Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-08-22

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 22, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] US AND RUSSIAN SEISMOLOGY PROFESSORS STATE THAT NO EXACT EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION IS POSSIBLE

Berkeley University of California seismology professor Bruce Bold and his colleague from the University of Moscow Genadi Soboliev expressed the view that no exact earthquake prediction is possible in their joint press conference within the framework of the 29 th General Assembly of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior that is being held in Thessaloniki.

Prof.Bold stated that it can be predicted where an earthquake will occur but it can not be predicted when it will occur and how large it will be, adding that only statistically we can say how many earthquakes can occur in a period of 20 years and what their magnitude will be. Prof.Bold said that the right building codes will protect people from an earthquake disaster.

Prof.Soboliev stated that earthquake prediction is still at an early stage and added that only lately scientists began understanding the natural process followed in the genesis of an earthquake and enough observations have been made in order to have a long-term prediction. He also underlined that still scientists can not make an exact prediction on where and when an earthquake will occur and how large it will be.

[02] MEETING ON THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY

The budget’s implementation course and the draft law concerning the merging of municipalities and communities in Greece will be at the center of discussions in PASOK’s Political Secretariat meeting that is taking place today under the presidency of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and with the participation of National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos.

Mr.Papantoniou will brief the Prime Minister on the guidelines for the economy and the 1998 draft budget that were set during yesterday’s meeting of the government’s economic staff. Mr.Papantoniou in statements he made yesterday appeared optimistic regarding the developments in the economy.

[03] 27 MAJOR EARTHQUAKES ARE EXPECTED IN THE NEXT 15 YEARS

Twenty seven major earthquakes measuring over 6 on the Richter scale are expected to hit different regions in Greece by the year 2010, as it was announced yesterday in the 29 th General Assembly of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior which is being held in Thessaloniki. Associate professor in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Giorgos Karakaisis stressed in his presentation under the title: “Time dependent seismicity in Greece”, that on the average a number of 20 earthquakes measuring over 6 on the Richter scale are recorded in a period of 15 years, while in the period leading to the year 2010 there will be an increase in seismic activity and the number of earthquakes expected is 27.

[04] THE STATE OIL COMPANY INCREASED ITS SHARE-CAPITAL BY 20,9 BILLION DRACHMAS

The Greek State Oil Company increased its subscribed capital by 20,9 billion drachmas after the approval of the responsibleMinisters of National Economy-Finance Yiannos Papantoniou and Development Vaso Papandreou. The company’s total capital has now increased to 180,6 billion drachmas.

[05] A GREEK-AUSTRALIAN DOCTOR OFFERS NEW HOPE TO CANCER PATIENTS

The Greek-Australian doctor Vaso Apostolopoulou gave new hope to cancer patients by creating a vaccine against breast cancer. In statements made by ms.Apostolopoulou it was stressed that the vaccine will soon be tested on 50 people with cancer of the uterus, ovarian cancer and lung, prostate and colon cancer. The experimental period needed to examine the results of the vaccine on humans will be completed in 5 years.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[06] KASOULIDES: CYPRUS CAN RESPOND TO THE TURKISH THREATS

The Cypriot government has prepared its reaction, in agreement with Greece, in case the Turkish threats for the integration of the occupied part of Cyprus materialize. The statement was made by Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides, who underlined that in case Ankara implements its threats, Greece will have the right to block Turkey’s course toward the European Union. Mr.Kasoulides also stressed that based on facts that have emerged during the talks with Greece, Cyprus will participate in the next EU enlargement that will take place in 2001 or 2002, while he predicted that in 1998 there will be significant progress toward the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Cypriot Foreign Minister also stated that together with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos will visit European capitals to discuss Cyprus’ accession course and the Turkish threats.

[07] THE UN ENVOY TO CYPRUS MET WITH THE US PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY

UN Secretary General special envoy to Cyprus Diego Cordovez met in New York yesterday with US Presidential envoy to Cyprus Richard Halbrooke. The two men agreed to maintain continuous contact aimed at the speeding-up of the procedures for the settlement of the Cyprus problem, while they reexamined the situation in Cyprus after the difficulties in the Clerides- Denktash direct talks in Switzerland.

[08] THE US STATE DEPARTMENT EXPRESSED SATISFACTION FOR THE UN DECISION TO BLAME THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT LEADER

The US State Department expressed satisfaction for the UN Security Council decision to blame Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the failure of the direct talks in Switzerland and the intransigent position he has adopted. US State Department spokesman James Rubin added that the United States urge the Greek- Cypriots and the Turkish-Cypriots to continue the dialogue on humanitarian issues that began last month.

[09] EXTENSION WAS GIVEN TO THE DEPORTATION OF ALBANIANS FROM ITALY

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi stated that he will examine the likelihood of an extension to the deadline for the repatriation of thousands of Albanian refugees in response to an appeal made by Tirana. In an open letter addressed to his Albanian counterpart Fatos Nano, mr.Prodi mentions that he will propose to his cabinet to set a new deadline in order to achieve the repatriation of as many Albanians as possible. The existing deadline for their deportation expires on August 31.

[10] THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY PLEDGED SUPPORT TO THE HARDLINE RIVALS OF PRESIDENT PLAVSIC

The Bosnian Serb army pledged its support to the hardline rivals of Bosnian Serb Republic President ms.Biljana Plavsic. With a statement that was made yesterday and was reported by the Bosnian Serb news agency, SRNA, the army command accused ms.Plavsic of leading the country to instability and warned her that it will protect the Bosnian Serb Republic using all means if she does not change policies. Ms.Plavsic is also accused of isolating the army for the sake of certain private individuals and international organizations and that she wants the breaking up of the Bosnian Serb Republic and its integration into Bosnia.

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