Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-12-13
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, December 13, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC TODAY
[02] QUAKE OF 4.5 RICHTER RATTLES CHALKIDIKI, NO
INJURIES REPORTED
[03] PREMIER TO ADDRESS FOREIGN PRESS
ASSOCIATION TOMORROW
[04] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER CRITICIZES EU
DECISION ON TURKEY
[05] FM TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO TURKEY NEXT
MONTH
[06] BALKAN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR A COMMON CODE
OF ETHICS
[07] SEISMOLOGISTS ARE CAUTIOUS REGARDING THE
SEISMIC ACTIVITY IN LAKE VOLVI
[08] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GREEK AND RUSSIAN
MINISTRIES OF DEFENSE
[09] SIMITIS: THE HELSINKI DECISION CREATES THE
PRE-CONDITIONS FOR STABILITY IN THE REGION
[10] MR. KARAMANLIS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF
ABANDONING THE GREEK POSITIONS
[11] BIG GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] THE HELSINKI DECISION IS POSITIVE - THE
GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL BE IMPROVED
ACCORDING TO TURKISH JOURNALISTS
[13] PAPANDREOU STATEMENTS ON THE HELSINKI EU
DECISIONS
[14] PERRAKIS: THE HELSINKI EU DECISION IS VERY
IMPORTANT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] UK PREMIER: PARTHENON MARBLES WON'T BE
RETURNED TO GREECE
[16] ROMANIAN OFFICIAL SPEAKS TO MPA ON FALL OF
FATEFUL "FALCON"
[17] US PRESIDENT CLINTON CONGRATULATES GREEK PM
OVER HELSINKI
[18] D'ALEMA : THE GREEK "YES" IN HELSINKI IS A
HISTORIC MOVE
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NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC TODAY
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to meet
with the President of the Hellenic Republic
Costis Stephanopoulos today in order to brief
him on the results of the European Union's
Helsinki Summit where the allies accepted
Greece's three terms on Turkey's bid for
candidacy.
The same issue will be discussed in the
Parliament on Wednesday at a political leaders
levels.
Mr. Simitis will give a press conference with
foreign press correspondents tomorrow.
The three conditions set by Athens for
approving Turkey's candidacy are that a solution
to the Cyprus problem will not be a precondition
for an EU decision on the island republic's
accession; that Turkey's various territorial
disputes with Greece be referred to the
International Court of Justice at The Hague
within a specific time-frame; and that the same
conditions apply to Turkey as to the 11 other
candidates states, emphasizing the need for an
enhanced dialogue on human rights with a view to
Ankara meeting the Copenhagen criteria on entry
negotiations.
[02] QUAKE OF 4.5 RICHTER RATTLES CHALKIDIKI, NO
INJURIES REPORTED
An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter
scale was felt throughout the northern Greek
peninsula of Chalkidiki and Thessaloniki
yesterday evening, although no injuries or
damages have been reported.
The quake's epicenter was located 55
kilometers east of Thessaloniki, while
seismologists have stated that the tremor falls
within the Serb-Macedonian fault which also
caused the tremendous quake of 1978 that
measured 6.5 on the Richter scale.
Earthquake experts are to closely follow
developments for the next 48 hours.
[03] PREMIER TO ADDRESS FOREIGN PRESS
ASSOCIATION TOMORROW
Prime Minister Costas Simitis will be the
guest speaker at a 1 p.m. luncheon held in his
honor by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) of
Greece tomorrow, December 14, at the Caravel
Hotel in Athens.
Mr. Simitis will speak on government policy
and answer questions by Greek and foreign
reporters.
[04] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER CRITICIZES EU
DECISION ON TURKEY
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas
Karamanlis criticized the government on the
outcome of the EU summit in Helsinki,
particularly blasting what he called the
"recognition of unilateral Turkish claims as
Greek-Turkish differences".
The Communist Party of Greece-KKE also said
that the government's triumphant words were an
effort to set up a smoke screen to cover up the
fact that the agreement signed in Helsinki was
at the expense of Greece's sovereign rights and
the Cyprus issue.
[05] FM TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO TURKEY NEXT
MONTH
Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to
conduct an official visit to Turkey next month
where he will sign a section of the Greece-
Turkey agreements on minor policy matters, while
his Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem will
reciprocate the visit to Athens at a later date
when the remaining agreements will be signed.
Commenting on the European Council's
decision regarding Turkey's bid for candidacy to
the European Union, Mr. Papandreou told the
Athens daily "Ta Nea" that "we are now at a
completely different level or environment of
opportunities, a new framework of conditions and
political parameters, that grants significant
tools not only to the Greek diplomacy, but to
the European Union as well, to contribute to the
resolution of issues, such as Greek-Turkish
matters or the Cyprus problem, as well as to the
resolution of domestic issues in Turkey."
Concerning Cyprus. Mr. Papandreou stated
that "In a border-free Europe, one where various
peoples cooperate, with different languages and
cultures, it is not possible to have a dividing
line on a relatively small island, which does
not allow cooperation among the people."
Concerning G/T relations, Mr. Papandreou
stated that they now essentially become European-
Turkish relations, where "our issues become
issues between Europe and Turkey.
[06] BALKAN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR A COMMON CODE
OF ETHICS
The need for the establishment of a common
code of ethics that would ensure the objective
and sober reporting of news, regardless of
ethnic backgrounds and political affiliations,
was stressed by journalists from throughout the
Balkan peninsula who participated at the
Macedonian Press Agency's Thessaloniki-held
conference titled "The prospect of Inter-Balkan
Cooperation after Kosovo: The Role of the Mass
Media".
The general director of the Hellenic Radio
(ERA) Yiannis Tzanetakos submitted the proposal
for creating a code of ethics, while most of
the delegates endorsed the need for objective
news reporting, irrespective of the journalist's
nationality and political affiliation. Namely,
among the delegates who voiced their support of
objectivity were the Turkish television
station's ATV Kosovo correspondent Serif Turgut,
the director of the Yugoslav daily "Danas"
Radomir Licina, the general director of the
FYROM daily "Puls" Mice Tomovski, the editor in
chief of the Athens daily "Ta Nea" Costas
Betinakis and the editor of the Turkish daily
"Milliyet" Sahin Alpai.
`The Balkan journalists who convened in
Thessaloniki for two days to exchange points of
views and proposals, concluded that their role
requires increased responsibility and a
heightened sense of awareness in order to near
the vision of inter-Balkan peace and cooperation
or, at the very least, to establish more humane
conditions and long-term cooperation.
A great number of delegates, among them the
director of the "Thessaloniki daily" Traianos
Xatzidimitriou, stressed the need to strengthen
institutions such as the Balkan Press Center and
the Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA),
which carries out a significant role in
providing objective and well-rounded news and
information pertaining to the Balkans, while
Albania's former press minister Musa Ulkini
stressed the importance of establishing a Balkan
Television Network, much like "Euronews".
Concerning issues of media credibility,
objectivity and ethics, the director of the
Greek radio station ERT 3 Nikos Dimaras, as well
as the director of Athens' "Flash" radio
station Panos Koliopanos stressed the need to
differentiate between commentary-opinion and
hard news.
The editor in chief of Romanian news agency
Rompress Leila Bretan, Turkish daily "Yeni Asir"
journalist Suleiman Gentzel, the general
Direcotr of FYROM"S MIA news agency Zifko
Georgievski and the general director of Albanian
news agency ATA Frok Cupi stated that
journalists should carry out their role as
messengers, free of any propaganda that would
serve political, religious or even cultural
fanaticism, and also underlined the need for the
Balkan news agencies to inform the region's
peoples of the consequences of war.
The director of the "Macedonia" daily
Lazaros Hatzinakos and the editor in chief of
the Serb daily "Oslobodjehje" Slobodan Stazic
stated that inter-Balkan cooperation foremostly
needs a more progressive democratization of the
political institutions in every country and the
development of the overall region.
The Macedonian Press Agency's initiative to
hold this conference in its effort to promote
cooperation among the region's media will be
held again next year.
The MPA's general director Spyros
Kouzinopoulos stated that the efforts to
contribute to the better understanding and
improved cooperation among the region's peoples
will enter a new phase by the end of this month
when the MPA's Balkan News Bank will embark on
its operation.
[07] SEISMOLOGISTS ARE CAUTIOUS REGARDING THE
SEISMIC ACTIVITY IN LAKE VOLVI
Seismologists state that they are cautious
regarding the development of the seismic
activity in the region of Lake Volvi which was
the epicenter of last night's earthquake that
measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Geophysics Laboratory announced that the
epicenter of the earthquake, that was recorded
at 9:26 last night, was at the Migdonia Basin at
the southern part of the Serb-Macedonian zone
and is at a distance of 55 kilometers east of
the city of Thessaloniki. Twenty minutes after
the earthquake the seismologists recorded
another tremor of 2.9 on the Richter scale that
came from the same epicenter.
Seismologist Vasilis Karakostas stated to
MPA that last night's earthquake is most likely
a delayed aftershock of the strong earthquake
measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale that occurred
on May 4, 1995 with an epicenter at the region
of Arnea in Chalkidiki. Mr. Karakostas stated
that in order to draw safe conclusions there
must be a waiting period of at least 48 hours,
adding however, that everything leads to the
conclusion that last night's earthquake is
placed within the aftershock activity of the
Arnea earthquake.
[08] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GREEK AND RUSSIAN
MINISTRIES OF DEFENSE
Russian general Leonid Ivasov, responsible
for the ministry of defense international
military cooperation, is on a four-day visit to
Athens and he will have meetings with Greek
ministry of defense officials.
The two ministries are expected to sign a
military-technical cooperation agreement for the
year 2000, while a press conference will be
given in the Russian embassy in Athens on the
NATO-Russia relations and the developments in
northern Caucasus.
[09] SIMITIS: THE HELSINKI DECISION CREATES THE
PRE-CONDITIONS FOR STABILITY IN THE REGION
The belief that the Helsinki EU Summit
meeting decision on Turkey's candidature creates
the pre-conditions for stability in the region
was expressed by prime minister Kostas Simitis
in statements he made after the meeting he had
with president Kostis Stephanopoulos in order to
brief him on the conclusions of the EU Summit
meeting.
The prime minister added that any such
decision constitutes a framework and depends on
the further developments how positive will be
the results. He characterized as favorable and
satisfactory that framework and pointed out that
we can face the future with optimism and move to
exploit the potential opened with optimism.
Earlier in his meeting with the prime
minister Mr. Stephanopoulos expressed the hope
that the framework formed in Helsinki will be
beneficial for the national affairs and for
peace and stability in the region. From his side
Mr. Simitis pointed out that Turkey must
understand that it should abandon the past which
was characterized by rivalries and tensions.
[10] MR. KARAMANLIS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF
ABANDONING THE GREEK POSITIONS
Right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis accused the
government of abandoning the firm Greek
positions of the past 25 years, speaking on the
developments in Helsinki, while he expressed
strong concern and called for a meeting of the
political party leaders council to be held under
president Stephanopoulos.
The leader of the main opposition party
stated that in the Greek-Turkish relations
Greece gave away too much and got nothing in
return. On the part of the EU decision that
concerns Cyprus, he said that in principle this
was a positive development adding however, that
even in this case there are extremely dangerous
terms.
Regarding the different views expressed by
members of his party, Mr. Karamanlis stated that
in a major issue there can be differentiation,
stressing that the positions he expressed today
constitute the formal stance of New Democracy.
[11] BIG GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The outcome of the Helsinki EU Summit
meeting and the expected cut of interest rates
by the Bank of Greece on Wednesday brought a
climate of euphoria to the Athens Stock
Exchange.
The general index closed at 5.624,55
recording an increase of 3.81%, while the
transactions reached 261 billion drachmas. The
rise was notable from the start of the session
when the general index had gains of over 4%
maintained throughout the session. The stocks of
constructions and the parallel market had the
leading role in today's session. Three hundred
and one stocks recorded gains, 5 recorded
losses, while 23 remained stable.
[12] THE HELSINKI DECISION IS POSITIVE - THE
GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL BE IMPROVED
ACCORDING TO TURKISH JOURNALISTS
As extremely positive was characterized the
decision reached in Helsinki on Turkey's EU
candidature by two leading Turkish journalists,
Haluk Sahin, news general coordinator of Channel
D and "Milliyet" editor Sahin Alpai, who were in
Thessaloniki on the occasion of the MPA
journalist conference on "The prospect of inter-
Balkan cooperation after Kosovo: The role of the
mass media". The two journalists stated that
this decision will contribute positively to the
Greek-Turkish relations.
Haluk Sahin commented that the decision
reached in Helsinki is extremely positive for
Turkey and constitutes a reference point for the
mission of modernization undertaken by Turkey in
the past 150 years. He also stated that it will
be a new start for the Greek-Turkish relations
and added that he is very optimistic.
Sahin Alpai said that it is a very positive
decision and that the EU has corrected the
mistake it had made in Luxembourg which had
negative consequences on Turkey. He said that
the decision is very positive for the common
interests of Turkey and the EU and the common
interests of Greece and Turkey.
[13] PAPANDREOU STATEMENTS ON THE HELSINKI EU
DECISIONS
The view that the Helsinki EU Summit
decisions favor the common prospect and the
common vision of all the Balkan peoples through
their participation in the great European family
was expressed by Greek foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou today.
The minister pointed out that the respect
of basic rules that safeguard peace, democracy
and the non use of violence open the way to
development and prosperity for all people. He
also said that the above framework was formed at
the initiatives of Greece and added that the
country can use effectively those elements in
order to be able to speak about a different era
in the new millennium.
[14] PERRAKIS: THE HELSINKI EU DECISION IS VERY
IMPORTANT
As extremely important decision that opens
new prospects for the region, was characterized
the Helsinki EU Summit decision by Greek foreign
ministry general secretary professor Perrakis,
responsible for EU affairs.
Mr. Perrakis, who participated in all the
negotiations for the acceptance of the Greek
terms by the EU partners, stated to Macedonian
Press Agency that the exercise of the foreign
policy is a continuous effort and a continuous
negotiation. He also said that the Helsinki
decision is an extremely important decision and
the way it will materialize will depend on
Turkey.
On the term concerning the International
Court of Justice in The Hague, Mr. Perrakis
stated that it concerns the EU candidate states
and not the EU members. Specifically, the
decision mentions that if a candidate state has
differences with another state then it will have
to seek the peaceful solution of those problems
and if this is not achieved the case will be
brought before the International Court of
Justice in The Hague within a reasonable period
of time. It is mentioned that the European
Council will observe the course of the efforts
and in the year 2004 at the latest it will
reconsider the situation especially, with
regards to the effects on the EU accession
procedure.
Also, Mr. Perrakis emphasized that the only
difference between Greece and Turkey is the
continental shelf, adding that we should not be
carried away in interpretation efforts that have
nothing to do with reality. Mr. Perrakis stated
that we did not have anything on that before,
but now we have the Helsinki decision, stressing
that continuous effort and vigilance are needed.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] UK PREMIER: PARTHENON MARBLES WON'T BE
RETURNED TO GREECE
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has
categorically ruled that the Parthenon Marbles
will not be returned to Greece, the British
daily "The Guardian" reported.
According to the article, Mr. Blair is said
to believe that his government must have a
"collective view" regarding the priceless
artifacts and his decision narks a U-turn from
the position maintained by two of his
predecessors, Neil Kinnock and Michael Foot who
had pledged the return of the Marbles to their
homeland.
Moreover, "The Guardian" reported that the
British Premier wants to "handle the issue
sensitively and not antagonize the Greeks",
quoting sources close to Downing Street as
having said that "the last thing Mr. Blair wants
is another row with a fellow European Union
member when he is already at loggerheads with
the French about beef and the Germans over
withholding tax."
[16] ROMANIAN OFFICIAL SPEAKS TO MPA ON FALL OF
FATEFUL "FALCON"
The tragic death of Greece's alternate
Foreign Minster Yiannos Kranidiotis and seven of
his fellow passengers was probably not caused by
air turbulence, human error or poor aircraft
maintenance, according to Romanian Deputy Ioan
Ciliman, but was most likely a result of a
malfunction in the plane's auto-pilot mechanism.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency,
Mr. Ciliman, who is also one of the vice-
president of his country's parliament and a
certified engineer who specializes in automation
systems, stated that information systems
installed by a French aircraft industry in other
planes have been problematic in the past, citing
one case where an aircraft actually crashed.
[17] US PRESIDENT CLINTON CONGRATULATES GREEK PM
OVER HELSINKI
United States President Bill Clinton
congratulated Prime Minister Costas Simitis on
what he called the latter's 'responsible stand'
at the European Union summit meeting, a clear
reference to Greece's diplomatic green light for
Turkey's move towards eventual membership of the
EU.
"I respect and esteem your stand," the US
leader told Mr. Simitis in a letter, adding:
"Under your leadership, your country can look
forward to playing a key role in the region in
securing stability, prosperity and peace."
Lastly, thanking Mr. Simitis for the
hospitality that had been extended to him during
his recent visit to Greece, Mr. Clinton
expressed his conviction that 'together we shall
respond to the challenges of the new
millennium'.
[18] D'ALEMA : THE GREEK "YES" IN HELSINKI IS A
HISTORIC MOVE
The Greek "Yes" in Helsinki is a historic
peaceful gesture that crosses out conflicts and
hatred of the past with one move, said Italian
prime minister Masimo D' Alema referring to the
outcome of the European Council in Helsinki in a
statement published on every Italian newspaper.
The newspaper "La Stampa" underlines that
the Italian prime minister had repeated contacts
with the Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis
both on the sidelines of the negotiations and
within the framework of the European Socialist
party leaders meeting, while minister of foreign
affairs Lamberto Dini had repeated contacts with
Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem.
However, the newspaper "Sole 24 Ore" writes
that the role of the armed forces in the Turkish
political life is incompatible with the EU
criteria and that the two hot issues for Turkey
are Cyprus and the death penalty. The big issue,
writes the Italian newspaper, is the army the
role of which can not be compared to any other
European country, adding that the European
prospect means that the military establishment
must give away national sovereign rights. The
newspaper stresses that the National Security
Council must adopt an advisory character which
means constitutional reforms.
The degree of legality of the Turkish
constitution is extremely small, according to
professor Bument Taner, who stated that it is
general Evren's constitution which was put into
effect after the 1980 military coup. If Turkey
really wants to become a member of the EU then
all these represent the cost it will have to pay
in return for the EU accession, the newspaper
concludes.
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