Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-06
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 6, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ROCKETS FIRED AGAINST BANKS IN PIRAEUS, THERE WERE NO VICTIMS
[02] GREECE'S FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER TO MEET WITH MILOSEVIC
[03] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI OVER CRISIS
[04] GREEK FM SPEAKS TO NATO CHIEF OVER ATTACK AGAINST DOCTORS
[05] SAE ISSUES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ATTACKS AGAINST SERBIA
[06] PROTESTERS OBSTRUCT ENTRANCE OF NATO VEHICLES AT PORT
[07] LOCAL MUNICIPALITY SENDS 18 TONS OF RELIEF AID TO YUGOSLAVIA
[08] GREEK PM TO MEET WITH PORTUGUESE, FYROM, ALBANIAN PREMIERS
[09] BULGARIAN DELEGATION VISITS THRACE THROUGH PHARE PROGRAM
[10] KLIMA IS ON A VISIT TO THESSALONIKI
[11] 50 GREEK SOLDIERS IN FYROM ON HUMANITARIAN MISSION
[12] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE ATTACK AGAINST A
"DOCTORS OF THE WORLD" CONVOY
[13] MR. SIMITIS WELCOMED THE DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES FOR A
POLITICAL SOLUTION IN KOSSOVO
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] OIL REFINERIES AND INDUSTRIAL SITES STRUCK BY NATO IN SERBIA
[15] FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM "GROUP OF EIGHT" TO DISCUSS KOSOVO
[16] MPA PARTICIPATES IN HERMES TRADE EXPO IN NEW YORK TOMORROW
[17] HELLENIC PETROLEUM DEAL ENDORSED BY FYROM'S GOVERNMENT
[18] GREEK TOBACCO FACTORY INAUGURATED IN BULGARIA
[19] UNHCR RECEIVES REPORTS OF ATROCITIES IN DJAKOVICA
[20] HELLENIC-SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION MEETS TODAY
[21] OPTIMISM IN THE MEETING OF THE 7 RICHEST COUNTRIES IN THE
WORLD
[22] PAPOULIAS HAS CONTACTS WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADERSHIP IN
BELGRADE
[23] 50 INTELLECTUALS FROM HUNGARY ISSUED AN APPEAL FOR THE END OF
THE WAR
[24] FISCHER: SOLUTION IN YUGOSLAVIA BEFORE THE END OF MAY
[25] THE G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREED ON A PLAN FOR THE PROMOTION
OF A SOLUTION IN KOSSOVO
[26] MILOSEVIC SPOKE OF A "FAIR AGREEMENT" AFTER THE MEETING WITH
PAPOULIAS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ROCKETS FIRED AGAINST BANKS IN PIRAEUS, THERE WERE NO VICTIMS
Three rockets against fired against three foreign banks in
the port of Piraeus last night, shortly after midnight, causing
extensive damages but no injuries as they failed to explode.
While no calls were made to claim responsibility for the
attack, police suspect that the notorious "November 17" group is
the perpetrator as it is the only terrorist organization that
makes use of rockets. These deadly weapons were stolen from a
Greek military depot long ago and have been used against other
targets in the past.
[02] GREECE'S FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER TO MEET WITH MILOSEVIC
Greece's former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias is
presently in Belgrade where he will be received by Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic today .
Mr. Papoulias has stated that he will not convey specific
proposals on behalf of the Greek government to the Yugoslav
leader, but, instead, will discuss all issues pertaining to Kosovo
and will brief Mr. Milosevic on the talks held between Greek
Premier Costas Simitis and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and
National Defense, George Papandreou and Akis Tsochatzopoulos,
respectively.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has stressed that Mr.
Papoulias' visit to Belgrade falls within his capacity as the
president of the Parliament's foreign and defense affairs
committee.
[03] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI OVER CRISIS
The news agencies from all the countries comprised in the
Balkan region are to meet in Thessaloniki tomorrow, May 7, 1999,
in order to examine the problems that have arisen in the operation
of the mass media organizations as a result of the dramatic events
taking place in Yugoslavia.
The event is being organized by the Association of Balkan
News Agencies (ABNA) on the initiative of the Macedonian Press
Agency, the headquarters of ABNA's permanent secretariat.
The meeting will also examine ways to improve the activity of
the news agencies and all of the Balkan mass media, always in
line with the principles of journalistic ethics, objectivity and
truth, which principles have been espoused by ABNA since its
founding in 1994.
In addition to the Balkan news agencies, invited to take part
in the meeting are United Nations and UNESCO representatives,
European Union officials, Council of Europe representatives and
International Journalists Federation members.
Moreover, the news agencies of those countries neighboring
with the Balkan states, and which are subject to the consequences
of the Kosovo crisis, have been invited to participate.
On March 26, 1999, ABNA issued an appeal to its members, the
mass media and various journalists, wherein it called on them to
show restrain in these difficult times and to strictly adhere to
the principles of journalistic ethics and truth, avoiding
sensationalism, in order to allow peace, stability and security to
return to the region of Southeastern Europe.
[04] GREEK FM SPEAKS TO NATO CHIEF OVER ATTACK AGAINST DOCTORS
Greece's Foreign Misnter George Papandreou has had a
telephone conversation with NATO's Secretary-General Javier
Solana, to whom he expressed his concern over yesterday's attack
against a Greek non-governmental aid mission in Kosovo and
requested clarifications over the incident.
The "Doctors of the World" mission is said to have been
attacked by NATO aircraft yesterday afternoon, as the four jeeps
of the aid convoy were emerging from a tunnel.
A Greek member of the mission delivering aid to Prishtina,
contacted Greek consular officials in Belgrade as soon as the
convoy arrived in Kosovo's capital and said that bomb had fallen
about 100 meters from the start of the convoy.
No one was injured and none of the vehicles were struck in
the attack, which
took place outside the town of Urosevac in southeastern Kosovo.
According to the mission's officials, NATO had been given
four days advance notice that they would be traveling to
Prishtina, but NATO said there was no indication the alliance was
connected to the attack.
Mr. Papandreou expressed his sympathy towards all those who
are "putting their lives in danger under difficult conditions in
order to complete a major humanitarian effort," as he stated.
[05] SAE ISSUES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ATTACKS AGAINST SERBIA
The World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) has approved a
resolution condemning the bombardments in Yugoslavia as well as
ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
During a meeting held in Thessaloniki over the last two days,
the SAE president Andrew Athens also stated that he plans to
forward a letter to the President of the United States Bill
Clinton, over the "public announcement" issued by Washington
regarding conditions in Greece, which announcement could damage
Greek tourism.
[06] PROTESTERS OBSTRUCT ENTRANCE OF NATO VEHICLES AT PORT
Episodes erupted early yesterday morning at Thessaloniki's
port, when a group of protesters obstructed the entrance of a NATO
military vehicles convoy.
The military trailers had arrived from Skopje in order to
load and transport vehicles and supplies back to FYROM.
Over 100 individuals gathered at the port at 1 a..m. and
cordoned off the port's Gate 11, the military trucks' destination.
After breaking the fence of Gate 14, some of the protesters
managed to enter the port's facilities and attempted to approach
the warehouses where NATO military supplies are stored.
Police intervened at that point, preventing the crowd from
entering the warehouses and episodes erupted although no one was
arrested.
As a result of the melee, the trailers departed for the
Sindos military camp of Thessaloniki.
[07] LOCAL MUNICIPALITY SENDS 18 TONS OF RELIEF AID TO YUGOSLAVIA
Eighteen tons of humanitarian aid are departing today for
Yugoslavia's war victims, gathered by the Solidarity Committee of
Neapolis, a municipality in western Thessaloniki.
The aid consists of pharmaceutical supplies and foodstuffs
which will be distributed to Belgrade and Pancevo, within the
framework of the mission organized by the Thessaloniki Prefecture
Authorities' Committee.
A delegation of the Solidarity Committee will accompany the
aid.
[08] GREEK PM TO MEET WITH PORTUGUESE, FYROM, ALBANIAN PREMIERS
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will receive his
counterpart from Portugal in Thessaloniki on Saturday, with whom
he will travel to the monastic community of Mt. Athos.
Mr. Simitis will also meet with the Premier of FYROM, Ljubco
Georgievski, and both of whom will be guest speakers at a major
Balkan economics conference to be held in Thessaloniki on May 10-
11. The Premier of Albanian Pandeli Majko will also attend the
event.
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.
The forum is expected to draw more than 500 Greek and foreign
business figures representing 120 foreign companies and 280 Greek.
[09] BULGARIAN DELEGATION VISITS THRACE THROUGH PHARE PROGRAM
A fifty-member delegation of Bulgarian local government
officials embarked today on a two-day visit to the Eastern
Macedonia and Thrace District, in the framework of the PHARE
program.
The delegates, representatives from Bulgaria's central and
regional administration, are to meet with their Greek counterparts
and will be briefed on ways to expedite regional development in
their country.
Specifically, they will examine issues concerning regional
strategy, preparations for the establishment of a national plan
for regional development, the application and materialization of
a regional business plan and ways to fund it and the
establishment of committees which will review the results of the
regional development actions.
[10] KLIMA IS ON A VISIT TO THESSALONIKI
Austrian chancellor Victor Klima is on a visit to
Thessaloniki today. He will meet with Greek minister of defense
Akis Tsochatzopoulos at 4:30pm and they will discuss the Yugoslav
crisis and the developments in the European Union.
Austria is a member of the European Union troika as in the
previous 6month period had the EU rotating presidency.
[11] 50 GREEK SOLDIERS IN FYROM ON HUMANITARIAN MISSION
A Greek military force of 50 men will go to Skopje to assist
in the distribution of humanitarian aid in a refugee camp, 30
kilometers from Tetovo, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas.
On the likelihood of Kossovo refugees to be sent to south
Albania, he stated that there was such a plan by the Albanian
government but as soon as the Greek government became aware of it
issued a demarche to the OSCE ambassador to Tirana and the plan
was rejected.
[12] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE ATTACK AGAINST A
"DOCTORS OF THE WORLD" CONVOY
It is a sad incident and fortunately there were no victims,
commented Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on the attack
against a Doctors of the World convoy in Kossovo.
He said that NATO has not assumed responsibility for the
attack and the Greek foreign minister communicated twice with NATO
secretary-general Javier Solana, who assured him that it was not
an attack launched by the allied forces. Foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou requested that the inquiry on the incident must
continue and stated that the Greek government want to learn what
really happened. Mr. Reppas added that the Greek government had
informed the NATO agencies over the Doctors of the World mission
since April 30.
[13] MR. SIMITIS WELCOMED THE DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES FOR A
POLITICAL SOLUTION IN KOSSOVO
Prime minister Kostas Simitis welcomed every diplomatic
initiative for a political solution in Kossovo.
Mr. Simitis referred to the issue of the effects the NATO
bombings of Yugoslavia could have on the Greek environment and
stressed that there should be caution while reaching any
conclusions. He also pointed out that no attention should be given
to information channelled by the rivals of Greece in the sector of
the economy that speak of problems with the Greek products as a
result of the pollution.
On the effects the crisis in Kossovo could have on the Greek
tourism industry, Mr. Simitis said that Greece will ask for
compensation by the responsible European Union bodies after there
is an assessment of the damages caused to the country by the
crisis in Yugoslavia.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] OIL REFINERIES AND INDUSTRIAL SITES STRUCK BY NATO IN SERBIA
NATO aircraft continued to pound Yugoslavia in relentless
rhythms last night, targeting oil refineries and industrial sites
throughout the beleaguered country.
According to the state-owned news agency Tanjung, an oil
refinery in the city of Prahovo was bombed, injuring one.
Industrial sites in the city of Nis were also hit, resulting in
extensive fires and repeated explosions.
[15] FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM "GROUP OF EIGHT" TO DISCUSS KOSOVO
The foreign ministers of the Group of Eight industrialized
nations, including Russia, are to convene in Bonn today in order
to discuss the Kosovo crisis and examine ways to settle the
conflict.
Specifically, the G-8 will discuss a plan which aims at a
political solution through the immediate cessation of NATO's
bombings against Yugoslavia and Belgrade's concurrent commitment
that it will withdraw its military troops from Kosovo.
[16] MPA PARTICIPATES IN HERMES TRADE EXPO IN NEW YORK TOMORROW
The Macedonian Press Agency is to participate at the 7th
Annual Business Development Trade Show and Exhibition in the
United States (Hermes Expo International 1999) , to be held
tomorrow and Saturday, (May 7-8) at the New York Hilton.
The event is expected to give the opportunity to Greeks
living on both sides of the Atlantic to consolidate their
communication channels.
This marks the first the MPA has the opportunity to take part
in such an organized show, which will illustrate the agency's
multifaceted activities in the media sector, and especially its
singular commitment to the Greek community abroad.
This year's event will also feature the participation of
ventures from Albania, Romania and other Balkan countries.
Greece's Undersecretary of Sports Andreas Fouras will
inaugurate the event and has expressed the hope that the
participation of the General Secretariat of Sports and
representatives of the Greek business sector will contribute to
the further advancement of Greek products and services in the
U.S., as well as to the promotion of Greece's sports
infrastructure, especially in light of the Athens-held Olympic
Games of 2004.
The Archbishop of America Spyridon will also attend the
inauguration ceremony.
Greek businesses interested in serving the needs of the Greek
American community and establishing an initial strong foothold in
the massive American market, the exhibition is certainly worth
attending as a number of joint-venture seminars will be held,
which can provide fertile ground for such investments.
[17] HELLENIC PETROLEUM DEAL ENDORSED BY FYROM'S GOVERNMENT
Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) will be allowed to go ahead with
the construction of an oil pipeline linking Thessaloniki with
Skopje, after the government of FYROM approved the said agreement
during a Cabinet session held yesterday.
Specifically , the agreement calls for ELPE becoming the
strategic investor of FYROM's OKTA refinery, with the investment
being the largest ever in the neighboring country.
The 90-million-dollar pipeline, which will have an annual
capacity of 2.5 million tons and a length of 220 kilometers, is
due for completion in three years.
[18] GREEK TOBACCO FACTORY INAUGURATED IN BULGARIA
A tobacco processing factory, owned by Greece's "Leaf
Tobacco", was inaugurated yesterday in the Bulgarian city of
Santaski, near the Greek border, by the vice-president of the
Bulgarian government Alexander Bozkov, who is also the country's
Minister of Industry.
"Leaf Tobacco" purchased the plant in August 1998 from the
shareholder "Struma", and has so far invested three million
dollars, mostly in technical facilities.
[19] UNHCR RECEIVES REPORTS OF ATROCITIES IN DJAKOVICA
People fleeing western Kosovo into Albania were arriving with
fresh reports of atrocities in the Djakovica area, the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated yesterday.
UNHCR said the reports from Djakovica had been so consistent
and specific in detail that the region undoubtedly was one of the
most violent in all of Kosovo, turning it at times into a virtual
"killing field".
According to UNHCR, One of the most vivid stories came from a
young female nurse who reported that about two weeks ago three men
in their 60s were executed with a single bullet to the head from
close range. She was able to reach one man who was still alive,
but was unable to help him.
Meanwhile, UNHCR's struggle to relieve the congestion around
Kukes, Albania, continued, as the agency said it was considering
the closure or transfer of the tented refugee camps as one way to
alleviate the bottleneck of refugees.
UNHCR said around 100,000 refugees remained in the
mountainous area, an estimated 30,000 in tents. UNHCR and the
Albanian Government have always considered the Kukes area as a
transit point for incoming refugees and not a semi-permanent
settlement.
On Tuesday a total of 3,260 people left Kukes, the majority
staying only one night before moving south, as greater emphasis
has been placed on this rapid movement through the town the last
few days. A total of around 260, 000 people have now moved through
this transit point inland, UNHCR said.
[20] HELLENIC-SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION MEETS TODAY
The Parliamentary Association of Hellenic-Swedish Friendship
is to hold its first meeting today at the premises of the Swedish
Parliament, where Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou will
present a salutation to the 75 members.
The Association was founded two years ago by the Swedish
deputy Nikos Papadopoulos, who is of Greek-descent, and with the
encouragement of Mr. Papandreou and the Undersecretary of Foreign
Affairs Grigoris Niotis.
"The founding of this Association constitutes the beginning
of a fundamental tie between Sweden and Greece, so that we may
create friendly bonds between the two countries' parliaments," Mr.
Papadopoulos told the Macedonian Press Agency.
[21] OPTIMISM IN THE MEETING OF THE 7 RICHEST COUNTRIES IN THE
WORLD
The attention of the international community has focused on
Bonn where the meeting of the foreign ministers of the 7 richest
countries and Russia takes place. Observers believe that an
agreement reached by the 8 is possible to be the basis for a UN
Security Council resolution that will include the terms for the
settlement of the crisis in Yugoslavia.
Earlier, US president Bill Clinton had stated that even if no
agreement is reached today this can happen soon. The US president
reiterated that NATO's demands are non negotiable.
[22] PAPOULIAS HAS CONTACTS WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADERSHIP IN
BELGRADE
Former Greek foreign minister Karolos Papoulias has a number
of contacts with the Yugoslav leadership in Belgrade over the
crisis in Kosovo. Mr. Papoulias is in the Yugoslav capital as the
chairman of the Greek parliament foreign affairs and defense
committee.
Mr. Papoulias was scheduled to meet with Yugoslav foreign
minister Zivadin Jovanovic and Serb president Milan Miludinovic,
while he also had a meeting with Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic.
Karolos Papoulias, in statements he made after the meeting he
had in Belgrade with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic,
appeared optimistic over the atmosphere that is being created as a
result of the diplomatic consultations taking place on the
Yugoslav issue.
The former Greek foreign minister stressed that there are
indications that things go better and that efforts are being made
for the change of the situation, a likelihood that can become
obvious in the next few days. He stressed to the Yugoslav
president the need for Belgrade to make concessions, while the two
men also discussed the Schroeder plan that will be presented on
Monday, as well as issues concerning the composition of the peace-
keeping force and the withdrawal of the Yugoslav forces from
Kosovo.
In statements he had made earlier to Greek journalists in
Belgrade, he stated that he will convey to the Yugoslav leadership
the views and ideas of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis over
the crisis in Yugoslavia but he pointed out that he is not
bringing with him a specific Greek proposal.
He stated that he will deliver to Mr. Milosevic the message
that there is a need for Belgrade to make certain concessions that
are necessary for a feasible solution to the problem and pointed
out that there will be an open agenda in the talks but added that
the points he will examine are the composition and the character
of the international peace-keeping force that could be deployed in
Kosovo as well as the issue of the withdrawal of the Serb security
forces from Kosovo.
Referring to the role of Greece in the crisis, he pointed out
that it focuses on issues of humanitarian aid and stressed that
this role can not be unrelated to the diplomatic and political
initiatives underway. The European Union knows and it has already
been proven that Greece can play a special role in the region,
added Mr. Papoulias.
In conclusion, he said that he will brief prime minister
Kostas Simitis and foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou on the
content of his talks with the Yugoslav leadership.
[23] 50 INTELLECTUALS FROM HUNGARY ISSUED AN APPEAL FOR THE END OF
THE WAR
Fifty intellectuals from Hungary issued an appeal for the
immediate end of the war and bloodshed in the Balkans.
They demand from NATO to stop the bombing and start
negotiations immediately. They also believe that Hungary as a
member of NATO must exercise its veto power and exert pressure on
the allies in order to stop the crisis from spreading to the
neighbouring countries with Yugoslavia.
Finally, they call on the people who agree with them to
participate in a peace march that will be held on Sunday, May 9 in
Budapest.
[24] FISCHER: SOLUTION IN YUGOSLAVIA BEFORE THE END OF MAY
German foreign minister Joshka Fischer, speaking before the
plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the
chairman of the EU council of ministers, stated that a political
solution to the problem in Yugoslavia will be found before the end
of May.
Mr. Fischer admitted that the crisis in Kosovo has shown that
NATO can not substitute the United Nations.
[25] THE G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREED ON A PLAN FOR THE PROMOTION
OF A SOLUTION IN KOSSOVO
The foreign ministers of the seven most developed countries
and Russia meeting in Bonn agreed on a formula that will lead to a
peace plan for Kossovo.
German foreign minister Joshka Fischer stated that the
formula provides for an interim administration in Kossovo and the
presence of an international effective force in the region that
will protect the refugees as they return to their homes. Russian
foreign minister representative Vladimir Rachmani stated that
there was an agreement over a common strategy. He also stressed
that NATO's five demands made to Yugoslavia will be further
examined, while there will also be a demand for the issuing of a
resolution by the UN Security Council.
According to the initial information available, the plan
includes certain basic principles such as the immediate end of
hostilities, the withdrawal of the military forces from Kossovo,
the deployment of an international force made up of military and
non military units, the establishment of an administration the
composition of which will be decided by the UN Security Council,
the return of the refugees to their homes, the opening of a
procedure for a viable self-administration in Kossovo within the
borders of Yugoslavia.
As it was pointed out, the wording of the plan constitutes a
basis for negotiation as the formula will be delivered to the
general secretaries of the foreign ministries of the G8 countries
and China.
[26] MILOSEVIC SPOKE OF A "FAIR AGREEMENT" AFTER THE MEETING WITH
PAPOULIAS
Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic stated today that a new
"political process" could lead to a "fair agreement" for Kossovo,
according to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug.
After the meeting he had in Belgrade with former Greek
foreign minister Karolos Papoulias, he said that the basic
principles on which a political agreement on Kossovo must be based
are the equality of all ethnic communities in the region and the
safeguarding of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Serbia and Yugoslavia.
Mr. Milosevic concluded that a fair agreement on all
unresolved issues can be achieved with a political procedure of
direct negotiations that should provide for the end of the
attacks, the restoration of peace and the return of the Yugoslav
citizens to their homes.
From his side, Mr. Papoulias stated that Greece wants to
contribute to the restoration of peace in Yugoslavia as the only
way for the development of the Balkans.
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