Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-12-22

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 22 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] AGONY ENDS, MOURNING BEGINS, ALL BODIES PULLED FROM WRECKED PLANE

Sifting through the frozen wreckage of the Ukrainian YAK-42 passenger plane that crashed in a wooded ravine north of Mt. Olympus last Wednesday night, rescue crews have completed the discovery of the bodies and scattered remains of the jet’s 70 passengers, whose personal belongings are still fluttering about on the white slopes.

The debris of Aerosweet Flight 241 was found by a Greek Navy helicopter Saturday morning when heavy cloud cover lifted temporarily, 61 hours after the plane “vanished”.

The relatives of the 42 Greeks among the plane’s passengers are at Thessaloniki’s Papageorgiou hospital where forensic examinations are currently taking place. According to reports, the dead appear to be dismembered into unrecognisable body parts. The bodies of the two Ukrainian pilots will be taken to Thessaloniki’s AHEPA hospital where the autopsies and toxic tests will be performed by Ukrainian and Greek experts. A.F.

[02] SCENES OF UNBEARABLE GRIEF AT LOCAL HOSPITAL, WORDS ARE TOO SMALL..

With the process of recognising fragmented body parts currently underway, the relatives of the doomed 241 Flight’s victims can hardly find solace in the discovery of the remains of their beloved.

Gathered at Thessaloniki’s Papageorgiou Hospital, the tragic and distraught figures with tears streaming down their faces, are waiting for the forensic examinations to be completed so they can bury their loved ones in peace.

The 42 Greeks were en route to home from Ukraine for the holidays. Among them, the wife, eight-year-old son and five-year- old daughter of Ukrainian soccer player Vladimir Lobas, who plays for a Greek team. When the ambulance door opened, the tragic father collapsed on his children’s and wife’s still bodies. A.F.

[03] MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE BRIEFS PREMIER ON PLANE CRASH

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos gave an analytical report to the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis last evening on the developments concerning the Ukrainian Flight 241 which crashed on December 17, killing all 70 passengers.

The Prime Minister is to bring forth the tragedy of the crash, as well as the second crash of the Greek Air Force‘s C-130, in the Parliament. The leader of the country’s main opposition party New Democracy’s Kostas Karamanlis said that his party plans to request that a review committee be formed.

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace remained in Athens this morning, unable to return to Thessaloniki, since the Athens- Thessaloniki route was not conducted due to dense fog.

Meanwhile, according to local press reports, five communities of Thessaloniki have sought recourse with the State Council, expressing their opposition to the establishment of a radar in their community. According to their appeal, the interested parties ask that the decision to establish a radar in their community be recalled because, they claim, if the radar is mounted there, the environment will undergo extensive damage, the land value will depreciate and it will pose a health threat for the locals. A.F.

[04] UKRAINIAN MINISTER THANKS THE GREEK GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE

Ukrainian Minister for Emergencies Valeri Capcenko has expressed his sorrow for the victims of the YAK-42 airplane tragedy, but he also forwarded his gratitude to the Greek government for its efforts.

“The Greek government and the simple folk helped us a lot. And, during these difficult times, this is what will stray in our minds and our souls,” he stated.

Moreover, the Ukrainian official thanked the Greek Ministry of National Defense and those who exerted superhuman efforts to discover the doomed aircraft.

“Neither the satellites nor the specially-equipped planes managed to locate the plane. The Greek pilots did,” Mr. Capcenko said, making special mention of the “high professional level of the Ministry of National Defense” and “good co-ordination of the discovery operation”.

“I went to the site of the disaster and what I saw was horrible. Our men took part in the discovery operation, along with the Greek experts who had really good co-ordination., In spite of the language barrier, there was no difference in professionals, or preparation,” he stated, adding that “there are currently six joint groups comprising both Ukrainians and Greeks who work together. The Greeks are helping more since they are on their grounds.”

The Ukrainian Minister hesitated to comment on the causes of the crash.

“The causes will be examined by the special committee that has been formed and when it produces the results then we will be in a position to state what exactly happened,” he said. A.F.

[05] THE BLACK BOX OF THE UKRAINIAN YAK-42 FORWARDED TO GERMANY

The black box of the Ukrainian YAK-42 passenger plane that crashed on December 17 in a ravine near Mt. Olympus has been forwarded to a German laboratory where it will be de-coded.

A team of experts is currently investigating the causes of the crash, where 70 persons lost their lives.

The “black box”, which is actually a bright orange color, records every second of the flight’s data and the conversation held between the plane’s pilot with the air traffic control tower.

It is composed by two separate recording systems, the flight recorder and the voice recorder. The first documents all the data related to time, such as the plane’s velocity at any given minute, the altitude, the perpendicular and horizontal slopes, etc.

The second system records the conversation held between the pilot and the air traffic control tower. A.F.

[06] GREEK PARLIAMENT APPROVES 1998 BUDGET

The parliamentary discussion on 1998’s budget was completed last night, with 163 votes in favor and 136 votes against.

Opposition parties New Democracy, Communist Party of Greece and Coalition of the Left and Right voted against the budget, while the deputies of the Democratic Social Movement voted in favour of the budget’s allocations for national defence.

Three deputies from the ruling PASOK party voted against sections of the budget. A.F.

[07] THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE PLANE CRASH VICTIMS CONTINUES

The last three remaining bodies that had been crushed by parts of the Ukrainian passenger plane have been picked up, while the specialists have collected every usable evidence they have found at the scene of the accident.

The identification of the victims by their relatives continues at the Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki and as it was made known, the bodies of 27 passengers, 21 Greeks and 6 Ukrainians, have been identified today and were handed over to their relatives. The bodies of the pilot and the co-pilot of the passenger plane will be taken to AHEPA Hospital where an autopsy and toxicological tests will be conducted in the presence of Ukrainian specialists. The funeral of one of the victims was held in Kozani at noon today.

[08] NO OFFICIAL GREEK MAP MENTIONS THAT THE AIRPORT OF THESSALONIKI HAS AN APPROACH RADAR

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas denied the information according to which, an official Greek map mentions that the Airport of Thessaloniki has an approach radar. He also underlined that the pilots and the airlines should take under consideration only the official publications for which the Greek government is responsible.

The government spokesman stated that the latest publication of the international exhibition for information on aeronautics, issued in 1996, does not mention anything on the alleged map and added that the map included in the publication mentioned above is the one recognized by the Greek government. He attributed the existence of the misleading map to a private company publication.

[09] NEW DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR A SPECIAL PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE CAUSES OF THE CRASH

The right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy with a statement calls for an inquiry committee to be formed in Parliament to examine the issues of the Ukrainian passenger plane crash and the installation of an approach radar at the Airport of Thessaloniki.

New Democracy also calls for the resignation of transport minister Tasos Mantelis as well as, the resignation of the director and the three deputy directors of the Greek Civil Aviation Agency.

[10] THE FUNERAL OF THE C-130 CREW MEMBERS WAS HELD TODAY

The five crew members of the C-130 military transport plane, that crashed last Saturday in the mountainous region of Inoi, near Athens on its way to the region where the search was going on for the location of the missing Ukrainian passenger plane, have been buried today.

According to early information, the accident was caused by human error as the military transport plane had to fly over a valley between the mountains of Parnitha and Pastra. Due to the low clouds in the region, its pilot chose to follow an alternate route in low altitude and through the ravines of the mountain. Certain specialists have mentioned that the pilot could have increased its altitude with the assistance of special instruments.

[11] THREE PASOK PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES WERE REMOVED FROM THE PARTY’S PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

The Greek prime minister decided to remove three deputies namely, Vasilis Kedikoglou, Moschos Gikonoglou and Christos Kipouros from PASOK’s parliamentary group after their voting against part of the state budget at midnight yesterday.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis had issued a strong warning to his Parliament deputies in the parliamentary group meeting, saying that the door is open and anyone who believes that has a better political proposal should bring it before the people.

In a written statement, the prime minister mentions that the three deputies gave their selective support to the policy of the governing Socialist party of PASOK, and that this behavior does not comply with the capacity of being a member of the party’s parliamentary group.

PASOK central committee secretary Kostas Skandalidis stated after his meeting with the prime minister that based on the party charter, the president of PASOK is responsible for the operation of the parliamentary group and added that in its recent meeting he had totally defined the unity line that had to be followed in the crucial vote for the state budget approval.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the three deputies led the prime minister to his decision. The executive bureau of PASOK will meet this afternoon.

[12] THE PRIME MINISTER EXRESSED SATISFACTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE BUDGET

Prime minister Kostas Simitis expressed satisfaction yesterday for the approval of the state budget in Parliament with 163 votes in favor and 136 against. The prime minister stated that the approval of the state budget is a confirmation that the majority of the Parliament approves the policy for a stronger Greece that is being followed.

Prime minister Simitis stated that it was also confirmed that the economy is on a course of continuous improvement and that efforts should continue in order for Greece to participate in the European unification process on an equal basis with the other EU members.

[13] GREECE WILL RECIPROCATE AFTER ANKARA’S NEW PROVOCATION

The Greek government will implement the rule of reciprocity as a result of Ankara’s new provocation, when it decided to expel a diplomatic employee of the Greek consulate in Istanbul accusing him of involvement in a scandal of espionage and cooperation with the Kurdish Workers’ Party, known as PKK.

In response, the Greek government will expel a Turkish diplomatic employee holding the same rank as the Greek diplomat.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos rejected the Turkish allegations and stated that an effort is being made for the creation of tension in the Greek-Turkish relations.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas denied the Turkish allegations saying that they are unfounded and expressed his regret for the fact that Ankara’s position shows that it wants to freeze the relations with Greece. In conclusion, Mr.Reppas stated that if the expulsion takes place the Greek foreign ministry will make similar moves.

[14] THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH THE IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Iranian foreign minister Kamai Kharrazi expressed his government’s thanks to Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis for Greece’s positive stance in the recent crisis in the relations of Iran with the EU. The visit was held within the framework of the tripartite meeting of the foreign ministers of Greece, Iran and Armenia that takes place in Athens.

The Iranian minister characterized the Greek-Iranian relations as excellent and exemplary and called for Greece’s assistance in the effort for the improvement of his country’s relations with the European Union.

Mr.Kaklamanis referred to the traditional relations of the two countries and underlined that Greece follows with great interest Iran’s efforts for progress and development in all sectors.

[15] “THESSALONIKI OF THE JEWS” BY AUTHOR VASILIS VASILIKOS

The history of the Jews of Thessaloniki and their contribution to the formation of the city’s historical face relive again through the book of author Vasilis Vasilikos and the cameras of film director Dimitris Sofianos.

The film “Thessaloniki of the Jews”, which was prepared for 2,5 years by Vasilis Vasilikos, the author of “Z”, dominates in the programme of artistic events issued by the Cultural Capital of Europe Organization “Thessaloniki 1997” to bid farewell to 1997 a year that was a milestone for the city and its culture.

The film follows the historical course of the Jews from 1492, the year of their expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula and their arrival to Thessaloniki, until today, giving special emphasis to the years of the holocaust and the Nazi atrocities. The filming was made on location in Thessaloniki, Athens, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Barcelona, Cordoba and Toledo.

[16] MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GREECE, ARMENIA, IRAN

Foreign Ministers of Greece, Theodoros Pangalos, of Armenia, Alexander Arzumanian and of Iran, Kamal Karachi signed a memorandum of understanding today in Athens, within the framework of trilateral co-operation among them. The memorandum concerns the co-operation on four basic sectors.

The first sector includes transport, post services and telecommunication, the second includes tourism, the third, industry, economy and technology and the fourth includes energy. The three countries intend to expand their co-operation in more sectors, mr Pangalos stressed and he noted that this co-operation is not closed and does not aim at any other country.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] MILAN MILUTINOVIC IS SERBIA’S NEW PRESIDENT

Milan Milutinovic the candidate of the left coalition “Socialist Party -Yugoslav Left - New Democracy” has gathered the majority of the votes in the second round of Presidential elections held in Serbia yesterday.

The socialist party announced that with 98% of the votes counted, Mr. Milutinovic has amassed 59.68%, that is 2,185,218 votes, while the second contender Voislav Seseli gathered 37.24%, that is 1,363,577.

The voter turnout rate surpassed the 50% mark, amounting to 50.52%, which means that the second route will not be nullified. A.F.

[18] US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ON VISIT TO BOSNIA

The President of the United States Bill Clinton, arrived at the airport of Sarajevo this morning, accompanied by his wife Hillary, his daughter Chelsea, Secretary of State Madeline Albright and a delegation of senators, as well as former presidential candidate Bob Dole.

The US President was greeted at the airport by the three leaders of Bosnia’s collective presidium, namely Momcilo Kraisnic, Elija Izetbecovic and cresimir Zubac, with whom President Clinton will hold talks at Bosnia’s National Museum.

The American President and his delegation arrived at the airport of Sarajevo at 815 local time, from the Ramstein Air Force base near Frankfurt. The Air Force One plane was forced to be re routed from northern Italy due to adverse weather conditions.

During his one-day stay, President Clinton will meet with the US troops participating in the peacekeeping force assigned to Bosnia, whose stay has been extended to June of 1998.

Moreover, the American President’s program includes a meeting with the leader of the Serbs living in Bosnia Bljana Plavsic, a speech given at the Opera House and sightseeing tour of Sarajevo. Thereafter, Mr. Clinton will visit Tuzla, where he will meet with the American officers and officials from the United Nations, before returning to Washington. A.F.

[19] ALBANIA: OPPOSITION STILL REACTS TO EXTENSION OF GREEK FORCES’ STAY

Opposition parties in Albania have not viewed with a good eye the government’s decision to extend the stay of the Greek forces in their country for another six months, a decision drawn within the framework of cooperation between the two countries. The deputy of the Democratic party and president of the parliamentary Defense committee Azem Hidari has asked the President of the Republic Reijep Meidani not to ratify the Parliament’s decision.

However, the president of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs Sabri Godo stressed that the decision to extend the stay of the Greek armed forces is taking place within the framework of NATO and the Alliance’s “Partnership for Peace” program. A.F.

[20] PRESIDENT CLINTON VISITS SARAJEVO TODAY

US president Bill Clinton is in Sarajevo today to meet with the American troops participating in the NATO peace-keeping force.

During his visit to Bosnia, the US president will meet with the three-member collective presidency and afterwards, he will visit Tuzla for contacts with UN officials.

[21] THE RICHEST VEIN OF GOLD IN THE WORLD WAS DISCOVERED IN PAPUA LAND

Australian scientists have announced that they have located the richest gold, silver and copper vein at the bottom of the Bismark Sea at the coasts of the land of Papua.

According to Australian press publications, those deposits worth billions of dollars and will have a positive effect on the Papua and the Australian economy as their exploitation has been undertaken by Australian companies.

[22] THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILL BE IN SKOPJE ON WEDNESDAY

US Secretary of Defense William Cohen will visit Skopje on Wednesday, as it was announced by the press secretariat of FYROM.

Mr.Cohen will visit American peace-keepers serving in the country within the framework of the UN peace-keeping force deployed in the region and he will meet with his counterpart Lazar Kitanovski.

[23] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE EXHIBITION “STONETECH ‘98” IN CHINA

The Greek Organization of Foreign Trade undertook the organizing of the Greek participation in the international exhibition “STONETECH ‘98” that will be held in Shanghai, China on April 1-4.

In the exhibition will be presented marble and granite artwork, decorative stones and the technological equipment for their processing as well as, accessories and other similar products.

[24] THE ELECTION OF MILUDINOVIC WILL MARK THE START OF POLITICAL STABILITY IN SERBIA

Yesterday’s election of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia foreign minister Milan Miludinovic to the post of the Serb president is a positive development stated FRY’s Parliament vice- president Vladimir Sabuk, who pointed out that Miludinovic’s election will mark the start of political stability in his country.

Mr.Sabuk, who visited Thessaloniki to attend the 4th Balkan Conference of Managers, organized by the European Association of International Enterprises and Management, stated to MPA that the time has come for the opposition parties to realize what their position is and in cooperation with the leftist tendencies in the country to offer their support to the new president for the economic development and the improvement of the lives of the people.

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