Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-01-26

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 26 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] ANOTHER STRIKE IN LABOR SECTOR TO BE HELD TOMORROW

Greece’s workers at DEKOs (public enterprises and corporations) are to embark on news strikes tomorrow, along with bank employees and urban transportation staff.

The strike is prompted over a provision in the government's new tax bill that allows a change in the status of workers at DEKOs in the framework of their reform.

Workers say that the provision directly undermines their status. National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou has repeatedly stated to unionists presenting him with their demands that the provision applied only to loss-making or bankrupt DEKOs.

He has said a six-month period of negotiations between DEKO management and unions was sufficient time to achieve an agreement on changes but has stressed that the final decision lay with the government.

[02] THESSALONIKI’S FARMERS TO EMBARK ON 2-DAY PROTESTS

Farmers in Thessaloniki are to blockade the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace building for two days starting February 2 as a protest over fund allocations, prices set for agricultural products and the ongoing trials of farmers arrested in last year’s demonstrations, according to the president of the Federation of Farmers' Associations of Thessaloniki, Dimitris Parlapanis.

Mr. Parlapanis also said that these demonstrations will be a warning and any further mobilization will depend on the government’s response.

[03] 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 today, when they will discuss the various ways to further promote tourism relations between the two countries.

The meeting is prompted by today’s arrival of Chile's Economy Minister Alvaro Garcia to Athens.

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.

[04] PASSPORT-VISA REVIEW AGENCY OPENS AT MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTRY

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

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

[05] GREECE’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN 1997 ROSE TO 10.4 PERCENT

Greece’s unemployment rate in 1997 rose to 10.4%, that is 450,000 jobless individuals, according to a poll conducted by the Athens radio station “Flash”.

Half of these individuals are newcomers to the job market, not taking into account the teachers who are assigned to jobs according to a list placement.

Sixty-three percent of the unemployed are women, three out of ten are young adults and six out of ten have been out of job for lengthy periods of time. As for their educational level, 40% are high school graduates, 23% have finished elementary school, while 12% hold a university degree.

[06] UN HOLDS SEMINAR FOR REFUGEES IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS

The Athens-chapter of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees organized a seminar in the city of Alexandroupolis today where the participants examined the process of defining the term “refugee”.

The session examined issues such as the refugee’s status, international protection, international and national legislation, while the High Commissioner’s representative Jauvier de Riedmatten and the police chief of Alexandroupolis presented salutations.

[07] AGRICULTURAL TRADE FAIR AGROTICA ’98 OPENS JANUARY 28 IN THESSALONIKI

The largest annual agricultural trade fair in the Balkans, Agrotica '98, is to open in Thessaloniki on January 28, organized by Helexpo, International trade Fair of Thessaloniki.

This year’s event, which started 14 years ago, will feature an increased number of exhibitors and will occupy the largest area in the fair’s history. According to Helexpo, 1,517 Greek and foreign exhibitors will display their goods, on a site of more than 38,500 square meters. A total of 776 foreign exhibitors from 35 countries and 741 Greek companies will participate, while seven countries - Albania, Bulgaria, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Tunisia - will participate with national pavilions.

[08] NEWS BULLETINS TO BE BROADCAST IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Foreigners in Greece will be able to hear news in seven languages, beginning today, on the state radio station ERA 2.

The news bulletins will be produced by the Voice of Greece (ERA 5), by a team of 37 Greek and foreign journalists and broadcast on 93.6 and 103.7 FM daily at 7.03 (in Arabic and Russian), 8.03 (Polish, Albanian and English and at 9.03 (French and Bulgarian).

[09] GREEK-BULGARIAN COOPERATION FOR AIDS AND HEPATITIS PREVENTION

Centers for the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and syphilis, are to be founded at the medical schools of Sofia, Philipoupolis Varna, Pleven and Stara Zagora, which will also conduct epidemic control checks in the vicinity of each medical school, as well as in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

This three-year program falls under the initiative “Health” of the Community’s INTERREG-2, whose budget amounts to 253 million drachmas.

[10] CALLS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE PROPOSED TAX BILL

The employees in the public service agencies call on the government to withdraw the provision included in the new tax bill which determines the form of work relations that will be in effect for those working in wider public sector companies facing heavy debts.

The public service employees have already announced that they will be on a strike tomorrow. The whole country is expected to be paralyzed due to the mobilizations in mass transportation, while the public sector banks will also be on a strike.

Minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou stated that the government has made its decisions on the matter.

[11] HIGH LEVEL MEETING FOR THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES

The issue of the organization of the 2004 Olympic Games that will be held in Athens was discussed today in a high level meeting.

In the meeting that was presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis participated culture minister Evangelos Venizelos, governing party of PASOK central committee secretary Kostas Skandalidis and PASOK’s sports secretary Christos Smirlis.

[12] ADDITIONAL TEACHING IN SECONDARY EDUCATION SCHOOLS WILL START IN FEBRUARY

The program of additional teaching in the secondary education schools will start in early February, according to minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis.

The students’ participation in the program is optional. The classes will be held after school.

[13] THE GOVERNMENT’S POPULARITY HAS DROPPED

The government’s popularity is at its lowest level since November 1997, according to a poll published in the Athens newspaper “TA NEA”, while on the decline is also the popularity of prime minister Kostas Simitis as well as, the popularity of right- wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

Specifically, according to the poll the government’s popularity dropped to 15,8% from 20,3% in November 1997 and New Democracy’s increased to 13% from 10%. The prime minister’s popularity dropped to 36,4% from 49,5% in November 1997, while Karamanlis’ popularity dropped to 43,2% from 48,8%.

[14] REACTIONS TO THE PANGALOS STATEMENTS ON THE SOLUTION OF THE DISPUTES WITH TURKEY

The statement made by Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos during an interview that was published in the Turkish newspaper “Milliyet” according to which, Ankara should appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague not only for the issue of the continental shelf but for the rest of its claims as well, has caused the strong reaction of members of the government and the opposition.

Against Mr. Pangalos’ positions are governing party of PASOK Parliament deputy Stelios Papathemelis and education minister Gerasimos Arsenis but Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas agreed with the positions expressed by Mr. Pangalos and spoke of firm political positions and also of persistence to a step-by-step approach with Turkey. He also called on Turkey to accept the jurisdiction of The Hague and to stop causing problems in the Aegean.

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos stated that this is a dangerous and very slippery road for Greece’s territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, former ND president Miltiadis Evert sent a letter to Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis calling for a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense before which Mr.Pangalos will be called to give clarifications on his statements.

Speaking before the opening of the discussion on the issues included in the Parliament’s daily agenda, Communist Party General Secretary Ms. Aleka Papariga stated that the active intervention of the United States observed in the region and the Greek government’s stance create concern over the implications on Greece’s sovereign rights

[15] THE RIGHTS OF THE GREEKS LIVING IN TURKEY SHOULD BE RESPECTED

Greece has abolished article 19 on nationality and now is the right time to demand from the Turkish government to respect the rights of the Greeks living in Turkey requesting the recognition of the inheritance rights of the Greeks from Istanbul, the safeguarding of the Greek property in the islands of Imvros and Tenedos and the re-opening of the Theology School in Halki.

The above were included in a speech delivered before the Association of Greeks from Istanbul by Greek Euro-deputy of the opposition party Coalition of the Left Alekos Alavanos, who wondered why Greece is silent on those issues.

[16] THE “ARISTOTLE” PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO A CANADIAN HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE

The “Aristotle” prize was awarded by minister of Macedonia- Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos to Canadian House representative professor Eduard MacWinney during a formal ceremony in the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

Mr. Petsalnikos stated that Mr. MacWinney through his scientific work and his activities in general contributes to the spread of the Greek culture and promotes the values of Hellenism.

Mr.MacWinney is the Canadian prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs and in 1967 was elected member of the Geneva based International Law Institute. He served as UN Secretary-General adviser, while he was also a member of the Arbitration Court in The Hague in the period 1985-1991. He has written 25 books and has published over 500 articles in different languages. The preface in his most recent book that was published in 1995 was written by former UN Secretary-General Boutros-Boutros Ghali.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN BRUSSELS TODAY

The Foreign Ministers Council of the European Union member- states are to convene today in Brussels where the British-held presidency is expected to exert pressures for Turkey’s participation in the European conference, to be supported by Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Moreover, the Foreign Ministers are to discuss the issue of Kurdish-origin immigrants. Greece is to bring forth the issue of interrupting the Greek-Turkish dialogue among the two countries’ experts committees.

[18] DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS TO TAKE PLACE AFTER ELECTIONS

The President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides announced today that a coordinated effort organized by the United States and Great Britain -as the current president of the European Union- is to take place immediately after the island’s presidential elections.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides called on Turkey to seek recourse with the Security Council on the issue of the Paphos air force base.

[19] YUGOSLAV BUSINESS DELEGATION TO VISIT THESSALONIKI’S “AGROTICA ’98”

A Yugoslav business delegation is to visit Thessaloniki, within the framework of the “Agrotica ‘98” trade fair that will open its doors on January 28.

Thessaloniki’s Trade and Industry Chamber is to organize a business meeting, on Thursday evening, where Greek businessmen will have the opportunity to meet their Yugoslav counterparts.

The Yugoslav businessmen represent the sectors of chemical industry, agricultural machinery, agricultural foods and products, etc., and are interested in forming joint ventures.

[20] ALBANIAN PM: WE WELCOME GREEK INITIATIVE ON ALBANIAN-SERB DIALOGUE

Albania’s Prime Minister Fatos Nano hailed the Greek initiative on a Milosevic- Nano-Rugova meeting, at a news briefing held in Tirana on Saturday.

"We cannot but welcome any initiative which encourages dialogue, especially when it is about Kosovo," said Mr. Nano.

"I can neither neglect nor define a hierarchy of partners or factors, but I can find partnership and real possibilities which stimulate dialogue, " he stated, adding "the Greek initiative has this orientation as well. It encourages the dialogue which began to institutionalize in Crete and I hope that even after yesterday's statements of Rugova, this initiative be one of the segments that will not let the situation under the Serb, Albanian or whose ever terrorism, Islamic or of other faiths, and be attached to the sanctions against Serbia and Milosevic; We will but be integrated in such initiatives, irrespective of their dimensions".

"I have addressed an official letter to the NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, who is also chairman of the Euro-Atlantic association, to sensitize the participating countries on the need and urgency of coordinating their initiatives to resolve the Kosovo issue, to grant rights and status to the Albanians there as, why not, to invite these countries to a round table on the Balkans in Tirana. The ongoing responses have been encouraging to further our initiatives".

[21] THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS’ COUNCIL MEETS IN BRUSSELS TODAY

The EU Foreign Ministers’ Council meets in Brussels today and the British EU presidency is expected to exert pressures in order to win the participation of Turkey in the European Conference in spite of the opposite decision reached in the Luxembourg Summit meeting.

The British position is expected to be backed by Germany, France and Holland. The issue of the Kurdish illegal immigrants will also be discussed, while the Greek side will raise the issue of the interruption of the Greek-Turkish dialogue at specialists’ level caused by Turkey.

Meanwhile, Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem in statements he made to the English-speaking Turkish newspaper “Turkish Daily News” reiterated that his government insists in its position not to attend the European Conference that will be held on March 12 after a decision made by the British EU presidency.

[22] GLIGOROV: RUSSIA CAN HELP IN THE SOLUTION OF THE DIFFERENCES WITH GREECE

The belief that Russia can help in the solution of the differences between FYROM and Greece was expressed by FYROM’s president Kiro Gligorov in an interview to the Moscow newspaper “Nezavisimajia Gazeta”.

The president of FYROM stated that Russia has traditionally friendly relations with Greece and can have a positive effect toward the solution of the problem. Referring to the actions of his country aimed at its accession into NATO, Mr. Gligorov expressed the hope that they will not affect the further development of his country’s relations with Russia.

[23] RESEARCH CENTER ON THE GENOCIDE COMMITTED BY THE TURKS WAS FOUNDED IN WASHINGTON

The Washington based Greek-American Institute announced the foundation of a research center for the study of the crimes against humanity committed by the Turks.

The research center will study specific events, characterized as genocide and crimes against humanity, that are part of Turkey’s contemporary history and took place in the period that began at the end of the 10th century and continued throughout the 20th century.

Among those tragic events are the genocide of the Armenians in 1915, the genocide of the Greeks from Pontos from 1919 to 1922, the destruction of Ismir in 1922 and the massacre of its Greek and Armenian population, the 1974 invasion of Cyprus and the continuing occupation of the northern part of the island as well as, the genocide and human rights violations of the Kurds taking place today.

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