Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-13

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 13, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TOURS THROUGH EVROS TODAY

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is currently on a tour through Evros where, aside from visiting the region's smaller villages, he will attend festivities commemorating the liberation of Thrace from the Turks.

Tomorrow morning, President Stephanopoulos will lay a wreath at the Heroes Monument in Alexandroupolis and will attend the city's student and military parade. A.F.

[02] STEPHANOPOULOS: GREECE AND TURKEY MUST SOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos underlined today from the prefecture of Evros the need for the solution of the differences between Greece and Turkey, reiterating that Greece will not give away its sovereign rights.

After reviewing the Greek soldiers serving at the border outpost of Kastanies, mr.Stephanopoulos crossed over the neutral zone and greeted the police director in the Turkish customs office and the Turkish border guard.

[03] GREEK PRIME MINISTER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO LUXEMBOURG

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is currently on a two- day official visit to Luxembourg acompanied by alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Mr. Simitis will be received by Luxembourg's Premier Mr. J. Juncker and will meet with the President of the European Audit Council Mr. Friedman, the President of the European Court and the President of the European Investments Bank. A.F.

[04] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS MET WITH HIS COUNTERPART IN LUXEMBOURG

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met in Luxembourg this morning with his counterpart mr.Juncker and presented the basic positions of the government on the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

The meeting was cordial and in statements made afterwards, the Greek Prime Minister mr.Simitis pointed out that he found understanding and support for the Greek positions, while he issued a warning to Turkey calling it to respect International Law and the principles of good neighbourly relations.

Regarding Ankara's claims in the Aegean, mr.Simitis called Turkey to appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague and mr.Juncker agreed to that.

The Prime Minister of Luxembourg pointed out that the differences between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean should not delay Cyprus' accession into the European Union.

On Greece's economy in relation to other European countries, mr.Simitis underlined that there should be no discrimination against the countries that will participate in the second round of the European economic and monetary union.

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT EXPRESSES SORROW FOR IRAN'S DISASTROUS QUAKE

The President of the Parliament of Greece Apostolos Kaklamanis has forwaded a telegraph to his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Natek Nouri wherein he expressed his deep sorrow over the earthquake that rocked northeastern Iran yesterday and claimed the lives of thousands.

"The Greek Parliament exrpesses its wholehearted support to your country and hopes that it will soon recover from the consequences of this tragic event," Mr. Kaklamanis wrote.

According to the latest reports, 1,500 persons have been killed, 3,000 more have been injured, while 50,000 persons have been rendered homeless.

Red Cross officials in Geneva stated today that the appeal for aid to Iran was met with resounding success as over five million dollars have been amassed up to date. A.F.

[06] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met in Paris yesterday with his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller within the framework of the Western European Union meeting. According to information, their talks focused on the framework of operation of the committees of experts.

In a press conference, ms.Ciller pointed out that she agreed with mr.Pangalos on the continuation of dialogue through the committees and that there is a date set for the first meeting of the two committees at the end of June. Ms.Ciller also expressed the view that for the problems between Greece and Turkey responsible are the policies followed by the governments.

Ms.Ciller added that the two peoples are very close and as they will come to know eachother better they will be in the position to overcome the special problems that create tensions.

[07] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE STATEMENTS OF THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF DEPUTY CHIEF

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commented on the statements made by Turkish General Staff Deputy Chief Tsevik Bir, who announced that Ankara will continue to reinforce its military forces in the occupied territories in Cyprus.

Mr.Reppas stated that those statements are harmful as they are made at a time when efforts are underway by both sides for the easing of tensions in the region.

Responding to the question on the issue of the moratorium on the flights of military aircraft during the summer months, the Greek government spokesman pointed out that is being considered the possibility to double the time during which the moratorium will be in effect. He also stated that discussions on the issue are being held in Brussels under the auspices of NATO Secretary General Javier Solana.

[08] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: WE WON'T NEGOTIATE GREECE'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS

No negotation can take place over Greece's internationally- recognized sovereign rights, stated the Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who also categorically refuted the impression the Greece has agreed to create air corridors in the Aegean for Turkish aircraft.

Meanwhile, Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos may meet anew with his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller during the Paris-held meeting of Foreign and Defense Ministers of the Western European Union. The meeting will examine the Union's development into a defense organization within the framework of a European common foreign and defense policy. A.F.

[09] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER LOOKS AT BRINGING HOME GREEKS FROM ABROAD

Greece's Minister of Transportations and Communications Haris Kastanides characterized his meeting with the Presidium of the Council of Greeks Abroad as "fruitful and creative", following today's meeting where transportation and communication issues related to Greeks living abroad were examined.

Mr. Kastanides stated that the meeting looked into ways to improve transportation and communication between Greece and the countries that have a Greek community present.

One of the topics discussed was the potential facilitation that can be granted to overseas Greeks from Olympic Airways and the State Telecommunications Organization OTE. A.F.

[10] GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MEETS WITH BRITISH COUNTERPART

Greece's under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis was received in London today by his British counterpart Douglas Henderson, who assured him that Britain's newly-elected Labour Party will maintain its pre-election vows regarding the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Henderson also stated that Britain feels bound to undertake initiatives for the Cyprus issue and expressed his certainty that the island's accession negotiations with the European Union will be embarked upon as scheduled, that is six months following the closure of the Intergovernmental Conference. A.F.

[11] GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: RUSSIA CAN HELP IN CYPRUS ISSUE

Greece's under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis has stated that Russia can play a "balancing" role in regards to the array of initiatives and proposals that aim at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Kranidiotis was in Moscow yesterday where he met with his Russian counterpart Aleksandr Avdeyev and discussed Greek-Russian relations and bilateral cooperation in the Balkan region, wherein both sides ascertained a meeting of minds in regards to their positions and views. A.F.

[12] GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TO BE IN CYPRUS ON MAY 15-18

Greece's Minister of Public Order George Romeos will embark on a formal visit to Cyprus between May 15-18.

The Minister, accompanied by his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Kosis and the Chief of Greece's Police A. Vasilopoulos, will visit and inspect Cyprus' Police Academy.

The meeting is to be held within the framework of an educational field trip of the Greek Police's 145 officer cadets. A.F.

[13] UNDERSECRETARY OF DEVELOPMENT TO INAUGURATE INTERNATIONAL FUR EXHBIT

Greece's Undersecretary of Development Michalis Chrysochoides will inaugurate the 22nd International Fur Exhibit in Kastoria this evening, where over 120 furriers from Greece and abroad will display their products.

The exhibit's visitors, expected to be more than 10,000, will have the opportunity to view the upcoming fall-winter collections in fur and leatherwear.

The event is organized by the Association of Kastoria's Furriers who, in spite of the international crisis the sector is undergoing, enjoy an average annual profit of above $180 million. A.F.

[14] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONVENES TODAY

The Executive Committee of Greece's main opposition party New Democracy will convene for the first time under the leadership of its new President Kostas Karamanlis, in order to discuss national issues and the ruling party's social dialogue process.

Meanwhile, tomorrow is a day anxiously awaited by the country's political circles as the 12th and last volume of the archives of Greece's former President and founder of New Democracy will be unveiled. This is expected to set off a new round of charges against PASOK's founder, the late Andreas Papandreou as well as New Democracy's honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis. A.F.

[15] KARAMANLIS USES HARSH WORDS AGAINST PAPANDREOU AND MITSOTAKIS

Former President of the Greek Republic Konstantinos Karamanlis uses harsh words against the late Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou and honorary President of the main opposition party of New Democracy Konstantinos Mitsotakis in the 12th volume of his personal records that will be published tomorrow.

According to information, mr.Karamanlis mentions in his memoirs that Andreas Papandreou had indisputable abilities which nevertheless, were based on demagogy and hypocricy, adding that he was characterized by a passion for publicity and international promotion and in order to achieve that he was adopting positions which were unorthodox and harmful for the country.

Mr.Karamanlis characterizes the procedure for the election of mr.Sartzetakis to the Greek Presidency as "unconstitutional" and "arbitrary". He also writes that mr.Papandreou's decision not to propose him for the Greek Presidency in 1985 was "politically and morally unacceptable" and adds that the late Prime Minister was suffering from a patricide syndrome and could not bear to be overshadowed by mr.Karamanlis.

On mr.Mitsotakis, the former President of Greece writes that their relations can be described from cold to unpleasant and mentions that immediately after the election of Evangelos Averof to the New Democracy party Presidency he began challenging him together with mr.Boutos, mr.Stephanopoulos and other Parliament deputies.

[16] GREEK OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER MEETS WITH SPANISH AMBASSADOR

The President of Greece's minor opposition party DIKKI (Democratic Social Movement) Dimitris Tsovolas met with Spain's Ambassador to Athens Javier Jimenez Ugarte today and the two men discussed international developments.

Mr. Tsovolas expressed the view that the Maastrict Treaty fuels the European community and economy, stressing that "social explosions will erupt throughout the united Europe if the Intergovernmental Conference does not change its view and gives emphasis to the real levels of development and social cohesion." A.F.

[17] THE GREEK EXPORTS TO THE EASTERN COUNTRIES INCREASED BY 700%

The Greek exports to the eastern countries increased by 700% in the seven-year period from 1989 to 1996, according to data provided by Foreign Trade Organization legal adviser mr.Kakoulidis.

This impressive increase in the volume of Greece's trade transactions with the former Soviet Union Republics is accompanied by Greek investments and technical projects which take place abroad for the first time in such a wide scale. This fact, stated mr.Kasoulidis, is a historic turning point for the modern Greek economy as Greece has now the opportunity to be included among the capital exporting states.

According to mr.Kasoulidis, the expansion of the Greek business ventures in the region is being blocked by the adverse conditions exisiting in the transportation networks of those countries due to the lack of infrastructure.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[18] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT HOSPITALIZED FOR MINOR HEART TROUBLE

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides was admitted to the intensive care unit of Nicosia's General Hosptital this morning after having experienced minor heart trouble.

According to the medical reports, President Clerides underwent chest examinations and is expected to be released this afternoon. A.F.

[19] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WAS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides was released from hospital at noon today. Mr.Clerides underwent medical tests after the chest pains he experienced early this morning.

His doctors appeared satisfied with his condition, as the test results did not reveal a serious health problem and mr.Clerides is expected to return to his duties tomorrow.

[20] INFLATION IN THE EU DROPPED TO 1,7% IN MARCH

The average inflation rate of the 15 European Union states dropped to 1,7% in March, while in February was 2%. Last year's inflation in the month of March was 2,6%, according to the EU Statistics Agency, Eurostat.

The lowest inflation rate was observed in Finland with 0,8%, Sweden 1% and France 1,1%. Greece has the highest inflation of 5,9% and in the Eurostat report is being stressed that it has managed to reduce its inflation compared to the 6,5% rate observed in February of 1997.

[21] THE US SUPPORT ALBANIA'S GOVERNMENT, ACCORDING TO M. ALBRIGHT

The United States are fully supportive of the Albanian government, according to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who met with Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino in Washington yesterday.

Ms. Albright also expressed the small country's efforts to hold early elections on June 29.

Relaying the Secetary's words, State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated that neither the US nor Europe will tolerate any action aimed at undermining the holding of these elections.

Moreover, Mr. Burns said that Ms. Albright assured Mr. Fino of the international community's support in Albania's efforts to resolve its economic and political troubles and stressed that the imminent elections will aid in the restoration of the public's trust in Albania's insittuitons.

The US will provide Albania with $12 million in aid. A.F.

[22] ALBANIA: PRESIDENT BERISHA CONFIDENT OF VICTORY IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS

Albania's President and leader of the ruling Democratic Party Sali Berisha appears confident that he will emerge victorious in his country's imminent elections because, as he stated, "the people will vote for the party that managed to control chaos through political means, not the means that brought it on."

In the first interview Mr. Berisha has given since the crisis erupted in his country, he also said that the agreement of May 9, reached among his country's political parties through the mediation of OSCE's special envoy Franz Vranitski, can lead the country to elections, which he characterized as being of "viable importance for Albania."

Mr. Berisha did reiterate that he will refuse to sign a mandate for the elections if the salvation committees, currently formed in the country's southern region, are not dismantled.

Moreover, he stated that the Democratic Party will cooperate with at least five parties from the conservative faction, "which had no involvement in the riots.

The Albanian President will embark on a tour throughout Albania next week, the city of Vlore included. A.F.

[23] FYROM: DIRECTOR OF "TAT" READY TO START CLEAN UP OPERATION

The director of FYROM's illicit bank "TAT", which has been in the eye of the storm over its money management tactics for months now, has stated that she is willing to embark on a clean up operation withing the following days.

According to a Skopje daily, Sonia Nikolovska will propose to the bank's biggest customers that they become shareholders, while the smaller investors will be given the sum of their money back by 1999. A.F.

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