Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-01-21

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 21 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] GREEK F.M. PANGALOS: GREECE’S TEN-MILE AIR SPACE IS NON- NEGOTIABLE

“Greece’s national airspace is ten nautical miles and this is non-negotiable”, stated Greece’s Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who also called on Turkey to seek recourse with the International Court of Justice at The Hague for any whatsoever claim it may have.

“The ten nautical miles have been status quo since 1931 and Turkey recognized them up until 1973,” Mr. Pangalos added.

Moreover, the Greek Foreign Minister stated that when an issue is accepted by international practice then it creates a prima facie legal precedent.

“If Ankara challenges this than it can seek recourse with the International Court of Justice at The Hague, but then it will have to accept the Court’s jurisdiction on other matters as well,” Mr. Pangalos stated.

In regards to Greece’s territorial waters, Mr. Pangalos stated that the country has the right to extend them to 12 nautical miles, although the government has yet to decide when it will embark on the relevant procedures. However, when it does, it will proceed so in a responsible manner, he added.

Lastly, the Greek Foreign Minister stressed that Turkey has to fulfill certain conditions if it wants to gain access to the European Union, while he also said that during his meeting yesterday evening with the newly-appointed Turkish ambassador in Athens, he stressed that Greece harbors no hostility towards Turkey.

[02] GREECE’S ARMED FORCES ARE TO DEFEND AEGEAN SEA AT ALL COST

Greece’s armed forces are to defend the Aegean Sea at all costs, stated Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos during his visit to the island of Samos, while he also stated that Turkey is training its army with scenaria of capturing the islands of Chios, Samos and Kos.

Moreover, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated that Greece will not fall into the trap being set up by Turkey which wants collision, aiming at dragging Athens to the negotiations table.

Mr. Simitis expressed his concern over a potential accident in the Aegean, due to the ever-increasing Turkish provocation.

[03] BANKS AND PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICES TO STRIKE TOMORROW

Greece’s public sector is to paralyze tomorrow when the country’s banks and public service offices are to embark on a 24- hour strike.

Yesterday’s meeting of the ministers of national economy and finance, labor and transportation with the presiding board of the Greek General Confederation of Labor was fruitless.

Minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated the proposal for 6 months of negotiations between the leadership of Public Service Agencies and the workers’ unions for the amendment of the general regulations concerning the employees which will be later presented to Parliament.

[04] CHANGES MAY TAKE PLACE ON TAX DRAFT BILL

The Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is appearing open to certain changes taking place on the draft tax bill, as long as these modifications do not concern the budget’s funds.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties have been quite vocal in their criticism against the draft bill, during yesterday’s first- day discussion in the Parliament’s plenary session regarding the draft bill.

[05] FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY BACKS BALKANS INTEGRATION TO EUROPE

Addressing a meeting on the Balkans organized by the Foreign Ministry’s Hellenic Center for European Studies, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis stated yesterday that the inclusion of the Balkan states in Europe and European institutions is a necessary step in order for the countries in that region to gain political stability and economic development.

"With this in mind and due to the fact that Greece is a member of both the European Union and NATO, Athens wishes to serve as a bridge between the EU and the Balkans," Mr. Kranidiotis stated.

The Undersecretary said that Greece could play a similar role in the greater region, by further developing its relations with the countries of the Black Sea and the Middle East.

Moreover, Mr. Kranidiotis announced the opening of the Black Sea Bank in Thessaloniki in 15 days, since seven of the countries participating in the venture -which had delayed their capital contributions- have now deposited the relevant funds.

[06] TOURISM BETWEEN GREECE AND CHILE TO BE STRENGTHENED

The President and secretary-general of the Greek National Tourist Organization Yiannis Stephanides and George Skoulas respectively, are to meet with Chile’s Foreign Minster Mariano Fernandez and Chile's Ambassador in Athens, Marcia Cov Arrubias on Monday, January 26, when they will discuss the various ways to further promote tourism relations between the two countries.

The meeting is prompted by the arrival of Chile's Economy Minister Alvaro Garcia to Athens on that day.

The officials will discuss specific plans aiming to upgrade tourism relations between the two countries, such as the organization of conventions, training and special forms of tourism.

[07] PASSPORT-VISA REVIEW AGENCY TO OPEN AT MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTRY

Beginning on Monday, January 26, a passport review agency is to operate in Thessaloniki, a collaboration between the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

This was announced by the alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou, who added that the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace will also host an agency that will grant visas to Greek-origin individuals from the former Soviet Union.

[08] PANGALOS: TURKEY SHOULD MEET THE TERMS SET IN LUXEMBOURG

Greece will not object to Turkey’s participation in the European Conference if Ankara meets the terms and pre-conditions included in the Luxembourg decision, stated Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos in a press conference he gave in Athens covering all issues. He also clarified that because those terms can not yield fruit immediately Ankara should have to display a clear political position and respect human rights and international treaties.

On the issue of the dialogue between specialists from both countries, Mr.Pangalos stated that it should continue on two terms namely, Turkey should maintain a European character and agree that the final reference point will be the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Referring to the Greek national air space, he reiterated the firm Greek position according to which, the 10-mile limit is based on the 1931 decree and responding to the Turkish allegations that there is no other agreement like that in the world, he said that the sense of right for a long period of time creates law, adding that this is an international practice that Turkey does not want to accept.

On the outcome of the contacts US envoy Thomas Miller had in Ankara on the Cyprus issue, Mr.Pangalos reiterated Mr.Miller’s estimation that things do not look encouraging. He also said that Mr.Miller has assured him that he will not abandon the effort, while an initiative is likely to be undertaken by Richard Halbrooke as well.

Also, in the meeting Mr.Pangalos had yesterday evening with the new Turkish ambassador to Athens, he underlined that Greece does not want Turkey’s isolation from the European Union, adding that it is to the interest of the two peoples to co-exist smoothly and Turkey to move toward Europe.

Mr.Pangalos chose not to comment on the personal attacks launched against him by the Turkish foreign ministry, while commenting on the statements made by his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem he said jokingly that he can not understand what he meant by speaking about a mountain and a mouse.

[09] THE APPROACH RADAR WILL BE INSTALLED IN MACEDONIA AIRPORT IN THE SUMMER

The approach radar will be installed in Thessaloniki’s Macedonia Airport in the summer and will be put in operation by the end of the year.

The announcement was made by Civil Aviation Agency deputy director Dimitris Georgarakis, who added that an international organization participated in the necessary study that preceded the decision and agreed that the specific place proposed for the radar’s installation is the most appropriate one.

[10] THE OLYMPIC GAMES OF 2004 IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GREECE TO PROMOTE ITS CAPABILITIES

The holding of the Olympic Games of 2004 is a unique opportunity for Greece to test and promote its capabilities but this presupposes solidarity and consensus and before that, good faith and complete information of the public opinion. The above were stated by minister of culture Evangelos Venizelos, who mentioned that the government expects the observations of the rest political parties before a draft bill is submitted in Parliament.

He also pointed out that every contract reached with the “Athens 2004 Ltd”, that will be over 100 million drachmas, will be checked for precautionary reasons by a three-member committee of judges. This way, said Mr.Venizelos, flexibility, speed and clarity will be safeguarded.

[11] SATELLITE TELEVISION FOR THE GREEKS LIVING ABROAD

The Greeks living abroad will have their own television channel, the “Channel of Hellenism”, with the creation of a joint satellite television program in cooperation with all the Greek television stations.

The revelation was made by Minister of Press and Mass Media Dimitris Reppas, speaking today before the parliamentary Committee for the Greeks Living Abroad within the framework of a discussion dedicated to the Greek communities abroad which was held with the participation of representatives of state and private mass media.

Mr.Reppas also referred to the initiative of the General Secretariat of Information to invite journalists of Greek origin to Greece and pointed out that this year similar invitations have been already issued to 40 of them, while prizes have been awarded to Greek radio and television stations and journalists abroad.

President of the Parliamentary Committee for the Greeks Living Abroad Grigoris Niotis stated that 191 Greek community newspapers and magazines are in circulation abroad as well as, 138 radio stations and 41 television stations.

The overall conclusion of the discussion was that there are problems but the situation is improving and there is a prospect for Greece to offer better information to the Greek communities abroad both in quality and in quantity.

[12] PARLIAMENT:THE DISCUSSION ON TAXATION CONTINUES

The discussion on the tax bill which has raised several reactions within the opposition parties and working classes continues tonight at the Greek Parliament.

The trade unions have announced a 24-strike in civil services and transport for tomorrow protesting against the term concerning the change of the general rule about the staff’s obligations in the civil services.

Greek Minister of National Economy Giannos Papantoniou noted that this term concerns only these services which have deficits and debts of hundreds of billions and called for dialogue and negotiations.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] GREECE’S ALTERNATE F.M. OPENS “GREECE IN BRITAIN” FESTIVAL TODAY

Greece’s Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to depart for London today where he will inaugurate the six-month- long series of events "Greece in Britain".

The event falls within the framework of events held in light of Britain’s reign as European Union president and will include cultural and other aspects of modern Greek life, such as concerts, exhibitions, dance performances, film screenings and conferences. The program will officially commence today at the House of Commons, featuring the presence of prominent political figures from both countries.

Mr. Papandreou will meet with Britain's International Development Secretary Clare Short during his visit.

[14] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TO ATTEND DEFENSE MINISTERS’ MEETING IN OCHRID

Greece’s Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos has accepted an invitation issued by his FYROM counterpart Lazar Kitanovski to participate in a meeting alongside the Defense Ministers of Bulgaria Georgi Ananiev, of Albania Sabit Brokaj which will take place at the beginning of February in Ochrid.

The head of the Greek liaison office in FYROM, Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, delivered the official acceptance by National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos. The meeting is to take place at the initiative of FYROM. Albania and Bulgaria have not replied officially to the invitation yet, although the defense ministers of the two countries had expressed the desire to during the NATO conference in Madrid held several months ago.

[15] ITALIAN PREMIER ROMANO PRODI VISITS FYROM

The Prime Minister of Italy Romano Prodi is embarking today on an official visit to FYROM.

The Italian Premier will be received by FYROM’s President Kiro Gligorov and Premier Branco Cervenkovski. The officials are to discuss issues concerning the development of bilateral relations, with emphasis on the economic sector, the situation in the Balkans and the construction of a west-east motorway.

According to Mr. Prodi, 140 Italian companies are currently active in FYROM, either alone or in joint ventures. Italy currently holds the sixth place in trade relations with FYROM, whereas Greece is steadfast at third place.

[16] WIDOW OF FRANCOIS MITTERRAND, DANIELLE, TO BE IN ATHENS ON MONDAY

The widow of the late French President Francois Mitterrand, Danielle, will be in Athens on Monday, January 26, where she will be the keynote speaker at a conference titled "Racism against Democracy", organized by the Institute for Strategic and Developmental Studies (ISTAME).

Mme. Mitterrand will address the meeting in her capacity as president of the "France Liberte" foundation.

[17] NO INDICATION FROM THE TURKISH SIDE THAT IT WILL FOLLOW A MORE POSITIVE STANCE

Cypriot Parliament president and leader of the Democratic Party Spyros Kyprianou speculated, after his meeting with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides, that there is no indication on behalf of the Turkish side that it will follow a more positive stance.

The purpose of the meeting was the briefing of Mr.Kyprianou on the talks foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides had with the Greek government in Athens.

Mr.Kyprianou described the current period as very difficult and dangerous and pointed out that after the presidential elections a new strategy should be hammered out by the political leadership in order to deal with the situation.

[18] VACLAV HAVEL WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC FOR A SECOND TERM

Czech president Vaclav Havel was re-elected to the post yesterday for a second term in a voting that took place in a joint session of the Czech Republic’s two Houses of Parliament.

The 61-yearold Havel, a former dissident and playwright, was elected for a second 5-year term in the second round of the voting. He got 99 votes out of the Lower House’s 197 and 47 out of Senate’s 81 votes.

[19] A COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION TO TIRANA

The political situation in Albania, the issue of the Constitution, the participation of the Democratic Party in Parliament, the independence of the justice system and issues of institutional reforms were at the center of the talks a Council of Europe delegation had in Tirana with the Albanian political leadership.

The purpose of the visit of the Council of Europe delegation, headed by German ambassador Johannes Dohmes, was the restoration of the relations between the government and the opposition as well as, the offering of assistance in the implementation of institutional reforms in the country.

[20] US CONGRESS REPORT ON CYPRUS

The Cypriot government decision to purchase the anti-aircraft missile system S-300 and the confirmation of Cyprus’ EU accession course, are two actions that have complicated the efforts for the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

This is maintained in the latest issue of a US Congress Research Agency report which conducts research and draws up studies on a regular basis regarding the course toward the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The report was published in the US newspaper “Washington Times” and among others it points out that in view of the presidential elections in Cyprus there was some progress made on the issue of the missing. In the report are also stressed the importance of Mr.Richard Halbrooke’s appointment as the US presidential envoy to Cyprus as well as, the initiatives undertaken by certain members of the US Congress to increase the pressures exerted on Turkey to withdraw its occupation forces from the northern part of the island.

The report also includes evaluations of the meetings Mr.Halbrooke had with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[21] ALBANIA:TENSION IN SHKODER

Although the Prefect of Shkoder Gemim Podgorica resigned today, the tension in this region of North Albania remains.

After a rally of protest during which hundreds of Democratic Party supporters demanded the dismissal of the town’s police chief Mitat Havarj and the withdrawal of special police forces of the Albanian Interior Ministry which are deployed in Shkodra, Democratic party deputies and representatives of local authorities met the Albanian police chief Sokol Baraj.

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