MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (26/09/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 26, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] BUSY MONTH AHEAD FOR PREMIER AND HIS NEW GOVERNMENT

Greek Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis will visit Cyprus on October 1, as it was scheduled before the elections, while on October 4 he will travel to Dublin, Ireland to attend the extraordinary European Union Summit meeting.

The country's new Parliament will be summoned for the first time on October 7 with the swearing-in ceremony for the new Parliament deputies, while on the same day PASOK's new Parliamentary Group will hold its first meeting.

On October 8, the new Parliament President will be elected and PASOK will propose Apostolos Kaklamanis again for the post, while on the following day the Parliament's five vice-presidents will be elected.

On October 10, the discussion over the government's policy statements willl begin and will conclude with the vote of confidence to the new government. On October 15, PASOK's Parliamentary Group will meet again to elect its Presiding Board.

[02] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE STATEMENTS MADE BY MS.CILLER

Greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas stated that it is not possible to bring for discussion before international organizations, among them the International Court of Justice in The Hague, every issue one side regards as a dispute with the other, because this way the list with such issues would have been endless.

Mr.Reppas made that statement when asked to comment on the statements made by turkish Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller who said that the issue of the demilitarization of the Aegean islands should be brought to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Referring to the statements made yesterday by Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis who mentioned that the election result was a victory of the center-left, mr.Reppas stressed that at this time, there is no issue of cooperation with the other center-left parties in the Parliament for the change of the electoral law, adding that of course there is also no thought of a cooperation on a government level.

Regarding the issue of New Democracy's leadership, mr.Reppas stated that is not an issue concerning the government.

[03]GERMANY'S KHOL, RUSSIA'S CHERNOMYRDIN CONGRATULATE SIMITIS ON ELECTION

Russia's Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin and German Chancellor Helmut Kholl have forwarded congratulatory messages to Greek Prime Minister-elect Kostas Simitis for his victory in the elections of September 22.

The Russian Premier expresses his certainty of a constructive cooperation between the two countries in regards to Europe and the Balkans, while the German Chancellor states that "during the following years we will face together great challenges in forming the European construction," and expressed his certainty that Greece will productively contribute to this decisive phase of the european unionization.

[04] THE FORMER ND LEADER HAD SEPARATE MEETINGS TODAY WITH PARTY PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES

Former New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert had separate meetings today with party Parliament deputies and still has not made an announcement on whether he will be a candidate for the party leadership.

Meanwhile, mr.Manos, mr.Souflias and ms.Bakoyianni have already announced their decision to be candidates for the ND presidency.

According to mr.Manos, in the end, the only candidates should be himself and mr.Souflias because only this way the unity of the party will be safeguarded.

[05] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA, SPYRIDON

Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos met with Archbishop of America, Spyridon and conveyed to him an invitation of Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis to visit Athens.

The Archbishop stated that everything that is greek interests him, adding that the Archbishopric will do everything it its power to promote the improvement of Greece's position internationally. Archbishop of America, Spyridon stated that he will visit Greece as soon as he can in order to be better informed.

The greek Foreign Minister praised the role of the Archbishopric in the preservation of the relations between the greek-american community and Greece and expressed the certainty that the new leadership of the Christian Orthodox Church in America will contribute toward this direction.

[06] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH BULGARIAN COUNTERPART IN NEW YORK

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Pirinski in New York today at the United Nations 51st General Assembly.

The two Ministers discussed the steps to be taken in order to develop cooperation among the Balkan countries, as well as their upcoming meeting in Athens during 1997.

[07] PHILIPPOS PETSALNIKOS RETURNED TO THE MINISTRY OF MACEDONIA- THRACE

Mr.Philippos Petsalnikos returned to his post as Minister of Macedonia-Thrace and stated that he will complete the initiatives already undertaken during his 7-month term before the elections, for the strengthening of the Ministry's role and also for the institutional strengthening of Thessaloniki and the whole of northern Greece.

Mr.Petsalnikos said that the ministry's main points of action will be the passing of a law concerning the establishment of a Coordinating Council of Macedonia-Thrace, the completion of special programmes for the improvement of the quality of life in the border regions of northern Greece and the operation in Thessaloniki of special secreteriats on Education, Sports, Transportation, Agriculture and National Economy.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] EUROPARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL FREEZE FUNDS TO TURKEY

The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday ruled with an overwhelming majority to freeze all European Union funds slated for Turkey from the upcoming year's budget.

The funds amounted to 93MECU which had been earmarked for the Turkey-EU Customs Union.

The conditions set for issuing the Customs Union funds were the respect of human rights and the Kurdish people, the end of Cyprus' illegal occupation and respect of other countries' territorial sovereignty.

[09] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES TO ADDRESS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides will address the United Nations General Assembly today in New York.

Mr. Clerides will emphasize the need to intensify the efforts in solving the Cyprus problem and will repeat his proposal to demilitarize the island. The Cypriot President will also remind his audience of the recent dramatic episodes at Deryneia where two Greek-Cypriot civilians were brutally killed in August.

[10] U.S. INTEND TO DRAW INITIATIVES ON GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS AND CYPRUS

The United States are considering taking initiatives in the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cypriot issue, said the State Department's spokesperson Nicholas Burns following the yesterday's meeting held between Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher in New York.

At another press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister and ex- Premier Tansu Ciller provocatively stated that her country will consider international mediation only for a series of issues that concern he Aegean Sea, including the demilitarization of the Greek islands, and not solely for the Imia islets' sovereignty.

Mr. Pangalos categorically refused such proposal and commented on Ms. Ciller's claim that the Cyprus demarcation line is a turkish border by responding that such claim constitutes an admission of what Greece has long denounced, that is, the occupation of Cyprus.

Therefore, Mr. Pangalos concluded, demands for talks with Ankara and not Rauf Denktash, the self-called leader of Cyprus' occupied territory, are sensible.

[11] GREEKS FROM ABROAD BRIEF U.S. LEADERS ON NATIONAL ISSUES AT CAPITOL HILL

Greeks living abroad throughout the world continue their briefing session held at the Capitol Hill today with the United States' former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Hollbrooke and other U.S. officials, in the effort to inform them on the greek- turkish relations and the cypriot problem.

The American officials were briefed on Greece's positions while, throughout the session, a video was shown depicting the killing of the two Greek-Cypriot civilians at Deryneia in August. Also, the Macedonian Press Agency's periodical "Helliniki Diaspora" was warmly reviewed by the attendees and the magazine's spread on the recent episodes in Cyprus was highly commended upon.

Participants at the briefing session included the President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) and the United Greek- American Congress Andrew Athens, the President of the United States SAE Christos Tomaras, the World Coordinating Committee of the Cypriot Struggle Philip Christopher and the President of the National Coordinating Effort Eddy Manatos, as well as Greek-origin political leaders from Australia, Belgium, Canada and England.

A formal dinner followed, where the Cypriot Government representative Yiannkis Kasoulides relayed a salutation from Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides.

The session has been jointly organized by the United Greek- American Congress, the United States Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE), the World Coordinating Committee of the Cypriot Struggle and the National Coordinating Effort.

[12] CYPRUS FOREIGN MINISTER:TURKEY'S GUILTY FOR CYPRUS' CONTINUED OCCUPATION

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Mihailides stated today that Turkey is guilty for the continued occupation of Cyprus, is the country that is behind all that is taking place on the island and cannot place all the blame on the occupied territory's self-called leader Rauf Denktash.

Morever, in regards to the dramatic episodes in Deryneia, Mr. Mihailides characterized the turkish behavior as uncalled for and invited Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller to examine the United Nations resolution on Cyprus.

[13] CYPRUS: RAUF DENKTASH SENT RESPONSE LETTER TO GLAFKOS CLERIDES

The self-called leader of the occupied territory in Cyprus Rauf Denktash has sent via fax his response letter to Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in New York where the Cypriot leader is attending the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Mr. Clerides, Mr. Denktash's lengthy letter refers extensively to the cypriot problems as the turk-cypriot side sees them. According to reports, Mr. Denktash invites Mr. Clerides to a discussion spanning all issues of the cypriot problem, including the issue of the island's demilitarization.

The Cypriot President has stated that he will respond to Mr. Denktash immediately after his return to Cyprus.

[14] A RESOLUTION OF SOLIDARITY TO THE CYPRIOT PEOPLE WAS APPROVED BY PEACE MOVEMENTS IN EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES

Peace Movements from european and north-american countries approved a resolution of solidarity to the cypriot people, while they persist in the implementation of UN resolutions on Cyprus and in the holding of negotiations for the peaceful solution of the problem.

The Peace Movements, that recently met in Berlin, have also unaninously condemned the killing of the two young greek-cypriots, Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou during peaceful demonstrations in Cyprus.

[15] CLINTON SALUTES NEW ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SPYRIDON

United States President Bill Clinton personally wished a "happy birthday" to the new Archbishop of America Spyridon during a phone call today, and also congratulated him for his enthronment.

In turn, Mr. Spyridon, who turned 52 today, thanked President Clinton for his wishes and relayed to him a salutation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate Vartholomeos.

[16] GREEK, ARMENIAN, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRIES OFFICIALS TO MEET IN SEPTEMBER

The three officials will meet within the framework of the tripartite cooperation between Greece, Iran and Armenia.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the three officials will examine plans for development of economic cooperation between the three countries and will prepare the Foreign Ministers' meeting which is to be held in Tehran during November.

[17] GLIGOROV: SECURITY COUNCIL HAS NO RIGHT TO CHANGE A COUNTRY'S NAME

President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov met today with United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali and expressed his hope that the talks between his country and Greece will be continued, while he concurrently emphasized that the Security Council does not have the right to change a country' name.

Mr. Gligorov, currently in New York where he attended the UN's 51st General Assembly, also expressed this point of view in his meetings with United States Secretary of Stage Warren Christopher and Britain's Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind while emphasizing the significant role FYROM plays in offering stability in the Balkans.

[18] EUROPEAN COMMISSION FORMS ACTION GROUP FOR BALKAN ENERGY NETWORKS

The European Union's Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis announced today the formation of an Action Group for Energy Networks in the Balkans.

The Group, which will comprise representatives from the European Commission, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania and Turkey, will aim at registering in one year all the plans of energy connections with their studies and assessments, in collaboration with each country's authority, and their funding fromthe interested organizations and financial institutions.

According to Mr. Papoutsis, the Group's ulterior aim is to discover funding sources, enable the creation of the energy network and their linking with the inter-european energy networks, whose progress thus far is satisfactory.

[19] THESSALONIKI-BUDAPEST ROUTE ON UPSWING, SIX FLIGHTS OFFERED WEEKLY

Ticket sales for the Thessaloniki-Budapest route offered by Hungary's Malev Airlines have increased by a 45% rate since January.

According to Gold Air, Malev's representative airline in Greece, the air carrier is soon expected to sign additional agreements with two other carriers for cargo shipping.

Malev conducts flights to Thessaloniki every day except Wednesday.

[20] CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER DISMISSES CILLER'S CLAIMS AS "QUITE LUDICROUS"

"Quite ludicrous" are the claims made by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller that the episodes in Deryneia last August were part of a pre-election campaign, stated today the Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Mihailides who also reminded Ms. Ciller that the country undergoing elections was Greece, not Cyprus.

Moreover, Mr. Mihaelides categorically refuted Ms. Ciller's statement wherein she said that there are "borders" in Cyprus and invited her to exanine the relevant United Nations resolutions on Cyprus.

"There is occupation in Cyprus, not borders," stated the Cypriot Foreign Minister.

[21] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES MEETS WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL GHALI

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides met today with the United Nations Secretary-General Butros Ghali prior to today's session of the UN 51st General Assembly.

[22] FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA'S MANUSCRIPTS, SKETCHES EXHIBITED IN THESSALONIKI

Sketches and manuscripts of Spain's famous poet Federico Garcia Lorca will be on exhibit at Thessaloniki's Center of History tomorrow, commemmorating the 60th anniversary since the tragic poet's death.

Also among the exhibits will be photographs from theatrical plays held in the museum "Federico Garcia Lorca" located at the house where the poet was born in Granada.

[23] STRESS, FEARS ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN

Stress, phobias and school problems mark the main causes of behavioral problems noted in today's children, along with the increasing rates of depression and schizophrenia, although these two illnesses are mostly found in children in their teens.

These theories were presented during the 11th Conference of the Neurological and Psychiatric Association of Southeastern Europe, currently held in Thessaloniki.

According to the speakers who presented extensive research and data for their theories, factors which cause these illnesses include heredity, intelligence, although some may be attributed to environment, family, school and the community.

[24] FIRST INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL HELD IN HALKIDIKI

The First International Hot Air Ballon Festival is currently being organized in Halkidiki at the Porto Carras Hotel.

The air ballons will fly over Thessaloniki, above Mt. Olympus and most of Halkidiki's regions.

[25] FIRST BALKAN CONFERENCE OF CATTLE FOOD MAKERS TO BE IN THESSALONIKI

The first Balkan Conference of Cattle Food Makers will be held in Thessaloniki, between September 29 - October 1 and will address agricultural development in relation to cattle production.

Aside from cattle food producers, present at the Conference will be officials from the Greek Agriculture Ministry, as well as government officials from the Federal Yugoslav Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, FYROM, Albania and Turkey.

The Conference is jointly organized by the Association of the Greek Cattle Food Makers Industry and the American Soya Organization.

[26] OUTBREAKS OF MENINGITIS PLAGUE ROMANIA, 40 PEOPLE HAVE DIED SO FAR

Outbreaks of meningitis have reached unprecedented dimensions in Romania where 40 people have died form the disease since this summer.

According to the Romanian Health Ministry, the number of persons struck by the disease is estimated at 451, while 24 others are currently hospitalized in Bucharest.

Meningitis is a serious illness where the outer part of the brain becomes swollen and whose symptoms include a high, sudden, fever, convulsions and vomiting.

[27] WORLD BANK APPROVES $35.2 MILLION LOAN TO FYROM

FYROM's Ambassador to the United States Liubica Adevska and the director of World Bank Kenneth Lane have signed an agreement for three loans totaling $35.2 million earmarked for development of FYROM's private sector, agricultural projects and reform in the health sector.

[28] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES A WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY

A worldwide campaign against the human rights violations in Turkey will be launched by the human rights organization Anmesty International next week.

Amnesty International members from Senegal, Canada and Spain already are in Turkey demanding to meet with representatives of the business world, Interior and Justice Ministry officials and also with the country's Prime Minister.

An Amnesty International spokesperson stated that the organization will demand from different state governments to exert pressures on Turkey to improve its human rights record.

In the file with the human rights violations in Turkey, are mentioned among others the fact that over 400 people have disappeared while in police custody, the deaths of 12 inmates who were on hunger strike in turkish prisons, the killing of 11 people in the region of Sirnak and the case of 7 students who were tortured in Manisa.

Amnesty International will also deal with the fact that there is no freedom of press and expression in Turkey and many people have been jailed accused of simply stating their views.

An example of the situation in Turkey is the case of author Ismail Besiksi, who has been sentenced to over 100 years in prison because in his books and newspaper articles referred to the kurdish problem.

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/