Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 98-09-16

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, September 16, 1998

TITLES

[01] BERISHA FOLLOWERS ORGANIZE NEW RALLY IN TIRANA

[02] DEFENSE MINISTER BRIEFS LEADER OF MAIN OPPOSITION ON ALBANIAN CRISIS

[03] ROLLING STONES TO ROCK ATHENS TONIGHT, THOUSANDS TO GET SATISFACTION

[04] SITUATION IN ALBANIA NORMALIZED, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY

[05] TWO SLIGHT EARTHQUAKES BRING TREMORS TO THESSALONIKI

[06] GREEK FM TO GIVE ADDRESS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY EVENT

[07] GREECE AND CYPRUS SIGN CULTURAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

[08] FBI DIRECTOR ARRIVES IN GREECE TOMORROW FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

[09] FERRARI, SUPERFAST FERRIES & CAMPARI TO STAGE SIX-DAY EVENT TOMORROW

[10] DEPUTY FM: CYPRUS WILL NOT BE ECONOMIC BURDEN TO THE EU

[11] HEAD OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF FINLAND

[12] TIRANA MOVES TO REMOVE BERISHA'S PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] BERISHA FOLLOWERS ORGANIZE NEW RALLY IN TIRANA

Tirana, September 16 (MPA)

A parliamentary committee is to review whether or not Mr. Berisha's and five Democratic Party deputies' parliamentary immunity will be lifted in order to criminally prosecute them. Meanwhile, the European Union, the Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe and the Western European Union has issued an appeal to all of Albania's political forces to support president Rejep Meidani

[02] DEFENSE MINISTER BRIEFS LEADER OF MAIN OPPOSITION ON ALBANIAN CRISIS

Athens, September 16 (MPA)

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the problem in the neighboring country is a political one and stated that the situation is being normalized.

In turn, Mr. Karamanlis stated that the situation is still too fluid and proposed that the Greek government request the convention of an emergency session with the European Union's foreign ministers.

Moreover, Mr. Karamanlis asked that the security of Greek residing in Albania and Greek troops assigned there be ensured.

[03] ROLLING STONES TO ROCK ATHENS TONIGHT, THOUSANDS TO GET SATISFACTION

Athens, September 16 (MPA)

The concert is to start around 9.30 p.m. and the Stones are expected to play for two whole hours.

[04] SITUATION IN ALBANIA NORMALIZED, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY

Tirana, September 16 (MPA)

The Albanian parliament's appropriate committee is to examine the district attorney's request to lift Mr. Berisha's parliamentary immunity which he enjoys as the leader of the main opposition party. Mr. Berisha and four of his colleagues, face charges of organizing, aiding and abetting an armed uprising. Meanwhile, the European Union, the Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe and the Western European Union has issued an appeal to all of Albania's political forces to support president Rejep Meidani.

[05] TWO SLIGHT EARTHQUAKES BRING TREMORS TO THESSALONIKI

Thessaloniki, September 16 (MPA)

The quake's epicenter was located 10 kilometers northeast of the city. Seismologists at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics lab stated that the tremors are no cause for concern.

[06] GREEK FM TO GIVE ADDRESS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY EVENT

New York, September 16 (MPA)

The event is organized by the Greek Studies program, the School of International and Public Relations and the Institute of Western Europe.

[07] GREECE AND CYPRUS SIGN CULTURAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Nicosia, September 16 (MPA)

The agreement provides for upgraded Greek participation in the annual Cyprus festival "Ta Kypria", now underway, the furthering of cooperation in theater, music, cinema and archaeology, as well as exchanges and cooperation in the international art and music fields.

It also provides for Cyprus' participation in the Cultural Olympiad to take place in Greece from the year 2000 to 2004. Mr. Venizelos underlined the importance of cultural cooperation between the two countries and pointed out that never before had it been set out in such a formal way as in the agreement signed today. He said the agreement had a "practical basis".

In turn, the Cypriot Culture Minister stated that "as we believe closer cultural cooperation is our national duty, the two ministries have developed close ties aiming at safeguarding the historical identity of the Greek nation."

He added that meetings between delegations of the two ministries will be held every six months and there will be a constant exchange of information and views.

Replying to questions, Mr. Venizelos expressed disappointment with the European Union's stance towards the destruction of the cultural heritage in the areas of the Republic occupied by Turkey since 1974.

He said the EU should show more sensitivity as it believes in the common European cultural heritage and noted that UNESCO and the Council of Europe show more interest in the situation.

[08] FBI DIRECTOR ARRIVES IN GREECE TOMORROW FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

Athens, September 16 (MPA)

According to the U.S. embassy in Athens, Mr. Freeh, who is currently on a European trip, will have talks on issues of mutual interest with Greek government officials involved in law enforcement.

[09] FERRARI, SUPERFAST FERRIES & CAMPARI TO STAGE SIX-DAY EVENT TOMORROW

Athens, September 16 (MPA)

The cars will depart from the Italian port of Ancona tomorrow and will arrive in Patras 19 hours later aboard a SuperFast ferry, owned by Greek blue-chip Attica Enterprises, which is listed on the Athens bourse.

Among events planned starting on Friday are skill races in Alepohori near Megara and then a drive to Athens.

The Ferraris will be lined up in front of the Kallimarmaro Stadium in central Athens and the Acropolis.

[10] DEPUTY FM: CYPRUS WILL NOT BE ECONOMIC BURDEN TO THE EU

Athens, September 16 (MPA)

Speaking on the issue of "The Prospects of Europe: Greece and Cyprus, a Dynamic and Supplementary Relation", Mr. Kranidiotis said that whatever expenditures will be channeled in their largest part in the northern part of Cyprus, being the less developed. He said that for Cyprus to obtain economic benefits, it will go ahead quickly and systematically with the adjustment of the economy to the facts and claims of the big united market of Economic Monetary Union.

Moreover, Mr. Kranidiotis stated that Europe, Greece and Cyprus are faced with new prospects, opportunities and challenges on the threshold of the 21st century since the global system, as he said, appears to lack institutional bases of stability, the European Union with the establishment of EMU and enlargement is emerging as the exclusive factor of stability.

[11] HEAD OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF FINLAND

Athens, September 16 (MPA)

Following their talks, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that there is an excellent level of relations between the parliaments of the two countries.

In turn, Mr. Ahtisaari expressed his satisfaction over the close cooperation between the parliaments of Greece and Finland and noted that he discussed with Mr. Kaklamanis ways "to make the people, and especially the youth, interested in day-to-day issues and politics."

He also stressed the need for the strengthening national parliaments' role and European integration. The Finnish president also noted that the international community must support the effort for a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Kaklamanis expressed the hope that Cyprus' accession talks will be concluded by the time Finland assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union in 1999.

Finally, Mr. Kaklamanis underlined that it is necessary for the international community to follow a mutual course so as to restore the territorial integrity of Cyprus.

[12] TIRANA MOVES TO REMOVE BERISHA'S PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY

Tirana, September 16 (MPA)

The prosecutor's office has already requested that Mr. Berisha's parliamentary immunity be lifted, along with other five deputies from the Democratic Party, on the grounds of organizing and participating in an armed uprising, which resulted in the destruction of government buildings and stores.

A parliamentary committee is to review whether or not Mr. Berisha's and the five deputies' parliamentary immunity will be lifted in order to criminally prosecute them.

Mr. Berisha has stated he is not concern over possibly being stripped of parliamentary immunity.

``I am not at all concerned,'' he stated. ``I am determined to face any attack will all my strength.''

The Albanian parliament yesterday ratified the Public Order Ministry's request to have the military police and a SWAT team to its avail given the critical stage of the situation.

Moreover, the government announced that it will adopt harsher measures in dealing with Mr. Berisha's armed followers.

Approximately 150 armed individuals are reportedly still stationed at the Democratic Party's headquarters.

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