Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-01-08

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, January 8, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] CABINET TO CONFER TOMORROW OVER NATIONAL ISSUES

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will chair a Cabinet conference tomorrow which will determine the government's policy over national issues.

Participating at the conference will be Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos who will be accompanied by alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the deputy Foreign Minister Christos Rozakis, who recently submitted his resignation. Also present will be PASOK eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis who is thought to be the sole contender for Mr. Rozakis' post which will vacated on January 15.

Meanwhile, Washington has announced that by the end of this week the Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs at the U.S. State Department Carey Cavanaugh will visit The Hague, Nicosia, Athens and Ankara.

Last night, U.S. Ambassador to Nicosia, Kenneth Brill, attempted to justify the protests issued by his government over Cyprus' purchase of a Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile system. He said that his country's concerns stem from its friendly sentiments towards Cyprus.

Cypriot Government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides criticised the reactions heard from western allies and stated that they have for 22 years now been silent over the turkish invasion and occupation of the island.

In Athens, both the government and the opposition have expressed their full support of the Cypriot government's purchase.

However, Ankara has opted to heighten tensions in the Aegean. Yesterday, five turkish fighter jets violated Greece's air space during a turkish aeronautical exercise that is to be completed on Friday. A.F.

[02] GREEK SEAMEN TO STRIKE AGAIN ON MONDAY

Greece's seamen will embark on 48-hour repeated strikes beginning Monday, a decision drawn after today's fruitless meeting held between the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) and the deputy Minister of Finance George Drys and the Minister of Merchant Marine Stavros Soumakis.

PNO rejected once again the Government's offer to tax the seamen's income up to 10 percent for the following two-year period.

According to previous regulations, no income tax was imposed on lower-ranking marine staff, while the rest were taxed with approximately 5 percent of their total income. The new regulations would impose a 7.5% income tax on the lower-ranking staff, while the remaining ranks would be taxed with 10 percent. A.F.

[03] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met with US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles, as it was announced by Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

Mr.Reppas clarified that mr.Niles expressed his government's positions on the purchase of the Russian S-300 missiles by Cyprus, while mr.Pangalos presented the firm Greek positions on the issue reiterating that it is Cyprus' sovereign right to decide on its own defence.

Responding to the question if the United States have issued a demarche on the purchase of the missile systems, mr.Reppas stated that it could not be characterized as a demarche as there was a presentation of the US objections which got a response by the Greek side.

Mr.Reppas announced that US State Department Director of the Office for South Eastern European Affairs, mr.Cavanaugh will arrive in Athens on Saturday or Sunday and he will have contacts with Foreign Ministry officials. He said that the visit will be made on the initiative of the american side and is not known what issues mr.Cavanaugh would like to discuss.

[04] ARMS RACE IN CYPRUS COULD HALT IF ALL AGREED TO DEMILITARIZATION

Greece's Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas stated today that the cooperation between Athens-Nicosia is on excellent terms.

Referring to Cyprus' recent purchase from Russia of an S-300 surface-to-air missile system, Mr. Reppas stated that the weapon is for defense use only and serves as an answer to the island's occupation by Turkish troops.

The government spokesperson added that the military outfittting effort could be called off "if the international community and Turkey agree to begin a program of full demilitarization of the island." A.F.

[05] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT RECEIVES ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

The President of the Helllenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis received today Armenia's Foreign Minister Alexander Arzoumanian who is on a three-day official visit to Greece.

Mr. Arzoumanian expressed his unyielding support for Cyprus' military fortification and emphasized the historical ties, the common faith and the struggles that bind the Armenian and Greek peoples.

In turn, Mr. Kaklamanis tabled Greece's support to Armenia's efforts for full accession to the Council of Europe. A.F.

[06] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP AGREES ON PARTY CONGRESS FRAMEWORK

Main opposition party New Democracy will convene its Executive Committee today in order to draw the final decisions on the terms for the holding of the upcoming party congress.

Yesterday, N.D. President Miltiades Evert met with the party's vice-president Ioannis Varvitsiotis and the main contender for the leadership, George Souflias. The three reached an agreement in principle on the terms of the party's congress.

Mr. Evert agreed that George Rallis, ex-premier, will serve as the president of the congress' organizing committee and that the congress' regional members will be elected from the local committees.

The congress will be held one month later than originally announced, specifically between March 27-29, in order to allow time for two pre-congress conferences, which will tackle issues related to the party's charter and program. A.F.

[07] N.D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RATIFIED AGREEMENT ON ITS CONGRESS

The Executive Committee of the main opposition party of New Democracy that met at noon today, chaired by party leader Miltiades Evert, ratified the terms for the holding of the party congress based on yesterday's three-men agreement reached by mr.Evert, mr.Souflias and mr.Varvitsiotis.

New Democracy's leading member Athanasios Tsaldaris called his colleagues to assume their responsibility toward the people and expressed the belief that procedures within the party are developing in a positive way.

Party vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis will visit former Prime Minister Georgios Rallis tomorrow to deliver the party leadership's request to become chairman of the Congress Organizing Committee. Also, New Democracy's Parliamentary Group and Central Committee will hold a joint meeting tomorrow.

[08]"THESSALONIKI OF THE ARTISTS" 38 DISTINGUISHED CREATORS HONOR THE CITY

Thirty-eight Greek artists will present the city they love, Thessaloniki, through their eyes -or more like their paint brushes- in an exhibit to be held between January 10-February 12 at one the city's most famous bookstores "Ianos".

The artists will display their works as a sign of honor for Thessaloniki which is Europe's Cultural Capital for 1997. A.F.

[09] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO DEPART FOR CYPRUS TOMORROW

A delegation of Greek deputies will depart for Cyprus tomorrow, in order to participate at the session of the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Greek and Cypriot Parliaments.

During the meeting, the two delegations will examine opportunities for coordinating their actions and ways to optimize their countries' representation at international organizations, especially for the Cyprus issue.

The Greek delegation is scheduled to meet with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides, the President of the Cypriot Parliament Spyros Kyprianou and the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrystostomos. A.F.

[10] NATIONAL BANK REDUCES ITS BASIC INTEREST RATES

The national Bank of Greece has announced reductions in its basic interest rates, a move to be effected immediately.

Interest on savings accounts and current accounts are reduced by one-half percentage point, to 10.25 percent and 8.75 percent respectively.

In the area of consumer credit, loans are reduced by one percentage point to 22.75 percent, personal loans by .75 percentage points to 24 percent and interest on credit cards by .25 percentage point to 26 percent. Car loans (direct purchase) are reduced by one percentage point to 20 percent and interest on purchases through a retailer are reduced by .5 percentage point to 19.5 percent. A.F.

[11] INFLATION IN GREECE CLOSED AT 7,5% FOR 1996

According to data provided by the National Statistics Agency, inflation in Greece closed at 7,5% in December 1996, from 7,7% in the month of November.

The inflation drop observed is attributed to fuel and fruit price cuts.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] UNITED STATES SALUTE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT'S DEMILITARIZATION PROPOSAL

The U.S. State Department has saluted the proposal made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides to demilitarize the island and transfer funds earmarked for arms to economic development and peace protection projects.

State Department spokesperson Glenn Davis stated that "the United States express their concern over the purchase of Russian missiles and believe that Cyprus is heavily militarized. Steps need to be taken for a drastic reduction in arms."

However, Mr. Davis added that this demilitarization cannot occur automatically. "Given the history and the level of mistrust on the island, it is not possible to go from thousands of foreign troops and high levels of arms, to a zero number of military and arms in one night." A.F.

[13] ARCHBISHOP OF CYPRUS CHRYSOSTOMOS COMMENTS ON MISSILE PURCHASE

Commenting on the international reactions to Cyprus' purchase from Russia of an S-300 surface-to-air missile system, the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos stated that those who react should protest to Turkey.

The Archbishop stated that the Cypriot Government's aim, as well as the Church's, is the restoration of human rights for both of the island's communities, while he characterized the protection of the Cypriot people as "an obligation and duty."

"The big powers should first address Turkey to withdraw its military forces and restore human rights, so that we won't need arms," Archbishop Chrysostomos stated. A.F.

[14] THE TURKISH MINISTER OF DEFENCE THREATENS CYPRUS WITH NEW ATTACK

"In 1974 we did what we had to do. We will do the same. We will attack if it is necessary". This statement was made by Turkish Defence Minister Turhan Tayan in a live talk show this morning on Turkish state television TRT-1 when he was asked to comment on the purchase of the Russian S-300 missiles by Cyprus.

He said that the Turkish state has a great sense of responsibility toward the Turkish-Cypriots who live in Northern Cyprus and added that if it is deemed as necessary the Turkish forces will attack as they did in 1974. He went on by saying that Turkey supports peace, equality and justice in Cyprus adding that the Turks are not aggressive and do not seek to win territories. The Turkish Minister of Defence said that the Turkish side is the one that is being under attack and suffers injustices while the life of its people and their property are being hit. He said that Turkey wants calm in the region but this should not be regarded as a weakness pointing out that if Greece and Cyprus make the mistake to believe that then they will be led to a disaster.

The Turkish Minister of Defence stated that Greece and Cyprus will not be harmed if they behave peacefully adding that "if they step on our foot then we will step on both their feet". He said that Turkey is not part of a joint defence doctrine as it happens with Greece and Cyprus, adding that within this framework they have built Air and Naval bases and they have made preparations. He said that Turkey has not made such provocative actions that spoil the climate of peace and there was no unification made, adding that he now can state it clearly that Turkey's potential and ability are northern Cyprus' potential and ability as well.

At the same time, he accused Russia of irresponsible behaviour saying that this country sells arms in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions of which it is a permanent member. The Turkish Defence Minister expressed the same concern over France saying that it is also getting ready to sell arms to the Greek-Cypriots. Mr.Tayan also said that due to the armaments Cyprus is being turned into a powder-keg and demanded from Britain to show a more determined stance as a guarantor power.

[15] THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATE IN AIR AND SEA MILITARY EXERCISE

Turkey's armed forces participate in an air and sea military exercise and part of it will take place tomorrow in the regions between the Aegean islands of Lymnos and Mytilini and between Chios and Skyros.

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis stated that Greece's support to Cyprus' right to defend itself from the Turkish threat is given, stressing that Cyprus needs to have its defence strengthened to face the continuing and intensified Turkish threat.

Meanwhile, press spokesman of the main opposition party of New Democracy Prokopis Pavlopoulos made an appeal to the Greek Prime Minister to ask for the assistance of all political parties on the issues concerning the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem. Mr.Pavlopoulos predicted an oncoming crisis with Ankara and underlined the need for the hammering out of a united front that will strengthen Greece's position abroad.

[16] CYPRUS IS SEEKING TO INCREASE THE US AND BRITISH PRESSURES ON TURKEY

The so-called Prime Minister of the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, Dervis Eroglu in statements he made to Turkish private television station HBB expressed the view that the Cypriot Republic is going through with its armaments programme seeking to increase the US and British pressures on Turkey.

Mr.Eroglu maintained that this is the tactic of the Cypriot Republic and said that he does not want to believe that there will be a war, adding that the price of such madness will be paid by the Greek-Cypriots.

The Turkish-Cypriot leader expressed satisfaction for the support offered by Turkey to the occupied part of Cyprus and also for the statements made by Turkish leaders according to which, Turkey will annex the northern part of the island in case it is attacked.

[17] TURKEY BRINGS UP AGAIN ISSUE OF "SUPER COBRA" ATTACK HELICOPTERS

The sale of ten "super Cobra" attack helicopters to Ankara, which was halted in the United States almost one year ago, has re- surfaced in the turkish press.

The daily "Zaman" published an article today titled "The US will sell, whether they want to or not". The story mentions that the United States Administration, which halted the sale when strong lobbying organizations expressed their opposition, invited the Turkish General Staff's Chief Lieutenant to Washington in February of this year.

Despite the relevant agreement that had been reached in the beginning of 1996, the U.S. State Department dragged its feet on the deal, and Turkey responded by calling off the agreement last October.

These helicopters, along with the imminent sale of ten Seahawk-type additional ones, have been used by Turkey in the past against the kurdish minority living in the country's southeastern region. A.F.

[18] TURKEY HAS NOT PAID UP ITS DEBTS TO US LOBBYING COMPANIES

Turkish newspaper "Cumhuriyet" writes that Turkey has been rediculed in the United States because for a year now it has not paid up its debts to public relations companies estimated at 2 billion dollars.

In its report the newspaper mentions that due to its debts Turkey is characterized in Washington as being "a bad costumer who has made his propaganda and refuses to pay the price".

According to a statement by Turkish Embassy officials in the US capital, it is true that since early 1996 no payments have been made.

[19] MORE THAN FIFTY PERSONS WERE MURDERED IN TURKEY LAST MONTH

More than fifty persons were murdered in Turkey's southeastern regions last month, according to a report made by a deputy of the "Motherland Party".

A number of organizations blame the Turkish security forces for these mysterious murders whose victims are mainly Kurdish citizens living in those regions. A.F.

[20] TURKEY TO BE SUPPLIED WITH 1.2 BILLION KW/H ELECRICITY FROM BULGARIA

Turkey is set to cover its electric energy supply shortages with imports from Bulgaria, Georgia and Iran, which will amass 2.3 billion kilowatt hours (Kw/h) during 1997.

According to Turkish daily "Sabah", Turkey is set to import 1.2 billion Kw/h of electric energy from Bulgaria. A.F.

[21] BULGARIA: INTERIOR MINISTER DOBREV FOR PREMIER

Bulgaria's Minister of the Interior, Nikolai Dobrev is the assigned Prime Minister, followIng today's decision drawn at the Socialist Party's Highest Council.

Dobrev, 48, was born in Gotse Delchev, in southwestern Bulgaria. He is a graduate of Sofia's Institute of Mining and Geology and worked as an engineer at a laboratory for nuclear geophysics and geochemistry.

He is married with two children. He also has aided in his country's prosecutor's office.

"I believe that crime control is such a demanding task that ideological and other differences should not stand in the way of pooling the efforts of these important institutions and the Interior Ministry," he has said. A.F.

[22] F.R.Y.: CRISIS SPILLS OVER INTO RULING PARTY CIRCLES

Thousands of policemen banded around the rallying protesters who came out in the streets of Belgrade today to protest Serb President Slobodan Milosevic's tactics.

According to Yugoslav press reports, the crisis that has been fermenting since November 17 when Milosevic annulled the local elections results in the municipalities where the opposition party had prevailed, has now spilled over into governmental circles as well.

Belgrade's mayor Meboisa Tsovic, who is also a high-ranking member of the ruling Socialist Party, today openly sided with the rallying college students. Moreover, there are persisting press reports which claim that Tsovic resigned fom his post a few days ago, due to his disagreements with the governing party's tactics. According to these same reports, Milosevic personally intervened and asked Tsovic to review his decision to resign. A.F.

[23] MONTENEGRO: ALBANIANS TO PROTEST STATE DISCRIMINATION

Albanian-speaking intellectuals will hold a protest rally in the city of Plava in Montenegro on Friday, accusing the state authorities of discriminating against them.

Montenegro's Helsinki Watch Committee called for the personal intervention of the country's President Momir Bulatovic in order to put an end to the discrimination against the albanian-speaking population. A.F.

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