Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-10
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 10, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CONTINGENT OF US MARINES DISEMBARKS IN PORT OF LITOCHORO
[02] BSTDB TO COMPLETE STRATEGIC PLANNING IN AUGUST
[03] OVER 2,500 TONS OF BELGIAN FOODS CONFISCATED IN GREECE
[04] FIRST PHASE OF US MARINES LANDING IN LITOCHORO COMPLETED
[05] MR. PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS ON THE KOSSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT
[06] ATHANASAKIS: THE GREEK FORCE THAT WILL BE SENT TO KOSSOVO IS
IN THE HIGHEST STATE OF READINESS
[07] THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE G-8
SUMMIT
[08] STATEMENTS ON THE PEACE AGREEMENT BY MR. PAPANDREOU
[09] GREECE PROTESTED AGAINST THE TWO ABDUCTIONS IN ALBANIA
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES TO VOTE ON KOSOVO PEACE PLAN
[11] YUGOSLAVS JUBILANT OVER THE END OF THE WAR
[12] UCK DECLARES IT'S NOT GOING TO LAY DOWN ITS ARMS IN KOSOVO
[13] PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO TO INVOLVE 60,000 TROOPS
[14] ANCIENT OLYMPIA STONE TO GRACE SYDNEY OLYMPIC STADIUM
[15] PEACE HAS ARRIVED, SIRENS SIGNAL END OF WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA
[16] SOLANA ORDERED THE END OF THE NATO AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA
[17] NATO HAS NOT CONFIRMED THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES
[18] THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS TODAY ON KOSOVO
[19] THE REFUGEES WILL RETURN TO KOSOVO BY SEPTEMBER
[20] NEW CLASHES BETWEEN PKK AND THE TURKISH ARMY
[21] THE TALKS BETWEEN TALBOTT AND CHERNOMYRDIN WERE FRUITLESS
[22] THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO WILL BEGIN FROM
THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PROVINCE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CONTINGENT OF US MARINES DISEMBARKS IN PORT OF LITOCHORO
A contingent of 2,200 US Marines joining the Kosovo
implementation force (KFOR) began disembarking early today in the
port of Litochoro, in order to travel to Skopje before being
deployed in Kosovo.
The marines had waited for several days aboard two ships and
a helicopter-carrier off-shore. Minor episodes erupted this
morning at the port where a group of Communist Party of Greece
supporters had spent the night demonstrating against US forces and
their involvement in air strikes against Yugoslavia.
[02] BSTDB TO COMPLETE STRATEGIC PLANNING IN AUGUST
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), which
embarked on its operation on June 1, will complete its strategic
planning by the end of August, while projects already in the works
are to begin materializing at the start of next year.
According to the Bank's chairman, Ersoy Volkan, one of the
BSTDB's foremost priorities is a program to facilitate trade among
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization's (BSEC) 11
member-states.
Moreover, Bank officials have embarked on a series of
activities in search of co-financing sources, having already
netted contacts with credit organizations such as the World Bank,
the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the
European Investment Bank.
These efforts have apparently borne results, as the first
program to be hammered out by the BSTDB, with the assistance of
the World Bank, concerns the modernization of customs offices of
the BSTDB's 11 members, a project amounting to $70 million and
which will be financed by the BSTDB at a rate of 7-10%.
Concerning the project funding, BSTDB is participating mainly
at a two-digit rate, while its contribution to the loan sector
does not surpass the 35% rate of the overall projects. However,
when it comes to funding trade, the BSTDB's participation can
potentially amount to 100%.
"Our aim is to facilitate the entrance of the BSEC's weaker
states into the free market, through the strengthening of healthy
investments and the fortification of regional cooperation," Mr.
Volkan said.
The BSTDB's shareholders are Greece, Turkey, Russia, (which
hold the majority share capital at 16.5% each) Romania, Ukraine,
Bulgaria, (13.5% each) Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia and
Albania (with a two-percent rate each).
The Bank's official inauguration ceremony will take place on
the 21st of June at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Thessaloniki.
[03] OVER 2,500 TONS OF BELGIAN FOODS CONFISCATED IN GREECE
More than 2,500 tons of foodstuffs imported to Greece from
Belgium have been confiscated, according to the Development
Ministry's consumer department which assured Greek shoppers that
the Greek government has taken the stringent measures among all of
Europe.
The department's secretary-general Christina Papanikolaou
stated that the extent of the dioxin-contaminated products has yet
to be assessed, while she added that some of the Belgian products
removed from the Greek shelves are still available in their
country of origin.
She added that, while there is no cause for concern over the
Greek products, the ministry is to conduct checks on domestically-
made basic food items.
[04] FIRST PHASE OF US MARINES LANDING IN LITOCHORO COMPLETED
The first phase of the US marines disembarking at the port of
Litochoro was completed at 10 a.m. today, having gotten underway
about three hours earlier when the 26th Brigade of Special Forces
was transported with hover-craft from two warships and a
helicopter-carrier off-shore.
The contingent is to proceed to Skopje and possibly Kosovo,
while, according to reports, the landing of about 1,600 troops
will be completed by noon. An additional 500 men will remain
aboard the warships for administrative support roles.
Approximately 30 personnel transport vehicles were also
delivered by hover-craft to the port and were, in turn, loaded
onto civilian trucks and departed for Skopje.
At about eight a.m., 200 US Marines left the port by buses en
route to Skopje while the landing operation's second phase got
underway three hours later, with the arrival of additional marines
and military jeeps.
Another section of the 26th Brigade took off from the
helicopter-carrier for FYROM.
Minor episodes erupted during the landing operation when a
group of about 300 individuals, mostly members and supporters of
the Communist Party of Greece who had camped out at the port since
last night, gathered to protest.
A strong police force asked them to leave and, after
they rerouted their protest to the road leading to the national
highway, they began leaving the area.
The mayor of Litochoro told the Macedonian Press Agency that
since the peace agreement has been signed, the local community
consents to the passage of the military troops.
Moreover, a unit of 350 Canadian troops destined for the
Kosovo peacekeeping force passed through Thessaloniki's port at
4:30 a.m. for Skopje.
The Canadians, with a convoy of 45 vehicles, were accompanied
by policemen and Greek military troops.
[05] MR. PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS ON THE KOSSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, in statements he
made upon his departure for Cologne to attend the procedures for
the signing of the Balkan stability pact, characterized today as a
joyous day after the signing of the peace agreement between
Yugoslav and NATO generals in Kumanovo.
However, Mr. Papandreou pointed out that the signing of this
military-technical agreement does not mean that the problems in
Yugoslavia have ended, while he also referred to the innocent
victims of the tragedy, both the Kosovars and the Serbs.
Greece, stated Mr. Papandreou, is called to bear significant
part of the responsibility for the day after which concerns the
reconstruction of the Balkans, the reconciliation of the peoples
and the development of regional cooperation. Also, the Greek
foreign minister clarified that Yugoslavia should take part in the
reconstruction because the Serb people should not be isolated from
the course toward the European Union.
On the Greek proposal for the reconstruction organization to
be based in Thessaloniki, Mr. Papandreou stated that it is an
issue that will be discussed in today's meeting, pointing out that
the German and Finnish presidencies have a positive stance in
principle.
[06] ATHANASAKIS: THE GREEK FORCE THAT WILL BE SENT TO KOSSOVO IS
IN THE HIGHEST STATE OF READINESS
Acting Greek government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis stated
that the Greek government welcomes the signing of the peace
agreement on Kossovo. He said that the Greek force that will be
sent to the region is in the highest state of readiness and
consultations are underway with the rest of the countries on the
time of its departure.
Commenting on the protests against the passing through Greek
territory of NATO military forces in Litochoro, near Thessaloniki,
he expressed regret and said that certain individuals had invested
in the war to have political gains and now that it is over they
are displeased.
[07] THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE G-8
SUMMIT
The Cyprus problem is likely to be discussed by the G-8
foreign ministers who are meeting in Cologne today to prepare the
summit meeting in Bonn.
Regarding the Greek-Turkish relations, it is the first time
that the Greek side has informed Turkey on the EU summit meeting
results through the Greek ambassador to Ankara. According to
circles close to the Greek foreign ministry, the direct briefing
of the Turkish side by Greece is regarded as advisable and useful
in order to avoid the hide-and-seek game played by certain EU
member-states behind Greece's back.
[08] STATEMENTS ON THE PEACE AGREEMENT BY MR. PAPANDREOU
The signing of the agreement on the withdrawal of the Serb
forces confirmed the view which was backed by Greece from the
beginning namely, that a political solution is feasible, stated
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou.
Mr. Papandreou will be in Cologne where the G-8 will discuss
the stability pact for the Balkans. Greece, pointed out the
foreign minister, is called on to bear a significant part of the
responsibility for the day after which concerns the reconstruction
of the Balkans, the reconciliation of the peoples and the
development of regional cooperation.
[09] GREECE PROTESTED AGAINST THE TWO ABDUCTIONS IN ALBANIA
The Greek government requested from the Albanians to take
measures in order to deal in an effective way with the increased
number of abductions recorded in Albania.
On the occasion of the two latest kidnappings, involving a
4yearold girl and a Greek businessman in Tirana, the Greek foreign
ministry protested to the Albanian undersecretary of foreign
affairs while at the same time, it has instructed the personnel of
the Greek consulate in Girokastra how to deal with the problem.
The Albanian side has pledged to reinforce the presence of
the special police forces in the regions of the ethnic Greek
minority.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES TO VOTE ON KOSOVO PEACE PLAN
The North Atlantic Council has approved the military
agreement signed by Yugoslav and NATO military commanders in
Kumanovo yesterday, while the UN Security Council is convening
today in order to vote on the resolution.
NATO Secretary General Javier Solana said the bombing of
Yugoslavia would be stopped once NATO confirms the start of the
pullout of Serbian forces out of Kosovo, expected today.
The resolution will give a go-ahead to the deployment of the
international security force in Kosovo province. The peace accord
stipulates a phased withdrawal of Serbian military, police and
paramilitary forces within 11 days, a broader leeway compared with
seven days NATO initially urged for.
Under the military-technical agreement, Serbian forces are to
withdraw from Kosovo's specified sectors, with the southern sector
to be cleared first within 24 hours.
Yugoslav troops are to stop fighting and using of air defense
system to allow NATO's verifying fly-overs, within three days.
The agreement allows a Serb police force to return to Kosovo
someday to guard Serbian sanctuaries.
[11] YUGOSLAVS JUBILANT OVER THE END OF THE WAR
Yugoslavs throughout their war-torn country jubilantly
celebrated the end of the conflict last night.
State-owned media characterized the agreement forged between
Yugoslav and NATO military commanders in Kumanovo yesterday as
Yugoslavia's victory over NATO, a breakthrough they attributed to
President Slobodan Milosevic.
[12] UCK DECLARES IT'S NOT GOING TO LAY DOWN ITS ARMS IN KOSOVO
The Kosovo Liberation Army is not going to lay down its arms
in Kosovo's area that will be in charge of Russian peacekeepers,
the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported, quoting a "diplomatic
representative of the government of Hasima Taci" in Germany, Sabri
Kicmari, who until recently called himself an official
representative of the KLA.
According to Itar-Tass, Mr. Kicmari told the German daily
"Die Saarbruekker Zeiting" that Russia was on the side of Serbs
during NATO's military operation against Yugoslavia, and for this
reason the KLA would not recognize Russian command over parts of
Kosovo province.
Mr. Kicmari was critical of the accord generated by Group of
Eight foreign ministers at their Koeln meeting, under which the
Yugoslav army will be allowed to control Kosovo's outer rim.
The Kosovo Liberation Army will only lay down arms when all
of the Serbian military leave the province, he said, adding that
the KLA would not stage provocations during the Serbian
withdrawal.
[13] PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO TO INVOLVE 60,000 TROOPS
The peacekeeping operation "Joint Guardian" to be deployed in
Kosovo will involve a total of 50,000 NATO troops and 10,000
Russian soldiers and officers, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass
reported.
According to military sources, Britain is to send to the
peacekeeping force 13,000 troops, Germany 8,000, the United
States 7,000, France 7,000, Italy 5,000, the
Netherlands 2,000, Spain 1,200, Belgium 1,100, Greece 1,000,
Norway 900, Poland 800, Canada 800, Portugal 300 and Hungary 200.
Turkey, Iceland, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic are to
also participate in the force, although the sizes of their
peacekeeping contingents has yet to be decided.
Other countries to contribute to Operation Joint Guardian are
Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, Romania, Austria, Bulgaria, Lithuania,
Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Slovakia and FYROM, while forces
deployed in FYROM are on alert and ready to move into Kosovo
within 24 hours.
[14] ANCIENT OLYMPIA STONE TO GRACE SYDNEY OLYMPIC STADIUM
A stone from the site of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of
the Olympic Games, is to grace this Saturday's opening ceremony of
Sydney's Olympic Stadium where the 2000 Olympics will be held.
The ancient stone, weighing 1.5 tons, was sponsored by the
Greek government to the Australian people in light of the new
millennium's first games and as a symbol of the Olympic Idea.
The chairman of the "Athens 2004" organization, which
oversees the organizing of the 20004 Olympics to be held in
Athens, Stratis Stratigis will represent Greece at the opening
ceremony.
[15] PEACE HAS ARRIVED, SIRENS SIGNAL END OF WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA
Sirens screeched at 9:27 a.m. today in every city of Kosovo,
this time not warning the residents to duck for cover, but,
instead, to signal the end of the war.
According to Prishtina's information center, the sirens made
their last warning call last Saturday morning, staying in effect
for over 120 hours.
NATO last strike against targets in Kosovo occurred yesterday
evening at 7:35 local time when five missiles hit the wider region
of Urosevac.
NATO aircraft hovered over Kosovo's air region throughout the
night, but no strike was made.
[16] SOLANA ORDERED THE END OF THE NATO AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA
NATO secretary-general Javier Solana gave the order to
general Whesley Clark to stop the bombing of Yugoslavia as soon as
confirmation was received that the Serb forces had begun their
withdrawal from Kossovo. The UN Security Council should meet now
to approve the draft resolution for peace in Yugoslavia.
Mr. Solana stated that he made the decision after meeting
with the NATO council and after receiving the confirmation by
general Clark that the Serb forces are withdrawing from Kossovo.
At the same time, the NATO secretary-general made an appeal
to all sides to give a chance to peace and meet their obligations
for the implementation of the agreement. He also called for the
immediate end of the violence and added that all armed forces
should be disarmed.
[17] NATO HAS NOT CONFIRMED THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES
NATO awaits for the verification of the withdrawal of the
Serb forces from Kosovo before the secretary-general of the
alliance signals the suspension of the bombings. The UN Security
Council will meet afterwards to approve the draft resolution on
Kosovo.
According to the commander of the 3rd Yugoslav army regiment,
Nebojsa Paskovic the withdrawal of the Serb forces is underway.
However, NATO has not announced yet that the Serb forces have
begun leaving the province.
[18] THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS TODAY ON KOSOVO
The UN Security Council will meet today to vote on the draft
decision that will ratify officially the peace agreement on
Kosovo. The meeting will begin as soon as NATO confirms that the
withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo has started and the
bombings have ended.
China has already notified the UN Security Council that it
wants to modify parts of the draft decision but its intention
meets the reaction of the rest permanent members of the council.
British foreign minister Robin Cook has stated that it is no time
for celebrations but for hard work.
[19] THE REFUGEES WILL RETURN TO KOSOVO BY SEPTEMBER
At least 400.000 Albanian refugees will return to their homes
in Kosovo by September, according to the UN High Commissioner on
Refugees.
In an interview with the French newspaper "Le Figaro", Ms.
Ogata stressed that the return of the Kosovars should be made
gradually and priority should be given to those living in
countries bordering with Kosovo.
[20] NEW CLASHES BETWEEN PKK AND THE TURKISH ARMY
Ten Workers Party of Kurdistan, PKK, rebels and two civil
guards were killed in clashes in south-eastern Turkey in spite of
the rumoured ceasefire decided by the PKK.
Meanwhile, Six rebels were killed near the town of Guktsekova
in the province of Hakari at the borders of Turkey with Iran and
Iraq and 4 PKK rebels and 2 civil guards lost their lives in an
operation at the village of Ulukale in the province of Tunceli.
[21] THE TALKS BETWEEN TALBOTT AND CHERNOMYRDIN WERE FRUITLESS
Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin and US assistant
secretary of state Strobe Talbot were unable to reach an agreement
regarding the command of the peacekeeping force that will be
deployed in Kossovo.
The Russian side insists that its own force, that will be
sent to the region, should not be placed under NATO command but it
should be deployed in a separate region, as opposed to the United
States that want a joint command structure for the peacekeeping
force.
Mr. Talbott underlined that if Kossovo is divided into
command districts this would constitute a form of partition of the
province but Moscow remains firm on its stance.
After the meeting was completed the two men appeared
optimistic that a solution will be found and the issue will be
settled, while already military officials are looking for ways in
order to deal with the problem.
[22] THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO WILL BEGIN FROM
THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PROVINCE
The procedure for the withdrawal of the Yugoslav army and
police, as provided by the technical-military agreement that was
signed in Kumanovo yesterday, will start from the north and will
move to the southern part of Kossovo to avert any likelihood for
the Serb forces to be hit by the Kossovo Liberation Army, KLA,
rebels.
The Serb forces withdrawal from Kossovo will be completed
within 11 days instead of 7 initially requested by NATO. The
change in the timetable achieved by the Yugoslav side and the fact
that the peacekeeping force that will be deployed in Kossovo will
be under the UN command and not under NATO were interpreted by
Belgrade as a victory.
NATO sources in FYROM stated to the BBC radio that the
deployment of the international force will begin with British
paratroopers, who will be sent 15 kilometers inside Kossovo
territory and their main duty will be to clean the region from the
land mines, opening the way to the peacekeeping force with final
destination the regional capital of Pristina where general Jackson
will set up his command headquarters.
Regarding the stance of KLA, a NATO source in FYROM stated to
BBC that an agreement has been reached with the alliance not to
attack the Serb forces while they withdraw and to surrender its
weapons to the international peacekeeping force that will be
deployed in Kossovo.
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