Macedonian Press Agency: News in English,98-02-02

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 2 February 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK FARMERS EMBARK ON MOBILIZATIONS TODAY

Central Greece’s farmers are to embark on a new round of mobilizations today, closing off the country’s national highway.

Among their basic demands is increased prices on their products, debt adjustment and the cancellation of criminal proceedings currently underway against their counterparts who were arrested and charged for obstruction of transportation during last year’s ,mobilizations.

Moreover, they demand that their representatives be receive by the Premier Kostas Simitis. Local farmers are to block off the building housing the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

[02] GREECE’S ARIS IS NATIONAL CUP HOLDER IN BASKETBALL

Following a cutting edge final game played last night against AEK, northern Greece’s Aris basketball team is the country’s cup holder with a score of 71 - 68.

After the end of the game, thousands of fans defied the drizzle and low temperatures and celebrated frenetically in front of the city’s landmark White Tower.

[03] PARLIAMENT TO VOTE TODAY ON DEKO AMENDMENT

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

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

During the voting Greece’s largest union, the General Confederation of Greek Labor Workers (GSEE) is to conduct a rally outside the Hellenic Parliament, while work stoppages will be held by the workers in the mass transportation sector.

The GSEE threatens with a new 24-hour strike in case the Parliament approves a provision which is included in the new tax bill and provides for the abolition of certain benefits enjoyed by the employees in the public sector agencies.

Problems are also expected in Olympic Airways, between 5.00 p.m. and 9.00 a.m. Tuesday, with delays in several domestic and international flights.

[04] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MARIA JIL ROBLES IN ATHENS

The President of the European Parliament Jose Maria Jil Robles, completed a three-day visit to Greece this weekend, conducted on the invitation of the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Mr. Robles stressed the importance of adopting a common foreign and defence policy for protection of the European Union's external borders, and praised Greece's contribution in that direction.

Addressing a special meeting of Parliament's standing committee on European Affairs, Mr. Robles described the issue of EU-Turkey relations as "difficult", noting that Ankara must fulfill the terms laid down for EU accession which concerned clearing up its human rights record, respect for democratic principles and minorities, and ending its occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Replying to a question on Greek-Turkish relations, he underlined that the Aegean islands constituted external borders of the European Union.

Mr. Robles also discussed EU enlargement, EU-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem during a lunch hosted in his honor by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou. The talks also covered the institutional role of the European Parliament in securing balance in the European structure. He was also received by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis who briefed his guest on Athens' efforts to meet Maastricht targets and on the course of Greek- Turkish relations.

[05] GREEK FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY TOURS FOUR AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Greece’s Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis is currently on a six-day tour of four African countries, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa, aiming at the promotion of Greece's candidacy for the post of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 1999-2000, and the strengthening of its bilateral relations with the aforementioned countries.

In Johannesburg yesterday, Mr. Kranidiotis addressed the Greek Chamber of Commerce of S. Africa where he stressed Greece's interest in the overseas Greeks and their "invaluable role" as a bridge with other peoples and their contribution to strengthening Greece's positions internationally.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kranidiotis visited Swaziland, and had talks with Swazi foreign minister Arthur Koza on prospects for development of relations between the two countries. He pledged Greece's assistance in financing several development programs in Swaziland in such sectors as animal breeding and tourism.

The foreign undersecretary began his African tour on Thursday with a meeting in Nairobi with newly re-elected Kenyan president Daniel Arap Moi, whom he briefed on Greek foreign policy issues including Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, Greece's course in the context of the European Union and its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council. They also discussed prospects for developing bilateral relations, while Mr. Kranidiotis further held talks with the Kenyan foreign minister and undersecretary, the minister for industrial development and the health minister.

Mr. Kranidiotis is scheduled to visit Namibia, Mozambique and Ethiopia before departing tomorrow for his return to Greece.

[06] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE WILL VISIT LONDON ON FEBRUARY 4-8

Greece’s minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou will be on a formal visit to London on February 4-8, at the invitation of the British Industries’ Association.

The invitation was issued to Mr. Papantoniou on the occasion of a one-day meeting on “Greece in the new millennium” that will be held on February 5. During the event will be examined the business prospects and the investment opportunities available in Greece.

[07] NOBEL LAUREATE TO BE GRANTED HONORARY DEGREE AT ARISTOTELIAN U.

Ilya Prigogine, the Belgian Professor who received the 1977 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, will be presented with an honorary doctorate by the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki today.

Prof. Prigogine will be made an honorary Doctor of the General Polytechnic, Physics and Philosophy-Education departments at a ceremony during which he will deliver a lecture on "Time, complexity and the laws of nature".

Prof. Progogine, who has been declared an honorary citizen of Athens and Thessaloniki, has also received the medal of the Parliament of the Hellenes in the past.

[08] US VICE-ADMIRAL MEETS WITH THE MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI

The Vice Admiral Charles Abbot, USS "La Salle", flagship for the Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, met with the mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Kosmopoulos today, part of a series of courtesy calls with local government officials.

The "La Salle" sailed into Thessaloniki on Saturday tomorrow for a five-day port of call, the first by the flagship to the northern Greek capital's port city.

USS La Salle assumed the role of Sixth Fleet flagship in November 1994 with a primary mission of providing flagship support and facilities to the Commander, Sixth Fleet. Outfitted with state- of-the-art communication and command and control equipment, the La Salle can direct any operation or exercise involving sea, air, land and amphibious forces, increasing the Sixth Fleet's capability to respond to crises and contingency operations. Since its commissioning in 1964, USS La Salle has deployed continuously in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, and has engaged in operations in the Middle East, including participation in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

The 170-metre-long ship carries a complement of 420 enlisted men and 25 officers. It is commanded by Capt. Bruce W. Clingan.

[09] ATHENS SLIGHTLY ROCKED BY EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4 ON RICHTER SCALE

An earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale occurred in Athens this morning at 5.49, whose epicenter was located 30 kilometers northeast of the city, in the region of Marathon.

The earthquake was especially felt in the areas of Aghios Stefanos and Drosia.

[10] US-GREECE SPONSOR HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST, PRIZE IS A CRUISE

The National Tourism Organization of Greece (EOT) and the United States Federation of the Aegean Islands Associations are jointly sponsoring an essay contest for 10th and 11th grade students, in collaboration with New York City’s Board of Education.

The contest carries a prize of a cruise to the Aegean islands in Greece in the spring of 1998 for four student winners and two teacher chaperones.

The contestants must submit essays of between 750 and 1,000 words on the historical achievements of the Aegean islands in Greece and how they affect life today. Information is available from Ms. Ronnie Solow, Director of Special Projects, School Programs and Support Services at (718) 935-3475 in New York.

[11] FARMERS PROTEST IN FRONT OF MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTRY BUILDING

Traffic in the Athens-Thessaloniki high-way is moving without problems, while the farmers have lined up their tractors in four points along the national road network. The farmers from the region of northern Greece held a protest rally in front of the Macedonia-Thrace ministry building in Thessaloniki.

The mobilizations of the farmers are expected to be discussed in the meeting prime minister Kostas Simitis will have with the ministers of agriculture and public order. The farmers have scheduled protest demonstrations to take place in the regions of Kilkis, Veria, Viotia, Corinthia, Elia, Preveza and Samos.

[12] THE AMENDMENT ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE SECTOR WILL BE VOTED IN PARLIAMENT TODAY

The socialist governing party of PASOK economic and social committee discusses today the amendment on the public service sector which is included in the new tax bill.

The voting on the controversial amendment will be held in Parliament this afternoon, while the Greek General Confederation of Labor will hold a protest rally in front of the Parliament building.

Members of the committee express objections pointing out that they were not briefed on the amendment in question and that they intend to submit an interim proposal.

[13] THE PRICE INDEX WAS 4,4% IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY

Inflation dropped again in January and according to estimates by the Greek National Statistics Agency, is expected to close at 4,4%.

The drop is attributed to the decrease in the international fuel prices, the stabilization in the prices of basic consumer goods and the wage increases.

[14] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES

Albanian Parliament deputies from the Human Rights Party met in Athens today with Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos.

In the meeting were raised issues of Greek-Albanian cooperation, while the issue of the Greek minority in the country was also discussed.

[15] THE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IS UNETHICAL, ACCORDING TO AN OPINION POLL

The majority of the football fans in Greece believe that the football championship in the country is unethical and that responsible for the situation are the teams’ owners and the sports leadership, according to an opinion poll conducted by the VRC polling company on behalf of the newspaper “Ta Nea”.

Based on the opinion poll, 52,2% of those questioned believe that the football championship is unethical and only 15,8% have a different opinion. According to the poll, 39,7% believe that the owners of the teams are responsible for the foul means used, followed by the sports leadership with 21,4%, the referees 9,9%, the Football Federation 6,4%, the football fans 3,7%, the football players 1,2% and the different economic interests 7,2%.

The numbers show that the Greek football is going through a credibility crisis in the last years, which has turned the majority of the football fans away from the football fields.

[16] THE GREEK FOOTBALL FEDERATION SAID “NO” TO TURKEY’S PROPOSAL ON THE 2004 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Greek Football Federation said “No” to the proposal submitted by the Turkish Football Federation to co-organize the 2004 European Football Championship.

The Turkish newspaper “Radikal” stresses in its sports section that with this decision any likelihood to overcome the coldness in the relations between the two countries, via the sports route, has vanished.

[17] MOBILIZATION IN WASHINGTON FOR THE REOPENING OF THE THEOLOGY SCHOOL IN HALKI

World Council of Hellenes Abroad president Andrew Athens met with the president of the parliamentary committee on Greeks Abroad Grigoris Niotis during a stopover in Athens coming from Istanbul, where he visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In the meeting with Mr. Niotis was discussed, among others, the organizing of an event for the promotion of the issue concerning the reopening of the Theology School in Halki to take place in Washington on March 12.

The event is scheduled to be attended by representatives of the US State Department and the US Congress as well as, by other government officials and distinguished personalities from the United States. The effort will be headed by Mr. Athens and Archbishop of America Spyridon and its aim will be the sensitization of the international community on the crucial and historical importance the reopening of the Theology School in Halki will have.

[18] THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER ILIA PRIGOZIN BECAME PROFESSOR EMERITUS IN ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY

Two new distinctions were awarded today to Nobel Prize winner Ilia Prigozin, who became professor emeritus in the departments of Physics and Philosophy in Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University.

Prof. Prigozin is already professor emeritus in 38 universities around the world, while in Greece has already been honored by being declared a honorary citizen of the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki and by receiving the Greek Parliament’s medal.

Ilia Prigozin is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished scientists in the world. A Belgian of Russian origin, he was born in Moscow in 1917 and got the Chemistry and Physics degree in 1939, while in 1941 he got his doctorate in Physical Sciences. In 1977 he received the Nobel Prize for his contribution to Thermodynamics which later led him to the theory of complexity and chaos. His work is a milestone not only in the sector of science but in philosophical thought as well and has been translated into almost every language.

[19] OPPOSITION PARTIES AGAINST CHANGES IN THE SOCIAL BENEFIT COMPANIES

The parties of the Greek opposition appear to be against the amendment introduced in the tax bill concerning the working relations in the Companies of Social Benefit while today the critical nominative vote takes place in the Parliament.

The leader of New Democracy, main opposition party, Kostas Karamanlis, re-defined the official position of his party saying that they cannot give an alibi, not even an instant support to a government that harms the country.

The Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party, Aleka Papariga, expressed the opposition of her party, restating that the C.P. deputies will vote against the amendment.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[20] PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION ON VISIT TO BULGARIA

A delegation of the Greek parliamentary Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs has embarked on an official visit to Bulgaria.

During their three-day stay, the delegates are to be received by the Bulgarian president and prime minister, the government’s vice-president who is also the Minster of industry, as well as with the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Interior.

[21] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ALBANIA ON FEBRUARY 6

Germany’s Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel is to embark on an official visit to Albania on February 6, upon the invitation issued by his Albanian counterpart Paschal Milo.

According to Skopje’s new agency “Makpress”, Mr. Kinkel is to be received by the country’s political leadership and will also meet with officials from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

[22] US CHAIRMAN JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF TO VISIT GREECE, TURKEY

The United States Pentagon has announced that the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Ralston is to soon embark on a three-day visit to Greece and Turkey.

According to the announcement, Gen. Ralston will discuss "bilateral and multilateral defense and security issues of mutual interest", however, details of his itinerary were not given for security reasons.

[23] ALBANIA’S GREEK ORTHODOX BISHOP AWARDED LEGION OF HONOR CROSS

The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Albania Anastasios was awarded the Greek Cross of the Legion of Honor on Saturday, in a ceremony attended by Albanian political leaders and government ministers.

The event was attended by President Reijep Mejdani, Foreign Minister Pascal Milo, Minister to the Prime Minister Kastriot Islami, and many foreign diplomats.

The medal was awarded on behalf of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos by the Greek ambassador K. Prevedourakis.

[24] ALBANIA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY ON NAME OF FYROM

Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an announcement wherein it stresses that the Albanian government is correct in using the term “Macedonian government” in the recent agreements signed by Premier Fatos Nano in FYROM. According to the Albanian Telegraph Agency (ATA), the Albanian Foreign Ministry denies that the specific term provoked the reaction of the United Nations Secretary-General’s spokesperson Mr. Sokalski.

The announcement stated that prior to signing the agreements Sthe Albanian government checked the international practice applied in relations with FYROM, using the same terminology adopted by all other states that have developed ties with the eastern neighbors.”

[25] THE S-300 MISSILE BASES ARE READY ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT CLERIDES

In an interview published in the Cypriot newspaper “Agon”, Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides stated that the Russian S-300 missiles will be definitely installed in Cyprus. The Cypriot president also stated that the installation bases for the Russian anti-aircraft missiles are ready.

According to Mr. Clerides, the missiles will not bring his country closer to war, while referring to the cooperation with Greece, he said that relations have improved greatly not only between the two governments but among the citizens of the two countries as well.

[26] HONORARY DISTINCTION TO ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS

Archbishop of Tirana and All of Albania, Anastasios received a high distinction awarded by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The medal was delivered by Greek ambassador to Tirana Konstantinos Prevedourakis, who praised in his speech the Archbishop’s work both in Greece and abroad and especially, his devotion and effectiveness in the reorganization of the Christian Orthodox Church in Albania.

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/