Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-30
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 30, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO VISIT LITHUANIA TODAY
[02] GREEK PARTIES IN UNISON CONDEMN OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
[03] THESSALONIKI AS BASE OF BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION PLEASES ALL
[04] EDU CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
[05] EUROPE PRESSES TURKEY TO RESCIND OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
[06] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS STAFF TO HOLD 24-HOUR STRIKE TOMORROW
[07] "GODFATHER OF SOUL" TO GIVE A CONCERT IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
[08] THE PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING WILL BE HELD TODAY
[09] PAPADIMOS: THE INTEREST RATES SHOULD BE KEPT AT 8%
[10] MEETING ON THE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS ISSUE
[11] A DRUG MADE BY ARMENIAN SCIENTISTS PROMISES TO CURE AIDS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREEK FM MEETS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN NEW YORK TODAY
[13] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN IRAN TO FURTHER COOPERATION
[14] UN SECURITY COUNCIL TAKES INITIATIVE FOR CYPRUS TALKS
[15] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REACTS TO OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
[16] US SECRETARY OF STATE MAY BE OUSTED, RUSSIAN PRESS REPORTS
[17] KOSOVO: BRITISH OFFICERS SHOOT DEAD AN ARMED MAN
[18] DUTY FREE SALES WITHIN THE EU TO CEASE FROM MIDNIGHT TODAY
[19] A 4-YEAROLD GIRL WAS RELEASED BY ITS ALBANIAN ABDUCTORS
[20] THE UN ADVISORY GROUP ON KOSSOVO MEETS IN NEW YORK TODAY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO VISIT LITHUANIA TODAY
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is embarking on an official, three-day visit to Lithuania today,
June30-July 2.
During his stay in the capital city of Vilnius, President
Stephanopoulos will meet with his Lithuanian counterpart -with
whom he will sign a bilateral cooperation accord-, the Lithuanian
Premier, the Speaker of the House and members of the Greek
community. He will also address a business forum.
[02] GREEK PARTIES IN UNISON CONDEMN OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis has condemned the
death sentence imposed on PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan by Turkeys's
State Security Court, calling the ruling a political decision and
one that served political expediencies.
"This was a political trial. The decision is a political
decision and serves political expediencies. The death sentence
does not resolve any problem, it merely complicates it. We hope
that Turkey will realize at last that one solution exists:
Implementation of human and minority rights," Mr. Simitis stated
yesterday on the sidelines of an EU-Latin American countries in
Rio de Janeiro.
Main opposition party spokesman, New Democracy's Aris
Spiliotopoulos expressed his regret at the decision handed down to
Ocalan, but said it was to be expected as "the end-result of a
rigged trial."
"Turkey has used the Ocalan trial to manufacture charges
against Greece," he said.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement
wherein it said the decision of the Turkish court was not only
aimed against the individual, Ocalan, but against the Kurdish
people.
"The Ocalan affair is being used to pursue imperialistic
plans in the region," the statement read.
A Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) statement
said the death sentence after "an unprecedented parody of a trial"
revealed the undemocratic face of the Turkish regime.
Synaspismos called on the Greek government and the
governments of all EU countries to immediately undertake
initiatives to put pressure on Turkey to commute the death
sentence, and to acknowledge the rights of the Kurdish people.
Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas said the
sentence was "the result expected from such a show-trial". "(The
sentence) is a stain on the civilized world and proof once again
of the brutality of the state-military regime in Ankara," Mr.
Tsovolas stated.
[03] THESSALONIKI AS BASE OF BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION PLEASES ALL
Local business leaders, regardless of political affiliation,
have saluted the selection of Thessaloniki as the headquarters of
the Balkan reconstruction program, noting that this is a no-miss
opportunity to establish the city's role in the Balkans.
According to the chairman of the Northern Greece Industries
Association (SVVE) Vasilis Takas, this constitutes a very positive
step since it grants local firms with a first-hand access to the
developments in the region to be constructed.
Nevertheless, Mr. Takas advised the Greek entrepreneurs to
exercise restrained enthusiasm since the mere selection of the
city as the program's headquarters "does not mean that the Greek
firms will be assigned all of the region's programs".
The General Director of the Northern Greece Exporters'
Association (SEVE) Charalabos Philaderlis stated that the city's
selection as the program's base will undoubtedly result in
economic gains. He further added that Thessaloniki, aside from its
ideal geographical position, also features the necessary
infrastructure to carry out its newly-assigned role.
[04] EDU CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
The president of Greece's main opposition party, New
Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, is to address the European
Democratic Union conference, to be held in Thessaloniki tomorrow
in cooperation with the European Popular Party and other
conservative parties in Europe.
The two-day conference will feature discussions on: The
Undertaking of Initiatives for Democratization in the Western
Balkans. The Present Situation in the Balkans. Common European
Foreign and Security Policies. Cooperation with Russia on Matters
Concerning Foreign and Security Policies. The Prospects of
Cooperation between the European Democratic Union and the European
Popular Party and the common action plan.
The conference will feature the participation of party and
institute representatives from United Kingdom, Germany, Italy,
Russia, Austria, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Cyprus, Turkey,
Bulgaria, Albania, Slovakia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Croatia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina and FYROM.
The event is taking place under the initiative of Mr.
Karamanlis, who is also the vice-president of the European Popular
Party and the European Democratic Union.
[05] EUROPE PRESSES TURKEY TO RESCIND OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
Expressing the Greek government's disagreement with the
death sentence passed on PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan by the Ankara
State Security court yesterday, acting spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou
stated "Turkey must prove that its justice runs in line with the
practices, existing in the countries of the European Union."
Chairman of the European Parliament Jose Maria Gil-Robles
addressed a telegram yesterday evening to the speaker of the
Turkish parliament, asking him to
take steps to rescind the death sentence.
The German government has also called on the Turkish
leadership to rescind the death sentence passed on Ocalan.
Interior Minister Otto Schily stated yesterday that this
verdict "will obviously interfere with Turkey's accession to the
European Union".
Denmark also hopes that the sentence passed on Mr. Ocalan
will not be carried out, Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen
told journalists yesterday. While condemning all forms of
terrorism, the minister stressed at the same time that Copenhagen
is opposed to capital punishment.
A large demonstration of Kurds was held in London yesterday,
where demonstrators protested against the death sentence passed on
their leader.
[06] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS STAFF TO HOLD 24-HOUR STRIKE TOMORROW
The Federation of Civil Aviation Unions (OSPA) will hold a 24-
hour strike tomorrow, protesting the handing of Olympic Airways'
management control over to Speedwing, a transport subsidiary of
British Airways.
Even though the government has said that labor and social
insurance rights will not be affected by the Speedwing management
contract, OSPA members have declared that they intend to intensify
their protests. At the same time, the national airline's new
manager is to appear before the Parliamentary committee tomorrow.
Under an existing agreement in principle, Speedwing's
assignment is to make Olympic profitable, as well as transform the
ailing airline into an international alliance. British Airways
will also have an option to buy a 20 per cent stake in O.A.
[07] "GODFATHER OF SOUL" TO GIVE A CONCERT IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
Legendary singer James Brown is to strut his stuff in a
Thessaloniki concert tonight, the first stop in a European tour.
Speaking in a press conference yesterday, Mr. Brown (also
known as the "Godfather of Soul") announced that he plans to
retire in two years from the stage but will remain active in the
producing end of show business.
When asked about the war in Yugoslavia, the 71-year-old
phenomenal entertainer stressed that he wants peace for all such
troubled regions, stressing that the greatest repercussions of war
fall on the children.
[08] THE PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING WILL BE HELD TODAY
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet in New
York today with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem. The two
ministers will discuss the issues raised in the Papandreou letter
addressed to his Turkish counterpart. Deputy foreign minister
Yiannos Kranidiotis will also take part in the meeting.
Acting Greek government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou
characterized the imminent meeting as a positive development.
Mr. Nikolaou stated that Mr. Kranidiotis went to New York at
the invitation of Mr. Papandreou. According to Mr. Nikolaou, Mr.
Kranidiotis was accompanying prime minister Kostas Simitis to
Latin America and left for the United States in view of the
meeting of the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey.
[09] PAPADIMOS: THE INTEREST RATES SHOULD BE KEPT AT 8%
Loukas Papadimos recommended to the commercial bank governors
to keep the interest rates at 8%.
The governor of the Bank of Greece pointed out that any
decline in the loan interest rates will have a negative effect on
inflation as it will boost consumption. It is estimated that
inflation this month will close at 2.1-2.2%.
[10] MEETING ON THE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS ISSUE
A meeting on the issue of Olympic Airways was held in Athens
at noon today with the participation of transportation minister
Tasos Mandelis and minister of national economy and finance
Yiannos Papantoniou, while also present was the chairman of
British Airways.
Mr. Mandelis stated that the decision to give the management
of the OA to a foreign company was aimed at overcoming the
deadlock and helping Olympic Airways to acquire strength and new
prospects in order to survive in the international market. Mr.
Mandelis reiterated that all the relevant procedures were totally
transparent.
The foreign manager of OA will appear before the responsible
Greek parliamentary committee tomorrow in order to assume his
duties.
Meanwhile, the OA employees have announced a 24-hour strike
for tomorrow and as it was made known, there will be only one
flight to each destination.
[11] A DRUG MADE BY ARMENIAN SCIENTISTS PROMISES TO CURE AIDS
A drug discovered by Armenian scientists managed to cure 48
AIDS patients and its use has already been approved by the
Armenian state pharmacology committee.
Russian press reports confirm that a number of AIDS patients,
who have received the medicine, have been cured from the deadly
virus.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREEK FM MEETS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN NEW YORK TODAY
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou will hold talks
with his Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem in New York today, where
they will discuss a series of matters tabled by Mr. Papandreou in
his letter to Mr. Cem. Greece's alternate Foreign Misnter Yiannos
Kranidiotis will also take part in the Meeting. Greek government
acting spokesperson Yiannis Nikolaou stated that if Turkey allows
room for agreement on cooperation in the sectors of organized
crime, drug trafficking and illegal immigration, then Greece has
no reason not to sign the said agreements.
[13] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN IRAN TO FURTHER COOPERATION
Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, presently on
an official visit to Iran has announced that representatives of
Greece, Iran and Armenia will meet in Athens on July 12 within the
framework of the three countries' efforts to further cooperation.
Following talks with his Iranian counterpart, Vice-Adm. Ali
Shamkhani, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that cooperation between the
three countries was based on the fundamental principles of
international law and their interest in peace, security
and cooperation between peoples.
He added that Greece and Iran were broadening their bilateral
possibilities for defense and military cooperation, while "bearing
in mind the international framework which applies to the
implementation of such forms of cooperation".
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos arrived in Tehran on Monday for a four-
day official visit, the first to Iran by a European Union defense
minister since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
He was received yesterday morning by Iranian President
Mohammad Khatami and also had talks with Parliament President Ali
Akhbar Nuri.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will travel to Isfahan today to visit an
aircraft manufacturing center.
[14] UN SECURITY COUNCIL TAKES INITIATIVE FOR CYPRUS TALKS
The United Nations Security Council has asked the secretary-
general Kofi Annan to call on the leaders of Cyprus' two
communities to conduct negotiations in the fall, aiming at the
restart of talks. The council also approved another resolution
renewing the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus,
(UNFICYP), for six months until December 15.
[15] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REACTS TO OCALAN'S DEATH SENTENCE
European government and international organizations have
strongly reacted to the Turkish State Security Court decision to
sentence PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to death by hanging.
Ankara has rejected international pressure to commute his
sentence to life imprisonment. Additional security measures have
been drawn both in Turkey and elsewhere, in fear of potential
episodes by the Kurds. PKK has threatened to broaden the war into
Turkey's western regions.
[16] US SECRETARY OF STATE MAY BE OUSTED, RUSSIAN PRESS REPORTS
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright may be dismissed
already this summer for mistakes in the US policy regarding
Yugoslavia, a Russian influential newspaper reported today, liking
the US official's forecasts about an early collapse of the
Milosevic regime from the air strikes to the revelations of
Nostradamus.
As the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported, the
Nezavisimaya Gazeta article, which cites its sources in
Washington, states that "In Washington they are talking that a
certain reshuffle will take place in the State Department
leadership before this autumn. President Bill Clinton has
reportedly found a worthy replacement to current Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright."
It said that although the United States officially continue
to attribute to themselves all the successes in solving the Kosovo
crisis, "a different viewpoint exists in Washington and it comes
from the very top".
The daily said the first victims were CIA deputy director
Jack Downing and head of the CIA Eurasian department John Bender.
The US president's entourage "does not conceal that the
beginning of combat actions in Yugoslavia was a clear mistake of
the Department of State. Madeleine Albright convinced Clinton that
the bombing of Yugoslavia will have no political consequences for
the United States.
"Her forecasts about an early collapse of the Milosevic
regime after the beginning of air strikes resembled the
revelations of Nostradamus, rather than a sober view of an
experienced politician", the newspaper said, adding that Clinton
received "one-sided" reports based on sources in the Kosovo
Liberation Army and the opposition to Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic.
"Clinton was convinced to start the military action", the
paper said.
However, the policy collapsed and the air strikes yielded no
immediate result.
"The actual collapse of the American (and in essence of
personally Albright's) scenario of the settlement of the Kosovo
conflict may result in a defeat of the Democratic party at the
next presidential elections", the daily said, adding that the
Republicans can take advantage of the "vulnerability of the
current administration".
[17] KOSOVO: BRITISH OFFICERS SHOOT DEAD AN ARMED MAN
British soldiers, acting in self-defense, shot dead an armed
man in the town of Liplian, 15 kilometers away from Pristina,
according tot he Russian news agency Itar-Tass.
According to reports, the British KFOR soldiers opened fire
when they saw a man brandishing a pistol, emerging from the corner
of a building.
The man pretended to be aiming at a soldier, who was nearest
to him. The British had to open fire, a spokesman for the British
KFOR contingent said, adding that they acted in strict accordance
with instructions.
[18] DUTY FREE SALES WITHIN THE EU TO CEASE FROM MIDNIGHT TODAY
Duty-free sales for travelers within the European Union will
cease from midnight today, although some outlets are absorbing
taxes in order to maintain prices in spite of reduced profit
margins.
In fighting abolition, the duty-free industry had warned the
EU that thousands of jobs would be lost, in the shops, in airlines
and ferry companies which draw profits from such sales, and in
some of the supplying industries such as the whisky industry.
The strategy's slogan will be "A different name but the same
price", and instead of "duty-free", the new system will be known
as "travel-value".
However, the arrangement cannot be applied to alcohol and
tobacco which are
subject to both excise duties and value-added-tax and the prices
of these products in EU airports will rise by ten percent in
general. Experts predict a revenue drop from this sector which
currently accounts for one-third of duty-free turnover.
The decision to abolish duty-free sales was drawn by the
European
Union member states in 1991 to allow the industry time to adapt.
Under the duty-free system, travelers have been able to buy
tax-free alcohol, tobacco and other goods at border points between
EU countries in the same way as travelers between other countries
may obtain goods tax free.
Those traveling outside the European Union will still benefit
from duty-free sales.
[19] A 4-YEAROLD GIRL WAS RELEASED BY ITS ALBANIAN ABDUCTORS
The 4yearold Sofia Voga, who had been abducted 25 days ago by
Albanian kidnappers from her grandparents' house in the village of
Kakavia in south Albania, was released today.
The kidnappers freed the little girl and handed her over to
her uncle after her parents paid a ransom of 20 million drachmas.
Initially, the kidnappers had asked for the sum of 50 million
drachmas but they agreed to lower the price when they were
convinced that the parents of the girl were unable to collect the
money.
The girl was handed over to her uncle by 5 armed masked men
in a remote area near the Albanian city of Sarante.
[20] THE UN ADVISORY GROUP ON KOSSOVO MEETS IN NEW YORK TODAY
The first meeting of the advisory group "Friends of the
general-secretary on Kossovo", established by UN secretary-general
Kofi Annan, will be held in New York today.
The meeting will be held at a foreign ministers level with
the participation of Greece, Canada, China, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Holland, Russia, Turkey, Britain, the United States
as well as the European Union, the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe and the Islamic Conference Organization.
Mr. Annan stated in an interview with the London "Financial
Times" that he will announce the name of the UN administrator in
Kossovo by the end of the week.
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