Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-23

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 23, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE COURSE OF THE DUTCH INITIATIVE WILL DEPEND ON TURKEY'S MEMORANDUM

The memorandum drawn up by the Greek experts will be sent to the Dutch EU Presidency possibly on Monday, but the rest of the procedure will depend on the contents of the Turkish memorandum on which comments will be made in due time, stated in a press conference Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Mr.Pangalos also said that Greece wants the normalization of the Greek-Turkish affairs and at the same time, expressed the hope that the Turkish memorandum will move toward this direction.

Mr.Pangalos clarified that comments on the Turkish memorandum will be made on behalf of the Greek side by two experts namely, mr.Krateros Ioannou and mr.Argyris Fatouros, who move independently but always in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry.

Regarding the extension by one month of the moratorium on the military exercises in the Aegean, mr.Pangalos accused Turkey of inconsistency between words and deeds and added that the extension of the moratorium does not limit the defence capabilities, while it contributes to the development of tourism in the region.

Called to comment on mr.Demirel's interview that will be broadcast today by Greek private television channel ANT1, in which the Turkish President allegedly suggests a non aggression pact, mr.Pangalos stated that this is a significant development under the precondition that there is no reference against Greece's right to extend its territorial waters to 12 miles. Mr.Pangalos stated that the idea of an attack is not serious and added that he did not believe that anyone would undertake such a responsibility.

At the same time, he referred to the legal commitments existing between the two countries which are based on the international treaties and regulations and also, to the warning issued by Washington for a US military intervention in case of a Greek-Turkish armed conflict. Mr.Pangalos stated that the non aggression pact also covers Cyprus as Greece has repeatedly pointed out that an attack on Cyprus constitutes a cause of war.

Commenting on the press reports regarding an Italian interferrence in the Albanian elections, the Greek Foreign Minister stated that Ambassador mr.Kypreos, who is in charge of Balkan issues, has summoned for explanations the Italian Ambassador to Athens, who denied the allegations, while he stated that the Italian Ambassador to Tirana has condemned as fabricated the dialogue he allegedly had.

Mr.Pangalos characterized as "idiotic" the view that Greek and Serb circles create problems in Albania, pointing out that in Greece there is no serious nationalist movement at a political level.

Mr.Pangalos will visit Albania on June 3 and will have contacts with President Berisha, government officials, political party leaders and Archbishop Anastasios, while he will visit the Greek military force deployed in the country within the framework of the multi-national protection force.

Regarding the inter-Balkan meeting that will be held in Thessaloniki in June, the Greek Foreign Minister underlined that strong interest has been expressed and already FYROM, Albania, Romania, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia have announced their participation, while it has not been clarified yet if Turkey will be represented in the meeting by Foreign Minister ms.Tansu Ciller or Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs mr.Onur Oymen.

[02] KAKLAMANIS-CONSTANTINESCU MEETING

The prospects for the promotion of Greek-Romanian cooperation were discussed during the meeting held in Athens today between Romanian President Emil Constantinescu and Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

The Romanian President asked the assistance of the Greek Parliament in the efforts of his country to be included in the Euro-Atlantic institutions and mr.Kaklamanis pledged Greece's support toward this direction, while he also briefed the Romanian President on the Greek issues of national interest.

[03] GREEK PREMIER ATTENDS EU EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL IN HOLLAND

An extraordinary summit council of the European Union member- states is held today in Holland where the participants will discuss the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and the revision of the Maastricht Treaty.

Representing Greece is Prime Minister Kostas Simitis who will aim at securing a vow on behalf of Greece's EU allies to protect the member-states' territorial integrity.

Today's conference s deemed as decisive for the future of the European completion, as the EU's "15" will try anew to discuss the revised Treaty's finalized form.

Also, the newly-elected British Premier John Blair will participate at the conference for the first time. Mr. Blair has vowed that his country will approach its European allies in a more constructive manner.

The basic issues that concern the EU's member-states in light of the IGC are the Community's expansion, its foreign policy, its relations with NATO, the promotion of the majority principle in drawing critical decisions, the European Parliament's authority and the European Commission's composition.

Today, the "15" are to discuss foreign policy-related matters, such as the Cyprus issue, the developments in Zair, the lack of approach betwen Israelis and Palestinians and the Turkish Army's persistence to justify its power in Turkey, taking advantage of the lenghty war in Turkey's southeastern region and Iraq against the Kurdish minority. A.F.

[04] GREECE'S FOREIGN MINISTER ON GREEK-TURKISH ISSUES AND ALBANIA

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos referred to Greek-Turkish relations and Albania today, during a pres conference.

Mr. Pangalos stated that the Greek government is in favor of extending the military flights moratorium in the Aegean between June 15 and September 15.

"We support this view," Mr. Pangalos said, it is something which that we do not feel that significantly reduces the country's defense capability and it is good for the area's living conditions and tourism."

Moreover, Mr. Pangalos stated that the Greek committee of experts will forward to the EU's Dutch-held presidency its documents on Greece's positions.

Regarding the Albanian press reports that bring the Italian Ambassador to Tirana Paolo Foresti as having interfered in Albania's domestic affairs, specifically having taken efforts to undermine the democratization process in Albania on behalf of nationalist circles in Serbia and Greece, Mr. Pangalos stated that the Italian Ambassador to Athens was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, was asked for explanations and he refuted all of the aforementioned reports. A.F.

[05] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER COMPLETES HIS VISIT TO BELGRADE

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has completed his round of visits to Belgrade, where he met with FRY's Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic and Premier Radovan Kodic.

In a joint press conference, the Greek Defense Minister and his Serbian counterpart stated that their views and assessments concide on the need to strengthen the opportunities for peace, stability and cooperation among the Balkan countries. A.F.

[06] THE GREEK CULTURE MINISTER WILL DEMAND AGAIN THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will raise again to the British government the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece in the meeting he will have with his British counterpart in Brussels on June 30 on the sidelines of the EU Culture Ministers Council. He also intends to raise the issue directly to the British government in a letter when the time is right.

Mr.Venizelos stated that he regards as neither final nor complete the British government's response which refused to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

[07] LEADER OF GREECE'S MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY TO BE IN BULGARIA ON MAY 30

The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis will travel to Bulgaria next Friday, after an invitation was issued by Bulgaria's Premier Ivan Kostov.

In Athens today, Mr. Karamanlis hosted a luncheon in honor of the Athens-based ambassadors of the European Union's member- states. "The invitation we issued to the EU ambassadors on one hand serves as an opportunity to brief one another on the variety of issues of common interest, such as the Integovernmental Conference, and on the other hand has a symbolic meaning towards the dignitaries, wanting to convey to them the New Democracy's European orientation and Greece's ambition to carry out a more active role in the direction of building a common European construction," Mr. Karamanlis said. A.F.

[08] M. ATHOS TREASURES REVEALED BY THESSALONIKI, CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE

Thessaloniki, the Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997, will host the monumental and world's first exhibit of the Mountain Athos treasures, the monuments of Orthodoxy, at the city's new Museum of Byzantine culture, from June 1997 until the end of the year.

This Exhibit will be perhaps the year's grandest event, from a spiritual, scientific and artistic point of view. For Hellenism, here and abroad, for women, who are not permitted to set foot on Mountain Athos, for the Orthodox -and Christians in general- throughout the world, bringing just a part of this living monument of Orthodox monastic life to Thessaloniki constitutes a singular opportunity to communicate with the present, the future and the tradition of an unprecedent phenomenon ot Greece's cultural and religious life.

Preserved at Mountain Athos are monumental art works drawn on 100,000 sq.m. surfaces, over 15,000 icons, a selection of manuscripts, some of which feature cartoons, small artworks, needlepoint, carved wood work and lithographs, photographs, stamps, as well as hymns, written works and other notes. This timeless selection also features vessels, ecclesiastical objects, furniture and facilities.

The Exhibit's unit of treasures will the one that will function as the main attraction for the public. The carefully selected treasures to be exhibited are analyzed into 108 Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, 120 manuscripts, 120 craftworks, 30 needlepoints, 131 Byzantine, post-Byzantine, Slav, Romanian and Ottoman documents, 25 monastery stamps, seals and coins, 13 wood carvings, three sculptures, three Byzantine sculptures, 26 incunabula, six ceramic objects and four cartoons, 15 icons- matrices. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] NICHOLAS BURNS NEXT US AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS, TO REPLACE THOMAS NILES

The US State Department's spokesperson Nicholas Burns will be the next Ambassador to Athens, according to state officials in Washington.

Mr. Burns, 41, will replace Thomas Niles, once his appointment is approved by the US Senate.

He has served as State Department spokesperson since January 1995. Before then, Mr. Burns, a career diplomat, was senior adviser at the US National Security Council on Russia and has also served at the American consulates in Cairo and Jerusalem.

Mr. Niles was received by the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis yesterday, with whom he discussed national matters, while today be will meet with the Greek government's spokesperson Dimitris Reppas. A.F.

[10] GREEK AND TURKISH BUSINESS DELEGATIONS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL

Businessmen's delegations from Greece and Turkey are to meet in Istanbul next week, launching a series of meetings that has been initiated by the Turkish deputy chairman of the Greek-Turkish Cooperation Commission Sarik Tara.

Turkish-Cypriot businessmen are also scheduled to attend the conference which will be followed by another, the third meeting of the Turkish Committee for Greek-Turkish Business Cooperation with the Association of Young Greek Businessmen. A.F.

[11] BULGARIAN PRESIDENT PETER STOYANOV TO VISIT GREECE

The President of Bulgaria Petar Stoyanov is to visit Greece soon where he will again broach the subject of opening new borders between the two countries.

According to Bulgarian press reports, President Stoyanov has expressed the hope that the opening of three new border stations between Greece and Bulgaria will contribute to the reduction of unemployment in these areas. A.F.

[12] BULGARIAN PM MEETS WITH NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE GOVERNOR IN SOFIA

The establishment of a National Bank of Greece branch in Sofia proves that trust in Bulgaria is being restored, stated the Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov during his meeting with the bank's governor Theodoros Karatzas.

The branch was offcially inaugurated in the Bulgarian capital yesterday, after having been in full operation for six months.

Mr. Karatzas stressed his confidence over the Bulgarian economy's stablization and vowed that Athens will suport the increase of Greek investments in Bulgaria.

Moreover, Mr. Karatzas said that he views positively the link between Bulgaria's lev and the German mark, a process to be performed within the framework of the Monetary Council in Bulgaria.

"The German mark is the ECU's backbone," Mr. Karatzas said. A.F.

[13] PANGALOS, CILLER TO MEET ON SIDELINE OF NORTHATLANTIC COUNCIL

Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller will participate in the conference of the Northatlantic Council, which will be held in Portugal on May 29-30.

According to Turkish press reports, Ms. Ciller is expected to meet with her Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos on the sidelines of the conference.

Also, the Turkish press does not rule out a meeting between Turkish President Suleiman Demirel and Greek Premier Kostas Simitis during their stay in Paris on Tuesday, May 27, where they will attend the signing of the NATO-Russia agreement on the Alliance's eastward expansion to include former Soviet block countries. A.F.

[14] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROLE OF SUPREME COURTS CONCLUDES TODAY

An International Conference on the role of the Supreme Courts at a national and international level concluded this evening in Thessaloniki,

The four-day conference, organized by the Aristotle University's Law and Economic Sciences Department, examined the contemporary role of the Supreme Court, as well as in the development of social values and the rule of law in today's society.

The Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos inaugurated the event, while among those who addressed the audience were the Minister of Justice Evangelos Yiannopoulos, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos, and the President of the International Association of Procedural Law M. Storme. A.F.

[15] THESSALONIKI-HELD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS ALZHEIMER'S

Alzheimer's disease, an illness that commonly plagues seniors, is to be addressed and analyzed during a two-day international conference to begin tomorrow in Thessaloniki.

Alzheimer's results in gradual neurological degeneration, with the most prevalent symptoms being memory loss, impaired sense of judgment, inability to concentrate and disorientation.

The conference will be held at Thessaloniki's Center of International and European Economic Law. A.F.

[16] EU TIGHTENS ITS LAWS ON SMUGGLING OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

Any illegal importation of animals and plants belonging to endangered species will now be punishable even by imprisonment, according to the European Union's new legislation which is to be put into effect on June 1.

According to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announcement, illegal smuggling of endangered species brings in billions of dollars every year. This ilegal trade mostly consists of products made by rhinoceros horns, furs from feline species, ivory, reptile skins and many rare species of birds and plants.

This new legislation will be put into effect a mere few days prior to the 10th conference of the 136 countries which are participating in the agreement on the International Trade of Endangered Fauna and Flora Wildlife. A.F.

[17] INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS HELD AT UNESCO'S HEADQUARTERS

Commemorating the 40-year anniversary since the death of Nikos Kazantzakis, an international symposium was held yesterday at UNESCO'S (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) headquarters in Paris.

In an effort to make Kazantzakis' works better known throughout the world, over 400 participants analyzed the Greek author's books and notes and also referred to Kazantzakis' political ideas and his philosophical influence.

The Symposium, the first ever held by UNESCO for a Greek author, was held under the auspice of UNESCO's President Federic Mayor and was organized by the permanent Greek representation in UNESCO and its President Vassilis Vassilikos, the President of the international organization "Friends of Kazantzakis" George Stasinakis and the Kazantzakis Museum, which is located in Crete, the author's birthplace. A.F.

[18] ALBANIA: JUNE 29 ELECTIONS TO BE HELD, FINO TO FORM ELECTION COMMITTEE

Albania's political parties have finally agreed to hold early elections on June 29, according to Franz Vranitski, the special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Albanian President Sali Berisha has yielded to the warnings of western countries and will allow the Premier Bashkim Fino to form the highest electorate committee. He also said that he will allow for the replacement of the officials working at the state- owned radio and television stations. A.F.

[19] CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER TO EMBARK ON SERIES OF VISITS

Cyprus' Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides is to embark on a series of contacts with foreign counterparts, in light of the direct talks to be held between the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Mr. Kasoulides will meet with his British counterpart Robin Cook in London and Russia's Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov in Moscow.

According to the Cypriot government spokesperson, these meetings are to take place by June 6, when Mr. Kasoulides is scheduled to meet with the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. A.F.

[20] FYROM: TURKISH, ALBANIAN FLAGS STAY UP IN GOSTIVAR IN SPITE OF RULING

The Mayor of Gostivar, a city in FYROM, has now issued warnings against his country's Constitutional Court, which has forbidden the raising of the Turkish and Albanian flags in the municipalities of Gostivar and Tetovo.

Rufi Osmani said that the flags will remain in place, otherwise episodes will erupt. Yesterday, about 500 people gathered outside Gostivar's city hall, appearing ready to confront any effort to lower the flags.

The issue is a sore point between the government of FYROM and these two communities.

On May 5, FYROM's Ministry of the Interior had filed suits against the mayors of Tetovo and Gostivar because they, without prior approval, had raised the aforementioned flags in schools, courts and other public buildings in their regions.

However, according to FYROM's legislation whenever an area's minority population surpasses the 20% mark of the overall population the local admistrative bodies can raise that minority's flag. A.F.

[21] THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI AND MOUNT ATHOS

Romanian President Emil Constantinescu will visit Thessaloniki and the monastic community of Mount Athos tomorrow.

Mr.Constantinescu will arrive at Macedonia Airport tomorrow morning and will be welcomed by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos. The two men will hold talks on issues of bilateral interest and later will leave for Mount Athos.

The Romanian President and the government delegation accompanying him will depart for Bucharest tommorow afternoon.

[22] THE PROMOTION OF THE SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE MAASTRICHT TREATY REVISION IS SATISFACTORY

The social issues are promoted in a satisfactory manner within the framework of the Maastricht revision, stated alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou after his meeting with the European Socialists.

Mr.Papandreou stated that during the meeting it was established that the presence of British Prime Minister Blair will give a significant boost to the establishment of a Europe for its citizens due to the positive stance of the new British government on the issues of employment, environment and transparency.

[23] A SERIES OF GREEK-TURKISH BUSINESS MEETINGS OPEN IN ISTANBUL NEXT WEEK

A series of Greek-Turkish meetings aimed at the development of economic cooperation and the rapprochement of the two countries open in Istanbul next week.

The first of the meetings will be held between businessmen from Greece, Turkey and Cyprus and it is the first one of its kind that takes place at the initiative of Turkish businessman Sarik Tara, known for his efforts aimed at the improvement of the Greek- Turkish relations.

[24] THE HUMAN RIGHTS UNION IN TURKEY CONFIRMS GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE COUNTRY

A report issued by the Human Rights Union in Turkey, IHD, and presented by its chairman Akin Birdal confirms the accusations included in the Amnesty International report on gross human rights violations in the country.

In the report, which refers only to incidents that took place last April, are mentioned 14 mysterious killings, 8 murders of people while in police custody and 15 disappearances. Also, according to IHD, there are 151 political prisoners in the Turkish jails.

[25] THE CRISIS IN THE TURKISH COALITION GOVERNMENT CONTINUES

Another Parliament deputy of Tansu Ciller's True Path Party resigned today expressing serious disagreement with the policy followed by islamist Prime Minister Necmetin Erbakan, as the crisis in the Turkish coalition government continues.

According to information from Turkey, ms.Ciller has asked Erbakan to hand the premiership over to her now.

Meanwhile, the Turkish troops that invaded northern Iraq last week are very close to the Iraqui armed forces positions.

[26] JULY 7 IS THE POSSIBLE DATE FOR THE DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN CLERIDES AND DENKTASH

Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofidis stated that the first round of direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is likely to take place on July 7.

Mr.Christofidis reiterated that the National Council has determined the limits of compromise within which the Cypriot side can move and reminded that any solution will be put to a referendum.

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