MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (25/04/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thursday April 25, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS WITH PREMIER AND MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE

Following his meeting with Mr. Pangalos, Mr. Kornblum stated that he had "found a readiness in both Athens and Ankara to move forward with relations and by (doing this) we can move forward."

However, Mr. Kornblum added that he will "refrain from telling either government what steps to take," and emphasized that "this is not a role that we have defined for ourselves."

When asked if he had detected any willingness on behalf of Turkey to refer the Imia islets issue to the Internaitonal Court of Justice at The Hague, Mr. Kornblum stated that "I think that there is a possibility (for recourse). Mesut Yilmaz seemed determined to move forward but I can't speak for them."

Mr. Kornblum stated that his visit was partially conducted on the request of US President Clinton in an effort to examine the ooportunities "for realizing the potential of all countries."

The US Assistant Secretary of State clarified that there were not any proposals made on any issue during his visits to Greece and Turkey.

The US sees its role as a friend of both Greece and Turkey, as one of "facilitating political contacts."

[02] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON SIMITIS-KORNBLUM MEETING

Mr. Reppas stated that Mr. Simitis raised issues of greek- turkish relations, the cypriot issue, and Greece-US relations as well as Greece's role in tye Balkans.

Commenting on the forthcoming PASOK party Concress scheduled for July, Mr. Reppas stated that the Premier will decide by himself how he will include himself in the party's pyramid, adding that "the Simitis Cabinet is functioning more cohesively and democratically and at a faster pace than all of previous greek governments."

[03] FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

Following the meeting, Mr. Pangalos stated that the relations between the US and Greece are "excellent", albeit noting that there is room for further improvement.

In turn, Mr. Kornblum stated that there is a readiness for solving functional problems in Athens and Ankara. Moreover, he noted that positive steps are being taken in greek-turkish relations and said that he expects positive outcomes to stem from the forthcoming meeting between Mr. Pangalos and his Turk counterpart Emre Gunensay, scheduled to take place next Saturday in Bucharest.

"Our role is to see what exactly are the steps that need to be taken for the smoothing out of greek-turkish relations and to point them out to both sides," Mr. Kornblum stated.

Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Kornmblum also discussed bilateral issues on an economic and trade level, as well as issues concerning the Balkans and Greece's role in the region.

[04] DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS WITH US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

In his statements, Mr. Arsenis pointed out that he informed the US official on Greece's positions and said that "I believe that he departs better informed on the greek government's positions."

Mr. Kornblum stated that he gives special significance to this region and added that he considers the relations beteen the US and Greece to be especially close.

"I am leaving having a better understanding of the nature of the problems and the expectations of the greek side," Mr. Kornblum stated, adding that he wishes to return to Greece in order to continue his cooperation with the greek government.

Present at the meeting between Mr. Arsenis and Mr. Kornblum were the under-Minister of National Defense Nikos Kouris and the US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles.

[05] FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON HIS FORTHCOMING MEETING WITH TURK COUNTERPART

Referring to Mr. Gonensay as an exceptional scientist, Mr. Pangalos stated that he had found some of his Turk counterpart's recent statements to hold "positive elements", specifically referring to Mr. Gonesay's statements regarding the Accords of 1947 and 1932.

In closing, Mr. Pangalos stated that if he did not expect that his meeting with his Turk counterpart would be positive, he would not have suggested it.

[06] BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES NESTOS WATERS AGREEMENT AGAIN

Although the agreement had already been ratified by the Bulgarian Parliament in March, along with an agreement regarding the opening of three border points and highways linking the two countries, Mr. Zhelev vetoed the accord on April 10 by noting that "the problem with the Nestos River waters is thirty-years-old and even the communist governments did not dare to show irresponsibility on this issue. Even in January of 1990, the Parliament had decided that Bulgaria must make use of at least 75% of Nestos' annual water quantity."

According to the Bulgarian Constitution, the President can return to parliament for review any legislation that does not meet his approval, as he did with the Nestos River waters agreement, which foresees that Greece will be able to use 29% of the river's annual water quantity for a time period of 35 years.

This allocation had caused the ire of opposition parliamentarians who accused the Videnov Cabinet of committing "national treachery" and abstained from the agreement's parliamentary ratification on March 28.

The ruling Socialist Party (formerly Communist) holds the majority votes in Parliament (125 from a total of 240 seats) and today's voting outcome was expected.

[07] EGYPTIAN POLICE MAY HAVE KNOWN AHEAD OF TERRORISTS' TARGETS

According to recent articles and reports, during a police stake-out where five terrorists were killed last October, a map outlining the targeted hotel was discovered on one of the extremists who is reportedly a relative of one of the suspect's in this month's attack thatkilled 18 greek tourists and injured 15 otehrs.

Moreover, according to police sources, the "Europe" hotel was guarded by an armored police car, with six soldiers and one officer. This vehicle was removed from the area when the hotel's owner, millionaire Mohamed Al Fike, lost in 1995's parliamentary elections.

Following the massacre's investigations, it was noted that another police car assigned by egyptian police to follow the tour bus that transported the tourists was not on duty when the attack took place.

[08] GREECE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA

Greece will strengthen its diplomatic presence in Belgrade at an ambassadorial level. As is noted in the Ministry's announcement, the greek government is looking forward to the further development of its relations with the FRY.

[09] PHANAR AND MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE TO RESTORE RELATIONS

The issue of Esthonia, one that has sparked a crisis between the two Patriarchate, is being discussed today in the Holy Synod, according to the same sources.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has avoided giving dramatic proportions to the issue created over Esthonia and which interrupted communication with the Moscow Patriarchate, while it commemorated Patriarch Alexios in the diptych, despite the decision by the Russian hierarchy to stop commemorating Patriarch Vartholomeos.

According =F4=EF the Phanar, the Ecumenical Patriarchate did not have the rights to ignore the claims made by Esthonians for the re- establishment of their Church and it had a historical and moral obligation to hear them.

[10] RADIOENERGY LEAK DISCOVERED IN CHERNOBYL

According to reports by Reuters, the plant's spokesperson Oleg Golokoskov stated that an emergency alarm was activated at the nuclear plant when the leak was discovered by Chernobyl's employees when they changed the filters used to pump the air from reactor "4". This reactor had exploded on April 26 1986 and 32 persons were killed.

According to Golokoskov, "the leak was detected timely and was cleaned during the night. The plant's employees were not subjected to radiation that exceeded the allowable levels, but there is a possibility that people were subject to radiation."

The incident was ranked at the first level of the seven-level scale of nuclear accidents.

[11] GREEK NUCLEAR PHYSICISTS: NO NEED TO WORRY OVER ACCIDENT

Nuclear physicist Panayiotis Kretides stated that such incidents are frequent and there is no radioenergy leak noted.

Similiar assessments were made by the environmental protection organization Greenpeace, although the ecologists stated that the leak itself is not as important as the fact that it occured in part of the reactor that had exploded ten years ago.

[12] UNITED STATES ANNOUNCE A BALKAN MARSHALL PLAN

The U.S. officials said that the economic initiative, which is still in the phase of consultations and research, would include all the new states emerged in the former Yugoslavia region as well as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Albania.

[13] BULGARIAN SUPREME COURT OVERRULES SOCIALIST PARTY'S OBJECTIONS TO THE ELECTION OF A MUSLIM MAYOR IN KIRTZALI

According to reports by the bulgarian state-owned radio, the Court's ruling states that " the violations of elections law were insignificant and do not rig the election procedures."

It should be reminded that on December 14, 1995, the City Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party in Kirtzali had reported rigging of the local elections thorugh wich the Muslim Musa had been brought to office. As a result, up to date, the mayoral duties in Kirtzali were performed by a municipal advisor.

Bulgarian Presiodent Zheliu Zhelev had conducted numerous meetings on the matter with Premier Zhan Videnov and with representatives of the Muslim Rights and Freedom Movement, including Musa.

The vice-President of the Bulgarian Socialist Party's Supreme council, and mp of the Kirtzali region, Georgi Parvanov stated that "today's ruling was issued under political pressure exerted by the President and the opposition and we suspected that in the area of Kirtzali an exchange will take place, within the framework of a presidential elections campaign."

[14] HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY REACH ASTOUNDING NUMBER

According to an article published by the turkish newspaper "Milliyet" and titled "Turkey is Legally Closed In", the number of human rights violations claims has reached 1,725.

According to the report, 262 of these claims have been rejected, while 98 others have been approved.

Up to date, Turkey has been found guilty of six cases and was forced to pay restitution of 973,000 french francs, while the Court is preparing the hearings of eight additional cases.

[15] GREEK COALITION EUROPARLIAMENTARIAN DISCUSSES ECOFIN

Following the decisions drawn in Verona, the german proposal for penalties imposed on countries which present fiscal problems is promoted and, as such, paves the way for the reduction of community funding towards Greece, stated Mr.Alavanos.

"Unfortunately, this confrims the worst fear as of those who thought thst the Maasstricht Treaty, as well as its imminent review, not only do not promote convocation, but, rather, create distance among the EU member-states and separate the Union into a hard nucleus and satellite countries, such as Greece."

[16] MALTA IS A SIGNIFICANT TRADE ALLY TO GREECE

The value of greek exports to Malta reached ECU 103.3 million, marking an increase of 34.52% in camparison to 1993 and constituting Malta as the 17th largest market for greek products.

In contrast, a significant decrease in contrast to 1993 was noted in 1994 when imports of Malta-products to Greece, whose value reached a mere ECU 9.5 million.

Greece's main export to Malta is petroleum, exporting a total of 681,514 tons in 1994, valued at ECU 72 million, constituting 30% of Malta's petroleum imports.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] TELECOMMUNICATIONS MINISTERS SUMMIT BEGAN IN SOFIA TODAY

Saluting the conference, the Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhan Videnov underlined the exceptional, as he characterized it, meaning of the regional cooperation in the area of telecommunications, as well as the importance of materializing the relevant programs, in order to achieve the development of the Balkan countries and their accession into the modern european economy.

During today's session, the creation of a Balkan telecommunications and postal center is being examined.

Present as observers are also representatives from Russia, Cyprus and Hungary.

[18] BLACK SEA COOPERATION CONFERENCE TO BRING TOGETHER FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM ELEVEN COUNTRIES

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Evgheni Primakov is expected in Bucharest while the Turk Foreign Minister Emre Gonesay has allready confirmed his participation, by saying that he will hold an "open agenda" meeting with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos. Also, Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that the Bulgarian Chief of Diplomacy Georgi Pirinski will take part in the BSCC meeting.

During the current meeting, the Russian Federation will officially take over the Presidency of the Black Sea Economic Organization.

[19]CYPRUS ASKS DEMIREL TO EASE DENKTASH'S INTRANSIGENCE

Mr. Kasoulides, commending on statements made by the Turk President that the greek-cypriot side is avoiding talks, asked "Is Mr. Suleiman Demirel ready to undertake the responsibility when we arrive at the talks for the turkish intransigence?

Will we approach the discussion table so that Mr. Denktash can reiterate his (known) positions every time?"

The government spokesperson stated that on the day that Mr. Demirel can assure the cypriot government that it will not be a repeat of Mr. Denktash's known positions, then he, too, can look forward to a productive meeting, and if he is ready to undertake the responsibility of its failure, something he has not done in the past, than we will look into it.

These are the prerequisites, which guarantee a productive dialogue, that have to be met in order for the cypriot side to hold a direct dialogue with the turkish side.

[20] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT CYPRUS THIS EVENING

The cypriot government is not commenting on Mr. Kornblum's imminent visit prior to his briefing Nicosia officials on his contacts with Ankara's military and political leaders.

[21] CILLER DENOUNCES PARLIAMENT INVESTIGATION, SAYS IT'S A FRAME UP

Ms. Ciller avoided giving direct answers to the journalists when they asked her if Turkey's governmental coalition is endangered, stating that the whole issue s a political frame up and that the decision for the colaliton will be drawn by the appropriate committees.

The True Path Party leader also added she is the only former premier against whom an investigation procedure has been launched without her even knowing the content of the investigation.

Based on the coalition government agreement between the two parties in Turkey, Ms. Ciller will undertake the premiership in the first months of 1997, although, judging from the latest developments, this outcome is now unlikely.

Meanwhile, today's scheduled meeting of the Turkey's ministerial council has been cancelled. The meeting was going to be held under the presidency of Premier Mesut Yilmaz and its cancellation is considered to be the first of the series of repercussions stemming from the decision to investigate the claims against Ms. Ciller.

[22] EU COMMISSIONER VAN DEN BROEK: TURKEY'S CUSTOMS UNION IS ON

Mr. Van Den Broek arrived last evening in Ankara for a two-day working visit. During his stay in Turkey he will meet with various governmental officials.

[23] ROMANIA'S INTEGRATION INTO NATO IS THE ONLY CHOICE

Along with Romanian Foreign Minister in a round-table discussion about Romania's chances to be admitted into NATO were Romanian Defense Minister Gheorghe Tinca and Johnatan Eyal, director at the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

"From historical point of view, Romania has a role not only for itself, but for the whole Europe," Defense Minister Tinca said, while the Brithish expert in Balkan issues Eyal, underlined that "Bucharest is a European capital as much Budapest is."

[24] UKRAINE AND ROMANIA OVER BORDER MATTERS

"Ukraine does not have the moral right to upset the European order as it is provided for by the Helsinki documents. To put them under the question mark might involve a blood bath," President Kucima said at a press conference in Strasburg.

In reply, the head of the Romanian parliamentarians' delegation in Strasburg Florin Radulescu Botica stated that Romania has no territorial claim and the Romanian request the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact to be convicted is justified and natural as the preparation to negotiate the basic treaty with Ukraine are under way.

Moreover, Romanian Senator Adrian Nastase said that "according to the historical truth, the North and South Bucovine and the Hertza Land are external parts of Romania" and underlined that the Helsinki Treaty does not forbid peaceful modifications of the borders. He also mentioned that the way Romanians from Ukraine are treated is unacceptable.

[25] YUGOSLAVIA AND FYROM TO JOIN THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION

[26] BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Commision, the United Nation's Organisation are in Bucharest to participate at the businesspeople Forum which will be held until April 29.

Some 180 politicians, 160 foreign businesspeople along with more that 300 Romanian businessspeople have confirmed their participation.

[27] NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TO VISIT ROMANIA IN MAY

Javier Solana will meet Romania's President Ion Iliescu, Prime Minister Nicolae Vacaroiu, Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, as well as the parliamentary commissions for foreign relations, defense, national security and public order.

Meanwhile, tomorrow in Brussels will start the "individual dialogue" between Romania and NATO, as a second stage of the NATO's expansion process.

[28] FYROM'S PRESIDENT RECEIVES THE "CRANS-MONTANA" AWARD

During the session Kiro Gligorov will receive this year's award of this Association from the Romanian President Ion Iliescu.

[29] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY         BUY        SELL        FIXING
ECU              299.3500   298.4520    300.2480
U.S. Dollar      242.9700   242.2410    243.6990
Deutsche Mark    159.0500   158.5730    159.5270
UK Sterling      366.9900   365.8890    368.0910
French Franc      47.1150    46.9740     47.2560
Swedish Crown     35.9310    35.8230     36.0390
Danish Kroner     41.2800    41.1560     41.4040
Norwegian Crown   37.0710    36.9600     37.0390
Italian Lira      15.5965    15.5500     15.6430
Swiss Franc      196.6800   196.0900    197.2700
Spanish Peseta     1.9196     1.9138      1.9254
Finnish Mark      50.3150    50.1640     50.4660
Yen              227.2800   226.5980    227.9620

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