Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-22
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 22, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER ADDRESSES FEDERATION OF GREEK INDUSTRIES
[02] PM, ECONOMY MINISTER MEET TODAY TO DISCUSS TAX BREAKS
[03] BLACK SEA TRADE & DEVELOPMENT BANK OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED
[04] CHIEF PROSECUTOR ORDERS INVESTIGATION IN STOCK MARKET
[05] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ARRIVES IN LIMNOS TODAY
[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY HOLDS CONFERENCE ON ISSUE OF TERRORISM
[07] QUAKE OF 3.5 RICHTER SHAKES THESSALONIKI, NO DAMAGES REPORTED
[08] REPPAS: TURKEY WANTS TO KEEP CYPRUS HOSTAGE
[09] THE GOAL OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INCREASE THE TAX EXEMPTIONS
[10] KARAGOUNIS: THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE INTERVENTION IN THE STOCK
EXCHANGE IS WELCOMED
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] FARMERS AND EU COMMISSION ACCUSE BELGIUM IN DIOXIN SCANDAL
[12] US PRESIDENT CLINTON TRAVELS TO FYROM TODAY
[13] US SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TO VISIT BULGARIA TODAY
[14] PATRIARCH ALEXIOS CALLED ON THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS TO PROTECT
THE SERBS AND THE ORTHODOX MONASTERIES
[15] THE GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM PLAYS AGAINST THE TEAM OF
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
[16] MAGRIOTIS' INTERVIEW WITH THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER "KOHA YONE"
[17] CONFERENCE ON KOSOVO WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI IN JULY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER ADDRESSES FEDERATION OF GREEK INDUSTRIES
Prime Minister Costas Simitis has underlined that the
government will maintain
its economic policy in order to not endanger the country's
strategic objectives.
Addressing the Federation of Greek Industry's annual assembly
last night, the Premier vowed that the economic gains secured by
the government to date would not be jeopardized.
"One thing is certain. The Greek public is demanding
continuation of the way forward, a sense of responsibility and
hard work. It expects us to work harder, more quickly, more
effectively in order to tackle the problems," the Premier said,
adding that
if Greece showed the same progress, then it would join economic
and monetary union as planned on January 1, 2001.
Lastly, he reiterated his plea towards the industries to
maintain price freezes and
declines in order to aid the government's battle against
inflation.
[02] PM, ECONOMY MINISTER MEET TODAY TO DISCUSS TAX BREAKS
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the Minister of National
Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou are to meet today in order
to discuss ways to bolster the lower incomes.
According to reports, the Economy Minister is to introduce a
package of measures aimed at easing taxation.
Ministry of Economy sources have stated that the basic social
provisions package, which reportedly features significant
increases in social welfare spending, is expected to be unveiled
along with the 2000 budget, in the fall.
The Premier Costas Simitis, addressing the general assembly
of the Greek Industries Federation last night, announced that the
government will not deviate from the core of its economic policy,
albeit it will proceed to the necessary adjustments where delays
and postponements occurred. The Premier stressed that the Greek
people demand a forward course, responsibility and results.
[03] BLACK SEA TRADE & DEVELOPMENT BANK OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED
The official opening of the Black Sea Trade and Development
Bank (BSTDB), which embarked on its operation at the beginning of
the month, was officially inaugurated in Thessaloniki yesterday by
the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou
in the presence of government officials from the 11 member-states
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact (BSEC).
Mr. Papantoniou was the keynote speaker at the event, which
also featured addresses by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace
Yiannis Magriotis, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Grigoris
Niotis, Secretary-General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Mr. Baychev, the Governor of the Central Bank of the Ukraine Mr.
Yushchenko, who is also the vice-chairman of the Bank's
administrative council, and the chairman of the BSTDB Ersoy
Volkan.
In his address, Mr. Papantoniou stressed that Greece
holds a leading role in the European Union's eastward course,
underlining that Thessaloniki's role in this direction is
decisive.
"Our aim is to establish Thessaloniki as the center of the
Balkans," Mr. Papantoniou said, pointing out that, within the
framework of the 3rd Community Support Framework, the region of
Northern Greece will enjoy a significant share of community funds
which are expected to surpass by 50% the funds allocated from the
Delors Package.
Referring to Greece's potential role in the economic
reconstruction of the Balkan region, Mr. Papantoniou stated:
"We are in a position to assist the region's people to stand
on their feet, especially following the peaceful resolution of the
Balkan conflict.
"However, the economic development of the Balkan and Black
Sea regions has to be handled within the framework of their
incorporation in the wider European region," the Minister added.
In turn, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis
expressed his confidence that the BSTDB will function as a vehicle
for the expedient development of economic cooperation in the
region.
Mr. Volkan said the institution should act as a catalyst in
attracting foreign capital
and promoting cooperation among member countries, beyond financing
trade. He expressed the hoped that the bank would develop into a
leading power in the region.
[04] CHIEF PROSECUTOR ORDERS INVESTIGATION IN STOCK MARKET
The Athens chief prosecutor has ordered an immediate
investigation into all sectors of the Athens Stock Exchange, after
the discovery of financial irregularities conducted by a former
employee of a brokerage firm in Thessaloniki who is accused of
making personal deals with his clients' money.
The focus of the investigation will be suspect trading
transactions and other criminal acts and to determine whether or
not ASE staff are involved in acts of embezzlement.
[05] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ARRIVES IN LIMNOS TODAY
The United States assistant secretary of Defense Franklin
Kramer is arriving at the
island of Limnos today for the opening of a two-day High-Level
Consultative Committee (HLCC) meeting.
Greece's undersecretary of Defense Dimitris Apostolakis is
leading the Greek delegation at the annual conference, the eighth
in a series
Among the topics to be discussed will be US-Greek defense
cooperation in the arms industry sector, regional security issues
and the two countries' collaboration in the framework of "Kossovo
Force".
[06] FOREIGN MINISTRY HOLDS CONFERENCE ON ISSUE OF TERRORISM
Greece's Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou is
chairing a meeting on terrorism today, in light of the recent
statements made by Turkish and American officials who have
associated the country with Kurdish terrorist activity.
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas has characterized
these allegations as ludicrous and has stated that Greece will not
accept any insinuation challenging its efforts to combat
terrorism.
The honorary president of the main opposition party, New
Democracy's Konstantinos Mitsotakis, has said in a written
statement that the Greek government should accept Turkey's
proposal for bilateral cooperation in the counter-terrorism
sector, warning that, otherwise, Greece-US relations could be
disturbed.
[07] QUAKE OF 3.5 RICHTER SHAKES THESSALONIKI, NO DAMAGES REPORTED
An earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale shook
Thessaloniki at 1.34 a.m. today, although no damages were
reported.
Seismologists at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
have characterized the tremor, whose epicenter was located in the
region of Thermi, as an isolated event that doesn't seem to bear
aftershocks.
[08] REPPAS: TURKEY WANTS TO KEEP CYPRUS HOSTAGE
It is encouraging that the international community deals with
the Cyprus problem, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas and stressed that the G-8 proposal can give fruit and bring
a solution.
He underlined, however, that Turkey with the position it has
adopted wants to keep Cyprus its hostage and added that the
international community will not allow this to happen. Mr. Reppas
stated that Turkey must comply and for as long as it does not do
this it should be dealt with as a country outside the
international legality.
[09] THE GOAL OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INCREASE THE TAX EXEMPTIONS
Minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou
submitted the proposals for the reform of the taxation system in
the meeting he had with prime minister Kostas Simitis.
In statements he made to journalists, Mr. Papantoniou
stressed that those proposals move toward the direction of
removing the economic burden from low and medium income groups.
The goal of the government is to increase the tax allowance aiming
at achieving a combination of effectiveness and sensitivity in the
economic policy.
On the prosecutor's office intervention regarding the
operation of the Athens Stock Exchange, the minister of national
economy stated that every investigation is welcomed and justice is
doing its duty.
[10] KARAGOUNIS: THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE INTERVENTION IN THE STOCK
EXCHANGE IS WELCOMED
The chairman of the Small Shareholders Association
characterized as welcomed the prosecutor's office intervention in
the Athens Stock Exchange. Mr. Karagounis admitted that there are
certain firms that have excessive gains and they should be under
investigation. He stressed, however, that there is no reason for a
widespread concern among investors and added that the overwhelming
majority of the firms in the stock exchange are "healthy".
It should be reminded that an Athens prosecutor has ordered
an investigation in the Stock Exchange for possible illegal
transactions and other criminal acts.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] FARMERS AND EU COMMISSION ACCUSE BELGIUM IN DIOXIN SCANDAL
Belgium was under attack on several fronts yesterday, as an
agricultural protest followed the start of proceedings by the
European Commission (EC) against Brussels over its dioxin-tainted
food scare.
According to the French news agency AFP, the EC began
proceedings against Belgium for violating EU rules on consumer
protection and information, a spokesman said.
Commission spokesman Gerry Kiely said Belgian authorities had
failed to
immediately advise it and member states that traces of dioxin had
been detected in human and animal foodstuffs.
Belgium had also failed to comply in full with the EC
restrictions decided
on June 11 on the sale and distribution of beef, pork and dairy
products, he said.
Belgium, represented by the country's new public health
minister, Luc van
den Bossche, has publicly admitted it failed to inform the EC as
soon as the first traces of dioxin were found in poultry and eggs.
But it has argued that the European Union's list of
restrictions on Belgian
products is too broad.
In Brussels, several thousand protesters from agricultural
regions presented a petition with 18,000 signatures to a
representative of King Albert II.
The farmers demanded rapid compensation, saying a total of
2.5 billion
euros (2.6 billion dollars) had been lost due to bans on Belgian
products, which also forced them to destroy huge stocks of food.
The EU's veterinary committee will today consider lifting
restrictions still in effect against Belgian food.
[12] US PRESIDENT CLINTON TRAVELS TO FYROM TODAY
US President Bill Clinton is to arrive in Skopje today, where
he will hold separate meetings with FYROM's President Kiro
Gligorov and Albanian President Rejep Meidani
and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.
With FYROM being the last stop of his European tour, Mr.
Clinton will also
visit ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo at a camp located a few
kilometers from the Kosovo border.
Mr. Clinton is also due to address troops in the NATO-led
peacekeeping force in Kosovo from the US contingent base set up at
Skopje airport.
[13] US SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TO VISIT BULGARIA TODAY
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is to conduct a
visit to Bulgaria today, according to state television reports.
Ms. Albright will meet with her Bulgarian counterpart Nadejda
Makhailova, Prime Minister Ivan Kostov, and President Petar
Stoyanov with whom she will discuss the situation in Yugoslavia,
Bulgaria's application for membership in NATO, and bilateral
relations.
Ms. Albright's visit to Sofia has been postponed twice due to
her busy schedule.
[14] PATRIARCH ALEXIOS CALLED ON THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS TO PROTECT
THE SERBS AND THE ORTHODOX MONASTERIES
Patriarch Alexios of All of Russia expressed the wish that
the Russian soldiers in Kosovo will protect the Serbs from the
Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels and assist in the protection
of the monasteries in the region.
Patriarch Alexios stated that there is proof that many
Christian Orthodox monasteries have been destroyed, mainly,
monasteries dated back to the 13th and 14th centuries and stressed
that the Russian Orthodox Church wants the protection of both the
holy sites and the Christian Orthodox Serbs in Kosovo.
[15] THE GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM PLAYS AGAINST THE TEAM OF
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Greek national basketball team will have a crucial game
this evening within the framework of the European Championships in
France after its unexpected defeat yesterday by Germany.
Its opponent today will be the team of the Czech Republic
which had a surprise victory over Lithuania yesterday. The game
will start at 9:45pm this evening, while earlier at 7:30pm,
Germany plays against Lithuania.
[16] MAGRIOTIS' INTERVIEW WITH THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER "KOHA YONE"
The stability of the Greek-Albanian relations and the regular
contacts of government officials from both countries are pointed
out by minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis in an
interview with the independent Albanian newspaper "Koha Yone".
In the interview Mr. Magriotis refers extensively to the
interest of the Greek government and the Greek business world for
investments in Albania in important sectors such as the banking
sector, the tele-communications, the energy production industry
etc.
On the issue of Kosovo, Mr. Magriotis reiterated the Greek
positions and made a special reference to the need for the safe
return of the refugees to their homes.
[17] CONFERENCE ON KOSOVO WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI IN JULY
The political parties participating in the European
Democratic Union conference in Paris accepted the proposal made by
Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis to hold a conference in Thessaloniki on the
reconstruction of the Balkans and the wider region. The
international conference will be held on July 1 and 2 with the
participation of representatives of Balkan political parties.
On the issue of who will be the Greek EU Commissioner, Mr.
Karamanlis underlined that it has to be appointed an individual of
wide acceptance and the selection should not be made based on
political party criteria.
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