Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-16
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 16, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TOP PASOK OFFICIALS MEET TODAY IN LIGHT OF THURSDAY'S
CONGRESS
[02] TIPPER GORE, US VICE-PRESIDENT'S WIFE, IN THESSALONIKI
[03] EFFORTS TO RETRIEVE BODIES OF THREE CLIMBERS ARE UNDERWAY
[04] GREEK TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION ISSUES MPA PHONECARD
[05] GREECE AIMS AT FUNDING PACKAGE LARGER THAN 2ND CSF
[06] 17 NOVEMBER SENDS DECLARATION ON OCALAN CASE TO A DAILY
[07] GREEK EURODEPUTY: COMMISSION'S RESIGNATION UNPRECEDENTED
[08] TIPPER GORE VISITED ANATOLIA COLLEGE IN THESSALONIKI
[09] REPPAS: NO REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE TRANSFER OF TURKISH
TROOPS VIA GREECE
[10] REPPAS: TURKEY IS THE ONE PRESERVING THE TENSION
[11] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON PKK AND ITS THREATS
[12] STATEMENTS BY PAPANDREOU AND PAPANTONIOU ON THE RESIGNATION
OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
[13] PAPOUTSIS: THE RESIGNATION OF THE EU COMMISSION IS AN ACT OF
DEMOCRATIC SENSITIVITY
[14] REPPAS: THE RESIGNATION OF THE EU COMMISSION WAS UNAVOIDABLE
AND AN ACT OF RESPONSIBILITY
[15] OTE ISSUED 300.000 PHONECARDS IN HONOR OF MPA
[16] KOSTAS SKANDALIDIS IS OPTIMISTIC OVER THE PASOK PARTY
CONGRESS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] EUROPEAN COMMISSION MEMBERS RESIGN EN MASSE OVER REPORT
[18] US PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS WITH NATO CHIEF SOLANA
[19] GERMAN CHANCELLOR G. SCHROEDER TO BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW
[20] GERMANY, BRITAIN WARN TOURISTS ABOUT TRAVELLING TO TURKEY
[21] UN REPORTS: BOTH KLA AND SERBS DENY ACCESS TO UNHCR TEAMS
[22] INSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN BRUSSELS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TOP PASOK OFFICIALS MEET TODAY IN LIGHT OF THURSDAY'S
CONGRESS
Top officials from Greece's ruling PASOK party are to meet
today in light of Thursday's fifth party congress.
PASOK's political secretariat and Executive Bureau are to
tackle last minute details prior to the event.
[02] TIPPER GORE, US VICE-PRESIDENT'S WIFE, IN THESSALONIKI
Tipper Gore, the wife of United States Vice President and
presidential candidate Al Gore, is presently in Thessaloniki where
she will address a forum organized by the city's American College
Anatolia this evening.
Ms. Gore will speak on The Role of Volunteerism in Covering
Social Needs."
The event will held in honor of the 60th anniversary since
the founding of Anatolia's Alumni Association, which also
coincides with the school's administrative board resolution to
promote volunteerism through its social activities.
Ms. Gore, a known advocate of volunteerism, is the Clinton
Administration's mental health adviser.
A dinner will be held in her honor and will be attended by
several ministers, including Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos, local and prefecture officials, as well as the US
ambassador in Greece.
Ms Gore will tour the city and travel to the nearby ancient
Macedonian archaeological site in Vergina before briefs visits to
Athens and Crete.
[03] EFFORTS TO RETRIEVE BODIES OF THREE CLIMBERS ARE UNDERWAY
Rescue teams are presently trying to retrieve the bodies of
the three climbers of Mt. Olympus who were discovered yesterday,
after having fallen into an an 800-meter deep ditch.
The rescue team has had great difficulty accessing the steep
site which is located at an altitude of 2,500 meters.
The three male alpinists appear to have slipped and fallen
into the snowed ditch and unavoidably dragged one another
downwards as they were tied together with rope.
[04] GREEK TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION ISSUES MPA PHONECARD
The Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) has issued a
new series of 300,000 phone cards which feature the logo of the
Macedonian Press Agency, an acknowledgment of MPA's activity in
and contribution to the Balkans, the Greek community abroad and
cyberspace.
The regional director of OTE's central Macedonia division
Nikos Vervelides stressed that the phone card is the second of a
like series issued by OTE (the first one was dedicated to the
Organization of Exports Promotion), aiming to promote those
organizations of the wider public sector which perform national
service, such as the MPA. At today's press conference, where the
card was unveiled, it was also pointed out that during the past
two weeks (since the Ocalan case first emerged) the MPA's server
on the Internet received over 900,000 calls, 40% of which were
domestic and 60% foreign.
[05] GREECE AIMS AT FUNDING PACKAGE LARGER THAN 2ND CSF
Greece would not agree to replacing the national welfare
criterion with one of regional welfare in regards to the funds
distribution in the first target of Structural Policies, according
to Foreign Minster George Papandreou.
Mr. Papandreou stated that such a development would bear
negative results for Greece which plans to steadfastly continue
with negotiations, aiming at a funding package larger from the
Second Community Support Framework.
Moreover, the Greek FM has communicated with his Spanish
counterpart Mr. Matutes who has refuted rumors of Spain having
shifted its stance on the Agenda 2000.
[06] 17 NOVEMBER SENDS DECLARATION ON OCALAN CASE TO A DAILY
"The main person responsible for betraying and handing Ocalan
over to his Turkish executioners is the Prime Minister Simitis,"
begins the eight-page proclamation forwarded to an Athens daily by
the 17 November terrorist group that has been active for a great
number of years but continues to remain elusive.
Referring to the Ocalan case, the group also attributes blame
to Mr. Simitis'
ministers and "not only the known three (who resigned) since none
of them acknowledged his responsibility upon resignation, as well
as the leadership of PASOK. (In) the conspiracy which led to the
arrest of the fighter Ocalan, Greece played the role of a "friend"
who pulls you inside a trap. This role could only be played by
Greece since this (is the only country) trusted by the Kurds and
the PKK."
[07] GREEK EURODEPUTY: COMMISSION'S RESIGNATION UNPRECEDENTED
Greek eurodeputy Nikos Papakyriazis ({PASOK) commented on the
resignation of the European Commission members, characterizing it
as an "unprecedented" event in the institution's course.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Papakyriazis
expressed his concern over the consequences to be borne two months
prior to the enforcement of the common currency.
[08] TIPPER GORE VISITED ANATOLIA COLLEGE IN THESSALONIKI
Tipper Gore, the wife of the US vice-president, visited
Anatolia College and the facilities of the Pinewood international
school in Thessaloniki accompanied by US consul general Paul
Sterhenson and vice-consul Tom Daughton. Earlier, she had visited
the facilities of the American Farm School.
Ms. Gore is in Thessaloniki at the invitation of Anatolia's
Alumni Association and this evening she will be the main speaker
in the forum on volunteerism which is aimed at covering social
needs.
Chairman of Anatolia's Alumni Association Mr. Florentin
stated that Ms. Gore came to Greece with the mediation of World
Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, in order to speak about
volunteerism, a sector in which she is widely known for her work.
[09] REPPAS: NO REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE TRANSFER OF TURKISH
TROOPS VIA GREECE
Ankara never requested from Athens to issue a permission
allowing the passage of Turkish troops through Greek territory
within the framework of the NATO peace-keeping force sent to the
region to back the alliance's mission in Kosovo, stated Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas also added that if Greece had received such a
request its response would be negative.
[10] REPPAS: TURKEY IS THE ONE PRESERVING THE TENSION
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that there
were violations and engagements in the Aegean in the past few days
but there were no dangerous developments adding however, that the
temperature is high in the region and it can lead to a fire.
Commenting on the allegations made by Turkish president
Suleiman Demirel on "gray zones", he said that they reveal that it
is Turkey that preserves the tension and does not contribute to
efforts aimed at dealing with the crisis. Mr. Reppas said that
Ankara launches verbal threats but in case they become military
actions the outcome will be unfavorable for Turkey.
[11] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON PKK AND ITS THREATS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the
Greek government's regret over the Kurdish PKK statement which
characterized Turkey as a war zone and warned tourists against
visiting the country.
Mr. Reppas stated that the blood of innocent people should
not be shed and reiterated the proposal made by Greece for a
political solution to the Kurdish problem.
[12] STATEMENTS BY PAPANDREOU AND PAPANTONIOU ON THE RESIGNATION
OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou characterized as
unprecedented the resignation of the European Commission but
stressed that there is no deadlock as democratic processes are
underway in order to deal with the issue. Mr. Papandreou stated
that he had a telephone communication with German foreign minister
Joshka Fischer, who will announce today or tomorrow the action
that will be undertaken by the German EU presidency.
Mr. Papandreou said that Greek Commissioner Christos
Papoutsis has played a positive role in the whole process and he
is not stigmatized which is positive for Greece itself. Mr.
Papandreou added that there is no deadlock in the European Union,
stressing that Greece wants a strong European Commission and a
strong Euro-parliament and backs both institutions.
Minister of finance and national economy Yiannos Papantoniou
also referred to the issue of the resignation of the European
Commission and pointed out that it takes place in a very sensitive
and crucial time for the European Union adding that he wishes that
a solution will be found soon.
[13] PAPOUTSIS: THE RESIGNATION OF THE EU COMMISSION IS AN ACT OF
DEMOCRATIC SENSITIVITY
Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis characterized the
resignation of the European Commission as an act of democratic
sensitivity and political responsibility.
Mr. Papoutsis stated that at a crucial time for the course of
Europe the political pre-conditions for the effective operation of
the European Commission ceased to exist, adding that the decision
safeguards the prestige and political integrity of the Commission
as the executive body of the European Union. Mr. Papoutsis also
said that the resignation of the Commission does not mean that it
did not do a very important job in the past 4 1/2 years laying the
foundations for the Europe of the 21st century.
Mr. Papoutsis concluded that Europe today needs democratic
control and clarity as well as fair and effective management,
while the role of the European public administration must also be
safeguarded.
[14] REPPAS: THE RESIGNATION OF THE EU COMMISSION WAS UNAVOIDABLE
AND AN ACT OF RESPONSIBILITY
The resignation of the European Commission was unavoidable
and it was an act of responsibility, commented Greek government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas, stressing that Greece is in favor of
clear procedures.
He characterized as positive the fact that there are no
accusations against Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and
he did not give a response to the question made by reporters on
whether the government will propose Mr. Papoutsis again for the
position of the EU Commissioner. The government, said Mr. Reppas,
is in contact with other EU countries on the way the posts of the
EU Commissioners will be filled and stated that he believes that a
common political stance will be reached.
[15] OTE ISSUED 300.000 PHONECARDS IN HONOR OF MPA
The Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, announced
that it has issued 300,000 phonecards in honor of Macedonian Press
Agency and its activities in the Balkans and the cyberspace as
well as on issues concerning the Greeks living abroad.
Speaking to reporters, OTE regional director Nikos Vervelidis
underlined that the phonecards issued in honor of MPA are aimed at
making the wider public sector organizations more known and
especially those, like MPA, that have undertaken action for the
promotion of national interests. It was also stressed that in the
two weeks when the Ocalan affair was at its peak the MPA site on
the Internet had over 900,000 visits of which 40% were from inside
the country and 60% from abroad.
[16] KOSTAS SKANDALIDIS IS OPTIMISTIC OVER THE PASOK PARTY
CONGRESS
PASOK's central committee secretary Kostas Skandalidis,
speaking to reporters after the party political secretariat
meeting, expressed optimism over the governing socialist party
congress that opens on Thursday. Responding to the question if
there was a political agreement reached, Mr. Skandalidis stated
that the common stance is a united course for the party.
The party congress will be attended by 5,802 delegates and on
the first day of the proceedings the main speaker will be prime
minister Kostas Simitis. On Sunday, elections will be held for the
new party president.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] EUROPEAN COMMISSION MEMBERS RESIGN EN MASSE OVER REPORT
The European Commission members have resigned en masse after
an investigation revealed chronic cases of cronyism and repeated
financial irregularities in the body's affairs.
European Commission President Jacques Santer announced his
resignation along with the 19 others.
The 140-page report that resulted from the investigation has
found that the commissioners exercised lax control over programs,
put friends and relatives on their payroll and denied any
wrongdoing, some saying they were unaware of sloppiness and fraud
on their watch. "It is becoming difficult to find anyone who has
even the slightest sense of responsibility," the report
concluded.
The fraud report was most critical of Research Commissioner
Edith Cresson, a former French prime minister who "failed to act
in response to known, serious and continuing irregularities over
several years" in educational and other programs for which she was
responsible.
[18] US PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS WITH NATO CHIEF SOLANA
Talks between the two sides of the strife-torn Kosovo region
(Serbs and ethnic Albanians) are to continue for a second day in
Paris, France today.
NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana was received by United
States President Bill Clinton with who he discussed a potential
armed intervention in the region.
Speaking to reporters, President Clinton stressed that if the
Serb side continues to refuse to sign the agreement, there will be
no other option but the use of military force.
[19] GERMAN CHANCELLOR G. SCHROEDER TO BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW
The President of the European Union and German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder will arrive in Athens tomorrow, March 17,
where he will be received by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.
Mr. Schroeder's visit to Greece is part of his series of
contacts held in light of the EU Summit Conference.
[20] GERMANY, BRITAIN WARN TOURISTS ABOUT TRAVELLING TO TURKEY
Following a series of bombings that occurred yesterday and
over the weekend in Istanbul, and the PKK's threats that tourist
resorts are now within their "field of war", Germany and Britain
have warned their nationals about traveling to Turkey.
The German Foreign Ministry said that the government is
taking this threat
"very seriously", while Great Britain's Foreign Office said the
government was advising tourists to be alert to the possibility of
bombings and that, despite the efforts of Turkish security forces,
their safety could not be guaranteed.
[21] UN REPORTS: BOTH KLA AND SERBS DENY ACCESS TO UNHCR TEAMS
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has
reported that clashes which occurred last week between Yugoslavian
security units and
the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) forced approximately 12,000
villagers from their homes in the Prizren and Vucitrn areas.
Another 6,000 people were displaced by fighting along the
southern border with Macedonia.
According to UNHCR, both the KLA and Yugoslavian forces
denied humanitarian workers access to the affected areas.
UNHCR reported that at least 230,000 persons are now
displaced within Kosovo as a result of the fighting, with another
170,000 having fled the province in the past year. Several hundred
thousand who have not been forced to leave their homes
nevertheless remain affected by the conflict.
Since the end of the first round of peace negotiations last
February in Rambouillet, France, some 30,000 persons have been
forced to flee their homes and endure miserable conditions in the
surrounding forests and mountains, according to UNHCR.
[22] INSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN BRUSSELS
An institutional crisis is in progress in Brussels after the
resignation of all the members of the EU Commission.
The independent committee of wise men that drew up the report
mentions that it was almost impossible to find even one EU
Commissioner to be in the position to assume responsibility. The
resignation of the EU Commission is unprecedented in the history
of the European Union and was announced a few days before the
informal summit meeting in Berlin.
Germany, which holds the rotating EU presidency, announced
that the European Commission will have a transitional role under
its present composition until its new members are appointed.
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