Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-11-25

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 25, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL STAYS TRUE TO PREVIOUS DECISIONS ON TURKEY

Greece's rigidity did not go in vain this time as it averted the European Union's Foreign Ministers Council this evening from reneging on its July 15, 1996 decision which imposes conditions upon Turkey to improve its relations with Greece as well as shape up its human rights record.

Concurrently, during today's session, the Irish-held EU Presidency decided not to converge the EU-Turkey Association Council on December 6.

According to Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who firmly presented Greece's objections to any modification to the previous text, the July 15, 1996 decision will remain in tact as the common position of the "15" for the EU-Turkey Association Council, whenever this may be held.

Nevertheless, Germany, France and England were openly in favor of holding the EU-Turkey Association Council on December 6, although their stance was overruled by the Irish Presidency.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbacan will be invited to attend Dublin's Summit Meeting of December 13-14 where he will join the EU leaders at a working meal during the Summit's second-day session.

According to Mr. Pangalos the EU is then expected to present to Mr. Erbacan the views of the "15" in regards to relations between the two sides.

In all, the Greek Foreign Minister pointed out that Greece is not posed to Turkey's European orientation, but rather believes that Ankara should understand that a domineering behavior cannot be accepted in the current era.

[02] GREEK MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS LEFT FOR BRUSSELS TO ATTEND THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL MEETING

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos left this morning for Brussels to attend the EU Foreign Ministers Council meeting which is regarded as very important for the greek national interests as the Irish EU Presidency will table a proposal for the immediate meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council.

The Irish EU Presidency has drawn up a draft text of conclusions for today's Council of EU Foreign Ministers over which the greek permanent representative has already expressed reservation on behalf of the greek government.

Pressures are exerted by the EU on Greece to accept the Irish EU Presidency plan in order for the EU-Turkey customs union to move ahead and at the same time, to have a direct dialogue between Athens and Ankara covering all issues. The matter is being discussed in a political cooperation dinner which began at noon within the framework of the EU Foreign Ministers Council meeting.

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou are expected to use the veto power in order to block the holding of the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting that is likely to be called by the Irish EU Presidency.

[03] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT FOLLOWS DEVELOPMENTS AND SUPPORTS THE JUNE 15 EU COMMISSION DECISION, STATED MR.REPPAS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commenting on the EU Foreign Ministers Council meeting stated that the government follows the developments and backs the EU Commission decision reached on June 15 which sets conditions to Turkey for the improvement of the greek-turkish relations and its human rights record.

Commenting of the likelihood of a visit by US President Clinton to Athens and Ankara, mr.Reppas stated that the greek government has no knowledge on whether there is a development on that, adding that the issue is open, while he reminded that mr.Clinton had accepted greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos' invitation during their Washington meeting last May.

[04] THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY AND FINANCE STATED THAT GREECE IN 1998 WILL BE READY FOR CONVERGENCE BASED ON THE MAASTRICHT CRITERIA

In an interview to an Athens newspaper Greek Minister of National Economy and Finance, Yiannos Papantoniou stated that Greece in 1998 will be ready for convergence based on the Maastricht criteria namely, its inflation will be close to 3% and public deficit will be at 3% of the GDP.

Also, mr.Papantoniou in his speech to the Hellenic-American Chamber reiterated that the main target of the economic policy for 1997 will be cutting public deficit and inflation. He also reiterated that the government will cut a large part of tax- reliefs and announced that the Banks of Crete and Attica will be privatized after next year.

Mr.Papantoniou also stressed that the implementation of the government's economic measures is necessary in order for the country to meet the Maastricht treaty criteria, adding that the reduction of inflation is not only the responsibility of governments but the responsibility of the whole of society as well.

[05] ALL AVAILABLE STATE AND EU RESOURCES MUST BE UTILIZED BY THE YEAR 2000, STATED THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, speaking during the inauguration of a new bridge in Corinth, south Greece, stated that all available state and EU resources must be utilized by the year 2000, adding that this is a commitment undertaken by the government.

Mr.Simitis stated that creative action and different projects are underway all over Greece. He said that with the materialization of those projects and by utilizing state and EU resources, more complete and up-to-date infrastructures are being created, while the national economy is being modernized, the competitiveness of the greek companies is being strengthened and thousands of new jobs are being created.

The greek Prime Minister stated that with those programmes and projects the regional and social inequalities are being drastically cut, while Greece's key geo-political position is being consolidated.

[06] ACADEMICIANS, HISTORIANS, POLITICIANS AND NEWS AGENCIES' DIRECTORS FROM THE BALKANS WILL ATTEND THE SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZED BY MPA

Distinguished historians from all the Balkan states among them Romania's Academy of Sciences vice-President Nikolai Tanasoka, FRY's Academy of Sciences member mr.Ekemepic and University professors from Sofia, Ankara, Tirana, Skopje and Belgrade, specializing in Balkan issues, will attend the two-day symposium that will be held in Thessaloniki on December 5 and 6 organized by Macedonian Press Agency on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the deaths of two great greek politicians, Elefthefios Venizelos and Alexandros Papanastasiou, who played an important role in the efforts for Balkan understanding.

In the Symposium under the title "E.Venizelos and A.Papanastasiou 60 years after: The idea of Inter-Balkan Cooperation" will also participate Balkan national news agencies' General Directors, as well as Directors of certain major mass media in South-Eastern Europe.

Among the speakers will also be Minister of Press and Mass Media and greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Transport and Communications Minister Charis Kastanidis, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Christos Rozakis, European Parliament vice-President Giorgos Anastasopoulos and President of the Euro-Parliament's Joint Inter-Parliamentary Committee on the relations with Bulgaria and Romania, Euro-deputy Nikos Papakyriazis.

[07] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH WILL COMPLETE HIS TOUR OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND NEXT WEDNESDAY

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will leave next Wednesday from Sidney to return to Istanbul after completing his tour of Australia and New Zealand. Yesterday, the Ecumenical Patriarch officiated at a liturgy that was attended by 8.000 faithful.

On Saturday, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the "Estia" institution established by the Archbishopric of Sidney, which is home to young greek-australians with special needs. During the visit was also present the New South Walles Prime Minister who announced that starting this year his government will donate annually 300.000 australian dollars for the better care of those children.

[08] BUDGET TO BE TABLED ON FRIDAY: AIMS TO REDUCE DEFICIT, CONTAIN INFLATION

The PASOK Ministerial Council will convene tomorrow in order to draw its conclusive decisions on tax exemptions, focusing on the objective criteria for self-employed professionals, while the 1997 budget will be tabled in Parliament on Friday.

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stated today that the main target of the state's economic policy for the upcoming year will be the reduction of deficit and the containment of inflation.

[09] LABOR AND PUBLIC SERVANTS UNIONS PROTEST STATE'S ECONOMIC POLICY

The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) will hold a country-wide strike on Thursday, protesting the Government's economic measures and the 1997 budget.

The union members are protesting what they deem to be unfair taxation, given that 55.2% of state revenue will burden the incomes of public servants, workers, and pensioners.

The President of GSEE Christos Polyzogopoulos has stated that the situation can no longer continue as it is, and has demanded that the Government index the income tax brackets to inflation, raise tax exemptions to GRD 2 million and tax state securities to finance social policies.

Government officials are not surprised by the announced strike. PASOK Executive Bureau member Paraskevas Avgerinos stated that the workers' reactions were to be expected.

[10] GREEK-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLDS ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Addressing the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual conference titled "the Time of the Greek Economy", the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou stated today that the Government's aim is to reduce inflation to 4.5% by December of 1997.

Mr. Papantoniou added that accomplishing such feat is a responsibility that lies not only with the state, but with the society at large.

Also, the Minister added that investment and development are two national priorities and expressed his optimism that Greece will be ready by the year 2000 to enter the Economic and Monetary Union on equal terms.

The President of the minor opposition party Democratic and Social Movement (DIKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas also addressed the conference and stated that the Maastricht Treaty's terms should be reviewed on a Europe-wide level, while not ruling out the need to enforce a stabilizing policy.

Nevertheless, Mr. Tsovolas noted that the said policy cannot be achieved through squeezing incomes and enforcing new taxes, but rather through improving production.

[11] GREEK TEEN BESTOWED WITH MISS WORLD 1996 TITLE IN INDIA

In a glittering ceremony, safely shielded from the clashes outdoors, Miss Greece Irene Skliva, an 18-year-old model and journalism student from Athens, was bestowed with the Miss World 1996 title yesterday in Bangalore, India.

Upon hearing her victory, the teary-eyed Miss Skliva raised her hands to her face in surprise and blew kisses to the audience.

Apart from her natural beauty and charm, Miss Skliva was chosen among 85 contestants for her clever responses to the question-answer part of the competition.

When asked on the roles that today's women are called on to play, Miss Skliva answered that "she can be wife. She can be mother. She can be career woman. And I'm sure you'll agree with me that she can make it very well in all three."

This year's Miss World competition was held amidst a protesting host-country, as many Indians decried the pageant as being demeaning to women.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL MEETS IN BRUSSELS TODAY

The European Union's Foreign Ministers Council will convene in Brussels today and will examine the Irish EU Presidium's proposal for converging the EU-Turkey Association Council.

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who departed this morning for Brussels, has unequivocally stated that Greece will use its veto power during the Council in order to block the adoption of the EU Presidium's proposal.

The Irish-held EU Presidency has arrived at a draft text containing the conclusions of today's Council session, for which Greece's permanent representative has already relayed the Greek Government's misgivings.

This draft text attempts to maintain the essense of the text issued on July 15, 1996 wherein there was a clear message on the need to resolve the greek-turkish differences -including the Imia islets issue- either through direct dialogue, or through either party's resort to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Yet, according to reports, there is a possibility the Irish proposal will not contain any mention of the Imia. This is construed as an effort on behalf of the EU Presidency to arrive at an acceptance from Greece, albeit a difficult feat to accomplish since the text of July 1996, which was satisfactory for Greece, is contained in the new text in a convoluted manner.

As such, the overriding conclusion is that the text has been drafted in such a way as to satisfy Ankara. Therefore, it is not ruled out that the mild approach adopted by Greek Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou in the recent ministerial councils will be abandoned in favor of Mr. Pangalos' more rigid stance which will aim at making the text more cogent and clear, thus returning to last July's common statement issued by the "15".

It should be noted that the EU members must reach a consensus in regards to their common stance towards Turkey during the EU- Turkey Association Council, which is scheduled for December 6.

Sweden supports that the Council must take place in order to be given the opportunity, along with other countries, to express its chagrin to Ankara over Turkey's lack of progress on the democratic process, the continuous violations of human rights and the oppression of the Kurdish minority.

[13] EUROPARLIAMENT DELEGATION TO FYROM, GREEK DEPUTY INCLUDED

A delegation from the European Parliament's Committee for Relations with Southeastern European countries, departed from Thessaloniki today for FYROM where they will meet with President Kiro Gligorov on Tuesday evening,

Participating in the delegation, which oversees the Europarliament's relations with Yugoslavia, Croatia, Albania and FYROM, will be the greek main opposition party's eurodeputy Panayiotis Sarlis (New Democracy).

During its two-day stay in FYROM, the delegation will hold a joint conference with FYROM's corresponding parliamentary committee and the delegates are expected to also meet with FYROM's Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frtckovski and leaders of various political parties.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Sarlis stated that the meeting will address all the current issues concerning the European Union and FYROM. The N.D. deputy did not rule out the possibility of the name issue pending between Greece and FYROM rising during the talks.

[14] CYPRUS WILL CONTINUE ITS STRUGGLE AIMED AT ESTABLISHING THE FATE OF THOSE STILL MISSING SINCE THE TURKISH INVASION

Cypriot Minister of the Interior Dinos Michailidis stated that the cypriot government will not stop fighting with all means until the fate of all those missing since the turkish invasion of Cyprus is established, adding that in this struggle Cyprus has the support of Greece.

The statements were made in the city of Serres in northern Greece during the tree-planting event in the Forest of the Missing that was organized by the Federation of Cypriot Organizations in Greece.

The cypriot Minister of the Interior also thanked the local authorities in Serres because as he characteristically stated with their touching response they contribute to the promotion of the humanitarian issue of those still missing since the turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.

[15] GREEK FREIGHT FORWARDERS AIM TO LINK FAR EAST MARKETS WITH THE BALKANS

Linking the Far Eastern markets with the Balkans via Thessaloniki -as soon as next year- is the target of the Association of International Freight Forwarders of Greece, as emerged for its First Conference held last week in Thessaloniki.

The Association's President Belisario Capocci, stated that the aim is to bring the Greek and Balkan freight forwarders closer to one another in order to develop strategic alliances and enter into the Far Eastern markets next year.

At next year's conference, to be held November 1997 in Thessaloniki, freight forwarders from Far Eastern countries will be invited to attend.

[16] RICHARD HOLBROOKE PROPOSES DAYTON-TYPE SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS

United States former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke once again stated that he is in favor of a Dayton-type agreement for the solution of the Cyprus problem, during an interview he granted to the U.S. daily The Washington Times.

In the interview, Mr. Holbrooke states that he has repeatedlly promoted this idea to the leaders of Greece and Turkey, but, he adds, "they are not ready for a Dayton."

He added that although guns have fallen silent on the island, the situation in Cyprus is still tense and a crisis could erupt at any given moment. Mr. Holbrooke is one of the architects of the Dayton peace accords in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Meanwhile, Cypriot Government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides stated that there have been no overtures towards reaching any type of solution to the Cypriot issue, neither towards Nicosia, nor towards Athens.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/