MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (27/08/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 27, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] NATIONAL ECONOMY MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE ECONOMY

National Economy Minister, Yiannos Papantoniou in a press conference on the course of the greek economy stated that the government does not claim that it has solved all the problems, but it substantiates, based on valid argumentation, that an essential progress has been made in the past 4 years.

Mr.Papantoniou gave assurances that this progress will continue and that the existing problems will be dealt with even more successfully in the following years.

Referring to the economic policy that will be followed by the government in 1997 stated that there will be neither austerity nor benefits, adding that no changes will be made in the social security system.

He announced higher than the inflation rate wage increases for those working in the public sector and pointed out that this year the balance of payments will close within the limits predicted.

[02] LEADER OF NEW DEMOCRACY PRESENTS PARTY'S ECONOMIC PROGRAMME

New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert presented the party's economic programme during the meeting of its Parliamentary Group and Central Committee held this afternoon.

The ND economic programme includes the following points, the abolition of the objective criteria for taxation, the speedier absorption of EU funds, the increase of the farmers' income, the financing for the modernization of the armed forces and the increase of the army officers' wages, the privatizations, the increase of the gross national product and the increase of pensions.

Meanwhile, Prof. Giorgos Alogoskoufis, economic adviser to the ND leader, strongly criticized the PASOK government for its economic policy.

He said that in 1981 unemployment affected 4% of the work force, while in 1996 it reached 10%. Also, he said that public debt has increased from 30% of the GNP in 1981 to over 110% of the GNP in 1995, inflation is three times to six times higher compared to Greece's trade partners, while the drachma has been devaluated two times.

[03] PASOK'S PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN WILL HAVE NO FRILLS OR FANFARE, SAYS PM

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis announced yesterday that the ruling PASOK party's pre-election campaign will be kept low key and will feature no superfluous frills.

According to the Premier, his party will conduct its one and only pre-election rally in Athens on Friday, September 20, while he emphasized that PASOK is against costly and mobile rallies. Moreover, Premier Simitis announced that he will hold one televised discussion with the main opposition party's leader, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert, which, as he stated, he does ot view as a "duelling match" but rather as an opportunity for the greek people to compare and contrast programs, ideas and leaders.

The Premier further stated that "victory expresses" will travel the country to spread the new PASOK's message throughout.

The pre-election period will be opened by the ruling party on September 3 when PASOK's National Council will convene.

Between September 6-8 the Premier will be in Thessaloniki where he will inaugurate the city's 61st International Trade Fair and will give a speech on the country's economic outlook. Thereafter, Mr. Simitis will conduct a tour in various regions of Greece.

[04] MAIN OPPOSITION REACTS TO PREMIER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS ON PRE- ELECTION

New Democracy, Greece's main opposition party, has reacted to the announcements made by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis regarding the pre-election campaign strategy, and the party spokesperson Prokopis Pavlopoulos reiterated N.D.'s proposal to conduct three televised debates each focusing separately on economic issues, foreign policy and social policy.

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert is expected to provide the pre-election strategy to be followed by his party today when he will address the N.D. Parliamentary Group and Central Committee.

In the days to follow, the party's honorary president and ex- premier Konstantinos Mitsotakis is expected to undertake a more active role in N.D.'s campaign activities, through television appearances and speeches in Crete.

[05] THE POLITICAL SPRING PARTY LEADER PROPOSED THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS IN TELEVISED DEBATES

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras suggested the participation of all political party leaders in television debates, while as it was made known tomorrow will be finalized the party's lists of candidates.

Mr.Samaras will give a press conference on the economic and social policy, the national issues and the institutional reforms on Friday, while on Sunday will begin his pre-election tour in the country.

Political Spring party spokesman, Notis Martakis in statements he made today pointed out that democracy is not the property of mr.Simitis or mr.Evert and called them to accept the proposal for dialogue among all political party leaders.

[06] PASOK AND COALITION OF LEFT HAVE THE SAME PROGRAMME SAYS KKE

Communist Party Secretary General, Aleka Papariga stated that the connecting link between PASOK and the Coalition of the Left party is not mr.Androulakis but their programmes, their agreement over the Maastricht Treaty, the EU White Paper on unemployment and the new NATO strategy. Ms.Papariga stated that from this point of view the scenaria between the political center and the left are being prepared and it appears that all the fuss that is being made, is about the share of power each party will keep after the elections.

Ms.Papariga also expressed her opposition to the privatization of state companies.

[07] COALITION PROPOSED THREE JOINT INTERVIEWS OF POLITICAL LEADERS

The party Coalition of the Left proposed the holding of three joint interviews of all the political party leaders to be held one each week in the Zappion Building in Athens. In those interviews they will present their parties' positions on the country's major problems.

As it was announced, Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Konstantopoulos will give a press conference tomorrow.

[08] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN GREECE IS IN FULL SWING

Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos met at noon with President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos and later visited Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis. Mr.Pangalos in statements he made after his meeting with mr.Stephanopoulos pointed out that he briefed the President on the issues of national interest because, as he said, those issues continue to exist and do not stop during the pre-election period.

The Foreign Minister stated that mr.Stephanopoulos is systematically informed on the national issues and the country's foreign policy. Mr.Pangalos briefed the President on the outcome of his recent trip to Teheran and on the visit to Albania that will be held in a few days.

Prime Minister Simitis had repeated meetings with his close associates aimed at forming PASOK's pre-election campaign. Mr.Simitis met with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Minister of Press Dimitris Reppas and with members of the party's Executive Bureau Miltiadis Papaioannou and Theodoros Tsoukatos.

Meanwhile, as it was announced by PASOK's local party officials in Thessaloniki, a major rally welcoming the Prime Minister in the city will be held on September 7 and in his speech, within the framework of Thssaloniki's International Trade Fair, mr.Simitis will present the party's positions on the economy.

Government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas stated today that the political dialogue and the political leaders' debate will be of high standards. Mr.Reppas did not give clarifications regarding the television debate between Simitis and Evert and stated that these are issues concerning the party and therefore, announcements on those issues will be made by the party itself.

Mr.Reppas stated that mr.Simitis supports the sober and civilized dialogue adding that PASOK's leader himself and most of the party's Parliament deputies do not want the politicians to become television stars.

[09] MINOR OPPOSITION PARTIES PREPARE THEIR PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

Antonis Samaras, leader of minor opposition party Political Spring, will embark on a pre-election campaign tour beginning September 1, canvassing all of Greece, with the stated intention to utilize every permissible means for spreading his party's ideology.

According to reports provided by Political Spring, this means that two pre-election outdoor rallies could be held, one in Athens and the other in Thessaloniki.

The Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Aleka Paparega, presented her party's positions yesterday during a press conference held in Zappeion and announced the candidature of KKE's honorary president Harilaos Florakis and MP M. Kostopoulos. Having appealed to her party's supporters for financial contributions to KKE's campaigns, Ms. Paparega announced that the main theme of the party will be "KKE NOW" and also stated that KKE will proceed with denouncing bipartisan politics.

At the Coalition of Left and Progress Party (Synaspismos), ex- president Maria Damanaki has agreed to be on the party's ticket, most likely on Athens' B district while current president Nikos Konstantopoulos will conduct a tour of Greece.

The President of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas will also conduct a tour throughout Greece, while the party's ticket is currently being finalized. Mr. Tsovolas has presented three conditions for any potential cooperation between his party with "truly progressive parties" following the elections: radical change of the economic policy, carving a patriotic foreign policy and instituting legislation for complete transparency in the awarding and supplying of public work projects.

[10] MEETING ON INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE

A meeting on the Inter-Governmental Conference and the Maastricht Treaty revision was held this afternoon in the Foreign Ministry.

In the meeting participated alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos, Greece's representative in the Inter-Governmental Conference Yiannos Kranidiotis and Community Affairs General Secretary Stelios Perrakis.

[11] 450 ITALIAN CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS SUFFER FOOD POISONING, 20 HOSPITALIZED

A case of gastroenteritis and food poisoning struck 450 passengers of the Italian "Costa Riviera" cruiseship that arrived this afternoon in Heraklion, Crete, after having sailed from Italy.

Twenty persons, among whom are two young children, were transported to a local hospital, while 450 others are suffering from accute gastroenteritis with high fever symptoms. The Heraklion prefecture's medical officer pointed out that the ship had received its food supplies from Italy where the first cases of the illness began appearing.

[12] HYATT REGENCY CASINO OPENS IN THESSALONIKI ON FRIDAY

Thessaloniki has acquired its very own Hyatt Regency casino, due to open its doors this Friday at 1 p.m. and offering a discounted entrance fee of 2,000GRD, a pleasant surprise when compared to the other casinos in the area that charge 5,000GRD.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, George Galanakis, President of Hyatt Regency Hotels and Tourism Thessaloniki, S.A., stated that Thessaloniki's casino is one among the company's three biggest ones in the world, comparable only to the casino in Laketown, Nevada.

Featuring 646 slot machines and 90 tables, the casino is expected to service over 6,000 persons daily who will take a shot at their luck playing black jack, stud poker, punto banco, etc.

Up-to-date investment costs have risen to $103 million while construction of the site was completed within 12 months, a record time. The gambling center encompasses an area of 10,500 sq.m., of which 6,000 sq.m. house restaurants, a theater and back rooms. A noteworthy detail is that 98% of the construction materials used for the casino were purchased in Greece.

About 1,400 persons are employed at Thessaloniki's casino, the majority of whom are Northern Greeks while 100 others are foreigners.

[13] THESSALONIKI'S 61ST TRADE FAIR TO OPEN DOORS ON SEPTEMBER 7

As Thessaloniki is gearing up for the opening of its 61st International Trade Fair on September 7, HELEXPO, the organization in charge of the Fair, has issued an appeal to Greece's political parties not to transform the occasion into an arena of pre-election challenges and duellings, in light of the country's upcoming elections of September 22..

HELEXPO president Antonis Kourtis, speaking at a press conference, stated today that the orgnization's management rests assured that the political parties will display the appropriate behavior by utilizing the necessary sensitivity towards the functions of the country's largest annual international fair.

The Trade Fair, which will be held between September 7-16, will feature more than 3,000 exhibitors who will participate from over 40 countries throughout the world. Moreover, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Investment Bank will also take up exhibits at Thessaloniki's Trade Fair, which this year is featuring the innovation of publishing its exhibit catalogs in electronic form, through the sponsorship of Europartenariat Hellas 1997.

[14] GREEK ARMENIAN AGREEMENT SIGNED ON OPTICAL CABLING SYSTEM

Minister of Transportation and Communications Haris Kastanides announced today the signing of a Greek-Armenian agreement for the construction of an optical cable system that will run through Armenia's southern part from Erevan up to the iranian borders.

Minister Kastanides pointed out the project's significance by emphasizing that it " constitutes a part of the long chain of a telecommunications project of the eurasian network that unites Europe with the Far East."

The Transportation and Communication Minister also added that this project is of utmost importance for Greece as it is the first successful attempt to "bridge" the country with the countries in the Caucasus.

[15] INTERBALKAN BLACK SEA BUSINESS CENTER TO OPEN DOORS SOON

The Interbalkan Black Sea Business Center in Thessaloniki is due to begin its operation soon, stated today the President of HELEXPO-International Trade Fair, Antonis Kourtis.

Mr. Kourtis emphasized that the project's basic hurdles have been overcome and announced that funding for the project has been secured in the amount of 50 million GRD, while its total budget is expected to rise up to 600 million GRD.

The Center's business plan is to develop satellite offices in all Balkan capitals in order to provide Greek entrepreneurs with useful and relevant business information.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN STOCKHOLM

The first International Summit on Sexual Abuse of Children began today in Stockholm, where delegates from 126 countries will brainstorm on adopting a cohesive international action plan for combating the ever-increasing phenomenon of child molestation.

The week-long Summit, which is jointly organized by UNICEF, the Swedish government and various child-protection organizations, will be inaugurated by Swedish Prime Minister G. Person. Among the issues to be discussed will be proposing to the participating countries that they implement stricter legislation regarding molestation and sexual abuse and provide improved aid to abused children.

Moreover, heightened attention will be afforded to the issue of child pornography and prostitution rings that stem from countries of southeastern Asia. According to data provided by the United Nations, only in Cambogia's capital, Pnoh Penh, 15,000 children are believed to be involved in prostitution rings.

[17] CYPRIOT POLICE RECOGNIZE FOUR TURK-CYPRIOT KILLERS OF GREEK- CYPRIOT MEN

Four Turk-Cypriot men have been recognized as being among those who beat to death Greek-Cypriot Tasos Isaac, while efforts are continued into finding the rest of the assailants who are believed to be Turkish soldiers or members of the ultra right-wing terrorist organization "Grey Wolves."

Meanwhile, according to reports, the cypriot police are closing in on the Turk-Cypriots who shot dead Solomos Solomou as their photographs are currently being processed via computer for closer identification.

[18] 100 HOSTAGES FREED FROM HIJAKED AIRBUS AT BRITAIN'S STANSTEAD AIRPORT

The six hijakers who took hostage 186 passengers and 13 crew members of a Sudanese airbus at Britain's Stanstead airport have freed 100 persons so far.

The six men, who are believed to be Iraquis, have requested political asylum in Britain and have asked the Scotland Yard to bring them in touch with another Iraqui man named Santiki, a London resident who is a member of the "Association of Iraqui Community."

Britain's Scotland Yard is optimistic that the remaining hostages will soon be freed, as Santiki has been located and will be brought to Stanstead to talk with the hijakers.

[19] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MILUTINOVIC ON FORMAL VISIT TO ITALY

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Foreign Minister Milan Miludinovic is currently on a formal visit to Italy, following an invitation issued by his Italian counterpart.

The two men's discussions in Rome will focus on the peacekeeping process in Bosnia, as well as on the further promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Milutinovic will also visit the Vatican and will hold talks with its deputy Foreign Minister Giovanni Batista Reo.

[20] THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

A UN Secretary General report on the Strengthening of Cooperation and Security in the region of the Mediterranean includes and the russian government position on the Cyprus problem. In the same report are included the views of the international organization's member states and officially circulated this week as a document of the 51st UN General Assembly.

The Russian Federation mentions that inspite of the sweeping changes in the world which brought to an end the dispute between two totally different "blocks" and also inspite of the beneficial effect of those changes on the Mediterranean there are still certain alarming tendencies which could distabilize the situation in the region.

The russian government mentions a number of regional conflicts such as the Cyprus problem, the greek-turkish disputes and the recent deterioration of the situation in Lebanon, issues that create strong concern.

In the case of Cyprus, the Russian Federation maintains that it is very important that the UN's leading role is strengthened for the solution of the problem.

[21] GREEK SCHOOL TO BE FOUNDED IN GREAT BRITAIN, CYPRUS GIVES FULL SUPPORT

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides has given his promise that the cypriot government will support the creation of a daily Greek school in Britain.

President Clerides was visited by a delegation of Cyrpiots who live in Britain, among whom present was also the president of the Cypriot Federation of Britain George Christofides and Archbishop Gregorios of Theateira.

Mr. Gregorios stated that the school's cost, which is expected to be in full operation by 1998 with 500 students, is amounted at five milion sterling.

[22] THE IMF WARNED TURKEY TO TAKE STRONG MEASURES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ITS ECONOMY

The International Monetary Fund warned Ankara to take strong measures for the strengthening of its economy by implementing drastic and extensive economic reforms, otherwise, there is a risk of a high rate increase in inflation and a mass exodus of foreign investors from the country.

In a report that was given to publicity yesterday, the IMF recommends to the turkish coalition government to speed up privatizations, to improve the tax system and to implement reforms in the sector of social welfare and specifically, in the social security system.

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