MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (23/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 23, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRIME MINISTER-ELECT WILL FORM NEW CABINET, MEMBERS TO BE RESHUFFLED

Prime Minister-elect Kostas Simitis has conducted successive meetings with his closest associates today, in light of the Cabinet's imminent reshuffle after yesterday's elections.

According to sources, Mr. Simitis is leaning towards a smaller-sized Cabinet, albeit with more undersecretaries placed in the Ministries.

The same sources state that the National Defense Ministry will be taken over by Akis Tsohatzopoulos, whereas the up-to-now Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis is slated for the Education Ministry.

Theodoros Pangalos and Vasso Papandreou are said to likely remain in their seats, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Development respectively, while former Education Minister George Papandreou is a likely candidate for the position of alternate Foreign Minister.

Evangellos Venizelos will likely retain his seat as Justice Minister and Dimitris Reppas is expected to return to the Ministry of Press and Media.

[02] PRIME MINISTER ELECT, KOSTAS SIMITIS WILL ANNOUNCE THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT TOMORROW

According to information, Prime Minister elect, Kostas Simitis will announce the members of the new government tomorrow Tuesday, September 24 and the following day the new government will be sworn in before the President of the Republic.

Mr.Simitis stayed in his office until the early morning hours today receiving the congratulations of leading PASOK members, while starting today he will begin contacts in order to form a new government.

Meanwhile, President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos gave at noon today the mandate to form a new government to the winner of yesterday's elections, mr.Kostas Simitis.

[03] THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION OF A NEW N.D. LEADER WILL BE INITIATED TODAY BY MR.EVERT

The procedures for the election of a new New Democracy leader will be initiated today by resigned party leader, Miltiadis Evert who assumed the responsibility for his party's defeat in yesterday's elections.

ND leading member, Stephanos Manos has already expressed his intention to be a candidate for the party's leadership, while this option was also left open by mr.Souflias, mr.Varvitsiotis, mr.Kefaloyiannis and ms. Bakoyianni, who will give a press conference today.

Mr.Konstantinos Mitsotakis refused to comment on mr.Evert's decision to resign, while mr.Varvitsiotis characterized the resignation as a brave and honorable decision, stressing that from his part will do everything for the party's reform.

[04] THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF N.D. DID NOT CLARIFY IF HE WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP

New Democracy's honorary president, Konstantinos Mitsotakis did not clarify if he will be a candidate for the party's leadership.

Mr.Mitsotakis stated that he will not make statements concerning the past or the immediate future. He commented that with mr.Simitis' election the greek political problem was not solved, adding that mr.Simitis is now weaker than he was before the elections.

The New Democracy honorary leader stated that mr.Simitis faces the same in-party problems only now he will have to deal and with the opposition coming from the left, namely, mr.Tsovolas the leader of Democratic Social Movement. Mr.Mitsotakis expressed doubts if mr.Simitis will be in a position to make the big decisions necessary for the benefit of the nation.

Also, mr.Mitsotakis refused to make any comments on mr.Evert's resignation from the party leadership.

[05] PASOK GOT 41,51% OF THE VOTES IN YESTERDAY'S ELECTIONS BASED ON THE RESULTS COMING FROM OVER 97% OF THE POLLING STATIONS

Socialist PASOK party gets 41,51% of the votes and 162 seats in Parliament, based on results coming from over 97% of the polling stations.

Conservative New Democracy got 38,15% and 108 seats, the Communist party comes third with 5,60% and 11 seats, Coalition of the Left (Sinaspismos) won 5,10% of the vote and 10 seats and Democractic Social Movement got 4,43% and 9 seats. Political Spring got 2,94% and is not represented in Parliament, as it did not manage to win the minimum 3% of the votes needed in order for a political party to enter the greek Parliament.

[06] FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALOS WILL ATTEND THE 51ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos left for New York today to attend the 51st UN General Assembly meeting.

During his 6-day stay in the United States, the greek Foreign Minister will have contacts with his counterparts from the European Union, Bulgaria, Iraq, Slovenia, New Yugoslavia, Cuba, Australia and Colombia. Also, mr.Pangalos will meet with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus and Malta, while he will have a meeting with Archbishop of America, Spiridon.

On Friday, mr.Pangalos will address the UN General Assembly, while he will have a meeting with UN Secretary General, Boutros Ghali to discuss the greek-turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

[07] DORA BACOYIANNI PUTS FORTH CANDIDACY AS NEW DEMOCRACY'S PRESIDENT

Parliamentarian Dora Bacoyianni, the daughter of New Democracy's honorary President and ex-Premier Konstantinos Mitsotakis, has announced her candidacy for the presidency of the main opposition party, N.D., following yesterday's resignation by Miltiades Evert.

Ms. Bacoyianni stated that the outcome of yesterday's general elections has displayed the need of new hopes for her large and democratic party.

"We must turn a page," Ms. Bacoyianni stated, "Greece must look onto the future with hope. Many of us believed that New Democracy would succeed in these elections."

Last night, a few hours after Mr. Evert's resignation announcement, N.D.'s former Minister of National Economy Stephanos Manos was the first to seek the party's presidency.

[08] THRACE'S MUSLIM MINORITY VOTES LEFT PARTY FOR FIRST TIME

Thrace's Muslim minority voted for the first time a Left party in yesterday's general elections, thereby electing a parliamentarian from the Coalition of the Left and Progress Party (Synaspismos) in the prefecture of Rodopi.

The new mp, physician-microbiologist Mustapha-Mustapha, spoke to the Macedonian Press Agency and stated that his party's positions are clear and open, something that was appreciated by the people who voted the Left for the first time.

According to Mr. Mustapha, in the Rodopi perfecture alone, Synaspismos gathered 8,823 votes, an 11.8%, 7,500 of which were given to the Muslim parliamentarian.

[09] THE POLITICAL WORLD IN CYPRUS WELCOMES MR.SIMITIS' ELECTION

The political world in Cyprus welcomes, mr.Kostas Simitis election to the Premiership and stresses the need for the continuation of the sincere cooperation between Athens and Nicosia.

Democratic Alarm leader, Yiannakis Matsis welcomed the election of a strong government in Greece. Referring to mr.Evert, mr.Matsis congratulated him for his decision to resign from the leadership of ND, pointing out that this decision needed political courage and honesty and if he was in a similar position he would have done the same thing.

AKEL's General Secretary, Dimitris Christofias congratulated the greek Communist party for its success and stressed that Cyprus expects from mr.Simitis to continue to offer Greece's support.

DHKO president, Spiros Kiprianou expressed the belief that the policy followed on the issues of national importance will remain unchanged, adding that Simitis' election will have a positive effect on the Cyprus problem.

EDEK's president, Vasos Lissaridis expressed satisfaction over the results of yesterday's elections, stressing that if the nation in general needed PASOK's victory for the continuation of its constructive policy for Greece, the cypriot hellenism needed it even more.

Commenting on the election results KED president, Giorgos Vasiliou stated that the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus must continue, while the policy followed by mr.Simitis since January must remain unchanged.

[10] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT SENT CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO MR.SIMITIS

Cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis sent a congratulatory telegram to Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis for his election victory.

Meanwhile, speaking to BBC, Foreign Minister, Alekos Michailidis stressed that in mr.Kliridis' telegram is pointed out that the cypriot side wants the continuation of the close cooperation with Greece for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Michailidis characterized mr.Simitis' victory as positive development for the course of the Cyprus problem and expressed the belief that the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus will continue and in the future.

[11] THE GERMAN SPD CHAIRMAN SENT A CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO MR.SIMITIS FOR HIS PARTY'S ELECTION VICTORY

German Social-democratic party, SPD leader, Oscar Lafonten sent a congratulatory telegram to PASOK leader, Kostas Simitis for PASOK's victory in yesterday's parliamentary elections.

The leader of the main german opposition party characterizes the election results as a "great personal victory" of the greek Prime Minister and also, as a confirmation that the greek people support "the course toward renewal".

[12] BRITISH PRESS EXTENSIVELY COVERS GREEK ELECTION RESULTS

The Monday morning editions of British press featured extensive coverage of yesterday's general elections in Greece, with news reported by its Athens-based correspondents.

The Daily Telegraph wrote "Socialists returned to power in Grece", while the Wall Street Journal's European edition reported "Simitis, Socialists Declared Winners in Greek Election".

The Independent wrote "Socialists' big gamble pays off", comenting that the Greek voters have accepted PASOK's austerity.

Also, the Financial Times reported that "greek Socialists win poll with pledge on 'new course'."

[13] FRANCE'S FORMER CULTURE MINISTER SALUTES MR. SIMITIS' VICTORY IN ELECTIONS

France's former Culture Minister Jacques Lang has forwarded his congratulatory message to Prime Minister-elect Kostas Simitis for his victory in yesterday's general elections.

"On behalf of the socialist party I had the pleasure of actively participating in his pre-election campaign, which was marked by his will for reform," Mr. Lang wrote.

[14] THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES COVERED EXTENSIVELY PASOK'S VICTORY

The international news agencies gave extensive reports on PASOK's election victory, while foreign electronic media correspondents mention that it was a personal victory of Prime Minister elect, Kostas Simitis.

A Reuters news agency telegram stresses that Simitis' victory did not come as a surprise to the majority of the economic analysts, while the transactions in the Stock Market are expected to show a notable increase. Also, according to speculations, there will be a decrease of interest rates in the market, as well as foreign exchange inflow for the purchase of state bonds.

Also, it mentions that based on the economic analysts, the Ministries of Finance and National Economy will be merged, while they point out that mr.Simitis will start from today to study plans concerning the forming of the new cabinet in which significant changes are expected to take place.

According to statements made to Reuters by a former Simitis government member, mr.Simitis took a big risk and won, while it is also stressed that this success offers him the capability to make sweeping changes. In the same telegram is mentioned that changes are also expected in the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Finance.

An Associated Press telegram compares the mild and calm way through which mr.Simitis seeks to win international support concerning the greek-turkish issues and the Cyprus problem, to mr.Evert's hard stance and aggressive style.

The french radio and television stations spoke about a personal victory of mr.Simitis by characteristically mentioning that he decided to turn the Papandreou page and to put Greece on the path to modernization. They mentioned that his pre-election campaign was based on the European idea, to which mr.Simitis believes without any reservations contrary to his predecessor.

The british press inspite of the limited coverage it gave to the greek elections was certain of PASOK's victory.

The US television channels mentioned that Washington was satisfied with mr.Simitis victory as according to diplomatic circles, this victory will give him the chance to deal decisively with the solution of the problems Greece has with neighbouring states.

[15] THE TURKISH STATE TELEVISION PRAISED MR.SIMITIS IN ITS REPORTS ON PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY

Turkish state television TRT-1 correspondent in Athens, Nur Batur praised Kostas Simitis in her report on PASOK's election victory. She said that this was not PASOK's but mr.Simitis' victory, adding that since the day he became Prime Minister he presented a different picture than Andreas Papandreou.

According to TRT-1, the most important message of these election results is that the greek people turn toward political understanding. Regarding mr.Simitis she reported that he is not anti-western, does not talk much making big promises and follows a milder position toward Turkey.

The turkish television also mentioned that mr.Simitis' image is that of a western intellectual leader and his message is that Greece must escape from its isolation in Europe and the western world, to which had been driven by Papandreou's scandals. The turkish TV also mentioned that mr.Simitis believes that Greece must become a part of Europe in the economic and political sector.

The correspondent of the turkish television pointed out that mr.Simitis followed a different approach toward Turkey during his pre-election campaign by saying that he will not enter negotiations, while at the same time, clarifying that he wants a peaceful solution to the problems.

It was also mentioned that now remains to be seen who will become Foreign Minister, adding that there are two options open for the post, that of mr.Pangalos, who does not have much support from western diplomatic circles and of Giorgos Papandreou, well- known for his mild attitude and his style of a western politician.

The turkish state television also mentioned mr.Evert's resignation after his election defeat, while characterized the increased representation of the Communist party and Sinaspismos in the greek Parliament, as a revival of the left.

[16] THE GREEK NEWSPAPERS ON PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY AND MR.EVERT'S RESIGNATION

The front pages of the greek newspapers are devoted to PASOK's election victory and to the resignation of mr.Evert from the leadership of New Democracy after his party's defeat in yesterday's elections.

"Avriani of Macedonia-Thrace" with a front page headline "Triumph of Simitis. New Era for a strong Greece", writes that the greek people gave mr.Simitis the go ahead to make deep changes in the economy and in all levels of public life in order for the country to enter the course toward the european unification. Regarding mr.Evert's resignation, the newspaper writes that it was "expected".

"Apogevmatini" writes that New Democracy has paid the price for the discord within the party and characterized mr.Evert's decision to resign as an act of bravery. In its main article writes that New Democracy yesterday lost a battle and not the war, adding that certain leading party members are responsible for yesterday's defeat.

"Avgi" writes that yesterday's results were a big step forward for the Left, while "Rizospastis" underlines the importance of the fact that the Communist party became the third power in Parliament.

"Angelioforos" writes that reason has won and underlines that it is a triumph of Democracy the fact that the number of parties represented in Parliament has increased.

"Eleftherotypia" writes on its front page: "Double victory for PASOK. Simitis got 42%. Center-Left Parliament", while it underlines that in the new government will participate many new faces. The newspaper also mentions that the developments in New Democracy are dramatic and that the setting is changing.

Today's issue of the newspaper "Adesmeftos Typos" strongly criticizes the New Democracy leadership for the mistakes in the party's argumentation and strategy during the pre-election period, stressing that the party's supporters are certainly not the ones to blame for the defeat.

"Ethnos" writes that the new Parliament is dominated by the powers of democratic socialism and the Left, while referring to the developments in New Democracy writes "Earthquake hits N.D., Evert resigns after the Waterloo".

The newspaper "Ta Nea" writes that PASOK has triumphed and also, mentions that Varvitsiotis, Manos and Bakoyianni are candidates for the leadership of New Democracy.

"Eleftheros Typos" devotes its front page article to the situation inside ND and writes that rapid developments followed after Evert's brave resignation from the party's leadership.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] BRITAIN'S LABOUR PARTY LEADER SALUTES GREEK PREMIER ON ELECTION VICTORY

The President of Britain's Labour Party Toni Blair has forwarded a congratulatory telegraph to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis for his victory in Greece's general elections.

"Dear Kostas," the telegraph reads, "we salute your commitment to develop a new path for Greece and will have our support in the realization of this aim. We also salute your commitment to Europe's development and look forward to our future collaboration."

[18] SERB PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES GREEK PREMIER ON VICTORY

The Serb President Slobodan Milosevic congratulated Greece's Prime Minister-elect Kostas Simitis for his victory in yesterday's genera elections.

In his message, Mr. Milosevic expressed his assurance that the friendly relations between the two countries will continue to develop in the interest of the Greek and Yugoslav peoples, as well as for the sake of stability and development in the region.

Also, the Serb government's Minister of Information Alexander Tijianic expressed his admiration at the flawless manner in which the elections were carried out.

Expressing his certainty that relations between the Serbs and the Greeks will continue to progress smoothly, Mr. Tijanic told the Macedonian Press Agency that "I am especially pleased that the elections were carried out smoothly and without problems. This fact attests to the democratic upbringing of the Greek people and constitutes an unquestionable factor that their will was expressed.

"Greece and the republic of Serbia are tied by a lengthy and deep friendship and I personally believe that the cooperation between the two countries will continue successfully," he concluded.

[19] YUGOSLAV PRESS REPORTS ON PASOK VICTORY IN GREECE'S GENERAL ELECTIONS

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had its attention focused on Greece's general elections yesterday, judging from the extensive coverage granted to the news of PASOK's victory by all the state's press and mass media.

All the yugoslav radio stations and television networks broadcast PASOK's victory last night, while the daily newspaper Politika commended that the snap elections called on by the incumbent Premier Kostas Simitis "proved to be both for him and for PASOK a prudent and methodical move."

[20] FOREIGN PRESS REPORTS ON GREECE'S ELECTIONS, PREMIER'S WEIGHTY RESUME

Greece's incumbent Premier and PASOK President Kostas Simitis has gained the limelight of the foreign press that reported worldwide on his victory in yesterday's general elections.

The Austrian press has extensively covered PASOK's victory, and hailed Premier Simitis as "the face of the day" who, "thanks to his modern approach in economic reforms, enjoyed success."

In Belgium, the European Union's news bulletin characterizes PASOK's victory as "the end of the political crisis."

The Bulgarian daily "Continent" characterized PASOK's victory as "the first good news after a long time for Bulgarian socialists" although it adds that PASOKk without its founder, the late Andreas Papandreou, is like "a mausoleum without a mummy."

In Spain the "El Pais" daily points out that Greece's new Premier has a deadline until the end of the 20th century to fully bring Greece into the "Europe of the rich" countries, while making lengthy and complimentary references to Mr. Simitis' resume which it hails as being the best among all those of the European leaders.

Denmark's daily Jyllands Posten reports that the pre- election campaign in Greece marks the country's european leanings, which forecall Greece's distancing from the eastern character that characterized its political life for long.

[21] GREECE'S GENERAL ELECTIONS PRIORITY NEWS IN FYROM'S PRESS

Greece's general elections were granted priority status in neighboring FYROM's media although most newspapers had already gone to press when the outcome was announced.

Nevertheless, FYROM's electronic media broadcast PASOK's victory among their first news segments this morning but without any comments.

[22] ANKARA ADOPTS WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE ON GREECE'S NEW GOVERNMENT

Ankara seems to have adopted a wait-and-see attitude following the outcome of Greece's general elections where the incumbent PASOK party emerged victorious last night.

According to reports from Ankara, the turkish political leaders will wait for the formation of a new PASOK Cabinet before adopting an official position towards Athens.

The Turkish state-owned news agency "Anadolu" made no mention of the greek elections in its english-language brief news bulletin.

[23] TURKEY LOOKS TO ANOTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCH AS A MUSLIM MOSQUE

Reports published in the turkish dailies Sabah and Yeni Yuzyil bring forth Turkey's Ministry of Culture as intending to transform a Christian church in Alikarnassos into a Muslim mosque.

According to Sabah, the church houses a museum of undersea antiquities and was built by Knights in 1945. It had been turned into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire and its minarets were later torn down.

However, not all Turks agree with the Ministry's idea to turn the church into a mosque as numerous complaints and reactions have been reported, especially after rumors surfaced that the museum's curator, who is also opposed to such changes, has been threatened with a transfer to Ararat.

[24] WORLD BANK CONSIDERS IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON TURKEY

The World Bank may call off the granting of $100 million in credits to Turkey since Ankara's political instability has impeded the necessary structural reforms, stated the international financial institution's representative to Turkey Frederico Temle.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Turkish President Suleiman Demirel laid the foundation stone on the $50 million automobile factory Honda located in Cogeali, a joint venture of the turkish "Anadolu Association" and the Japanese car manufacturer.

According to reports, operation is scheduled to start in the fall of 1997 and about 30,000 Civic Sedan car models are programmed for the first year's production.

[25] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S THREE PRESIDENTS CAN'T AGREE ON A PLACE TO MEET

The three members of Bosnia-Herzegovina's collective three- party presidium have yet to agree on the place to hold their first meeting.

"There is no agreement yet on where the meeting will be held, but the Dayton Agreement states clearly that they must meet in Sarajevo. There is not need to become disappointed at this stage," stated mediator Carl Bildt's spokesperson Michael MacClay, adding that the issue is currently being dicussed.

Meanwhile, Momcilo Kraijnic, president of the Serb sector, stated yesterday that the Muslims must display flexibility on where the presidium's base will be established. Mr. Kraijnic, referring to security reasons, stated that this base should be located on the dividing line that lies between the Serb Republic and the Croat-Muslim Federation, a proposal that was ruled out by Mr. Bildt.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/