Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 12, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PLENARY SESSION TO DISCUSS FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE ON OCALAN
[02] ALTERNATE FM MEETS WITH US ENVOY FOR CYPRUS THOMAS MILLER
[03] ARMY CHIEFS OF 10 WEU MEMBER-STATES MEET IN CRETE TODAY
[04] MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON THESSALONIKI-SKOPJE OIL PIPELINE
[05] 5.000 NATO OFFICERS WERE SENT TO FYROM VIA THESSALONIKI
[06] REPPAS: THE INSTALLATION OF THE S-300 MISSILES IN CRETE IS A
MATTER OF TIME
[07] DISCUSSION IS UNDERWAY IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE
[08] SIMITIS MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PENSIONERS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TODAY
[10] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN NEW YORK, TO MEET WITH KOFI ANNAN
[11] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER MEETS WITH AL GORE IN WASHINGTON
[12] EUROSTAT NOTES REDUCTION IN GREEK EXPORTS-IMPORTS
[13] US AMBASSADOR BURNS MEETS WITH ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON
[14] GREEK FM: US NEVER REQUESTED WE DECLARE PKK AS TERRORISTS
[15] BELGRADE REJECTS SOFIA'S INITIATIVE DUE TO ABSENCE OF ATHENS
[16] PAPANDREOU-JOVANOVIC MEETING
[17] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH VUK DRASKOVIC
[18] THE FINANCE MINISTER OF FYROM IS ON A VISIT TO GREECE
[19] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE WILL BE IN EGYPT TOMORROW
[20] PAPANDREOU-IVANOV MEETING
[21] FAVOURABLE REGULATIONS FOR THE GREEK TOBACCO WERE PASSED IN
EURO-PARLIAMENT
[22] TURKEY WOULD RECOGNIZE AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE
[23] POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY BECAME NATO MEMBERS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PLENARY SESSION TO DISCUSS FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE ON OCALAN
The Athens public prosecutor, who has conducted an
investigation on civilian involvement in the illegal entry and
stay of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to Greece,
issued a report yesterday wherein it charges 18 persons with
felony of complicity in "harming the country's international
peaceful relations".
The Hellenic Parliament's plenary session is to discuss the
report and the formation of a fact-finding committee which would
establish whether or not responsibility can be attributed to any
ministers concerning the Ocalan case. The proposal to form the
said committee has been tabled by 116 deputies.
[02] ALTERNATE FM MEETS WITH US ENVOY FOR CYPRUS THOMAS MILLER
Greece's alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis met
with the United States special coordinator for Cyprus Thomas
Miller yesterday evening, with whom he discussed Greek-Turkish
relations, Cyprus and the Kosovo crisis.
Mr. Kranidiotis told Mr. Miller that Turkey must cease "its
futile effort to link its pre-election campaign with statements
against Greece.
"Greece condemns terrorism, but Turkey must not disorient
public opinion with statements on this issue," he stated, adding
that Washington had a role to play in improving Greek-Turkish
relations.
"We are in favor of good relations with Turkey and are trying
to improve them in a constructive manner, but the US must also
play a role in this," he stressed.
In response, Mr. Miller said "we shall do everything we can
to bring about the necessary de-escalation of tension in Greek-
Turkish relations."
He further said that Greek-US relations were strong, that the
Cyprus issue had become stagnant for too long, but noted that the
situation in the broader region was worse a few years ago.
Regarding the situation in the Balkans, Mr. Kranidiotis said
stability should be pursued on the basis of the principles of
international law and good neighborliness, and that Greece and the
US would maintain constant contact on the issues.
[03] ARMY CHIEFS OF 10 WEU MEMBER-STATES MEET IN CRETE TODAY
The army chiefs of ten Western European Union (WEU) member-
states will meet in Rethymno, Crete, today, during the annual
"FINABEL" meeting.
Lt. Gen. Konstantinos Panayiotakis is representing Greece at
the meeting, which serves as the unofficial committee for
coordination and drafting of studies for the armies of the 10
permanent WEU members.
[04] MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON THESSALONIKI-SKOPJE OIL PIPELINE
Greek oil group Hellenic Petroleum has entered into an
alliance with Meton construction company for a strategic
investment in the state-oil sector of FYROM. The 150-million-
dollar memorandum, which was signed today in Skopje between the
Greek consortium's officials and FYROM's Premier Liupco
Georgievski, calls for the construction of a 230-kiloneter oil
pipeline between Thessaloniki and Skopje.
It also covers cooperation in the field of crude oil imports,
transport, construction works, refinery, pipelines, retail
stations and distribution centers.
Mr. Georgievski saluted the project, stating that it
constitutes Greece's largest investment in FYROM.
[05] 5.000 NATO OFFICERS WERE SENT TO FYROM VIA THESSALONIKI
Over 5.000 officers from NATO member-states were sent to
FYROM via Thessaloniki in the past 25 days, within the framework
of the peace-keeping force that will deployed in the region of
Kosovo for the protection of the OSCE observers.
At the moment,1.355 soldiers and 364 military vehicles are in
Thessaloniki and are expected to depart in the next few days.
Meanwhile, a German ship carrying containers is expected to
sail into the port of Thessaloniki today, while a German transport
plane has landed at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport carrying 200
military officers. Tomorrow, is expected another German ship with
military vehicles and containers, while a French ship is expected
on Monday.
[06] REPPAS: THE INSTALLATION OF THE S-300 MISSILES IN CRETE IS A
MATTER OF TIME
The installation of the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Crete
is a matter of time, underlined Greek government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas and expressed the view that a "hot incident"
between Greece and Turkey will not occur because of the
installation of the missiles in Crete. However, he added, Greece
is ready to respond to any provocation as the Turkish officials
with their statements continue to preserve the tension in the
Greek-Turkish relations.
On the meeting of deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis
with US special coordinator on Cyprus Thomas Miller, Mr. Reppas
stated that the United States reiterated the position for Athens
and Ankara to lower the tones in order to stop the tension in
their relations. Mr. Kranidiotis expressed the Greek position that
the tension is being created by Turkey and its constant threats
against Greece.
[07] DISCUSSION IS UNDERWAY IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE
The discussion for the establishment of a fact-finding
committee to investigate the Ocalan case is underway in Parliament
and the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy together
with the Greek Communist Party are in favour of the proposal.
Meanwhile, the issue of the prosecutors' findings that leaked
to the press caused the reaction of all political parties. The
opening of an investigation by the prosecutor's office on the
issue was announced by minister of development Evangelos
Venizelos, who replaces the currently ill minister of justice
Evangelos Yiannopoulos.
The prosecutors' findings arrived in Parliament after the
opening of the session and Parliament president Apostolos
Kaklamanis expressed regret over the fact that they had leaked to
the press.
[08] SIMITIS MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PENSIONERS
The coordinating committee of the pensioners' unions met with
prime minister Kostas Simitis in Parliament. The prime minister
referred again to the measures taken by the government for the
pensioners and specifically, to the increase of the social
solidarity benefit and the rise of the pensions by 3.9%.
From his side, minister of labor Miltiadis Papaioannou
pointed out that the government in spite of the goal it has set to
join the EMU has moved ahead with the materialization of a social
policy. However, the pensioners spoke of zero results in the
meeting.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TODAY
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou, presently on a
tour of Balkan capitals, is to meet with Yugoslav president
Slobodan Milosevic today.
Mr. Papandreou, having visited Skopje, Tirana, Bucharest and
Sofia, is promoting Greek initiative to end the crisis in the
strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo which, so far, has been
received positively. Yesterday, he met with US envoy
Richard Holbrooke.
In addition to Mr. Milosevic, Mr. Papandreou is scheduled to
meet with Serb President Milan Milutinovic, Yugoslav FM Zivadin
Jovanovic and Yugoslav Deputy PM Vuk Draskovic.
[10] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN NEW YORK, TO MEET WITH KOFI ANNAN
The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's
Kostas Karamanlis, presently on an official visit to the United
States, will hold talks with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and
Archbishop Spyridon tomorrow.
The ND leader yesterday met with the US Vice-President Al
Gore with whom he discussed issues concerning terrorism, Greek-
Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.
Mr. Karamanlis is accompanied by New Democracy MPs Petros
Molyviatis, Vassilis Magginas and Fani Palli-Petralia.
[11] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER MEETS WITH AL GORE IN WASHINGTON
Main opposition New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis met
with the United States Vice-President Al Gore in Washington
yesterday, with whom he discussed issues concerning on terrorism,
Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.
Following their talks, Mr. Karamanlis said he had an
extremely interesting meeting and discussion.
"Our common pursuit is stability in the region and I
explained our steadfast position that Greece desires peace in the
region, as well as that the future of Greek-Turkish relations can
only move on international law and existing conditions of good
neighborliness and cooperation," he said.
Furthermore, Mr. Karamanlis denounced Turkey's tactic of
threatening use of force, saying it is a tactic which neither
suits modern states nor its European orientation.
According to Mr. Karamanlis, the US Vice-President listened
closely to an initiative over the Cyprus issue for a viable and
fair solution to be found.
Mr. Karamanlis added that it was time for a new initiative
and that he had the impression a similar climate also prevails in
the US administration.
Commenting on the case of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, Mr.
Karamanlis said Athens never harbored, supported or facilitated
acts related to force and terrorism.
"We believe that there can only be a solution to the Kurdish
issue with political means," he said.
[12] EUROSTAT NOTES REDUCTION IN GREEK EXPORTS-IMPORTS
The value of goods imported to Greece between January-
November 1998 was lowered by two percent, according to Eurostat,
which also noted that Greece was the only EU member-state which
marked a drop in imports.
According to Eurostat's analysts, the said drop is attributed
to last March's drachma devaluation. Greek exports also followed
a downward trend during the same time period, falling by six per
cent, this also being a record rate among the "15".
[13] US AMBASSADOR BURNS MEETS WITH ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON
The Archbishop of America Spyridon met with the United States
Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns, in Boston today where they
discussed US-Greek relations, and the further development thereof.
Archbishop Spyridon lauded Mr. Burns on his efforts to
strengthen ties between the two countries.
[14] GREEK FM: US NEVER REQUESTED WE DECLARE PKK AS TERRORISTS
The Greek government never received, either formally or
informally, a request by the United States authorities to declare
the PKK organization as a terrorist one, according to Greece's
Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
"Our country's position has been stated repeatedly in a most
cogent manner and was recently reiterated by the Prime Minister
during the parliamentary discussion on foreign policy," he stated.
Mr. Papandreou further added that Greece's sensitivity on
matters of terrorism is a given.
[15] BELGRADE REJECTS SOFIA'S INITIATIVE DUE TO ABSENCE OF ATHENS
The Yugoslav authorities refused to accept the joint
parliamentary committee, comprising MPs from Bulgaria, FYROM,
Romania and Hungary, because the Greek parliamentarians were
absent, according to Bulgarian press reports.
Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Nadezda Michailova was organizing
a visit by the parliamentarians to Prishtina and Belgrade, so that
they would meet with the two sides involved in the Kosovo
conflict.
According to a Sofia daily, the Greek side refused to partake
in the Bulgarian initiative.
[16] PAPANDREOU-JOVANOVIC MEETING
The problem in Kosovo and the initiatives underway for its
peaceful solution, the promotion of bilateral relations and
cooperation between Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
were the main subjects discussed in the meeting of Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou with his FRY counterpart Zivadin
Jovanovic held in Belgrade today.
Mr. Papandreou stressed that the way in which the problem of
Kosovo will be solved will affect all the countries in the region.
He said that a political solution for Kosovo should be based on a
wide autonomy within the framework of Serbia and Yugoslavia that
will rule out any change of the borders and will respect human
rights and minority rights.
Mr. Papandreou stated that the Serb and Yugoslav people must
be assured that the whole of international community supports
these basic principles.
Mr. Jovanovic reiterated the firm positions of his country
for a political solution in Kosovo which will be based on the ten
basic points set by the Contact Group and that the solution that
will be reached should not affect the territorial integrity of
Serbia.
Mr. Jovanovic also was in favour of a solution that will be
reached through political means and without the deployment of
foreign military forces in Kosovo in order to oversee the
implementation of an agreement between the Serbs and the ethnic
Albanians.
Mr. Papandreou will meet later in the afternoon with Yugoslav
president Slobodan Milosevic.
[17] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH VUK DRASKOVIC
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou met with vice-
president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, responsible for
foreign affairs issues, Vuk Draskovic within the framework of his
visit to Belgrade.
Mr. Papandreou backed a wide autonomy in Kosovo without a
change in the existing borders of Yugoslavia and Serbia, as well
as the respect of human rights and minority rights. The Greek
foreign minister stressed that the basic element is to make sure
that the settlement will respect the Balkan borders, underlining
that this is very important for Greece.
He also stated that during his current tour of the Balkan
capitals he reached the conclusion that there is great support
toward this approach.
From his side, Mr. Draskovic stated that the solution for
Kosovo should be reached based on the UN charter and international
law and taking under consideration the ten principles suggested by
the Contact Group. He also expressed discontent over the fact that
the peace plan presented in Rambouillet includes certain points
which have to be changed.
Mr. Draskovic stated that the agreement must rule out the
likelihood of an independent Kosovo or a Kosovo that could acquire
the status of a third republic within the framework of the
Yugoslav Federation.
[18] THE FINANCE MINISTER OF FYROM IS ON A VISIT TO GREECE
FYROM's minister of finance Boris Stoimenov is on a two-day
visit to Greece.
According to information, Mr. Stoimenov will meet in Athens
with the governor of the Bank of Greece, as well as with
representatives of companies which are interested in making
investments in FYROM.
[19] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE WILL BE IN EGYPT TOMORROW
Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos will arrive in Cairo
tomorrow on board a C-130 transport plane of the Greek Air Force
to attend the opening of Efthimios Varlamis' painting exhibition
under the title "Alexandros 2000". The exhibition will be
inaugurated by the Egyptian culture minister together with the
Greek ambassador to Cairo.
The exhibition will last one month until April 13 and is
being held within the framework of the efforts for the
strengthening of the cultural ties between Greece and Egypt. Mr.
Varlamis' paintings picture the historical course of Alexander the
Great and present different aspects of his personality.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also visit Alexandria and the sites
of archaeological excavations aimed at the discovery of the tomb
of Alexander the Great. The excavations are made by Egyptian
professor Faharani and his Greek assistant Ms. Papakosta.
The Greek minister of defense will be accompanied by a group
of journalists and will stay in Egypt for two days.
[20] PAPANDREOU-IVANOV MEETING
Russia backs the proposal made by Greece for a Balkan
conference that will examine the Kosovo crisis. This conclusion
was reached by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and his
Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov in the meeting they had in
Belgrade today.
Mr. Ivanov characterized as useful the holding of a Balkan
conference and added that it could be a continuation of the
efforts to safeguard stability in the region.
[21] FAVOURABLE REGULATIONS FOR THE GREEK TOBACCO WERE PASSED IN
EURO-PARLIAMENT
The European Parliament voted through favourable regulations
for the Greek tobacco.
The decision that has been reached is virtually an approval
of the report submitted by right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy Euro-deputy Antonis Trakatelis concerning the subsidies
and the limits set on production guarantees per tobacco variety
group and for each EU member-state.
[22] TURKEY WOULD RECOGNIZE AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE
If an independent Palestinian state is declared Turkey will
recognise it immediately, stated Turkish parliament president
Hikmet Cetin, who visited the Palestinian territories yesterday
after a visit to Israel.
After his meeting with Palestinian National Assembly
president Ahmet Kueri, Mr. Cetin stated that if a Palestinian
state is founded Turkey will recognize it immediately adding that
the region is in great need of a secular democratic state.
The president of the Turkish parliament expressed his
country's concern over the events in support of PKK that are being
held in Palestine and which were attended by a parliament deputy
of the governing party of "Fatah".
[23] POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY BECAME NATO MEMBERS
NATO has three new members. Poland, the Czech Republic and
Hungary will officially become members of the alliance in a
special ceremony that will be held in the United States today.
The ceremony will be attended by the foreign ministers of the
three new member-states and their US counterpart, Madeleine
Albright.
In a statement issued by NATO it is stressed that the three
new memberships mark the start of the alliance's expansion
eastwards.
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