Macedonian Press Agency: News, 97-08-25

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, August 25, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] MR.REPPAS BLAMED THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT SIDE FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE CLERIDES-DENKTASH TALKS

Greek government spokesman Dimitiris Reppas blamed the Turkish-Cypriot side for the collapse of the Montreaux talks held between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, characterizing as positive the fact that this was recognized by the international community through formal statements.

Mr.Reppas added that Greece supports the stance of the Cypriot government which has entered dialogue in good will in order to reach a solution and pointed out that the UN Secretary General’s assistance is expected.

[02] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE GREEK-ARAB ASSOCIATION

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met today with the Secretary of the Greek-Arab Association and after the meeting he referred to the statements made by Turkish government vice- President Bulent Ecevit and Turkish Minister responsible for European Issues Sukrut Kiurel, who have disputed the sovereignty of Aegean islands and islets.

Mr.Pangalos stated that no progress in Turkey’s relations with the EU is possible based on those statements.

When asked to comment on the statements made by the Turkish officials, Greek government spokesman Dimitiris Reppas stated that in view of the political developments in Turkey the country’s politicians adopt positions that according to their opinion, will bring them as many benefits as possible.

Mr.Reppas stated that Greece has to maintain its orientation and continue to promote steadily its positions internationally, adding that the target is the creation of a strong Greece economically, socially and militarily in order to be able to deal with provocations.

[03] REPPAS AND PANGALOS COMMENTED ON THE RECENT STATEMENTS MADE BY THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos referred today to the statements made by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on the relations of the Patriarchate with the Greek Foreign Ministry.

Mr.Reppas stated that the government respects the institution, honors the Patriarch and offers moral and material support to the Phanar, adding that the issuing of an invitation for the Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Greece is a matter that concerns the Church of Greece.

Commenting on the statement made by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos regarding the fact that he did not visit the Patriarchate when he went to Istanbul, mr.Pangalos said that this happened due to reasons directly related to the nature of that specific visit to Istanbul which was held in order for him to participate to the Black Sea Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

[04] PASOK’S POLITICAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET THIS EVENING

Socialist governing party of PASOK will meet this afternoon under the presidency of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Mr.Simitis has also called a meeting to be held tomorrow with the participation of National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and his economic adviser Tasos Yianitsis. In the meeting will be discussed the problems in the 1997 budget and the contents of the Prime Minister’s speech in the formal opening of Thessaloniki’s International Trade Fair.

[05] A US CONGRESS DELEGATION VISITED THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA- THRACE

A US Congress delegation, headed by Greek-American Michael Bilirakis met today with Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos.

The Minister characterized the meeting as essential and added that the delegation was fully informed on the developmental initiatives taking place in northern Greece and also, on the role Greece plays in the Balkans.

Last evening, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos gave a formal dinner in honor of the 6 US Congress members, who are also scheduled to meet with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense, the leader of main opposition party of New Democracy and the Parliament President.

[06] RESCUE CREWS LOCATED 5 BODIES WHILE 2 PEOPLE ARE STILL MISSING AFTER THE FIRE ON BOARD THEIR SAILING-BOAT

The rescue crews that participated in the all-night search in the sea region off the coasts of Lesvos and in northern Aegean in general, located 5 bodies, while 2 people are still missing after the fire on board their sailing-boat last Friday. The bodies belong to two women, two small children and one man and were found 3 nautical miles north of the island of Psara. The body of the man found has not been identified yet.

In the rescue operation participate Air Force planes and Navy ships as well as fishing-boats.

[07] DISAGREEMENT AMONG SEISMOLOGISTS ON THE ISSUE OF EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION

Disagreement on the issue of earthquake prediction has erupted among distinguished seismologists during the 29 th General Assembly of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior taking place in Thessaloniki. The disagreement was caused by the scientific announcement of seismology professor Panagiotis Varotsos on the statistical importance of the short-term earthquake prediction method, based on seismic electric signals, which himself has developed and is widely known as VAN.

Against the method are professors Vasilis Papazachos, Robert Geller, Max Wyss and Pascal Bernard, who maintain that the predictions based on the observations of prof.Varotsos’ scientific group are not valid. On the contrary, Upsala Seismological Institute Director Ota Kulhanek characterized the method as fairly successful technique for the prediction of earthquakes in Greece.

[08] PANGALOS CRITICISES ECEVIT ON DOUBTING STATUS IN THE AEGEAN SEA

Greek foreign minister Mr. Theodoros Pangalos warned today Ankara that as long as statements doubting the status in the Aegean Sea are repeated, any progress in its relations with the European Union is not possible.

Mr Pangalos was referring to the statements made by the Turkish vice-prime minister Mr. Bulent Ecevit in Turkish daily Hurriet and the Turkish Minister for the relations with the European Union Mr Sucrut Curiel in the Greek daily Exousia.

[09] US CONGRESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI

A six member US congress delegation under Mr Michaer Bilirakis, who is of Greek origin was received today in Thessaloniki by the Greek Minister for Macedonia -Thrace Mr Phillippos Petsalnikos.

After the meeting, Mr Petsalnikos described it as comprehensive and added that the delegation was briefed on the initiatives taken by Athens in the Balkan area as well as on the role of Greece in the Balkans.

Yesterday the delegation was offered an official dinner by the Greek Culture Minister Mr Evangelos Venizelos.

[10] PAOK AND ARIS OF THESSALONIKI IN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN ISRAEL

Basketball teams of PAOK and Aris of Thessaloniki departed today for Israel where they will take part in an international basketball tournament alongside the local Makambi and PTT Ankara.

Three out of the four teams will take part in the European League next year while Aris won the European Corac cup last year. Puertorican Hose Ortith will not be among the players of Aris while PAOK will play without Pendrag Stojiacovic.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] KARAMANLIS-CLERIDES TALKS IN NICOSIA

Main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis met in Nicosia today with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and discussed the Cyprus issue.

In the next few days, mr.Karamanlis will meet with Parliament President Spyros Kyprianou, Archbishop Chrisostomos and political party leaders.

The leader of the main Greek opposition party, other Greek politicians and the Cypriot leadership last night attended a music concert held in memory of Greek-Cypriots Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou, who were killed a year ago by members of the Turkish extreme-right organization “Gray Wolves” and the Turkish occupation forces during the bloody incidents along the green line in Cyprus.

[12] ITALY POSTPONED THE REPATRIATION OF THE ALBANIAN REFUGEES

The Italian government temporarily postponed the repatriation of the Albanian refugees, who left their country after the popular uprising of last March, as Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi responded positively to the request made by Albania.

The government of Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano maintained that the country will be able to accept back the refugees as soon as order and security are restored in Albania.

[13] THE 10TH WORLD CONGRESS OF CYPRIOTS LIVING ABROAD OPENED IN NICOSIA TODAY

The 10 th World Congress of Cypriots living abroad opened in Nicosia today and the main topics of discussion will be the contribution of the young to the Cypriot communities abroad, the role of the Cypriots living abroad before the year 2000, their communication with the motherland and the protection of Cyprus’ cultural heritage.

The formal opening of the conference was made by Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides, while messages were read by presidents of Cypriot Federations and representatives of political parties. The proceedings of the congress will be completed on Thursday.

[14] A CHURCH WILL BE TURNED INTO A TOURIST COMPLEX IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED PART OF CYPRUS

The church of St. Anastasia in Lapithos, in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, will be turned into a tourist complex, according to the Turkish-Cypriot newspaper “Kipris”.

The newspaper also reports that businessman Mehmet Erulku has rented the area around the church for a period of 30 years to build a tourist complex for the elderly. In the first 10 years mr.Erulku will pay a rent of 10 thousand sterlings as a guarantee.

[15] THE CYPRIOTS WILL HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD

The World Federation of Cypriots Living Abroad and the Cypriot Struggle World Coordinating Committee, from now on will have the right to vote in the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

As it was announced by SAE President Andrew Athens, during his speech in the opening of the 10 th World Conference of Cypriots Living abroad that is being held in Nicosia, the two Cypriot organizations will have 8 votes.

[16] THREE US FRIGATES WILL BE DELIVERED TO TURKEY IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS

The Turkish newspapers write that today or tomorrow at the latest the United States will deliver the three frigates that had been ordered by Turkey but were not delivered to Ankara based on a US Congress decision.

The “Perry” frigates, according to the Turkish press, will be a considerable reinforcement for the Turkish Navy and will eliminate Greece’s advantage in the Aegean, as it is characteristically mentioned. Based on information, the Turkish government plans to arm the new frigates and other warships with US “Standard” missiles.

The newspaper “Cumhuriyet” writes that Turkey also plans to purchase and long range anti-aircraft missiles.

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