Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-03-19

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, March 19, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] FYROM'S PRESIDENT GLIGOROV INVITES GREEK PREMIER TO SKOPJE

FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov has issued an invitation to Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis to visit Skopje, following his meeting today with Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Mr. Pangalos conducted a working visit to Skopje where he met with President Gligorov and other state officials.

In all, FYROM's officials appear satisfied by the Greek Foreign Minister's initiative to visit their country, an act which is perceived as a breath of new air for Greece-FYROM bilateral relations.

The state-owned radio station in Skopje broadcast an announcement this afternoon from FYROM's presidential office wherein it was stated that "the visit of Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos can mark a significant turn for the future of the friendly and close bilateral ties, as well as complete cooperation between the two countries."

Following his contacts, Mr. Pangalos stated that the two governments are determined to cooperate for peace and security in the region in order to protect the rights of all citizens and all ethnic groups.

President Gligorov stated that his country is not after the history of another country and added that Greece is among its friendliest neighbors. A.F.

[02] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL VISIT ROMANIA

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis begins tomorrow his Balkan tour for the materialization of the Greek initiative in the region, with first stop the Romanian capital, Bucharest. Mr.Simitis will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

During his two-day visit to Romania, the Prime Minister will meet with President Constantinescu, the Romanian Premier, the leaders of the opposition, the Presidents of Parliament and Senate and the Patriarch of Romania, Theokastos.

In the talks will be discussed bilateral issues, the developments in Albania and the overall situation in the Balkans.

[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SATISFIED BY WORKING VISITS TO FYROM, F.R.Y.

With the conclusion of his lighting visits to Skopje and Belgrade, Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated that the recent developments in the region necessitated direct consultations with both of these countries' leaders.

The Greek Foreign Minister stated that the three countries have agreed on a common stance in regards to the region.

"We agreed on three points. First of all, we must seek security and political stability by restoring the democratic process in Albania, secondly, border checks must be intensified in order to avoid complications (such as arms smuggling), and there will be cooperation with both the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and with FYROM at a level of public order and national defense.

"Thirdly, we agreed that the three countries will continue their contacts until a common position is drawn out," Mr. Pangalos said, expressing his hope that such position will be adopted at the Balkan Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Thessaloniki on June 9.

Referring to his visit to Skopje, Mr. Pangalos said that he was granted a warm and enthusiastic reception and talks with FYROM's leaders centered around bilateral relations.

On the name issue, the Greek Foreing Minister said that it is a matter currently being discussed at the United Nations.

"We cannot replace the UN and its processes," he said, adding that both FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov and the Premier Branco Cvrenkovski expressed their strong willingness to reach a commonly- accepted solution.

Summarizing his meetings in Skopje, Mr. Pangalos stated that they focused on three topics.

"An agreement to protect trade, given that Greece is one of FYROM's most significant trade allies and currently holds the first place spot in investments. Also, we decided to meet and tackle environmental and irrigation issues, while a meeting has been scheduled between both countries' Public Order Ministries who will prepare a ministerial convention aimed at combating crime."

When asked if there is a lurking danger of the crisis spilling over to Kossovo, Mr. Pangalos said that the F.R.Y.'s Serb President Slobodan Milosevic believes that what should be drawn from these situations must be positive. In other words, Mr. Pangalos explained, "we must all recognize what mistakes were made so that they will not be repeated."

Moreover, the Greek Foreign Minister stated his meeting with Mr. Milosevic and his Yugoslav counterpart Milan Milutinovic pointed out the need for the European Union to timely adopt trade measures for Yugoslavia.

"We believe that the various excuses currently employed in order to promote an anti-Yugoslav slant in the EU's policy must stop. There can no longer be excuses and I hope that the domestic situation here will not give opportunities to those who are not so fond of Yugoslavia," Mr. Pangalos said.

Lastly, the Foreign Minister said that a plan check is necessary in regards to the cost of transforming the Balkan economy from a collective one to a free market.

Mr. Pangalos clarified that his visit had nothing to do with the European Union, but given that Greece is an EU-member, he personally informed the community's President Hans Van Mierlo of his visit to Belgrade. A.F.

[04] MR.PANGALOS COMPLETED HIS WORKING VISIT TO SKOPJE

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met in Skopje with his counterpart Ljubimir Frtskofski in a surprise visit that had not been announced in advance to the local press.

After the meeting, mr.Pangalos expressed satisfaction for being in Skopje stating that the situation in the region made imperative the direct contact of the two governments. He said that both governments are determined to cooperate for peace and security in the region, aimed at maintaining stability and also, for the protection of the rights of the citizens and all ethnic groups. Mr.Pangalos added that the two countries will be in cooperation at Public Order Ministries level to face a possible wave of refugees from Albania.

The Greek Foreign Minister also said that there was an exchange of views on the support the EU must offer to the region without which, as he characteristically said, the cost of the crisis will not be covered.

Responding to a question concerning the name that will be used by FYROM, mr.Pangalos said that both countries are trying to find a solution to this last remaining issue, as he characterized it. He stressed that it is not right for the UN and its efforts to be substituted and gave the assurance that both governments are determined to move toward the future expressing the will of the overwhelming majority of the two peoples.

Mr.Pangalos referred to the plan for economic cooperation which he presented in Skopje today, pointing out that this plan will be completed in the Foreign Ministers' meeting that will be held in Thessaloniki on June 9 expressing the hope that mr.Frtskofski will be present.

He said that the completed plan will be presented to the international community, the United States and international organizations such as, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Mr.Pangalos said that he proposed an economic initiative which will bring profits to businesses and will benefit the national economies of the developed countries, characterizing the plan as being a collective one.

Responding to a question concerning the refugee issue, he said that Athens and Skopje do not have the ability to accept a large number of refugees and reminded that already there are 300 thousand Albanian refugees-immigrants in Greece, while he pointed out that both governments will cooperate and will deal with the problem from a humanitarian point of view. Mr.Pangalos stressed that the appropriate conditions must be created for Albanians to return to their country.

In a statement issued a short while ago by FYROM's Presidency, after the meeting of mr.Pangalos with President Gligorov which was held in the presence of FYROM's Minister of Defence mr.Hadjinski and Minister of Public Order mr.Tokrefski, is pointed out that the two countries share common views on the handling of the crisis and that there is improvement in bilateral relations, especially in the economic sector. It is also stressed that there is determination to intensify the cooperation between them.

Mr.Pangalos has already left Skopje and is on his way to Belgrade where he will meet with Foreign Minister Miludinovic and Serb President Milosevic to exchange views on the issue of the Yugoslav crisis.

[05] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT OF FYROM

Greece's Minister of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos is currently in Skopje where he is scheduled to meet with FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov, Premier Branco Crvenkovski and Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frchkovski.

The three officials will discuss the overall situation in the Balkan region and will focus their talks on the Albanian issue. In turn, Mr. Pangalos will travel to Belgrade where he will meet with Serb President Slobodan Milosevic and Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic.

According to reports, Mr. Pangalos' visits to Skopje and Belgrade were decided late last night following meetings held between Greece's Foreign Ministry officials and European Union representatives.

The same sources state that an initiative is in the works, with Greece carrying out the role of mediator, in order to alleviate the crisis in Albania and to shape a common stance to be adopted by the neighboring countries. A.F.

[06] GREEK FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY'S MEETING WITH ALBANIAN PREMIER CANCELLED

The scheduled meeting between Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis and Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino has been cancelled since the latter's tour was called off.

Mr. Kranidiotis, who is currently touring Albania, met with the Greek ethnic minority's leaders and with representatives of southern Albania's cities where the protests against President Sali Berisha are rising. The residents of these cities are insistant that Mr. Berisha step down from his post and are pressuring Mr. Fino to achieve the President's resignation.

Mr. Berisha told the European officials whom he recently met with that he will not resign. Meanwhile, the resignation deadline given to him by the armed rebels expires tomorrow. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will assign a police force to Albania. A.F.

[07] ANOTHER MISSION OF HUMANITARIAN AID SEND TO ALBANIA FROM GREECE

Another mission of humanitanian aid to Albania sailed for Sarande today from Greece.

Thirty-five tonnes of food and medicines have been collected by the Municipality of Athens fo Albania, while the Red Cross is also amassing humanitarian aid earmarked for Albania throughout Europe.

The European Union will not send humanitarian aid to Albania, at least not officially, fearing that the food will fall into the hands of the rebels and will in turn be sold in the black market. A.F.

[08] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT HAD INFORMED THE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP ON THE VISIT OF MR.KRANIDIOTIS

The Greek government had informed the Albanian leadership on the schedule of the Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs visit, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who stressed that the demarche issued by the Albanian Foreign Ministry will not affect the friendly relations of the two countries.

Mr.Reppas pointed out that the visit of mr.Kranidiotis was held within the framework of the efforts made by the government for the defusing of the tensions in the neighbouring country and underlined that those efforts will continue.

On the visit of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos to Skopje and Belgrade, mr.Reppas clarified that the issue of the name that will be used by FYROM will not be discussed with the leadership of FYROM.

Meanwhile, mr.Kranidiotis has return to Greece after having contacts with government officials in south Albania but he did not meet with Albanian Prime Minister Baskim Fino.

[09] THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN INFORMED ON MR.KRANIDIOTIS' VISIT TO THE SOUTH

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated today that the Albanian government had been informed on his visit to the southern part of the country. The statement was issued in response to an Albanian government demarche made to the Greek Embassy in Tirana regarding mr.Kranidiotis' visit and its objectives.

The Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, after completing his visit to the southern part of Albania, stated to reporters that he had personally informed Albanian Prime Minister Baskim Fino on the visit during their recent meeting on board an Italian Navy vessel.

According to press information, certain government officials, including President Berisha had been displeased because the Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs met with representatives of the insurgents.

Mr.Kranidiotis upon his departure from the Albanian territory, after the contacts he had with representatives of the city committees and the Greek minority, wished for no more unrest after the expiration of the ultimatum issued by the residents of the south which calls on President Berisha to resign.

[10] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: CYPRUS ISSUE IS A WORLD ISSUE

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated yesterday that the 22-year-old course of the Cyprus issue will be overturned when a democratic solution will be found based on United Nations principles.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, addressing an Athens-held event organized by Cypriot college students, also referred extensively to the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus and outlined its significance.

Moreover, he referred to the island's advantages, such as its imminent accession to the European Union, and the significance the southeastern Mediterranean bears for the EU.

"We are not alone," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said, "the Cyprus issue is a European one, it is an international issue." A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] ALBANIAN REBELS INSIST ON BERISHA'S RESIGNATION

The situation in Albania remains critical as the armed rebels in the country's southern region are insistant that President Sali Berisha step down from his post by tomorrow.

Their deadline was rejected by Premier Bashkim Fino. Mr. Fino cancelled his scheduled tour to Gjirokaster today where he was to meet with the rebels' representatives and with the Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis. A.F.

[12] UKRANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER

A six-member parliamentary delegation from the Ukraine was received today by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos.

Mr. Petsalnikos stated that there is now a wider range available for economic cooperation between Greece and the Ukraine, especially with Northern Greece's sector.

"Northern Greece's development constitutes a basic priority for the Greek government and I believe that after the upgrade of the transportation and communication networks currently under development, communication with the Black Sea and Balkan countries will improve," the Minister stated.

In turn, the Ukranian delegation's leader Genandi Vasiliev referred to his country's rapid growth rate and the overall legislative improvement which will give a boost to foreign and domestic investment. Mr. Vasiliev also spoke extensively of his country's marine and merchant shipping activity and the close cooperation it enjoys with Greece.

The delegation is currently in Greece on an invitation issued by the Hellenic Parliament which is holding the semi-annual presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Cooperation of the Black Sea Countries. A.F.

[13] EUROPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH TO VISIT TURKEY

A delegation of Europarliamentarians, members of the "Supervisory Task Force for Human Rights in Turkey" will embark on a two-day visit to Ankara and Istanbul tomorrow where they will meet with political prisoners, union activists as well as various Kurdish and Turkish leaders and businessmen.

The Eurodeputies have stated that in case the Turkish authorities try to obstruct these visits, they will line up in front of the Turkish prison's gate on Friday, March 21, New Year's Day for the Kurds, and will post an open letter to all political prisoners.

Also, the delegation is scheduled to meet with the Kurdish- origin incarcerated deputy Leila Zana who is the recipient of the European Parliament's 1995 Zacharov Prize.

Participating in the delegation are the President of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Pauline Green, Greece's Eurodeputy Yiannis Roubatis (PASOK), Dutch Socialist Eurodeputy and former president of the European Parliament Pete Dankurt and Germany's Social-Democrat deputy and vice-president of the European Parliament Magdalena Hoffe. A.F.

[14] EU AND OSCE REPRESENTATIVES MET WITH SOCIALIST LEADER FATOS NANO

The representatives of the European Union and the OSCE participating in a mission to Albania met today with Albanian Socialist leader Fatos Nano in Tirana and are expected to present proposals aimed at ending the crisis in Albania.

Mr.Nano characterized the meeting as constructive and useful while he said that the prospect of aid to Albania by international organizations is positive.

On the insurgents' demand for the resignation of President Berisha, he said that this is the main factor of destabilization in the country today and asked Berisha not to intervene to the government decisions but instead to cooperate with the new government.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Baskim Fino rejected the ultimatum issued by the insurgents and in statements he made in the meeting of the representatives of the Albanian political parties, stressed that the government rejects any ultimatum but supports the dialogue with the committees formed in the south if it is not held under the threat of guns and ultimatums.

The people living in south Albania are ready to elect their own Council if Sali Berisha does not resign by tomorrow. The Albanian President, who met today with an OSCE delegation, reiterated that he will resign if he will be defeated in June's elections.

[15] THE POLITICAL COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR AID TO ALBANIA

The Political Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly with a unanimous decision calls on the European Union, the OSCE and the Council of Europe to offer every possible assistance to the Albanian government for the restoration of order and the functioning of democratic institutions in the country. In the decision is also stressed the need for an emergency humanitarian, medical and economic aid.

The decision includes a special referrence to Greece's role in relation with the refugees from Albania and the assistance that must be offered to it by the international community.

[16] EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AGREEMENT REACHED BY GREECE AND FRY

A programme of cooperation in the sectors of education and culture was initialled in Belgrade today by Greece and FRY. The programme will be in effect until the year 2000 and it is placed within the framework of the 1959 education agreement which continues to be effective.

The agreement provides for the cooperation of Universities, scholarships, exchanges of scientists and students and participation in festivals and cultural events.

Specifically, the programme provides for the teaching of the Greek and Serb languages in the Universities of both countries as well as, for the objective presentation of their history and geography in the elementary and secondary education school books.

[17] SIX COMPANIES FROM NORTHERN GREECE ON A BUSINESS MISSION TO AUSTRALIA

Representatives of 6 companies from northern Greece participate in a business mission to the Australian cities of Adelaide and Melbourne that will last until March 26.

The delegation, which is headed by Undersecretary of National Economy Alexandros Baltas, aims at promoting cooperation between Greek and Australian businessmen in the sector of commerce and in investments to Greece, Australia as well as, to the wider geographic region of the Balkans and South-Eastern Asia.

The mission is jointly organized by the Ministry of National Economy and the Greek Organization of Foreign Trade with the participation of Thessaloniki's Commerce and Industry Chamber.

[18] IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE PROVE THE NON EXISTENCE OF WHAT THE PEOPLE OF FYROM CALL "MACEDONIAN NATION"

Irrefutable evidence proving the non existence of what the people of FYROM call "macedonian nation" are provided by press reports published during the time of the Balkan Wars, when the Balkan peoples revolted against the Ottoman Empire.

Those facts are being presented in a book under the title "The Balkan Wars 1912-1913" published by the Society for the Study of the Greek History. The book includes the daily press reports on battles, liberations and other historic events as well as on the revolt of the Balkan nations against the Ottoman Empire.

Society President Gerasimos Apostolatos stated that through the facts presented in the book it is proved that the people of FYROM was non existent at a time when all the Balkan peoples, Greeks, Montenegrans, Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians, Albanians took up arms against the Ottoman Emprire. Therefore, said mr.Apostolatos, it is proved that the issue of the "macedonian" language and nation is a technical problem and a "figment of imagination".

[19] CONFERENCE ON THE STRONG AND WEAK LANGUAGES IN THE EU WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

Specialists from all over the world will attempt to give answers to questions concerning the phenomenon of language hegemony as well as, the strong and weak languages in the European Union during a conference that will be held on March 26-28 in Thessaloniki.

The conference "Strong and Weak Languages in the EU - Aspects of Language Hegemony" is organized by the Greek Language Center and is funded by the Cultural Capital of Europe Organization - "Thessaloniki '97".

In the conference will be discussed issues such as, the polyglottism observed in certain European countries, the relative or total "exclusion" of people speaking dialects not recognized as official languages, the "death" of certain languages as well as, issues concerning translation problems.

[20] INTERBALKAN, BLACK SEA BUSINESS CENTER TO APPOINT ADVISERS

Financial advisers whose task will be to provide information to potential investors in the Black Sea and Balkan countries are to be established in various cities of the region by the Interbalkan and Black Sea Business Center.

These advisers will provide useful information to the investors, on matters concerning legislation, labor law, contract practices, etc.

"These markets are difficult but it is imperative that we enter them since this is the natural area for Greek investment activity," stated the Center's official responsible for management and planning George Seitanides. A.F.

[21] FYROM: STUDENTS CALL OFF HUNGER STRIKE BUT PROTEST CONTINUES

The two-week hunger strike of students from the University of Skopje in FYROM was called off yesterday, after two of the strikers were hospitalized with serious health problems.

The Education Department students are opposing the law which allows the teaching of the Albanian language in higher education. They have stated that they will continue with their protest until the disputed law on the minority languages is annulled.

The protesting students are joined by the University's Slav Students Association. A.F.

[22] HELSINKI WATCH: TURKEY SYSTEMATICALLY VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS

The internationally-recognized human rights organization "Helsinki Watch" recently published a report wherein it illustrates how the human rights of Turkey's political dissidents are systematically violated, at times through the use of torture.

According to the report, Turkish policemen have made it a practice of torturing those they arrest by using electrical shock methods or dousing them with high-pressure water hoses.

The report also contains accounts taken by four women and three men who suffered severe injuries after having been left hanging by their hands for months on end. Two of these persons have been rendered completely paralysed.

While the Turkish Parliament recently amended a law that foresees a four-day maximum in the time an arrested individual is detained, another organization, Amnesty International, reports that the police continue to hold people in pre-trial custody for over a week, claiming bureaucratic delays.

Helsinki Watch points out that this law is ineffective given that those who are taken into custody are not entitled to immediate legal defense. The organization calls on the European Union to further pressure Turkey into protecting human rights. A.F.

[23] COUNCIL OF EUROPE CALLS EU AND OSCE TO GRANT ASSISTANCE TO ALBANIA

The Policy Committee of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly has called the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to grant the Albanian government with all aid possible in restoring order in the country.

Moreover, the Committee points out the urgent need to send humanitarian aid to Albania, along with medicines and financial assistance.

The Parliamentary Assembly's Greek representative Dinos Vrettos (PASOK deputy) included in the Committee's statement an extensive reference to Greece's role in providing aid to the Albanian refugees and stressed the need to assist Greece in the provision of care and shelter to the incoming refugees. A.F.

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