Macedonian Press Agency: News in English (96-10-22)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, October 22, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE GREEK PRESIDENT ADDRESSED THE POLISH PARLIAMENT

In his speech before the polish Parliament greek President, Kostis Stephanopoulos presented the greek approach to issues concerning the european unification, the future of NATO, as well as, Greece's relations with its Balkan neighbours and Turkey.

Mr.Stephanopoulos rejected, in an indirect but clear way, the efforts made by Turkey to impose the revision of the Treaty of Lausanne which regulates the status in the Aegean. The greek President warned against disputing the existing borders and agreements in Europe and presented the greek government's argumentation on foreign policy issues.

The greek President referred extensivelly to the turkish claims concerning islets in the Aegean and stressed that Greece does not accept dialogue on the unfounded claims raised by Turkey on issues of greek national sovereignty adding that Greece is forced to be prepared for the possibility of a military attack based on the threats made against it.

Referring to the issue with FYROM, mr.Stephanopoulos stressed that Greece rejects the use of the name Macedonia by its neighbours and expressed the hope that the issue concerning the name that will be used by this country will be resolved.

Mr.Stephanopoulos also referred to Greece's very good relations with its rest Balkan neighbours, while he backed NATO enlargement suggesting a special agreement between the North Atlantic Alliance and Russia that will allow the accesion into NATO of all the countries that want to become members.

The greek President referring to Greece's relations with the European Union stressed that the European Unification will not be completed if the rest european countries that want to become EU members do not participate. He also stressed that beyond the common economic policy there must also be a common foreign and defence policy. Mr.Stephanopoulos stated that due to the lack of common foreign policy the EU did not play the role it should have played in the cases of former Yugoslavia and the Middle East.

Also, the greek President pointed out that discrimination between the strong and the less strong european countries for the sake of the speeding-up of procedures, is unacceptable. Based on this position he said that he is against the abolition of the veto power on issues concerning national interests, clarifying that on secondary issues the majority principle can be maintained.

At noon, the greek President visited the old city of Warsaw and the Royal Palace while he laid wreaths at the monuments for the Warsaw uprising and the Gheto Heroes. Meanwhile, in a working breakfast mr.Stephanopoulos had with the polish Prime Minister were discussed bilateral and european issues.

[02] GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE DISCUSSES ECONOMIC POLICY, BALKAN INITIATIVES

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, the Governmental Committee met today and discussed the country's economic policy and initiatives, as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements with other countries in the Balkan region.

According to Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, and following an introduction by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, proposals were examined regarding cooperation between Greece and other Balkan countries as well as initiatives that Greece can undertake in the economic sector, such as the exchange of experience for the institutional modernization of the neighboring countries.

Moreover, Mr. Pangalos' recent visit to countries of the former Yugoslavia was discussed, and Mr. Reppas relayed the Foreign Minister's assessment that these countries welcome Greece's input for a closer relationship and their embodiment in the European Union.

On Greece's economy, as was decided during the session, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will submit his proposals on the economy within 15 days, which will be in turn tabled with the Ministerial Council. The final seal of approval on these proposals will be cast by the PASOK Central Committee and Parliamentary Group in a joint conference.

Mr. Papantoniou has already submitted a bill of 14 articles on the "Limitation and improvement of the effectiveness of government expenditures." This bill expresses the government's intention to give priority to cuts in public spending, to put the public sector's house in order and to fight tax evasion. This is expected to save 150 billion drachmas ($625 million) in 1997.

Also participating in today's meeting were the Minister of Transportation Haris Kastanides, Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, Public Order George Romeos and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Christos Rozakis.

[03] GREECE'S PRESIDENT KOSTIS STEPHANOPOULOS ON FORMAL VISIT TO POLAND

President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos met with his Polish counterpart Alexander Kwasniewski in Warsaw yesterday where the two heads of state discussed in depth the various ways of extending cooperation in the trade and investment sectors among the two countries.

Responding to a question posed by the Macedonian Press Agency regarding greek-polish relations, President Kwasniewski stated that the political relations between the two countries are "exemplary." There is, however, room for growth in other sectors, such as culture and trade, he added.

Accompanying the Greek President on his visit to Poland is the Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and a delegation of Greek businessmen, among them the President of the Greek Industries Association, the President of Greek Shipowners and the President of Greek Exporters.

President Kwasniewski also told the M.P.A. that Poland is a fertile ground for investments although he noted that the "Achilles heel" of the two countries' poor trade track record lies with Greece's small investment practices which places it at the 28th rank among the countries which invest in Poland. The Polish President added that approximately ten billion dollars have been invested in his country so far, mostly by the private sectors of the United States, Italy, France, Holland and South Korea.

The two presidents also discussed the greco-turkish relations, as well as the Cyprus problem, wherein the Polish President stated that his country is in favor of a dialogue and a peaceful resolution of all differences.

"Europe is a small continent and any conflict bears many dangers, such as what happened in the former Yugoslavia," President Kwasniewski stated. He further added that Cyprus must be among the first group of countries to gain accession to the E.U.

[04] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS IN WARSAW, MET WITH POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER

The President of Greece Kostis Stephanopoulos met this morning with Poland's Foreign Minister Tarius Rosati, during his official three-day visit to Poland.

President Stephanopoulos also met with the Speaker of the Polish Parliament and the President of the Polish Congress.

This afternoon, the Greek President will attend a luncheon given in his honor by the Polish Prime Minister and later will attend a wreath-laying ceremony. In the afternoon Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet in the polish capital with the Orthodox Christian Metropolite.

Tomorrow, the Greek President will visit the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau and later will attend a dinner given in his honour by the local authorities in Katovice. The President will return to Athens on Wednesday afternoon.

[05] NUMEROUS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN POLAND FOR GREECE

The President of the Association of Greek Industries, Iason Stratos, accompanying Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos on his visit to Poland, characterized Poland's conditions for Greek investments as being "positive."

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Stratos stated that he noted willingness and response in the polish market regarding the development of economic activity arriving from Greece.

Also accompanying President Stephanopoulos are the alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the presidents of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yiannis Papathanasiou, Greek Shipowners Union Ioannis Goumas and Association of Greek Exporters Christina Sakellaridou.

[06] PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND MOSCOW CONFERENCE OF BLACK SEA COUNTRIES

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will depart for Moscow on Thursday in order to participate at the summit meeting of the Black Sea Cooperation countries.

On the sideline of this meeting, the Greek Premier might also meet for the first time his turkish counterpart Necmettin Erbakan, although Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas clarified that no such meeting has been scheduled.

After Moscow, the Premier will also visit Hungary to attend the European Socialist Leaders' meeting.

[07] NEW MEDIUM-TERM ARMAMENTS PROGRAMME WAS EXAMINED BY PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS

Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis presided over a meeting in which were discussed proposals presented by the Defence Ministry General Staffs concerning the new medium-term armaments programme that will have to be approved in the next meeting of the Governmental Council of National Defence.

In today's meeting participated Minister of Defence, Akis Tsohatzopoulos and National Defence General Staff Chief wing- commander, Athanasios Tzoganis.

Mr.Tsohatzopoulos in statements he made after the meeting said that the armaments programmes priority was examined, adding that it was also discussed and the issue of the Defence Ministry's budget in order to be in step with the necessary development and economic targets of the governmental policy.

[08] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4,8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE SHOOK PILOS IN SOUTHERN GREECE

Earthquake measuring 4,8 on the Richter scale was recorded at 9:48am today by the seismographs of the Geophysics Laboratory in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The earthquake's epicenter is located in the sea region south of Pilos, 450 kilometers south- southwest of Thessaloniki. No victims or damages were reported by the local authorities.

According to seismologist mr.Skordilis, the seismic activity in the region is increased and a strong earthquake is not ruled out.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] PRESIDENT KLIRIDIS BRIEFED THE CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ON THE ISSUE OF THE MILITARY DIALOGUE IN CYPRUS

Cypriot Parliament President, Spyros Kiprianou stated after the meeting with cypriot President, Glafkos Kliridis that the greek-cypriot side does not reject the discussion of a limited disengagement if it will be part of a wider agreement that will constitute the first step for demilitarization. He also added that the limited disengagement in populated areas is impossible to be accepted because this would mean that the greek-cypriots will be left to the mercy of the turks.

Mr.Kiprianou stated that the greek-cypriot side does not know whether the turks will keep the agreement and whether UNFICYP will have such large menpower to fully oversee its implementation.

The President of the cypriot Parliament clarified that in the military dialogue with the turkish side for which no timetable has been set, will not participate general Vorvolakos but a representative of the National Guard General Staff.

[10] BRITISH MP ORGANIZES THREE-DAY EVENTS FOR CYPRUS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

British parliamentarian Tom Cox will organize a three-day event in honor of Cyprus, and specifically Famagusta, at the British House of Commons between December 10-12.

The Mayor of Famagusta Andreas Pougiouros has been invited to attend the event.

[11] DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INVESTIGATIONS ON MURDERS OF ISAAC, SOLOMOU

Noteworthy developments are expected until the end of October in the murders of the two Greek-Cypriot civilians Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou, as the Cypriot police are aware of the culprits' identities.

Cypriot Attorney-General Alekos Markides eluded today that arrest warrants will be issued by the end of the month against the Turkish assassins. The first case to be dealt with will be Solomou's since various persons have been already identified, while in the case of Isaak's murder the only person who has been identified so far is the leader of the "Grey Wolves", Turkey's ultra-right wing organization.

[12] SECURITY FORCES IN CYPRUS EXPRESS FEARS FOR NEW INCIDENTS IN THE DEKELIA-FAMAGUSTA REGION

Fears for new incidents in the region of Dekelia-Famagusta are expressed by the cypriot police forces that began cooperation with the british bases' authorities for the implementation of strong security measures.

The british bases' authorities appear very annoyed by the recent killing of greek-cypriot Petros Kakoullis and they already began defining the region's borderline, while they started deploying armed soldiers in check-point outposts.

The british measures will be fully implemented in the following days and the turks seing those moves decided to place taller barbed wire fences in certain regions.

[13] ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY BAD WEATHER IN CYPRUS

One person dead and extensive material damage, was the toll of the bad weather that continues to hit Cyprus.

A 44yearold man was killed in the village of Liopetri in Famagusta when he was crushed by the roof of his house that collapsed during heavy rain.

Extensive damages have been recorded in the region of Ksilofagou where the roofs of many houses collapsed, while the flood waters have disrupted electricity supply and destroyed caltivated land. Damages were also reported in the telecommunications system and the road network in the region of Famagusta.

[14] ARCTOUROS" EXTENDS ITS ACTIVITY TO FYROM, WELCOMED BY SKOPJE

FYROM's environmental organization D.E.M. hosted a delegation of "Arctouros" (the Greek organization for the protection of the brown bear) in Skopje recently, where the two groups exchanged views on forming a cooperation in the efforts to save the bear and its natural habitat in the Balkans.

The "Arctouros" delegation met with various officials in Skopje as well as with FYROM's undersecretary of Agriculture who promised that his ministry will participate at the inter-Balkan network for the protection of the bear.

Among the agreements reached during this visit is the operation of a joint program, to be funded by "Arctouros", with the participation of Greece, Albania and FYROM, which will result in various seminars aimed at forest employees in FYROM and other activities.

[15] KAZANTZAKIS' BOOK "ALEXIS ZORBAS" TOPS THE BESTSELLERS' LIST IN ALBANIA

The first place in the sales of foreign literature books in Albania belongs for the past 6 months to Nikos Kazantzakis' novel "Alexis Zorbas" translated by Stavros Dagios who is a member of the greek minority in the country.

It should be noted that the publishing house, Albin, has also published poems written by Giorgos Seferis, the book "I was born greek" written for Melina Mercuri and a book on Andreas Papandreou, while next December will be published Kavafis' poems.

[16] A GREEK FILM WON THE PUBLIC'S PREFERENCE IN THE WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL OF MONTREAL

The film "House in the country" directed by ms.Lagia Giurgou received the award of the public in the Women's Film Festival of Montreal. The film also received the award of the international women's magazine "ELLE", which is one of the festival's organisers.

The film's director stated that it deals with the unpaid bills in people's lives, adding that in the end everything comes to light and nothing remains hidden.

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