Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-12-08

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 8 December 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE’S DEFENSE MINISTER COMMENTS ON NATO’S NEW STRUCTURE

Greece’s Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to grant a press conference in Athens today where he will speak on the agreement concerning the Alliance’s new structure.

The same subject is expected to be tackled this evening during the executive bureau session of the ruling party PASOK, which will be held under the leadership of party president and Premier Kostas Simitis. A.F.

[02] SAE TO HOLD “STRATEGIC” CONFERENCE ON CYPRUS IN FEBRUARY

The Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) is to hold a “strategic” conference over the Cyprus issue in February of 1998, according to its President Andrew Athens.

During a press conference given in Thessaloniki yesterday, on the occasion of closing the SAE’s First Regular Meeting, Mr. Athens added that he is to meet with the United States Presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke after the island’s presidential elections. A.F.

[03] WORKERS AT TVX’S GOLD MINE IN HALKIDIKI SUPPORT THE PLANT

The workers of the gold mine plant in Halkidiki TVX-Hellas have embarked on a support campaign in order to save the project and safeguard their jobs, in spite of the tense climate that exists in the region where the local residents are opposed to the mine’s operation.

The employees’ representatives have forwarded letters to the relevant authorities wherein they point out that the establishment and operation of the gold mine is a one-way street for the region’s development and is to bear only positive results for the local and national economy.

The project, operated by TVX Gold Hellas, an affiliate of the Canadian mining company TVX Gold Inc., has been in the eye of the storm for a long time now as a group of local residents is opposed to the mining operation fearing that it will result in environmental pollution and a drop in tourism.

TVX officials have stated that the violent episodes that have erupted from time to time threaten the suspension of what is Greece’s largest project in the past three decades, that is a whooping 270-billion-dollar investment.

TVX Gold foresees that the Olympiada project will triple the area’s gold output to 1.2 million ounces by next year. The company bought the two mines in the peninsula of Halkidiki in December of 1995.

According to the environmental impact study reports published by TVX Gold, the project is environmentally sound as it will employ modern technology to process the gold. A.F.

[04] THRACIAN SEA IS FULL OF FISH AND ANCIENT AMPHORAE

Over 50 ancient amphorae are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Komotine, all of which were literally caught in the Thracian Sea by the local fishermen who turned them in to the local authorities.

The locals are apparently sensitive to turning in these artifacts to the local authorities, especially if one takes into consideration the value of these finds, many of which date back to the 5th century BC.

According to the president of the Fishing Cooperative of Trawlers in Evros Yiannis Kolosentas, the region’s fishermen are law abiding because they are sensitive.

“We believe that the country’s ancient treasures are our national heritage and they must find their place at the country’s museums,” he stated. A.F.

[05] WEALTH OF ANCIENT ARTIFACTS FROM GEORGIA EXHIBITED IN THESSALONIKI

The ancient Greeks referred to her as “Colchis”, the Romans knew her as “Iveria” and the Byzantine world called “Laziki”, but however one calls her, today’s Georgia maintains its historic heritage through a rich archaeological treasure.

Recent excavations at Georgia’s city of Vani brought to surface a selection of true replicas of gold jewelry that is currently exhibited at Thessaloniki’s “monastery of Lazariston”, in an event titled “Colchis Polychrysos”, hosted by the organization “Cultural Capital of Europe, Thessaloniki ‘97” and the Center of Archaeological Studies of the Georgian Academy of Sciences and the Georgian Institute of Athens.

The selection features replicas of ancient jewelry that date back from the beginning of the 5th Century and middle of 4th century BC. These artifacts reflect the influence of Greek art and ancient Greek religions on the local worship customs.

The Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos, who inaugurated the exhibition, stressed that “our aim is to enrich and establish the ties of cultural cooperation between the two countries.”

The exhibition is to be held until January 11 and is open to the public from 5-9pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on Sundays. A.F.

[06] TSOCHATZOPOULOS MADE CLARIFICATIONS ON THE NEW COMMAND STRUCTURE OF NATO

Through the new command structure of NATO Greece’s equal participation in the north Atlantic alliance is safeguarded because Greece gets the right to exercise its veto on military manoeuvres which do not coincide with the Greek national interests, stated minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos in a press conference.

Mr.Tsochatzopoulos stated regarding the operational control in the Aegean that Greece maintains its right to veto in case it is not satisfied with something, for example if a Turkish officer is appointed as the commander of a military exercise in the Aegean.

The minister of defense also stressed that NATO’s new agreement is in accordance with the overall strategy of the country, as it was hammered out by the late leader of PASOK Andreas Papandreou. Mr.Tsochatzopoulos expressed regret for the criticism he got, while he was still in Brussels, adding that many were quick to judge him.

[07] THE GOVERNMENT AIMS AT THE CREATION OF 136.000 NEW JOBS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS

The Greek government will target unemployment in the next two years and according to its plans, will create 136.000 new jobs in 1998 and 1999. This ambitious effort for the employment of 68.000 people each year, is based on the increased investments that are being promoted and are expected to reach an annual pace of 13% and also on the full exploitation of the second community framework of support funds.

It should be noted, that the majority of the new job positions will be in the service sector.

[08] IMF SPECIALISTS ARRIVE IN ATHENS TODAY

International Monetary Fund specialists arrive in Athens today to be briefed on the course of the main indexes of the Greek economy.

The discussion on the 1998 state budget will start in Parliament on December 17 and the voting will take place at midnight on December 21.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] EU’S FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN BRUSSELS TODAY

The European Union’s Foreign Ministers Council is to convene in Brussels today where the participants are to review the proposal submitted by the Community’s Luxembourg-held presidency regarding the EU’s expansion and the EU’s stance towards Turkey.

Greece, through its Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, is expected to maintain its tough stance towards the position adopted by its allies who support Luxembourg’s proposal that a permanent continuous EU Summit be formed, within the framework of the Community’s future expansion and which will feature the participation of the 15 member-states, the 11 candidate-states and Turkey.

According to BBC’s Greek service, Mr. Pangalos is expected to clarify to the EU allies that the formation of such a permanent summit will not serve any point at this phase, since the candidate- countries can embark on accession negotiations.

This position is expected be met with reaction by the EU allies who, wishing to grant Turkey with some form of association, are to pressure the Greek Minister into changing his view. However the BBC commentator stated that Athens is expected to insist on not allowing Turkey’s participation in the EU Summit if Ankara continues to obstruct Cyprus’s accession negotiations with the EU and if it doesn’t acknowledge the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in regards to the Imia islets and the continental shelf in the Aegean.

Moreover, Mr. Pangalos is expected to bring forth the economic cost expected to result from the EU’s expansion, which, in the interim could lead to a reduction in funds that the Community receives from the budget. A.F.

[10] UNESCO’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT IN THESSALONIKI

An international conference themed after “The Environment and Society: Education on and Public Awareness for Sustainability”, begins in Thessaloniki today, organized by UNESCO, in cooperation with the Greek government.

The aim of the five-day conference is to emphasize the crucial role of information in achieving sustainability, and to examine the contribution of environmental-issues education, as well as to provide data for the further development of the United Nations’ project committee for the development of sustainability. Among those present at the opening session of the conference will be UNESCO’s General director Federico Major and Greece’s Ministers of Environment, City Planning and Public Works, Kostas Laliotis; Education, Gerasimos Arsenis; and Culture, Evangelos Venizelos.

The Conference is held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and is supported by the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe Thessaloniki’97, the above-mentioned ministries, and the national committee of UNESCO. A.F.

[11] C OF E’S PRESS MINISTERS HOLD 5TH SUMMIT IN THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY

Over 40 ministers of press and media from the Council of Europe member-states, along with observers and other officials, are to gather in Thessaloniki on Thursday next week in order to participate at the Fifth European Ministerial Summit for Politics in the Mass Media.

The Summit will be inaugurated by the Greek Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas and the C of E’s alternate secretary-general Hans Christian Kruger, while salutations will be forwarded by the President of Greece Kostis Stephanopoulos and the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

The conference, to be held on December 11 and 12, is jointly organized by the C of E and Greece’s Ministry of Press and Media, which will hold the presidency of the event.

This marks the first time that Greece has been assigned the organization of such a significant event in the sector of information and communication.

The Greek delegation, headed by the secretary-general of information Yiannis Nikolaou will focus on the theme “Society of Information: a Challenge for Europe” .

The two-day Summit will examine the opportunities provided by the governments for the adoption of a common policy in regards to new technologies and the new services related to communication- information. The ministers will try to draw a regulating framework that will aim at safeguarding human rights and freedoms, as well as the basic principles of democracy. A.F.

[12] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS MEETS WITH BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER IN NICOSIA

Britain’s High Commissioner David Madden met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia today.

Mr. Madden was briefed on Mr. Clerides’ recent visit to London last week. Following their meeting, the British official did not make any statements regarding the participation of the Turkish-Cypriots in the island’s negotiations for accession to the European Union.

When asked to submit the official position of the British government on the issue of the settlers, Mr. Madden stated that the two sides involved in the Cyprus issue will need to decide on the details that concern the resolution of the matter.

Moreover, the British High Commissioner recommended patience until the results of the European Council to be held at Luxembourg in regards to the adoption of the “Agenda 2000” from the Summit Conference of the European Union.

Concurrently, the British diplomat assessed that the island’s pre-election period is to affect the developments on the Cyprus issue. A.F.

[13] SERBIA: MILUTINOVIC HOLDS THE LEAD IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Presidential elections were held in Serbia yesterday with the Socialist candidate Milan Milutinovic having the lead, albeit unable to gather the necessary percentage (over 50%) for holding the country’s top post, while Voislav Seseli comes second.

With about 90% of the ballots having been counted, Mr. Milutinovic gathered 1,573,392 votes, (44%), while Mr. Seseli gathered 1.182,171 votes (33%). A.F.

[14] CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THESSALONIKI

The international conference on “Environment and Society: Education and Public Awareness for Sustainability” opened in Thessaloniki today.

UNESCO’s director-general Federico Mayor stressed that the leaders of the world did not keep the promises they made in Rio regarding the protection of the environment.

Mr.Mayor stressed that for 45 years the discussions on development in the UN economic and social council focused on the economy and that almost half a century had to pass in order to turn attention to social development. He also said that countries spend a lot of money for the protection of their borders, while they should invest in the protection of the environment and the defense against poverty.

He also said that the cure of social problems should not be delayed and stressed that immediate action is necessary.

Minister of environment, land planning and public works Kostas Laliotis stated in his speech that in order to overcome the environmental crisis and the collapse of the balance in the eco- systems there must be a radical change in the priorities, values and dogmas of the modern model of development as well as, in the consumer stance and behaviour of the people.

Mr.Laliotis stressed that the absolutely necessary change in priorities is directly related to the redefinition of the relationship between man and the environment. He said that the guarantee for the future lays in the responsibility and solidarity that will be displayed by the people in the efforts made both for the preservation of nature’s biological identity and for the preservation of the different cultural identities of the peoples of the world.

Education minister Gerasimos Arsenis stated that a new morality, a new lifestyle, new technologies and mechanisms are the necessary pre-conditions for a new approach to the relationship of man with the environment. He also called for a world movement of scientists to stop the uncontrolled course of technology, while he said that the new problems in the environment can not be resolved at a local scale and that universal solutions are needed.

Mr.Arsenis also stated that societies are being “bombarded” by the mass media that promote a way of life which is against the environment.

Culture minister Evangelos Venizelos pointed out that the citizens have to mobilize to overturn the stereotypes and this is the hard core of the environmental education. He characterized as negative the international situation of the environment, stressing that sustainability is not self-evident.

Mr.Venizelos stated that there is a problem of a lack of solidarity among states, social classes and generations in the efforts for the protection of the environment, stressing that the problem is a political one.

[15] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON THE APPLICATIONS OF TELEMATICS IN HEALTHCARE

A two-day conference on the telematics’ applications in healthcare opens in Thessaloniki on Friday with the participation of 300 delegates.

The conference is organized by the European Popular party with the technical support of the EU Telematics Applications on Healthcare Department.

Among those attending the conference will be EU specialists like, telematics applications director of the 13th General Directorate M.Richonnier, director of telematics’ applications on healthcare professor J.C.Healy and Greek Euro-deputy Antonis Trakatellis.

[16] THE EU PROPOSED SIX COUNTRIES FOR THE ENLARGEMENT TALKS

The European Commission proposed in the General Affairs Council meeting only six countries to participate in the formal talks for the EU enlargement namely, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Cyprus.

With the proposal disagreed Denmark, Sweden and Greece which maintained that this would mean discrimination and could slow down the process of political and economic reforms in the countries that will be rejected.

[17] BULGARIA WILL RECEIVE 125 ECU FROM THE EU

Bulgaria will receive a loan of 125 million ECU from the EU that will be used to support its balance of payments until the end of the year. The above was announced by Bulgarian minister of finance Muravei Randev, who stated that this sum is half of the money his country will receive from the European Union for this specific purpose.

The Kostov government approved today the agreement that had been signed in Brussels by Bulgaria and the EU and in case Parliament ratifies it by next Thursday the 125 million ECU will arrive in Bulgaria before the end of 1997.

[18] UNESCO TO PROMOTE THE DECLARATION OF THESSALONIKI ON ENVIRONMENT

The “Declaration of Thessaloniki”, which will put the issue of the education for the protection of the environment and the sustainability in the focus of the international problematic, is expected to be the outcome of the international conference which started today organized by UNESCO in cooperation with the Greek government . The General Director of UNESCO, Mr. Federico Mayor, stressed that the conference in Kioto, Japan, also taking place today deals with the reduction of the emissions of the exhaust - gases. The Minister of environment, Mr. Kostas Laliotis, stressed that there can be common directions and orientations in both conferences and added that while in Kioto there is a struggle for the reduction of the emissions of the exhaust -gases, in Thessaloniki the battle is given in the level of education, sensitization and actions. E.K.

[19] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ATTACKS THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

The President of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Skender Ghinousi, characterized as a “legal coup” the decision of the Constitutional Court not to recognize the law, which has been recently approved of by the Parliament concerning changes in the Constitutional Court. Mr. Ghinousi, aid that the decision of the Constitutional Court is paradoxical and unconstitutional, while he stressed that “in order to come out of this deadlock there are two options : Constitutional Court either recognizes the law or dissolves”. E.K.

[20] CONFERENCE IN BONN ON BOSNIA

Greek delegation, headed by the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yiannos Kranidiotis, will participate in the two-days international conference for Bosnia , that will start tomorrow in Bonn. During this conference the formulated situation in the country that suffered from the civil war will be examined, in relation with the accord of the Dayton and the basis for the continuation and the completion of the peacemaking procedure will be put. Delegations of many European and non-European countries will participate in the conference. Among others the General Secretary of NATO, Mr. Havier Solana and the commissioner for the external relations of the European Union, Mr. Hans Van den Brook. E.K.

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