Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-07-23

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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, July 23, 1997

TITLES

[01] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN BRUSSELS

[02] CHANGES WILL OCCUR IN STRUCTURE OF GREEK ARMED FORCES

[03] CLERIDES AND DENKTASH TO MEET NEXT WEEK IN NICOSIA

[04] PRESIDENT OF SAE SALUTES PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE

[05] GREECE, BULGARIA, RUSSIA FORM JOINT VENTURE FOR OIL PIPELINE

[06] BURNS: THERE WAS NEVER A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE

[07] US CONGRESS APPROVES RESOLUTION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF CYPRUS ISSUE

[08] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT TO RECEIVE LEBANON'S PREMIER TOMORROW

[09] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE THIS EVENING FOR THE FIRST TIME

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN BRUSSELS

Brussels, July 23 (MPA)

Mr. Pangalos brought forward the continental shelf issue which he characterised as "the only major issue that lies between the two countries."

According to reports, the wisemen's committees from both countries may meet soon, something that was neither confirmed nor refuted by the Greek government's spokesperson Dimitris Reppas. A.F.

[02] CHANGES WILL OCCUR IN STRUCTURE OF GREEK ARMED FORCES

Athens, July 23 (MPA)

According to Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, the large formations will be done away with and instead smaller and more flexible units will be created. A.F.

[03] CLERIDES AND DENKTASH TO MEET NEXT WEEK IN NICOSIA

Nicosia, July 23 (MPA)

The upcoming meeting had been agreed upon by both men during the first round of the direct talks held in New York.

Monday's meeting will feature an open agenda which means that the two leaders will be able to discuss a variety of matters.

According to the United Nations's spokesperson, the meeting will be held at the residence of the alternate special representative of the UN Secretary General to Cyprus, Gustav Feishel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Denktash has reiterated his threat that if Cyprus embarks on accession negotiations with the European Union then he will not participate in August's talks. A.F.

[04] PRESIDENT OF SAE SALUTES PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE

Thessaloniki, July 23 (MPA)

Speaking to the Maedonian Press Agency, Mr. Athens also stressed the need to strengthen unity among Greeks living abroad and their organisations, as well as the importance of supporting SAE.

Referring to those who try to usurp and alter the history of Macedonia, the President of SAE emphasized that their claims are arbitrary and stressed that "we present undeniable facts.

"The great Greek geographer and historian of antiquity Strabon (63BC-24AD) writes that 'Macedonia is also Greece.' The first Apocryphal Book of the Old Testament refers to Alexander the Great as the King of Greece. How could the Macedonians participate in the Olympic Games -in which only Hellenes could participate- if they weren't Hellenes" what language and what culture did Alexander the Great spread as far as India? The Hellenic of course."

In regards to the need to develop the ties that bind Greeks abroad, Mr. Athens stated that "our problem was and still is that we are not united. We may speak with one heart but not with one mouth and in this respect we are being taken advantage of by our foes, friends and competitors. SAE is here to fix that, by uniting the existing organisations and merging the small ones into bigger ones, thus making them stronger and more effective."

Referring to the task of SAE, Mr. Athens stated that the step that has been taken by the Greek government in the formation of SAE is "a dream come true for all Hellenism.

"From the several hundred thousand who immigrated to the world outside of the Motherland to look for better living opportunities, with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. they have grown to seven million.

"Most of us well established in the countries of our choice, and others newly arrived, we have never lost that spark whcih is called Hellas."

In regards to Greek heritage, language and culture, the three factors that aid Hellenism in maintaining its ties with Greece, Mr. Athens spoke of Captain Sigalas of the ocean liner Olympia who told a friend in 1963: "Back in the 40s, I was hearing talk about the Greek language disappearing in 20 years.

"Here we are in the 60s and the Greek language not only has not disappeared but is stronger than ever." A.F.

[05] GREECE, BULGARIA, RUSSIA FORM JOINT VENTURE FOR OIL PIPELINE

Sofia, July 23 (MPA)

The Bulgarian Public Works Ministry's experts agreed to the joint venture plan during a meeting held in Sofia last Sunday with their Greek and Russian counterparts.

Meanwhile, another meeting will be held among the experts of the three countries during the end of August so that they can draw the last minute details prior to embarking on solicitation for bids. A.F.

[06] BURNS: THERE WAS NEVER A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE

Washington, July 23 (MPA)

In his last appearance as State Department spokesperson, before taking his post as US Ambasador to Athens, Mr. Burns also spoke highly of Greek Premier Kostas Simitis, "a leader who has a clear view of his long- and short-range plans and who wishes to maintain stability in the eastern Mediterranean.

Moreover, Mr. Burns expressed his respect for Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. A.F.

[07] US CONGRESS APPROVES RESOLUTION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF CYPRUS ISSUE

Washington, July 23 (MPA)

The US Congressmen also condemned the continued occupation of the island by the Turkish military forces. A great number of Congressmen agreed that it is a shame that six years after the end of the Cold War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nicosia remains the world's only divided city. A.F.

[08] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT TO RECEIVE LEBANON'S PREMIER TOMORROW

Athens, July 23 (MPA)

The meeting will be held at 6pm at Mr. Kaklamanis' office in the Parliament. A.F.

[09] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE THIS EVENING FOR THE FIRST TIME

Tirana, July 23 (MPA)

According to reports, the victorious Socialist Party will present a programme of the action it plans to take in order to salvage the country from the crisis it underwent following the collapse of the pyramid-like money-making schemes. 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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