Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-04-05
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, April 5, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK TROOPS TO BE DISPATCHED TO ALBANIA AND FYROM
[02] GREEK FM MEETS WITH US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
[03] VENIZELOS: YES TO REFUGEES, BUT IN PROPORTION TO POPULATION
[04] BODIES OF U.S. SERVICEMEN WERE NOT TRANSPORTED TO SALONICA
[05] TALBOTT, PAPANDREOU DISCUSS KOSOVO CRISIS AT LENGTH
[06] CRISIS MANAGING COMMITTEE MEETING IN ATHENS
[07] REPPAS: 200 GREEK ARMY OFFICERS ARE IN ALBANIA TO ASSIST WITH
THE HUMANITARIAN AID
[08] PAPANDREOU: THERE IS NO COINCIDENCE OF VIEWS WITH THE UNITED
STATES
[09] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE WILL HEAD A HUMANITARIAN AID
MISSION TO SKOPJE
[10] REPPAS: THE TRAVEL ADVISORIES AGAINST GREECE ARE UNJUSTIFIED
[11] REPPAS: NO KOSOVO REFUGEES IN CYPRUS
[12] THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES MEETS TODAY
[13] MILOSEVIC-KONSTANTOPOULOS MEETING
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] TWELFTH NIGHT OF NATO STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA, ELEVEN WOUNDED
[15] US DENIES PLANS OF SENDING GROUND TROOPS TO KOSOVO
[16] BELGRADE: US SOLDIERS WILL BE RELEASED ONCE BOMBING ENDS
[17] BELGRADE APPEALS TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS NOT TO FLEE KOSOVO
[18] KOSOVO: NUMBER OF REFUGEES CONTINUES TO SURGE, TOPS 300,000
[19] BULGARIA CLOSED ITS BORDERS TO THE KOSOVO REFUGEES
[20] 20 WARPLANES TOOK OFF FROM AVIANO AIR BASE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK TROOPS TO BE DISPATCHED TO ALBANIA AND FYROM
Greek troops will be dispatched to Albania, FYROM and other
Balkan countries, while 5,000 refugees from Kosovo will be hosted
in Greece.
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated that Greece
will be present wherever it is needed, and clarified that the
aforementioned mission falls within the parameters of the
multinational force's effort to ensure the safe distribution of
humanitarian aid.
Regarding the refugees, Mr. Reppas stated that they will be
hosted in specially set up camps in Fokida, Fthiotida, Eubia and
the Peloponnese, at least in the first phase of their stay in
Greece.
[02] GREEK FM MEETS WITH US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou will meet with US
Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott in Athens today.
Meanwhile, the president of Greece's minor opposition party,
Coalition of the Left and Progress Nikos Konstantopoulos is
departing for Belgrade today where he will meet with Yugoslavia's
political leaders and will be also received by President Slobodan
Milosevic.
Mr. Konstantopoulos will remain in Belgrade for two days and
in turn will travel to other Balkan countries.
[03] VENIZELOS: YES TO REFUGEES, BUT IN PROPORTION TO POPULATION
Minister of Development Evangelos Venizelos stated today that
the refugees fleeing Kosovo should seek shelter as near to their
homes as possible, adding that while Greece will take in refugees,
their number should be commensurate to the country's population
and the behavior of the other European states.
Speaking to an Athens radio station, Mr. Venizelos also
pointed out that Greece is presently providing a significant
amount of humanitarian aid support to the two countries most
burdened by the mass exodus, Albania and FYROM.
The Development Minister underlined the need for utmost
alertness given the present phenomenon of instability in the
region.
[04] BODIES OF U.S. SERVICEMEN WERE NOT TRANSPORTED TO SALONICA
Serbian press reports claiming that the bodies of U.S.
servicemen killed in Yugoslavia were recently transported to
Thessaloniki are unfounded and extremely dangerous, according to
the spokesperson of Greece's General Army Staff.
The Serb television station has reported that customs
officials at the Greece-FYROM border have claimed 19 coffins
containing the mortal remains of US servicemen have been
transported to Greece from FYROM through a border guardhouse.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, the General Army
Staff spokesperson in Thessaloniki Stamatis Lazarou has
categorically denied reports of US military coffins being
transferred in Thessaloniki and stressed that such reports can
actually create problems in Greece's relations with its
neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, customs officials at the Evzonon border station also
refute the same reports.
[05] TALBOTT, PAPANDREOU DISCUSS KOSOVO CRISIS AT LENGTH
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with US
Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott in Athens today where
the two men held an at-length discussion over the Kosovo crisis,
focusing on the repercussion thereof.
According to reports, Messrs. Talbott and Papandreou
discussed the refugee issue, where the US official is said to have
pressured the Greek government into taking in more refugees that
it had planned.
Mr. Papandreou is reported to have stressed that Greece can
only take in a limited number of refugees, and only with the
understanding of the EU and in proportion to the number that will
be hosted by other countries.
Moreover, Mr. Talbott is said to have tried to secure access
to Greek ports, mainly Thessaloniki's, for the accommodation of
NATO forces bound for the Balkans.
Mr. Papandreou reiterated Greece's concern over the on-going
crisis in the region and the government's intent not to
participate in NATO's military operations.
[06] CRISIS MANAGING COMMITTEE MEETING IN ATHENS
The refugee problem and the distribution of humanitarian aid
were examined in the meeting of the Crisis Managing Committee that
was held in Athens today and was presided over by minister of
interior Ms. Vaso Papandreou.
According to statements made by Ms. Papandreou and foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou, the number of refugees that will be
received by Greece will be finalized in the EU foreign and
interior ministers meetings that will be held on Wednesday and
Thursday respectively.
Ms. Papandreou stated that Greece is among the countries that
gives the largest humanitarian aid to Albania and Skopje and
stressed that this aid will be increased.
From his side, the minister of foreign affairs said that
Greece is willing to take on part of the burden provided that
every country will do the same. He spoke of a humanitarian
disaster and pointed out that Greece will contribute in every way
to the solution of the problem.
[07] REPPAS: 200 GREEK ARMY OFFICERS ARE IN ALBANIA TO ASSIST WITH
THE HUMANITARIAN AID
About 200 Greek soldiers and officers are already in Albania
and participate in the operations for the distribution of the
humanitarian aid to the Kossovo refugees, stressed Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas. He said that if NATO sends a
larger force, Athens will also examine the likelihood to increase
its own force explaining that it is made up of technicians,
doctors and armed units that are not prepared for military
operations and can only be used for the promotion and distribution
of humanitarian aid.
Mr. Reppas reiterated the clear position of the Greek
government according to which, the problem in Kossovo can be
solved only through political means and not with the use of
military force.
On the issue of the refugees, he said that we are confronted
with a pressing reality and we can not remain inactive.
[08] PAPANDREOU: THERE IS NO COINCIDENCE OF VIEWS WITH THE UNITED
STATES
US assistant Secretary of State Strobe Talbott had contacts
with the Greek foreign ministry leadership in Athens this morning
and afterwards he had a cooperation with minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos, who expressed concern over the effects of a
ground operation in Yugoslavia. No statements were made after the
meetings but according to information, were discussed the refugee
problem and the likely use of Greek ports for the facilitation of
the NATO forces that arrive in the region.
Minister of foreign affairs Giorgos Papandreou reiterated in
a press conference that Greece is the friend of the Serbs, the
Albanians, the Kosovars and all the peoples in the region and he
pointed out that for this reason Greece has condemned the ethnic
cleansing operations in Kosovo.
On the relations of Greece with the United States, Mr.
Papandreou pointed out that there is no coincidence of views but
for both countries bilateral relations are valuable. He also
stressed that Greece's position is unique as it is not only a
member of the European Union but a Balkan country as well which is
close to Kosovo and has the ability to play a role of peace and
mediation in the region.
The US official requested from Greece to host 25.000 refugees
from Kosovo but Mr. Papandreou responded that the final decision
will be made by Greece after the EU foreign ministers meeting on
Wednesday.
The minister referred to Greece's initiatives aimed at
dealing with the refugee problem both at a diplomatic and a
humanitarian level. He also stressed to the US official that the
international community should not deal with the Balkans only when
there is a crisis and appealed for the establishment of a
development policy based on the respect of the existing borders,
the respect of human rights and the promotion of the democratic
institutions.
After the meeting with Mr. Talbott, Mr. Papandreou met with
the presiding board of the ethnic Greek minority organization
"OMONIA" in Albania and referred to the contacts he had with
Albanian government officials and the assurances he received that
no Kossovo refugees will be sent to the ethnic Greek villages in
the Albanian south.
The representative of "OMONIA" stated that the Greek minority
is issuing an appeal to the Albanian government to avert
demographic changes in the wider region of the Greek minority in
order to avoid unwanted friction and conflicts.
[09] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE WILL HEAD A HUMANITARIAN AID
MISSION TO SKOPJE
The second humanitarian aid mission for the refugees in
Kosovo organized by Thessaloniki's local authorities will take
place on Wednesday. Head of the mission will be minister of
Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis.
The humanitarian aid, that will be sent to Skopje by train,
includes medicines, food and clothing.
[10] REPPAS: THE TRAVEL ADVISORIES AGAINST GREECE ARE UNJUSTIFIED
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as
unjustified actions the travel advisories issued by the United
States, France and Italy against Greece.
He said that life in Greece is normal and the country has no
relation with the crisis in Kosovo. Mr. Reppas added that the
tourist arrivals should not be reduced and the international
factor should realize that Greece is a force of stability and
peace in the region.
[11] REPPAS: NO KOSOVO REFUGEES IN CYPRUS
Turkey's suggestion that Kossovo ethnic Albanian refugees
could be sent to Famagusta in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus
can not be accepted, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas.
Mr. Reppas pointed out that the situation is already bad and
should not become worse.
[12] THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES MEETS TODAY
The ministerial committee on refugees meets to consider the
new facts after yesterday's decision by the Governmental Council
on Foreign Affairs and Defense according to which, Greece will
receive refugees from Kosovo.
This morning, foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and deputy
foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis met with US assistant
Secretary of State Mr. Talbott, while later he is scheduled to
meet with minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
The leadership of the foreign ministry reiterated the Greek
positions and pointed out that it is positive for all sides to
have someone to talk with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.
[13] MILOSEVIC-KONSTANTOPOULOS MEETING
Coalition of the Left president Nikos Konstantopoulos, who is
on a tour of Sofia and Belgrade, will meet tomorrow with the
political leadership of Serbia.
Mr. Konstantopoulos stated before leaving for the Bulgarian
capital that all the problems can be resolved using political
means and procedures. He added that the likelihood to exploit the
refugee problem and use it as a justification for the involvement
of NATO ground forces in the region should be averted.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] TWELFTH NIGHT OF NATO STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA, ELEVEN WOUNDED
NATO aircraft continued to raid Yugoslavia for the twelfth
successive night, targeting Serbia throughout, but focusing on
Kosovo's capital Prishtina.
According to reports, at least 11 persons have been wounded
from the surge of air attacks, while random explosions burst in
Belgrade where the mass media are reporting that the city's
airport has been hit. Twenty Tomahawk missiles were launched
against Yugoslavia last night alone.
Meanwhile, the United States have announced their intent to
dispatch 24 Apache helicopters and a 2,000-troops force to
Albania.
[15] US DENIES PLANS OF SENDING GROUND TROOPS TO KOSOVO
Sending troops for ground operations in Kosovo is not among
the State Department's plans, according to Samuel Berger, US
presidential national security advisor.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Berger
indicated that NATO's air raids in Yugoslavia are to continue ,
but the 24 Apache helicopters, along with 2,000 U.S. troops,
dispatched to Albania are not qualified as a ground force.
Mr. Berger added that the US does not think ground operations
are necessary for meeting its goals in Yugoslavia, stressing that
such an operation would take months of preparations .
[16] BELGRADE: US SOLDIERS WILL BE RELEASED ONCE BOMBING ENDS
The three U.S. servicemen captured by the Serb troops on the
Yugoslav-FYROM border will not be tried, but, instead, they will
be released as soon as NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia is stopped.
As the Russian Itar-Tass news agency reported, Belgrade's
vice-mayor Milan Bozic told the ABC television company that "they
will return home as soon as this madness is over."
Mr. Bozic described as "falsehoods" the reports about the
alleged trial of the three soldiers and assured the American
public that the servicemen will be treated in a humane way as long
as they are kept by the Serb side.
[17] BELGRADE APPEALS TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS NOT TO FLEE KOSOVO
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has issued an appeal to
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians not to flee their homes and to raise
their voice against the Alliance's raids.
"Kosovo's Albanians have started to realize that only their
country, the F.R. of Yugoslavia, can provide them with shelter,"
according to a statement issued by the federal cabinet which added
that NATO has shown its true colors even before the public
opinion of its member-states, through the "criminal" attacks
against hospitals, industries, bridges and housing units.
[18] KOSOVO: NUMBER OF REFUGEES CONTINUES TO SURGE, TOPS 300,000
The number of refugees fleeing Kosovo continues to surge,
with 200,000 having already arrived in Albania and another 115,000
presently in FYROM.
According to Germany's Ministry of the Interior, Europe is to
provide shelter to 100,000 refugees, while the exact number to be
allocated to each EU member-state will be outlined on Thursday
when the EU Foreign Ministers Council convenes.
The Greek government has availed two C-130 aircraft for the
transport of refugees, while the country can take in 10,000
displaced persons.
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stressed that Greece
will contribute to alleviating the problem, but he added that the
United Nations request that Greece take in 50,000 refugees "is
beyond every logical acceptance".
Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had a
telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem
yesterday, where they agreed to activate a common initiative in
coordinating the efforts of transferring refugees to NATO
countries.
[19] BULGARIA CLOSED ITS BORDERS TO THE KOSOVO REFUGEES
Bulgaria closed its borders today to the refugees from
Kossovo, according to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass.
The Bulgarian government believes that if refugees enter the
country they will cause a humanitarian disaster in Bulgaria
especially now with the economic crisis it faces.
According to Bulgarian specialists, based on international
law Bulgaria can not be pressured to accept Kosovo refugees.
[20] 20 WARPLANES TOOK OFF FROM AVIANO AIR BASE
Over 20 warplanes took off today from the Air Base of Aviano
in Italy, while yesterday NATO missiles hit airports, as well as
military and industry facilities in Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav
television showed, among others, a video of a burning hospital
which was full of air strike victims.
Meanwhile, the US Pentagon is getting ready to send to the
region 24 attack helicopters "Apache", while tens of thousands of
exhausted refugees at the borders of Serbia with FYROM are
awaiting for the airlift they had been promised by the west.
A NATO spokesman stated that the alliance is meeting its goal
to reduce the Yugoslav government capability to reinforce its
forces in Kosovo.
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