Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-07-14

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 14, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PM BRIEFS THE PRESIDENT ON MADRID-SIGNED COMMUNIQUE

The Prime Minister of Greece Kostas Simitis has briefed the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on last week's joint communique between Greece and Turkey, as well as on the full spectrum of Greek-Turkish relations.

Later, in his capacity as president of the ruling PASOK party, Mr. Simitis chaired a session of the party's Executive Bureau on the same matter.

PASOK Secretary Kostas Skandalides stated that the joint communique was welcomed, albeit adding that the potential for establishing a climate of security in the Aegean depends on Ankara's future actions. A.F.

[02] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to meet today with the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis from whom he will be briefed on the recently-signed Simitis-Demirel communique at the Madrid-held NATO Summit.

In turn, President Stephanopoulos will meet with the minor opposition party leader Nikos Konstantopoulos of the Coalition of the Left and Progress.

Also, the Greek-Turkish relations will be the focus of talks during this evening's session of the ruling PASOK party's Executive Bureau. A.F.

[03] PREMIER TO EXAMINE COURSE OF STATE'S ECONOMY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to examine the course of the economy and the regulation of the state's budget for 1998, during a meeting he will head tomorrow with the Minister of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou and the Bank of Greece's governor Lukas Papademas.

On Wednesday, Mr. Papantoniou is to chair a meeting of the government's finance committee. A.F.

[04] GREECE'S DEPUTY FM YIANNOS KRANIDIOTIS TO TOUR MIDDLE EAST THIS WEEK

Greece's under-secretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis is to embark on a five-day tour of Middle East capitals tomorrow, according to a Ministry announcement.

Mr. Kranidiotis will visit Cairo, Alexandria, Beirut, Damascus and Amman, where he will hold talks with government officials.

According to the Greek Ministry, Mr. Kranidiotis' visit falls within the framework of Greece's desire to be engaged more actively in the Middle East process, both within the framework of European Union initiatives, as well as on a bilateral basis.

The deputy minister will also meet with church leaders and representatives of the Greek communities of those cities. A.F.

[05] THESSALONIKI'S MOUNT ATHOS EXHIBITION DRAWS OVER 27,000 PEOPLE TO DATE

The exhibition of the Mount Athos Treasures, currently held at Thessaloniki's Museum of Byzantine Art, has attracted over 27,000 visitors already, rightfully holding the sceptre as the year's most grandiose cultural event.

The Exhibition, which is to be held until December 31, 1997, also features a catalogue in both Greek and English whose sales have amassed 22 million drachmas up to date. A.F.

[06] PRESIDENT OF SAE ANDREW ATHENS SALUTES MADRID COMMUNIQUE

The president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) has saluted the communique recently signed between Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and the President of Turkey Suleiman Demirel during the Madrid-held NATO Summit.

Mr. Athens stated that "we would like to congratulate US Secretary of State Madleine Albright, Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos as well as Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem for working out this agreement."

Furthermore, Mr. Athens stated that "it is essential for peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean that Turkey has now, under this agreement, committed to respect Greece's sovereignty, respect the principles of international law and international agreements and refrain from provocative actions, including the threat of force.

The SAE President concluded that "this effort is another indication that the US, under the leadership of Secretary Albright and President Bill Clinton, appears to be, for the first time in decades, taking serious steps toward addressing the major problems that exist in the Aegean." A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[07] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS METS WITH US PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE

The President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides met with the United States Presidential Envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke in New York today.

Following the meeting, President Clerides stated that there was an exchange of points of view over the island's issue and added that Mr. Holbrooke assured him that the US diplomats will actively move towards its resolvement. A.F.

[08] TURKEY: SEVEN KILLED, 28 INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THIS MORNING

Seven people were killed, among them a Greek tourist, and 28 others were injured in a trraffic accident that occurred this morning in the province of Kocaeli, 80 kilometers east of Istanbul.

The accident took place when a passenger bus full of tourists from Poland, Romania, Greece and Russia collided with a marble- carrying truck. According to press reports, the truck driver lost control of his vehicle and crossed over into the opposite lane.

The Greek victim's name is Dimitris Liapis, 28. A.F.

[09] ALBANIA: SALI BERISHA REMAINS UNYIELDING TOWARDS SOCIALISTS

Albanian President Sali Berisha remains unyielding towards the victorious Socialist Party and stated today that the Democratic Party's -which he heads- co-habitation with the Socialist government is unfeasible.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano stated yesterday that the Albanian President is attempting to throw the Greek minority living in Albania on the sidelines. Mr. Nano stressed that the Greek community is one worthy of esteem but Mr. Berisha is trying to transform it into a ghetto.

Moreover, Mr. Nano stressed that his party has a legal duty to obstruct Mr. Berisha from proceeding to actions that would reduce the importance of the Greek minority.

The Democratic Party's reaction was quick and stern. Through its spokesperson, it stated that "during the last five years Albania, as per an initiative taken by the President, not only established legislation that corresponds to European accords but enforced it to the fullest extent. The Greek minority has recognized and appreciated these efforts."

The Democratic Party also pointed out that these positive assessments were seconded by the European Commissioner on Minority Rights Issues. A.F.

[10] TURKISH VP: DIRECT TALKS ARE MEANINGLESS IF CYPRUS ENTERS EU

In an interview given to a Turkish-cypriot daily, the vice- president of the Turkish government Bulent Ecevit stated today that the direct talks held between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus will be meaningless if Cyprus enters the European Union.

Also, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem referred to the Community's decision to discuss Cyprus' accession to the EU and said that such talks are shadowed by the direct talks recently held between the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the leader of the Turkish Cypriots Rauf Denktash. A.F.

[11] EUROPEAN BANK OF INVESTMENTS GRANTS ECU300 MILLION TO BULGARIA

Bulgaria is to receive MECU300 from the European Bank of Investments, as part of the international financial insitution's annual programme of funding development programmes for countries of central and eastern Europe.

The agrement was signed in Sofia today, in the presence of Bulgaria's Finance Minister Muravei Radev. A.F.

[12] ITALY AND BULGARIA TO COOPERATE ON WAYS TO COMBAT ORGANISED CRIME

Italy and Bulgaria are to cooperate on ways to combat organized crime, during a joint committee session that will be held in Sofia during the following three days.

Italian senator Alberto Robol, who is also heading the Italian delegation, stated that the Italian legislation on combating organized crime could serve as the basis for similar laws that could be enacted in Bulgaria. A.F.

[13] EU REPORT SAYS TURKEY IS NOT READY FOR EU ACCESSION TALKS

The European Union's "Agenda 2000" report, to be published on Wednesday, states that Turkey's present political and economic state doesn't allow it for embarking on negotiations for accession to the EU.

According to the report, Turkey may satisfy the standards features of democracy, such as an elected government and a Parliament, but the Turkish administration cannot guarantee its adaptation to EU acquis, at least not yet.

In regards to Greek-Turkish relations, the report states that the tension in the Aegean can be overcome on the basis of international law and by seeking recourse to arbitration bodies, such as the International Court at The Hague. A.F.

[14] BRITISH PREMIER TO MEET WITH CYPRIOT PRESIDENT TOMORROW

The President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the British Prime Minster Toni Blair are to meet in London tomorrow in order to discuss the results of the direct talks held in New York between President Clerides and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots Rauf Denktash.

According to the British High Commissioner to Nicosia David Madden, tomorrow's meeting will take place in order for the British government to be informed on the direct talks and assess the developments of the Cyprus issue."

This will be the first meeting between Mgrs. Clerides and Blair. A.F.

[15] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES TO MEET WITH RICHARD HOLBROOKE

The United States presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke is to meet with the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York today.

The special adviser to the UN Secretary-General N. Cordoves will brief the Security Council's five permanent members on the results of the first round of direct talks.

Last night, President Clerides met with the British envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay. A.F.

[16] EU COMMISSION RULES OUT TURKEY'S ACCESSION TO EU

The European Commission has ruled out Turkey's accession to the European Union in the near future.

In Ankara, Mesut Yilmaz's new government received the vote of confidence from Parliament.

Yesterday, Mr. Yilmaz visited the grave of Kemal Ataturk, wanting to illustrate his intention to stay true to the path drawn by the creator of the modern Turkish state. A.F.

[17] TURKISH PRESS: SIMITIS-DEMIREL COMMUNIQUE CREATES DETENTE IN TURKEY-US TIES

The recently-signed communique between Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and Turkish President Suleiman Demirel has resulted in a detente in the relations between Ankara and Washington, according to the Turkish press.

Ankara's daily "Hurriyet" writes that the United States are to end the disguised embargo they applied towards Turkey, claiming the tension in the Aegean, while Turkey is lifting the embargo it had imposed on US arms companies, barring them from participating in bids. A.F.

[18] BOSNIA: DOUBTFUL THAT PLAVSIC-CRAISNIC TALKS WILL CONTINUE

It is doubtful that talks will continue in Banja Luca today between the President of the Serb Republic of Bosnia Bljiana Plavsic and the member of the Bosnian-Serbs in Bosnia's collective Presidium Momcilo Craisnic, an effort to settle the crisis that has erupted in the leadership of the Bosnian-Serbs.

The talks began on Saturday but were interrupted yesterday when Ms. Plavsic became ill.

Mr. Craisnic expressed his doubt over Ms. Plavsic's illness and stated that he will wait until today and "if Ms. Plavsic does not attend the meeting, then she will bear full responsibility for not resolving the differences." A.F.

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