Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-09-23

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 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] MR.REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE STATEMENTS OF THE TURKISH OFFICIALS ON THE S-300 MISSILES

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commented on the statements made by Turkish officials, who called for additional measures to block the installation of the Russian S-300 missiles in Cyprus, and stated that they are in conflict with the Madrid agreement which is being undermined.

Mr.Reppas pointed out that the Greek government expects that in today’s meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey in New York, Ankara will express the position that it wants a rapprochement of the two countries and the solution of problems through the Madrid agreement.

The Greek government spokesman said that the government was not surprised by the statements made by US President Bill Clinton during the UN General Assembly meeting according to which, the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue constitute a priority for the US government.

This way, said mr.Reppas, the US interest in the Greek- Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue is being confirmed, while he added that the US initiative is known and has taken up a concrete form. On the likelihood of a tripartite meeting in New York among the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey and the United States, mr.Reppas said that there is no evidence supporting such a possibility.

[02] PANGALOS AND CEM WILL MEET IN NEW YORK

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will meet with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in New York. The meeting of the two ministers will focus on Cyprus’ EU accession procedures and the installation of the Russian S-300 missiles in Cyprus.

US President Bill Clinton speaking yesterday in the UN General Assembly meeting he included for the first time the Greek- Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue among the priorities of the international community.

Mr.Pangalos is also scheduled to meet today with FYROM’s Foreign Minister mr.Hadjinski.

[03] A DELEGATION OF 6 BELGIAN DEPUTIES WILL MEET WITH THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

Six Parliament deputies from Belgium will meet in Athens this afternoon with Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

The six deputies are members of the Greek-Belgian Friendship Group and are on a formal visit to Greece.

[04] THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE OUTGOING US AMBASSADOR

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met this evening with the outgoing US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles. The meeting was ceremonial but according to press information, they also discussed issues concerning the Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr.Niles will be replaced in 1998 by mr.Nicolas Burns who, until recently, was the US State Department spokesman.

[05] RARE WORKS OF ART INSPIRED BY ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Tens of works of art inspired by Alexander the Great are being exhibited in Thessaloniki’s Telloglio Insitute since yesterday.

The 140 exhibits date from the time of the Renaissance to the 20th century and come from museums and private collections in Europe and America. Among them is a painting by Rubens named “The coronation of Roxane” that was made in 1625.

[06] A GREEK AIR FORCE PLANE CRASHED TODAY IN THE SEA NEAR THE ISLAND OF LESVOS

An F-16 Greek Air Force jet crashed in the sea region near Agios Efstratios in the north-eastern Aegean island of Lesvos. It is not known if the pilot of the aircraft managed to use the ejector-seat system in time.

The fighter plane had taken off from Nea Anchialos together with other three F-16s and disappeared from the radar screens at 3:15pm. In the region of the crash have arrived three helicopters, a C-130 as well as, Navy and Coast Guard boats.

The rescue efforts are being hindered by the strong winds blowing in the region.

[07] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE MET WITH HIS CYPRIOT COUNTERPART

Cypriot Minister of Defense Kostas Eliades, who is on a visit to Greece, met with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

Their talks focused on the issue of the additional armaments of Turkey which are aimed at averting the installation of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus.

They also discussed the details of the joint Greek-Cypriot military exercise, code-named “Toxotis-Nikiforos”, that will be held in the sea and air region surrounded by the Crete-Rhodes- Cyprus triangle in mid October.

[08] FOOTBALLERS ON STRIKE

Greek footballers will go on a ten-minute strike next Sunday in a protest against the resolution by the football authorities that six non-European athletes may be employed in every football team.

They warned the Greek Football Federation that if the resolution is not changed, they will go on strike and the championship will be stopped.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] THE CLERIDES-DENKTASH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY

The first meeting of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on security issues will be held in Nicosia on Friday.

Mr.Clerides said that he will go to the talks in a spirit of cooperation and good will because as he said, security is a vital issue which must be dealt with in an effective manner.

[10] GREECE AND CYPRUS ARE CONSIDERING LEGAL MEASURES AGAINST TURKEY

Greece and Cyprus are considering legal measures against Turkey for violating international law, including the obstruction of free navigation in Bosporus.

Cypriot Prosecutor General Alekos Markides in statements he made to the Cypriot state radio mentioned that the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cyprus and the Legal Department of the Greek Foreign Ministry are considering measures against the Turkish actions which constitute international law violations.

Mr.Markides stated that the goal is to safeguard Cyprus’ rights in relation with the free navigation in the Bosporus Straits.

[11] THE ARCHBISHOP OF CYPRUS MET WITH THE SPECIAL COORDINATOR OF THE US STATE DEPARTMENT

Archbishop of Cyprus Chrisostomos met in Washington yesterday with the special coordinator of the US State Department for Cyprus, Thomas Miller to whom he stressed the need for the respect of human rights in the island. The Archbishop also presented the problems that stem from the two-zone, two-community federation as well as, his views regarding the Cyprus issue.

Mr.Miller stressed that mr.Halbrooke and himself personally, will do everything possible for a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

[12] THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDITERRANEAN COOPERATION WILL BE HELD IN KOZANI

The 2nd International Conference on Mediterranean Cooperation and Development that will be held in Kozani on September 26-29 is a historical chance for the city of Kozani and for northern Greece in general, as its goal is to promote and exploit the economic, cultural and political cooperation among the Mediterranean, Balkan and Black Sea countries.

In a press conference in the Foreign Ministry in Athens, alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, Undersecretary of Development Anna Diamantopoulou, Foreign Trade Organization President Yiannis Tzen and mayor of Kozani Paris Koukoulopoulos stressed that it is an important meeting and among those invited are National Economy Ministers, Central Bank governors, Chamber presidents, Ambassadors and Commercial Attaches and distinguished personalities from the economic and business world of Mediterranean, Balkan and Black Sea countries.

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