Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-09-26

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 26, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ANKARA CONTINUES THE PROVOCATION THROUGH ITS FOREIGN MINISTER

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos caused the strong reaction of the Turkish delegation in the United Nations with his statements according to which, part of the Turkish establishment wants the change of the borders in the Aegean. Mr.Pangalos also stated referring to Turkey that “one can not talk with a robber, a killer and a rapist”.

The response of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which circulated in the UN, mentions that the expressions used by mr.Pangalos are not only impudent and far beyond the limits of courtesy but they also reveal a psycho-pathological condition. It is also added that under those circumstances the Greek-Turkish dialogue is meaningless.

Mr.Pangalos avoided to comment on the content of the letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, that was circulated by the permanent delegation of Turkey in the United Nations.

Nevertheless, mr.Pangalos used harsh words to describe the stance of Turkey. He said that Turkey has claims in the Aegean that do not stop with the Imia islets issue and underlined that Ankara has to behave in a civilized manner in accordance with international law and the usual way of contact among civilized countries.

He also pointed out that Greece is impossible to accept such hypocritical approach as Turkey’s, which talks about contacts and dialogue without determining its claims. He reiterated that there could be no discussion with a party that aspires to violate international law.

[02] THE U2 CONCERT WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI THIS EVENING

The concert of the Irish group U2 will take place in Thessaloniki’s sea-front this evening. Thousands of their fans from Greece and abroad will have the chance to hear Bono and his rock band.

All 50.000 concert tickets issued have been sold out a long time ago and those who were not lucky enough to get the magic paper will be able to watch the concert on four gigantic screens placed in different parts of the city.

[03] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH WILL BE WELCOMED TO THESSALONIKI WITH HONORS RESERVED FOR HEADS OF STATES

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, the Greek political leadership and tens of Greek Metropolites will welcome Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Thessaloniki on Sunday morning with honors reserved for heads of states .

The head of the Christian Orthodox Church will be accompanied by the Patriarchs of Georgia, Romania and Bulgaria and by a representative of the Patriarch of Moscow and All of Russia.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will be on a five-day visit to Greece. His visit to Thessaloniki will last four days and the last day of his trip will be spent to the north-eastern city of Xanthi.

[04] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT LEFT FOR AUSTRALIA TODAY

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis left for Australia today for talks with the country’s leadership, while he will also have meetings with the leaders of the Greek-Australian community.

In his statements Australian Ambassador to Athens mr.Merrillees stressed that this visit will give the opportunity to mr.Kaklamanis to see how the Greek-Australians contribute to the prosperity of the Australian society.

[05] PROBLEMS FROM THE STRIKE OF THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS

Hopes for the normalisation of the transportation of goods and people through Greek border stations which have been closed since yesterday when the strike of the 22000 employees of the Budget Ministry started.

The external commerce has been stopped and thousands of lorries are immobilised at the border stations.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[06] US: GREECE AND TURKEY SHOULD GO TO THE HAGUE TO SOLVE THEIR “TERRITORIAL DIFFERENCES”

The statement of the US State Department spokesman according to which, the US government suggested that Greece and Turkey should appeal to The Hague not only for the Imia issue but for the total of the “territorial differences” between them, is characterized as strange at least.

Diplomats observe that Washington makes such reference for the first time.

A few days ago, the US spokesman had called on Turkey to appeal to The Hague regarding its claims over Imia but through the new statement it is recognized that the Turks have other claims as well, which they have not expressed clearly yet.

[07] CLERIDES - DENKTASH MEETING

The meeting of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish- Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to discuss security issues is being held in Nicosia this afternoon.

President Clerides will go to the talks with a seven-point proposal and his goal is to win the rejection of the use of force as a means for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The same proposal had been made, unsuccessfully, and during the talks in Montreaux, Switzerland.

Cypriot President Clerides suggests among others, that he and mr.Denktash should issue a public and official statement in which they will denounce the use of violence and pledge to work, based on a specific programme, for the decrease of armaments and the presence of Cypriot and foreign forces in the island.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright speculates that at this time there is a “window of opportunity” open for the solution of the Cyprus problem and calls on all interested parties to use their influence to find a solution and avoid actions that increase tension.

[08] CYPRUS WILL MAKE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT TO THE UN ACCUSING TURKEY OF PREPARING TO ATTACK THE GREEK-CYPRIOTS

Cyprus will make an official complaint to the United Nations accusing Turkey of preparing to attack the Greek-Cypriots.

The above was stated in Limassol by Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides referring to the Turkish threats over the issue of the installation of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus.

[09] STRONG EARTHQUAKE HIT CENTRAL ITALY AT DAWN TODAY

Three people were killed and 40 were injured by a strong, earthquake measuring 5,5 on the Richter scale, that hit central Italy at the early morning hours today.

The Reuters news agency reports that a larger number of victims was avoided by the fact that most of the residents of the villages close to the epicenter of the earthquake had abandoned their homes a few days ago in fear of a devastating tremor as a result of the intense seismic activity that was being observed in the region.

[10] A PASSENGER PLANE WITH 221 PEOPLE ON BOARD CRASHED IN SUMATRA

A passenger airplane of the Indonesian airlines “Garunda” with 221 people on board crashed in south Sumatra just before noon today and according to officials, there is no hope for survivors.

The causes of the accident are unknown. Special investigators mention, that the airplane crashed due to the extremely limited visibility in the region that is covered by thick smoke as a result of the huge fires that are destroying the tropical forests in south-eastern Asia.

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