Macedonian Press Agency; News in English, 97-05-07

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 7, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] REPPAS: MR.SIMITIS' SPEECH WAS UNADORNED, CLEAR AND WELL- AIMED

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' speech, delivered to the governing party of PASOK Parliament deputies, as unadorned, clear and accurate, while he pointed out that it presented national policy positions.

Referring to yesterday's meeting in Strasbourg between Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Turkish Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Onur Oymen, the Greek government spokesman stated that a discussion was held within the framework of the cooperation existing between the two countries and clarified that there was an exchange of views on the issue of the Greek and Turkish committees of experts.

Regarding the information according to which, the Dutch EU Presidency has suggested the holding of a meeting and direct dialogue between the two committees, the Greek government spokesman stressed that Greece's intention is for the committees to meet separately and express their views to the Dutch EU Presidency. He also stated that if it is established that the right conditions exist then the procedural proposals will be examined aimed at achieving a rapprochement.

[02] THE GREEK CULTURE MINISTER COMMENTED ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES ISSUE

Greek Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos referred to the Parthenon marbles the return of which was rejected by the new British Culture Minister. He said that according to the British argument, the ownership of the marbles belongs to the British Museum and that this status can not be altered.

Mr.Venizelos stated that he does not want to get into a legal discussion on who has the ownership of the marbles, adding that this is the legal essence of the whole matter and stressed that it is an issue of policy and cultural sensitivity.

The Greek Culture Minister clarified that this is not a Greek- British dispute and pointed out that there is a collective responsibility toward the world cultural heritage which is shared by everybody.

[03] PARTHENON MARBLES: SOME SAY "GIVE THEM BACK", OTHERS "MAKE A COPY"

Britain's new Secretary of Heritage Chris Smith has openly stated that Greece's Parthenon marbles, currently housed at the British Museum, are to stay exactly where they are and said that his country's new government, headed by the newly-elected Premier Tony Blair, will not satisfy Greece's request to return the ancient monuments to Athens, in spite of its pre-election promises to the contrary.

However, there are some vocal dissenters among the British who don't see eye to eye with Mr. Smith, and these are simple folk, not associated with the London-based Committee to Return the Parthenon Marbles.

London daily "The Guardian" published an article today reminding of the curse left behind by Lord Byron on those who pillage the Parthenon.

Specifically, the article gives a historical account of the Marbles' history.

"The Foreign Office said that they would be returned after the war to reward our Greek ally; the British Museum had no objection; and it was only Clement Attlee who saved the Elgin Marbles for Britain. Four decades later when Melina Mercouri made a formal claim, Neil Kinnock spoke out in favour while Michael Foot reminded us that Lord Byron had pronounced a 'terrible curse' on those who pillaged the Parthenon. On Sunday Chris Smith braved the curse of Byron and said no."

While the paper acknowledges the government's fear of establishing a precedent, that is other countries rushing in to claim their artifacts, it does point out that many of these monuments were lifted or looted from previously dependent countries which have since gained their freedom.

"Why not be generous and just send them back?" the article's writer concludes.

Another British daily, "The Independent" features a letter to the editor wherein the writer suggests that a holograph copy of the Marbles be made for the British Museum while the original monument is sent back to Greece.

Returning the carvings would be an act of generosity which would be apreciated all over Europe," the reader writes, adding that "it would be more appropriate to an outward-looking government than the rather mean-minded response of the just- appointed Heritage Secretary to the Greek appeal."

[04] THE ND LEADER MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR

Main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis met with US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles.

In statements made after the meeting, mr.Niles expressed optimism on the course of the Greek-Turkish relations and the hope that there will be positive results from the Dutch EU Presidency initiative with the establishment of committees that will deal with procedural issues.

Regarding the United States, mr.Niles pointed out that his country does not intervene and does not undertake an initiative but simply agrees with the procedure that got underway by the Dutch EU Presidency.

[05] SOFTEX AND THE ELEFSINA SHIPYARDS WILL BE PRIVATIZED

The problems of the workers in SOFTEX paper industry and in the Elefsina Shipyards were discussed today in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and held with the participation of officials from the responsible ministries.

In the meeting was decided the privatization of both firms that will take place while they are in operation and without going into liquidation.

[06] THE AIR AND SEA GREEK MILITARY EXERCISE CONTINUES IN THE AEGEAN

The air and sea military exercise of the Greek armed forces, code-named "Toxotis", continues in the region between the Aegean islands of Karpathos and Crete.

Cypriot Minister of Defence Kostas Eliadis stressed that until now there was no harassment of Greek military airplanes by Turkish fighter jets.

According to the military exercise plan, there will be Greek fighter jets' missions that will take place inside the Nicosia FIR.

[07] US STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL CAVANAUGH ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY

The Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs at the U.S. State Department Carey Cavanaugh is to arrive in Athens today where he will meet with Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis.

In turn, Mr. Cavanaugh will travel to Ankara to hold talks with Turkish officials. A.F.

[08] PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE CONVENES TO DISCUSS GREEK-TURKISH ISSUES

The ruling PASOK party's Central Committee is currently convening to discuss the Greek-Turkish issues.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis who proposed that a special session of the central committee be called to discuss the developments in Greek-Turkish relations.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday met with his Turkish counterpart Onur Oymen in Strasburg twice and the two discussed the experts committees formed by their countries. A.F.

[09] FORMER PRESIDENT OF GREECE UPSET OVER FORMER KING'S CLAIMS

Greece's former President Konstantinos Karamanlis is said to be upset over the claims made recently by the country's former monarch Konstantine who alleges that in 1966 he imposed as a condition for his return from Paris the establishment of dictatorship.

George Rallis, the main opposition party's New Democracy, former President accused tthe former king of altering history. A.F.

[10] PM SIMITIS: WE WILL NEITHER DISCUSS, NOR NEGOTIATE OUR SOVEREIGN RIGHTS

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis retorted today against the letter signed by 32 PASOK deputies wherein they criticize the government for its handling of Greek-Turkish issues.

Addressing the PASOK's Parliamentary Group session, the Premier stressed that the government neither discusses, nor negotiates the country's sovereign rights.

Mr. Simitis also said that the government's foreign policy is the one voted upon by the Greek people on September 22 and added that foreign issues should not be subject to rhetoric or comments lacking depth and absent of facts analysis.

On other matters, Mr. Simitis referred to the experts committees formed by Greece and Turkey, as per the proposal of the European Union's Dutch-held presidency, and said that the aim is to improve the existing climate between the two neighbors. He did clarify that in no way does this mean that a political dialogue has began, or any form of mediation has been embarked upon.

Regarding Greece's relations with Turkey, Mr. Simitis underlined that if the neighboring country actively displays its will to respect international law and accords, then Greece in turn will support its neighbor's European orientation. A.F.

[11] GREEK SOLIDARITY CARAVAN TO ALBANIA WILL ARRIVE IN TEPELENI TODAY

The Greek solidarity caravan transporting food items to Albania within the framework of the humanitarian aid mission will arrive in Tepeleni today.

The aid, which will be also be dispersed to the city of Mamalie, comprises 2,200 packages, each weighing 16 kilos, which will be given to families whose members were either killed or injured during the riots.

The caravan will be accompanied to Tepeleni by groups of armed Albanian rioters. The eight-nation, international force assigned to Albania is not overseeing this mission of humanitarian aid and will not guarantee its transport. A.F.

[12] SAE PRESIDIUM MEETS TOMORROW IN THESSALONIKI

The Presidium of the Council for Greeks Abroad (SAE) will hold its fourth meeting tomorrow in Thessaloniki where the nine participants will prepare the setting for SAE's plenary session, to be held later this year.

Tomorrow's meeting will examine and discuss the proposals tabled by SAE's regional chapters. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON CYPRUS' ACCESSION INTO THE EU

Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofis commented on a press publication according to which, alternate special UN Secretary General envoy to Cyprus Gustav Feisel has allegedly stated that Cyprus' accession into the European Union can not be achieved if there is no solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Christofis pointed out that mr.Feisel did not make such a statement. Nevertheless, the Cypriot government spokesman made it clear that the EU wants a solution of the Cyprus problem to be reached before its accession but at the same time, it maintains that if no solution is found there will be no problem in Cyprus' accession negotiations neither in its accession into the EU.

[14] THE OPERATION OF KOZLODUI'S NUCLEAR REACTOR NUMBER 3 WAS SUSPENDED

The press office of the Kozlodui nuclear plant in Bulgaria assured that there is absolutely no danger of radiation pollution and no indication of increased levels of radiation in the nuclear plant region. The statement was issued after last night's decision for the suspension of the operation of Kozlodui's nuclear reactor number 3.

According to the statement issued, nuclear plant officials stopped the reactor's operation after a short-circuit that occured in its cooling system.

[15] JACQUES SANTER WILL RECEIVE CONCRETE PROPOSALS FOR THE EU ENLARGEMENT

The Association of Industries in Northern Greece will present to EU Commission President Jacques Santer concrete proposals on the European Union enlargement and the main role Greece can play toward this direction in the Balkans and the Black Sea region. Mr.Santer will visit Thessaloniki to address the Association's annual General Assembly meeting that will be held on May 9.

The EU Commission President is also scheduled to visit the monastic community of Mount Athos on May 10 accompanied by Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

[16] GERMAN COURT INSISTS ON TURKISH FM'S TIES WITH DRUG TRADE

A Frankfurt court is back on Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller's case, five months after its reports on her ties with international drug lords.

The court has reiterated its accusation that Ms. Ciller has close ties with international drug trafficking, an accusation first made last January when the court sentenced three Turks to imprisonment for drug trafficking. A.F.

[17] TURKISH AUTHORITIES CALL OFF INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON KURDISH ISSUE

The Turkish authorities have called off an international, two- day conference which was set to look into ways to peacefully resolve the Kurdish issue.

Ankara's prefect issued an announcement where, according to Canadian daily "La Presse", he stated that the decision to cancel the conference was taken in order to "avoid a stirring up of domestic passions."

The conference was set to begin tomorrow and among the featured participants were Danielle Miterand, the wife of France's late President, the leader of the European Parliament's Greens Group and representatives from approximately 30 international organizations.

[18] NANA MOUSKOURI, UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ABOUT WAR

Children are the first to suffer in war and need special support and encouragement, according to world-famous Greek singer and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Nana Mouskouri.

Addressing journalists at a United Nations press conference, Ms. Mouskouri described herself as a "war child", having grown up in a country that suffered a violent civil war.

She stated that she discovered firsthand the horrors experienced by children caught in the midst of violent conflict.

When asked by a journalist on how the culture of the West, such as film and music, affected children, Ms. Mouskouri said that music serves as a reflection of the world, and today's world, much like the music, is aggressive.

The music does not reflect the hope it once did, the singer said, hoping that education could change the situation.

What do children ask her when she travels the world? Ms. Mouskouri responded that many children ask her to describe what is war. A.F.

[19] UN CONCERNED OVER FLEEING ALBANIANS HAVING FALLEN VICTIM TO TRAFFICKERS

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees issued a report today wherein it voices its concern that Albanians fleeing their country may be falling victim to traffickers.

According to its report, the UNHCR states that there have been several incidents in the past weeks of over-crowded boats arriving at the Italian shore, while hundreds more are in waiting.

The UNHCR requests the aid of the multi-national peacekeeping force assigned to Albania in controlling the situation and asks the force's troops to discourage smugglers from taking advantage of the situation.

Moreover, the UNHCR reports states that while these fleeing Albanians are using clandestine means to abandon their country, some of them do have legitimate and genuine claims for protection.

"These people should be admitted to neighboring countries and be able to present their claims," the report states, adding that "those who have valid claims should be allowed to at last temporarily stay in a neighboring country under acceptable conditions.

"UNHCR remains against interdiction at high seas and arbitrary returns of people currently fleeing," the report concludes. A.F.

[20] FYROM: GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION DISCUSS ELECTION LAW

FYROM's political parties approve of the initiative taken by the country's Premier Branco Cervenkovski who has proposed that a dialogue be started regarding the formation of a new election law based on which the country's next parliamentary elections will be conducted.

The leader of FYROM's Albanian Party of Democratic Prosperity voiced the hope that these contacts will pave the way for a complete, fair and democratic law, while he said that he favors the law of proportional representation. A.F.

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