MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (21/08/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 21, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE CABINET WILL MEET TOMORROW IN ORDER TO REACH A DECISION ON THE ISSUE OF EARLY ELECTIONS

The greek Cabinet will meet tomorrow in order to reach a decision on the issue of early elections in the country, according to government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas who clarified that in case early elections are decided, the Prime Minister will visit the President of the Republic as soon as possible.

Tomorrow at noon, will meet PASOK's Executive Office and on Friday, there will be a joint meeting of the party's Central Committee and the Parliamentary Group.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Simitis had contacts all day today with government officials before making an announcement on the government's intentions regarding the option of early elections.

This morning, mr.Simitis met with Minister of Health, Anastasios Peponis who later stated that he presented his views to the Prime Minister and that he is certain that mr.Simitis will examine all aspects before reaching a decision. Mr.Peponis also expressed the position that the Cabinet decision on the elections should be unanimous.

Mr.Simitis also met with Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization, Akis Tsohatzopoulos and according to information, during that meeting was decided that early elections will be held on September 22. Mr.Simitis also had meetings with Minister of Development Vasso Papandreou, Minister of Environment, Planning and Public Works, Kostas Laliotis and with Minister of Education, Giorgos Papandreou.

Meanwhile, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Philippos Petsalnikos in a press conference in Thessaloniki supported the holding of early elections with the shorter pre-election period possible.

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras met today with leading members of his party, while the Coalition of the Left Political Secretariat met today, chaired by the party President, Nikos Konstantopoulos in order to plan the party's pre-election campaign.

Communist Party General Secretary, Aleka Papariga continues her tour in the Ionian Sea islands and on Monday will be in Athens to preside over the party's Political Office meeting.

[02] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN TEHERAN TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND IRAN

Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos is in Teheran for talks with his iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Velayati aiming at strengthening the greek-iranian bilateral relations. Mr.Pangalos also met with iranian President, Ali Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani and with Parliament President, Ali Akbar Nateg-Nuri.

Mr.Pangalos, upon his arrival in Teheran, stated that Iran has a special place in Greece's foreign policy and for this reason, the two countries have to develop their relations, because the political cooperation between Athens and Teheran can contribute to the consolidation of peace in the region.

From his part, the iranian Foreign Minister pointed out that Greece and Iran have good relations and specifically referred to the effective cooperation the two countries had on the issue of Bosnia, adding that there is no obstacle in the development of bilateral relations.

After the meeting with his iranian counterpart, the greek Foreign Minister stated that the greek government displays a special understanding to Iran's position in the world and wants its greatest possible incorporation into the international scene. Mr.Pangalos said that he had "very useful talks" on the further improvement of bilateral relations, the strengthening of regional cooperation, the relations between Greece and Turkey and the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Pangalos clarified that he will brief his european colleagues on his visit to Teheran during the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers that will be held in Dublin on September 5, during which will be discussed the EU relations with Iran and the EU trade relations with the United States.

The greek Foreign Minister stated that Greece is willing to mediate for any contact Iran may want with the rest of the world, while during the meeting of the two delegations was agreed the promotion of two tripartite cooperations, one among Greece, Armenia and Iran and a second, among Greece, Bosnia and Iran.

Mr.Velayati stated that Iran is ready to undertake a mediatory effort for the easing of tensions between Greece and Turkey, adding that he will have a contact with Turkey and he will do everything possible in order to achieve a positive outcome. Regarding the latest events in Cyprus, mr.Velayati stated that the government of Iran is very concerned over the recent developments.

Mr.Pangalos stated that Greece wants its relations with Turkey to be based on International Law and on the non use of threats, adding that their differences should be dealt with based on the international practice. The greek Foreign Minister stated that those positions are understood very well by Iran, which is a country that has to deal with similar situations.

The D' Amato law based sanctions, with which the United States threaten any country that decides to make investments in Iran of over 40 million US dollars, was one of the basic topics discussed by the two delegations.

Mr.Pangalos stated in a press conference, that the issue practically does not concern Greece, as it does not have companies that will make such investments in Iran, but he added that none has the authorization to unilateraly decide on the conditions based on which international trade will be held. The iranian Foreign Minister agreed with the position expressed by mr.Pangalos and added that Teheran is against any form of terrorism.

Mr.Pangalos also visited the greek Orthodox church in Teheran and met with members of the greek community. The greek Foreign Minister is expected in Athens tomorrow.

[03] THE NEW DEMOCRACY LEADER RETURNS TO ATHENS FROM NICOSIA TODAY

New Democracy party leader, Miltiadis Evert returns to Athens from Nicosia today. This morning, mr.Evert visited in the town of Paralimni the families of the two greek-cypriots who were savagely killed by the turkish occupation forces.

Yesterday, mr.Evert met with Cypriot President Kliridis and briefed him on the outcome of his meeting in Brussels with European Commission President, Jacques Santer.

Mr.Evert stated that the European Commission President strongly condemned the killings of the two greek-cypriots and stressed that everything possible will be done for Cyprus' accession into the European Union.

Meanwhile, New Democracy's Electoral Committee will meet tomorrow in view of the possible early elections in Greece, while on Saturday will meet the party's Political Council with the participation of its honorary President, Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

[04] GREEK EURO-DEPUTY CALLS ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO INCLUDE IN THE REVISED MAASTRICHT TREATY CLAUSES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

Greek Euro-deputy from the Coalition of the Left party, Alekos Alavanos called the European Commission to incorporate into the revised Maastricht Treaty clauses on the rights of children and specifically, on their protection from sexual violence and molestation.

Mr.Alavanos had raised the issue in the past but the European Commission had responded that the matter exceeds its competence.

The greek Euro-deputy requested today to be informed whether the European Commission intends to ask to be included in the revised Maastricht Treaty clauses for the protection of children from all forms of sexual exploitation and molestation, especially now, after the shocking case in Belgium.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[05] ARCHBISHOP OF NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, SPIRIDON SENT A LETTER TO UN SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS

Deep concern over the developments in Cyprus, after the tragic events that took place in Derynia, expressed Archbishop of North and South America, Spiridon in a letter to UN Secretary General, Boutros Ghali.

In his letter the Archbishop condemns the continuing occupation of Cyprus and underlines the gross violations of human rights, international law and UN resolutions committed by the turkish occupation forces.

[06] THE MEETING BETWEEN THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT AND THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL SPECIAL ENVOY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW

Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis and UN Secretary General Alternate Special Envoy, Gustav Feissel will meet in Nicosia tomorrow morning.

During the meeting, President Kliridis will deliver the greek- cypriot side's response to the proposal made by UN Secretary General, Boutros Ghali for the holding of a meeting between President Kliridis and turkish-cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash and for the issuing of a joint statement by the two sides aimed at easing the tensions.

[07] THE UNITED STATES DENIED THAT THEY HAVE APOLOGIZED TO TURKEY

The United States denied the report published in the turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" according to which, the US State Department has apologized to Turkey for the statements made by its spokesman, Nicolas Burns, that human life is more important than the protection of a piece of cloth.

US embassy spokeswoman in Nicosia, Judy Barunti stated to the english-speaking newspaper "Cyprus Mail" that to her knowledge, the US State Department has issued no apology.

The turkish newpaper "Hurriyet" had maintained that Washington apologized through the diplomatic route after Turkey's strong reactions and citing US sources wrote that with his statements mr.Burns went over his official authority and that his statements could have a disastrous effect on his career.

[08] THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT THE PARTICIPATION OF A TURKISH-CYPRIOT OFFICER IN THE MILITARY DIALOGUE

Cypriot government spokesman, Yiannakis Kasoulidis reiterated his government's opposition to the presence of the turkish-cypriot forces commander in the military dialogue between the cypriot National Guard and the turkish occupation forces.

Mr.Kasoulidis stated that Cyprus accepted a military dialogue between the leaders of the National Guard and the turkish occupation forces, underlining that any presence of the turkish- cypriot forces is undesirable. The cypriot government spokesman added that the position of the cypriot government is known since the visit of US permanent representative in the United Nations, Madleen Albright.

[09] THE KILLERS OF THE TWO GREEK-CYPRIOTS WILL BE ON THE MOST WANTED LIST IN CYPRUS

According to the cypriot newspaper "Simerini", the killers of the two greek-cypriots, Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, will be on the list of the most wanted criminals in Cyprus, as soon as the process for their identification is completed.

The newspaper mentions that within the next few days the cypriot government will institute the proceedings for the arrest of the 8 suspects in the brutal beating of Tasos Isaac and the 3 soldiers, who shot Solomos Solomou in cold blood.

Meanwhile, as it was decided by the Cypriot National Council yesterday, Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis will respond soon to the UN Secretary General on the proposal for a joint declaration that will be signed by the two sides in Cyprus and will condemn the events in Derynia.

[10] THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND FYROM DEVELOP SMOOTHLY

The economic relations between Greece and FYROM are at a good level inspite of the fact that lately the political relations between the two countries are at a low point because of the issue of FYROM's name which is still pending, according to the yugoslav newspaper "Borba".

The newspaper writes that the transport of goods and the influx of capital is taking place without a problem, while most of the goods pass through the border crossing of Bogoronditsa.

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