Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-06

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 6, 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 CONTINUE WITH THE SAME POLICY ON TURKEY

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed today that the Greek government continues to follow the policy drawn in the past by the ruling party PASOK in regards to the step-by-step approach with Turkey and the three terms the government has set forth for holding a dialogue with Turkey still continue to apply.

Specifically, the three terms are that Turkey should avoid the use of force or the threat of the use of force, respect International Law and appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the settlement of disputes. A.F.

[02] GREEK PREMIER, EDUCATION MINISTER DISCUSS NATIONAL, ACADEMIC ISSUES

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, who has served as Defense Minister in the past, met today to discuss national and academic matters.

The ruling Pasok party's Parliamentary Group is to meet tomorrow under the Premier who is expected to emphasize the government's commitment to its positions on national matters. A.F.

[03] GREECE FORMS ITS EXPERTS COMMITTEE WITH TWO LAW PROFESSORS

The Greek government has appointed two law professors to participate in the experts committee which will tackle procedural matters between Greece and Turkey, as per a proposal made by the EU's Dutch-held Presidency.

The first, Argyris Fatouros, is a professor of Law at the University of Athens, and the second, Krateros Ioannou also teaches Law at the University of Democritus in Thrace.

The Greek committee will begin its session within the following days. Messrs. Fatouros and Ioannou will communicate with their two counterparts from Turkey through the Dutch official overseeing the committee.

Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated that the committee members' role will not be to conduct a political dialogue or serve as mediators or arbitrators. He also stressed that any outcome whatsoever must feature a consensus from both sides.

"This is a trust-building measure between Greece and Turkey, it's an effort to create a positive climate," Mr. Kranidtiotis said, adding that "it is possible that this effort might fail. I'm not optimistic, but it will certainly work favorably for the relations between the two countries and, whatever the result may be, Greece in no way will emerge hurt."

Mr. Ioannou also said that the role of the experts' committee will be exploratory.

"This is not a discussion on substantive matters," the law professor said, adding that it is an effort to examine procedural matters on addressing Greek-Turkish relations. A.F.

[04] PAPANDREOU-OYMEN MEETINGS WERE HELD IN STRASBOURG TODAY AND LAST NIGHT

Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou met with Turkish Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Onur Oymen today and late last night on the sidelines of the 100th meeting of the Council of Europe Foreign Ministers held in Strasbourg.

Mr.Papandreou characterized his meetings with mr.Oymen as routine contacts that focused on procedural issues concerning the way of operation of the two committees of experts that will be formed. The committees will meet for the first time by the end of May with the participation of the Dutch EU Presidency.

Meanwhile, the Dutch EU Presidency expressed the wish for the two committees to meet in direct dialogue without the Dutch mediation.

Nevertheless, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas reiterated that Greece remains firm in its position regarding the operation of the committees of experts as it has been presented by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. In other words, the two committees will operate separately and each one will submit its own findings. If there is an agreement, stated mr.Bikas, then it is possible for a joint text to be issued.

The director of the US State Department office for southern Europe mr.Cavanaugh is expected to arrive in Athens tomorrow for talks with alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, before visiting Ankara.

[05] HIGH LEVEL GREEK-US MEETING BEGAN IN CRETE TODAY

A high level meeting between Greece and the United States began in the island of Crete today, held within the framework of the two countries' defence agreement, for the discussion of bilateral relations, armaments issues and Balkan problems.

Today's meetings were presided over by Greek Undersecretary of Defence Dimitris Apostolakis and his US counterpart John Lodel. According to mr.Apostolakis, the Greek side will focus its attention on armaments issues.

Regarding the Greek-Turkish relations, the US official kept equal distances and expressed his country's interest in easing the tensions in the region and the solution of the problems existing between the two countries.

Mr.Apostolakis made it clear that Greece will not discuss issues concerning its territorial integrity, while responding to the question on the likelihood of flights of unarmed planes over the Aegean, he said that Greece is not discussing this. He stated that the Aegean is a space that links together national territories and therefore, the situation is totally different when it comes to the flights of Turkish planes. Mr.Apostolakis said that first should start the implementation of the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum, which offers a very good basis for the easing of tensions and that the discussion of other problems could take place afterwards.

[06] GREECE EMBARKS ON AERONAUTICAL EXERCISE "TOXOTIS"

The Greek Armed Forces embark on the aeronautical exercise code-named "Toxotis" today.

The three-day exercise will be conducted in the area above Carpathos and Crete and involves Greek fighter jet flights over Nicosia's Flight Information Region. According to Cyprus's RIK, the fighter jets will fly into Nicosia's FIR tomorrow and Thursday. A.F.

[07] IMF REPRESENTATIVES IN ATHENS, VISIT STATE ACCOUNTING BUREAU

A delegation of officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Athens, visiting the State Accounting Bureau with Undersecretary of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis.

The IMF officials are to examine the state's revenue and expenditure process.

The Greek economy's primary shortcoming is its vast fiscal deficit. As such, the IMF delegates are to review last year's legislation that foresees restructures in public expenses and limitations on spending.

Also, the delegation will review the vow made by the Greek government, current and previous, to put a cap on the number of public servants and, more specifically, adjust the number of the incoming hires versus the outgoing to a 1-5 ratio.

The Greek government is expected to illustrate the significant reforms currently in enforcement as well as its comprehensive macro-economic plan. Special emphasis is to be given to the increased-rate of privatization. A.F.

[08] GREECE'S FAMOUS COMPOSER MIKIS THEODORAKIS RETURNS TO ATHENS

Greece's world famous composer Mikis Theodorakis returned to Athens yesterday evening, after health probelms forced him to cancel the remainder of a tour throughout Europe he was to give jointly with Turkey's music composer Zulfi Livaneli.

Mr. Theodorakis initially felt ill after the first concert he gave with Mr. Livaneli on Sunday night. Unfortunately, he will not participate in the following five concerts scheduled with Mr. Livaneli, although the program will proceed as planned with Greek singer Maria Farantouri substituting for Mr. Theodorakis.

These concerts will be held as follows: May 7 in Paris, May 8 in Brussels, May 10 in Frankfurt, May 12 in Munich and May 13 in Stuttgard. A.F.

[09] INFLATION FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL IS ESTIMATED TO BE UNDER 6%

The social dialogue as well as, issues concerning inflation and state revenues were discussed in the meeting held today between Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou.

Immediately after the meeting, mr.Papantoniou stated to journalists that inflation for the month of April is expected to be under 6%. According to the minister, revenues went well in the past month and reached 16,5%, while the budget's revenue target was 13,5%.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] ALBANIAN PREMIER TO VISIT TURKEY

Albania's Premier Bashkim Fino is to visit Ankara after an invitation issued by his Turkish counterpart Necmettin Erbakan.

The date of this visit has yet to be determined, but according to "Republica", Mr. Fino met with Turkey's Ambassador to Albania and told him that the visit will be "indicative of the friendship beween the two countries, Turkey's support towars Albania and another step towards the strengthening of bilateral relations."

Meanwhile, Mr. Fino is to meet with the United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on May 12, according to Albanian press reports. A.F.

[11] ALBANIA: DEATH TOLL IS 500, MONETARY DAMAGES REACH $2.5 BILLION

The crisis that almost tore Albania apart has left a death toll of 500, while monetary damages caused by looting, thefts and vandalism surpass the two-billion-dollar mark by far.

According to Albanian daily "Koha Yon", 750,000 arms have been stolen from army depots along with over 1,5 billion cartridges, amounting to $2.5 billion in damages, while the monetary losses from illicit banking operations reach 1.2 billion dollars.

Also according to the paper, 500 persons were killed, another five thousand were injured, while 32,000 Albanians fled their country. A.F.

[12] BULGARIA: ANOTHER FUEL SHORTAGE CRISIS LOOMS AHEAD

Another fuel shortage crisis is looming in Bulgaria, comparable to the one that handicapped the country in February.

Some of Bulgaria's largest oil refineries are already feeling the squeeze from a shortage of diesel and petrol.

According to Bulgarian daily "Trud", stocks in the country's refineries have significantly dropped to 20,700 tons. A.F.

[13] FYROM, CROATIA TO SIGN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

FYROM and Croatia are to sign a free trade agreement at the end of this week in Skopje.

According to press reports, representatives from the two countries' trade ministries will meet by Friday in order to sign the agreement which foresees the creation of a free trade zone between FYROM and Croatia in the future. A.F.

[14] A GREEK-CYPRIOT WOMAN DEMANDS COMPENSATION OF OVER 500.000 CYPRUS POUNDS FROM TURKEY

Greek-Cypriot Titina Loizidou demands compensation of over 500.000 Cyprus pounds from Turkey after a decision issued by the European Court for Human Rights.

Based on the court's ruling, Turkey is regarded as responsible for what is going on in the occupied territories as well as for the continuing violation of Loizidou's right to enjoy her property. Based on the ruling, the titles of property ownership in the Turkish occupied territories in Cyprus are being safeguarded.

[15] MORE BODIES OF IRAQUI ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE FOUND AT THE TURKISH COASTS

Other 24 bodies of Iraqui illegal immigrants were found today at the Turkish coasts after the tragic accident that happened last Friday off the coasts of the Aegean island of Samos, when their two boats sank due to bad weather conditions in the region.

On board the two boats were 3 Turkish slave-traffickers and 28 illegal immigrants from Iraq.

The sole survivor of the tragedy is a 19yearold Turk, who stated to authorities, that the 28 Iraquis were to disembark illegally at the Greek island of Samos.

[16] FYROM, F.R.Y. EMBARK ON FINAL NEGOTIATIONS TO SET BORDERS

The final negotiations that will determine the borders between FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are to begin in Belgrade this evening.

A delegation of experts is representing FYROM, headed by the country's Undersecretary of State Tomislav Stoyanovski. FYROM is expected to aim for establishing the lines that separated these two states in the past as state borders, while it will request that special status be granted to the Prohor Pcinski Monastery. A.F.

[17] NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL MEETs WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TODAY

NATO's Secretary-General Xavier Solana is currently in Moscow where he is to be received by Russia's Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov, in an efort to reach an agreement regarding Russia's ties with the Alliance.

Mr. Primakov has voiced the hope that the talks will arrive at an agreement plan. Russian President Boris Yeltsin, after meeting with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in April, had announced that the final agreement between Moscow and NATO is to be reached at the Alliance's Summit meeting on May 27. A.F.

[18] ALBANIA: PERSISTING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RULING PARTY & OPPOSITION

The distance continues to grow between Albania's ruling Democratic Party and the country's main opposition, the Socialist Party, fueling worries that the agreement reached on March 9 to hold elections this summer may not materialize.

Although OSCE's special envoy Franz Vranitski has announced that the parliamentary elections will be held on June 29, President Sali Berisha says that a basic condition for holding elections is to disarm the rioting civilians and dismantle their committees.

The election law that will determine Albania's parliamentary elections continues to be a thorn between the two factions, as the Democratic Party favors an absolute majority system, while the majority of the opposition parties want a proportional representation system. A.F.

[19] ALBANIA: HAND GRENADE EXPLODES, THREE PERSONS KILLED, TEN INJURED

Three persons were killed and at least another ten were injured in Albania today when a drunk man holding a hand grenade lost his balance while getting on a bus in the city of Rogozin, thus setting off the explosive that killed him and two other passengers.

Over 700 persons have lost their lives during the past three months, most of them by stray bullets, while monetary damages caused by looting, thefts and vandalism surpass the two-billion- dollar mark by far.

According to Albanian daily "Koha Yon", 750,000 arms have been stolen from army depots along with over 1,5 billion cartridges, amounting to $2.5 billion in damages, while the monetary losses from illicit banking operations reach 1.2 billion dollars.

Also according to the paper, five thousand persons have been injured, while 32,000 Albanians fled their country. A.F.

[20] AUGUST SEMINAR TO HAIL WOMEN'S ROLE IN MEDITERRANEAN, BLACK SEAS

An international Conference to be held in Thessaloniki during August is to hail the role of women in the cultural development of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.

The Conference, titled "Women Creators of the Two Seas, Mediterranean-Black Sea" will be attended by representatives from Europe and the Balkans, as well as from other countries such as Jordan, Libya, Maroco, Tunesia and Israel.

The event is jointly organized by UNESCO's Balkan Center and its Mediterranean Directorate and by the Organization of Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki '97". A.F.

[21] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY BEGINS

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation was held in Athens today, where the President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis stressed the signifiance the Greek government bestows upon the opportunities provided by BSEC.

Mr. Kaklamanis also emphasized the important role that can be carried out by the BSEC Bank, which was recently inaugurated in Thessaloniki. A.F.

[22] TURKISH TRAVEL AGENTS WANT TRAPEZUN-THESSALONIKI TO BE SISTER CITIES

Turkey's Association of Travel Agents (TURSAB) is promoting a plan to link the city of Trapezun with Thessaloniki, within the framework of cooperation it has embarked upon with Greece's Association of Travel Agents (HATTA).

According to Turkish press reports, TURSAB's representative in the European Union Mert Ersin has spoken of the efforts to make Trapezunda and Thessaloniki sister cities, a feat that could be accomplished with funding from the EU.

The two associations, TURSAB and HATTA, have formed a task group that examines collaboration opportunities in the sectors of tourism, culture, environment and communications between eastern and western Thrace. A.F.

[23] THESSALONIKI, CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE '97, CELEBRATED IN BELGRADE

Thessaloniki, Europe's Cultural Capital for 1997, was celebrated in Belgrade yesterday evening, in an event held at the city's Cultural Center, inaugurated by the Greek Embassy's press attache Spyridon Hatzaras.

A number of Yugoslav intellectuals saluted the Greek city and its cultural heritage as well as Thessaloniki's role in Europe's cultural make-up. A.F.

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