Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-10-09
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 9, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] THESSALONIKI HOSTS S.E. EUROPE'S DEFENSE MINISTERS
[02] EU TO DISCUSS LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST F.R.Y.
[03] PRESIDENT OF GREECE ON TOUR OF LATVIA, ESTONIA
[04] MASSIVE STRIKES PARALYZE THE COUNTRY TOMORROW
[05] GREEK POLICE INVESTIGATE BOKAN'S BUSINESS DEALS
[06] STEEP FINES IN STORE FOR GREECE'S UNRULY DRIVERS
[07] N.GREECE IN STATE OF ALERT OVER TORRENTIAL RAINS
[08] GREECE TO SHOW RECORD SURPLUS BY END OF YEAR
[09] COHEN SALUTES GREECE'S LEADING ROLE IN BALKANS
[10] BOGAN: THAT'S HOW I BROKE THE OIL EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA
[11] MEETING OF THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTERS FROM GREECE, ITALY AND
ALBANIA
[12] LOSSES OF 1.74% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] THE COUNTRIES OF SE EUROPE SUPPORT YUGOSLAVIA
[14] THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT THE CENTER OF THE COHEN-CAKMAKOGLU
MEETING
[15] REPPAS: MILOSEVIC IS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER GREECE
[16] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED FOR SELF-RESTRAINT IN
THE MIDDLE EAST
[17] THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WILL BE IN ATHENS ON WEDNESDAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] PAPANDREOU IS CERTAIN ABOUT THE PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE
SANCTIONS ON YUGOSLAVIA
[19] THE EU DECIDED THE PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS ON
YUGOSLAVIA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THESSALONIKI HOSTS S.E. EUROPE'S DEFENSE MINISTERS
Defense ministers from countries of the southeastern European
region are to hold their fourth annual meeting in Thessaloniki
today, in a conference to be presided by Greece's Defense
Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
The conference will tackle issues pertaining to the
operational readiness of the multinational brigade of southeastern
Europe and its imminent exercises, such as Bulgaria's Seven Star
2000 and Albania's Cornerstone 2001.
The countries participating in this multinational force are
Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Greece, Italy, Romania and Turkey, while
Slovenia and the United States hold observer status. The defense
ministers are to sign an agreement for the formation of a
coordinating committee.
Turkey's Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu is to meet
this afternoon with the U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen
to whom he is expected to relay Ankara's displeasure over the U.S.
Congress' adoption of a resolution recognizing the Armenian
genocide.
In addition to Messrs. Cohen, Cakmakoglu and Tsochatzopoulos,
the defense ministers to attend the meeting are Croatia's Jodo
Rados (marking the first time this country is participating in an
SEDM meeting), Albania's Ilir Gjoni, Bulgaria's Boiko Noev,
FYROM's Lurben Paunovski, Italy's Sergio Matarella, Slovenia Janez
Jansa, Romania's ministry representative Ioan Mircea Plangu and
the special coordinator of the Stability Pact Bodo Hombach.
[02] EU TO DISCUSS LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST F.R.Y.
The European Union's General Affairs Council is to convene
in Luxembourg today in order to discuss the lifting of sanctions
imposed on Yugoslavia.
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who was in
Belgrade on Saturday where he held talks with Yugoslavia's new
president Vojislav Kostunica, has announced that procedures will
get underway for the lifting of sanctions against Yugoslavia.
Mr. Papandreou stated that an EU aid package amounting to 2.7
billion euro for Yugoslavia's recovery is in the works, while
Athens will also offer 80 billion drachmas in aid, part of a Greek
national plan for Balkan reconstruction created after the Kosovo
campaign last year.
Greece will also push hard to expand the Thessaloniki-based
Kosovo reconstruction office to cover both Serbia and Montenegro
as well.
The Greek FM was the first EU foreign minister to visit
Yugoslavia following Mr. Kostunica's presidential victory.
[03] PRESIDENT OF GREECE ON TOUR OF LATVIA, ESTONIA
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
embarked on a tour of the Baltic states of Latvia and Estonia last
night, with his first stop being the Latvian capital of Riga.
President Stephanopoulos will meet his Latvian counterpart
today and will address an economic forum of Greek and Latvian
businessmen later. He will also visit the Latvian Parliament and
meet representatives of the Greek community in the country, while
he will also be attending an official dinner given in his honor by
his Latvian counterpart this evening.
President Stephanopoulos' visit to the two countries is aimed
at strengthening relations, particularly in the economic and
cultural sectors.
[04] MASSIVE STRIKES PARALYZE THE COUNTRY TOMORROW
Massive strikes are expected to paralyze the country
tomorrow, as unions remain adamant to their decision not to accept
government proposals on labor reform.
Called by Greece's Greece's largest union umbrella, the
General confederation of Greek Laborers (GSSE) and the civil
servants' union ADEDY, the strike will be observed by most of the
country's labor force, including staff in hospitals, the phone and
public utilities companies, the banking sector (certainly by
employees at the state-owned banks) and the post office. Most
schools will also remain closed.
Also, the national air carrier Olympic Airways will conduct
one flight per route, while the railroad organization (OTE) will
operate only six trains.
Meanwhile, deputy Labor Minister Christos Protopapas conceded
that the worker's demands are not illegal and stressed that the
government is trying to find solutions.
[05] GREEK POLICE INVESTIGATE BOKAN'S BUSINESS DEALS
Greek authorities are investigating the business dealings of
Vladimir Bokan, a friend of former Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic who was shot dead outside his luxury home late last week
in Athens.
According to police reports, Bokan had been under police
investigation for money laundering and smuggling gasoline and
arms. He was shot several times while getting out of his car, by
gunmen carrying a handgun and an assault rifle.
Born in Yugoslavia, the 40-year-old Bokan had obtained Greek
citizenship and had been repeatedly implicated by media reports as
having received money from Milosevic, while the former
president's. son, Marko, stayed at his home three years ago.
Agents from the finance ministry's fraud department seized
documents and bank books from his villa, authorities said.
Police also stated that the victim owned property and other
assets in Greece worth tens of millions of dollars and also ran a
Panama-registered shipping company.
[06] STEEP FINES IN STORE FOR GREECE'S UNRULY DRIVERS
Fines up to half a million drachmas are to start being
enforced against drivers who refuse to conform to Greek and
European Union driving regulations, according to a recent
Transport Ministry decision.
Ministry forces are to hit the streets in the oncoming days
in order to conduct reviews on vehicles, starting with trucks and
buses, and then moving on to older model automobiles.
[07] N.GREECE IN STATE OF ALERT OVER TORRENTIAL RAINS
Local authorities in northern Greece's Halkidiki peninsula
are presently in a state of alert, following the second wave of
torrential rains that struck the region in the past two days.
A 20-year-old man in Halkidiki drowned when his car was swept
away by a torrent and a monk at the nearby Mount Athos monastic
peninsula was also killed by storm waters. The rain damaged
hundreds of cars, homes and roads, also causing power and
telephone outages.
[08] GREECE TO SHOW RECORD SURPLUS BY END OF YEAR
The state's budget is to show a record surplus of 735 billion
drachmas by the end of the year, compensating the allocated
expenses of GRD370 billion by approximately 400 billion.
According to state sources, the net surplus of the 2000
budget is considered a shot in the arm for next year's coffers,
already shadowed by the oil crisis and the dollar's skyrocketing
rise.
[09] COHEN SALUTES GREECE'S LEADING ROLE IN BALKANS
U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen, who is presently in
Thessaloniki for the annual meeting of South-Eastern Europe's
Defense Ministers, saluted Greece's leading role in the Balkan
region -stressing that the country played a key in the change of
leadership in Yugoslavia- and applauded Greece's participation
in the KFOR peacekeeping force assigned to Kosovo.
Secretary Cohen visited the island of Mykonos briefly
yesterday, where he held talks with Greece's Defense Minister
Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
In a press conference that ensued, the U.S. official stated
that ousted Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic should be
brought before the International Court of Justice at the Hague and
be tried as a war criminal.
Mr. Cohen stated that the Clinton Administration will lift
the sanctions imposed on the Yugoslav people, but will remain firm
on the limitations related to Mr. Milosevic and his regime's
supporters.
In regards to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Cohen stressed that US
President Bill Clinton exerted a great amount of effort on the
matter and stated that another round of indirect talks are to be
held next month between the divided island' two sides.
Lastly, the US Defense Secretary referred to the armament
systems provided to Greece by the United States, expressing his
pleasure that his country holds a favorable position as Greece's
defense systems supplier.
[10] BOGAN: THAT'S HOW I BROKE THE OIL EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA
Greece was helping Yugoslavia to keep its people warm by
facilitating its supply with petrol during the oil embargo, stated
one of the middlemen, 40yearold controversial businessman
Vladimir Bogan, who was murdered in Athens in the early morning
hours last Saturday.
His nickname was "Vanja" and a few hours before he was killed
he had been interviewed by Athens newspaper "Eleftherotipia"
reporter Takis Michas and had revealed the ways in which he was
violating the oil embargo on Yugoslavia, while at the same time,
he denied that he had close relations with the Milosevic family.
He said that in 1995 he had bought a ship and used it to send
oil from Greece to Bar in Montenegro. From there the fuel ended up
in Serbia. He said that the Greek authorities made things easier
for him as they did not ask for delivery documents listing the
cargo's country of destination, adding that the Greek authorities
and the Greek people realized how unfair was the embargo imposed
on the Serb people.
One of the most profitable activities for him was the
contraband cigarettes trade. He said that he was supplied with
legal US cigarettes in Rotterdam that would supposedly end up in
Romania. However, the cigarettes ended up in Montenegro where they
were sold to Italians who channeled them to Italy and a part of
the cargo ended up in Belgrade.
Bogan invested the money earned from his activities in
Yugoslavia and if he was still alive he would have been one of the
economic leaders in his country. He owned the "Stampa" company to
which belong over 700 news-stands in Belgrade, while he also owned
a shipyard in Novi Sad and a real estate company as well as shares
in the Bor mine and fertilizers plants near the borders with
Romania.
In the interview, he denied that he had close relations with
the Milosevic family and especially with Slobodan Milosevic's son
Marko accusing him of controlling the illegal cigarettes' trade in
Yugoslavia.
Referring to the new president of Yugoslavia Voijslav
Kostunica he had expressed the belief that with him Yugoslavia
would move forward and become a modern European country, while on
Milosevic he stated that he did a lot of damage to Yugoslavia.
[11] MEETING OF THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTERS FROM GREECE, ITALY AND
ALBANIA
The ministers of public order from Greece, Italy and Albania
will meet at the Ionian Sea island of Corfu tomorrow.
Among the issues that will be discussed will be the signing
of a cooperation agreement by the three countries aimed at
tackling economic crime and illegal immigration.
[12] LOSSES OF 1.74% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The week opened for the Athens Stock Exchange with losses of
1.74% and the general index closed at 3.956,87 points.
The volume of transactions was small at 77.28 billion
drachmas increasing the concern of investors and analysts. Of the
stocks trading today, only 27 recorded gains and 321 had losses.
However, the praises received by Greece on its role in the
change of the scenery in Yugoslavia are expected to have a
positive effect on the stock market, while the good news from the
inflation front in Greece create optimism.
[13] THE COUNTRIES OF SE EUROPE SUPPORT YUGOSLAVIA
The decision of their countries to back in every way the
democratization, reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in
Yugoslavia is included in the joint statement issued by the
defense ministers of South-Eastern European countries immediately
after their meeting in the Hyatt Hotel in Thessaloniki today.
In a press conference, Greek minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos pointed out the need to open the doors of the SEMD
meeting and other organizations and institutions in the region to
Yugoslavia after the political change that took place in the
country.
US secretary of defense William Cohen wondered how can
Yugoslavia enter the international structures when wanted war
criminals like Milosevic are free. He said that the first task for
Kostunica is to stabilize the new situation, the democratization
and the democratic reforms adding that Milosevic will not be
forgotten and in the future he will be brought before the
International Court of Justice in The Hague to answer for the
crimes he has committed.
Mr. Cohen expressed his opposition to the likelihood of
Kosovo's independence and supported a wide autonomy for the region
within Yugoslavia.
Albanian minister of defense Ilir Goni stated that his
country welcomes the changes in Yugoslavia but at the same time he
observed that a number of measures must be taken for the country
to become a member of the international community and those
measures must be taken immediately. To a question on the reactions
of the Albanians in Kosovo he responded that he can not speak on
their behalf.
FYROM minister of defense Luben Paunoski expressed his
country's great satisfaction for the changes that took place in
Yugoslavia and stated that Skopje will back the international
efforts for Yugoslavia's accession into the international
structures.
[14] THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT THE CENTER OF THE COHEN-CAKMAKOGLU
MEETING
Turkey's minister of defense Sabahadin Cakmakoglu, in a
meeting he had in Thessaloniki at noon today with his US
counterpart William Cohen, expressed his government's protest
against the approval of a resolution on the Armenian genocide by
the US Congress.
Mr. Cakmakoglu threatened with measures against the United
States and even disputed the historical facts referring to the
Armenian genocide, which has already been recognized by many state
parliaments. He maintained that Turkey had always showed tolerance
to religions, cultures and languages of other peoples.
The meeting lasted about an hour with the participation of
the aides of the two ministers. Mr. Cohen stated to reporters
after the meeting that he informed Mr. Cakmakoglu that US
president Clinton, US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and
himself have expressed publicly their opposition to the resolution
and they have contacted the US House of Representatives, where it
will be discussed soon, calling for it to be voted against.
Mr. Cohen stated that the US-Turkish relations are very
strong and added that the US regards Turkey as an important
partner within NATO and a factor of security in the region,
stressing that the US intends to strengthen those relations
further.
From his side, Mr. Cakmakoglu stated that he expressed his
strong concern on the likely approval of the Armenian genocide
resolution, stressing that this resolution does not reflect
historical facts and it would be sad to be voted through. In case
this happens, stated Mr. Cakmakoglu, we agreed that the US-Turkish
relations will not be affected given the fact that this resolution
was issued simply to satisfy the wishes of the local voters. The
allegations on the Armenian genocide are completely groundless,
said Mr. Cakmakoglu, adding that Turkey has always showed
tolerance to religions, cultures and languages. He also stated
that it would be sad such a resolution to be discussed in the US
House of Representatives.
Regarding the Greek-Turkish relations and the latest
developments in the rapprochement effort between the two
countries, the Turkish minister of defense stated that a positive
environment has been created but the real issues concerning the
relations between them have not started to be discussed yet. There
has been a good beginning and we are looking forward to a
promising continuation, stated Mr. Cakmakoglu.
[15] REPPAS: MILOSEVIC IS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER GREECE
The entry-exit embargo on former leader of Yugoslavia,
Slobodan Milosevic is in effect for Greece as well, as it is for
every European Union country, stated Greek government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas responding to a question on the likelihood for
Milosevic to come to Greece.
The Greek government spokesman stated that this issue must be
dealt with by the political forces in Yugoslavia and underlined
that it is a domestic issue of the neighboring country, stressing
that from the beginning Greece had adopted a different position
from those who were speaking about criminal courts.
He also added that the entry-exit embargo is in effect for
all the names included in the relevant list and expressed the
belief that the issue will be dealt with by the new leadership of
Yugoslavia.
[16] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN APPEALED FOR SELF-RESTRAINT IN
THE MIDDLE EAST
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas appealed to all
the powers in the Middle East to display self-restraint and sit at
the negotiating table.
Mr. Reppas called on all powers in the Middle East to display
self-restraint and avoid engaging in actions that could make
things worse in the region.
[17] THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WILL BE IN ATHENS ON WEDNESDAY
Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov will be in Athens on
Wednesday for talks with his Greek counterpart Giorgos Papandreou,
according to a statement by Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas.
Mr. Ivanov will be received by prime minister Kostas Simitis
on Wednesday evening, while earlier on that day will meet the
governmental committee on foreign policy issues.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] PAPANDREOU IS CERTAIN ABOUT THE PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE
SANCTIONS ON YUGOSLAVIA
Greece's proposals on the measures the European Union must
take to assist in the reconstruction of Yugoslavia, were presented
by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in the EU foreign
ministers council meeting in Luxembourg today. Earlier, Mr.
Papandreou appeared certain that the embargo against Serbia will
be lifted regarding the oil supplies and the airplane flights ban.
Mr. Papandreou stated to the Athens radio station "Flash"
just before entering the meeting that the lifting of the embargo
is partial because there are certain sectors, like the weapons
market that can not be opened yet. He said that this is logical
due to the fact that unrest continues in the region and there can
be no consensus in the European Union to lift sanctions on that
direction.
When asked to comment on what will happen with Milosevic and
if he will be allowed to continue to play a political role in the
country, Mr. Papandreou state that Milosevic's Socialist Party has
won a significant percentage of the votes and that president
Kostunica himself has stated that he wants the country's
constitution to be respected.
Mr. Papandreou stated that a chance must be given to the
priorities set by Mr. Kostunica namely, the consolidation of the
democratic institutions, the economic reconstruction, the
rapprochement inside Yugoslavia and the cooperation of Serbia and
Montenegro.
On Greece's place in the international scene after the latest
developments, Mr. Papandreou stated that its positions have found
support in the international community, adding that Greece's
credibility in the Balkans and Europe has been strengthened
because the Greek proposals and efforts as well as, the way in
which Greece dealt with the problem were such that at least for
the moment the developments were smooth.
[19] THE EU DECIDED THE PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS ON
YUGOSLAVIA
The EU general affairs council that met in Luxembourg today
decided to partially lift the sanctions on the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia. The EU foreign ministers mention in their statement
that the Yugoslav people with their vote opted for democracy and
Europe and therefore, the European Union consistent with the last
general affairs council meeting decisions moved ahead with the
lifting of the sanctions.
Initially, the lifting of the sanctions concerns the oil
supplies and the airplane flights ban from and to Belgrade, while
the sanctions against Milosevic and his close environment continue
to be in effect.
The EU also adopted a number of measures for the economic
cooperation of Yugoslavia with the European Union.
The EU foreign ministers decided that the community program
for the reconstruction of the Balkans (CARDS) will concern
Yugoslavia as well, pointing out that the organization's
jurisdiction will expand to that country too.
The EU will continue to implement the humanitarian aid
programs for the people of Yugoslavia and will contribute with
every available means to the efforts for the restoration of
infrastructures and the overall economic reconstruction of
Yugoslavia.
On the political rapprochement of Yugoslavia with Europe, the
council decided to propose to the Yugoslav side to participate in
the stabilization procedure implemented by the EU in the Balkans
based on the Cologne summit meeting.
The EU foreign ministers also invited the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia to be present in the Zagreb summit meeting that will be
held in November.
|
