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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-17

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 17, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] "17 NOVEMBER" FIRES ROCKET AT GERMAN AMBASSADOR'S HOUSE
  • [02] GREEK PREMIER TELLS SUPPORTERS: PASOK IS HERE TO STAY
  • [03] GREEK FM PROPOSES TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [04] BSTDB DIRECTORS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI THIS WEEK
  • [05] GREEK MINORITY PARTY SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO YUGOSLAVIA
  • [06] GREEK CONSORTIUM BUILDS IMPRESSIVE PORT PROJECTS IN GEORGIA
  • [07] EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY
  • [08] REPPAS ON THE DEMIREL STATEMENTS
  • [09] REPPAS ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK TARGETING THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE
  • [10] SIMITIS AND PRODI ARE AGAINST THE GROUND OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [11] TURKISH WARSHIPS MADE AN ATTEMPT TO APPROACH THE IMIA ISLET
  • [12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS IS ON A VISIT TO SOFIA
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [13] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TRAVELS TO SOFIA TODAY
  • [14] CYPRUS: MASSIVE PEACE MARCH HELD AGAINST BOMBING OF F.R.Y.
  • [15] SINCE BOMBS CONTINUE, BELGRADE CANCELS PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL
  • [16] AHTISAARI TO MEET WITH SCHROEDER, CHERNOMYRDIN, TALBOTT
  • [17] RUSSIAN FM IVANOV IN BRUSSELS, TO MEET WITH RUGOVA
  • [18] NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL: REFUGEES BACK AT HOME BY WINTER
  • [19] RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT CHINA IN EARLY JUNE
  • [20] THE "GREY WOLVES" WERE FINANCED BY HOLLAND
  • [21] CONFLICTING INFORMATION ON THE PARTICIPATION OF TURKISH JETS IN THE NATO BOMBINGS
  • [22] GEORGIEVSKI SEES THE END OF THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS
  • [23] THE KOSSOVO REFUGEES IN ALBANIA ARE ESTIMATED AT 450.000

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] "17 NOVEMBER" FIRES ROCKET AT GERMAN AMBASSADOR'S HOUSE

    Police believe that the infamous "17 November" group is behind last night's attack against the residence of German Ambassador in Athens where a rocket was fired from a fuse within a short distance, but no one was hurt as the weapon failed to explode.

    Both the Ambassador, Carl Heinz Kuhna, and his wife were inside the house, when the rocket tore a hole in the roof.

    Following the incident, the Ambassador told reporters that he continues to feel safe in Greece and urged the German citizens to visit Greece fearlessly.

    The "17 November" terrorist group has been active for a great number of years but continues to remain elusive. It first appeared in 1975 when it claimed responsibility for the killing of 20 Greeks and foreigners.

    [02] GREEK PREMIER TELLS SUPPORTERS: PASOK IS HERE TO STAY

    Addressing a rally of supporters in Kalamata, south Peloponnese, yesterday, Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis told a rally of supporters that the country is an oasis of stability in the Balkans.

    The Premier outlined the governing party's achievements in the public sector and emphasized that the real incomes of workers have been on an upward course for an annual basis. He further stressed that a health sector restructuring program is presently in the works, totaling 200 billion drachmas.

    After accusing the main opposition party, New Democracy, of irresponsibility and hypocrisy, Mr. Simitis vowed that PASOK will govern the country for the years to come.

    [03] GREEK FM PROPOSES TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE IN YUGOSLAVIA

    Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is proposing that a state of temporary ceasefire be applied to Yugoslavia, where NATO forces will stop the bombarding, thus giving the UN Security Council the opportunity to issue a resolution which in turn would have to be responded by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

    Mr. Papandreou has stated that he will bring forth his proposal during an imminent meeting with his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine, in Paris.

    [04] BSTDB DIRECTORS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI THIS WEEK

    The Board of Directors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

    (BSTDB) is to meet in Thessaloniki on May 21-22, in order to draw the final touches prior to the financial institution's operation.

    The meeting will concern the BSTDB's latest financial policies which are subject to approval, matters concerning project strategy and investment policies and assessment of risk management.

    While the Bank will embark on full operation mode on the 1st of June, the official inauguration will take place on the 21st of that month.

    The bank's budget, which is expected to be 150 million dollars in 1999, will finance projects and programs funded jointly with other credit organizations, such as the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

    The shareholders of the Black Sea Bank are the 11 member- states of the Black Sea Organization of Economic Cooperation: Greece, Turkey, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia and Albania.

    [05] GREEK MINORITY PARTY SENDS HUMANITARIAN AID TO YUGOSLAVIA

    Greece's minority party Democratic and Social Movement (DIKKI) has gathered twenty-two tons of humanitarian aid for Yugoslavia, which will be transported to Belgrade today.

    A delegation of party officials, led by DIKKI President Dimitris Tsovolas, is to accompany the aid mission, which includes pharmaceutical supplies and foodstuffs.

    DIKKI announced that the aid is a symbolic gesture of solidarity and support towards the Serb people.

    [06] GREEK CONSORTIUM BUILDS IMPRESSIVE PORT PROJECTS IN GEORGIA

    A Greek consortium has drafted and completed a "railway ferry" that will link Georgia, Ukraine and Bulgaria, this being the Black Sea region's first structural project to be funded by the European Union.

    The sea route, which will link the cities of Poti (Georgia), with Ilitcovsk (Ukraine) and Varna (Bulgaria) and constitutes a section of the TRACECA axis (Transportation Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia), was recently inaugurated by Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze in the presence of presidents and other leaders from 11 countries.

    The port of Poti is considered of utmost importance as it constitutes the key junction for transporting trade to neighboring countries and the Caspian region.

    The Greek consortium, comprising "Athena S.A." and "Elliniki Technodomiki" (with the input of "Triton Engineering Consultants"), undertook the project following an international bidding process and completed the task far ahead of the deadline.

    The project, a world first, involved the construction of all necessary facilities and infrastructures for the creation of a link span (similar to a floating bridge) which will enable the complete and mass loading-unloading of cargo trains from ferry boats to - and from - the piers.

    The said bridge was fully constructed in Greece, based on a hoisting system patented by Britain's MDC, and was towed to Poti by traveling a distance of 1,000 miles through the Bosporus Straits.

    [07] EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY

    European Commission President Romano Prodi is to arrive in Athens today where he will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and opposition party leaders.

    According to reports, Messrs. Prodi and Simitis are expected to discuss selection criteria for the EC's new commissioners.

    [08] REPPAS ON THE DEMIREL STATEMENTS

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized the statements of Turkish president Suleiman Demirel as a delirium.

    He said that this shows that Ankara is in an awkward position because of its policy. He said that Turkey tries to create tensions and preserve the friction in the Greek-Turkish relations.

    [09] REPPAS ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK TARGETING THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas condemned last night's terrorist attack on the residence of the German ambassador to Athens.

    Mr. Reppas stated that this attack targets Greece as well and it is condemned by the Greek people.

    [10] SIMITIS AND PRODI ARE AGAINST THE GROUND OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA

    The foreign policy can not be exercised by private individuals, who undertake to solve the problems in international relations, stated the Greek prime minister on the occasion of the new incident caused by the Turks in the Imia islets.

    Mr. Simitis also stressed that calm is needed especially during the present period of time, while he called again on Turkey to appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

    A short while ago, the meeting of the Greek prime minister with European Commission president Romano Prodi was completed in Athens. The two men backed a quick peaceful settlement of the war in Kosovo and expressed their opposition to the ground military operations in the region.

    [11] TURKISH WARSHIPS MADE AN ATTEMPT TO APPROACH THE IMIA ISLET

    A Turkish Coast Guard boat and another warship, on board which most likely were Turkish journalists, made an attempt to approach the region of the Imia islet in south-eastern Aegean at 11:30am this morning.

    The two boats attempted to approach the coast of the rocky islet but they were spotted by a Greek Coast Guard boat that prevented them from getting close to the islet. Two Turks jumped in the water and tried to swim to the islet coast but they failed in their attempt and they were picked up by the Turkish Coast Guard boat. The two Turkish boats then left the region.

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas referring to the incident maintained that there is certainly expediency on behalf of the Turkish side, adding that this behavior poisons the Greek- Turkish relations and has a negative effect on the existing situation in bilateral relations.

    [12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS IS ON A VISIT TO SOFIA

    Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos is on a two- day formal visit to Bulgaria. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos and already met with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Ananiev, while he will also meet with foreign minister Nadezda Michailova, foreign policy parliamentary committee chairman Asen Agov and parliament speaker Jordan Sokolov. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also be received by Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov.

    After the meeting of the two ministers of defense it was stressed that they share the same position for the quick peaceful settlement in Kossovo through diplomacy. They also backed the deployment of multi-national peace-keeping forces made up of NATO members and non-member states that will guarantee the implementation of the peace agreement that will be reached. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that Russia and Ukraine should be included in the countries that will send peace-keeping forces.

    Meanwhile, Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou is on a visit to Paris today. Later in the afternoon, Mr. Papandreou will meet with his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [13] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TRAVELS TO SOFIA TODAY

    Greece's Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to embark on a two-day visit to Sofia today, where he will hold talks with Bulgaria's political leadership regarding the Kosovo crisis.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will reportedly focus on the initiatives for reaching a diplomatic solution to the problem.

    [14] CYPRUS: MASSIVE PEACE MARCH HELD AGAINST BOMBING OF F.R.Y.

    Thousands of people participated in a peace march held in Larnaca yesterday to condemn Turkey's occupation of part of Cyprus, the presence of British Bases on the island and NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia.

    According to the Cyprus News Agency, a resolution was issued calling on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to "intensify his efforts for the implementation of UN resolutions on Cyprus."

    It also says that the two military bases Britain retains in Cyprus since granting the island freedom from colonial rule in 1960 must be abolished.

    Moreover, the resolution condemns NATO's offensive against Yugoslavia and calls for its dissolution.

    Greece's famous composer Mikis Theodorakis addressed participants, and messages from the Primate of the Church Archbishop Chrysostomos and the Russian Communist Party were read. The march was organized by the Cyprus Peace Council.

    [15] SINCE BOMBS CONTINUE, BELGRADE CANCELS PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL

    As another round of NATO bombings pounded Yugoslavia last night, Belgrade has reconsidered its stance regarding the partial withdrawal of Serb troops from Kosovo.

    The chief of the Yugoslav military press center stated that the partial withdrawal cannot continue as, since the day Belgrade announced its intent to do so, the Alliance has intensified the attacks by 50-80%.

    Meanwhile, "Newsweek" has reported that the U.S. Pentagon warned President Bill Clinton that the attacks against Yugoslavia cannot be successful without ground operations.

    [16] AHTISAARI TO MEET WITH SCHROEDER, CHERNOMYRDIN, TALBOTT

    Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari is to receive German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Helsinki today, in order to search for approaches to a political settlement of the conflict in the Balkans.

    President Ahtisaari will also hold talks with the Russian President's special Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin today and US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott tomorrow.

    [17] RUSSIAN FM IVANOV IN BRUSSELS, TO MEET WITH RUGOVA

    Russia's acting Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov is to travel to Brussels today where he is to attend the 2nd session of the Russia- European Union Cooperation Council. Mr. Ivanov will hold talks with the European Union's Foreign Ministers and the moderate leader of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians, Ibrahim Rugova.

    In regards to the Kosovo crisis, political analysts are forecasting clouds in the so-far close cooperation between London and Washington. Greece's alternate Foreign Minster Yiannos Kranidiotis also spoke of divisions having emerged within the Alliance.

    [18] NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL: REFUGEES BACK AT HOME BY WINTER

    NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana has stated that the Kosovo refugees will be back in their homes by winter.

    "We'll see how the ethnic cleansing ends and i believe that this will be before the start of winter," Mr. Solana told CNN.

    [19] RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT CHINA IN EARLY JUNE

    Preparations are continuing in Beijing for the arrival of Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, who is to visit China in early June.

    According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Ivanov's visit will take place as scheduled and both sides will discuss a broad spectrum of bilateral and international matters.

    Mr. Sergeyev's talks will center of the Yugoslavia crisis, the Theater Missile Defense program laid out by the United States and Japan, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

    [20] THE "GREY WOLVES" WERE FINANCED BY HOLLAND

    The Dutch local administration organization was the financial backer of the Turkish extreme right "Grey Wolves" organization from 1990 until 1996. The revelation was made by the Dutch newspaper "Algemeen Dagblad" in a report signed by Frank Renout and published in the May 15 issue. Based on facts provided by a research conducted by the Dutch committee against fascism and racism, the municipality of Utrecht had financed a number of organizations of the Turkish extreme right "Grey Wolves" in the period 1990-1996.

    The newspaper published city council decisions according to which, the Turkish Cultural Center, which in reality is an extreme- right gang having links with the extreme right party MHP as well as with the "Grey Wolves", has received 24.000 guilders.

    The news report also mentions the statements made by Turkish- born criminology professor in the University of Utrecht Mr. Yesilgoz, who is specialising on issues concerning the Turkish organized crime according to which, the financing of the "Grey Wolves" is a usual phenomenon in Holland given the fact that the Turkish right extremists often manage to mislead the Dutch authorities over their true intentions.

    [21] CONFLICTING INFORMATION ON THE PARTICIPATION OF TURKISH JETS IN THE NATO BOMBINGS

    The Turkish press published conflicting information on the active participation of Turkish jets in the bombings of NATO against Yugoslavia.

    The newspaper "Milliyet" in a correspondence from Brussels writes that the Turkish F-16 will have an active participation in the NATO operations starting next week. Based on the news report, the Turkish F-16 will be used in the NATO operations only in air defense but it is possible that there will be a request by the alliance for the Turkish aircraft to participate in the NATO bombings if the attacks intensify.

    Meanwhile, the newspaper "Hurriyet", citing reliable sources, reports that NATO has asked for the active participation of the Turkish aircraft in the bombings since the beginning of April and that Ankara has given its permission for the bombing of specific targets in Yugoslavia. According to the same sources, initially, only 5 of the 11 Turkish F-16 stationed in Italy had an active participation but later, all the Turkish jets participated in the operations. In the news report it is also mentioned that the Turkish F-16 have dropped NATO supplied MK-82 bombs as well as AIM- 9L/M and AMRAAM bombs with which they were supplied by the Turkish armed forces.

    [22] GEORGIEVSKI SEES THE END OF THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS

    FYROM prime minister Ljupco Georgievski, of the VMRO-DPMNE party, ruled out any involvement of his country in the Yugoslav crisis, while he predicted that the war will end within the week.

    Speaking in his party's youth congress, gave the assurance that the country will not be involved in the war against Yugoslavia and stated that he is optimistic that there will be a solution soon, predicting that the crisis will end within the week.

    He also stated that the crucial situation in Kosovo in the end it could be to the benefit of FYROM, announcing that the negotiations for the country's association with the European Union will start in June.

    [23] THE KOSSOVO REFUGEES IN ALBANIA ARE ESTIMATED AT 450.000

    The Kossovo refugees in Albania are estimated at 450.000, while information minister Musa Ulkini did not rule out the likelihood to reach the 1 million mark.

    In statements he made to MPA, he underlined that the Albanian government will not block the entrance to any refugee from Kossovo, while referring to the infrastructure created for their reception he said that 130 refugee camps have been built and 70 are still under construction, adding that a total of 230.000 refugees will stay in those camps.

    Meanwhile, the situation of thousands of refugees in Kukes, at the borders with Yugoslavia, continues to be dramatic. Out of 80.000 refugees, 30.000 live in refugee camps, 40.000 are guests in the houses of Albanian families, while 10.000 refugees still live outdoors in sordid conditions.


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