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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief Greek News in English, 98-06-29Macedonian 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, June 29, 1998TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES APPEAL TO MASS MEDIA OVER KOSSOVO CRISISOhrid, June 29 (MPA)The Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) has issued an appeal to all the mass media and journalists throughout the Balkan region to develop their activities to the fullest always guided by the principles of journalism, pluralism, objectivity and commitment to truth, in order to contribute to the development of a climate of peace, security , cooperation and good neighbourliness, so needed in the region, especially following the recent worrisome developments in Kossovo.This was the final communique issued at the closing of the 6tth regular general assembly of ABNA. Whose session closed n Sunday evening in Ohrid. The assembly, which features the participation of the national news agencies of all the Balkan countries, dealt in-depth with the innovative program “DIAVLOS:”, which allows for the satellite link among the news agencies and whose approval is awaited soon by the European Union. Also, the assembly addressed the “Balkan News Bank” program which has embarked on its pilot operation at its headquarters in Thessaloniki. Lastly, the ABNA members unanimously elected MPA’s general director Spyros Kouzinopoulos as ABNA’s secretary general and warmly congratulated the Bulgarian news agency BTA for completing its centennial anniversary since its founding. [02] EU COMMISSIONER PAPOUTSIS: GREECE IN EMU BY 2001Athens, June 29 (MPA)Greece’s target of entering the Economic and monetary Union by the year 2001 is a realistic one and wholly feasible, according to the European Union’s Commissioner on Energy Christos Papoutsis.In an interview with a Thessaloniki daily, Mr. Papoutsis stated that the Commission views Greece’s efforts in this direction as a positive one and sees that significant steps have already been taken. Moreover, the Commissioner stressed that this effort must enjoy the Greek people’s approval. “There can’t be development without structural changes,” he stated. [03] TURKEY MOURNS QUAKE VICTIMS, 112 BODIES DISCOVERED SO FARAnkara, June 29 (MPA)The devastating 6.3 Richter earthquake that occurred in southern Turkey on Saturday, killed at least 112 people and has injured another 1,000. The quake struck late in the afternoon and had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3, Istanbul's Kandilli observatory said.Tremors were felt in the neighboring provinces of Mersin, Nigde and Kayseri. Authorities cut power in Adana and Mersin to prevent fires and advised people to spend the night outside their homes, anticipating aftershocks. Much of Turkey sits atop the Anatolian fault and quakes are relatively frequent in the country. Many European countries have offered assistance, among them Greece. [04] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS CONVENE OVER KOSSOVO TODAYLuxembourg, June 29 (MPA)The European Union’s Foreign Ministers are to meet in Luxembourg today in order to discuss the fermenting crisis in Kossovo.Meanwhile the United Nations secretary-general Koffi Annan warned that if NATO takes military action in Kossovo without the Security Council’s relevant decision, it would constitute a dangerous precedent. [05] CULTURE MINSTER IN CANADA TODAYAthens, June 29 (MPA)Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos is to arrive in Canada today where he will represent Greece at the two-day international conference on international cultural cooperation in Ottowa. He will also address the city's Press Club on Greece's role in Europe, the Mediterranean, the South East Europe and the Cultural Olympiad, before meeting with Canadian National Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.During his visit, Mr. Venizelos is expected to meet with the Canadian-Greek community and members of the Canadian government. [06] GREEK PRESIDENT RETURNS HOME IMPRESSED BY CYPRIOTS’ PATRIOTISMLarnaca, June 29 (MPA)Greek President, Kostis Stephanopoulos, who just completed a four-day, official visit to Cyprus, stated that his visit was “most successful" and reiterated that his message to Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriots was one for friendship and peace.The Greek head of state told the Macedonian Press Agency that he was most impressed by the patriotism expressed by the Greek Cypriots. When asked to comment on the degree to which the joint defense doctrine has aided Cyprus, Mr. Stephanopoulos said that it unquestionably helped since it boosted the morale. Nevertheless, the Greek President was not optimistic of resolving the issue as long as Turkey does not shift its policy and as long as the international organisations and the great powers fail to exert pressure on the Turkish leaders. Mr. Stephanopoulos ruled out any possibility of Greece making a concession. He pointed out that the positions of the Greek Cypriots and Greece in respect to a solution to the Cyprus problem stand firm. “There are no new ideas. We are talking about a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. The Greek president’s visit to the island was the first ever conducted by a Greek head of state since the founding of the Republic in1960. He was escorted by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, National Economy Undersecretary Alekos Baltas and other officials. Mr. Stephanopoulos stressed that "the Cyprus problem is Greece's top priority", and added that "Greece will never stop supporting and standing by the people of Cyprus in their effort to regain their freedom, independence and integrity." The Greek president also stressed that during his visit he tried to send "a message of friendship and reconciliation to Turkey" and expressed the hope Ankara will listen to it. "Turkey cannot continue acting this way if it wishes to act with prudence and respect fundamental human rights", he added. [07] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER: “RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS ‘JUMPING THE GUN’”Larnaca, June 29 (MPA)Greece’s Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, commenting on the recent statements made by US newly-appointed ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke , who forecast a full-scale war in Kossovo involving all of the Balkan countries, stated that the US diplomat is ‘jumping the gun’.“Maybe he thinks that he’s exerting pressure in order to find a solution (to Kossovo),” Mr. Pangalos said. Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Pangalos said that there could be a problem for Greece if 200,000 Albanians move from Kossovo towards Albania and 50,000 of them end up in Greece. Moreover, Mr. Pangalos expressed the hope that if military intervention does take place in Kossovo it be held carefully. He stated that Greece maintains excellent ties with Serbia, albeit adding that “Belgrade does not listen in time.” [08] GREEK, GERMAN POST OFFICES TO SIGN DRAFT AGREEMENT ON COOPERATIONAthens, June 29 (MPA)A draft agreement on co-operation between the Greek and German post offices is to be signed during the following days, which will mean the formation of a joint company that twill undertake the mailing of packages.Officials from Greece’s Greek Post Office and Germany’s Deutsche Post, met last week in Athens. The Greek-German post company will also have a board of directors which will comprise three members from each country and one member mutually appointed. [09] GERMAN FM: WE SUPPORT NANO’S POLICY IN KOSSOVOTirana, June 29 (MPA)Bonn has saluted Albania’s “prudent” stance in regards to Kossovo and encourages the Albanian government to continue with its constructive policies,.In a letter addressed to the Albanian Prime Minster Fatos Nabo, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel stated that “a viable solution can be achieved only through dialogue. I am aware that the radical elements., both in Kossovo and in your country are being strengthened as long as the crisis remains open. I ask that you do not allow this situation to disorientate you. Continue with your constructive policy.” [10] HOLBROOKE: KIJEVO IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE IN EUROPEPrishitna, June 29 (MPA)US newly appointed ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke has characterised the small village Kijevo, located 50 kilometers west of Prishtina, as the most dangerous place in Europe today.Mr. Holbrooke also warned that the Serb province of Kossovo is mere steps away from war. For over a month, about sixty unarmed Serb families are encircled by guerrillas of the Kossovo Liberation Army in the village and are subject to daily raids. Yesterday a Serb army helicopter managed to land in the village in order to transport four pregnant women to the hospital of Prishtina. According to western diplomats, Serb President Slobodan Milosevic could order an attack against the KLA in the areas surrounding Kijevo, but this is not feasible since it could trigger an attack by the KLA against the villagers. 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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