Macedonian Press Agency: News In English 96-11-07

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 7, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] EFFORTS TO FIND MISSING SAILORS OF SUNK WARSHIP CONTINUE

Efforts to recover the bodies of the four missing sailors, crew members of the warship "Kostakos" which sunk on Monday evening, are continuing in the sea region of Samos island in the Aegean Sea.

President Kostis Stephanopoulos stated that it is unacceptable to arrive at conclusions before the investigations have been completed.

According to the first reports, the missile-carrying warship sunk at 1,113 meters off shore, at 145 meters- deep waters.

The ferry boat "Samaina", which rammed into "Kostakos", sailed into Pireaus port early this morning.

[02] PREMIER KOSTAS SIMITIS TO OFFICIATE ARMED FORCES MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will confer a meeting today to discuss the outfitting program of the Greek Armed Forces.

Participating will be the Ministers of National Defense and National Economy and Finance, Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Yiannos Papantoniou respectively.

[03] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER ADDRESSES EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON BALKANS

Greek Minister of National Defense Akis Tsohatzopoulos has proposed the accession of all Balkan countries to the European Union in order to create a Balkan "gate", during his address at the European Conference on Peace, Democracy and Cooperation in the Balkans which began in Athens today.

Following today's session, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also referred to the developments on the Cyprus problem following the United States elections and said that he awaits an american initiative, adding that he is not aware of what the content of such initiative will be.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos underlined that the Cyprus-Greece Joint Defense Doctrine will remain in place.

When asked if it is necessary for IFOR to remain in Bosnia, the Defense Minister stated that it should in order to secure peace in the region.

The three-day conference is held under the auspice of the Council of Europe and organized by the Federation of Balkan Non-Governmental Organizations (FEBANGO).

Over 150 non-governmental experts are participating, along with politicians, diplomats, academics and businessmen from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia and Greece, all of which are founding members, joined by Croatia, Bosnia, FYROM, Turkey and various european countries.

Among other issues, the conference will examine ways to more productively establish and maintain peace in the Balkans and create bridges between the citizens and their governments.

[04] PREMIER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS, REVIEWS NATIONAL ISSUES

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos today and briefed him on national and foreign policy issues.

Mr. Simitis discussed with the President the latest developments in the state's economic policy, defense matters and foreign affairs.

Tomorrow Mr. Simitis is expected to meet with Greek EU Commissioner on energy, tourism and small-to-medium enterprises Christos Papoutsis and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

According to the Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, the Government Council for Defense (KYSEA) will convene on November 13 in order to finalize the Armed Forces' new outfitting program.

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IN PALERMO TOMORROW FOR EU MEETING

The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis will depart for Palermo, Sicily, tomorrow, in order to attend the meeting of Parliament Presidents of the European Union's mediterranean countries.

Mr. Kaklamanis is expected to develop Greece's firm positions for the establishment of a euro-mediterranean association for the improved structure of a united Europe, in order to transform the Mediterranean region into a zone of mutual trust, creation and welfare.

Specific emphasis will be given to the areas of economy, culture, protection of the EU's exterior borders and the establishment of "cohesive defense" in an effort to upgrade Europe's political credibility.

[06] GREECE TO PRESIDE OVER COMMITTEES ON BALKAN TRANSPORTATION

Greece will be assigned the presidium of the committee that will establish the list of priority projects in the Balkan countries that are awaiting accession to the European Union and will also preside over the observation committee for the railroad projects to be performed lengthwise the pan-european axis Helsinki- Alexandroupolis.

Minister of Transportation and Communication Haris Kastanides announced the aforementioned during the Thessaloniki-held conference "Aristotle" today.

Mr. Kastanides stated that these assignments illustrate Greece's substantive role in the European Union's imminent expansion.

[07] GREEK CULTURE MINISTER MEETS WITH FRENCH COUNTERPART

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos met with his French counterpart Philippe Doust Blazi in Paris today where the two men examined the signing of a new educational agreement between the two countries which would, among others, coordinate the founding of a greek institute in Paris.

The French Minister accepted Mr. Venizelos' proposal to hold an informal meeting of the European Union's 15 member-states to promote the principles of cultural equalities among them, and thereafter embody these principles into the Maastricht revision.

Conversely, Mr. Venizelos accepted the french proposal to strengthen the regional cooperation in the visual-acoustic sectors of the EU's five mediterranean countries which feature hellenic-latin traditions and culture.

Mr. Blazi expressed his gladness at meeting with Mr. Venizelos, whom he addressed as "a good friend who is the Culture Minister of a country with such a splendid heritage." The French Minister also stated that both Greece and France have common plans, such as the establishment of a common cultural map between the two.

Mr. Venizelos stated that his meeting with the French Minister was enjoyful and quite practical, adding that they agreed to hold a meeting in Paris on December 12, attended by other Culture Ministers from countries outside the EU, and search for a european identity on the visual-acoustic sectors. That is, the non-anglo-saxon identity, Mr. Venizelos clarified.

[08] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER OPEN TO ALL POSSIBILITIES FOR HIS ROLE IN THE PARTY

The main opposition party leader, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert has left open all possibilities for his role in the party, during his address at a Council of Presidents of N.D.'s Prefectural Committees today.

Mr. Evert, who appeared firm on his decision not to hold early elections in the party, stated that "I am not fixed on any chair, and it would be easier to say 'leave me alone and go away' but in no way will I violate the Articles. Everyone has to respect the party's rules of operation."

In all, Mr. Evert emphasized that above all, the party's unity prevails and added that the reason New Democracy lost last September's elections was interparty warring.

This evening Mr. Evert will summon another Political Council, to be attended by N.D. honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis and deputy George Souflias.

[09] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSED THE GOVERNMENT'S STRONG DISCONTENT OVER THE REPORT ON THE MINORITIES IN THE BALKANS

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas expressed the government's strong discontent over the report on the minorities in the Balkans drawn up by EU Commission official, former belgian Prime Minister Leo Tindemanns.

Mr.Bikas pointed out that this report refers to a "turkish minority in Greece", in spite of the fact that this minority is muslim and does not mention a word about the persecutions and the problems still faced by the greeks living in Constantinople.

Meanwhile, mr.Bikas also announced that the head of the US State Department office on South-eastern Europe will be in Athens on November 12 within the framework of his tour to the region, while he will also visit Nicosia and Ankara.

During his visit to Athens the US State Department official will meet with greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

[10] GREECE'S BID TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES OF 2004 IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST, ACCORDING TO THE IOC VICE-PRESIDENT

Hungarian vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, Pal Smit characterized Greece's bid to host the Olympic Games of 2004 as one of the strongest.

In statements he made to hungarian sports newspapers he underlined that the Olympic Games have for Greece and the greeks a very special meaning, saying characteristically that the greeks have the Olympic ideal in their blood and they can not do otherwise.

Referring to the IOC's visit to the greek capital, he said that Athens today has nothing in common with the city that 7 years ago was one of the candidates for the hosting of the Golden Olympics.

The IOC vice-President stated that today great infrastructure projects are underway, like the new international airport and the metro, while the city of Athens already has splendid sports facilities.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE VARTHOLOMEOS TOURS AUSTRALIA, PERTH FIRST STOP

The Ecumenical Patriarchate Vartholomeos arrived in Perth today, embarking on a two-week tour of Australia, where the local Orthodox community greeted him reverentially.

On November 9, the Ecumenical Patriarch will visit Adelaide. On November 12 he will be in Camberra to meet with Prime Minister John Howard and General Governor Sir William Dean, while he will also visit the embassies of Greece and Turkey.

On November 13 he will visit Melbourne, while on the 18th he will be in Brisbane. His visit to New Zealand will take place on the 19th and to Sidney on the 22nd of November. In all of the australian states he will visit, the Ecumenical Patriarch will be received with state leader's honours and will have meetings with local Governors and Prime Ministers.

[12] A GREEK-CYPRIOT REPORTED TO POLICE THAT HE WAS SAVAGELY BEATEN BY TURKS

Greek-cypriot Nikos Panagiotou reported to the cypriot police that late last night he was brutally beaten up by turkish soldiers in the region of Strovilia, in the free region of Famagusta in Cyprus.

According to the greek-cypriot, who is a taxi- driver, he had taken a bulgarian worker to a farm in the region near the british base of Agios Nikolaos in Strovilia and on his way back got lost and came very close to a military outpost in the region, which he thought it belonged to the UN peace-keeping forces and asked the guard to help him find the way to Phenaros.

Based on the testimony given by Panagiotou, the guard and other individuals, all turkish soldiers, approached him and started beating him. The accusation is being investigated by the Cypriot Republic.

[13] TURKEY PREPARES "TAVROS" MILITARY DRILL, PROVOCATIONS EXPECTED

Turkey is preparing provocations within the framework of its "Tavros" military exercise, where, based on their flight plan, real ammunition will be used on targets northeast of Nicosia.

In the meantime, flight operations are being conducted in Nicosia's FIR since this morning and are to last until 4:00 p.m. local time.

The Cypriot Civil Aviation Authority has reported Turkey to the International Civil Aviation Services, since the passage of the Turkish aircraft could cause problems in commercial flights.

[14] BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE DIPLOMAT TO VISIT CYPRUS ON NOVEMBER 18

Simon Smith, the new assistant to the director of the British Foreign Office's Department for Southern Europe, plans to conduct an exploratory visit to Cyprus on November 18.

The British diplomat will stay in Cyprus for one week during which he will meet with various political leades, both from the Greek-Cypriot side as well as the Turkish-Cypriot.

Also, along the lines of Britain's heightened interest in the cypriot issue, British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind will be in Cyprus in December, accompanied by Britain's special representative for Cyprus Sir David Hannay.

[15] RUSSIA: BORIS YELTSIN'S CONDITION SATISFACTORY, RECOVERY SMOOTH

Russian President Boris Yeltsin's condition after the five-fold bypass operation he underwent 48 hours ago, is satisfactory, according to the treating physicians.

His heart surgeons have stated that the Russian President is marking an impressive recovery, confirmed by the fact that Mr. Yeltsin reclaimed his presidential duties, which he had assigned to Prime Minister Victor Cernomyrdin, one day after the operation.

[16] THE "LYDRA PALACE" PASSAGE WILL REMAIN CLOSED TODAY

According to UNFICYP's press spokesman Valtemar Rokosewski, the UN peace-keeping forces will ask for clarifications from the turkish-cypriot side on whether the "Lydra Palace" passage will remain closed and also, on the measures the Denktash regime intends to implement in the region.

The turkish-cypriot regime continues to keep the passage closed not allowing those trapped in the turkish occupied territories to move freely.

Meanwhile, the greek-cypriot coordinating committee that organizes the information campaign on the turkish- cypriot atrocities decided yesterday, after a 90minute meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice, to continue its efforts as scheduled. The greek- cypriot information campaign targets foreign tourists who want to visit the turkish occupied territories.

[17] PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ADVISER GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS IS READY TO OFFER HIS SERVICES TO THE BRITISH LABOUR PARTY LEADER IN HIS PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

US President Bill Clinton's adviser George Stephanopoulos is willing to offer his services and advice to British Labour party leader Tony Blair during the pre-election period until the May 1997 elections.

The information on the likelihood of a cooperation between Bill Clinton's greek-american close associate and the british Labour party, that came up only a few hours after Clinton's re-election to the US Presidency, is reported by the british newspaper "The Guardian".

Mr.Stephanopoulos stated that he would be very happy to help the Labour party if it wants to, clarifying that no formal agreement has been reached yet between him and the Labour party leader. He also insinuated that in case of a cooperation he will not be involved in the technical part of mr.Blair's pre-election campaign but he will assume the role of a consultant by offering his experience from the american elections.

[18] DIRECTOR BERNARDO BERTOLUCI TO BE HONORED IN THESSALONIKI

Italian director Bernardo Bertoluci will be in Thessaloniki on November 10, in order to attend the events hosted in his honor by the organization "Thessaloniki: Cultural Capital of Europe '97".

Mr. Bertoluci has been invited by the organizers of the 37th Festival of Cinema, which will feature a presentation of the italian director's works.

[19] STRONG GREEK PRESENCE IN UNITED STATES NEWLY-FORMED CONGRESS

Four Greek-American members of the House of Representatives and two others in the Senate will strengthen the voice of Greece when they will be sworn-in to the newly-formed United States Congress in January.

Paul Sarbanis (Dem), will remain in the Senate, along with Olympia Snow (Rep), while Mike Papas of New Jersey will join the other three Greek-American members of the House.

The Greek-American organization AHEPA saluted the re- election of its community members, and congratulated incumbent president Bill Clinton, expressing the hope that the support the Greek-Americans bestowed upon him will be transferred into increased interest in matters of justice, human rights and regional stability in Greece and Cyprus.

[20] U.S. EMBASSY, CONSULATES IN GREECE CLOSED ON MONDAY FOR VETERANS DAY

The United States Embassy, the Consulates-General in Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as all U.S.-affiliated public offices in Greece, will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

The American Library in Athens will remain open during regular hours.

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