Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-02

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 2, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS WERE DISCUSSED IN THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING

The Greek-Turkish relations and the latest developments on the issue were at the center of today's meeting of the Governmental Committee presided over by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated after the meeting that a briefing was made on current issues of foreign policy, the Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus and underlined that it was established complete agreement, coincidence of views and optimism among the members of the Committee.

Responding to a question on the individuals who will make up the Greek Committee under creation, as a result of the Dutch EU Presidency proposal, mr.Kranidiotis clarified that the issue was not discussed today and no decisions were made, adding that a discussion on the issue will be held soon in the Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Dimitiris Reppas stated that the experts that will make up the committee should be jurists, to stress this way the procedural nature of the committees. He also stated that if common ground is established with the intervention of the Dutch EU Presidency there could be a cooperation between the two groups on the basis of this common ground, which presupposes their meeting together.

[02] NASAL SPRAY WILL PARTIALLY REPLACE THE INSULIN INJECTIONS MADE BY THE DIABETICS

A nasal spray that will be in the market by the year 2000 will partially replace the insulin injections made by the diabetics, while a recently discovered hormone, called leptine, will offer new hope to obese individuals who want to lose weight.

The above were announced by Athens University assistant professor Gerasimos Krassas and associate professor in Aristotle University Giannis Giovas in a press conference on the occasion of the 9th Balkan and the 24th Greek Endocrinology Conferences that will be held in Thessaloniki on May 7-11.

[03] GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE CONVENES UNDER PREMIER KOSTAS SIMITIS

The governmental committee is currently in a session headed by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis where the participants are to discuss the course of Greek-Turkish relations.

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will brief the Committee members on his recent contacts with his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller as well as the stance adopted by the European allies during the EU-Turkey Association Council.

Also, the Committee will examine the issue of the separate Greek and Turkish experts committees, a matter over which the country's main opposition party New Democracy has expressed its reservations. A.F.

[04] MR. PAPANDREOU WILL ATTEND THE 100TH MEETING OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE FOREIGN MINISTERS

The 100th meeting of Foreign Ministers from the 40 Council of Europe member-states will be held in Strasbourg on May 5 and 6.

In the informal meeting of May 5, that will be held in the presence of former Austrian Chancellor and personal envoy of the OSCE President mr.Vranitski, will be discussed the situation in Albania.

The formal meeting that will be held on May 6 and will be presided over by Finn Foreign Minister Tarza Halonen, will focus on the preparation and the targets of the 2nd Summit meeting of the Council of Europe heads of state and government scheduled to take place in Strasbourg on October 9 and 10.

The discussion will begin with an introduction by the French Foreign Minister and Greece will be represented in the meeting by alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

[05] ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS WILL AWARD 11 GREEKS FOR BRAVITY IN WWII

Eleven Greeks who saved the lives of persecuted Jews during the German Occupation period will be honored on Monday in a gala hosted by Israel's ambassador to Athens Ran Kuriel.

The "Medal of the Law of Nations" will be bestowed upon these brave individuals, one of the highest honors given by Israel and granted by the Israeli Foundation in memory of the six million Jews who were killed in the "Yiant Vassem" holocaust. A.F.

[06] NORTHERN GREECE'S BOYS-GIRLS SCOUTS LEADING IN THE BALKANS

Northern Greece's scouting organizations are to lead the way for their counterparts in the Balkan region, following a decision drawn by the European Scouting Bureau, which aims at re- establishing the noble organizations into the region where scouting had been eradicated by previous communist regimes.

With the fall of the communist rule in the region, scouting slowly re-appeared in the region and Northern Greece's groups will shipshape the newly-formed Scouting offices in various Balkan countries.

Already, Yugoslavia's and Romania's scouting organizations have been formally recognized, while the rest of the Balkan region's countries are waitning for their turn as well. A.F.

[07] GREEK VENTURES SUPPORTED IN ODESSOS BY ATHENS SATELLITE OFFICE

Greek businesses venturing into the Ukraine and other neighboring states will now be supported by an Athens-satellite office established in Odessos, the Center for Businesss and Entrepreneurship of Attica.

Basically, the center will provide consultation and assistance services on economic, technical and legal maters, while it will also serve as a liaison between the Greek businessmen and their Ukrainian counterparts. It will also undertake market research and provide data on the various activities taking place in the Ukrainian market and the Commonwealth of Independent States, within the framework of the EU's Tacis and Tacis/Jopp programs. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] GREEK-FYROM MEETING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LAKE DOIRAN

A Greek-FYROM meeting on the preservation of lake Doiran and the development of the wider region will be held in the town of Drosato in the prefecture of Kilkis in norhtern Greece on May 11, with the participation of local administration authorities and scientists from both countries.

Delegations of scientists from Greece and FYROM will examine the environmental problem observed in the region in the past few years, due to the continuous drop of the lake's water level and they will suggest solutions.

Also, during the meeting the two sides will examine the prospects for the joint tourist development of the wider region around the lake through the construction of infrastructure projects, while an agreement is expected to be reached for the adoption of measures aimed at the protection of fishing.

[09] BRITAIN'S LABOUR PARTY WINS ELECTIONS, TONI BLAIR NEXT PREMIER

Britain's Labour Party, led by Toni Blair, emerged victorious during yesterday's parliamentary elections, seizing the power from John Major's conservative faction which had governed the country for 18 consecutive years.

The Labour Party amassed 45% of the votes, winning 416 seats in Parliament, while the Conservatives gathered 31%, 158 seats, the Liberals 17%, 40 seats, and other minor parties 29 seats.

Mr. Blair will be sworn in as Prime Minister tomorrow. In his first statement to the press following his victory, Mr. Blair said that he plans to represent the whole of British society in a fair and just manner. Mr. Major offered his wishes to his successor and vowed to maintain a tough, yet fair, stance as the main opposition leader. A.F.

[10] JOHN MAJOR RESIGNED FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CONSERVATIVES

John Major announced his resignation from the leadership of the British Conservatives after the sweeping victory of the Labour Party in yesterday's elections which returns to power after 18 years of Conservative rule.

Mr.Major clarified that he will continue to be an active member of his party, adding that a new party leader should be elected.

[11] GERMAN ENVOY FOR CYPRUS ISSUE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES TODAY

The German envoy for the Cyprus issue Detlev Radshau was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides in Nicosia today.

Mr. Radshau stated that the meeting with President Clerides was interesting and enlighting, declining to make further comment before Monday's scheduled press conference. He has stated that Germany would like to see the Cyprus issue resolved so that when the island accedes to the European Union there will be no tangles to face.

The German diplomat will meet with the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on Monday. A.F.

[12] ALBANIA: OPPOSITION AT ODDS WITH DEMOCRATIC PARTY OVER ELECTION LAW

The election law that will determine Albania's parliamentary elections scheduled for June 29 continues to be a thorn between the country's opposition parties and the ruling Democratic Party which favours an absolute majority system.

The majority of the opposition parties want a proportonial representation system, and the Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino told so to Frantz Vranitski, the envoy from the Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe.

Mr. Fino also stated that he will summon the parties to a last convention in order to discuss this difference and if a meeting of minds is not reached, then, he said, he will have to table the law first to the Governmental Council and second to Parliament. Mr. Fino also said that, given the Democratic Party's majority rule in Parliament, he will also ask for a vote of confidence.

Mr. Vranitski stated that a coordinated effort is needed on behalf of all the country's political forces in order to reach a solution. The OSCE envoy communicated with Albania's President Sali Berisha who assured Mr. Vranitski of his will to hold the elections within the given deadline, albeit reiterating his condition that, before elections are held, the committees formed by rioting civilians must be dismantled. A.F.

[13] TURKISH TROOPS INVADE NORTHERN IRAQ, PRESS IN ANKARA REPORTS

Strong forces from the Turkish Army have invaded Northern Iraq and have embarked on a "clean-up" operation against the PKK's Kurds, according to daily press reports in Turkey.

Specifically, the Turkish daily "Milliyet" reported that the mobility noted lately at the Turkish-Iraqi borders has been replaced by armed conflict and wrote that "terrorists who opened fire against militiamen and soldiers in Hakkiari's Tsukurtza region killed four militiamen and one soldier, while an additional four militiamen and one soldier were wounded during the attack. The Turkish armed forces that entered Northern Iraq began close surveillance against the PKK and advanced 10 kilometers. The authorities have said that this is a 'close surveillance' and the real operation has not began yet."

Another daily, "Zaman", reported that a large number of PKK members were killed during the attack, although it added that the security forces have withdrawn back to the borderline and also wrote that the Turkish General Army Staff has not confirmed reports of the operation.

In a briefing given at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, deputy spokesman Sermet Atajanli stated that the reported military force "probably concerns a misunderstanding", adding that this is most likely concerning the surveillance force that has been assigned to the area. A.F.

[14] THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI

The first lady of the United States is likely to visit Greece in June for the opening of the exhibition of relics from Mount Athos that will be held in Thessaloniki within the framework of the Cultural Capital of Europe events, according to the Greek- American newspaper "Proini" in New York.

Ms.Clinton has already received an invitation by the Greek Culture Minister to attend the opening of the exhibition.

[15] CATHLEEN KENNEDY WILL VISIT GREECE IN THE SUMMER

Cathleen Kennedy-Townscend, daughter of the late Robert Kennedy, who was elected deputy Governor in the state of Maryland will visit Thessaloniki to admire the priceless treasures from Mount Athos that will be exhibited in the city within the framework of the Cultural Capital of Europe events.

Ms.Kennedy-Townscend has a great love and interest for Greece and Cyprus. It should be noted that she had presented a thesis in the University of Harvard on the antiquities in the island of Crete and in Macedonia while her husband teaches ancient Greek in the University of Maryland.

[16] THE FORUM ON DEMOCRACY INTENDS TO BRING SALI BERISHA BEFORE JUSTICE

The opposition Forum on Democracy intends to bring Albanian President Sali Berisha to the Albanian courts of justice accusing him of genocide, while Social-Democratic Party President Skender Ginusi left open the possibility to bring the case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

According to the newspaper "Gazeta Skiptare", the Forum on Democracy maintains that it has evidence in its possesion proving Berisha's guilt and responsibility in the recent dramatic developments in the country.

[17] THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE WEU MET WITH THE GREEK PRESIDENT

Western European Union General Secretary Jose Cutilieiro was received today by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Earlier, the WEU General Secretary had met with Minister of Defence Akis Tsochatzopoulos and they discussed the prospects for the WEU development, as well as the current situation in Albania.

[18] THE BULGARIAN VICE-PRESIDENT WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI AND MOUNT ATHOS

Bulgarian vice-President Ivan Kadartziev, heading a 12-member delegation, will visit Thessaloniki and Mount Athos on Monday. The Bulgarian vice-President will meet with Minister of Macedonia- Thrace mr.Petsalnikos and among others they will discuss the prospects for the further development of bilateral economic relations.

The Bulgarian delegation will have contacts with production sector representatives and business executives from northern Greece, while it is also scheduled to visit the Bulgarian monastery of Zografou in Mount Athos.

[19] EU COMMISSION CHIEF JACQUES SANTER TO VISIT THESSALONIKI ON MAY 9

The President of the European Commission Jacques Santer is to visit Thessaloniki on May 9, where he will address a convention held by the Association of Northern Greece's Industries.

Mr. Santer will be accompanied by Greek Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and, during his two-day stay in Greece, will meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, the President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis and the leader of the main oposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis. A.F.

[20] EUROPEAN-RUSSIAN BUSINESSMEN AT ROUND TABLE MEETING IN OCTOBER

The first round-table discussion ever held between European and Russian businessmen will take place in Moscow on October 6-7, according to Thessaloniki's Trade and Industry Chamber.

Moscow's "European Business Club" has already drawn a list of the European and Russian businesses set to participate at the meeting, most of which are from the sectors of telecommunications, financing and mettalurgy, as well as the sectors of space and aeronautical industries, energy, building supplies, chemical products and foodstuffs.

Scheduled to attend this unprecedented meeting are the European Commissioners Msgrs. Bangermann and Van den Broek while representing Russia will be its Premier Victor Cernomyrdin and other political leaders. A.F.

[21] MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY-ISRAEL MOVING RIGHT ALONG

The military cooperation between Turkey and Israel is progressing as planned, as Turkish Foreign Minister Turhan Tayan is currently in Israel where he is to meet with his Israeli counterpart and discuss the common Turkish-Israeli exercises and cooperation on the arms industry.

The Israeli Minister of Defense I. Morgentau stated that "Turkey and Israel are the two ends of a large bridge which, in the near future, will be extended to the Middle East."

Never before in Turkey's history had there been such close co- operation with Israel, until Turkish Premier Necmettin Erbakan came to power. A.F.

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