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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-01

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


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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