Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-29

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 29, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

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[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ARCHBISHOP OF ALBANIA ANASTASIOS VISITS GREEK PRESIDENT TODAY

The Archbishop of Tirana and all of Albania Anastasios visited the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos in Athens today.

The Archbishop and the Greek President discussed the current situation in the neighboring country as well as the problems faced by the Greek minority living in Albania.

"It is a difficult phase for all," Archbishop Anastasios said, expressing the hope that the situation will soon improve. He further added that the Orthodox Church of Albania is for all of the country's Orthodox, may they be Greek, Vlachs, Albanians or Slavs. A.F.

[02] NO ONE HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SHIPOWNER'S ASSASSINATION IN PIRAEUS

While police suspect members of the notorious "17 November" terrorist organization as being the culprits in the killing of Greek shipowner Kostas Peratikos, no one has claimed responsibility, at least as of yet.

Peratikos, forty-two, was assassinated yesterday afternoon in broad daylight, outside his offices in Piraeus. His family had bought the Elefsina Shipyards five years ago from the Greek state, but Peratikos decided to close down the mammoth business three years later, as it had accumulated a debt of 27 billion drachmas.

"17 November" is a "phantom" terrorist organization that has claimed responsibility for a series of murders and bombings in Greece throughout the 1980s. It was most recently suspected of having launched an anti-tank rocket ar the US Embassy in Athens in early 1996, although, it never claimed responsiblity for that incident.

Yet, ballistic tests have proven that Peratikos was shot with the same 45mm gun that had been used in the past by "17 November" in terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has expressed his sorrow over the event and stated that he is expecting a detailed report from the Ministry of Public Order. A.F.

[03] FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE COMMEMORATED BY PRESIDENT OF PARLIAMENT

The fall of Constantinople marked the end of a resplendent era in the history of Hellenism and of humanity as well, stated the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis in his message, commemorating today's 544th anniversary since the ill- starred day of May 29, 1453.

Mr. Kaklamanis stressed the Byzantium's invaluable and unparalleled contribution to the arts, sciences, philosophy and law, while he also pointed out that "the impact of the Byzantium is such that no prejudice, meanness or ignorance can overcome it.

"History will scorn those who attempt to re-write it "contra errores graecorum." A.F.

[04] GREEK ALTERNATE FM ADDRESSED PARLIAMENT'S COMMITTEE ON GREEKS ABROAD

Addressing the Greek Parliament's Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad, the alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed today that the country's foreign cultural policy is an integral part of its overall foreign policy.

Mr. Papandreou outlined the axes of cultural diplomacy, noting the need to reform a new dogma for Greece's cultural and educational ties abroad, which will materialize through the cooperation of the Ministries of Education, Press, Culture, Development and Foreign Affairs. A.F.

[05] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER TO BE IN SOFIA TOMORROW

The leader of Greece's main oppositIon party New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis willl be on an official visit to Sofia tomorrow.

Mr. Karamanlis will first meet with the Bulgarian ruling party's (Union of Democratic Forces) parliamentary group's president Ekaterina Machailova and will then be received by the President of Bulgaria's Parliament Iordan Sokolov.

In the evening, Mr. Karamanlis will be received by Bulgarian Defense Minister Georki Ananiev. A.F.

[06] KRANIDIOTIS IS IN BRUSSELS FOR HIGH LEVEL MEETINGS

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis meets in Brussels today with EU Commissioner for external affairs Hans Van Den Broek. Yesterday, mr.Kranidiotis had a number of meetings in New York with the representatives of the 5 UN Security Council permanent members and the 15 European Union states.

Mr.Kranidiotis stated that views and ideas were exchanged concerning the Cyprus issue and the role the EU can play in the efforts to find a solution. The Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs mentioned during the talks that the main problem for Cyprus is the Turkish intransigence and added that the prospects for this round of talks on Cyprus will not be optimistic if the Turkish side is unwilling to make the necessary moves and concessions in compliance with the international law and the UN resolutions.

[07] PAPANTONIOU ANNOUNCED WAGE INCREASES OF 4% FOR 1998

Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou announced wage increases of 4% in the private sector for 1998, speaking last night in the General Assembly of the Association of Greek Industries. Mr.Papantoniou also stated that from now on wages will be determined based on the inflation rate and productivity.

The Association's President Jason Stratos called today for the reduction of the public sector size and the speeding-up of privatizations, stating that industry has the largest share of investments compared to all other sectors.

[08] "17 NOVEMBER" IS BEHIND YESTERDAY'S ASSASSINATION IN PIREAUS

Terrorist organization "17 November" is, according to police, behind the assassination of shipowner Kostas Peratikos that occured in Pireaus yesterday afternoon. In spite of the fact that until now no-one has claimed responsibility, the ballistic tests have proved that the victim was shot with the same gun that had been used in the past in other "17 November" terrorist attacks.

[09] GREECE WILL HOST 1999 WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Weightlifting International Federation, after convening in Cape Town Africa, announced yesterday that Greece will host the 1999 World Weightlifting Championship.

Greece was awarded the event without a voting process, since Germany, which had also submitted its candidacy for hosting the Championship, withdrew at the last minute when it realized that the majority of the Federation's members favored Greece. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN PORTUGAL TODAY

Foreign Ministers of NATO member-states met in Portugal today where they discussed the selection criteria and candidacies of the countries that will be proposed for Alliance membership, during the NATO Summit to be held at Madrid in July.

In spite of the differing points of view the Allies have on the number of new candidates to be acceded into the first phase of NATO's eastward expansion, they overall agree that this process should be a gradual one.

Moreover, there seems to be a consensus on the first phase accession of three countries: Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. A.F.

[11] THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN PORTUGAL TODAY

The Foreign Ministers of NATO meet in Portugal today and Greece is represented by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos who has announced that no meeting has been scheduled with his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller to be held on the sidelines of the western alliance meeting.

The NATO Foreign Ministers discuss today the selection criteria and the candidacies of the countries that will be proposed for membership in the alliance in the NATO Summit that will be held in Madrid in July.

[12] GREEK,TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO STRENGTHEN TRADE, TOURISM COOPERATION

Aiming at the promotion of cooperation among the Balkan region's businessmen, as well as those from the Black Sea and the Middle East, a group of Greek businessmen met with their Turkish counterparts in Istanbul, during the Third Greek-Turkish Business Forum.

The participants agreed to further develop Greek-Turkish coooperation on trade and tourism sectors and both sides decided to exert pressure on their respective governments in order to achieve an agreement on relieving double taxation.

Also, a mebmer of the Greek Businessmen's Association Simeon Tsomokos, told the Macedonian Press Agency that a series of private agreements were signed during the four-day conference among Greek and Turkish businessmen.

Present at the event was Greece's former Foreign Minister Michalis Papakonstantinou and Turkey's former Foreign Ministers H. Cetin and E. Giunensai, as well as the U.S. State Department's Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs, Carey Cavanaugh. A.F.

[13] GREECE, F.R.Y. INITIAL AGREEMENT ON AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION

Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia initialled an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, in Belgrade last evening.

The agreement is expected to be finalized when F.R.Y. Premier Radoyie Kodic is to visit Athens in June and is expected to significantly contribute to the development of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Moreover, the agrement foresees for the creation of common methods and criteria that will determine the taxation of certain income brackets. A.F.

[14] YESTERDAY'S EPISODE OF AIRLINE MISNOMER WAS A "MISTAKE", SAYS JAT

JAT's aircraft that landed at Athens' airport yesterday featuring the logo "Macedonian Air Lines" was a mistake, according to the Yugoslav airliner's representative Olivera Jukanovic.

Ms. Jukanovic said that the incident was a mishap and expressed her regret that a technical mistake resulted in insulting the Greek people's sentiments.

"In no case was this our intention," she stated and expressed her gratefulness that Athens accepted her apologies with understanding.

According to Ms. Jukanovic, the specific aircraft was to be rented out to FYROM's airline but was instead forwarded to Athens by mistake. A.F.

[15] JAPAN'S FORMER PREMIER TO BE IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

Something along the lines of Thessaloniki, Cultural Capital of Europe 1997, is underway in Japan, extending the insitution of cultural capitals into Asia.

The European Union Japan Festival is to be created on a similar format as the European Cultural Capital institution, but the Asian project is not expected to materialize soon since, as the Festival's Secretary General stated, most of the Asian countries are faced with economic perils as their defense budget has grown five-fold during the past five years.

Nevertheless, the Festival will be featured as part of Thessaloniki's Cultural Capital events during which the creation of a Japanese consulate in Thessaloniki will be announced.

Moreover, Japan's former Premier Toshiki Kaifu is to arrive in Thessaloniki tomorrow in order to celebrate the 100-year mark of Greek-Japanese diplomatic relations.

Prior to his visit to Thessaloniki, Mr. Kaifu will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Athens. A.F.

[16] EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S SUIT AGAINST GREECE ON USED CARS HEARD TODAY

The European Commission's suit against Greece for excessive charges on imported used vehicles, is being heard today by the European Court.

The Commission filed suit against Greece in June 1995 for failing to meet the EU-imposed legislation on the importation of used cars.

Greece's argument is that it has imposed extra taxes on older cars in order to dissuade buyers from purchasing them as this would further harm the environment and worsen air pollution. Greece is not about to turn into a "cemetery" of used cars, the state's under-Secretary of Finance George Drys has stated.

However, the Commission counters this argument by stating that this negative environmental impact should be addressed through technical checks, not taxes. The Court's ruling is expected to be issued in the fall. A.F.

[17] ERBAKAN-CILLER DISCUSSED THE PARTICIPATION OF A RIGHT EXTREMIST PARTY IN THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT

The Erbakan-Ciller coalition government attempts to overcome its problems with the participation in the government of the Great Unity right-extremist political party led by Muhsin Yazicioglu which has 7 seats in the Turkish Parliament.

Yesterday, Erbakan and Ciller held a meeting with Yazicioglu, who later stated that they proposed to him to participate in the coalition government offering to his party two ministerial posts.

[18] PREPARATIONS HAVE BEGUN FOR THE FOREIGN MINISTERS CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

Preparations are underway for the Foreign Ministers Conference on security, stability and cooperation in South-Eastern European countries, that will be held in Thessaloniki on June 9- 10.

In the Conference will participate Bulgaria, FYROM, Albania, Romania, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Turkey, while 20 countries will send observers among them, the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and others.

[19] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4,4 ON THE RICHTER SCALE SHOOK CYPRUS

An earthquake measuring 4,4% on the Richter scale shook last night the province of Paphos in Cyprus and was also felt in the cities of Limassol and Larnaca.

The epicenter of the tremor was located 10 kilometers east of the city of Paphos and according to the local police no damage was reported.

[20] THE UN DECIDED TO EXTEND THE MANDATE OF ITS FORCES IN FYROM FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS

The UN Security Council decided to extend for another 6 months the mandate of the UN prevention force UNPREDEP in FYROM and according to the state television in Skopje, the decision was based on the continuing tension in Albania.

The UN Security Council has also decided that the gradual withdrawal of the force will start in October after the level of security in the region is assessed.

[21] NIKOS ROLANDIS WILL BE A CANDIDATE IN THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

The Liberal Party candidate in the Cypriot presidential elections will be Nikos Rolandis, as himself has announced after the meeting he had today with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides.

President Clerides has not decided yet if he will run for re- election, while the Liberal Party has decided in principle that its candidate will be mr.Rolandis. The decision is expected to be ratified by the end of June.

[22] MILOSEVIC WILL NOT RUN FOR A THIRD TERM IN THE SERB PRESIDENCY

Slobodan Milosevic will not run for a third term in the Serb Presidency but he is considering the likelihood of being a candidate for the Yugoslav Presidency, according to statements made in Thessaloniki today by his wife Mira Markovic, who is visiting the city at the invitation of Kalamaria's mayor Thrasivoulos Lazaridis.

Ms.Mira Markovic admitted that she exerts influence on the government of Serbia and rejected the accusations made by the opposition and the western countries on the issue of the democratization of Yugoslavia, stating that her country has a long democratic tradition, while she also added that at this time there are important reforms underway at an economic, political and cultural level which have results.

On the mass rallies held by the opposition last winter, she said that were held in Belgrade as they did and in other cities of Western and Eastern Europe and pointed out that the work of the opposition is to criticize the government.

On the Kosovo issue, she stressed that the policy followed will be the one of equality, while she pointed out that the region is part of Serbia and underlined that the emergence of "extremist elements", that create trouble in their effort to gain independence, must be stopped.

Referring to the role of the Yugoslav Left Party she leads, ms.Markovic clarified that it supports the united expression of the Left, has a more cosmopolitan nature and deals mainly with social problems compared to the Socialist Party of Serbia which governs and must set the directions for the reconstruction of the country.

Regarding the relations between Greece and Serbia, ms.Markovic stated that they have set an example for the Balkan states and thanked the Greek people for the help offered to Serbia during the period of the big crisis.

Ms.Markovic met with Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, Prefect of Thessaloniki Kostas Papadopoulos and mayor of Kalamaria Thrasivoulos Lazaridis. In the afternoon she will visit the Archeological Museum and will leave for Belgrade later this evening.

[23] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL INFORMATICS HELD IN HALKIDIKI

The European Federation for Medical Informatics wrapped up its 14th international conference today, which started in Halkidiki on May 25.

The conference, titled "Medical Informatics Europe "MIE '97" featured guest-speakers from throughout Europe and spanned four days of discussion, each of which was devoted to one major topic.

Based on the lectures that were presented, a special issue will be published in a medical journal following the conference. A.F.

[24] 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.

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