Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-07
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 7, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR PEACE BEGINS IN RHODES
[02] PM IN NY FOR UN SUMMIT, HOLDS SERIES OF CONTACTS
[03] GREEK PM ADDRESSES UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY
[04] PRESIDENT CALLS FOR OBSERVANCE OF OLYMPIC TRUCE
[05] DIPLOMATIC VEHICLES TARGETED BY ARSONISTS
[06] OA SPLIT IN TWO: ONE COVERS DEBTS, OTHER OPERATES
[07] INTERPOL ISSUES WARRANT FOR MILOSEVIC'S ARREST
[08] GREECE, US SIGN ANTI-TERRORISM MEMORANDUM
[09] EU AGENCY: FUNDS FOR RECONSTRUCTION SECURED
[10] S.E.EUROPE'S CULTURE MINISTERS TO MEET IN 2001
[11] GREEK FM IN BELGRADE WITH JOVANOVIC, MILUTINOVIC
[12] OTE WILL TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT ROM-TELECOM
[13] THE PRIVATIZATION OF OTE, THE GREEK POSTAL SERVICE AND THE
FOOTBALL GAMES SCORE PREDICTION ORGANIZATION IS CLOSE
[14] THE ATHENS MEDICAL: THE FIRST GREEK COMPANY IN DOW JONES
SUBSTANTIAL
[15] PAPAZACHOS: THE EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION SHOULD INCREASE THE
INSPECTIONS OF BUILDINGS
[16] THE CLEANING-UP OPERATION CONTINUES AT THE COASTS POLLUTED BY
AN OIL-SLICK
[17] INFLATION WAS 3% IN AUGUST
[18] GAINS OF 3.17% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[19] THE GOLD METALLURGY IN CHALKIDIKI WILL BE IN FULL OPERATION
IN 2003
[20] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN GREECE
[21] HITIRIS ON PAPANDREOU'S TRIP TO BELGRADE
[22] DEUTCHE BANK REP TALKS ON GREEK ECONOMY
[23] GREEK BANK BRANCHES OUT IN ROMANIA
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[24] CEM: POLITICIANS ARE THE OBSTACLE IN G/T RELATIONS
[25] TWO GREEK EXHIBITIONS IN BELGRADE
[26] FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU MET WITH THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT
[27] PAPANDREOU-MILOSEVIC MEETING IN DETAIL
[28] GREEK PM SPEAKS AT UN MILLENNIUM SUMMIT
[29] US DISAPPROVES OF PAPANDREOU-MILOSEVIC MEETING
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR PEACE BEGINS IN RHODES
The 1st International Forum for Peace gets underway at the
island of Rhodes today, 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] PM IN NY FOR UN SUMMIT, HOLDS SERIES OF CONTACTS
Prime Minister Costas Simitis, presently in New York to
attend the United Nations General Assembly Millennium Summit, held
talks with the President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser
Arafat, Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani, FYROM President
Trajkovski and Jordanian King Abdullah yesterday, on the Summit's
sidelines.
According to Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, who is
accompanying Mr. Simitis in New York, Mr. Simitis relayed Greece's
interest in the Middle East problem during his talks with Mr.
Arafat and expressed his understanding over the efforts made so
far by the Palestinian leader on difficulties he is encountering.
However, he encouraged him to proceed even further with
bolder steps to contribute to the finding of a solution and not to
allow the opportunity to be lost.
As Mr. Reppas stated, Mr. Simitis will also meet with Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Barak today.
[03] GREEK PM ADDRESSES UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY
Prime Minister Costas Simitis, presently in the United
States, is to address the United Nations General Assembly
Millennium Summit today, while he will also participate in
roundtable discussions to be chaired by Secretary General Kofi
Annan today and tomorrow.
In his address, the Premier is expected to refer to the new
global environment, the new setting of international and inter-
state relations and the evolving supranational organizations,
while he will also stress the necessity for strengthening the UN's
role in the consolidation of peace and cooperation.
Mr. Simitis attended last night's working dinner hosted by
U.S. President Bill Clinton for the 14 heads of state and
government who participated in the Berlin conference on
progressive governance earlier this year.
Among the issues discussed were the reform of the welfare
state, the evolution of health service systems, the fight against
crime, respect for human rights, sustainable development, and the
role of technology in the battle against social isolation.
[04] PRESIDENT CALLS FOR OBSERVANCE OF OLYMPIC TRUCE
The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos
has issued a world-wide appeal for observance of an Olympic Truce
for the duration of the 27th Olympic Games in Sydney, in the
tradition of ancient Greece.
According to Foreign Minister George Papandreou, more than
180 nations have already signed the Greek proposal for truce
during the Olympic Games.
Greece, which is to host the 2004 Olympics in Athens,
envisions the modern Truce as an effort and opportunity to resolve
international conflicts.
The tradition of the Olympic truce ("ekecheria") was
established in the 9th century BC when three kings signed a peace
treaty that led to the widely-recognized immunity of the
sanctuary at Olympia and was meant to allow athletes and travelers
to go to the Games in ancient Olympia and return to their homes
safely.
[05] DIPLOMATIC VEHICLES TARGETED BY ARSONISTS
Arsonists targeted two vehicles belonging to the Albanian and
Iranian embassies in Athens early this morning, causing extensive
material damages.
A group self-dubbed "Black Star" claimed responsibility for
the attack in phone calls made to Athens daily "Eleftherotypia"
and Athens radio station "Flash".
The latest incident was the fourth such attack during the
past two weeks; the same group targeted a Polish Embassy vehicle
on August 31, while another group calling itself "Anarchist
Struggle" torched the vehicle of the Yugoslav embassy's military
attache in Athens on August 25. Yet another faction, "Anarchist
Group for Subversion", set fire to a parked vehicle belonging to
the Egyptian Embassy in Athens on August 23.
[06] OA SPLIT IN TWO: ONE COVERS DEBTS, OTHER OPERATES
Greece's beleaguered air carrier Olympic Airways is to be
split into two separate companies in order to facilitate its
privatization, as Transport and Communications Minister Christos
Verelis confirmed during his meeting with OA officials.
Under the Minister's plan, two companies will be set up, with
one covering OA's debts and the other operating the airline. The
separate operations are deemed necessary in view of the company's
mounting debts, currently estimated at some 40 billion drachmas.
The operator company will subsequently be sold off, with
funds raised from the sale to be used for debt payments.
Olympic Airways, which has over the past twenty years
accumulated debt worth 40 billion drachmas, has been seeking an
international airline partner since last June, when British
Airways abandoned plans to purchase a stake in the Greek carrier.
The state now intends to sell up to 65% of Olympic by December.
Mr. Verelis is to meet with the EU Transportations
Commissioner by the end of the month in order to brief her on the
developments.
[07] INTERPOL ISSUES WARRANT FOR MILOSEVIC'S ARREST
A warrant for the arrest and extradition of Slobodan
Milosevic, the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
has been forwarded to the national police forces of Interpol's 178
members, including Greece.
According to the Athens daily "Ta Nea", the warrant, which
includes Serb President Milar Miludinovic and three high-ranking
Yugoslav officials, was issued in 1999 by the International Court
of Justice at The Hague.
Each Interpol member-country establishes a National Central
Bureau (NCB) to serve as the point of contact between its police
and the police of other INTERPOL member-countries. All Interpol
members are required to enforce these warrants as long as they do
not run counter to national civil procedure regulations.
Quoting officials at Greece's Public Order Ministry, "Ta Nea"
reports that since Mr. Milosevic had been declared "persona non
grata" by NATO and the European Union, his entry was prohibited to
these organizations' member-states, including Greece.
While Yugoslavia was among the list of Interpol's 178
recipients, the classified request never reached Belgrade, "Ta
Nea" reported.
[08] 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 tomorrow by Public Order Minister
Michalis Chrysochoides and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.
Mr. Chrysochoides, who is presently in the United States,
will have a series of contacts with senior State Department
officials, among them Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering,
U.S. coordinator for counter-terrorism issues Michael Sheehan and
FBI director Louis Freeh, as well as with leading members of the
Greek-American community.
Heading a delegation of Greek police officials, Mr.
Chrysochoides will also meet with CIA's director George Tenet
tomorrow.
According to the Public Order Minister, this memorandum of
cooperation is an important step forward in the cooperation
between the two countries in combating crime and terrorism.
"This memorandum, is the expressed political will of both
countries toward law enforcement cooperation in a series of
issues. The contents of the memorandum are in total agreement with
the Greek Constitution, the protection of human rights and the
general interests of the country, while it does not create binding
legal obligations," he stated, adding that the signing of this
memorandum will lift a climate of mistrust between the two
countries and will allow for better cooperation between Greek and
US law enforcement agencies.
[09] EU AGENCY: FUNDS FOR RECONSTRUCTION SECURED
The majority of projects and activities planned by the
European Agency for the Reconstruction of Southeast Europe will
have been thoroughly completed by the end of 2001, while EU funds
amounting to 175 million euros have already been appropriated for
this purpose.
In an interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, the
European Agency Secretary General Andreas Zobel stated that the
agency is responsible for 175 million euros in operational funds
of the European Union's overall assistance to Kosovo this year,
which amounts to approximately 320 million euro.
"All the operational funds are already committed, and nearly
70 percent (were) contracted within the first six months of the
Agency's existence," Mr. Zobel said, adding that contracts for the
remaining 30 percent are to be finalized shortly with implementing
organizations.
"The completion of projects will vary, depending on the
activities concerned. Some are due to be completed by the end of
this year, other will continue to be implemented throughout next
year. Most activities funded from the 2000 program should be
implemented by the end of 2001," he stated.
According to Mr. Zobel, the 2000 program for Kosovo comprises
four main "building blocks", namely energy, housing, water and
transport. Projects in the sector of health are expected to start
within the next few weeks, while activities in the areas of
agriculture and enterprise development (secondary programs) are
well underway.
Concurrently, he pointed out that the budget's "lion's share"
will be granted to the sectors of energy and housing.
Specifically, 55 million euros will be allocated to three major
energy projects, while an additional 55 million euros are
allocated for the reconstruction of 8,000 houses in 14
municipalities of Kosovo.
As Mr. Zobel stressed, the Agency's work will continue in the
years to come, aided by the 2001 budget, which is expected to be
ratified at the end of the year.
The amount of available funds for the year 2001 will be
determined by the European Union‘s budgetary authorities at the
end of the year, he said, on the basis of a Commission proposal.
When asked to comment on the various scenarios that the
European Agency in Thessaloniki is an institution with no
substantive powers, he responded "I do not know who says so.
"The fact is that the well-coordinated assistance of the
European Union and its member-states has significantly improved
the living conditions of the people in Kosovo within a very short
period of time. The implementation of the reconstruction program
lies with the agency."
[10] S.E.EUROPE'S CULTURE MINISTERS TO MEET IN 2001
Culture and Athletics Ministers of Southeast European
countries and Cyprus are to meet again in November 2001, according
to Greece's Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
A memorandum calling for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games flame
passage through the neighboring Balkan countries was signed late
last month by the Ministers of Culture and Athletics of Albania,
Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM and Greece, within the framework of the
Prespes 2000 festival held in Florina.
[11] GREEK FM IN BELGRADE WITH JOVANOVIC, MILUTINOVIC
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who embarked on a three-
day tour of the FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo yesterday,
is presently in Belgrade where he met with his Yugoslav
counterpart Zivadin Jovanovic, in light of the presidential
elections on September 24.
In a press conference following the talks with Mr. Jovanovic,
Mr. Papandreou said that Serbia and Yugoslavia "must be a part of
Europe and must participate in European affairs, but the Serbian
people must also make moves that would render their society an
open one and enable their country to enter European institutions."
Furthermore, Mr. Papandreou stressed that, within this
framework, the forthcoming elections have to be carried out
through a free and democratic process.
In turn, Mr. Jovanovic stated that the elections concern
Yugoslavia, adding that his country is not willing to accept
interference from other countries on domestic maters.
Mr. Papandreou is to have successive meetings later today
with F.R.Y. President Slobodan Milosevic and main opposition
candidate Vojislav Kostunica
Tomorrow, Mr. Papandreou will visit Kosovo (where local
elections will be held on October 28) and Montenegro.
[12] OTE WILL TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT ROM-TELECOM
The Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, announced
that its cooperation with the US company GTE in the management of
the Romanian Telecommunication Organization, ROM Telecom, has
ended.
According to OTE senior executives, the decision to end the
contract with GTE was reached when it was established that there
was no reason to continue the cooperation as the course of the
investment was very positive in spite of the negative predictions
and also because OTE wanted to change the management in the
Romanian company for an even better performance.
Since October 1998 OTE owns 35% of the Rom Telecom through
its 100% affiliate OTEROM.
Based on the Rom Telecom plan of operations for the period
2000-2003, the before taxes profits will be over US$ 700 million,
73% of the phone network will become digital compared to 48% in
1999, investments will be at US$ 2.3 million, while the
subscribers of the COSMOROM mobile phone company will be over 1.5
million.
[13] THE PRIVATIZATION OF OTE, THE GREEK POSTAL SERVICE AND THE
FOOTBALL GAMES SCORE PREDICTION ORGANIZATION IS CLOSE
The amendments that define the privatization of the Greek
Telecommunications Organization, OTE, the Greek Postal Service and
the Football Games Score Prediction Organization as well as the
way of operation for the newly created Fund on the New Economy
were submitted to parliament last night.
However, based on the statements made repeatedly by the
minister of national economy the state will keep OTE's control and
management, while it is pointed out that in the current phase a
buyer is wanted for 10-15% of the company.
On the Football Games Score Prediction Organization it is
provided that 49% will be given to a strategic investor, while the
same percentage will also be given to a strategic investor in the
case of the Greek Postal Service.
[14] THE ATHENS MEDICAL: THE FIRST GREEK COMPANY IN DOW JONES
SUBSTANTIAL
The Athens Medical of the Apostolopoulos Group belongs to the
Dow Jones Substantial 200 index securing the title of the first
Greek company participating in the specific index.
The selection of the Athens Medical as one of the 200 biggest
companies in the world was made by the Dow Jones Organization.
[15] PAPAZACHOS: THE EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION SHOULD INCREASE THE
INSPECTIONS OF BUILDINGS
A year after the catastrophic earthquake that hit Athens
seismologists are closer to the medium-term earthquake prediction
while at the same time they point out that the results of their
research must be used in a constructive way.
Thessaloniki's Aristotle University professor emeritus in
seismology Vasilis Papazachos, points out that the earthquake
prediction must motivate the state to take precautionary measures
and inspect the buildings that will be hit by an earthquake in the
future.
Mr. Papazachos speaking to MPA stated that the Athens
earthquake which was not that strong to cause so many victims was
an additional motivation for the intensification of the research
concerning the earthquake prediction. Mr. Papazachos also stated
that in a few months it will be possible to say if a medium-term
earthquake prediction is possible. He said that he is optimistic
that the prediction of earthquakes 2 years before they occur,
their magnitude and their epicenter with a proximity of 60
kilometers will be possible.
[16] THE CLEANING-UP OPERATION CONTINUES AT THE COASTS POLLUTED BY
AN OIL-SLICK
The cleaning-up efforts of the sea region and the coasts
polluted by the oil-slick caused after the sinking of a cargo ship
off the coasts of Halkida in the island of Evia, central Greece
continue.
So far the cleaning-up operation was effective, while
merchant marine minister Christos Papoutsis patrols the coasts and
is being constantly briefed on the course of the efforts made by
the special cleaning-up crews.
The biggest part of the oil-slick has been removed, while the
fuel from the ship tanks is being pumped out. Mr. Papoutsis has
stated that the ship will be moved away from the region as soon as
the fuel tanks are emptied.
[17] INFLATION WAS 3% IN AUGUST
The inflation rate in the month of August was 3% in Greece
compared to 2.7% in July, according to figures provided by the
National Statistics Agency.
The increase is attributed to fuel and fruit and vegetables
price hikes as well as to the increase in the hotel services
prices due to the summer season.
[18] GAINS OF 3.17% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 3.17% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index was at 4.060,20 points, while the
volume of transactions was impressive at 184.4 billion drachmas.
Very crucial is tomorrow's session as the sudden increase in
the Athens Stock Exchange index can lead to a correction.
Nevertheless, the climate in the Athens Stock Exchange has changed
and the psychology of the investors is improving. Of the stocks
trading today 328 recorded gains, 17 remained unchanged while 28
had losses.
[19] THE GOLD METALLURGY IN CHALKIDIKI WILL BE IN FULL OPERATION
IN 2003
The TVX-Hellas Gold Metallurgy in Olympiada Chalkidiki, in
northern Greece is expected to be in full operation in 2003,
according to statements made to MPA by Mr. Stelios Samaras in
charge of the company's public relations.
Meanwhile, the final approval of the Environmental Effects
Study is expected on September 15 through which the state will
determine the terms on the founding and the operation of the
plant.
The overall deposits are estimated at 4.1 million ounces of
gold and 51 million ounces of silver, while the cost for the
construction of the plant is expected to be at US$ 248 million.
It should be reminded that in the past members of
environmental organizations and local residents had caused violent
incidents reacting to the activities of the company in Chalkidiki
maintaining that its plant would cause environmental disaster in a
region with many summer resorts.
[20] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN GREECE
European Commissioner Ms. Anna Diamantopoulou admitted that
there is a lack of reliable statistical data on unemployment in
Greece.
Ms. Diamantopoulou responding to questions made by right-wing
opposition party of New Democracy Euro-deputy Kostis Hatzidakis
and Coalition of the Left Euro-deputy Michalis Papayiannakis
stated that there is no reliable statistical data on unemployment
in Greece which was estimated at 10.4% in 1998 and at 10.7% in
1999 compared to the 9.7% average in the rest European Union
countries.
She also stated that there are no figures or even estimates
on the percentage of the Greek unemployed who find a job through
European Union activities and programs.
[21] HITIRIS ON PAPANDREOU'S TRIP TO BELGRADE
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou is on a tour that
proves Greece's prestige in the Balkans, stated Greek acting
government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris avoiding to comment on the
delay on behalf of the Yugoslav authorities to give a landing
permission to the aircraft bringing the Greek foreign minister to
Belgrade.
Mr. Hitiris stated that Greece wants economic growth, peace
and cooperation with the neighboring countries, while referring to
the warrant for the arrest of Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic issued by the Interpol, that has been sent to Greece as
well, stated that Greece respects and will continue to respect its
international obligations.
[22] DEUTCHE BANK REP TALKS ON GREEK ECONOMY
Privatisation, reforms in the work market and changes in the
social security system are all areas in which the Greek government
will have to focus on, according to the head of the German
Deutsche Bank Board of Directors, Rolf Breuer.
Mr Breuer encouraged reforms in these areas and described
them as being an absolute priority that Greece should move quickly
to deal with.
He expressed confidence that Greece has a positive future
within the eurozone, that the Greek economy has met convergence
criteria and that it has proved its ability to maintain its
achievements.
Mr Breuer did also referred to the changes which he believes
are necessary for the European Union to remain competition for the
US, especially as far as the current social security system is
concerned.
[23] GREEK BANK BRANCHES OUT IN ROMANIA
The managing director of the Greek Egnatia Bank, Vasilis
Keltsopoulos has returned from his two day trip to Romania, where
he completed the final stage of the 100% shares buy out of BNP-
Dresdner Bank (Romania) S.A.
Mr Keltsopoulos met with the manager and the vice-manager of
the Central Bank of Romania, Emil Ghizari and Mihai Bogza
respectively and discussed the business proposals due to be made
by Egnatia in Romania.
The Greek bank aims to expand its activity in the bank it has
now bought out, particularly in the retail and consumer banking
sectors, but also in electronic banking.
Although BNP-Dresdner Bank (Romania) S.A holds a universal
bank operational status, it has operated mainly in the fields of
Corporate and Private banking and in the Treasury, until today.
The bank is house in a neoclassical building located in the heart
of Bucharest.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[24] CEM: POLITICIANS ARE THE OBSTACLE IN G/T RELATIONS
Politicians are the main obstacle in Greek-Turkish relations,
according to Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismael Cem, who addressed
last night's dinner hosted in his honor at New York by the Foreign
Policy Association.
According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, Mr. Cem stated
that "if we politicians didn't raise difficulties, the Turkish and
Greek nations could already solved their problems."
In regards to the development of G/T relations, Mr. Cem
stated that there are many common commercial enterprises founded
between the two neighbors, especially in the sector of tourism.
"The artificial problems raised by the politicians constitute
the main obstacle that stands in front of the development of the
relations between the two countries," he stated, adding that
"after a certain period of time, we will not be able to hinder
this positive development."
[25] TWO GREEK EXHIBITIONS IN BELGRADE
Two very important Greek exhibitions on architecture and the
unification of archaeological sites were inaugurated in Belgrade
two days ago and will be open until September 26. The exhibitions
were organized in cooperation with Serbia's International
Institute of Scientific, Education, Cultural and Technical
Cooperation.
The exhibitions are Modernization Landscapes: the Greek
architecture 1960 and 1990 and the Unification of Archaeological
sites in Athens.
The first exhibition was organized at the initiative of the
ministry of press and was jointly funded by the ministry of
culture and the ministry of environment, public works and land
planning and has already visited Rotterdam, Barcelona and
Helsinki, while after Belgrade it will open in Italy and Britain.
The second exhibition concerns the plan for the upgrading of the
historical center in Athens and the creation of a archaeological
park.
[26] FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU MET WITH THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou met in Belgrade
today with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic within the
framework of his Balkan tour.
Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Milosevic referred to the close ties
shared by the two countries and Mr. Papandreou pointed out that
the smooth elections will probably lead to an opening of the
European Union to Yugoslavia, while Slobodan Milosevic stressed
that he will guarantee the holding of democratic elections and he
will respect the result.
Earlier, Mr. Papandreou had separate meetings with Yugoslav
foreign minister Mr. Jovanovic and Serb president Miludinovic.
[27] PAPANDREOU-MILOSEVIC MEETING IN DETAIL
Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou met with Yugoslavian
President, Slobodan Milosevic, in Belgrade today, as part of his
three day Balkan trip.
Several matters were discussed during their meeting,
including the development of relations and cooperation between
both sides, according to an announcement released by the Yugoslav
President's office.
Mr Milosevic stressed that Yugoslavia currently upholds a
peaceful policy and represents the values of safety and
independence in the Balkans.
President Milosevic went on to say that the people of both
countries are connected by a history of friendship, solidarity and
mutual trust, which are all basic factors for achieving mutual
aims such as peace and stability in the region.
He went on to say that the political pressure exerted against
Yugoslavia is wrong and will not "shake the people of Yugoslavia
in their defense of the county's vital interests.
The Yugoslav President also maintained that his people
resisted heroically in the face of last year's NATO bombing
attacks and that he was especially comforted and encouraged by the
solidarity shown by the Greek nation.
Mr Milosevic attacked the international community for its
weakness in applying UN resolution 1244 for Kosovo and underlined
that the erratic and unreliable policies exerted by the great
powers in the region are the main problem as far as its safety and
stability is concerned.
The Greek Foreign minister and the Yugoslav President emphasised
the promotion of mutual cooperation on an equal basis and whilst
keeping in mind the interests of both countries.
Also discussed at the meeting was the issue of the
forthcoming elections in Yugoslavia, according to journalist's
reports. Mr Milosevic was told that the fair and democratic
holding of elections would lead to an "opening" for Yugoslavia as
far as the European Union is concerned, regardless of the election
results. Mr Milosevic replied that he would guarantee democratic
elections and would respect the results.
Several misunderstandings created in bilateral relations over
the last few days were also resolved at today's meeting.
[28] GREEK PM SPEAKS AT UN MILLENNIUM SUMMIT
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis discussed the
achievements and problems faced by the international community,
during his speech at the UN Millennium Summit currently being held
in New York.
At the same time, he asked for the consolidation of the UN
and the complete reform of the Security Council, to deal with
existing problems and to secure peace.
Another concern of the UN, in Mr Simitis opinion, should be
ensuring stable conditions in a wonderful and complex world. The
speech made by the Greek Prime Minister was received with a huge
round of applause.
Mr Simitis also attended the reception held by Senegal's
President of the Republic, in honour of the Palestinian leader
Yasser Arafat and met with the Prime Minister of Israel Ehud
Barak.
As part of his trip to the United States, the Greek Prime
Minister and PASOK leader then participated in the UN Security
Council meeting, which focused on the upholding of international
peace and the question of safety in Africa. He also attended the
reception held by north African President Tambo Beki.
A meeting between Mr Simitis and the American Archibishop
Demetrius was also held in New York. The Greek Prime Minister
attended the UN Millennium Summit and the reception held by US
President Clinton at the metropolitan museum of New York, in
honour of country leaders and Prime Ministers.
[29] US DISAPPROVES OF PAPANDREOU-MILOSEVIC MEETING
The United States has reacted strongly to the decision taken
by Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou to meet with Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic.
The reaction came in the form of an announcement made by a
State Department representative. "We realise that Mr Papandreou is
visiting Serbia and Montenegro with the aim of consulting with the
democratic opposition before the elections. The Foreign ministers
of the European Union expressed their support of this visit and we
agree with their stance", the representative said.
"We support a visit based on fulfilling the above aims, ie to
offer the democratic opposition in Yugoslavia support, but any
meeting between a European figure of Mr Papandreou's stature and
persons indicted for war crimes is unfortunate", he concluded.
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