Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-04-01

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, April 1, 1997

TITLES

[01] GREEK CONSULATE IN GJIROCASTER ATTACKED AGAIN BY ARMED ALBANIANS

[02] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI ON APRIL 4-5

[03] GREEK BATALLION TO BE SENT TO ALBANIA IN MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE

[04] ITALIAN PM ORDERS PROBE INTO CAUSES OF ALBANIAN SHIP'S DOWNING

[05] PRESIDENT OF EU MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TO VISIT ANKARA ON THURSDAY

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK CONSULATE IN GJIROCASTER ATTACKED AGAIN BY ARMED ALBANIANS

Gjirocaster, April 1 (MPA)

The two masked men opened fire from a building located directly across from the Consulate. Consulate employees told the Macedonian Press Agency that the attack occured yesterday at 11 pm. Shots were fired back by neighbors and after a short exchange of fire, the two culprits fled the premises.

This is the third attack against the Greek Consulate and speculation abounds that the instigators are persons who either wish to disable the Consulate or create anti-Greek scenaria. Another possibility is that the attacks could be a ploy of the mafia that wants to keep its fake passport business going.

Meanwhile, the Consulate is back to work, issuing visas to about 500 persons daily.

[02] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI ON APRIL 4-5

Thessaloniki, April 1 (MPA)

Expected to participate in the meeting are European Socialist leaders and leaders of Socialist parties from the Balkan region.

The conference will tackle Balkans-related issues such as regional security and internal stability, the necessary pre- conditions for economic and institutional development and the process of democratization.

Mr. Simitis' speech will be preceded by a press conference given by the vice-president of the European Socialist Party, Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Hains Fisher.

Representing Greece will be the Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and PASOK euro-deputies.

Among those present at the conference will be the President of the European Socialist Party Rudolf Scharping, the party's Secretary-General Mr. Valen, the President of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Pauline Green, the President of Cyprus' Socialist Party Vassos Lyssarides, the leader of Albania's Socialist Party Fatos Nano, Bulgaria's former Foreign Minister Geroki Pirinski, and other officials of Socialist parties from Turkey, FYROM, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary and Ireland.

[03] GREEK BATALLION TO BE SENT TO ALBANIA IN MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE

Athens, April 1 (MPA)

The honorary chief of the General Staff of National Defense, wing commander Nikos Kouris, stated today that the batallion should only comprise commissioned and non-commissioned officers, as well as a limited number of soldiers. Moreover, Mr. Kouris added that the Government Council for Defense must issue a relevant decision in order for the batallion to be assigned.

The 5,000-strong multi-national force will be made up as follows: 2,000 men from Italy, 900-1000 from France, about 700 from Greece and 500 from Spain. Also expected to participate are Protugal, Turkey, Romania and Hungary.

Meanwhile, Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino will arrive in Athens tomorrow, while a Greek delegation in already in Tirana, headed by the Foreign Ministry's Secretary-General Alexandros Filonas. A.F.

[04] ITALIAN PM ORDERS PROBE INTO CAUSES OF ALBANIAN SHIP'S DOWNING

Rome, April 1 (MPA)

Mr. Prodi stated that he wishes for a full probe into the causes of the shipwreck and emphasized that this tragic incident will not bear a negative effect on the relations between Italy and Albania and the mission of the multi-national force which is to be forwarded to Albanian this week.

"Although some doubt if and to what degree we are able to organize a complex mission to Albania, I believe that the shipwreck will not have a negative impact on our decisiveness to resolve the problem in Albania," Mr. Prodi stated, adding that "many countries are willing to participate at the mission and have already requested that Italy coordinate the efforts to form this force."

Mr. Prodi is scheduled to meet in Rome today with Albania's Defense Minister. The Albanian government has stated that the tragedy, even though it was not due to Italy's policy on illegal immigration, could have been avoided.

Four bodies have been recovered from the waters, although the number of victims is estimated at 83. A.F.

[05] PRESIDENT OF EU MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TO VISIT ANKARA ON THURSDAY

Ankara, April 1 (MPA)

Mr. Van Mierlo is expected to discuss with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller the proposal of the assignment of a committee that will address Greek-Turkish issues.

This proposal was first tabled at the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Holland by Mr. Van Mierlo.

As the current President of the EU, Mr. Van Mierlo has visited Athens and Ankara three times during the recent months. 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/

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