Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-12-02

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 2 December 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE, TURKEY REACH AGREEMENT ON AEGEAN SEA’S AIR SPACE CONTROL

Greece and Turkey reached an agreement yesterday regarding the air space of the Aegean Sea, according to an announcement issued by NATO.

According to NATO officials, Ankara and Athens have agreed to share the control of military flights over the Aegean, thereby abandoning the application of the Alliance’s written regulations enforced since the Cold War era which foresaw the Alliance’s exercise of reprisals against the then-Soviet Union and the forces of the Warsaw Accord.

Doing away with these defense regulations has relieved both Greece and Turkey from the obligatory juxtaposition in regards to the dimensions of the air space, over which each country deemed itself as the only defense suitor, according to BBC’s radio report.

The “architect” of this agreement, German General Klaus Knowman, who is the leader of the Alliance’s Military Committee, stated that NATO will now be given a greater degree of flexibility in its operations in Bosnia, while he also stressed that both Athens and Ankara displayed a high degree of cooperation “which allowed us to reach this result.”

Also, according to the NATO report, the chiefs of the two countries’ general staff agreed to establish two NATO headquarters in Larissa (Greece) and Izmir(Turkey) both of which will be staffed by Greek and Turkish officers. Prior to its implementation, this agreement will need to be ratified by the Greek and Turkish governments and during the Alliance’s conference of NATO Foreign and Defense Ministers.

Meanwhile, Greece’s Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is currently in Brussels where he will participate at the three-day conference of NATO’s defense ministers which begins today and which examines the organization’s new structures in administration. Referring to the above-stated agreement, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos expressed his satisfaction. A.F.

[02] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD BEGINS SESSION IN THESSALONIKI

The First Regular Conference of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) began in Thessaloniki this morning and is to be completed on Sunday.

Yesterday evening, the secretary-general of SAE Stavros Labrinides welcomed the participants and stated that in 1995, when SAE was founded, “we gave feet to the heart of the Greek community abroad. Now, in 1997, with the First Regular Conference, we hope and aspire that we will give wings to the feet.” He further added that the conference constitutes a singular opportunity to illustrate the unity and creativity that characterize the Greeks who live abroad.

Meanwhile, during a press conference yesterday, the President of SAE Andrew Athens rejected the invitation-challenge for a public dialogue issued to him by the president of the National Greek-American Council Theodoros Spyropoulos.

Mr. Athens stated that he has tried to talk with Mr. Spyropoulos in the past, yet these efforts were fruitless.

Moreover, in regards to his previous statements in regards to the appointment of SAE officials by the Greek State, Mr. Athens clarified that this is not so and stressed that the relations between SAE and the Greek government are based on equality.

No one says to anyone what to do,” Mr. Athens said. “Neither we to the government, nor the government to us. We both collaborate for the sake of Greece and Hellenism abroad.” A.F.

[03] REGIONAL OFFICES OF GREEKS ABROAD COUNCIL HOLD SEPARATE SESSIONS

The four regional offices of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE), America, Europe, Australia and Asia-Africa, are meeting in Thessaloniki today where they are holding separate discussions on their activities and their leaders are reviewing the most significant events during their two-year course, as well as drawing action plans for the next two-year period.

The leader of the America Chapter of SAE Christos Tomaras referred to his office’s function as a non-profit organization, its web-page on the Internet and its documentation of a list containing over 70,000 individuals of Greek origin who live in the United States. He also gave emphasis to his office’s targets for the next two years and to the plans of creating Hellenism centers that will aim at the multifaceted development and education of Greeks.

The leader of the Australian Chapter of SAE Elias Rallis pointed out that not all of Australia’s Greek communities are represented at the SAE and warned that if this is not soon resolved, the Council’s credibility will be jeopardized.

The European Chapter of the Council stressed the need to form a specific policy that will aim at solidifying Hellenism through Orthodoxy. Its president Mr. Aggelos Aslanides stressed that his chapter’s interest is focused on the problems faced by those Greek- origin individuals who continue to live at the former Soviet Union and those who have returned to the mother land.

The leader of the Asia-Africa Chapter, Stephanos Tamvakis stressed that the region’s most basic problem is education, on which the Greek state has been late in responding.

Moreover, he stressed that the Asia-Africa Regional Office also promotes the creation of support mechanisms for business ventures and investment initiatives. A.F.

[04] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WELCOMED THE NEW STRUCTURE OF NATO

Prime minister Kostas Simitis welcomed the new structure of NATO and made it clear that this new structure does not concern the air space over the Aegean.

Later today, the NATO ministers of defense will ratify the new commanding structure that provides for two military commands, one in Europe and one in the Atlantic, certain regional commands and four sub-regional commands in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

According to the Greek side, with the new structure Turkey will not have the operational control over the Aegean, while there will be no joint rule.

Meanwhile, agreement on the operational control of the air space over the Aegean was reached by Greece and Turkey during the meeting of the NATO armed forces chiefs. The agreement, that first must be approved by the political leadership of both countries, was achieved within the framework of the NATO military committee.

Head of the NATO military committee and architect of the agreement, German general Klaus Naumann stated that the alliance will be more flexible in its operations in Bosnia, while he underlined that both Athens and Ankara have shown great negotiating flexibility.

Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos expressed satisfaction for the agreement and stated that the Turkish side had proposed the adoption of additional measures it its effort to abolish the operational control over the Aegean, but it was forced to back down.

[05] REPPAS: CLARIFICATIONS ON THE NATO TALKS IN BRUSSELS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made clarifications on the talks that are being held in the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Mr.Reppas stressed that the talks on the new structure of NATO correspond to Greece’s objectives and added that no final decisions have been made. The discussion on NATO’s enlargement concerns the establishment of new units and not issues of operation, said Mr.Reppas. He also said that military exercises in the Aegean will be held if there is approval by all countries, meaning that Greece maintains its veto power.

Regarding the area of responsibility of the military headquarters, Mr.Reppas stated that the proposal under discussion is that their commanders will be appointed by the country in which the headquarters are based.

[06] NEW DEMOCRACY: THE STATUS IN THE AEGEAN CAN BE OVERTURNED

Main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos stated that the status in the Aegean is at risk to be overturned in case the government of the Socialist party of PASOK accepts the establishment of military headquarters without a specific region of operational responsibility and the imposition of confidence-building-measures.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Air Force Chief stated at noon today that in the past 20 days Turkish fighter jets made night flights over the Aegean aimed at testing the capabilities of the Turkish Air Force.

[07] FOURAS: THE UNION OF FOOTBALL CLUBS MUST PAY FOR THE DAMAGES IN THE OLYMPIC STADIUM

The Greek Undersecretary of Athletics, Andreas Fouras, send letters to the Presidents of the Football Clubs of Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, notifying that the two teams will not be able to use any longer the Olympic Stadium as their home, if they do not take care themselves and the fans of the two teams so as to avoid incidents like the ones that happened yesterday. Mr. Fouras, also sent a letter to the Organization of Prognostics of Football Games which he asks to retain from the Union of Football Clubs the amount of 277 million drachmas (almost one million dollars) in order to cover the damages that were done yesterday. The Minister of Public Order, Giorgos Romaios, referred during a Press Conference today to organized and incited incidents, leaving hints against the Football Clubs. E.K.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] GREEK PM ADDRESSES WEU’S PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY TODAY

The Western European Union’s Parliamentary Assembly started in Paris today, and the Prime Minister of Greece Kostas Simitis addressed the conference with a speech titled “The stance of the Western European Union in the New Political Reality.” Greece is to preside over the WEU beginning in January.

In Paris yesterday, the Greek Premier met with the President of France Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospen to whom he developed the Greek positions on Turkey’s participation at the European Summit, which means that Athens insists on exercising its veto power over Ankara’s inclusion. A.F.

[09] COMMISSIONER VAN DEN BROEK MEETS WITH CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES

The European Union’s Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Hans Van Den Broek has stated that no specific decision has been drawn in regards to the participation of the Turkish-Cypriots in Cyprus’s accession talks with the EU.

Following his meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides yesterday, Mr. Van den Broek stated that these issues may be subject to manipulation in light of the imminent presidential elections on the island, to be held in February.

“I feel that, aside from the fact that we all agree it would be good in some way for the Turkish-Cypriot community to participate in these negotiations, it is still too early for us to be more specific,” Mr. Van den Broek stated, adding that “Cyprus is undergoing a pre-election campaign period and, as such, these issues could very easily be used for political gain.”

Mr. Van Den Broek is to meet with the leader of the Turkish- Cypriots Rauf Denktash today and thereafter, the Commissioner will join the Foreign Minister of Cyprus Yiannakis Kasoulides at the inauguration of the island’s European Institute for which the EU has granted ECU 1.3 million. A.F.

[10] US AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS MEETS WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

The United States would like closer ties between the European Union and Turkey, while they also believe that it is significant that Cyprus becomes a member of the EU, stated the US Ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill, following his meeting with the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides yesterday.

When asked to comment on Mr. Clerides statement, according to which the efforts of the US Presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke are centered around achieving Cyprus’s accession to the EU and at the same time, at Turkey’s accession to European institutions in order to temper Ankara’s reaction to Cyprus’ accession to the Community Mr. Brill stated that this is not only Mr. Holbrooke position, but it has always been the US government’s policy in the scope of its support of closer ties between Europe and Turkey. A.F.

[11] RUSSIAN MILITARY LEADER URGES PROMPT ARRIVAL OF S-300 TO CYPRUS

Russian General Alexandre Lebed is urging his government to proceed as quickly as possible to the delivery of the S-300 anti- aircraft missiles to Cyprus.

According to the Russian news agency Novosti, the Russian General, addressing a round table discussion on his country’s policy in the Mediterranean region, stressed that the deployment of these missiles to Cyprus will illustrate Turkey’s tendency to always be the aggressor and act as a country which has designs on the independence and sovereignty of another state, in this case that state being Cyprus. A.F.

[12] EXPLOSION KILLS 59 COAL MINERS IN SIBERIA, BODY COUNT STILL UNDERWAY

The bodies of 59 miners have been discovered so far, after a methane gas explosion at a Siberian coal mine, the Russian ministry for emergency situations announced today.

The accident occurred last night at a pit in the Kemerovo region of central Russia, near the city of Novokuznyetsk. Rescue workers are continuously discovering bodies and as such the final death toll is not yet known.

According to the Interfax news agency, the Kemerovo governor Aman Tuleyev said that four miners had been found alive. However, the Russian ministry spokesman said that he could not confirm this. A.F.

[13] EU FINANCE MINISTERS AIM AT UNIFORMING TAX RATES IN MEMBER- STATES

The finance ministers of the European Union’s member-states have placed the first touches on a 1999-target plan to establish uniformed tax rates throughout the Community. During a meeting held yesterday in Brussels.

The “15” approved on principle the package of proposals for the uniformed tax system which also includes a code of uniform taxation of businesses and a minimal rate in the deposit taxes.

The binding regulations that are to be adopted by each member- state for the EU tax harmonization are to be finalized by the end of 1997. A.F.

[14] TURKEY’S FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE ON THURSDAY

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ismael Cem is to meet with the United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Washington on Thursday, one day before the US President Bill Clinton’s meeting with the leadership of the European Union.

During the course of the meeting, Mr. Cem is expected to refer to Turkey’s participation at the European Summit, as well as to issues concerning human rights, Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations and the economy.

According to the Turkish daily “Milliyet”, December is a crucial month for Turkey’s foreign policy, since during this time period a decision will be drawn that will determine the future of the EU-Turkey relations and the agreement concerning the country’s economic program with the IMF will be looked into.

The President of Turkey Suleiman Demirel embarked yesterday on a two-week tour to Oman and the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by the state Ministers Metin Giurdere and Mehmet Batali.

The Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz is to meet with President Clinton at the White House on December 19. A.F.

[15] LONDON HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE GOLD SEIZED BY NAZIS

Delegations from 40 countries, among them Greece, are participating at the international conference which begins in London today, aiming at discovering the sources of the vast amounts of gold seized by the Nazis during the course of WWII, a three-day event organized by the “tri-partite gold committee” which comprises the United States, Great Britain and France.

New leads that have surfaced recently are to be examined in order to ascertain how much gold was stolen from private individuals during the Holocaust. The greater part of this treasure was confiscated from the central bank reserves of each country that was invaded by Germany.

The conference is to exert pressures on Switzerland, where the greater amounts of gold was deposited, while it will also issue appeals to the Roman Catholic Church that it turn over any relevant information it may have in its archives.

A six-member delegation is representing Greece headed by the Ambassador Alexandros Philon who told the BBC that “Greece is interested, even for ethical reasons, in carrying out a role in this conference so that we may discover facts of that era that remain unknown. For example, the compulsory loan imposed on the Greek government by the Nazis, and the silver that was stolen from Greece.”

Moreover, Mr. Philon added that while the object of the conference is not to discuss reparations and compensations, the Greek members will bring forth the issue for a general discussion.

Meanwhile, according to a report published in Vern by an independent committee of historians, three-fourths of the gold transacted by the Nazis was through Swiss banks, amounting, at today’s rates, to six billion dollars. The president of the historians’ committee, speaking to the BBC, stated that the volume of these transactions illustrates how strong Switzerland’s economy was before, during and after the war.

The Swiss government delegation participating at the conference states that their country could not have done otherwise during the course of the war and stresses that their country’s trade activity during WWII was not limited to Germany but also expanded to the Allies. A.F.

[16] GREECE-FYROM TO HOLD SEMINAR AT SKOPJE ON BUSINESS COOPERATION

The Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Center (DIPEK) is to examine the business opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Greece and FYROM, during a seminar to be held this Thursday at Skopje.

The event, to feature the participation of leading businessmen from both countries, is to coincide with the first exhibit of Greek businesses which is organized in FYROM by the International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki -HELEXPO.

The Greek business delegation will be briefed on the neighboring country’s financial situation, its legislation, its privatization process and other economy-related issues.

Among those to present salutations at the seminar will be the leader of the Greece-FYROM Liaison Office Alexandros Mallias and the President of DIPEK and HELEXPO Antonis Kourtis.

[17] YOUNG MOSLEM MALE KILLED AT THE BOSNIA-SERB BORDER LINE

A young Moslem man was shot and killed at close range on Sunday at the outskirts of Sarajevo, in the village of Rakova Noga, where the borderline of the Croat-Moslem Federation is separated from the Bosnian- Republic, Bosnia-Serb to local police reports.

The 27-yuear-old and his family were re-building their house which had been demolished during the course of the conflict in Bosnia. The assailant was arrested later but his identity was not made known. According to the AFP, after having shot the victim, he entered the area that is under the control of the Bosnia-Serb forces who turned him over to the Moslem-Croat federation, as per the Dayton Agreement. A.F.

[18] BOSNIA: MOSLEM LEADER IZETBECOVIC TO WITHDRAW FROM POLITICAL SCENE

The Moslem representative at the tri-partite presidency of Bosnia Elija Izetbecovic has announced that the has no intention of running for a second presidential term.

The 72-year-old leader stated that he will most likely withdraw from the political arena in September of 1998. Specifically, he said that “politicians are not presidents forever and, as such, they should choose a day when they must withdraw.” A.F.

[19] BOSNIA: EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RESULTS OUT NEXT WEEK

The final results of the early parliamentary elections held in Bosnia on November 22-23, are to be publicized on December 8 or 9, according to the electorate committee’s spokesperson Slobodan Kovac.

According to the news agency of Bosnia SRNA Mr. Kovac stated that the process of gathering and counting the votes will have been completed by the end of this week and the official results are to be announced by a committee representative. A.F.

[20] RUSSIA EXPECTS $700 MILLION IN ECONOMIC AID FROM IMF AND WORLD BANK

Moscow is hoping to receive economic aid amounting to $700 million from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank by the end of this year, the Russian news agency Interfax reported today.

The funds are targeted for the country’s program of improving its financial situation and, according to the Central Bank of Russia, the optimism is based on the praise Moscow received by the IMF on its economic restructure efforts. A.F.

[21] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS ADDRESSED THE WEU

The place of the Western European Union in the new political reality was the issue that was presented by Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis in his speech delivered today in the WEU meeting that was held in Paris.

It is regarded as a most significant meeting before Greece takes over the WEU presidency on January 1.

Responding to questions concerning the Greek-Turkish relations, Mr.Simitis stressed that Greece does not have to make a specific step for the improvement of its relations with Ankara, adding that Turkey is the one that disputes the existing borders and violates International Law. Mr.Simitis reiterated Greece’s firm position that Turkey should appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague if it has any aspirations.

During his contacts with French president Jacques Chirac and prime minister Lionel Jospen, Mr.Simitis insisted in vetoing Turkey’s participation in the European conference.

[22] VAN DEN BROEK MEETS IN NICOSIA WITH DENKTASH

EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek met in Nicosia today with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who reiterated the known intransigent positions on Cyprus’ EU course and the Cyprus problem. The EU Commissioner stated that he brought certain positions regarding the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the accession negotiations but they do not constitute a complete proposal.

Mr.van den Broek is later scheduled to inaugurate the European Institute of Cyprus with Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides.

In the afternoon, Mr.van den Broek will meet at the “Lydra Palace” passage with representatives of the two communities from the workers’ movement, students organizations, the business world, women’s organizations, young politicians and lawyers.

[23] CENSURE MOTION ON A GOVERNMENT MINISTER WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE TURKISH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

A censure motion on the Turkish minister of public works will be discussed in the Turkish National Assembly this afternoon.

The censure motion was tabled by True Path Party leader Tansu Ciller. The minister is accused of corruption and through the vote that will take place it will be decided if the censure motion will be included in the daily agenda of the Turkish National Assembly.

[24] THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE CALLED SKOPJENS BECAUSE IN THEIR LANGUAGE IT MEANS “EUNUCH”

The immigrants from FYROM, who live in Sidney, Australia have appealed to the courts requesting that the use of the term “Skopjen”, meaning the one who comes from Skopje the capital of FYROM, be abandoned by the Greek press based on the reasoning that this term in their language means “eunuch”. The case opened in 1996 and was concluded last week, while the final ruling on the case is expected to be issued next February.

Coordinator of the Greek Council of Australia Konstantinos Vertzagias, who is the attorney representing the Greek side in the Australian court, stated that the other party in the case brought specialists from European universities to back its position. Mr.Vertzagias stated that the other party’s efforts are aimed at winning a court ruling that will prohibit the Greek-Australian newspapers from using the word “Skopjen”. Mr.Vertzagias stated that in order to achieve that they even brought professors from Germany to prove that the word is insulting and has another meaning, that of the “eunuch”.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki professor, specializing in the Slav language, Phaedon Maligoudis confirmed that the word skopen means eunuch but added that this is not known to the wider population because it is a word of the purist Slav language.

[25] MASSACRE IN A US HIGH-SCHOOL

A 14yearold high-school student killed three fellow students and injured 4 others.

The student opened fire against his fellow students during school prayer in Kentaky, USA and immediately afterwards he gave himself up to the school master.

The 14yearold gunman is accused of manslaughter and the prosecutor’s office intends to try him in an adult court.

[26] THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT CONTINUES IN KYOTO

The world conference on the protection of the environment continues in Kyoto, Japan.

The hundreds of representatives from 160 countries, who attend the conference, have expressed disagreements, one of which concerns the extend of the reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions.

Most disagreements are found between scientists and big economic interests.

[27] THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE NATO FORCES IN EUROPE VISITS SOFIA

Bulgaria’s strategy in this phase coincides completely with NATO’s position regarding the handling of the risks targeting security and stability in Europe, stated deputy commander of the NATO armed forces in Europe general Jeremy McKenzie after his meeting in Sofia today with Bulgarian foreign undersecretary Boiko Mircev.

General McKenzie is on a formal visit to Bulgaria since yesterday at the invitation of Bulgarian National Defense General Staff Chief Miho Mihov.

[28] THE EU HEALTH MINISTERS WILL DECIDE ON THE BANNING OF CIGARETTE ADS

The EU health ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday to decide on the banning of tobacco advertisement.

The presentation of the Greek initiative in support of the banning was held in an Athens hotel today. In the initiative participate politicians, academicians and scientists.

[29] JAILED FORMER TURKISH PARLIAMENT DEPUTY LEILA ZANA REFUSED THE OFFER FOR HER RELEASE

Former Turkish Parliament deputy Leila Zana, who is of Kurdish origin, rejected the offer to be released from jail because of her poor health, according to the French news agency. Ms.Zana was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1994 accused of having close ties with the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK).

The 36yearold former Parliament deputy suffers from osteoporosis and is hospitalized on a regular basis. According to her lawyer, Ms.Zana, in a letter addressed to US president Bill Clinton and Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz, rejected the offer to be released because of her poor health saying that she will not follow the example of the blind lawyer Esber Yagmurdereli, who was released from prison in November.

[30] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SALUTES THE NEW STUCTURE OF NATO

The Greek Premier, Kostas Simitis, saluted, from the podium of the Parliamentary Convention of the West European Union that meets in Paris, the new structure of NATO. During his speech, the Greek Premier developed the plans of the Greek presidency over the West European union during the next semester, as well as its initiatives for the security in Europe. Concerning the role of the West European Union, Mr. Simitis, pointed out the need to develop the capability of the Union to execute missions. For the North Atlantic Alliance Mr. Simitis characterized as positive progress the definition of the new structure of NATO and made clear that this new structure does not involve the aerial area of the Aegean. E.K.

[31] MILOUTINOVIC IN KOSSOVO

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia, Milan Miloutinovic, is expected to visit Kossovo today, in the frame of his electoral campaign, as a candidate of the Socialist Party for the Presidential elections in Yugoslavia. As it is broadcasted by the French News Agency, AFP, the Albanians in Kossovo declared that they would not participate in the elections of the December 7 and that they do not wish to meet Mr. Miloutinovic. E.K.

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