Browse through our Interesting Nodes on the Informatics & Computing Business in Greece Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-25

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 25, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI
  • [02] THESSALONIKI MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PROTEST NATO RAIDS IN SERBIA
  • [03] MAIN OPPOSITION IS LEADING IN POLL CONDUCTED FOR RULING PARTY
  • [04] GREEK MEN LIVING ABROAD CAN VOTE IN EUROELECTIONS
  • [05] THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA MET WITH THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER
  • [06] REPPAS: GREECE WILL RAISE TO NATO THE OPTION OF THE 48HOUR TRUCE IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL VISIT SOFIA TOMORROW
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [08] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA
  • [09] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE TOMORROW
  • [10] BALKAN DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTERS TO MEET IN SOFIA TODAY
  • [11] GREEK ECONOMY REVIEWED BY ECOFIN MINISTERS, OECD
  • [12] NATO INTENSIFIES RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
  • [13] DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [14] CHERNOMYRDIN:TOMORROW'S TALKS SHOULD LEAD TO END OF RAIDS
  • [15] UNHCR REPORTS: KOSOVO EXODUS HAS RESUMED WITH FULL FORCE
  • [16] 1.200 PEOPLE WERE KILLED SINCE THE START OF THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA
  • [17] THE SERB PEOPLE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MILOSEVIC [18] THE ALLIED FORCES COMMANDER IN EUROPE IS AGAINST THE TEMPORARY STOP OF THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA
  • [19] PAPANDREOU-ALBRIGHT MEETING IN WASHINGTON TOMORROW

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI

    The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit the Thessaloniki suburb of Kalamaria on May 31, the feast of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

    The Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual leader of all of the world's Orthodox Christians, arrived in Greece on May 20 for a two-week visit as the official guest of the Orthodox Church of Greece.

    [02] THESSALONIKI MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PROTEST NATO RAIDS IN SERBIA

    The Mayor of Thessaloniki Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and the members of the City Council presented a message of peace yesterday afternoon to the NATO forces presently stationed at the city's port.

    Mr. Papageorgopoulos called the move a "peace offensive", stressing that the city's should not be used for the transit of NATO troops for deployment in FYROM.

    The Mayor led a delegation of the city council members tot he port's facilities and council chairman Sotiris Kapetanopoulos handed a resolution to the director general of the port authority Nikos Papadopoulos.

    With the said resolution, the City Council expresses its opposition to any whatsoever involvement of Greek forces to military operations in Yugoslavia, and the passage of NATO forces from Thessaloniki for ground operations in the neighboring country.

    [03] MAIN OPPOSITION IS LEADING IN POLL CONDUCTED FOR RULING PARTY

    Greece's main opposition party New Democracy is ahead of the ruling PASOK party by 2.4 percentage points, according to a poll published in an Athens daily and conducted by "̀etron Analysis" on behalf of PASOK.

    According to the poll, New Democracy garnered the advocacy of 31.9% of those polled, while PASOK fell slightly behind with 29,4%.

    The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) emerges as third party with a percentage surmounting seven percent, while the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), as well as the Democratic and Social Movement (DIKKI)both show increased percentage rates.

    In spite of the party percentages, Prime Minister (and PASOK leader) Costas Simitis is far ahead of N.D. leader Costas Karamanlis, being the leading choice of those polled as to who would make a more able premier.

    [04] GREEK MEN LIVING ABROAD CAN VOTE IN EUROELECTIONS

    According to a parliamentary resolution, Greek males who live abroad and plan to arrive in Greece in order to vote in the Euroelections are exempt from the control of their conscription status between May 24 and June 20.

    The decision excludes deserters, while prosecution against those falling under the relevant resolution will also be suspended over the same period.

    [05] THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA MET WITH THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER

    The president of Estonia, who is on a formal visit to Greece, met in Athens today with prime minister Kostas Simitis. They discussed issues concerning bilateral relations, Estonia's European prospects and the situation in Yugoslavia. Also, agreements were signed for the cooperation in the sectors of transportation, tourism and cultural exchanges.

    In statements he made after the meeting, prime minister Simitis stressed that Estonia belongs to the countries that negotiate their accession into the European Union and reiterated the Greek position according to which, in order for the EU to play a role in Europe must accept the membership of as many members as possible provided that certain criteria are satisfied.

    Mr. Simitis characterized bilateral relations as very good and stressed the need for the further development of the economic cooperation. On the situation in Yugoslavia, both leaders stated that there is a need for a peaceful solution respecting human rights and international law.

    [06] REPPAS: GREECE WILL RAISE TO NATO THE OPTION OF THE 48HOUR TRUCE IN YUGOSLAVIA

    The Greek government will present in the meeting of the NATO permanent representatives its proposal for a 48-hour stop to the war operations in Yugoslavia aimed at facilitating the development of diplomatic initiatives for a peaceful solution, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    Mr. Reppas stated that the government agrees with the G-8 peace plan, while there is a coincidence of views with China.

    [07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL VISIT SOFIA TOMORROW

    President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will be on a two-day visit to Bulgaria tomorrow. He will have talks on bilateral issues and the developments in the Balkans with his Bulgarian counterpart Petar Stoyanov and prime minister Ivan Kostov.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos will have contacts with Bulgarian political party leaders, representatives of the Greek-Bulgarian friendship associations and Greek students who are studying in the neighboring country. Also, he will meet with Patriarch Maximos and the mayor of Sofia.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [08] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA

    The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to embark on an official visit to Bulgaria tomorrow, May 26, where he will meet with President Petar Stoyanov and Prime Minister Ivan Kostov with whom he will discuss issues of bilateral interest and the latest developments in the Balkans.

    The President's visit to Bulgaria was preceded by an official visit by Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, May 17, who met with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Ananiev, foreign minister Nadezda Michailova, foreign policy parliamentary committee chairman Asen Agov and parliament speaker Jordan Sokolov.

    Messrs. Tsochatzopoulos and Ananiev stated that they ascertained an identity of views concerning the Kosovo crisis.

    Specifically, the two ministers stated that they advocate an expeditious and peaceful settlement of the crisis through diplomatic means.

    Moreover, they stated that they support the deployment of multi-national peace-keeping forces comprising NATO member and non- member states which would guarantee the implementation of a peace agreement.

    [09] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE TOMORROW

    Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is presently on a four-day visit to the United States, where he will meet with US envoy Richard Holbrooke this evening in New York and the Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Washington tomorrow.

    Mr. Papandreou will brief Ms. Albright on the Greek-Czech initiative for a short suspension of NATO bombings in Yugoslavia before any relevant resolution by the UN Security Council.

    China has reportedly welcomed the Greek-Czech initiative.

    [10] BALKAN DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTERS TO MEET IN SOFIA TODAY

    The deputy defense ministers of seven Balkan countries and their US and Italian counterparts will meet Bulgaria today in order to discuss the Kosovo crisis and prospects for ensuring stability in SE Europe following the Yugoslav conflict.

    The participating countries are Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, FYROM, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey.

    The Greek delegation will be led by Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis.

    [11] GREEK ECONOMY REVIEWED BY ECOFIN MINISTERS, OECD

    The state of Greece's economy is to be reviewed during the OECD and ECOFIN conferences to be held this week, a stringent examination concerning the country's efforts to joint the Economic and Monetary Union.

    ECOFIN is convening in Brussels today, while the annual session of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is to be held in Paris on the 26th and 27th of May.

    Greece will be represented by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou.

    [12] NATO INTENSIFIES RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA

    NATO aircraft continued to pound Yugoslavia last night, targeting Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and other cities. Belgrade's police headquarters, or what's left of it, was again subject to the raids, while over 20 missiles fell near Prizren in Kosovo and an oil refinery in Novi Sad.

    According to the U.S. Pentagon, over 1,000 aircraft are taking part in this operation, a triple amount since the start of the war. According to NATO officials, the air raids will have destroyed or removed all Serb forces from Kosovo within the next two months.

    [13] DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE IN YUGOSLAVIA

    U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott will fly to Moscow tomorrow for further consultations over Kosovo. While in Moscow, Mr. Talbott is expected to have talks with Russia's Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

    "The only purpose of these contacts is to ensure a speedy end to the military operation against Yugoslavia and put the Kosovo settlement on a legal footing," Ivanov said.

    [14] CHERNOMYRDIN:TOMORROW'S TALKS SHOULD LEAD TO END OF RAIDS

    Russian presidential envoy on Yugoslavia Viktor Chernomyrdin has stated that tomorrow's trilateral talks in Moscow "should lead to an end to air strikes in Yugoslavia."

    According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Chernomyrdin said that he will travel to Belgrade on Thursday irrespective of the outcome of talks in Moscow.

    He noted that only two key questions have to be agreed at the talks in Moscow: the withdrawal of Serbian troops from Kosovo and the structure of international presence in that province.

    He stressed that "Belgrade and (Yugoslav President Slobodan) Milosevic are ready to accept many things, including the participation of NATO countries, which are not actively involved in combat actions, such as Greece or Portugal, to take part in the international presence."

    The Russian envoy expressed the hope that the talks will be successful and Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari will go to the Yugoslav capital with him.

    Mr. Chernomyrdin pointed out that the bombings must be stopped or at least "there should be a temporary pause stipulated by real steps by the sides. A pause is needed very much," he added.

    [15] UNHCR REPORTS: KOSOVO EXODUS HAS RESUMED WITH FULL FORCE

    The exodus of refugees from Kosovo into Albania and FYROM has resumed with full force, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced yesterday.

    According to UNHCR, more than 18,000 refugees crossed into the two countries in the three-day period from Friday through Sunday and thousands more streamed across the borders yesterday.

    Approximately 7,700 refugees arrived on Saturday in FYROM and another 7,500 on Sunday. UNHCR reported more than 15 bus loads of refugees arrived early yesterday and a train with at least 15 carriages reached the border at Blace. According to UNHCR, "a wall" of refugees was walking towards the border from the railhead and one arrival said the line stretched back one kilometer into Kosovo. Many of the refugees who were elderly and in "very poor condition" required immediate medical attention, UNHCR said.

    [16] 1.200 PEOPLE WERE KILLED SINCE THE START OF THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA

    At least 1.200 people have been killed and 500 were injured since the start of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, according to Russian special envoy to Yugoslavia Victor Chernomyrdin.

    In a press conference he gave in Moscow, Mr. Chernomyrdin stressed that the material damage caused in Yugoslavia by the bombing is estimated to be over 100 billion US dollars, while 500.000 employees and workers have seen their industry plants and businesses being destroyed completely. Also, an estimated 1.5 million Yugoslavs are left without a source of income.

    The special envoy of Russia expressed his strong concern over the activities of the members of the Kossovo Liberation Army, KLA, who are responsible for drug-trafficking worth about 3 billion US dollars.

    Mr. Chernomyrdin stressed that the organization of the ethnic Albanian separatists initially had caused fear but now is being armed by NATO member-states and warned that disarming the KLA will be harder than arming it.

    [17] THE SERB PEOPLE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MILOSEVIC

    The continuing bombing of Yugoslavia by NATO appears that it has not produced so far the expected results namely, to turn the Serb people against Yugoslav president Milosevic.

    According to the CNN correspondent to Belgrade, the residents of the Yugoslav capital are outraged with the NATO actions, contrary to the allegations of the representatives of the alliance based on which, the discontent of the people over the policy followed by Milosevic is on the rise.

    [18] THE ALLIED FORCES COMMANDER IN EUROPE IS AGAINST THE TEMPORARY STOP OF THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA

    The residents of Belgrade and other Serb cities are in a very bad state as the NATO bombing intensifies destroying the water and electricity supply networks.

    Allied forces commander in Europe, US general Clark is against the temporary stop of the bombing an option supported by Greece, Italy, Holland and the Czech Republic. On the likelihood of ground operations, general Clark stated that the time for a decision is getting closer.

    Meanwhile, the governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus stated today that Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and his family members do not have bank accounts in Cyprus.

    [19] PAPANDREOU-ALBRIGHT MEETING IN WASHINGTON TOMORROW

    The Greek foreign minister is on a four day visit to the United States starting today. Mr. Giorgos Papandreou will meet with Richard Halbrooke in New York this evening and tomorrow will have a meeting with US secretary of state Madeleine Albright in Washington. Mr. Papandreou will present to Ms. Albright the Greek- Czech proposal for a 48-hour stop to the NATO bombing before any decision on Kosovo is reached by the UN Security Council.

    China has already expressed support to the Greek-Czech initiative. According to the Beijing newspapers, the Chinese leadership is rejecting any discussion on a political settlement of the crisis for as long as the NATO bombing continues.


    Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    mpegr2html v1.01a run on Tuesday, 25 May 1999 - 21:09:35 UTC