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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (06/03/1996)From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.ee.auth.gr>Macedonian Press Agency News in English DirectoryMACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISHThessaloniki 6 March 1996TITLES[01] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER GRANTS INTERVIEW TO TURKISH TELEVISION[02] FYROM NAME DISCUSSED BY GREEK COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS[03] FOUR GREEK PRISONS STILL SEIZED BY REBELLING INMATES[04] EUROPEAN COMMISSION: GREEK ECONOMY IS ON RIGHT TRACK[05] PROTEST MARCH IN FRONT OF THESSALONIKI'S TURKISH CONSULATE[06] GREEKS ABROAD STIR WORLD'S CONSCIOUSNESS REGARDING CYPRUS[07] THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER MET WITH THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT[08] THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR MET TODAY WITH THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT[09] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LOOKS INTO TORTURE OF TURKISH STUDENTS[10] PAPANDREOU'S RECUPERATION DEVELOPING NORMALLY[11] IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF THE LAST GREEK GODDESS[12] ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS WILL VISIT THE FANAR ON APRIL 23[13] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE EXHIBITION "KAZAKSTAN EXPO '96"[14] EUROPEAN COMMISSION RECOGNIZES FETA AS ONLY GREEK[15] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORTNEWS IN DETAIL[01] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER GRANTS INTERVIEW TO TURKISH TELEVISIONIn an interview granted to a turkish television station, Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos reiterated that the Imia issue should be brought before the International Justice Court at The Hague, if the relations between the two Aegean Sea neighbors should have a hope of stabilizing again.Although the interview has not yet been broadcast, excerpts of Mr. Pangalos' statements were published in the turkish press today. According to the Greek Foreign Minister, Turkey should either disavow its territorial claims on the rock islet, or drive itself directly to The Hague. Regarding the continental shelf issue, Mr. Pangalos said that both countries can jointly resort to The Hague, and clarified that there is no longer a link between the Turkey-EU Customs Union and Cyprus' accession to the Community, since when the Customs Union Accord had been drawn, the Imia issue had not yet occured. [02] FYROM COMPOUND NAME DISCUSSED BY GREEK COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSEGreek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas confirmed today that the issue of the composite name for Skopje was discussed by the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense pointing out that no final decisions were made on the matter.The greek government spokesman confirmed the information that United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance proposed for Skopje the name "Nova Makedonia" by saying characteristically that "such an approach had been made". [03] FOUR GREEK PRISONS STILL SEIZED BY REBELLING INMATESRebelling inmates continue to dominate the scene in four of Greece's prisons, although the riots have subsided in two other penitentiaries.The prisons of Larisa, Trikala, Alicarnassos and Corfu are still seized by the prisoners, while the situation in the Patras prison is currently under control. Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos announced today that the proposed draft bill to modernize the greek penitentiaries will not be presented to Parliament unless the riots come to a complete end. [04] EUROPEAN COMMISSION: GREEK ECONOMY IS ON RIGHT TRACKAccording to a recent report published by the European Commisssion, the greek economy is following a positive track given Greece's recent programs to limit public expense, decrease inflation, and a number of other factors aimed at creating a stable economic framework.In its four-page report, the Commission notes that the greek economy's biggest obstacle is its tremendous foreign debt, which serves as a suspending factor regarding Greece's equal participation in Europe's Economic and Monetary Union. According to the report, the Commission recognizes the greek government's efforts to limit its public sector expenses and applauds the 1995 fiscal results, hailing them as especially encouraging since they produced the biggest decrease in expenses. Referring to Greece's foreign debt, the Commission characterizes it as "a constant headache for the greek government" since it points to Greece's obligations that are difficult to overcome. However, the report emphasizes that the decrease in inflation constitutes a positive step in the greek economy's path, a course that is expected to continue in 1996. [05] PROTEST MARCH IN FRONT OF THESSALONIKI'S TURKISH CONSULATEIn an effort to promote the issue of the missing in Cyprus and condemn the self-proclaimed leader of Cyprus' occupied territory Rauf Denktash, Northern Greece's Cypriot House (Estia) will organize a protest march in front of Thessaloniki's turkish consulate.According to the Estia president Andreas Germanos, Denktash's recent statements that all the missing in Cyprus have been klilled have a triple aim: First, "to create the impression that all the missing are dead and as a result there is no reason to press on with the investigation, second, to "close" the issue since whatever information arises will not surpass the information already given, and, third to place all responsibility on the extremist element, thereby rellieving the occupational forces and Turkey of any fault. "However," Mr. Germanos added, " it is known to all that Denktash is the leader and Ankara the executor." Mr. Germanos emphasized that the Cypriot Estia does not consider the issue closed and as such will press on with shedding the necessary publicity to the matter. "The issue should have been the first priority for many years now," he said. "We expect that our european friends and allies, who weren't moved by the photographs of turk soldiers holding the (decapitated) heads of Kurds, will be sensitized to the pyramids of the murdered missing." Aiming at the condemnation of Denktash and the 22-year turkish occupation of Cyprus, the Cypriot Estia plans to forward protest resolutions to international organizations and will organize a protest march to Thessaloniki's turkish consulate within the following days. [06] GREEKS ABROAD STIR WORLD'S CONSCIOUSNESS REGARDING CYPRUSIn the aftermath of statements made by the turk-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that all those missing in Cyprus since the 1974 invasion have been murdered, the greeks living abroad have mobilized their powers to shed light into the matter.Phillip Christopher, the president of the organization representing greek-cypriots around the world and the initiator of the "Missing in Cyprus" legislation which spearheaded the recent United States investigation, stated that the U.S. investigation regarding the fate of the missing has not been completed and added that Denktash's cynical disclosure constitutes the first step in a long and crucially important process. Christopher said "the american law requires that the President shall do everything possible to return to their families... the United States citizens... and others who have been missing, including returning the remains of those who are no longer alive." Also, the co-chairmen of the "U.S. Committee on the Missing in Cyprus" and the drafters of the "Missing in Cyprus" bill, US Congressmen Eliot Engel and John Porter said that "We were shocked to hear that the missing Americans and Greek-Cypriots in Cyprus may have been killed in cold blood during the turkish invasion of Cyprus. it is inconceivable that it has taken 22 years for the Turks to admit to these horrible actions. On the same note, the President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens stated that "the dimensions of this crime against humanity are just now beginning to be revealed." [07] THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER MET WITH THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENTEU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek's visit to Cyprus was characterized as important by Britain's High Commissioner in Cyprus David Manten.In statements made by mr.Manten after the meeting he had with Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis was mentioned that they reviewed developments based on the recent talks between British Foreign Office official mr.Greenstock and European Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek concerning the Cyprus issue and the issue of Cyprus' accession into the European Union. Responding to the question if he supports the upgrading of the EU role and of the Italian EU Presidency's Coordinator role in Cyprus, mr.Manten mentioned that every EU mechanism has its own role to play. Mr.Manten said that the mission of italian Coordinator mr.Di Roberto is important and his report is expected to be submitted to the EU Council of Ministers. Finally, responding to a question by a journalist the British High Commissioner characterized as tragic the issue of the missing in Cyprus and stressed that investigations on their fate must be made within the framework of the United Nations Fact-Finding Committee. [08] THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR MET TODAY WITH THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENTIsrael asked Cypriot government to contribute to the condemnation and the prosecution of terrorists in Israel while based on the fact that Cyprus has good relations with the Palestinians it should explain to them the importance of fighting terrorism.The request was made by Israeli ambassador Siemi Tsur during his meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis who was briefed on the latest developments and on the wave of bomb attacks in Israel. Mr.Tsur reiterated the israeli government's determination to fight terrorism stressing that his country is not turning against the Palestinians but against terrorists anywhere in the world. The israeli Ambassador said that he does not think the israeli interests in Cyprus are in danger and expressed the belief that the cypriot police can protect them adequately. [09] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LOOKS INTO TORTURE OF TURKISH STUDENTSAmnesty International committees and foreign press correspondents will visit the city of Ismir on March 12th in order to investigate accusations on the torture of 16 students while in police custody in the turkish region of Manisa.The 16 students, ages between 14 and 20, had been arrested on February 8th accused of writting slogans on walls and of distributing leaflets with terrorist content. Thirteen of the students had suffered brutal tortures such as beatings and electroshocks while a 16 year old female student had been raped by four police officers who were interrogating her. The turkish Human Rights Organizations have repeatedly made accusations that torture in Turkey is used as interrogation method by security forces and in inspite of the recommendations made by Amnesty International the number of the people who are being tortured while in police custody is increasing steadily. According to evidence provided by the Human Rights League on the number of people tortured by police in the city of Ismir, in a 16-month period were made 324 accusations of tortures during police interrogation. [10] PAPANDREOU'S RECUPERATION DEVELOPING NORMALLYThe health condition of former prime minister and PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou is progressing normally, according to today's medical bulletin, issued by the Onasion Cardiosurgery Center.The medical bulletin notes that Mr. Papandreou has no fever and continues to undergo rehabilitative therapy through respiratory physiotherapy and kinesiotherapy. [11] IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF THE LAST GREEK GODDESSToday marks the second-year anniversary since the death of the "last greek goddess", as Melina Mercouri was considered by the international community.On this occassion, the Greek Minister of Culture Stavros Benos announced today that, in order to honor the former culture minister's memory, the entrance to the country's museums will be free on every March 6. Moreover, the Culture Ministry plans to re-organize the commission for the Parthenon marbles and, beginning June 1, Greek archaeologists will receive a monthly bonus of 25,000 drachmas. [12] ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS WILL VISIT THE FANAR ON APRIL 23Archbishop of North and South America, Iakovos will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople on April 23rd for talks with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.The visit was announced during the Spring meeting of the Archbishopric Council while it was also made known that during the month of March a complete report with proposals on the succession to the throne of the Archbishop of North and South America will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarch. [13] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE EXHIBITION "KAZAKSTAN EXPO '96"Greece will participate in the International Exhibition "Kazakstan Expo '96" which will be held in the capital of Kazakstan, Alma Ata on April 23 and 24. The greek participation aims at opening new markets for the greek products.In the exhibition will participate Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Holland, Britain, Austria, Germany, France, Australia and Hong Kong while the greek mission will be organized by the Organization of Foreign Trade. [14] EUROPEAN COMMISSION RECOGNIZES FETA AS ONLY GREEKThe European Commission recognized the cheese "feta" as being solely Greek, thereby securing its full absorption into the market and an increase in milk prices.[15] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORTCURRENCY FIXING BUY SELL ECU 303.3700 302.4600 304.2800 U.S. Dollar 240.5400 239.8180 241.2620 Deutsche Mark 163.9000 163.4080 164.3920 UK Sterling 368.4600 367.3550 369.5650 French Franc 47.8280 47.6850 47.9710 Swedish Crown 35.7400 35.6330 35.8470 Danish Kroner 42.4190 42.2920 42.5460 Norwegian Crown 37.6600 37.5470 37.7730 Italian Lira 15.4990 15.4530 15.5450 Swiss Franc 200.7400 200.1380 201.3420 Spanish Peseta 1.9474 1.9416 1.9532 Finnish Mark 53.1360 52.9770 53.2950 Yen 229.6500 228.9610 230.3390 |
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