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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-12-03Macedonian 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 THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCYThessaloniki, December 3, 1997TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE IN ISTANBUL BOMBED, A PRIEST IS INJUREDIstanbul, December 3 (MPA)The new bomb attack against the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Istanbul, which occurred last night shortly before midnight and resulted in the serious injury of a priest, has provoked the world’s indignation.Greece’s General Consul to Istanbul Fotis Xydas told the Macedonian Press Agency that the explosion was caused by a makeshift mechanism and not a hand grenade as was at first reported. Deacon Nectarius was injured by the blast and his condition remains serious. He is currently hospitalized at Istanbul’s American hospital. Extensive damage was caused to the premises, specifically at the Church and the Patriarch’s residence. Mr. Xydas stated that those who rouse the Turkish people with rumors that Greece supposedly harbors PKK activity are responsible for the attack. The Turkish police, which arrived at the premises about half an hour after the attack, forbade the television crews from entering the premises, stating that the interrogation process was still underway. Members of the Patriarchate court stated that in spite of the continuous threats issued from time to time against the patriarchate, the Turkish authorities failed to take any security measures. A.F. [02] AHEPA CONCERNED OVER BOMBING AT ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATEThessaloniki, December 3 (MPA)The Greek-American group AHEPA expressed today its deep concern over the bombing at the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Istanbul.“We deplore this action against the Patriarchate,” said AHEPA president Steve Manta “and given that this is the third such attack in three years, we insist that the Turkish government take action to insure the safety of the institution of the Patriarch and its personnel.” Moreover, Mr. Manta, who is currently in Thessaloniki attending the SAE convention, stated that “the Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of hundreds of millions of Orthodox around the globe and has direct authority over the two million Greek Orthodox in the United States. This bombing is an attack on the religious freedom of every Greek American.” A.F. [03] DEFENSE MINISTER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER NATO’S NEW STRUCTUREBrussels, December 3 (MPA)The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is being transformed from a simple defense organization into a vast institution of security, stability as well as defense capability, stated the Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, referring to the Alliance’s newly-modified structure.Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that this is the first time that Greece’s role in NATO is upgraded, since, after a 20-year period, “we fully and equally participate in its operation, through the creation of a ramified, sub-regional and allied command in Larissa (Greece) which will be equal in rank with those under construction in Madrid (Spain), Verona (Italy) and Izmir (Turkey). Responding to questions, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos explained that the holding of NATO military exercises over the Aegean Sea and outside Greece’s air space, which will be mainly air exercises and will be jointly conducted by Greece and Turkey, will be mutually planned and coordinated by the participating and directly involved countries-members of the Alliance’s military committee where decisions are drawn unanimously. “If we ascertain that, through these exercises, there is any whatsoever attempt by Turkey to threaten Greece’s sovereign rights, we reserve the right to veto and cancel the exercise,” Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated. Furthermore, he added that the same is true for the daily routine flights of Turkish aircraft over the Aegean. “In other words, Greece can, if it deems it necessary, cancel these flights or block them through a relevant decision drawn by the NATO headquarters in Napoli,” the Greek defense minister added, concluding that Greece has drawn all the measures to protect its sovereign rights. A.F. [04] DEFENSE MINISTER ON OPPOSITION’S NAGGING OVER NATO NEW STRUCTUREBrussels, December 3 (MPA)Greece is not conceding its sovereign rights, stated the Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos in response to the criticism voiced by the country’s opposition parties in regards to NATO’s approved new structure.The chiefs of the two countries’ general staff agreed to establish two NATO headquarters in Larissa (Greece) and Izmir (Turkey) both of which will be staffed by Greek and Turkish officers. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that the agreement contains “safety valves”, such as the right to veto, which fully safeguard the country’s sovereign rights. A.F. [05] REGIONAL SAE CHAPTERS HAMMER OUT ACTION PLANS AND CANDIDACIESThessaloniki, December 3 (MPA)The four regional offices of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE), America, Europe, Australia and Asia-Africa, continued their meeting in Thessaloniki today, giving emphasis on their future action plans and focusing on issues concerning the structure and operation of their organizations.All of the speakers commonly held the view that there is a need to develop a specific strategy for strengthening their Chapters in order to ably support the World Council of Greeks Abroad. During the course of today’s meeting various resolutions are to be adopted concerning national issues, education of Greeks abroad, youth programs, maintenance and promotion of Greek culture in the countries where the Greek-origin individuals reside, a greater link with the mother land, as well as issues concerning the military draft, taxation and pension. In turn, the four Chapters will undergo the process of submitting candidacies to the electorate committee for the seats of the Regional presidents and vice-presidents of the World SAE’ Presidium. Following today’s session. The alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to host a formal dinner in honor of the delegates, while the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is also expected to attend the function. A.F. [06] MACEDONIA-ORIGIN GREEKS LIVING ABROAD UNITE THROUGH LOCAL PROGRAMThessaloniki, December 3 (MPA)The session of the First Regular Conference of the Council of Greeks Abroad is continuing in Thessaloniki today.The operation of a new institution that will unite all of the Greeks from Macedonia who have immigrated to other countries was decided upon during the course of the general assembly of the “Macedonian Amphictyony” organization last evening. The president of the organization Grigoris Hatzisavvas stressed that this program is not to replace any already existing one, but rather will aim at closing the gap that exists in this sector and will aid the local administration in linking the Macedonia-origin Greeks who live abroad with the local community. “This will be achieved through hosting children of Macedonia- origin Greeks living abroad in Greece during the summer months and will feature Greek-language lessons and tours through archaeological sites,” Mr. Hatzisavvas stated. Another aim of the Macedonian Amphictyony is to create a “Macedonian Village”, which will host only Macedonia-origin Greeks from abroad. The site of this yet-to-be-built village has not been located yet, but Mr. Hatzisavvas stated that it will have to be a location that can be inhabited throughout the year. A.F. [07] GREEKS FROM ABROAD CAN NOW ENLIST IN GREECE’S MILITARY ACADEMIESAthens, December 3 (MPA)Greeks who live abroad, as well as children of Greeks who are assigned to posts abroad, will now be able to enlist at Greece’s military and police academies, according to an amendment submitted by the Ministries of National Economy, Education, Defense and Public Order and which was ratified by the Greek Parliament yesterday evening.Specifically, the percentage of the enlists from abroad will reach the 3% mark of the overall number of new enlists and the selection process will be the same as that applied in the university entrance procedures. A.F. [08] THE UNITED STATES TO EXERT PRESSURES ON ANKARA OVER THE IMIA ISLETSWashington, December 3 (MPA)The United States are determined to exert pressure on Turkey into accepting the Greek proposal for seeking recourse through the International court of Justice at the Hague in regards to the Imia islets, diplomatic circles in Washington report.According to the reports, the Clinton Administration, which fully supports Turkey’s European orientation and pressures the European Union into allowing Ankara to partake at the European Summit, also backs the Greek government’s condition that its neighbor seek recourse with the International Court over the matter of the rock islets that brought Turkey and Greece on the brink of war two years ago. Given this information, tomorrow’s meting between the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem is of utmost significance since the US official is to stress upon the Turkish FM her country’s support of Ankara’s accession to European structures, while she is also expected to prompt him into accepting a formula that will essentially mean that Turkey accepts Greece’s proposal for seeking recourse through the ICJ. The same diplomatic circles also mention that the Clinton Administration has arrived at this decision in its effort to achieve Turkey’s participation in the European Summit, while at the same time satisfying Greece’s demand, one which is accepted by all of the EU member-states. A.F. [09] EU COMMISSIONER INAUGURATES EUROPEAN INSTITUTE IN NICOSIANicosia, December 3 (MPA)The European Union’s Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Hans Van Den Broek joined the Foreign Minister of Cyprus Yiannakis Kasoulides at the inauguration of the island’s European Institute yesterday evening.In his address, Mr. Van Den Broek stated that this event is taking place at a crucial time in the EU’s relations with Cyprus , given the imminent start of the accession talks. The Commissioner stressed that the Institute has a singular and strategic mission to achieve in the following months, “in contributing to the preparation of the Cypriot society in light of its accession to the EU.” Moreover, Mr. Van Den Broek stated that the Institute, for which the EU has granted ECU 1.3 million, will service both of the island’s communities and its structure will include distinguished figures from the Turkish-Cypriot community. In turn, Mr. Kasoulides stressed that the Institute constitutes an achievement for Cyprus, since it falls within its effort to become an active member of the European Community. A.F. [10] UNESCO’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT IN THESSALONIKIThessaloniki, December 3 (MPA)An international conference themed after “The Environment and Society: Education on and Public Awareness for Sustainability” will be organized by UNESCO in Thessaloniki between the 8-12 of December, in cooperation with the Greek government.The aim of the conference is to emphasize the crucial role of information in achieving sustainability, and to examine the contribution of environmental-issues education, as well as to provide data for the further development of the United Nations’ project committee for the development of sustainability. Among those present at the opening session of the conference will be UNESCO’s General director Federico Major and Greece’s Ministers of Environment, City Planning and Public Works, Kostas Laliotis; Education, Gerasimos Arsenis; and Culture, Evangelos Venizelos. The Conference is held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and is supported by the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe Thessaloniki’97, the above-mentioned ministries, and the national committee of UNESCO. A.F. [11] SIXTY-SEVEN BODIES DISCOVERED IN SIBERIA’S COAL MINE EXPLOSIONMoscow, December 3 (MPA)The number of victims in the Siberian coal mine explosion has risen to 67, according to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass.Rescue workers have already drawn 65 bodies while the remaining two are expected to be reached today. The methane gas blast occurred late Monday night at a pit in the Kemerovo region of central Russia, near the city of Novokuznyetsk . According to Itar Tass, compensation payments to the families of the victims, along with the cost of the rescue operation, is expected to amount to $1.9 million. A.F. [12] TURKEY SLAMMED BY AMNESTY INTERN/NAL FOR DIRE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDGeneva, December 3 (MPA)A report recently published by the human rights organization Amnesty International slams Turkey for its human rights violations, which reportedly include executions, torturing of children and illegal incarceration.The report contains a lengthy reference to the murders of the Greek-Cypriots Tasos Isaac, Solomos Solomou and Petros Kakoulis, as well as of the Turkish-Cypriot journalist Kutlu Adali. Amnesty International stresses in its report that the practice of torturing children continues in 1997, along with restrictions on freedom of expression which have resulted in the incarceration of 184 intellectuals, unionists and college students. According to the data provided in the report, during the course of 1997, 25 persons were killed during their hail confinement, while 23 others are missing after their arrest. Specifically, in Istanbul’s’ Umraniuye prison four persons were killed during police raids, while in the Diyarbair prison ten lost their lives after getting beaten by the prison wardens. Moreover, the report stated that 2,500 persons were killed during conflict that erupted between Kurdistan’s Labor Party rebels and Turkey’s armed forces, while 32 others remain missing after their arrest. Also, nine Kurdish-origin soldiers enlisted in the Turkish armed forces have been killed since 1996 during the course of their military service. A.F. [13] ROMANIA: PREMIER VICTOR CORBEA PROCEEDS TO CABINET RESHUFFLEBucharest, December 3 (MPA)Romania’s Prime Minister Victor Corbea proceeded to reshuffle his government cabinet yesterday evening, in an effort to renew the process of economic and social reform in his country.Heading the ministries of finance and reform at two of Romania’s most distinguished economists, Daniel Dianou and Ilies Serbanescu, while the former Finance Minster Mircea Ciumara was assigned to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Also Mr. Corbea proceeded to the establishment of a Ministry of Privatization which will expedite the process of privatizing the country’s largest industries. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Adrian Severin, who had recently accused opposition party leaders and publishers of espionage, albeit without providing sufficient proof for his allegations, kept his post but under the Premier’s warning that should Mr. Severin make similar unbacked allegations in the future he will be relieved of his duties. A.F. [14] THESSALONIKI PRESENTS SOPHOCLES’ TRAGEDY “AJAX” IN SKOPJE TONIGHTThessaloniki, December 3 (MPA)Within the context of the “1st Greek Companies’ Exhibition” organized in FYROM by the Thessaloniki-based HELEXPO - International Trade Fair, the National Northern Greece Theater will present Sophocles’ tragedy “Ajax”, tonight at Skopje’s Cedar Theater.“Ajax” is one of the plays rarely presented in Greece probably due to its unusual structure. In the middle of the play, the hero commits suicide bearing the cost of his actions upon himself whereas in the second part the conflict between Teucros and Menelaus and Ulysses’ reconciliatory intervention takes place, regarding the deceased man’s burial. Although the time and place of the story are not specified, there are, concurrently, explicit references to the recent history of Greece. As such, emphasis is laid on the transition from the archaic hero and his world to the democracy of Athens in the classic antiquity.. The first version of this “evolving representation” was performed in the ancient theater of Epidavros and in the Forest Theatre of Thessaloniki in the summer of 1996.The comments were intense and contradictory. The new version of the play was specially adapted for a closed area. The translation of the play is by N. Golemis, direction by B. Papathanasiou, stage-design and costumes by G. Zialas, music by D. Kamarotos. The actors taking part are: Th. Gonis, N. Karathanos, D. Kolovos, D. Martinopoulou, and others. P.D. [15] YOUNG GREEK WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS TO BE AWARDED IN STRASBOURGStrasbourg, December 3 (MPA)Three young Greek women photographers, aged 17 and 18, are to be granted honorary awards today for their pictures that were submitted in a photography of cultural monuments international competition that featured the participation of eight European countries.Along the three Greeks, awards will also be granted to children from Bosnia and Spain who participated in the competition. A selection of the selected photographs from the participating countries (Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Great Britain and Bosnia Herzegovina) will be unveiled tomorrow during the inauguration of an exhibit at the premises of the Council of Europe building. The Greek winning photographs feature the exterior of the Kaisariani Monastery. [16] UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA TO HOLD SEMINAR ON GREEKS OF SOUTH ITALYThessaloniki, December 3 (MPA)Thessaloniki’s University of Macedonia is organizing a seminar titled “The Greek Speaking People of South Italy and Ayvalik”, in cooperation with the cultural association SMakednos”, to be held on Sunday evening at the amphitheater of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s Polytechnic School.The seminar will feature Greek-speaking residents of Saledia and Callabria, and documentaries will also be presented, along with the book of D. Alexandros “The Greeks of Magna Grecia.” Also, the Turkish journalist Tanjuu Isbeck will speak on the maintenance of the Greek language at Ayvalik. 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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