Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-08

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 8, 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: GREECE'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO DIALOGUE

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, addressing the PASOK's Parliamentary Group session yesterday, stressed that the government neither discusses, nor negotiates the country's sovereign rights.

Mr. Simitis also said that the government's foreign policy should not be subject to rhetoric or comments lacking depth and absent of facts analysis.

The Premier also 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. A.F.

[02] GREECE'S AERONAUTICAL EXERCISE "TOXOTIS" TO BE COMPLETED TODAY

The Greek Armed Forces aeronautical exercise code-named "Toxotis" is to be completed today.

The three-day exercise is being conducted in the area above Carpathos and Crete and involves Greek fighter jet flights over Nicosia's Flight Information Region.

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Armed Forces' effectiveness and ability is undoubtedly the optimum prerequisite for ensuring positive developments in the country's national matters.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, joined with four leaders from the General Staff, observed the sea exercise "Astrapi", which is held in conjunction with "Toxotis". A.F.

[03] SAE PRESIDIUM MEETS TODAY IN THESSALONIKI

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

The four-day meeting will examine and discuss the proposals tabled by SAE's regional chapters. A.F.

[04] GREEK PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE LOOKS AT EUROPE'S FUTURE

A special session of the Greek Parliament's Committee of International Affairs was convened today in Athens wherein the participants examined the future of Europe.

The session was held in an open dialogue format and the Greek Parliament's President Apostolos Kaklamanis, who officiated the meeting, stated that any attempt to revise the Maastricht Treaty should be fortified by social cohesion and participation.

Also attending today's session was Greece's European Commissioner of Energy and Tourism Christos Papoutsis who warned of the perils of a multi-tiered, multi-speed Europe. A.F.

[05] GREEK BUSINESSMEN TRAVEL TO FYROM TO LOOK FOR VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES

A delegation of Greek businessmen and officials from public utility organizations are to travel from Athens to Skopje today where they will look into venture opportunities with the neighboring countries.

The Greek delegation will meet with FYROM's government officials and local businessmen, in an effort to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Also, a Greek military force will travel to Skopje within the following days, in order to participate in a NATO multi-national exercise.

[06] GREECE'S FAMOUS COMPOSER MIKIS THEODORAKIS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Greece's world famous composer Mikis Theodorakis was released from the Athens Medical Center today, after having undergone thorough examinations.

According to his treating physician, Mr. Theodorakis' health is in good condition.

Last Sunday the composer was forced to cancel the remainder of a tour throughout Europe he was to give jointly with Turkey's music composer Zufli Livaneli.

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

The remaining concerts will be held as follows: today in Brussels, May 10 in Frankfurt, May 12 in Munich and May 13 in Stuttgard.

Mr. Theodorakis will not participate in June 13's concert planned to be held at Cyprus' demarcation line. A.F.

[07] GREEK POLICEMEN TO EMBARK ON STATEWIDE STRIKE MAY 14

For the first time in Greece's history, the country's police force will embark on a statewide strike on May 14, prompted by economic demands.

According to their union president, the policemen will not guard courts and athletic events held on that day, although the crime prevention and policing units will be in force as usual.

The Minister of Public Order George Romeos vowed to respond to the striking policemen's demands the following week.

[08] INFLATION DROPPED TO 5,9% IN APRIL

The National Statistics Agency announced today that inflation in Greece dropped to 5,9% in the month of April from 6% in March.

This new development brought optimism to the government's economic staff as public revenues are on the increase and the economic indexes are on a positive course.

[09] TWO WOLVES WERE RESCUED FROM DROWNING IN AN IRRIGATION DITCH

Two adult wolves managed to stay alive by swimming for 72 hours in a huge irrigation ditch in the Larisa plain in central Greece.

The sensitivity of a farmer, who saw them as they were trying desperately to get out of the wet trap, was enough to lead to an unprecedented rescue operation. The two forestry officials, a forest ranger and the head of the local Hunting Office mr.Papayiannopoulos, who set up the operation, had not been so close to wild animals before.

A large ladder was used to create a safe passage for the two frightened wolves and the first one that found the courage to go up the stairs was the female.

"She stopped about a meter away from me and I was really scared. She looked at me and her eyes said a lot. It was as if she was saying "thank you, goodbye". I was moved", said mr.Papayiannopoulos.

Soon after she was followed by the male wolf and the two animals left running toward mount Kissavos.

The touching incident took place two days ago in the irrigation ditch located between the villages of Glafki and Namata, near the city of Larisa.

[10] 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 recently 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." A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] FYROM PREMIER: GREECE CAN DRIVE THE APPROACH BETWEEN EU- BALKANS

FYROM cannot accept any other name but its "constitutional" one, stated the country's Premier Branco Cervenkovski today during a press conference in Skopje, thereby indicating FYROM's intransigence on the name issue currently pending with Greece.

The Premier of FYROM also added that the only ones who can choose the name of a country are its people, while he refrained form commenting on the option of a compound name.

Mr. Cervenkovski did add that his country is attending the New York-held talks on the name issue with good will, although he stressed that "there are limits which we cannot overcome", albeit not clarifying what limits these are.

Prime Minister Cervenkovski also stated that the neighbor which his country wishes to have the best relations with is Greece, since this is where FYROM's interests lie given the fact that Greece is the country which can enable FYROM's association with the European Union and the Alliance, while he concurrently noted that the strategic aims of the two countries share common goals, which is what FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov had also told the leader of Greece's opposition party Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Nikos Konstantopoulos.

Moreover, Mr. Cervenkovski hailed the increased interest displayed by Greek firms for investing and forming joint ventures in FYROM.

Regarding the current situation in the Balkan region, the Premier of FYROM stated that his country has its attention focused on the European Union and underlined that Greece is currently before the chance to prove itself as the mentor that will achieve a closer approach between the Balkan countries and the EU.

This, Mr. Cervenkovski stated, is to Greece's benefit since it will acquire stable and democratic neighbors.

However, Mr. Cervenkovski did note that the current situation in the region is worrisome, attributing his concern partly to Serbia's local elections, to Bugaria's economic crisis and to Albania's riots.

"Europe," he said, " is too small to grant security to its citizens, at a time when there's tension somewhere on the continent." A.F.

[12] EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT TO BE IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

The President of the European Commission Jacques Santer is to receive proposals cocerning the European Union's enlargement and Greece's role therein, during tomorrow's annual meeting of the Association of Northern Greece's Industries (SVVE), to be held in Thessaloniki.

As SVVE's guest speaker, Mr. Santer will be given proposals on the way Greek businessmen can develop activities in the Balkans and the Black Sea region, thereby increasing the EU's involvement in those areas as well.

SVVE's President Nikos Efthimiades stated that "in order to face the fierce competition from the Far East and the United States, the EU must strengthen the positive effects of economic integration."

Tomorrow marks the first time Mr. Santer will attend events organized in Greece. He is also expected to visit Mountain Athos, accompanied by Greece's European Commissioner of Energy and Tourism Christos Papoutsis. A.F.

[13] US STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL CAVANAUGH IN ATHENS TODAY

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

Referring to the experts' committees formed by Greece and Turkey, Mr. Cavanaugh stated that is is a positive step, while, when asked if a direct dialogue will be held between the two neighbors, the US official responded that "this will depend on the developments."

Mr. Cavanaugh also met with the leader of the main opposition party New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis.

After departing Athens, Mr. Cavanaugh will travel to Ankara to hold talks with Turkish officials.

[14] US SENATE'S FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-10 RATIO FOR GREECE, TURKEY

The United States Foreign Relations Senatorial Committee is in favor of maintaining the 7-10 ratio of arms sales to Greece and Turkey for the upcoming year, altough it does add that this aid should be halted in 1999.

In the submitted report, the Committee is also said to voice its concern over the continuous division of Cyprus and the occupation of the island's northern part. A.F.

[15] TWO YOUNG SINGERS FROM GREECE AND TURKEY WILL GIVE A CONCERT IN CYPRUS

Famous Greek singer Sakis Rouvas and his Turkish colleague Burak Kut will "unite" the Greek-Cypriots and the Turkish-Cypriot with the help of music through a concert that will take place on May 19 at a sports stadium near the Lydra Palace passage in the divided capital of Cyprus, Nicosia.

The famous artists will give the free concert for an audience of 6 thousand people and the event will be broadcast live by a Greek and a Turkish private television station.

The concert will be hosted by UNFICYP inside the buffer zone and its spokesman Valtemar Rokozewski gave assurances that the peace-keeping force makes all necessary arrangements for the holding of the event, while it will take all necessary measures for the safety of the people.

[16] FYROM'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULED IN FAVOUR OF THE USE OF THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

FYROM's Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the use of the Albanian language in higher education.

The court examined the constitutionality of the law that allows the use of the Albanian language after an appeal submitted at the end of March by the Democratic Party, the nationalist VMRO- DPMNE and the Students Association of the Skopje University Education Department.

The controversial law caused strong reactions in the beginning of the year and Slav students participated in demonstrations that lasted 35 days, while a group of students from the Education Department in the University of Skopje were on a hunger strike for two weeks outside the Skopjan Parliament building.

[17] VRANITSKI CONTINUES THE CONTACTS IN ALBANIA

OSCE special envoy Frants Vranitski continues his contacts in Albania in an effort to achieve the consensus of all political parties regarding the electoral system based on which the scheduled for June 29 Parliamentary elections will be held. In spite of the efforts to find a compromise solution, the disagreement between the Socialist and the Democratic parties persist as the Democrats continue to reject the change of the electoral law.

The Socialist Prime Minister Baskim Fino reiterated yesterday during his meeting with mr.Vranitski that he will resign in case the new electoral law is not passed in Parliament. He stated that a negative vote would mean that the national unity government does not have the Parliament's confidence.

[18] THE IMF PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN SKOPJE TODAY

The President of the International Monetary Fund is expected in Skopje today for a number of contacts in order to be informed on the course of the economic reforms implemented in FYROM.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Croatia is also expected in Skopje today and according to a semi-official newspaper, he will sign a free trade zone agreement similar to those already signed by FYROM with Slovenia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

[19] KOZLODUI'S NUCLEAR REACTOR NUMBER 3 TO RE-OPERATE BY END OF THE WEEK

Bulgaria's nuclear-powered electricity plant in Kozlodui will re-operate by the end of this week, according to the plant's officials who have issued assurances that there is no danger of radiation leakage.

The plant was shut down two days ago due to a power failure that occurred at the plant's third nuclear reactor.

Only the first and sixth reactors are in full operation at this time, while the second, fourth and fifth are closed for repairs. A.F.

[20] FYROM TARGETS TO REACH HALF-A-BILLION-DOLLAR MARK IN TRADE WITH GREECE

Economic trade betwen Greece and FYROM can reach the mark of $500 million annually, according to the President of FYROM's Economic Chamber Mr. Petrevski, who also stated that a basic prerequisite for reaching such a goal is to accellerate trade in the industry sector.

The annual trade between the two countries currently stands at $146 million, while opportunities abound in the sectors of energy, textiles, foodstuffs, metals and tourism.

According to data provided by Mr. Petrevski, annual trade betwen Greece and FYROM reached $120 million in 1989, increased to $147 million in 1991 and plummeted to $36 million in 1994, when the name issue pending between the two countries was at its most heated stage.

A delegation of Greek businessmen and officials from public utility organizations are to travel from Athens to Skopje today where they will look into venture opportunities with the neighboring countries.

The Greek delegation will meet with FYROM's government officials and local businessmen, in an effort to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. A.F.

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