Compact version |
|
Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
|
Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-12-26Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.Last Update: 17:33 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANSNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY EXODUS HAS A HIGH DEATH TOLL AGAIN THIS YEARWeb Posted: 11:36 GMT+2Athens, December 26 (MPA)Hundreds of thousands of Greeks opted for the countryside in order to enjoy their Christmas holidays, an exodus that once again had a high death toll.Since Wednesday morning, nine persons were killed and 144 were injured in 111 car accidents throughout the country. [02] THE GERMANS DELIVERED THE FIRST DATA FROM THE EXAMINATION OF THE UKRAINIAN PLANE'S "BLACK BOX"Web Posted: 17:33 GMT+2Thessaloniki 26 December (MPA)The first data that resulted from the examination of the Ukrainian plane's "black box" were delivered by the German specialists to the Greek authorities. The plane crashed at the Pieria Mountains on December 19 killing at least 70 people, Greeks and Ukrainians, and the data will shed light on the conditions under which the tragedy took place.Meanwhile, special rescue crews continue the search for the location of more victims as according to information, on board the plane were at least 5 more passengers. The search continues for the location of two small children, a 3yearold girl and her 7monthold brother, who were traveling with their parents. The Ukrainian specialists, who came to Thessaloniki after the accident, left yesterday afternoon with the remains of the Ukrainian passengers. [03] 64 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM IRAQ WERE ARRESTED IN MITILINIWeb Posted: 17:33 GMT+2Lesvos 26 December (MPA)Sixty four illegal immigrants from Iraq, among them women and children, were located by the Greek Coast Guard in the region of Akra Agrilia in the island of Mitilini.Most of them are of Kurdish origin and have requested political asylum. [B] BALKANS[04] TURKISH PM IS ONCE AGAIN PROVOCATIVE: "EU IS NOT A CHRISTIAN CLUB"Web Posted: 11:36 GMT+2Ankara, December 26 (MPA)Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz proceeded to more provocative statements on Christmas Day.Addressing his country's Parliament, Mr. Yilmaz called on the European Union to prove that it is not a Christian Club by including Turkey in its arena as an equitable member. At the same time., tens of Turkish aircraft violated Greece's national air space, reaching the island of Skyros. The Greek Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that these maneuvers are calculated provocations. [05] ARMED AND MASKED ALBANIANS CONDUCT EPISODES NEAR GJIROCASTERWeb Posted: 11:36 GMT+2Gjirocaster, December 26 (MPA)A 30-year -old man was injured on Wednesday night in episodes that were provoked my armed and masked Albanians in the village of Lazarati, near Gjirocaster.During the episodes, a bridge was blown up and extensive damages were caused to nearby vehicles. [06] TURKEY RENEWED THE "NORTHERN WATCH" OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQWeb Posted: 17:33 GMT+2Ankara 26 December (MPA)The Turkish National Assembly approved the extension of the "Northern Watch" operation in northern Iraq, according to the French news agency.The multi-national forces are stationed at the Incirlik Air Base where the fighter jets' center of operations is being located to oversee the non- flight zone north of the 36th parallel. Those measures were put into effect after the end of the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991. The mandate for the use of the Incirlik Air Base officially ends on December 31, but it was extended until June 30, 1998. [07] STRONG REACTION TO BERISHA'S PROPOSAL FOR EARLY ELECTIONSWeb Posted: 17:33 GMT+2Tirana 26 December (MPA)Most of the political parties in Albania reacted strongly against the proposal by opposition Democratic party leader Sali Berisha for early elections to be held on March 22, 1998. The former Albanian president reiterated his proposal at a rally of his supporters in the city of Kavagia.According to Mr.Berisha, early elections are necessary because of the conditions that exist in the country and the government's incompetence to deal with them. He said that the problems faced by the country are the lack of public order a well as, the increase of crime and smuggling operations. [08] CLASHES BETWEEN ALBANIAN PROTESTERS AND POLICE IN KOSOVOWeb Posted: 17:33 GMT+2Kosovo 26 December (MPA)Albanian-speaking demonstrators and police forces clashed in Kosovo. Protest rallies were held in Pristina and in other big cities in Serbia where the Albanian presence is strong. The Albanians call for Kosovo's autonomy and are protesting against the decision of the authorities not to allow the operation of Albanian-speaking universities.Clashes took place in the city of Diakovica yesterday when police forces intervened to disperse a crowd of 10.000 people, who were protesting against the Serb control of the region. During the clashes a number of university students were injured, while many local leaders were arrested. [09] NEW PROVOCATION WAS LAUNCHED BY THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTERWeb Posted: 17:33 GMT+2Ankara 26 December (MPA)Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz appeared provocative again, addressing his country's National Assembly, when he spoke of two independent states in Cyprus. He also called on the European Union to prove that it is not a Christian club by including Turkey in its future members on an equal basis. He also admitted that there is a lack of democracy in his country and requested the Europeans to give Turkey more time in order to overcome this problem.Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem stated that the installation of the Russian S-300 missile system in Cyprus and the training of its Cypriot operators could create conflict between Ankara and Moscow. Meanwhile, two secret decrees were approved last October by the Turkish National Security Council that define the Turkish national policy. In those decrees, the Turkish generals characterize Greece and Syria as the two main threats against their country. Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |