Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-30

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

Last Update: 21:54 GMT+2

SECTIONS

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

[D] WORLD

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

[D] WORLD

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] GREECE

[01] "17 NOVEMBER" CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASASSINATION OF SHIPOWNER

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

Piraeus, May 30 (MPA)

The organization members forwarded a written declaration at an Athens daily, wherein they claimed the responsibility for the killing. In their eight- page letter the terrorists also characterize the privatization of the state- owned Elefsina shipyards (they were bought by Peratikos five years ago) as a scandal and warn that in the name of the people, they will not allow shipowners to incessantly steal the public's money.

Also, "17 November" criticizes the Premier Kostas Simitis and his government for the handling of the Imia crisis.

Peratikos, forty-two, was ambushed on Wednesday afternoon in broad daylight, outside his offices in Piraeus. His family had bought the Elefsina Shipyards in 1992 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 at the US Embassy in Athens in early 1996, although, it never claimed responsibility for that incident.

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.

[02] GREEK PREMIER TO TRAVEL TO SWEDEN ON WORKING VISIT NEXT WEEK

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

Athens, May 30 (MPA)

Mr.Simitis will be the honored guest at a formal dinner to be hosted by Sweden's Premier Mr. Person on June 3.

The following day, the Greek Premier will meet with his Swedish counterpart and will also be received by the leader of Sweden's Parliament Brigitta Dahl.

On Thursday, June 5, Mr. Simitis will meet with the King of Sweden, Gustav, and will later depart for the city of Malmoe where he will attend a conference of the European Socialist Parties, which is to be held until June 7.

A.F.

[03] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON: WE TARGET A FIXED ELECTORATE SYSTEM

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Athens, May 30 (MPA)

Referrring to the election process of the republic's president, Mr. Reppas noted that the government wants to avoid extreme and negative developments and pointed out that the ministers are in disagreement over the president's election process.

A.F.

[04] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH CANCELS VISIT TO AUSTRIA AFTER VATICAN SETS TERMS

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Athens, May 30 (MPA)

The Ecumenical Patriarch's programmed participation, according to well- informed sources, was cancelled after the Vatican and the Moscow Patriarchate set a series of demands as prerequisites for the presence of the three church leaders.

The Patriarchate has issued an announcement wherein it states that these events serve the purpose of achieving conciliation among Christians and in no way should they be employed as a mean to satisfy personal ambitions.

"The past's inherited problems should be faced in a spirit of self- criticism and repentance," the announcement read.

As such, the Ecumenical Patriarch stated, given the current situation that has been created, his programmed attendance is no longer feasible.

A.F.

[05] GREEK COMMISSIONER CHRISTOS PAPOUTSIS ON TOUR THROUGH THRACE

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Alexandroupolis, May 30 (MPA)

"Thrace is a European region which actively and substantially participates in the European happenings, in the current changes underway and the development that is sought thoughout Europe," Mr. Papoutsis said, while he also expressed the hope that Thrace will carry out a determining role over the economic developments in the greater Balkan region.

Tomorrow, Mr. Papoutsis will attend a conference on European Trade and Distribution, to be held in Alexandroupolis. The conference is held under the auspices of the European Union and the National Confederation of Greek Trade.

A.F.

[06] THRACE HOSTS INT/AL CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Alexandroupolis, May 30 (MPA)

The conference will examine ways to establish a pan-European attitude towards trade, while, for the first time at an international business meeting, the "Green Bible" 's opportunities for development will be examined.

EU's Greek Commissioner Christos Papoutsis will be the central speaker at the event, while the vice-chairman of the European investment Bank Panayiotis Yennimatas will discuss the Euro (the EU's common currency) and the significant changes its implementation by the EU's member-states is about to bring to their economies.

A.F.

[07] THESSALONIKI TO HOST WORLDWIDE SEISMOLOGY CONFERENCE

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Thessaloniki, May 30 (MPA)

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, the Aristotle University's Geophysics Department's official Vasilis Karakostas said that statistics show that an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale occurs in Greece every year.

The Conference will be held between August 18-29 and will feature the participation of about 1,200.

A.F.

[B] BALKANS

[08] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO SOFIA TODAY

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

Athens, May 30 (MPA)

Mr. Karamanlis will meet with the Bulgarian Premier Ivan Kostov and will also 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.

[09] FYROM: GOVERNMENT GAINS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FROM PARLIAMENT

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

Skopje, May 30 (MPA)

Prime Minister Branco Cervenkovski proceeded to reshuffle his government on

Wednesday, with over one third of its members being replaced or re- assigned. According to FYROM's constitution, reshuffling one third of the government's members requires a vote of confidence from Parliament.

Replacing Ljubomir Frckovski as Foreign Minister is the up-to-now Defense Minister Blagoi Hanginski, whose place will be taken by Lazar Kitanovski.

In all, ten ministers from the Social-Democratic Union were appointed, four from the largest Albanian minority party PDP and one from the Socialist Party.

A.F.

[10] THE ERBAKAN GOVERNMENT LOST ITS MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT

Web Posted: 18:36 GMT+2

Istanbul 30 May (MPA)

Nevertheless, practically the resignation does not mean that the government has fallen. The negotiations between Erbakan and his coalition partner Tansu Ciller, to change the government make up and to declare early elections, appear to be close to an agreement, while within the framework of the efforts made to save the government is also the participation of the extreme right party of Great Unity in the coalition government.

With the addition of the 7 seats the extreme right party has in Parliament, the coalition government now has 282 deputies, but problems may arise in the vote of confidence the new government will have to get in case it is formed under the presidency of Tansu Ciller.

The negotiations between Erbakan and Ciller continue and today's meeting is considered as very crucial. The participation of the Great Unity party is certain as it is also certain that Ciller will take over the premiership in July. There is no doubt that early elections will be held in the country but no date has been set yet.

Erbakan wants the elections to be held in October while Ciller maintains that they should be held in March next year. A compromise solution is not ruled out and is likely the elections to be held in December of 1997.

[11] RIGHT-WING PARTIES HAVE FORMED A UNITED FRONT AGAINST BERISHA AND THE SOCIALISTS

Web Posted: 18:36 GMT+2

Tirana 30 May (MPA)

The right-wing parties, namely the National Front Party, the Republican, the Democratic Right, the Movement for Democracy and Bali Kobetar have announced the formation of an alliance named United Albanian Right (AYR).

In a press conference the leaders of the AYR parties stressed that they will make every effort to achieve the lifting of the state of emergency and stated that they are against President Berisha's participation in the pre- election campaign of the Democratic Party.

Political analysts in Tirana have interpreted the formation of the new alliance as a response to Berisha's efforts to win the support of certain right-wing parties in order to increase the success chances of his own party.

[12] MEETING OF BALKAN MAYORS WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 7

Web Posted: 18:36 GMT+2

Thessaloniki 30 May (MPA)

The issues that will be examined in the one-day conference will concern among others, the role of local administration in the promotion of peace and development in Balkans, city-twinning agreements and cultural exchanges.

[13] GREECE'S FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY MEETS WITH CYPRIOT FM IN BRUSSELS

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Brussels, May 30 (MPA)

Mr.Kranidiotis briefed Mr. Kasoulides on his recent contacts at the United Nations headquarters in New York as well as on the content of his talks with his Turkish counterpart Onur Oymen during the latter's visit to Athens.

A.F.

[14] CYPRUS SALUTES STATE DEPARTMENT VOW ON RESOLVING ISLAND'S ISSUE

Web Posted: 21:54 GMT+2

Nicosia, May 30 (MPA)

Cypriot government spokesperson Manolis Christofides stated that "we await to see the tangible results of this dynamic and decisive intervention whithin the framework of the direct talks."

The State Department's spokesperson Nicholas Burns said earlier that Washington intends to dynamically intervene in the developments concerning the island, and added that his country supports the direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Also commenting on Mr. Burns' statements, Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said that if the US' approach to the issue is based on the UN's resolutions and aims for their enforcement, then "this would be a very good development."

A.F.

[C] EUROPE

[15] "THE ECONOMIST" SEES A WINNER IN PASOK

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

London, May 30 (MPA)

In its most recent edition, the magazine emphasizes that the Greek government's financial policy during the1997-2002 period will be in pursuit of Greece's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union.

Also, the article assesses that once the efforts to curb public deficit are underway, the government is to grant heightened attention to controling inflation and achieving the drachma's parity against foreign currency. The article does add that the reduction in public deficit will largely depend on improving public administration and combating tax evasion.

According to "The Economist", the strict monetary policy and the control of wages will result in limited consumption growth, while, during 1997-1999, the Gross National Product is to float at a 2.5% annual rate which is to be fueled by public investment increases, mostly from EU funding and higher incentives for the private investors.

Moreover, the article mentions that the primary risk for Greece's political stability is a potential crisis in its relations with Turkey.

A.F.

[16] RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UKRAINE

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

Moscow, May 30 (MPA)

Paving the way for the aforementioned accord was the agreement reached between the Ukraine and Russia concerning the issue of the former Soviet fleet that was stationed at the Black Sea.

The Russian Prime Minister Victor Cernomyrdin characterized the signing of the accord with the Ukraine as bearing historic significance.

"We are certain that these talks will develop as planned and that the two leaders will sign the friendship accord which will turn a new page in the history of our countries."

President Yeltsin, prior to his departure for Kiev, said "the arrangement achieved between our two countries constitutes the premise of a very significant accord."

A.F.

[17] NEW DEMOCRACY SUPPORTS BULGARIA'S EFFORTS FOR EU AND NATO MEMBERSHIP

Web Posted: 18:36 GMT+2

Sofia 30 May (MPA)

Mr.Karamanlis stated that they discussed all issues concerning Greece and Bulgaria, bilateral relations and Balkan issues as well as, the prospects for Bulgaria's accession into the European Union and NATO.

After his meeting with the President of the Bulgarian Parliament, mr.Karamanlis stated that he was briefed on the efforts made by Bulgaria at a legislative and executive level aimed at the restoration of economic stability and normality.

Mr.Sokolov stated that mr.Karamanlis assured him that New Democracy is ready to contribute to the efforts for Bulgaria's exodus from the economic crisis and its accession into the EU and NATO.

At noon, Bulgaria's newly elected Prime Minister Ivan Kostov gave a formal dinner in mr.Karamanlis' honour, who later in the day is scheduled to meet with Defence Minister Georgi Ananiev.

After mr.Karamanlis' meeting with Prime Minister Kostov it was announced that the two men discussed the political developments in their countries, exchanged views on the situation in the Balkans and in Europe and agreed on the holding in Sofia of an international meeting of Popular and Christian- Democratic Parties.

[18] EUROPEAN TRADE CONFERENCE OPENED IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS

Web Posted: 18:36 GMT+2

Alexandroupolis 30 May (MPA)

The conference will end on Sunday and is organized by the National Confederation of Trade and the European Commission's 23rd Directorate.

During the international conference will be examined the prospects for a European trade outlook and the tendencies in the European trade that resulted from the globalization of the economy.

[D] WORLD

[19] STATE DEPARTMENT: US WILL TAKE INITIATIVE ON CYPRUS IN 1997

Web Posted: 15:20 GMT+2

Lisbon, May 30 (MPA)

Mr. Burns said that Washington intends to dynamically intervene in the developments concerning the island, and added that his country supports the direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Commenting on Mr. Burns' statements, Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said that if the US' approach to the issue is based on the UN's resolutions and aims for their enforcement, then "this would be a very good development."

A.F.

[20] PANGALOS MET WITH US OFFICIALS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE NATO MEETING

Web Posted: 18:36 GMT+2

Sidra 30 May (MPA)

Mr.Pangalos stated that he had a brief discussion with Turkish Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Onur Oymen, stating that mr.Oymen's positions are already known.

US State Department spokesman Nicolas Burns in statements he made referred to the role of the United States in the solution of the Cyprus issue, while he expressed Washington's positive position toward the proposals made by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana on confidence-building-measures in the Aegean. He also referred to the Clinton administration position to leave the issue of the rapprochement to the discretion of Greece and Turkey.

Responding to those statements, mr.Pangalos pointed out that this is the expressed policy of the international community as well as Greece's, stressing that Athens does not want others to solve its problems.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/

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