Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-11-14

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 14, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE WILL NOT CHANGE ITS POSITIONS ON NATIONAL ISSUES, STATED THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

Mr.Reppas stated that mr.Cavanaugh briefed mr.Rozakis on the US initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem expected to be undertaken after the Christmas holidays. According to the greek government spokesman, mr.Cavanaugh also stated that the United States' interest in the normalization of the greek-turkish relations is honest and was not expressed for pre-election purposes.

[02] PRESS MINISTER COMMENTS ON TURKISH PREMIER'S STATEMENTS OVER CYPRUS

"These statements confirm that Turkey has no intention to solve the problem," the Press Minister stated, adding that "in order for any development to occur in the Cyprus problem, the neighboring country must undertake efforts to de-escalate the tension."

On other matters, Mr. Reppas reiterated that Athens will not make any concessions on the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus. On Greece's relations with Turkey, Mr. Reppas stated that "we expect Turkey to display good intentions and either stop challenging Greece's sovereignty of the Imia islets, or seek recourse from the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

"If Turkey does not display good intentions, Greece will not recognize the right of any third party to proceed to an initiative on matters regarding Greek-Turkish relations," the Press Minister added.

[03] M.P.A. FEATURES SPECIAL EDITION ON INTERNET FOR STUDENT UPRISING OF '73

The Macedonian Press Agency's server on the Internet currently features a special edition on the 23rd anniversary of the Polytechnic University's student uprising of November 17, 1973, found at (http://www.mpa.gr/gr/other/17_11.html).

The edition, rich with photographs, audio and video materials, presents the course of the seven-year military junta that ruled Greece between 1967-1974 and features a step-by-step account of the events that led to the overtaking of Athens' Polytechnic University by the students and how this heroic act brought on the overthrow of the dictatorship.

[04] EARTHQUAKE ROCKS CITY OF KONITSA IN NORTHWESTERN GREECE

An earthquake measuring five points on the Richter scale shook this morning the city of Konitsa, 215 kilometers west of Thessaloniki in northwestern Greece, causing further damages to already fragile structures, but no injuries.

According to the Aristotle University Geophysics Laboratory's seismologist Vasilis Papazachos and seismologist Emmanuel Skordiles, today's earthquake is part of the seismic activity that shook the city on August 6 with a tremor measuring 5.6-Richter. The experts ruled out the possibility of more seismic activity to follow.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[05] GREEK EU COMMISSIONER: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IS NOT TRADE'S PANACEA

Addressing the annual conference titled "Availability and Dissemination of Information", the European Union's Greek Commissioner on energy, tourism and small-to middle-sized enterprises Christos Papoutsis, referred to the significant challenges the trade sector is subjected to, namely the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), information systems and, mainly, electronic trade.

Mr. Papoutsis emphasized that information technologies must not be viewed as a panacea for trade, since, in spite of the immediate results, the need to restructure the trading methods of modern businesses remains and is necessitated by the emergence of electronic markets.

The Greek Commissioner also announced the imminent adoption by the European Commission of a Green Bible which will present these issues to the avail of further rapport.

[06] GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH PORTUGUESE COUNTERPART

Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou received his Portuguese counterpart Francisco Seiha Da Costa in Athens today where the two men exchanged views on a number of issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference (ICG).

Following the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stated that the common target it to secure a Europe without directorates, without various speeds, but, rather, a Europe that will possess a common path.

In turn, Mr. da Costa stated that while no one can be exuberant over the radical changes noted within the European Union, it is an unavoidable turn since it will improve the E.U.'s effectiveness, and especially on the matter of the Community's expansion.

"I hope we will be able to reach a finite solution that will be accepted by the '15'," Mr. da Costa added on the matter of the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty.

[07] TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION MINISTER ON VISIT TO CYPRUS

The Minister of Transportation and Communication Haris Kastanides is currently on a visit to Cyprus, following an invitation issued by the Cypriot party United Democratic Union of the Center (EDEK).

Mr. Kastanides will give a speech during the activities that will denounce the illegal regime of Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the island's northern territory.

During his stay in Cyprus, Mr. Kastanides will meet with Archbishop Chrysostomos and the President of the Cypriot Parliament Spyros Kyprianou, as well as the President of EDEK Vasos Lyssarides.

[08] GREEK-AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS TO BE HELD IN DECEMBER

The United States Embassy's commercial service and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Greek- American business awards on December 13 at the Grand Bretagne Hotel in Athens.

Greek-American firms will be given awards for business of the year, social awareness, new product-service and emerging company, according to a U.S. commercial service statement.

[09] U.S. OFFICIAL MEETS WITH CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER

Carey Cavanaugh, Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs at the State Department, presented specific ideas on the measures that should be drawn in order to achieve a cohesive settlement on the Cyprus problem during a meeting with the Cypriot Foreign Affairs Minister Alekos Michailides, held in Nicosia today.

Mr. Cavanaugh characterised his contact with Mr. Michaelides as "significant" and stated that the Cyprus problem "is not an easy one to face", albeit adding that the international community and the United States are committed to finding a solution.

[10] GREEK EURO-DEPUTY MR.ANASTASOPOULOS WITHDREW HIS CANDIDATURE FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Greek Euro-deputy from the party of New Democracy Giorgos Anastasopoulos withdrew his candidature for the European Parliament Presidency after the decision made by the parliamentary group to propose for the position Jose Hil Robles Delgkanto from Spain.

Mr.Anastasopoulos stated that after the behind-the-scenes agreement reached between the german and spanish parliamentary groups, the two most powerful in the Euro-parliament, the conditions for the nomination of a European Popular party candidate became unfair.

He also stated that he will continue to fight for true democracy, equality and meritocracy, expressing the certainty that to those issues of principle he has raised he will finally have the support of the overwhelming majority of his colleagues.

It should be noted, that ms.Nicole Delgando from France also withdrew her candidature after the decision that was made by the parliamentary group.

[11] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH EXPRESSED ENTHUSIASM ABOUT THE LIVELINESS OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos expressed his enthusiasm about the liveliness of the greek community in Australia in a speech he delivered in the bilingual Greek-Orthodox St.John College in Melbourne, within the framework of his visit to the australian state of Victoria.

In Melbourne Airport the Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed by over 2.000 faithful, among them 600 young students.

In the formal dinner given in his honour by the governor of Melbourne, the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed the city's close relations with Greece and especially with its sister-city Thessaloniki, underlining that all the sister-cities of Thessaloniki must feel proud in view of the leading role it will play as the Cultural Capital of Europe in 1997.

[12] CONFERENCE ON BYZANTIUM'S EFFECT ON RUSSIA WILL BE HELD IN LONDON TOMORROW

A one-day conference under the title "From Constantinople to Moscow: Byzantium's effect on Russia" will be held in the London branch of the Foundation for Hellenic Culture tomorrow.

The event aims at displaying the effect Byzantium and Orthodoxy had on eastern Europe, the Balkans and especially Russia. An exhibition of unpublished photographs from private collections, having as a theme the Christian Orthodox russians in western Europe, will also be held. The exhibition will be open in London for one month and afterwards it will be held in Paris and Moscow.

The one-day conference is organized by the Foundation for Hellenic Culture in cooperation with Oxford University under the auspices of the greek consulate in London.

[13] U.S. OFFICIAL MEETS WITH CYPRIOT PRESIDENT, TALKS WERE "CONSTRUCTIVE"

The talks held between Carey Cavanaugh, Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs at the State Department, and the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides yesterday, have been characterized as "constructive."

According to reports, the two men discussed the ways to strengthen the efforts in reaching a cohesive settlement of the cypriot issue, for which attempts can take place in the near future, and looked into ways to lessen the tension in the region.

Mr. Cavanaugh stated that there are "concerns stemming from the developments noted in the recent months and, more specifically, for what can emerge in the following days."

The U.S. diplomat expressed his satisfaction for the measures taken by all sides to contain any potential tension.

[14] PAN-MACEDONIAN UNION OF EUROPE TO HOLD FOURTH SESSION IN BRUSSELS

The Pan-Macedonian Union of Europe will hold its fourth conference in Brussels this weekend and will address the propaganda on the name issue disseminated by FYROM, as well as aim at improving organization and communication among Europe's Macedonian Associations.

Over 20 representatives of Macedonian associations from Germany, Austria, Great Britain, Sweden and Belgium, where the Union headquarters are located, will be present at the conference.

The delegates will also address the participation of the European associations and organizations during the Seventh International Conference of Pan-Macedonian Unions, which is to be held in Thessaloniki in July of 1997. This Conference will focus on the issue of maintaining and teaching the Greek language to the newer generations of Greeks living in Europe.

[15] U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MEETS WITH CLERIDES, PROMISES TO GIVE SUPPORT

United States Representative Ron Kling (Dem.) has give his assurances to the Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides that he will pressure his colleagues in the U.S. Congress to promote the cypriot issue.

During a meeting held yesterday, Mr. Kling stated that the U.S. have promised to reach a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem and stated that "we honestly think there will be a solution."

When asked if U.S. President Bill Clinton will keep his promises on the matter, the American official pointed out that the President has not secured a majority rule in Congress, although he added that there are many members both from the republican and the democratic factions who support the greek side of the cypriot issue.

During his meeting with the Cypriot President, Mr. Kling was accompanied by the President of the World Coordinating Committee for the Cypriot Struggle Phillip Christopher and the President of the Cypriot Federation of America Panikos Papanikolaou.

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