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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-08-08Macedonian 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: 20:24 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANS[C] EUROPE[D] WORLDNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ISSUES STERN WARNING TO TURKEYWeb Posted: 14:02 GMT+2Athens, August 8 (MPA)Greece's undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis directed a stern warning towards Turkey today, concerning Ankara's integration pact with the illegal Turkish-Cypriot regime in the occupied part of Cyprus.Mr. Kranidiotis threatened that Turkey's European orientation could go astray if, as he emphasized, it continues to undertake actions such as the integration pact , and if it continues to proceed to statements such as the ones made by its Premier Mesut Yilmaz in the US-daily "The Washington Post." Moreover, Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that the Greek side has already submitted a demarche to all of the European Union's member-states, as well as to the Security Council and the United Nations. He added that the matter will be tabled with the EU during the following days, as well as during the EU Ministerial Council that will convene in September. "This type of blackmail must not pass," Mr. Kranidiotis stated, adding that "Greece will continue with its policy of resolving issues within the framework of International Law principles." When asked if Greece intends to review the Greek-Turkish relations issues following the Madrid-signed communiqué, Mr. Kranidiotis responded that the communiqué does not resolve Greek-Turkish issues. it is, he said, a framework of principles that have to be upheld but, up to date, Turkey has proven that it does not respect its signature. A.F. [02] GREECE'S PANAGIOTOPOULOS MAKES IT TO THE MEN'S 200M FINALSWeb Posted: 14:02 GMT+2Athens, August 8 (MPA)Greece's George Panagiotopoulos will take part in today's finals of 200 meters men's run, scoring a time of 20.43 during yesterday's races at the World Athletic Championships in Athens.In the women's 200m run, Katerina Koffa did not make it the finals, while Stella Tsikouna earned the seventh place in the discus-throwing competition. A.F. [03] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH WILL VISIT THE ISLAND OF CHIOS AND THE CITY OF THESSALONIKIWeb Posted: 16:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki 8 August (MPA)Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit the Aegean island of Chios on August 16-17 at the invitation of the Mastic Producers Association. During his visit the Ecumenical Patriarch will express gratitude and bless the residents of Chios, especially those who work in the production of mastic which is one of the basic ingredients of the Holy Oil.The Ecumenical Patriarch will also visit Thessaloniki on September 28 on the occasion of the annual symposium on "Religion and Environment". The visit is regarded as very important because it is the first time in 35 years that the head of the Greek- Orthodox Church is visiting the city. During his visit, Ecumenical Patriach Vartholomeos will become professor emeritus in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. [04] GREEK ASSISTANT FM WARNS TURKEY: WE WILL TOUGHEN OUR STANCEWeb Posted: 20:24 GMT+2Athens, August 8 (MPA)Greece's undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis directed a stern warning towards Turkey today, concerning Ankara's integration pact with the illegal Turkish-Cypriot regime in the occupied part of Cyprus.Mr. Kranidiotis threatened that Turkey's European orientation could go astray if, as he emphasized, it continues to undertake actions such as the integration pact , and if it continues to proceed to statements such as the ones made by its Premier Mesut Yilmaz in the US-daily "The Washington Post." Moreover, Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that the Greek side has already submitted a demarche to all of the European Union's member-states, as well as to the Security Council and the United Nations. A.F. [05] GREEK ARTISTS TO PERFORM FOR CANCER VICTIMS AT MADISON SQUARE GARDENWeb Posted: 20:24 GMT+2New York, August 8 (MPA)A score of Greek songwriters and singers are to perform at New York's Madison Square Garden Arena in a "concert of Hope" for Greek children who are stricken with cancer and are currently hospitalized at New York's Memorial Sloan Catering.The non-profit concert, to be held on October 8, will feature the participation of Eleftheria Arvanitaki, George Dalaras, Alkinoos Ioannides, Lakis Lazopoulos, Vasilis Papakonstantinou and the Pyx Lax group. Further information for the concert can be obtained through: http://www.greekchildrensfund.org or www.ticketmaster.com as well as through E-mail at Encore20002aol.com. A.F. [06] GEORGE PANAGIOTOPOULOS EARNS FIFTH PLACE IN THE WORLDWeb Posted: 20:24 GMT+2Athens, August 8 (MPA)Greece's running champion George Panagiotopoulos has achieved the fifth rank world-wide, by scoring 20.32 during today's 200m finals, breaking his personal record, during today's races at the World Athletic Championships in Athens.Trinidad's Ato Bolton came first through the line with a time of 20.04, followed by Namibia's Frankie Fredericks, 20.20, Brazil's Claudinai da Silva 20.26 and Cuba's Ivan Garcia, 20.31. A.F. [07] GREEK PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE TWO GREEK-CYPRIOTS KILLED LAST YEARWeb Posted: 16:27 GMT+2Athens 8 August (MPA)A five-member parliamentary delegation from Greece will attend the memorial service for Tasos Isaak and Solomon Solomou, that will be held in the town of Paralimni on Sunday.The two Greek-Cypriots were killed last year during tensions along the green line in Cyprus separating the free part of the island from the Turkish occupied northern part. [B] BALKANS[08] ANKARA'S PARTIAL INTEGRATION PACT WITH DENKTASH UNDERMINES TALKSWeb Posted: 14:02 GMT+2Washington, August 8 (MPA)The US State Department spokesperson James Rubin has stated that the partial integration agreement signed between Turkey and the illegal Turkish- Cypriot regime in the occupied part of Cyprus is undermining the dialogue process currently undertaken by the island's two sides.Mr. Rubin stated that the US do not wish to see actions that impede the United Nations-brokered talks or other moves that aim at the island's permanent division. Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that this agreement constitutes "sheer blackmail by Ankara against the European Union", a part of Turkey's effort to impede Cyprus's accession process to the EU. Greece's alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated that "this behavior as well as the fact that Turkey is far from being a state governed by justice and a western-type democracy, creates, on the basis of the EU's July 15 common position and its 'Agenda 2000' report, serious obstacles in its European orientation and in normal cooperation with it." A.F. [09] IMF: COURSE OF TURKEY'S ECONOMY IS MARKED WITH UNCERTAINTYWeb Posted: 14:02 GMT+2Washington, August 8 (MPA)Recent studies performed by officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Turkey's economy have illustrated an immediate need to adopt a program of economic stability that will halt the upward course of the country's inflation rate.In its annual report, IMF notes that Turkey's annual inflation is galloping at an 85% rate and adds that the Turkish government needs to curb its public expenses and subsidies of state bank loans. IMF emphasized the negative impact borne on income distribution by the high inflation rate, as well as the deficit presented by the social insurance system, which borders on the two percent mark of the Gross National Product. A.F. [10] UNHCR ALARMED BY DEVELOPMENTS IN JAJCE, CENTRAL BOSNIAWeb Posted: 14:02 GMT+2Sarajevo, August 8 (MPA)The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is reportedly alarmed over the recent episodes between Croats and Muslims in the town of Jajce, in central Bosnia where, according to the Muslim Radio Sarajevo, Croats have expelled hundreds of Muslims over the last weekend.According to the reports, about 500 Muslim refugees have fled their villages near Jajce, while the spokesperson of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) David Foley spoke of "ethnic cleansing operations." OSCE and the UN are critical of Jajce'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 head of the Mostar-based OSCE mission to Bosnia has met with local authorities in Jajce and voiced his anger that they have failed to preserve peace and order. Meanwhile, according to the Yugoslav state-owned press agency Tanjug, seven Muslim houses were torched and blown up on Tuesday night in Jajce. A spokesperson for NATO's 30,000-strong force to Bosnia Stabilization Force (SFOR), stated that the troops cannot guarantee the safety of refugees who wish to return to their pre-war homes. A.F. [11] THE TURKISH CLAIM THAT CYPRUS CAN NOT BECOME AN EU MEMBER IS UNFOUNDEDWeb Posted: 16:27 GMT+2Nicosia 8 August (MPA)Cypriot Prosecutor General Alekos Markides reiterated today that the Turkish claim, according to which based on the Zurich-London agreements Cyprus can not become a full member of the European Union, is totally unfounded.Speaking to the Cypriot State Radio and Television, mr.Markides stated that the Cypriot Republic's Legal Agency has conveyed a number of arguments to the Foreign Ministry that overturn the Turkish allegation. Mr.Markides underlined that Turkey's actions constitute an insult to the United Nations which, according to the June 1996 resolution 1062, recognize that the EU decision for the opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus is a great development facilitating the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem. Mr.Markides stated that the above were reiterated twice by the UN Security Council. [12] TURKEY, GREECE AND THE EMERGING GLOBAL ENERGY SYSTEMWeb Posted: 20:24 GMT+2Sacramento, august 8 (MPA)United States President Bill Clinton has approved the construction of a natural gas pipeline through Iran and Turkey, a move which, according to political analysts, is the latest indication of the enormous influence of energy politics and profits in the geostrategic framework of the Middle East, Central Asia and southeastern Europe.According to John Sitilides, international relations expert and director of the Sacramento-based Western Policy Center, Turkey is to be the biggest winner emerging out of this three-country project (Turkmenistan-Iran- Turkey) since, being the largest foreign investor in Turkmenistan which sits atop 14 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, it will compete with Russia as one of Europe's major energy distribution sources. "Turkey's influence will be strengthened in the fledging nation and throughout Central Asia, the birthplace of Turkish history," Mr. Sitilides said. He also pointed out that Moscow had previously re-directed all of Turkmenistan's exports, dependent on the Russian pipeline grid, to the Ukraine and the Caucasus region in order to monopolise the supply of natural gas to Europe. "A re-activated Russian-Turkish rivalry will help Washington check Russia's domination in the region's energy supplies," he explained. White White House officials insist that the Clinton Administration's decision is simply "a powerful reaffirmation of our relationship with Turkey and not a change of our relationship with Iran," analysts say that this move also encourages Iran's first participation in a major international project in 18 years, by invigorating new European and global investment in this country, generating hundreds of millions in annual Iranian transit fees and opening opportunities to ship Iranian natural gas in the pipeline network. While Turkey has much to gain from such collaborations, Greece's position in the emerging energy network should be afforded the maximum care, specifically in regards to its discussions concerning the Alexandroupolis- Burgas oil pipeline. This Trans-Balkan pipeline would meet important international interests, by helping establish a secure and stable distribution system based on multiple routes. It would provide an expanded energy supply out of vast Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves, worth an estimated $5 trillion. Mr.Sitilides added that Turkey has quite vocally objected to any additional Black Sea oil traffic, not only to diminish Russian competition, but also because of the genuine threats of environmental and social disaster posed in the Bosporus Straits. However, if Ankara exports natural gas to Europe through Bulgaria or Romania, Greek-Turkish competition in the Balkans is likely to intensify, according to the Western Policy Center's director, who urges that Greece should close the Trans-Balkan pipeline deal, commence construction and actively exploit its valuable financial, geopolitical and strategic benefits. "The longer it stays off the energy map, the further the regional balance of power will be tilted in the years ahead, " Mr. Sitilides warned. A.F. [13] HOLBROOKE MEETS WITH PLAVCIC IN BANJA LUKAWeb Posted: 20:24 GMT+2Banja Luka, August 8 (MPA)The United States are determined to apply the Dayton Agreement in Bosnia, according to US former undersecretary of State and "architect" of the Agreement Richard Holbrooke, who met today with Serb leader Biljana Plavsic in Bosnia.During a radio interview, Mr. Holbrooke commented on the Yugoslav opposition party's intent to boycott the elections of September 21 and specifically stated that "this is a dumb act on their behalf." Mr. Holbrooke arrived in Belgrade this evening where he is to meet with the President of rump Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic. According to the American diplomat, he and Mr. Milosevic are to discuss the peacekeeping accord in Bosnia. A.F. [C] EUROPE[14] THE UNIFICATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT REGIME CAUSED STRONG REACTIONSWeb Posted: 16:27 GMT+2Athens 8 August (MPA)Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis issued a strong warning to Turkey threatening that its European prospect will be blocked if actions such as, Prime Minister Yilmaz's statements to the newspaper "Washington Post" and the unification agreement between Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot regime continue.Meanwhile, in Nicosia the issue of the association agreement between Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot regime was discussed in the National Council meeting and the Cypriot government persisted in its decision according to which, President Clerides will go to Montreaux, Switzerland for talks with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. An EU spokesman gave the assurance that the accession negotiations with Cyprus will open in 1998, at the same time with the talks between the EU and the Central and Eastern European countries. [D] WORLD[15] US CONGRESSMEN TO VISIT GREECE AND CYPRUS THIS MONTHWeb Posted: 14:02 GMT+2Washington, August 8 (MPA)Leading members of the United States Congress, holding key positions in various congressional committees, are to visit Greece and Cyprus between the 20-28 of August.The US officials are to be received by Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis and the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides with whom they will discuss relations with Turkey. They are members of the US congressional committee on Foreign Affairs: Bob Menendez, Rob Andrews, Alcee Hastings, Michael Pappas and Maurice Hinchey. A.F. 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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