MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (05/04/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Friday, April 5 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH SPEAKS WITH TURK PREMIER

The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos submitted a written memorandum to the Turk Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, during their meeting in Ankara today, illustrating the problems that Constantinople's Ecumenical Patriarchate is currently facing.

Following his meeting with the Turk Premier, Mr. Vartholomeos, accompanied by the Holy Synod, stated "I am leaving Ankara satisfied" and emphasized that he hopes the problems which the Patriarchate has faced for many years will be addressed.

"What is of foremost importance is that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has and maintains its new members in light of the new needs and conditions of our time," Vartholomeos added.

Patriarchate sources revealed that the memorandum given to Mr. Yilmaz contained verbatim the requests given four years ago to the then-premier Suleiman Demirel, among which is included the re-opening of the Halki Theological School

According to sources, the meeting between the two men was carried through in a friendly atmosphere.

The Turk Premier reiterated his will to reinstate friendly and peaceful relations with Greece, however, he did not refer to any of the issues currently concerning the relations between the two Aegean Sea neighbors.

[02] TRANSPORT MINISTER APOLOGIZES FOR OLYMPIC AIRWAYS DELAYS

The Minister of Transport and Communications Haris Kastanides issued a public apology today, for the repeated delays in the Easter holiday-burdened flights of Olympic Airways.

"I would like to publicly apologize to the Greek and foreign citizens who during these days have been subjected, or are being subjected, to hardships when traveling with our national air carrier," Kastanides stated

"Mistakes, recent or previous, have led to today's problems," the Transport Minister added and promised that the Ministry is currently working hard to ressolve these problems, albeit under unfavorable conditions.

Mr. Kastanides stated that the Ministry is faced with "the chronically unacceptable mentalities of certain people, and with the conscious efforts by, luckily few, others to undermine the Olympic Airways in order to turn its business elsewhere.

"I know that few in this country are willing to take up the responsibility accorded to them for the problems created, and as such, allow me to personally request the understanding and leniency of the travellers."

[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER INTERVIEWED BY "THE EUROPEAN"

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in an interview to the british newspaper "THE EUROPEAN" stated that he is willing to discuss with his turkish counterpart a formula for a honourable peace for both sides and for harmonious relations within the European Union.

Mr.Pangalos points out that Greece was shocked when it realized that Turkey has territorial claims against it in Eastern Aegean, he said that he looks forward to discussions with his turkish counterpart aimed at reaching a solution, saying that he believes he is a moderate and reliable person.

The greek Foreign Minister said that Turkey must realize that the least it can do first, is to withdraw its war threats, to declare that it will bring before the International Court of Justice in The Hague any claims it has against Greece while in the mean time it will have to respect the existing status quo.

Mr.Pangalos characterizes as "great improvement" the proposals for dialogue made by turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, but he added that instead of Turkey's proposals for bilateral talks without a legal framework he would have proposed to his turkish counterpart a step by step solution.

Mr.Pangalos said that a joint committee should be formed for the discussion of the legal terms of an agreement and then the two sides should go ahead with the revival of the good neighbourly relations committees and should promote cooperation in mutually advantageous sectors such as, commerce, tourism and drug-trafficking control.

The greek Foreign Minister stated that when the two sides reach this level then the mutual easing off of both countries' military presence in the Aegean will be facilitated. Mr.Pangalos said Turkey must realize that its course toward Europe also passes through its relations with Greece, adding that this will be told to Ankara and by Greece's european friends.

[04] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE USA WILL BE SUCCESSFUL

The greek government believes that Prime Minister Simitis' visit to the United States will be successful, stated greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressing the hope that the greek positions will be understood saying that they are on the right direction.

Mr.Reppas did not comment on the content of the interview to the british newspaper "THE EUROPEAN" by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos over the greek-turkish relations, by saying that mr.Pangalos reiterated the known greek positions.

Finally, responding to a question by a reporter he said that there is no decision for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Governmental Council for the discussion of the greek- turkish relations. He said that something like this is not in the Prime Minister's intentions and there was no such request made by any government minister.

[05] GREEK PREMIER ARRIVES IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS, WILL TOUR THRACE IN MAY

"We are not in a hurry to close any national issue. When the time comes, we will proceed to the most appropriate solution," stated the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today, upon his arrival to Alexandroupolis, when asked by reporters if there are Cabinet members advising him not to proceed to hastened solutions regarding national issues, for example the FYROM name issue.

Mr. Simitis stated that in the beginning of May he will also visit Thrace "in order to closely view" as he stated, "all of the region's problems and to try to promote this isolated area, near the Balkan area, as a center of development for the country."

[06] OLYMPIC FLAME TO PASS THROUGH THESSALONIKI THIS EVENING

A grand-scale ceremony honoring the arrival of the Olympic Flame in Thessaloniki will be held this evening in front of the city's historic landmark White Tower at 9 pm.

The Flame will arrive at the city's outskirts of Gallikos River, at 7:30 pm, from where distinguished Thessaloniki athletes will carry it to the center of town.

The previous-to-last kilometer of the distance will be run by athletes with special needs.

[07] MINISTER OF DEFENSE MEETS WITH BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Minister of National Defense Gerasimos Arsenis met with the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski today and the two men discussed the developments in the greater region, as well as the Bulgarian initiatives and, overall, Balkan security and stability.

In his statements following the meeting, which was held in a friendly atmosphere, Mr. Arsenis referred to the Bulgarian proposal to hold a meeting of Balkan foreign ministers in Sofia this summer, and a meeting of Balkan defense ministers this fall.

"Such meeting that is within the parameters of the greek proposal is welcomed by us and we will participate," Mr. Arsenis stated.

The meeting will be open to all Balkan countries, as well as those countries that have historic ties with the region.

In turn, Mr. Pirinski stated that the potential meetings constitute steps that will bind all the balkan region countries into a framework of developing initiatives for stability, co- operation, security and an overall positive climate that will counter the distressing consequences of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia.

[08] THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE MET TODAY IN ANCIENT OLYMPIA

International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch in an interview he gave in the International Olympic Academy characterized as possible the candidature of Athens to host the Olympic Games that will be held in 2.004.

Mr.Samaranch stated that Athens has a strong candidature for the year 2.004, adding that the decision by Athens to submit it, means that there is no bitterness over past decisions.

Referring to the other candidate-cities for the Olympic Games of the year 2.004, he stressed that Puerto Rico and Buenos Aires are in worse position than Cape Town, South Africa which too faces problems.

The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee held today the first meeting in its history in Ancient Olympia and was presided over by mr.Samaranch. The meeting was held in the new Convention Center located on the grounds of the Olympic Academy.

[09] 113 KILOS OF PURE COCAINE WERE CONFISCATED IN PIREAUS

Large quantity of cocaine was hidden in a container that was unloaded yesterday from the cargo ship "K.Gertrud" in the port of Pireaus.

Special Customs Agency officers, after a tip off they received a few days ago, opened the container and hidden among plastic sacks and blue-jeans they found 113 kilos of pure cocaine.

According to information, the ship, under Antiguan flag, made round trips from the port of Malta to Bulgaria or Turkey and arrived in Pireaus on April 3rd. The ship left port the next day after unloading at least 4 containers.

According to the same information, the ship's crew was made up of 9 phillippino sailors while the captain and the A' mechanic were germans. Possibly, the container with the cocaione was picked up from the Malta port and according to shipping documents at the disposal of the greek police, the container originated from Peru and was loaded on an unknown ship with destination Bulgaria.

[10] 14 KILOS OF COCAINE WERE FOUND IN THE SUITCASE OF A BRITISH CITIZEN

Police in Athens confiscated today 14 kilos of cocaine that was hidden in a suitcase belonging to the 61yearold british citizen Frans Nickolson who escaped the arrest.

The suitcase was picked up from the Athens Airport by a taxi driver and was brought to a hotel in the coastal town of Kamena Vourla were it was confiscated by the police.

[11] THE PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S POPULAR ASSEMBLY IS ON A 3-DAY VISIT TO GREECE

President of the chinese Popular Assembly mr.Kiao Si arrived in Athens today for a three-day formal visit after an invitation by greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Mr.Si is accompanied by a large delegation made up of government and parliament members and at noon today was received by greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[12] GREEK CARAVAN OF SOLIDARITY BEGINS ITS TRIP TO BOSNIA ON APRIL 20

The humanitarian mission "Greek Caravan of Solidarity" leaves for Bosnia on Saturday, April 20th. The Caravan is a programme of support for the orphan children of the war and has been established by greek Euro-deputies mr.Avgerinos (PASOK), mr.Lambrias (New Democracy), and mr.Alavanos (Coalition of the Left).

The Caravan's first stop will be Sarajevo and then will visit every town in Bosnia. The mission's members will meet the children and their mothers and will deliver them money offered by thousands of greek citizens.

Strong interest in the programme has been expresed by thousands of greeks, the greek Parliament, schools, unions and businesses.

[13] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON "HELLENISM AND NURENBERG IN HISTORY AND TODAY" WILL BE HELD ON MAY 17-19

International Conference on "Hellenism and Nurenberg, in History and Today" will be held in the city Nurenberg on May 17- 19.

Through the conference will be promoted the greek community's contribution to the scientific, cultural and economic sectors in contemporary Germany.

The conference is organized by Wurzburg University professor and Hellenic-German Initiative Chairman mr.Evangelos Konstantinou, well-known for his efforts in promoting the greek civilization in Germany.

[14] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH MET WITH TURK PREMIER MESUT YILMAZ

The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos met today with the Turk Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in Ankara, the first such meeting since prior to Tansu Ciller's government.

Prior to the meeting, the Turk Premier stated that he will hear the Patriarch's problems and "we will discuss ways in which we can help.

"We hope that the Patriarch will help in addressing certain religious needs of the turkish minority in Western Thrace," Yilmaz added.

The Patriarch congratulated Mr. Yilmaz for his election to the premiership.

[15] BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION

British Secretary of State Malcolm Rifkind stated that Cyprus' accession to the European Union before the Cyprus issue is resolved is difficult, but not impossible.

Responding to a question posed by a Labour Party parliamentarian regarding Cyprus' European accession process, Mr. Rifkind stated that the island's membership into the European Union will be enabled by the use of a political progress that would promote the solution of the cypriot problem.

While conceding that the divided island's accession to the EU may be difficult, Rifkind added that this does not mean it is impossible.

[16] BRITS IRKED BY LABOUR MINISTER'S PROPOSAL TO BRING MARBLES BACK

A recent proposal made by the British Labour Party Shadow Minister of Arts Mark Fisher favoring the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, has caught the wrath of Britain's government and National Museum.

This week, Fisher said that if the Labour Party were to come to power, it would embark on negotiations with the greek government regarding the issue of returning the "Elgin" marbles of Parthenon to Greece.

A spokesman for Tony Blair stated that Mr. Fisher had no authority to say what he said about the marbles, and reported that Mr. Blair was surprised and angered by his comments.

Also, the British Museum trustees decried Fisher's proposal for talks with Greece as a "betrayal of their trust."

According to a Museum spokesperson's statements, such a move could open the floodgates to other countries demanding the return of works of art, leading to the "piecemeal dismemberment of collections, which recognize no arbitrary boundaries of time or place."

In supporting his proposal, Fisher has said that atmospheric pollution has been reduced in Athens and that standards of curatorship have significantly improved in Greece. Moreover, the British Shadow Minister of Arts pointed out that a museum currently planned in Athens would provide a suitable home for the marbles.

In an interview to the british paper "Daily Telegraph", Mr. Fisher stated that if his party came to power, "it would be foolish and internationally churlish not to hold proper talks with the greek government."

Also, the former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock, has made repeated requests for the return of the marbles to Greece. He has said that "the Parthenon without the Marbles is like a smile with a missing tooth."

The marbles were part of the 524 ft frieze that once adorned the Parthenon, honoring the goddess Athena.

[17] GREEK PRODUCTS TO BE DISPLAYED IN AMMAN, JORDAN

The Greek Organization of Foreign Trade is organizing for the first time an exhibition of Greek products in Amman, Jordan.

The exhibition, which will take place between June 20-26, will promote contacts between Greek participants and Jordanian buyers.

Among the products that will be exhibited will be paper goods, kitchenware, food, cigarettes, animal feed, cosmetics and alkaline batteries.

[18] GREEK BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZED IN SWEDEN

A business symposium is organized in Sweden by the Organization of Exports Promotion.

Scheduled for the second half of 1996, the symposium will aim to promote collaborations between Greek businessmen and foreign investors. Secondary aims are the securing of investment capital for the transfer of technology and technological know- how, targeting the eastern European markets.

[19] WORLD BANK GIVES UNCONDITIONAL CREDITS FOR B-H'S RECONSTRUCTION

The Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina joined the World Bank. On April 1, in the presence of the World Bank President James Wolfheson, Bosnian Prime Minister Muratovic signed three agreements worth $75 million which represent unconditional credits for reconstruction of B-H transport, agriculture and waterpower.

The rest of the financial resources will be obtained on the donator's conference which will be held in Brussels soon, Prime Minister Muratovic announced.

[20] WORLD BANK AGREES ON PROJECT LOANS FOR FYROM

FYROM and World Bank consented on a preliminary agreement on $32 million in project lending based on already approved Financial and Enterprise Sector Adjustment Credit, Nova Makedonija reported. Of that sum, $24 million is for the projects in industry and agriculture. Stopanska Bank will possibly get money to support such projects.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is expected to approve a plan for rehabilitation and modernization of Stopanska Bank so that it will be able to fulfil this role.

An additional $7,9 million is expected from the IBRD's International Development Association for technical assistance to agriculture.

Both loans have to be approved by the IBRD's Board of Directors on May 16.

[21] ALBANIA WILL OPEN EMBASSY IN SARAJEVO

Albania will open soon an embassy in Sarajevo, Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi announced. During his two-day visit in Sarajevo, Mr. Serreqi discussed with the Bosnian government a number of agreements to be wrapped up. Bosnian trade officials were told by Mr. Serreqi to urge chambers of commerce in both countries to establish contacts among them as soon as possible.

[22] U.S. MILITARY AID FOR ALBANIA

Washington will provide military equipment worth more than $100 million to Albania, U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry announced. The package will include anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles and other military supplies.

United States has no plans to establish a base in Albania, but it would support the building of a new training center in Bize, Perry said.

Albanian president Sali Berisha conferred on Perry the Order of Skanderberg, the highest decoration awarded to foreigners.

[23] BULGARIAN MASS PRIVATISATION PERIOD EXTENDED

The period which Bulgarian citizens may obtain vouchers for use in mass privatisation has been extended with one more month by the Bulgarian Parliament vote on April 4, Western agencies reported.

The distribution of the vouchers which allow citizens to buy shares in 1,063 enterprises or in investment funds, began on 8 January and shoud be finished on April 8. According to the center for Mass Privatisation, 18.4% of the population permitted to take part in privatisation has bought vouchers up to date.

The ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party recently proposed that the Center for Mass Privatisation be given the right to raise the price of voucher books from current 500 leva to 750 or 1000 leva ($6.30), and from 100 leva for pensioners and students to 200 leva, the newspaper "24 Hours" reported.

[24] U.S. TROOPS WILL NOT SEEK BOSNIAN WAR CRIMINALS

United States troops will not run after Bosnian war criminals, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili said. It is the Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic's duty to bring the indicted Bosnian Serbs to justice, Shalikashvili stressed, adding that people like Radovan Karadzic will be out of power after the upcoming elections.

John Shalikashvili said he has no objections with NATO's planned withdrawal from Bosnia at the end of the year. One year is enough to tell whether the people in the area are serious about peace, Washington Post quoted Shalikashvili as saying. The daily noted that the U.S. commander on the ground Adm. Leighton Smith has not ruled out an extension. A debate is taking place in the U.S. and elsewhere on whether the one-year mandate for IFOR will be sufficient or not.

[25] GERMAN CONCERN ON PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA

"Will Bosnia become another Cyprus?" asks the "Die Welt" commentator in an article regarding German pessimism concerning the implementation of the civil part of the Dayton Agreement. He backs his remarks with a study on Bosnia prepared by the Eberhausen Science and Politics Foundation. This study indicate that the principal obstacle for the implementation of the reconstruction program is the Muslims' and Croats' objection to form and live in a federation imposed by others.

[26] CROATIAN WRITER ABOUT ZAGREB NATIONALIST POLICY

Nationalism has infiltrated all pores of social life in Croatia, all state institutions, the police, the media and especially the Ministry of Culture which radically "cleanses" all that is not "purely Croatian", Croatian writer Dubravka Ugresic wrote in an article titled "The Culture of Lies".

Published by the Polish newspaper "Gazeta Wyborcha", this article presents how the nationalist policy interferes in educational programs and modifies them. The mother tongue (Croatian) can now be taught only by "pure Croats", all the books printed in Cyrillic have been eliminated from public libraries, as well as thos "imbued with pro-Yugoslav spirit", the article says.

Croatian writer Dubravka Ugresic reveals ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Zagreb and other Croatian cities and indicates that sometimes Serbs in Croatia simply "disappear in the night." "Disloyal" Croats - those who disagree with Zagreb nationalist policy - were also persecuted, affirms Ugresic who had to emigrate for the same reason.

[27] NATO ACCEPTED FYROM DEFENSE PROGRAM

NATO accepted the FYROM program which is mapping the activities whithin the Partnership for Peace, planned to be undertaken until 1998. The program was evaluated by the NATO Military and Political Committee as "very good, embodying a wide range of activities that will boost the cooperation between FYROM and the Alliance".

FYROM has to set the exact date when the program will be signed by Defense Minister Blagoj Hanjiski and the NATO Secretary- General Javier Solana.

[28] RECOGNITION OF FYROM A QUESTION OF DAYS

The recognition of FYROM is just a matter of days, Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic purpotedly declared to the independent daily "Nasa Borba". Milutinovic did not mentioned a particular date of recognition.

The statement was given as soon as Germany announced that its appointed Ambassador for Belgrade will not take up his post before Yugoslavia has recognized FYROM.

[29] USA TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS IN FYROM

FYROM Foreign Minister Lubomir Frchkovski and the Chief of the American Embassy's diplomatic mission in Skopje Viktor Comras are expected to sign on Friday an agreement on encouraging the investments. This document will provide increased U.S. investment in FYROM and will stimulate further activities aimed at concluding bilateral agreements.

[30] SLOVENIA WILL SOON LIFT THE EMBARGO ON FYROM MEAT PRODUCTS

The unexpected Slovenian embargo to import or transfer via Slovenia meat and meat products from FYROM is expected to be raised these days following the meeting of the representatives of Veterinary Institutes from FYROM and Slovenia. Both sides decided to sign a Memorandum on Veterinary Cooperation.

[31] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              302.2580   301.3510    303.1650
U.S. Dollar      240.3400   239.6190    241.0610
Deutsche Mark    162.3900   161.9030    162.8770
UK Sterling      368.0100   366.9060    369.1140
French Franc      47.7020    47.5590     47.8450
Swedish Crown     36.2620    36.1530     36.3710
Danish Kroner     42.0810    41.9550     42.2070
Norwegian Crown   37.4400    37.3280     37.5520
Italian Lira      15.4065    15.3600     15.4530
Swiss Franc      201.3400   200.7000    201.9080
Spanish Peseta     1.9440     1.9382      1.9498
Finnish Mark      52.0300    51.8740     52.1860
Yen              223.8050   223.1340    224.4760

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