Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-06
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 6, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] RHODES HOSTS FORUM ON WOMEN IN PEACE CULTURE
[02] GREECE, US SIGN ANTI-TERRORISM MEMORANDUM
[03] ICAO CHIEF PLEASED WITH GREEK AVIATION PROGRESS
[04] GREEK PM AT "PROGRESSIVE LEADERS" DINNER IN N.Y.
[05] TVX HELLAS TO BE GIVEN "GO-AHEAD" BY GREEK STATE
[06] OECD DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ATHENS NEXT WEEK
[07] BOOK DENOUNCED BY CHRISTIANS IS "WORK OF ART"
[08] GREEK FM EMBARKS ON THREE-DAY BALKAN TOUR
[09] UNIONS SET TO REJECT LABOR MINISTER'S PROPOSALS
[10] LAST YEAR'S QUAKE WILL COST 900 BILLION DRACHMAS
[11] ATHENS VISITS GREEK COMMUNITIES IN ROMANIA
[12] GREECE-ROMANIA TRADE VOLUME GROWS BY 60%
[13] UNIONS REJECT MINISTER'S PROPOSALS; CLASH AHEAD
[14] THE OIL-SLICK THREATENS ERETRIA IN SOUTH EVIA
[15] TWO BRITISH TOURISTS IN RHODES WOUNDED AN AUSTRIAN WITH A
KNIFE
[16] ARRESTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN GREECE
[17] THE GREEK SUGAR INDUSTRY EXPECTS PROFITS OF 3 BILLION
DRACHMAS AND A 25% PRODUCTION INCREASE
[18] THE DEFENSE MINISTER SPOKE BEFORE PRODUCTION SECTOR
REPRESENTATIVES IN NORTHERN GREECE
[19] GAINS WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[20] PAPANDREOU-MILOSEVIC MEETING
[21] NEW INTEREST RATE CUTS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR
[22] MILAN GUROVIC SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THESSALONIKI'S
BASKETBALL TEAM OF "ARIS"
[23] GREEK STOCK EXCHANGE PRESIDENT TO VISIT CYPRUS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[24] THE BALKANS IS THE NEW MAIN ROUTE USED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
[25] PAPANDREOU-GEORGIEVSKI MEETING
[26] KARAMANOU: THE EU POLICY ON ALBANIA IS INADEQUATE
[27] EC PUBLISHES EMPLOYMENT POLICY REPORT
[28] GREEK FM ARRIVES IN BELGRADE
[29] SIMITIS TO HOLD VARIOUS MEETINGS IN US
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] RHODES HOSTS FORUM ON WOMEN IN PEACE CULTURE
The 1st International Forum for Peace gets underway at the
island of Rhodes tomorrow, organized by the Rhodes municipality
and Dodecannese regional government under the auspices of UNESCO
and with the participation of Femme-Art-Mediterranee (FAM).
The Forum's honorary president will be Nicole Fontaine, the
European Parliament speaker, while the acting president will be
Ingeborg Breines, director of the UNESCO programmed "Woman and a
Culture of Peace."
The three-day event will also feature an exhibition of work
of women from 25 Mediterranean countries (ranging from the visual
and plastic arts to film and literature) as well as numerous round-
table discussions and workshops where speakers from the world of
the arts, politics, science and journalism will examine the ways
in which women can contribute to a culture of peace.
Among those who will contribute to this effort are Cutlure
Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou,
Equality General Secretary Efi Bekou, Professor Eleni Glykatzi-
Ahrweiler, dean of the European University, the president of the
Arab Women's Center Soukaina Bouraoui and the president of the
Royal Society of Fine Arts in Jordan, Dr Wijdan Ali.
[02] GREECE, US SIGN ANTI-TERRORISM MEMORANDUM
A key memorandum of police cooperation - particularly in the
field of counter-terrorism - between Greece and the United States
will be signed in Washington today by Public Order Minister
Michalis Chrysochoides and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.
A State department announcement notes that the said
memorandum "will facilitate cooperation between the two countries
on a thorough series of matters pertaining to the maintenance of
lawful order, inclusive of terrorism, with full regard to the
sovereignty of both countries."
[03] ICAO CHIEF PLEASED WITH GREEK AVIATION PROGRESS
The president of the Council of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), Assad Kotaite, presently on a four-
day, official visit to Athens, expressed his satisfaction over the
progress made in the past few years in Greece concerning flight
organization and operation and praised the high standard of the
country's air traffic control.
Mr. Kotaite, who was also received by the President of the
Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday, noted a
significant reduction in flight delays this summer and an increase
in air traffic. He also stressed that the government has taken all
the necessary measures for improving the infrastructure of
Greece's Civil Aviation Authority.
The ICAO President also met with Transport and
Telecommunications Minister Christos Verelis with whom he
discussed safety in international civil aviation, environmental
concerns linked to noise pollution and aircraft exhaust fumes,
and Greece's legal position on statutes and structures of aviation
law.
[04] GREEK PM AT "PROGRESSIVE LEADERS" DINNER IN N.Y.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is presently in the United
States today, where he will take part in the UN's Millennium
Summit in New York and which will debate the world body's role in
the 21st century.
Mr. Simitis will also attend a dinner hosted tonight by U.S.
President Bill Clinton for the 14 heads of state and government
who took part in the Conference on Progressive Governance in
Berlin in June. In his address, the Premier will focus on ways to
control international bourses, so as to avert international
economic crises. He will also outline the significance of new
technologies, education and knowledge, and will stress the need
for social cohesion, justice and solidarity, coupled with the
establishment of common projects in disadvantaged regions of the
planet.
Lastly, Mr. Simitis will underline the significance of "the
quality of democracy" and democratic institutions.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Mr. Simitis will meet with UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the leaders of countries in the
Balkans and Middle East. While he is not scheduled to meet with
Turkish President Ahmet Sezer or Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, a
form of social meeting is considered likely.
[05] TVX HELLAS TO BE GIVEN "GO-AHEAD" BY GREEK STATE
TVX Hellas, a subsidiary of Canadian miner TVX Gold
Incorporated, is to be given the Greek State's stamp of approval
for its polymetallic gold project in Olympiada, at Northern
Greece's Halkidiki peninsula.
According to Deputy National Economy Minister Christos
Pachtas, after endorsement of the relevant environmental impact
study, "the relevant procedures will be effected very quickly so
that very soon the plant's founding stone will be laid."
Moreover, Mr. Pachtas stated that the Greek government
supports this investment as "it will make Greece a major gold
producer and improve the competitiveness of the economy."
The project had been severely delayed by government red tape
and protests by local residents on environmental grounds.
Earlier this summer, the Halkidiki prefectural council
voted in favor of the project, albeit calling on TVX to provide
guarantees on specific matters related to environmental
protection. The project has also been granted final approval from
the Central Archeological Council in Athens.
[06] OECD DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ATHENS NEXT WEEK
A delegation of officials from the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) is expected in Athens next
Monday, September 11, in order to examine the country's tax system
framework.
In light of OECD's imminent annual report of Greece's
economy, the delegates will meet with state officials.
The said report will contain an appendix on the country's tax
system and it is believed to be the state's premise for
proceeding with structural changes in key sectors.
[07] BOOK DENOUNCED BY CHRISTIANS IS "WORK OF ART"
A book temporarily banned in northern Greece after Christian
zealots who characterized it as "blasphemous took legal action,
is a work of art and cannot be banned, according to a Thessaloniki
court's ruling.
The decision, issued by the Court of the First Instance
yesterday, ends the temporary ban placed last March on Mimis
Androulakis' book "M to the power of n", which the Holy Synod of
the Church of Greece had denounced as "vile" because it contains
references to sexual relations between Mary Magdalene and Jesus
Christ.
Needless to say, the book became a bestseller in March after
angry protesters burned copies of it in Thessaloniki.
[08] GREEK FM EMBARKS ON THREE-DAY BALKAN TOUR
Foreign Minister George Papandreou embarks today on a three-
day Balkan tour, with stops in FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro and
Kosovo, in view of the forthcoming elections in the region.
Mr. Papandreou will first visit FYROM where he will meet with
the country's prime minister, Ljubco Georgievski, the opposition
leader and the leader of FYROM's Albanian community. Municipal
elections are to be held in FYROM on Sunday.
Tomorrow, Mr. Papandreou will visit Belgrade where he will
meet with his Yugoslav counterpart Zivadin Yovanovic and main
opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica, in light of the
presidential elections on September 24. He will also meet Serbian
Patriach Pavle.
On Friday, Mr. Papandreou will visit Kosovo (where local
elections will be held on October 28) and Montenegro.
The Greek FM will attempt to convince all political parties
in Yugoslavia that they contribute to a smooth and democratic
election process, as this would be the only opportunity for their
country to emerge from international isolation.
[09] UNIONS SET TO REJECT LABOR MINISTER'S PROPOSALS
The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) will
apparently reject the sector reforms presented by Labor Minister
Anastasios Yianitsis yesterday, as it is reportedly on the verge
of declaring a nationwide strike next month.
While GSEE officials said that their final decision on a
dialogue with the government would be determined today at a
meeting of the executive committee, GSEE's chairman, Christos
Polyzogopoulos, reiterated h that the union is determined to move
ahead with its decision for a national, 24-hour strike in October
and said it was preparing to fight against government proposals
for more flexible labor relations.
In a bid to increase employment, the government wants
employers to have greater flexibility to hire people part time,
dismiss them without notice, and require how many hours they work
according to business demands. This is "sugared" with an overall
reduction in the work week from 40 hours to 38.
With regard to dismissals, companies employing between 49 and
249 people will be able to lay off five per month, as can those
with 250 or more employees, although the limit of two percent
still applies for the latter.
In order to encourage part-time work, everyone working for up
to four hours a day will have a pay increase of 7.5 percent. Long-
term unemployed who agree to work part time will get a third of
their unemployment benefits for the first year they are working.
[10] LAST YEAR'S QUAKE WILL COST 900 BILLION DRACHMAS
The cost of the catastrophic earthquake that devastated the
Attica region on September 7, 1999, will rise to 900 billion
drachmas, according to Environment, Town Planning and Public Works
Minister Costas Laliotis, who also conceded that, while a lot has
been done, "more must and will be done."
According to Mr. Laliotis, the above figure includes the cost
of financial support granted to those who were hit by the quake
and the reconstruction and repairing of public and private
buildings. He said that measures taken totaled 200 billion
drachmas already.
The Minister also added that only one-fourth of the 35,000
owners of damaged property have filed applications for support,
of which 3,750 have been approved.
[11] ATHENS VISITS GREEK COMMUNITIES IN ROMANIA
The world President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE)
Andrew Athens, is presently on a tour of Romania's Greek
communities, where he is to meet with Patriarch Theoktistos, as
well as Romanian President Emil Constantinescu.
Invited by the chairman of the Association of Greeks in
Romania, Sotiris Fotopoulos, Mr. Athens' visit aims at
strengthening ties between Romania's leadership and the country's
Greek communities with other Greek communities dispersed
throughout the world.
Mr. Athens will also be meeting with Romanian Premier Mogour
Isarescu and leading Greeks in Romania.
[12] GREECE-ROMANIA TRADE VOLUME GROWS BY 60%
Greece's and Romania's bilateral trade volume galloped
upwards by 60 percent during the first quarter of 2000, i.e.
$132.7 million, a growth attributed to the 88-percent increase of
Romanian exports to Greece, which amounted to $70.8 million.
This noteworthy increase in Romanian exports to Greece was
largely facilitated by the tax breaks implemented by Bucharest
at the start of the year to exporting enterprises.
Greek exports to Romania also increased by 36 percent during
the same time frame, compared to 1999's first quarter,
approximating the 62-million-dollar figure. As for the Greece-
Romania trade balance, it presented an $8.9 million deficit on
behalf of the first.
Greece ranks ninth among Romania's trade allies, holding a
2.6% share in the overall volume of Romanian trade, according to
statistical data provided by the Economic and Trade Affairs Bureau
of the Greek Embassy in Bucharest.
[13] UNIONS REJECT MINISTER'S PROPOSALS; CLASH AHEAD
The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) has
rejected the sector reforms presented by Labor Minister Anastasios
Yianitsis yesterday, and has declared a nationwide, 24-hour strike
for October 11.
Following a meeting of its executive committee today, GSEE
chairman Christos Polyzogopoulos stated that the confederation,
the country's largest labor union, plans to return to the
negotiations table on Friday but will only discuss measures to
counter unemployment.
Mr. Polyzogopoulos said that GSEE flatly rejects Mr.
Yianitsis' proposed reforms, as "they subvert the status quo of
the working force and do not contribute to fighting unemployment".
[14] THE OIL-SLICK THREATENS ERETRIA IN SOUTH EVIA
The ecological disaster caused in south Evia, central Greece
when the cargo ship Eurobalker sunk releasing tons of crude oil in
the sea has taken up huge dimensions as the oil-slick is very
close to the region of Eretria.
Ships specializing in cleaning-up operations are expected to
arrive in the region today from the island of Kithira in south
Peloponnese in order to assist in the efforts to remove the crude
oil from the coasts.
The shipowner company in a statement it has issued maintains
that the cargo ship sunk as a result of the way it was being
loaded with cement in the facilities of the Halkida Cement Company
and already its lawyers have filed a suit against the cement
company.
Meanwhile, the prefects of Viotia and Evia also filed a suit
yesterday asking for compensation of 6 billion drachmas.
[15] TWO BRITISH TOURISTS IN RHODES WOUNDED AN AUSTRIAN WITH A
KNIFE
Two young British tourists attacked a 28yearold Austrian
tourist with a knife in the region of Faliraki in the south-
eastern Aegean island of Rhodes at dawn yesterday.
The Austrian man underwent a long surgery at the hospital in
Rhodes and his condition is not serious. A second Austrian was
slightly wounded during the incident.
[16] ARRESTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN GREECE
Eleven illegal immigrants, among them one child, were located
at the Critiki beach in the south-eastern Aegean island of Rhodes
at dawn today. The illegal immigrants were arrested while an
operation for the location of the boat that brought them to the
island is still in progress by the Greek Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, two people were arrested at the Alexandroupolis-
Komotini motorway when 13 Iraqi illegal immigrants were found in
their truck which was confiscated by the police.
The illegal immigrants entered Greece yesterday from the
region of Feres with the assistance of an Iraqi who got US$ 9.500,
while the arrested men had agreed to get US$ 10.000 after bringing
the illegal immigrants to Athens.
[17] THE GREEK SUGAR INDUSTRY EXPECTS PROFITS OF 3 BILLION
DRACHMAS AND A 25% PRODUCTION INCREASE
The Greek Sugar Industry expects a production of 320.000-
340.000 tons corresponding to a 25% increase and profits of 3
billion drachmas in the current period.
The positive expectations of the Greek Sugar Industry
management come from the fact that in the period from July 1 until
now production has reached 70.000 tons compared to just 22.000
tons last year. Also, the two new industry plants in Larisa and
Plateos in which were invested about 3.5 billion drachmas have
already met 1/3 of their production target in the current period.
Company president Vasilis Papayainnis in a press conference
he gave today within the framework of Thessaloniki's 65th
International Trade Fair stated that the period July 1, 1999 -
June 30, 2000 was one of the most difficult in the company's
history.
[18] THE DEFENSE MINISTER SPOKE BEFORE PRODUCTION SECTOR
REPRESENTATIVES IN NORTHERN GREECE
The new armaments program for the Greek armed forces in the
period 2001-2005 estimated at 4 trillion drachmas was presented by
minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos in a one-day conference
organized in a central Thessaloniki hotel with the participation
of production sector representatives in northern Greece.
In his speech he referred to the goals of the Greek defense
policy which is to strengthen Greece's deterrent power toward any
threat, bring Greece's armaments' level closer to that of Turkey,
be prepared to handle a possible instability at its northern
borders and safeguard the joint defense doctrine between Greece
and Cyprus.
He said that the Greek defense policy is firmly directed
toward the de-escalation of tensions while especially on Turkey,
he said that it must realize it has an obligation to contribute to
the solution of the Cyprus problem and lift its threats and claims
against Greece.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the defense industry can play
a significant role in the further development of the Greek economy
and referred to the thousands of new job positions that will be
secured through the co-production of parts of the armaments
program by Greek industry plants.
Of the 4 trillion drachmas for the new armaments program 2.56
trillion will be absorbed in the five year period of 2001-2005 and
the rest in the next five years.
Responding to a question on whether there were reactions on
behalf of the Turkish and the US side against the purchase of
missile systems by Greece, he said that he did not think so
because it should be unthinkable for Turkey, which materializes a
continuously inflated armaments program, to feel the need to
comment on the Greek forces' supplies which are being made within
the framework of the modernization goals of the NATO and European
defense forces.
[19] GAINS WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Significant gains of 2.49% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today as the positive picture continues since last
Friday.
The general index was at 3.935,52 points and the volume of
transactions at 155,1 billion drachmas. Of the 330 stocks trading
today only 6 recorded losses while 28 remained stable.
[20] PAPANDREOU-MILOSEVIC MEETING
Greek acting government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris
announced the contacts Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou
will have in Belgrade tomorrow with Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic, Serb president Milan Miludinovic and foreign minister
Zivadin Jovanovic.
Mr. Hitiris, responding to a question by a reporter, stated
that the meeting with Mr. Milosevic had been scheduled a long time
ago but the date was set now, while he also stated that this is
not a political legalization of Milosevic as he is the president
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, adding that the two men
will not discuss domestic issues.
Mr. Hitiris stated that Greece's positions are known,
pointing out Greece's struggle for the lifting of the embargo
against Belgrade and the creation of closer relations between the
Balkan states and Europe.
[21] NEW INTEREST RATE CUTS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR
The interest rate cuts was one of the main issues discussed
by minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou and Bank of
Greece governor Loukas Papadimos in the meeting they had in Athens
at noon today.
Mr. Papantoniou stated that the economic indexes are very
satisfactory and expressed the belief that the Greek interest
rates will harmonize as scheduled with the interest rates of the
Euro as all the relative procedures are on the right course and
are being watched closely.
From his side, Mr. Papadimos stated that the steps toward the
interest rate cuts must be cautious to secure the drachmas' smooth
accession into the Euro-zone. He also announced that there will be
new interest rate cuts of 2,5 to 3 points by the end of the year.
[22] MILAN GUROVIC SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THESSALONIKI'S
BASKETBALL TEAM OF "ARIS"
The transfer of Milan Gurovic to Thessaloniki's basketball
team of "ARIS" was completed in the early morning hours today and
next season the 23yearold will be playing with the Greek team.
Gurovic, who was playing with "Barcelona", Spain is the last
summer-transfer for the team of "ARIS" and chose to come to
Thessaloniki because he knows coach Dragan Sakota fairly well.
[23] GREEK STOCK EXCHANGE PRESIDENT TO VISIT CYPRUS
President of the Athens Stock Exchange, Panayiotis Alexakis,
will visit Burgenstock in Switzerland, to attend the 21st Annual
International Stock Exchange Meeting.
During the meeting, Mr Alexakis will present the various
aspects of the Greek Stock Exchange, together with the
developments within the European stock market.
Mr Alexakis will arrive in Cyprus on Friday, to discuss
matters of cooperation with the Cyprus Stock Exchange
administration. His aim is to establish a unified stock exchange
between Greece and Cyprus with a joint trading floor, joint
members and joint stocks.
Apart from his meetings with the Cyprus stock exchange
administration, its President, Paris Lenas and the General
Director, Mr Nondas Metaxas, the President of the Athens Stock
Exchange will also meet with the Cypriot minister of Finance,
Takis Klirides, the President of the Cypriot capital market
committee, Andreas Charalambous and the Director of the Central
Bank of Cyprus, Afksendis Afksendiou.
Mr Alexakis will address the company-members of the Stock
Exchange on Friday, as well Cypriot investors, on recent
developments within stock markets and opportunities for co-
ventures.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[24] THE BALKANS IS THE NEW MAIN ROUTE USED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
The Balkans is the new main route used by the illegal
immigrants having as destination the western European countries
according to the BBC, which cited data provided by the
International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to the IOM, the Balkan countries are now the main
route used by the illegal immigrants, a role that until recently
belonged to the Baltic states.
Based on the same source, there is a sharp drop in the number
of people passing through Lithuania which was a key-passage to
Europe for illegal immigrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle
East. This drop is mainly due to the fact that the Lithuanian
government has tightened the legal framework concerning the
country's immigration policy.
Countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, where the border
controls are lax, are the targets of the illegal immigrants'
trafficking rings as according to IOM estimates, over 5.000 people
from poor parts of the world pass through this specific country
every month looking for a better life in the West.
[25] PAPANDREOU-GEORGIEVSKI MEETING
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou met at noon today
with FYROM prime minister Ljupco Georgievski within the framework
of his three-day tour of the Balkan states.
Mr. Papandreou in statements he made after the meeting said
that he brought the message that there is a need for stability and
democracy. He said that with his visit Greece's will to play an
active role in the wider region is confirmed.
He reiterated that Greece follows a policy of principles
seeking democracy, the respect of international law and the
peaceful settlement of disputes. Mr. Papandreou stated that for as
long as those principles are being promoted stability will be
consolidated.
Mr. Papandreou stated that the goal of his next stop in
Belgrade is the talks that will be held there to contribute to the
creation of a sincere framework of relations not just at a
bilateral level but within the European Union framework as well.
When asked to comment on yesterday's incident with the
airplane carrying Greek prime minister Simitis he responded that
it was strictly a matter of how Olympic Airways handled the whole
situation.
Mr. Papandreou also had separate meetings in Skopje with
Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) leader Arben Jaferi and Social-
democratic Union leader Branko Tservenkovski.
[26] KARAMANOU: THE EU POLICY ON ALBANIA IS INADEQUATE
Greek governing socialist party of PASOK Euro-deputy Anna
Karamanou characterized as inadequate the EU policy on Albania,
pointing out that a development policy toward this country is
necessary.
Ms. Karamanou had tabled a question to the European Union
Council after the armed attack against the Greek minority in
Dervitsani, Albania on July 4 calling on it to take action for the
safety of the region and the protection of the rights of the
minorities.
In response, the European Union Council referred to the
measures taken for the reorganization of the Albanian police and
the countering of the immigration wave from Albania but Ms.
Karamanou stated that the problems in that country and throughout
the Balkans can not be resolved with police measures but through
measures that offer a way out from the economic problems in the
region and strengthen the democratic institutions.
[27] EC PUBLISHES EMPLOYMENT POLICY REPORT
The European Commission has published its annual evaluation
of politicians responsible for employment in all EU country
members.
The greatest criticism has been launched against Greece, with
the report making six proposals for improvement in the country's
employment policy. Five proposals for improvement in German,
Italian, Spanish and French employment policy will be made, and
four similar proposals will be made to Britain.
According to reports, a top EC official stated that Greece
and Italy must push ahead with the most reforms to improve their
policies in the field of employment.
[28] GREEK FM ARRIVES IN BELGRADE
Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou, arrived in Belgrade
today for his three day Balkan tour.
Mr Papandreou travelled to Belgrade from Skopje, where he met
with FYROM Prime Minister Ljupco Georgievski, the leader of the
opposition party Branko Cervenkovski, the President of the
Democratic Albanian Party, Arben Dzaferi and Parliamentary
President Savo Klimovski.
Mr Papandreou met with Serbian Patriarch Pavle upon arriving in
the Serbian capital, and will have meetings with Zivadin
Jovanovic, Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, FRY President
Slobodan Milosevic and the Serbian Democratic Opposition party
presidential candidate Vojislav Kostunica.
It is the first time that a NATO and EE member Foreign minister is
visiting Belgrade, since the end of last year's NATO bombings
against Yugoslavia. In his meetings with Mr Milosevic and Mr
Milutinovic, the Greek Foreign minister will highlight the need
for democratic change in the country, in order for there to be a
peaceful future for Serbia and Yugoslavia in Europe and will also
mention international action taken by Greece for the lifting of
sanctions imposed against Yugoslavia.
Mr Papandreou will also stress the importance of holding fair
and democratic elections, in order for the results to be
recognised by the international community and by all political
forces within the country.
After fulfilling his obligations in Belgrade, Mr Papandreou
will leave for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo and will complete
his tour with a visit to Montenegro's capital, Podgorica, where he
will meet with its President, Filip Vujanovic.
[29] SIMITIS TO HOLD VARIOUS MEETINGS IN US
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will outline the stance
taken by Greece concerning the role of the UN, during his speech
at the UN General Assembly being held in New York.
Mr Simitis will attend the formal dinner being held by US
President Bill Clinton on the same day, for centre-left leaders,
with whom solutions to current problems were discussed in Berlin a
few months ago.
Mr Simitis will highlight the pressing need for dealing with
the negative effects of globalisation, to evaluate new technology,
to create rules for the operating of stock markets and to control
power over the economy.
The Greek Prime Minister will also meet with UN General
Secretary Kofi Annan during the Millennium Summit, as well as with
other state and government leaders.
Today saw the meeting between Mr Simitis and Palestinian
leader Yasser Arafat, during which developments in the Middle East
were discussed. The Greek leader will hold a meeting with Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Barak, tomorrow.
During his visit, Mr Simitis will also meet with Albanian
President Recep Meidani and with FYROM President Boris Trajkovski,
to discuss bilateral issues and developments in the Balkans as far
as the crucial forthcoming elections in Yugoslavia are concerned.
Mr Simitis also met with king Abdullah of Jordan for the
first time.
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