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MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (18/04/1996)From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>Macedonian Press Agency News in English DirectoryMACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISHThursday, April 18 1996[A] NATIONAL NEWS[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWSTITLES[A] NATIONAL NEWS[01] EXTREMISTS OPEN FIRE AT RANDOM IN CAIRO, KILL 19 GREEK TOURISTS[02] CAIRO TERRORIST ATTACK: DEATH TOLL 19, WOUNDED 14[03] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED ITS GRIEF OVER THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN CAIRO THAT KILLED 18 GREEK TOURISTS[04] GREECE DENOUNCES TERRORIST ACTS, TO SEND AID TO VICTIMS[05] EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY CHARACTERIZES TODAY'S ATTACK AS ONE OF THE WORST EVER[06] MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE DENOUNCES TERRORIST ATTACK[07] GREECE-FYROM TALKS TO BE CONTINUED IN JUNE[08] GREEK EMBASSY TO ISSUE PROTESTS OVER TURKISH VIOLATIONS OF GREEK TERRITORIAL WATERS[09] INVESTIGATION ON TRAIN EXPLOSION IS STILL IN THE DARK[10] BANK SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI FOR BALKAN COUNTRIES[11] "OPEN AGENDA" MEETING BETWEEN THE GREEK AND THE TURK FOREIGN MINISTERS IN BUCHAREST[12] THE FUNERAL OF GREEK TYCOON STAVROS NIARCHOS WAS HELD IN LAUZANNE, SWITZERLAND TODAY[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS[13] SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS TO DISCUSS CYPRIOT ISSUE[14] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WARNED THAT HIS COUNTRY WILL NOT ALLOW ISRAELI JETS TO USE ITS AIRSPACE WHEN THEY FLY TO TURKEY[15] AN ANNIVERSARY CREATES TENSION IN BULGARIA-FYROM RELATIONS[16] REPORT ON THE EASTERN EUROPE ECONOMY[17] MOLDOVIA AND RUSSIA SET UP A COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION[18] THE FOURTH ROMANIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NEXT MONTH[19] ROMANIA GRANTED BY AUCTIONS OIL FIELDS CONCESSION[20] FIRST ROMANIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR BECOMES OPERATIVE[21] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT[A] NATIONAL NEWS[01] EXTREMISTS OPEN FIRE AT RANDOM IN CAIRO, KILL 19 GREEK TOURISTSNineteen people have been killed, most of whom greek tourists, and 14 are injured, when four individuals armed with automatic rifles opened fire on a group of tourists outside the "Europa" hotel, near the Cairo pyramids this morning.According to eyewitness reports, the assassins, three men and one woman dressed in white robes, got off a small truck and walked to the hotel's entrance where they opened fire against the tourists at random shouting "God is great." They were able to get away with their vehicle, amidst the chaos that followed after the attack. According to reports by the Associated Press and the French Press Agency, the group of greek tourists was getting ready to travel to Alexandria by a tourist bus. A spokesperson from the Greek Embassy in Cairo stated that at this time no additional information is known about the attack, although, according to reports, the massacre appears to be the work of extremist muslims who are active in Egypt. In a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry, "terrorists" are considered responsible for the massacre, a term used by the egyptian authorities when referring to the extremist muslims who are attempting to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak. The Egyptian Ministry of Interior announced that the tourists were Greeks, while, according to the hotel's staff, there were many Poles among them. A spokesperson from the Thessaloniki-based travel agency "Philoxenia" which organized the tour in Egypt, stated that approximately 50 people were participating in this tour, mostly elderlies from Thessaloniki and Athens. The "Europa" hotel is often frequented by Israeli tourists, although it hasn't been ascertained if they were the terrorists' target. No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack, although egyptian authorities believe that the islamist organization Jamaa al Islamiyia, which since1992 has targeted tourist sites, is behind this attack. [02] CAIRO TERRORIST ATTACK: DEATH TOLL 19, WOUNDED 14The death toll of today's terrorist attack in Cairo is nineteen lives, while fourteen others have been critically injured. All of those killed are greek citizens, as well as twelve of the wounded, seven of whom are listed in a critical conditon.Two greek air force trasport planes C-130 flew today for Cairo equipped with medical staff and supplies in order to attend to the injured greeks. One of the planes will be used to trasport those who are injured and in a condition to be moved, while the other will be used to carry the bodies back to Greece. According to information so far, two of the killed have been identified as Marian Flamiakou, 40 years old, and Stavroula Diakoumeli. Hospitalized at a Cairo hospital are: Eleni Tsapi, Emanuel Damaskinos, Elleni Kamenidou, Parthena Heliopoulou, Gesthemane Beloka, Eleni Kostaki, Antonia Labrounidaki, Koula Geraklidou, John Manolakakis, Zafeiro Ilionidou. Critically wounded is Stylianos Drakoulis. Out of danger ore Anna Mystakidou, Jordan Mystakides, Foteini Papaeconomou, Vasso Konstantopoulou, Stavroula Egrepeoglou, Anna Papoula, Vassilis Bikas, Maria Probona, Crhysanthe Liakou, Eleni Drakouli and Maria Takou. The condition of the remaining persons is unknown. [03] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED ITS GRIEF OVER THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN CAIRO THAT KILLED 18 GREEK TOURISTSGreek President Kostis Stephanopoulos expressed abhorrence and deep grief over the terrorist attack in Cairo that resulted in the deaths of greek citizens. In his statement the President also offers his condolences to the families of the victims while he wishes quick recovery to those injured.Prime Minister Kostas Simitis also expressed grief for the tragic incident in Egypt and stressed that already have been given orders for the mobilization of the state mechanism in order to offer assistance to the survivors and to take the necessary measures for the injured and for the transportation of those killed. [04] GREECE DENOUNCES TERRORIST ACTS, TO SEND AID TO VICTIMSThe greek government denounces terrorist acts and considers terrorism to be an unacceptable method for the resolution of any issue, stated today the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas referring to the massacre that took place in Cairo this morning, where 18 greek tourists were killed and 13 others have been critically wounded.Confirmed information regarding the identities of the massacre victims has not been issued yet, stated Mr. Bikas adding that the Ministry is in close contact with the charge d'affaires of the Greek Embassy in Cairo and with the Egyptian Ambassador in Athens. The spokesperson also added that a plan to provide emergency aid to the victims may be issued by the greek government. Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos is currently communicating with the Defense Ministry to see that a greek military aircraft type C-130 departs for Cairo. When asked if there is a travel advisory issued by the greek government for Egypt, Mr. Bikas stated that there isn't one. [05] EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY CHARACTERIZES TODAY'S ATTACK AS ONE OF THE WORST EVERToday's terrorist attack against a group of greek tourists outside a Cairo hotel has been characterzed as one of the bloodiest ever, by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, which condemned the islamist terrorists it holds responsible for the massacre.The attack, which claimed the lives of 19 people and has left 14 others wounded, is thought to be an act carried out by islamic extremists active in Egypt. The turkish state television station TRT-1 reported today that according to eyewitnesses, three armed men opened fire on the group of tourists who were boarding the tour bus outside Cairo's "Europa" hotel. No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. [06] MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE DENOUNCES TERRORIST ATTACKToday's terrorist attack in Cairo, targeted at innocent tourists, has been condemned as an abhorrent act by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos.The Minister stated this afternoon that two Olympic Airways air planes C-130 have been dispatched to Egypt in order to bring back the greek tourists. The Egyptian airlines have also dispatched one of their own aircraft for the same purpose. [07] GREECE-FYROM TALKS TO BE CONTINUED IN JUNEGreece and FYROM have agreed to continue their direct discussions on the name issue in early June, announced Cyrus Vance, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, today.Mr.Vance also expressed his satisfaction for the political willingness shown by both Greece and FYROM during the talks held in New York yesterday regarding the skopjan name issue. Following the meeting, the UN Envoy stated that he will not submit the mandate to the Security Council and said that "we exchanged views in the context of article 5 of the Interim Accord and both parties agreed to continue their direct discussions under my auspices at a mutually convenient date in early June". Representing Greece in the talks is the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Christos Zacharakis and representing FYROM is Ambassador Ivan Tosevski. [08] GREEK EMBASSY TO ISSUE PROTESTS OVER TURKISH VIOLATIONS OF GREEK TERRITORIAL WATERSGreek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas stated today that the Greek Embassy in Ankara will issue protests to Ankara over the recent violations of Greece's territorial waters over the Imia islets.The protest will concern yesterday's violations of greek territorial waters by turkish navy vesels, as well as recent violations of Greek airspace in the Aegean Sea. [09] INVESTIGATION ON TRAIN EXPLOSION IS STILL IN THE DARKEfforts to shed light into the recent explosion that occured on Easter Sunday at Thessaloniki's station of the Greek Railway Organization (OSE) are being exerted in every direction, according to the city's police.Thessaloniki's Police Chief George Plakas told the Macedonian Press Agency that nothing is being ruled out, although no leads have surfaced up to now. Four Romanians who were detained by police during the first hours following the explosion at the stationary train, were set free after questioning. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Railway Organizaiton (Balgarski Darzavni Zeleznitsi) relased a statement in Sofia saying that the train car in whose toilet the bomb was placed, belonged to a greek and not a bulgarian train. The bulgarian train car that was adjacent to the greek train had returned to Sofia when the train entered greek territory. [10] BANK SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI FOR BALKAN COUNTRIESThe development of the greek banking system in the balkan- region countries will be the subject of a day-long seminar scheduled for April 24 in Thessaloniki.The seminar is jointly organized by the Association of Northern Greece's Industries (SVVE) and the Greek Banks Association. Scheduled to speak at the opening ceremony are the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, the Under- Minister of National Economy Mr. Pachtas, the SVVE President Mr. Efthimiades and the Secretary-General of the Greek Banks Association Mr. Manos. [11] "OPEN AGENDA" MEETING BETWEEN THE GREEK AND THE TURK FOREIGN MINISTERS IN BUCHARESTThe Turk Foreign Minister Emre Gonesay will attend on April 27 in Bucharest the ministerial meeting of Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Turkish media reports he will hold an "open agenda" meeting with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos."After the Dayton agreement, the difficult period in the region has been left behind and the cooperation can be restored," a Turkish diplomat said. He underlined that the Balkan region is Turkey's geographical link to Europe and Ankara considers establishment of peace and stability here an issue of vital interest. Therefore, the policy review meeting which has been held with Turkey's ambassadors from nine Balkan capitals shows that Turkish diplomacy enters a period of feverish activity on a variety of issues from terrorism to Balkan stability, aiming to establish Turkey's bilateral relations with regional countries as well as Turkey's role in the multilateral "reconstruction period" in the area. Turkey is also expected to participate in the meeting of Balkan foreign ministers in Sofia. [12] THE FUNERAL OF GREEK TYCOON STAVROS NIARCHOS WAS HELD IN LAUZANNE, SWITZERLAND TODAYThe funeral of greek tycoon Stavros Niarchos, who died last Tuesday in Zurich at the age of 86, was held in Lauzanne, Switzerland today. The funeral service was held in the Greek- Orthodox Church of Saint Gerasimos.Stavros Niarchos was burried in his family grave at a cemetery near Lauzanne where his wife Evgenia Livanos had also been burried. The funeral attended 35 people among them the family of italian industrialist Gianni Agnielli. [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS[13] SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS TO DISCUSS CYPRIOT ISSUEThe unacceptability of the cypriot status quo was re-affirmed during yesterday's meeting of the five permanent member-states of the Security Council.The members agreed that a conclusive solution to the issue must be found, based on the United Nations resolutions, the high level agreements and the efforts put forth by the Secretary- General and his representatives. A statement issued by the United States, which acts as this month's co-ordinator for the permanent members' activities, mentioned that views were exchanged on ways to accomplish the above targets and underlines the total support of the "Five" to the Secretary-General's services. [14] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT WARNED THAT HIS COUNTRY WILL NOT ALLOW ISRAELI JETS TO USE ITS AIRSPACE WHEN THEY FLY TO TURKEYCypriot President Glafkos Kliridis warned that his country will not allow israeli jets to use its airspace when they fly to Turkey. He also warned that in case of a violation there will be a crisis in the friendly relations between Cyprus and Israel.Those warnings are included in a letter sent by President Kliridis to israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview to the cypriot state TV that will be aired tonight mr.Kliridis stresses that there was no violation of the cypriot airspace by israeli fighter jets flying to Turkey. He also categorically denied press publications according to which those war planes, that were accompanied by turkish ones outside the cypriot airspace, had hit Lebanon. The cypriot President stated that the israeli jets were monitored by cypriot radars and they had landed at turkish airfields. The cypriot President also revealed that a permit will not be issued, as it had been requested by Israel, allowing israeli airplanes to use the cypriot airspace for a future flights to Turkey. [15] AN ANNIVERSARY CREATES TENSION IN BULGARIA-FYROM RELATIONSThe commemmoration of the Bulgarian revolutionary Yianne Sndanski's death anniversary, who is claimed as a "Macedonian" by the super-nationalists of Skopje, has been the source of tension in relations between Bulgaria and FYROM recently.Bulgarian District Attorney Ivan Tatarchev has threatened that he will dispatch special police forces to supervise the rally organized by the pro-skopjan organization "OMO Ilden" scheduled to take place on Sunday in southwestern Bulgaria. [16] REPORT ON THE EASTERN EUROPE ECONOMYThe Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, all of them members of CEFTA, have achieved the biggest successes in the implementation of the reforms necessary for solving the economic recession. This is the conclusion of the annual Report on the World Economy issued by the UN Economy Commision for Europe (ECE), according to international media reports.Last year the GNP growth in these countries was of 3-5%, in Romania 6,9% and in Albania of 13,4%. Bulgaria and FYROM have had least favourable results with GNP growth of 2% each, while in Croatia a negative trend of 1,5% was noticed. On the average, economic growth in Eastern Europe has risen to 6%, but it is still an average of 15% below the levels before the end of 1989, when in this former communist states began the transition to the market economy, the report mentioned. Western Europe absorbs 50 to 60 percent of the exports from Central and Eastern European states. "Eastern Europe now stands out as an area of rapid growth," the ECE analysts said, adding that differences were growing between the economies of the CEFTA countries member as well as Romanian and Albania and most of the former Yugoslav states and Bulgaria. In a note of caution, the analysts said that although overall Eastern Europe continued to work its way out of recession, full recovery "is still some years ahead." It would be premature to be overly optimistic about the economic prospects of these countries because it remains to be seen if the high rate of growth of some of them could be sustained, said the report, Economic Survey of Europe 1995-1996. [17] MOLDOVIA AND RUSSIA SET UP A COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATIONThe Republic of Moldovia and the Russian Federation signed four intergovernmental accords, including one on economic and trade cooperation, Romanian News Agency Rador reported.The documents were signed after talks held between Moldovia's Prime Minister Andrei Sangheli and his Russian counterpart Viktor Cernomirdin in Moscow. The two sides decided to set up an intergovernmental commission for cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova. [18] THE FOURTH ROMANIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NEXT MONTHIn order to develop foreign trade relations, Romania will soon have a fourth international airport in Satu-Mare, in north-western side of the country, Romanian News Agency Rador reported. This airport will host air flights to Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece and Turkey starting next month.Also, Romanian Airlines TAROM will be the first Romanian company to issue bonds on the internatinal capital market, through an U.S. investment bank. The value of the bond issue will amount to $20-25 million, aiming at financing a part of the reformatory program of the airline company. [19] ROMANIA GRANTED BY AUCTIONS OIL FIELDS CONCESSIONThe Natural Resources National Agency decided to grant concession of oil fields by auctions organized in Bucharest, Huston -U.S.- and London, Romanian News Agency Rador reported.The Romanian State Ownership also announced it will auction its 51% share in some successful companies at the Black Sea shore and in the mountain resorts of Poiana Brasov and Predeal. The Fund published a catalogue presenting, in Romanian and English, information on 400 companies to be privatized. [20] FIRST ROMANIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR BECOMES OPERATIVEThe inauguration ceremony of the first reactor of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant took place yesterday in the presence of the Romanian President Ion Iliescu, Prime Minister Nicolae Vacaroiu, the Canadian Premier Jean Chretien and the president of the International Atomic Energy Agency Johann van Ebenhorst Tehgbergen.President Ion Iliescu stressed in his allegation the political meaning of the event and of the whole work carried out with successful international cooperation, which allow Romania to avoid the dependence on energy resources from abroad. "Romania became the 30th country to use a nuclear power plant, but more important is that its nuclear plant is the first in Central and Eastern Europe and presents no risks in a way the Cernobil type does," the President of the ANSALDO company Bruno Musso stressed. "Thanks to it Romania is sharing the general efforts to reduce the greenhouse effect. Cernavoda nuclear plant operations will also be supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency with special programs in order to be one of the most safe in Europe," the president of the Agency Johann von Ebenhorst Tehgbergen said. Started to be built 15 years ago, the Cernavoda nuclear power plant will secure about 8% of Romania's electricity needs, when it will be fully operational by next year, and some 40% by the end of the century. Canada supplied the technology in cooperation with Italian ANSALDO company. Exports will also be made possible, including to Bulgaria, as the Kozlodui plant has problems, a Canadian high official said. The first reactor of the nuclear power plant in Cernavoda has been checked by the International Atomic Energy Agency, based in Vienna, which decided it was a very safe unit, the Canadian Ambassador to Romania Duguay said in an interview with the Romanian public radio on Monday. [21] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORTCURRENCY FIXING BUY SELL ECU 300.4900 299.5890 301.3910 U.S. Dollar 242.1250 241.3990 242.8510 Deutsche Mark 160.5680 160.0860 161.0500 UK Sterling 365.6600 364.5630 366.7570 French Franc 47.3230 47.1810 47.4650 Swedish Crown 35.8700 35.7620 35.9780 Danish Kroner 41.5980 41.4730 41.7230 Norwegian Crown 37.2340 37.1220 37.3460 Italian Lira 15.3940 15.3480 15.4400 Swiss Franc 197.0960 196.5050 197.6870 Spanish Peseta 1.9268 1.9210 1.9326 Finnish Mark 50.9560 50.8030 51.1090 Yen 224.6000 223.9260 225.2740 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/ |
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