MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (96-10-08)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, October 8, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] A TURKISH F-16 CRASHED IN THE SEA REGION SOUTH-WEST OF THE AEGEAN ISLAND OF CHIOS - ONE OF ITS TWO PILOTS WAS RESCUED

A turkish F-16 fighter plane crashed in the sea region, 15 miles south-west of the Aegean island of Chios and according to the available information, the pilot was able to use the automatic ejection system.

Three greek Navy helicopters and two ships located and rescued the turkish pilot who was taken to a hospital in Chios. According to information, the rescue efforts continue for the location of the turkish plane's second pilot.

As it was made known, two turkish F-16s and four F-4s were intercepted south-west of Chios by two greek "Mirages" and while the turkish planes were withdrawing one of the F-16s crashed. The causes of the crash, which was confirmed by the Chief of the National Defence General Staff, remain unknown.

According to information, 18 turkish planes ignored the air traffic regulations and violated the FIR of Athens and Nicosia.

Greek fighter planes identified and intercepted the turkish war planes and in certain cases the interception turned into mock air fights.

[02] MR.KAKLAMANIS WAS RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

Mr.Apostolos Kaklamanis was elected President of the new Parliament that resulted from the September 22 parliamentary elections in Greece, after receiving 154 votes in the second secret ballot.

New Democracy's candidate, ms.Anna Psarouda-Benaki received 94 votes, while the blank ballots cast were 39. The Parliament deputies who voted in the second secret ballot were 287.

In the first ballot had voted 294 Parliament deputies and mr.Kaklamanis had received 150 votes. It is the first time since 1964 that a second ballot took place for the election of the President of the greek Parliament, in which only a relative majority is needed.

Mr.Kaklamanis in his speech after his election underlined that he will seek the cooperation of all the Parliament deputies in order for the legislative body to be able to meet the challenges inside and outside the country.

As a result of the second ballot, the scheduled meeting between New Democracy President, mr.Miltiadis Evert and mr.Giorgos Souflias was postponed to take place in the party's central offices tomorrow morning.

Mr.Evert is expected to ask mr.Souflias to become the party's parliamentary spokesman and also to participate in the party's Political Council. According to party members close to mr.Souflias, he will not accept the position of the parliamentary spokesman but he will not rule out his participation in the Political Council.

[03] THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT COMMENT ON PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES, STATED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

The government does not comment on parliamentary activities and the Parliament deputies have an unrestricted right of choice, stressed greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas responding to a question by a reporter on the vote that was held in Parliament for the election of the legislative body's new President.

Mr.Reppas also stated that the vote created no political problem for the government. He said that a political problem will exist in case the government does not enjoy the Parliament's confidence, stressing that the government will get a vote of confidence.

Responding to the question if the 10 deputies who did not vote for mr.Kaklamanis are sending a message to the Prime Minister, mr.Reppas said that there will be a message for the Prime Minister if it is sent by the vote on the government policy statements. Mr.Reppas stated characteristically that he can not valuate their intentions.

[04] THE GREEK PRESIDENT MET WITH HIS FINN COUNTERPART IN HELSINKI

Greek President, Kostis Stephanopoulos in his meeting with his finn counterpart, mr.Maarti Ahtisari in the Presidential Building in Helsinki, referred extensivelly to the common elements shared by the greeks and the finns. In the meeting the greek government was represented by Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos.

The talks between the two Presidents lasted an hour and were held in an excellent climate.

Mr.Stephanopoulos stressed that the finns and the greeks are bound together by their heroic struggle for the preservation of their national independence and by the fact that they are two peoples living next to the sea which was always for them a source of livelihood, wealth and creative inspiration. The greek President also said that the two peoples share the same love for peace and progress.

Mr.Stephanopoulos mentioned the issue of the european security and referred briefly to the situation in the Balkans.

Later, he laid a wreath at Hietanemi Cemetery and afterwards he visited the Parliament where he was received by its President, who honoured him with the Finn Parliament's silver medal.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[05] THE MAIN PHASE OF THE MILITARY EXERCISES "NIKIFOROS" AND "TOXOTIS" WAS COMPLETED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON

The main phase of the military exercises "Nikiforos" and "Toxotis" was completed late this afternoon with the participation of greek paratroopers, while two greek F-16s and two bombers hit targets with live amunition.

During the exercises, 18 greek fighter jets were harassed by an equal number of turkish fighter jets and as a result many mock air fights took place over the air space controlled by Greece and the Cypriot Republic. The mock air fights were watched by greek Minister of Defence, Akis Tsohatzopoulos from the National Center of Operations.

Four greek fighter jets are expected to arrive again in Cyprus tomorrow in order to make low altitude flights over the area where the military parade will be held.

Meanwhile, cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis stated that the National Guard is a well-trained force and will continue to be reinforced until the turkish occupation forces leave from the island.

Referring to the next steps that will be made within the framework of the Joint Defence Doctrine, mr.Kliridis stressed that its implementation continues and the doctrine will continue to exist until the turkish occupation forces decide to withdraw from Cyprus peacefully.

To the question on the validity of the information according to which, the US wants a military dialogue to begin as a first step toward the solution of the Cyprus problem, mr.Kliridis responded that this information repeats something that was already said when US ambassador to the UN, ms.Albright was in Cyprus.

Greek Minister of Defence, Akis Tsohatzopoulos stated that the military exercises "Nikiforos" and "Toxotis" offered new additional experience that strengthens Greece's defence capability and also strengthens decisively all political efforts for the promotion of the rights of the cypriot people.

[06] TURKEY MUST SOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM IN ORDER TO SECURE ITALY'S SUPPORT FOR CLOSER TIES WITH THE EU, STATED THE ITALIAN PRESIDENT

Ankara must solve the kurdish issue and the problem of human rights violations in order to win Italy's support for the association of Turkey with the European Union, according to statements made by italian President, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro during his meeting with his turkish counterpart, Suleiman Demirel.

The atmosphere was especially heavy in the talks the turkish President had with italian Senators. The Communist Refoundation Party Senators mr.De Cesari and mr.Spena were holding the kurdish flag when they met with mr.Demirel and mr.Spena appealed to italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi not to become Turkey's accomplice in everything that takes place in that country.

Also, italian Senate President, mr.Mancino expressed to mr.Demirel his country's strong interest and concern regarding the human rights violations in Turkey.

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