Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-04-27

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 27, 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] REPPAS ON THE ISSUE OF OLYMPIC AIRWAYS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the government does everything in order for the Olympic Airways reform program to succeed and in spite of the mistakes and the delays the whole case is in the phase of adjustment. He also stressed that there are loss-making destinations and that certain flights should be merged.

He also stated that Olympic Airways must be included in an alliance with foreign airlines in the future.

[02] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NEW ARCHBISHOP

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated today that the government is not involved in the procedures for the election of the new Archbishop of Greece and that his election is an issue that concerns the Church’s prelacy. Mr. Reppas added that the government will seek the best possible cooperation with the new Archbishop regardless of who will be elected head of the Greek Church.

Responding to the question if there is a likelihood for a new devaluation of the drachma, Mr. Reppas stated that there is no reason for a new devaluation and added that the drachma’s adjustment to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism went very well.

[03] REPPAS ON THE “TIME” MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed his regret today over the “TIME” magazine article that refers to the Greek government’s intentions to exploit the rocky islets in the Aegean.

Mr. Reppas stressed that the publication gives an impression that does not correspond with reality and pointed out that Aegean minister Ms. Papazoi is very disappointed because the reporter, who signs the article, did not mention anything of what she said in the interview.

[04] THE NEW ARCHBISHOP OF GREECE WILL BE ELECTED TOMORROW

The new Archbishop of Greece will be elected tomorrow. The 77 prelates will vote for the new head of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Metropolis of Athens and the process will take place in the presence of minister of education and religion Gerasimos Arsenis.

Among the favorites to win are Metropolite Ieronimos of Thives, Metropolite Christodoulos of Dimitriada, Metropolite Theoklitos of Ioannina and Metropolite Anthimos of Alexandroupolis.

[05] 7,18% FALL IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

The general price index in the Athens Stock Exchange presented a further fall of 7,18% at noon today.

The volume of transactions reached 52 billion drachmas. The biggest loss was observed in the shares of banks, profit-sharing companies and industries.

[06] THE OA MANAGEMENT AND THE PILOTS’ UNION MEET TODAY

The Olympic Airways management and the pilots’ union meet today in the company’s offices in Athens and the outcome of the meeting will determine if the pilots will materialize their threat for work-stoppages to take place from Wednesday till Friday.

A point of friction for the two sides is the cancellations of foreign flights planned by the state airline’s management citing the refusal of the pilots to work overtime.

[07] THE HEAD OF THE BULGARIAN LAND FORCES IS VISITING ATHENS

The head of the Bulgarian land forces lieutenant-general Jinio Tonev is on a three-day visit to Greece at the invitation of the Greek General Army Staff Chief lieutenant-general Manousos Paragioudakis.

The two army chiefs will discuss issues of mutual interest concerning bilateral cooperation and the developments in the Balkans.

[08] REPPAS’ COMMENTS ON THE STATEMENTS MADE BY PRESIDENT CLERIDES

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to the statements made by Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides, stated that the Cypriot president said that he is less pessimistic regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem because the foreign factors and especially the United States, recognize the effort he makes and added that if the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side is changed then we can speak of a positive development.

[09] KAKLAMANIS: THE INSTALLATION OF THE S-300 IS CYPRUS’S RIGHT

The installation of the Russian anti-aircraft S-300 missiles in Cyprus is a basic right and obligation of the Cypriot Republic in order to safeguard its defense toward the extremely aggressive and provocative threats made by Turkey.

The statement was made by Greek Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis when asked to comment on the statement of Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz that the installation of the missiles in Cyprus constitutes a threat for Europe.

[10] THREE MEDALS FOR GREECE IN THE EUROPEAN GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The gold medal winner in the Atlanta Olympic Games Yiannis Melissanidis returns from St. Petersburg in Russia where the European Gymnastics Championships were held, with two medals, a gold and a silver.

The Greek champion gave an excellent performance in the event, in which competed 32 of the biggest names in gymnastics worldwide and brought another great distinction to Greece. Melissanidis got the first place in the jump and the second in the floor exercises.

A bronze medal was won in the rings competition by Dimos Tambakos.

[11] CONGRATULATIONS FROM TURKEY TO YIANNIS MELISSANIDIS

The first congratulatory message to Yiannis Melissanidis for his new success in the European Gymnastics Championships came from Turkey. Turgut Canbas, father of Murat, an athlete killed a few years ago, contacted Macedonian Press Agency to congratulate Yiannis Melissanidis.

Yiannis Melissanidis had offered his medal to the family of Murat Canbas, who had been killed in a traffic accident and for this gesture he had been honored with the Greek-Turkish friendship prize Abdi Ipektsi.

[12] TRAINING CENTER FOR SE EUROPEAN AND BLACK SEA LAWYERS OPERATES IN THESSALONIKI

The operation of the Training Center for SE European and Black Sea Lawyers was inaugurated in Thessaloniki today with a seminar in which participate 52 lawyers from Albania, Romania, Serbia, FYROM and Cyprus.

The center was founded by the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace in cooperation with the Balkan Bar Association Union for the further education of lawyers on issues of European Law. Also, the center will offer education on issues of structure and organization in the European Union and on issues concerning the operation of EU bodies such as, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Justice.

[13] THE BANNING ON CIGARETTE ADVERTISING WILL BE DISCUSSED IN BRUSSELS ON MAY 11

The European Parliament will discuss in Brussels on May 11 the issue that has come up with the gradual banning of cigarette advertising that will be fully implemented by the year 2006. The issue on which a decision has to be reached is whether the EU member-states will turn the banning decision into an EU directive that will be enforced in every EU member.

Already, the European tobacco industries have reacted strongly and certain of them are planning a number of new investment moves in response to the decision which will affect greatly the sectors of tobacco and advertisement.

[14] CIVIL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR K. KARAMANLIS HELD IN GREEK PARLIAMENT

A civil memorial service for former Greek president Konstantinos Karamanlis was held today in the Parliament. I

n short speeches they addressed, prime minister Kostas Simitis, party leaders as well as the parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis referred to mr Karamanlis’ life and career and particularly stressed his contribution to the establishment of democracy and Greece’s EU membership.

Mr Simitis described the country’s EU membership as an extremely important chapter in Greek history stressing that “the history will judge the life-work of Konstantinos Karamanlis”.

Mr Kaklamanis noted that former Greek president played a leading role in the Greek history of the last five decades and the leader of the New Democracy party Kostas Karamanlis underlined that Konstantinos Karamanlis put his stamp on the future of the country.

[15] THE 2ND ARMY CORPS, A FORCE OF IMMEDIATE ACTION

The historical 2nd Army Corps has become a modern military force of immediate action following long procedures that were completed today at its base, the town of Veria, in the presence of the National Defence minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The Army Corps will delegate its duties to other military formations so as to undertake his new task which is to operate immediately with the appropriate forces wherever it is necessary.

Mr Tsohatzopoulos underlined that the formation of this force would strengthen Greece’s capability to play an important role in the establishment of security policies in the area and would reinforce the national defence, adequacy and deterrence power.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: KOSOVO IS A HAND GRENADE

Kosovo is a hand grenade and if we pull the pin a little more we will have an explosion, stated Greek minister of national defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos expressing the Greek government’s concern over the crisis in Kosovo.

The situation is difficult, added Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, and there is no other way to solve the problem than exerting pressures aimed at the unconditional and immediate opening of talks between the interested parties for a peaceful solution in Kosovo.

[17] THE CHIEF OF THE GREEK NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF IS IN BELGRADE

Chief of the Greek National Defense General Staff wing- commander Athanasios Tzoganis is on a three-day visit to Belgrade since yesterday.

During his stay in the Yugoslav capital, Mr. Tsoganis will have talks with his Yugoslav counterpart Momcilo Perisic and minister of defense of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Pavle Bulatovic.

Their talks will focus on issues of bilateral cooperation in the sector of defense, while special attention will be given to the crisis in Kosovo.

[18] THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS TENSE

The situation in Kosovo continues to be tense after the latest bloody clashes between the Albanian-speaking population and the Yugoslav army, a fact that increases the international community's concern over the likelihood of a more extensive escalation of the crisis between the two sides.

A new incident occurred last night between the Serb security forces and the Albanian-speaking population increasing the tension and the likelihood for an armed conflict in the region.

According to the information service of the Yugoslav army, a border patrol located a group of 20 Albanians who tried to bring weapons and ammunition to Kosovo from the neighboring Albania. The members of the group managed to get away leaving behind more than 100 boxes with weapons and ammunition.

Serb political analysts speculate that the latest incidents are intentionally provoked by Albanians in order to cause the reaction of the Serb authorities in view of the meeting of the six “contact group” countries which are scheduled to meet in Rome on Wednesday to examine the situation in Kosovo.

[19] EU PRESSURES BELGRADE OVER INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION FOR KOSSOVO

The EU stepped up the pressure today on Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic so as to force him to accept international mediation for the settlement of the Kossovo crisis.

British Foreign minister Robin Cook stated today, at a meeting with his EU counterparts, that Belgrade should realise that the outside world will not allow a new war in the Balkans and the EU will make sure to put an end to ethnic confrontation in every part of Europe.

Mr Cook’s comments followed the recent violent incidents in Kossovo over the weekend which he described as a “troubling escalation” of the conflict in the region.

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