Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-04-24

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 24, 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] FOREIGN LEADERS TO ATTEND KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS FUNERAL

Foreign leaders who had known the late Konstantinos Karamanlis personally, among them Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and former president of France Valerie Giscard d’ Estaing, are to attend the beloved leader’s funeral in Athens today.

In July of 1974 Mr. d’Estaing put his personal aircraft at Mr. Karamanlis' disposal for his triumphant return to Greece as the pro-junta colonels relinquished power.

Simple folk wishing to pay their final respects to the late statesman will be allowed into the courtyard of the chapel of Aghia Filothei, but not inside for the funeral service, which begins at 6:00 p.m.

The funeral and burial will be broadcast by the state television network ET, by decision of the Karamanlis family.

[02] KARAMANLIS’ FUNERAL TO BE HELD TODAY AT SIX

It was his wish. There will be no ceremonial "final salute" of a nation bereaved of a leader who left his stamp on our epoch.

Greece's elder statesman Konstantinos Karamanlis, died yesterday morning at 1.40. He moved Greeks of all ideological persuasions throughout the course of his career that spanned five decades.

His burial will be held today at 6 p.m., in a service attended only by a close family circle and friends. The memorial service will be held at the Aghia Foteini Church in Filothei and he will be laid to rest at the grounds of the “Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation”.

There will be no funeral orations and special honors, in compliance with Mr. Karamanlis' final wishes, entrusted in writing to his close associate Petros Molyviatis. The Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will attend the funeral.

A three-day mourning period has been declared. Flags at state buildings are flying at half mast.

[03] PRESIDENT OF PARLIAMENT’S CONDOLENCES ON KARAMANLIS’S DEATH

The President of Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, in his statement of condolences for the death of the former President Konstantinos Karamanlis, stated that the late statesman "as all great politicians, was characterized by his intense and constant presence at the center of the major events and developments that determined the nation's course during the second half of the century".

The Secretary of PASOK’s Central Committee Kostas Skandalidis said that the Greek people today were "bidding farewell with respect to the presence, stature and contribution of a leader who put his mark, for half a century, on the course of the country and its political affairs".

[04] ORTHODOXY’S LEADERS MOURN DEATH OF KARAMANLIS

In messages forwarded to the Greek state, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos described Karamanlis as a great politician, whose many years of work had been of multiple benefit to Greece.

Archbishop Spyridon of America praised Karamanlis's contribution to Hellenism, stating that the Greek-American community "mourns his death and recognizes the importance of his personality and his contribution to developments which shaped the democratic institutions and Greece' s international prestige".

World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew Athens in his statement noted the importance of Karamanlis's contribution to Greece and abroad, leading Greece to a stable democratic road and to the European Union.

[05] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS GLAFKOS CLERIDES IN ATHENS TODAY

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides is arriving in Athens today where he will meet with the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in order to discuss the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.

Messrs. Clerides and Simitis will discuss the imminent visit to Cyprus of the US presidential envoy Richard Holbrooke, as well as the island’s accession negotiations with the European Union.

[06] GOVERNMENT, POLITICAL CABINET TO HOLD JOINT MEETING TODAY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to chair a cabinet and political secretariat meeting today, in order to discuss current political developments.

Later today, Mr. Simitis will meet with Cyprus President Glafkos Clerides who is to arrive in Athens for talks with the Greek government on the Cyprus problem.

On Monday, April 27, Parliament will hold a debate on social policy at the level of party leaders, a matter requested by the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos).

Next Wednesday, April 29, PASOK's parliamentary group will convene, while later in the day the first vote will be taken in parliament on the revision of the Constitution.

Mr. Simitis will fly to Brussels on May 1 to attend an ECOFIN meeting that will decide which countries will participate in the first phase of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). On May 2, an EU summit will be held in Brussels and the European Parliament plenary will meet to approve the new composition of EMU.

On Tuesday, May 5, Mr. Simitis will travel to Strasbourg to speak at a special ceremony marking the assumption by Greece of the presidency of the Council of Europe.

[07] GREECE’S CHIEF OF STAFF TO OFFICIALLY VISIT YUGOSLAVIA

National Defense General Staff Chief General Athanasios Tzoganis is to conduct an official visit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on April 26-28 at the invitation of his Yugoslav counterpart Lieutenant General Mocilo Pericic.

During his stay, Mr. Tzoganis will meet with the political and military leadership of the Yugoslav defence ministry for talks on defence matters of mutual interest. He will also have talks with Yugoslav Defence Minister Pavle Bulatovic and visit military installations and academies.

[08] US COORDINATOR FOR CYPRUS MEETS WITH GREECE’S DEPUTY FM

The US State Department's special coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, who met yesterday with the Greek foreign undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis in Athens, stated that the American initiative for a resolution of the island's political problem was under the aegis of the United Nations and aimed at the attainment of a bizonal, bi communal, federal scheme.

Mr. Miller said that the US presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke, who is to arrive at the island early next month, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and he were convinced that the current period was the most appropriate for an intensive effort to resolve the long protracted problem, as solutions for a number of other equally difficult issues, such as the Northern Irish, the Middle Eastern, and the Bosnian questions were on course.

He announced that on May 1 Mr. Holbrooke and himself would return to Cyprus for intensive discussions.

In turn, Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that Greece supported the American initiative, noting that the US was a big and powerful country able to exercise its influence on the other side. He reiterated Greece's position that the initiative should be in the framework of UN efforts and Security Council resolutions as points of reference.

"Mr. Miller provided us with assurances to that effect," he said, adding that the quest for a bizonal, bicommunal federation should enjoy the broadest possible support. Mr. Kranidiotis noted further that the resumption of bicommunal dialogue was an obligation of the two sides specified by UN resolutions.

[09] DROP OF 4.88% AT ATHENS BOURSE

The general price index at the Athens Stock Exchange drooped by 4.878% today, while the trade volume amounted to 87 billion drachmas.

The drachma’s parity is yielding to foreign currency while interest rates are on the rise.

[10] GREENPEACE URGES TURKEY NOT TO BUILD NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

The international pro-environment activist organization Greenpeace called on Turkey yesterday to cancel its plans to build a nuclear power plant on its southern coast, saying it endangered the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans.

"Turkey plans to have 10 nuclear reactors by 2020,” stated Stelios Psomas, director of the Greek office of Greenpeace, adding “with the plants in Bulgaria and Romania, it will really make the Balkans a nuclear powder keg.”

Greenpeace proposes that Turkey should cover its increasing energy needs by conserving and by taking advantage of its abundant renewable energy resources. "Today, as we near the 12th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, we see in the most macabre way what are the terrifying consequences of nuclear technology for our lives, health and environment," Mr. Psomas said.

"One would expect common sense would have prevailed since but it obviously hasn't. We are determined to support the residents of Akkuyu who are resisting this plant and the Turkish Greenpeace campaigners," he added.

[11] THE ENTIRE GREEK POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AT THE FUNERAL OF KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS

Deeply moved, the entire Greek population bid farewell today to former Greek president Konstantinos Karamanlis, the statesman who, during his five-decade political career, especially after the junta overthrow, established democracy in the country.

The memorial service was held in the Aghia Filothei Church and was attended by Greek president Kostis Stefanopoulos, Cypriot president Glafkos Cliridis, former French president and personal friend of the deceased Giscard d’Estaing, Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis, leaders and deputies of all political parties. Mr Karamanlis’ brothers Ahilleas and Alekos Karamanlis, relatives and close assistants were also present at the memorial service.

[12] KARAMANLIS’ BURIAL IN A CLOSE FAMILY CIRCLE

The burial of former Greek president Konstantinos Karamanlis was held today in a close family circle at the forecourt of the “Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation”.

The Greek flag that draped mr Karamanlis’ coffin was given to the members of his family while the national anthem was chanted.

Hundreds of Greek people were gathered outside the Karamanlis Foundation wishing to pay their last respects to the Greek statesman who, with his life-long work, went down in the history of Greece. A lot of people remained at the area trying to enter the Foundation forecourt so as to see the grave of the Greek statesman.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] EC PRESIDENT BIDS FAREWELL TO KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS

European Commission President Jacques Santer has forwarded their condolences for the death of Greece’s eldest statesman Konstantinos Karamanlis. The EC President stated that Mr. Karamanlis had dominated the Greek political scene for the second half of the century.

Mr. Santer said that Mr. Karamanlis played a decisive role in the 50s in speeding up Greece's economic development following the devastation of the Second World War and bloody civil war.

[14] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS’S MESSAGE ON KARAMANLIS’S DEATH

The President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides has forwarded a message of condolences over the death of Konstantinos Karamanlis. In his telegraph, President Clerides stressed Mr. Karamanlis' decisive role in formulating a strategy on Cyprus, since the beginning of the EOKA struggle for freedom from British colonial rule, in 1955.

President Clerides is currently in Athens and will attend the funeral service of the late statesman.

[15] EUROPEAN PEOPLE’S PARTY PRESIDENT MOURNS DEATH OF KARAMANLIS

The President of the European Peoples' Party, Wilfred Martens has forwarded a telegraph of condolences over the death of Greece’s former President Konstantinos Karamanlis.

"Europe is mourning together with Greece over the loss of a great politician," Mr. Martens stated and described Mr. Karamanlis as a politician with great vision who governed Greece for decades with decisiveness, honesty and devotion".

[16] WORLD LEADERS ON DEATH OF KARAMANLIS

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has forwarded a telegraph to Greece’s President Kostis Stephanopoulos stressing that the late statesman Konstantinos Karamanlis would always be remembered "as a fighter for democracy, as a friend of Germany and as a distinguished European".

European Parliament President Jose Maria Gil-Robles sent a telegram to main opposition New Democracy party leader Kostas Karamanlis, who is the nephew of the deceased, expressing his condolences and those of the European assembly in general. "Constantine Karamanlis was a great European politician who contributed to the restoration of democracy in Greece and led his country into the European fold," Mr. Gil-Robles said.

[17] UNITED STATES HAIL KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS

US State Department spokesman James Rubin said that the United States government "expresses its sadness for the death of the President Constantine Karamanlis, one of the most distinguished and respected personalities of modern Greek history".

Mr. Rubin added that Karamanlis was a "respected friend of US leaders from US President Eisenhower to President Clinton and his contribution to the strengthening of Greek-American relations will not be forgotten".

[18] TURKISH VICE PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES OVER DEATH OF KARAMANLIS

The vice president of the Turkish government and State Minister Bulent Ecevit, has forwarded a message of condolences to the Greek government over the death of former President Konstantinos Karamanlis. Mr. Ecevit stated that “Mr. Karamanlis dedicated his political career to democracy and peace and offered the most noteworthy services to his country.

“He maintained a constructive stance in regards to the matters pending between our countries. The memories I behold from the dialogue we established towards the end of the 1970s are for me the most valuable.”

[19] FRANCE MOURNS DEATH OF KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS

France’s foreign ministry issued an announcement wherein it stated that the news of Konstantinos Karamanlis's death "became known with great emotion" in France, "the country which became his host during the dark years of the dictatorship in Greece". It added that Mr. Karamanlis was a distinguished personality of the political life of Greece, "in which he dominated for almost half a century."

[20] UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ON KARAMANLIS’ DEATH

United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan characterizes Greece’s late leader Konstantinos Karamanlis as "a most distinguished statesman."

A statement issued through a U.N. spokesman said Mr. Annan was saddened to learn of Karamanlis's death.

"Mr. Karamanlis was a most distinguished statesman. His political career, which spanned over six decades, is inextricably linked with the history and democratic tradition of Greece," the statement noted.

It also stated that " his principled actions will remain a source of inspiration for many." Mr. Annan extended his condolences to the Greek government and people.

[21] GREECE’S LABOR MINISTER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO EGYPT

Greece’s Minister of Labor and Social Security Miltiades Papaioannou embarked on a three-day visit to Egypt yesterday at his Egyptian counterpart Ahmad al Ammawi's invitation.

The minister will meet with Mr. Ammawi today and will discuss bilateral labor issues.

Mr. Papaioannou will visit the Monastery of Agios Georgios where the Patriarch of Alexandria Petros VII will officiate the vespers service.

[22] OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF SERBS OPPOSE INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION IN KOSSOVO

An overwhelming majority, 97%, of Serbs is opposed to international intervention in Kossovo, according to the first results of the referendum issued by the Serb president Slobodan Milosevic.

Meanwhile, according to press reports, the Yugoslav army killed 22 armed Albanians yesterday as they were trying to enter the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from their country.

[23] AMERICAN COMPANY OFFERS LOW PHONE RATES FOR US-GREECE

A Fort Lauderdale-based company, TresCom International Communications Inc., has targeted Greek-Americans by offering low rates between U.S. and Greece. The company has announced y that it handled a record volume of telecommunications traffic on its network between Greece and the United States last week during the Greek Orthodox Easter.

" We have tailored our pricing to meet the needs of the substantial Greek American community in the United States. TresCom offers, bar none, the lowest rates from North America to Greece," a company official said.

[24] RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVED SERGEI KIRIYENKO AS PRIME MINISTER

Russia’s State Duma lower house of parliament approved Sergei Kiriyenko as prime minister during the third round secret vote that took place today, according to an official statement. Mr Kiriyenko garnered 251 votes in favour with 25 deputies voting against. He needed 226 votes to win approval. Out of the 450 deputies who comprise the Russian parliament, 315 took voting cards but only 276 deputies cast their ballot. Mr Kiriyenko had won 143 votes in the first round and 115 in the second round vote.

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