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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-29

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, September 29, 1998

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] ALBANIA'S NEW PM MAJKO SPEAKS TO THE MPA: I WILL FORM A NEW CABINET
  • [02] GREEK PREMIER CONGRATULATES GERMANY'S SCHROEDER ON VICTORY
  • [03] PM TO OPEN CONFERENCE ON "THE EU AFTER THE AMSTERDAM TREATY"
  • [04] DEPUTY FM INAUGURATES BLACK SEA STUDIES CENTER, CHAIRS FIRST MEETING
  • [05] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: NO ACTION TAKEN IN KOSSOVO WITHOUT S.C.'S OK
  • [06] FUEL TANKER TRUCK DRIVERS TO DECIDE ON CONTINUATION OF STRIKE TODAY
  • [07] SWEEPING CHANGES AWAITED IN ALBANIA AFTER NANO'S RESIGNATION
  • [08] CABINET COMMITTEE CONFERENCE ON OLYMPIC GAMES OF 2004
  • [09] ALBANIAN PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER: NOW ALBANIA IS ON ROAD TO STABILITY
  • [10] REPPAS: WE HOPE THAT ALBANIA WILL FIND ITS WAY
  • [11] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE RESIGNATION OF NANO WAS UNEXPECTED
  • [12] THE FIGHT IS ON FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF THESSALONIKI
  • [13] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS WILL BE IN BULGARIA TODAY
  • [14] INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON JAPAN'S NATIONAL WRITER OF GREEK ORIGIN, LEFKADIOS HERN
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [15] ALBANIAN PREMIER FATOS NANO RESIGNS, DEVELOPMENTS TO FOLLOW
  • [16] GREEK DEFENSE MINSTER IN CYPRUS TOMORROW FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
  • [17] CONFLICT CONTINUES IN KOSSOVO
  • [18] ALBANIAN PREMIER: I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRISIS
  • [19] GREECE'S UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO MEET WITH CYPRIOT FM
  • [20] SOCIALIST PARTY MEETING ON THE ELECTION OF NEW PRIME MINISTER IN ALBANIA
  • [21] THE MAYORS FROM FYROM WILL VISIT GREECE IN OCTOBER
  • [22] THE EU MONETARY COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE NEW CONVERGENCE PROGRAM FOR GREECE TOMORROW
  • [23] PAPANTONIOU: THE EMU CONSOLIDATES OUR ECONOMIC STABILITY
  • [24] TWO NEW CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF THE PRIME MINISTER IN ALBANIA

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] ALBANIA'S NEW PM MAJKO SPEAKS TO THE MPA: I WILL FORM A NEW CABINET

    Albania's new Prime Minister Pandeli Majko told the Macedonian Press Agency this morning that he intends to form a new cabinet, which will also include his close associates.

    Mr. Majko also expressed his certainty that the National Council of the ruling Socialist Party (where he served as secretary-general under Fatos Nano's term) will ratify his appointment from the party's presidium, during today's session.

    It should be noted that these are the first statements made by the new Albanian Premier-by-proxy who, prior to 1997's elections along with Albanian President Rexhep Meidani, had handled the Socialist Party's negotiations for the formation of the current coalition government.

    When asked what his first moves will be when he steps in office, Mr. Majko responded "You know, in Albania we say ‘wait and see'."

    Also, responding to a relevant question, he stated that he plans to participate in the Inter-Balkan conference to be held in Antalya.

    [02] GREEK PREMIER CONGRATULATES GERMANY'S SCHROEDER ON VICTORY

    Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has forwarded a congratulatory telegram to Germany's Chancellor-elect Gerhard Schroeder, expressing his pleasure at the latter's electoral victory.

    In his message, Mr. Simitis said the two governments could work together on social policy in Europe to combat unemployment and in laying the foundations for a European common foreign policy.

    Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated that the Premier sent similar messages to the victorious SPD party's leader Oskar Lafontaine and Greens party leader Joschka Fischer.

    Mr. Reppas also added that the Greek government had the greatest regard for outgoing Chancellor Helmut Kohl, whose presence at Germany's helm was decisive for the country's reunification and for the efforts to unify Europe.

    [03] PM TO OPEN CONFERENCE ON "THE EU AFTER THE AMSTERDAM TREATY"

    Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to open the conference of "The European Union after the Amsterdam Treaty", to be held in Athens on Thursday.

    The main topics to be discussed at the two-day conference will be "Europe as a political vision" and necessary institutional changes, as well as "EMU and employment after the Amsterdam Treaty" and "joint European Union policy and the European citizen."

    The conference is organized by the Tsatsos Foundation in collaboration with PASOK's Eurodeputies group.

    [04] DEPUTY FM INAUGURATES BLACK SEA STUDIES CENTER, CHAIRS FIRST MEETING

    Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis inaugurated the Black Sea International Studies Center (DIKEMEP) in Athens last night and chaired the first of its two-day meetings.

    The center will prepare research and conduct studies concerning the achievement of its parent organization, the Black Sea Cooperation Pact, primarily in the economic, industrial and technology sectors.

    The eleven members of BSEC are Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Turkey. BSEC approved a Greek proposal in 1996 for the center to be housed in Athens.

    "The ICBS will contribute to promoting the wider goal of BSEC for greater democracy, peace and development in the Black Sea region," Mr. Kranidiotis said in his opening speech to the Center's board.

    The center will be an independent body, and Greece will help to support it both on an organizational and financial level, also bringing it closer to the European Union, he added.

    The organization's secretary general, Vassil Baytchev, said that the academic communities of BSEC's member-states could play a primary role in cooperation among governments through the exchange of information, joint programs, and regional cooperation in research and technology.

    [05] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: NO ACTION TAKEN IN KOSSOVO WITHOUT S.C.'S OK

    There can be no military action taken by NATO in the Serb province of Kossovo unless there is a previous United Nations Security Council decision, as well as a new political decision by the alliance's member-states, according to Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, addressing an event organized by the Institute of Strategic and Development Studies - Andreas Papandreou (ISTAME) last night, called on the international community to consider Greece's particular historical and geographic position in the Balkans.

    Greece "cannot take part in a military action against neighboring peoples, "Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said.

    He also reiterated that the Greek government is in favor of a political solution to the Kossovo crisis, while he stressed that a non-autonomous Albanian ethnic community in Kossovo was inconceivable.

    He also described the establishment of a multinational peacekeeping force in the region as an effective tool to achieve peace and stability.

    [06] FUEL TANKER TRUCK DRIVERS TO DECIDE ON CONTINUATION OF STRIKE TODAY

    Drivers of fuel-carrying tanker trucks are to decide today whether or not they will continue their strike in northern Greece, protesting planned government changes which would allow private companies to transport fuel.

    The strike has affected local drivers as more and more gas stations in and around the city are posting "empty" signs, although sixty-five tankers have been given the "green light" and have been allowed to give fuel to a few stations.

    Oil companies have called on the northern capital's public prosecutor to intervene and allow the use of private trucks during the strike. The state fuel truck drivers are to meet with the secretary-general of the Development Ministry and his counterpart from the Transportation Ministry.

    [07] SWEEPING CHANGES AWAITED IN ALBANIA AFTER NANO'S RESIGNATION

    The sweeping changes awaited by all in Albania, changes which would allow the country to return to stability and the democratic process, started off with last night's dramatic resignation of Socialist Premier Fatos Nano.

    The next steps to be taken are not only the formation of a new government, but also the resignation of the "Democratic Party" leader, Sali Berisha, in order to eradicate from the Albanian political scenery those two poles that caused the intense juxtaposition and tension; especially, the man characterized as "troublemaker", Sali Berisha.

    A great number of rumors echoed throughout Albania in the recent days, claiming that intense pressure was being exerted for the resignation of the Albanian Premier. Meanwhile, the President of the Republic Rejhep Meidani had favored the expeditious changes in the coalition cabinet that has governed the country since June of 1997.

    Pressure to remove Nano from his post were not only exerted by the Socialist Party's allies, but also from the opposition circles within the party.

    President Meidani had also asked for Mr. Nano's removal. According to reports, the Albanian President, during his meeting with the European delegation that traveled to Tirana two weeks ago, had mentioned that he had requested from Mr. Nano that he resign, a few days prior to the attempted coup d'etat of September 14.

    In an interview to the Macedonian Press Agency, Vasilis Melos, the president of the Human Rights Union Party (which represents the Greek minority in Albania) had also blamed Mr. Nano for the recent political crisis in the country, stressing that he did nothing for establishing democracy in Albanian and improving the country's economy.

    [08] CABINET COMMITTEE CONFERENCE ON OLYMPIC GAMES OF 2004

    Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to chair a cabinet committee conference today that will examine the course of the projects concerning the Olympic Games of the year 2004.

    Following the end of the session, the government will convene in order to discuss traffic accidents.

    [09] ALBANIAN PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER: NOW ALBANIA IS ON ROAD TO STABILITY

    The leader of Albania's Democratic Alliance Neritan Ceka told the Macedonian Press Agency that Fatos Nano's resignation from the premier's post is a good development that can lead to the stabilization of the country's political life.

    Mr. Ceka, who served as Minster of Public Order in the Nano government until May when he stepped down, stated that his party will support the candidacy of Pandeli Majko for the premiership.

    When asked if Mr. Majko is perhaps too young (31 years old) for the post, and therefore inexperienced, Mr. Ceka responded that he may indeed be quite young, "but he has participated in politics since 1990, when he organized anti-Communist rallies."

    [10] REPPAS: WE HOPE THAT ALBANIA WILL FIND ITS WAY

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, commenting on the resignation of prime minister Fatos Nano, expressed the wish for Albania to find its way soon.

    He also pointed out that the developments in the neighbouring country are not dramatic for as long as the institutions can function in a democratic way.

    [11] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE RESIGNATION OF NANO WAS UNEXPECTED

    Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the resignation of Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano was not expected and this development signals a new political crisis and a crisis in the political system of the country.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that Greece, together with the other EU states, has contributed and continues to contribute to the consolidation of the democratic procedures after the armed uprising in Albania.

    Responding to the question if there is an increased likelihood now for Sali Berisha to return to power, he said that he does not believe that such a possibility exists much more now that Berisha's parliamentary immunity has been lifted.

    [12] THE FIGHT IS ON FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF THESSALONIKI

    The government and the main party of the opposition use every power they have to win the municipality of Thessaloniki in October's municipal elections.

    During the weekend will be in Thessaloniki not only ministers of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos and culture Evangelos Venizelos but minister of environment, land planning and public works Kostas Laliotis as well, who, together with the minister of defense, they coordinate the efforts for a successful result in Thessaloniki's municipal elections.

    From the part of the main opposition party of New Democracy, its leader Kostas Karamanlis will deliver a speech on Sunday night within the framework of the festival organized by the young party members.

    [13] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS WILL BE IN BULGARIA TODAY

    Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece will leave for Bulgaria this afternoon to attend the meeting of a synod that will convene in Sofia under Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

    The synod will take place tomorrow and the day after at the St. Alexandros Nefski Cathedral after a proposal by Patriarch Maximos of Sofia and All of Bulgaria.

    The Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece will be accompanied to Bulgaria by the Metropolites of Alexandroupolis, Neapolis and Stavroupolis.

    [14] INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON JAPAN'S NATIONAL WRITER OF GREEK ORIGIN, LEFKADIOS HERN

    The international symposium, organized by the University of Athens in cooperation with the Japanese embassy to take place on October 15, within the framework of the events celebrating the 100 years of the Greek-Japanese friendship, is dedicated to Japan's national writer of Greek origin, Yakumo Kolzumi or Lefkadios Hern.

    Ninety four years after his death university professors from Greece and Japan will meet in Athens to discuss the personality and work of Lefkadios Hern, who was distinguished for his vibrant spirit, the second son of Rosa Kassimati and Irish major Charles Hern, born in the Ionian Sea island of Lefkada in 1850.

    Lefkadios Hern, being the child of a broken family, lived in Ireland for a number of years when he was adopted by an elderly aunt. At the age of 18, he left for London looking for a better life and later he went to America where he published his first literary works. His restless spirit did not allow him to stay in America for long. He left the country to go to Martinique and the French Antilles where he continued to write and translate French literature.

    Lefkadios Hern found his own "Ithaca" in Japan and at the age of 40 he decided to settle there enchanted by the beauty and the culture of the land of the Rising Sun. He spent the rest 14 years of his life acquiring a deep knowledge of the Japanese culture. He married Setsuko Kolhumi, a descendent of a family of samurais and had four children together. Everything shows that Lefkadios Hern was not the typical conservative Greek and this is proven by the fact that he took his wife's last name and the Japanese name Yakumo. Even though he spoke the Japanese language fluently, he continued to write his books in English and to teach English literature. He died in 1904 and was buried according to his wish, at the Buddhist cemetery close to his house.

    Lefkadios Hern has been honored repeatedly in Japan where many associations are named after him as well as, a park in Sintzuku. His descendants live in Matsue. The Greek-Japanese associations in both countries have honored him many times and a monument was built in his honor in Lefkada in 1933.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [15] ALBANIAN PREMIER FATOS NANO RESIGNS, DEVELOPMENTS TO FOLLOW

    Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano submitted his resignation last night in Tirana, by stating that he does not enjoy the support of the Socialist ruling party and its government allies.

    Mr. Nano is expected to be replaced at the party's leadership level by the 31-year-old Pandeli Majko.

    Albania's former president and main opposition party leader Sali Berisha saluted Mr. Nano's resignation, stating that there is now a realistic opportunity for dialogue with the Albanian people.

    [16] GREEK DEFENSE MINSTER IN CYPRUS TOMORROW FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

    National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will travel to Cyprus tomorrow for talks with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides, the speaker of the Cypriot Parliament Spyros Kyprianou, Archbishop Chrysostomos and other political and military officials.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is also expected to attend a military parade on October 1, the Cyprus Republic's independence day.

    [17] CONFLICT CONTINUES IN KOSSOVO

    Conflict continues in the strife-torn region of Kossovo, in spite of the Serb Premier's (Mirco Marianovic) declaration that the Serb forces have been withdrawn from the area.

    According to reports, a number of villages southwest from the city of Prishtina are being bombarded, while tens of fighters belonging to the Kossovo Liberation Army have been killed.

    [18] ALBANIAN PREMIER: I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRISIS

    Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, who resigned yesterday evening, has claimed responsibility for the failed efforts to form a new government capable of putting an end to the crisis plaguing the country, according to the text of his resignation letter submitted to President Rejhep Meidani.

    "The new government formula would have added new elements to the present crisis which would have made it even worse," Mr. Nano wrote, adding that "I take full responsibility for everything which my government was unable to do, either because of its mistakes, or because of pressure exercised on it from all sides."

    The announcement of his resignation, made by Nano's Socialist Party, came shortly after Interior Minister Perikli Teta resigned from his post, saying: "I present my irrevocable resignation because I cannot work with a corrupt and incompetent political leadership." Mr. Teta said he was ending his involvement in Albanian politics.

    "Albanian politics is not worth helping and incapable of leading Albania out of the crisis," he added.

    [19] GREECE'S UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO MEET WITH CYPRIOT FM

    Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis is to meet with Cyprus's Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides in New York.

    Mr. Kasoulides is continuing his contacts with his counterparts from various countries whom he briefs on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

    Moreover, Great Britain's and the European Union's special envoy for the Cyprus issue sir David Hannay is to have a series of contacts concerning the island.

    [20] SOCIALIST PARTY MEETING ON THE ELECTION OF NEW PRIME MINISTER IN ALBANIA

    The National Council of the Socialist Party in Albania meets today and is expected to ratify the appointment of Pandeli Majko to the premiership of the country after the resignation of Fatos Nano.

    In statements to MPA, Mr. Majko expressed his intention to form a government of new faces in which his close associates will also be included. Fatos Nano submitted his resignation to Albanian president Redzep Meidani last night assuming responsibility for the failure to form a government able to put an end to the political crisis sweeping the country. In statements to BBC, Sali Berisha stressed that he is ready for dialogue.

    [21] THE MAYORS FROM FYROM WILL VISIT GREECE IN OCTOBER

    The signing of a cooperation treaty will be the main issue of discussion in the meeting the mayors of the north-western Greek cities of Florina, Kozani and Ptolemaida will have with the mayors of Bitola, Resen and Ochrid, who will visit Greece in early October.

    According to the mass media in Skopje, the agreement provides for a special border ticket that will be issued to facilitate the movement of businessmen and the overall cross-border cooperation of the municipalities.

    The restoration of the Florina-Bitola railway transportation that was interrupted 8 years ago will also be examined during the meeting.

    [22] THE EU MONETARY COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE NEW CONVERGENCE PROGRAM FOR GREECE TOMORROW

    The European Union monetary committee will discuss in Brussels tomorrow the new convergence program for Greece's participation in the EMU in the year 2001.

    According to the new program, all five Maastricht criteria should be met in 1999, the cost-of-living index will drop to 2.5%, while the deficit and public debt will be limited to 1.7%. Also, based on the programme, the growth rate will be 3.7% in 1999, 3.9% in 2000 and 4.5% in 2001.

    Unemployment is expected to drop to 10% this year and in 1999 will approach the 9% mark, while in 2000 will be 8.8%. The rise in wages will be 1.6% in 1999, 2% in 2000 and in 2001 will be 2.1%.

    [23] PAPANTONIOU: THE EMU CONSOLIDATES OUR ECONOMIC STABILITY

    The belief that Greece's participation in the EMU will consolidate its economic stability, which is a pre-condition for growth, as well as the fact that Greece will benefit from the speeding-up of investments, which will improve the prosperity of the Greek people, were among the points stressed by minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou, in an interview with the Italian daily "La Republica".

    Mr. Papantoniou also stressed that the main reason urging Greece to enter the monetary union is the fact that this move is backed by all the political parties in the country, adding that January 1, 2001 is the date chosen by Greece for its participation in the EMU.

    Mr. Papantoniou stated that the economic problem that still exists in Greece is the high inflation, stating that at this point it is at 5% and has to be reduced by half by the end of next year.

    Responding to the question on what was most successful in the agreement on the Euro, he said that the monetary and economic policy was the most effective, adding that in spite of the long- lasting international crisis, the national currencies in Europe remained stable and this is a significant success.

    He added that a better coordination is needed in the economic policy in order to deal more effectively with unemployment, stressing that figures reaching 11% are unacceptable.

    [24] TWO NEW CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF THE PRIME MINISTER IN ALBANIA

    Two new names, in addition to that of Socialist Party general secretary Pandeli Majko, were proposed in the Socialist Party National Council meeting that takes place to appoint the new prime minister of Albania. The new candidates are Ilir Meta and Kastriot Islami.

    Due to this development no prediction can be made with certainty on whether Pandeli Majko will be appointed to the premiership.

    Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Democratic Party mentions that it will support any wide cooperation government but it will not participate in it, adding that it will offer its assistance in the sectors where immediate steps have to be made for the restoration of order 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/


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