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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-04

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, May 4, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PREMIER OF FYROM TO SPEAK AT THESSALONIKI CONFERENCE
  • [02] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER TOURS PREFECTURE OF THESSALONIKI
  • [03] YUGOSLAV DELEGATION TO MEET WITH N. GREECE BUSINESSMEN
  • [04] PREMIER: GREECE EMERGED STRONGER FROM NATO SUMMIT
  • [05] FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY: A SOLUTION WILL BE FOUND TO KOSOVO
  • [06] MORE REINFORCEMENTS TRANSPORTED TO FYROM VIA THESSALONIKI
  • [07] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE ELEMENTS OF A FUTURE POLITICAL SOLUTION IN KOSOVO WILL BE VISIBLE NEXT WEEK
  • [08] REPPAS' STATEMENTS ON THE AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS BY TURKISH AIRCRAFT IN SOUTH-EASTERN AEGEAN
  • [09] CONFERENCE ON THE BALKANS
  • [10] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [11] PAPANDREOU BRIEFED PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS
  • [12] TAX EXEMPTIONS ARE PREPARED BY THE GOVERNMENT
  • [13] MEDICAL HELP FOR THE CHILDREN IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [14] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: A POLITICAL-DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSSOVO IS NECESSARY TO BE REACHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [15] GREECE IS AMONG EU'S LOWEST IN SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURES
  • [16] CHERNOMYRDIN: WE'VE COME CLOSER TO A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
  • [17] TELEVISION STATION IN NOVI SAD BOMBARDED BY NATO RAIDS
  • [18] GREEK EUROMEP CALLS ON EP TO DENOUNCE KOSOVO CASUALTIES
  • [19] GREEK TRANSPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER IN FYROM
  • [20] ALBANIAN DOCTORS FEAR CHOLERA EPIDEMIC BREAK OUT IN KUKES
  • [21] CHERNOMYRDIN CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN THE UNITED STATES
  • [22] RUSSIA AGREES WITH THE PRESENCE OF A MILITARY AND POLITICAL FORCE IN KOSOVO
  • [23] WEAPONS FOR KLA WERE CONFISCATED IN ITALY
  • [24] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT PREPARES THE GROUND FOR A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OF FYROM'S NAME
  • [25] TWO NATO MISSILES DROPPED NEAR A VILLAGE IN FYROM
  • [26] THE ARMED CLASHES OF THE TURKISH FORCES WITH PKK CONTINUE

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PREMIER OF FYROM TO SPEAK AT THESSALONIKI CONFERENCE

    The Prime Minister of FYROM Ljubco Georgievski will join Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis as guest speaker at a major Balkan economics conference to be held in Thessaloniki on May 10- 11.

    The conference, an annual event held by the Federation of Northern Greek Industries (SBBE) will focus on the situation in the Balkans a decade after the deregulation of markets.

    Mr. Georgievski will be accompanied by FYROM's Ministers of Economy, Development, Defense and Foreign Affairs.

    [02] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER TOURS PREFECTURE OF THESSALONIKI

    The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's Costas Karamanlis is to conduct a series of visits to local hospitals and municipalities, during his two-day tour of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki which starts today.

    A recently-conducted nationwide poll finds Mr. Karamanlis' popularity on the rise as 46.1 percent of the respondents opted for the N.D. leader, thus giving him an edge over the Premier Costas Simitis, who amassed 33.9 percent in the popularity poll.

    [03] YUGOSLAV DELEGATION TO MEET WITH N. GREECE BUSINESSMEN

    A delegation from the Economic Chamber of Yugoslavia is to be in Thessaloniki tomorrow, May 5, for a meeting with businessmen from northern Greece, in order to review the damages suffered by the sector from the conflict in Kosovo.

    Among the subjects to be discussed will be the difficulties faced by Greek manufacturers and businessmen who are active in Yugoslavia.

    The participants will brief one another on the consequences of the war, not only borne on the Greek businesses active in the neighboring country, but in Northern Greece's tourism industry and exporting - transporting ventures.

    [04] PREMIER: GREECE EMERGED STRONGER FROM NATO SUMMIT

    Addressing last night's parliamentary debate on the Kosovo crisis, Prime Minister Costas Simitis supported that Greece emerged stronger from the recently-held NATO Summit, since its contribution to peacemaking in the region has been recognized.

    Mr. Simitis referred to Greece's stance on the crisis and stressed that "our country's position lives up to our values, the collective reactions of the Greek people, as well as to the need for credibility towards other peoples with whom we cooperate."

    The Premier emphasized that any solution to be found to the Kosovo crisis has to be within the framework of a unified Yugoslavia in order to be viable.

    He further questioned the correctness of the NATO bombings, saying they produced no results and, more specifically, failed to prevent ethnic cleansing, resulting in hundreds of thousands of refugees and economic destabilization in Albania and FYROM.

    Concerning the Alliance's new role, Mr. Simitis briefed the deputies on the discussions held during the three-day Summit and stressed that Greece is participating in NATO on an equal footing for the first time.

    Mr. Simitis also underlined the Greek government's opposition to NATO becoming an "international gendarme."

    "We recognize the importance of organizations for collective regional security and we do not consider it correct for NATO to turn into a world security organization," he said.

    He added that NATO cannot act on the basis of its own principles, independent from those established by the UN and cannot intervene when it alone desires intervention, stressing that the Alliance's actions must have legal standing beyond any doubt and that international law is the prerequisite for credibility in all actions.

    [05] FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY: A SOLUTION WILL BE FOUND TO KOSOVO

    Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Grigoris Niotis has expressed his optimism that a solution will be found to the Kosovo crisis, stating that such opportunities have opened up and proposals that could lead to a resolution have been have tabled.

    Nevertheless, he pointed out that there is a number of hurdles, such a shift in positions, which could delay a potential solution.

    Mr. Niotis stressed that Greece was convinced from the beginning that the solution would not be reached through bombings but, rather, through the course of diplomatic negotiations.

    Concerning the great number of civilian casualties from NATO's bombings, Mr. Niotis stated that it constitutes another reason to expedite a political solution to the crisis.

    He further added that the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) will soon issue an announcement by which it will be accepting the Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou's proposals for humanitarian aid and Yugoslavia's reconstruction.

    [06] MORE REINFORCEMENTS TRANSPORTED TO FYROM VIA THESSALONIKI

    Additional military reinforcements to NATO forces in FYROM departed from Thessaloniki's port early this morning, transporting 75 trucks, light artillery tanks, containers and other supplies to the neighboring country. Sixty-three of the trucks, which left the port at 3 a.m., are British and the remaining 12 are German. Approximately an hour later, another convoy left the port's gate, loaded with eight German military trucks.

    [07] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE ELEMENTS OF A FUTURE POLITICAL SOLUTION IN KOSOVO WILL BE VISIBLE NEXT WEEK

    Minister of national defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated after his meeting in Thessaloniki with the presiding board of the Council of Hellenes living abroad (SAE) that the elements of a future political solution in Kosovo will be visible next week.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the only feasible target is the political solution and this was made clear by Greece from the beginning, pointing out that the bombings will not lead to the solution of the problem in Kosovo.

    The minister of defense referred to the priorities set by Greece in the Balkans, namely the agreement of all the Balkan states, Yugoslavia included, to a joint system of security, the association agreement of all the Balkan states with the European Union and the deployment of a multi-national force in Kosovo based on the UN principles, the respect of human rights and territorial integrity without changes in the existing borders.

    [08] REPPAS' STATEMENTS ON THE AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS BY TURKISH AIRCRAFT IN SOUTH-EASTERN AEGEAN

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas referring to yesterday's violations of the Greek airspace over the Dodecanese in south-eastern Aegean, stated that Ankara continues to follow the tactic of provocation which leads to a dead end.

    Such a behaviour, stated the Greek government spokesman, does not help Turkey which shows the face of a trouble-maker, adding that this should be realized by Turkey and stop the provocation.

    [09] CONFERENCE ON THE BALKANS

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as positive the initiative of European Commission president Romano Prodi for a Conference on the Balkans.

    Mr. Reppas stated that prime minister Kostas Simitis had a contact with Mr. Prodi on the issue.

    [10] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as positive development the indications pointing to a political solution and expressed the hope that the crisis in Kosovo will be resolved.

    Regarding the Kossovo refugees, the Greek government spokesman stated that Thessaloniki will serve as an interim stop before they are sent to their final destination, while he clarified that no refugees will stay in Thessaloniki.

    [11] PAPANDREOU BRIEFED PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou briefed president Kostis Stephanopoulos on the Yugoslav crisis. After the meeting, the president of the Hellenic Republic agreed that the news on the Yugoslav crisis appear to be good.

    Minister of national defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos in statements he made in Thessaloniki spoke of a solution that is being prepared at a diplomatic level and stated that its elements will be more clear early next week.

    [12] TAX EXEMPTIONS ARE PREPARED BY THE GOVERNMENT

    The government's intention to enact tax exemptions, ease taxation on low and medium incomes and abolish the objective criteria for the taxation of businessmen was announced by prime minister Kostas Simitis. The prime minister added that the tax exemptions will boost employment and will contribute in the efforts to limit unemployment.

    Minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou stated that with the completion of the installation of the TAXIS computer system in the revenue offices tax evasion will be countered as the tax collecting mechanism of the ministry of finance will become more effective.

    [13] MEDICAL HELP FOR THE CHILDREN IN YUGOSLAVIA

    A group of 40 doctors and paramedics will leave for Skopje tomorrow to offer medical care and pharmaceutical assistance to the children in the FYROM refugee camps.

    The initiative belongs to the Athens Medical Center and Thessaloniki's Inter-Balkan Medical Center. The mission will be made up of five mobile units and will also visit Pristina in Kosovo to care for the children in its hospital and offer much needed medical equipment and medicines.

    [14] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: A POLITICAL-DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSSOVO IS NECESSARY TO BE REACHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

    The need for a political-diplomatic solution in Kossovo as soon as possible was pointed out by minister of national defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, speaking in the advisory committee meeting of the Center for the Study and Development of the Greek Civilization in the Black Sea held in Thessaloniki. Stressing that the only viable solution to the problem is a political-diplomatic one, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that a final solution to the problem is likely to be reached in the following days.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos underlined that the European Union must assume its responsibilities in the difficult period that will come when peace is achieved in order to make up for the fact that it took it too long to discover that the Balkans are part of Europe. He also said that if the European Union does not help the states in the region to achieve economic growth, stability, peace and development there will be no essential solution.

    Also, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the countries where public opinion was highly in favor of the air strikes in Kossovo now start to realize that the political-diplomatic solution is necessary to be reached in the region as soon as possible.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [15] GREECE IS AMONG EU'S LOWEST IN SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURES

    Greece ranks among the European Union's lowest-spending countries in terms of social welfare expenditures, according to the EU's statistics service Eurostat.

    The Eurostat report on social welfare expenditures among the EU's 15 member-states finds that Greece ranks 12th with 23.3 per cent of its GDP allocated to the sector in 1996.

    The report noted that the EU average stood at 28.7 per cent of GDP, with Sweden leading the way with 34.8 percent of its GDP allocated to social welfare spending, and Ireland spending the least, with 18.9%.

    [16] CHERNOMYRDIN: WE'VE COME CLOSER TO A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION

    Russian president's special envoy on Yugoslavia Viktor Chernomyrdin is expected to meet with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the UN headquarters today.

    Mr. Chernomyrdin handed President Boris Yeltsin's message on Yugoslavia over to US President Bill Clinton, which expounded on Russia's proposals to settle the Kosovo crisis. Following his talks with President Clinton, the Russian envoy stated that "we've come closer to a diplomatic solution. The matter is complicated and we will continue to work and maintain our hopes."

    President Clinton said that a state of ceasefire could be declared if it is made clear that the Serb forces have began withdrawing from Kosovo.

    [17] TELEVISION STATION IN NOVI SAD BOMBARDED BY NATO RAIDS

    NATO aircraft targeted the building of a TV station in the city of Novi Sad last night, when two bombs hit the building, completely destroying it. According to the station's director, there was no one in the building at the time of the attack.

    A series of explosions resonated in Belgrade's suburbs and other Serbian cities. Meanwhile, after yesterday's strike against the city's largest power station, the local authorities have asked the residents to conserve energy and water.

    [18] GREEK EUROMEP CALLS ON EP TO DENOUNCE KOSOVO CASUALTIES

    A Greek member of the European Parliament, Angela Kokkola, has demanded that the Europarliament denounce the NATO air strikes against Kosovo which have resulted in the death of about 60 civilians.

    Ms. Kokkola called on the European Parliament to denounce these actions and not merely express regret. During her address, the Eurodeputy stressed that there were 15 children among the victims of the strikes and demanded that the members of the European Parliament express their indignation over the killings.

    She further added that the killings should be condemned, whether the victims are Kosovo Albanians, Serbs or people of other nationalities.

    [19] GREEK TRANSPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER IN FYROM

    In spite the fact that a strategic alliance between Greece's and FYROM's state-owned telecommunications organizations, (OTE and MT, respectively) is eyed positively by both sides, FYROM has yet to fully reveal its intentions concerning MT's prospect of privatization.

    The Transport and Communications Ministers of both countries (Messrs. Tasos Mantelis and Bobi Spircovski, respectively), gave a joint press interview in Skopje yesterday and confirmed that an alliance is being considered, albeit not finalized.

    During the course of a three-hour meeting with his FYROM counterpart, Mr. Mantelis, accompanied by Communications undersecretary Nikolaos Salayannis, confirmed the Greek side's interest in purchasing over one-third of MT's shares.

    "At the present phase, while the privatization process has yet to be unveiled, both sides have expressed the will for a strategic alliance," Mr. Mantelis stated, adding that the matter is expected to further clear in the Fall, when an international bid for MT's sale will be declared.

    British Telecoms is also vying for MT's shares as, according to Mr. Spirkovski, it has expressed an interest.

    On other matters, the two ministers proceeded to specific actions, such as a bilateral agreement for the establishment of a regular airline route between Thessaloniki-Skopje-Athjens, which is expected to be signed by the end of June.

    Concurrently, Messrs. Mantelis anf Spirkovski discussed the establishment of a railway route connecting Thessaloniki and Skopje with an Intercity train.

    Moreover, the time-consuming visa-issuance process between FYROM and Greece is expected to be expedited soon, a result of the recently-held SECI meeting in Athens.

    The South-East European Cooperative Initiative (SECI), aims at facilitating trade and transport in the region, thus laying the groundwork for expanded economic cooperation among the S.E. European states.

    Lastly, Mr. Mantelis stated that both governments are to promote the creation of the X Axis.

    "As soon as the crisis is over, we will focus on the X Axis and its link with VIII Axis, so that both (roads) can facilitate transport to the benefit of both countries," Mr. Mantelis said.

    [20] ALBANIAN DOCTORS FEAR CHOLERA EPIDEMIC BREAK OUT IN KUKES

    At least 120,000 Kosovo deportees are being settled in the Albanian town of Kukes, 218 kilometers north of Tirana, which used to have only 18,000 citizens before the influx of refugees.

    According to the Croatian news agency HINA, Albanian doctors are warning of the danger of a cholera epidemic breaking out if urgent measures were not promptly taken to prevent the disease and if several thousands refugees were not transferred from Kukes to other Albanian towns.

    In the past three days alone, at least 20,000 Kosovo Albanians came in Kukes via the Morina border crossing. Most of them are from the Kosovo town of Prizren.

    Many refugees are living in the open, and the warm weather is exacerbating the risk of epidemic.

    According to the latest figures, about 400,000 Kosovo deportees have arrived in Albania since March 25, while another 200,000 are expected.

    International relief agencies are making additional efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Albania, Europe's poorest country. About a hundred aircraft land at the Tirana airport on a daily basis with shipments of relief aid. Several hundred makeshift camps for refugees are to be built in Albania soon.

    [21] CHERNOMYRDIN CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN THE UNITED STATES

    Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin continues the contacts he has in the United States and today he is scheduled to meet with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan in New York.

    British prime minister Tony Blair speaking in the Romanian parliament recognized the economic cost that stems from the military operations in Yugoslavia and stated that efforts will be made to help the economies of the Balkan states.

    [22] RUSSIA AGREES WITH THE PRESENCE OF A MILITARY AND POLITICAL FORCE IN KOSOVO

    Russia agreed with the G8 proposal for the presence of an international political and military force in Kossovo, based on a French news agency, AFP, report citing a reliable source with the German government.

    The proposal is included in a text drawn up by the political directors of the G8 who met in Bonn today, while the same source added that the OSCE will undertake the role of monitoring the situation in the region.

    [23] WEAPONS FOR KLA WERE CONFISCATED IN ITALY

    Large quantities of modern weapons destined for the KLA Kossovo ethnic Albanian rebels were discovered and confiscated by police authorities in Italy, according to a report published by the Italian-Albanian newspaper "Gazetta Skiptare".

    According to the newspaper that cites reliable sources, police in Ankona, Italy discovered 30 tons of modern weapons such as guns, grenades, missiles etc, destined for Albania which were characterized as "humanitarian aid".

    The weapons, according to the newspaper, were about to be transported from Italy to Skoder, Albania and from there to Kosovo to arm the ethnic Albanian rebels.

    The same newspaper revealed that arms destined for KLA were also discovered in Bari, Italy when police authorities located 30 vehicles carrying weapons instead of humanitarian aid as it was mentioned in the travel documents accompanying them.

    The newspaper mentions that the most likely conclusion is that the weapons came from NATO given the fact that they were modern weapons and the north-Atlantic alliance aims at a cooperation with KLA in the case of ground operations in Yugoslavia.

    [24] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT PREPARES THE GROUND FOR A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OF FYROM'S NAME

    The Greek government through the further development of the economic and political relations with FYROM seeks to prepare the ground for a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of FYROM's name.

    Greek minister of transport and communications Tasos Mandelis, who is on a visit to Skopje, stated after the contacts he had with FYROM prime minister Ljupco Georgiefski and president Kiro Gligorov that Greece is interested in improving the economic relations with FYROM to such a degree in order to create the necessary conditions for a solution to the problem of FYROM's name.

    The Greek government minister reiterated to the FYROM leadership the firm position of the Greek government for the easing of the crisis in Kossovo through a political solution and stressed the need for a continuous flow of humanitarian aid for the suffering people of Kossovo. Mr. Mandelis also pointed out that a plan for the reconstruction of the region is necessary while the procedures for the EU enlargement must be accelerated to include the Balkan states.

    [25] TWO NATO MISSILES DROPPED NEAR A VILLAGE IN FYROM

    Two NATO missiles dropped near the village of Demanci in central FYROM causing alarm among the local population.

    The missiles fortunately dropped in a remote region and the news on the incident was reported last night by the private television station "Sitel" which showed pictures of a 10 meters wide crater that was created by the missiles when they hit the ground.

    [26] THE ARMED CLASHES OF THE TURKISH FORCES WITH PKK CONTINUE

    The armed clashes in south-eastern Turkey continue between the Turkish security forces and the PKK Kurdish rebels.

    According to the Popular Liberation Army of Kurdistan (ARGK), 327 Turkish soldiers were killed in the period of March-April while ARGK lost 75 rebels. In the same period, were conducted 24 military operations among them, attacks on towns, bomb attacks and sabotages.


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