Macedonian Press Agency: News in English,98-01-29

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 29 January 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PARLIAMENT TO VOTE MONDAY ON DEKO AMENDMENT

The Greek government has submitted an amendment in its proposed draft bill for labour relations governing public enterprises and utilities (DEKOs) to the Parliament, which will be voted upon on Monday.

The amendment will concern only those state-subsidised yet loss-making and problematic DEKOs, according to National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

[02] US AMBASSADOR CONDUCTS FIRST VISIT TO THESSALONIKI TODAY

The United States Ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns conducted his first visit to Thessaloniki today, where he will remain for three days.

Mr. Burns was received by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos this morning, followed by a meeting with the city's Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos.

``This region, of the Balkans and northern Greece, is of increasing importance to the united states'' and we want to do everything we can to make sure that our companies here invest in northern Greece, in Thessaloniki and work with their Greek partners for the mutual benefit of all concerned,'' Mr. Burns stated, adding that Thessaloniki is a city that we believe will play a more important role in the future, economically and certainly culturally.

Moreover, the US ambassador stated that Greece has played a positive role in the Balkans, specifically Albania and FYROM, both economically and politically.

Responding to a question regarding Greece's will to mediate in the Kossovo issue, through a Nano-Milosevic-Rugova meeting, Mr. Burns stated that the United States will support any Greek initiative.

``(Greece's) alternate foreign minister Andreas Papandreou has made that offer and we believe that the Greek government has a great deal of expertise in this area. We are concerned about the situation in Kossovo. We look forward working with Greece. And work productively with the government of Belgrade in convincing it to reduce tension.''

Lastly, the US Ambassador declined comment on Greek-Turkish issues before he meets with Greece's FM Pangalos privately, but did state that ``the US is a friend of Greece and Turkey. Our only hope is that Greece and Turkey might be able to work out their problems. We are a loyal friend of both countries and I think you can see that through our actions.

At 8:30 p.m. this evening, Mr. Burns will be the keynote speaker at a ``Propeller Club'' meeting.

Tomorrow, the US Ambassador will meet with the Prefect of Thessaloniki Kostas Papadopoulos and on Saturday evening he will be attend the formal reception given on board the United States Sixth Fleet's flagship ``LaSalle'', which will have sailed into the port of Thessaloniki on Saturday morning.

The ship, with a 700-member crew, will remain at the port until February 4.

[03] TURKISH CARGO SHIP REMAINS IMMOBILE OFF THE COAST OF ISLAND OF KOS

Fire erupted on board a Turkish cargo ship with 20 crew members yesterday and a distress signal was sent from the international waters, off the coast of the island of Kos, when its captain was unable to control it.

A Greek helicopter arrived in the region and its pilot contacted the ship's captain, who refused the Greek assistance, stating that he has requested help from a Turkish tugboat. A Greek Navy frigate and a tugboat have also arrived in the region.

[04] GREECE-FYROM TALKS ON NAME ISSUE TO BE HELD IN NEW YORK TODAY

The Ambassadors of Greece and FYROM, Christos Zacharakis and Ivan Tosevski respectively, are to hold a new round of talks concerning the FYROM name issue in New York today.

Tuesday's negotiations lasted two hours and featured the participation of United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance.

Following the talks, Mr. Tosevski was asked if any progress was noted, whereupon he responded ``certainly.''

[05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY

The President of the European Parliament Jose Maria Jil Robles is to conduct a three-day official visit to Athens, beginning today.

Invited by the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Mr. Robles will meet with Greece's political leadership.

In a press conference given in Strasbourg recently, Mr. Robles stated that his contacts with Greece's political leaders will be of a general nature and he noted that he wants to form an opinion on how Greece sees the structural hurdles of the European fulfilment, the Euro, the Amsterdam Accord, and the Greek Parliament's view on issues related to the unified European election process.

Referring to the dialogue which Athens pioneered with other Mediterranean countries and states from the Middle East, Mr. Robles stated that ``Greece is the preferential observation post and I believe that the views of the Greek authorities will help us in developing our ties in that (geographical) direction. We have an interest in working toward the development of the Mediterranean's southern end, since Europe's' viable interests are not limited only to the North.

While avoiding comment on Greek-Turkish issues, Mr. Robles did say that ``the European Union is always on the side of its allies.''

[06] THE UKRAINIAN AIRPLANE REMAINS AT THE AIRPORT OF THESSALONIKI

The ``Boeing 737'' of the Ukrainian airline ``Aeroweet'', that was seized yesterday afternoon based on a court ruling issued after a request submitted by the relatives of a victim in the recent air tragedy near Thessaloniki, remains immobilized at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport.

Over 45 passengers and crew members spent last night in hotels in Thessaloniki, while representatives of the Ukrainian company in Athens stated to MPA this morning that they expect to be formally briefed by the court authorities in order to bring their case to the courts as well in order to resolve the problem.

According to a Thessaloniki court decision, the airplane will remain immobilized until February 9 in return for a letter of guarantee of 40 million drachmas that should be issued by the airline.

[07] BURNS: GREECE'S INTERVENTION IN THE BALKANS IS POSITIVE

US ambassador to Athens Nicolas Burns, in statements he made today after his meeting with minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos in Thessaloniki, characterized as positive Greece's intervention in the Balkans which is aimed at the development of inter-Balkan cooperation. He also characterized as positive Greece's initiative to invite Nano, Milosevic and Rugova to a meeting in Athens.

Mr. Burns stated that the United States is a friend of Greece and Turkey and that there must be cooperation between the two neighboring countries for the solution of the problems between them.

[08] THE GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOR MET ON THE WORKERS' BENEFITS ISSUE

The Greek General Confederation of Labor met today to discuss the issue concerning the workers' benefits in the public sector companies. The confederation announced that it faces serious communication problems with the ministry of national economy and finance and called for a meeting of the economic and social committee.

The reworded provision on the public sector companies, which is included in the new tax bill and has caused the strong reaction of the opposition, will be voted through in Parliament on Monday.

[09] PROGRAM OF FREE STUDIES IN GREEK UNIVERSITIES

Announcements concerning the free studies' program in higher education were made today by minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis.

Specifically, the minister announced that starting in March, thirty two programs of studies will be offered in 8 higher education institutions and in 10 Technological and Vocational Training Institutions.

[10] 10 THOUSAND WORKERS WERE FIRED FROM PROFIT MAKING INDUSTRIES IN 1996

Ten thousand workers were fired in 1996 from profit making industries due to the use of modern technology according to data provided by the Association of Greek Industries, while it is believed that the problem of unemployment will worsen because of the increased use of high technology.

The Association of Greek Industries suggested that the problem can be faced by attracting new investments for the creation of new production units, but at the same time appeared pessimistic as the constant changes in the developmental incentives discourage the new investors.

[11] NEW TURKISH MANOEUVRES TO TAKE PLACE IN THE AEGEAN

Ankara continues its provocations against Greece as Turkish armed forces announced new military manoeuvres to take place in the Aegean.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stressed that the government would remain calm and reminded that Turkey had announced similar manoeuvres in January as well which finally did not take place. Mr Reppas noted that the Greek Civil Aviation Service will issue directives (NOTAM) concerning the case that the military exercises will be consistent with the status in the area and International Law. In a different case, he added, NOTAM will not be issued and the areas will be proclaimed dangerous for the flights of the Civil Aviation.

[12] THE INSURANCE POLICY DISCUSSED BY PRIME MINISTER AND LABOUR MINISTRY

The insurance policy and labour relations were the main issues of discussion in the meeting Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis had today with Labour Ministry officials.

After the meeting, Labour Minister mr Papaioannou said that as far as the insurance policy is concerned, there is a complete interposition giving priority to farmers' accession in the unified insurance system which is already finished and measures against tax evasion which are included in the bill that was voted and implemented. Mr Papaioannou noted that the first phase of the social dialogue will finish at the end of February and then the government will introduce a bill in the Parlaiment.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] EU AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HOLD FIRST COOPERATION CONFERENCE

The European Union's Council of Foreign Ministers and Russian officials yesterday held their first cooperation conference, which Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos saluted as the starting point for a new era of closer cooperation and trust between the two.

Moreover, the EU foreign ministers yesterday met with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, within the framework of the EU-Albanian Political Dialogue.

Mr. Pangalos noted Albania's special role in Balkan cooperation within the framework of the interbalkan conference summit, to be held in Turkey.

[14] UN GIVES RECOMMENDATION TO ALBANIA ON FYROM'S NAME

The United Nations representative to FYROM has offered a thinly veiled recommendation to the Albanian government in regards to FYROM's name and in light of the imminent signing of the friendship and Cupertino accord between the two countries.

According to the Albanian press, the UN envoy to Skopje met with the Skopje-based Albanian Ambassador and indirectly alluded that ``the official name of the country is FYROM'' and the Albanian authorities should keep this in mind.

[15] THE MAJORITY OF THE CYPRIOTS BELIEVE THAT THE RUSSIAN S-300 MISSILES WILL BE INSTALLED

The majority of the Cypriots (58%) believes that the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system will be installed in Cyprus, while 51% regards as possible the likelihood of a hot incident between Cyprus and Turkey.

Those conclusions have resulted from the second part of the political behavior of voters research which was conducted in Cyprus by polling companies on behalf of the Cypriot state radio and television network. The outcome of the poll was broadcast by the Cypriot state television yesterday.

[16] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4,4 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN CYPRUS

An earthquake measuring 4,4 on the Richter scale shook Cyprus this morning and according to the Cypriot news agency, no injuries or damages were reported.

The tremor was felt in the regions of Paphos and Limassol, while its epicenter was located in the sea, according to the Geology Research Department.

[17] TELEVISION PROGRAM ON THE GREEK AID TO ALBANIA

The Albanian television broadcast interviews of Greek undersecretary of development Anna Diamantopoulou and undersecretary of national economy and finance Alkis Baltas yesterday.

Ms. Diamantopoulou analyzed the activities of the ministry of development aimed at the backing of the Greek businessmen, who are active in Albania. Mr. Baltas referred to the 18 billion drachmas loan and the 2 billion drachmas aid to Albania from Greece and emphasized the Greek government's willingness to back every effort for economic development in Albania.

[18] CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATES A KURD'S STATEMENT ABOUT TURKISH ATROCITIES DURING THE INVASION

According to Cypriot Foreign Minister Giannakis Kasoulidis, the Cypriot government will thoroughly investigate the content of the statement given by a Kurd, former soldier of the Turkish occupation forces, concerning atrocities against 100 Cypriots by Turks and Turkishcypriots.

The Kurd Mustafa Ongan who served the Turkish army and took part in the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in1974, said that he along with other soldiers buried the 100 Cypriots who had been massacred by the Turks close to Mora village. Mr Kasoulidis said that instructions were given to services of the Cypriot government to collect all information possible.

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