Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-21

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 21, 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 PRESIDENT ATTENDS CELEBRATION OF IONIAN ISLANDS' INDEPENDENCE

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos officiated today's 133th anniversary of the Ionian islands' unification with Greece, during celebrations held at the island of Corfu.

President Stephanopoulos stated in his address that "this day is very grand since it not only celebrates the unification of the Ionian islands with Greece but also the recognition that at that time there were Greeks who did not enjoy the right to freedom.

"This was the first extension of the small state that was freed in 1830 and was freed through the struggles of the islanders who fought not only for freedom but for democracy as well," President Stephanopoulos said. A.F.

[02] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL BE IN PARIS ON MONDAY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will be in Paris on Monday to attend the scheduled signing of the agreement reached between NATO and Russia on the alliance's expansion eastwards to include former Soviet block countries.

For this reason, the social dialogue scheduled to take place in the Greek Parliament on Monday will be postponed until June 10.

[03] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINISTER IN BELGRADE TODAY

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will embark on a two-day visit to Belgrade today, after an invitation issued by his Yugoslav counterpart Pavle Bulatovic.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also be received by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's leaders with whom he is to discuss the issue of military cooperation between the two countries.

Specifically, tomorrow the Greek Defense Minister will be received by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, F.R.Y.'s Premier Radoyie Kodic and Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic A.F.

[04] GREEK FM: ALBANIA'S POLITICAL PARTIES NEED TO REACH ELECTION DEAL

Albania's political parties need to display the necessary responsibility in holding trouble-free and unimpeachable elections on June 29, streesed today Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

"All of Albania's political factions are aware that their country must not miss the historical opportunity of June 29 because of small-party ambitions," Mr. Pangalos said.

The Greek Foreign Minister issued an appeal to all sides that they rise to the occassion of this historic event, to achieve cooperation on the issue of the election law, put forth every effort to conduct the elections properly and to recognize the result.

"Greece is undertaking every effort, on diplomatic, economic and humanitarian levels, to pave the way for unconstrained expression and strengthening of the institutions, which, as friends and neighbors, we wish for," Mr. Pangalos also said. A.F.

[05] "WASHINGTON POST" PRAISES GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS

Praising comments for the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the foreign policy followed by his government are included in an article published by the US newspaper "Washington Post".

The writer of the article mentions that Greece follows a more realistic and responsible policy toward its neighbours, while Prime Minister Simitis appears determined to promote regional cooperation, public sector reform and improvement of the economic indexes.

The article also speculates that a certain rivalry with Turkey will continue but adds that Greece's position today has become more understandable by NATO and the European Union.

[06] GREEK POLICE OFFICER IN GJIROKASTRA WAS SHOT BY ANOTHER PERSON

Greek police officer Nikos Markakis, who was serving in the Greek Consulate in Gjirokastra, was not killed accidentally by his own gun as it was originally thought, but by a gun fired by another person who was in the same room with him, according to statements made by coroners Philippos Kotsiafis and Theodoros Vouyouklakis who perfomed the autopsy on his body.

Based on the existing evidence gathered by the coroners, at the time of the shooting the victim was on the second floor of the Consulate building together with Consulate employee Odysseas Mitsis.

In statements made today by Greek Public Order Minister Giorgos Romeos it was stressed that conclusions should be drawn based on the final report of the coroner's office that will be issued after the ballistic tests on the guns and the cartridges are completed.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that investigations will continue until the case is cleared-up completely, pointing out that all possibilities are being examined.

[07] GREECE WILL TAKE ANY INITIATIVES TO SECURE ALBANIAN ELECTIONS

In a meeting of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and other diplomats, that was held in Athens today, was decided that Greece will undertake all possible initiatives to avert the cancellation of the scheduled June 29 elections in Albania.

During the meeting, the situation in Albania was examined in detail while concern was expressed over the political disagreements in the country.

[08] GREEK EDUCATION MINISTER ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC REFORMS

Greece's Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis announced today that the academic reforms in the country's high schools will be gradually applied by the year 2000, beginning with the upcoming September.

Mr. Arsenis persistently refuted the various rumors that want some to be benefiting financially from these reforms, and stated that these change-overs will certainly take place. A.F.

[09] GREEK TOURISM TO BE ON THE REBOUND THIS YEAR

Tourism in Greece is expected to be on the rebound this year, following two years of a downward plunge, with the expected rate of recovery being 8-10 percent, according to the Institute of Tourism Research and Forecast.

The President of the Hotelier's Association in Halkidiki, Andreas Andreadis, stated that the expected growth rate should reach that of 1994, the last "good year for Greece which was followed by two years of annual drops in arrivals".

The survey also stressed the importance of quality service, "service with a smile" as the Greek Tourism Organization advises, a significant factor in upgrading the standards of tourism-related services. A.F.

[10] THESSALONIKI HOSTS CONGRESS ON TV AND POLITICS INTERACTION

One of Greece's largest privately-owned television stations, MEGA TV will organize an international congress on journalism and the media's role in society, to be held this weekend in Thessaloniki.

The congress, titled "Interaction between Television, Society and Politics", will feature an array of world-known journalists and news anchors, among them CNN's Peter Arnett, as well as well- known figures from the political world, such as George Stephanopoulos, US President Bill Clinton's close former associate.

Aside from Greek journalists, the congress will also be addressed by Greece's Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and the former spokesperson of the main opposition party New Decocracy Prokopis Pavlopoulos, a constitutional law expert and parliamentarian. A.F.

[11] GREECE, CYPRUS TO CLOSELY COOPERATE IN INDUSTRY, TOURISM SECTORS

Greece and Cyprus are to form closer cooperation in the sectors of industry and tourism, following a meeting held today betweeen Greece's under-Secretary of Development Michalis Chrysochoides and Cypriot Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Kyriakos Chrystofis.

The Cypriot Minister stated that "I believe that Greece's experience in issues that concern our Ministry as well are especially significant, especially within the European Union." A.F.

[12] MPA ORGANIZES CONFERENCE OF BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES' DIRECTORS

In the Inter-Balkan Journalists' Conference organized by MPA to take place on June 30-July 1 in Thessaloniki within the framework of the Cultural Capital of Europe events, will participate General Directors and Editors-in-chief.

In the 2-day conference on the Balkan mass media and their role in the creation of a climate of peace, cooperation and economic development in south-eastern Europe will also participate the directors of the largest newspapers in the Balkans.

After the end of the conference there will be a meeting of the Association of Balkan News Agencies, ABNA, which will be attended by their General Directors.

[13] THESSALONIKI-HELD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S

Alzheimer's disease, an illness that commonly plagues seniors, is to be addressed and analyzed during an international conference to be held in Thessaloniki on May 24-25.

Alzheimer's results in gradual neurological degeneration, with the most prevalent symptoms being memory loss, impaired sense of judgment, inability to concentrate and disorientation.

The conference will be held at Thessaloniki's Center of International and European Economic Law. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[14] THE COOPERATION OF THE BALKAN STATES IN THE BANKING SYSTEM AND EXPORTS IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE

A new era will dawn for the cooperation of the Balkan businesses if the necessary infrastructure will be created and the problems concerning financing, transportation safety, trade and standardization of goods are solved based on the international principles for quality.

This outcome was reached during the General Assembly meeting of the Balkan Chambers Association that was held in Athens, presided over by Andreas Kyriazis, who is heading the Central Association of Chambers.

In the meeting was also stressed that the concerted action of the Balkan states regarding the banking system, exports and investment initiatives and standardization of products constitutes a necessary pre-condition for the further improvement of business cooperation among the Balkan states.

[15] FYROM IS REFERRED AS A REGION OF GREECE IN MANHATTAN'S PHONE BOOK

Those responsible for the publication of Manhattan's phone book in New York regard FYROM as a province or better a district of Greece.

In the volume that has been published by a private telephone company with information for its subscribers, FYROM is included in the information concerning Greece.

[16] THE TRADE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN CYPRUS AND ISRAEL HAVE TRIPLED

The trade transactions between Cyprus and Israel have tripled in the past 4 years, according to a statement issued by the Israeli Embassy in Nicosia. The trade transactions between the two countries have already reached 112 million dollars this year, compared to 96 million dollars in 1996.

The Ambassador of Israel to Nicosia expressed satisfaction for the speedy increase in the trade transactions and also appeared optimistic that they will develop even further.

[17] THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL HOPES THAT A CLERIDES-DENKTASH MEETING WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH

In a press conference in Vienna, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan gave the assurance that Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will meet in New York next month for face-to-face talks.

Mr.Annan stated that if things go well in the New York talks there will be three more meetings during the summer between mr.Clerides and mr.Denktash, adding that now there is new hope for a political solution to the Cyprus problem.

[18] A PROSECUTOR IN TURKEY ASKED THE BANNING OF ERBAKAN'S ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY

Prosecutor Bural Savas asked Turkey's Constitutional Court today to ban the operation of islamist Prime Minister Erbakan's Welfare Party.

In statements he made, mr.Savas stressed that the banning of the party's operation is asked because it constitutes a threat for the secular character of the Turkish state and also because of violations of relevant articles of the Constitution.

In case the Constitutional Court accepts the prosecutor's arguments the Welfare Party must be dissolved.

[19] THE NEW BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT WAS SWORN-IN TODAY

Bulgaria's new government, formed by Prime Minister Ivan Kostov leader of the center-right Union of Democratic Forces, was sworn-in today.

The government had been approved earlier in the 240-seat Parliament with 179 votes for and 55 against, while 48-yearold Kostov was voted to the premiership with 179 votes for and 54 against.

In the new 17-member Bulgarian government participate 5 members of the Sofianski caretaker government.

[20] THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT REMAIN APATHETIC IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED IN ALBANIA

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas warned today that the international community will not remain apathetic if no agreement is reached by the Albanian political parties on the issue of the electoral law and on the conditions under which the June 29 elections will be held.

Mr.Reppas stressed that Greece and the international community as a whole are not willing to approve unilateral tactics that are aimed at serving individuals or political parties.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in a written statement stresses the need for the political parties in Albania to show a sense of responsibility for the holding of democratic and fair elections in the country.

[21] FYROM'S COURT FORBIDS TURKISH AND ALBANIAN FLAGS IN GOSTIVAR

FYROM's Constitutional Court has forbidden the raising of the Turkish and Albanian flags in the municipality of Gostivar, a temporary ruling that is expected to be applied in other municipalities in the country.

FYROM's Ministry of the Interior had filed suits against the mayors of Tetovo and Gostivar because they, without prior approval, had raised the aforementioned flags in schools, courts and other public buildings in their regions.

According to FYROM's legislation, whenever an area's minority population surpasses the 20% mark of the overall population the local admistrative bodies can raise that minority's flag. A.F.

[22] CYPRUS-SLOVAKIA SIGN TOURISM AGREEMENT

Cyprus and Slovakia have signed a tourism-related agreement, following a meeting held today between Cyprus's Minister of Trade, Economy and Tourism Kyriakos Christofis and Slovakia's Minister of National Economy Karol Cesnek.

The agreement aims at the overall development of bilateral economic relations and foresees the simplifications of travel- related bureaucracy, as well as the promotion of specialized- sectors of tourism, such as conferences, sports events and festivals. A.F.

[23] EPISODES AT FYROM'S BORDER, UNPREDEP SOLDIER SHOT, ALBANIANS SUSPECTED

Another episode occurred yesterday at the FYROM-Albania border, when a UNPREDEP soldier was slightly injured as he was shot by an automatic gun which was fired by an unidentified person from the border's Albanian side.

According to FYROM's press reports, the soldier belongs to the Nordic battalion and the man who shot him aimed directly at the UNPREDEP observation point.

Also, FYROM's press reports state that another incident occurred yesterday when shots were exchanged between a group of Albanian citizens and FYROM's border guards.

No one was injured in this episode. A.F.

[24] ISRAELI FM: ISRAEL-TURKEY EXERCISES ARE NOT AIMED AGAINST GREECE

Israel's Foreign Minister David Levy assured his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos that the common military exercises planned by Israel and Turkey are not aimed against Greece.

Mr. Pangalos, who was received yesterday by Mr. Levy in Tel Aviv, responded that he will "hold on" to Mr. Levy's assurance.

Earlier, the Greek Foreign Minister was received by Israeli President Ezer Weisman to whom he relayed the Greek President's invitation to come to Thessaloniki and officiate with President Stephanopoulos the inauguration of the city's Monument of the Holocaust of Greek Jews. A.F.

[25] ALBANIA: FINO TO APPOINT MEMBERS OF CENTRAL ELECTORATE COMMITTEE

Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino is to appoint the members of his country's central elctorate committee.

President Sali Berisha has yielded to the relevant request issued by the opposition parties after the intense pressures he received from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. A.F.

[26] SOLVING CYPRUS PROBLEM IS SAID TO BE ONE OF CLINTON'S MAIN TARGETS

The solution of the Cyprus problem is one of United States President Bill Clinton's immediate strategic targets, according to a report circulated by the US Congress.

According to Mr. Clinton, there are significant security challenges to be faced in southeastern Europe, while issues concerning Cyprus, Greek-Turkish differences in the Aegean and Turkey's relations with Europe bear significant impact on the region's security.

In his report, President Clinton emphasizes that "our immediate aims are to stabilize the region, reducing the lengthy Greek-Turkish tensions and aiming at an overall solution for Cyprus."

Moreover, the American President states that "the United States continue to support Turkey's active and constructive role in NATO and Europe." A.F.

[27] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI ON ROLE OF SUPREME COURTS

An International Conference on the role of the Supreme Courts at a national and international level is to begin in Thessaloniki this evening, organized by the Aristotle University's Law and Economic Sciences Department.

The four-day conference will examine the contemporary role of the Supreme Court, as well as in the development of social values and the rule of law in today's society.

The Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos will inaugurate the event, while among those expected to address the audience are the Minister of Justice Evangelos Yiannopoulos, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos, and the President of the International Association of Procedural Law M. Storme. A.F.

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