MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki May 20, 1996

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PREMIER ADDRESSES NORTH ATLANTIC PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY IN ATHENS

The Premier emphasized Greece's firm position, according to which any country that raises claims against -or questions the rights of- a neighboring country must resort to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Mr. Simitis also stressed that Greece, as any other country, cannot accept the threat of force or the use of force in international relations.

In his speech, the Premier supported the construction of a European Union common defense policy, one that would be supplementary to the North-Atlantic Alliance, as well as NATO's expansion towards countries of Southern Europe and the promotion of cooperation with Russia and the Ukraine.

Moreover, the Premier outlined Greece's active participation in IFOR forces in Bosnia, and called for the Alliance's attention to the "re-construction of Bosnia's infrastructure."

This morning, prior to his speech, Mr. Simitis met with NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana.

The NAA will wind up its deliberations today. Besides NATO member states, also attending are 15 countries of eastern and central Europe under associate status, 10 countries under observer status, and reporesentatives of the European Parliament, the OSCE and the WEU.

[02] NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL ADRRESSED THE NORTH-ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY

Mr.Solana added that the process of NATO's expansion will continue and next year stressing that all the countries that will be called to become members must undertake their obligations fully, such as the solidarity among the NATO members.

In his first speech to the North-Atlantic Assembly, mr.Solana referred specifically to the russian reactions to NATO's expansion process emphasizing that the enlargement does not mean new divisions in Europe or Russia's isolation, pointing out that Russia should not impose an isolation on itself.

On the presence of the Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia, mr.Solana said that its importance lays on the fact that through it 32 countries belonging to different organizations had cooperated, 16 of which were not NATO members. He also said that IFOR maintains a framework of security for the international community's efforts aiming at the reconstruction and peace in Bosnia.

The third topic in mr.Solana's speech was the adjustment process the alliance is undergoing as it performs new missions and expands, while at the same time seeks to give a new european dimension to NATO's defense structures.

Mr.Solana also said that the outcome from the discussion on NATO's reorientation will be examined in June during the meeting of the NATO Ministers in Berlin.

[03] NATO SEC. GENERAL SAYS GREECE-TURKEY SHOULD COOPERATE

Mr. Solana added that both he and NATO could provide aid towards this direction "if that were deemed necessary", albeit declining to adopt a position -when he was asked to do so- in favor of the NATO countries' respect of international law.

[04] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ADDRESSED NORTH-ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY

Mr.Kaklamanis referred to the "fluidity in the Balkans", to the "dragging on of the turkish occupation of northern Cyprus" and to the "escalating turkish threat in the Aegean" which not only violates Greece's sovereignty but it also disputes the Alliance's effectiveness and credibility in the conscience of the greek people.

After mentioning the latest initiatives undertaken by NATO, such as the "Partnership for Peace" and the IFOR, he spoke about the challenges Europe faces today namely, in the consolidation of democratic institutions and processes, the absolute respect of human rights, the promotion of equality among the european citizens and the creation of conditions of security in Europe, "which can not be safely built without the new democratic Russia".

Mr.Kaklamanis specifically mentioned NATO's expansion to include Russia and Poland by saying that both countries believe that from a historical and geo-political point of view they deserve a position in the european political and defense structure.

While the greek Parliament President was referring to the continuing turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and the turkish threats in the Aegean, the turkish deputies in the North-Atlantic Assembly walked out from the meeting.

[05] NATO IS A LEONINE PARTNERSHIP, SAYS GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

"It is natural that whoever doesn't have a clear conscience won't have the patience to listen to the other side," stated Mr. Kaklamanis, adding that if the Turk deputies did not want to hear what was being said, they could have closed their ears.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that he was expressing the Greek people when he said that there is turkish aggression in the Aegean Sea, and that noone else reacted to his speech during the meeting.

Referring to NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana's statement that "Greece and Turkey must sit together and discuss their diferences," Mr. Kaklamanis stated that Mr. Solana played the role of Pontius Pilate.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that NATO's credibility has been shaken in the eyes of the Alliance's nations, and added that "NATO is not in a position to claim that it respects international treaties."

The President of Parliament characterized the Alliance as a "leonine partnership."

[06] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH DEPUTIES

Commenting on the statements made to the greek newspaper "Kiriakatiki Eleftherotipia" by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, in which he appeared to blame the armed forces leadership for the events on the night of the crisis in Imia, mr.Reppas stated that the handling of the crisis is known and was successful because Greece was not forced to enter negotiations, stressing that the government, as well as the greek people honour the armed forces. He also added that everything possible is being done in order to improve their operation.

Mr.Reppas also said that the status of the Imia islets is known and non negotiable.

[07] PALESTINIAN LEADER ARAFAT MET WITH GREEK PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS

Mr.Arafat was welcomed at the Ellinikon Airport in Athens by Prime Minister Simitis, Foreign Minister Pangalos and the Ambassadors of the Arab countries to Greece.

Mr.Stephanopoulos and mr.Arafat discussed the course of the peace process in the Middle East and the palestinian leader expressed his own and the palestinian people's feelings of friendship toward Greece.

This afternoon mr.Arafat will have separate meetings with Foreign Minister Pangalos and Prime Minister Simitis.

Tomorrow, the palestinian leader will visit the southern greek city of Patras where he will receive the title of professor emeritus in the University of Patras Economic Sciences Department.

Mr.Arafat will leave Patras for a two-day visit to London.

[08] THE DEFENSE MINISTERS OF GREECE AND ALBANIA MET IN ATHENS TODAY

The albanian side asked Greece to encourage the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade for the peaceful solution of the Kosovo issue. Albanian Defense Minister Safez Zulali opposed the violent solution of the problem and expressed his country's concern over the dangers the Balkans could face if the problem is not resolved.

Greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis mentioned that the signing of an additional protocol of cooperation between Greece and Albania is very close. The protocol concerns the special agreements between the two countries on the sectors of the training of albanians in Greece and on the cooperation between the greek and albanian defense industries.

Mr.Arsenis after he underlined that the greek-albanian relations have entered a normalization course, reiterated that Greece supports the application for the membership of Albania and other Balkan countries in NATO, the European Union and the Western- European Union.

Mr.Arsenis left open the possibility to visit Tirana in mid July when a military exercise will be held within the framework of NATO's "Partnership for Peace" programme.

[09] COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HOLD ITS MAY 27 PARLIAMENT SESSION IN THESSALONIKI

The session wil be held at Thessaloniki's "Macedonia-Palace", with the Committee of Foreign Affairs convening on May 28 in order to discuss a report on Cyprus, the application of the Dayton Agreement, and the fulfilment of obligations on behalf of Turkey, Russia, Esthonia and Lithuania. Participating at this meeting will be the Foreign Ministry's Secretary-General Stelios Perrakis.

In the evening of May 28, the Committee of Cultural and Educational issues will convene, with the participation of the C of E Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys, while on May 29 the Committee of Environment, City Planning and Local Administration will be addressed by the Greek Underminister of Environment Elizabeth Papazoi and Aegean University professor Nikolas Margaris.

On Wednesday, the Parliament Committee will convene under the leadership of the C of E's Parliamentary Session Leni Fisher. They will exchange views with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas. Also brought up for discussion will be Canada's request to gain observer status at the C of E and, perhaps, the issue of Croatia's accession to the Council.

[10] EUROPARTENARIAT '97 TO BE HELD IN PIREAUS WITH 55 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING

The Europartenariat is a European Union institution that strengthens the cooperation among european businesses and provides assistance mostly to small-to-medium size businesses, aiming at developing closer ties and cooperation between like businesses.

The Greek businesspeople who will participate will have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with their counterparts from over 55 countries.

Specifically, the greek businessmen will look into cooperation opportunities in the areas of distribution network exhchange, creation of cooperative businesses, technological and technological know-how exhchanges, promotion of exports, common research and development.

[11] TRADE, ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND SLOVENIA ON THE RISE

The Union was created in 1995 with the support of the Greek Organization of Foreign Trade and the Slovenian Economic Chamber. As a matter of fact, the Association is expected to soon be upgraded to chamber-status.

Greece's Bank of Commerce will proceed to a loan of 5 million german marks to the Central Bank of Slovenia, while this summer, in cooperation with the Association of Greek Banks, an official delegation from the Association of Slovenian Banks will visit Greece, under the auspices of further promoting the economic relations between the two countries.

[12] GREEK FETA CHEESE ISSUE RISES AGAIN AT EU AGRICULTURE MINISTERS COUNCIL

The Council will examine the imminent announcement by the European Commission, according to which the greek feta cheese that is produced by goat and sheep milk is a product- name that is protected in the EU member countries, until further regulation is issued by the Commission.

The current regulation will allow the other countries, mostly Denmark, to bring into the market their own soft, white cheese made from cow's milk and call it "feta", for a five-year time period.

The Danes, as well as the majority of the other countries, are requesting that this five-year time period be extended to at least ten years.

[13] THESSALONIKI IS AT THE CENTER OF THE EUROPEAN INTEREST ON THE OCCASION OF THE 20TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF EUROPEAN MAYORS

This will be the largest gathering of elected representatives of the local and regional authorities in the European Union. The Council of European Municipalities and Regions is the european section of the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) and was established in 1951. Today, it numbers over 100.000 local and regional authorities, federated together in 38 large National Associations in 25 European countries.

Mr.Santer is expected to arrive in Thessaloniki in the afternoon of Wednesday, May 22nd making his first formal visit to Greece. He will have the opportunity to speak about the situation in the European Union and the challenges facing the local and regional authorities in the Inter-Governmental Conference held in Torino, Italy. The Inter-Governmental Confererence will decide on the future of the EU within the framework of the Maastricht Treaty revision. Main speaker in the formal opening ceremony will be Council of European Municipalities and Regions International President, mr.Pasqual Maragall while the meeting will also address Thessaloniki's mayor mr.Konstantinos Kosmopoulos and Athens mayor mr.Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The council of European Mayors will give the opportunity for an exchange of views on the challenges in an information-based society. Also, during the General Assembly meeting the elected representatives of the local and regional authorities will underline the need for the recognition of the local and regional self-government's role in the efforts to bring the EU closer to its citizens.

Greece will participate in the 20th General Assembly with 154 delegates, Germany with 164, France with 82, Britain with 45, Switzerland with 10, Sweden with 27, Spain with 29, Italy with 150, Portugal with 110, Norway with 6, Holland with 10, Luxemburg with 32, Finland with 23, Danmark with 10, Belgium with 26 and Austria with 45, while hundreds of large city mayors and representatives of local self-government will also be able to participate in the conference through the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.

In the conference will also participate and countries outside the European Union, such as Cyprus with 3 mayors, the Czech Republic with 4, Israel with 1, Saudi Arabia with 2, Poland with 13 and FYROM with 1.

[14] AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN CONCERNED OVER GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

Congressman Lados also writes that there is "obvious fear that the government will use its security forces in order to intimidate voters."

[15] NEW SEA ROUTE CONNECTS THESSALONIKI WITH CYPRUS AND ISRAEL

The "F/B Thessaloniki" ship, whose first route is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 30, is expected to provide Northern Greeks with vacation opprtunities in Cyprus and Israel's holy sites.

Up to date, tourism packages for the markets of the Czech Republic, Serbia, Skopje, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Russia were provided only for the areas of Southern Greece and the Attica region.

Moreover, this new route is expected to enable trade and exports towards Cyrpus and the eastern mediterranean region, as the ship has a 3,700-ton capacity, can carry 450 passengers and has holding room for 100 cars and 30 TIR trailers.

The route also includes stopovers at some of the Aegean's most popular islands, such as Tinos, Patmos, Lesvos and Kos.

[16] THESSALONIKI'S 61ST INTERNATIONAL FAIR ALREADY ATTRACTS PARTICIPANTS

The Fair, which is scheduled to take place on September7-16, 1997, is widely known as the largest international fair of its kind in the southeastern mediterranean region.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] THE SERB PRIME MINISTER WILL VISIT ATHENS ON MAY 22-24

During his visit, the serb Prime Minister will attend a ceremony at the Ionian Sea island of Corfu for the 80th anniversary of the serb army's arrival on the island.

While in Athens, mr.Marianovic will meet with Prime Minister Simitis.

[18] FREE TRADE ZONE TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND FYROM

According to the Yugoslav daily "Nasa Borba", the FYROM Trade Minister, Mr. Zuta, stated that this free trade zone will be into effect until January 1, 1999.

On Yugoslavia's behalf, Mr. Siradovic stated that "it is realistic that a free trade zone be created between the two countries, since both FYROM and FRY. are looking into their accession in international trade organizations."

The two ministers did not clarify when the agreement will be signed, although, according to the report, the Yugoslav Premier Radoyie Kodic is expected to be present.

[19] ALBANIAN VOTERS FACED WITH MANY CHOICES

However, according to Albanian media, the accuracy of opinion surveys in Albania is questionable and the complex distribution of seats -through both direct and proportional elections- smakes voting results even harder to predict.

[20] KARADZIC DELEGATED SOME OF HIS POWER TO HIS VICE-PRESIDENT

The announcement was reflected in different ways by the Yugoslav agency TANJUG which said that Karadzic stepped down as President, while the Bosnianserb agency SRNA reported that he only delegated some of his functions. International observers have termed Ms. Plavsic as the "Iron Lady of the Bosnian Serbs" since she is well-known as a hard-liner politician.

UN special envoy in former Yugoslavia Carl Bildt visited Pale yesterday to see what is going on with so-called Karadzic's withdrawing from "public life." In an earlier statement, Mr. Bildt said "Our strategy was to force the hand of the hard-liners by encouraging moderate leaders like Kasagic who are committed to the Dayton peace process." He also suggested that Kasagic's dismissal represented a coup, because, as an indicted war criminal, Karadzic had no legal authority.

According to Mr. Bildt, NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana vowed to continue a planned visit to Banja Luka with Mr. Kasagic scheduled for Thursday.

[21] EU ADMINISTRATOR URGES ON MOSTAR ELECTIONS

Meanwhile the chief of the OSCE mission in Sarajevo R. Frowick pointed out in Sarajevo that "the time for organization and implementation of B-H elections is limited and none of the organizations will stay forever in Bosnia." He also said that European organizations tried to fulfil the pre-conditions for elections and have made great progress. By July 14, Mr. Frowick must assess if B-H provides the pre-conditions for holding the elections.

[22] INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON DEMOCRATIC SECURITY CONCEPT IN ROMANIA

Romania's President Ion Iliescu and Council of Europe Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys will speak at the opening of the debates.

[23] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING        BUY       SELL
ECU               298.070    297.1760     298.96
U.S. Dollar       243.160    242.4310     243.88
Deutsche Mark     158.276    157.8010     158.75
UK Sterling       367.660    366.5570     368.76
French Franc       46.769     46.6290      46.90
Swedish Crown      35.9860    35.8780      36.09
Danish Kroner      41.0100    40.8870      41.133
Norwegian Crown    36.9000    36.1890      37.011
Italian Lira       15.6730    15.6260      15.720
Swiss Franc       192.450    191.8730     193.02
Spanish Peseta      1.8980     1.8923       1.9037
Finish Mark        51.5400    51.3850      51.695
Yen               225.8950   227.2        226.575

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