Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-08-05

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 5, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS AWARDED WITH IAAF'S HIGHEST DISTINCTION

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos has been awarded with the Gold Medal of Honour, by the President of the International Amateur Athletics Federation Dr. Primo Nebiolo.

In turn, President Stephanopoulos bestowed upon Dr. Nebiolo the medal of the Commander of the Order of Honour, during a special ceremony held last evening at the presidential mansion.

Mr. President hosted a reception on honour of the World Athletics Championships organisers and the members of the IAAF and IOC in Athens.

IOC member Prince Albert of Monaco is currently in Athens where he is to tour the sports facilities and will be briefed on the Greek portfolio on its bid for the 2004 Olympic Games. A.F.

[02] GREEK PM TO NEWSWEEK: CONTINENTAL SHELF IS THE CRUCIAL G-T DIFFERENCE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has called on Ankara to either take the Imia islet issue to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, or abandon its claims, during an interview that he granted to the US weekly "Newsweek".

In the article, Mr. Simitis stated that the "most substantial difference between the two neighbours is the Aegean Sea's continental shelf", and when asked "why is delineating the extent of the continental shelf from Greece's coastline so crucial" the Premier responded that "in the continental shelf you can exploit minerals. Probably there is oil."

When asked if he expects a breakthrough over the Imia islets issue, Mr. Simitis stated that "I hope there is a breakthrough. I need a statement from the Turkish that they will refer the matter to the International Court or to say that they don't persist in their claims."

Moreover, Mr. Simitis stated that if Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz states clearly that he will refer the Imia islets matter to the International Court, then Greece will release its veto over European Union funds owed to Turkey.

Furthermore, the Premier, in response to a relevant question, added that Turkey cannot be a member of the EU with open problems in the Aegean and on Cyprus.

When asked if the success of Greece's relations with Turkey depends on resolving the Cyprus issue, Mr. Simitis stated that "there are two different subjects: Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus question. The Greek Turkish relations are a Greek-Turkish matter. The Cyprus problem is an international problem. It concerns a third state and the problem is the foreign occupation of that state. Naturally, the solution of the Cyprus problem will create a better climate for Greek-Turkish relations. But they are not connected." A.F.

[03] GREEK FM DISCUSSES GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS WITH WASHINGTON POST

Greece's Foreign Minster Theodoros Pangalos views the demarcation of the Aegean Sea's continental shelf as the main problem between Greece and Turkey, as he stated in an interview to the US daily Washington Post.

Mr. Pangalos stated that the key problem between the two neighbours is the continental shelf and added that "what's needed is a legal framework to solve this dispute," supporting that the matter should be referred to the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

Would Greece lift its veto over European Union funds for Turkey once the Imia islets issue is resolved, the Washington Post reporter asked.

"Yes," Mr. Pangalos stated, but he warned, "we cannot guarantee Turkey its money if Finland or Sweden have concerns about human rights in Turkey."

The Greek Foreign Minister stated that "we have an urgent need to solve the problems that lie between Turkey and Greece" and he added that it may be helpful that he has known the Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem for a long time.

Mr. Pangalos did say that he plans to have an official meeting with Mr. Cem this fall at the United Nations and he also added that Prime Minister Kostas Simitis may meet with Mr. Yilmaz in Crete sometime in November. A.F.

[04] GREECE'S JAVELIN THROWER KOSTAS GATSIOUDIS EARNS BRONZE MEDAL

Greece's Javelin thrower Kostas Gatsioudis has earned the silver medal with a score of 86.64 meters in his second attempt, during the Track and Field World Championships in Athens this evening.

South African Marius Korbet earned the gold medal with a throw of 88.40 meters, while Britain's javelin thrower earned the silver. A.F.

[05] US CONSUL-GENERAL IN THESSALONIKI MEETS WITH CITY'S PREFECT

The United States' newly-appointed Consul-General in Thessaloniki, Paul Stephenson, was received today by the city's prefect Kostas Papadopoulos who briefed the American diplomat on issues concerning the immediate region and the greater Balkans.

Mr. Stephenson displayed a heigthened interest in Thessaloniki's role in the Balkans and stated that the any problems that may exist in the region can be resolved through dialogue and mutually-accepted proposals. A.F.

[06] GREEK GOVERNMENT DELEGATION VISITS TIRANA TODAY

A new era begins for the Greek-Albanian relations with today's visit to Tirana by a Greek government delegation headed by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

The issues that will be discussed are illegal immigration, the guarding of borders, the situation of the Greek minority and the Greek economic aid to Albania.

[07] GRIGORIS YIANNAROS DIED THIS MORNING

Grigoris Yiannaros, a leading member of the party Coalition of the Left died this morning from cancer at the age of 61.

In a statement issued by the party's Central Political Committee is mentioned that a dear colleague and a great figure in the political and social life of Greece was lost.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] ALBANIAN PREMIER SALUTES GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS' VISIT TO TIRANA

Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano has welcomed the delegation of Greek foreign ministry officials to his country.

The Greek officials, led by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, have signed a protocol with their Albanian counterparts that foresees seasonal employment for Albanians who come to Greece.

Moreover, Mr. Pangalos vowed that he will submit before the European Union on September 16, Albania's request of aid from the Community's programs. Also, the Greek government is to grant Albania with 2.5 billion drachmas in aid and will re-activate older loans.

Also, Greece's under-secretary of Labour Christos Protopapas met with his Albanian counterparts who stated that their government proceed to measures that will halt the massive incoming waves of illegal Albanians to Greece, especially when the four- month registration period will begin for those Albanians who wish to be given temporary working and stay permits.

The Albanian Foreign Minister Paschal Milo said that the visit of the seven-member Greek delegation constitutes "further support within the framework of the international solidarity which has recently been clearly manifested." A.F.

[09] NEW PROVOCATIONS BY RAUF DENKTASH

Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash continues the provocative statements. Mr.Denktash threatened that in spite of his decision to participate in the Montreaux talks with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides next week, he will abandon the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem as soon as the European Union opens accession negotiations with Cyprus.

[10] YILMAZ DOES NOT RULE OUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF BRINGING THE IMIA ISSUE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, in an interview to the magazine "Newsweek", does not rule out the possibility of bringing the Imia islets issue to the International Court of Justice, while he reiterates that he will not tolerate the installation of Russian missiles in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, a US State Department spokesman expressed the wish that Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart will soon have a meeting on the issue of Imia and also expressed the hope that the two countries will be able to deal with many issues within the framework of the Madrid declaration.

Also, the US State Department spokesman expressed the wish that the two governments will be able to respond to the appeal issued by the UN Secretary General to reach an agreement on mutually acceptable confidence-building-measures.

[11] PRESS REPORTS ALL OVER THE WORLD SING PRAISES OF ATHENS '97

Press reports throughout the world are signing the praises of the World Track and Field Championships currently held in Athens.

France's "L'Alsace" wrote that Friday's opening ceremony held at the Greek capital's Panathinaikon stadium, featured such vivid Olympian characteristics that it will surely fortify Athens' chance at hosting the 2004 Olympic games.

Spain's "El Pais" also wrote that the Athens '97 competition grants the city with an unparalleled advantage, since it is a reminder of Greece's splendid past.

The US daily "Washington Post" does also link the currently- held track and field competition with Athens' likelihood of hosting the Games, "by proving that it is willing and able to host sports events of such magnitude." A.F.

[12] NEBIOLO'S NEGATIVE COMMENTS OF ATHENS '97 IRK THE BRITISH

The snide remarks expressed by the President of the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Dr. Primo Nebiolo over the fact that the Athens '97 ceremony was not filled to capacity, have provoked the British press which has accused him of inappropriately expressing his favouritism towards Rome's candidature for the 2004 Olympic Games.

Specifically, Dr. Nebiolo had commented that the Greeks should have preferred the Athens '97 championships instead of their beaches. London's Daily Telegraph reported that his remarks constitute an indirect and unfair support of Rome's candidacy for the Olympics.

Moreover, the British daily reminded Dr. Nebiolo that Greeks have been engaged in athletics since 776 BC. A.F.

[13] OSCE TOUGHENS ITS STANCE OVER BOSNIA

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has condemned the recent violent episodes between Muslims and Croats in Bosnia, while the local authorities have confirmed the death of one Muslim refugee who was killed during the weekend in the village of Psenika, which is located near the Croat- controlled city of Yiatse.

According to the reports, about 500 Muslim refugees have fled their villages near Yatse, while OSCE's press spokesperson David Foley spoke of "ethnic cleansing operations."

OSCE is now critical of Yiatse's local authorities over their handling of the situation, especially considering the fact that, as per the Dayton Agreement, the populations that were persecuted during the course of the war now have the right to return to their former homes. The United Nations have announced their intent to investigate this matter as well. A.F.

[14] GATSIOUDIS HOPES TO WIN A MEDAL IN THE JAVELIN

Kostas Gatsioudis of Greece has strong hopes to win a medal in the javelin competition today in the 6th World Championships taking place in Athens.

Olga Vasdeki after a tough struggle got the 4th place in the women's triple jump yesterday.

Also, in the women's 400m final the gold medal was won by Freeman from Australia, in the men's 400m hurdles the winner was Diagana from France, in the women's triple jump Kasparkova from the Czech Republic and in the women's heptathlon the winner was Bush from Germany.

[15] CYPRUS REGARDS THE TALKS IN SWITZERLAND AS HIGHLY IMPORTANT

Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofides stated that his government regards as highly important the second round of the direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, scheduled to take place in Montreaux, Switzerland in mid August.

Mr.Christofides stated that the two sides is possible to reach an agreement on a mutually acceptable text that will provide certain guidelines. He added that if no joint text is agreed upon then there should be an effort for the continuation of the talks between the two sides.

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