Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-07-23

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 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 GREEK PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

The issues of national interest do not depend only on Greece's peaceful disposition but is necessary to have a complete planning, the country's international prestige must be strengthened and also, there should be firm referrence to International Law and treaties. The above are stressed in the message of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos issued on the occasion of the anniversary of the restoration of democracy.

Regarding the country's economy, mr.Stephanopoulos pointed out that the economic indexes show improvement but stressed that the growth rate should be accelerated, productivity must be increased, the problem of unemployment must be dealt with, while a more complete social policy should be followed.

[02] RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY SALUTED BY GREEK PM KOSTAS SIMITIS

In light of the 23rd anniversary since the restoration of democracy in Greece, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated that the country is currently on the embarkment of a new national and social course.

"Our country is ready to face the challenges of the future. In our days, democracy is not threatened. Today, we advance quickly to the cohesive restructuring of the democratic representative institutions and our economy," the Premier said.

[03] REPPAS: TURKISH OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE EFFORT FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas spoke of an effort by Turkish officials to undermine the solution of the Cyprus problem, referring to the recent provocative statements made by the Turkish government vice-President Bulent Etsevit and Turkish- Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the annexation of the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus.

Greece remains firm in its positions and calls for the isolation of the voices that lead to a vicious circle, stated the Greek government spokesman and stressed that there is no change whatsoever in Greece's stance regarding the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus.

Also, mr.Reppas characterized as very important and positive the US House of Representatives resolution that calls for the demilitarization of Cyprus and the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation forces. He stressed that similar resolutions have been approved in the past but they were not put into practice.

The Greek government spokesman also announced that the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense will meet on Friday to discuss the country's defense policy and the future structure of the armed forces.

[04] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN BRUSSELS

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos had a brief meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Brussels yesterday.

Mr. Pangalos brought forward the continental shelf issue which he characterised as "the only major issue that lies between the two countries."

According to reports, the wisemen's committees from both countries may meet soon, something that was neither confirmed nor refuted by the Greek government's spokesperson Dimitris Reppas. A.F.

[05] CHANGES WILL OCCUR IN STRUCTURE OF GREEK ARMED FORCES

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Armed Forces a complete introduction concerning changes in the structure of the country's armed forces.

According to Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, the large formations will be done away with and instead smaller and more flexible units will be created. A.F.

[06] GREECE WILL NOT CHANGE ITS STANCE ON THE ISSUE OF THE EU FUNDS FOR TURKEY

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, in an intervention he made during the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels, reiterated the pledge that Greece will not change its position on the issue of the EU funds for Turkey, if Ankara does not withdraw its claims over the Imia islets in the Aegean.

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek said to Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Gem, with whom he met in Brussels yesterday, that the upgrading of relations between the European Union and Turkey, pre-supposes steps toward the solution of the Cyprus problem, Turkey's democratization and the respect of human rights.

[07] PRESIDENT OF SAE SALUTES PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE

The president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens, has stated that those who try to alter the history of Macedonia must not be allowed to prevail.

Speaking to the Maedonian Press Agency, Mr. Athens also stressed the need to strengthen unity among Greeks living abroad and their organisations, as well as the importance of supporting SAE.

Referring to those who try to usurp and alter the history of Macedonia, the President of SAE emphasized that their claims are arbitrary and stressed that "we present undeniable facts.

"The great Greek geographer and historian of antiquity Strabon (63BC-24AD) writes that 'Macedonia is also Greece.' The first Apocryphal Book of the Old Testament refers to Alexander the Great as the King of Greece. How could the Macedonians participate in the Olympic Games -in which only Hellenes could participate- if they weren't Hellenes" what language and what culture did Alexander the Great spread as far as India? The Hellenic of course."

In regards to the need to develop the ties that bind Greeks abroad, Mr. Athens stated that "our problem was and still is that we are not united. We may speak with one heart but not with one mouth and in this respect we are being taken advantage of by our foes, friends and competitors. SAE is here to fix that, by uniting the existing organisations and merging the small ones into bigger ones, thus making them stronger and more effective."

Referring to the task of SAE, Mr. Athens stated that the step that has been taken by the Greek government in the formation of SAE is "a dream come true for all Hellenism.

"From the several hundred thousand who immigrated to the world outside of the Motherland to look for better living opportunities, with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. they have grown to seven million.

"Most of us well established in the countries of our choice, and others newly arrived, we have never lost that spark whcih is called Hellas."

In regards to Greek heritage, language and culture, the three factors that aid Hellenism in maintaining its ties with Greece, Mr. Athens spoke of Captain Sigalas of the ocean liner Olympia who told a friend in 1963: "Back in the 40s, I was hearing talk about the Greek language disappearing in 20 years.

"Here we are in the 60s and the Greek language not only has not disappeared but is stronger than ever." A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] US CONGRESS APPROVES RESOLUTION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF CYPRUS ISSUE

Witn an overwhelming majority, 417 votes for and four against, the US Congress voted in favor of resolution number 81, through which the Clinton Administration is called on to intensify its efforts to reach a viable and fair solution to the Cyprus issue.

The US Congressmen also condemned the continued occupation of the island by the Turkish military forces. A great number of Congressmen agreed that it is a shame that six years after the end of the Cold War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nicosia remains the world's only divided city. A.F.

[09] PRESIDENT OF GREEK PARLIAMENT TO RECEIVE LEBANON'S PREMIER TOMORROW

The President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis is to receive the Prime Minister of Lebanon Mr. Hariri tomorrow.

The meeting will be held at 6pm at Mr. Kaklamanis' office in the Parliament. A.F.

[10] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE THIS EVENING FOR THE FIRST TIME

Albania's new Parliament is to convene this evening for the first time since the general elections of June 29 and July 6.

According to reports, the victorious Socialist Party will present a programme of the action it plans to take in order to salvage the country from the crisis it underwent following the collapse of the pyramid-like money-making schemes. A.F.

[11] PAPAKYRIAZIS: ATHENS IS ON SOFIA'S SIDE IN ITS EFFORT TO BECOME AN EU MEMBER

Greece is on Bulgaria's side in its accession course toward the EU, stated yesterday Greek Euro-deputy Nikos Papakyriazis to the Bulgarian state television.

In the television show "Otzvuk", mr.Papakyriazis stated that within the framework of friendship, good neighbourly relations and improved cooperation, Greece, as the only EU member in the Balkans, believes that it is its obligation to help Bulgaria and the other Balkan countries in their course toward the united Europe of tomorrow.

Mr.Papakyriazis, co-chairman of the European Parliament and Bulgarian Parliament Joint Committee presented with his Bulgarian counterpart Asen Agov, the main targets of the three-day Inter- Parliamentary Committee Conference that opens in Sofia this afternoon and will last until July 25.

The Euro-deputies will discuss with their Bulgarian colleagues the whole spectrum of problems related with Sofia's bid for EU membership in the light of the recent European Commission recommendation to open accession negotiations with 6 countries, among which Bulgaria is not included.

Mr.Papakyriazis met with the leader of the opposition Socialist Party Georgi Parvanov, who expressed his party's position on Bulgaria's accession into the EU and underlined that there is national consensus on the matter in his country.

[12] THE US PERMANENT AMBASSADOR TO THE UN VISITED FYROM

US Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson, who visited Skopje, welcomed the efforts made by FYROM to become a member of the world economic and defense organizations.

The US Ambassador, who is on a tour to Croatia, Bosnia and FYROM, met with President Gligorov and with high government officials.

[13] RUSSIAN GREEK SCHOLAR VICTOR SOKOLYUK DIED DURING A VISIT TO GREECE

The well-known Russian Greek scholar Victor Sokolyuk died two days ago from heart failure at the age of 47, while on a visit to the north-eastern city of Kavala accompanying a group of Russian students participating in a student exchange programme.

Sokolyuk became a student of the Greek Literature Department in the University of Kiev at the age of 18. He translated a great number of Greek literary works into Russian, he taught the Greek language in Russian Universities and since 1995 he was the head of the Modern Greek Literature Department in the University of Moscow. He also played a leading role in the founding of the Pan- Russian Association of Modern Greek Scholars.

[14] ANOTHER WELFARE PARTY DEPUTY RESIGNED TODAY

Another Parliament deputy of the islamist Welfare Party in Turkey resigned today, further weakening the Erbakan-Ciller alliance, while favouring at the same time Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz.

The resigned deputy Gutzan Bagdash, who has served as Merchant Marine Minister, announced that he will join the group of independent deputies that controls 23 seats in Parliament.

[15] THE DECISION FOR EARLY ELECTIONS WAS APPROVED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF THE SERB REPUBLIC OF BOSNIA

The Supreme Court of the Serb Republic of Bosnia gave its approval to the decision of the country's President Biljana Plavsic to dissolve Parliament and hold early elections.

The Supreme Court also rejected the appeal made by Plavsic's political rivals, who maintain that the decision is unconstitutional.

[16] THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF AUSTRALIA CALL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MINISTRY FOR THE GREEKS LIVING ABROAD

The representatives of the organizations participating in the Conference of the Pan-Macedonian Associations of Australia held in Thessaloniki stressed that the establishment of a government Ministry for the Greeks living abroad is a necessary pre-condition for the strategic handling of the issues concerning the Greek communities abroad.

In the conference was stressed that the Greek government should handle the issue of the repatriation of Greeks living in FYROM very carefully, while FYROM should not be allowed to bring its propaganda to Greece.

The conference participants also stressed that the Greeks living in FYROM must be protected based on the international treaties for human rights, while agreements should be reached between the two countries for the improvement of their education and the creation of cultural centers.

They also called for the improvement and the creation of new radio and television programmes for the better information of the Greeks living in FYROM, in the Balkans and in rest of the world.

[17] SALI BERISHA RESIGNED FROM THE ALBANIAN PRESIDENCY

Albanian President Sali Berisha resigned from his post, while the new Albanian Parliament is scheduled to hold its session this afternoon.

According to the news agency ENTER, Berisha stated that he resigns from the presidency but he will be the leader of the Democratic Party in the new Parliament.

In the statement that was issued, Berisha mentions that his decision to resign is irreversible and stresses that he will continue his political career in Parliament supporting the values and the alternative solutions he believes in, namely the alternative solution of democracy based on the values of the free market, Albania's accession into Europe, the Euro-Atlantic institutions and the right solution of the national problems.

[18] CLERIDES AND DENKTASH TO MEET NEXT WEEK IN NICOSIA

The President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides is to meet with the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in Nicosia next week, on Monday July 28.

The upcoming meeting had been agreed upon by both men during the first round of the direct talks held in New York.

Monday's meeting will feature an open agenda which means that the two leaders will be able to discuss a variety of matters.

According to the United Nations's spokesperson, the meeting will be held at the residence of the alternate special representative of the UN Secretary General to Cyprus, Gustav Feishel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Denktash has reiterated his threat that if Cyprus embarks on accession negotiations with the European Union then he will not participate in August's talks. A.F.

[19] GREECE, BULGARIA, RUSSIA FORM JOINT VENTURE FOR OIL PIPELINE

Greece, Bulgaria and Russia have agreed to form a joint venture for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, a project which will be assigned to specific technical companies.

The Bulgarian Public Works Ministry's experts agreed to the joint venture plan during a meeting held in Sofia last Sunday with their Greek and Russian counterparts.

Meanwhile, another meeting will be held among the experts of the three countries during the end of August so that they can draw the last minute details prior to embarking on solicitation for bids. A.F.

[20] BURNS: THERE WAS NEVER A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE

The US State Department's spokesperson Nicholas Burns has stated that there has never been a better opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue and requested that the cooperation among the governments of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus with the United Nations and with the US special envoy Richard Holbrooke be strengthened.

In his last appearance as State Department spokesperson, before taking his post as US Ambasador to Athens, Mr. Burns also spoke highly of Greek Premier Kostas Simitis, "a leader who has a clear view of his long- and short-range plans and who wishes to maintain stability in the eastern Mediterranean.

Moreover, Mr. Burns expressed his respect for Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. A.F.

[21] SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OFFICIALLY TAKES OVER AS PRESIDENT TODAY

Slobodan Milosevic officially took over his duties as President of the Federal Yugoslav Republic today, in a ceremony attended by a score of state officials and dignitaries, albeit with the noted absence of opposition party representatives, with the exception of the deputies of Seseli's nationalist party who were present.

In his address, Mr. Milosevic stated that the years to come will be of decisive importance for the development and strengthening of the country.

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