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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-05-08Macedonian 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, May 7, 1997TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] GREEK PREMIER: GREECE'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO DIALOGUEAthens, May 8 (MPA)Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, addressing the PASOK's Parliamentary Group session yesterday, stressed that the government neither discusses, nor negotiates the country's sovereign rights.Mr. Simitis also said that the government's foreign policy should not be subject to rhetoric or comments lacking depth and absent of facts analysis. The Premier also referred to the experts committees formed by Greece and Turkey, as per the proposal of the European Union's Dutch-held presidency, and said that the aim is to improve the existing climate between the two neighbors. He did clarify that in no way does this mean that a political dialogue has began, or any form of mediation has been embarked upon. A.F. [02] SAE PRESIDIUM MEETS TODAY IN THESSALONIKIThessaloniki, May 8 (MPA)The Presidium of the Council for Greeks Abroad (SAE) will hold its fourth meeting today in Thessaloniki where the nine participants will prepare the setting for SAE's plenary session, to be held later this year.The four-day meeting will examine and discuss the proposals tabled by SAE's regional chapters. A.F. [03] GREEK BUSINESSMEN TRAVEL TO FYROM TO LOOK FOR VENTURE OPPORTUNITIESSkopje, May 8 (MPA)A delegation of Greek businessmen and officials from public utility organizations are to travel from Athens to Skopje today where they will look into venture opportunities with the neighboring countries.The Greek delegation will meet with FYROM's government officials and local businessmen, in an effort to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Also, a Greek military force will travel to Skopje within the following days, in order to participate in a NATO multi-national exercise. [04] GREECE'S FAMOUS COMPOSER MIKIS THEODORAKIS RELEASED FROM HOSPITALAthens, May 8 (MPA)Greece's world famous composer Mikis Theodorakis was released from the Athens Medical Center today, after having undergone thorough examinations.According to his treating physician, Mr. Theodorakis' health is in good condition. Last Sunday the composer was forced to cancel the remainder of a tour throughout Europe he was to give jointly with Turkey's music composer Zufli Livaneli. Mr. Theodorakis initially felt ill after the first concert he gave with Mr. Livaneli on Sunday night. Unfortunately, he was not able to participate in the following five concerts scheduled with Mr. Livaneli, although the program proceeded as planned with Greek singer Maria Farantouri substituting for Mr. Theodorakis. The remaining concerts will be held as follows: today in Brussels, May 10 in Frankfurt, May 12 in Munich and May 13 in Stuttgard. Mr. Theodorakis will not participate in June 13's concert planned to be held at Cyprus' demarcation line. A.F. [05] GREEK POLICEMEN TO EMBARK ON STATEWIDE STRIKE MAY 14Athens, May 8 (MPA)For the first time in Greece's history, the country's police force will embark on a statewide strike on May 14, prompted by economic demands.According to their union president, the policemen will not guard courts and athletic events held on that day, although the crime prevention and policing units will be in force as usual. The Minister of Public Order George Romeos vowed to respond to the striking policemen's demands the following week. [06] US STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL CAVANAUGH IN ATHENS TODAYAthens, May 8 (MPA)The Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs at the U.S. State Department Carey Cavanaugh is currently in Athens where he met with Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis.Referring to the experts' committees formed by Greece and Turkey, Mr. Cavanaugh stated that is is a positive step, while, when asked if a direct dialogue will be held between the two neighbors, the US official responded that "this will depend on the developments." Mr. Cavanaugh also met with the leader of the main opposition party New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis. After departing Athens, Mr. Cavanaugh will travel to Ankara to hold talks with Turkish officials. [07] GREECE'S AERONAUTICAL EXERCISE "TOXOTIS" TO BE COMPLETED TODAYAthens, May 8 (MPA)The Greek Armed Forces aeronautical exercise code-named "Toxotis" is to be completed today.The three-day exercise is being conducted in the area above Carpathos and Crete and involves Greek fighter jet flights over Nicosia's Flight Information Region. Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Armed Forces' effectiveness and ability is undoubtedly the optimum prerequisite for ensuring positive developments in the country's national matters. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, joined with four leaders from the General Staff, observed the sea exercise "Astrapi", which is held in conjunction with "Toxotis". A.F. [08] US SENATE'S FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-10 RATIO FOR GREECE, TURKEYWashington, May 8 (MPA)The United States Foreign Relations Senatorial Committee is in favor of maintaining the 7-10 ratio of arms sales to Greece and Turkey for the upcoming year, altough it does add that this aid should be halted in 1999.In the submitted report, the Committee is also said to voice its concern over the continuous division of Cyprus and the occupation of the island's northern part. A.F. [09] PARTHENON MARBLES: SOME SAY "GIVE THEM BACK", OTHERS "MAKE A COPY"London, May 8 (MPA)Britain's new Secretary of Heritage Chris Smith has openly stated that Greece's Parthenon marbles, currently housed at the British Museum, are to stay exactly where they are and said that his country's new government, headed by the newly-elected Premier Tony Blair, will not satisfy Greece's request to return the ancient monuments to Athens, in spite of its pre-election promises to the contrary.However, there are some vocal dissenters among the British who don't see eye to eye with Mr. Smith, and these are simple folk, not associated with the London-based Committee to Return the Parthenon Marbles. London daily "The Guardian" published an article recently reminding of the curse left behind by Lord Byron on those who pillage the Parthenon. Specifically, the article gives a historical account of the Marbles' history. "The Foreign Office said that they would be returned after the war to reward our Greek ally; the British Museum had no objection; and it was only Clement Attlee who saved the Elgin Marbles for Britain. Four decades later when Melina Mercouri made a formal claim, Neil Kinnock spoke out in favour while Michael Foot reminded us that Lord Byron had pronounced a 'terrible curse' on those who pillaged the Parthenon. On Sunday Chris Smith braved the curse of Byron and said no." While the paper acknowledges the government's fear of establishing a precedent, that is other countries rushing in to claim their artifacts, it does point out that many of these monuments were lifted or looted from previously dependent countries which have since gained their freedom. "Why not be generous and just send them back?" the article's writer concludes. Another British daily, "The Independent" features a letter to the editor wherein the writer suggests that a holograph copy of the Marbles be made for the British Museum while the original monument is sent back to Greece. Returning the carvings would be an act of generosity which would be apreciated all over Europe," the reader writes, adding that "it would be more appropriate to an outward-looking government than the rather mean-minded response of the just- appointed Heritage Secretary to the Greek appeal." 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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