MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (29/08/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

‹€CEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 29, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PM TO PROMOTE GREEK INVESTMENT IN BALKANS DURING TRADE FAIR SPEECH

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is expected to unleash a package of measures that will promote greek investment in the Balkans, when he takes over the podium at Thessaloniki's 61st International Trade Fair to open next Saturday.

According to published reports, the Premier's proposals will include the opening of the Bank of Trade and Development in the Black Sea, the establishment of the Interbalkan Business Center, the upgrading of trade relations with Skopje and the design of studies for creating the route axes of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

[02] OPPOSITION LEADER INSISTS ON ECONOMY REFORMS,GOVERNMENT REACTS

Miltiades Evert, leader of the main opposition party New Democracy, responding to PASOK' reactions that his economic proposals are not feasible and that the measures proposed by ND carry an exorbitant price tag of 670 billion GRD, stated this evening that the actual cost of these measures runs at about 290 billion GRD.

Furthermore, the opposition leader discounted PASOK's scepticism by stating that the funds for his measures can be secured through tightening the noose of public expenditures.

Minister of National Defense Yiannos Papantoniou immediately retorted that Mr. Evert has surpassed all precedent of vagueness as he did not really explain how he will gather the funds to enforce his measures. Mr. Papantoniou added that Mr. Evert's rhetoric actually harms the economy.

[03] GREECE TO BE AWARDED AN ADDITIONAL 58 BILLION GRD FROM EU

Greece will be awarded with the additional sum of 58 billion GRD from the European Union, stated today the undersecretary of National Economy Christos Pachtas.

The amount, with inflationary adjustments calculated according to the 1995 fiscal year, stems from four different EU funds: 35.7 billion GRD will be drtawn from the Regional Fund, 12.8 from the Social, nine from the Agricultural and 500 million from the Fishery Fund.

In an adress to the European Commission, Mr. Pachtas recommends the funds be allocated as follows: 10.5 billion GRD to Greece's Social Fund, 6.9 to the Agricultural, 400 million to the Fishery Fund, 4.5 billion to the Organization of Railway Transport, three billion to the Regional Business Program (RBP) of North Aegean and three billion through the RBP of South Aegean.

[04] SWISS PAPER IRED WITH GREEK POLICE'S HANDLING OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ISSUE

The Swiss newspaper "Neue Zurcher Zeitung" has published a critical article regarding the handling of the child pornography issue by the Greek authorities and, specifically, by the Greek police.

According to the article, Greek police have turned a blind eye to the problem of child prostitution and pornography in Greece, as cases of children posing as window washers, or selling condoms in the street, were often cover-ups of child prostitution rings.

Moreover, the article states that the Greek police did not follow up on the rings that were discovered two years ago, as they mostly involved children from the former Soviet Union.

The article concludes that "new, unpleasant developments should be expected and, in the meanwhile, one should worry that many of the 670 Greek children that have been declared missing in the past five years could have fallen into this mud-ridden path."

[05] MORE THAN HALF OF LOCAL INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OBSERVE FOUR-HOUR STRIKE

More than half of local industrial workers observed today's four-hour strike, sparked by the closing of Thessaloniki's Goodyear plant last month which left over 400 people unemployed, in spite of reports that the company was in the black.

The strike, called by the Thessaloniki Workers' Center, was wholly observed by some of the most significant industrial units of the region, such as Siemens, Balcan Export and Sing, although city transit, whose participation was originally planned, operated normally throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the strikers gathered in front of the Center's offices in Thessaloniki, from where they embarked on a protest march that led to the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

The local Worker's Union plans to hold a city-wide 24-hour strike next Thursday, hoping to secure the participation of local professionals, store owners and tradesmen.

[06] GREEK GOVERNMENT PLEASED BY US INTEREST IN CYPRUS ISSUE

The Greek government is pleased by the displayed interest on behalf of the United States government in regards to the issue of Cyprus, stated today the Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas.

Mr. Reppas referred to the recently-made statement by US Presidential advisor George Stephanopoulos that in case US President Bill Clinton is re-elected, the american government plans to grant priority status to solving the problem of the divided island, a view expressed by President Clinton himself in a letter addressed recently to leaders of the Greek-American community.

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS TO VISIT ISLAND OF KOS ON SATURDAY

President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will visit the island of Kos on Saturday in order to inaugurate the session of the First International Medical Olympiad.

President Stephanopoulos will be accompanied by the undersecretary of Health and Welfare Theodoros Kotsonis and the Secretary-General of the Republic, Ambassador Emmanuel Gikas.

[08] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TO BE AWARDED GOLDEN KEY OF LEMESSOS

The golden key of the cypriot city of Lemessos will be awarded to the Greek National Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, an honor granted for the first time ever to an official.

Upon his arrival at the city's port on Sunday, Minister Arsenis will be greeted by the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides, various Cypriot ministers as well as church officials.

[09] QUALIFYING ELECTIONS CONTINUE IN PASOK AND NEW DEMOCRACY

Qualifying elections for ballot candidates were continued today in the ruling PASOK party and the main opposition New Democracy.

In Thessaloniki, the qualifying elections were carried out for PASOK smoothly, with 64 per cent of the ruling party's members and officials having cast their vote. In the city's First District Athanasios Theoharides amassed the most votes, while in the Second District first place is held by Haris Tsiokas. The candidates' selections will be ratified by PASOK's Central Committee on Saturday.

In the main opposition party over 90 percent of New Democracy's local members voted. Having the lead in Thessaloniki's First District is George Orfanos, while in the Second District is George Salagoudis. The final selection of the ballot candidates will be made by ND leader Miltiades Evert, following the ratification by the party's Executive Committee.

Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis will embark on his tour Monday September 2, beginning with the islands of Chios and Lesvos, while on September 3, coinciding with the 22- year anniversary since the founding of PASOK, he will announce the party's new manifesto at Athens' Stadium of Peace and Friendship.

In a press conference to be held today, Mr. Evert will provide clarifications in certain parts of his economic plan. In turn, he will embark on a tour throughout Athens' municipalities and ND's honorary president, and ex-premier, Konstantinos Mitsotakis will speak at Crete's Heraklion.

The country's minor opposition parties are also proceeding with their pre-election campaigns.

Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras will give a press conference on Friday when he will give emphasis on the economy and foreign policy.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega has emphasized that a basic criterion for the voters' choice must be the parties' stance towards the European Union and NATO. Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) President Nikos Konstantopoulos has explicitly stated that his party's intention is to re-enter Parliament, while the President of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas has stated that his party will become the third party in the Parliament's hierarchy.

[10] NATIONAL RADIOTELEVISION COUNCIL TO DISCUSS FAIR ALLOCATION OF AIR TIME

The National Radiotelevision Council (ERS) is convening in a special session today, following yesterday's disagreements noted in the inter-party committee regarding the allocation of air time afforded to parties, especially by the privately-owned media.

Representatives of minor opposition parties are chagrined over the ERS' proposals, asking that the regulations be extended to the country's privately-owned television and radio stations where, as they characteristically stated, the situation is out of control.

During yesterday's inter-party committee meeting, an agreement was reached not to run assessment polls during the last ten days of the pre-election campaign.

[11] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ATTRIBUTED MS.CILLER'S STATEMENTS TO DOMESTIC POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY

Greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas attributed ms.Ciller's statements to domestic political expediency reasons.

Turkish Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller stated yesterday that Turkey has a common religion, language, civilization and origin with the "turks" in western Thrace, as she called the muslim minority in the region.

Mr.Reppas stated that ms.Ciller made those statements because she wants to prove to her country that she is a good politician. He also said that every time ms.Ciller has governed Turkey her policy was proven to be damaging to the turkish people.

Mr.Reppas also made an appeal to the European Union and to the international community to take measures against Turkey and to condemn its provocativeness.

[12] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN STATED THAT THE MUSLIM MINORITY IN THRACE ENJOYS ALL THE RIGHTS PROVIDED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW

The muslim minority in Thrace enjoys all the rights stemming from international law stated greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas commenting on the statements made by Tansu Ciller who called the muslims in Thrace, Turks, while she maintained that they do not enjoy equal rights with the rest of the greek citizens.

Also, mr.Bikas pointed out Ankara's improper behaviour toward the greek minority living in Turkey.

He regarded as pointless any other comment at a time when, as he characteristically stated, it has been revealed that the "Grey Wolves", who killed in cold blood the two greek-cypriots in Derynia, had received financial backing by the government in Ankara.

[13] THE GREK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS ARE DEVELOPING SATISFACTORILY

The greek-albanian relations are developing satisfactorily and the presence of albanian Foreign Minister, mr.Sehu in the formal opening of the greek Consulate confirms the good climate that exists, stated greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kostas Bikas on the occasion of Foreign Minister Pangalos' formal visit to Albania next Saturday.

Mr.Pangalos will have a private meeting with his albanian counterpart in the city of Argyrokastro on Saturday, while in the afternoon of the same day he will be received by albanian President, Sali Berisha in Avlona. The albanian President will give a formal dinner in honour of the greek Foreign Minister.

Regarding the recent deportations of albanian illegal immigrants from Greece, mr.Bikas stated that no problem was created by the albanian side.

[14] THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY CHARACTERIZED MR.EVERT AS UNRELIABLE

Minister of National Economy, Yiannos Papantoniou characterized New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert as unreliable commenting on his party's economic programme. He also expressed the position that the economic measures announced by mr.Evert will lead to high inflation and to a decrease of the real income.

Meanwhile, New Democracy party spokesman, Prokopis Pavlopoulos stated that ND's former Finance Minister, mr.Manos agrees with the party's governmental programme, commenting on the statements made by him on the issue of privatizations.

Also, responding to statements by PASOK leading members that the measures announced by mr.Evert are not feasible he said that, maybe they are not feasible for the government of PASOK because it has never dealt with those problems.

[15] THIRTY FOREIGN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES OF GREEK ORIGIN WILL VISIT GREECE ON MONDAY

In an effort to establish a Communication Network with the politicians of greek origin who live in different countries, the greek government undertook an initiative in June which resulted in the imminent visit of 30 foreign Parliament deputies of greek origin that will take place on Monday, September 2.

The 30 distinguished visitors will meet with President Stephanopoulos, the Prime Minister and with other political party leaders and on Friday they will visit Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair.

As it was stressed by alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos, politicians of greek origin are found not only in the United States or Australia but in different countries such as, Switzerland where the Justice Minister is greek-swiss, in Argentina, Cameroon, Latvia, Kenya, Lithuania, Holland and in many other countries.

According to mr.Romeos, in this initiative, which is placed within the framework of the efforts for the expansion of Greece's policy regarding the greeks living abroad, is included and the establishment of the World Assembly of Hellenism.

[16] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4,8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HIT THE ISLAND OF CRETE

Earthquake measuring 4,8 on the Richter scale hit the southern Aegean island of Crete at 12:24pm. The epicenter of the tremor was located in Agios Nikolaos Bay, 350 kilometers south- east of Athens.

The earthquake was recorded by the seismographs of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory and by the Geodynamics Institute of the National Observatory in Athens.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT MADE ALL THE NECESSARY MOVES IN PROTEST OF THE TURKISH ACTIONS IN THE SEA REGION OF PARALIMNI IN CYPRUS

The cypriot government has made all the appropriate steps in protest of the latest incident in Cyprus concerning the installation by the turkish occupation forces of a dividing wire fence in the sea region of Kappari in Paralimni.

The above were stated by cypriot Minister of Defence Kostas Eliadis, who characterized as provocative the recent turkish moves and especially, the presence of of a turkish Navy warship in the region. He said that it appears that the turks were conducting repairs there, but he pointed out that every possibility is being examined.

Referring to the continuing turkish provocations in the region of Vrisoulles mr.Eliadis stated that the provocations are taking place in a region where the british bases authorities should intervene in order to protect the security of the local population.

[18] TURKISH DOCTORS ARE COOPERATING WITH TORTURERS, ACCORDING TO BRITISH NEWSPAPER "THE OBSERVER"

Turkish doctors give information and advice to torturers on how much those who are being tortured can withstand, according to british newspaper "The Observer" which writes, that this way turkish policemen are being trained to torture inmates.

The newspaper also writes that pressures are being exerted on doctors not to mention the cases of tortured people in the health certificates they issue after each medical examination, even if they find marks indicating torture.

As it is mentioned, the Association of British Doctors is getting ready to take measures against the turkish doctors and against the doctors in other countries who are cooperating with torturers.

In the newspaper is mentioned that Amnesty International has certified that tortures are taking place systematically in Turkey, while it also writes that among the countries where doctors cooperate with torturers are the Latin American and the Middle Eastern countries and also Bosnia.

[19] TURKISH SOLDIERS OPEN FIRE AT TWO GREEK-CYPRIOT CIVILIANS

Turkish soldiers opened fire against a Greek-Cypriot couple living in Cyprus' Aheritos region, yesterday evening.

The incident occured when Pantelis Soteriou and his wife Marina were minding their garden, located a mere 150 meters away from the turkish guard house.

The Greek-Cypriot couple reported the incident to the Larnaca police.

[20] CYPRIOT POLICE ARE CLOSING IN ON KILLERS OF SOLOMOU AND ISAAC

Cypriot police forces are closing in on the Turks who killed Greek-Cypriot Solomos Solomou, having at their disposal the name of one of the four perpetrators.

According to police informations, the said man is an officer of the so-called "special forces" of Cyprus' occupied territory who is seen in video footage shooting beneath the turkish flag's mast, while the man who shot Solomou from the balcony was wearing civilian clothing and is thought to be an agent of Turkey's secret service.

According to data provided by Cypriot police, most of those who beat Greek-Cypriot Tasos Isaac to death are believed to be members of Turkey's ultra right-wing organization "Grey Wolves."

[21] RAUF DENKTASH REPORTEDLY WAS PRESENT AT CYPRUS' LATEST VIOLENT INCIDENT

New reports have surfaced adding weight to the belief that the murders of the two Greek-Cypriots Solomos Solomou and Tasos Isaac were organized by the Turk-Cypriot government, as a television viewer has stated that Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was seen in the area when the incidents occured.

Speaking to the Cypriot Radio, a Belgian woman stated that she actually saw Denktash on the premises in footage broadcast by the Belgian state-owned television channel.

Moreover, the Belgian television viewer stated that the Turk- Cypriot leader is shown being on a balcony and watching the events through binoculars.

Other reports state that the German television stations also showed footage where Denktash is seen in the Derynia region during the days of the incidents.

[22] CYPRUS TO UPGRADE NATIONAL GUARD, PURCHASES NEW MILITARY EQUIPMENT

The Cypriot government has purchased modern military equipment in an effort to upgrade the country's National Guard.

The procedures for the purchase of these new military outfits, as well as the issue of expenditures, were discussed by the Cypriot Ministers of Finance and Defense, Christodoulos Christodoulou and Kostas Heliades, respectively.

The Cypriot Defense Minister had requested that government expenses for the defense area be increased, while military sources support that the National Guard is in need of the upgraded military arms in order to strengthen its fighting ability and readiness.

[23] TURKISH FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY ON VISIT AT CYPRUS' OCCUPIED TERRITORY

Turkish Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Inal Batou is currently on a visit at Cyprus' occupied territory where he has held talks with the Turk-Cypriot leadership.

Mr. Batou stated that he will assess the situation noted in Derynia with Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the new coalition government.

The Turkish official will depart Cyprus tomorrow.

[24] SERBIAN POLICE OFFICER MURDERED IN KOSSOVO

Tension has mounted anew in Kossovo when a Serbian police officer was murdered yesterday in the outsets of Pristina, the region's capital.

The Yugoslav News Agency Tanjug reported that two persons armed with automatic rifles fired upon the police officer, a member of the turkish minority, in the central street that runs through the Donje Ljupse village, 30 kilometers north of Pristina.

In another incident, two unidentified men threw hand grenades at a police station in the Celopek village, located near the albanian borders. No injuries were reported.

[25] FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CASES REPORTED IN BULGARIA, NEAR GREEK BORDER

Cases of foot and mouth disease, the illness that paralyzes cattle and sheep, have been reported in the Bulgarian town of Svilengraad, near the Greek borders.

Approximately 80 sheep have been slaughtered so far, while the town's remaining livestock have been placed in quarantine. According to city officials, exhaustive preventive measures are being taken for averting transmission of the disease.

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