Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-07-30

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 30, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MEETING

Greece's defense policy, the future structure of the armed forces, the planning for the handling of the Turkish provocativeness in the Aegean and the modernization of 39 Greek Air Force aircraft that will be undertaken by a German company in spite of the US reactions, were examined today in the meeting of the Governmental Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense, presided over by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

The structure of the armed forces will be totally changed by the year 1998 as the large army units will be abolished and smaller more flexible ones will be established. Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos announced yesterday that the basic training in the army will be 3 months, the military service in the border regions will be extended to 9 months, while in the rest 6 months the servicemen will have the right to serve in the army units of their choice.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis will be in Tirana next Tuesday for contacts with the new Albanian government.

Rerarding the Cyprus issue, mr.Kranidiotis will have a series of informative contacts with the Ambassadors of the EU countries and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

[02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO TRAVEL TO ALBANIA NEXT TUESDAY

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis are to travel to Tirana the following Tuesday, August 5, in order to embark on contacts with the newly-elected Albanian government.

The decision was drawn during yesterday's Foreign Ministry meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Among the items discussed during the F.M. conference were the Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, the FYROM name issue, the situation in Albania and other matters concerning the Balkan region. A.F.

[03] GREEK AIR FORCE'S F-4 UPDATING ASSIGNED TO GERMANY'S "DASA"

[04] ANOTHER 160 GREEK SOLDIERS HAVE RETURNED FROM ALBANIA

[05] OTHER 160 GREEK SOLDIERS HAVE RETURNED FROM ALBANIA

Another Greek army unit that participated in the international peace-keeping force deployed in Albania arrived in Greece today after the end of its mission in the country.

One hundred and sixty officers and soldiers and 21 armoured personnel carriers arrived in the customs office of Kristalopigi in Florina this morning. The headquarters of this army unit was in the city of Elbasan.

The largest part of the Greek force that was deployed in Albania, namely 270 soldiers will arrive in Thessaloniki on Sunday on board two tank landing ships. The return of the Greek force from Albania will be completed on August 10.

[06] NO NEW TAXES WILL BE IMPOSED IN 1997

Undersecretary of Finance mr.Dris speculated that there will be no notable deviations from the 1997 budget, while he stated that he is satisfied with the course of revenues.

Mr.Dris reiterated that no additional tax measures will be taken in 1997. He also announced that the public deficit report will be completed by the end of the year.

[07] THE GREEK OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST WILL CROSS THE AEGEAN ON A WIND-SURF

Nikos Kaklamanakis, the wind-surf gold prize winner in the Atlanta Olympic Games, began today his attempt to cross the Aegean on a wind-surf. He left Sounio this morning and is expected to be in Iraklion, Crete tomorrow afternoon.

The Greek Olympic gold medallist's attempt is placed within the framework of efforts to bring the 2004 Olympic Games to Athens.

[08] GREEKS FROM KOZANI LIVING ABROAD TO MEET IN MASSIVE CONFERENCE

Greeks from Kozani who are currently living abroad are to meet in their hometown between August 1-3, during the First Conference of Expatriates from the Municipality of Kozani, an event organized by the local administration and Prefecture of Kozani.

Among the topics that are to be discussed during the three- day conference are "Sociological assessments of the immigration flow in the municipality of Kozani", "Mass media and immigrants", etc. A.F.

[09] SWEDISH DAILY: MOUNT ATHOS IS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

The Mount Athos Treasures Exhibition currently featured at Thessaloniki's Museum of Byzantine Art has been hailed by a Swedish daily as "a source of inspiration."

The daily "Svenska" offers a detailed account of the treasures on exhibit and marvels at the craftmanship and artistry of the Athonite monks. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] NEW CLERIDES-DENKTASH MEETING IN CYPRUS TOMORROW

Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofides referring to the new Clerides-Denktash meeting that will take place in the neutral zone of Nicosia tomorrow, announced that the Cypriot government expects mr.Denktash's response to the demand for the exhumation of the remains of the missing Greek-Cypriots.

The participation of mr.Rauf Denktash in the second round of the direct talks on Cyprus that will be held in Montreaux, Switzerland in mid August, will be decided today by the self- proclaimed cabinet of the Turkish-Cypriot regime in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General mr.Solana, speaking in the University of Columbia in the United States, expressed the hope that the Cypriot problem will be solved in 1998. He also said that the joint communique signed in Madrid by Greek Prime Minister Simitis and Turkish President Demirel has contributed to the creation of a climate of confidence and characterized the expansion of the Greek-Turkish dialogue as a great achievement for NATO's future.

[11] THE US EXPRESSED SATISFACTION FOR THE CLERIDES-DENKTASH MEETING IN NICOSIA

A US State Department assistant spokesman expressed the satisfaction of the US government for the meeting of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, stating that it was very positive and has set the basis for further progress.

The US official pointed out that the United States are satisfied because the meeting contributed to the continuation of the good atmosphere which leads to the second round of talks in Switzerland.

[12] THE GOVERNMENT OF FATOS NANO GOT A CONFIDENCE VOTE IN PARIAMENT

The government of Prime Minister Fatos Nano got a vote of confidence from the Albanian Parliament, while the Democratic Party, which is the largest party of the opposition, continues to abstain from the Parliament sessions.

The new Prime Minister and leader of the Socialist Party stated in the presentation of his government's policy in Parliament yesterday that the priority is to get the country out of the deep crisis.

[13] THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER PLEDGED TO IMPLEMENT THE EDUCATION REFORMS

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz reiterated in a press conference his government's pledge to implement the education reforms in the country within the framework of the efforts for the safeguarding of the secular nature of the state.

Specifically, the promoted reforms concern the abolition of the secondary education religious schools causing the strong reaction of the islamist circles.

[14] THE ARRIVALS OF ATHLETES FOR THE 6TH IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ATHENS CONTINUE

The arrivals of athletes for the 6th Track and Field World Championships in Athens continue. The formal opening of the games will take place on Friday with a special ceremony.

In the 6th IAAF World Championships participate 199 countries with 2.500 athletes, while 43 television channels and 37 radio stations from all over the world will broadcast the games live. Already, 3.500 foreign journalists of the written and electronic press have arrived in Athens, while 8.500 police officers are in a state of alert within the framework of the tight security measures that are in effect for the safety of the athletes and the foreign press correspondents.

[15] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT, TURKISH-CYPRIOT LEADER TO MEET IN NICOSIA TOMORROW

Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofides, referring to the new Clerides-Denktash meeting that will take place in the neutral zone of Nicosia tomorrow, announced that the Cypriot government expects Mr. Denktash's response to the demand for the exhumation of the remains of the missing Greek-Cypriots.

The participation of Mr. Rauf Denktash in the second round of the direct talks on Cyprus that will be held in Montreaux, Switzerland in mid August, will be decided today by the self- proclaimed cabinet of the Turkish-Cypriot regime in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.

[16] 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, Marocco, 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.

[17] "SUNDAY TELEGRAPH" WARNS OF PIRACY DANGERS IN MEDITERRANEAN

London's "Sunday Telegraph" published recently a travel advisory issued by the Foreign Office wherein the British government is said to warn yacht owners of pirates lurking in the waters between Corfu and Albania.

According to the article, a shipyard was discovered near Rome were speedboats specially equipped with guns and artillery were constructed for the modern-day pirates. A.F.

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