MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (05/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 5, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PREMIER ANNOUNCES ACTION PROGRAMME FOR AEGEAN ISLANDS

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis announced an action programme for the development of the Aegean islands after the end of a cabinet meeting that dealt with issues concerning the Ministry of the Aegean.

The Prime Minister said that the Aegean Sea, its islands and the local communities constitute a region of highest priority for the government, adding that the economic development and the cultural and social shielding of the Aegean constitute a crusial element for the safeguarding of Greece's territorial integrity and of the special characteristics of hellenism in the region.

Mr.Simitis stressed the need to underline the fact that the Aegean for many centuries is at the center of the greek history and the greek cultural development while it is a region of unique natural beauty, is a priceless ecological and environmental pole and also the country's defence shield.

[02] ATHENS EXPECTS ANKARA'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE ON GAVDOS ISSUE

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated that the greek government expects Ankara's official response on the issue of Gavdos. He said that Greece expects from the turkish government to deny everything that has been said regarding Gavdos and to punish the individual responsible.

Mr.Pangalos stated that for as long as Ankara is not denying the outrageous dispute of the greek sovereignty over Gavdos and is not punishing the turkish army officer who maintained that the island is a disputed region, Greece will regard that this is the official position of the turkish government.

Mr.Pangalos stressed that the Treaty of Lauzanne does not cover this island and added that the allegations that Ankara disputes only uninhabited rocks in the Aegean are being contradicted.

The greek Foreign Minister concluded that "we have a new reality as the turkish government now claims populated regions".

Greek Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis stated that Turkey has a policy and this policy is to open a overall dispute on the legal status in the wider Aegean region and in Eastern Mediterranean.

Nevertheless, he also stressed that the greek government is in a position to face those new turkish provocations and underlined that with the incident concerning Gavdos a very negative climate has begun to be created toward Turkey.

Meanwhile, turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who had contacts with european officials in Brussels, reiterated the turkish army officer's position that Gavdos is an island with a status that has not been clarified.

Mr.Yilmaz stated that he contacted the turkish Military Committee in NATO and received the necessary clarifications on the turkish army officer's stance regarding Gavdos, while he added that in the military exercises of the North-Atlantic Alliance should not be included islands which are objects of political dispute between Greece and Turkey. He said that Turkey has no claims in the Aegean, adding that solutions must be found and reiterated his proposal for an Athens-Ankara dialogue covering all issues which, as he said, Greece must accept without fail.

In a press conference he gave in Brussels mr.Yilmaz characterized Greece's veto on the EU funds for Turkey as unacceptable, stressing that the two countries must jointly resolve bilateral problems. Mr.Yilmaz reiterated his proposal for direct dialogue with Greece adding that in case this dialogue gives no results then Turkey will accept the mediation of a third party.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman ambassador, Omer Akbel stated that it was an action of technical nature and without political content, the statement made by the turkish army officer during the planning of a NATO air and sea exercise, according to which, the island of Gavdos is a region of disputed status. Mr.Akbel maintained that at present Turkey is not bringing up for discussion the issue of the island's sovereignty but seeks the clearing up of its legal status.

[03] TURKISH STATEMENTS ABOUT GAVDOS "ABSURD", SAYS EUROPE

European Union and NATO officials were reportedly flabbergasted upon hearing that Turkey has characterized as a "grey zone" the Aegean Sea region that lies just south of Crete, and mainly the greek island of Gavdos.

Such was the impression conveyed today by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos to journalists, following a meeting he held with his Cypriot counterpart Alekos Michaelides.

According to Mr. Pangalos, the reactions he noted from his EU and NATO allies illustrate the need for Turkey to realize at which level of seriousness its views are being taken.

In the case of Gavdos, Mr. Pangalos stated, "we are not dealing with a barren rock island or an islet, but rather with an inhabited greek island that has an organized community, and has no relation to the Lauzanne Treaty."

When asked what were the reactions to the Gavdos issue by the foreign officials in Berlin at the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting, Mr. Pangalos stated that the issue was considered absurd.

Meanwhile in Ankara, the culprit of the issue appears to be the turkish army representative in the NATO Staff in Napoli, Husein Ciftci, the official who gave to his Alliance partners a handwritten statement through which he claimed that the Gavdos island has a disputed status.

Turkish Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Omer Akbel has characterized Ciftci's act as one that was merely technical and bears no political content.

According to Mr. Akbel, at this time Turkey is not discusssing the island's sovereignty, but rather aims to clarify its legal status.

[04] TURKEY UNDERESTIMATES GREECE'S POLITICAL WILL SAYS ARSENIS

Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis attributes Turkey's overall aggressive tactics in the Aegean Sea to Ankara's mistaken assessments of Greece's political will.

Giving a speech this afternoon on the recent turkish threats, Mr. Arsenis stated that "Turkey believes that under pressure we will succumb to a dialogue, through which we will follow the slippery road of concession." The Defense Minister resoundingly stated that Greece is not willing to engage in such dialogue.

Referring to the island of Gavdos, Mr. Arsenis pointed out that NATO officials have understood that Turkey's behavior is not merely one that is threatening to Greece, but is one that disturbs the smooth functioning of the Northatlantic Alliance.

Mr. Arsenis added that Turkey, through its aggressive policy, is aiming at creating a general climate of questioning the Aegean Sea's overall status.

Greece is ready to face the turkish provocation, Mr. Arsenis emphasized.

[05] GREECE READY TO DECISIVELY END GAVDOS ISSUE, SAYS OPPOSITION

Greece's main opposition party New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert stated today that Greece is ready to decisively put an end to Turkey's unacceptable policies which in all question the Aegean Sea's status.

New Democracy's honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis assessed Turkey's recent claims on the Gavdos island's region as an issue that lacks merit and one that will prove to be injurious to Turkey's politcal regime. Mr. Mitsotakis advised the greek government not to grant more attention to the matter than it deserves.

[06] LONDON:DRAFT RESOLUTION ON ELWIN MARBLES IN PARLIAMENT

Thirty three Labour Party deputies tabled a draft resolution in the British Parliament on the Elgin Marbles expressing their support to the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, while they also call the british government to immediately start negotiations with the greek government.

The Labour Party deputies in their resolution congratulate the british television station "Channel 4" for the quality and success of the recent documentary on the Elgin Marbles, while they also point out that in the telephone poll conducted after the end of the documentary, 92,5% of the 100.000 television viewers, who had expressed their opinion by phone, had supported the return of the Marbles to Greece.

The british deputies maintain that even though in the past there may have been justifiable arguments for keeping the Marbles in the British Museum this public opinion poll clearly shows that the public overwhelmingly supports their return and therefore they call the british government to immediately open negotiations on the issue with the greek government.

As it was made known, a special screening of mr.William Steward's documentary on the Parthenon Marbles will be held this evening in the House of Commons.

[07] GREEK PREMIER IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW FOR A 2-DAY VISIT

Greek Premier Kostas Simitis will conduct a two-day visit to Thessaloniki tomorrow and Friday, June 6 and 7, where he will hold various meetings with city officials and will be briefed on the city's development.

Scheduled to arrive in Thessaloniki on Thursday evening, Mr. Simitis will be greeted by local dignitaries in a formal welcoming ceremony at the "Macedonia" airport and will then move on to the Thessaloniki International Fair Conference Center where he will give a speech on regional developent and decentralization.

On Friday morning, the Prime Minister will meet with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and in the afternoon will meet with officials from the Thessaloniki European Cultural Capital Organization.

The Premier will be accompanied by the Ministers of Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos, National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, Agriculture Stefanos Tzoumakas, Health and Welfare Anastasios Peponis, Justice, Evangelos Venizelos, Culture, Stavros Benos, Transportations Haris Kastanides.

Also accompanying the Prime Minister will be the under- Secretaries of National Economy Christos Pachtas, Development Michalis Chrysochoides, Health, Franklinos Papadelis and Education George Paschalides.

[08] WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY GRANTLY CELEBRATED IN THESSALONIKI

The urgent need to safeguard Macedonia's and Thrace's natural resources and beauty is being emphasized by the numerous ecological organizations of Northern Greece, as well as Thessaloniki's Geotechnical Chamber and Technical Training Institute, in light of today's celebration of International Environment Day.

Thessaloniki's Ecological Movement is the local environmentalist organization that avidly supports the return of the cable cars to town, as being the most efficient way to combat the ever-increasing traffic jams and congestion in the city's streets.

The organization will organize a concert in Thessaloniki today, featuring some of the most lyrical names in greek songwriting, such as Stavros Kouyioumtzis and Vasilis Lekkas, both of whom are locals.

Also quite popular proved to be the press conference given yesterday by representatives of the Municipal and Prefectural Movement of Citizens for "Ecology-Solidarity" who spoke on the issue of developing the mountain region surrounding Thessaloniki.

Tackling the problem of cleaning up the shores of Keramote in Kavala, in cooperation with the local port authorities, the community and the local school, wil be the Greek Association of Protecting Nature and Ecological Development. The Association also participated in the recent campaign to protect the Nestos River waters.

Central Macedonia's Geotechnical Chamber states that the most significant precondition for preventing and addressing environmental problems is to create an institutional framework that will reflect the State's will to create a development model aimed at "providing the citizen with a high level of information, sensitivity and consciousness."

Lastly, according to recent data gathered by Thessaloniki's Technological and Training Isntitute (TEI), the majority Thessaloniki residents consider the pollution of the Thermaicos Peninsula to be the burning environmental problem in the region, followed by traffic congestion, smog, and industrial waste.

TEI Professor Fokion Bosniakos, who is also the vice- president of the international Organization for Protection of the Mediterranean, has conducted studies that show 106 local industries dumping their wastes into the peninsula.

Highly polluted are considered to be the Aliakmonas River and the Sindos ditch, both located in the western part of town which is Thessaloniki's industrial area.

[09] SPEAKER OF GREEK PARLIAMENT IN BUDAPEST TOMORROW

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis leaves tomorrow for Budapest in order to participate in the meeting of the Parliament Presidents of the Council of Europe member- states.

In the meeting will be discussed among others, the role of the state Parliaments in the strengthening and the operation of democracy under free market conditions and in the solution of social problems, also will be discussed issues concerning the european integration and the cooperation of state Parliaments focusing on the Inter-Governmental Conference.

Within the framework of the meeting, mr.Kaklamanis will have contacts with his european counterparts and with hungarian officials.

[10] GREECE-ROMANIA TO SIGN DEFENSE PROTOCOL IN BUCHAREST TODAY

Greece and Romania will sign a cooperation protocol today between the National Defense Ministry's Military Geographical Service and the Romanian Defense Ministry's Military Topographical Department.

Under the cooperation agreement both sides will inform one another on technical developments and new means in drawing topographical maps, and will exchange experiences regarding their practical uses.

Representing Greece is Major General Dimitrios Georgantas, while on the Romanian side is Brigadier General Marian Rotaru.

[11] GREEK TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IVESTS IN LITHUANIA

A decision was made for the signing of an agreement between the greek state owned Telecommunications Company (OTE) and Lithuania's Telecommunications Organization for the modernization of the country's telecommunications network.

The investment is estimated at 21.818.749 US dollars and the project will be completed by OTE's affiliated company "HELLASCOM INTERNATIONAL", within a period of 18 months after the signing of the agreement.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] IMVROS:PROBLEMS BE SOLVED ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL LAW

In a question regarding the new turkish policy of settlement on the island of Imvros, located in the northern part of the Aegean Sea, as well as the confiscation of the locals' property by Turkey and their exclusion from the right to inheritance, Greek Eurodeputy Michalis Papayinanakis, (Coalition Party of the Left and Progress) adressed the Ministerial Council today.

In a previously tabled question by Mr. Papayiannakis, the Council has responded that "the EU promotes the resolution of problems concerning ethnic minorities, including that of Imvros, based on the principles of international law and international commitments by the participating parties."

[13] WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION HOLDS 41ST PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

British Defense Minister Michael Portillo's speech during the 41st session of the Western European Union's (WEU) parliamentary assembly raised many eyebrows and sparked reactions by greek parliamentarians.

Responding to greek MP Kostas Vrettos' question regarding the European Union's role in the reformation of the common european defense and, more specifically, where will this decision-making take place, Mr. Portillo responded that "important decisions will be drawn by NATO or the WEU, given that the EU and its legislative bodies are not suited to undertake decisions regarding defense."

Further illustrating Mr. Portillo's views was a report presented by German MP Mr. Schloten, titled "WEU Business Organization" which prompted Greek MP Stratis Korakas to intercept by stating that he is opposed to the report, since "when it comes to the self-deceptions enjoyed by some, that the WEU and the task force will be an independent force that will serrve European interests, the answer has poignantly been given by Mr.Portillo: 'it will be a force, which will simply be NATO's long arm in Europe, and nothing more."

Moreover, on behalf of the Defense Committee, Dutch parliamentarian Jan Dirk Blaauw presented a report titled "The US and Security in Europe" which greek MP Vasilis Magginas emphasized by stating that Mr. Blaauw is accepting the regrettable realization that Europe cannot yet manage its crises on its own.

"Therefore, there is a need for good cooperation with the US, and as such, his report is right on target regarding the fact that Europe's security is largely depended upon this cooperation," Mr. Magginas stated.

[14] GUARDSMAN'S KILLING A SET UP, SAYS CYPRUS NATIONAL GUARD

The 19-year-old Cypriot guardsman who was killed on Monday at the island's demarcation line -an area that was included in the disengagement agreement between the two sides- was a planned attack by the Turks, according to data collected so far by the Cyprus National Guard.

According to investigations and witness examinations, the killed soldier -Stellios Panagis-Kalis- approached the turkish guardhouse to greet the turkish soldier with whom, according to reports, he had recently been on friendly terms.

Reliable sources state that the young man was shot by a turkish soldier who was stationed in a guardhouse constructed last year in violation of the disengagement agreement.

This turkish guardhouse had been the subject of a demarche forwarded to the United Nations by the Cypriot Foreign Ministry, without any outcome.

[15] PASOK MEP DENOUNCES THE KILLING OF GREEK-CYPRIOT SOLDIER

The cold blooded murder of a greek-cypriot soldier by the turkish occupation forces was denounced by PASOK's Euro-Deputy mr.Yiannos Kranidiotis.

Mr.Kranidiotis requested the Euro-Parliament to inform him on whether it is willing to raise the issue during the EU- Turkey Association Council, pointing out that this murder is the 7th of its kind. He also stressed that this incident displays the aggressiveness of the turkish occupation forces and the fact that they are a danger for the Cypriot people.

Also, mr.Kranidiotis requested to be informed on whether the Council will actively support the proposal for the demilitarization of Cyprus which, as he underlined, will contribute to the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem and will prevend such incidents from taking place again in the future.

[16] CONSTANTINOPLE:NO SECURITY FOR A CYPRIOT MINISTER

Cyprus is determined to participate at Constantinople's international conference Habitat II, in spite of the turkish threats that a driver and security guard will not be made available to the Cypriot minister.

Cyprus' Minister of the Interior Dinos Michaelides, who will participate at the conference, stated that he has no other choice but to travel to Constantinople since it is a decision made by the Ministerial Council.

Turkish daily newspaper "Hurriyet" published an article in which it states that Turkey was obliged to accept the Greek- Cypriot delegation's participation even though it considers it to be non-existent, since Ankara does not officially recognize the Republic of Cyprus.

[17] UN SEC. GENERAL IS ILL, CANCELS MEETING WITH RAUF DENKTASH

United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali has postponed his meeting with Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash due to an illness, according to a UN spokesperson.

The meeting between the two men was planned to take place today in Constantinople where Mr. Ghali is currently at in order to attend the Habitat II international conference.

According to the turkish press, the UN Secretary-General and his wife suffered a case of food poisoning.

[18] UN ENVOY TO MEET GREEK,TURKISH AND CYPRIOT REPRESENTATIVES

Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Cyprus Han Sung Ju is currently in New York where he will hold briefing sessions with the Permanent Representatives of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus as well as the United States Presidential Envoy Richard Beatty.

[19] ALBANIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES MEET WITH EU LEADERS IN BRUSSELS

Leaders of Albania's opposition parties addressed leading officials of the European Union in Brussels today where they stated that in order to solve the political upheaval created in their country after last week's elections were marked by tampering and violence, the results must annulled and elections must be conducted again.

The Albanian opposition parties leaders were invited to Brussels by the United European Left parliamentary group vice- president Alekos Alavanos and the vice president of the European Socialist Party Yiannis Roubatis, and were received by the EU Ministerial Council's italian president Mr. Fascino, Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and the presidents of all the political groups partaking in europarliament.

The albanian delegation is made up of the Albanian Socialist Party first vice-president Serfet Pellubi, who replaces jailed party leader Fatos Nano and the Social- democrats leader Skender Gjinushi, Democratic Alliance Party leader Neritan Ceka and Democratic Party leader Petrit Kalakculla.

Mr. Alavanos stated that "the EU, the council, the parliament and the Commission learned first hand of (Albanian President) Sali Berisha's unprecedented violence and tampering" and expressed the hope that following these meetings, the Union will ask that the elections be held again.

Moreover, the leader of the 217-strong Europarliament Socialist Group, Pauline Green, sent a letter to Berisha in which she states that "it has come as a shock to us that these elections, according to virtually all reports from international observers, were not conducted in a free and fair way."

Ms. Green appealed to Mr. Berisha that the result of these elections be annulled and "the organization of new democratic, free and fair elections be prepared as soon as possible."

[20] ALBANIAN MAIN PARTIES READY TO START A DIALOGUE

The Democratic and the Socialist Parties in Albania announced today that they are ready to start a dialogue in order to bridge their differences concerning the recent Parliamentary elections.

Democratic party's Albert Broika, responsible for international relations stated to the German News Agency that there was agreement that political dialogue is the best way for the solution of the problems.

Yesterday, the 76 leading members of the Socialist party ended the hunger strike they had began 5 days ago demanding the start of a dialogue with the participation of all the political powers in the country.

Mr.Broika rejected an opposition request for new elections but he said that there can be negotiations for new elections in certain polling districts where electoral irregularities had been observed.

Socialist Party representative, Kastriot Islami stated that his party decided to avert the political crisis which could have led to a civil war, adding that President Berisha controls the Central Electoral Committee and the Constitutional Court. Mr.Islami stated that the opposition for, the time being, will stop the protest demonstrations but they will be repeated if the negotiations fail.

[21] GREEK-AUSTRALIAN DOCTOR RECEIVES ANNUAL AWARD FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

Greek-australian scientist Vaso Apostolopoulou, specilizing in the medical research field, was honoured by the Prime Minister of the state of Victoria in Australia with the annual Award for Medical Research.

Ms.Apostolopoulou became known to the international scientific community when she recently developed a vaccine against breast cancer and she cooperates with leading research centers around the world.

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