Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-14
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 14, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] MPA'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS FEREOS
[02] JOURNALISM AWARDS "RIGAS VELESTINLIS"
[03] THESSALONIKI'S 63RD INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR COMES TO A CLOSE
TODAY
[04] MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS WAS A SUCCESS
[05] FINNISH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS TODAY
[06] US ATACAMS MISSILES DELIVERED TO THESSALONIKI
[07] ECONOMY MINISTER ANNOUNCES POSSIBLE REDUCTION OF TAXES NEXT
YEAR
[08] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY IS CONCERNED OVER THE DEVELOPMENTS
IN ALBANIA
[09] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE CRISIS IN ALBANIA
[10] REPPAS: CEM'S STATEMENTS ARE A REPEAT OF THE TURKISH
POSITIONS
[11] THE PREFECT OF EVROS RESPONDED TO THE TURKISH STATEMENTS ON
THE CHANGE OF BORDERS DUE TO THE SHIFT OF THE EVROS RIVER BED
[12] BIG GAINS IN THE MAIN STOCK MARKETS OF THE WORLD
[13] THE GREEK FOOTBALL FEDERATION WILL REQUEST THAT THE GAME WITH
THE NATIONAL TEAM OF ALBANIA BE HELD IN GREECE
[14] SIMITIS' STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA
[15] MESSAGE ON THE WORLD PEACE DAY BY THE GREEK PARLIAMENT
PRESIDENT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] ALBANIA ROCKED BY MURDER OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY DEPUTY HIDARI
[17] ALBANIAN PM, PRESIDENT CONDEMN KILLING, APPEAL FOR CALM
[18] ALBANIA: SALI BERISHA SPEAKS TO THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY
[19] IRAN CRITICIZES TURKISH MILITARY COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL
[20] THE CENTER OF TIRANA HAS BECOME A BATTLE FIELD
[21] BERISHA'S FOLLOWERS TRY TO TAKE OVER THE STATE RADIO AND
TELEVISION BUILDING
[22] THE CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH ARAB AMBASSADORS
[23] JOINT STATEMENT ON ALBANIA BY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, THE EU
AND THE US
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] MPA'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS FEREOS
Over fifty delegates met in Thessaloniki on September 11-12
on the occasion of the Macedonian Press Agency's conference on
"The effect of the ideas of Rigas Velestinlis on the countries of
south-eastern Europe and the need for Inter-Balkan cooperation
today". Following are excerpts of some of the ideas that were
dispersed during the two-day conference:
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
stated in his salutation: "Rigas Fereos was a pioneer in the field
of what we know today as inter-Balkan cooperation.
"His activity in the national uprisings of the Danube-
bordering hegemonies is famous. That is where he embarked from in
order restoring freedom in Greece and that is where he conceived
the idea for the formation of a Balkan federation.
"With his revolutionary declarations, the Chart, the Thurios,
he struggled for freedom until his death. The scientists
participating in the inter-Balkan conference will develop their
points of view on "the influence of the ideas of Rigas Fereos in
the countries of Southeastern Europe and on the need of inter-
Balkan cooperation today" thereby granting new dimensions on the
assessment of this national martyr's work under the present time's
prism.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis sent the following message:
"Two hundred years have passed since the death of Rigas and his
deeply revolutionary and humanitarian ideas are more applicable
today than ever before.
Our country, as a member of the European Union and within the
framework of political friendship and cooperation with all the
Balkan countries on an equal basis has become the main stability
factor in this sensitive region. Its diplomatic initiatives for
the peaceful settlement of crisis and disputes have won
international recognition.
I believe that it is the common belief of all the Balkan
states that there can be no peace, stability and security in the
region without regional cooperation. This regional cooperation
must be promoted by all the countries together. An Inter-Balkan
cooperation that will not be an occasional one but one that will
be consolidated on a permanent basis. An Inter-Balkan cooperation
that will be based on self-evident principles: The state of Law,
the protection of Human Rights, the inviolability of the borders
and territorial integrity, the respect of International Law and
the respect of international treaties.
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodros Pangalos forwarded his
salutation in which he stated that the Conference "the influence
of the ideas of Rigas Velestinlis on the countries of Southeastern
Europe and the need for interbalkan cooperation today", is a truly
laudable initiative undertaken by the Macedonian Press Agency.
The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's
Kostas Karamanlis stated that The name of Rigas constitutes, even
to our day, a point of reference synonymous with freedom,
democracy, equal rights regardless of nationality, the State of
Justice, religious tolerance and opposition to tyranny.
"Today, in the once-again disturbed Peninsula, we cogently
recognize the need to review, adopt and enforce the idea of the
modern Greek Enlightener. A need served by your Conference.
Holding the said Conference in Thessaloniki, a center of Greek and
Byzantine culture with significant cultural influence on the
Balkan region, bears its own symbolism," Mr. Karamanlis said,
adding that the Association of Balkan News Agencies provides an
interesting and dynamic example of the possibilities for
cooperation."
Albanian foreign minister Paskal Milo characterized Slobodan
Milosevic as a "democratic dictator" saying that the Yugoslav
leader can not bring democracy to Serbia and the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia.
Mr. Milo stressed that the crisis in Kosovo is a problem
concerning all the Balkan peoples and not just the Albanians and
the Serbs. He said that it is a regional crisis and at the same
time a European one and added that "The philosophy and practice of
the Serb-Albanian cohabitation in Kosovo is so badly compromised
that it is difficult to think that it will have a future. But the
great challenges can be faced even when it seems that there is no
way out".
Shortly afterwards, Serb minister of information Alexander
Vucic responding to the accusations launched by Mr. Milo stressed
that Albania tolerates on its territory -if not backing- terrorist
training camps and does nothing to stop the illegal arms trade.
Mr. Vucic expressed the hope that the Albanian side will sit
at the negotiating table in the immediate future for the sake of
true peace and unity in the Balkans.
In his speech the Serb minister of information accused the
foreign mass media of misinformation by creating news that present
the Serbs as those who are mainly responsible for all bad and need
to be punished. He said that part of the blame belongs to the
Balkan reporters who are proven to be equally prone to spreading
"false news".
Bulgarian undersecretary of culture Svetlozar Zekov stated that
the word "accession" has become fashionable since the start of the
unification of Europe, adding that it would be best if the
unification is not just economic and political but cultural as
well. He referred to the activities of Bulgaria's National Book
Center and to its cooperation with Greece's respective center and
suggested that the countries of the region should undertake an
initiative for a Balkan cultural agreement aimed at promoting
literature as well as, for the publication of a multi-lingual
Balkan literature magazine under the auspices of UNESCO.
Croat professor of modern Greek language Vesna Kurelec
referred to the ideas of Rigas and the Croat enlightenment and
stressed that his premature death overshadowed his role as a
linguistic reformist.
Bulgarian ambassador to Athens, student of Rigas' ideas and
literary man Kiril Topalov characterized Rigas as a Balkan
typological phenomenon of his time. Romanian professor
specializing in Balkan issues Alexandru Firescu referred to the
Romanian translators and poets who had Rigas as a model.
Dimokrition University of Thrace Ioannis Papadrianos stated that
Rigas based on his descent belongs exclusively to Greece but his
revolutionary work concerned all the Balkan peoples, adding that
his tragic death had a deep effect to the Serb literary world and
especially to Nobel prize winner Ivo Andric.
Konstantin Badea, general director of Romania's Rompress news
agency, spoke on "The Nation within the Context of Globalization".
"Globalization," he stated, "through telecommunications,
transport, commerce, mass media -especially TV- and other
technological advances, requires imperatively, beyond human will,
the disappearance of the nation state an of the nation. That's one
of the prevailing world ideology and current Western ideology. We,
in the former Communist countries, are very familiar with this
school of thought, only under a different name: it was called
"proletarian internationalism"
DAJC EDUARD, a member of the Scientific Society for History
in Serbia, spoke on "the influence of Balkan Confrontations on
Rigas Ideas and Rigas Influence on Balkan Cooperation."
In his address, Mr. Eduard stated that "Rigas work was
concentrated on cooperation of Balkan Nations which is the only
way that leads our peninsula to real liberation from, in most
cases destructive, influence of outer powers. Balkan to Balkan
nations was Rigas and should be our motto."
PANAYOT DENEV, general director of Bulgarian news agency BTA,
spoke on "Balkan News: The (Im)Possible Genre". He stated that the
main question is whether objective information about the Balkans
has reached, is reaching and will be reaching the democratic world
- which now usually means Europe and North America.
"Do news flow from our troubled lands differ depending on how
they reach the rest of the world: mediated or unmediated?
And if mediation is inevitable, who are the intermediaries
and how do they do their job?
I purposefully use the term "genre" in defiance of theory of
literature, because I regard truth and falsehood as distinct
manners and styles of news-reporting journalism.
Professional news reporting and propaganda are poles apart."
MEHMET GULER, general director of Turkey's "Anadolu" news
agency, spoke on "The role of the Press for the Inter-balkan
Cooperation Today".
He said that the Balkan peninsula, which is at the
southeastern part of Europe, has become the stage for political
unrest due to its strategic status for ages. The Balkans, which
was effected by immigration as it is situated in the transit route
from Asia to Europe, has also been the arena of various
civilizations.
"Although appropriate opportunities came out after the cold-
war period concerning the installation of a new period at the
bases of friendship and cooperation by the abolishment of both
blocks that divided the Balkans and also by the disappearance of
political and ideological impediments, these opportunities could
not be benefited well due to some negative conditions occurred in
the region."
MARIUS PETREAN, spoke on the "The Balkans: Unfulfilled dreams
of Rigas Fereos", and stated that Rigas was not only an
outstanding figure for Greek history but also for the whole South-
East European region.
"It is, I believe, the duty of historians but also a duty of
the media. I therefore sincerely welcome the initiative of this
Conference -a right step in the right direction.
Rigas Fereos was a man of action but also a visionary, a
dreamer. Many historians and even politicians pointed out that his
revolution and humanitarian ideas are as actual as ever.
Influenced by the French Revolution and the ideals of
Enlightenment, Rigas used the texts of French manifestos and
constitutions to draw up the Statutory Charta of the Hellenic
Republic. But Rigas went well beyond the declarations of the
French Revolution. He recognized political and individual rights
for the citizen rather than for groups of citizens, such as
minorities.
Svetlana Slapsak, Prof. at I Ljubljana Postgraduate School in
Humanities, spoke on The Legacy of Rigas Velestinlis: The Balkan
School for Delicate Lovers.
"Towards the end of the 18th century, the passion for new
knowledge, education and justice pushed intellectuals and aspiring
students from the Balkans, among them Dositej Obradovi from the
Serbian parts under the Austrian Empire, toward the Western
cultures and Western cultural and academic centres. The same
passion pushed Rigas Velestinlis to study, translate and adapt
texts by French authors, certainly the main source of intellectual
incentives and democratic ideas of the time."
[02] JOURNALISM AWARDS "RIGAS VELESTINLIS"
The Macedonian Press Agency's two-day conference honoring the
bicentennial anniversary since the death of Rigas Velestinlis came
to a close with the signing of a declaration that calls on the
Balkan countries' governments to take the necessary measures that
would create a climate of understanding, mutual acquaintance, and
cooperation.
The fifty delegates saluted the proposals submitted by Greek
and foreign academics and journalists which call for the creation
of an inter-Balkan school of journalism headquarters in
Thessaloniki as well as for the establishment of awards named
after Rigas Velestinlis which would be bestowed upon the year's
best news stories, commentaries and sketches in the Balkan region.
The declaration reads as follows: We, the politicians,
academics, historians and journalists participating in the
Interbalkan conference organized by the Macedonian Press Agency in
Thessaloniki, on September 11-12, 1998 to commemorate the 200th
anniversary of the death of the visionary of Interbalkan
cooperation Rigas Velestinlis, believing that his ideas will
remain alive and topical as ever in our days, declare that the
unfortunate phenomena of nationalism and racism occurring in our
region once again do not reflect the mentality or history of
Balkan peoples and Rigas.
Considering that the governments of the countries of the
region can resolve existing problems through dialogue, cooperation
and developing peaceful co-existence and friendly neighbourliness,
we would like to invite the Governments of the countries of SE
Europe to help with measures to encourage the cultivation of a
good climate of deliberation, mutual acquaintance and mutual
understanding of our peoples.
We would like to warmly greet the efforts of all governments
who strive for the timely accession of all Balkan states in the
E.U. As we are certain that with the integration of all Balkan
countries in the European family, the reinforcement of
democratization and economic development within the framework of
United Europe all problems troubling the Balkan countries today
will be overcome. Thus, the vision and desires of the pan-Balkanic
national activist will be realized.
As a first step in that direction we second the proposal for
the creation of an Interbalkan Journalism School based in
Thessaloniki with branches in all Balkan States organized by the
Macedonian Press Agency. We also propose the institutionalization
of journalistic prizes named "Rigas Velestinlis" to be awarded to
the best reportages, articles and cartoons of the year.
[03] THESSALONIKI'S 63RD INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR COMES TO A CLOSE
TODAY
The run of Thessaloniki's 63rd International Trade Fair comes
to a close today, having reached a record number of visitors this
year. The Fair served as a meeting point for the Balkan business
world, as well as for businesspersons from southeast Europe, and
illustrated Thessaloniki's leadership role in the region.
[04] MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS WAS A SUCCESS
The Macedonian Press Agency's two-day conference honoring the
bicentennial anniversary since the death of Rigas Velestinlis came
to a close with the signing of a declaration that calls on the
Balkan countries' governments to take the necessary measures that
would create a climate of understanding, mutual acquaintance, and
cooperation.
The fifty delegates saluted the proposals submitted by Greek
and foreign academics and journalists which call for the creation
of an inter-Balkan school of journalism headquarters in
Thessaloniki as well as for the establishment of awards named
after Rigas Velestinlis which would be bestowed upon the year's
best news stories, commentaries and sketches in the Balkan region.
[05] FINNISH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS TODAY
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.
[06] US ATACAMS MISSILES DELIVERED TO THESSALONIKI
Five ground-to-ground Atacams missiles were delivered to
Thessaloniki yesterday from the United States, this being the
first consignment of a 19-billion drachma order for 40 such
missiles.
The delivery ceremony was attended by National Defense
Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and the chief of Greek army staff,
Lieutenant-General Manoussos Parayoudakis.
The state-of-the-art missiles will be used by the army and
have a range of 165 kilometers. The all-weather missiles are
designed to hit high-priority targets including administrative and
control installations and munitions depots, launched from mobile
M270 units.
[07] ECONOMY MINISTER ANNOUNCES POSSIBLE REDUCTION OF TAXES NEXT
YEAR
The Minister of National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos
Papantoniou announced yesterday that the government may lower
taxes in 1999 in order to reduce inflation and thus facilitating
the country's entry into the European Economic and Monetary Union
(EMU).
"The possibility of lowering taxes is being examined. If
there is room for a reduction in 1999 this will happen so that
inflation may fall and the country enter EMU," Mr. Papantoniou
stated.
The government has set January 1, 2001 as the latest entry
date into the European Union's single currency.
[08] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY IS CONCERNED OVER THE DEVELOPMENTS
IN ALBANIA
The strong concern of the Greek government over the
developments in Albania after the murder of Parliament deputy Azem
Haidari has been expressed by the foreign ministry spokesman, who
stressed in his statement that the Greek side condemns the killing
of the Albanian Parliament deputy and believes that the arrest and
the trial of those responsible for the criminal act will restore
the sense of justice in the country.
The statement continues by stressing that the abstention from
violence is the only way to avert the destabilization of Albania.
[09] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE CRISIS IN ALBANIA
The Greek government watches closely the situation in Albania
and is in contact with the country's government through the
diplomatic route, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas.
Mr. Reppas said that the Greek government condemns the acts
of violence and that the murder of a politician should not create
a new crisis, adding that everyone has responsibilities that must
be assumed.
Responding to the question if there will be a wave of
Albanian immigrants toward Greece he responded that there are no
such indications and that the forces guarding the borders are
ready to deal with every eventuality.
[10] REPPAS: CEM'S STATEMENTS ARE A REPEAT OF THE TURKISH
POSITIONS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized the
statements made by Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem as a rehash
of Ankara's known positions.
Mr. Reppas added that Turkey must respect the international
organizations' decisions on state borders.
[11] THE PREFECT OF EVROS RESPONDED TO THE TURKISH STATEMENTS ON
THE CHANGE OF BORDERS DUE TO THE SHIFT OF THE EVROS RIVER BED
The recent statement by a Turkish official according to
which, thousands of hectares of Turkish territory have moved to
the Greek side of the borders as a result of the shift observed in
the Evros river bed and the subsequent erosion, brought about the
response of prefect of Evros Giorgos Dolios.
Mr. Dolios stated, commenting on the statements made by
Matzip Sabir head of the Turkish Soil Erosion Institute, that
according to his point of view there is no such issue adding that
he can not avoid being suspicious toward such a statement made on
behalf of Turkish circles which are related with the Turkish
foreign ministry.
Mr. Dolios clarified that until today there was no problem in
the communication with the Turkish side for the solution of
similar problems. According to the prefect, from time to time
there are possession disputes over certain areas but in those
cases committee meetings are being held and settlements are being
reached.
[12] BIG GAINS IN THE MAIN STOCK MARKETS OF THE WORLD
Big gains prevailed today in the main stock markets of the
world. However, economic analysts continue to be cautious mainly
due to the problems in Latin America and Kenneth Starr's report on
the White House sex scandal.
The general price index in the Athens Stock Exchange closed
today with gains of 3.12%.
[13] THE GREEK FOOTBALL FEDERATION WILL REQUEST THAT THE GAME WITH
THE NATIONAL TEAM OF ALBANIA BE HELD IN GREECE
The violent incidents that take place in Tirana affect
football as well. The Greek national football team is scheduled to
play its second game with the respective team of Albania in Tirana
on October 10 within the framework of the qualifiers for the
European Championship of the year 2000.
The Greek Football Federation is expected to request that the
game be moved from Tirana, due to the unstable situation in the
Albanian capital and take place in Greece.
[14] SIMITIS' STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN ALBANIA
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis stressed the need for the
settlement of the situation in Albania through political means and
not through violence.
Specifically, the prime minister stated that the improved
function of the state in Albania, the security achieved and the
improvement of the economic conditions, which were the results of
hard work in the past year, should not be wasted. Mr. Simitis
added that Albania is a country that has lost time and every new
conflict can cause only damage.
[15] MESSAGE ON THE WORLD PEACE DAY BY THE GREEK PARLIAMENT
PRESIDENT
For as long as Turkey insists in provoking through words and
deeds and continues to dispute the sovereign rights of Greece,
peace in the Balkans and in Europe as a whole will be at risk
every day, stresses Greek Parliament president Apostolos
Kaklamanis in his message on the occasion of the World Peace Day
celebrated tomorrow.
Mr. Kaklamanis expresses his strong concern for the dangers
faced by the region due to the inability of the international
community to implement the restoration of International Law and
human rights in Cyprus which are not being respected as a result
of Ankara's expansionist policy.
The Greek Parliament president states that the lack of
essential mechanisms for the implementation of the rule of law in
combination with the terrifying economic and social problems in
most of the world, have led to new uncontrollable regional
conflicts and to the spread of new forms of terrorism.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] ALBANIA ROCKED BY MURDER OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY DEPUTY HIDARI
Albania is on the brink of another crisis following the
murder of opposition Democratic Party deputy Azem Hidari in
Tirana on Saturday.
Episodes erupted at Tirana, costing the life on one and
injuring three others, when Democratic Party followers tried to
enter the Public Order Ministry and the office of the Prime
Minister Fatos Nano.
[17] ALBANIAN PM, PRESIDENT CONDEMN KILLING, APPEAL FOR CALM
Albanian Prime Minster Fatos Nano and President Rejep Meidani
have condemned the killing of opposition deputy Azem Hidari on
Saturday and appealed for calm.
Mr Meidani said the authorities would do their utmost to
arrest those responsible for the killing.
Mr. Nano, who has held all-night meetings with his cabinet
members has not responded to the democratic Party leader Sali
Berisha's deadline calling for his resignation, although he has
implied that he dopes not intent to leave the post. He blamed Mr.
Berisha of being behind the violent incidents that erupted after
the assassination and characterized the murder as a "barbarian
act."
Earlier, Mr. Berisha, alleged that the government had ordered Mr.
Hidari's assassination.
[18] ALBANIA: SALI BERISHA SPEAKS TO THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY
The leader of Albania's main opposition Democratic Party Sali
Berisha spoke to the Macedonian Press Agency in an exclusive
interview following Saturday's murder of his party's deputy Azem
Hidari, whose funeral is to take place this morning in Tirana.
Mr. Berisha stated that he has given Albanian Prime Minster
Fatos Nano and his cabinet a deadline of one hour after the
funeral to resign from the post.
Mr. Berisha told the MPA that Prime Minster Nano is
responsible for the deputy's murder as well as for the aftermath.
He stressed that if the government does not resign after the one-
hour deadline, then it shall bear responsibility for anything hat
might take place.
Mr. Nano in turn blamed the Democratic Party leader and
called on the Albanian people not to allow the country to return
to previous eras.
[19] IRAN CRITICIZES TURKISH MILITARY COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL
Iranian president, Mohammed Khatami, criticized Turkish
military cooperation with Israel during his Tehran-held talks with
the Turkish foreign minister, Ismail Cem.
According to press reports, President Khatami stated that
Israel was an aggressive country and Turkey had no need to
cooperate with it.
Mr. Cem replied that relations between Turkey and Israel were
not aimed at the interests of any of the countries in the region.
[20] THE CENTER OF TIRANA HAS BECOME A BATTLE FIELD
The center of the Albanian capital of Tirana, where the
government buildings are located, has turned into a battle ground,
according to information. Thousands of followers of Sali Berisha's
Democratic Party, who gathered in Tirana for the funeral of the
murdered Parliament deputy Azem Haidari, have turned the
procession into the largest and most violent anti-government
demonstration ever.
As soon as the thousands of people accompanying Haidari's
coffin arrived in front of the government building where the prime
minister's office is housed, shots were fired by automatic weapons
against the guards standing outside the government buildings. The
members of the national guard returned fire and in a few seconds
the whole area became a battle field. The protesters occupied two
armoured tanks and one of them has entered the yard of the
presidential building.
Foreign minister Paskal Milo stressed that Haidari's murder
was a plan by certain circles interested in creating an unstable
situation in the country and seeking to cause the overthrow of the
government. According to Mr. Milo, the prime minister has called
on the Albanian people to defend democracy and freedom after the
threats launched by Berisha, who said that he will be unable to
control his followers in case prime minister Nano refuses to
submit his resignation.
[21] BERISHA'S FOLLOWERS TRY TO TAKE OVER THE STATE RADIO AND
TELEVISION BUILDING
According to the latest information, followers of Sali
Berisha's Democratic Party have moved toward the state radio and
television building. Based on the same information, the efforts of
the protesters to occupy the building are being backed by two
armoured tanks that were taken over earlier by Berisha's followers
in front of the prime minister's office.
At the same time, other information mentions that groups of
demonstrators have occupied the army camp located near the
Albanian Parliament building and have removed guns and ammunition,
while they are already near government buildings where the
exchange of fire continues.
In spite of the fact that different radio stations broadcast
the news of prime minister Fatos Nano's resignation, OSCE
representative in Tirana Dan Everts has allegedly stated that the
prime minister remains in his post, adding that he has stated to
foreign diplomats that he will not hesitate to step down if this
move is necessary to avoid the bloodshed in the country.
[22] THE CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH ARAB AMBASSADORS
Egypt's ambassador to Nicosia Fadel El Kanti expressed his
concern over the military cooperation between Israel and Turkey
after the meeting he had with Cypriot Parliament president Spyros
Kyprianou.
Mr. Kanti, who was the head of an Arab ambassadors
delegation, stressed that such alliances are not needed at a time
when efforts are being made for the peaceful solution of the
problems in the region. The ambassadors were also briefed on the
developments in the Cyprus problem during their meeting with Mr.
Kyprianou.
[23] JOINT STATEMENT ON ALBANIA BY THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, THE EU
AND THE US
The Council of Europe, the European Union and the United
States have issued a joint statement after a meeting of their
delegations.
In the statement it is stressed that the use of violence for
political purposes is condemned, while they point out that the
leaders of all the Albanian political parties should take the
responsibility for the actions of their followers, stressing that
the political leaders in the country have an obligation to find a
peaceful solution that will respect democracy.
The statement concludes that the international community
pledges to back any package of measures that will bring some kind
of a solution, adding that those who will not cooperate will
suffer the consequences.
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/
|
