MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (26/08/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 26, 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] STRONG WARNING TO TURKEY TO ABANDON ASPIRATIONS IN THE AEGEAN

A strong warning to Turkey to abandon its aspirations in the Aegean was issued today by greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos who also accused opposition New Democracy party of undermining every effort for communication among the political parties.

Mr.Pangalos backed the policy he followed as Foreign Minister and accused New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert of trading upon national issues in order to win a few more seats in Parliament. Also, he said that mr.Evert without realizing it has accepted the basic position of Turkey's foreign policy, based on the fact that he supports dialogue under the condition that the pending problems will be included in a formal agenda.

Referring to the government's Balkan policy, the Foreign Minister characterized Greece's relations with Bulgaria as "excellent" and economic relations with Skopje as "very good", while he also added that the prospect of a Balkan cooperation is always open.

Mr.Pangalos stated that the name does not affect the Balkan cooperation, adding that the skopjans will be invited under the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Inter-Balkan Conference that will be held in Athens next June. He also clarified that he does not rule out the possibility that by then a solution to the problem may be found. Mr.Pangalos said that the greek government's invitation will be sent to FYROM in the next few days.

Commenting on New Democracy's criticism on the government's decision to call snap elections, mr.Pangalos pointed out that Konstantinos Karamanlis as Prime Minister had called snap elections in 1956, 1958, 1961 and 1977.

New Democracy's spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos responding to the statements made by the Foreign Minister said that mr.Pangalos usually attacks and later apologizes.

[02] NO CONFEDERATION IN CYPRUS IF THERE IS NO UNITED ENTITY

The need to set a limit beyond which the greek side will declare internationally that the talks on the Cyprus problem have no meaning, was underlined by greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos when he referred to the developments in Cyprus. He also rejected Rauf Denktash's position on the creation of two separate states categorically stating that if there is no united entity there can be no confederation.

Mr.Pangalos stated that he believes that Cyprus' accession into the EU is certain while responding to the question on the conditions under which there can be a rapprochement between Greece and Turkey, he reiterated the steps needed to be made.

According to mr.Pangalos, the first step is for Turkey either to stop disputing the Lausanne Treaty and the 1932 accord or bring its case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The second step is to bring the issue of the continental shelf to The Hague and the third step is to form a joint committee for the promotion of the good neighbourly relations.

Also, mr.Pangalos revealed that Turkey has responded to the greek demarche regarding the report of the turkish army staff but he said that the response was not satisfactory because Turkey's armed forces play a special role in the country.

Finally, he said that the Ankara government has not condemned that report and simply mentions that it was an internal document.

[03] BASIC AXES OF PASOK'S PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN SET BY PRIME MINISTER

The basic axes of a pre-election campaign, with no plastic flags and costly political rallies, were announced by Prime Minister and PASOK party leader, Kostas Simitis. He also said that the National Council will meet on September 3, and there will be only one outdoor pre-election political rally in Athens.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that a few months ago, the law regulating the maximum of expenses the political parties are allowed to make during a pre-election period, had been voted through after an initiative by the government. This law also provides for the implementation of sanctions to violators.

Mr.Simitis added that the public debate between him and the leader of New Democracy will give the opportunity to the greek people to compare and to judge proposals, solutions and leaders.

Meanwhile, PASOK's Central Electoral Committee met today and examined the party's activities within the framework of its pre- election campaign.

Also, this afternoon the Prime Minister will meet with former member of Coalition of the Left party, Mimis Androulakis who insinuated today, in an interview to an Athens daily, that he will run in the elections as a PASOK candidate.

[04] POLITICAL SPRING ISSUED INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN A TV DEBATE

Invitation to the Prime Minister, to New Democracy party leader and to all the political party leaders to appear in a television debate in view of the early elections was issued by Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras.

Mr.Samaras added that mr.Simitis and mr.Evert see democracy as their personal property and they monopolize its main medium today, the television. Mr.Samaras also stressed that he will refuse to play a part in any effort to create a two-speed democracy.

[05] NAMES OF THE CARETAKER MINISTERS WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY

Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis announced today the names of the caretaker Ministers in the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Public Order and Press.

Interior Minister was appointed mr.Vasilis Kouris professor in the University of Thessaloniki, Justice Minister mr.Argyris Fatouros professor in Athens University, Public Order Minister mr.Kostas Beis professor in Athens University and Minister of Press and Mass Media mr.Dimitris Konstas former Dean in Pantion University.

The swearing in ceremony will be held on Friday at noon.

[06] POLITICAL PARTIES TO FINALIZE THEIR ELECTORAL TICKETS THIS WEEK

Greece's political parties are moving forward with finalizing their electoral tickets, in light of the month-long election campaign since Prime Minister Kostas Simitis called for early elections last week and the President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos dissolved Parliament on Friday.

The central committee that oversees the ruling party PASOK's election campaign will hold a session today where it will iron out the details of its run. This evening, the Premier will meet with Mimis Androulakis, an ex-MP for the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party, who plans to run with PASOK in Piraeus.

The ruling party has opted for a massive pre-election rally in Athens, while similar gatherings will also be held in all other major citie of the country. Moreover, PASOK is expected to suggest that a televised debate be held between the Premier and Miltiades Evert, the leader of the country's main opposition party New Democracy, in addition to two televised interviews of the Premier in which he will discuss political and economic issues.

On his part, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert has called upon ND officials and members to rally around the party, and has expressed his certainty that ND will win the elections.

New Democracy's parliamentary group and central committee will convene tomorrow, while joint appearances will be made by Miltiades Evert and the Party's honorary president -and ex-premier- Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

Also convening today will be the central committee of the minor opposition party Political Spring whose leader, Antonis Samaras, will embark on seven tours and rallies beginning September 1.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Paparega is expected to present the party's election declaration in a press conference today. Ms. Paparega has appealed to her party's supporters for financial contributions to KKE's campaigns.

Synaspismos leader Nikos Konstantopoulos, speaking yesterday at his party's central committee, proposed that a joint interview be held by all political leaders and appealed to the Greek citizens to bring his party back into parliament. Mr. Konstantopoulos will meet today with Maria Damanaki and will give a press conference on Wednesday.

The President of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas has expressed his conviction that his party will constitute the catalyst for the political development to be seen in the upcoming elections while he did not refrain from issuing a stern verbal attack against the Government and, specifically, the Prime Minister.

[07] GREEK MINISTER OF FINANCE POINTS OUT THE NEED FOR REFORMS

Greek Minister of Finance, Alekos Papadopoulos in an interview to an Athens daily pointed out the need for reforms in the country's economy while he also revealed that he had suggested the option of snap elections to the Prime Minister a year ago.

Mr.Papadopoulos underlines that the implementation of dynamic changes in the country's economic policy is necessary in order for Greece to become a modern state.

[08] ALEXANDROUPOLIS EUROPEAN TRADE CONGRESS POSTPONED DUE TO ELECTIONS

The First European Congress of Trade and Distribution that was scheduled to take place in Alexandroupolis between September 20-22, has been postoned by the organizing committee in light of the upcoming elections that will be held in Greece on September 22.

The Congress' new date will be established following briefings that will be held with the Greek European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

[09] THE RIOT IN KORYDALLOS PRISON ENDED EARLY TODAY

The riot in Korydallos Prison in Athens that began last night ended early this morning. The inmates made no demands and released unharmed the prison guard who was held hostage.

Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos received assurances last night that the riot would end soon and that no special problems would be created.

[10] GREEK-AUSTRALIAN SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN VISIT GREECE

Eighteen Greek-Australian congressmen and senators are currently visitng Greece, following the invitation issued by the alternate foreign minister George Romeos, who is responsible for issues concerning overseas hellenism.

The Australian politicians, representing both state and federal political arenas, are expected to meet with most of Greece's political leaders, in spite of the fact that their visit coincides with the country's pre-election acitivities.

Mr. Romeos undertook the initiative to invite Greek-origin politicians from all over the world to visit Greece in order to establish a network of communication and information exchange among the countries.

The Australian politicians will also visit Cyprus, following the invitation issued by the Cypriot government.

[11] US DEMOCRATIC PARTY DELEGATES TO BE BRIEFED ON GREEK NATIONAL MATTERS

Five-hundred delegates of the United States Democratic Party, who all together hold 25 various nationalities, will be briefed on Greece's national matters by the Greek-American National Council of AHEPA and AHI, in Chicago on August 28.

The briefing session will be held during a luncheon to be hosted by the Greek-American businessman Theodoros Spyropoulos in honor of US President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, given the Democratic Party's congress that began today in Chicago.

The event will feature as main speakers US presidential advisor George Stephanopoulos and senator Geraldine Ferraro.

[12] US PLAYERS BOOK NORTHERN GREECE'S CASINO FOR 7,000 STAYS

American high-stake gamblers have booked Northern Greece's Casino Magic in Porto Karras for 7,000 stays during the two-month period of October-November, although it is unclear how many persons will visit the casino and for how long they will stay.

Casino Magic, which worked with a New York-based touring office that specializes in providing attractive gambling opportunities to its clients in sites throughout the world, also expects strong players to arrive from Canada, the Far East, Thailand, Europe, as well as some from Greece's own islands.

According to Casino Magic representatives, this summer season was an exceptional one, as the hotel was booked to capacity every weekend, 60% during the weekdays of June-July and 70-80% in August.

[13] GREECE TO ENTER RUSSIAN FUR MARKET,EXHIBIT CENTER TO OPEN IN SIATISTA

The municipality of Siatista, a city located in eastern Greece near Kastoria, has embarked on a campaign to promote the local fur industry into the Russian market, whilst already representatives of the Russian media have visited the region.

The ten Russian television journalists were invited to Siatista at a time period that coincides with the city's "Cultural August" and were given a tour of the region's archaeological sites. Their visit, whose cost amounted to three million drachmas, was wholly funded by local businessmen and was organized jointly with the press office of the Greek Embassy in Moscow.

Moreover, in order to strengthen the efforts to attract the Russian tourists to Siatista, the local authorities have undertaken the initiative to establish a permanent exhibit center of fur in the city. The project's 900 million drachmas budget has already been approved by community funds aimed at providing support to middle-sized businesses. So far, the project is planned so as to cover 5,000 sq.m. that will house over 80 various local furmakers.

[14] 25TH OLYMPOS FESTIVAL CONTINUES WITH A GREEK CINEMA WEEK

The Greek Cinema Week begins in the town of Katerini today and will end on August 29 within the framework of the 25th Olympos Festival.

Also, next Saturday the classical music lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy the world famous Belgrade Symphony Orchestra in a concert that will be held in the ancient theater of Dion.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[15] CYRPUS:INFORMATION ON A RESHUFFLE NEITHER CONFIRMED NOR DENIED

Cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Kasoulidis neither confirmed nor denied the information on an imminent government reshuffle.

Mr.Kasoulidis simply stated that the President of the Cypriot Republic has not authorized him to make any statement on the issue.

[16] IDENTIFICATION OF KILLERS OF THE TWO GREEK-CYPRIOTS COMPLETED

The process of identifying the killers of the two greek- cypriots, Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, has been completed, while their photographs are at the disposal of the prosecuting authorities and soon will be included in the list with the most wanted criminals in Cyprus.

President of the Pan-Cypriot Bar Association, Xenios Xenopoulos said that the evidence regarding the bloody events in Derynia allow for state and also for individual appeals of Cypriot Republic citizens to be lodged against Turkey.

Meanwhile, deep regret over the killing of the two unarmed young greek-cypriots by the turkish occupation forces was expressed and by the UN Committee of Specialists against racial discrimination.

As it was announced by the United Nations, UN Secretary General Special Envoy, Han Jung Ju will visit Cyprus on September 10-16 for talks with the greek-cypriot governmnet and the turkish- cypriot leadership.

UN Secretary General alternate spokesperson, Ahmet Fauzi also said that the UN Secretary General Special Envoy after his visit to Nicosia will visit Athens and Ankara without mentioning specific dates for those visits.

[17] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DEALS WITH THOSE STILL MISSING IN CYPRUS

The cypriot government regards as significant the fact that Amnesty International deals with the issue of those who are still missing in Cyprus since the turkish invasion of 1974, stated Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis commenting on the report issued by the international organization.

This development is also regarded as positive and by the Pan- Cypriot Committee of missing persons' relatives and its vice- president, Nikos Theodosiou stated that the recommendation for the dissolution of the Fact-Finding Committee creates certain questions.

[18] STATUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY IS DISMAL, SAYS REVELANT REPORT

Turkey has a dismal record when it comes to respecting the individual, according to recent data that surfaced from the Constantinople office of the Human Rights Association (HRA).

The turkish newspaper "Jumhurriet" published HRA's report which enumerates the flagrant violations in human rights committed in Turkey during 1995.

According to the report, 3,840 people where killed during 1995, 222 were wounded, while 99 persons were murdered by "unknown" assailants. One hundred twenty-two persons were executed without a trial during their incarceration.

The list seems endless. There were bombings in 186 sites, 1,412 individuals were subjected to torture and 231 persons disappeared while being held. Also, 243 villages were set afire and emptied. An astounding number of 14,473 persons were imprisoned and 121 persons are currently in jail for violating the country's "expression/opinion" laws.

Also during 1995, the police raided 173 unions and associations, as well as mass media organizations. Journalists and authors have been sentenced to terms of 178 years and five months, with bail set at 17 billion, 600 million liras.

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