Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-12-30

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

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MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 30 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] TURKEY TO CONDUCT MILITARY EXERCISE IN THE AEGEAN

Turkey is to conduct a vast sea and air exercise in the Aegean Sea, on January 2 through 25. The exercise is to also take place within the Athens FIR. Greece’s Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos referred to this exercise and stated that Greece has posed certain objections and they will be announced by the Civil Aviation Authority. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that Greece is ready to answer decisively if the principles of International Law are not observed. A.F.

[02] PRO-JUNTA POLICE OFFICERS SUBJECT TO STERN DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The 41 police officers who participated in pro-junta celebrations on April 30, 1993 in Thessaloniki are subject to strict disciplinary action, even removal from their posts.

The findings of their activities have been turned over to the Greek Police Chief A. Vasilopoulos who will determine the disciplinary action that will be taken for the officers. A.F.

[03] INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON THE TURKISH PROVOCATION IS LAUNCHED BY GREECE

An information campaign launched at an international level is Greece’s response to the new circle of provocation opened by Turkey with the announcement of military exercises in the Aegean that involve regions inside the Athens FIR.

Defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos issued a warning to Ankara concerning its attempt to create fabricated tension, while he underlined that Greece is ready to respond in case the principles of International Law are ignored.

Ankara announced today that the group of the Turkish specialists has rejected the proposal for a meeting with their Greek counterparts to discuss the issue of the continental shelf.

The Turkish specialists’ argument was that they have to take under consideration their country’s policy toward the EU after the decision reached in the Luxembourg Summit and therefore, any dialogue within the framework of the EU concerning the Greek- Turkish relations and Cyprus is being interrupted. The Turks suggested a bilateral meeting to be held with their Greek counterparts outside the EU framework.

Meanwhile, a US State Department statement expressed strong concern over the course of the Greek-Turkish relations after the new wave of air space violations by Turkish fighter jets over the Aegean. Nevertheless, Washington follows a policy of equal distances and calls Greece and Turkey to take advantage of the opportunities offered to avoid a serious incident that could cost human lives. The Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum for confidence- building-measures in the Aegean is being mentioned as an example of such an opportunity.

[04] GREECE REJECTED THE TURKISH PROPOSAL FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT THE EU

The Turkish specialists want the negotiations with their Greek counterparts to continue at a bilateral level without the presence of the European Union.

The stance of the Turks is in accordance with Ankara’s recent decision to stop every contact with the EU, as it is characteristically mentioned in the letter sent to the Greek specialists.

The Greek side has responded that there can be no discussion at a bilateral level as the initiative in question belongs to the EU and the issue will be discussed in the EU Foreign Ministers’ Council at the end of January.

[05] THE PILOTS OF THE UKRAINIAN PLANE WERE NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL

The pilots of the Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed about two weeks ago at the Pieria mountains, in northern Greece were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the tragic flight, according to an announcement made by forensic surgeon Dimitris Psaroulis, who conducted the toxicological tests on the two bodies.

Meanwhile, the bodies of two Greek passengers were identified today by their relatives and according to the forensic surgeons, the identification procedure has been completed, adding that the bodies of the two small children that are still missing is impossible to be found.

[06] “THESSALONIKI OF THE JEWS” - MOVING TESTIMONIES IN THE FILM BASED ON A BOOK BY VASILIS VASILIKOS

With tears in their eyes the holocaust survivors relived the dark days of the Nazi atrocities in the screening of the film “Thessaloniki of the Jews”, which presents memories and testimonies that were kept inside those people for many years. The film includes 25 testimonies that present the lives of the Jews with very moving stories on the holocaust.

Starting with the year 1492, when the Jews came to Thessaloniki fleeing from Spain where they were under persecution, the film, which is based on a book written by author Vasilis Vasilikos, offers an account of the most significant events of the 20th century such as, the Young Turks’ Revolution, Thessaloniki’s liberation in 1912, the disaster in Asia Minor, the general strike in May 1936, the August 4th Coup, the end of the Nazi occupation, the Greek civil war and everything that followed, always in relation with the Jewish presence in the city.

The Jews, who survived the holocaust, give moving testimonies and they describe what they were forced to suffer in concentration camps, like Birkenau, where “everything was covered by a cloud of smoke coming from the burned human flesh”.

[07] POSITIVE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND ALBANIA

Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos had successive meetings in Tirana with the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, the Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano and his Albanian counterpart Sabit Brokaj. Mr Brokaj said at a press conference that a review of the military co-operation between the two countries and the continuation of this co-operation in 1998 were among the issues discussed in the meeting.

He, also, described the Greek-Albanian military relations as positive and expressed his optimism for their further development. Mr Tsohatzopoulos particularly stressed the need to determine a new form of co-operation between Balkan countries, especially in the fields of security, peace and stability in the area.

[08] THE CURTAIN FALLS ON THESSALONIKI CULTURAL CAPITAL

Flying angels, gypsy singers, dancers, choirs and musicians take part in the multi-spectacle “Thessaloniki: The silence of Balkans”, by Goran Bregovic, with which the curtain will fall on “Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe”. The show is inspired by the Byzantine culture, according to the director Thomas Pandur.

“It is not just one more concert but the closing concert for the Cultural Capital which gives it a special meaning”, the art director of the Cultural Capital Organisation Panos Theodoridis stressed, adding that the scenery is a special construction which for the first time appears in Greece.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] THE MOST SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL EVENT IN THE BALKANS

The most significant political event in the Balkans that occurred during 1997 is undoubtedly the Inter-Balkan conference held in Crete on November 2-3, featuring the participation of the state leaders and prime ministers of all the Balkan countries.

A conference which is registered among the successes of the Greek government and has illustrated the depth of the desire maintained by the region’s people to enjoy contact, cooperation and reconciliation. And, as the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis had the opportunity to emphasise while welcoming the Balkan leaders, this meeting was a result of “the political will held by all of us to embark together on an effort that will be supported on peace and respect of the international law , the desire to enjoy wholehearted economic cooperation and solidarity, the mutual search of answers to the problems that divided us until now.

Perhaps no spectacular results were achieved during the course of the two-day conference, perhaps no significant bilateral agreements were reached, and all the pending problems existing among the region’s states were not magically eradicated. However, the first steps were taken in order to set up the bridges of co- operation for the development of co-operation in Southeast Europe. And more so, that the “ice was broken” between certain countries of our region, such as between Albania and Yugoslavia, whose leaders hadn’t met for half a century, while also positive were the bilateral meetings held between Mgrs. Gligorov-Kostov, Simitis- Yilmaz, and others.

The Balkan leaders meeting was saluted not only by the government of most of the world’s countries and by international organisations, but also by the overwhelming majority of the mass media of the Balkan peninsula. Certain of these, such as the largest part of the press in Yugoslavia, FYROM, Albania and elsewhere, wrote that “the first Summit Conference in the history of the Balkan countries in Crete marked the beginning of a new era in the Balkans towards the 21st century.”

It is also quite characteristic that, in spite of the criticism or complains that were voiced in regards to the manner in which the Balkan leaders handled the national interests of their countries during the bilateral meeting they held within the sidelines of the Conference, the assessment for the success of this meeting was nevertheless positive across the board. Such as the Yugoslav former Foreign Minister, Ilia Gukic’s, who stated that “the conference was more beneficial for Milosevic than for Yugoslavia”, but added that “no one should underestimate the Inter-Balkan Conference which was a significant event.”

Indeed, aside from the overcoming of old differences, which rendered the Balkans as the “powder keg of Europe”, the Balkan countries finally began realising that the Southeast European region constitutes a vast market with 150 million residents. And they also realised that there is no better way to achieve the economic welfare of these countries but through the developments of their mutual economic co-operation. Of course this requires changes in a series of laws and the domestic economic parameters, such as the adjustment of each country’s legislation (taxes, customs, investments, etc.) However, a foremost priority is the improvement of the political climate and above all, the creation of the necessary conditions for peace, security and stability.

As Sofia’s daily “24 Hours” wrote characteristically on the following day, the article titled “The Balkans are Melting the Ice” emphasised that the Conference paved the road for “the establishment of civilised relations of European type among the Balkans.” In Albania, the leader of the “Democratic Alliance” Neritan Ceka pointed out that “the era we live is one of European-type solutions, and this is why this meeting was a success.” Belgrade’s press also deemed that the Crete Summit was a success, and the Serb television station broadcast that “a new page was opened for the Balkans and a period of development and closer cooperation is to begin among the region’s peoples.”

Also at Skopje, the President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov stated that the Summit “constitutes a starting point for the creation of new relations among the Balkan countries and for the determination of a strategy that will constitute the driving factor in cooperation and the development of economic ties in the wider region of Southeast Europe.” Finally, the Premier of Bulgaria Ivan Kostov characterised Greece’s initiative as one of “exemplary significance” while Turkey’s Premier Mesut Yilmaz congratulated his Greek counterpart for taking the initiative to hold this meeting.

The leaders of the Balkan countries ended their first Summit conference with the conclusion that they found the way to overcome the heritage of Balkan differences and to work together for regional development, as well as for building trust and peace in the region.

All there is left to do now is for all that was agreed upon in Crete to materialise. And Greece has shown all these years that it works dutifully towards breathing life into the vision of Balkan co-operation. A.F.

[10] DEAL SIGNED ON CONSTRUCTION OF BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

An agreement concerning the promotion of the study- construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline was signed yesterday, while another deal regarding the allocation of the Greek, Bulgarian and Russian shares in the Transbalkan Pipeline company, which will construct and operate the pipeline, is to also be reached soon.

The cost of the pipeline’s construction study is budgeted at one and a half billion drachmas and its funding will be partially derived from the European Union, The consortium will be formed between the three countries, while the two Greek companies which are to participate in the project are Latsis and Kapelouzos. A.F.

[11] TODAY’S RALLY IN PRISTINA HAS BEEN PROHIBITED

The rally planned for today by the college students of Kossovo in the center of the city of Pristina has been prohibited. The students are demanding that the use of the Albanian language be allowed in their colleges.

During their first rally in October, the Serb police used tear gas and in certain occasions beat some of the protesters. A.F.

[12] MOSLIM TO BE ON THE PRESIDIUM OF THE CROAT-MOSLIM FEDERATION

Ejup Ganic will be the first Moslem president of the Croat- Moslem Federation, replacing as of January 1, 1998 the current president Vladimir Solic who is a Christian.

Mr. Ganic, the vice-president of the federation, is replacing Mr. Solic as per the agreement provided for by the rotating presidency, which aims at promoting the balance among the Moslem community and the Croats. A.F.

[13] TURKISH-CYPRIOTS WANT ACCESSION TO THE EU, ACCORDING TO POLL

According to the results of a recent poll which was published in the Turkish-Cypriots daily “Cypris”, 11% of those asked would like to gain accession to the European Union right away, while 42.2% would like accession after the Cyprus issue is resolved.

The percentage of those who do not want accession to the EU has dropped to 1.5% from the 3.1% of 1995.

Moreover, those younger in age are more in favor of accession to the EU than the older generations. For example, 17.6% of the ages between 18-24 years old are in favor of entering the Community, while of those who are above the age of 54 only 7% favor accession to the EU.

The EU ambassador to Cyprus expressed his satisfaction over the poll’s results. A.F.

[14] THE BREAKDOWN OF THE TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES IN CYPRUS IS DONE IN BAD FAITH

The Cypriot government regards as unfortunate and in bad faith the unilateral breakdown of the meetings between the two communities in Cyprus, said Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofides.

He pointed out that the decision made by the Turkish occupation regime serves foreign purposes and stressed that the communal talks serve the interests of the Cypriot people as a whole. He also added that the Greek Cypriot side will seek the resumption of the meetings in an improved way.

[15] POLICE BROKE UP A STUDENT DEMONSTRATION IN PRISTINA

The Serb police in Kosovo used force to disperse 2.000 Albanian students participating in a protest march in Pristina. The students demand the use of the Albanian language in higher education institutions.

It should be reminded that in the first protest march of the students last October, the police had used tear gas to disperse them.

[16] P. MILO:KOSOVO IS THE VULNERABLE SPOT FOR PEACE

“The Albanian government supports the quick settlement of the Kosovo issue”, the Albanian Foreign Minister Pascal Milo said in an interview to the Croatian newspaper “Vecernji list”. The Albanian Minister described Kosovo as the “vulnerable spot for peace”, considering that the problem of Albanians who live in this Yugoslavian area is the main threat against peace and stability in the Balkans.

Mr Milo, also, commented on his country’s attitude towards the Kosovo issue saying that the Albanian government “has left the primitive nationalistic policy and has moved on to a european way of thinking supporting constructive dialogue.

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/

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