Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-11
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 11, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CABINET CONVENES TODAY TO REVIEW BALKAN, INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
[02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH YUGOSLAV COUNTERPART
[03] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER TO ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR 3-
DAY STAY
[04] MPA'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS STARTS THIS EVENING IN THESSALONIKI
[05] US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER
[06] FINNISH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT NEXT WEEK
[07] THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCK TO TIF, GREAT NUMBER OF TRADE
VISITORS
[08] SCHOOLS START TODAY IN GREECE
[09] DIRECTORS OF BLACK SEA BANK HOLD CONFERENCE IN HALKIDIKI
[10] THE MPA CONFERENCE ON RIGAS OPENS THIS AFTERNOON
[11] DOWNWARD TREND IN THE INTERNATIONAL STOCK MARKETS
[12] PANGALOS: GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS IS RECOGNIZED
[13] CHILE'S EXPORTS TO GREECE WILL REACH 60 MILLION DOLLARS BY
THE END OF 1998
[14] THE BALKAN POLICY WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] LIBRARY OF GREEK-BULGARIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY NAMED AFTER
TROGADIS
[16] ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN CHAMBERS TO CONVENE IN SKOPJE TODAY
[17] UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END OF HOSTILITIES IN
KOSSOVO
[18] KOSSOVO: 10,000 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES
[19] RUSSIA: DUMA CONVENES TO DECIDE ON PRIMAKOV'S CANDIDACY FOR
PM
[20] THE INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR REPORT ON CLINTON WILL BE MADE
PUBLIC THIS AFTERNOON
[21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES WAS BRIEFED ON THE PANGALOS-MILLER MEETING
[22] CLINTON IS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE OF THE STAGNATION OBSERVED IN
THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
[23] GREEK PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES MET IN NICOSIA WITH PRESIDENT
CLERIDES
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CABINET CONVENES TODAY TO REVIEW BALKAN, INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
The Cabinet is to convene today in order to review the latest
developments in the Balkans and other international issues.
Among the key speakers will be the Minster of Foreign Affairs
Theodoros Pangalos and the undersecretary of Foreign Affairs
Yiannos Kranidiotis.
[02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH YUGOSLAV COUNTERPART
Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic met with his
Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos and the Greek Prime Minister
Kostas Simitis in Athens yesterday/
After their meeting, Greek foreign minister Theodoros
Pangalos said Greece is opposed to international sanctions being
imposed on Yugoslavia, Greece being one of four European Union
nations that has not imposed a ban on the flights of Yugoslav's
national airline JAT.
Mr. Pangalos stated yesterday that Yugoslavia should no
longer be ostracized from the European family of nations and added
that Serb president Slobodan Milosevic's proposals on Kossovo are
in the right direction.
Moreover, Mr. Pangalos said that the solution to the Kossovo
crisis is guaranteeing the human rights of all the people living
there, whether they are ethnic Albanians or Serbs.
Belgrade's recent positions on the Kossovo issue are heading
in the right direction, Mr. Pangalos said.
"We are ready to help as much as we can to find a peaceful
solution to this difficult problem in the context of the existing
borders of Yugoslavia and with the simultaneous safeguarding of
human rights and freedoms for all the population of Kossovo," the
Greek minister said.
Mr. Jovanovic said Yugoslavia was determined to find a
peaceful resolution to the problem, to safeguard the rights of all
the residents of Kossovo, regardless of religion or ethnicity,
and to have full respect for international and European standards
of human rights for ethnic minorities.
Mr. Jovanovic called the Kossovo Liberation Army a "terrorist
organization which should be included on the list of similar
organizations". He accused the KLA of kidnapping, torture, bomb
attacks on cars and other targets and said he was convinced that
the Albanian-speaking population of Kossovo were becoming more
skeptical of the KLA.
In regards to bilateral relations, Mgrs. Jovanovic and
Pangalos agreed that there were strong ties between the two
countries.
Economic ties between Greece and Yugoslavia were growing
rapidly, with trade rising 26 percent this year, Mr. Pangalos
said, pointing out that Greece is Yugoslavia's fifth largest trade
partner and biggest foreign investor, he said.
[03] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER TO ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR 3-
DAY STAY
The leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's
Kostas Karamanlis, is to embark on a three-day visit to
Thessaloniki today.
During his stay in the northern capital, Mr. Karamanlis will
meet with local party leaders and deputies.
On Sunday, Mr. Karamanlis will visit the 63rd International
Trade Fair of Thessaloniki and will give a press interview in the
afternoon.
[04] MPA'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS STARTS THIS EVENING IN THESSALONIKI
The two-day Inter-Balkan conference on "The influence of the
ideas of Rigas Velestinlis on the countries of south-eastern
Europe and the need for Inter-Balkan cooperation today" organized
by the Macedonian Press Agency will open this afternoon in
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the participation of
distinguished personalities, academicians, historians and
directors of Balkan news agencies.
The Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas will
inaugurate the event. In his message to the delegates prime
minister Kostas Simitis expressed the hope that Rigas' legacies
and visions on the Balkans will be a new source of inspiration for
the further expansion of the multi-faceted Inter-Balkan
cooperation.
Leader of main opposition party of New Democracy Kostas
Karamanlis stressed in his message that the conflicts in the
Balkan Peninsula clearly show that there is a need to study and
use Rigas' ideas again and this need is being served by the
conference organized by the Macedonian Press Agency.
[05] US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER
United States special envoy for Cyprus Thomas Miller met with
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in Athens yesterday with whom
he discussed the Cyprus issue.
Although neither official made any statements after the
meeting, Miller said shortly before his talks that they would
focus on securing a bi-zonal federal state for the two separate
communities.
[06] FINNISH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT NEXT WEEK
Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari will pay an official visit
to Greece from September 14 to 17, his first visit to Athens,
taking place in return of a visit to Finland by Greek President
Kostis
Stephanopoulos in November 1996.
Apart from issues of a bilateral nature, discussions are
expected to focus on the recent developments in Russia, the
situation in Kossovo and the Balkans and issues relating to the
European Union in view of Finland taking up the union's rotating
presidency in the second half of 1999.
Before leaving Greece, the Finnish official will pay a short
visit to Crete, from where he will depart for Helsinki.
[07] THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCK TO TIF, GREAT NUMBER OF TRADE
VISITORS
Trade visitors at the 63rd International Trade Fair of
Thessaloniki have surpassed the 900-number mark during the first
five days of the Fair's operation.
The number of the trade visitors is surpassing even the
expectations of HELEXPO, the organization in charge of the Fair.
These visitors are from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, F.R. of
Yugoslavia, Italy, Cyprus, South Africa, Portugal, Romania and the
Czech Republic.
[08] SCHOOLS START TODAY IN GREECE
Hundreds of thousands of elementary, junior high and high
school students are returning to classes as of today.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education Gerasimos Arsenis stated
that "everything is ready in order to start the new school year
and the proper measures have been taken in order to ensure the
correct operation of the new policies."
However, the Teachers Association begs to differ. Its
representatives have said that the high schools are not ready to
apply the new measures, there are insufficient classrooms and the
book distribution might be delayed.
[09] DIRECTORS OF BLACK SEA BANK HOLD CONFERENCE IN HALKIDIKI
The directors' council of the Black Sea Trade and Development
Bank is holding a three-day conference as of today in the northern
Greek peninsula of Halkidiki, in order to map out the details
concerning the financial institution's start of operation in the
upcoming year.
The main topic on the agenda is the location of the Bank's
headquarters, which will serve as the "key" in starting its
operation. Reportedly, the participants are aiming at achieving
the Greek Parliament's ratification of the relevant agreement and,
according to the existing plans, the Black Sea Trade and
Development Bank's permanent headquarters will be in Thessaloniki.
[10] THE MPA CONFERENCE ON RIGAS OPENS THIS AFTERNOON
The two-day Inter-Balkan conference on "The effect of Rigas
Velestinlis' ideas on the countries of south-eastern Europe and
the need for Inter-Balkan cooperation today" which is organized by
Macedonian Press Agency will open at the hall of ceremonies in
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Philosophy this
afternoon with the participation of political personalities,
academicians, historians and directors of Balkan mass media.
The president of the Hellenic Republic, the prime minister,
the leader of the main opposition party and the ministers of
foreign affairs and culture have sent their messages to the
conference which will be declared open by the minister of press.
The conference proceedings will continue at the Sun Beach Hotel in
the seaside resort of Agia Triada near Thessaloniki.
[11] DOWNWARD TREND IN THE INTERNATIONAL STOCK MARKETS
Nervousness prevailed today in the international money
markets. After the Dow Jones drop by 3.8%, the Nikkei at the Tokyo
Stock Exchange closed with a loss of 5.11%, while the Stock
Exchange in Brazil lost 15.8% of its value.
A similar trend is observed in the European stock markets. In
Athens the general price index showed a loss of 2.25%.
[12] PANGALOS: GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS IS RECOGNIZED
Greece has a place among the five leading countries in the
sector of economic transactions with Balkan states, while it is a
powerful factor in the investments of foreign capital in the
region, stated foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos after the
cabinet meeting that dealt with the issue of Balkan policy and
mainly focused on the domestic problems faced by Balkan countries.
The Greek foreign minister also stressed that the role of
Greece concerning peace and security in the Balkan region has won
international recognition. He added that three border crossings
will be established with Albania and three more with Bulgaria.
[13] CHILE'S EXPORTS TO GREECE WILL REACH 60 MILLION DOLLARS BY
THE END OF 1998
Chile's exports to Greece are expected to reach 60 million
dollars in 1998 and already in the first half of the year they are
estimated to be at 31.4 million dollars. An upward trend is
followed by the Greek exports to this south American country but
they are much less compared to the Chilean exports as during 1997
they have reached 5.7 million dollars and in the period of January-
June 1998 were at 3.6 million dollars.
The information was given during a press conference of the
Chilean embassy in Greece on the occasion of the country's 2nd
participation in Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair. Present
in the press conference was Santiago's Chamber of Commerce
president Peter Hill in view of tomorrow's signing of a trade and
economic cooperation agreement with Thessaloniki's Commerce and
Industry Chamber.
Chile's growth rate reached 7% in the past 15 years and its
GDP is 80 million dollars. The international economic crisis that
has affected the south American countries it is estimated that it
will cost about 3 percentage points to Chile's growth rate.
[14] THE BALKAN POLICY WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING
The Balkan policy was the issue that was discussed in today's
cabinet meeting in Athens. Prime minister Kostas Simitis pointed
out that a significant progress is observed in Greece's relations
with the Balkan states at economic, trade and cultural level and
added that the government will continue its efforts toward this
direction.
Regarding Greece's relations with FYROM, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas stated that there is notable improvement and added
that the tension of the past does not exist anymore, while on the
issue of the name, he said that the goal is to reach a solution
acceptable by both sides.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] LIBRARY OF GREEK-BULGARIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY NAMED AFTER
TROGADIS
The library of the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Society in the
Bulgarian town of Pomorie will bear the name of the late
journalist and director of the ERA 5 "Voice of Greece" Radio
Pantelis Trogadis.
The decision to give Trogadis' name to the library is the
result of the love he felt for people of Greek origin living in
countries of the former communist bloc.
Pomorie, a town having 14,000 inhabitants, has an extensive
Greek community, while the society was established in 1990. A
traditional building provided by the municipal authority in the
town is used for Greek language lessons for 70 children of Greek
and non-Greek origin. ERA has offered books and CDs worth 400,000
drachmas to the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Society.
[16] ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN CHAMBERS TO CONVENE IN SKOPJE TODAY
The Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) is to convene in Skopje
today, in order to examine, among other matters, means of
establishing business collaboration in southeastern Europe.
Eight countries are being represented in the conference, namely
Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, FYROM and
Turkey.
The participants are to also discuss matters concerning
transportation, visas and strengthening cooperation between the
ABC and the SECI.
The Central Association of Greece's Chambers is to propose the
expansion of electronic Trade (EDI) to the Balkan and black Sea
countries.
[17] UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END OF HOSTILITIES IN
KOSSOVO
Members of the Security Council on Thursday demanded an
immediate cessation of all hostilities in the Kossovo province of
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In a statement to the press on behalf of Council members, the
President of the Council, Ambassador Hans Dahlgren of Sweden,
called for an end to all violent or repressive actions against the
civilian population. Council members also called for an end to the
wanton destruction of property which was causing people to leave
their homes and creating new flows of refugees and displaced
persons, he said.
Ambassador Dahlgren said that Council members were gravely
concerned about the severe humanitarian consequences for the
civilian population caused by the fighting and violations of
international humanitarian law and human rights.
In particular, Ambassador Dahlgren said, Council members
noted with concern the forced internal displacement of civilians
estimated at 50,000 who have been driven into the woods and
mountains. They also noted the lack of adequate safety and
security for those people to return to their homes. They warned
that with the approach of winter, as the temperature was already
dropping and would drop significantly by the end of October, there
could be a "humanitarian catastrophe" in the region, the Council
President said.
"All those involved in the mistreatment of civilians and
deliberate destruction of property should be brought to justice,"
he added. Ambassador Dahlgren said that Council members expressed
the need for Mr. Milosevic, as President of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia, to order a halt to all repressive actions against
the civilian population in Kossovo.
Ambassador Dahlgren said that the members of the Security
Council also called for an immediate cessation of violence by all
Kossovo Albanian armed groups.
[18] KOSSOVO: 10,000 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES
Ten thousand Albanian refugees have returned to their homes
in six villages southeast of Decani.
According the Serb press center in Kossovo, the refugees'
return took place following an agreement reached between the
Albanians' representatives and a Serb government delegation. The
refugees were escorted to their homes by police forces.
[19] RUSSIA: DUMA CONVENES TO DECIDE ON PRIMAKOV'S CANDIDACY FOR
PM
Russia's Lower House, the Duma is to convene today in order
to decide on the Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov's candidacy for
the premiership.
If the Duma votes in the candidate, this could be start of
the end of Russia's crippling crises, both economic and political.
A State Department spokesperson stated that Washington's
point of view concerning Mr. Primakov will depend on whether or
not he intents to press on with the reform process.
[20] THE INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR REPORT ON CLINTON WILL BE MADE
PUBLIC THIS AFTERNOON
US president Bill Clinton intensified his efforts today in
order to manage to stay in office as the independent prosecutor
Kenneth Starr's report on his sexual relationship with Monica
Lewinski will be made public this afternoon.
According to information, the report accuses Clinton of 11
offences such as perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of
power. A special committee will decide if those accusations
constitute a basis for the president's impeachment.
The American people await with great curiosity for the
presentation of parts of the report on the Internet, while the
president tries to regain the trust of the American people and the
Democratic party Congressmen, as many of them have publicly
expressed opposition to his actions and strong concern that the
Kenneth Starr report may even cost them their re-election in the
very important November election.
[21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES WAS BRIEFED ON THE PANGALOS-MILLER MEETING
Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides was briefed on yesterday's
meeting of Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos with special
US State Department coordinator on Cyprus Thomas Miller that was
held in Athens.
The Cypriot president appeared satisfied with the briefing he
had on the contents of the discussion of the two officials.
[22] CLINTON IS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE OF THE STAGNATION OBSERVED IN
THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
US president Bill Clinton expressed disappointment because of
the lack of progress in the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus
problem. The statement was made by the US president during the
ceremony for the presentation of the credentials of Greece's new
ambassador to Washington Alexandros Filonas.
President Clinton underlined his personal interest and his
government's in the solution of the problem and pointed out
Greece's strategic position in south-eastern Europe and the
country's role in the region's stability. He also referred to the
need for the continuation of cooperation toward this direction
between Greece and the United States and stressed that Greece's
new ambassador assumes his duties in a period during which Greece
is making an exceptional progress.
The US president also received the credentials of Cyprus's
new ambassador to Washington Ms. Erato Kozakou-Markoulis and
assured her that the United States are committed to a two-zone,
two-community federal solution for Cyprus.
[23] GREEK PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES MET IN NICOSIA WITH PRESIDENT
CLERIDES
The Greek Parliament Committee on European Issues delegation
met with president Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia today to discuss
Cyprus's EU accession course.
Head of the delegation Loukas Apostolidis stated after the
meeting that the national issues are in a critical phase but
Hellenism has achieved union of hearts.
He also underlined that the decisions of the European Union
on Cyprus are valid and that the obstacles any side tries to raise
in order to stop the island's EU accession course will disappear.
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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