Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-07
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 7, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] K. KARAMANLIS' SPEECH IN THESSALONIKI TONIGHT
[02] PRE-ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN OF THE GREEK PARTIES
[03] THREE NATO WARSHIPS IN THERMAIKOS
[04] NATIONAL CONSUMERS' COUNCIL MEETING ON INFECTED FOOD
[05] PAPANDREOU: IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THERE IS NO DEADLOCK
IN THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS
[06] REPPAS: THERE IS A NEED FOR PEACE IN THE REGION
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[07] NATO-YUGOSLAVIA TALKS FALL APART
[08] MORE AIR RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
[09] STEPASHIN-KOSTOV MEET TODAY
[10] G-8 FOREING MINISTERS MEET IN BONN TODAY ON KOSOVO
[11] ZHIRINOVSKI: "CHERNOMIRDIN HANDED YUGOSLAVIA OVER"
[12] SESELJ PREDICTS DIFFICULT TIMES FOR SERBIA
[13] BELGRADE INSISTS THAT NATO COUNTRIES SHOULD BE ACCUSED OF
GENOCIDE
[14] YUGOSLAVIA SAID YES TO SIX OF THE TWENTY TERMS ON KOSOVO
[15] CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE KLA IN THE KOSOVO-
ALBANIAN BORDER
[16] THE NATO-YUGOSLAV TALKS RESUME TODAY
[17] THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN BONN
[18] SHELDON: THE US HAS NEVER PROMISED THAT IT WILL DISARM THE
KLA REBELS
[19] WASHINGTON IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE PEACE AGREEMENT, ACCORDING
TO TANJUG
[20] RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICIAL BLAMES NATO FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE
TALKS IN KUMANOVO
[21] IVANOV: THE TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE BEING HELD
WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
[22] THE KLA REBELS FAILED IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE BORDERS
INTO KOSOVO
[23] BELGRADE REFUSED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE UN ADOPTS A
RELEVANT RESOLUTION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] K. KARAMANLIS' SPEECH IN THESSALONIKI TONIGHT
Thessaloniki has become the epicenter of the pre-electoral
battle of the Greek political parties, only six days before the
elections are to be held. Tonight, Kostas Karamanlis is to address
his speech at 8.00 pm to an open gathering of New Democracy's
followers in Aristotelous Square, where prime minister Kostas
Simitis is to hold a speech tomorrow night.
The last time, consecutive gatherings were held in
Aristotelous Square was back in 1981, when leader of PASOK was
Andreas Papandreou, and leader of New Democracy was Georgios
Rallis.
[02] PRE-ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN OF THE GREEK PARTIES
Leader of the Coalition of the Left and the Progress, Nikos
Konstantopoulos, will address his speech to an open gathering of
the party's followers, to be held in Kotzia Square, Athens, at
8.00 pm tonight,
President of the Democratic and Social Movement, Dimitris
Tsovolas will visit Kozani and Naoussa today and at 8.00 pm will
hold a speech at an open gathering at Zafeiraki Square in Naoussa.
Leader of Politcal Spring, Antonis Samaras toured Kozani
yesterday and during his speeches he accused PASOK and New
Democracy of maintaining a false feeling of polarity for the
voters. Today, President of the Liberal party, Stefanos Manos will
visit areas in Attiki, after having rounded off his tour of Crete.
[03] THREE NATO WARSHIPS IN THERMAIKOS
An American helicopter carrier and two landing warships are
in the sea of Thermaikos today, carrying around 2500 American
marines to FYROM.
The marines are expected to disembark in Litohoro, during the
night and afterwards they will be transported to FYROM through the
border stations of Evzoni and Idomeni.
Spokesman of the General Army Staff, Mr. Lazarou told MPA
that he is not aware when the NATO troops are planing to disembark
and explained that this will depend on the progress of the
negotiations held between NATO and Serb generals in Kumanovo.
[04] NATIONAL CONSUMERS' COUNCIL MEETING ON INFECTED FOOD
The National Consumers' Council holds a special meeting today
in Athens on the issue of the infected foods imported from
Belgium.
The Council is to announce a series of new measures aiming to
restore the normal function of the Greek market.
Veterinarians of the Agriculture Ministry continue intense
inspection today in storage facilities of meat and its by-products
in order to track down and confiscate dangerous foods.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Ministers of EU's member-states
convene in Luxembourg today on the same issue, while the problem
is expected to be discussed in the permanent veterinarian
committee of the European Commission in Brussels.
[05] PAPANDREOU: IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THERE IS NO DEADLOCK
IN THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS
The belief that in spite of the difficulties in the Yugoslav
crisis there is no deadlock, was expressed by Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou in statements he made after the
government meeting that was held under prime minister Kostas
Simitis and with the participation of minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos.
The Greek foreign minister had telephone communications
during the weekend with foreign ministers of Russia Igor Ivanov
and Germany's Joshka Fischer as well as with US assistant
secretary of state Strobe Talbott and the Greek embassies in all
the European capitals. Mr. Papandreou stated characteristically
that it was decided that at this moment peace is an absolute
priority.
Mr. Papandreou stated that in spite of the difficulties peace
is getting closer and Greece acts toward this direction. When
called to comment on the NATO forces that are being transported to
FYROM via Thessaloniki, the foreign minister stated that the role
of this force is to contribute to the implementation of the peace
agreement. He also stated that an agreement will be reached soon
and after the technical procedures are settled the Serb forces
will withdraw from Kosovo and the bombing will end.
[06] REPPAS: THERE IS A NEED FOR PEACE IN THE REGION
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated today
that there is a need for peace to be achieved in the region and
expressed the wish for the negotiations to be completed and the
agreement reached between the NATO and Yugoslav forces to be
implemented.
Responding to the question if the decision for a 10-day
interruption of the passage of the alliance forces from
Thessaloniki in view of Sunday's elections for the Euro-parliament
is still in effect, Mr. Reppas stated that "we have entered
another phase of the crisis" and added that the issue will be
dealt with in the following days in the light of the developments.
Regarding the passage of NATO peacekeeping forces from Greece
on their way to FYROM, the Greek government spokesman stated that
if an agreement is signed in Kumanovo there shouldn't be an
undesirable void in Kossovo as a result of the withdrawal of the
Yugoslav forces and added that the international forces should be
able to be present at that crucial time.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[07] NATO-YUGOSLAVIA TALKS FALL APART
Marathon talks between NATO and Yugoslav military delegations
fell through, after lasting for 16 hours. Head of the Alliance's
strategists, General Michael Jackson said that the Yugoslavs did
not abide by the terms of the agreement ratified by the Serbian
parliament last week and presented a proposal which could not
guarantee the secure return of the refugees.
A spokesman of the Yugoslav delegation said that their aim is
to protect their territorial integrity and that Belgrade is
prepared to continue negotiations on this basis. NATO has
announced that the air strikes will continue until the Yugoslav
side fully accepts all the conditions included in the agreement
that was achieved last week.
[08] MORE AIR RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
NATO conducted heavy air raids against Yugoslavia throughout
the night. Serbian media report that alliance fighters hit targets
all over Kosovo, as well as television transmitters in central
Serbia.
Belgrade was not attacked although its habitants fear that
new NATO raids are to begin during the day as a retaliation to the
refusal of the Yugoslav authorities to agree to the full
withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo.
[09] STEPASHIN-KOSTOV MEET TODAY
Bulgarian Premier, Ivan Kostov arrived in Moscow on a two-day
visit yesterday and he is to meet with his Russian counterpart,
Sergei Stepashin, today.
Their discussions will focus on the Kosovo issue and the
recent diplomatic developments as well as on bilateral cooperation
subjects.
Kostov is also to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Igor
Ivanov and Moscow mayor Yuri Lushkov, and will return in Sofia
tomorrow.
[10] G-8 FOREING MINISTERS MEET IN BONN TODAY ON KOSOVO
Group of Eight (G-8) Foreign Ministers meet in Bonn today in
order to discuss the drafting of a resolution by the UN Security
Council on the settlement of the Kosovo crisis.
A German Foreign Ministry official said that the meeting of
the G-8 Foreign Ministers will be held in the "Petersberg"
presidential residence outside Bonn, behind closed doors and is
expected to last around three hours, followed by a press
conference.
[11] ZHIRINOVSKI: "CHERNOMIRDIN HANDED YUGOSLAVIA OVER"
Russian ultra-nationalist leader, Vladimir Zhirinovski
accused openly Viktor Chernomirdin of literally "handing over
Yugoslavia" claiming that the Russian presidential envoy may be an
expert in natural gas issues but has no knowledge and experience
on foreign and international issues.
Many deputies of the Communist Party seem to agree with these
views, who are afraid that their fears have been confirmed by
NATO's new claims made during last night's negotiations which
brought back a feeling of uncertainty on the course of the Kosovo
problem.
[12] SESELJ PREDICTS DIFFICULT TIMES FOR SERBIA
Leader of the nationalist National Radical Party of Serbia,
Vojislav Seselj warned, in an interview in the "Glas" daily that
Serbia is is to face "very difficult times" in the future.
Seselj noted that the situation in Serbia is very difficult.
Food supplies will be limited and many people will be unemployed
unable to afford to buy food, adding that the peace deal on Kosovo
is against Yugoslavia's interest and that his party will not
accept it.
He also said he was angry that with the International Court
of Justice which put him on the list of those wanted for war
crimes.
[13] BELGRADE INSISTS THAT NATO COUNTRIES SHOULD BE ACCUSED OF
GENOCIDE
The Federal government of Yugoslavia expressed its regret and
concern on International Tribunal's decision to reject
Yugoslavia's petition for an end to the NATO raids.
"The fact that the ten NATO member-states believe that the
Court of Hague is note responsible to decide on the termination of
the air strikes proves that their leaderships acknowledge that
their attack against Yugoslavia in unlawful and criminal" said the
Yugoslav government in an announcement.
The announcement stressed that NATO member-states which take
part in the bombardment of Yugoslavia violate the UN Charter and
the International Law, committing crimes against peace and
humanity and as a result they should be accused of genocide.
[14] YUGOSLAVIA SAID YES TO SIX OF THE TWENTY TERMS ON KOSOVO
Yugoslav generals have accepted six of the twenty conditions
included in the agreement on the withdrawal of the Serb forces
from Kosovo, according to CNN reports quoting reliable sources.
The American television network reported that US officials
said yesterday that they will not tolerate any delays which will
allow "snipers and terrorists to set up new traps to the
unsuspected Kosovars".
Meanwhile US Defense Minister, Willian Kohen expressed his
worries regarding the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo.
Speaking to American television network ABC, Kohen said that NATO
and the US will not allow the intentional use of any tactic to
postpone day by day the beginning of the withdrawal.
[15] CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE KLA IN THE KOSOVO-
ALBANIAN BORDER
Serb forces continue to clash with Kosovo Liberation Army
fighters in the Kosovo-Albanian border.
According to the Albanian authorities, the Serb forces
shelled three Albanian villages near Kukes, destroying dozens of
houses. Clashes were also reported in Tropoja between the Kosovar
separatists and the Serbs, however the number of casualties is
still unknown.
A spokesman of the Albanian government expressed his worry on
the fact that residents of the northern part of the country have
been deserting their homes, heading to southern Albania.
[16] THE NATO-YUGOSLAV TALKS RESUME TODAY
The talks between NATO and Yugoslav forces representatives
resume in Kumanovo, FYROM today at a lower level. The talks were
not interrupted, stated the representative of the alliance, while
he left open the likelihood to give to the Serbs more time than
the 7-day deadline they were initially given to withdraw from
Kosovo.
Yugoslavia must allow the international presence in Kosovo
where NATO will have a leading role and this is not negotiable,
stated NATO spokesman Jammie Shea.
[17] THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN BONN
The foreign ministers of the G-8 will meet in Bonn today and
their main goal is to adopt an emergency UN resolution text on
Kosovo. The draft resolution will clearly express the initial NATO
demands toward Belgrade. Yugoslavia insists that a UN resolution
should be voted through before Belgrade agrees to the withdrawal
of its forces from Kosovo.
Meanwhile, the ambassadors of the 19 NATO member-states hold
an extraordinary meeting in Brussels to assess the situation in
Yugoslavia.
[18] SHELDON: THE US HAS NEVER PROMISED THAT IT WILL DISARM THE
KLA REBELS
Head of the US armed forces joint chiefs of staff general,
Henry Sheldon pointed out in statements he made to the US
television station ABC that the United States had never promised
that they will disarm the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels but
that they will proceed with demilitarization of the Serb province.
The US general clarified that after the demilitarization is
completed, the KLA will not have organized groups any more neither
heavy weapons nor military uniforms, while he expressed the view
that the Albanian separatists will agree to the demilitarization
of their organization within the framework of the peace agreement.
[19] WASHINGTON IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE PEACE AGREEMENT, ACCORDING
TO TANJUG
Washington is trying to change the peace agreement that was
proposed by the G-8 and was accepted by Belgrade, according to the
Yugoslav news agency Tanjug.
Based on its news reports, the US press references in today's
issues prove that "the clique in Washington plays a dirty game and
is solely responsible for the interruption of the consultations
between NATO and Yugoslav officials aimed at the signing of a
military-technical agreement for the withdrawal of the Yugoslav
forces from Kosovo".
[20] RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICIAL BLAMES NATO FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE
TALKS IN KUMANOVO
A Russian military official blamed NATO for the collapse of
the talks in Kumanovo yesterday and stated that a British military
official abused its authority, according to Russian news agency
Interfax.
The Russian officer stated that the talks for the withdrawal
of the Serb forces from Kosovo were held without the participation
of the UN Security Council in violation of the agreement that was
prepared by Ahtisaari, Chernomyrdin and Talbott in Bonn and was
accepted by the Serb leadership.
Specifically, the Russian military official accused Mike
Jackson, head of the NATO delegation in the talks, that he abused
his role. The same source mentioned that Moscow wants the talks to
resume as soon as possible.
[21] IVANOV: THE TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE BEING HELD
WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov stated upon his arrival
in Bonn that the negotiations between the Yugoslav military
leadership and NATO for the withdrawal of the Serb forces from
Kosovo move on with great difficulty.
Mr. Ivanov pointed out that NATO has tried to add political
issues to the text of the agreement on which only the UN Security
Council has the exclusive privilege to decide.
[22] THE KLA REBELS FAILED IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE BORDERS
INTO KOSOVO
The efforts of the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels to
create a safe passage at the Albanian-Yugoslav borders, near the
military outpost of Grmlie has failed, according to the Serb state
television.
In a Serb television news broadcast last night it was
reported that over 500 Albanian rebels were killed in an organized
operation that took place with the participation of KLA rebels,
and Albanian and NATO armed forces which was aimed at breaking the
frontier line. According to the Serb television, the operation,
code-named "Arrow", began 12 days ago and continued in spite of
the fact that Belgrade had accepted the terms of the peace
agreement.
[23] BELGRADE REFUSED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE UN ADOPTS A
RELEVANT RESOLUTION
The Yugoslav authorities refused to sign an agreement with
NATO before a UN Security Council resolution is adopted that would
define the mandate for a peacekeeping force to be deployed in
Kossovo, according to the Serb state radio.
The Serb radio also reported that Belgrade's position is the
same with that of Russia which has maintained that the
international presence in Kossovo is possible only after the
approval of an additional resolution by the UN Security Council.
Yugoslav foreign ministry spokesman Nebojsa Vujovic, who was
present in the talks that were held in Kumanovo during the
weekend, stated that only the UN Security Council can determine
the strength, the form and the mandate of an international
presence in Yugoslavia. He also added that Belgrade can not know
in advance what will be the UN Security Council decision.
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