Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-01
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 1, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE CRISIS WILL NOT AFFECT GREECE'S COURSE TOWARD THE EMU
[02] MPA CONFERENCE ON RIGAS
[03] MR. REPPAS SUGGESTED CALM OVER THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
[04] FOREIGN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES OF GREEK ORIGIN WILL PARTICIPATE
IN A TELE-CONFERENCE
[05] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO VISIT FLORINA PREFECTURE
[06] REPPAS: DENKTASH'S PROPOSAL EQUALS DIVISION
[07] PRIME MINISTER TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC TOMORROW
[08] P.M. TO INAUGURATE THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR ON
FRIDAY
[09] EUROPE'S SOCIALISTS, SOCIAL DEMOCRATS ISSUE "THESSALONIKI
DECLARATION"
[10] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TSOCHATZOPOULOS TO VISIT TUNISIA TODAY
[11] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH DECLARES ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DAY
[12] REGISTERED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REACHES RECORD HIGH IN JULY
[13] RESULTS OF UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMS ARE OUT, NAMES HAVE BEEN
POSTED
[14] WESTERN MACEDONIA CHAMBERS WILL MEET TO DISCUSS PRESENCE
ABROAD
[15] HUNGARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THESSALONIKI INTR/AL FAIR WITH 13
BUSINESSES
[16] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON THE DENKTASH PROPOSAL
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] CLINTON - YELTSIN MEETING
[18] IRELAND WANTS CYPRUS TO BECOME AN EU MEMBER AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE
[19] GREECE REJECTS THE SANCTIONS ON THE YUGOSLAV JAT AIRLINES
[20] US PRESIDENT CLINTON TO MEET WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IN
MOSCOW
[21] ALBANIA: MAIN OPPOSITION DEFIES STATE'S ORDER NOT TO HOLD
RALLY
[22] US PROFESSOR SUPPORTS RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE CRISIS WILL NOT AFFECT GREECE'S COURSE TOWARD THE EMU
The developments in the economy and the stock market crisis
were at the center of the meeting prime minister Kostas Simitis
had in Athens today with minister of national economy and finance
Yiannos Papantoniou.
In his statements, Mr. Papantoniou speculated that the crisis
is a long one but pointed out that this fact will not affect
Greece's course toward the economic and monetary union. There are
indications that the situation is under control and the Greek
economy, being a European one, reacted with maturity in all
sectors, said the minister.
Meanwhile, the general price index in the Athens Stock
Exchange showed a drop of 5.39%.
[02] MPA CONFERENCE ON RIGAS
Messages and lessons derived from Rigas Velestinlis's vision
for an Inter-Balkan cooperation will be reached by those who will
participate in the conference on the occasion of the 200th
anniversary since the death of Rigas, known as the poet of
freedom, which is organized by Macedonian Press Agency to take
place on September 11-12.
Among the 50 delegates are foreign minister of Albania Paskal
Milo, FRY minister of information Mr. Vutsic, presidents of
academies, historians and mass media directors from all the Balkan
states.
In a press conference today, MPA's vice-president and
Political History professor of Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, Mr. Giorgos Anastasiadis stated that the basic goal
of the news agency that has adopted Rigas' vision is the
strengthening of mutual understanding and cooperation and the
establishment of peaceful co-existence throughout the Balkans. MPA
general director Spyros Kouzinopoulos stated that this target is
being sought since the establishment of the news agency and mainly
since its institutional upgrading.
The significance of such initiatives in the middle of the new
wave of unrest that has erupted in the Balkan Peninsula and in
Kosovo in particular is underlined by the participation in the
conference of a number of distinguished personalities from all the
Balkan states. Among them are Albanian foreign minister Paskal
Milo, FRY minister of information Alexander Vutsic, Bulgarian
undersecretary of culture Svetlozar Zekov, education
undersecretary of Albania Andrea Marto and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Academy of Sciences president Hukovic Seid.
Academicians, historians, newspaper and radio-television
directors as well as, the general directors of the national news
agencies from all the countries in the region will convey the
views of the academic and scientific community and the mass media
on the great personality of Rigas, who had realized since the 18th
century the undisputed need for the co-existence of the Balkan
peoples.
[03] MR. REPPAS SUGGESTED CALM OVER THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas suggested calm for
the handling of the economic crisis stressing that it is a deeply
rooted one and that it will have a long duration.
On the visit of US president Bill Clinton to Russia, Mr.
Reppas expressed the hope that there will be positive results and
mentioned that the US president will contribute to the easing of
the crisis stressing that brave initiatives are needed on behalf
of Russia where, unfortunately, there is political instability.
The Greek government spokesman added that Greece is in the
same situation with the rest EU members as a result of the
economic crisis, stressing that there is a continuous cooperation
among them.
Responding to a relative question, Mr. Reppas pointed out
that Greece's course toward the EMU will not be affected by the
economic crisis and that there should not be any fear over
Greece's course toward the European unification.
On the economic policy, he stated that it remains unchanged
and stressed that its targets remain the same, while the problems
that have been created due to the crisis will be dealt with.
[04] FOREIGN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES OF GREEK ORIGIN WILL PARTICIPATE
IN A TELE-CONFERENCE
Parliament deputies of Greek origin from Austria, Germany and
Finland will participate in the tele-conference that will be held
tomorrow to examine the issue of equal opportunities achieved
through the strengthening of policies.
In the tele-conference will also take part members of the
Greek Parliament and the Euro-Parliament.
[05] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO VISIT FLORINA PREFECTURE
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is to conduct a two-day visit to the prefecture of Florina on
September 5-6.
According to the announcement issued by the President's
office, Mr. Stephanopoulos will visit the cities of Amynteo,
Florina, the guardhouses of Niki, Koula and Agia Paraskevi, as
well as the Prespes lake.
[06] REPPAS: DENKTASH'S PROPOSAL EQUALS DIVISION
Greek government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated that the
Turk-Cypriot leader's proposal to create an equal confederation at
the island of Cyprus constitutes a division which would render the
occupation of the island's northern part official.
Mr. Reppas said the proposal went against United Nations
resolutions on Cyprus, which formed the basis of all international
efforts to end its division.
Rauf Denktash proposed the idea of a confederation after his talks
yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem held in the
Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia.
[07] PRIME MINISTER TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC TOMORROW
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will be received by the
President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos at noon
tomorrow with whom he will discuss the current political
developments.
According to government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, the
meeting is being held within the framework of the regular monthly
contacts between the premier and the president.
Also tomorrow, Mr. Simitis will receive International
Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch to
discuss issues related to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
[08] P.M. TO INAUGURATE THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR ON
FRIDAY
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to arrive in Thessaloniki
at 6 p.m. On Friday and will declare open the 63rd International
Trade Fair of Thessaloniki at 8 p.m.
Mr. Simitis will stay in Thessaloniki between September 4-6
and will be accompanied by a large government delegation, party
representatives and other officials from Greece and abroad.
During his stay, Mr. Simitis will unfold the state's economic
policy for 1999.
[09] EUROPE'S SOCIALISTS, SOCIAL DEMOCRATS ISSUE "THESSALONIKI
DECLARATION"
A strong European Parliament and a strong Europe are the main
targets referred to in the Thessaloniki declaration of the Summer
University 1998 organized in Halkidiki by the European Socialist
Party.
The Declaration stressed that the European Parliament needs
to become an institution with decision taking powers that would
guarantee democratic controls in both a European and national
level.
Moreover, the declaration refers to the sectors of
employment, social Europe, education, development, human rights
and equal opportunity.
In regards to employment, the European Socialists and Social
Democrats want to see full employment that can be achieved through
the combination of various national strategies. The Declaration
points out that quality education and continuous training
constitute significant means for the creation of new jobs.
Second, the Socialists and social Democrats of Europe wish to
live in a continent that will provide social security systems and
guarantee minimum wage for all. They propose the creation of A
Social Rights Charter which will codify the existing social,
political and economic rights.
Third, they stress that all should be given the opportunity
to have access to a quality system of public schooling that will
grant young people the means to face a society in continuous
development.
[10] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TSOCHATZOPOULOS TO VISIT TUNISIA TODAY
Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to depart
for an official visit to Tunisia today, the first conducted by a
Greek defense Minister to that country.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is to meet with his Tunisian counterpart
Ben Yiahan, with who he will sign a defense agreement that
foresees not only joint military exercises by the co-production of
armaments, thus giving a boost to the Greek armament
manufacturers.
Moreover, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will be received by the
President of Tunisia Ben Ali, the President of the Tunisian
parliament and the Tunisian Foreign Minister.
During his talks, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is expected to develop
the Greek positions regarding the Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish
relations, as well as Greece's positions on regional security
issues in the Mediterranean.
[11] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH DECLARES ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DAY
Today marks the beginning of the Orthodox Christian
ecclesiastical year and Archbishop of America Spyridon has
forwarded his wishes to the Orthodox throughout the world.
Also, September 1 has been declared by the Church as
environment protection day.
[12] REGISTERED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REACHES RECORD HIGH IN JULY
The registered unemployment rate reached an all-time record
during the month of July ‘98 in Greece, amounting to 10% as
opposed to seven percent in July of ‘97.
The phenomenon is attributed to the rise of lay-offs, as well
as the record number of jobless who flocked to the country's
unemployment offices.
Specifically, 38.586 lay-offs took place in July of this
year, whereas in the same month last year 24,344 persons lost
their jobs.
The regions most heavily plagued by joblessness are the
northern Aegean Sea's islands and Attica, followed by Macedonia
and Thrace.
According to the administrator of the Organization for
Manpower Employment (OAED), the numbers released do not reflect
the Greek job market reality, as the registered unemployment rate
constitutes 67% of the overall unemployed as registered by the
National Statistics Agency.
Better days are expected to come, since, as of this month, various
state-subsidized training and employment programs will be
enforced creating 80,000 jobs by the end of the year.
[13] RESULTS OF UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMS ARE OUT, NAMES HAVE BEEN
POSTED
The results of the university entrance exams have been
released morning by the Education Ministry, thus putting an end to
the agony of thousands of high-school graduates vying for a chance
at higher education.
Approximately 60,000 students will enter the country's
universities and colleges, while this year's averages have been
lowered significantly when compared to previous years.
[14] WESTERN MACEDONIA CHAMBERS WILL MEET TO DISCUSS PRESENCE
ABROAD
The various chambers of western Macedonia are to meet
tomorrow at the city of Kozani in order to discuss the
opportunities for a combined penetration in the Balkan market.
The western Macedonia chambers' representatives are to meet
with the general director of the Inter-Balkan and Black Sea
Business Center Charalambos Tsarouhas, as well as with the
chairman of the Inter-Balkan cooperation center Kostas Delides.
The participants will discuss the various ways of
coordinating their efforts which would render their presence in
the Balkan countries more productive.
[15] HUNGARY TO PARTICIPATE IN THESSALONIKI INTR/AL FAIR WITH 13
BUSINESSES
Hungary is to participate in the 63rd International Trade
Fair of Thessaloniki with 13 businesses, from the sectors of
metallurgy, gas, paper manufacturing, machinery, chemicals and
garage equipment.
Those visiting stand No. 14 will have the opportunity to
examine the possibilities of bilateral cooperation with the
Hungarian exhibitors.
[16] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT ON THE DENKTASH PROPOSAL
The Greek foreign ministry commenting on the proposal of
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the establishment of a
confederation in Cyprus has issued a statement in which it refers
to Turkey's persistence in maintaining its extreme positions and
its rejection of the UN Security Council resolutions as the basis
for talks on Cyprus.
In the statement it is mentioned that Ankara preempts the
outcome of the negotiations and seeks the implementation of a
special relation between the Cypriot Republic and Greece similar
to that of Turkey with the Turkish occupied territories in
northern Cyprus, while it demands from the European Union to adopt
a preferential treatment toward Turkey.
The Greek foreign ministry underlines that the Greek
government will continue to back all the initiatives undertaken by
the Cypriot government for an honest dialogue aimed at the
solution of the Cyprus issue based on the UN Security Council
resolutions.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] CLINTON - YELTSIN MEETING
US president Bill Clinton had a crucial meeting in Moscow
today with Russian president Boris Yeltsin to discuss the
developments in the Russian economy. Mr. Yeltsin received the US
president with a warm embrace.
In statements he had made earlier, the Russian president had
pointed out that he insists in Tsernomirdin's candidacy for the
country's premiereship. According to statements made by a Duma
representative, the second voting for the approval of
Tsernomirdin's candidacy will take place on Monday.
[18] IRELAND WANTS CYPRUS TO BECOME AN EU MEMBER AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE
Ireland wants Cyprus's accession into the European Union as
soon as possible, according to a statement made by Irish Labor
Party leader Rory Quinn after the meeting he had with Cypriot
minister of finance Christodoulos Christodoulou.
Mr. Quinn stressed that Cyprus is the only candidate state
that can become a full member of the EU and participate in the
single currency contributing to the strengthening of stability in
the region.
Mr. Christodoulou appeared satisfied over the fact that Mr.
Quinn reconfirmed his own determination and that of his country to
continue to offer to the Cypriot Republic their help in the effort
to become a full EU member.
[19] GREECE REJECTS THE SANCTIONS ON THE YUGOSLAV JAT AIRLINES
Greece objects to the adoption of a regulation that will ban
the flights of the Yugoslav airline JAT to the EU states, calling
for a more detailed study that will produce more effective
sanctions.
According to the EU bulletin "Europe" issued last Friday,
Greece through its permanent representative had stated that it can
not be committed, at this stage, to the adoption of a written
procedure to settle the issue.
As it is mentioned, Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos
will have the opportunity to present his view on the issue to his
European counterparts in the informal meeting of the EU foreign
ministers that will be held in Salzburg on September 5 and 6 as
the situation in Kosovo will be one of the issues for discussion
in the meeting.
[20] US PRESIDENT CLINTON TO MEET WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IN
MOSCOW
United States President Bill Clinton arrived in Moscow today
for a two-day summit with Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
Meanwhile, the economic crisis in Russia has brought on a
state of panic in world markets throughout, with Wall Street's Dow
Jones index having plummeted 6.2%. US Secretary of Finance
attributed the upsets to the ongoing crisis in the Asian markets
and called on Japan to adopt measures that will rejuvenate its
economic sizes.
[21] ALBANIA: MAIN OPPOSITION DEFIES STATE'S ORDER NOT TO HOLD
RALLY
Protest rallies held by the supporters of Albania's main
opposition Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha, are continuing
in Tirana, who demand that the six party members held for
contributing to the government's last year be released.
Public Order Minister Perikli Teta, speaking to the state-
owned television station, issued an appeal to all of Tirana's
residents to refrain from taking part in the rally.
"We have reports that there will be armed individuals in the
rally who might create episodes," Mr. Teta said, revealing that
two days ago a group of terrorists entered a military camp and
removed large quantities of ammunition.
[22] US PROFESSOR SUPPORTS RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE
New York University professor Herbert London is a fervent
supporter of Greece's request for the return of the Parthenon
marbles to Athens from the London Museum.
In an article published in the "Journal of Commerce", Prof.
London characterizes as "ludicrous" the British claim of better
maintenance of the ancient marbles and calls on them to admit to
the damages they brought on the monuments when they scrubbed them
really clean.
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/
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