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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-04-29

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, April 29, 1999

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] BANK OF GREECE RELEASES ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON ECONOMY
  • [02] "THUMBS UP" FOR GREEK ECONOMY BY DEUTSCHE BANK-BERENBERG
  • [03] RAIL ROUTES TO BE LIMITED ON MAYDAY DUE TO PLANNED STRIKES
  • [04] REPPAS ON THE CONTACTS OF THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN MOSCOW
  • [05] REPPAS: THERE IS NO REASON FOR A TRAVEL ADVISORY BY THE UNITED STATES
  • [06] THE "LIBERALS" IS THE NEW POLITICAL PARTY FOUNDED BY STEPHANOS MANOS
  • [07] KARAMANLIS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF LACKING COURAGE
  • [08] THE ND HONORARY PRESIDENT COMMENTED ON THE CHANIA PREFECT DECISION CONCERNING NICHOLAS BURNS
  • [09] THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF MASS MEDIA OF THE GREEKS LIVING ABROAD WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI ON MAY 2-5
  • [10] GEORGIEVSKI, MAJKO AND POSSIBLY PRODI WILL ATTEND AN ECONOMIC FORUM IN THESSALONIKI NEXT MONTH
  • [11] PAPANDREOU: SIGNIFICANT DIPLOMATIC MOBILITY AIMED AT DEFUSING THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [12] NATO RAIDS CONTINUE, MONTENEGRO IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
  • [13] UN SECRETARY GENERAL IN MOSCOW, TO HOLD TALKS TODAY
  • [14] GREEK FM MEETS WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IN MOSCOW
  • [15] DRASCOVIC REMOVED FROM DEPUTY PREMIER'S POST BY BULATOVIC
  • [16] CHERNOMYRDIN TO MEET WITH MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE TOMORROW
  • [17] U.S., EU, TAKE NEW INITIATIVE ON CYPRUS WITH RUSSIA'S INPUT
  • [18] SPANISH ACADEMIC ISSUES BOOK ON HISTORY OF GREEK LANGUAGE
  • [19] ALBANIA DOES NOT MENTION GREECE AMONG THE COUNTRIES OFFERING HUMANITARIAN AID
  • [20] MORE EXPLOSIONS IN PODGORICA TODAY
  • [21] CHERNOMIRDIN WILL VISIT BONN, ROME AND BELGRADE
  • [22] THE "CHERNOBIL VIRUS" HAS HIT THE THERMO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT IN BITOLA
  • [23] REACTIONS IN SOFIA OVER THE NATO MISSILE

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] BANK OF GREECE RELEASES ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON ECONOMY

    The Bank of Greece is to release its annual report on the state's economy today and, reportedly, its governor Lukas Papademos finds that the economy's sizes have not been burdened by the armed conflict in Yugoslavia.

    Nevertheless, Mr. Papademos warns that if the crisis in the neighboring country is not soon over, Greece's economy will be negatively affected, especially the country's macroeconomics prospects.

    [02] "THUMBS UP" FOR GREEK ECONOMY BY DEUTSCHE BANK-BERENBERG

    Greece continues its course to the Economic and Monetary Union unscathed by the Kosovo crisis, according to the latest report issued by Deutsche Bank, which finds that the country's accession pace remains in line with the Euro zone's member-states.

    However, the report also points out that the war in Yugoslavia will bear short-term repercussions on the state's economy, mostly reflected by a decline in this year's rate of development.

    As such, the German financial analysts have re-considered their assessment on Greece's growth rate, containing the figure to 3.1%, a slight drop from the previous forecasts of 3.3%.

    Regardless of the conflict in Yugoslavia, Deutsche Bank also warns that inflation remains the country's biggest hurdle to overcome, but adding that any rise in oil prices would not have an adverse impact on Greece's euro entry.

    Another German bank also grants, albeit indirectly, kudos to the state's economy, noting its "resiliency" to the crisis.

    In a recently-published report, Berenberg, once again promotes Greek stocks and bonds, noting that Greece holds the largest share among the EU's mid-sized states in the bank's international portfolio.

    [03] RAIL ROUTES TO BE LIMITED ON MAYDAY DUE TO PLANNED STRIKES

    The Greek Railway Organization (OSE) will limit its routes to a bare minimum on Saturday, due to the rail workers' planned strike on Saturday, May 1.

    The Athens-Thessaloniki-Athens route will be run by train 500/50, while other regions will also be served by a single route as well.

    Those wishing to travel on Saturday, should contact the OSE offices in Athens at (01) 529-7777 for itinerary information.

    [04] REPPAS ON THE CONTACTS OF THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN MOSCOW

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stressed that UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou exchanged views for a solution in Kossovo through peaceful means, the more active intervention of UN Security Council and the humanitarian aid for the refugees.

    Mr. Reppas added that later in the afternoon there will be a four-party meeting both for the better coordination of the efforts and the undertaking of initiatives aimed at reaching a political solution. On the issue of the humanitarian aid, he said that Russia, Greece and Switzerland will undertake an initiative and will coordinate their efforts in order to reach every part of Yugoslavia.

    [05] REPPAS: THERE IS NO REASON FOR A TRAVEL ADVISORY BY THE UNITED STATES

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas confirmed that US ambassador Nicholas Burns visited the foreign ministry yesterday afternoon and expressed the concern of the US government over the terrorist attack on the US Fullbright institution office in Thessaloniki, pointing out that the US government has an obligation to inform the US citizens over the events taking place in Greece.

    On the likelihood of a travel advisory to be issued by the US government against Greece, Mr. Reppas said that such a move could create many problems to tourism and make the atmosphere heavier, adding that therefore, it would be best to be avoided, stressing that there is no reason for the United States to make such a move.

    [06] THE "LIBERALS" IS THE NEW POLITICAL PARTY FOUNDED BY STEPHANOS MANOS

    Former New Democracy leading member Mr. Stephanos Manos announced the creation of a new political party at noon today. The new party is called the "Liberals" and its emblem is the bull, while its colour is red. Its founding members are 300 and Mr. Manos stated that they want to stay away from the political party establishment. The founder of the "Liberals" stated that the emblem of his party symbolises power, endurance and boldness.

    He said that the basic principle of the new party is that people come first and added that everything that can be decided by the citizens at an individual level or within the family structure is his or her right and responsibility. Mr. Manos stated that in case of collective decisions the institutions closer to the citizen have a priority namely, the local community and the municipality followed by the regional authorities, the state authority and the international organizations such as the European Union.

    [07] KARAMANLIS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF LACKING COURAGE

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis in a press conference accused the government of lacking courage and boldness in the issue of Kosovo.

    The leader of the main opposition party pointed out that Greece appeared inadequate to deal with the situation effectively because it did not express its position in a dynamic and clear way within the framework of the north Atlantic alliance. He also stated that the government should have called a meeting of the Council of Political Party Leaders under the chairmanship of the president of the Republic.

    [08] THE ND HONORARY PRESIDENT COMMENTED ON THE CHANIA PREFECT DECISION CONCERNING NICHOLAS BURNS

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis referred today to the decision by the Chania prefect in Crete to characterize US ambassador Nicholas Burns as a "persona non grata". Mr. Mitsotakis stated that this action is unacceptable and added that it does represent the people of Crete.

    The people of Crete are against the bombings, stated the former prime minister, adding that there is a long way from this stance to the threats launched by the prefect. Mr. Mitsotakis concluded that the foreign policy needs a sense of responsibility and self-restraint.

    [09] THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF MASS MEDIA OF THE GREEKS LIVING ABROAD WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI ON MAY 2-5

    The Federation of the Mass Media of the Greeks abroad have chosen Thessaloniki to hold its conference on the mass media of the Greeks abroad as a network of communication between hellenism and the international community.

    The conference will open on May 2 and will be completed on May 5 with the participation of Greek politicians, academics, journalists and other observers. It will be held under the auspices of the ministry of press, the foreign ministry and the World Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE), while it has the support of ministry of Macedonia-Thrace and the prefecture of Thessaloniki.

    [10] GEORGIEVSKI, MAJKO AND POSSIBLY PRODI WILL ATTEND AN ECONOMIC FORUM IN THESSALONIKI NEXT MONTH

    The prime ministers of FYROM and Albania Ljupco Georgievski and Panteli Majko will be in Thessaloniki next month to attend the 6th Forum of the Greek Industries in northern Greece Association. The forum will also be attended by prime minister Kostas Simitis and right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

    The announcement was made today by association president Vasilis Takas, who stated that the forum that will be held on May 10 and 11, adding that it is possible to be attended by new European Commission president Romano Prodi.

    Mr. Georgievski will be accompanied by a government delegation made up of the ministers of finance, development, defense and foreign affairs.

    Meanwhile, Vasili Topurkovski head of FYROM's Organization for Reconstruction and Development and president of the Democratic Alternative party will also be in Thessaloniki on the occasion of the forum.

    [11] PAPANDREOU: SIGNIFICANT DIPLOMATIC MOBILITY AIMED AT DEFUSING THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in an interview with the Athens radio station "Flash" expressed the hope that the diplomatic mobility which is in progress will bring results and will lead to the defusing of the crisis in Kossovo.

    Mr. Papandreou, who is currently on a visit to Moscow, stated that the diplomatic mobility is at front stage compared to the military operations in spite of the fact that they are still underway.

    Mr. Papandreou stated that UN secretary-general Kofi Annan is preparing the ground for a decision by the UN Security Council which effectively will be the framework for a final solution. He said that there will be negotiations with the Yugoslav side on behalf of Russia and Greece will contribute to the effort in its own way.

    He also said that the main problem is the identity of the multi-national force that will be deployed to oversee peace in the region after a decision by the UN Security Council.

    Mr. Papandreou characterized the diplomatic mobility as significant and pointed out that there are mutual efforts for compromise, adding that the Russian side continues the diplomatic efforts.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [12] NATO RAIDS CONTINUE, MONTENEGRO IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

    A nightly occurrence for over a month now, NATO air forces pounded Yugoslavia last night, targeting Belgrade's suburbs and Montenegro's capital city Podgorica. According to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjung, yesterday's raids marked the most severe attack against Montenegro since the start of "Operation Allied Force".

    Allied forces also struck a fuel depot south of Belgrade, a Sava River bridge west of the Yugoslav capital and an oil refinery in Novi Sad.

    [13] UN SECRETARY GENERAL IN MOSCOW, TO HOLD TALKS TODAY

    The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is to have a series of meetings with Russian leaders in Moscow today, in an effort to reach a diplomatic solution to the Kosovo crisis.

    Reportedly, the Russian leaders are viewing Mr. Annan's visit as an opportunity to promote a peacemaking initiative for Kosovo.

    During his stay in Moscow, Mr. Annan is to meet with Greece's and Canada's Foreign Ministers, George Papandreou and Lloyd Axworthy respectively.

    [14] GREEK FM MEETS WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IN MOSCOW

    The foreign ministers of Greece and Russia, George Papandreou and Igor Ivanov respectively, have called on the United Nations to contribute more vigorously to the peaceful settlement of the Balkan crisis.

    Following their talks in Moscow yesterday, Mr. Papandreou called for an end to hostilities in Yugoslavia and a speedy resolution of the Kosovo issue. He stressed the important role carried out by Russia in this process.

    Mr. Papandreou further pointed out that the Balkan war has created serious economic and political problems for Greece, Yugoslavia's largest investor.

    According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Ivanov noted that he and Mr. Papandreou had a detailed discussion of the situation in the Balkans, which is matter of "serious concern" further stressing that "the U.N. should play an active role in the political settlement."

    In addition to the Kosovo issue, the ministers also discussed "stability and security in the Balkans after the war" while Mr. Papandreou said Russia will play a decisive role in achieving this target.

    Messrs. Ivanov and Papandreou expressed satisfaction over the state of bilateral relations and called for the development of cooperation between the two countries in all areas.

    [15] DRASCOVIC REMOVED FROM DEPUTY PREMIER'S POST BY BULATOVIC

    Vuk Draskovic was removed from his post as Yugoslav deputy prime minister yesterday, reportedly for having voiced his opposition to the government's position on NATO demands over Kosovo, according to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjung.

    "The president of the federal government, Momir Bulatovic, has dismissed Vuk Draskovic from his functions as a member of the government by reason of his public statements against government positions, and for damaging the government's prestige," the information ministry said in a statement quoted by Tanjung.

    Mr. Drascovic, leader of the Serbia Renewal Movement (SPO) had called on Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to cooperate with the international community in order to put an end to NATO's raids.

    He criticized "those who lead the country... the so-called patriots," telling them to "stop lying to the people and finally tell the truth."

    The truth, Mr. Drascovic said, is that "we are alone... NATO is not facing collapse, Russia will not militarily help Yugoslavia and international opinion is against us."

    [16] CHERNOMYRDIN TO MEET WITH MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE TOMORROW

    Russia's special Balkan envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin will visit Belgrade tomorrow where he will meet with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

    According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Chernomyrdin is expected to brief Mr. Milosevic on the position of NATO leaders with whom he will have met before his trip to Belgrade.

    Mr. Chernomyrdin reportedly hopes that the Yugoslav leader will also announce some steps to stop the bombings in Yugoslavia and settle the conflict.

    Today, he embarked on a two-day diplomatic shuttle of European and Balkan capitals saying he had "concrete proposals" on resolving the five-week Yugoslav crisis.

    [17] U.S., EU, TAKE NEW INITIATIVE ON CYPRUS WITH RUSSIA'S INPUT

    The British envoy for the Cyprus issue sir David Hannay has confirmed that there is a new initiative taken by the United States and the European Union regarding the resolution of the Cypriot issue.

    Speaking to the BBC radio program, Sir David stressed that the imminent initiative will be revealed as soon as a cabinet is formed in Turkey, while he added that the US and the EU are working closely with Russia, given the common ground held in the views.

    Furthermore, the British envoy did not out the possibility of a new round of direct talks between the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

    [18] SPANISH ACADEMIC ISSUES BOOK ON HISTORY OF GREEK LANGUAGE

    Greek is the world's first language, according to the Spanish academic Francisco Rodrigues Adrados, who recently published his new book "The History of the Greek Language".

    Mr. Adrados, who has dedicated his 50-year academic career to the study of Hellenism, stressed the significance of Greek and emphasized the influence it has borne on all other languages.

    The book's presentation was performed by the former chairman of the Athens Academy Agapetos Tsobanakis, Spanish Academic Gregorio Salvador Kaja and professor of Greek literature Juan Jose Morajelos.

    Greece's ambassador to Madrid Petros Aggelakis, saluting the event, expressed his admiration for the work of Mr. Adrados, whom he characterized as "the patriarch of Hellenists in Spain."

    [19] ALBANIA DOES NOT MENTION GREECE AMONG THE COUNTRIES OFFERING HUMANITARIAN AID

    The international community has sent to Albania humanitarian aid of 34.926 tons with an estimated value of 49.901.912 US dollars in order to help the country deal with the unprecedented influx of refugees because of the war in Yugoslavia, according to statistical data that were published by the Albanian ministry of information.

    However, there was big surprise by the fact that Greece is absent from the official list of countries that have offered humanitarian aid for the Kossovo refugees. The list issued by the Albanian government does not include Greece in spite of the fact that it comes second after Germany based on the thousands of tons of food and pharmaceuticals sent for the Kossovo refugees.

    [20] MORE EXPLOSIONS IN PODGORICA TODAY

    More explosions were heard near the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica today. Last night, the city was hit with the heaviest bombing since the start of the NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, a woman was killed and 3 people were injured last night during the attack against the Podgorica airport. They are the first victims among unarmed civilians in Montenegro.

    A NATO missile struck Sofia's suburb of Gora Banja in Bulgaria and destroyed a house.

    According to Bulgarian foreign minister Nadetza Michailova the missile was one of those used by NATO and requested explanations from the alliance over the aircraft that was seen flying in the region at the time of the attack, according to the French news agency AFP.

    Interior minister Bogomil Bonev mentioned that the aircraft was not Serb because it entered the Bulgarian airspace from Kosovo and then turned to FYROM.

    NATO has not confirmed yet its involvement in the events.

    [21] CHERNOMIRDIN WILL VISIT BONN, ROME AND BELGRADE

    Russian special mediator for Yugoslavia, Victor Chernomirdin will bring specific proposals to Bonn, Rome and Belgrade for the solution of the crisis in Yugoslavia, according to the news agency Interfax.

    Upon his departure for the German capital, Mr. Chernomirdin stated that his talks will focus on the composition of the international presence in Yugoslavia. The former Russian prime minister met earlier this morning with the UN secretary-general.

    Also, in Moscow are Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and his Canadian counterpart, who are scheduled to meet with Kofi Annan.

    [22] THE "CHERNOBIL VIRUS" HAS HIT THE THERMO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT IN BITOLA

    The computers of the thermo-electric power plant and the lignite mine in Bitola, FYROM have been hit by the so-called "Chernobil virus" causing serious problems to their operation, according to the newspaper "Dnevnik".

    Also, serious problems were caused by the virus to the computer systems of big private businesses as well.

    The virus was named after the Chernobil nuclear plant that exploded on April 26, 1986 as a result of a data loss from its hard disc and because the computer was unable to start. The virus was discovered in June of 1998 and initially had spread from the CD-ROM. It affects the computers using the Windows 95 and Windows 98 systems.

    [23] REACTIONS IN SOFIA OVER THE NATO MISSILE

    Bulgarian interior minister Bogomil Bonev spoke of an unprecedented "violation" of the Bulgarian airspace, referring to last night's "landing" of a NATO missile at Sofia's Gorna Banja suburb. Based on the investigation conducted by specialists it was a Harm missile.

    In a telephone communication with German defense minister Rudolf Scharping, Bulgarian foreign minister Nadezda Michailova demanded an investigation to determine to which NATO country belongs the missile and who was the pilot who made the launch, in order to claim compensation through the courts for the material damage caused and the shock suffered by the Bulgarian family that saw its house reduced to rubble.


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