Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-24

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 24, 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 CHANCELLOR KOHL IN BONN TODAY

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with German chancellor Helmut Kohl in Bonn today, where the two men discussed European issues as well as Greece's relations with Turkey.

Specifically, during their two-hour meeting the two leaders also discussed the latest developments in Albania, the European Monetary Union's process, as well as NATO's eastward expansion. A.F.

[02] REPPAS: THERE IS NO SECRET CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN SIMITIS AND CLINTON

There is no secret correspondence between Simitis and Clinton and no exchange of letters whatsoever, stated Greek government Dimitris Reppas, who denied the information published in the newspaper "Ependitis".

Mr.Reppas pointed out that professor Rozakis, who allegedly visited the US and delivered those letters, did not participate in such a procedure, while he also added that mr.Rozakis has not visited the US in the past year as it can easily established by anyone.

Responding to questions made by journalists, mr.Reppas stated that Greece will not lift its veto on the EU funds for Turkey in the imminent EU-Turkey Association Council meeting and added that if Turkey does not accept the pre-conditions set then Greece's position will remain unchanged.

[03] 52 TONS OF GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID ARRIVED IN ALBANIA

Fifty two tons of Greek humanitarian aid arrived in Albania this morning on board two Greek Air Force C-130 transport planes. The humanitarian aid was sent to Albania by the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs after a decision by the Governmental Council of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The first C-130 arrived in Tirana and its humanitarian aid is destined for the Archbishopric of Albania, while the second transport plane will go to Gjirokastra. Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated that Greece with its initiatives assists in the efforts for Albania's reconstruction and support.

Meanwhile, the Romanian government has appealed to the Greek government to assist in the transport of the Romanian military force that will be deployed in Albania within the framework of the multi-national protection force.

Mr.Kranidiotis stated that Greece has responded positivelly to Romania's request adding that this initiative has a special political significance.

[04] GREEK PREMIER TO MEET WITH CHANCELLOR KOHL IN BONN TODAY

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to meet with German chancellor Helmut Kohl in Bonn today, where the two men will discuss European issues as well as Greece's relations with Turkey.

Specifically, during their two-hour meeting the two leaders will also discuss the latest developments in Albania, the European Monetary Union's process, as well as NATO's eastward expansion.

Mr. Simitis will also meet with the President of the Social- Democratic Party.

[05] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT GREEK TROOPS IN ALBANIA ON MONDAY

The 420 Greek troops who have arrived in Albania to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force have been set up at two military camps in Tirana while another 100 Greek soldiers will arrive in Albania next week. Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will visit the Greek forces established in Albania on Monday. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will be accompanied by Undersecretary of Defense Dimitris Apostolakis.

[06] GREEK AND TURKISH MILITARY CHIEFS MEET IN BRUSSELS

Greece's Chief of the General Staff Athanasios Tzoganis and Turkey's Ismael Karadayi have met in Brussels.

Meanwhile, a response in awaited from Turkey in regards to the Dutch-held EU Presidency's proposal to form two experts committees, one for Greece and the other for Turkey, which will note each country's positions regarding procedural matters.

In regards to Turkey's association council with the EU, the Community's "15" have isued a common statement with which Greece does agree, although it insists on its position not to free the funds for Turkey. If Ankara agrees with the Community's position it must first accept the three terms set forth by Greece. These terms are that Turkey must not threaten war in case Greece extends its territorial waters to 12 miles, a clear statement of acceptance and respect of international laws and accords and Ankara's resort to the International Court of Justice for the resolvement of any conflict.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] IVAN KOSTOV, BULGARIA'S NEW PREMIER

[09] THE EU ADOPTED A JOINT POSITION TO BE PRESENTED IN THE EU- TURKEY ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

The condemnation of the threat of war, the respect of International Law, the appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the settlement of legal disputes and the solution of the Cyprus problem are included in the common position of the EU members that will be presented in the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting.

The Dutch EU Presidency had included in the text of the joint position the EU's commitment to grant the funds to Ankara as soon as possible. Greece's Ambassador mr.Apostolides rejected this position yesterday and suggested a different phrasing to be included in the text, according to which a pre-condition for the freeing of the EU funds will be Ankara's acceptance of the terms presented by Greece.

[10] THE SINGLE CURRENCY AND THE ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNIFICATION WILL BE DISCUSSED ON APRIL 29

The single currency and the course to the economic and monetary unification will be discussed in New York on April 29 in the meeting of PASOK's Euro-deputy and first vice-President of Euro-Parliament's Economic, Monetary and Industrial Policy Committee mr.Giorgos Katiforis with the French Finance Minister, the German National Economy Minister and representatives of the Dutch EU Presidency within the framework of the International Seminar organized by the European Institute in Washington.

In the Seminar will also participate the Governor of the Central Bank of France, a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Germany, senior government officials from the EU and the United States as well as, European and American business executives.

[11] TEMPORARY COMMITTEE ON THE "MAD COW" DISEASE WILL BE FORMED

The European Parliament decided in yesterday's session the establishment of a temporary committee to check if the European Commission follows and implements the recommendations of the "mad cow" disease Inquiry Committee.

The temporary committee that will be made up of 20 members, among them Greek Euro-deputy mr.Trakatellis, will present a report to the European Parliament in October on whether the EU Commission is in compliance with the Euro-Parliament's recommendations.

[12] PRESIDENT CLERIDES: GHALI'S IDEAS HAVE NOT BEEN DISCUSSED IN DIRECT TALKS

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides has stated that the ideas of former UN Chief Butros Ghali have not yet been discussed in direct talks, while he also emphasized that no common ground has been reached up to date on any issue.

Regarding the operation of Cyprus' National Council, President Clerides said that he has decided to respect the NC's unanimous decisions, but, he added, "if I disagree, I must resort to a referendum."

Mr. Clerides did add that "if the National Council's members do not reach a consensus and there is a majority opinion, then these views must be taken into consideration, athough they are not binding."

Also, referring to the reasons that led to the suspension of Greek fighter jet flights over Cyprus, President Clerides said that he does not want to give Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash the opportunity to justify his negative stance. Mr. Clerides also added that prior to deciding to suspend the flights, he communicated with Greek Premier Kostas Simitis who agreed that it would not be prudent to give any right to blame the Greek-Cypriot side.

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