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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-07-10

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 10, 1998

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO TOUR THE CYCLADES
  • [02] GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CONTAIN INFLATION AT 2% IN 1999
  • [03] GREECE IS PURCHASING 20 USED F-16 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT FROM THE US
  • [04] STATE EXPECTS MORE TOURISTS TO VISIT GREECE THIS YEAR
  • [05] GREECE TO TAKE PART IN BUDAPEST'S INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXPO
  • [06] GROUP OF GREEK-ORIGIN YOUTH LIVING IN ARMENIA HOSTED IN KOMOTINI
  • [07] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE LATEST STATEMENTS MADE BY YILMAZ
  • [08] THE 2ND CONFERENCE ON PEACE IN THE BALKANS WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI
  • [09] CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF NEW DEMOCRACY MEETING
  • [10] THE 3RD CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL ISSUES OPENS IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS TOMORROW
  • [11] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF CONSUMER GOODS IN MOSCOW
  • [12] PACKAGE OF ERGO BANK SHARES WAS TRANSFERRED TO EUROBANK
  • [13] FOOTBALL: ANASTASIADIS RESIGNED FROM PAOK - NEW FOREIGN PLAYER FOR ARIS
  • [14] REPPAS SATISFIED OVER THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BANK SECTOR
  • [15] IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS OF GREEK TRANSPORTATION MINISTER IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [16] DEFENSE MINISTER COMPLETES US VISIT, WILL TRAVEL DIRECTLY TO MUNICH
  • [17] GREEK TRANSPORTATION MINISTER ON VISIT TO BELGRADE
  • [18] TURKISH GENERAL STAFF CHIEF TRAVELS TO CYPRUS' OCCUPIED REGION
  • [19] RUSSIAN, US OFFICIALS DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUE IN MOSCOW
  • [20] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT CONTINUES VISIT TO CHINA
  • [21] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES TO MEET WITH RUSSIA'S YELTSIN ON MONDAY
  • [22] BOSNIA: US, EU HALT SARAJEVO PROJECTS OVER SLOW REFUGEE RETURNS
  • [23] STUDENTS FROM BULGARIA TO BE HOSTED IN GREECE
  • [24] MALIAS: GREECE WILL SAFEGUARD FYROM'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
  • [25] HOLBROOKE: KOSSOVO IS A THREAT FOR GREECE AND TURKEY
  • [26] YELTSIN - CLERIDES MEETING
  • [27] THE S-300 MISSILES WILL BE IN CYPRUS IN NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE RUSSIAN PRESS
  • [28] BLOODY INCIDENT AT THE ALBANIAN-YUGOSLAV BORDERS
  • [29] BULGARIA-TURKEY-RUMANIA SUMMIT IN SOFIA

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO TOUR THE CYCLADES

    The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to embark on a three day through the Cyclades today.

    The islands the President is to visit are Amorgos, Santorini, Theracia, Anafi and Ios.

    This morning, President Stephanopoulos attended the swearing- in ceremony of the second lieutenants at the Air Academy.

    [02] GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CONTAIN INFLATION AT 2% IN 1999

    The government is to undertake drastic measures in order to de-escalate inflation and contain it at the 2% level, in order to meet one of the basic terms for Greece's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union.

    There was a 0.1-point slip in consumer price inflation to 5.2 percent in June from 5.3 percent in May. The Ministry of Development is to adopt a series of measures in the consuming sector of foodstuff and automobile spare parts, which will lead to lower prices on these goods.

    [03] GREECE IS PURCHASING 20 USED F-16 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT FROM THE US

    Greece is purchasing 20 used f-16 fighter aircraft from the US, in a deal finalized by the Greek and American defense secretaries, Akis Tsochatzopoulos and William Cohen respectively, in Washington.

    The 20 second-hand F-16s were purchased for 5 million dollars apiece. These planes, like the F- 16s Greece already has, will be upgraded.

    Greece is also getting four US-made naval destroyers which will replace the Greek navy's existing destroyers.

    [04] STATE EXPECTS MORE TOURISTS TO VISIT GREECE THIS YEAR

    The Greek Tourism Organization's Secretary-General Nikos Skoulas stated yesterday that the state expects an increase of 10- 12% in the number of tourists who are to visit Greece this year.

    The National Statistics Service said its latest data showed a 9.20 percent rise in the arrival of charter flights. ``In April-May 1998 charter flight arrivals reached 851,111 persons compared to 779,379 in the same period last year,'' it said in a statement.

    Tourist arrivals at the airports of Athens, Rhodes, Corfu, Iraklion and Thessaloniki, which represent about 70 percent of total arrivals in the charter flights category, rose by 5.67 percent in May compared with a year earlier.

    Tourism is one of the country's key industries, contributing $7 billion a year to the economy, and making up about 12 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    [05] GREECE TO TAKE PART IN BUDAPEST'S INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXPO

    The International Exhibition of Foods and Beverages and Food Process (FOODAPEST) is to be held in Budapest in November 24-27, 1998, with the participation of Greece.

    The event, held every two years, is considered the largest in the field for the central-eastern European region.

    It should be noted that Greek food and beverages exports to Hungary are steadily on the rise.

    The products to be exhibited will represent all the food and beverage sectors of Greece, as well as related machinery and process materials.

    [06] GROUP OF GREEK-ORIGIN YOUTH LIVING IN ARMENIA HOSTED IN KOMOTINI

    A group of 37 youngsters of Greek origin, who live in Armenia, are currently being hosted in Komotini's student center in an effort to familiarize them with Greece, its language and culture.

    The hosting event is organized by the prefecture of Rodopi, in cooperation with the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, the Greek Tourism Organization and various organizations related to Greeks living abroad.

    The students, aged 11-16, are to stay in Komotini until July 23.

    [07] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE LATEST STATEMENTS MADE BY YILMAZ

    The recent statements made by Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz to the French news agency were characterized as warlike by Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas. Mr. Yilmaz threatened with an installation of missiles in the occupied territories of northern Cyprus if the Russian S-300 missiles are installed in Cyprus.

    Mr. Reppas characterized Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash as a puppet as all the decisions regarding Cyprus are being made in Ankara.

    [08] THE 2ND CONFERENCE ON PEACE IN THE BALKANS WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

    Five new organizations from Moldavia, FYROM and Croatia are expected to be part of the Balkan Non Governmental Organizations Federation (FEBANGO) in which participate 19 organizations from Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania and Greece.

    The expansion of the federation that will be announced tomorrow takes place within the framework of the 2nd Conference on Peace, Democracy and Cooperation in the Balkans, that is organized in Thessaloniki by the Movement for Peace, Human Rights and National Independence. In the federation participate peace movements as well as, scientific, cultural and unionist organizations.

    President of the movement Christos Markopoulos pointed out that the participation of non governmental organizations in the settlement of the crisis in Kossovo is necessary as well as, their contribution in handling the Turkish threat. He also suggested the establishment of a committee that will act immediately in a mediating and peaceful manner regarding the Kossovo issue.

    Council of Europe secretary general representative Michel Fluckinger stated that the organization makes efforts for the Balkans to belong to Europe, adding that the Council of Europe has undertaken commitments regarding the problems and crisis faced by the south-eastern European countries.

    [09] CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF NEW DEMOCRACY MEETING

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis called on his party officials to be in a state of readiness speaking in the party Central Committee meeting.

    The leader of ND presented the priorities of the party in view of the municipal elections and underlined that the opening to different social sectors should materialize. Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the strategic invitation to participate in a national course should be confirmed by the everyday behavior.

    [10] THE 3RD CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL ISSUES OPENS IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS TOMORROW

    The proceedings of the 3rd Conference on National Issues "Issues of minorities in Turkey and Thrace" opens in the northern Greek city of Alexandroupolis tomorrow with the participation of distinguished scientists and politicians. The conference is organized by the Athens Association of Lawyers and the scientific association ERGA OMNES.

    In a press conference held today, representative of Young Lawyers Association Dionisis Paraschos stated that the goal of the conference is not to find solutions but to better inform young lawyers on the issue of the minorities.

    [11] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF CONSUMER GOODS IN MOSCOW

    The International Exhibition of Consumer Goods "CONSUMEXPO ‘99" will be held in Moscow next January. The exhibition which targets Russian importers, wholesalers and store supply managers is regarded as the most important in its field for the market of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States in general.

    Greece will present products of the wider consumer sector in addition to the sectors of food, beverages and cigarettes.

    [12] PACKAGE OF ERGO BANK SHARES WAS TRANSFERRED TO EUROBANK

    The ERGOBANK shares package, owned by the bank's biggest shareholder Lazaros Efremoglou, was transferred yesterday to the banking group EFG EUROBANK through the Stock Exchange.

    A total of 2.900.000 shares were transferred in three installments at the price of 35.000 drachmas each share. The transfer of the whole package was undertaken by Telexis AXE.

    [13] FOOTBALL: ANASTASIADIS RESIGNED FROM PAOK - NEW FOREIGN PLAYER FOR ARIS

    Angelos Anastasiadis will continue to be the coach of PAOK for 6 more days. Yesterday, he announced to the team's management that he will resign. Anastasiadis appears displeased with the handling of players transfers and the likelihood of Kostas Frantzeskos to be transferred to the British Wimbleton. According to information, Mr. Anastasiadis agreed to stay at Tria-Pente Pigadia training camp in Naousa, northern Greece until Thursday giving time to the team's management to find his successor.

    Meanwhile, PAOK's Peruvian player Persi Olivares made it clear that if he has no meeting with the management by Monday he will leave the team.

    ARIS has a new player. Lumir Mistr, the 29yearold from the Czech Spartak Prague will be the team's fifth foreign player and yesterday he signed a two-year contract. Meanwhile, the arrival of Peruvian Carlos Flores was postponed until Sunday due to problems with his passport.

    Demis Nikolaidis became the highest paid football player in Greece after signing a three-year contract with AEK yesterday worth 750 million drachmas.

    In PANATHINAIKOS, the team's management appears very satisfied with the performance of Aliosa Asanovic in France's World Cup, who plays with Croatia's national football team and will join the Athens team in the new season.

    [14] REPPAS SATISFIED OVER THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BANK SECTOR

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated today that the recent business developments which include the dynamic entry of the Latsis group in the bank system, constitute a vote of confidence for the Greek economy and the future of the Greek society.

    Mr Reppas made that statement, referring to the flourishing business activities which reveal confidence to the governmental policy.

    [15] IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS OF GREEK TRANSPORTATION MINISTER IN YUGOSLAVIA

    Greek minister of Transport and Communications Tassos Mantelis, who is currently on an official visit to Yugoslavia, had important contacts in Belgrade today.

    During a meeting, mr Mantelis had with the Yugoslavian minister of Transport, mr Drobnjakovic, the two officials agreed to proceed to the withdrawal of restrictions concerning the issue of passage licences for Greek lorries which transport goods through Yugoslavia.

    Mr Mantelis had talks with the Serbian president Milan Milutinovic which focused on issues of bilateral cooperation as well as on the construction of the motorway stretching from the city of Nis to the Yugoslavian-FYROM borders under the EU financing.

    The Greek Transport minister, also, met with the Federal Telecommunication minister of Yugoslavia Dojcilo Radoyevic, and discussed the construction of the line Corfu-Bar, which is expected to facilitate the communications between the two countries, and the more active participation of the Greek Telecommunications Organization in the telecommunication projects in Serbia.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [16] DEFENSE MINISTER COMPLETES US VISIT, WILL TRAVEL DIRECTLY TO MUNICH

    National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to complete his official visit to the United States today and will depart directly for Munich in order to attend a joint meeting of PASOK Eurodeputies and the German Social- democratic SDP Eurodeputies.

    The meeting will focus on political, economic and social relations between Greece and Germany as well as social developments in the wake of the Cardiff EU summit.

    [17] GREEK TRANSPORTATION MINISTER ON VISIT TO BELGRADE

    Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis is currently on an official visit to Belgrade in order to promote cooperation between Greece and Yugoslavia in the sectors of transport and communication.

    Mr. Mantelis is heading a delegation of public utilities and organizations executives. Today he is scheduled to hold talks with Serb President Milan Milutinovic and Yugoslav federal Prime Minister Momir Bulatovic, as well as the Yugoslav ministers of transport and communications.

    [18] TURKISH GENERAL STAFF CHIEF TRAVELS TO CYPRUS' OCCUPIED REGION

    Turkish general staff chief Haki Karadayi is to travel to the occupied region of Cyprus today where he will meet with the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots Rauf Denktash and the self-called "prime minister" Darvis Eroglou.

    Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz is to travel to the occupied region on July, while Turkish President Suleiman Demirel will travel to the occupied region at the end of the month.

    [19] RUSSIAN, US OFFICIALS DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUE IN MOSCOW

    Russia and the United States view the status quo in Cyprus as unacceptable and have reiterated their support to UN efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

    According to the CNA, the latest developments in the Cyprus question were discussed in Moscow yesterday evening, during a meeting between Russian envoy for Cyprus, Vladimir Tchizov, and the US State Department's Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller.

    Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Vladimir Rahmanin, told Russia's "Novosti" news agency that the two sides reaffirmed their interest and readiness to help promote bicommunal gatherings, that would facilitate the restoration of trust and cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

    The spokesman said both Russia and the US believe that there should be action towards the Turkish Cypriot leadership in order to create the conditions which would allow communication between the two communities.

    According to Mr. Rahmanin, the two sides reconfirmed their support to the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices and efforts made by Kofi Annan's Special Advisor, Diego Cordovez, to resume direct talks between the two sides in Cyprus.

    Both Messrs. Tchizov and Miller welcomed the recent UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

    They also stressed the need to continue their contacts and exchange of views, in order to achieve the greatest possible coordination between Russia and the US in the search for an acceptable Cyprus settlement, under UN auspices.

    [20] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT CONTINUES VISIT TO CHINA

    The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, continues his official visit to the People's Republic of China, having visited the city of Chengdu yesterday.

    Mr. Kaklamanis addressed the Chengdu Popular National Assembly presidium and referred to the Turkish intransigence on the Cyprus issue as well as the Turkish provocations against Greece.

    Today, he is expected at the city of Lhasa in Tibet. Mr. Kaklamanis is on a series of visits to local legislatures in the world's most populous country.

    [21] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES TO MEET WITH RUSSIA'S YELTSIN ON MONDAY

    Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides is to be received by his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin in Moscow on Monday.

    The news was confirmed by Kremlin, one day after the first test-firing of the ground-to- air S-300 missiles, which took place before political and military leaders of the Cypriot Ministry of Defense.

    The United States continue to pressure Nicosia into calling off the deal and, instead, propose the purchase of a smaller- scale system.

    This solution is rejected by Cyprus, which says it would be willing to discuss the matter only in the case of the island's demilitarization or of positive developments in the overall issue.

    [22] BOSNIA: US, EU HALT SARAJEVO PROJECTS OVER SLOW REFUGEE RETURNS

    The United States and European Union have suspended aid projects in Sarajevo to protest the slow pace of non-Moslem refugee returns to the Bosnian capital, international officials said Thursday.

    "Whilst there has been some movement in the Sarajevo returns, clearly there have been many deadlines that have been missed," said Simon Haselock, spokesman for the top international mediator in Bosnia, Carlos Westendorp.

    Westendorp fully supported the US and EU decisions to suspend projects, he said, adding that a "definitive judgment" on the question of refugee returns would be made this month.

    Projects worth several million dollars have been halted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and by the European Union, the biggest donor of post-war aid to Bosnia- Herzegovina, the Oslobodjenje newspaper reported.

    The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says that only around 800 non-Moslems have come back to Sarajevo since February, when local authorities pledged at a major conference to speed up returns.

    The conference had set a target of 20,000 non-Moslem returns this year to Sarajevo.

    [23] STUDENTS FROM BULGARIA TO BE HOSTED IN GREECE

    Sixteen high school students from the Bulgarian city of Hissar are to be hosted in Greek homes between July 17-23, under the youth exchange program organized by the Municipality of the Greek city Kozani.

    The boys and girls, aged 16-18, will have the opportunity to tour archaeological sites in the region, as well as museums.

    They will be accompanied by the deputy mayor of Hissar Penka Rahova, two professors and two interpreters. The students will also be received by the secretary general of the Western Macedonia Region, the Prefect of Kozani and the chairman of the Inter-Balkan Cooperation Center.

    [24] MALIAS: GREECE WILL SAFEGUARD FYROM'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

    Greece will safeguard FYROM's independence and territorial integrity not only at a bilateral level but as a member of the European Union, the Western European Union and NATO and will use all the means at its disposal toward that purpose, stated head of the Greek liaison office in FYROM Alexandros Malias in an interview with the Skopje weekly magazine "M.Expres".

    Commenting on the course of the consultations between Greece and FYROM for the solution of the issue of the name, Mr. Malias stressed that Greece supports a solution that will make both sides the winners. "We live together and no one wants its neighbor to feel defeated", said Mr. Malias, adding that in case one side feels defeated the victory of the other side will be short lived.

    The head of the Greek Liaison Office in FYROM maintained that one of the Greek foreign policy priorities is the stabilization of the Balkans and the close cooperation of the neighboring states, pointing out that the inter-Balkan cooperation will contribute to the strengthening of the Balkan states' security.

    Referring to the latest developments in Kossovo, Mr. Malias expressed satisfaction over the total coincidence of views between Athens and Skopje for the peaceful solution of the dispute within the Yugoslav borders rejecting the use of force.

    [25] HOLBROOKE: KOSSOVO IS A THREAT FOR GREECE AND TURKEY

    US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke characterized as very dangerous the situation in Kossovo and in statements to the American television channel CNN he stressed that the escalation of the clashes could affect Greece and Turkey bringing the two countries close to an armed conflict or even a war.

    The US diplomat stated that the situation in Kossovo, even though it is compared by many to the situation in Bosnia, in reality is totally different as Bosnia was an independent state. At the same time, he underlined that a common factor in both cases is the same individual namely, Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

    Commenting on the action of the Kossovo Liberation Army, Mr. Holbrooke said that the biggest problem faced by the United States and the international community in general is who and in what way controls the armed members of the organization.

    [26] YELTSIN - CLERIDES MEETING

    The presidents of Russia and Cyprus Boris Yeltsin and Glafkos Clerides will meet in Moscow on Monday. According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Clerides will have contacts with Russian foreign minister Gevgeni Primakov and Patriarch Alexios of Moscow.

    Meanwhile, Cypriot minister of defense Yiannakis Omirou will have talks today with his Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyev.

    [27] THE S-300 MISSILES WILL BE IN CYPRUS IN NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE RUSSIAN PRESS

    New testing of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles took place for a second day in Russia in the presence of Cypriot minister of defense Yiannakis Omirou, according to Russian press reports.

    According to the newspaper "Kommersant", yesterday's testing of the missile system was held at the military base of Empa in Astrakan. Based on the same newspaper, the Russians expect that Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides will request from his Russian counterpart to have the missiles delivered in November with the argument that their earlier installation in the island will have tragic consequences to the tourism in Cyprus and will become a point of friction between Greece and Turkey that can lead to an armed conflict.

    [28] BLOODY INCIDENT AT THE ALBANIAN-YUGOSLAV BORDERS

    A bloody incident with victims three Albanians occurred at the Albanian-Yugoslav borders yesterday.

    According to the newspaper "Gazeta Skiptare", the incident occurred a few kilometers from the town of Kukes during the visit of German foreign minister Klaus Kinkel to the region. The newspaper writes that according to reliable sources and eye witnesses, the Serbs killed the Albanians on Albanian territory while they took three villagers as hostages. The information has not been confirmed yet by the Albanian authorities.

    [29] BULGARIA-TURKEY-RUMANIA SUMMIT IN SOFIA

    Prime ministers of Boulgaria, Ivan Kostov, Turkey, Mesut Yilmaz, and Rumania, Radu Vasile, will hold a meeting tomorrow in Sofia.

    The summit will take place at the initiative of mr Kostof and will focus on issues of trilateral interest, NATO expansion and the Kosovo crisis.

    The Turkish prime minister will be in Sofia tomorrow on a scheduled working visit, during which he is expected to sign the agreement on free trade between Turkey and Bulgaria.


    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/


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