Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-01-24

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

Last Update: 23:27 GMT+2

SECTIONS

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] GREECE

[B] BALKANS

[C] EUROPE

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] GREECE

[01] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINSTER SPEAKS ON KOSOVO AT ESP

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

political solution to the Kosovo problem and there should be no military intervention by the international community if they are not exhausted.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that the case of Kosovo is not the same as that of Bosnia, adding that it was the Bosnian government itself that had requested military intervention, while in the case of Kosovo every military intervention is an intervention in Yugoslavia's domestic affairs, which "in the framework of the unity of European security cannot conceivably take place without the agreement of Russia."

He further added that NATO must avoid the use of military forces, because if this happens it will serve the designs of one of the two rival sides and predicted that the crisis in the region will continue for quite a long time.

A.F.

[02] THE TWO MESSAGES OF THE ESP CONFERENCE

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

The first is that the European Union needs to form a new strategy for the Balkans as, up to date, it has displayed a certain weakness, timidity and - resultantly- ineffectiveness in the timely handling of crises and issues arising in the Balkan countries.

The second is that Greece needs to undertake an even more substantial - politically, economically and culturally - role in the Balkans, in order for the region to stop being a breeding ground of tension and instability.

It is evident that the re can be no Europe without the Balkans. As the

Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated, instability in the Balkans can sweep stability throughout the continent. And as the leading member of Italy's "Democratic Left" Umberto Ranieri said, the European Union cannot survive with a "black hole" in its south end.

The Bosnia experience, as well as today's Kosovo, reveal not only our weakness, but also the non-existence of the European Union's foreign policy.

As such, a serious discussion on the radical institutional changes that need to take place must be held, in order to strengthen Europe's future role, in light of the expansion.

Why is the Balkan peninsula so often transformed into a hotbed of conflict? In other eras, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, instead of fighting, used to pit the Balkan states against one another. Today, according with what the German vice-president of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Hanes Svoboda stated, there is no such regional power to undertake a leadership role in the region. And Greece, which could carry out this role, is not among Europe's economic powers so as to be able to impose a change in the political climate through its presence.

As such, in order to better deal with the successive crises in the Balkans, the EU must draw a plan for economic re-organization and strengthening of the democratic institutions, as well as formulate a plan for technical support in the Balkans on behalf of the EU.

And of course, in regards to Kosovo, only a diplomatic solution must be sought. One that would force, on the one hand, President Milosevic to abide by the international accords and grant respect to all the minorities living in the region, and, on the other, to force the Albanian rebels of the "Kosovo Liberation Army" to promise that they will abstain from any aggressive act and the use of violence.

A new "Dayton" for Kosovo can lead to a solution. Concurrently, however, a series of coordinated moves needs to be drawn by the EU in order to determine a more substantial role for our country in bringing peace to Kosovo and promoting a climate of security, cooperation and peace in the region.

A.F.

[03] RESULTS OF ESP CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

The ESP manifesto that was adopted during the conference stressed that the principles and values of European culture constitute a model for the development of Balkan countries while it also stresses the need to develop multilateral ties and forms of cooperation among the Balkan countries and to promote cooperation with the European Union.

The manifesto also points out the need to form numerous structures, beyond the social and economic forms of cooperation, in matters of security, which structures need to stem from the EU.

Furthermore, the document stressed that the formulation of democratic institutions in politics, society and economy does not suffice, as these countries are also in need of democratic institutions of security.

Furthermore, the manifesto calls on the EU to proceed with the strengthening of the common, foreign policy of security and defense.

Regarding Kosovo, an issue discussed at length during the conference, the participants agreed that a clear position needs to be adopted, as in all the Balkan crises.

All the participating parties condemned the continued violence and human rights violations by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and stressed that only one diplomatic solution which would compel Mr. Milosevic to abide by international accords and guaranteed respect for the region's minorities could constitute a viable solution.

Concurrently, the participants also called on the "Kosovo Liberation Army" (UCK) to refrain from any aggressive act and the use of violence. By pointing out that the world cannot accept the continued juxtaposition between the two sides, the ESP participants call on both sides to work within the framework of international law and respect the existing international borders.

Lastly, they stress that the EU needs to continue to undertake its responsibilities towards the crisis and seek consistent and international support that that can steer to a course of finding a solution.

A.F.

[04] GREEK FM CALLS ON EU TO ADOPT DIFFERENT BALKAN POLICY FROM U.S.

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

Mr. Pangalos stated that Washington has made fundamental errors in the region which have led to crises. Furthermore, he stated that they simply turned a deaf ear in other cases, such as Albania, where they promoted Sali Berisha and, when they saw no outcomes, they stopped dealing with the country.

Referring to the Balkans, Mr. Pangalos stressed that the specific region has a certain peculiarity in comparison with the remaining Europe since the Balkan peoples lived for centuries within the boundaries of Ottoman rule, thus not living is a state of justice, which resulted in significant delays in both the social and economic development.

Furthermore, he stated that the Communist system also brought great delays in the Balkans, in a way extending a form of rule similar to the Ottoman Empire's.

Referring to Socialist parties, Mr. Pangalos conceded that their leadership on most member-states of the EU did not mark a return to solidarity among them, but rather it resulted in the contrary, especially in economic matters.

Lastly, he stated that the embodiment of the Balkan states in the EU constitutes a great challenge.

There is already an axis of progress in the Balkans, the one concerning Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, which may not be perfect countries but enjoy exemplary cooperation for the accession of the latter two to the EU, he said.

Furthermore, he stated that FYROM is also taking steps towards the European direction, while, Albania, although on the right track, needs to look closely at the sectors of development and prosperity. He stated that if Albania accepts the existing Balkan borders, that would be positive. But, if it proceeds to liberating Kosovo's Albanians then it could have problems.

In regards to Yugoslavia, Mr. Pangalos said that the sum of the countries that once composed the former Yugoslavia will continue to concern all for many years to come.

A.F.

[05] BALKAN SOCIALIST YOUTH FORUM TO BE FOUND IN THESSALONIKI

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

The PASOK Youth chapter also announced the formation of a Balkan Socialist Youth Forum, to be founded in Thessaloniki.

A.F.

[06] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that he values and principles of European civilizations constitute a model for the development of Balkan countries.

Earlier, Foreign Misnter Theodoros Pangalos stressed that the European Union's Balkan policy needs to differ from that adopted by the United States which, in the past, have made fundamental mistakes which led to a crisis.

A.F.

[07] EDUCATION SECTOR STILL TORN APART, TEACHERS TO CONDUCT 24-HOUR STRIKE

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

The students' coordinating committees are holding meetings today in order to decide on the future of their mobilizations, although the students from Athens have already announced that they will hold rallies on Thursday. On the same day, the General Confederation of Greek Workers has announced that it will hold a four-hour stoppage.

A.F.

[B] BALKANS

[08] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN ISTANBUL, ADDRESSES EDU CONFERENCE

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

He met today with Sweden's former Premier Carl Bildt and termed their talks as "very interesting."

Mr. Karamanlis said that the two discussed the Kosovo crisis and agreed that it is a case extremely convoluted and dangerous for stability in the Balkan region and south-eastern Europe.

Furthermore, the two men agreed that coordinated actions and initiatives need to be taken by all sides towards this directions and agreed to have further communication on the matter.

The EDU meeting discussed the ongoing political developments in Turkey, the growth strategy of EDU's members, the upcoming euro-elections and the EDU budget for 1999-2000.

Mr. Karamanlis said that he favors Turkey's European vocation under the condition that Ankara accept decisions by EU summits regarding respect of international treaties, human rights and resolutions by international organizations.

A.F.

[09] CRISIS IN KOSOVO STILL FERMENTING

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

International observers are conducting negotiations for the release of the Serbs while the Yugoslav forces may take action in case the hostages are not freed.

A.F.

[C] EUROPE

[10] GREEK DEPUTIES TO ATTEND COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEETING TOMORROW

Web Posted: 18:26 GMT+2

The sessions of the meeting, which will begin tomorrow, will address a number of issues including commitments and obligations of Turkey as a CoE member-state, the creation of an enlarged Europe, religion and democracy, the crisis in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, the situation in Federal Yugoslavia and internal

security in Europe.

A.F.

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