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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-23
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 23, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PM TRAVELS TO ARGENTINA FOR SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL
[02] ANNA DIAMANTOPOULOU APPOINTED AS GREECE'S EU COMMISSIONER
[03] TWO NEW MEMBERS OF CABINET TO BE SWORN IN TODAY
[04] PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS OF KICKBACKS FROM LITTON
[05] FIRST BALKAN FORUM "EUROTECH '99" IN THESSALONIKI THIS MONTH
[06] DEUTSCHE BANK FORECASTS TOUGH DRACHMA FOR NEXT QUARTER
[07] 36 CHILDREN OF SERB JOURNALISTS WILL MEET WITH THE PRESIDING
BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS IN MACEDONIA-THRACE
[08] THE UNITED STATES DO NOT SHARE ANKARA'S ALLEGATIONS OVER THE
TRAINING OF KURDS IN GREECE
[09] "SPEEDWING" TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF OLYMPIC AIRWAYS
[10] LETTER BY THE HELLENIC - AMERICAN INSTITUTE ON HALBROOKE'S
APPOINTMENT
[11] THE WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD, SAE, PRESIDING BOARD
WILL VISIT SOUTH ALBANIA AT THE END OF JULY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN AND BRITISH FMs IN KOSOVO TODAY
[13] KOSOVO COMMUNITY ASKS UN FOR PROTECTION FROM KLA GUNMEN
[14] GREEK-DESCENT LOCALS PROTEST LAWLESSNESS IN SOUTH ALBANIA
[15] GREECE RATIFIED THE EUROPEAN TREATY ON THE CONFISCATION OF
CRIME PRODUCTS
[16] THE GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM WANTS ONLY VICTORY IN
TODAY'S GAME
[17] THE TRIAL OF OCALAN WILL RESUME TODAY
[18] KOSOVO: 140 SERBS HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED IN THE PAST 12 DAYS
[19] KARAMANLIS MET WITH VALERIE GISCARD D'ESTAINT
[20] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO BY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PM TRAVELS TO ARGENTINA FOR SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL
Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis is departing for
Buenos Aires today where he will participate in the Socialist
International conference to be held in the Argentine capital on
June 25-26.
Delegates from 139 socialist and social-democratic parties
around the world will attend the event.
After the end of Socialist Int/nl, Mr. Simitis will depart
for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which will host the European Union-
Latin America summit conference on June 28-29.
The Premier is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
George Papandreou, Press and Media Dimitris Reppas, alternate
foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis and European parliament
member Anna Karamanou.
[02] ANNA DIAMANTOPOULOU APPOINTED AS GREECE'S EU COMMISSIONER
Greece's undersecretary of Development Anna Diamantopoulou
has been appointed by the Prime Minister Costas Simitis to
represent Greece in the European Commission.
Ms. Diamantopoulou, who is succeeding Christos Papoutsis,
met with the Commission's President Romano Prodi in Bologna
yesterday, with whom the Premier had consulted before her
appointment. Her portfolio will be assigned by Mr.Prodi.
Ms. Diamantopoulou was born in Kozani in 1959, and is a civil
engineer.
She has been a Parliament member 1996 when she assumed the post
of development undersecretary.
She has also served as prefect of Kastoria (1985-86) and
secretary general of the industry ministry (1994-96). Between 1993-
94 she was president of the Hellenic
Organization of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Handicrafts
(EOMMEX).
[03] TWO NEW MEMBERS OF CABINET TO BE SWORN IN TODAY
The new undersecretaries of Development and National Economy,
Yiannis Zafiropoulos and Rodoula Zisi respectively, are to be
sworn in office this afternoon.
Mr. Zafiropoulos succeeded Anna Diamantopoulou who has been
appointed to the post of Greece's European Commissioner. Ms. Zisi
is replacing Alexandros Baltas who has been elected as a member of
the European Parliament.
Ms. Diamantopoulou, who is replacing Christos Papoutsis in
the European Commission, will give her parliamentary seat to
Roulis Kokelides. Her duties will be assigned following the
meeting to be held in Buenos Aires between Prime Minster Costas
Simitis and the chief of the European Commission Romano Prodi.
[04] PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS OF KICKBACKS FROM LITTON
Following a report published in the U.S. daily The New York
Times, which claims that the U.S. company Litton Applied
Technology "paid four Greek agents $12 million in commissions in a
successful effort to win a $150 million contract" in 1993, the
Athens public prosecutor has ordered an investigation.
According to the daily's report, written on June 21 and
bylined by Raymond Bonner, Litton paid the bribes for the
purchase of radar equipment for the Greek air force's US-made F-16
fighter-bombers.
Litton won the 1993 contract, over stiff competition from
Marconi Defence Systems Ltd, which is a unit of Britain's General
Electric P.L.C., according to reports at the time.
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas said there was "no
kickback
affair" and called on the authors of the allegations to prove
them.
The honorary president of the country's main opposition
party, New Democracy's Konstantinos Mitsotakis, and N.D. deputy
Yiannis Varvitsiotis, who were prime minister and defense
minister at the time, have also demanded an inquiry.
[05] FIRST BALKAN FORUM "EUROTECH '99" IN THESSALONIKI THIS MONTH
The first Balkan Forum "EUTOTECH '99", featuring building
material, services and facilities, will be held in Thessaloniki on
June 28-29 and, so far, 17 Bulgarian firms have declared their
participation.
According to Sofia press reports, Zeni Dinkova, an official
from the Bulgarian Industries Association stated that the
Bulgarian businessmen will have the opportunity to embark on joint
ventures with their Greek counterparts in projects pertaining to
Kosovo's reconstruction.
The main theme of "EUROTECH ‘99" will be the Balkan region's
reconstruction the "day after" the Kosovo crisis.
Greece's Minister of Environment, Urban Planning and Public
Works Costas Laliotis has been invited to address the forum which
will feature the participation of at least 150 construction firms
from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, FYROM and Greece.
The forum is being organized by the American trade, industry
and scientific council of Greece and DIAGONIOS AATE-EUROTECH, in
cooperation with the Exports Promotion Organization and under the
auspices of the Ministries of Macedonia-Thrace and Environment.
[06] DEUTSCHE BANK FORECASTS TOUGH DRACHMA FOR NEXT QUARTER
The German financial institution Deutsche Bank is
anticipating the Greek national currency, drachma, to remain tough
foe the next fiscal quarter, based on the continuous capital
inflow in the stock exchange and the bond market, with the
relatively high interest rates further bolstering the Bank's
optimism.
Nevertheless, in a 12-month course the drachma's euro parity
is expected to yield to GRD340, albeit the parity distance is to
be lessened, according to Deutsche Bank, the moment Greece enters
Euroland.
[07] 36 CHILDREN OF SERB JOURNALISTS WILL MEET WITH THE PRESIDING
BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS IN MACEDONIA-THRACE
The 36 young Serbs, children of Tanjug news agency and Serb
radio and television, RTS, journalists will meet tomorrow with the
presiding board of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia-
Thrace.
The children are in Greece since June 16 at the initiative of
Macedonian Press Agency and they will meet with the presiding
board of the association at its offices in Thessaloniki tomorrow
morning.
[08] THE UNITED STATES DO NOT SHARE ANKARA'S ALLEGATIONS OVER THE
TRAINING OF KURDS IN GREECE
US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns met with deputy
foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis in Athens today. Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that Mr. Burns
expressed the US government position according to which,
Washington does not share Ankara's allegations concerning the
training of Kurdish terrorists in Greece.
Responding to the question on whether US agencies pressure
the Greek authorities to do blood tests to individuals who are
suspects for terrorist actions in Greece, Mr. Reppas responded
that he is not aware of such a request.
[09] "SPEEDWING" TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF OLYMPIC AIRWAYS
The minister of transportation announced in parliament today
that the management of Olympic Airways will be taken over by
"Speedwing", a subsidiary of British Airways.
Mr. Mandelis stated that "Speedwing" will manage Olympic
Airways for a period of 30 months and will have the obligation to
make the Greek national airline carrier viable and reliable at an
international level. Also, the company will undertake to make
Olympic Airways a strategic alliance member which, however, will
be selected by the Greek government. British Airways will be given
the option to acquire 20 percent of the Olympic Airways capital
share.
Mr. Mandelis assured that job positions in Olympic Airways as
well as the company's economic progress will be safeguarded.
[10] LETTER BY THE HELLENIC - AMERICAN INSTITUTE ON HALBROOKE'S
APPOINTMENT
The Greek-American community organization Hellenic - American
Institute with a letter to US Senate foreign affairs committee
chairman Jessie Helms expressed its concern over the imminent
appointment of Richard Halbrooke to the position of the permanent
representative of the United States to the United Nations, while
his appointment is currently examined by the US Senate.
The letter questions Mr. Halbrooke's unbiased implementation
of international law and doubts whether he accepts the real nature
of the Cyprus problem as a problem of invasion and illegal
occupation. Also, doubts are expressed on whether he accepts the
territorial status quo in the Aegean as defined by international
law and if he is willing to implement the international law and
the American principles with regards the violation of human rights
by Turkey.
The letter calls on the committee to ask Mr. Halbrooke to
express his stance on those issues clearly and if the responses he
offers are not satisfactory to consider rejecting his appointment.
[11] THE WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD, SAE, PRESIDING BOARD
WILL VISIT SOUTH ALBANIA AT THE END OF JULY
The presiding board of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad,
SAE, will visit south Albania at the end of July, on the occasion
of the big aid programme for the Greek community that will be
underway there. The proposal had been made last year by the
Council of Hellenes Abroad in Australia.
SAE of Australia chairman Mr. Vertzagias stated that the
members of the Greek minority in south Albania should return to
their homes and their communities must be revived.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN AND BRITISH FMs IN KOSOVO TODAY
The foreign ministers of Great Britain, Germany, Italy and
France will visit Kosovo today where they will meet with the KFOR
chief Lieutenant-General Mike Jackson.
United Nations Secretary-General has asked for the enforcement of
the demilitarization of the Kosovo Liberation Army agreement.
United States President Bill Clinton appeared skeptical over the
potential of rapprochement between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo.
[13] KOSOVO COMMUNITY ASKS UN FOR PROTECTION FROM KLA GUNMEN
Citizens of the Kosovo community of Gor have sent a letter to
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, asking for protection against
Albanian terrorists.
As the Russian news agency Itar-Tass has reported, the letter
states that
gunmen from the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) are trying to seize
control of the
territory.
They attack villages, shelling them from all kinds of arms
and driving the local population from their homes.
"Community citizens have to resort to self-defense to protect
their children and property," the letter states, adding "that
may amount to large-scale armed clashes, which will pose a threat
to stability in that Kosovo region."
The letter demands that international KFOR units be sent to
the community to prevent the bloodshed.
The Gor community is situated in a remote mountainous region
of Kosovo on the border with Albania. Its residents are Serbs
converted to Islam. They have always been loyal to Serb
authorities, but also had no conflicts with KLA gunmen arriving
from Albania.
The conflict erupted after Yugoslav security forces left the
region.
[14] GREEK-DESCENT LOCALS PROTEST LAWLESSNESS IN SOUTH ALBANIA
A remonstrance signed by 600 Albanian citizens of Greek
descent has been submitted to the Greek and Albanian authorities,
who are protesting the situation in Southern Albania and are
calling for the restoration of law and order in the region.
The remonstrance, which has also been forwarded to world
organizations accredited to Tirana, has been signed by 64
businessmen, 190 store-owners, 300 teachers and others.
[15] GREECE RATIFIED THE EUROPEAN TREATY ON THE CONFISCATION OF
CRIME PRODUCTS
Greece ratified the European treaty concerning the
laundering, investigation and confiscation of crime products. The
ratified text was delivered to Council of Europe general secretary
Daniel Tarchis by Greece's permanent representative to the
European organization, ambassador Dimitris Konstas.
The treaty is aimed at limiting all forms of crime including
illegal arms trade, terrorist activities, fraud and especially,
drug-trafficking. At the same time, it is aimed at improving the
international cooperation among the member states of the Council
of Europe and other countries such as the United States, Canada
and Australia.
In Greece, the European treaty will be in effect on October
1, 1999.
[16] THE GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM WANTS ONLY VICTORY IN
TODAY'S GAME
The Greek national basketball team wants only victory over
the Lithuanian team this evening in order to be included in the
next phase of the European Championships in France after the
unexpected defeats it has suffered from the national teams of
Germany and the Czech Republic.
The game against Lithuania will begin at 9:45pm this evening,
while earlier this afternoon the Czech Republic will play against
Germany.
[17] THE TRIAL OF OCALAN WILL RESUME TODAY
The trial of Kurdish PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan resumes at
the prison-island of Imrali in Turkey today after a 15-day recess.
The hearing process started with a 2-hour delay as due to the
adverse weather conditions and the heavy seas in Marmara it was
impossible for the boat with the lawyers of Ocalan, the foreign
observers and journalists present in the trial, to approach the
island.
[18] KOSOVO: 140 SERBS HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED IN THE PAST 12 DAYS
At least 140 Serbs and Montenegrans, who are permanent
residents of Kosovo, have been abducted in the past 12 days by
ethnic Albanian rebels.
According to Pristina information center "Media Centar", the
abductions of Serbs are an everyday phenomenon in the region of
the town of Urahovac, west of Pristina as in the past two weeks
armed ethnic Albanians have abducted about 40 Serbs.
According to eye witnesses in the town of Pec and the village
of Gusica, ethnic Albanian rebels arrested 32 Serbs and led them
to an unknown direction. In Urosevac, in south Kosovo, armed
ethnic Albanians abducted 20 Serbs from a convoy a few days ago,
while abduction cases were also recorded in Oblic, 10 kilometers
west of Pristina.
Yugoslav news agency Tanjug sources mentioned that the bodies
of 6 Serbs, who had been abducted on June 16 from Oblic, were
located near the village of Mazgut, west of Pristina yesterday.
According to eye witnesses, the victims had been tortured.
[19] KARAMANLIS MET WITH VALERIE GISCARD D'ESTAINT
Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy
leader Kostas Karamanlis met in Paris today with former French
president Valerie Giscard D'Estaint. They discussed European
issues and made special references to the personality and work of
Konstantinos Karamanlis.
Mr. Giscard D'Estaint referred to the strong friendship
between him and the late leader, while Mr. Karamanlis
characterized the former French president as a big friend of
Greece and a leader with a vision and immense contribution to the
restoration of democracy in Greece.
[20] DRAFT RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO BY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
The Council of Europe parliamentary assembly political
committee adopted a draft resolution condemning the attacks and
threats against the Kosovo Serbs and the Russian troops of the
international peacekeeping force, KFOR, as well as the atrocities
committed by the Yugoslav forces in Kosovo, while it issues an
appeal to the Yugoslav people to back the democratic reforms in
the country and urges the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, to avoid
acts of reprisal.
In the draft resolution is expressed satisfaction over the
fact that the Yugoslav authorities have accepted a political
solution, while the G-8 agreements are being welcomed and an
emphasis is given on the way economy and institutions in Kosovo
and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in general, will be
rebuilt.
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