Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-05-28

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, May 28, 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 TO TRAVEL TO SWEDEN ON WORKING VISIT IN EARLY JUNE

Greece' Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to conduct a working visit to Sweden on June 3-7.

Mr.Simitis will be the honored guest at a formal dinner to be hosted by Sweden Premier Mr. Person on June 3.

The following day, the Greek Premier will meet with his Swedish counterpart and will also be received by the leader of Sweden's Parliament Brigitta Dahl.

On Thursday, June 5, Mr. Simitis will meet with the King of Sweden, Gustav, and will later depart for the city of Malmoe where he will attend a conference of the European Socialist Parties, which is to be held until June 7. A.F.

[02] ANKARA PRESENTS CYPRUS, CRETE AS ITS ISLANDS ON OFFICIAL INVITATIONS

One day after Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and Turkish President Suleiman Demirel met in Paris at the ceremony of the NATO-Russia pact signing, Ankara proceeded to another provocation by presenting the islands of Crete and Cyprus as being Turkish.

The claim was made through an invitation issued by Ankara's Polytechnic University. The printed material was forwarded to thousands of foreign scientists who are invited to participate in a geology conference to be held next September in Ankara.

The invitation's cover features a color-guided map which presents Crete and Cyprus with the same yellow color as that of Turkey's, while all of the neighboring countries, Greece included, are colored dark green. A.F.

[03] DEMIREL'S PROPOSAL FOR A NON AGGRESSION PACT HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY RAISED AS AN ISSUE

The proposal of Turkish President Suleiman Demirel for a non aggression pact has not been formally raised as an issue, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who also pointed out that it might have been a step forward as its precondition would be the lifting of casus belli on behalf of Turkey.

On yesterday's meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and President Demirel in Paris, mr.Reppas stated that it was a 5- minute discussion on the way to the hall where the working lunch was going to be held.

Mr.Reppas also referred to the new Turkish provocation regarding the military map that places the islands of Crete and Cyprus inside the Turkish territory, stressing that this tactic constitutes a pathology of the Turkish foreign policy and stated characteristically that political positions can not be used as a response to absurdity. He also stated that nevertheless, the Greek government takes all necessary measures for the international community to realize what the Turkish position is regarding the issues of Greek national interest.

Responding to a question on the direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the Greek government spokesman expressed the hope that they will be used for the benefit of the solution of the Cyprus problem, but at the same time reiterated the Greek government's reservations stating that similar efforts had no results in the past due to Turkey's intransigent position.

[04] GREEK FM TO ATTEND LISBON'S NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is in Lisbon today, in order to attend the Foreign Ministers Council of Nato's member- states.

While no meeting with his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller has been scheduled, Mr. Pangalos did not rule out such possibility. He also added that should Ms. Ciller wish to brief him on something, he is willing to listen.

Also, Mr. Pangalos is to visit Albania early next month, in light of that country's early elections. According to the Greek FM, the meeting will probably take place on June 3, following the European Union's Foreign Ministers' Council in Brussels. A.F.

[05] FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE COMMEMORATED BY PRESIDENT OF PARLIAMENT

The fall of Constantinople marked the end of a resplendent era in the history of Hellenism and of humanity as well, stated the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis in his message, commemorating tomorrow's 544th anniversary since the ill-starred day of May 29, 1453.

Mr. Kaklamanis stressed the Byzantium's invaluable and unparalleled contribution to the arts, sciences, philosophy and law, while he also pointed out that "the impact of the Byzantium is such that no prejudice, meanness or ignorance can overcome it.

"History will scorn those who attempt to re-write it "contra errores graecorum." A.F.

[06] THE GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HAS HIGH LEVEL CONTACTS IN THE UN

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis will have today a series of contacts with the representatives of the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the 15 EU member-states in the international organization's headquarters in New York.

In the meeting mr.Kranidiotis already had with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed the view that Ankara's positions are negative and do not contribute to the normalization of the Greek- Turkish relations.

The Greek government official characterized his first meeting with mr.Annan as useful and constructive for the developments in the Cyprus issue and expressed Greece's full support to the efforts aimed at finding a solution within the framework of the United Nations. Regarding Cyprus, he also announced that the UN Secretary General intends to call again the two sides to participate in direct talks under the auspices of the UN and stressed that the clear framework that has to exist is necessary to be based on the UN Security Council resolutions and high level agreements.

[07] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT VICE-PRESIDENT IS ON A VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA

Greek Parliament vice-President Panagiotis Sgouridis is on a visit to South Africa representing Greece's legislative body in the events organized by the Associations of Greeks from Pontos for the 74th anniversary of the genocide of their fellow-countrymen.

In the meeting mr.Sgouridis had with South African alternate Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad were discussed issues of bilateral interest and also issues concerning the Greek community living in the country.

[08] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT RECEIVES SPAIN'S AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis received today the Spanish Ambassador to Athens Javier Jimenes Ugarte.

The two officials discussed issues concerning cooperation between the Greek and Spanish Parliaments, and agreed to fortify such ties through bilateral contacts of parliamentary delegations. A.F.

[09] GREEK UNIONISTS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS RALLY OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT

Members of the state's largest labor union GSEE and the Association of Public Servants ADEDY formed a human chain outside the Parliament Building this evening, within the framework of the Confederation of European Unions activities.

The worker's basic demands are that the criteria of the Economic and Monetary Union become flexible, criteria for the reduction of unemployment be added and that 15 million new jobs be created in Europe by the year 2000 and the unemployment rate be sliced in half.

Moreover, they ask for a reduction in working hours, without salary cuts, and increases in state expenses for social welfare, health and housing. A.F.

[10] GREECE'S COAST GUARD TO GET UPGRADED PATROL BOATS, ARMS, MACHINERY

Greece's Ministry of Merchant Marine is to get a boost of 1.2 billion drachmas, after a mandate issued by Premier Kostas Simitis, in order to be outfitted with state-of-the-art patrol boats, ammunition and machinery.

Also, once the Schengen Accord on the free movement of people is ratifed by Greece's Parliament, the Coast Guard will be fortified with an additional 18 billion GRD, which is to be drawn from state revenue within the following three years.

According to Mr. Simitis, the Schengen Accord bill is to be voted on in June, before Parliament breaks for its summer recess.

The Schengen Accord has already been ratified by Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

The Accord provides for the creation of a database which will allow police and customs officials to monitor violations related to drug and arms smuggling, use of false passports, etc. In its final form, it will have computerized listings of millions of people with a past criminal record. A.F.

[11] STATE WILL DRAW MEASURES TO PREVENT WATER SHORTAGE IN THESSALONIKI

The Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, along with local government authorities have decided on a package of measures that will prevent a potential water shortage in Thessaloniki.

As such, an information campaign will get under way next week aiming at informing Thessaloniki's residents on ways to save water.

According to the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, the first phase of the operation will aim at reducing water consumption by 15%. A.F.

[12] THESSALONIKI, CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE 1997, REVEALS M. ATHOS TREASURES

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 2, 1997 until the end of the year.

Present at the exhibit's inauguration will be the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

According to Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, this Exhibit will be Greece's grandest event, from a spiritual, scientific and artistic point of view, as well as one of the most significant worldwide.

The Exhibit will feature a selection of carefully selected treasures which 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

[13] INTERBALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 9-10

An inter-balkan foreign ministers conference which will address security, stability and cooperation issues of Southeastern Europe will be held in Thessaloniki on June 9 and 10.

Participants in the conference will be FMs from Bulgaria, FYROM, Albania, Romania, Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Turkey, while observers from over twenty countries will also attend the proceedings (US, Russia, Great Britain, France, Germany, etc.) A.F.

[14] UN-SPONSORED CONFERENCE ON THE MIDDLE EAST HELD IN ATHENS

A United Nations-sponsored conference on the Middle East was held in Athens yesterday, with the main pursuit of examining the peace agreement signed in Oslo and Cairo and the implementation process thereof.

The two-day conference, titled "The Peace Process: The Challenges Ahead", was officiated by Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, while the audience included analysts from the Palestinian territories, Israel, the Arab world, the United States and Europe. A.F.

[15] CYPRUS: CLERIDES-DENKTASH DIRECT TALKS TO BEGIN END OF JUNE

The invitations for direct talks issued by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan are to be presented to the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots Rauf Denktash within the following ten days.

According to diplomatic sources at the United Nations, the talks are scheduled for the end of June or the beginning of July.

The exact date and place of the talks will depend on various factors, such as Mr. Annan's and the paticipants' schedules, as well as the availability of a specific place.

According to political observers, among the issues to be brought up for discussion between Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash are topics concerning sovereignty, security, Cyprus' process of accession to the EU, and the Cypriot issue's constitutional and territorial aspects. A.F.

[16] EXTENSIVE GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE WAS ANNOUNCED IN FYROM

FYROM's mass media made no comments when they referred to the extensive government reshuffle that was announced late last night by Prime Minister Branko Tservenkowski.

Until now there was no statement or reaction on behalf of the political parties that participated in the coalition government as it is known that the delay in the announcement of the members of the new government was the result of objections and disagreements, coming especially from the Socialist Party, regarding the allocation of the government ministries.

No statement was made by former Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckowski and government vice-President Janne Miliowski who, according to political analysts in Skopje, were removed from their posts due to discords within their party.

Prime Minister Tservenkowski announced the wide government reshuffle last night and only four ministers of the previous government remained to their posts.

[17] FYROM: GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLED, FM FRTCKOVSKI OUT

The Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Branco Cervenkovski proceeded to reshuffle his government last evening, with over one third of its members being replaced or re-assigned.

Replacing Ljubomir Frckovski as Foreign Minister is the up-to- now Defense Minister Blagoi Hanginski, whose place will bs taken by Lazar Kitanovski.

According to FYROM's constitution, reshuffling one third of the government's members requires a vote of confidence from Parliament.

In all, ten ministers from the Social-Democratic Union were appointed, four from the largest Albanian minority party PDP and one from the Socialist Party. A.F.

[18] CONFERENCE ON LOCAL ADMINISTRATION AS A FACTOR OF STABILITY IN THE BALKANS

A one-day conference on the local administration as a factor of peace and cooperation in the Balkans will be held in Thessaloniki on June 7.

In the conference have been invited to participate local administration representatives from Bulgaria, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Romania, FYROM and other Balkan states.

[19] SPECIAL CEREMONY FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARSHALL PLAN

The 50th anniversary of the Marshall plan implementation that provided for the distribution of a 13 billion dollar US economic aid aimed at the reconstruction of post-war Europe, is celebrated in The Hague today with a special ceremony.

US President Clinton will meet with European Commission President Jacques Santer and the Dutch Prime Minister, while he is also scheduled to visit London to meet with the British Prime Minister.

[20] TURKEY EXCLUDES US COMPANIES FROM DEFENCE SUPPLY CONTRACTS

The US review "Defence News" writes that Turkey tries to exclude the US companies from all defence supply contracts in an effort to hurt the US weapons market and exert pressures on the Clinton administration to give the "green light" for the delivery to the Turkish Navy of the "Cobra" attack helicopters and the three frigates it withholds.

According to the US review, which cites Turkish Defence Ministry sources, Turkey now has turned toward the European market or even the Japanese and the South African.

The US government, under pressure by the Senate, has avoided to deliver the attack helicopters and the frigates to Turkey maintaining that serious progress should be made first in Turkey's human rights record. The US Senate believes that the Turkish forces should be armed with US weapons only after positive assurance from Ankara that those weapons will not be used against civilians. Meanwhile, certain members of the US Congress are against this transaction maintaining that it would put the balance between Greece and Turkey in danger.

[21] THE POLITICAL CRISIS CONTINUES IN TURKEY

The political crisis in Turkey continues as the majority enjoyed in Parliament by the coalition government of Prime Minister Erbakan becomes smaller, while there is increased likelihood of new Parliament deputies' resignations.

Government vice-President and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller met today with her associates to discuss the future of the coalition government and she is expected to ask Erbakan either to hand the premiership over to her or to hold early elections.

[22] THE ARAB COUNTRIES ARE CONCERNED OVER THE TURKISH INVASION TO N.IRAQ

The Turkish invasion to northern Iraq has caused great concern to the governments of the arab countries. The Arabs, in spite of the reassuring statements made by the Turkish government and especially by Prime Minister Erbakan, believe that the military operations of the Turkish armed forces are being carried out in agreement with the United States and Israel.

The Foreign Minister of Lebanon expressed the hope that Turkey's domestic and external problems will not become associated with the Turkish-Israeli relations.

The Syrian government warned Turkey that the creation of a defence zone in the northern part of Iraq will create tensions in the region and is possible to lead Ankara to an open clash with the arabs.

Jordan expressed similar fears and the parliamentary Committee on International and Arab Affairs issued a statement mentioning that the Turkish invasion constitutes a dangerous violation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Iran's stance was tougher and the country's Foreign Minister summoned the Turkish charge d'affaires in Teheran calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Iraq, while he also underlined that the invasion to northern Iraq is a clear violation of international treaties.

[23] TURKEY: CILLER IS PREMIER, EARLY ELECTIONS DECLARED

Turkey is on its way to early elections with Tansu Ciller serving as caretaker Premier, as was decided upon in an unscheduled meeting held this evening among Turkish Premier Necmettin Erbakan, Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller and the President of the Great Unity Party (MMP) Muhsin Yiazinjioglu.

The three agreed that the country will proceed to early elections, while Mr. Yiazinjioglu's party will participate in government by holding the Ministry of Agriculture and a ministry without portfolio. Mr. Erbakan will not take part in the government.

MMP's seven deputies were elected on Mesut Yilmaz's Motherland Party ballot and later departed. A.F.

[24] F.R.Y.: ZAJEDNO ("TOGETHER") COALITION, MAY NOT STAY TOGETHER FOR LONG

F.R.Y.'s once tightly-knit opposition coalition Zajedno ("Together") appears to be unraveling now, as the tri-partite leadership is marked with juxtapositions and arguments.

The President of the Democracy Party of Renewal Vuc Drascovic called on his political ally and Mayor of Belgrade Zoran Djindic to resign from his seat, accusing him of not tackling the city's issues and of taking advantage of his post to hurl derogatory remarks towards Drascovic's party.

In turn, Djindic responded that Drascovic's accusations come at a time when the region's Radical Serb Party, led by nationalist Voislav Seseli, is to table a motion to remove Djindic from his post, and as such, have nothing to do with his performance as mayor. Still, Drascovic has said that he will not vote in favor of the Radical Serb Party's motion.

Not only is the feeling of disappointment evident among Zajedno's supporters, who fervently believed that the coalition would be a viable alternative to Serb President Slobodan Milosevic, but Milosevic now is apparently taking advantage of the internal warring, siezing the opportunity to stabilize his power. A.F.

[25] FYROM: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS UNIMPRESSED BY CABINET RESHUFFLE

The leader of FYROM's Liberal Democratic Party Petar Gosev asked today for the govenrment's resignations and the declaration of early elections.

In spite of last night's reshuffling, Mr. Gosev said that these changes are not about to bring any whatsoever improvement in his country's political, social and economic plights.

"The reshuffle is simply a tactic used by the government in order to cover its internal shortcomings and clandestine actions," Gostev said.

FYROM's Prime Minister Branco Cervenkovski proceeded to reshuffle his government last evening, with over one third of its members being replaced or re-assigned.

Replacing Ljubomir Frckovski as Foreign Minister is the up-to- now Defense Minister Blagoi Hanginski, whose place will bs taken by Lazar Kitanovski.

According to FYROM's constitution, reshuffling one third of the government's members requires a vote of confidence from Parliament.

In all, ten ministers from the Social-Democratic Union were appointed, four from the largest Albanian minority party PDP and one from the Socialist Party. A.F.

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