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