MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (18/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessalonki, July 18, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES SORROW OVER US AIRPLANE CRASH

The Greek government has expressed its deep sorrow for the victims of the airplane crash that occured this morning over New York's Long Island area.

Noting that the airplane's previous flight had been Athens- New York, government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated that TWA's 747 Boeing had been subject to thorough checks prior to taking off for New York, and added that during its five-hour layover at the Kennedy International Airport, prior to departing for Paris, it must have undergone equally thorough checks.

Mr. Reppas also stated that so far no communication has been exchanged between the United States and Greece regarding the matter, and added that, according to up-to-the-minute reports, no Greek passengers were among the 227 persons who were aboard the New York-Paris flight 800.

The aircraft crashed at 4:20 a.m. local time, ten minutes after its take-off from Kennedy airport.

According to reports, the airplane exploded over the near-by sea after being wrapped in flames in the sky. Its destination was Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport.

[02] GREEK GOVERMENT RESPONDS TO TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ON MEDA

Commenting on the statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas stated that "Ms. Ciller will have other opportunities to communicate with European Union officials in order to become alligned with the community's positions."

Mr. Reppas referred to the Turkish Foreign Minister's apparent pride as she stated last evening that she is satisfied by the lift of Greece's veto regarding the EU's funding program MEDA and added that Turkey is not committed by the EU's statement on respecting international law.

"This position presents Turkey as being alone in the world, not agreeeing with the allies who have expressed a series of positions," stated Mr. Reppas.

"Turkey is at a disadvantage, not an advantage, and disadvantages usually bear consequenses."

[03] TUNISIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH PREMIER KOSTAS SIMITIS

As part of his three-day formal visit to Greece, Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahya met today with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis with his Greek counterpart and discussed Mediterranean cooperation as well as the situation in the Middle East.

Yesterday, Mr. Habib had been received by his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos and the two men signed a consular agreement between the two countries.

[04] GREEK, BULGARIAN, ROMANIAN JUSTICE MINISTERS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI

A three-day meeting between the Justice Ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania will be held in Thessaloniki starting tomorrow and will focus on judicial cooperation issues among the three countries.

Focus will be given on the harmonization of the Bulgarian and Romanian judicial systems with community law, in light of these two countries' preparatory EU accession procedures.

[05] GREEK MOVIE STAR HOSPITALIZED IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Aliki Vouyouklaki, one of Greece's most popular post-war actresses, is currently hospitalized in a critical condition, as her health has taken a turn for the worse.

Ms.Vouyouklaki, who rose to stardom through a series of mass appeal, Polyanna-like films in the Greek cinema, has been hospitalized for over two months at the Athens Medical Center.

The medical communique released today by her treating physicians, vaguely stated that her condition has deteriorated.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[06] US BOING 747 EXPLODES OVER LONG ISLAND, 227 PASSENGERS KILLED

A United States airplane, Boing 747, TWA's New York-Paris flight 800, crashed at 4:20 a.m. local time, ten minutes after its take-off from Kennedy airport in New York.

The plane carried 227 passengers, 17 of whom were crew members. Already, US Coast Guard rescue forces have found 18 bodies in the Long Island's sea region.

According to reports, the airplane exploded over the near-by sea after being wrapped in flames in the sky. Its destination was Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport.

[07] EU'S COMMON STATEMENT IS NOT BINDING, SAYS TANSU CILLER

Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has expressed her satisfaction over the lift of Greece's veto regarding the European Union's funding program MEDA, and stated that she has secured from the Irish-held presidency the clalification that the acceptance of the common statement issued by the "15" regarding greco-turkish relations is not a binding one over the freeing of these funds for her country.

Following her meeting with Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, Ms. Ciller, who is on a formal visit to Ireland, stated that the turkish government will carefuly examine the common statement issued by the EU Ministerial Council, which points out that good neighboring relations with Greece are a prerequisite for Turkey.

Ms. Ciller stated that this specific statement is not a prerequisite for the granting of the MEDA funds to Turkey and stated that, based on the common statement, the application of international law for the resolving of any possible differences depends upon a mutual willingness from Greece.

Moreover, she asked the EU to uphold its agreements with Turkey and emphasized that the lift of the veto will allow these agreements to be carried out. We consider this fact, she stated, as a great start to which we must adhere.

Mr. Spring, when asked if the common statement has a binding character, avoided to comment and simply stated that it is a political announcement whose content Ms. Ciller will convey to her government.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament is expected to approve today a resolution which states that the exterior borders of EU member-countries must be considered EU borders and that in cases of violation, community solidarity will be expressed.

[08] US ENVOY ALBRIGHT IN CUPRYS, MET WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Madleine Albright has met with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia today, and will meet with Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash this afternoon.

Accompanied by the US special emissary for Cyprus Richard Beatty, the US ambassador and President Clerides examined the "effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus" and discussed potential opportunities for a comprehensive agreement.

According to Cypriot governent spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides, the two-hour meeting was interesting and constructive and, commenting on Ms. Albright's statement that the Cyprus problem is not an isolated issue, Mr. Kasoulides responded that the Cypriot issue is related to all the problems in the region, including the Middle East.

Referring to the Joint Defense Doctrine and Ms. Albright's statement that she undedrstands the need for its existence, Mr. Kasoullides reiterated that the Doctrine is promoted due to the existence of turkish occupational forces and can be interrupted only after an agreement for de-militarization is reached.

Following Nicosia, Ms. Albright will travel to Ankara tomorrow where she will meet with officials of the Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

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