Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-10-09
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 9, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ON DEFENSE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO CONVENE
TODAY
[02] INFLATION CLOSED AT 5.2% IN SEPTEMBER
[03] ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE ROCKS ISLAND OF ZAKYNTHOS
[04] LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND THROUGHOUT GREECE
[05] GREEK TRADE GROUP IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD
FAIR
[06] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE: FEASIBILITY STUDY READY
IN 1999
[07] ALTERNATE FM RECEIVES OSCE'S HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR MINORITIES
[08] GREEKS AMONG EU'S MOST AVID CONSUMERS OF MEDICINE
[09] DEFENDORY '98: FORMIDABLE WEAPONS ON DISPLAY IN PORT OF
PIRAEUS
[10] AMALIA GINAKI DIED AT NOON TODAY
[11] BIG LOSSES WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] A NEW ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED IN
GREECE
[13] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL REITERATE THE GREEK POSITIONS IN
ANTALYA
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] HOLBROOKE SHUTTLES TO BELGRADE AGAIN, WILL MEET WITH
MILOSEVIC
[15] HELLENIC CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AWARDED: "PLAYS IT AGAIN" IN SAN
FRANCISCO
[16] ALBRIGHT THREATENS MILOSEVIC WITH NATO'S "ACTIVATION ORDER"
[17] SERB VP WARNS FOREIGNERS IN YUGOSLAVIA: LEAVE BEFORE IT'S TOO
LATE
[18] NEW MILOSEVIC-HALBROOKE MEETING
[19] ANNAN: A RESOLUTION ON THE GREEK-FYROM DISPUTE IS BEING
PREPARED BY THE UN
[20] THE US AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA CONDEMNED TURKEY'S STANCE ON THE
CYPRUS ISSUE
[21] RUSSIA: YUGOSLAVIA CAN CONFRONT THE NATO MISSILES
[22] THE GREEK MILITARY FORCE WILL REMAIN IN ALBANIA FOR SIX MORE
MONTHS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ON DEFENSE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO CONVENE
TODAY
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to chair a meeting of the
government council on defense and foreign affairs today, where the
participants will discuss the course of Greece's four-trillion-
drachma armaments procurements program and the Kossovo crisis.
Moreover, the Greek government is to announce today whether
or not it will take part in the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization's military intervention in Kossovo.
[02] INFLATION CLOSED AT 5.2% IN SEPTEMBER
Inflation closed at 5.2% in September, slightly up from
August's 5% rate. The Minister of National Economy and Finance
Yiannos Papantoniou attribute the rise to the fact that the
reduction of fuel consumption tax was not yet recorded into the
index..
Mr. Papantoniou also stated that the inflation rate will be
curbed to 4.8% in October.
[03] ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE ROCKS ISLAND OF ZAKYNTHOS
Another strong earthquake registering 5.1 on the Richter
scale rocked the island of Zakynthos at 8:12 this morning, but no
damages have been reported.
The quake had the same epicenter as yesterday's tremor which
measured 5.3% on the Richter scale.
[04] LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND THROUGHOUT GREECE
The country is currently in a pre-election campaign frenzy,
as the first round of municipal and prefectural elections are to
be held this Sunday.
There are five candidates for the mayor's and prefect's seats
in Thessaloniki.
For the first time, European Union citizens residing in
Greece will have the right to cast their vote as well.
Voting on October 11 and 18 will take place for the first
time on the basis of a sweeping council merger program.
The Macedonian Press Agency's server will provide election
updates on Sunday.
[05] GREEK TRADE GROUP IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD
FAIR
The Hellenic Organization of Foreign Trade (OPE) is
organizing the Greek sector's participation in the international
food and confection exhibition to be held in San Francisco,
California on January 17-19.
The event, "Winter Fancy Food and Confection Show 1999" is
held in the United States biennially.
Those interested should submit their application by October
15. For more information they may contact OPE's offices in
Thessaloniki or Athens.
[06] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE: FEASIBILITY STUDY READY
IN 1999
The feasibility study of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil and
natural gas pipeline will be ready by the end of 1999, as the two
contracting companies, German ILF and US-based Brown & Root, have
been selected.
These study, whose cost amounts to more than one million
dollars, will be conducted in two phases, one by each company.
The pipeline will have the transport capacity of 30-35 tons
of crude oil which will be delivered to Burgas from the Russian
port Novorosisk with tankers. In turn, the crude oil will be
transport to Alexandroupolis via a subterranean pipeline whose
length surpasses 280 kilometers.
The project is budgeted at $688 million, although the figure
will be closer earmarked once the first phase of the study is
completed.
[07] ALTERNATE FM RECEIVES OSCE'S HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR MINORITIES
Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou met
with the High Commissioner for ethnic minorities of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Max
van der Stoel, in Athens yesterday.
The two men discussed human rights issues and also reviewed
the situation in the Balkans in light of the latest developments
in Yugoslavia.
They agreed that efforts should be directed towards finding a
peaceful settlement of the crisis in Kossovo.
[08] GREEKS AMONG EU'S MOST AVID CONSUMERS OF MEDICINE
Greeks are among the EU's most avid consumers of medicines,
averaging 21 packets annually per person, although ranking still
far behind the French who consume a whooping 38 packets head, and
led by the Germans who average 22.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Dutch and the English
average only eight packets per head.
The data were presented yesterday at a news conference held
by the Federation of Self-managed Health Funds, in light of
today's international conference on The Effectiveness of
Pharmaceuticals, held in Athens.
In Greece, 33 percent of spending on health is used on
medicine: Germany spends only 20 percent on medicine.
According to the European Commission's latest report on
health in Europe, which was presented at the Health Conference,
spending on health as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) over the past 30 years has almost doubled and today ranges
between an average 5-10 percent in EU member states. The
Commission report projects that aging populations in Europe will
bring the cost of spending up to 3.0 percent of GDP over the next
few decades.
In Greece, health spending is estimated at 8.3 percent of
GDP, but spending on private health care brings the percentage up
to 8.5 percent.
Furthermore, the report says one in five Europeans will die
prematurely from cancer, heart conditions and accidents, with
eight million suffering from Alzheimer's disease by 2000.
Scientists are also concerned about the growing tolerance to
antibiotics due to excessive and unnecessary use.
[09] DEFENDORY '98: FORMIDABLE WEAPONS ON DISPLAY IN PORT OF
PIRAEUS
A score of representatives from the world's defense industry
are currently attending the 10th Defendory international
exhibition of conventional weapons at the Piraeus Port Authority.
This year's event marks a 45% increase in comparison to 1996,
and also marks the 20th year since the relevant initiative was
taken by the institute of Industrial Exhibitions, and which is
organized under the aegis of the General Directorate of Weaponry,
Ministry of National Defense.
Defense Ministers from 15 countries have been invited to
attend the event which, as is the consensus opinion, is
highlighted by Russia's impressive presence.
Russian Defense Minster Igor Segieyev visited Defendory '98,
thereby illustrating Moscow's interest in developing substantial
defense relations with Greece as a prospective bidder.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, representatives from
Russia's main export authority in the defense sector
(Rosvoorouzhenie), stressed that they are interested in the
upgrading of Greece's defense systems, such as BMP-1 armored
vehicles, as well as in selling anti-aircraft missile systems,
such as the S-300.
Both the Greek and the Cypriot sectors have expressed their
interest in the anti-aircraft system SA-15 (TOR), which belongs in
the SHOR category.
Other systems on display include Britain's Challenger 2E, the
US Μ-ΙΑΙ Abrams and Northrop Grumman, the French Leclerc and the
German Leopard.
[10] AMALIA GINAKI DIED AT NOON TODAY
Amalia Ginaki, the tragic victim of the bloody hostage
incident with the wanted Greek-Romanian criminal Sorin Matei at
the center of Athens 16 days ago, lost the battle with death at
noon today.
The 25yearold left her last breath when her heart stopped
beating after two weeks in the intensive care unit of the Red
Cross Hospital. The condition of Amalia Ginaki had deteriorated in
the past few days as besides the septicemia and the failure of
many of her vital organs, yesterday she had an extensive
haemorrhage, very low blood pressure and concentration of fluid in
her abdomen.
[11] BIG LOSSES WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
A very negative climate prevailed in the Athens Stock
Exchange since this morning. Downward trends were observed since
the start of today's transactions and the general price index
closed with a loss of 3.14%.
On the contrary, the European stock markets managed to cover
a considerable part of their losses, as the extremely low share
prices have attracted the strong interest of investors.
[12] A NEW ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED IN
GREECE
The governmental council of foreign affairs and defense
approved today the installation of a new small and long range anti-
aircraft missile system that can effectively protect Greece's
security and territorial integrity.
Specifically, Greece will purchase long range "Patriot"
missiles from the United States and small range missiles from
France and Russia. Also, a decision was made on the purchase of 5
US training aircraft, 10 fire-fighting aircraft and 4 Navy
destroyers.
The announcement on the decision reached was made by prime
minister Kostas Simitis, while minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos pointed out that the Greek armed forces proceed
with the improvement of the level of their defense adequacy and
ability.
On the situation in Kosovo, the prime minister underlined the
interventions made by Athens to the EU countries and NATO for a
political solution and wished for positive results to be reached
through the last minute mediation. Mr. Simitis stressed that NATO
can use the Greek military installations but it will have no
further accommodation.
[13] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL REITERATE THE GREEK POSITIONS IN
ANTALYA
The second summit meeting of heads of states and governments
from south-eastern Europe will be held next Monday and Tuesday in
Antalya, Turkey in a climate of uncertainty due to the global
economic crisis, the increased concern over the developments in
Kosovo and the crisis in the relations between Turkey and Syria.
On the sidelines of the summit in Antalya, Greek prime
minister Kostas Simitis will meet with his Turkish counterpart
Mesut Yilmaz. Mr. Simitis, according to information, will point
out that the toughening of the Turkish policy and the pro-conflict
policy followed by Ankara do not help neither toward the
restoration of the Greek-Turkish relations nor toward progress in
the Balkans.
Mr. Simitis will stress that Greece is in favor of the talks
in NATO on confidence-building-measures in the Aegean which were
proposed again by NATO secretary-general Javier Solana. The prime
minister will also reiterate his positive response to the
continuation of the talks held by the committee of experts which
was formed by Greece and Turkey.
According to information, Mr. Simitis will also point out to
Mr. Yilmaz that the proposals made by Turkish foreign minister
Ismail Cem and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, on the
establishment of a con-federation in Cyprus, are unacceptable.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] HOLBROOKE SHUTTLES TO BELGRADE AGAIN, WILL MEET WITH
MILOSEVIC
US special envoy Richard Holbrooke will travel to Belgrade
again today in order to meet with Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic. The meeting is taking place under a cloud of NATO
threats that it will conduct air strikes against Serb targets,
unless Mr. Milosevic withdraws the Serb forces from Kossovo.
Today's meeting was approved at the Contact Group's meeting
held in London.
[15] HELLENIC CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AWARDED: "PLAYS IT AGAIN" IN SAN
FRANCISCO
The Hellenic Children's Museum has been chosen to receive a
1999 International Partnership Among Museums (IPAM) award, granted
by the American Association of Museums, which will enable it to
participate in an Art Museum in San Francisco.
The two museums will jointly develop an educational program
titled "Play it Again", which will feature toys made from recycled
materials.
The Children's Museum, a collaboration between the
Municipality of Athens' Cultural Organization and the Hellenic
Children's Museum(HCM), sent a collection of toys to San Francisco
which were exhibited at the International Children's Art Museum,
along with the toys created by San Francisco children.
The exhibition will return to Athens this month to be
displayed at the Children's Museum.
The goals of the "Play it Again" program are to reproduce new toys
using "recycled materials", to invent new toys using recycling
materials and to communicate with other children on the basis of
the toys, without using language.
Since the IPAM program was established in 1980, the HCM is
the first museum in Greece selected for participation.
[16] ALBRIGHT THREATENS MILOSEVIC WITH NATO'S "ACTIVATION ORDER"
As NATO stands ready to authorize bombing of the Serbs for
their military actions in Kossovo, following yesterday's Contact
Group meeting in London, United States Secretary of State Madleine
Albright sternly warned Serb President Slobodan Milosevic that in
case he fails to fully comply with the Contact Group's will, the
consequences will be very severe.
The Contact Group comprises the United States, Russia,
France, Germany, Italy and Britain.
"There is no deadline, but we've made it clear that time is
running out. Time is all but gone," Ms. Albright said, adding that
"we expect that there will be action in the next few days,"
referring to the NATO "activation order" — the last step before
air strikes are launched.
[17] SERB VP WARNS FOREIGNERS IN YUGOSLAVIA: LEAVE BEFORE IT'S TOO
LATE
Foreigners who live in Yugoslavia and whose countries
could take part in a potential air strike by NATO against Serbia
have been warned by Serb vice-president Voiclav Seseli to leave
the country immediately "before it's too late."
Meanwhile, the "Kossovo Liberation Army" announced today
through Prishtina's Albanian press that it is declaring a truce as
a sign of support to the efforts exerted by the international
community to face the catastrophe born on Kossovo.
Throughout Belgrade, local authorities have plastered signs
on the walls guiding the residents on the protection measures that
need to be taken in case of a NATO air strike.
Also, foreign diplomats have left Belgrade, following
instructions from their embassies.
The Association of Greeks in Serbia "Rigas Fereos" has also
issued an announcement stating that " the threats launched against
Serbia are unacceptable and do not contribute to a peaceful
solution in the region's problems."
Nevertheless, in spite of these threats, the announcement
also adds that Greeks residing in the country will not leave.
[18] NEW MILOSEVIC-HALBROOKE MEETING
US envoy Richard Halbrooke will meet again today with
Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.
According to information, the US official will present to
Milosevic the 6 conditions set by the international community
among them, the immediate end of violence and the simultaneous
withdrawal of all the security forces and heavy weapons from
Kosovo.
[19] ANNAN: A RESOLUTION ON THE GREEK-FYROM DISPUTE IS BEING
PREPARED BY THE UN
A resolution on the solution of all the unresolved issues
between FYROM and Greece is being prepared by the United Nations
in cooperation with the special mediator in the Greek-FYROM
dispute, Mr. Cyrus Vance.
The above statement was made by UN secretary-general Kofi
Annan in an interview to the Skopje magazine "M-EXPRES". Mr. Annan
stressed that even though no complete agreement has been reached
it is to the benefit of the two neighbors to find a mutually
acceptable solution and a way to co-exist.
On the issue of Kosovo, the UN secretary-general underlined
that measures should be taken immediately for the sheltering of
the refugees in order to avert a humanitarian disaster in view of
the winter ahead. He also mentioned that the UN Security Council
has demanded the end of the hostilities and the peaceful solution
of the dispute through consultations.
[20] THE US AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA CONDEMNED TURKEY'S STANCE ON THE
CYPRUS ISSUE
The US ambassador to Ankara speaking in the 19th conference
of US-Turkish organizations in the United States that was held at
a Washington hotel yesterday, condemned Turkey's stance toward the
US efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The US
ambassador stressed that Washington is disappointed because Ankara
does not support enough the US efforts aimed at bring the two
sides to the negotiating table.
The ambassador of the United States made it clear that the
White House will not stop the efforts for the solution of the
Cyprus problem, stressing that the risks are great. He also
pointed out that as time passes the solution of the Cyprus problem
will become harder, adding that the status quo is not stable
neither moves toward a good direction for the Turkish or the
Turkish Cypriot interests.
[21] RUSSIA: YUGOSLAVIA CAN CONFRONT THE NATO MISSILES
Yugoslavia can confront the "Tomahawk" missiles in an
effective way in case of a NATO attack, according to the Russian
news agency Itar-Tass, citing statements made by a high ranking
army official.
The Russian official, who requested to remain anonymous,
maintained that the Yugoslav army has the active and passive
defense mechanisms to either destroy or lead away the missiles
flying at a low altitude.
Meanwhile, according to press reports on the "London Times"
newspaper, Slobodan Milosevic's security forces have been supplied
with up-to-date Russian ground-to-air missiles which can be very
effective in the case of NATO air strikes.
[22] THE GREEK MILITARY FORCE WILL REMAIN IN ALBANIA FOR SIX MORE
MONTHS
The Albanian parliamentary committee of foreign affairs
decided on the extension of the Greek military presence in Albania
for 6 more months.
In exclusive statements to MPA, committee member and
Parliament deputy Luan Rama pointed out that the decision was made
taking under consideration the fact that certain projects that are
underway with the assistance of the Greek military force must be
completed.
Mr. Rama denied the allegations coming mainly from the
opposition according to which, the decision is linked to the
existing situation in Albania.
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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