Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-02

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 2, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH ALBANIAN COUNTERPART IN ATHENS TODAY

Albania's Prime Minister Bashkim Fino is currently in Athens where he will be received by Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis this afternoon and will meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos this evening.

Participating in the meeting between Msgrs. Simitis and Fino will also be Hans Vranitski (the envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the President of the European Union's Foreign Ministers Council Hans Van Mierlo.

Tomorrow, Mr. Fino wil meet with Greece's Minister of Public Order George Romeos.

Meanwhile, the Greek Foreign Ministry's Secretary-General Alexandros Filon met with Albanian President Sali Berisha to whom he relayed Athens' willingness to help in the crisis-torn country's recovery process.

European military officials are to decide today on the various tasks to be performed by the multi-national force which is to be assigned to Albania within the following days. A.F.

[02] GREEK PM: THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IS PRODUCING RESULTS

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is satisfied with the course of the government's policy, as he stated today during his address at the PASOK Parliamentary Group.

Mr. Simitis stated that Greece's policy on the Balkans, foreign issues and the economy is bearing results and added that PASOK is the only party that has adopted clear positions on the country's problems. A.F.

[03] GREECE-FYROM TALKS ON NAME HELD TODAY IN NEW YORK

The talks between Greece and FYROM on the name issue that is currently pending between the two countries will be held again in New York today.

The talks are being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations and with the mediation of UN special envoy Cyrus Vance.

In spite of the fact that the relations between the countries are currently on a positive route, especially after the recent visit to Skopje conducted by Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, rumors in diplomatic circles maintain that no real progress will be achieved as both sides insist on their initial positions. A.F.

[04] GREEK ALTERNATE FM: GREECE BACKS FINO'S EFFORTS ON ALBANIAN CRISIS

Greece supports the Albanian Premier's efforts to alleviate the crisis in his country, stated today the Greek alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou in a radio interview.

According to Mr. Papandreou, Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and Bashkim Fino, who are to meet this afternoon, will discuss the issue of the Greek ethnic minority living in Albania, which Mr. Papandreou characterized as a "bridge of friendship and co- operation between the two countries."

In regards to the perils which could be faced by the Greek batallion assigned to participate at the multinational force in Albania, Mr. Papandreou stated that such dangers are more likely in the country's southern part, as opposed to Tirana. A.F.

[05] GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS IS STRENGTHENED POLITICALLY

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the role of Greece in the Balkans is being strengthened politically due to the current developments and its active involvement in the efforts for a political solution to the crisis in Albania. Mr.Reppas added that Greece seeks an active role in Albania and until now this has been achieved to a great degree.

He stressed that Greece's interest in the situation in Albania is great due to the presence of the Greek minority in the country.

On the attack against the Greek Consulate in Gjirokastra, mr.Reppas said that Greece wants an investigation to be held aimed at finding those responsible for the action, pointing out that the conditions in the neighbouring country do not allow the complete clearing up of the case.

[06] THESSALONIKI'S LAWYERS WILL SEND 3 MILLION DRACHMAS TO THEIR ALBANIAN COLLEAGUES

Thessaloniki's lawyers will send the sum of 3 million drachmas to their colleagues in Albania as economic aid.

The director of Thessaloniki's Bar, mr.Asterios Eliades said to MPA that the sum will be sent to the Albanian National Bar as an assistance to the Albanian lawyers in order to be able to cover their immediate needs.

Meanwhile, Thessaloniki's Arts and Crafts Chamber decided to send humanitarian aid to Albania and Bulgaria.

[07] OVER 53.225 BULGARIANS ENTERED GREECE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS

Over 53.225 Bulgarians entered Greece from the customs office of Promachonas in the period of January 1 until today, looking for a better future in the northern Greek city of Serres, away from the serious problems in their country which is on the brink of bankruptcy. The Greek authorities did not allow to 1.591 Bulgarian nationals to enter the country, while 343 were arrested when they attempted to cross the borders illegally.

The number of Bulgarians, who entered Greece through the customs office of Promachona in the first months of 1997, is significantly increased compared to the same period last year.

[08] GREEK CITY OF DRAMA SENDS 75 TONNES OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO BULGARIA

Seventy-five tonnes of foodstuffs will be sent to Bulgaria's Goce Delcev from the Greek city of Drama, a result of a volunteer initiative undertaken by the city's residents.

The effort was organized by the local and prefectural offices and the aid contains mostly food, such as flour, oil, potatoes, pasta as well as medicines.

A city delegation will accompany the mission to Bulgaria, headed by the city's Prefect Socrates Dimitriades and various local government officials. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] CONSULTATIONS ON THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO ALBANIA ARE IN PROGRESS

The consultations on the mission of the multi-national force that will be deployed in Albania are in progress in Rome. In the discussions participate 35 representatives from 10 countries.

The international force will begin its deployment on Albanian territory on April 10 and the whole operation will be completed in 2 days.

According to information, the Greek battalion will be deployed in Tirana. The French soldiers will be in Vlora, while the Italian force will go to Tirana, Durres and Saranta. In Gjirokastra will be deployed the Romanian army unit, in Koritsa the Portuguese and in Elpasan the Turkish force.

The complete plan of the operation and the role of the international force is expected to be announced after the meeting of the Italian and the Albanian Ministers of Defence in Rome this afternoon.

[10] THE ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER WANTS A NEW SPIRIT OF COOPERATION WITH THE GREEK GOVERNMENT

Albanian Prime Minister Baskim Fino in an interview to the Athens newspaper "TA NEA" expressed his intention to inaugurate a new spirit of cooperation with the government of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Mr.Fino stressed that he wants the model of co-existence between the Albanians and the Greeks to be further improved and underlined the positive role of the Greek Consul General in Gjirokastra and the Greek Ambassador to Tirana.

On the attack against the Greek Consulate in Gjirokastra, mr.Fino said that he did not think that it had been carried out by local residents and refused to make further comments on the matter.

Regarding the stance that will be adopted by the armed civilians in the southern part of the country when the peace- keeping force arrives, he stated that what is important is the cooperation of those forces with the Albanian police. He said that the international force is not coming to fight against anyone in Albania but its mission is to protect the distribution of the humanitarian aid in the country.

On last Friday's tragedy in the Adriatic and its effect on the relations between Italy and Albania he commented that the political climate between the two countries should not be affected by this incident because it was not a political one. Mr.Fino added that the countries which expressed readiness to participate in the multi-national force should discuss the issue of who will undertake its command.

[11] THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT ISSUED A DEMARCHE TO THE UN ON THE VIOLATIONS OF THE NICOSIA FIR

The Cypriot government issued a demarche to the United Nations on the violations of Nicosia's FIR by Turkish fighter jets.

According to information, the violations were made on March 27 and 31. The information was confirmed by the General Director of the Cypriot Foreign Ministry mr.Alekos Siafos.

Commenting on the issue, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that Turkey violates international accords and added that the whole issue is within the authority of the Cypriot government.

[12] THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN MET WITH THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

President of Uzbekistan mr.Karimov expressed his country's support to the positions of the Greek government on the Aegean and Cyprus during his meeting with Greek Parliament President mr.Kaklamanis.

Mr.Karimov stated that given the fact that Greece's positions are in accordance with International Law, Uzbekistan supports those positions completely, adding that major issues can not be resolved though armed conflicts.

The Uzbek President characterized Greece as a stabilization factor in the Balkans and in Europe in general, while mr.Kaklamanis stressed the need for a European system of collective security with no dividing lines because they will lead humanity back to the Cold War era.

[13] THE SPANISH NEWSPAPER "DIARIO" SEES A RISK OF ARMY INTERVENTION IN TURKEY

The spanish newspaper "DIARIO" sees a risk of an intervention in Turkey by the country's armed forces aimed at averting the rise of islamic fundamentalism. The article under the title "In the name of Ataturk" written by Enrike Klemente, refers to Kemal Ataturk's reforms that were implemented in Turkey in 1920 and also, to the role of the army from 1960 until today, which is called "the bastion of secularism and Ataturk's legacy".

In the article is mentioned that in the name of Ataturk the army has taken over power three times by coup, while today it attempts to stop the rise of islamist fundamentalism which hurts the country's image and makes even harder Turkey's accession into the European Union.

The Turkish army enjoys the popular support, as 90% of the Turkish people trust the army more than the political leadership and recently, the National Security Council imposed 20 measures on islamist Prime Minister Erbakan's government in order to protect secularism from the threat of islamism.

The newspaper makes a special reference to the Amnesty International report according to which, tortures are a regular tactic followed in Turkey's police stations, while there is a large number of missing people and executions, after summary procedures, continue to take place.

[14] THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT LEADER WILL MEET WITH THE UN SECRETARY- GENERAL

The alternate special representative of the UN Secretary- General in Cyprus Gustav Feisel confirmed that Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Geneva on April 9, adding that he will be present in the meeting.

Mr.Feisel said that he constantly informs the UN Secretariat on the course of his contacts, while he added that he is not in a position to confirm if direct talks will begin in July.

[15] REPORT ON INDIRECT TALKS OVER CYPRUS WILL BE FILED ON APRIL 9 WITH UN

A report on the progress of the indirect talks regarding the Cyprus issue will be submitted to the United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan by his alternate special representative to the island, Gustav Feishel.

Mr. Feishel has expressed the hope that the mediated talks will boost the possibilities for direct negotations between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Moreover, Mr. Feishel stated that good will gestures on behalf of both sides was one of the issues discussed during the indirect talks.

The UN special representative will be received by President Clerides in Nicosia today. A.F.

[16] FRENCH FOREIGN MINSTER IN ANKARA TODAY FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

France's Foreign MinIster Herve de Charette has embarked on a two-day visit to Ankara, where he is to meet with Turkish President Suleiman Demirel and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.

Speaking to the Turkish Press Agency "Anadolou", Mr. de Charette stated that Turkey should be invited to participate at the European conference and, commenting on the recent position adopted by European centrist-right parties, he added that "the European Union is not bound by their positions. France will follow its own policy when it comes to Turkey's ties with Europe," he said. A.F.

[17] FYROM: FINANCIAL FRAUD SCANDAL PROMPTS MINISTER TO RESIGN

FYROM's Prime Minister Branco Cervenkovski today accepted the resignation of the Minister of Habitat, Projects and Environmental Protection Georgo Sudofski.

According to persistant rumors, Mr. Sudofski's resignation was prompted after a recent expose that his wife was among the investors in Skopje's illicit money-making institution "TAT".

According to Skopje's District Attorney, Mrs. Sudovska had deposited DM 100,000 in the bank, which money, according to her, belonged to her friends abroad and she only managed it without making any withdrawals. A.F.

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/