MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (19/08/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 19, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS MET WITH PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN CYPRUS

Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis met with President, Kostis Stephanopoulos to discuss the situation created in Cyprus after the killing of two greek-cypriots by the turkish occupation forces.

In statements he made after their meeting, mr.Simitis pointed out that he briefed President Stephanopoulos on the contacts he had in Cyprus and on the actions decided by Athens and Nicosia aiming at the sensitization and the mobilization of the international public opinion.

Greece will continue its firm policy for the strengthening of its armed forces and its international alliances in order to give a decisive response to a possible turkish threat, stated mr.Simitis, and called Ankara to abandon its play-acting over flags and to move ahead making significant moves that will contribute to peace in the region.

[02] TWO EARTHQUAKES HIT THE REGIONS OF LESVOS AND THE PELOPONNESE

An earthquake measuring 4,9 on the Richter scale hit at 4am this morning the island of Lesvos in north-eastern Aegean and its epicenter was located in the sea region north-west of the island.

Two hours later another earthquake measuring 4,5 on the Richter scale shook the region of Katakolon in the Peloponnese.

The tremors were recorded by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[03] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT STATED THAT HELLENISM HAS DECIDED NOT TO ALLOW ITS NATIONAL SPACE TO BE LIMITED

Hellenism has decided that it will not allow its national space to be limited, stressed today Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis speaking during the opening ceremony of the cultural events under the title "Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus" held on the island of Samothraki in northern Aegean.

Mr.Kliridis underlined that his presence in Samothraki stresses hellenism's obligation to safeguard its sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity.

Responding to the question if he will meet with turkish- cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash he said that the Cypriot National Council position is that a meeting with mr.Denktash will be held only if common ground is found on basic principles of the Cyprus problem.

Greek Minister of Defence, Gerasimos Arsenis underlined Greece's determination to fight if necessary for its freedom and its territorial integrity, while he stressed that the goal of the cultural voyage of the greek Navy tank landing ship "Samos" is to stress the unbreakable cultural ties existing among Thrace, Aegean and Cyprus.

[04] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH SENT A MESSAGE OF PEACE TO THE TWO COMMUNITIES IN CYPRUS

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Vartholomeos sent a message of peace to the two communities in Cyprus in statements he made to the turkish newspaper "Milliyet".

Responding to a question on the latest events in Cyprus, the Ecumenical Patriarch stated that they will not benefit either of the two communities.

On the issue of the Theology School in Halki, the Ecumenical Patriarch said that it was the only Theology School left and by closing it a major problem for the education of priests was created. Regarding the Patriarchate he said that it must never leave from Constantinople.

On the issue that was created because of his title, Ecumenical Patriarch, he said that it has absolutely no political character and therefore, none should be disturbed by it.

[05] THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CYPRUS MEETS IN NICOSIA TOMORROW

The National Council of Cyprus meets in Nicosia tomorrow in order to determine its position regarding the meeting of Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis with turkish-cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash suggested by UN Secretary General, Boutros Ghali.

The National Council will deal with the further actions that will be undertaken in cooperation with the greek government, for the briefing of international organizations over the situation in Cyprus. Also, will be discussed issues concerning the anti- occupation demonstrations and the framework within which they are organized.

Meanwhile, the political party leaders in Cyprus are opposed to the proposal made by the UN Secretary General for the holding of a meeting between Kliridis and Denktash, while they share the position that Prime Minister Simitis' visit to the island puts the Cyprus problem on a new course.

[06] TURKISH-CYPRIOTS LIVING IN FREE CYPRUS CONDEMNED THE BRUTAL KILLING OF THE TWO GREEK-CYPRIOTS

Turkish-cypriots living in free Cyprus condemned the brutal killing of the two greek-cypriots, Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, by the turkish occupation forces.

At the same time, they stressed that the greek-cypriots and the turkish-cypriots can co-exist and after pointing out that the proof of that is the fact that they themselves have absolutely no problem in the free regions of Cyprus where they live, they expresed the certainty that the killers in the recent bloody incidents were not turkish-cypriots but turkish settlers.

In a press conference of the committee "Cyprus for the Cypriots", which began with a minute of silence in memory of those killed, turkish-cypriots Ayhan Mehmet and Ali Salih presented a protest statement signed by 37 turkish-cypriots living in free Cyprus.

In the statement is mentioned that the turkish-cypriots living in free Cyprus protest against the unacceptable killings of the two greek-cypriots that took place during peaceful demonstrations.

Ayhan Mehmet, who is 55 yearsold and for the past 8 years lives and works in free Cyprus, stated that the scenes they watched on the television "made them feel ashamed that they were turkish-cypriots", while he characterized the killings as savage and wondered what was the role of the United Nations.

Ayhan Mehmet also mentioned that the turkish-cypriots in free Cyprus wanted to extend their condolences to the parents of the two greek-cypriots but they thought that they would be misjudged because they are turkish-cypriots.

He also said that from the 120.000 turkish-cypriots living in the turkish occupied territories only 40.000 remain, while the turkish settlers are estimated to be 90 thousand. Mr.Mehmet stated characteristically, that if the Lydra Pallas checkpoint opens for just an hour, only a few of the turkish-cypriots will remain in the occupied territories which have a high crime rate due to the increased unemployment.

He said that the turkish-cypriots do not want this land to continue to be divided, and that they want the withdrawal of the turkish soldiers and settlers so that people of Cyprus can return to their homes and their native towns.

Meanwhile, Ayhan Mehmet repeated the allegations that the turks had murdered his estranged wife and his 16yearold daughter on March 3, 1996, adding that he learned about their deaths from the turkish-cypriot newspapers.

He also said that he unsuccessfully attempted to find out more information through the UN, and added that he still does not know exactly what happened to his wife and daughter or where they are buried. He stated that his daughter was decapitated by the turks, while his wife was stabbed 17 times.

[07] TURKISH-CYPRIOT LEADER DENKTASH WARNED THAT IF CYPRUS BECOMES AN EU MEMBER THEN NORTHERN CYPRUS WILL UNITE WITH TURKEY

Turkish-cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash reiterated that if Cyprus becomes a member of the European Union then the turkish occupied northern part of the island will unite with Turkey. Also, mr.Denktash denied that he is seeking Cyprus' permanent division.

In an interview to BBC after the cold blooded killing of the two greek-cypriots by the turkish occupation forces in Cyprus, mr.Denktash stressed referring to the "green line" that this is not another Berlin Wall and maintained that this line allegedly saved the turkish-cypriots from "ethnic cleansing". He also stated that the second greek-cypriot Solomos Solomou, who was shot while he was trying to take down the turkish flag, had been killed by a bullet that was not intended for him.

[08] THE CONFERENCE OF THE BLACK SEA HELLENISM ENDED WITH THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AIMING AT THE STRENGTHENING OF HELLENISM IN THE REGION

The Conference on the Black Sea Hellenism in former Soviet Union, which was held in the capital Batoumi of the autonomous region of Adjaria in the Republic of Georgia from August 16-18, ended with the adoption of a resolution calling for the strengthening of the Black Sea hellenism in order to be able to deal with the aggressiveness of the turkish policy.

In the Conference participated 250 representatives from greek communities and greek associations in the Black Sea, as well as, representatives from Federations of associations from the United States, Australia, Canada and Greece.

The conference participants dealt with issues concerning hellenism's history in the region and with the special problems hellenism is facing in the Black Sea in the effort to consolidate its position and development. The participants also expressed their support to the struggle of the Cypriot people and condemned the turkish aggressiveness.

[09] AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS SEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN "ISLAMIC STATE IN THE BALKANS" RESULTING FROM A TURKISH INITIATIVE

According to an article published by the US newspaper "Washington Times", Turkey aspires after the establishment of an "islamic state in the Balkans".

In the article is stressed that this possibility is already being discussed in many european capitals, while it is pointed out that the tactic followed until now by Ankara in its relations with many Balkan states and especially with Bosnia, leads toward this direction.

The article's writer, Andrew Borovic mentions that the first target is Bosnia, adding that its President has received substantial aid from Turkey in the transport of weapons and in the training of his country's armed forces.

Mr.Borovic concludes that european analysts maintain that Turkey supports the establishment of a state in the Balkans which will be made up of Bosnia, Kosovo and possibly Albania, while he also observed that greek officials have expressed fears that such a country could be created in the near future.

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