Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-07-08

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 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 AND TURKISH PRESIDENT MEET AT NATO SUMMIT

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, currently in Madrid participating at the NATO Summit which started at the Spanish capital today, met with the President of Turkey Suleiman Demirel this evening.

Both leaders expressed their satisfaction over the convergence of views that was achieved between Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Turkey's new Foreign Minister Ismail Cem during a meeting held this morning in Madrid at the invitation of US Secretary of State Madleine Albright.

According to a press release, the two countries are to undertake efforts to promote bilateral relations which will be based on a mutual commitment to peace, security and conntinuous development of good neighborly relations, respect for each country's sovereignty, respect for the principles of International Law and International Accords, respect for the lawful and viable interests of each country in the Aegean, which bear great significance for their security and national sovereignty.

Also, the statement reads that the relations will also aim at avoiding unilateral acts so that conflicts due to misunderstanding will be avoided and aim to resolve their differences through peaceful means, based on mutual agreements and without the use of force or the threat thereof.

[02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON COMMENTS ON SUMMIT'S CONTACTS

The Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas has characterized the contacts held by Greece's unersescretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis with US government officials as signficant for the Greek-Turkish relations.

When asked if US President Clinton may meet with the leaders of Greece and Turkey, Mr.Reppas stated that the issue has not arisen yet.

[03] STATE OFFICIALS DELEGATION ANNOUNCE MEASURES FOR SEIKH SOU FOREST FIRE

A delegation of government officials held a meeting at the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace today, after which they announced a series of measures to be taken in order to face the destruction left by the fire that turned to ashes one of Thessaloniki's largest sources of oxygen, the Seih Sou forest.

According to the officials' statement, existing laws will be strictly enforced so that the burned area will not be bulldozed and at the same time the State is to embark on flood prevention measures.

The Ministers participating at the meeting where Akis Tsochatzopoulos - Defense, Kostas Laliotis - Environment, Stephanos Tzoumakas - Agriculture, Haris Kastanides - Transportation, Philippos Petsalnikos - Macedonia-Thrace, and Evangelos Venizelos - Culture.

Over 10,000 stremmata (about 40,000 acres) of forest area have burned, according to official estimates.

The blaze broke out on Sunday afternoon and, although it had subsided, rekindled on Monday, aided by strong winds that measured seven on the Beaufort scale. According to the Minister of Agriculture Stephanos Tzoumakas, the fire was the work of arsonists.

[04] FIRE AT THESSALONIKI'S SEIH SOU FOREST IS NOW UNDER CONTROL

The fire that turned to ashes one of Thessaloniki's largest sources of oxygen, the Seih Sou forest, has been contained after having raged for two continuous days. Over 10,000 stremmata (about 40,000 acres) of forest area have burned, according to official estimates.

The blaze broke out on Sunday afternoon and, although it had subsided, rekindled on Monday, aided by strong winds that measured seven on the Beaufort scale. According to the Minister of Agriculture Stephanos Tzoumakas, the fire was the work of arsonists.

A delegation of Ministers is to arrive in Thessaloniki today in order to assess the extent of the damage.

The Minister Of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos has stressed that the existing laws will be strictly enforced so that the burned area will not be bulldozed and at the same time the State is to embark on flood prevention measures.

[05] MEETING ON GREEK BUSINESS VENTURES IN THE BALKANS TO BE HELD THURSDAY

Opportunities for the State to strengthen and encourage Greek businessmen to invest in countries of Southeastern Europe are to be examined in a meeting held by representatives of Greek Industries (SEV), approximately 40 bankers and other businessmen and the Greek Ministers of Development and Foreign Affairs, on Thursday in Thessaloniki.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[06] NATO SUMMIT BEGINS IN MADRID TODAY

Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis is currently in Madrid, in order to participate at the NATO Summit which started at the Spanish capital today.

In their opening speeches, Spanish Premier Jose Maria Asnar and NATO's Secretary-General Javier Solana stressed the need for the Alliance to create conditions of security and stability in Europe. Mr. Simitis referred to NATO's expansion and supported that Romania, Bulgaria and Slovania should gain accession to the Alliance through a form of defense cooperation and their inclusion in the European structure.

Currently, there is a proposal for the establishment of four NATO headquarters in Greece, Turkey, Spain and Italy.

The main items on the agenda will be the Alliance's enlargement and new structure, although it does not appear likely that decisions will be taken on the new structure.

Turkey is to be represented at the Summit by Turkish President Suleiman Demirel and new Foreign Minister Ismail Jem. The latter met this morning wth Greece's Foreign Minster Thedoros Pangalos.

[07] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES IN NEW YORK, TO MEET WITH HOLBROOKE

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides is currently in New York, in order to participate at tomorrow's direct talks with Turkish-Cypriot President Rauf Denktash.

Mr. Clerides is to meet this evening with the United States Presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke.

[08] ALBANIA: FATOS NANO TO FORM GOVERNMENT BY JULY 25

The leader of Albania's Socialist Party Fatos Nano, who won last Sunday's Parliamentary elections, has expressed the hope that he will be able to form a new government by July 25.

The President of Albania's Democratic Party Tritan Sehu announced yesterday his resignation from the post.

[09] NATO SUMMIT BEGINS IN MADRID TODAY, SIMITIS DEMIREL MEET

Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis, currently in Madrid participating at the NATO Summit which started at the Spanish capital today, met with the President of Turkey Suleiman Demirel this evening.

Turkey is being represented at the Summit by Mr. Demirel and new Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. The latter met this morning wth Greece's Foreign Minister Thedoros Pangalos.

In his address during the Summit, Mr. Simitis referred to NATO's expansion and supported that Romania, Bulgaria and Slovania should gain accession to the Alliance through a form of defense cooperation and their inclusion in the European structure.

In their opening speeches, Spanish Premier Jose Maria Asnar and NATO's Secretary-General Javier Solana stressed the need for the Alliance to create conditions of security and stability in Europe.

Currently, there is a proposal for the establishment of four NATO headquarters in Greece, Turkey, Spain and Italy.

The main items on the agenda will be the Alliance's enlargement and new structure, although it does not appear likely that decisions will be taken on the new structure.

[10] US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON EXPRESSES HOPES FOR DIRECT TALKS

US State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated today that "the Clinton Administration, and the President himself, wish for cooperation between Greece and Turkey so that their differences will be resolved."

During the regularly-scheduled press confrence this morning, Mr. Burns referred to tomorrow's direct talks between the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish-Cypriot President Rauf Denktash, to be held in New York tomorrow.

Mr. Burns stated that "all the sides are approaching the talks in a spirit of cooperation with the United Nations".

Mr. Clerides is to meet this evening with the United States Presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke.

[11] THE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA PETROS COMPLETES VISIT TO ATHENS

The Patriarch of Alexandria Petros completed today his visit to Athens, after having met with the leader of the country's main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis.

During his stay in Athens, the Patriarch appealled that aid be given to the Patriarchate by the Greek State.

[12] THE 2ND WORLD INTER-REGION SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER

The Ecumenical Patriarchate is to organize the second international inter-religion symposium in September, whose topic will be "The Black Sea at Risk."

The President of the European Commission Jacques Santer is to particpate at the event, where 250 religion leaders and scientists will examine together the ecological dangers the region of the Black Sea is subjected to.

[13] 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".

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/