Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-08
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 8, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY'S SECRETARY GENERAL IN THESSALONIKI
TODAY
[02] GREEK F.M.: THE EU SHOULD FOCUS ITS ATTENTION TO KOSSOVO AND
RUSSIA
[03] SWISS PRESIDENT FORWARDS HIS CONDOLENCES TO GREEK COUNTERPART
[04] EU ENERGY COMMISSIONER SPEAKS AT THESSALONIKI'S TRADE FAIR
[05] PREMIER OF BOSNIA AND GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SEE EYE TO EYE
[06] SIMITIS-KARATZAS MEETING
[07] TURKISH FIGHTER JETS VIOLATED THE GREEK AIR SPACE
[08] REPPAS: TURKEY DOES NOT WANT THE EASING OF THE CRISIS IN THE
AEGEAN
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO TEHRAN FOR TWO-DAY VISIT
[10] POLITICAL DEADLOCK DRIVES RUSSIAN ECONOMY TO RUIN
[11] THREE GREEK CHAMPIONS IN JOHANNESBURG FOR TRACK- FIELD WORLD
CUP
[12] BULGARIAN PRESIDENT: NATO'S INTERVENTION IN KOSSOVO
UNNECESSARY
[13] OSCE ASSIGNS 2,700 OBSERVERS TO OVERSEE BOSNIA'S GENERAL
ELECTIONS
[14] EFFORTS BY YELTSIN TO SOLVE THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
[15] THE THREE BORDER CROSSINGS WITH GREECE WILL IMPROVE THE
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE BULGARIAN BORDER REGIONS
[16] INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CARETTA-CARETTA
[17] TURKISH POLICE ARRESTED FOUR GIRLS ACCUSED OF HAVING LINKS
WITH THE KURDISH PKK
[18] THE STEEPLE AND MINARET OF A CHURCH IN CRETE IS AN EXAMPLE OF
CO-EXISTENCE OF CULTURES
[19] THE YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY'S SECRETARY GENERAL IN THESSALONIKI
TODAY
The Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka
Paparega is to conduct a two-day visit to Thessaloniki as of
today.
Ms. Paparega will visit the International Trade Fair of
Thessaloniki this evening and will also ,meet with various local
government leaders and union representatives.
[02] GREEK F.M.: THE EU SHOULD FOCUS ITS ATTENTION TO KOSSOVO AND
RUSSIA
In a press interview granted after the close of the European
Union's Foreign Ministers meeting in Salzburg, Greece's Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed that the Community needs to
focus its immediate attention to Russia, whether or not there is a
cabinet reshuffle in Moscow.
In a further reference to Russia, Mr. Pangalos stated that
there needs to be a reduction in the social variations apparent in
that country, as well as the need to combat crime.
Referring to the Kossovo crisis, Mr. Pangalos stressed that
the Greek side has made clear the need for an overall discussion
on the issue.
The EU's approach needs to be balanced because here we have a
position which entails obligations for both sides. We cannot
impose sanctions on Belgrade and not make it clear to Kossovo's
Albanians that they have to abandon their (demand for )
independence, abandon the armed activity and terrorist actions,
otherwise, we will not have a balanced solution," Mr. Pangalos
said.
[03] SWISS PRESIDENT FORWARDS HIS CONDOLENCES TO GREEK COUNTERPART
The President of Switzerland Flavio Cotti has forwarded a
message of condolences to the families of the victims of Swissair
Flight 111 which crashed off the Canadian coast last week.
In a telegram to his Greek counterpart, Kostis
Stephanopoulos, the Swiss
president expressed his grief over the loss of the 229 lives
aboard the aircraft. Two Greek citizens - Chronoula Bonanou-
Iconomopoulou, 42, from Patras, and Nikos Kefalidis, 55, from
Alexandroupolis , were traveling on Greek passports.
Another 12 passengers on the ill-fated airliner were Greek
nationals, whose families reside in Greece.
[04] EU ENERGY COMMISSIONER SPEAKS AT THESSALONIKI'S TRADE FAIR
The European Union's Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis,
gave an address in Thessaloniki yesterday where he stated that
Greece needs to implement a combined policy of stabilization and
development in order to best achieve its goal of acceding to the
Economic and Monetary Union.
Moreover, Mr. Papoutsis stated that the country needs to
implement a variety of measures that will promote the
restructuring of the economy, allow for real economic convergence
and attain the achievement of social cohesion.
[05] PREMIER OF BOSNIA AND GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SEE EYE TO EYE
The Prime Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina Milorad Dodik met
with Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in Athens
yesterday, where the two men held talks concerning the latest
developments in the Balkans and the Kossovo crisis.
Following the meeting, which reportedly enjoyed a "meeting of
the minds", Mr. Dodik stated that the forthcoming weekend's
general elections will provide the Bosnian Serb republic with the
means to implement the 1995 Dayton peace accords which ended the
Bosnian war.
"With a new government, the Serb Republic of Bosnia is well
on the way to implementing the Dayton accord," Mr. Dodik said.
In turn, pointing out that the Serb republic was faithfully
and conscientiously implementing the accord, Mr. Pangalos said he
hoped the international community would recognize this effort.
Mgrs. Dodik and Pangalos said they were very satisfied with
the level of bilateral relations. Mr. Dodik said he had invited
Mr. Pangalos to Banja Luka for a visit, which, he said, would have
"exceptional significance" for the promotion of bilateral
relations.
[06] SIMITIS-KARATZAS MEETING
The speculation that the crisis in the world economy will
soon be defused unless there are unforeseen developments, was
expressed by Greek National Bank governor Theodoros Karatzas after
the meeting he had with prime minister Kostas Simitis.
Mr. Karatzas, when asked if the interest rates will drop,
responded "we will wait and see".
[07] TURKISH FIGHTER JETS VIOLATED THE GREEK AIR SPACE
A number of violations of the Greek air space by Turkish
fighter jets were reported in the Aegean.
Twenty Turkish F-16, four Phantoms and two aircraft used for
aerial photography violated the Greek air space and during the
interceptions by Greek fighter jets there were 8 engagements
recorded.
[08] REPPAS: TURKEY DOES NOT WANT THE EASING OF THE CRISIS IN THE
AEGEAN
Turkey does not want to contribute to the easing of the
crisis, as it continues to provoke and maintain the tension in the
region, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
commenting on the violations of the Greek air space over the
Aegean by Turkish fighter jets.
On the issue of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, Mr.
Reppas reiterated that their supply and installation constitute a
right of the Cypriot government which has an obligation to protect
its interests.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO TEHRAN FOR TWO-DAY VISIT
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos embarked on a
two-day visit to Tehran today.
Mr. Pangalos will meet with the country's political leaders,
while he will also participate at the second ministerial summit of
the trilateral cooperation of Greece, Iran and Armenia.
This cooperation aims at the creation of a framework which
will allow for the development of economic collaboration in
sectors of mutual interest.
[10] POLITICAL DEADLOCK DRIVES RUSSIAN ECONOMY TO RUIN
Following the Communist-led Duma's second rejection of
Russian President Boris Yeltsin's choice for premier Victor
Cernomyrdin, both sides of the House warned that the country is
risking a wave of violence stemming from the ruined economy.
A third rejection would trigger the dissolution of the Duma
and an early parliamentary election.
[11] THREE GREEK CHAMPIONS IN JOHANNESBURG FOR TRACK- FIELD WORLD
CUP
Three Greek track and field champions departed for
Johannesburg today in order to participate in the European track
and field champions' team at the world cup race.
Olga Vasdeki, Haris Papadias and Kostas Kederis are to race
September11-13. Vasdeki and Papadias, both medalists at the
European track and field championships, will race on the world
cup's first day, while Kederis will take part in the third.
This marks the first time Greece participates in the
champions' team with three runners. Kostas Koukodimos was the sole
runner in Cuba's 1994 race.
[12] BULGARIAN PRESIDENT: NATO'S INTERVENTION IN KOSSOVO
UNNECESSARY
Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov expressed his concern over
the latest developments in Kossovo and also added that a NATO
intervention in the region would be unnecessary .
Speaking on the sidelines of Lisbon's EXPO '98, on the
occasion of September 6 -a day dedicated to Bulgaria- , Mr.
Stoyanov reiterated his country's strong will to become a member
of the Alliance, as well as the European Union.
Responding to a question set forth by the Athens News Agency,
on whether he felt safe with the current Kossovo crisis, Mr.
Stoyanov said not only Bulgarian politicians but his country's
entire society was especially concerned about what was currently
taking place in the Albanian- speaking Serbian province.
He said a possible deterioration of the situation in Kossovo
could also have an impact on Bulgaria.
Asked about his opinion on relations between Sofia and
Athens, the Bulgarian president said he took great pleasure to say
that relations between the two nations were excellent. He added
that, there were some pending issues albeit not clarifying them.
[13] OSCE ASSIGNS 2,700 OBSERVERS TO OVERSEE BOSNIA'S GENERAL
ELECTIONS
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) has assigned a force of 2,700 observers who will oversee
Bosnia's general elections to be held on September 12-13.
Also, a large delegation of officials from the Council of
Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will observe the voting process.
The delegates will arrive at Serajevo on Thursday where they will
meet with party representatives and presidential candidates.
[14] EFFORTS BY YELTSIN TO SOLVE THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
Russian president Boris Yeltsin had continuous consultations
with his close associates this morning, while he has not named yet
his candidate for the third round of voting in the Lower House of
Parliament.
Meanwhile, an upward trend prevailed today in most of the
international stock markets. In the Athens Stock Exchange the
general price index showed a 2.35% rise.
[15] THE THREE BORDER CROSSINGS WITH GREECE WILL IMPROVE THE
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE BULGARIAN BORDER REGIONS
Bulgarian foreign minister Nadezda Mihailova believes that
the three new border crossings with Greece will improve the
economic situation in the Bulgarian border regions.
In an interview with the newspaper "Demokratzia", the
Bulgarian foreign minister stated that the agreement with the
Greek side for the opening of three new border crossings is not
just a political act or an issue of diplomacy but it will improve
the economic situation in the Bulgarian border regions where there
is a big problem with unemployment.
The acceleration of the construction works for the quick
operation of the new border crossings was agreed by Greek and
Bulgarian prime ministers Kostas Simitis and Ivan Kostov in their
recent meeting in Athens.
[16] INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CARETTA-CARETTA
A care center for the injured sea turtles will be created by
the "Sea Turtle Society of Greece" and its members call on all
those who want to take part in the effort for the protection of
the caretta-caretta sea turtle to offer their much needed economic
assistance.
In an article published in the German newspaper "Frankfurter
Rundschau", are underlined the problems faced by the threatened
with extinction caretta-caretta sea turtle which lives in the
Ionian island of Zakynthos. The article also mentions the efforts
made for its protection by the "Sea Turtle Society of Greece"
since 1983. It is stressed that the biggest threat for the turtles
are the people and that only after an intense struggle of the "Sea
Turtle Society of Greece" measures were finally taken so that the
Lagana Beach in Zakynthos, where caretta-caretta lives, be open to
tourists only during the day and not during the night.
[17] TURKISH POLICE ARRESTED FOUR GIRLS ACCUSED OF HAVING LINKS
WITH THE KURDISH PKK
The colors of the cardboard they were holding led to the
arrests of four young girls in Ismir, three 11yearolds and a
15yearold.
According to the Turkish newspaper "Radikal", the four girls
were dancing in front of a jewelry store to raise money for orphan
children holding in their hands cardboard of yellow, red and green
color on which they had written the reason that led them to ask
for the economic assistance of passers-by.
Coincidentally, the colors of the cardboard are the colors of
the flag of the outlawed Kurdish PKK party. Police arrested the
four girls as suspects and led them to the local police station
where they were questioned for involvement in the PKK.
[18] THE STEEPLE AND MINARET OF A CHURCH IN CRETE IS AN EXAMPLE OF
CO-EXISTENCE OF CULTURES
Crete is an island where civilizations have met and managed
to co-exist for centuries. A living example of co-existence of two
different cultures is the church of St. Nikolaos in the city of
Chania which has both a steeple and a minaret.
Turkish newspaper "Yeni Yuzyil" in an article with the
headline "A church and a mosque under the same roof" refers to
this specific church which was built in the Byzantine years and
later, during the Ottoman era, it was turned into a mosque with
the addition of a minaret, while the church-tower at the other
side of the building was kept intact.
In 1898, when Crete became independent and was incorporated
into Greece, the mosque was turned into a Christian Orthodox
church but the minaret was not touched and now the paradox found
at the church of St. Nikolaos has made it a tourist attraction.
[19] THE YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT GREECE
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia foreign minister Zivadin
Jovanovic will visit Greece on September 10-11 at the invitation
of his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos.
According to a statement issued by the foreign ministry of
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the two ministers will discuss
issues concerning the strengthening of bilateral relations and
cooperation as well as, international issues of mutual interest
including the multi-faceted cooperation of south-eastern European
countries.
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