Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-10-21

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 21 October1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS .

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] CABINET CONFERENCE OVER THE NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET

Greece’s Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to head a Cabinet meeting today which will draw the final touches on the government’s economic policy for 1998.

Taxation is expected to be imposed on mobile phones as well as on shares trading. Moreover, the state is expected to up the interest on state bonds, as well as increase prices on cigarettes. A.F.

[02] ATHENS IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE US STATE DEPARTMENT CLARIFICATION

The Greek government does not appear satisfied with the clarification issued by the US State Department which was made public after Greece’s strong demarche regarding the initial statement of spokesman James Rubin, according to which, the flight of the Greek C-130 with Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos on board constituted violation of the moratorium of flights over Cyprus.

The new US statement mentions that if the Turkish fighter jet flew provocatively close to the Greek aircraft, then this action was not in accordance with the expressed wish of Ankara to ease the tension with Athens.

Meanwhile, Greek Ambassador to Washington Loukas Tsilas will deliver to the US government photographic and film material that proves the harassment made by the Turkish fighter jets.

[03] MITSOTAKIS: THE US STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENTS WERE AN ACCIDENT

Honorary president of opposition party of New Democracy Konstantinos Mitsotakis characterized as an “accident” the statements made yesterday by the US State Department regarding the harassment by Turkish fighter jets of the C-130 transport plane carrying Greek Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

“It was an accident. Accidents happen to the State Department too”, said characteristically mr.Mitsotakis.

[04] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON THE NEW BUDGET

The meeting Prime Minister Kostas Simitis had with the economic staff of the government has been completed. Minister of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou stated that 1998 will be a difficult year, stressing that the budget will be simple and reasonable regarding the proposed taxes, while he also added that its figures have been finalized.

In the meeting were also discussed the special taxes that will be included in the budget.

[05] N.D. PROPOSALS FOR THE REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION

Parliament deputy of right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy mr.Ioannis Varvitsiotis gave to publicity his proposals for the revision of the Constitution.

Among those proposals are included the incompatibility between the offices of Parliament deputy and government minister, the holding of referendums for the amendment of legislation and the establishment of a 50-member democracy council that will be elected by the people.

[06] GREECE REJECTS US STATE DEPARTMENT’S STATEMENT

All of Greece’s political parties have denounced the US State Department spokesperson James Rubin’s statement that the Greek Air Force’s C-130 flight which transported Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos from Cyprus constituted a violation of the flights moratorium over Cyprus.

The State Department has issued a new statement which reads that if a Turkish aircraft flew provocatively close to a Greek one, then such act is not in accordance with Ankara’s expressed desire to reduce tension in its relations with Athens. Greek government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas said this afternoon that this stance taken by the State Department is unprecedented and unacceptable. The US State Department’s clarification was issued after receiving an austere demarche by the Greek government.

However, Mr. Reppas stated that while the clarification does restore facts, the matter should be reviewed in a way that will “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” A.F.

[07] I. ZIGDES, ONE OF GREECE’S GREATEST POLITICAL NOBLEMEN, DIED TODAY

The President of the Union of Democratic Center, Ioannis Zigdes, died this evening in Athens, at the age of 84, after having suffered a heart attack.

Mr. Zigdes had served the country for most of his adult life, either as a Minister in various governments, or as deputy with the opposition. He enjoyed the esteem of all of Greece’s political world and had rightfully won the title of the “nobleman” of politics. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES CLARIFICATION OVER TURKISH VIOLATIONS

The US State Department has issued a clarification, after receiving an austere demarche by the Greek government which protested to James Rubin’s (State Department’s spokesperson) original statement who had said that the Greek Air Force’s C-130 flight which transported Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos from Cyprus constituted a violation of the flights moratorium over Cyprus. The new statement reads that if a Turkish aircraft flew provocatively close to a Greek one, then such act is not in accordance with Ankara’s expressed desire to reduce tension in its relations with Athens.

Meanwhile, according to BBC’s Greek service, NATO’s secretary-general Xavier Solana has proposed specific trust- building measures for the Aegean to both Turkey and Greece. Among other things, Mr. Solana proposed that military exercises be completely banned in certain parts of the Aegean, and that both sides refrain from air-sea exercises during the summer months, as well as from using real ammunition during exercises. A.F.

[09] CYPRUS’S GOVERNMENT COALITION BREAKS UP

The government coalition of Cyprus has broken up, after the Democratic Party decided to withdraw its members from the government. Democratic Party leader Spyros Kyprianou has informed the President of the Hellenic Republic Glafkos Clerides and the final decision for the deputies’ walkout is expected to be drawn by the Democratic Party’s Central Committee. A.F.

[10] ALBANIA’S INTERIOR MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA ON WAYS TO COUNTER CRIME

Albania’s Minister of the Interior, Neritan Ceka, stressed the need to promote cooperation between the Greek and Albanian police forces, especially in the border region, in order to combat crime.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Ceka stated that his government’s efforts to reclaim the arms that had been stolen by civilians during the riots have not been fully successful, albeit he did add that the Albanian state did its best under the given conditions.

Moreover, Mr. Ceka added that Tirana plans to send to Athens a list of photographs and prints of the most wanted escapees from Albania’s prisons.

When told that Greek citizens are concerned that quite a few Albanian criminals are on Greek ground, Mr. Ceka stated that “we do combat crime, but you must understand that life in Greece is easier for the criminals and we can’t fully obstruct their passage into Greece since they usually employ lawful means to cross the border.

“We do believe that cooperation between the two countries’ police forces is to bear results,” Mr. Ceka said, adding that his ministry is ready to cooperate with the Greek police and gain from the Greek authorities’ experience.

“I do strongly believe that that which will reduce criminal activity of Albanians in Greece is Albania’s economic development,” Mr. Ceka added. A.F.

[11] MILOSEVIC ASKS THAT KRAISNIC RESIGN

The President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic stated that the member of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s presidium from the Serb Republic Momcilo Kraisnic should resign.

Mr. Milosevic had met with the leader of the United States committee for the protection of journalists Katy Marton who stated that the Serb president has openly said that he will support Biljana Plavsic.

Moreover, according to Ms. Marton, Mr. Milosevic stated that the presidential elections in the Serb Republic should not be held when Mr. Kraisnic wishes them to be, but rather, should be conducted under the supervision of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Lastly, the US official stated that Mr. Milosevic does not advocate the idea that those accused or having committed war crimes be tried at The Hague, but he rather supports that trials be held in the defendants’ countries. A.F.

[12] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT ALGERIA

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will make a formal working visit to Algeria accompanied by Undersecretary of National Economy Alexandros Baltas.

Mr.Pangalos will meet with his Algerian counterpart and with President Liamin Zerual and their talks will focus on bilateral relations in the economic and trade sector. The Greek Foreign Minister will also visit Tunisia and Marocco.

[13] KRANIDIOTIS-CEM WILL ATTEND THE BLACK SEA COOPERATION SUMMIT IN KIEV

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will attend the Black Sea Cooperation Summit that is being held in Kiev today.

Meanwhile, Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou leaves today for the United States to meet with US vice- President Al Gore, US Secretary of State ms.Madeleine Albright and assistant Secretary of State mr.Talbot.

[14] THE ALBANIAN MINISTER OF INTERIOR STRESSED THE NEED FOR COOPERATION WITH THE GREEK AUTHORITIES

Albanian Minister of Interior Neritan Tseka pointed out in an interview to MPA that there is a need for cooperation between the Greek and Albanian police, mainly along the borders, within the framework of the efforts made to fight crime. Mr.Tseka also admitted that the collection of weapons which ended up in the hands of civilians during the popular uprising did not proceed in an effective manner but added that everything possible has been done under the existing conditions.

Mr.Tseka reiterated that within the following days the Albanian authorities will send to Athens the list with the most wanted criminals in Albania. He also stressed that this specific criminal activity does not constitute organized crime and linked the solution of the problem with the economic development of Albania.

[15] THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL HONOR THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit the Greek Embassy in Washington today, second day of his formal visit to the United States. The Ecumenical Patriarch will be welcomed by Greek Ambassador to the US capital Loukas Tsilas and afterwards, His All Holiness will meet with the US House of Representatives Speaker.

In a special ceremony the Ecumenical Patriarch will be honored with the 2nd Gold Medal ever awarded by the US House of Representatives. The first one had been received by the first US President George Washington.

[16] A GREEK EURO-DEPUTY REPORT CALLS FOR THE RENEGOTIATION OF THE EU FINANCES

In a report prepared by Greek Euro-deputy Efthimios Christodoulou it is maintained that accession negotiations should open simultaneously with all the candidate states, except from those which do not meet the political criteria necessary for EU membership. It is also added that most pending issues should be settled before EU accession takes place.

The report’s conclusions were adopted yesterday by the Euro- Parliament’s Budget Committee, effectively calling for the re- negotiation of the fiscal repercussions that will be observed mainly on the structural funds by the year of 1999.

[17] SERBIA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON DECEMBER 7

New presidential elections are to be held in Serbia on December 7, following a decision drawn by the President of the Serb Parliament Dragan Tomic.

Mr.Tomic stated that he proceeded to this decision because in the second round of the election of October 5 the rate of participation did not surpass the 50% mark, a factor which, according to the constitution, nullifies the elections and requires another round. A.F.

[18] SEC-GEN OF GREEKS ABROAD AND SAE LEADERS TO TRAVEL TO AFRICA

The secretary-general for Greeks Abroad Stavros Labrinides and leading members of the Council for Greeks Abroad (SAE) are to travel to Africa this Friday where they will meet with the local Greek community.

The week-long visit will aim at acquainting the SAE leaders with the Greeks living in Africa. Among the various events that will take place on the occasion of the visit will be a seminar organized by the Federation of South Africa’s Greek Communities titled “The Future of Greek Youth in South Africa in the 21st Century.” A.F.

[19] BULGARIA AND DENMARK SIGN DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT

A program of cooperation between Bulgaria and Denmark in the defense sectors was signed today in Copenhagen between Bulgaria’s undersecretary of Defense Rumen Kintcev and his Dane counterpart Andres Tralborg.

Within the framework of Mr.Kinterc’s official visit to Denmark, he also met with the Dane Minister of Defense Hans Hekeroope and the director of the Danish Foreign Ministry. A.F.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/