Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-01-19

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 19 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] PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU CONVENES TODAY ON MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

The Executive Bureau of Greece's ruling party PASOK is to convene today, in light of the imminent municipal elections throughout the country.

Following today's session, the officials are expected to announce the names of the mayoral candidates it will support in the municipalities of Thessaloniki, Athens and Piraeus. According to reports, the candidates likely to be chosen by PASOK are Thrasyvoulos Lazarides for Thessaloniki, Maria Damanaki for Athens and Christos Fotiou for Piraeus.

[02] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO RECEIVE PREMIER KOSTAS SIMITIS

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to receive the Prime Minster Kostas Simitis today.

According to reports, the premier is expected to propose to the president that he head the organizing committee which will oversee preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games.

A draft bill on the formation of the Olympics organizing committee is expected to be tabled in Parliament this week. According to the government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas, the committee will comprise individuals who will be selected on the basis of their knowledge and ability "and not political or party criteria".

[03] SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SHIPWRECK VICTIMS

The Italian authorities are continuing their search in the open sea of Sardinia for the location of the remaining five crew members of the sunk cargo ship Aghios Panteleimon.

Out of the ship's nine-member crew, four of whom are Greeks, two men were rescued, one Greek and one Pakistani mechanic.

Two unidentified bodies were pulled from the site of the shipwreck yesterday

[04] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN GREECE CAN NOW OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS

New regulations activated by the Bank of Greece are to allow illegal immigrants who reside in the country to open and maintain bank accounts with Greek financial institutions.

As of February 1, the provision of banking services to undocumented immigrants will be liberalized, a move that is expected to favorably influence the country's economy and, at the same time, serve the illegal workers who are estimated at almost half a million.

According to the Bank's regulations, those wishing to open bank accounts will still need to present formal documentation of identity, such as passport, and will be liable to standard controls for money laundering.

[05] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO OVERSEE 2004 OLYMPICS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos received the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today who informed the head of state on the organizing committee which will oversee preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games and the national committee which will be headed by the Premier and will be supervised by the President.

A draft bill on the formation of the Olympics organizing committee is expected to be tabled in Parliament this week. According to the government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas, the committee will comprise individuals who will be selected on the basis of their knowledge and ability "and not political or party criteria".

[06] THE AEGEAN SEA’S STATUS IS INDISPUTABLE, SAYS GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER

The Minster of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated on Saturday that Turkey is trying to give the impression to the media that a problem exists in the Aegean Sea, which is false, since the Aegean's status "is obvious, absolutely indisputable, clear and legally and institutionally consolidated by international law".

Commenting on a non-paper issued by the Turkish embassy in Athens, which attempts to blame Greece for the existing tension in Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that "the effort to dispute the status of the Aegean constitutes a potential threat not only against Greece but also against international law and the clauses which have been in effect for decades. "

[07] TURKEY HAS NEVER COMPLIED WITH THE PAPOULIAS-YILMAZ MEMORANDUM

In response to Turkey’s accusations that Greece violates the Papouliaz-Yilmaz 1988 memorandum, Greece’s Foreign Ministry announce today that “Ankara has never complied with the said memorandum which calls on both countries to abstain from military exercises during national and religious holidays.”

Prompted by a non-paper issued by the Turkish embassy in Athens, which attempts to blame Greece for the existing tension in Greek-Turkish relations, the Greek Foreign Ministry officials stated that "Turkey, according to its known tactic, is attempting to blame Greece for the non-observance of agreements reached between Greece and Turkey in 1988 and of international laws and regulations, distorting actual events and presenting its national pursuits as Greece's obligation to follow them."

These agreements foresee that military exercises will be carried out in accordance with international laws, international rules, regulations and processes.

"Turkey is violating the agreements by not submitting flight plans, failure to refer to the relevant Air Traffic Control Service and, what is worst and most provocative, with violations of national airspace even above (Greek) islands in many cases," the officals stated.

[08] GREECE AND UNITED STATES SIGN TRADE AGREEMENTS

Greece’s Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou and United States Secretary of Commerce William Daley, recently on a visit to Greece, have signed two agreements on further promoting and widening economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries, as well as for cooperation on technological issues in the Balkans and southeastern Europe.

According to press reports, a special advisory committee will be formed in order to examine ways to further joint business activities, widen commercial ties, promote cooperation in the sciences and technology, develop cooperation and joint business relations in the Balkans, widen bilateral economic and business relations and promote a new transatlantic dialogue, as well as other matters of mutual and international concern.

This committee will convene at least once a year and will be chaired respectively by the international economic relations' secretary-general of the national economy ministry and the US overseas trade undersecretary.

The second agreement, a continuation of the Clinton-Simitis initiative, concerns cooperation for developing and promoting joint technological goals in the wider Balkan region and southeastern Europe.

[09] ANOTHER BURNS IN ATHENS: AUSTRALIA’S NEW AMBASSADOR

Australia’s Foreign Ministry has announced that diplomat Ross Burns will be appointed as its new ambassador in Athens next month.

Mr. Burns has served as Australia’s ambassador in the cities of Islamabad, Dacca, Port Moresby, Cairo, London and Bangkok.

"The Australian government attributes great importance to relations with Greece. Relations which are particularly warm and have been forged with common struggles between the two countries that fought together in two world wars for common ideals," Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer stated.

Moreover, Mr. Downer stated that the exemplary relations between Athens and Canberra are also due to Australia’s large Greek community, "which has played a very important role in the development of Australia's economic, cultural and political life."

[10] GREEK ACTOR DIMITRIS HORN BURIED TODAY

Greece mourns for the death of the great Greek actor Dimitris Horn, who was buried in Athens today. The legendary Greek theater actor died on Friday in an Athens clinic at the age of 77, following a lengthy illness.

The prime minister, together with the whole of the political, scientific and artistic world expressed grief for Horn’s death, who brightened the Greek theater and cinema for over half a century.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS EXPECTS DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE YEAR

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides expressed the hope that positive developments on the Cypriot issue will take place within 1998.

Mr. Clerides stated that the future of the island lies within Cyprus's accession to the European Union and he foresaw that following the presidential elections, there will be international mobility on the issue.

[12] NAME OF MONTENEGRO'S NEW PREMIER TO BE ANNOUNCED TODAY

The name of Montenegro's new premier is expected to be announced today by the local authorities.

Talks held by Montenegro's president Milo Juganovic with leaders of minorioty parties rounded up last night and, according to reports, the officials discussed the imminent parliamentary elections.

According to press reports of Belgrade's "Vecernje Novosti" daily, Mr. Juganovic's successor in the premiership is expected to be the incumbent Minister of Police Philip Vujanovic who last week managed to contain the rallies planned by supporters of Montenegro's former President Momir Bulatovic.

[13] ALBANIAN PREMIER FAVORS GREECE'S MEDIATION ON KOSSOVO ISSUE

Albania's Premier Fatos Nano stated that he is in favor of Greece's mediation in achieving a meeting between Mgrs. Rugova and Milosevic, during an interview he granted tot he BBC.

Specifically, Mr. Nano stated that every meeting that aids dialogue is a positive one and added that the issue of Kossovo can be solved only with prudence.

[14] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY TO HOLD BALKAN CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

The European Socialist Party is to organize a Balkan Conference in Athens this June, modeled after the one held in Thessaloniki last April, which featured the unprecedented participation of socialist, social democrat and labor parties from the Balkans.

Meanwhile, the European Socialist Party's Presidium convened in Strasbourg on Friday where the participants unanimously adopted the aforementioned Greek proposal presented by Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos (representing Greece's ruling PASOK party) and Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis (a member of the Presidium).

Mr. Kranidiotis outlined the positive results of the southeastern European heads of the state and government leaders conference held early December in Crete, and on the "continuing, unacceptable and provocative attitude of Turkey."

[15] GREEK PRESIDENT OF ATLANTIC UNION ACCORD RECEIVED BY NATO’S SOLANA

In a Brussels-held meeting last week, NATO’s secretary- general Javier Solana and the (first-ever) Greek president of the Atlantic Union Accord, Th. Georgiou, discussed issues concerning NATO.

The Paris-based Atlantic Union Accord represents a network of international communication and cooperation, currently 32 non- governmental organizations from Alliance members and associated countries.

According to reports, Mgrs. Solana and Georgiou discussed the Atlantic Union Accord's contribution to NATO enlargement and its ratification by national Parliaments.

Moreover, the two discussed the preparations for NATO's 50th anniversary celebrations which will be held in the United States in April, marked with the accession of three new member-states, namely, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Mr. Georgiou also met with the chief of the Allied Forces in Europe US Gen. Wesley Clark and West European Union (WEU) secretary-general Jose Cutilheiro.

[16] C OF E’S SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS WITH GREECE’S DEPUTY F.M.

Greece’s steady interest for the promotion of democratic institutions and the respect of human rights, which corresponds with the political role carried out by the Council of Europe, was confirmed during the Strasbourg-held meeting between Greece’s Undersecretary of Foreign affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and the C of E’s secretary-general Daniel Tarschys.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Tarschys stated that the meeting was held in light of Greece’s reign as leader of the C of E’s ministerial committee. For some time now, Greece has actively supported our task in the sectors of human rights and democracy and this was clearly illustrated during my talks with Mr. Kranidiotis,” Mr. Tarschys stated, adding that he hopes Greece’s term as president will be a very active one as “we are undergoing a crucial phase in the history of this European organization.”

Among the key decisions expected to be drawn during the council’s ‘ 5oth anniversary in 1999, will be a series of strategic decisions concerning the sectors of democracy, human rights, culture and new technology.

Moreover, the C of E’s secretary-general announced that he will visit Greece towards the end of March, following an invitation issued by the Greek government through Mr. Kranidiotis.

The Greek undersecretary of Foreign Affairs briefed the C of E officials on the institutional changes taking place in Greece in the sector of human rights protection and citizenship rights.

Moreover, Mr. Kranidiotis outlined the positive results of the southeastern European heads of the state and government leaders conference held early December in Crete, and on the "continuing, unacceptable and provocative attitude of Turkey."

[17] “AGENDA 2000” CONFERENCE HELD IN HERAKLION, CRETE LAST SATURDAY

Greece’s Foreign Ministry and the Region of Crete organized a conference on the "Agenda 2000 and EU enlargement ", held din Heraklion on Saturday, with the main address given by the country’s Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

In his address, Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece will take steps to strengthen its role in Europe, while he also added that Greece continues to encourage Turkey's European orientation.

Mr. Papandreou said that it is not Greece impeding Turkey’s course towards Europe but, rather, it is Turkey itself which is placing obstacles in its European orientation since it fails to take the specific steps necessary for its acceptance to the Community.

"Our main message to Turkey is that we will defend our national interests," he said. Replying to a question on the outlawing of Necmettin Erbakan's Islamist Welfare Party, Mr. Papandreou said it constitutes an undemocratic act compounding Turkey's self-imposed isolation.

"Turkey’s domestic instability fuels its foreign policy with elements of instability,” Mr. Papandreou said.

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