Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-04-13

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 13, 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM TO BE BURIED WITH HEAD OF STATE HONORS

The funeral of Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Seraphim who died on Friday, will be held today with honors of a head of state.

The Archbishop passed away at the age of 85 after leading the Orthodox Church of Greece for 23 years. He died after 45 days in hospital fighting a viral infection, complicated by chronic renal failure and kidney dialysis treatments.

The Archbishop's body has been lying in state at the Athens Cathedral since Friday. His funeral is scheduled for 10 am while the burial will take place at Athens First Cemetery around midday. The President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to attend the service, along with the Premier Kostas Simitis and a score of political leaders and officials.

A four-day public mourning period has been declared by the Cabinet, and all public services, except banks and state-owned utilities companies- will remain closed today in deference to the late prelate. The new Archbishop is to be elected on April 28.

[02] FORMER PRESIDENT KARAMANLIS REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Greece’s former President Konstantinos Karamanlis continues to be in a critical condition, suffering a heart attack early Sunday morning, although his physicians state that he is alert and he is in a serious but slightly improved condition.

The 91-year-old statesman, who was hospitalized on Tuesday with bronchial pneumonia, went into cardiac arrest at 2.25 am Sunday., and doctors at the YGEIA hospital acted immediately to restore the heart's function, and 20 minutes later moved him to the intensive care unit for better monitoring of his condition. The President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos the leader of the main opposition party New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis, who is the statesman’s nephew, and other political officials have visited Mr. Karamanlis.

[03] GREEK PM DEPARTS TOMORROW FOR TWO-VISIT TO BULGARIA

The proposal made by Greece’s Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos that a regional military force be found and established in Thessaloniki is to be among the issues to be discussed by Greece’s Premier Kostas Simitis during his meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov.

Mr. Simitis will depart for Sofia tomorrow, embarking on a two-day visit where hew will discuss with Mr. Kostov a series of matters related to security, cooperation and progress in the Balkans.

The two premiers will focus on regional security, Bulgaria’s candidacy for accession to the European Union and NATO, bilateral relations, and the application of the declarations that stemmed from the Crete Summit held last November.

[04] NINE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS FLIGHTS CANCELLED, PASSENGERS UPSET

Travelers opting for Olympic Airways routes were in for long delays and many had to scramble for alternatives as nine of the national air carrier’s flights were canceled today, in addition to two others that were merged.

Meanwhile, the O.A. administrators are looking into renting aircraft from other carriers in order to meet the increased demand this Easter week.

May’s flight schedule is to be announced today, while European Union officials are to review’ the state-owned company’s course today.

[05] GREECE, ROMANIA, BULGARIA AGREE ON BALKAN COOPERATION

Greece, Romania and Bulgaria, whose foreign ministers met at the Greek island of Santorini on Saturday, have agreed to cooperate in order to overcome the deadlock over where to build a bridge across the Danube which would link the Balkan region with western Europe.

In a joint declaration issued after two days of talks on the Greek island of Santorini, the foreign ministers, Theodoros Pangalos of Greece, Nadezhda Mihailova of Bulgaria and Andrei Plesu of Romania also proposed the opening of negotiations between Belgrade and the Albanian community of Kosovo.

Moreover, they endorsed Romania's and Bulgaria's applications for European Union and NATO membership, and agreed on further advancement of the principles of good neighborhood and respect of international law, as well expansion of economic, technical and police cooperation among their three countries.

In the joint declaration, and also in statements, the three ministers outlined the desire of the countries of southeastern Europe to upgrade their position in the international scene, through:

Reaffirmation of Bulgaria’s and Romania's desire to join the EU and NATO and expediting the adaptation of their structures with the European structures. In that context, Ms. Mihailova explained, Greece would continue to provide training and specialization in issues concerning the European Union and its integration, at inter-state level. Coordination of police services in the fight against crime, particularly terrorism and trafficking in narcotics, arms, radioactive material and human organs, and also against economic crime. The ministers expressed support for Romania's initiative to host the corresponding division of SECI (Southeast Europe Cooperation Initiative).

Mr. Pangalos spoke of "African-type infrastructures" that hindered the smooth movement of goods and people. The declaration notes the full agreement of the three ministers for advancement of sections of the major road artery that will run from St. Petersburg to Alexandropoulis which, with simultaneous upgrading of the ports of Kavala and Thessaloniki, could evolve into an attractive alternative to the Dardanelles Straits.

[06] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.3 ON RICHTER SCALE IN KOZANI

The earthquake that shook the city of Kozani during today’s early morning hours, measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale, has been characterized as a local phenomenon, by Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University Geophysics professors Vasilis Papazachos.

According to the University’s Geophysics laboratory, the earthquake occurred at 2.53 am, with its epicenter being felt at the mountainous community of Pentalofos, fifty kilometers west of Kozani.

According to Mr. Papazachos, the region is known for its seismic activity, but last night’s tremor is no cause for concern.

[07] FREE ACCESS TO MT. ATHOS TREASURES EXHIBITION FOR 2 DAYS

The exhibition of the Mt. Athos treasures, currently hosted at Thessaloniki’ s Byzantine Museum, is to be open to the public free of charge this Saturday and the Monday after Easter.

Due to the Easter holidays, the Museum will be open on Good Friday between 12.30-17.00 p.m., on Saturday from 8.30 am to 15.00 p.m., will be closed on Easter Sunday and will re-open on the Monday after Easter between 8.30 am and 15.00 p.m..

[08] GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS HONORED IN THESSALONIKI

The Armenian National Committee of Greece is to honor the 83rd anniversary since the genocide of Armenians by the Turks in a series of events that will aim at denouncing the crimes committed by the neighboring country against one-and-a-half million innocent people.

The events in Thessaloniki are to start today and will conclude on Sunday, April 26 when PASOK deputy Haris Kastanides will give an address in town. On Friday, April 24, a memorial service will be held at noon at the Armenian Church and a protest rally will be held the same evening outside the city’s Turkish consulate.

[09] SIMITIS WILL BE ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO BULGARIA

The establishment of a regional military force based in Thessaloniki, a proposal that had been made earlier by Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, will be among the issues that will be discussed by Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis and his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov.

Mr. Simitis will leave for Bulgaria tomorrow for a two-day formal visit. The Simitis-Kostov talks will cover a number of issues of mutual interest concerning security, cooperation and progress in the Balkans.

The main issues for discussion will be regional security, Bulgaria’s bid for European Union and NATO membership, bilateral relations and the materialization of all agreed upon in the Inter- Balkan Summit meeting of Crete.

[10] GREECE AND ORTHODOXY SAID GOODBYE TO ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM

Greece and Orthodoxy said goodbye to Archbishop Seraphim, who was buried today with head of state honors. In the ceremony were present President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, prime minister Kostas Simitis, opposition political party leaders and representatives of all the Orthodox Churches.

Metropolite Nikodimos of Patras, speaking after the funeral service, referred to the work of the Archbishop, while Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis stated that at this moment any sad speech is redundant as well as, any exaggeration or idealization of the Archbishop’s work and personality.

[11] THE STATE OF HEALTH OF K. KARAMANLIS IS STABLE

The state of health of former president Konstantinos Karamanlis is characterized as stable in the medical bulletin that was issued this morning.

However, the medical staff points out that he should be removed from the respirator to avoid the atrophy of his respiratory muscles. For this purpose, the doctors will attempt his gradual removal within the next few hours, while at the same time he will undergo a breathing test.

His heart problems are under control but the old age of the patient, his is 92 years old, makes the doctors very cautious.

[12] TRAVELERS CONTINUE TO HAVE A HARD TIME AT THE GREEK AIRPORTS

Travelers continue to have a hard time at the Greek airports.

Five Olympic Airways passenger airplanes remain grounded in need of repair and the company’s management considers renting airplanes from foreign airlines to deal with the increased number of holiday makers during Easter Week.

The airline’s program of flights for the month of May will be announced today.

[13] THE DEAL FOR THE SALE OF THE BANK OF MACEDONIA-THRACE WILL CLOSE TOMORROW

Well-informed sources mention that the issue of the sale of the Bank of Macedonia-Thrace will be closed by tomorrow. The deal that is expected to be reached concerns 36,98% of the bank which is owned by the National Bank of Greece Group.

The bids presented in the Athens Stock Exchange last Friday put the Bank of Pireaus at the first place among the bidders, based on the fact that it has offered 111.770 drachmas per stock.

[14] NEW 10-YEAR CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF MERCHANT MARINE AND THE SHIP OWNERS

Based on the ministry of merchant marine planning, the new contracts that will be signed with the ship owners who operate coastal lines, will have a duration of 10 years.

The new contracts will clearly outline the obligations undertaken by each ship owner namely, the kinds of ships that will operate in a specific coastal line, the specific period of time of operation, how many runs will be made and their specific destinations.

The new system of coastal lines’ operation will be put into effect no sooner than the year 2000 as planning is still underway.

[15] THE NUMBER OF BROKERAGE FIRMS HAS INCREASED IN THESSALONIKI’S BROKERAGE CENTER

Sixteen brokerage firms are now active within the framework of Thessaloniki’s Brokerage Center.

Based on information, the branches of brokerage firms with boxes in Thessaloniki’s Brokerage Center are expected to be increased soon. Center president Spiridon Kouniakis had stated recently to MPA that 7 brokerage firms from Athens were interested in opening offices in Thessaloniki and five of them were expected to become active in 1998.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] KARADJIC WON’T TURN HIMSELF IN AT THE HAGUE

Radovan Karadjic is not about to turn himself in at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, according to his wife who told the Bosnian-Serb news agency thaty her husband “will never turn himself in voluntarily and will resist every effort to arrest him and detain him illegally.”

[17] EU’S ALTENER:GREEK ISLANDS PRESENT “GREENHOUSE” EFFECT

The Greek islands, both in the Ionian Sea and the Aegean, appear to present signs of the “greenhouse”effect, according to results of studies conducted by scientists working for the Council of Europe, within the framework of the European Union’s ALTENER II program,

The studies measured rainfall noted in the Greek islands for the past fifty years which provide “a specific draft example that corresponds to the symptoms of the greenhouse effect, according to which, bears as a result an increase in temperatures on the planet and a transfer of the rainfall from the equator to the poles.” Specifically, the study mentions that, between 1955-1995, the northern island of Corfu, presented a notable decrease in rainfall, a phenomenon also seen in the islands of southern Aegean such as Rhodes and Crete.

ALTENER II is a five year Program of measures and actions to promote renewable energy sources in the European Union proposed under the initiative of Greek Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, responsible for Energy. A budget of 30 MECU has been proposed for the first two years. The purpose of the project is to make a meaningful contribution to the achievement of the Union's objective for a significant increase in renewables. Its objectives will be firstly to help create the necessary legal, socio-economic and administrative conditions for the implementation of an action plan for renewables, and, secondly, to encourage private and public investments in the production and use of energy from renewable sources.

[18] FYROM: ALBANIAN ORGANIZATIONS RAISE MONEY FOR KOSOVO

Albanian organizations in FYROM have raised over 100.000 DM in the past few months for the financial backing of the Albanian- speaking population in Kosovo.

According to a Tirana radio station report from the city of Debar in western FYROM, which is inhabited mostly by Albanians, charity organization “El Hilal” and the organization “Naim Frasori” of the Albanian teaching staff in Debar have recently sent an economic aid of 20.000DM to the residents of the Drenica region in Kosovo.

[19] TURKEY HAS NOT STOPPED THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH THE EU

Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem, in an interview broadcast by the Turkish television channel TRT, stated that his country has not stopped the political dialogue with the European Union.

Referring to the issue of the annexation of the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus, he stressed that his country will examine carefully this likelihood and will proceed with its materialization if the appropriate conditions are present.

The Turkish foreign minister reiterated his country’s position that there can be progress toward the establishment of a federation in Cyprus only if it is formed by two equal and independent political entities.

Referring to the issue of his country’s relations with the European Union, he stressed that Turkey will not beg for “a 3rd class train ticket to the EU” and added that relations and political dialogue with the EU continue as do the bilateral contacts with the EU member-states.

[20] THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WITH CYPRIOT REPUBLIC PASSPORTS WILL FACE PRISON

The Turkish Cypriots with Cypriot Republic passports will be sentenced to 6 months in prison, according to Turkish Cypriot regime deputy prime minister Serdar Denktash.

According to the Turkish newspaper “Hurriyet”, Mr. Denktash stated yesterday that the bill, based on which the Turkish Cypriots will not be allowed to have Cypriot Republic passports, has been presented to Parliament.

After the bill is passed in Parliament, the Turkish Cypriots will have 90 days to surrender the Cypriot Republic passports and violators will face fines and imprisonment.

[21] FATOS NANO WILLING TO SACRIFICE HIS POWER FOR THE STATE

Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano underlined today, during the session of his party’s executive board, that the socialists were ready to sacrifice their power for the creation of a state.

Through this statement, mr Nano made it clear that the coalition government will remain but stressed the need to adopt new, progressive governing methods.

According to mr Nano the main problems that the country has to settle are the economy reforms, the Constitution and the Kossovo issue. The reform will focus on the privatisation procedure and the absorption of foreign investments in Albania.

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/