also stated that inflation was reduced to 6% in March 1997 from 12,3% in 1993, while the GDP's growth rate, which was negative in 1993, this year is expected to reach 3,5%.

[05] COUNCIL ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE AND CABINET MEET IN ATHENS

Web Posted: 21:42 GMT+2

Athens, April 18 (MPA)

The Cabinet will form two committees responsible for reshaping the State's policy on immigration.

The first committee is to be headed by alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and will mostly tackle issues of Greeks returning to the motherland, while the second committee will be co-chaired by Mr. Papandreou and the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos and will address more general issues of immigration. .

Following the KYSEA meeting, government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated that Greece is currently looking into ways to promote the Greek battallion assigned to Albania closer to the border and more into the south so that the aid can securely arrive at its destination.

[06] GREEK-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ESTABLISHED IN TEXAS

Web Posted: 21:42 GMT+2

Houston, April 18 (MPA)

According to Chamber officials, the organization will also aim at promoting trade between the state of Texas and Greece in various sectors, such as energy, produce and shipping.

[07] GREECE'S FINANCE AND ECONOMICS MINISTER SPEAKS AT HARVARD

Web Posted: 21:42 GMT+2

New York, Apirl 18 (MPA)

Mr. Papantoniou stated that Greece is the only country with a developed economy and strong democratic make-up in southeastern Europe, a region which is relatively unstable, yet with great economic opportunities.

The Minister spoke extensively of Greece's advantageous role in the region, both due to its aforementioned assets and given its favorable georgaphic position.

He also stated that a wide political consensus prevails in Greece on the issue of the monetary union and the objective is for the country to remain in the nucleus of the European Union, while preserving its credibility and improving its economy's competitiveness, transparency and efficiency.

[B] BALKANS

[08] THE TANK LANDING SHIP "SAMOS" SAILED INTO THE PORT OF DURRES

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Athens 18 April (MPA)

The change in its initial destination was deemed by the Greek Ministry of Defence as necessary, due to the fact that the Italian marines sent to Vlore were unable to create the conditions for the safe landing of the Greek troops.

As it was made known, the Greek mechanized army unit that arrived in Durres will leave for the Albanian south, while the deployment of Greek troops in Tirana continues without problems.

On the political field, the Albanian political parties agreed that elections will be held on June 29 but they continue to disagree on the terms for the holding of the elections.

[09] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN BULGARIA TOMORROW

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Sofia 18 April (MPA)

In the elections participate 39 political parties and coalitions. Bulgarian nationals living in Thessaloniki will be able to exercise their right to vote in the Bulgarian Consulate.

[10] SHOCKING FACTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED IN TURKEY LAST MONTH

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Ankara 18 April (MPA)

According to evidence, 8 people were killed and the conditions of their deaths remain unclear, 7 people were executed without a trial after being tortured, 11 disappeared while in police custody and 168 were killed in armed clashes.

During attacks against unarmed civilians, 12 people were killed and 6 were wounded, 48 were tortured, 2.190 people were detained, among them 41 journalists and 107 were arrested.

The "Turkish Daily News" also writes that 4 villages or settlements were forcibly evacuated, 10 regions were bombarded, while 6 trade unions and journalistic associations were shut down.

[11] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN BULGARIA TOMORROW

Web Posted: 21:42 GMT+2

Sofia, April 18 (MPA)

Bulgarian citizens residing in northern Greece can cast vote at their country's consulate in Thessaloniki tomorrow between 6 am and 7 pm.

According to Bulgaria's Consul-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.

[C] EUROPE

[12] J. SANTER WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI ON MAY 9

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Thessaloniki 18 April (MPA)

On May 9 is celebrated the Day of Europe and the EU Commission President will attend the festivities for the first time in Greece.

[D] WORLD

[13] THE US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT GREECE AND TURKEY WILL MEET TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS

Web Posted: 18:39 GMT+2

Washington 18 April (MPA)

Mr.Burns stated that the United States were not involved in this particular initiative but in a wider sense the US has been suggesting for years that the two countries must negotiate their differences.

The US State Department spokesman also underlined that US Secretary of State ms.Albright due to her interest in issues of south-eastern Europe and the problems of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey has asked from the diplomats to be creative in order for the US efforts to be effective.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/

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