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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-07-18Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.Last Update: 22:07 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANS[C] EUROPE[D] WORLDNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE CONFERENCE BEGINS IN NAFPLIO TODAYWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Athens, July 18 (MPA)The ruling PASOK party's Central Committee conference is to begin this evening in Nafplio, where the delegates are to discuss matters concerning local administration and the course towards local and prefectural elections.Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to open the session, while the party's secretary-general Kostas Skandalides is to issue an appeal towards all of the country's political parties, aside of the main opposition party New Democracy, to form coalitions and cooperate in the local government elections of 1998. A.F. [02] MOUNT ATHOS TREASURES EXHIBITION IS IN THE LIMELIGHT ALL OVER THE WORLDWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Thessaloniki, July 18 (MPA)The "Treasures of Mount Athos" exhibition currently featured at Thesaloniki's Byzantine Art Museum, is enjoying the limelight of the foreign press which has dedicated a score of favorable reviews on the event and its organisation.Italy's "La Repubblica" writes that the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition titled "The Glory of Byzantium," pales in comparison with Thessaloniki's display and adds that, even though the first was backed by a financial conglomerate, it didn't manage to secure the wealth of Thessaloniki's exhibition. Belgium's "De Standaard" offers an extensive article titled "the Hidden Treasures of Mount Athos Shine in Thessaloniki". The Belgian daily also provides a historical account of the Athonite community. The Dutch dailies "Algemeen Dagblad" and "Volkstrand" feature a full-page layout on the Exhibition and the city of Thessaloniki. A.F. [03] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.8 ON RICHTER SCALE ROCKS RHODES, NO DAMAGESWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Rhodes, July 18 (MPA)An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale occurred during the early morning hours at the island of Rhodes.The earthquake was felt throughout the southeastern Aegean region at 4:45 am. Police have reported no damages. A.F. [04] THE GREEK PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUSWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Athens 18 July (MPA)In a statement on the 23rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos gave the assurance that Greece will continue to stand by Cyprus, while he also stressed that the European Union principles need to be implemented and its pledges must be respected.Mr.Stephanopoulos stated that this is the beginning of a long diplomatic and negotiating process. He also said that a new mobilization is observed through the UN Secretary General initiative and the assistance offered by the US, while Cyprus' accession into the European Union is now seen in a positive way. Meanwhile, the occupation regime in northern Cyprus continues its provocations with the intensified preparations for the celebration of the anniversary of the Turkish invasion. Six Turkish warships are expected to sail into Kerynia today, while the vice-President of the Turkish government Bulent Etsevit, the mastermind of the invasion of Cyprus, is expected to arrive in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island tomorrow. [05] PROTOCOL OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ARMED FORCES OF GREECE AND THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIAWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Athens 18 July (MPA)A protocol of defense cooperation between Greece and the Republic of Georgia was signed by Greek Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos and his Georgian counterpart V.Nadibaidze, during the Greek minister's visit to the former Soviet Republic.Mr.Tsochatzopoulos stated that the two countries signed the defense cooperation protocol in their effort to safeguard peace, stability and security in the wider geo-political region. The Greek Minister of Defense reiterated the Greek government's firm position that Greece supports the prospect of a united and indivisible Georgia and the UN initiatives for the solution of this issue. The Georgian Minister of Defense underlined that the signing of this agreement is a significant step toward the further promotion and development of cooperation between the two countries, while he expressed the belief that this cooperation which focuses on the modernization and restructuring of the armed forces will have the expected positive results. [06] GREEK DEPUTIES PARTICIPATE IN COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS FOR CYPRUS' INVASIONWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Athens, July 18 (MPA)Am eight-member cross-party parliamentary delegation, headed by the Greek Parliament's vice-president Panayiotis Sgourides, is to depart for Cyprus tomorrow in order to attend events commemorating the 23rd year since the island's invasion by Turkey.The events will be held during July 20-21. The delegation will be received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and will also meet with the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos and the Speaker of the House of Representatives N. Anastasiades. A.F. [B] BALKANS[07] WEU'S SECRETARY-GENERAL SATISFIED OVER EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUEWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Nicosia, July 18 (MPA)The Secretary-General of the Western European Union Jose Kutijero has expressed his satisfaction over the present efforts exerted to resolve the Cyprus issue, following his meeting with the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia.Mr. Kutijero was briefed by President Clerides on the results of the direct talks recently held in New York between the President and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots Rauf Denktash. Referring to the possibility of strengthening the ties between Cyprus and the WEU, the Secretary-General stated that "the relations with the island are to increase substantially, since Cyprus is proceeding to accession negotiations with the European Union." Yesterday, Cyprus' Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides stated that Cyprus' EU accession course is currently at an advanced stage. Mr. Kasoulides stressed that the Cypriot government's first priority is the island's reunification prior to acceding to the Community, if possible. A.F. [08] STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS RECEIVED BY CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDESWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Nicosia, July 18 (MPA)A three-member delegation of officials from the US State Department has been received in Nicosia by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides.The American diplomats are currently on a visit to the island in order to pave the way for the visit to be conducted in the fall by the US presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke. The US delegation, headed by the State Department's director of political planning, has already visited Athens and Ankara. A.F. [09] BERISHA BLAMES SOCIALISTS FOR LATE ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION RESULTSWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Tirana, July 18 (MPA)Albania's President Sali Berisha blames the Socialist Party, specifically its leader Fatos Nano, for the noted tardiness in the announcement of June 29's general elections results, which has impeded the timely formation of the country's new Parliament.In a press conference, Mr. Berisha stated that the tardiness in announcing the elections' official results is due to the Socialist Party representatives' refusal to sign the Central Electorate Committee's decision, claiming that the holding the President of the Republic's office is incompatible with that of deputy. However, according to Berisha, there is no statute that calls for his resignation from the Presidential post in order to act as a deputy. Berisha leads the Democratic Party's State Council ballot through which he was elected deputy. A.F. [10] VRANITSKI EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER CONTINGENT DEPARTURE FROM ALBANIAWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Vienna, July 18 (MPA)The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's envoy to Albania Franz Vranitski has expressed his concerns over the departure of the eight- nation peacekeeping force assigned to Albania, which is to take place in August.Mr. Vranitski has supported that this force should be replaced by another, at least until complete normality and stability is restored in the country. The OSCE official stated that perhaps NATO or the Werstern European Union could each undertake a role in Albania. Specifically, he proposed that the Alliance could train Albania's armed forces and the WEU could work with the country's police force. Regarding the financial support that has been granted to Albania, Mr. Vranitski stated that quite satisfactory funds have poured into this country, albeit he added that after the volatility that broke out in March, "we need to start from point zero." A.F. [11] PROTEST AGAINST THE BLACK ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUSWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Thessaloniki 18 July (MPA)The Macedonian Movement of Solidarity to the Cypriot People, on the occasion of the black anniversary in Cyprus, condemned the fact that 23 years after the Turkish invasion the occupation of part of the island continues, the refugees are still not allowed to return to their homes, while noone of the missing has returned.In a press conference, representatives of the movement condemned Turkey's behaviour. They also called on the UN Secretary General and Security Council to take all necessary measures for the implementation of the resolutions that demand the respect of the integrity of the Cypriot Republic, the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and settlers and the return of all refugees to their homes. [12] GREEK-BULGARIAN CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION FOCUSING ON NESTOS RIVERWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Sofia 18 July (MPA)The communities of Gotse Deltsev and Razlog in southern Bulgaria have been invited to participate in the "Nestos" border association which was founded in the city of Drama in northern Greece and is headed by Prefect Socratis Dimitriadis.The association's objective is the establishment of a cross-border cooperation institution named "Nestos-Mesta" which will participate in the Union of European Cross-Border Associations. The priorities of the Greek-Bulgarian cross-border cooperation that will focus on Nestos River will be determined in a bilateral meeting next September, while another important issue that will be discussed by the two sides in the near future will be the opening of the new border crossing of Exohi-Iliden as well as, the construction of the new road axis of Drama- Gotse Deltsev. [13] ERBAKAN GOT 10 MILLION DOLLARS FROM SAUDI ARABIA TO SUPPORT THE PERSIAN GULF WAR AGAINST IRAQWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Ankara 18 July (MPA)Former Prime Minister of Turkey Necmetin Erbakan allegedly got the sum of 10 million dollars from Saudi Arabia to support the Persian Gulf War against Iraq, according to the Turkish newspaper "Sabah".The newspaper publishes information from the General Army Staff "Western Working Group" file that was sent to the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. It includes information on Erbakan's islamist Welfare Party and refers to the party's resources abroad as well as, to the sums of money it has received. [14] BULGARIA EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR GREECE'S SUPPORT IN ITS EFFORT TO BECOME A NATO MEMBERWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Sofia 18 July (MPA)Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov sent letters to his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos and to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis expressing Sofia's gratitude for the support offered by Athens in Bulgaria's effort to become a NATO member.Mr.Stoyanov stresses in his letters that the Bulgarian people will never forget this act of solidarity on behalf of Greece. [15] THE DIRECT TALKS WERE A STEP TOWARD THE PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEMWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Nicosia 18 July (MPA)The Clerides-Denktash direct talks in New York were a step toward the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem, stated the press spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Genadi Tarasov.The Russian diplomat also stressed that the solution of the Cyprus problem needs time and good will from both sides, while he underlined that the positive atmosphere during the talks should help toward the improvement of relations. Mr.Tarasov mentioned that a positive role in the New York talks was played by Russia and the European Union and called on all countries to assist the UN Secretary General in his efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem. [16] ITALIAN PRESS REPORTS THERE ARE HUMAN ORGAN RINGS IN ALBANIAWeb Posted: 22:07 GMT+2Tirana, July 18 (MPA)Human organ rings are said to be quite active in Albania, according to the Italian press, were children have reported having undergone kidney removal, with visible scar signs that attest to their claims.Italy's Public Order Minister Giorgio Napolitano has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. According to the Ministry, these reports stem from Italian secret service agents who took part in the eight-nation "ALBA" force assigned to Albania. [17] TURKISH FM EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER EU DECISIONS FOR HIS COUNTRYWeb Posted: 22:07 GMT+2Ankara, July 18 (MPA)Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem expressed today his disappointment over the European Commission's recent decisions concerning his country, according to which, Turkey has to work on its democratic principles and improve its human rights record.Mr. Cem stated that the foreign ministry is currently working on a human rights project and will submit it to the Prime Minister and State Minister responsible for Human Rights next week. The Turkish FM also added that "our neighbors are very important. Turkey favors peace in its relations with the neighbors and has shown its good will during the Madrid Summit." [C] EUROPE[18] THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERSWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Brussels 18 July (MPA)The Middle East issue will be discussed in the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers next Tuesday in the presence of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister David Levi.French President Jacques Chirac has stated that his country will undertake an initiative within the framework of the efforts aimed at overcoming the deadlock in the Middle East peace process. [D] WORLD[19] PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE TO BEGIN ON SUNDAYWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Thessaloniki, July 18 (MPA)The 7th World Conference of the Pan-Macedonian Associations is to begin in Thessaloniki on Sunday, 11:30 am at the Aristotle University's conference hall, to be inaugurated by alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and World Council of Hellenes Abroad President Andrew Athens.Among other issues, the conference will examine ways to improve activities undertaken by the Greeks abroad in the effort to promote national issues. A.F. [20] US SENATORS CONDEMN OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS, PRESENT APPEAL TO CLINTONWeb Posted: 14:49 GMT+2Washington, July 18 (MPA)A great number of American Senators have condemned the continued occupation of Cyprus. They have requested from President Clinton that he intensify his efforts to end the island's partition.Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns has warned the Turkish government's vice-president Bulent Ecevit to adjust to the positive and constructive climate currently noted in Cyprus. A.F. [21] 22 GREEK COMPANIES PARTICIPATED IN THE MEDPARTENARIAT HELD IN JORDANWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Thessaloniki 18 July (MPA)The Medpartenariat of Jordan took place in the capital of Amman and the event was inaugurated by Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.In the event participated 403 companies from 27 European and Mediterranean countries as well as, 150 Jordanian companies. Greece was represented by 22 businesses from the sectors of pharmaceuticals, clothing, footwear and foodstuffs. The next Medpartenariat will take place in Tunisia on September 25- 26. [22] THE NATO FORCES' MISSION IN BOSNIA WILL BE COMPLETED AS SCHEDULEDWeb Posted: 18:23 GMT+2Washington 18 July (MPA)US President Bill Clinton stated that the term of the NATO forces, SFOR, in Bosnia will end next summer as scheduled. Mr.Clinton also added that the Dayton accord will continue to be implemented after the withdrawal of the NATO forces, while the future role of NATO in the region has not been fully determined yet.Meawhile, the SFOR commander general William Crouch had contacts in the city of Pale, in the Serb Republic of Bosnia, with representatives of the bosnian-serb leadership after the recent attacks against the multi-national military presence in Bosnia. Apparently, the small scale attacks were made in retaliation for the NATO operation which is aimed at the arrest of Bosnian-Serbs accused of commiting war crimes. 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/Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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