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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-03-03Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.Last Update: 19:46 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANS[C] WORLDNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] GREECE UNDERTOOK AN INITIATIVE WITHIN THE EU FOR THE EASING OF THE CRISIS IN ALBANIAWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Athens 3 March (MPA)Athens undertakes an initiative within the EU for an intervention in cooperation with the political leadership in Tirana aimed at the easing of the crisis, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who also stressed that the government's interest for the neighbouring country is increased due to the Greek minority there.He said that for the present time there are no reasons for special measures to be taken for the protection of the Greek minority, but Greece is in a state of readiness at the Greek-Albanian borders. Mr.Reppas stated that the government is concerned over the fact that the Albanian citizens are heavily armed. He clarified that the invitation to President Berisha to visit Greece still stands but, concerning its materialization, today's facts must be considered. Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou underlined the cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Public Order saying that the situation in Albania had worried Greece for some time now. He stated that already last week Greece and Italy promoted a proposal for action to the EU, while yesterday this proposal was introduced again calling for the meeting of the EU's working group on south-eastern Europe for the adoption of specific measures. He also added that the government suggested the holding in Athens of a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Balkan states, the EU, the United States and Russia aimed at sending out the message that Europe follows the developments closely. [02] STATEMENTS AND SPECULATIONS ON THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA BY GREEK UNIVERSITY PROFESSORSWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki 3 March (MPA)Any development in Albania will have a destabilizing effect on the wider region, stated to MPA assistant International Law professor in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, mr.Kostas Hatzikonstantinou. He also speculated that in case the situation is totally out of control the borders will be impossible to be effectively guarded and a new wave of refugees from Albania will be inevitable.History professor in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and General Director of the Institute for Balkan Studies, mr.Vasilis Kontis stated to MPA that if the uncontrolable situation existing in south Albania, from the city of Fieri to the south, spreads to Tirana then the overall picture will be totally different and the eventuality of a civil war will be more than certain. Mr.Kontis also stated that if lawlessness is limited south to Fieri then is possible that the crisis will be gradually defused in the next days or weeks. Nevertheless, he pointed out that developments can become more dramatic if it is taken under consideration that thousands of guns are in the hands of hungry and disappointed people. Professor of International Relations in the University of Athens, mr.Theodoros Kouloumbis stated to MPA that Greece should avoid in any case the intervention or involvement in the internal affairs of its neighbours. He said that Greece must coordinate and harmonize its policy with the collective action of the EU because its partners have every interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region. [03] ND PARTY DELEGATES WILL BE ELECTED BY THE PREFECTURE COMMITTEES ON WEDNESDAYWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki 3 March (MPA)The election of New Democracy party delegates will be held on Wednesday by the Prefecture Committees.Those delegates will vote in the Party Congress for the election of the new party President. Meanwhile, the two-day pre-congress conference ended yesterday in Thessaloniki. The main slogan of the four candidates, M.Evert, G.Souflias, K.Karamanlis and V.Polidoras, was the call for unity within the party. [04] THE SECONDARY TEACHERS NATIONAL UNION MEETS TODAY TO DECIDE ON THE CONTINUATION OF THEIR STRIKEWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Athens 3 March (MPA)The Presiding Board of the secondary teachers national union meets this afternoon to decide on whether it will suggest the continuation of their strike for an eight consecutive week.The strikers held a demonstration in front of the Education Ministry building and a delegation met with Undersecretary of Education Yiannis Anthopoulos asking for a new meeting with Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis. [B] BALKANS[05] ARMED CITIZENS WILL BE SHOT ON THE SPOT IN ALBANIAWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Tirana 3 March (MPA)The ultimatum issued by President Berisha to the armed citizens of the south Albanian regions is expected to end soon. According to the orders given by the Albanian President, all those carrying guns must be shot on the spot without a warning.A state of emergency has been declared in Albania after the violent anti- government demonstrations in which, according to information, 12 people have been killed. The cities of Vlora, Argyrokastro, Agii Saranta and Delvino are surrounded by demonstrators. According to the Greek Ambassador to Tirana, the situation is out of the central government's control. Authorities have asked all foreigners to evacuate the southern part of the country for security reasons. Meanwhile, new clashes erupted at noon today between soldiers and demonstrators in the cities of Fieri and Lusnje, while it was decided that all schools and universities, where tens of students continue their hunger strike demanding the government's resignation, remain closed. At noon today, the Albanian Parliament with an overwhelming majority of 113 votes for, 1 against and 4 abstentions re-elected Sali Berisha to another five-year Presidential term. Meanwhile, the Greek minority in Albania is strongly concerned over the situation and the Presiding Board of the Greek minority organization OMONIA meets in the city of Agii Saranta to discuss ways for the handling of the situation. [06] THE ALBANIANS IN FYROM EXPRESS FEARS THAT A WAR WILL BREAK OUT IN THE BALKANSWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Skopje 3 March (MPA)Albanian ultra-nationalists in FYROM attribute the unrest in Albania to the Serb secret service.Speaking to MPA, spokesman of the Democratic Prosperity Party of the Albanians (PDPA), Alaidin Demiri stressed that the Serbs aim at shifting the center of gravity in the Balkans from Kosovo and Belgrade to Albania in order for Yugoslavia to stop being the black sheep of the Balkans. Mr.Demiri expressed strong concern over the likelihood the crisis to spread outside Albania saying characteristically that in such a case there will be a conflagration in the Balkans between traditional and new enemies. He called on neighbouring countries, like Greece and Italy, to show their support to Albania for the situation to be stabilized, and in a opposite case he did not rule out the likelihood of a big wave of refugees to end up in all neighbouring countries especially, to those unable to guard their borders in an effective way. Also, he said that all Albanian political parties should support President Berisha whom he described as a charismatic leader, while he accused the Socialists of cooperating with terrorists in an effort to revive the dictatorship in Albania. [07] DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA ARE THE RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CRISISWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Tirana 3 March (MPA)The existing situation in Albania is the result of the deep economic and political crisis, stated the Human Rights Union Party President mr.Vasilis Melios.Speaking to MPA, mr.Melios stressed that the government of Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi had lost its crediblity a long time ago and its delayed resignation plus the Democratic Party's intention to form a new government had ignited uncontrolable developments. He also stressed that for the moment is unknown who are behind the latest unrest in the south of the country as the Socialist Party declares that has nothing to do with the developments. Mr.Melios left open the possibility for President Berisha to send army to the south for as long as, he will have the power to make such a move. All the rest political parties are against the imposition of military law and persist in their position for a solution through dialogue. Recommendations for dialogue were made yesterday by the representatives of foreign Embassies (European Union and the United States) in a meeting they had with the albanian political parties. Mr.Melios said that the situation in Tirana remains calm, while on the rumours concerning the whereabouts of jailed Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano, he said that from information he has, the state authorities have managed to transfer him to a safer place in the country. [08] KYRIAZATIS: "WE LIVE CRITICAL MOMENTS"Web Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki 3 March (MPA)Former President of the Greek minority organization OMONIA, mr.Kyriazatis stated to MPA that those are the most critical moments in Albania, even compared to the fall of the Communist regime.He stated that groups of armed citizens continue to be on the streets of large cities firing shots into the air. He said that no one knows how the situation will develop, adding that things are tough and President Berisha is determined to dominate. He also stressed that no one knows what will happen if the army moves to the south, adding that no one knows how the people will react, while there is a widespread fear of a civil war. Mr.Kyriazatis stated that the Albanian state is totally disrupted in the southern part of the country, stressing that there is no state, no state agencies and no authorities, as everyone has disappeared. [09] INVITATION TO THE ALBANIAN "FORUM FOR DEMOCACY" TO VISIT THE EURO- PARLIAMENTWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Athens 3 March (MPA)Greek Euro-deputy for the Coalition of the Left party, mr.Alexandros Alavanos intends to send an invitation to the leadership of the opposition Albanian "Forum for Democracy" to visit the European Parliament next week, during the plenary session that will be held in Strasburg.Speaking to MPA, mr.Alavanos expressed strong concern over the fate of jailed Albanian Socialist Party leader and former Prime Minister Fatos Nano, whose whereabouts are unknown after he left the Tepeleni Prisons on board an army helicopter with an unknown destination. Mr.Alavanos predicted that if mr.Nano survives he will play an important role in the political developments taking place in the neighbouring country. [10] RUGOVA SUGGESTED THE FORMING OF A COALITION GOVERNMENT IN ALBANIAWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Pristina 3 March (MPA)Leader of the Albanian-speaking population in Kosovo, Imbrahim Rugova suggested the forming of a coalition government in Albania, while he expressed strong concern over the situation in the country.Mr.Rugova suggested that Albania needs a government that will have the backing of all political parties in the country. He said that this government should invite representatives of the IMF, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reorganization and Development and ask for economic assistance from the US and the EU, so that all who have lost their savings to be able to receive compensation. The leader of the Albanians in Kosovo also issued an appeal for the adoption of the recommendations made by the US and the EU, for a new constitution that will be approved with the consent of all political forces as well as, the holding of early elections. [11] PANGALOS: GREECE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY TURKISH THREAT IN THE AEGEANWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2New York 3 March (MPA)Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated from New York that Greece will not accept any Turkish threat in the Aegean while he pointed out that solutions to possible disputes must be given only by International Courts of Justice.Meanwhile, Turkish leader Rauf Denktash launched an attack against EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek yesterday, accusing him of speaking like a Greek-Cypriot and also of pressuring the Turkish-Cypriot side to recognize the Cypriot government. [C] WORLD[12] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MEASURES TO STOP THE WAVE OF REFUGEES FROM ALBANIAWeb Posted: 19:27 GMT+2Athens 3 March (MPA)The disorderly situation in Albania is being closely watched by the Greek government and the Pentagon. Greece has asked the EU to call a meeting of the responsible working group on the Balkans.Prime Minister Kostas Simitis said that the government has taken all necessary measures to stop a new wave of refugees from entering Greece and put the situation under control. 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/Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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