Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-05
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 5, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSION AT PARTY LEADERS LEVEL
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER LAUNCHES ATTACK ON PREMIER
[03] FORMER FM PANGALOS DOES NOT FORECAST "WARM EPISODE"
[04] FORMER FM REFERS TO SWEDISH NEWS AGENCY'S REPORT
[05] ALTERNATE FM: LIFTING OF VETO FEASIBLE AFTER GUARANTEES
[06] NEW HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICE APPOINTED BY KYSEA
[07] DEFENSE DEPUTY MINISTER:NO DANGER OF WARM EPISODE IN AEGEAN
[08] DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THESSALONIKI & KAUNA
[09] INTERNATIONAL FOOD, BEVERAGES EXHIBITION "DETROP" OPENS
[10] INTERNATIONAL WINE CONTEST HELD IN THESSALONIKI
[11] K.SIMITIS: GREECE IS NOT ANSWERABLE TO TURKEY
[12] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED A STRONG ATTACK AGAINST SIMITIS
[13] THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE CALLS FOR CALM WHEN DEALING WITH THE
TURKISH PROVOCATION
[14] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS A POLICY OF PRINCIPLES
AND WANTS PEACE AS OPPOSED TO TURKEY'S AGGRESSIVENESS AND
PROVOCATION
[15] GREECE IS 16TH ON THE LIST OF TOURIST COUNTRIES
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] US PENTAGON ON PATRIOTS: TEMPORARY DELAY, NO OFFICIAL FREEZE
[17] UNITED STATES ISSUE DEMARCHES TO ATHENS AND ANKARA
[18] BURNS TO ADDRESS US-GREEK COMMERCIAL COMMISSION MEETING
[19] NY METROPOLITAN MUSEUM TO EXHIBIT GREEK ANTIQUITIES
[20] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER DEPARTS FOR US TOMORROW
[21] CONFLICT CONTINUES IN KOSOVO, FOUR PERSONS KILLED
[22] BOMB BLAST IN TURKEY KILLS THREE, WOUNDS TWO
[23] FORMER US SENATOR BOB DOLE IS IN FYROM
[24] JOSCHKA FISCHER: IT WILL BE HARD FOR OCALAN TO HAVE A FAIR
TRIAL
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSION AT PARTY LEADERS LEVEL
A discussion on the government's handling of the Ocalan
affair is to be held today in parliament, where political party
leaders will also discuss the state's foreign policy.
Moreover, the Assembly will discuss the government's proposal
for the formation of a review committee regarding the Ocalan
Affair next Friday.
According to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, the
committee will convene for a duration of thirty days.
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER LAUNCHES ATTACK ON PREMIER
The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's
Kostas Karamanlis, launched an unprecedented attack on Prime
Minister Kostas Simitis today, during the parliamentary discussion
on the state's foreign policy.
To begin with, Mr. Karamanlis accused Mr. Simitis of being at
the height of hypocrisy, charging the government with bringing
"national shame" to the country by its handling of the Ocalan
affair.
In a thinly-disguised attempt at irony, Mr. Karamanlis
wondered how Mr. Simitis could claim that Greece provided
"humanitarian aid" to the Kurdish leader when he was handed over
to Turkey.
"The government, through its actions, undermined the
country's international prestige and managed to completely
‘kurdishize' the country's foreign policy," Mr. Karamanlis stated
from the podium.
Moreover, he added that the government appears to be in a
state of dissolution and disintegration, stressing that the
Premier refuses to undertake responsibility for the Ocalan case,
while attributing fault to others.
"Not undertaking one's own responsibilities is an escape, a
political weakness and the Premier illustrates that he is unable
to manage crises, cannot undertake his own responsibility," the ND
leader said.
Furthermore, Mr. Karamanlis castigated government
spokesperson Dimitris Reppas for having stated that the Premier
had no involvement in the Ocalan affair.
"Are you serious in what you are saying? This is
unbelievable, it isn't done anywhere else. This proves that the
country is on the verge of going adrift," he said.
He continued that the government's days are numbered and this
will be proven at the parliamentary elections.
Mr. Karamanlis also referred to the Turkish threat, by
stating that there are no varying degrees of patriotism, stressing
that, when faced with Ankara's threats, "all Greeks, all deputies,
find themselves in the same trench.
"We are indissolubly bound", he stated, underlining the need
for national unity and national strategy.
The ND leader reiterated his call for the establishment of a
"national council on foreign policy", which would formulate a
responsible national policy.
[03] FORMER FM PANGALOS DOES NOT FORECAST "WARM EPISODE"
Greece's former Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos does not
foresee the possibility of a "warm episode" erupting between
Greece and Turkey.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Pangalos referred to Ankara's
provocations and said that it is a known tactic on behalf of
Turkey, a country which manipulates foreign policy and its
military forces in order to avert attention from the issues that
arise from the PKK leader's incarceration and the imminent
"trial".
[04] FORMER FM REFERS TO SWEDISH NEWS AGENCY'S REPORT
Former Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who was asked by
the Premier to resign in the wake of the Ocalan affair, commended
today on having been misquoted on the matter by the Swedish News
Agency earlier this week.
Mr. Pangalos stated that "I think some (people) thought that
they should contribute to the discussion... in an innovative way.
However, innovation requires talent."
The Swedish news agency's contentious report, featuring an
inflammatory title, contained phrases wrongly attributed to Mr.
Pangalos.
[05] ALTERNATE FM: LIFTING OF VETO FEASIBLE AFTER GUARANTEES
Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis has stated
that Greece could
lift its veto on the European Union's financial protocol for
Turkey, if Ankara guarantees to the EU that it will provide
something in exchange in regards to disputes over the Aegean.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Kranidiotis also spoke at length on
the Cyprus issue, announcing the Greek government's intention to
undertake an initiative for strengthening the common foreign
policy, while also asking the EU to contribute to the confidence
building measures between the island's two communities, always
within the framework of the relevant resolutions issued by the
United Nations and in cooperation with the United States.
[06] NEW HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICE APPOINTED BY KYSEA
The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense
(KYSEA) has appointed the foreign ministry's secretary-general
Pavlos Apostolidis as head of the
Greek Intelligence Service (EYP).
Mr. Apostolidis replaces Haralambos Stavrakakis, who was
asked to resign due to the Ocalan affair.
Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou presented a series of
proposals concerning EYP's new format of operation which were
unanimously accepted by KYSEA.
"I hope in the next few days to inform political party
leaders about EYP's new operating framework," she said.
[07] DEFENSE DEPUTY MINISTER:NO DANGER OF WARM EPISODE IN AEGEAN
Undersecretary of National Defense Dimitris Apostolakis has
dismissed rumors of a "warm" episode erupting in the Aegean,
albeit the advised that care be taken due to the existing
political tension between Greece and Turkey.
Mr. Apostolakis also referred to the recent violations of
Greece's FIR by Turkish military aircraft and said that it is a
common tactic on behalf on Turkey.
He further added that the Turkish aircraft which flew above
eastern Crete were equipped to take aerial photographs.
[08] DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THESSALONIKI & KAUNA
A draft cooperation agreement was signed in Thessaloniki
yesterday between the prefecture and the Kaouna region of
Lithuania.
The agreement calls for inter-regional cooperation and the
development of economic, cultural and social relations, as well as
facilitating businesses from the two regions.
A delegation of Lithuanian officials, among them the governor
and mayor of Kaouna, is presently on a formal visit to
Thessaloniki, upon the invitation of the city's prefectural
government administration.
The Lithuanian officials have met with the Prefect of
Thessaloniki Kostas Papadopoulos and local business leaders.
[09] INTERNATIONAL FOOD, BEVERAGES EXHIBITION "DETROP" OPENS
The 15th international foodstuffs, beverages, machinery and
equipment exhibition "DETROP" is opening its gates today and the
facilities of the HELEXPO-Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).
The exhibition, which focuses on the promotion of
Mediterranean foodstuffs, is to feature a total 939 exhibitors of
whom 595 are Greeks, while 344 are from 44 other countries.
Italy, the United States, Poland and Cyprus are the event's
official co-organizers.
[10] INTERNATIONAL WINE CONTEST HELD IN THESSALONIKI
The results of the international wine competition, held in
Thessaloniki during Detrop '99, are to be announced this evening.
The contest, organized by the Macedonia Wine Producers Union
and state trade fair organizer HELEXPO, features wines that meet
the production standards of their country of origin and an
international code of practice.
The organizers want to promote quality wines to consumers and
distributors and publicize the wine culture of the Mediterranean
basin, which, in turn will aid the industry's growth.
Judging the entries will be a committee of wine experts and
journalists from Greece and abroad.
[11] K.SIMITIS: GREECE IS NOT ANSWERABLE TO TURKEY
The sole and valid judge of political responsibility is the
Greek people and its response will be given in the next elections
scheduled to be held next year, stated prime minister Kostas
Simitis rejecting the charges made by the opposition regarding the
way the government has handled the Ocalan affair.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis underlined the responsibilities
the Greek ultra-patriots have in the Ocalan case, as he
characterized them, speaking at noon today in the special session
of the Greek parliament that was held at the request of right-wing
main opposition party of New Democracy. Mr. Simitis pointed out
that no one can grant asylum to irresponsibility and underlined
that there were mistakes in the way the case was handled but the
government assumed the political responsibility for the arrest of
Ocalan and this was expressed with the resignation of three
government ministers. He said that decisions should not be made
based on rumors and unfounded press information.
Greece is not answerable to Turkey, a country that is in
constant violation of international law and human rights, said Mr.
Simitis, and expressed abhorrence for the treatment of Ocalan by
the Turkish authorities. He also added that the country is not
accountable to the allies accusing them of passive stance, neither
to the Kurds toward whom Greece has shown its solidarity.
The government, said Mr. Simitis, will not answer for its
intentions in this case and added that he believes that even the
slightest insinuation over the intentions and the stance of the
Greek government are unacceptable and deeply insulting to Greece
and democracy.
The prime minister launched an attack against all those who
take advantage of the feelings of the Greek people to promote
their political, party and business aspirations. He said that the
times are crucial not for the reasons presented by the main
opposition party but because of the provocation, the dangers and
the threats the Greek country, the nation and the people are faced
with.
At this point, the prime minister use tough language
referring to Turkey which continues its provocation and ignores
even the basic political and individual rights, while it attempts
to export its internal problems with slanderous accusations and
threats against Greece. Responding to the accusations launched by
Ankara, according to which, Greece harbors terrorism the prime
minister pointed out that Greece condemns all forms of terrorism
regardless from where it comes from because it has suffered from
it.
On the issue of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles that
were not installed in Cyprus, the prime minister reiterated that
it was the decision of the Cypriot government and was taken in
order to secure Cyprus' smooth EU accession course, pointing out
that now it is demanded that the UN resolutions on Cyprus be
implemented, while the international community should show with
actions that is sensitive toward the Cyprus problem and
international law. Mr. Simitis stated that Greece is on Cyprus'
side and that the Cyprus issue is a top national priority and any
expansionist attempt against it will cause the decisive response
of Greece in accordance with the joint defense doctrine.
Referring again to the Ocalan issue, the prime minister
stressed that Greece could not grant him political asylum because
this would not serve him neither the Kurdish struggle and the only
one that could benefit from such a move would have been Turkey. He
said that such a decision would have turned the Kurdish issue into
a Greek-Turkish dispute.
[12] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED A STRONG ATTACK AGAINST SIMITIS
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis in the speech he delivered in parliament accused
the prime minister of irresponsibility. He said that Mr. Simitis
has to answer to the Greek people and spoke of a fiasco in the
Ocalan affair that constitutes a dark page in the country's
history after the restoration of democracy.
The leader of the opposition New Democracy party said that
all the Greeks regardless of their political beliefs feel an
unprecedented humiliation and called on the prime minister to
assume his responsibilities in the case. Referring to the Turkish
threat, he said that one can not be more of a patriot or less of
patriot, adding that when it comes to the threats launched by
Ankara every parliament deputy is at the same trench.
[13] THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE CALLS FOR CALM WHEN DEALING WITH THE
TURKISH PROVOCATION
Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos suggested calm
and determination when dealing with the Turkish provocation. Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos said that Greece should exploit its advantages
namely, the ability to seek the safeguarding of stability, peace
and cooperation in the Aegean in agreement with the allies.
Meanwhile, four F-16 and two F-4 Turkish fighter jets
continued the violations of the Athens FIR in the region between
the Aegean islands of Chios and Samos yesterday, while three
violations were recorded over the island of Kos in south-eastern
Aegean. The Turkish fighter jets were intercepted by Greek
aircraft.
[14] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS A POLICY OF PRINCIPLES
AND WANTS PEACE AS OPPOSED TO TURKEY'S AGGRESSIVENESS AND
PROVOCATION
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas admitted that
there was an intervention to Greece and Turkey by the United
States aimed at the easing of the tension. Mr. Reppas stated that
the acting US ambassador to Athens, representing Mr. Burns,
visited foreign ministry general secretary Pavlos Apostolidis and
conveyed the US stance for the easing of the tension and the
return of calm, while a similar visit was made in Ankara as well.
Mr. Reppas underlined that the Greek government follows a
policy of principles and wants peace, security and stability in
the region contrary to Turkey which follows an aggressive and
provocative policy.
Responding to the question if there is an issue of a "hot
incident" in the Aegean, Mr. Reppas responded that there is no
concrete information from Turkey on preparations for a military
action.
On the likelihood for Greece to lift the veto on Turkey's EU
funding, he stated that the pre-condition set by the Greek side is
for Ankara to change its attitude which is aggressive and
provocative.
To the question on whether the decision for the installation
of the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in eastern Crete is still in
effect, Mr. Reppas underlined that the government decision remains
unchanged.
[15] GREECE IS 16TH ON THE LIST OF TOURIST COUNTRIES
Over 12 million foreigners traveled to Greece last year
bringing the country at the 16th place in the world in terms of
number of tourists. At the same time, 1/3 of the world tourism
preferred a Mediterranean destination to spend vacations and 5% of
the overall arrivals corresponds to Greece.
The above were stated by Greek Tourism Organization, EOT,
general director Mr. Katsiyiannis, who also stated that Greece is
at the 4th place among the Mediterranean countries in terms of
tourism after France, Italy and Spain.
The number of tourists from the former Soviet Union is on the
rise and only last year over 1 million tourists from the former
Soviet republics visited Greece surpassing the Scandinavians.
However, most tourists visiting Greece come from Germany as over
2.5 million Germans visited the country last year followed by the
British as their arrivals were estimated at 2 million last year.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] US PENTAGON ON PATRIOTS: TEMPORARY DELAY, NO OFFICIAL FREEZE
The United States Pentagon has acknowledged that there is a
temporary delay in the delivery of the "Patriot" missile system,
which Greece has purchased at US$1.4 billion, but has denied that
this constitutes an "official freeze".
Pentagon spokesperson Kenneth Bacon stated that the US are
currently conducting an investigation -with the absolute
cooperation of the Greek government- on rumors of Greece having
revealed NATO codes to Russia.
"There is no official freeze, there is an unofficial and
temporary delay and as soon as this issue is resolved I expect
that sales will be resumed again," Mr. Bacon stressed, adding that
initial information on the course of the investigation appears to
be very positive.
"The relationship between Greece and the US is very strong,"
Mr. Bacon said, and added that the "Patriot" agreement would not
have been signed "unless there was a strong relationship of trust
between the US and Greece."
[17] UNITED STATES ISSUE DEMARCHES TO ATHENS AND ANKARA
In an effort to alleviate the mounting tension between Greece
and Turkey, the United States have issued demarches to both
countries wherein the State Department advises both sides to lower
the tones and avoid tension.
Meanwhile, after the provocative statements made by President
Suleiman Demirel and Premier Bulent Ecevit, Turkish ministers
referred to the need for peaceful co-existence between the two
countries by expressing the hope that bilateral ties will improve.
[18] BURNS TO ADDRESS US-GREEK COMMERCIAL COMMISSION MEETING
United States Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns, presently
in the U.S., is to participate in the semi-annual US-Greek
Economic and Commercial Commission meeting, which will be held
today in Washington.
In addition to official consultations, Mr. Burns is also
participating in a meeting of the US-Greek Business Council in New
York and is addressing the American Foundation for Greek Language
and Culture in Tampa and speaking at New York University.
[19] NY METROPOLITAN MUSEUM TO EXHIBIT GREEK ANTIQUITIES
The Metropolitan Museum of New York is to feature an
exhibition of Greek antiquities spanning several eras, beginning
April 20.
The exhibition, a repeat event, is made feasible after a
series of extensive renovations at the Museum, monies for which
were donated by the Kostopoulos family.
[20] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER DEPARTS FOR US TOMORROW
The leader of the country's main opposition party, New
Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, will conduct his first official
visit to the United States between March 6-16.
While in the US, Mr. Karamanlis will be received by US vice-
president Al Gore and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
During his four-day visit, Mr. Karamanlis will also meet with
various US Congressmen and Greek-American leaders while he is to
deliver addresses at several academic institutions and "think
tanks".
His itinerary includes visits to other US cities, including
Boston, New York and Chicago.
[21] CONFLICT CONTINUES IN KOSOVO, FOUR PERSONS KILLED
It remains to be seen if the Yugoslav government will allow
US envoy and former presidential candidate Bob Dole to enter
Kosovo.
Meanwhile, four persons were killed yesterday during another
round of armed conflict that erupted in the strife torn region
between Serbs and the region's ethnic Albanians.
[22] BOMB BLAST IN TURKEY KILLS THREE, WOUNDS TWO
Three people were killed today and two were seriously
injured, including the governor of the Turkish province of
Cankiri, in a car bomb blast.
Governor Ayhan Cevik has been rushed to an Ankara hospital,
according to the French news agency AFP.
The bomb, which was placed in a car parked in front of a shop
selling gas canisters, exploded when the governor's car was
passing by.
The casualties include one of the governor's bodyguards and
an elementary school student.
[23] FORMER US SENATOR BOB DOLE IS IN FYROM
Former US Senator Bob Dole, who has undertaken the role of
the mediator in an effort to secure a peace deal in Kosovo, is on
a visit to FYROM.
However, is not certain yet if he will be allowed to enter
the Serb province as the Yugoslav authorities have not responded
yet to the visa application filed by Mr. Dole a week ago. It is
likely that he will attempt to enter Kosovo by car or he will meet
with ethnic Albanian representatives in Skopje.
[24] JOSCHKA FISCHER: IT WILL BE HARD FOR OCALAN TO HAVE A FAIR
TRIAL
German foreign minister Joschka Fischer stated in an
interview with the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" that he believes
that it will be hard for Ocalan to have a fair trial in Turkey,
pointing out that this is due to the hostile feelings toward the
PKK leader that dominate in the country.
He also stressed that Turkey has a great opportunity to solve
the Kurdish issue under the pre-condition that it will behave
reasonably.
Mr. Fischer also called on the PKK rebels to lay down their
arms and try to approach democracy with peaceful methods.
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