Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-07-06
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 6, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF FOREST TURNED TO DUST, MOST FIRES UNDER
CONTROL
[02] THOUSANDS OF HECTARES WERE DESTROYED BY FIRES
[03] 64.500 HOTELS OPERATE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN EU STATES
[04] THE MEDITERRANEAN WILL SOON BECOME A DEAD SEA
[05] ATHINA ONASIS - ROUSSEL MET WITH ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS OF
ATHENS AND ALL OF GREECE
[06] THE 1999 YOUTH CONFERENCE WAS DISCUSSED IN THE EUROPEAN YOUTH
SAE MEETING
[07] REPPAS: GREEK GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY FOUGHT FIRES
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[08] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER EMBARKS ON CONTACTS IN NEW YORK
[09] HELLENIC PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ON VISIT TO CHINA
[10] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN WASHINGTON, TO MEET WITH US
COUNTERPART
[11] INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARRIVE IN KOSSOVO TODAY
[12] HOLBROOKE WRAPS UP THREE DAYS OF TALKS OVER KOSSOVO
[13] RUSSIAN ENVOY CRITICISES ALBANIAN LEADERS FOR LACK OF UNITY.
[14] BOSNIAN SERB DOCTOR CHARGED WITH GENOCIDE BY WAR CRIMES
TRIBUNAL
[15] KAKLAMANIS IS IN CHINA
[16] THE FIRST GENOCIDE COURT TRIAL IN THE HAGUE
[17] THE CYPRIOT MINISTER OF DEFENSE WILL VISIT RUSSIA
[18] GREECE'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON IS ALEXANDROS FILON
[19] YILAMZ ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO FYROM
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF FOREST TURNED TO DUST, MOST FIRES UNDER
CONTROL
Two persons have died and thousands of planted acres have
turned to dust and fire-fighters and the military are constantly
at work putting out forest fires that have been sweeping across
the country throughout the weekend.
According to the government, most of the fires have been set
under control. Prime Minster Kostas Simitis said that the
appropriate state agencies have moved fast to contain the
disaster, a statement made in response to the opposition parties
who accuse the government of lacking co-ordination and sufficient
infrastructure.
Press and Media Minster Dimitris Reppas stated that those who have
suffered damages will be compensated and those forest areas that
have been burned will be replanted.
The fires were ignited due to the high temperatures that
sizzled the country for three days straight and the high winds
that followed.
Police are also investigating whether arson was to blame for some
of the fires.
[02] THOUSANDS OF HECTARES WERE DESTROYED BY FIRES
Two large fires are in progress since noon today in the
region of Kamena Vourla and Thermopiles, while the rest of the
fires that have burnt thousands of hectares of forest land across
the country have been put under control. Two people lost their
lives and more than 50 houses were burnt down.
Minister of agriculture Stefanos Tzoumakas appeared satisfied
with the mobilization of the state mechanism and reiterated that
all the forest land that has been destroyed by fires since 1975
will be declared eligible for reforestation.
The political parties of the opposition blamed the government
for inadequate preparation in forest fire prevention and control.
[03] 64.500 HOTELS OPERATE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN EU STATES
Over 64.500 hotels are in operation today in the
Mediterranean European Union states, while most of them are in
Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal, according to an announcement by
the International Organization for the Protection of the
Environment in the Mediterranean (MESAEP).
Specifically, Italy has 34.300 hotels, Spain 10.400, Greece
8.000 and Portugal 1.800, while Africa and Asia combined have a
total of 22.000 hotels. According to the same source, the largest
number of tourists ( an average of 22.1 million) visit Italy.
[04] THE MEDITERRANEAN WILL SOON BECOME A DEAD SEA
The Mediterranean is in danger of becoming a dead sea as,
based on lab results, the quality of its waters deteriorates
gradually.
Based on the scientific research conducted, 55% of the city
sewage from 120 coastal cities end up in the sea untreated and as
a result 25% of the Mediterranean coasts are unsuitable for use by
the people as the risk of hepatitis and polio infection is high.
The data was provided by the "Mediterranean SOS" program of
the International Organization for the Protection of the
Environment in the Mediterranean (MESAEP).
[05] ATHINA ONASIS - ROUSSEL MET WITH ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS OF
ATHENS AND ALL OF GREECE
Athina Onasis-Russel, the daughter of Christina Onasis and
granddaughter of the late Greek tycoon Aristotelis Onasis, who is
currently in Greece for a short holiday, met in Athens today with
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece.
The meeting took place at the initiative of Athina's father,
Tierri Russel.
[06] THE 1999 YOUTH CONFERENCE WAS DISCUSSED IN THE EUROPEAN YOUTH
SAE MEETING
The proceedings of the European Youth coordinating committee
meeting of the regional Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) will end
in Thessaloniki today.
In the three-day meeting the participants had an open
discussion with Euro-deputy of the governing Socialist party of
PASOK Nikos Papakiriazis, while an emphasis was given to the
communication policy and the objectives of the creation of a
registry of Young Greeks living in European states as well as, the
creation of a web site in each country.
The young members of the European SAE also discussed with
Young Generation general secretary Petros Sfikakis the exchange
programs involving young people and issues concerning the Youth
Conference that will be held in June 1999.
[07] REPPAS: GREEK GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY FOUGHT FIRES
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the
government's deep sorrow for the people who lost their lives and
those who suffered damages by fires all around Greece while he
congratulated everyone who helped set the fires under control.
Mr Reppas stated that all 180 fires that broke out during the
weekend have been set under control and noted that the government
took concerted and effective action in order to fight the problem,
despite unfavourable weather conditions.
However, the main opposition party of New Democracy
spokesman, Aris Spiliotopoulos, stressed that the government has
led the country to a complete disintegration. Moreover, the Greek
Communist Party, in a statement it issued concerning the fires,
pointed out that the government is, basically, responsible for the
fires.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[08] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER EMBARKS ON CONTACTS IN NEW YORK
The Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who
is on an official visit to the Unites States is currently in New
York where he will attend a Greek-American Business Council
meeting and will also address a Council of International Affairs
conference on "Security Policy in the Balkans, the Mediterranean
and the Black Sea".
In turn, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will travel this afternoon to
Washington for two days of
talks with Vice President Al Gore, his US counterpart William
Cohen and other government officials.
The Greek Defense Minister is to also visit N. Carolina and
Massachusetts, while he will also give a speech at Harvard
University.
[09] HELLENIC PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ON VISIT TO CHINA
The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis
is currently on a nine-day official visit to China, as of
yesterday, following an invitation by his Chinese counterpart Li
Peng.
During his stay in Beijing, Mr. Kaklamanis met with Mr. Peng
to whom he stressed Greece's will for the promotion of Greek-
Chinese relations on a more permanent basis.
Mr. Kaklamanis informed Mr. Peng on recent developments over
the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and Turkish provocations
against Greece.
Mr. Peng stated that "China's long-standing position on
international relations issues, is that they must be resolved with
peaceful means."
He added that "in this framework, a peaceful solution of the
Cyprus problem must be sought in accordance with the rules of
International Law, regarding the independence and territorial
integrity of countries, which must be respected by all."
The two men expressed their satisfaction over the progress
made in Greek- Chinese relations and stated the decision for the
further promotion of cooperation between the two countries in all
sectors.
Mr. Kaklamanis visited the Forbidden City and the Great Wall
of China.
[10] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN WASHINGTON, TO MEET WITH US
COUNTERPART
National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is currently
on an official tour to the United States, where he will meet with
his US Defense Secretary William Cohen, in
Washington today.
According to reports, the two men will discuss the Cyprus
issue, Greece's purchase of US military equipment, the
continuation of efforts for a reduction of tension in the Aegean
and the creation of a Balkan multinational force.
On Wednesday, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will be received at the
Pentagon and will attend a reception in his honour at the US State
Department.
The defense minister will also meet with the chief of the
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and members of the Jewish
community.
[11] INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARRIVE IN KOSSOVO TODAY
International observers are to embark on a mission to Kossovo
today where they will start work with routine patrols that are to
be held on a daily basis.
According to the United States envoy to Kossovo Richard
Holbrooke, the observers are to be the core of an international
force assigned to the area.
Meanwhile, the vice-president of the Serb government Voislav
Seseli renounced Mr. Holbrooke's policies and stated that he never
wants to meet with the US diplomat.
"Holbrooke will never be able to resolve the Kossovo issue,"
Mr. Seseli said. "Let's be honest. The Serb government holds
differentiated views regarding his person. Our allies in the
government coalition, the Socialist Party of Serbia believe that
we should be talking with him. But I will not meet with him since
he met with the Albanian terrorists in Kossovo."
[12] HOLBROOKE WRAPS UP THREE DAYS OF TALKS OVER KOSSOVO
US mediator Richard Holbrooke wrapped up three days of talks
aimed at defusing violence in Kossovo, yesterday, and stated that
a change of Kossovo's status within Yugoslavia was needed.
``Some change in the current status of Kossovo within the
boundaries, the international boundaries, of Yugoslavia is
essential in our view,'' Holbrooke told reporters after a three
and a half hour meeting with Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic.
Mr. Holbrooke declined to comment in the content of his talks
with Mr. Milosevic, stating that it was confidential.
``The talks with President Milosevic and the talks with the
Albanian leaders in Kossovo have been very useful in clarifying
many issues,'' Holbrooke said. ``As usual I can't go into any of
the details of our talks here in Belgrade.''
``It neither succeeded nor failed, it simply continues
intensively,'' he added.
[13] RUSSIAN ENVOY CRITICISES ALBANIAN LEADERS FOR LACK OF UNITY.
US envoy Richard Holbrooke has urged the leader of Kossovo's
Albanian community Ibrahim Rugova to expand his political base in
light of potential negotiations with Belgrade, a view also held
by Russian deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Afanasievski.
Mr. Afanasievski also stated that the lack of unity among
the Albanian leaders stands in the way of resuming a dialogue to
resolve the Kossovo crisis.
Mr. Afanasievsky said he came to the conclusion that it is
Albanian politicians who now should give answers to acute issues
concerning the Kossovo
crisis.
Belgrade's readiness for the dialogue is obvious, he added.
The deputy minister was talking to Russian reporters after
his trip to Kossovo. Albanian politicians should foremost "assume
control over the situation in the region and ensure cease-fire
guarantee" by the so-called Kossovo Liberation Army, he said.
Second, the international community expects that the Albanian
side signals "readiness to resume concrete talks with the official
Belgrade" over Kossovo's future.
Speaking about the upcoming Contact Group meeting over the
former Yugoslavia in Bonn on Wednesday, Afanasievsky said Moscow
is planning to propose measures on strengthening mutual cease fire
obligations by Serbs and Albanians, as an important prerequisite
for the peaceful solution of the problem.
Meanwhile, during the Prishtina-held talks between the US
envoy, Mr. Rugova and the Russian deputy FM, Mr. Holbrooke stated
that the Albanian leader's goal to negotiate a peaceful settlement
of the crisis enjoys the US' support.
It should be noted that the Kossovo Liberation Army does not
recognise the authority of Mr. Rugova, who was elected as
Kossovo's "president" unchallenged, in unofficial polls, not
acknoweledged by Belgrade.
[14] BOSNIAN SERB DOCTOR CHARGED WITH GENOCIDE BY WAR CRIMES
TRIBUNAL
Bosnian Serb doctor Milan Kovacevic appeared before the U.N.
war crimes tribunal on former Yugoslavia and pleaded innocent to
genocide, the first such case to be heard before the International
Court at the Hague.
Prosecutors allege that Kovacevic, 57, as a senior official,
helped set up camps in the Prijedo region of north-western Bosnia
in which his Croat and Muslim victims were raped, tortured and
killed. He was snatched by NATO officers.
He has denied 14 counts of genocide, complicity to genocide,
crimes against humanity and war crimes.
If found guilty, Kovacevic faces a maximum of life
imprisonment.
[15] KAKLAMANIS IS IN CHINA
Greek Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis met in Peking
with his Chinese counterpart Li Peng.
Mr. Kaklamanis underlined Greece's wish to promote bilateral
relations, while he briefed Mr. Li Peng on the latest developments
in the Cyprus issue and the intensified provocation of Turkey
toward Greece.
Mr. Li Peng stressed that Mr. Kaklamanis' visit is a tangible
confirmation of Greece's will to further develop bilateral
cooperation and friendship.
[16] THE FIRST GENOCIDE COURT TRIAL IN THE HAGUE
The first genocide trial opens in The Hague International
Tribunal for the War Crimes committed in Bosnia today.
The 57yearold Bonian Serb medical doctor Milan Kovacevic, who
served as a Bosnian Serb command officer in the Prijedor region in
north-western Bosnia, was the first official arrested by the NATO
forces and is accused of being an accessory to the crime of
genocide.
[17] THE CYPRIOT MINISTER OF DEFENSE WILL VISIT RUSSIA
Cypriot minister of defense Yiannakis Omirou will leave
tomorrow for Russia for talks with his Russian counterpart on
issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Omirou when called to comment on press reports concerning
the imminent visit of Greek minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos to Cyprus, he said that a visit is likely but it
will depend on the Greek defense minister's schedule.
[18] GREECE'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON IS ALEXANDROS FILON
Greece's new ambassador to the United States Alexandros Filon
has arrived in Washington. The former Greek foreign ministry
general secretary will present copies of his credentials to the US
State Department, while the date for the presentation of his
credentials to US president Bill Clinton will be announced later.
Alexandros Filon was born in Athens in 1939 and studied law
and public relations in Paris. He was accepted to the Greek
foreign ministry in 1965 and he served in New York, Vienna, London
and Istanbul. In the period 1984-1989 he served as ambassador-
adviser deputy head of the Greek diplomatic mission in Washington.
In 1989 he was appointed Greece's ambassador to New Delhi and
in 1993 he returned to the Greek foreign ministry as political
affairs general director, while in 1997 he was promoted to general
secretary.
[19] YILAMZ ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO FYROM
Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz is on a two-day visit to
FYROM, where he was received by president Kiro Gligorov and held
talks with his counterpart Branko Crvenkovski.
The talks the two prime ministers had, focused on the
development of bilateral relations as well as on the situation in
the Balkans. Mr Crvenkovski and mr Yilmaz stressed that good
relations between Turkey and FYROM secure stability and peace in
the area.
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