Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-10-29

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 29 October 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PREMIER CHAIRS GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE ON GREEK-TURKISH ISSUES

A conference over the Greek-Turkish issues is currently being chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and is attended by the leading members of the foreign ministry.

The meeting is being held following the letter forwarded by Turkey’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ismael Karadayi to NATO officials requesting that they draw measures against a Greek- Russian cooperation pact, by claiming that this could threaten his country.

Greece’s Minster of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos has stated that this letter simply reveals the guilt Turkey feels for creating such tension and crises in the Aegean.

Meanwhile, in commemoration of the founding of the Turkish Democracy, a group of Turkish businessmen is to arrive in Thessaloniki today and will visit the house where Kemal Ataturk was born. A.F.

[02] PHARMACISTS TO STRIKE ON FRIDAY, MINISTERS CONVENE TO BRAINSTORM

Officials from the ministries of Health, Development and Finance are to discuss the imminent strike the country’s pharmacists are to embark upon this Friday.

Undersecretary of Health Manolis Skoulakis has said that the district attorney may intervene in order to serve the consumers who need medicines. The results of today’s conference are to be announced to the pharmacists who are expected to decide thereafter if they will proceed with the strike.

Should the strike be held, consumers will be able to acquire their medicine from twenty hospitals and prefecture units throughout the country, in addition to a few pharmacies that will remain open. A.F.

[03] CYPRIOT F.M. : WE WON’T MAKE CONCESSIONS THAT COMPROMISE SECURITY

The Foreign Minister of Cyprus Yiannakis Kasoulides has stated that the efforts to achieve a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem will not turn into forfeitures of the Cypriot people’s rights, neither will their fundamental liberties be bargained.

Speaking from London where he attended celebrations for the Greek national holiday “No” day, organized by the association of Greek-orthodox communities.

Mr. Kasoulides also stated that “we will never proceed to making concessions that will undermine the security and the future of the people and our land.

“Hellenism’s ‘no’ to the eastern threat resonates today within the unified defense region, from Thrace to the Aegean to Cyprus,” he added. A.F.

[04] GREEK EXPORTS TO EGYPT INCREASED BY 50%

Greek exports to Egypt showed a significant increase in 1996 reaching almost 50%, compared to the previous year and the first place is occupied by the cement exports with an increase of 33,35%.

Specifically, the Greek exports to the north African state reached 106,2 million US dollars in 1996, while in 1995 they were just over 71 million US dollars. Cement exports correspond to 35,4 million US dollars and they increased by 374% compared to 1995, when they were just 7 million US dollars.

[05] SNOW AND COLD WEATHER IN NORTHERN GREECE

Bad weather hit northern Greece with snow, heavy rains and very low temperatures.

Snow is falling since early this morning in the cities of Florina, Kastoria, Grevena and Kozani and already problems have been created in the road network of north-western Greece. In Florina temperature dropped to -3 degrees Celsius, in Kozani to -2 and in Kastoria to -1.

[06] REPORTERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE ANNUAL MILITARY EXERCISE “PARMENION”

Chief of General Defense Staff Athanasios Tzoganis briefed reporters today on the annual military exercise, code-named “Parmenion”, that will take place in Thrace, north-eastern Greece and in the islands of eastern Aegean from October 31 to November 6 with the participation of Army, Air Force and Navy units.

Mr.Tzoganis also referred to the latest provocation by Ankara, that was made through general Ismail Hakki Karadayi, who called on NATO to take measures against a possible Greek-Russian cooperation in the Aegean.

Specifically, mr.Tzoganis warned the Turkish official to stop fostering a cold war climate in the Aegean by accusing Greece of being responsible for the tension in the region. He also said that all the NATO states, including Turkey, have entered into military cooperation agreements with Russia.

Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas spoke of fabricated problems today, referring to the Karadayi letter to NATO and stressed that the Turkish general fabricates problems possibly because Turkey is disappointed with the course of its national issues internationally. Mr.Reppas also added that the letter is full of allegations that can be easily overturned.

[07] NORTHERN GREECE’S BUSINESSMEN PAVE THE WAY TO THE BALKANS

Over one-third of Northern Greece’s businessmen have already developed ties with the Balkan and eastern European countries and a whopping 40% of Macedonia-Thrace’s business sector plans to expand in that direction as well, according to a recent study.

According to ICAP research, the region’s business activity is mostly directed towards Bulgaria and Russia and regards the trade sector.

The two foremost concerns of the local business investors who are toying with idea of expanding to the Balkans are the cost of money and competition. A.F.

[08] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON CRETE’S SUMMIT CONFERENCE

The point of the imminent Summit Conference of Balkan leaders, which is to be held at the island of Crete, is to promote the overall issues concerning the region, not to discuss bilateral concerns, according to government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas.

Mr. Reppas stated that “this Conference will give the Balkan countries’ leaders the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest for the future of northeastern Europe, issues that concern economic cooperation, ways to fortify and improve the structures and secure conditions of stability and cooperation in the region,” Mr. Reppas said, adding that “we would like this cooperation to acquire a permanent institutionalized nature, to have a regular meeting among the representatives of the various countries, to create a basic and flexible structure, a secretariat that will address the issues concerning the Balkan cooperation.

Moreover, Mr. Reppas stressed that all of the Balkan countries are to attend the Summit and added that the Premier Kostas Simitis will hold tete-a-tete meeting will all of the state leaders.

According tot he program, Mr. Simitis is expected to meet with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz on Monday evening, for a twenty-meeting talk prior to that evening’s dinner. The Greek Premier will also meet with Kiro Gligorov, Slobodan Milosevic and Fatos Nano.

When asked if a significant development is expected to take place in Greek-Turkish relations through this conference, Mr. Reppas’ response was contained and stated that this could be achieved if Turkey undertakes certain initiatives in regards to abiding by International Law. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09]TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER COMPLETES VISIT TO ALBANIA

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ismael Cem completed his official visit to Albania where he met with his Albanian counterpart Paschal Milo.

Mr. Cem stressed his country’s interest in Albania and stressed that “economic ties between the two countries need to be upgraded to the level of their exemplary political and military relations.”

Mr. Milo in turn stressed the significance of the imminent Summit conference of state and government leaders from Southeastern Europe, which is to be held at the island of Crete on November 2-4. The Albanian official stressed that all sides which are to attend the Conference should express their good will for cooperation so that the meeting can constitute the first positive step towards the Balkan cooperation. A.F.

[10] ALBANIA’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY DEPUTIES CALL OFF HUNGER STRIKE

The four deputies of Albania’s Democratic Party who protested that the state-owned television didn’t air their party’s activities, have called off the hunger strike they had embarked upon on October 23.

The four parliamentarians of the country’s main opposition party interrupted their fasting after the ruling Socialist Party and the Democratic Party signed an agreement for the equitable allocation of air time to all of Albania’s political factions.

The agreement was reached following a seven-hour debate among the leaders of nine political parties.

One of the protesters, Azem Haidari stated that “the Democratic Party will continue with its struggle against Nano (the Prime Minister ) and his government until its collapse.” A.F.

[11] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: GREECE IS LATE IN ENTERING ENERGY NETWORKS

Greece remains outside the European energy networks, along with other Balkan countries such as Albania, Bulgaria and part of the former Yugoslavia, at a time when the remainder of the continent expands its links, according to the European Parliament’s reports.

Specifically, a report submitted by the Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Economic Relations illustrates that Greece is late in entering these networks. The same committee has called on the European Commission to justify the “freezing” of the drafted electrical linkage between Greece and Italy through a submarine tunnel, which had been halted for environmental reasons and is not included among the European Union’s 28 programs that concern European networks. A.F.

[12] HOLBROOKE EXERTS PRESSURE ON DENKTASH TO SOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE

The United States presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke is said to have exerted pressure on the Turkish- Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to support Cyprus’s request for accession to the European Union.

According to BBC’s radio program, Mr. Denktash stated that the US are pressuring the Turkish Cypriots into supporting Cyprus’ accession to the Community since they feel that they are obligated into aiding Turkey in regards to resolving the Cyprus issue. In Washington on a visit, Mr. Denktash stated that he did not accept the US State Department’s intervention.

Mr. Denktash is to meet once more with Mr. Holbrooke and will listen to his proposals and ideas for resolving the Cypriot matter.

In regards to his assessment on what Mr. Holbrooke is to propose for escaping the deadlock, Mr. Denktash said that “the proposal is that if I accept a compromise solution then they will aid Turkey in being accepted by the EU.”

According to Mr. Denktash, Greek-Turkish relations are a priority for Mr. Holbrooke.

“Holbrooke tried to make me see the Cyprus issue under Turkey’s prism regarding Greek-Turkish relations and the dangers that lie in wait in the region because of the problem,” Mr. Denktash said, adding “”but I view things from the side of the Turkish- Cypriot community. My basic care is the interests of the Turkish- Cypriots, their rights, their freedoms and their future.” A.F.

[13] MEETING ON THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

The preparations for the Mediterranean Summit that will take place in Crete was the subject of the meeting that was held in Athens today chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

In the meeting the Greek-Turkish relations were examined as a whole, while it was decided that mr.Simitis should have private meetings with all the heads of states who will participate in the Summit of Crete.

According to information, Greece has prepared a draft declaration that will be presented for approval to the Balkan leaders, based on which all sides will pledge their support to the peaceful solution of their differences and the consolidation of peace and stability in the region.

Also, the Prime Minister will suggest that the Balkan leaders should hold regular meetings every six months and that there should be closer cooperation at a ministerial level for the materialization of the general directions that will be agreed by them.

As it was made known, mr.Simitis will go to Iraklion, Crete on Sunday afternoon and possibly he will have meetings with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, while the Greek Prime Minister’s meeting with his Turkish counterpart will take place on Monday at noon.

[14] CEM’S STATEMENTS ON THE EU

The end of the world will not come for Turkey if it will not become an EU member, stated Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Referring to the relations of his country with the European Union, mr.Cem stated that now it is up to the EU to consider the further course of its relations with Turkey and pointed out that the development of the Turkish-EU relations is to the interest of both sides.

[15] 250 DISTINGUISHED JEWS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI

Two hundred and fifty representatives of Jewish communities from all over Europe will be in Thessaloniki to attend the General Assembly meeting of the Jewish Communities’ Council that will convene in Thessaloniki from October 31 to November 2.

The Jewish Communities’ Council is the supreme body of European Jews and its General Assembly will deal with issues that concern them. Also, it will proceed with a detailed account of this year’s activities and will schedule its activities for next year.

[16] PRIVATIZATIONS RESUME IN SERBIA

As a result of the international criticism exercised lately against the government in Belgrade, regarding the stagnation observed in the privatization procedures, the Serb government announced the activation of a new programme that will be underway on Friday, October 31st , aimed at the creation of a portfolio of privatizations estimated at 50 billion US dollars.

The position of the Serb government was made known after the licenses issued for 49 state companies to proceed with the evaluation of their assets for their immediate privatization.

[17] CHINA WILL INVEST 90 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE LARGEST HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION IN FYROM

China will invest 90 million US dollars to finance the purchase of the equipment for the “Koziak” hydroelectric power station in FYROM, which is being built south-west of Skopje and will be one of the largest power stations in the Balkans.

According to the President of the Chamber of Finance in FYROM, who met with a Chinese business delegation, this will be the biggest investment made by China in FYROM.

[18] CENTRAL EUROPE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IN 2010

An opinion poll held during the 4th European ForEx Congress on foreign trade in Prague, showed that the central European countries will be ready to participate in the single European currency in the year 2010.

The questionnaire was answered by 217 delegates out of a total of 700 participating in the congress and based on the results, there is a widespread belief that the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland will be able to participate in the single European currency on the date mentioned above.

[19] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH MET WITH THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is on a formal visit to the United States, met with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York.

At the center of their talks was the protection of religious freedom and the role of the Church in the UN efforts for peace in the world.

The Ecumenical Patriarch later visited the old people’s home of St. Michael.

[20] MR.ANNAN WILL REFER TO THE MILITARY DIALOGUE IN HIS REPORT ON CYPRUS

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will refer extensively to the issue of the military dialogue in his upcoming report on Cyprus that will be submitted to the UN Security Council in early December.

According to statements made to the Cypriot News Agency by UN forces representative in Cyprus Valtemar Rokosewski, the meetings continue with both sides but unfortunately they are not being held regularly.

[21] BOSNIA WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE BALKAN MEETING OF CRETE

Bosnia-Herzegovina will be among the Balkan states that will attend the Balkan Summit meeting in Crete.

According to reliable Foreign Ministry sources, Bosnia- Herzegovina’s participation has a special significance because it will be the first time that it participates in a similar meeting and also because it will be represented as a unified state. Bosnia- Herzegovina will be represented in the Summit meeting by co-Prime Minister Hari Siladjic.

In the previous meeting that was held in Thessaloniki, Bosnia had an observer status. In the Summit of Crete will participate the leaders of Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, New Yugoslavia, Croatia, Bosnia, FYROM and Albania.

[22] R.KOC: SIMITIS’ MESSAGE WISHES FOR FRIENDSHIP AND THE EASING OF TENSIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY

The general feeling is that there should be friendship between Greece and Turkey and that the high tension should be eased off, stated Turkish business magnate and President of the Greek-Turkish Business Council Rahmi Koc referring to the meeting he had recently with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Responding to a question made by a reporter on whether he delivered a message of mr.Simitis to Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, he stated that the Greek Prime Minister gave him a message but he avoided to reveal its contents. The Greek government spokesman denied today that mr.Simitis had a message for mr.Yilmaz.

In a press conference, on the occasion of the conference “Thessaloniki: Ataturk-Venizelos” organized by the Union for Democracy in the Balkans in cooperation with the Greek-Turkish Business Council and the Union of Turkish Industries and Businessmen, mr.Koc mentioned that he discussed with the Greek Prime Minister the issue of double taxation that prevents the development of bilateral trade relations. He also said that another subject they discussed was the issuing of multiple visas for the Turkish businessmen who want to visit Greece.

Mr.Koc also said that he is certain that mr.Simitis and mr.Yilmaz will meet in Crete and stressed that this meeting will improve the relations between Greece and Turkey.

Regarding the military exercises that are scheduled to be held in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus and in southern Turkey, he said that they were scheduled to take place a long time ago. He also added that when the climate is tense all sides feel the need for a show of force and stressed that the time when differences were resolved with the use of missiles is long gone.

Mr.Koc avoided to reply to a question concerning the letter of general Ismail Hakki Karadayi, Chief of the Turkish General Army Staff, that was addressed to the NATO headquarters and the Ministers of Defense of its member-states, saying that he has not seen the letter and has not spoken with the general. The Turkish businessman stated that the contents of the letter have been made public and that, as far as he knows, general Karadayi mentions that the S-300 missiles, Cyprus is purchasing from Russia, will not be used for defense purposes but they are intended to hit southern Turkey and warns NATO that the situation is unpleasant.

Regarding the issue of Turkey’s accession into the European Union, mr.Koc stressed that the EU maintains a double standard and added that he is unable to understand its behavior and the accusations made against his country on the issues of human rights and democracy. He also added that similar problems had been faced by Greece and Spain before their accession into the European Union and that Turkey’s EU membership would bring about the solution of those problems.

[23] RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS COMMENTS ON KARADAYI’S LETTER

Russia and Cyprus are sovereign states and have every right to proceed to bilateral relations and agreements such as the one concerning the purchase of Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles, stated today the Russian Ambassador to Nicosia Georgi Muratov.

Prompted by the letter forwarded to NATO’s allied command by Turkey’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ismael Karadayi to NATO officials, wherein he requested that they draw measures against a Greek-Russian cooperation pact, Mr. Muratov said that Turkey essentially aims at transforming the S-300 missiles issue into a cold-war-like juxtaposition between the East and the West.

“The cold war is over forever,” Mr. Muratov stressed and added that third countries should not get involved in the development of bilateral relations among the various countries. A.F.

[24] KARADAYI’S LETTER TO NATO IS A FUTILE AND VAIN ATTEMPT TO MISLEAD

Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated today that the letter forwarded by Turkey’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ismael Karadayi to NATO officials, wherein he requested that they draw measures against a Greek-Russian cooperation pact, by claiming that this could threaten his country, is an attempt to fabricate problems.

Mr. Reppas stated that the force behind the letter is a Turkey which is disappointed by the international; course of its great national problems and added that the letter is full of assertions that can easily be rebutted. Moreover, the government spokesperson characterized Turkey’s effort to mislead international opinion as “futile and vain” and commended that the fact a military leader has tabled a political issue to NAWTO simply proves the significant role the militia plays in Turkey. Regarding the relations between Greece and Russia, Mr. Reppas pointed out that this is not the only country that enjoys military cooperation with Moscow and emphasized that the US have not expressed dissatisfaction over the cooperation, nor have they issued a demarche. A.F.

[25] SFOR TROOPS ARRESTED FOR SELLING ALCOHOL AND SMOKES IN BLACK MARKET

Seven troops who participate in NATO’s Stabilization Force in Bosnia (SFOR) were arrested late last night near the city of Mostar on charges of selling alcohol and cigarettes in the black market.

An announcement issued by SFOR refrained from revealing the nationality of the accused, but it did emphasize that they did not sell arms.

According to AFP, the seven are being held at a local jail and will be tried by the judicial system of the country of their origin.

The troops assigned at Mostar’s base are from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the Ukraine.

A.F.

[26] GREEKS IN NORTHERN EPIRUS APPEAL FOR HELP FROM OTHER GREEKS

The General Director of OMONIA, a Greek-origin Albanian organization, George Labovitiadis has issued an appeal to all of his compatriots working in Greece as well as to Greeks throughout the world to support efforts for improving the living conditions in Northern Epirus on the aftermath of the six-month crisis in Albania.

In an open letter, Mr. Labovitiades describes the hardship the area’s residents are undergoing, especially after the collapse of Albania’s illicit money-making banking institutions which, it has been reported, brought on the loss of over two billion drachmas.

In is appeal, Mr.. Labovitiades asks that Greeks throughout the world give donations at the National Bank of Greece branch in the city of Ioannina, account no. 359/480977-75. He characteristically wrote that “if all of the 10 million Greeks donated the value of one chocolate bar then this could provide water to all of Northern Epirus’ villages.” A.F.

[27] GLIGOROV’S VISIT TO POLAND ENDS IN DEADLOCK, ACCORDS NOT SIGNED

The meeting between the President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov and his Polish counterpart Alexandar Kwasnievski has resulted in a deadlock as the anticipated bilateral agreements have not been signed because of a dispute concerning FYROM’s insistence to be addressed as “Republic of Macedonia.”

The Polish government refused to use any other name but that used by the United Nations since 1993, “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.

However, the state-owned radio program in FYROM reported that the reason the two sides did not proceed to signing the agreements was not a dispute over the name, but instead was because Poland does not yet have a new cabinet.

The agreements to be signed concerned friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as well as pacts on issues related to culture and improvements on road transportation. A.F.

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