Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-23
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 23, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] FESTIVITIES FOR MARCH 25 NATIONAL HOLIDAY GET UNDERWAY
[02] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC SALUTES NATIONAL HOLIDAY
[03] CLOCKS TO BE SET AN HOUR AHEAD ON MARCH 28
[04] GREECE WILL NOT TAKE PART IN MILITARY OPERATION IN KOSOVO
[05] DUTY FREE SHOPS UP FOR SALE ON FRIDAY
[06] WEALTHIEST GREEKS EARN BETWEEN TWO TO 14 MILLION DOLLARS
[07] GREECE CAN PLAY LEADING ROLE IN IN/L MARKET'S NEW CONDITIONS
[08] YIANNIS NIKOLAOU: SPECIAL SUPPLIES FOR THE AIR FORCE WERE
BROUGHT TO CRETE
[09] PARAGIOUDAKIS-BURNS MEETING ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO
[10] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN A MILITARY OPERATION IN KOSOVO
[11] SIMITIS AND KARAMANLIS WILL BE IN BERLIN TODAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREEK PREMIER IN BERLIN FOR EUROPEAN UNION SUMMIT
[13] TONI BLAIR TO RECEIVE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN LONDON TODAY
[14] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN BERLIN FOR EUROPEAN POPULAR PARTY
[15] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SALUTES GREEK NATIONAL HOLIDAY
[16] US ENVOY TO MEET ANEW WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TODAY
[17] THE SERB PARLIAMENT MEETS TODAY
[18] FOUR SUSPECTS FOR BOMB ATTACKS WERE ARRESTED IN ISTANBUL
[19] THE YUGOSLAV FORCES WILL HIT NATO TARGETS IN FYROM ACCORDING
TO A SKOPJE NEWSPAPER
[20] THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICANS ARE AGAINST THE NATO BOMBING OF
YUGOSLAVIA
[21] ONE DEAD AND SEVEN INJURED BY BOMB BLASTS IN PRISTINA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] FESTIVITIES FOR MARCH 25 NATIONAL HOLIDAY GET UNDERWAY
Festivities celebrating the Greek national holiday of March
25 are to get underway in Thessaloiniki this evening, when the
Pan-Cretan Guild of Macedonia will hold an event before the
statue of Eleftherios Venizelos, commemorating his the 63rd
anniversary since his death.
In honor of the holiday that commemorates the Greek
revolution against the Turkish yoke in 1821, the city will be
illuminated tomorrow with a military parade taking place on
Thursday.
[02] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC SALUTES NATIONAL HOLIDAY
In light of the upcoming national holiday of March 25, the
President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos has
issued a personal message to the Greek community living abroad,
relaying his sentiments of national pride and joy.
In his Independence Day message, the President highlighted
the necessity of maintaining the strength and fighting spirit of
the Greeks who in 1821 threw away the Turkish yoke with immense
sacrifices and heroic battles.
"Freedom and independence need not be conquered only once.
They need to be sought every day. And this can be achieved through
a continuous struggle that is inspirited through a profound sense
of patriotism, an aptitude for sacrifice and, foremostly, national
unity," the President said.
[03] CLOCKS TO BE SET AN HOUR AHEAD ON MARCH 28
All European Union member-states will set their
clocks one hour ahead tomorrow, a mandatory adjustment enforced by
the EU.
Specifically, the clocks will be set one hour ahead
on Sunday, March 28, at 3 a.m.
The time change will be into effect until October
31.
[04] GREECE WILL NOT TAKE PART IN MILITARY OPERATION IN KOSOVO
National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has reiterated
that Greece will not participate in a military operation in
Kosovo.
Speaking to the Cable News Network (CNN), Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos stressed that a political solution has to be
sought and pointed out that potential armed conflict in
Yugoslavia will have consequences in the neighboring Balkan
countries.
Furthermore, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that Greece intends
to participate in a multinational force in Kosovo, on the
condition that its task will be exclusively peaceful, and added
that Greece is bracing for an immense wave of refugees.
[05] DUTY FREE SHOPS UP FOR SALE ON FRIDAY
The declaration for the sale of Greece's Duty Free Shops is
to be published on Friday, thereby posting 67% of their shares up
for grabs, as the government is trying to comply with the
European Union decision to abolish the tax-free status by July 1.
Nevertheless, government circles are optimistic that foreign
investors are find Greece's duty free shops as an attractive
venture, given the country's proximity to non-EU members.
[06] WEALTHIEST GREEKS EARN BETWEEN TWO TO 14 MILLION DOLLARS
Owning assets unfathomable to the common folk, 72 Greeks,
living in Greece or abroad, compose a list outlining the
country's "billionairedom", all of whom have had to pay taxes on
incomes ranging from 800 million drachmas to 4.4 billion ($2.5-
14.5 million).
According to the Athens daily "To Vima", the list of the
super wealthy includes entrepreneurs, ship owners, and a variety
of other professions. Their total wealth amounts to 92 billion
drachmas, of which 595 million were poured into state coffers for
taxes.
While most of them reside in the capital city of Athens, some
have opted for Thessaloniki and Crete.
Meanwhile, according to data provided by the Ministry of
National Economy and Finance, 22% of Greeks own property valued at
60-100 million drachmas, 47% own property valued at 100-200
million drachmas, 15% own property value at 200-300 million
drachmas and there is a three percent whose property is valued at
more than 500 million drachmas.
[07] GREECE CAN PLAY LEADING ROLE IN IN/L MARKET'S NEW CONDITIONS
The President of the New York Stock Exchange William Johnson
believes that Greece can carry out a leading role in the new
conditions that are emerging in the international market,
forecasting a surge of Greek companies on the NYSE rosters.
Addressing an economic forum, Mr. Johnson also pointed out
that the Athens Stock Exchange price index marked an 85% increase
last year, the world's second largest growth.
[08] YIANNIS NIKOLAOU: SPECIAL SUPPLIES FOR THE AIR FORCE WERE
BROUGHT TO CRETE
Special supplies for the Air Force were brought to the south
Aegean island of Crete and not parts of the Russian S-300 anti-
aircraft missiles, stressed acting Greek government spokesman
Yiannis Nikolaou.
The movements of the armed forces can not be discussed in
public, stated Mr. Nikolaou and added that the S-300 missiles will
be installed in Crete as it was decided by the Greek government.
Responding to a question by a reporter, he stated that no
visit of prime minister Kostas Simitis to Cyprus has been
scheduled.
On the statements made by US president Bill Clinton, Mr.
Nikolaou stated that the US president did not announce any
engagement of Greece in Kossovo and underlined that Greece is a
force of stability in the Balkans.
[09] PARAGIOUDAKIS-BURNS MEETING ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO
US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns met at noon today with
National Defense General Staff Chief army general Manousos
Paragioudakis, while yesterday Mr. Burns had a meeting with
minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
The developments in Kossovo were at the center of the talks,
while it was expressed concern over the effects a NATO military
operation in Kossovo will have on the neighboring countries. The
two dominating scenarios concerning the north Atlantic alliance
action in the region is either the likelihood of air strikes from
air bases in Italy or bombardments with Tomahok missiles that will
be launched from US ships in the Adriatic.
[10] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN A MILITARY OPERATION IN KOSOVO
Greece will not participate in a military operation in
Kosovo, reiterated minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos in an
interview with the CNN today. At the same time, he stressed the
need for a political solution, pointing out that an armed conflict
in Yugoslavia will affect all the neighboring Balkan states.
The Greek minister of defense mentioned however, that Greece
is willing to participate in a multi-national force in Kosovo
under the pre-condition that its mission will be strictly
peaceful.
[11] SIMITIS AND KARAMANLIS WILL BE IN BERLIN TODAY
Prime minister Kostas Simitis leaves for Berlin this
afternoon in order to attend the EU summit meeting that will be
held on Wednesday and Thursday. The main issue under discussion in
the summit will be the Agenda 2000.
Also, in Berlin is expected right-wing main opposition party
of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis to attend the
extraordinary summit of the European Popular Party in view of the
EU summit meeting. The extraordinary meeting of the European
Popular Party will start this afternoon and among the issues for
discussion will be its relations with Turkey and the election
manifesto.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREEK PREMIER IN BERLIN FOR EUROPEAN UNION SUMMIT
Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is departing for
Berlin today in order to take part in the March 24-25 European
Union summit.
The informal summit will focus on "Agenda 2000" financing and
the issue of a new European Commission after the entire European
Commission resigned early last week following the release of a
report pointing to cases of mismanagement and nepotism in the EU
executive body.
On the issue of "Agenda 2000" funding, Mr. Simitis said
Greece would "do battle to maintain the funds which it needs."
[13] TONI BLAIR TO RECEIVE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN LONDON TODAY
Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to be
received by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Toni Blair in
London today.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also hold talks with his British
counterpart George Robertson and Undersecretary of Defense Doug
Henderson. The British minister will host a luncheon on Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos' honor this afternoon.
[14] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN BERLIN FOR EUROPEAN POPULAR PARTY
Greece's main opposition leader, New Democracy's Kostas
Karamanlis is traveling to Berlin today where he will take part in
the European Popular party's extraordinary summit, which is held
in light of the European Union's Summit Conference.
The meeting, which will begin this evening, will address the
Party's ties with Turkey and the elections manifesto. Its
presidium will hold a conference tomorrow.
Mr. Karamanlis is accompanied by the party's spokesperson
Aris Spiliotopoulos and the secretary of foreign relations.
[15] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SALUTES GREEK NATIONAL HOLIDAY
The Archbishop of America Spyridon has forwarded a blessing
to the Greek community living in the united States, for the March
25 anniversary of Greece's national holiday that commemorates
the country's revolution against the Turkish yoke in 1821.
The March 25 national holiday, which also coincides with the
Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, is grandly celebrated abroad
with parades and other festivities.
[16] US ENVOY TO MEET ANEW WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TODAY
United States envoy Richard Holbrooke is to hold another
round of talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic,
following last night's marathon meeting which led nowhere.
Mr. Milosevic will apparently not budge from his refusal to
allow NATO forces to be deployed in the region as part o the
peacekeeping agreement.
As a result, US President Bill Clinton has warned the
Yugoslav President that he ought to exercise self-restrain in
Kosovo otherwise he will have to face the NATO forces.
[17] THE SERB PARLIAMENT MEETS TODAY
The talks of US mediator Richard Halbrooke with Yugoslav
president Slobodan Milosevic continue in Belgrade under the threat
of NATO air strikes in a last minute effort to find a solution to
the issue of Kosovo, while the Serb parliament also is in session.
The French foreign minister stated that he can not see how
the NATO air strikes can be averted at this point. At the same
time, the UN High Commission on Refugees announced that the ethnic
Albanians from Kosovo who have left their homes since last
Saturday are over 25.000.
The crisis in Kosovo will also be discussed in the talks
Russian prime minister Gevgeni Primakov will have in Washington.
[18] FOUR SUSPECTS FOR BOMB ATTACKS WERE ARRESTED IN ISTANBUL
The Turkish police have arrested four suspects that are
linked with the two bomb attacks that rocked Istanbul in the past
few days and had as a result a total of 14 people to lose their
lives and other 14 to be injured, according to the French news
agency AFP.
Turkish police chief Netsati Bilitzan stated that the bomb
attacks were made by fighters of the Kurdish Workers' Party, PKK,
but the organization denies that it has any responsibility for the
attacks.
[19] THE YUGOSLAV FORCES WILL HIT NATO TARGETS IN FYROM ACCORDING
TO A SKOPJE NEWSPAPER
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is determined to hit NATO
targets in FYROM in case of air or ground attacks, according to
the Skopje newspaper "Dnevnik" which cites Serb sources.
The newspaper mentions that the Yugoslav forces will respond
to the attacks of the alliance and will not hesitate to hit
targets in FYROM and especially in Kumanovo and Tetovo.
The FRY will invoke the wartime law based on which, every
territory from where a country is being threatened is regarded as
hostile, according to the newspaper which points out that the
Yugoslav army will launch an attack against NATO targets with
medium and long range guns.
[20] THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICANS ARE AGAINST THE NATO BOMBING OF
YUGOSLAVIA
The US government has launched an information campaign of the
public opinion in the United States in an effort to prepare it in
case of NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia.
However, a big part of the US academic community, members of
the US Congress and the US public opinion question the usefulness
of the US government choices. According to the BBC, that mentioned
the results of a recent public opinion poll conducted by the US
television channel ABC, 62% of the Americans are against the
bombing of Serbia, while 57% do not believe that vital US
interests are at stake in the Balkans.
Also, members of the US Congress have called on the US
government to present to them the NATO plan of action in case the
Serb side resists the bombings and there is a need for a military
intervention in Yugoslavia.
According to the BBC, sources in the US capital insist that
the bombings will not take place before the two-day EU summit
meeting that starts in Berlin tomorrow is completed.
[21] ONE DEAD AND SEVEN INJURED BY BOMB BLASTS IN PRISTINA
One person killed and 7 injured was the tragic toll of the
two bomb blasts in Kossovo's regional capital of Pristina last
night. The bombs exploded while the talks between US mediator
Richard Halbrooke and Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic were
underway in Belgrade.
The explosions occurred almost simultaneously in two coffee-
shops and 5 of the 7 injured are in hospital in critical
condition.
For the moment, police have not announced the names or the
ethnic identity of the victims but Serb sources in Pristina blame
ethnic Albanian separatists for the terrorist attacks.
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