Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-11-25

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 25 November 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] MPA’S CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CONTINUES TODAY

[02] PREMIER TO MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC

The Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos today whom he will brief on all maters concerning domestic and foreign policy.

Tomorrow evening, the Premier will depart for London, heading a government delegation, where he will meet with his British counterpart Toni Blair, the leader of the Conservative Party and leading members of the Greek community living in Great Britain. A.F.

[03] GREECE SAYS NO TO TURKEY’S PARTICIPATION IN EU’S CONFERENCE

[04] THE STATE BUDGET WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE

[05] PUBLIC OFFICES UNDERSTAFFED DUE TO 24-HOUR STRIKE

A series of problems and irritations have surfaced today at the country’s public offices and agencies, due to the 24-hour strike conducted by public sector employees who protest the small wage increases and the increased taxation included in the new budget.

Internal revenue offices, hospitals, banks and courts are understaffed which means long waiting lines for the public. A.F.

[06] LABOR UNDERSECRETARY SUPPORTS STATE’S ECONOMIC POLICY

Greece’s Labour under-secretary Christos Protopappas stated today that the economic policy adopted by the state is the only way that will lead the country to the Economic and Monetary Union.

Moreover, Mr. Protopappas stated that in spite of the intense negative climate felt by the public in regards to the prolonged austerity, it will soon be evident that the majority of the taxes do not concern the lower-to middle classes. A.F.

[07] TENSION AND CONFLICT CONTINUES AT TVX’S GOLD MINE IN HALKIDIKI

A tense climate persists at the region of Olympiada, in the peninsula of Halkidiki, here the local residents are opposed to the operation of a gold mine by the Canadian-based firm TVX.

The local police have released the President of the Community of Olympiada and the other three residents who were arrested yesterday. However, the locals remain upset and protest what they call “police-state” of the greater region.

Meanwhile, the gold mine’s premises are guarded by strong police forces who are present to avert any potential obstruction by the protesting locals. Moreover, the police have issued an order forbidding public congregation, to be enforced until December 4.

Greek government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas defended this order yesterday and poi8nmted out that all citizens are free to express their points of view as long as they do not harass the others. He also stressed that the Greek government is determined to enable the company to proceed with its project. A.F.

[08] PAPANTONIOU: THE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA IN TAXATION WILL BE ABOLISHED IN 1999

Minister of finance and national economy Yiannos Papantoniou, speaking in the conference organized by the Hellenic American Chamber and the Association of Greek Industries, gave the assurance that the policy followed for the support of the drachma will not change.

Mr.Papantoniou stated that the crisis in the international money markets escalates and this will be more obvious in the next two or three weeks. The minister also announced that the objective criteria for taxation will be abolished in 1999, while he also stated that in two or three years, when the government’s goals are met regarding the public deficit, there will be a gradual decrease in taxes.

[09] THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES WAS BACKED BY A BRITISH JOURNALIST IN THE MPA CONFERENCE

Article writer in the British daily “The Guardian” Ms.Isabel Hilton backed the return of the Parthenon Marbles in the second and final day of the conference “Europe and Media: Our Cultural Heritage”, organized in Thessaloniki by MPA in cooperation with the Cultural Capital of Europe Organization Thessaloniki ’97.

Ms.Hilton pointed out that the Parthenon Marbles were removed without the permission of the people and after they were removed they became a symbol of national culture. Soon after, said Ms.Hilton, they were incorporated into the symbolism of British policy and cultural identity. To the question if the removal of the Parthenon Marbles was not just an indication of the link between Great Britain’s cultural heritage and ancient Greece but also an expression of the feeling that Britain was the center of the universe, Ms.Hilton responded that it was a private action made by Elgin and went on to blame him for the destruction of important architectural monuments in Peking. She also stressed that she is in favour of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

Director of the French News Agency’s correspondents offices in Europe and Africa Mr.Gilbert Grellet expressed the position that the role of the news agencies is not the promotion or the safeguarding of cultural heritage. He said that based on his experience in the French News Agency there is no interest in cultural issues today, adding that in greater demand are comments and information concerning individuals and personalities compared to cultural events. Mr.Grellet concluded by saying that any civilization that does not evolve is in danger of dying.

Referring to the role of the Swiss mass media in the promotion of the united Europe, editing director of Swiss news agency ATS/SDA mr.Bernard Reist stressed that Europe is not an immediate priority for the Swiss press. He also stressed that his country has preferred to remain outside the EU choosing a form of isolation, adding that in certain cases this fact creates problems.

Journalists should undertake the responsibility to preserve the cultural heritage. This was the message that was derived from the speech of Mr.Csaba Kis vice-president of the European Journalists Association and director of Hungarian news agency MTI. He pointed out that the mass media should contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding among the European peoples and added that news agencies must offer objective information in order for their subscribers to realize what is going on in Europe and contribute to the protection of the cultural heritage.

Director of Lithuanian news agency ELTA Mr.Jonas Rimkus referred to the history of his news agency saying that in the beginning its work was to translate news for the Russian news agency TASS. Today, ELTA is a limited liability company with 67 share holders, and 35% of its shares belong to the state, 20% to its employees and 45% to the mass media.

Polish news agency PAP foreign news commentator Ms.Katarzyna Dorbowolska stated that her news agency gives great coverage to cultural news and expressed satisfaction over the fact that soon after her arrival in Greece she watched on television a British documentary on the Polish monuments in the city of Krakow.

Public relations director of Slovak news agency TASR Mr.Mikulas Gavala presented the work of the agency, stressing that small news agencies can contribute to the survival of national languages.

Editing director of Estonian news agency ETA Mr.Meelis Pirn referred to the unstable situation in the mass media of his country, while expressing his view on the EU he said that its basis is the economy and not culture.

Article writer of Turkish daily “Milliyet” Mr.Edip Emil Oymen referred to the lack of trust that plays a great role in the EU policy and stressed that the role of the Turkish mass media is not the same with that of the European. According to Mr.Oymen, the EU should not increase the center-region distance because the trust between peoples can bloom only through mutual understanding and cooperation.

[10] THE MASS MEDIA PLAY A DECISIVE ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE

The delegates speaking in the second unity of the second and final day of MPA’s conference referred to the decisive role news agencies can play in the promotion of culture in south-eastern Europe.

Opening the unity’s proceedings, general director of Albanian news agency ATA Mr.Frokk Cupi pointed out that the news agencies are cultural institutions but they are likely to hurt culture due to the fact that they give more emphasis to political and economic news.

General director of Turkish news agency “Anadolu” Mr.Mehmet Guler described Thessaloniki as a multi-cultural city and expressed the view that the cultural interaction of neighbouring states creates the basis for an international culture.

Regarding the role of printed and electronic mass media ,he said that polymorphism should be respected, while on the creation of a common European culture, he stated that the road toward it passes through the Balkans and that in order for this view to be promoted the press must be united.

General director of the Yugoslav news agency “Tanjug” Mr.Zoran Jevdojovic pointed out that this a period of transformations that affects mass media as well, while he said that the press runs the risk to falsify the truth for political and economic reasons. He also said that it is imperative to undertake joint initiatives for the strengthening of cooperation.

General director of MPA Mr.Spyros Kouzinopoulos referred to the transitional period the press is going through as well as, to the problems concerning reliability and quality of information and said that there is a great need for the promotion of cultural news by the news agencies. He also underlined that the danger to turn the world of information into a huge “super- market of news” is visible, adding that there is great need for quality information through articles that will contribute to the cultural, economic and social development of peoples, the safeguarding of their cultural identity and the promotion of the ideals of peace and Democracy.

Mr.Kouzinopoulos also referred extensively to the work of MPA saying that the volume of cultural news increased from 3,6% in 1996 to 7,8% in 1997, while he also added that the operation of the Balkan News Bank will start tomorrow on a pilot basis.

Editing director of Athens News Agency (ANA) Mr.Gerasimos Zarkadis referred to the imposition of models of “cultural” products, while he added that when the mass media serve political or other purposes they do not do their job right because they do not serve the European culture which is based on the respect of minorities, polymorphism, tolerance and Democracy.

The belief that the mass media can play a very important role in the formation of a united Europe through culture, was expressed by FYROM’s news agency MPB general director Mr.Milovan Stefanovski, who stressed that the mass media attention focuses on the unification of Europe and referred to the archaeological excavations in his country that have unearthed significant findings.

Theodoros Rousopoulos, a journalist working for the private Greek TV channel “MEGA”, conveyed a message to the conference by Daily Newspapers Journalists Association of Athens Mr.Aristidis Manolakos.

In his intervention general director of the Bulgarian news agency BIP Mr.Stefan Velef stressed that the issue examined in the conference has many aspects, while he made a special reference to the situation existing in his country regarding the role of the mass media and their influence on public opinion.

Mr.Velef said characteristically that there is no censorship anymore, there are no forbidden thoughts and the state does not control the mass media. Therefore, he said, the political and economic powers can enter a dialogue with the mass media if they want to on the basis of equality, something that should also be done in the rest south-eastern European countries.

Director of FYROM’s news agency “Makpress” Ms.Jasmina Mironski underlined the efforts made by her country for the solution of the problems with minorities, while she maintained that the mass media preserve the necessary balance through the publication of newspapers in the languages spoken by the ethnic minorities living on FYROM’s territory.

In his intervention, general director of “Anadolu” Mr.Mehmet Guler pointed out that it is easy to speak about war but efforts should be made to maintain peace, adding that the Aegean is a sea that should unite Greece and Turkey. He also referred to the issue of terrorism in Turkey and to the fight against it given by the authorities. He concluded by saying that lately things have changed in his country, as journalists are being released from prison and are not being arrested on simple charges anymore.

[11] MPA’S CONFERENCE ON EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CONCLUDES TODAY

The European Conference “Europe and the Mass Media: Our Cultural Heritage” organized by the MPA in cooperation with the Organization “Thessaloniki, Cultural Capital of Europe ’97”, is to conclude this evening.

Today, the second day of the event, the participants and speakers discussed matters related to journalism and culture, specifically the way European and Balkan news agencies promote cultural issues, the promotion of cultural values to the young people by the mass media and the role of the media in the development of a climate of peace and culture in Europe. The conference features the participation of general directors, editing directors and chief editors from international news agencies, European newspapers of international repute and Balkan mass media.

The MPA’s general director Spyros Kouzinopoulos delivered a speech wherein he referred to the lurking dangers threatening the mass media’s credibility and the quality of information. A.F.

[12] THE STATE BUDGET DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT TODAY

The discussion of the 1998 state budget opened today in the appropriate Parliament committee.

Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis stated that the new budget will be presented to the plenary session of the Parliament on December 17 and the deputies will vote for its approval on December 21. The Minister of Finance and National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, speaking in the conference organized by the Hellenic American Chamber and the Association of Greek Industries, gave the assurance that the policy followed for the support of the drachma will not change. Mr.Papantoniou stated that the crisis in the international money markets escalates and this will be more obvious in the next two or three weeks. The minister also announced that the objective criteria for taxation will be abolished in 1999, while he also stated that in two or three years, when the government’s goals are met regarding the public deficit, there will be a gradual decrease in taxes.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] YUGOSLAVIA: STATE IS OPTIMISTIC OVER ECONOMY’S COURSE

the federal government of Yugoslavia is optimistic over the course of the country’s economy noted during the 1997 fiscal year, since it assesses that it achieved its two main points, that is to stabilise the dinar and the price index.

Also, the rate of exports marked an increase of 29%, at $1.9 billion , while imports where also on the upward trend with a 16% rise, at $3.6 billion. A.F.

[14] BULGARIA: EU TO GRANT A $285 MILLION LOAN

The governor of Bulgaria’s National Bank Svetoslav Gavrliski has announced that the European Union is to grant his country with an additional loan of $285 million, in an effort to achieve balance of payments.

The decision was drawn during a conference recently held in Brussels with the participation of an EU delegation, as well as officials from the World Bank. During these contacts, Ivan Kostov’s government received positive remarks for the overall course of the economic reforms in Bulgaria. A.F.

[15] THE FINANCIAL TIMES ON GREECE’S FOREIGN AND ECONOMIC POLICY

The British newspaper “Financial Times” published very positive conclusions today regarding Greece’s foreign and economic policy.

In a special six-page presentation, part of which was broadcast by the BBC, the British newspaper mentions that an unexpected consensus between the government and the opposition had as a result the rare period of political calm enjoyed by the country.

The newspaper stresses that the government and the opposition appear to agree on two basic issues: the adoption of the single European currency by the year 2000 and the need for the improvement of relations between Greece and Turkey.

On the Greek-Turkish relations, the “Financial Times” writes that the differences between the two countries will not disappear overnight but speculates that there is hope for significant progress in the immediate future. The newspaper underlines that Greece’s influence in the EU is now stronger than in the recent past.

[16] NO DECISION ON THE NEXT CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE

The decision on which city will be the Cultural Capital of Europe for the year 2001 will be made next year as the 15 EU culture ministers were unable to agree on the selection process that will be followed during yesterday’s meeting in Brussels, according to the French news agency.

Luxembourg’s minister stated that the issue will be resolved by Britain which will take over the rotating EU presidency the first six months of 1998.

Seven cities are candidates for the title of the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2001: Genoa, Lille, Valencia, Riga, Basil, Oporto, and Rotterdam.

[17] DANGEROUS TOXIC WASTE AT KOZLODUI

Eight hundred tons of toxic waste are being stored at the facilities of the nuclear plant at Kozlodui, Bulgaria. The used waste, left-over at the plant, had not been exported to Russia for processing since 1989 and, according to the ecological organization “for the Earth”, their storage at Kozlodui does not meet the security requirements.

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