Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-09-22

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 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] CYPRUS AND GREECE LIVE UNDER THE TURKISH THREAT OF WAR

Cyprus and Greece live under the Turkish threat of war while there is no reaction on behalf of the international organizations, said Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos referring to the provocative statements made by Turkish officials, who have mentioned that additional military measures need to be taken to block the installation of the Russian S-300 missiles in Cyprus.

The Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles will not be installed in Cyprus only if Turkey accepts the demilitarization of the island, underlined today Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou in response to Ankara’s threats to proceed with the reinforcement of the Turkish armaments after the Cypriot government’s decision to purchase the missile defense system.

Mr.Papandreou stated that Cyprus has every right to take care of its defense, adding that if the demilitarization negotiations move ahead to a satisfactory level there will be no reason for the installation of the missiles in the island.

[02] THE SUCCESSFUL POLICY OF GREECE ON NATIONAL ISSUES WORRIES THE TURKISH SIDE

The successful policy followed by Greece on the issues of national importance appears to worry the Turkish side which makes moves that lead to a dead end and do not solve the problems, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to the provocative statements of Turkish officials regarding the installation of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus.

Mr.Reppas also stated that the response of the Greek committee of experts to the report on the Greek-Turkish relations prepared by the corresponding Turkish committee, will be sent within the day.

The Greek government spokesman stated that the issue of a meeting between the two committees remains open, adding that there is stagnation due to the latest developments in the Greek-Turkish relations and the statements made by Turkish officials.

[03] TSOCHATZOPOULOS WARNED TURKEY TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW

Greek Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, in a ceremony for the addition of 8 new fighter jets to the Greek Air Force, warned Turkey to comply with international law and treaties and to work for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Greek armed forces are ready to respond to any provocation and added that it is time for Ankara to realize that it should abandon the road of aggression if it wants to become an EU member.

[04] PANGALOS-CEM MEETING IN NEW YORK

The Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey Theodoros Pangalos and Ismail Cem will meet in New York tomorrow under the shadow of the Turkish threats against Cyprus.

General Ismail Hakki Karadayi stated that Turkey should take additional measures to avert the deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus. The statements were condemned by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, who stressed that Greece is on the side of the Cypriot people.

US Secretary of State ms.Madeleine Albright will have separate meetings on Wednesday with mr.Pangalos, mr.Cem and Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting.

Meanwhile, US Presidential envoy to Cyprus Richard Halbrooke will meet with the three Foreign Ministers, who are also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his special adviser for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez.

[05] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT WILL VISIT AUSTRALIA

The visit of Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis to Australia is expected to be officially announced within the next few days.

According to unconfirmed information, mr.Kaklamanis is possible to be in Australia on Saturday but no formal announcement has been made yet on the issue.

[06] THE CREATION OF A BLACK SEA FREE TRADE ZONE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN ATHENS TOMORROW

The establishment of a Black Sea free trade zone will be discussed by the Economic Committee of the Black Sea Cooperation Parliamentary Assembly that will meet in Athens tomorrow.

In the meeting, that will be completed on September 24, will be elected the Committee’s Presiding Board members.

[07] DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF THE SOCIAL DIALOGUE

Important developments are expected this week on the issue of the social dialogue process. According to information, among the issues expected to be discussed is the abolition of certain benefits enjoyed by public employees.

The future of the social security funds is examined in a report prepared by professor Yiannis Spraos which will be delivered to the Prime Minister in the following days.

[08] GOVERNMENT SATISFIED BY ITS RESULTS A YEAR FROM ELECTIONS

Greek press minister and government spokesman D,Reppas expressed today satisfaction over the work produced during the first year after the 1996 elections.

As far as it concerns the issues of national interest, the press minister noted that the initiatives by the government resulted in the strengthening of Greece at international level while on economy he said that the effort for reduction of the gap with the economies of the other European Union member states is satisfactory.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] LILIC IS LEADING IN THE SERB ELECTIONS

Zoran Lilic, the close associate of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, is leading in the presidential elections held in Serbia yesterday but he did not manage to get the absolute majority of the votes.

In the second place is nationalist Voiclav Seseli, while third is Vuk Draskovic. Based on early results, the first place in the parliamentary elections is occupied by the governing Socialist coalition.

[10] THE CYPRIOT MINISTER OF DEFENSE WILL BE IN ATHENS TODAY

Cypriot Minister of Defense Kostas Eliades will be in Athens today to meet with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsochatzopoulos to discuss issues of defense within the framework of the Greek- Cypriot joint defense doctrine.

In statements he made before his departure from Nicosia, mr.Eliades said that the Cypriot National Guard military exercise, code-named “Nikiforos ‘97”, will be held as scheduled with the participation of Greek naval and air forces.

Called to comment on the Turkish threats regarding the installation of the S-300 missiles, mr.Eliades said that they are made in an effort to create tension in Cyprus. Pointing out that the goal of the Cypriot government is the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem, mr.Eliades underlined the demilitarization proposal, adding that the matter will be raised by Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in the meeting on security issues that he will have with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

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