Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-11-18

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, November 18, 1999

SECTIONS

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] RISING OIL PRICES WILL NOT BEAR IMPACT ON INFLATION CRITERION

Speaking to reporters after addressing a parliamentary economic committee on next year's budget, Mr. Papantoniou said that the worldwide price increases would not affect Greece's course towards participating in the eurozone as it affected, simultaneously, the inflation rate in the European Union as a whole.

[02] US PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ITINERARY FOR 24- HOUR VISIT TO ATHENS

Air Force One will land at 6:35 p.m. at Athens' international airport. Shortly after his arrival, Mr. Clinton and his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea will attend a banquet at the presidential mansion to be given in his honor by the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos. Messrs. Clinton and Stephanopoulos will hold a brief private discussion at the presidential mansion on Saturday at 10:25 a.m., after which they will be joined by aides.

In the afternoon of Saturday, November 20, Mr. Clinton will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and, following their talks, the two leaders will give a joint press conference.

[03] BOMB THROWN AT US INSURANCE FIRM IN ATHENS, NO VICTIMS

According to police reports, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack against Nording American Standard company.

[04] OPPOSITION PARTIES IRED BY PROTEST RALLY AND MARCH BAN

The Communist Party of Greece called the move an "American-inspired choice of the (Greek) government" and a "deeply anti-popular decision with a political goal".

The Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos), said that the government, hiding behind the police authorities, was aligning itself with the demands of the American authorities and going back on previous commitments", with an "authoritarian decision reminiscent of other eras".

The orders, issued late Wednesday, stated that for "reasons of public safety" all outdoor assemblies or marches of organized groups throughout central Athens and from the airport to the center of the Greek capital are banned, beginning tomorrow at 3 p.m. and ending on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The orders noted that any attempt to violate the ban will be "opposed with all legal means, while participants in such protests will be prosecuted".

[05] GREECE-FYROM-ALBANIA TO COOPERATE ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

The air traffic agreement is a result of the bilateral agreements signed by Mr. Mantelis during the course of his official visits in Albania last year and FYROM this year.

The Bureau has been given seals of approval by ICAO, EUROCONTROL and ΙΑΤΑ.

[06] US EMBASSY TO HOLD INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EVENT IN ATHENS

The conference aims at bringing closer US companies and firms from Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Estonia, FYROM, Spain, Israel, Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey and Finland.

The US delegation will include representatives from the Commerce and State Departments, Export-Import Bank, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and US ambassadors from around the world.

Originally to be held in Thessaloniki, the conference was postponed earlier in the year due to the crisis in Yugoslavia.

US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns has stated that Greek-American economic relations were steadily expanding after starting from a low level. He said that US companies were soon expected to show their interest in the Greek market, which they viewed as fast growing and with a healthy outlook linked to its anticipated entry into the euro zone.

[07] PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SCHEDULE IN ATHENS

Mr. Clinton will stay at the Intercontinental Hotel which has been turned into a fortress for the protection of the US president and his entourage. Later in the evening, he will attend a formal dinner given in his honor at the presidential building and on Saturday morning he will have talks with president Stephanopoulos and prime minister Kostas Simitis. After the end of the talks between the US and the Greek delegations president Clinton and prime minister Simitis will give a joint press conference that is scheduled to last half an hour. At noon, the US president will speak before a Greek-US audience in the Intercontinental Hotel and will refer to issues concerning bilateral relations.

[08] THE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST CLINTON CAUSE CONCERN TO THE GOVERNMENT

The Greek Communist Party has made it clear that its protesters will attempt to reach the US embassy, despite the fact that the police have banned the protest demonstrations from 3pm on Friday until 5pm on Saturday in the area which includes the Athens Airport, Singou Avenue and the center of Athens, except from the Sintagma Square and the Panepistimiou and Stadiou streets.

Protest demonstrations organized by peace movements, unions and political parties have been planned to take place in Athens and Thessaloniki tomorrow afternoon.

[09] GREEK INVESTMENTS OF 22 MILLION US DOLLARS IN THE GEORGIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The biggest part of the Greek invested capital namely, 17 million US dollars, concerns the visual axis that links the cities of Poti and Tblisi with the borders of Azerbaidjan and Armenia (TAE Project). The rest 5 million US dollars have been invested in the digital independent network in the Kvemo Khartli region.

[10] THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE GREEK STATE-RUN ELECTRICITY COMPANY WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER 2000

Meanwhile, the prospect of the Greek state- run Electricity Company privatization has provoked an unprecedented interest on behalf of many foreign brokerage and credit institutions, stated the minister of development during the discussion in parliament on the draft bill for the liberalization of the electricity market.

According to Mr. Venizelos, the state-run Electricity Company will soon test its powers in the sector of telecommunications as it aspires to become the second largest telecommunications institution in the country after the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE.

[11] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE CYPRUS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH TURKEY'S EU CANDIDATURE

He said that the prospect of progress in the talks on Cyprus is a separate issue both from Turkey's EU candidature and Cyprus' course toward the European Union. He also said that Greece backs Turkey's European prospect if the preconditions set by the European Union are met.

Meanwhile, acting Greek government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou responding to a question by reporters stated that the Greek government expects that the Greek positions will be understood and even become accepted in the meeting of prime minister Kostas Simitis with US president Bill Clinton.

[12] JOINT BALKAN FRONT AGAINST NATURAL DISASTERS

In the meeting that will have as a main topic the protection of cities from natural disasters will be attended by local administration representatives from Greece and abroad, as well as by state and scientific institutions representatives and Council of Europe general secretary Walter Svimer.

The POLIS exhibition aims at promoting the products, services and activities of local administration institutions and private businesses with which they are in cooperation.

[13] LOSSES OF 1.46% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

According to estimates, the picture is not expected to change in the immediate future and on the contrary the downward trend will continue. This fact is attributed to the foreign institutional investors who regard the Athens Stock Exchange as expensive and as a result they drop the prices.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[14] GREEK AND TURKISH PREMIERS MEETING HELD IN POSITIVE CLIMATE

Mr. Ecevit reportedly told his Greek counterpart that Turkey does not have territorial aspirations against Greece and assured Mr. Simitis that he has always supported friendly ties between the two countries.

Moreover, the Turkish Premier stated that he does not believe there are significant tensions in Greek-Turkish relations, adding that after the successive earthquakes that devastated both countries, it is a call of destiny (kismet, in Turkish) for the two peoples to cooperate.

Mr. Simitis told his Turkish counterpart that the Greek side will continue sending aid to Turkey's earthquake victims, including an additional 150 prefabricated houses.

Lastly, Mr. Simitis stressed that Greece supports Turkey's European orientation.

[15] GREEK PM MEETS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART AT OSCE SUMMIT

The talks held between Messrs. Simitis and Ecevit confirmed the climate established last August between the two countries, propelled by the earthquakes that devastated both neighbors.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem stated that any whatsoever solution to the Cyprus issue must take into consideration the island's reality, i.e. the existence of two different states.

[16] US PRESIDENT VISITS CHALKI THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL

Following his talks with the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos at the Phanar yesterday, Mr. Clinton expressed his interest for the theological school's re-opening.

[17] PREMIER MEETS WITH PATRIARCH, "WE DISCOVERED SOLUTIONS"

His Eminence stated that he congratulated the Premier on his efforts towards establishing rapprochement and good neighborliness with Turkey.

When asked if Turkey is responding to his statements concerning rapprochement, Mr. Vartholomeos refrained from making political statements and said that he believes there is a sense of good will on behalf of Turkey.

Mr. Simitis, who has met on other occasions with the Patriarch in Athens and Mt. Athos, stated that the Greek government supports the Patriarchate and will grant any needed assistance for actions deemed necessary.

Mr. Vartholomeos also received the President of the United States Bill Clinton yesterday evening.

[18] GREEK AND EGYPTIAN ENTREPRENEURS MEET IN ALEXANDRIA TODAY

The event, organized by the National Bank of Egypt, will examine "Greek-Egyptian investments: Combining the Past with the Present" and will feature the participation of the governor of the National Bank of Greek Theodoros Karatzas and other bank officials.

[19] GREEK-AMERICANS, TURKISH-AMERICANS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT

The President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens and the President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) Tolga Cubukcu signed the statement, which reads:

"We strongly endorse the language of Senate Resolution 198 which commends, encourages and supports recent efforts by Greece and Turkey to improve bilateral relations.

"It is our further hope that the goodwill produced by the actions of our respective motherlands following their respective earthquakes will carry forward and grow."

[20] BSEC MEMBER-STATES PUBLISH THE ISTANBUL SUMMIT DECLARATION

The declaration reads as follows:

"1. We, the Heads of State or Government of the Member states of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) gathered in Istanbul on November 17 1999 to appraise, in the light of the latest political, economic and security developments in Europe, the new opportunities created by the transformation of the BSEC into a regional economic cooperation. Following the achievements since the adoption of the Istanbul and Moscow Summit Declarations, we confirm our adherence to the provisions of the Yalta Summit Declaration and solemnly reaffirm our political will to contribute to peace and security in the BSEC area by means of multilateral economic cooperation.

"2. Having held our gathering on the eve of the OSCE Istanbul Summit of 1999, we reaffirm our adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the OSCE principles, norms and decisions. We believe that the new Charter for European Security, to be adopted within the framework of the OSCE will strengthen the non-hierarchical and mutually beneficial cooperation among the OSCE and other organizations and institutions. In that context enhanced cooperation between the BSEC and the OSCE in their respective fields of competence will serve the goals of a stable peace and prosperity in the whole of the OSCE area.

"3. We share a common view that during its seven years of existence, the BSEC has contributed substantially to the process of enhancement of peace and security in the BSEC area by applying the pragmatic concept that economic cooperation is an effective confidence- building measure and serves as a pillar in the new European architecture.

"4. We confirm our commitment to promote effective economic, social and democratic reforms in the BSEC area, the establishments of vigorous market economies and the development of civil societies, which are of importance for the BSEC area cooperation. This commitment will also be instrumental to meeting the aspirations of the member states wishing to fully integrate into Europe.

"5. We appreciate the role attached to the BSEC by the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe in promoting mutual understanding, improving the overall political climate and fostering economic development in the BSEC area. We welcome the fact that the Stability Pact emphasizes the BSEC engagement to peace, security and stability through economic cooperation and invites our Organization to participate in its implementation. We are committed to the implementation of the Stability Pact objectives in full conformity with the BSEC objectives and goals, in close cooperation with the other international organizations and in accordance with the ''Contribution of the BSEC to the Stability Pact'', adopted by the Thessaloniki Council of Ministers on October 27, 1999.

"6. We welcome the continuation of the BSEC- EU dialogue at the BSEC Thessaloniki Ministerial Council and we regard the BSEC Platform for Cooperation with the EU as an appropriate basis for interaction in fields of common interest. Therefore, we appeal to the EU to develop a comprehensive strategy towards the BSEC area and to assist the BSEC in the elaboration and implementation of concrete regional projects.

"7. We are convinced that the new identity, acquired by the BSEC as a regional economic organization requires, whenever possible, resolutions and decisions with a mechanism for their implementation, as well as a rapid evolution from the stage of project development into the one of project implementation. We consider as a high priority the establishment of an implementation mechanism of the BSEC Agreement on Emergency Assistance and Emergency Response, in view of the recent tragic disasters in the region.

"8. We share the conviction that at the new stage of consolidation of the BSEC, the implementation of concrete joint projects for cooperation should be the core of its activities. The most rewarding perspective before the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank is the realization of viable and bankable projects of interest to the Member States with as large as possible co-financing by other interested banking and financial institutions. We reiterate our commitment to support and promote BSTDB as the financial pillar of the BSEC for enhancing the economic development of the region.

"9. We applaud the U.N. General Assembly for granting Observer Status to the BSEC. This act enabled the BSEC to join the family of international organizations as an equal partner, assisting the region to engage in a more competitive manner in the globalization process.

"10. We emphasize the role of the Parliamentary Assembly as the parliamentary dimension of the BSEC, providing effective and close interaction among national parliaments and consistent support to the BSEC cooperation process.

"11. We highly appreciate the contribution of the Republic of Turkey for the establishment of further development of the BSEC and express our gratitude to the Government and people of Turkey for the opportunity to meet in Istanbul, the birth place of the BSEC."

[21] EUROPEAN SECURITY CHARTER TO BE SIGNED AT OSCE SUMMIT

There are four resolutions being negotiated at the OSCE Summit and await signatures from the leaders of the 54 member-states, the first being a European Security Charter the main document to be adopted at the OSCE summit, the second being revised "Vienna Text" pertaining to confidence- security-building measures, the third the modernizing of the conventional arms control and the fourth the declaration of Istanbul.

[22] FYROM ELECTIONS : FINAL RESULTS CONFIRM TRAJKOVSKI'S VICTORY

Mr. Traijkovski's rival, Tito Petkovski, received 45.94 percent and there was a voter turnout of 69.56 percent, the commission reported.

The commission said the vote was fair and regular, rejecting accusations of fraud from Mr. Petkovski's party, the Social Democratic Alliance.

[23] THE SIMITIS-ECEVIT MEETING WAS PRODUCTIVE

The Turkish prime minister said that no one in Turkey has territorial claims against Greece and expressed the point of view that there are no serious tensions in bilateral relations, adding that he always supported good relations with Greece. Mr. Ecevit stated characteristically that it was destiny the fact that the earthquakes brought the two countries together. On the Cyprus problem, Mr. Ecevit stated that it can not cast a shadow over the Greek-Turkish relations for as long as consultations are being held under the UN auspices.

The Greek prime minister stated that Greece backs Turkey's European prospect and announced to Mr. Ecevit that the aid offered to the earthquake victims in Turkey will continue.

[24] FINANCIAL TIMES: GREECE WILL BE FORCED TO REASSESS THE DRACHMA'S PARITY WITH OTHER CURRENCIES

Based on the news report, economic circles in London believe that if Greece does not reassess the drachma's parity is possible to put at risk its accession and miss the train to the EMU.

Leading business executives in the British capital exert pressures for the reassessment of the drachma's parity in order to protect their investments from inflation or a likely devaluation of the currency.

Based on Greek economic officials, the drachma's parity with the Euro will drop to 353 drachmas to a Euro if Greece's application is accepted in the EU summit meeting in June.

[25] THE OSCE MEETING OPENED IN ISTANBUL THIS MORNING

UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and Norwegian foreign minister Knut Volembeng, who presided over the gathering, condemned the use of force in Chechnya and underlined the need for a political solution.

Russian president Boris Yeltsin stated that his country acts in Chechnya in accordance with the international rules. US president Bill Clinton stated that he recognizes Russia's right to fight terrorism within its borders but pointed out that the military operation against the Chechen rebels is a risk for Russia as it can lose the support of the international public opinion.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the signing of the Charter for Security in Europe scheduled for 3pm this afternoon has been postponed and it should be underlined that president Yeltsin was absent from the gathering's family picture.

Also, it was made known that Greece will submit its candidature for the OSCE presidency in 2000. The proposal had been presented for the first time to the permanent council of the OSCE by the late Yiannos Kranidiotis in July 1999.

[26] VIOLENT ANTI-AMERICAN PROTESTS IN ISTANBUL

The protesters were chanting anti-American slogans and were expressing their opposition to the US president's visit to Turkey.

[27] EXTENSIVE PRESENTATION OF ANCIENT GREECE BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

The article was written by classical literature professor and author Caroline Alexander enhanced by photographs taken by James Stanfield. A huge two-page map is attached that describes the everyday life of ancient Greeks from the times of the Minoan civilization until the dominance of the kings of Macedonia, while it also includes information on the contribution of the Greeks to the western civilization .

The National Geographic will dedicate two more articles to classical Greece and Alexander the Great in its February and March issues. On the occasion of the presentation, the Greek embassy in Washington in cooperation with the National Geographic Society will organize a series of events that will take place in the US capital in the period of March-May 2000 having as a topic ancient and modern Greece, while a James Stanfield photo exhibition will be organized in Athens.

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