Macedonian Press Agency: News in English,98-01-07

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 7 January 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] TSOVOLAS UNDERGOES OPEN HEART SURGERY, CONDITION IS EXCELLENT

The president of opposition party Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas underwent open heart surgery yesterday at Thessaloniki’s Papanikolaou Hospital and his condition is excellent according to his surgeon Panayiotis Spyrou.

Mr. Tsovolas suffered a heart attack during the Christmas holidays and on Sunday was taken into the hospital.

He underwent a quadruple bypass, an operation to direct blood flow through new veins outside the heart. Mr. Tsovolas is expected to be released from the hospital after a ten-day stay.

The Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has forwarded the President of DIKKI a get-well telegram, while similar wishes were also forwarded by other political party leaders and the mayor of Athens. A.F.

[02] TAX PLAN IS TABLED IN PARLIAMENT TODAY, 12 NEW TAXES PROPOSED

The government new tax plan is to be tabled to Parliament today, introducing the enforcement of 12 new taxes.

The state is hoping to secure additional revenue amounting to 300 billion drachmas. Nevertheless, the draft has provoked the public’s ire and a strong reaction from opposition parties and union organizations.

Specifically, the new tax laws will concern a five per cent increase on the tax withholdings of free lancers, who have to issue an invoice, thus raising the taxes withheld to a whooping 20%, as well as similar increases on the withholdings of the salaried workers who receive additional benefits.

Moreover, there will be a tax increase on the named shares not listed with the Athens Stock Market (Chrimatistirio Athinon), increases on the wealth indicator taxing system, increases on the taxes of mutual shares, imposed taxes on stock market exchanges, fees on mobile phones, etc.

Additionally, the new tax draft is proposing a new indexation of tax scales.

The Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou and the undersecretary George Drys have stated that they will not accept any amendments to the proposed tax plan. A.F.

[03] TREMOR IN THESSALONIKI, MEASURES 3.3 ON RICHTER SCALE

A slight tremor shook Thessaloniki during the early morning hours, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale.

According to the Geophysics Laboratory of Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University, the earthquake’s epicenter was located 13 miles away from the city, in the region of Nea Evkarpia. The tremor was felt by the residents of the city’s western suburbs.

According to seismologist Vasilis Papazachos, there is no cause for concern over this slight tremor since it is a common phenomenon.

“Earthquakes of this type occur every hour, everywhere, beneath our feet,” Mr. Papazachos stated. A.F.

[04] ALTERNATIVE MILITARY SERVICE FOR GREECE’S CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Effective as of January 1, Greece’s conscientious objectors are now subject to alternative military service that will not involve the taking up of firearms and will concern auxiliary duties in military units or government departments.

These conscripts, mainly Jehovah's Witnesses, will have to serve 12 months longer than the normal service period which is 18 months for the army, 20 for navy and 22 for the air force.

If they opt to serve in a government department, they will have to stay for an extra period of 18 months.

Until now, conscientious objectors were jailed under Greek law, a practice for which this country has faced criticism by domestic and international human rights groups.

In spite of the concessions made, these groups continue to argue that objectors are still being unfairly treated since they have to serve for a longer period of time. On the other hand, military chiefs argue that Greece requires a relatively large standing army to face Turkish hostility.

The new law was first drafted by former defense minister Gerasimos Arsenis and was guided through parliament by his successor, the incumbent minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

Also according to the law, young university graduates are given the option of not exercising their right to service deferment allowing time for work experience. Those graduates who select this option will serve three months less in the military. A.F.

[05] MASS VIOLATIONS OF THE GREEK NATIONAL AIR SPACE BY TURKISH JETS

The mass violations of the Greek national air space and the violations of the Athens FIR by Turkish fighter jets as well as, the climate that Ankara attempts to create in the Aegean through the military exercise that is currently holding in the region, were discussed in the meeting of prime minister Kostas Simitis with minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos that was held in Athens today.

In statements he made, Mr.Tsochatzopoulos warned Turkey that its behavior isolates it and does not create the necessary prospects for a positive development in its relations with Greece and the European Union. He also said that the Turkish government is accountable before the international community regarding the problem with the Kurds.

He said that Turkey is in a difficult position and has become the center of criticism by all the European countries because of its inability to provide a satisfactory political solution to the Kurdish problem which has resulted to the mass exodus and illegal immigration.

Mr.Tsochatzopoulos also expressed the hope that the pressure exerted by the international public opinion will bring results and Turkey will realize that it should be concerned about the issue of the illegal immigration which needs a political solution and can not be resolved through military means.

[06] GREECE EXPECTS ESCALATION OF THE TENSION BY TURKEY IN 1998

Greece expects escalation of the tension by Turkey in 1998, stated undersecretary of defense Dimitris Apostolakis, who underlined that the country’s armed forces are ready to face any eventuality.

A violation took place on Christmas Day and the same was repeated yesterday. This practice can be interpreted as a new tactic adopted by the Turks, who choose not to respect the pledges they have undertaken, said the defense undersecretary.

Mr.Apostolakis stated that tension is expectable as a result of the large-scale Turkish exercise taking place in the Aegean and wished that reason and prudence will prevail as none will benefit from such a likelihood.

Greece watches closely the joint military exercises of Turkey, Israel and the United States that are underway as well as, the great exodus of the Kurds that has alarmed the West.

[07] DIMITRIS REPPAS: TURKEY’S BEHANIOR IS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized Turkey’s behavior as self-destructive and underlined that Ankara’s policy in effect renders the Madrid agreement useless.

Fourteen violations of the Greek national air space near the islands of Chios, Psara and Inousses were recorded yesterday, on the Day of the Epiphany, and constitute a serious violation of the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum that forbids such moves on religious holidays and national anniversaries celebrated in either country.

Tomorrow, the Turkish exercise will continue in two regions reserved by the Turkish generals in spite of Greece’s strong reactions. The first region is located between the islands of Chios and Ikaria and the second one south of the island of Ikaria.

On the joint air and sea military exercises of Turkey, Israel and the United States that are being held in the region of the Mediterranean, Mr.Reppas stated that countries can participate in military exercises but Greece believes that the axes creation policy does not contribute to the establishment of a lasting stability and peace in the region.

On Turkey’s participation in the military exercise, the Greek government spokesman stressed that Greece has no problem with that if International Law is being observed.

[08] OPPOSITION AGAINST THE PRIVATISATION OF MACEDONIA-THRACE BANK

The local branch of the main opposition party of New Democracy in Thessaloniki expressed its concern that the privatisation of the Macedonia-Thrace bank could turn out to be a behind-the-scene sell-out unless strictly transparent procedures are followed. Apart from that, they reiterated their support to the prospective of transferring the bank to the private sector saying that the privatisation will be of great interest as far as the position of the bank in the unified european market is concerned and it will also reinforce the development of northern Greece which is a beneficial market for the bank.

The local branch of the Communist Party, on the other hand, expressed its opposition to the government’s intention to privatise the Macedonia-Thrace bank saying that the privatisation policy is totally destructive and it is imposed by “ EU’s orders and the economic and monetary union one-way street”.

[09] MEETING BETWEEN FOREIGN PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION AND ARAB AMBASSADORS

The Foreign and Defence Affairs Commission of the Greek Parliament has invited the Arab states ambassadors in Athens for Friday for an acquaintance visit and exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

This meeting has a special interest since it coincides with the joint military manoeuvres of Turkey-Israel-USA in the Mediterranean has caused in the Arab nation.

The invitation concerns Morocco, Algeria, Tynisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Libane, Syria and Iraq.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] ROME TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KURDISH REFUGEES

Almost in their entirety, the European governments are expressing their opposition to the vast exodus of Kurdish people from Turkey and Austria has also taken measures to avert the inflow of Kurdish refugees.

In Brussels today, a team of European Union experts is to examine the matter, while in Rome tomorrow an international conference of police forces from five European countries is to take place in an effort to reach a solution to the incoming wave of illegal immigrants towards the countries that enforce the Schengen Accord. The countries to participate at the conference will be France. Germany. Austria, the Netherlands, Italy Greece and Turkey.

Representing the Greek police will be its chief Vasilopoulos. Also invited to take part in the conference is the second-in- command official of the Turkish police force, since the Europeans deem that Turkey is responsible for the “flight of the Kurds”.

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel retorted sharply to the statements made by Turkey’s Minister of the Interior who accused the European countries of encouraging the illegal immigrants through their policies on granting asylum.

Mr. Kinkel stated that “the European policy on asylum is not responsible for this wave of refugees.

“Ankara knows that it is supported by Europe on its struggle against PKK’s terrorism. However, the overall Kurdish issue can only be resolved through political and economic means, with civilised and social measures, and it should be handled as such.” A.F.

[11] BONN WON’T PAY REPARATIONS TO WWII VICTIMS, ONLY RECOURSE IS HAGUE

The German federal government has issued an “once and for all” statement that it will not grant any form of reparations payment to Greeks or relatives of Greeks who fell victim to Nazi atrocities during World War II.

The issue arose after a relevant question was submitted to the German parliament by the deputies of the Democratic Socialist Party (former Communists of the former Eastern Germany) who support the Greek claims by referring to the recent ruling issued by the Greek court of Livadia, according to which the residents of the village of Distomo are entitled to a DM60 million reparation payment by the German government.

Bonn has repeatedly stated that it does not recognize the Greek court’s decision, adopting the already known position of Chancellor Helmut Kohl who has stated that the matter of war reparation payments to Greece or its citizens has been settled through the Greek-German agreement of 1960, when a payment of 115 million German marks was granted to the Greek government, although no one seems to know where that money went or if it was granted fully or partially to those who were entitled to reparations.

According to judicial circles, the interested parties have no other recourse but through the International Court of Justice at The Hague and the Council of Europe. A.F.

[12] WASHINGTON DEFENDS JOINT TURKISH-ISRAELI-US SEA EXERCISES

US State Department spokesperson James Rubin has assured Middle Eastern countries that there is nothing to worry about over the five-day, tri-national Turkish-Israeli-U.S. military exercises currently underway in the Mediterranean, off of the Israeli port of Haifa. “As we have stated in the past, “Reliant Mermaid” (the code name of the exercises) is strictly humanitarian in nature, (it is a search and rescue exercise) and is not related to any real world events nor is it directed against any party,” Mr. Rubin said.

The essential part of the exercise will be held today. The scenario includes a sinking fishing ship calling for help with the objective of rescuing the endangered crew. A.F.

[13] UN APPLAUDS ITALIAN GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO GRANT ASYLUM TO KURDS

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed its concern over the increasing number of migrants who have arrived in Italy from Turkey or Iraq.

According to the UNHCR’s spokesperson Pam O’Toole, many of these Kurdish migrants have fallen victim to unscrupulous traffickers who demand huge sums of money in order to transport them to Italy, adding that many of these people have had to sell their homes or possessions in order to amass the money for the trip.

In recent months, Ms. O’Toole added, there have been numerous incidents of the migrants being washed up on the shores of Italy or Greece, having sailed abroad unseaworthy and overcrowded boats, some of which have sunk.

The United Nations refugee agency strongly condemned the smugglers and applauded the Italian government’s decision to allow the migrants to apply for asylum. A.F.

[14] ALBANIAN PREMIER FATOS NANO TO OFFICIALLY VISIT FYROM ON JANUARY 17

Albania’s Prime Minister Fatos Nano is to visit Skopje, after an invitation issued by FYROM’s Premier’s Branco Cervenkovski during the latter’s visit to Tirana last month.

In preparation of Mr. Nano’s visit to the neighboring country, the Albanian government has approved the agreements that are to be signed between the two leaders and which concern the borders, protection of investments, trade and customs cooperation as well as the application of judicial orders.

During his stay, Mr. Nano will be received by FYROM’s President Kiro Gligorov and other political leaders. A.F.

[15] TURKEY: ITALY ENCOURAGES ILLEGAL EMIGRANTS

Turkish authorities have detained 166 refugees who were trying to cross the Turkish borders with Greece and Bulgaria, in an attempt to reverse the impression of the western European states which accuse Ankara of turning a blind eye to the mass exodus of the Kurds towards Europe.

According to the Turkish news agency “Anadolu”, the border guards arrested 40 Iraqis, 10 Moroccans, six Egyptians, six Iranians, two Indians and two Pakistanis. Also, last night the Turkish police raided an area of Istanbul and arrested 41 Iraqis who were working illegally in local factories. Similar raids conducted in the past few days have resulted in the arrest of 310 additional illegal immigrants.

Turkey has launched a vast operation in recent days, aiming at halting an exodus of Kurds trying to reach Western Europe, while the Turkish government is also accusing Italy of encouraging illegal emigration by Kurds.

Ankara is widely criticized for its treatment of the Kurdish nationals, however it insists that the Kurds are fleeing Turkey not because they are persecuted, but rather because they are seeking a better life in the West. A.F.

[16] SIR HANNAY: EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE WILL BE INTENSIFIED

The British envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay has stated that now that Britain holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, the diplomatic initiatives to resolve the Cyprus’ issue will be intensified.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Hannay stated that while Britain’s role as the EU President will allow the government to carry out an important role in finding a viable solution to the Cyprus issue, nevertheless, he has served as special envoy for the island for the past two years, assigned to that post by two successive foreign ministers.

Moreover, the British diplomat reiterated that the framework for resolving the issue remains the same as that expressed through the Security Council’s recent decision which provides for a bi- zonal, bi-communal federated state.

“This state will have to be governed by a constitution that will guarantee political equality, grant substantial autonomy to both communities so that the Turkish-Cypriots who maintain that they do not enjoy equal rights and autonomy on a variety of issues will feel equal,” Sir Hannay stated. A.F.

[17] TURKEY: ERBAKAN’S FORMER BODYGUARD ARRESTED ON ESPIONAGE CHARGE

The bodyguard of the leader of Turkey’s Welfare Party Necmettin Erbakan has been arrested on charges of espionage, according to the Turkish daily “Hurriyet” which reported that the suspect, Bahatin Javdar, was working as a spy for Saudi Arabia.

According to the report, Javdar was apprehended while he was “selling” military information in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Ankara. Upon his arrest, he was carrying two documents that bore the signature of the deputy chief of the Turkish General Army Staff Cevik Bir, which in turn were proven to be forged.

“Hurriyet” also reported that the interrogation process revealed that Javdar received a salary of $500 for his “services” to the Saudi Arabian Embassy, having received to date $10,000.

He served as Erbakan’s bodyguard from 1992 to 1995 and continued to have contact with the Welfare Party up to date. A.F.

[18] REPPAS: THE KURDISH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE A MAJOR HUMANITARIAN ISSUE

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized the issue of the Kurdish illegal immigrants as a major humanitarian problem and pointed out that Turkey has to resolve it using political and economic means within its borders.

Mr.Reppas stated that the Greek government believes that the European Union should follow a joint and concrete policy for the solution of the problem. He also stated that in the meeting of the EU police chiefs in Rome will participate Greek police chief Athanasios Vasilopoulos. The meeting will be held to find ways to curb illegal immigration.

[19] THE TURKS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO THE ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO ITALY

The Turks have turned a blind eye to the illegal trafficking of hundreds of people to Italy on board old cargo ships. The above were stated by Turkish minister of interior Murat Basesgioglu, according to the Turkish newspaper “Hurriyet”.

The Kurdish PKK party and the organized crime are being blamed for the transportation of the illegal immigrants, while Mr.Basesgioglu pointed out that the refugees had entered Turkey legally but they were forced to leave the country illegally due to Greece’s stance, which refused to issue visas for them. The Turkish interior minister also stated that the PKK and the organized crime transport the refugees illegally and each one of them has to pay 5 thousand dollars for the trip to the West.

Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz, referring to the issue of the refugees said during yesterday’s cabinet meeting that the Turkish Central Intelligence Agency should take action, while in an interview to the Italian newspaper “La Stampa” expressed the intention to reach an agreement with the Schengen accord countries on the issue of the Kurdish illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, the Turkish newspaper “Milliyet” attempts to blame Greece for the illegal transportation of Kurdish refugees to Italy and writes that the ship “Cometa” which carried 386 refugees, who were found abandoned in the coasts of Apulia, was empty when it left the Turkish territorial waters.

[20] GREAT NUMBERS OF KURDISH REFUGEES SEEK SHELTER IN SOUTHERN GREECE

Great numbers of Kurdish refugees seek shelter in regions near the city of Patras in southern Greece requesting from the authorities to grant them asylum and the leadership of the ministry of public order has decided to move the refugees to Perachora, near the town of Loutraki.

Public order ministry spokesman Giorgos Florentis stated that the Greek government and his ministry gave assurances to the refugees that their request will be examined and a response will be given by the end of February.

Meanwhile, the issue of the Kurdish refugees’ wave, who abandon Turkey in great numbers, is being discussed in Brussels today by representatives of the countries that signed the Schengen accord. The Europeans give a special emphasis to the role of Turkey in the crisis that has been created regarding the Kurds, while another meeting will be held in Rome tomorrow with the participation of the chiefs of police from the countries that are directly affected by the crisis. They will examine the likelihood to create an information exchange network and seek ways for the better guarding of their borders.

[21] 11 THOUSAND INMATES PARTICIPATE IN A PEACEFUL PROTEST IN 32 PRISONS IN TURKEY

Eleven thousand inmates in 32 prisons participate in a “peaceful riot” protesting against the cruel conditions in the Turkish jails and demanding their improvement.

The inmates have launched a rotating hunger strike for the next two months in a show of solidarity to the 200 hunger strikers in the Erzerum Prison, who demand better living conditions. The 200 inmates have already entered the 48th day of their strike.

[22] APPEASING STATEMENTS BY THE US ON THE JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE WITH TURKEY AND ISRAEL

The US diplomacy, through appeasing statements made by State Department spokesman James Rubin, tries to tone down the reactions of the Arab world regarding the joint naval exercise of Turkey, Israel and the United States that is being underway 150 kilometers from the port of Haifa in Israel.

As it has been stressed in the past, the exercise “Confidential Mermaid” is a search and rescue exercise of a strictly humanitarian nature and is not linked with the general situation in the region or threatens anyone, said Mr.Rubin.

Nevertheless, in spite of the assurances given by the US side, the Arab world worries over the increasing geo-political and defense cooperation between Ankara and Tel-Aviv.

[23] SINO-YUGOSLAV BANK IS EXPECTED TO BE FOUNDED IN SERBIA

A Sino-Yugoslav Bank, with an initial capital of 5 million dollars, is expected to be founded soon in FRY, according to statements made by BEOBANKA director Ms.Borka Busic, who announced that the Bank of China and five Yugoslav financial institutions are in the process of negotiations for the establishment of a joint institution that aims at attracting a significant part of investors.

The total of the active capital of the Sino-Yugoslav Bank is expected to reach 70 million dollars.

[24] THE NEW PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO WILL BE SWORN IN ON JANUARY 15

The formal swearing-in ceremony of Montenegro’s new president Milo Juganovic will be held in Tsetinje on Thursday, January 15.

The ambassadors of Russia, Britain, Italy and Slovenia to Belgrade have already confirmed that they will attend.

According to the Serb newspaper “Nasa Borba”, Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and prime minister Randoje Kondic have not responded yet to the official invitation.

[25] SKOPJE:AN ORGANIZATION IS BEHIND THE BOMB ATTACKS

The “Liberation Army of Kosovo”, a clandestine Albanian army organization in the Serbian province of Kosovo, took the responsibility for the bomb attacks which took place Sunday night in the towns of Kumanovo and Prilep of FYROM, aiming at the central police offices and the bomb attack that took place in front of the court palace of Gostivar town in January, this was reported by the Skopje radio station which also noted that according to a communique sent by the “Liberation Army of Kosovo” to the Albanian media, they attacked the “second zone of FYROM” following army’s orders, but it did not specify what they meant by “second zone”.

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