Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-01-15
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 15, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STUDENTS HOLD STATEWIDE RALLIES, UNDAUNTED BY THREATS OF
FLUNKING
[02] OECD REPORT PROPOSES PENSION CUTS, PRIVATIZATION INCREASES
[03] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PILOTS TO DECIDE ON MANAGEMENT'S OFFER
[04] DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES THIS MONTH
[05] GREEK EURODEPUTY TO THE MPA: THE EU UNDERWENT A POLITICAL
CRISIS
[06] STUDENTS HOLD RALLIES , POLICEMEN WOUNDED, YOUTH ARRESTED
[07] NATIONAL BANK GOVERNOR: BRAZIL CRISIS BEARS NO EFFECT ON
GREEK MARKET
[08] DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE OF THESSALONIKI PREFECTURE BEGINS
[09] MR. REPPAS ON CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE
[10] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION
[11] THE GREEK MINISTER OF LABOR WILL VISIT CYPRUS ON SUNDAY
[12] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH YOUNG POLITICIANS
FROM SE EUROPE
[13] MASS STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
[14] KONSTANTINOS PANAGIOTAKIS IS THE NEW GENERAL ARMY STAFF CHIEF
[15] THE PRIME MINISTER OF FINLAND WILL BE IN ATHENS ON MONDAY
[16] THE LEADER OF ND WILL VISIT SPAIN
[17] MICHAEL SCHUMACHER WAS IN ATHENS TODAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] KLA DEMANDS THAT BELGRADE RELEASE NINE PRISONERS
[19] UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT RESHUFFLES CABINET
[20] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT ON KOSOVO SITUATION
[21] TENSION ERUPTS BETWEEN FRY,ALBANIA, ADDED MEASURES AT BORDER
[22] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE CHILDREN OF THE BOSNIAN WAR
[23] EU DELEGATION IN CYPRUS
[24] TWO GREEK EURO-DEPUTIES ARE INVITED TO VISIT BULGARIA
[25] THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT THE CZECH REPUBLIC
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STUDENTS HOLD STATEWIDE RALLIES, UNDAUNTED BY THREATS OF
FLUNKING
High school students throughout the country are to conduct
massive rallies today, in protest to the Education Ministry's
academic reforms. As signs of divisiveness have appeared among the
students, today's protest will determine the future of the
mobilization.
Meanwhile, the number of schools presently occupied by
students has increased, while in Thessaloniki the secondary
education authorities have announced that seven high school will
not be participating in June's mandatory examinations.
The parliament will continue its three-day censure debate
tonight after a no-confidence vote was petitioned yesterday
against Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis by the main
opposition party New Democracy.
The debate will be followed by a roll-call vote. If the
motion passes with a simple majority, Mr. Arsenis will be obliged
to resign from his post.
[02] OECD REPORT PROPOSES PENSION CUTS, PRIVATIZATION INCREASES
A report issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) on the Greek economy, proposes pension
cuts and an expanded privatization course in the public sector.
The report maintains that all banking institutions currently
under state control should be sold to the private sector, with the
exception of the National and Agricultural (Agrotiki) banks.
"Thanks to continuous efforts in recent years" the goal of
the incorporation of the drachma in the euro zone on Jan. 1, 2001
"appears feasible for Greece," the report concluded.
[03] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PILOTS TO DECIDE ON MANAGEMENT'S OFFER
The Association of Civil Aviation Pilots is to decide this
evening on whether or not it will accept the proposal of the
Olympic Airways management in regards to overtime work.
OA pilots are refusing to work overtime in order to press demands,
including the hiring of more flight personnel. Today they will
consider the proposal that they be granted two days off each month
until the end of the year, at last December's salary rate.
[04] DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES THIS MONTH
The Minister of Development Vaso Papandreou is to conduct an
official, eight-day visit to the United States on January 25.
During her stay in the US, Ms. Papandreou will have a series
of meetings and contacts with US government officials and Greek-
American leaders.
On the 25th of January she will attend a luncheon given in
her honor by the Foreign Policy Association, at Manhattan's Yale
Club.
[05] GREEK EURODEPUTY TO THE MPA: THE EU UNDERWENT A POLITICAL
CRISIS
Greece's ruling party eurodeputy Nikos Papakyriazis (PASOK)
stated to the Macedonian Press Agency that the European Union
underwent a serious institutional and political crisis, commenting
on the censure vote (over allegations of fraud and mismanagement)
which the Commission survived yesterday in the European
Parliament.
Mr. Papakyriazis stated that the vote proved that the
Parliament renewed its confidence in the European Commission and
thus enabled the Assembly to emerge stronger through the crisis
"since it precisely proves its sense of responsibility and
credibility."
Furthermore the eurodeputy stated that the crisis illustrated
a trend of various "somewhat strange" diversifications and
divisions within the political groups which exemplifies the strong
turmoil the EU went through.
"For this reason alone, I believe that the final outcome was
positive in the sense that a new era is somehow beginning now," he
stated.
Mr. Papakyriazis also stated that the European Parliament
adopted a resolution calling for an independent committee to
investigate charges of fraud, mismanagement and nepotism in the
Commission.
The inquiry was approved with 217 votes in favor, 157 against
and 54 abstentions.
[06] STUDENTS HOLD RALLIES , POLICEMEN WOUNDED, YOUTH ARRESTED
Thousands of students, joined by teachers who are opposed to
academic reforms, marched in Athens and Thessaloniki today, in
rallies marked by episodes and clashes with police.
Two policemen were injured in Athens when a group of young
people threw Molotov bombs at the post office and the Ministry of
Transportation located in the Constitution Square and arrests
followed.
In Thessaloniki, the protesters caused minor episodes by
hurling eggs and other objects. They also threw firecrackers and
lit torches while chanting slogans against Education Minister
Gerasimos Arsenis.
Today's rallies are massive and have surpassed all
previously-held ones in size.
[07] NATIONAL BANK GOVERNOR: BRAZIL CRISIS BEARS NO EFFECT ON
GREEK MARKET
The governor of the National Bank of Greece Theodoros
Karatzas has stated that the financial crisis which has brought
Brazil on the edge of meltdown and is affecting international
markets would have no negative impact on the Greek economy.
"I don't think the financial crisis in Brazil will have any
negative repercussions on the Greek economy," Mr. Karatzas said.
Mr. Karatzas expressed his assessment yesterday, during an
Athens-held event organized by the Association of Greek Banks
titled "Structural changes and employment in banks."
[08] DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE OF THESSALONIKI PREFECTURE BEGINS
The development opportunities in the prefecture of
Thessaloniki are to be closely reviewed for three consecutive
days, beginning today, at the First development Conference co-
organized by the prefecture and the Central Macedonia District.
The event will be inaugurated by the Minster of Macedonia-
Thrace Yiannis Magriotis, while the Mister of Interior, Public
Administration and De-centralization Alekos Papadopoulos will also
deliver an address this evening.
The Ministers of Environment and Development, Kostas Laliotis
and Vaso Papandreou, respectively, will also be present at the
second day of the conference.
Today's session will tackle issues concerning agriculture,
fishery and cattle raising.
[09] MR. REPPAS ON CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the
European Union decisions have not been by-passed in Cyprus' EU
accession course and added that the EU membership procedure will
be completed within the set timetable in accordance with the
membership procedure which is in effect for the rest EU candidate
states.
Mr. Reppas also stressed that Cyprus can not be the hostage
of Turkey.
[10] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas recognized that
the protest rally of students and teachers held at the center of
Athens today was a significant mobilization but he stressed that
the majority of the students want the schools to open and the
education reform to be implemented in the best possible way.
The government spokesman also said that education is not a
field for winners or losers and responding to the no confidence
motion tabled in parliament by right-wing main opposition party of
New Democracy against minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis, he
stressed that the hypocricy of the main opposition party will be
revealed as it is not really interested in education.
[11] THE GREEK MINISTER OF LABOR WILL VISIT CYPRUS ON SUNDAY
Greek minister of labor and social welfare Miltiadis
Papaioannou will visit Cyprus on Sunday and on Monday he will meet
in Nicosia with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides.
Mr. Papaioannou will also have contacts with Cypriot
parliament president Spiros Kiprianou and his Cypriot counterpart
Andreas Mousioutas.
[12] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH YOUNG POLITICIANS
FROM SE EUROPE
Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis met with
young politicians from south-eastern Europe who are on a visit to
Athens.
Mr. Kaklamanis called on the young politicians to work for
peace and security in the Balkans.
They were also received by Greek president Kostis
Stephanopoulos who urged them to contribute to the safeguarding of
peace in the region.
[13] MASS STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Thousands of students and teachers held protest rallies,
which were marred by violent incidents in Thessaloniki, Athens and
the rest big cities across the country, against the education
reform promoted by the government.
In Athens, a group of youngsters attacked the post office
building and the ministry of transport with firebombs and one of
them injured a member of the special police force. New clashes
followed and a second police officer was injured. Tension
dominated in the student rallies held in Thessaloniki and minor
clashes were recorded.
[14] KONSTANTINOS PANAGIOTAKIS IS THE NEW GENERAL ARMY STAFF CHIEF
The Governmental Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense
announced the appointment of lieutenant-general Konstantinos
Panagiotakis as Chief of the General Army staff.
Air Marshal Dimitris Litzerakos takes over as Chief of the
General Air Force Staff.
[15] THE PRIME MINISTER OF FINLAND WILL BE IN ATHENS ON MONDAY
Prime minister of Finland Mr. Liponen is expected to be in
Athens on Monday.
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who praised the
good relations between Finland and Greece, said that Mr. Liponen
will meet with his Greek counterpart Kostas Simitis.
[16] THE LEADER OF ND WILL VISIT SPAIN
Leader of right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy
Kostas Karamanlis will visit Spain on January 17-19 at the
invitation of Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar. Mr.
Karamanlis during his visit to Spain will attend the European
Popular Party leaders' meeting.
Mr. Karamanlis will be accompanied by New Democracy press
spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos and European Union international
relations secretary Yiannis Valinakis.
[17] MICHAEL SCHUMACHER WAS IN ATHENS TODAY
The famous German driver of Formula 1 cars, Michael
Schumacher, was in Athens for a few hours today as a guest of the
Greek motorists club ELPA to deliver a speech within the framework
of a campaign launched by the international motorists federation
aimed at limiting the number of traffic accidents and their
consequences.
The two times Formula 1 champion referred specifically to the
10 seconds that can save lives namely, the time needed to fasten a
seat belt. He also stressed that it is necessary to drive in such
a way that will not put in danger the lives of other people.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] KLA DEMANDS THAT BELGRADE RELEASE NINE PRISONERS
The "Kosovo Liberation Army" has granted a ten-day deadline
to Belgrade, demanding that it release nine of its members
currently incarcerated in Serb prisons, according to KLA's
Switzerland-based spokesman Bardil Mahmuti.
According to Mr. Mahmuti, KLA had asked the release of its
prisoners in exchange for setting free eight Serb soldiers it held
hostage for a course of eight days. "We decided to free them after
receiving guarantees that the United States on one side and the
European community on the other would press for the freeing of
Albanian political prisoners," he stated.
"If our demand is not met within ten days, then the
international community's mediators who participated in the
negotiations will not be allowed to enter Kosovo again," Mr.
Mahmuti said and added that KLA had agreed to release the hostages
after Belgrade agreed to certain concessions.
He declined to say what would happen if the Albanians are
not released within ten days, but he did indicate that it would
endanger future mediation attempts.
[19] UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT RESHUFFLES CABINET
Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma has reshuffled the Cabinet,
dismissing five ministers and replacing them with regional
leaders.
Among the reshuffled is the first Deputy Prime Minister,
Anatoli Golubchenko.
The Prime Minister, Valeri Pustavoitenko, announced that
other changes would be made in the near future.
While no reason was given for the reshuffle, international
press has reported that Western lenders press the Ukraine leaders
to streamline its administration in order to speed up economic
reform.
[20] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT ON KOSOVO SITUATION
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has issued a
statement wherein it supports that "The efforts exerted by Serbia
and Yugoslavia for the resumption of talks with the political
leaders of the Albanians in Kosovo have not borne results since
the Albanians' political leaders postpone the deliberations, by
supporting the terrorists' fight."
Moreover, the federal government has called on the
international community to draw measures against the terrorists
while it also, albeit indirectly, attributed responsibility to
Albania on whose ground, FRY claims in its statement, "terrorists
from Kosovo, as well as members from other terrorist organizations
in foreign countries (who are continuously entering Kosovo) are
recruited, trained and armed."
[21] TENSION ERUPTS BETWEEN FRY,ALBANIA, ADDED MEASURES AT BORDER
Albanian's Foreign Ministry has strongly reacted to the
statement made by the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia Zivadin Jovanovic, who accused Tirana of harboring
terrorists and characterized the country as "a lair of world
terrorism and mainly of the Islamists."
Mr. Jovanovic also claimed that Albania "constitutes the
entrance point for Islamist terrorists in his country" and warned
that "Yugoslavia is obliged to defend its independence."
In a strongly-worded response, the Albanian Foreign Ministry
denounced Belgrade for its "continuous Anti-Albanian actions"
whose aim is to shield the intense preparations for new raids in
Kosovo" and present Albania to the international community as a
factor of instability in the Balkan region.
Furthermore, the Albanian Ministry stated that Mr.
Jovanovic's statements aim to "set the Balkans on fire" and
"sabotage the international community's efforts to reach a
solution to the Kosovo crisis."
All of Albania's political leaders condemned the Yugoslav
Minister's statements, while the President of Albania Rejep
Meidani summoned an extraordinary session late last night with
the Defense Minister Luan Kidaraga and the Chief of the General
Staff Alex Antoni.
According to sources, the Albanian government has decided to
draw extra measures in fortifying its northeastern border region,
while the independent daily "Koha Jon" reported that tens of tanks
and armored vehicles have been assigned to the Albanian-Yugoslav
borders.
[22] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE CHILDREN OF THE BOSNIAN WAR
A financial aid of 100 DM was offered by Archimandrite
Parthenios Macheriotis to each of the 500 orphan children of the
war in former Yugoslavia, who live in Doboi, Bosnia.
According to Belgrade's newspaper "Politika", sponsors from
Greece send financial aid to 2.100 small children in the Serb
Republic of Bosnia every three months.
The archimandrite, who comes from Thessaloniki, has visited
the Serb Republic of Serbia a total of 54 times for humanitarian
reasons.
[23] EU DELEGATION IN CYPRUS
A European Union delegation is in Nicosia for a round of
talks on Cyprus's accession course to discuss the legal procedures
and the accession course monitoring mechanisms as well as other
issues.
Also, under discussion will be issues concerning tele-
communications, company laws, the policy of competitiveness and
the free movement of goods.
[24] TWO GREEK EURO-DEPUTIES ARE INVITED TO VISIT BULGARIA
Bulgarian foreign policy and European convergence
parliamentary committee president Asen Agov will send a letter to
Greek Euro-deputies Mr. Dimitrakopoulos and Mr. Trakatelis, who
submitted a plan to the European Parliament for the closure of
Kozlodui's reactors 1-4, inviting them to visit Bulgaria.
The announcement was made after today's meeting of foreign
policy committee members with energy committee president Ivan
Siliaski.
[25] THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides will be on a
formal visit to the Czech Republic on January 17-20 and he will
deliver a personal message of Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides
to his Czech counterpart Vaklav Havel. During his visit, Mr.
Kasoulides will have talks with his Czech counterpart and he will
sign a cooperation agreement between Cyprus and the Czech Republic
in the social security sector.
The two government ministers will discuss the developments in
the Cyprus issue, the common course of the two countries toward
the EU, bilateral relations and the cooperation between Cyprus and
the Czech Republic within the framework of international
organizations.
The Cypriot foreign minister will also visit Slovenia and he
will return to Cyprus on January 22.
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