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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-03-13Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCYThessaloniki, March 13, 1997TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] PREMIER: GREECE TAKES INITIATIVES TO SOLVE ALBANIAN CRISISAthens, March 13 (MPA)The Greek government is taking initiatives to secure a political solution in Albania's crisis, so that consequences will not be felt by the Greek ethnic minority living there, as well as by the greater Balkan region, stated the Premier Kostas Simitis during a lengthy televised interview he gave last evening.The Premier also referred extensively to the Greek-Turkish relations and stated that there has been no shift in the positions adopted by the Greek government, whose policy is based on achieving peace and stability in the region. Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to travel to Tirana tomorrow with Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis. The two Greek officials will try to meet with representatives of the rioters. A.F. [02] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER COMMENTS ON ALBANIAN CRISISAthens, March 13 (MPA)Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos said today that the diplomatic initiative mentioned by the Premier is under development, but he did clarify that the Greek government does not get involved in the domestic affairs of the neighboring country but instead is closely watching the developments."The Greek government is especially interested in the fate of the Greek minority," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said. Meanwhile a European delegation is to arrive in Tirana tomorow, headed by Austria's former chancellor Franz Vranitski. A.F. [03] ALBANIAN CARETAKER GOVERNEMNT SWORN IN TODAYTirana, March 13 (MPA)Albania's caretaker 15-member government was sworn in today, in the presence of President Sali Berisha.Mr. Berisha called on his country's political powers to support the government's task and called on the Albanian people to display self-restrain and cool-headedness during these difficult times the country is undergoing. Moreover, the Albanian President said that the government should not be chalenged since it represents all of the country's political forces. Premier Bascim Fino stated that the government's priority is to conduct dialogues with the rioters in order to alleviate the crisis. A.F. [04] ALBANIA'S NEW PREMIER SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS ON THE VERGE OF CIVIL WARTirana, March 13 (MPA)Albania's new Premier Bascim Fino told the BBC that his country is on the verge of civil war and asked the European Union to provide assistance. The armed civilians have seized the city of Fieri and as such are now controlling all of southern Albania, while the airport of Tirana remains closed.Meanwhile, the efforts to form a government of national reconciliation are problematic, as the party of "Democratic Alliance" withdrew from the negotiations. The looting of army storehouses has extended to the country's northern section while five persons were killed and another forty were injured last night during an attack in military storehouses in Skodra. The city of Koritsa has fallen into the hands of rioters, although the city had been fortified by police forces who were aware that the rioters were planning to enter the city. A.F. [05] BRITISH SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS TO MEET WITH CLERIDES, DENKTASH TODAYNicosia, March 13 (MPA)Britain's special envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay is to meet once again with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia today, as well as with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.According to reports, Sir Hannay is to relay specific ideas for the Cyprus issue's various aspects and his aim will be to discuss all of the matter's issues. Following his contacts in Nicosia yesterday, Sir Hannay stated that all those who are involved in the Cyprus issue are realizing that the solution to the problem is near. A.F. [06] F.R.Y. TO CLOSE ITS BORDERS WITH ALBANIABelgrade, March 13 (MPA)The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has decided to close its borders with Albania, given the worsening turn of events noted in the neighboring country, according to Yugoslav press reports.Yugoslavia is linked with Albania through three border stations, two of which are in Kossovo and the third is in Montenegro. Military sources have said that the Yugoslav authorities have fortified the Albania-Montenegro borders, fearing an incoming wave of immigrants. A.F. [07] BERISHA "HIRES" SUPPORTERS FROM BOSNIA, KOSSOVO, SAYS OMONIA PRESIDENTAgii Saranta, March 13 (MPA)Albanian President Sali Berisha is said to be bringing in supporters from Kossovo and Bosnia, according to the leader of the Greek minority organization in Albania "Omonia", George Labovitiades.Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Labovitiades said that this Mr. Berisha's frantic attempt to stay in power. Also, the president of Omonia said that shots are heard in Tirana sporadically throughout the day, a fact which may mean that the rioters have reached the capital. He also stated that the Greek minority is continuously victimized by looters, although they are not participating in the riots. Mr. Labovitiades also issued an appeal to all the Albanians currently working in Greece to return home and defend their country. A.F. [08] GREECE, AUSTRIA TO COOPERATE IN MILITARY VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION SECTORThessaloniki, March 13 (MPA)Austria and Greece will cooperate in the military vehicle construction sector, following the meeting held yesterday between the President of Greece's Vehicle Industry "ELVO" and Austria's Defense Minister Werner Fasslabend.ELVO signed a contract with Austria's Stayer, a vehicle construction company, which is to supply Greece with parts that will be used in the construction of 57 armoured vehicles for the Greek armed forces. Mr. Fasslabend visited ELVO's facilities accompanied by Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and stated that he was impressed by the plant's organization. A.F. [09] GREEK BASKETBALL TEAM ENTERS KORAC CUP FINALSThessaloniki, March 13 (MPA)Greece's Aris has entered the final rounds of the Korac Cup. After a close-call game in Italy's Trevizo, Thessaloniki's team lost to Benetton 87-86 but made it to the finals since during the first game it had won with a four-point difference.In the finals Aris is to face Turkey's Tofas Brusa in two games. A.F. Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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