MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (96-10-11)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, October 11, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] NO GRACE PERIOD FOR THE GOVERNMENT, SAYS MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER

Taking the podium in tonight's parliamentary discussion of the government's program presented by the Premier yesterday, main opposition party leader, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert foresaw the danger of a social ignition.

Mr. Evert stated that there is no grace period for the ruling PASOK party.

"No more lies, the economy has run out of latitude and our national issues don't allow room for stunts," Mr. Evert stated and accused the Premier and PASOK President Kostas Simitis of not having presented any substantive policies in his speech last night. During his address, Mr. Evert turned to the Premier and stated "during the pre-election campaign you frequently stated that there will not be any new taxes but now it is clear that a predatory raid is in the works, unlike any other the country has known before."

He further attacked PASOK by stating that its foreign policy, during the past three years, has resoundedly failed on the three basic aspects of Greece's international relations.

"In the European Union, (PASOK) did not promote any of our positions and aims. Regarding the grecoturkish relation, it took a conceding stance and received challenges, additional claims, tension and occupation of greek territory. In regards to Skopje, it abandoned the name issue," Mr. Evert blasted.

The main opposition leader asked that the Party Leaders convene under the President of the Republic.

[02] "SOUR GRAPES" PREMIER RETORTS TO MAIN OPPOSITION'S CRITICISM

Quoting Aesop's famous tale of "sour grapes", Prime Minister Kostas Simitis quickly retorted to the criticism and accusations hurled at him tonight in Parliament by the main opposition leader New Democracy's Miltiades Evert.

Mr. Simitis, who is also ruling PASOK party's President, added that the N.D. leader repeated all that he said during the pre-election period and pointed out that on September 22, the day of Greece's general elections, the people chose the party they wanted to govern and the policies they wanted to enforce.

In his riposte, Mr. Evert said that the Premier hid the truth from the Greek people.

[03] MINOR OPPOSITION CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega spoke in Parliament this evening on the government's proposed program which it denounced as "a Maastricht-driven policy".

Ms. Paparega stated that her party votes against the Government's program statements and foresaw that during the upcoming year, the economy's most significant sectors will go broke.

On national matters, Ms. Paparega stated that the PASOK government is ready to hand over its interests on the Aegean Sea, the southeastern Mediterranean and Cyprus to the United States and Germany.

Coalition of the Left and Progress Party (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Konstantopoulos and Democratic and Social Movement Party (DIKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas also spoke tonight.

[04] OPPOSITION PARTIES RESPOND TODAY TO PREMIER'S GOVERNMENT PROGRAM

Greece's opposition parties will provide their reposte in Parliament today to the government program presented by Prime Minister and ruling PASOK party President Kostas Simitis last night.

In his address yesterday evening, the Premier emphasized the necessity of Greece's economic and monetary convergence with the European Union until the end of the decade.

Moreover, he gave specific emphasis to foreign policy and said that Turkey is the strongest destabilizing factor in the region.

The Premier stated that a gigantic effort will be exerted to modernize the everyday functioning of the state apparatus and government services on all aspects, namely administration, environment, social services, state pension funds and public enterprises.

Yesterday, commenting on the Premier's statements, main opposition party president, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert, said that never before has there been a day in Parliament when so much time was needed for nothing to be said.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) announced that the policy to be followed will lead to increased poverty and unemployment.

The President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Nikos Konstantopoulos also stated that the Prime Minister did not say anything new or specific.

The process will be completed on Saturday around midnight when Parliament will be asked to grant a vote of confidence to the Government.

[05] PREMIER MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU

In light of ruling PASOK party's Central Committee meeting, to be held on October 18-19, Prime Minister and party President Kostas Simitis took partin the session of the Executive Bureau today and discussed the party's organizational reconstruction.

Following the meeting, Secretary of the Central Committee Kostas Skandalides stated that the meeting represents the President's cooperation with EB members in regards to the Party.

On Wednesday morning, PASOK's Parliamentary Group will meet in order to elect its Secretary and Presidium members, as well as its parliamentary representatives.

[06] DEFENCE SPENDING WILL BE THE PRICE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE PAID IN ORDER TO HAVE STRONG DETERRENT FORCES, STATED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

Greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas stated, on the occasion of the policy statements presented yesterday in Parliament by the Prime Minister, that defence spending will be the price that will have to be paid in order for Greece to have strong defence and deterrent forces in response to the policy followed by Turkey.

Mr.Reppas expressed the greek government's belief that a solution to this problem will be found if Turkey respects international law in order to have peace in the region and make unnecessary the arms race policy that is being followed.

Mr.Reppas stated that the modernization of the greek armed forces will be a burden to the greek economy, stressing that this is not pleasant but is necessary and useful.

[07] MR.REPPAS EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE EURO-PARLIAMENT WILL ADHERE TO ITS DECISION AND FREEZE THE EU FUNDS TO TURKEY

Greek government spokesman, Dimitris Reppas commenting on the EU Budget Committee decision to release the funds for Turkey, expressed the hope that the European Parliament will adhere to its decision and freeze Turkey's financing from the MEDA programme.

The greek government spokesman stated that the EU bodies should be very careful when channeling funds to Turkey because there is a risk to send the wrong messages to this country regarding its behaviour.

[08] TURKISH EXPANSIONIST TACTICS DESTABILIZE PEACE, SAYS GREEK DIPLOMAT TO UN

It is Turkey's expansionist policy toward its neighboring countries which constitutes a factor of instability for peace and security, responded Greece's alternate representative to the United Nations Vasilis Kaskarelis to the claims made by his turkish counterpart that the majority of Turkey's problems with Greece concern the Aegean Sea region.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday, Mr. Kaskarelis also denounced Ankara for its systematic disregard for human rights and International Law and condemned the illegal occupation of northern Cyprus.

"The over 20-year long illegal occupation of Cyprus is directly opposed to the relevant resolution drawn by the Security Council and the UN General Assembly," Mr. Kaskarellis stated.

Earlier, Turkey's UN alternate representative Tului Tans blamed Greece for the Imia islets issue by claiming that Athens attempts to create a fait accompli in the Aegean and to extend its sovereignty on islands beyond those that are assigned, as he said, by the Treaty of Lausanne and the Paris Accord.

On the issue of Cyprus, the Turkish diplomat stated that the issue emerged from Turkey's intervention in 1974 when it entered the island as a guarranteing force against the efforts of Greece's junta and the Greek-Cypriots to annex the island to Greece.

He also referred to this summer's episodes in Deryneia, where two Greek-Cypriot unarmed civilians were murdered in cold blood by Turk-Cypriots, and stated that the Greek-Cypriot side is responsible for the episodes which are an example of Greece's expansionist policy.

In turn taking the podium, Cyprus's Permanent Representative to the UN Nikos Agathocleous stated that Turkey, once more, distorted the truth regarding the Cyprus issue, by denying the legal existence of the Republic of Cyprus, which has been recognized by the UN.

"Mr. Tans," the Cypriot diplomat said, "attempted to present the issue as being a difference between the two communities and to relieve Turkey's responsibilities for the invasion."

Mr. Agathocleous called on Turkey to withdraw its occupation forces and its settlers and to respect the Republic's independence and territorial sovereignty.

[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT BULGARIA ON OCTOBER 17

The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit Bulgaria on October 17, on the invitation of Bulgaria's Patriarch Maximos.

The visit will take place on the occasion of the festivities commemmorating the 1,050 years since the death of St. Ioannis of Rila.

[10] DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERIOR ATTENDS MINISTERIAL COUNCIL IN LISBON

The Lisbon-held 11th Conference of Interior Ministers from Council of Europe member-states, concluded today by marking a significant success for the greek delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Lambros Papademas.

The conference addressed "The Finances of Local Administration and Local Funds" and produced a memorandum to the Ministerial Council, per a proposal from Greece's delegation, which itemizes a list of conditions set for providing economic assistance to a country.

These conditions foresee that in order to support a country's economic independence, the said country must respect human rights and uphold international laws in order to allow for cross-border cooperation among the local authorities, and peacefully resolve issues that divide European countries.

According to reports, the memorandum sparked a reaction from the turkish delegation.

[11] FOSSILIZED BONES OF PRE-HISTORIC GIGANTIC BEAR FOUND NEAR PELLA

The fossilized bones of a 100,000-year-old bear have been discovered by researchers in a cave located in Loutraki, Pella.

The fnding's primary paleontological estimates indicate that the bear was of gigantic dimensions, whose size is thought to have measured three meters tall and weighted three tonnes.

Thirteen caves have been discovered in the region of Loutraki and they comprise Greece's first speleological park. The animals which lived in the area are believed to date back to the Ice Age

The research team was headed by K. Ataktidis, an expert speleologist who has worked both in Greece and abroad. Further investigations will continue until October 24 and specialists from the Culture Ministry and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will also participate.

[12] GREEK HOST PARENTS OF YOUNG SERBIANS TO VISIT THE KIDS BACK HOME

Members of the Greek families who seven months ago hosted serbian children from Bosnia departed for Serbia tonight, to visit their young former guests.

The reunion is an initiative taken by Kalamaria's municipality, which also had organized the children's stay in Greece.

The Greek "parents" and "siblings" of the young Serbs will be greeted at Novisad's railway station by the town's mayor who will lead them to the refugees camps where most of the children live.

[13] THE PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN TOMORROW AFTERNOON WILL BE VISIBLE IN GREECE AND ALL OVER EUROPE

The partial eclipse of the sun that will take place tomorrow afternoon from 16.58pm to 19.10pm (local time) will be visible in Greece and all over Europe. During this spectacular phenomenon the moon will be placed between the earth and the sun and about 50 to 70% of the sun's surface will be hidden behind the moon.

The scientists warn that the observation of the phenomenon with the naked eye can be dangerous, stressing that sunglasses do not offer adequate protection from the sun's rays and only special high frequency filters should be used.

Even with the protection of special filters the observation should not last over 5 seconds at 20 minute intervals. Also, the scientists warn that binoculars or telescopes should not be used because people can be blinded.

[14] SCENES FROM THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE MACEDONIANS IN THE HIMALAYAS, THE KALAS, WILL BE PRESENTED IN A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Authentic, loom-woven traditional dresses, wooden statues used in rituals by the greeks of Pakistan and interesting presentations will be part of the photography exhibition on the Kalas Macedonians, which will be held in Thessaloniki at the end of November organized by the cultural society "MAKEDNOS" with the support of Macedonia University where the exhibition will be housed.

Recordings of the music of the greeks in Afganistan, the Patans, and very expressive portraits and scenes from the daily life of the Kalas are presented in the 30 photographs exhibited, which give for the first time the opportunity to the public in Thessaloniki, and in northern Greece in general, to "know", even from a distance, certain aspects of the culture and customs of this unique people.

In spite of the fact that hundreds of centuries have past, the Kalas have preserved untouched their greek character and declare with pride what their roots are. Women wear traditional dresses similar with those worn in the small town of Alexandria, just outside Thessaloniki and moreover, many of their wooden statues used in rituals are equestrian statuettes of the deified Alexander the Great.

According to the Kalas mythology, their race was created when 5 of "Sikander's" men (as they call Alexander the Great) saw the exquisitely beautiful daughters of Dionysos, had children with them and decided to never leave the region. For the Kalas and the Patans the mere mentioning of the word "yunan" (greek) is enough in order to treat with honours a complete stranger.

President of "MAKEDNOS", Dimitris Alexandrou stated to MPA that he visited for the first time the greeks of Afganistan four years ago when none knew they existed and stressed that they are a unique race of pagans that continues to worship the 12 gods and goddesses of Olympus. He said that those people are a living museum but they are threatened by extinction as they slowly become islamized while the exploitation of timber in their region makes them more "civilized" each day.

Mr.Alexandrou stated that FYROM claims even the Kalas and a group of skopjans recently published a book in the US under the title "Searching for the Macedonians of Pakistan" in which the national identity of that race is presented as being skopjan.

[15] THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE GREEK CINEMA PRESENTATION WAS HELD IN STRASBURG YESTERDAY

The opening ceremony of the fifth 15-day greek cinema presentation was held in Strasburg yesterday in the presence of many french phihellenes and members of the greek community.

Within the framework of the presentation will be screenings of films directed by Michalis Kakoyiannis, Alexis Damianos, Nikos Koundouros and Thodoros Angelopoulos.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S BUDGET COMMITTEE TO OPEN MEDA FUNDS TO TURKEY

Depite the intense reactions voiced by Greek eurodeputies, the European Parliament's Budget Committee has turned down the proposal to freeze MEDA funds to Turkey, by accepting the verbal promise given by Commissioner Hans Van Der Broek that the conditions set by the Europarliament upon Turkey will be met.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed that Turkey's funding from the MEDA program be limited to plans concerning the economic development of the country's southeastern region, where the kurdish minority lives, as well as any other plans that will enable Turkey to uphold and respect human rights and adopt a more democratic approach.

In summary, the Budget Committee contradicted the position adopted last September by the European Parliament and rejected the proposal of numerous eurodeputies who asked for the freezing of MEDA funds for Turkey, as well as a proposal that foresaw for a separate allocation of MEDA funds to each country, in order to enable the European Palriament to isolate those funds earmarked for Turkey and freeze them.

According to reports, the change in course is largely due to Mr. Van Der Broek manoeuvers and the domineering tone of the Committee's German President Deltef Zamland.

Greek eurodeputies Yiannos Kraniditotis (PASOK) and S. Argyros (New Democracy) were openly chagrined with Mr. Zamland because, they stated, the imperious tone with which he directed the meeting hampered the free expression of all those involved and did not take into consideration, via voting, all the views that were tabled during the session.

"I quite fear that there is a close circle of persons in the Budget Committee who draw various decisions secretly," Mr. Kranidiotis stated.

"Today's decision attempts to annul the relevant resolution of the European Parliament regarding Turkey's funding from MEDA," he added and stated that he intends to bring the issue before the plenary session of the Socialist Group.

The Budget Committee's decisions are not final as they will be brought up for discussion on October 21 in Strasburg, where the European Parliament's Plenary session will be held.

[17] TURKEY HAS NOT MET ITS COMMITMENTS TOWARD THE EU, IS STRESSED IN A EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT

Turkey has not met its commitments toward the European Union and after the elections held in the country in December of last year, not even one step forward has been made in the issue of the constitutional and legal reforms. The above are mentioned in a European Commission report about to be submitted to the Euro- Parliament.

In the annual report, that constitutes an account of the political situation in Turkey, is stressed that this country did not give the slightest indication that there were positive developments.

Regarding the tension in the Aegean, is pointed out that it should be reduced based on international law, while is stressed the need for a lasting and fair solution to the Cyprus problem.

Also, is underlined that there should be developments in Turkey in order to have its relations with the EU improved, stressing that Turkey's human rights record must improve.

[18] THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE GREEK GOVERNMENT'S POLICY STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS

Cypriot government spokesman, Yiannakis Kasoulidis stated that his government welcomes the greek government's policy statements on Cyprus presented yesterday in Parliament by Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis.

He said that the greek Prime Minister has approached the issue of Greece's foreign policy and security in a comprehensive and analytical manner and added that the issues concerning Cyprus were presented based on what has repeatedly been said both during mr.Simitis' visit to Cyprus and in the meetings he had with the cypriot President.

[19] CYPRIOT DEFENSE MINISTER: "NIKIFOROS" GOT THE MESSAGE ACROSS

The military exercise "Nikiforos" has sent towards all directions the message that there is power for warding-off dangers, as well as for trying at a peaceful solution to the Cypriot issue, stated the Cypriot Defense Minister Kostas Heliades, commenting on the Cypriot National Guard's military drill held this week.

"The Republic of Cyprus will continue to strengthen its defense capabilties, in cooperation with Greece, in all areas," Mr. Heliades stated, adding that if the Joint Defense Doctrine causes anyone's chagrin, there is always the option of de- militarization.

Meanwhile, Turkey's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Inal Batu characterized the military drill as "a strong provocation that will not be left unanswered."

[20] NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR 1996 AWARDED TO TWO ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS

The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to two Roman Catholic bishops, Carlos Bello and Jose Ramos-Orta, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

The two bishops will share the prize "for their efforts in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Timor."

[21] EUROPEAN CINEMA CONFERENCE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE CULTURE MINISTERS WILL BE HELD IN BUDAPEST

In the Council of Europe Culture Ministers' Conference that will be held in Budapest on October 28-29 will be discussed issues concerning the european cinema, while the participants will set a policy that will be aimed at giving the sector a new boost.

According to an announcement made by the Council of Europe, in the Conference will be discussed in detail four basic points namely, production, distribution, protection of the audio-visual heritage and the cinema for the young.

[22] ALBANIA: ITS UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND THE NUMEROUS MONITORS

With the upcoming local elections approaching, Albania is faced with the problem of having too many election monitors, both local and foreign.

The Central Returning Board has decided not to allow the presence of election observers who are below 25 years of age at the voting centers, a move that has driven the opposition parties to challenge the decision in court, claiming that it constitutes a plan to exclude students from the voting process.

A problem has also arisen regarding the observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), since the Albanian government is said to plan to exclude them from the monitoring process.

According to Albanian Foreign Minister Tritan Siehu, a formal request for the accreditation of these monitors has not reached the Ministry yet, although OSCE's representative to Tirana has stated that his office awaits a positive response to come from the Ministry today, after a week of turbulance.

Up to now, aside from the Council of Europe delegation that will coordinate the foreign observers, 150 Italians and 90 Americans will also participate in the monitoring.

[23] CONTACT GROUP INVITES BOSNIAN-SERBS TO COOPERATE

The five-state "Contact Group" for Bosnia has invited Bosnianserbs to coopetate in the common bodies of power in Bosnia- Herzegovina if they want Republika Srpska to receive foreign aid for reconstruction, the news agency Tanjug reported.

According to the report, the Group met at the Political Directors level in London and a statement released after the meeting describes Bosnian reconstruction as a "crucial priority" and the funds set aside for the purpose as being "considerable."

However, the body warned, the world community's willingness to distribute assistance between the Bosnian Entities, the Muslim- Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska will depend on their conduct and support for the new common bodies of power.

[24] SLOVENIAN PRESIDENT:EX-YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS SHARE SUCCESSION

Milan Kucan told the Montenegrin weekly _Monitor_ that all six former republics have equal claim to the succession of Yugoslavia dating from 1918, Onasa reported on 10 October.

He thus challenged Serbia-Montenegro's claim to the sole right of succession under the name Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and hence to the former federation's wealth and assets.

Kucan said Slovenia had paid huge sums of money for the Yugoslav People's Army, which were put to "woefully wrongful, unfortunate, and tragic purposes."

[25] PREPARATIONS FOR ALBANIAN LOCAL ELECTIONS CONTINUE

The Central Election Commission decided at a 10 October meeting that the opposition will be allowed to participate in the monitoring of all aspects of the election process, Albanian daily Koha Jone_ reported.

A special envoy for Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said Italy would send 150 election monitors, Albania reported.

In other news, the Party of National Unity protested the imprisonment of its leader Idajet Beqiri, calling him a "victim of political revenge," _Poli i Qendres_ reported.

Beqiri was sentenced on 28 September for crimes against humanity committed as a judge and communist party leader in the town of Kruja.

[26] BAKU-SUPSA PIPELINE TO BE OPERATIONAL BY LATE 1988?

At a meeting in Baku on 9 October with Azerbaijani President Heidar Aliev, Terry Adams, the president of the Azerbaijani International Operating Company, announced that the Baku-Supsa pipeline to export Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea oil by the so-called "Western route" to the Georgian Black Sea coast will be operational "by late 1998," Turan reported.

A pipeline construction tender will be announced early next year. On 9 October Adams said the Russian route for early oil will start to be used in August 1997.

[27] TWO GOOD IDEAS FROM GREECE

"In a new move to reduce Turkey-Greece tensions, a Greek company has come up with a good proposal", turkish daily Sabah writes today.

The daily writes that Greek Heliostat company has suggested that it could cooperate with Turkish experts to solve sewage and water purification problems in the seaside town of Cesme, not far from Izmir. Heliostat company representatives have already been in touch with Cesme town officials, who will soon go to Athens for more talks.

It also adds that there are tentative suggestions from the Greek side that Cesme could be a sister city to Xanthi.

Reaction to this idea in Cesme has been positive, with Mayor Nuri Ertan saying that he was most happy with the proposal and that it would be responded to in the same friendly way that the proposal had been made. /Sabah/

[28] TOURISTS DIE IN ROAD DISASTER IN TURKEY

Ten foreign tourists died yesterday when the bus they were in skidded off the road into a deep ravine during stormy weather near the seaside resort of Antalya.

The mostly Dutch and German tourists were on their way from Antalya to the hot water springs of famous Pamukkale, when their intercity bus spun off a road made slippery with rain. Tourism Minister Bahattin Yucel left at once for the site of the accident when the news of the crash reached his office.

Yesterday in Turkey, 35 people died in road accidents and 67 others were injured.

[29] CHRISTOS PAPOUTSIS: "WE NEED COMPETITIVE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES"

Addressing today's conference on "Improving the market penetration for new Energy Technologies", Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis stressed the important role of the strategy for clean and efficient energy technologies in Europe, to be presented in the near future.

The Green Paper on Innovation, the report "Inventing Tomorrow" as well as the White Paper on Energy bring together the opportunity to begin to think to the future.

Energy technologies must help in providing answers to number of new challenges facing today's society, such as quality of life, employment, economic growth and competitiveness, international cooperation, innovation in firms, etc. The increase in market penetration of new energy technologies in SMEs will not only improve their efficiency, but will help increase the entire competitiveness of European industry.

[30] ROMANIAN POST-PRIVATISATION FUND TO BE FINANCED BY EBRD AND EC

A new fund targeted at Romania has been established with the help of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Community (EC) to invest in privatised and new private sector enterprises in Romania.

The EBRD is investing ECU 25 million in the Romanian Post- Privatisation Fund (RPPF), which will have a total capital of ECU 44 million.

Through its Phare programme, the European Community is providing ECU 15 million in equity and ECU 10 million in technical co-operation.

The Phare funds will be channelled through the National Agency for Privatisation of Romania.

G.E.D. Capital Development S.A., the fund manager, is co- investing ECU 4 million.

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