Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-11-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, November 27, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES TO MEET WITH PREMIER SIMITIS TODAY
[02] PREMIER SPEAKS BEFORE FOREIGN PRESS CORRESPONDENTS
[03] GREEK PM COMMENTS ON KURDISH ISSUE DURING FOREIGN PRESS
INTERVIEW
[04] GREEK PM: CONTINENTAL SHELF IS THE ONLY REAL GREEK-TURKISH
DIFFERENCE
[05] DEFENSE MINISTER: GREEK SOLDIERS TO TAKE PART IN NATO'S FORCE
AT FYROM
[06] GREECE'S AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CHARTER HAILS PINOCHET
DEVELOPMENT
[07] GREECE, EGYPT EMBARK ON JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE, THE FIRST OF
ITS KIND
[08] BALKAN AUTHORS MEET IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR LITERARY EVENTS
[09] THESSALONIKI HOSTS CONFERENCE ON GREEKS OF MINOR ASIA
[10] LABOR ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE GRD7 BILLION FOR JOBLESS
COLLEGE GRADS
[11] ATHENS-THESSALONIKI RAIL REPAIRED, BUT WORKERS WILL GO ON
STRIKE
[12] BALKAN CONFERENCE OF CARTOGRAPHY CONCLUDES IN THESSALONIKI
TODAY
[13] SIMITIS-CLERIDES MEETING
[14] THE BANK OF GREECE GOVERNOR ISSUED HIS BIANNUAL REPORT
[15] THE GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA REACHED 92.9 MILLION US
DOLLARS
[16] THE GREEK COMMUNITY IN TORONTO WILL NOT LEAVE SAE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREECE IS FYROM'S NUMBER ONE INVESTOR, VOLUME ABOVE $250
MILLION
[18] OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ALBANIANS SAYS YES TO CONSTITUTION
[19] RUSSIA: FORMER PM KIRIYENKO TO FORM NEW PARTY
[20] CZECH COMMISSION TO RETURN JEWISH PROPERTY
[21] ITALY'S FM TELLS CORRIERE DELLA SERA: OCALAN'S ASYLUM NOT A
GOOD IDEA
[22] BONN CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF GREECE IN THE BALKANS
[23] EFFORTS TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES TO MEET WITH PREMIER SIMITIS TODAY
Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides, who is presently in
Athens, will be received by Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis
today.
During yesterday's press conference, Mr. Simitis referred to
the S-300 missiles in Cyprus and whether or not they will be
installed there, by stating that "Cyprus must have an effective
defense and all means leading to this aim fall within this
framework system." Moreover, he stated that "the missile system is
not an end in itself" and stressed that he will discuss with the
Cypriot President what will be the necessary step to be taken this
time.
[02] PREMIER SPEAKS BEFORE FOREIGN PRESS CORRESPONDENTS
Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis appearing before a
Foreign Press Association (FPA) luncheon yesterday, gave an
interview spanning all issues of concern to Greece.
Referring to his meeting today with Cypriot President Glafkos
Clerides, Mr. Simitis said that the meeting had been scheduled for
quite some time and had not been arranged especially to discuss
Nicosia's plans to install Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft
missiles in Cyprus.
"The Greek government will be briefed on developments in two
major issues raised by President Clerides, namely the Cyprus
problem in its political context and the de-escalation of tension
in the island republic," he stated, adding "it would be premature
for me to express any opinion before meeting with Mr. Clerides. "
Regarding Greece's accession to the Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU), the Premier stressed that the country will achieve
its targets with its capabilities, not through political
negotiation.
[03] GREEK PM COMMENTS ON KURDISH ISSUE DURING FOREIGN PRESS
INTERVIEW
Speaking at a luncheon given by the Foreign Press Association
in Athens yesterday, Prime Minster Kostas Simitis referred to the
Kurdish issue, stating that Greece supported Rome's decision to
grant political asylum to the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) leader
Abdullah Ocalan.
"Greece is in favor of political asylum being given to Mr.
Ocalan," Mr. Simitis said, adding: "Italy has handled the matter
properly.
"Greece is in favor of a resolution of the problem with
political dialogue and peaceful means. Force can not lead to
results. This is why the international community must move towards
finding a resolution with political means," he said.
Stressing that Greece was a democratic country in which
everyone had the right to express themselves freely on all
matters, the Premier observed that national legislation in effect
did not allow the country to be used as a "base" for the use of
force against third countries.
"This is a position of principle which applies to all problems,
whether it be the Kurdish problem, Chechnya or any other issue,"
Mr. Simitis said.
Replying to criticism that Greece had distanced itself from
the Kurdish problem, he said the country had been making its
position clear for quite some time.
"Certain people should be very careful because they are doing
a disservice firstly to the Kurdish people and also to those who
are struggling for their rights by making the Kurdish problem a
Greek-Turkish issue. This is precisely what Ankara wants in order
to divert attention from the essence of the problem and present it
as a problem of bilateral relations," Mr. Simitis said.
[04] GREEK PM: CONTINENTAL SHELF IS THE ONLY REAL GREEK-TURKISH
DIFFERENCE
The only real difference between Greece and Turkey concerns
the delineation of the Aegean's continental shelf, Greece's Prime
Minster Kostas Simitis stated yesterday, during Foreign Press
Association interview.
Mr. Simitis stated that any disputes or differences which do
exist between Greece and Turkey should be resolved on the basis of
international law, the implementation of treaties and the
International Court at The Hague. Asked whether he would be able
to talk with Bulent Ecevit in the event that the later became
prime minister of Turkey, Mr. Simitis replied that he could talk
with any Turkish leader, since the issues for discussion were not
personal but political.
Concerning the adoption of confidence-building measures
(CBMs) in the Aegean, Mr. Simitis said relevant talks were being
held at NATO headquarters in Brussels and there had been certain
"positive conclusions". Athens differed from Ankara in this
respect, he said, since the Greek side believed that each time a
positive result is attained, it should be announced and
subsequently implemented, whereas Turkey wanted a "package"
arrangement.
Responding to another question regarding Greece' claim that
Bonn repay a wartime "loan" seized during WWII by Nazi forces, Mr.
Simitis stated that he plans to raise the issue during his meeting
with new German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, to be held on
December 7.
[05] DEFENSE MINISTER: GREEK SOLDIERS TO TAKE PART IN NATO'S FORCE
AT FYROM
Defense Minster Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that Greece will
participate, along with other countries, with a contingent of 40-
45 soldiers in a force assigned to FYROM whose task will be to
protect the 2,000 observers of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe.
Speaking before the Parliament yesterday evening, Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos said the NATO force under French command would
comprise a total of 250 troops and had nothing to do with "NATO's
supposed intervention in Kosovo" as borne out by the fact that it
will be based at FYROM.
"As a force for peace, security and stability in the region,
Greece is assuming an active role within the framework of OSCE
resolutions, because peace is an issue which is of primary concern
to Greece and not only the countries directly involved," Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos added.
[06] GREECE'S AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CHARTER HAILS PINOCHET
DEVELOPMENT
Greece's charter of Amnesty International has saluted the
decision drawn by Britain' s House of Lords decision to reject
former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's bid for immunity.
The decision is "a landmark against impunity", said Amnesty
International in a statement, adding:
"The next crucial step for Home Secretary Jack Straw is to
issue an extradition warrant and to abstain from actions that
would obstruct competent courts to rule on charges facing the
former general."
[07] GREECE, EGYPT EMBARK ON JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE, THE FIRST OF
ITS KIND
Greece and Egypt are embarking today on their first ever
joint exercise, to be held until December 2, in accordance with a
military cooperation agreement signed by the two countries.
The naval exercise, code-named "Alexandria '98", will be held
off the coast of Alexanrdia and two frigates from each country
will take part in the maneuver.
The exercise aims to boost relations between the two nations'
naval forces and promote operational cooperation.
[08] BALKAN AUTHORS MEET IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR LITERARY EVENTS
A number of renowned Balkan authors are to attend a two-day
literary event, starting in Thessaloniki today, titled "Literary
landscapes of the Balkan nature and soul."
The event is held within the framework of the city's
"Dimitria" festivities and is co-organized by the Municipality of
Thessaloniki and the InterBalkan Center of Books and Culture.
Among the speakers will be authors from Greece, Slovenia,
Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.
Bulgaria's ambassador to Greece Kyril Topalov will speak on
the "Greek-Bulgarian literary ties in the 18th-19th century.
[09] THESSALONIKI HOSTS CONFERENCE ON GREEKS OF MINOR ASIA
A state-wide conference dedicated to the cultural and
political history of Asia Minor's persecuted Greeks, spanning the
course from the classical times to present, is to begin in
Thessaloniki this evening, organized jointly by the Aristotle
University and the Municipality of Thessaloniki.
Present at the conference will be a number of authors whose
books contain the first A number of authors will appear who have
written books containing first person testimonies of the Asia
Minor catastrophe.
[10] LABOR ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE GRD7 BILLION FOR JOBLESS
COLLEGE GRADS
The Labor Force's Employment Organization is to provide seven
billion drachmas during the next two-year period, by providing
professional experience to thousands of unemployed college
graduates at various local administration organizations,
cooperatives and companies, through the Labor Ministry's STAGE
program.
Eligibility for the program, whose funding amounts to seven
billion drachmas, is met by those who have not surpassed the 35
years of age, have not been employed in a sector related to their
studies and hold a university degree or a diploma from a technical
university.
[11] ATHENS-THESSALONIKI RAIL REPAIRED, BUT WORKERS WILL GO ON
STRIKE
The Athens-Thessaloniki rail link, which was closed for
repair works to correct flood damage brought on by recent rains,
has re-opened but will remain so only briefly as railway workers
will embark on work stoppages as of Monday.
Workers at the Greek Railways Organization, (OSE) are to
conduct work stoppages Monday November 30 and Tuesday, December
1, to be followed by full-blown strikes, protesting a recent
bill tabled in Parliament concerning their sector.
The only trains that will operate will be those serving
social needs, one for each route.
[12] BALKAN CONFERENCE OF CARTOGRAPHY CONCLUDES IN THESSALONIKI
TODAY
A Balkan and Black Sea cartography conference concluded in
Thessaloniki today, where three Braille maps of Thessaloniki, the
first of their kind in Greece, were officially presented.
The three-day conference featured the participation of Greek
map experts as well as cartographers from Turkey, Yugoslavia,
Romania and Bulgaria.
The conference was held under the aegis of the Council of
Europe and focused on mapping of urban centers.
The International Cartographic Association also held its
regular meeting during the events, with the participation of
scientists from as far as Japan and Australia.
The inaugural meeting of the members of the European Union
program Cartotech for European cartographic heritage will also be
held. The Thessaloniki-based National Center for maps and
Cartographic Heritage - National Map Archive is the leader of the
group.
[13] SIMITIS-CLERIDES MEETING
Prime minister Kostas Simitis met in Athens today with the
visiting Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides. In statements made
afterwards, Mr. Simitis stressed that Greece and Cyprus will
continue their effort for the accession of Cyprus into the
European Union and will take all necessary measures to achieve
this goal.
Regarding the defense reinforcement of Cyprus, the Greek
prime minister said that Greece and Cyprus, as opposed to Turkey,
have no interest whatsoever to create tensions.
[14] THE BANK OF GREECE GOVERNOR ISSUED HIS BIANNUAL REPORT
Greece's goal to join the EMU is the main axis of the
biannual report issued by Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papadimou
on the course of the Greek economy.
The report that will be tabled in parliament today underlines
the need to continue the anti-inflationary policy. It also points
out that in the second half of 1999 there will be difficulties in
the effort to cut inflation and therefore, extra caution is
needed. In addition, interest rates will remain high in 1999 and a
hard drachma is necessary for the prices to remain low.
[15] THE GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA REACHED 92.9 MILLION US
DOLLARS
The value of the direct Greek investments in Bulgaria reached
92.9 million US dollars last September, while the investments
materialized by Greek businessmen in the country during the past 6
years are 1.295.
Based on the latest figures provided by the Bulgarian Foreign
Investments Agency, Greece is at the fifth place in the list of
foreign investors in Bulgaria with 5.45% of the total of the
foreign investments made in the country.
[16] THE GREEK COMMUNITY IN TORONTO WILL NOT LEAVE SAE
Metropolitan Toronto Greek community president Dr. Tasos
Karantonis in an interview with the Greek state radio ERA 5 denied
the information that the Greek community of Toronto will leave the
World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE.
He clarified that the community of Toronto had a disagreement
with a committee but there is no problem whatsoever with SAE.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREECE IS FYROM'S NUMBER ONE INVESTOR, VOLUME ABOVE $250
MILLION
Commercial trade between Greece and FYROM will surpass the
$250-million mark during 1998, according to the head of the Greek
liaison office in Skopje Alexandros Mallias.
Mr. Mallias spoke at a press conference on the occasion of
the imminent Second Exhibition of Greek Ventures, to be held at
Skopje from December 2 to 5.
The exhibition will feature the participation of more than 80
Greek businesses.
[18] OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF ALBANIANS SAYS YES TO CONSTITUTION
By an overwhelming majority, 93.5%, Albanian voters approved
of their country's new constitution, according to the Central
Elections Board.
Voter turnout amounted to 50.7% of those eligible to cast
their ballot.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, led by Sali Berisha's
Democratic Party, refuse to acknowledge the referendum's results,
accusing the government of rigging.
[19] RUSSIA: FORMER PM KIRIYENKO TO FORM NEW PARTY
Russia's former prime minister Sergei Kiriyenko announced
yesterday that he will form his own political party that would
take part in the parliamentary elections next fall.
Mr. Kiriyenko said he wanted to make Russia's nascent
democratic institutions work for the people, and to end the "total
lack of understanding between the government and the society."
"We have democratic institutions, but we are not using them,
continuing to believe in a good czar," he said on a television
program.
Mr. Kiriyenko was named prime minister this March. He was
fired by President Boris Yeltsin after his government's August 17
decision to devalue the ruble and default on its
treasury debt.
[20] CZECH COMMISSION TO RETURN JEWISH PROPERTY
The Czech government has established a commission to return
Jewish property confiscated during World War II, the Associated
Press reported yesterday.
The commission, which is to include members of the government
and the Czech Federation of Jewish Communities, is to map out by
March all property that has not been restituted.
The state has already returned about 80 percent of
confiscated Jewish
properties that it held. About 120,000 Jews lived on Czech
territory before the Holocaust; now there are about 6,000.
The government plans to return to surviving Holocaust victims
all remaining property confiscated by the Nazis during World War
II. It will also create a fund for compensation where restitution
is impossible.
[21] ITALY'S FM TELLS CORRIERE DELLA SERA: OCALAN'S ASYLUM NOT A
GOOD IDEA
Italy cannot grant political asylum to PKK leader Abdullah
Ocalan because he is not a victim of persecution, Italy's Foreign
Minister Lamberto Dini was quoted as saying in an interview
published yesterday in the Corriere della Sera daily.
"We are talking about terrorist acts committed voluntarily,"
Mr. Dini was quoted as saying, "we are not dealing with a victim."
Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema is to meet with Germany's new
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder today in order to discuss the Ocalan
issue.
The Italian government has made clear it wants Bonn to take
Ocalan off its hands as Germany has an arrest warrant out for him.
But Germany, fearing violence among its large Turkish and Kurdish
communities, has so far said it will not ask for Mr. Ocalan's
extradition.
"By not asking for Ocalan's extradition, Germany risks
damaging the international fight against terrorism," Mr. Dini
said. He suggested putting Ocalan on trial in an arbitrarily
chosen country.
[22] BONN CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF GREECE IN THE BALKANS
Greek and German parliament deputies will participate in a
conference on the reforms in the Balkans and the stabilizing role
of Greece that will be held in Bonn on November 30-December 1
organized by the Greek-German Circle of Dialogue.
The conference organizer was established in Dusseldorf in
1993 by Greek and German scientists and it is politically and
ideologically independent from political parties and governments.
The conference aims at strengthening the effort to enrich the
German analyses and political-economic evaluations regarding
Greece's stabilizing role and its capabilities in the region of
the Balkans in relation to the reforms taking place.
[23] EFFORTS TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY
The first round of meetings president Suleiman Demirel had
with the leaders of the largest political parties in Turkey will
be completed today.
The leaders of the large political parties want early
elections soon, while Mr. Demirel has suggested the establishment
of a new government with a comfortable majority in parliament in
an effort to avoid the likelihood of early elections.
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