MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (22/08/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 22, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

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[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE SECRETARY OF PASOK'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED THE PRIME MINISTER'S DECISION TO CALL EARLY ELECTIONS

Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, Kostas Skandalidis announced, after the meeting of the party's Executive Committee, the decision of Prime Minister and PASOK leader, Kostas Simitis to call early elections.

Mr.Skandalidis announced that PASOK's Central Committee Executive Office unanimously agreed with mr.Simitis' proposal to call early elections. He also added that Prime Minister and PASOK party leader, Kostas Simitis will make an announcement after the Cabinet meeting this afternoon.

[02] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS THE COUNTRY IS ON A PRE-ELECTION COURSE

The country is on a pre-election course, as Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis continues his contacts with government officials, while later in the afternoon, a cabinet meeting will be held and afterwards the Prime Minister will announce the date of the early elections.

Mr.Simitis already met with Press Minister Dimitiris Reppas, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas, Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Minister of National Economy, Yiannos Papantoniou and Minister of Finance, Alekos Papadopoulos, while tomorrow PASOK's Central Committee and Parliamentary Group will hold a joint meeting. On Saturday, the Executive Office will meet again to discuss the pre-election tactic that will be followed by the party.

Mr.Papandoniou stated that PASOK's strong point is the economy adding that until now, no greek government went to elections with so positive indexes in the country's economy. He said that the economic staff recommended the calling of early elections and underlined that if PASOK wins again will continue the same firm and consistent economic policy.

According to government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas, the Ministers of Press, Interior, Public Order and Justice will be replaced by caretaker Ministers next week.

[03] THE NEW DEMOCRACY ELECTORAL COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY

New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert is meeting since this morning with his close associates to determine the party's pre- election course and to draw up the lists of candidates while today, also meets the party's Electoral Committee to determine the pre-election campaign in view of the early elections.

On Saturday, there will be a meeting of New Democracy's Political Council that will take place with the participation of the party's honorary President, Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

[04] THE POLITICAL SPRING PARTY FORMED ITS ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

The Political Spring party Electoral Committee was formed today after a decision by party leader, Antonis Samaras and as its head was appointed Euro-deputy, Nikitas Kaklamanis.

The Committee is made up of Katerina Daskalaki, Akis Gerontopoulos, Nikos Klitos, Sotiris Kostakos, Notis Martakis, Stavros Penteas, Dimitris Stamatis, Nasos Tsanganelis and Giorgos Tsolakoglou.

[05] THE FIRST HORIZONTAL OIL DRILLING IN GREECE WAS A TOTAL SUCCESS

According to the management of the greek State Oil Company (���-���), the first ever horizontal oil drilling in the country, that was made in the newest oil deposit of Prinos, was a total success and it is estimated that it will have as a result the increase of the oil production in the region by 1 million barrels a year.

This particular oil deposit had been located in north Prinos in 1995 and two days ago began the test oil pumping which, according to the company's management, is also successful.

It is estimated that this oil deposit has a potential of 18 million barrels of which, according to scientists, only 3-4 million barrels will be pumped in the next three years.

[06] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4,2 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HIT SOUTHERN GREECE

Earthquake measuring 4,2 on the Richter scale shook in the early morning hours today the region of Antirion, north of the Peloponnese.

According to seismologists in the Seismological Center of the University of Patras, the tremor has caused no alarm to scientists.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[07] THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS NOT A PROBLEM BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY BUT AN INTERNATIONAL ONE, STATED THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas stated that the Cyprus problem is not a greek-turkish problem but an international one, responding to Ankara's proposal for bilateral dialogue on that issue.

Mr.Bikas reiterated that the Cyprus problem concerns violations of international law and a military invasion, adding that normalization of the greek-turkish relations can not be expected if there is no solution of this problem based on the UN resolutions.

[08] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT MET THIS MORNING WITH UN ALTERNATE SPECIAL ENVOY

Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis met this morning with UN Secretary General Alternate Special Envoy, Gustav Feissel.

The cypriot President delivered the greek-cypriot side's response to the UN Secretary General proposal for a meeting between President Kliridis and turkish-cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, while mr.Feissel again expressed his regret for the killings of the two greek-cypriots.

[09] THE UN CAN NOT TAKE MEASURES IF THE TWO SIDES IN CYPRUS DO NOT WANT TO NEGOTIATE AND COMPROMISE

The United Nations can not take measures if the two sides in Cyprus are not willing to negotiate and compromise, according to a letter by UN official in Sidney, Australia, mr.Jan Fischer addressed to President of the Association of the Greek-Orthodox Communities and Parishes in Melbourne, Victoria, mr.Bill Kardamitsis.

The letter is a response by the UN official to a previous letter sent by mr.Kardamitsis to the UN Office in Australia and also, to the international organization's Headquarters in the United States, to US President Bill Clinton and to the European Union, calling the United Nations and the European Union to bring Rauf Denktash to justice for the recent atrocities and for those committed in the 1974 invasion of Cyprus.

Also, the letter accuses the UN peace-keepers of apathy and silent acceptance of the killing of the two young greek-cypriots.

[10] SUMMIT FOR THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO WILL BE HELD IN EARLY 1997

The NATO Summit during which will be decided which of the eastern european countries will become members of the alliance, will be held in early 1997, according to statements made by the german Minister of Defence after the talks he had with his counterparts from Poland and Denmark.

The german Defence Minister also stated that NATO intends to strengthen the ties with Russia with regard to the strategic cooperation between them, as the alliance calls it.

According to speculations by military analysts, the countries most likely to be called first to start the procedures for their accession into the North Atlantic Alliance are Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, which could become NATO's full members, as early as the year 2.000.

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