Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-12-09

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 9 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] TURKEY’S PARTICIPATION TO EU SUMMIT IS ATTAINABLE UNDER CONDITIONS

Greece’s Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos reiterated the Greek government’s firm positions regarding the terms and conditions it sets forth on the ties between the European Union and Turkey and its misgivings in regards to the Luxembourg- proposed continuous European Summit (in which the “15” will participate along with the 11 EU candidate-members, as well as Cyprus and Turkey) during yesterday’s EU Council of General Affairs.

The EU ministers discussed the issue of the Community’s expansion with the accession of ten former Communist states and Cyprus. The EU member-states agreed to invite the candidate members to attend the expansion talks that are expected to be held in March of 1998.

The accession negotiations are to officially begin with only six countries of central and eastern Europe, that is Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. For the remaining five (Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania) the ministers agreed to observe their progress so that, through an annual report drawn for each country separately, the rate of their progress can be ascertained in regards to the necessary criteria for gaining accession to the EU.

According to political analysts in Brussels, this decision was drawn in order to ease the dissidence noted among the allies some of whom are in favor of accession negotiations with the first six countries and some of whom differ that these negotiations should concern all of the eleven candidate-members.

In his address, Mr. Pangalos, referring to the proposal for the formation of a continuous European conference, supported that such move would be moot.“ What the Presidency of Luxembourg should propose is the drawing of a unified decision in regards to beginning negotiations with the 11 countries that are currently candidates for EU accession and that practical negotiations begin immediately for some and later for others. Based on this reasoning, I do not understand the need of a European conference for which we have serious misgivings,” he characteristically stated.

“What could a European conference be if the 11 candidate- members will participate in an accession framework? If it concerns simply finding a place for Turkey in its relationship with the EU could be developed through its Customs Association with the Community,” the Greek Foreign Minister added.

Stressing that the formation of the European conference is to be decided upon in Luxembourg by the European Summit, Mr. Simitis reiterated that strict terms and conditions must be established for those countries that wish to participate at the Summit.

“The participating countries must not vaguely accept international law, but must also accept the consequences of this acceptance, in other words the acceptance of the overall jurisdiction of the International court of Justice at The Hague, while they must also feature institutions that are compatible with those of the European Union, such as political freedoms, complete freedom of press and respect for human rights, and all of these should be examined by a special authority of the EU which will retain the right to even bar them from the European conference if they fail to uphold these obligations,” Mr. Pangalos said.

Moreover, he stressed that “a country that is to participate at the conference cannot create problems for another EU member” and, specifying his reference, added that Turkey must contribute positively to the success of the negotiations for Cyprus’s accession to the EU and undertake the obligation to do so.

However, according to the BBC radio report, the Greek Foreign Minister did leave the EU’s door “open” for Turkey.

“There are grounds for understanding and finding a solution that will represent everyone ” Mr. Pangalos stated, adding that “we shall display a highly constructive and positive spirit in this negotiation.” A.F.

[02] GREEK PARLIAMENT TO HOLD TALKS ON EMU THIS EVENING

Talks at a political party leaders level will be held in the Hellenic Parliament this evening on Greece’s course towards the European Monetary Union.

Meanwhile, discussions on the 1998 budget will be held by the Parliament’s plenary session on December 17. Tomorrow the Prime Minister of Luxembourg is to meet in Athens with Premier Kostas Simitis. A.F.

[03] C OF E’S PRESS MINISTERS HOLD 5TH SUMMIT IN THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY

Over 40 ministers of press and media from the Council of Europe member-states, along with observers and other officials, are to gather in Thessaloniki on Thursday next week in order to participate at the Fifth European Ministerial Summit for Politics in the Mass Media.

The Summit will be inaugurated by the Greek Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas and the C of E’s alternate secretary-general Hans Christian Kruger, while salutations will be forwarded by the President of Greece Kostis Stephanopoulos and the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

The conference, to be held on December 11 and 12, is jointly organized by the C of E and Greece’s Ministry of Press and Media, which will hold the presidency of the event.

This marks the first time that Greece has been assigned the organization of such a significant event in the sector of information and communication.

The Greek delegation, headed by the secretary-general of information Yiannis Nikolaou will focus on the theme “Society of Information: a Challenge for Europe” .

The two-day Summit will examine the opportunities provided by the governments for the adoption of a common policy in regards to new technologies and the new services related to communication- information. The ministers will try to draw a regulating framework that will aim at safeguarding human rights and freedoms, as well as the basic principles of democracy. A.F.

[04] GREECE-FYROM TRADE MARKED SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN 1996

The volume of trade between Greece and FYROM rose to $180 million during 1996, according to data provided by the head of the two countries’ liaison office Ambassador Alexandros Mallias to Skopje’s Chamber of Finance.

Mr. Mallias stressed that during the first months of 1997, the volume of trade between the two neighbors rose to 167 million dollars, thereby illustrating the sizable increase in economic ties between Greece and FYROM. Moreover, Greece holds the top place (9.20%) in FYROM’s economic trade with other EU states.

However, Mr. Mallias did point out that the poor infrastructure of FYROM hampers the level of cooperation between the two neighbors, citing as an example the fact that there is no direct flight from Athens to Skopje and that roads have yet to be constructed between Skopje and Thessaloniki. He did mention, nevertheless, that there is a chance that Greece’s Intercity rail line will begin conducting an Athens-Thessaloniki-Skopje route soon. A.F.

[05] COMPARED TO OTHER EU CURRENCIES, DRACHMA APPRECIATED IN NOVEMBER

Greece’s drachma presented an appreciation in its value in comparison with almost all of the European currency during the month of November.

Specifically, according to the monthly parity report of the Center of Export studies and Research, eleven European currencies depreciated against the drachma in percentages that ranged from - 1.56% Sweden’s crone) to -.02% (Spain’s peseta), while only two appreciated (English pound by +1.79% and Ireland’s pound by +,60%). A.F.

[06] THE PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE DEFENSE MINISTER

The Parliament Committee on foreign affairs and defense will meet tomorrow to be briefed by minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos on the new command structure of NATO and the Greek- Turkish agreement for the operational control of the Aegean air space.

Meanwhile, prime minister Kostas Simitis issued a clear warning to all the leading members of PASOK, who react to the basic choices of the government. In yesterday’s meeting of PASOK’s executive bureau he underlined the need for the enactment of special rules that will protect the government’s public image.

Former leader of the main opposition party of New Democracy Miltiades Evert, with a letter addressed to minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Parliament Committee president on Foreign Affairs and Defense Lefteris Verivakis requests the distribution of the complete text of the agreement that was signed in Brussels on December 2.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos speaking yesterday in the EU General Affairs Council reiterated the Greek government’s firm positions regarding the terms and the pre- conditions for the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey. He also expressed reservations on proposal for the establishment of a permanent European conference that is being promoted by Luxembourg’s EU presidency, in which will participate the 15 EU member-states, the 11 EU candidate-states, Cyprus as well as, Turkey.

[07] THE NEW US AMBASSADOR MET WITH THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY AND FINANCE

New US ambassador to Athens Nicolas Burns met today with minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou.

In statements he made afterwards, mr.Burns characterized the meeting as very satisfactory and added that the US government supports the efforts made by the Greek government to restore the country’s economy.

[08] NO CHANGE WILL BE TOLERATED IN THE NEW BUDGET

Prime minister Kostas Simitis warned that no change will be tolerated in the new budget during the voting for its approval.

Mr.Simitis stressed to PASOK’s executive bureau members last night that it would be meaningless to stay in government if the government’s program is not implemented.

The discussion on Greece’s course toward the European economic and monetary union will be held in Parliament at a party leaders’ level this afternoon.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] US APPROVES MC DONNELL DOUGLAS F-15 MARKETING LICENSE TO GREECE

"This is a preliminary decision," State Department spokesman James Foley said. "If the Greek government were to select an American aircraft for purchase, then the State Department would have to decide at that time whether to authorize such a sale," he added.

The State Department last week decided to give McDonnell Douglas the go-ahead to conduct demonstration fights in Greece after European manufacturers signaled they would go after the contract offered by the Greek air force.

Mr. Foley said that it remained unclear whether the sale would have an impact on stability in the Aegean Sea.

"We want to contribute to stability, not to the reverse, in any such decision," the State Department spokesman said.

State Department officials, speaking on condition they remain anonymous, said that the marketing license "usually carries a presumption of approval" but pointed out that several conditions could be attached to any future sale of the aircraft. A.F.

[10] SERB AUTHOR PAVIC IN THESSALONIKI, TO SPEAK ON THE ART OF WRITING

Serb author Milorad Pavic is currently in Thessaloniki where he will attend the two-day events organized in his honor by the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe Thessaloniki ’97, within the framework of the series of happenings titled “Foreign authors in Thessaloniki.”

The author will speak on the art of writing tomorrow evening at the city’s theater “Avlaia” where the public will have a chance at meeting him. Excerpts from his book “The last love in Constantinople” will also be read.

On Thursday, the film “Byzantine Blue” will be presented at the “Olympion” movie theater. This film is based on Mr. Pavic’s story titled “Wedgwood - Tea China” and is a Serb-Cypriot production.

“The scriptwriters decided to use this story which has proved to be more real today than it was 25 years ago when it was written,” Mr. Pavic stated. He further added that this story is one of love, which sets an allegorical comparison between two college students in love and the plague of hunger that threatens the European continent’s eastern hemisphere.

“It talks about the relationship between a fed and content Europe and the hungry Balkans.” A.F.

[11] GREECE IS A CHANNEL OF ENNOBLEMENT, SAYS SWEDISH WRITER

Greece of the 19th century was a channel of ennoblement between the West and the East, according to the pioneering Scandinavian writer Fredrica Bremer, who, after visiting the country in 1865, became so enamored with it that she stayed until 1870 and wrote a journal on the ideas and lifestyle of the Greek people who had recently been freed from the Turkish yoke.

Ms. Bremer’s memoirs come to life through a recently- published book written by Sture Linner and titled “A Swede in Greece of the 19th Century”.

Professor Pavlos Petrides, who wrote the prologue of this book, stated that it constitutes a significant and fascinating literary work that illustrates the friendly sentiments of the Swedish people.

“For us, the modern Greeks, of Bremer’s memoirs bear a heavy significance not only because the writer immersed herself into the beauty of the Greek people, but also because she herself drew the most appropriate conclusions, since, on the one hand, she realized the relation between the ancient and modern Greece and, on the other, she elevated Greece of the 19th century into a crossroads of culture between the West and the East,” Professor Petrides stated. A.F.

[12] SERBIA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE RE-HELD ON DECEMBER 21

Presidential elections are to be re-held in Serbia on December 21, since neither of the top contenders managed to gather the necessary percentage (over 50%) to hold the top seat.

With 98% of the votes counted, Socialist candidate Milan Milutinovic has the lead with 41.5%, while Nationalist Voislav Seseli comes second with 33%. Third in line is Vuc Drascovic with 16% of the votes. A.F.

[13] CAR THEFTS ON THE RISE IN THE BALKAN REGION

An international seminar titled “Stolen Cars” is to be held in Athens today where officials from over ten European countries are to address the car theft plague that has increased almost tenfold during this decade.

Statistics speak for themselves: from 2,162 in 1981, car thefts in the Balkan region rose to 12,678 in 1995. Of the cars stolen in 1981, over half were discovered.

In 1985 car thefts rose to 3,154 of which 2,048 were recovered. In 1988 thefts amounted to 4,312 out of which 2,538 were founded. 1991 was a year that showed a dramatic increase in car thefts as they rose to 8,653 of which 3,992 were discovered. In 1994 10,289 cars were stolen of which 7,677 were discovered and in 1996 10,898 cars were stolen of which 7,000 were recovered.

The event will be attended by police officers from Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Albania. A.F.

[14] KRANIDIOTIS - CEM MEETING

Greek undersecretary of foreign affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis is expected to meet with Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem in Bonn today on the sidelines of the conference for the implementation of the Dayton peace accord.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos announced yesterday that there will be a Greek veto on Turkey’s participation in the European conference and it will be exercised by the prime minister in the Luxembourg Summit meeting that will be held on Friday and Saturday.

[15] THE TRADE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND FYROM ARE ON THE RISE

The volume of trade transactions between Greece and FYROM reached 180 million dollars in 1996, according to data provided by ambassador Mallias head of the Greek liaison office in Skopje.

He stressed that the volume of trade transactions in the first months of 1997 reached 167 million dollars which proves the notable increase in bilateral trade relations.

[16] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON THE APPLICATIONS OF TELEMATICS IN HEALTHCARE

A two-day conference on the telematics’ applications in healthcare opens in Thessaloniki on Friday with the participation of 300 delegates.

The conference is organized by the European Popular party with the technical support of the EU Telematics Applications on Healthcare Department.

Among those attending the conference will be EU specialists like, telematics applications director of the 13th General Directorate M.Richonnier, director of telematics’ applications on healthcare professor J.C.Healy and Greek Euro-deputy Antonis Trakatellis.

[17] THE PRESIDENTS OF THE US AND BULGARIA WILL MEET IN EARLY 1998

The presidents of the United States Bill Clinton and Bulgaria Petar Stoyanov will meet in early 1998.

The announcement was made yesterday upon the return of Bulgarian deputy prime minister Evgeni Bakarziev from the United States where he had meetings with leading politicians and businessman.

Responding to questions made by reporters, Mr.Bakarziev denied the press publications according to which, part of the trip’s expenses were covered by a program offered by Greek businessman Sokratis Kokkalis.

[18] SESSION OF A GREEK-BULGARIAN COMMITTEE IN SOFIA

The 7th meeting of the mixed Greek-Bulgarian Committee of programming and controlling the PHARE programs for the an inter- border cooperation and the INTERREG II, started today in Sofia. The Vice President of the Bulgarian government, Mr. Eugeni Bakarjiev, during the opening of the meeting, stressed that “the cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria in the sectors of transports and customs’ check forms an example of inter-border cooperation”.According to Mr. Bakarjiev the new border passage between Greece and Bulgaria which will connect Drama with Goce Deltsev, will start functioning by the end of 1999, while the works for the opening of the passage between Xanthi and Roudozem will start in the end of 1998. E.K.

[19] CONFERENCE IN BONN FOR BOSNIA

The German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Klaus Kinkel, during his opening speech in the conference in Bonn, that aims to the implementation of the peacemaking procedure in Bosnia, pressed for the attribution of more power to the high representative of the international community, Mr. Karlos Westerdorp, in order to achieve the cooperation of the three-member presidency of Bosnia. Mr. Kinkel stressed that the high representative “must have the capability to impose temporary solutions until the authorities of Bosnia fulfill the agreement of Dayton”, while he added that “the permanent sabotage of important decisions must be prevented”. E.K.

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