Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-06-17

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 17, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PM: EU SUMMIT'S NEGOTIATIONS ARE POSITIVE FOR GREECE'S POSITIONS

Today's session of the Amsterdam-held European Union Summit Conference displayed the political willingness on behalf of the EU leaders to arrive at a new treaty for Europe.

The "15" discussed issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference as well as issues concerning a common foreign and defense policy.

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated that the ongoing negotiations are very positive for Greece and stressed that the new treaty's regulation of adopting a common foreign and defense policy is a first one for the EU.

The regulation therein also refers to the Greek islands, while the other matters that have enjoyed the general interest of Greece, such as employment, social policy and health and consumer regulations, the adjustments are meeting Greece's aims. according to the Premier. A.F.

[02] GREEK PREMIER AT AMSTERDAM-HELD EU SUMMIT

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou are participating at the Amsterdam- held European Union summit.

Greece has noted that most of Greece's objectives have been attained "since the issues in question are included in the text that will serve as a guideline for discussion at the summit," Mr. Simitis stated.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that irrespective of the Summit's outcome Greece's economic policy will not change even if the EMU criteria should relax. A.F.

[03] THE EU SUMMIT CONTINUES IN AMSTERDAM

The European Union Summit meeting in Amsterdam deals today with the issue of the Maastricht Treaty revision, the foreign and defense policy of the Union as well as, with issues concerning the EU structure. Among others, the EU leaders will also discuss the situation in Congo, Albania and former Yugoslavia.

The Greek side appears satisfied with the reference made to the EU common external borders that is included in the joint text of the "15".

Meanwhile, the EU Summit has already concluded that priority should be given to emloyment in Europe, while the European leaders also decided that a special Summit on employment will be held possibly in October.

Regarding the criteria and the timetable set for the European Monetary Union, they will remain unchanged as the dispute between France and Germany has ended and the stabillity pact has been approved.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis attributed this development to the political changes that took place in France and Britain which have made employment the main issue.

Greek National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stated that the importance of employment has been consolidated as a major political objective, while Undersecretary of Labour Christos Protopappas stressed that specific policies now begin to appear at a European level.

[04] TSOCHATZOPOULOS WILL INAUGURATE IN THESSALONIKI THE EXHIBITION "NAVY-THE WOODEN WALLS"

Greek Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos will inaugurate this evening the exhibition "Navy-The Wooden Walls" on board the tank landing ship "Ikaria" at Thessaloniki's sea-front. The exhibition is being held within the framework of the Greek Navy's participation in the Cultural Capital of Europe events.

A special place among the exhibits has the Athenian trireme "Olympias", the rebuilding of which is regarded as one of the biggest achievements of contemporary experimental archaeology, as the shipbuilders used the same methods that were followed in antiquity.

[05] NATIONWIDE MEDIA CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SAMOTHRACE

For the sixth year in a row, the Nationwide Media Conference themed "Balkans and Mass Media" will be held in Samothrace between June 19-22.

The conference is organized by the prefecture of Evros, and Samothrace's Local Association of Municipalities and Communities.

The President of the Editors Union of Daily Newspapers in Athens Ar. Manolakos stated that this year's theme will also tackle issues related to the Europe-celebrated year against xenophobia and racism. A.F.

[06] KRANIDIOTIS: THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS A PRECONDITION FOR THE NORMALIZATION OF THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

The solution of the Cyprus problem is a pre-condition for the normalization of the Greek-Turkish relations, stressed Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, who described as a "window of opportunity" the EU decision to include Cyprus in its new members and to open the accession negotiations 6 months after the end of the Inter-Governmental Conference.

In an interview with the television network CNN International, mr.Kranidiotis underlined that a fair and viable solution should be reached for the Cyprus issue, while at the same time, he stressed the responsibilities of the United States and the European Union on the matter.

On the statement made by US Presidential envoy to Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, that Cyprus is a volatile region in Europe, mr.Kranidiotis said that it is correct, as for the past 23 years the Cyprus issue remains an international problem that was created by the Turkish invasion and occupation of the 1/3 of the island's territory. He pointed out that Turkey ignores the International Law, the International treaties and the UN resolutions that demand the withdrawal of the occupation forces, while the international community has been unable to persuade Ankara to comply with international rules.

Regarding the political instability in Turkey, mr.Kranidiotis expressed concern pointing out that it is a negative factor in Greece's effort to find a reliable interlocutor while he expressed the hope that the crisis will end as soon as possible.

On NATO's enlargement, after the US decision to back the accession of Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic and leave out Romania and Slovenia, he reiterated Greece's position that the Balkan states should also be included in order for stability, normalization and peace in the region to be safeguarded.

[07] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT WILL MEET WITH HIS COUNTERPART FROM GEORGIA

President of the Georgian Parliament mr.Zhvania, who is on a 4day visit to Greece, is scheduled to meet this afternoon with Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Mr.Zhvania will also meet with President Kostis Stephanopoulos, while he will have talks with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and opposition party leaders.

Within the framework of his visit to Athens, the President of the Georgian Parliament will have contacts with members of the Commerce and Industry Chamber and tomorrow he will attend the opening of the 9th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact.

[08] A MONK FROM MOUNT ATHOS BUILDS A BYZANTINE MONASTERY IN SOUTHERN ITALY

For the past two years, Father Kosmas, a monk from Mount Athos, builds the Monastery of Saint Ioannis the Harvester situated in the region of Styles in Calabria, Southern Italy. In the same region, where it used to be Greater Greece, also began the construction of the church "The Virgin of Greece" in the Greek- speaking village of Galiciano.

Father Kosmas had recently stated that the goal is to get the region out of the historical inaction and to display the ecumenical horizons of hellenism. He added that it is sad the fact that in Southern Italy there is not even one institute studying the cultural presence of hellenism and its remnants today, at a time when the westerners sent missionaries to the jungle.

During his post-graduate studies in Rome, Father Kosmas had met an Italian from the region of Calabria, who had been baptized an Orthodox Christian. In 1983, they visited Southern Italy together and Father Kosmas discovered the Christian Greater Greece and realized that the region and especially Calabria, was in direct contact with Istanbul from the 7th until the 11th century. It was then when he decided to put the region back on the track of history. He left Mount Athos and started building stone by stone the Monastery of Saint Ioannis the Harvester.

Father Kosmas believes that the monastery he builds is a kind of continuous open conference, because in this region there is a constant dialogue among the past, the present and the future.

The Cultural Society "Makednos" in a show of solidarity to the efforts made by Father Kosmas will visit the region on June 28 and in a special ceremony in the village's central square will honour the politicians who allowed him to build the monastery.

[09] MOUNT ATHOS TREASURES TRANSPORTED TO THESSALONIKI AMIDST GRANDEUR

A series of formal events are being held today in the area of Karyes in Mount Athos, to celebrate the transportation of the invaluable treasures to Thessaloniki for the exhibit of Mount Athos Treasures that will open this Saturday at the Byzantine Museum of Thessaloniki.

The President of the Greek Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will inaugurate the event. Today's ceremonies are being attended by the Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos and Macedonia- Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, as well as other officials.

The Exhibit, to be held until Deceber 31, 1997, is hailed as an unrivalled, monumental event and will feature the display of 1,500 objects of which 600 are relics that have never been taken out from Mount Athos in its over one-thousand-year history.

Also, the event will feature the participation of a number of monasteries from the holy community of Mount Athos, although four of these monasteries have withdrawn their participation as a sign of protest to the Schengen Accord. A.F.

[10] GREEK ATHLETES WIN 25 MEDALS IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Greek athletes won twenty-five medals, 11 gold, nine silver and five bronze, at the ongoing Mediterranean games in Bari, Italy, this weekend, ranking fourth in the medals table. A.F.

[11] THE GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA REACHED 50 MILLION DOLLARS FROM 1993 UNTIL MAY 31, 1997

Greek investments in Bulgaria reached 50 million dollars from 1993 until May 31, 1997 confirming the dynamic presence of the Greek business community in the country.

The main volume of the Greek investment capital in Bulgaria is being absorbed by the industry sector, where 72 investments have been made from 1992 until today worth over 38 million dollars. The largest number of investments, a total of 833, is observed in the sector of trade.

Also, part of the Greek investments in Bulgaria are being made in the sectors of construction, communication and transportation, tourism and agriculture, based on data provided by Bulgaria's Foreign Investment Agency.

Euro-Info Correspondence Office director ms.Antonina Stoyanovska, who is in Thessaloniki to attend the one-day conference, stated to MPA that the Greek investors should examine carefully the prospects of further investments in Bulgaria, stressing that the economic and political changes gradually taking place in Bulgaria are favourable for the Greek businessmen.

[12] THE COMPOUND INTEREST IMPOSED ON THE DELAYED INTEREST PAYMENTS OF LOANS IS ILLEGAL

The Supreme Court of Appeal decision, issued by its A' Section, which ruled that the banks have no right to impose compound interest on delayed interest payments of loans, opens the way for the abolition of a practice which has been in force for the past two decades and allows for the imposition of compound interest, since the first day of the delay in payments, with absolutely no time restrictions or any other kind of restrictions.

The Supreme Court ruling, based on which, the banks can not impose compound interest unless the debtor has agreed to that from the start of the transaction, was the result of a suit filed by a company that blamed the compound interest system for its bankruptcy. Nevertheless, due to the seriousness of the case, it was decided that it will also be examined in the Supreme Court's plenary session.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] EU LEADERS REACH EMPLOYMENT-RELATED COMPROMISE DURING SUMMIT

The European Union's leaders reached a compromise on the unemployment issue during the Summit Conference held in Amsterdam. Germany, the member-state that had been the most resistant in adopting an employment clause, finally agreed to accept a non- binding document on ways to face unemployment, proposed by France and supported by the other countries.

Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis stated that this compromise formula constitutes a significant step in facing the plight of joblessness in the Community. A.F.

[14] CYPRUS FILES DEMARCHES FOR TURKISH WARSHIPS THAT HAVE SAILED IN ITS PORTS

Cypriot government spokesperson Manolis Christofides confirmed today the presence of nine Turkish warships that have sailed into Cyprus' occupied ports of Famagusta and Deryneia, as part of the Turkish military exercise "Sea Dog 97".

The three fregates, three cruisers and three submarines are scheduled to remain in the ports until Friday.

Mr. Christofides stated that the Cypriot government will file demarches with the United Nations for these violations as well as for the incidents of June 15 and 16 when Cyprus' FIR was violated by 16 Turkish aircraft.

The Cypriot official pointed out that these acts are performed by Turkey "at a period when we are proceeding to negotiations and simply display their true intentions." A.F.

[15] BLACK SEA PACT ASSEMBLY HELD IN ATHENS TODAY

The Parlamentary Asembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact (PABSEC), whose six-month rotating presidency is held by Greece, is to begin in Athens today.

Participants will discuss a wide-range of economic, political and social issues.

The session will be oficially declared open tomorrow by the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and the President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

PABSEC, which was founded in 1993, is the parliamentary arm of Black Sea Economic Cooperation. A.F.

[16] ALBANIAN SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER SPEAKS TO MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

The leader of Albania's Socialist Party Fatos Nano told the Macedonian Press Agency that by not participating in the recently- held southeastern Foreign Ministers Conference in Thessaloniki, Albania lost the opportunity to give the message that the future of all Balkan countries will be built.

Mr. Nano stated that Adrian Starova, Albania's undersecretary of Foreign Affairs who attended the conference, "will be for a short time period in the Ministry but he can try and do something good for the country, as Mr. Fino (the Albanian Premier) is doing."

Moreover, the Socialist leader expressed his optimism for the upcoming elections in his country and assured that the Greek minority living in Albania should feel secure.

Regarding the election process, Mr. Nano stated that the role of the multinational force assigned to his country is very signifiant since it will not only protect the voters but the international observers as well. He emphasized that the key aim of his party is the complete democratic revival of all his country's institutions.

"Mr. Berisha was elected during an emergency status situation and this is not demoratic," Mr. Nano stated, adding that the Albanian President has lost his powers and as such "should either cooperate with the new authorities or return to cardiology." A.F.

[17] ALBANIA: RISING WAVE OF VIOLENCE JUST DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS

Fourteen days before Albania's general elections the wave of violence is rising throughout the country.

Yesterday, unkown men opened fire upon the car of the Socialist Party's Secretary Meidani. No one was injured in this incident. A.F.

[18] RUSSIAN FM: WE'D REVIEW S-300 MISSILES SALE ONLY IN DEMILITARIZATION CASE

Russia's decision to sell the S-300 missiles to Cyprus will be reconsidered only in case of the island's demilitarization, stated the Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov in a press interview given after his meeting with Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides.

Mr. Primakov stated that Russia is determined to sell the missiles to Cyprus and added that it holds high expectations from the direct talks that will be held between the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

In turn, Mr. Kasoulides characterized his talks with the Russian FM a constructive and useful and invited Mr. Primakov to visit Cyprus. A.F.

[19] US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON ON RUSSIAN MISSILES SALE TO CYPRUS

United States State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns has reiterated his country's opposition to the Russian sale of S- 300 missiles to Cyprus.

Mr. Burns rebuffed a journalist's claim that part of the missiles has already been transported to the island, by saying that "I will not acept your claim. It has been made known to us, in a very cogent manner by a highly esteemed person, the President of Cyprus, a man who has always kept his word to the United States, that none of these parts will enter the island before 16 months."

Referring to Turkey's threats against Cyprus regarding the missiles sale, Mr. Burns stated that while the US do not view the establishment of missiles in the Mediterranean as a prudent act, neither is any whatsoever Turkish threat of military invasion of Cyprus. A.F.

[20] THE US ARE NOT ACCEPTING BULGARIA'S REQUEST TO ENTER NATO

United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has turned down an appeal issued by her Bulgarian counterpart Nadejda Michaelova that she support Bulgaria's entrance to NATO.

Ms. Albright, in a meeting held with Ms. Michaelova in Washington, emphasized that the U.S. are not planning to propose the entrance of other members, aside from Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, for the first phase of the Alliance's eastward expansion.

However, the State Department Secretary reiterated that "NATO's door will remain open after the first wave of incoming members." A.F.

[21] FYROM PRESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES, TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON

The President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov is currently conducting his first official visit to the United States, an event hailed as a historical moment for the relations of FYROM-US by the small country's media.

Mr. Gligorov will be received today by the US President Bill Clinton and the two are expected to discuss issues of bilateral interest.

According to FYROM's press reprts, President Gligorov is to request economic aid from the Clinton Administration, especially through the development of investments. A.F.

[22] TURKISH WARSHIPS SAIL INTO OCCUPIED PORTS OF FAMAGUSTA AND DERYNEIA

Nine Turkish warships have sailed into Cyprus' occupied ports of Famagusta and Deryneia, as part of the military exercise "Sea Dog 97".

The three fregates, three cruisers and three submarines will remain in the ports until Friday. A.F.

[23] CHRISTOFIDIS: THE GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE IF THE ARRIVAL OF THE S-300 MISSILES IS JUSTIFIED

The Greek-Cypriot side has the right to evaluate if there is progress in the Cyprus problem and to decide whether the arrival of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles is justifiable. The above was stressed by Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofidis, who also characterized as correct the statements made by Russian Foreign Minister Gevgeni Primakov, that the missiles will not be sent if Cyprus is demilitarized.

Mr.Christofidis described as correct mr.Primakov's statement according to which, if there is a decision on demilitarization there is no reason for Cyprus' arsenal to be reinforced with the S- 300 missiles.

[24] THE CYPRUS ISSUE WILL BE AMONG THE TOPICS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING OF THE G-7 AND RUSSIA

The Cyprus issue will be among the topics that will be discussed in the Summit meeting of the G-7 and Russia, stated a White House National Security Adviser.

According to information reported by the state Radio and Television Network in Cyprus, the meeting will be held on Sunday in Denver, Colorado in the United States.

[25] UNCERTAINTY PREVAILS IN TURKEY DUE TO POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Turkey lives in uncertainty due to the rapid political developments taking place in the country.

Last night, utra-right Great Unity leader Muhtsin Yiazicioglu announced that his party, which as 8 seats in Parliament, will vote for a government led by Tansu Ciller, while at the same time, other information mentioned that 12 deputies from Ciller's "True Path" Party are ready to resign in case ms.Ciller continues to cooperate with the islamist "Wefare" Party of Necmetin Erbakan.

The situation is characterized as fluid, while a joint statement is expected to be issued today by Ciller and Erbakan on the transfer of power and the continuation of the cooperation between their political parties.

Tomorrow, mr.Erbakan is expected to resign from the premiership and President Suleiman Demirel will start the process provided by the country's Constitution.

[26] NEW PROSPECTS FOR THE BALKAN COOPERATION OPEN THROUGH THE "LACE" NETWORK

The exchange of know-how and experience that will constitute the basis for a more effective inter-Balkan cooperation are the main targets of the EU network "Lace". The network's Greek office has opened recently in Thessaloniki.

The above were announced during a one-day conference organized on the grounds of Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair - HELEXPO for the strengthening of relations among the five countries, namely Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Albania and FYROM, that make up the Balkan cross-border cooperation network.

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