Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-01-25
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 25, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EDUCATION MINISTER TO MEET WITH HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS TODAY
[02] FARMERS TO MEET WITH AGRICULTURE MINISTER TODAY
[03] NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE SLASHES LOAN AND DEPOSIT RATES
[04] POLITICAL LEADERS POPULARITY DECLINING, ACCORDING TO POLL
[05] REPPAS: THE OLYMPIC IDEAL MUST REMAIN INTACT
[06] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN IS OPTIMISTIC ON THE ARSENIS-
TEACHERS' UNION MEETING
[07] THE MEETING BETWEEN THE EDUCATION MINISTER AND THE TEACHERS'
UNION WILL TAKE PLACE THIS AFTERNOON
[08] REPPAS: THE PEOPLE WILL JUDGE THE GOVERNMENT BY ITS WORK IN
THE YEAR 2000
[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS: THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
REJECTS NATIONALISM
[10] 36 OTTOMAN FERMANS SHED LIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF KOZANI, NORTH-
WESTERN GREECE
[11] THE 15TH AGROTICA WILL OPEN ITS DOORS ON WEDNESDAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] IOC MEMBERS FACE EXPULSION AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY
[13] US SENATE TO DECIDE ON FATE OF CLINTON'S TRIAL
[14] GREEK DEPUTIES ATTEND COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEETING TODAY
[15] EU FOREIGN MINSTERS DISCUSS KOSOVO ISSUE
[16] GREECE'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER IN THE US PROMOTING TIES
[17] AUSTRALIAN FM DENOUNCES OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS
[18] UN INTICES ALBANIA WITH AID IN EXCHANGE TO WEAPONS
[19] ALBANIAN TEACHERS DECLARE INDEFINITE STRIKE
[20] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER SPEAKS ON TURKEY'S EUROPEAN VOCATION
[21] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE S-300 WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE
GREEK SYSTEM OF DEFENSE
[22] NEW BOMBARDMENT OF IRAQ
[23] WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE THE VICTIMS OF THE AIR STRIKE IN
VASORA
[24] THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET ON KOSOVO
[25] PEOPLE ARE NOT PLACED UNDER SURVEILLANCE IN GREECE BECAUSE OF
THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EDUCATION MINISTER TO MEET WITH HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS TODAY
The administrative council of the Secondary Education
Teachers Federation (OLME) is to meet with the Minster of
Education Gerasimos Arsenis today. The teachers are proposing
changes in the academic reforms which could alleviate the present
deadlock in the sector.
Meanwhile, the teachers are conducting a 24-hour strike
today, while the students' coordinating committees have decided to
hold massive rallies on Thursday, January 28 and on February 5.
[02] FARMERS TO MEET WITH AGRICULTURE MINISTER TODAY
Central Greece's farmers committee members, who are planning
a series of protests starting next week, are to meet with the
Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis today who will try to
secure a promise that they will not block the roads with their
tractors.
The meeting will determine whether or not they farmers will
actually conduct
the protests.
[03] NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE SLASHES LOAN AND DEPOSIT RATES
The National Bank of Greece, the country's largest commercial
bank slashed its loan and deposit rates today, a decision taken as
a result of a sharp decline in interest rates "and National Bank's
strategy of offering its customers competitive products, "
according to the bank's governor Theodoros Karatzas .
Among other rate declines, the savings deposit rate is
dropping to 8.0 percent from 8.50 percent, the current account
rate to 6.5 percent from 7.0 percent, and the business rate for
operating capital to 12.50 percent from 13.75 percent.
In addition, the bank will allow customers who have fixed
rate housing loans to switch to a floating rate.
Mr. Karatzas has also announced that two centers for
financing small and medium- sized enterprises will open in
Thessaloniki.
[04] POLITICAL LEADERS POPULARITY DECLINING, ACCORDING TO POLL
The popularity of the country's political leaders is on the
decline, according to a poll conducted by the V. PRC company, and
whose results are published today in an Athens daily.
The present poll, conducted between January 18-22, compares
its data with numbers gathered in a similar poll held in November
of 1998.
The leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress party
(Synaspismos) Nikos Constantopoulos continues to hold first place
(44.4%), albeit with a marked decline from last November's rate
(51.4).
He is followed by: the Democratic and Social Movement (DHKKI)
leader Dimitris Tsovolas 36.4% (last November's rate was 45.8%);
main opposition party leader, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis
with 34.4% as opposed to 39.1%;
Prime Minster Kostas Simitis with 24,8% (as opposed to 32,4%)
the secretary-general of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka
Paparega with 17,2% (17,3%) and the leader of Political Spring
Antonis Samaras with 12,7% (17,5%).
According to the given responses, the positive assessments
for the government present a small decline (13,8% as opposed to
14,2%), whereas the negative assessments have increased by 10
percentage points as 56.7% of those polled stated that they are
"not at all satisfied" with the government.
The highest degree of dissatisfaction emanates from the lower
economic classes where the "absolutely negative" assessments
amounted to 65% of those questioned, while only 10% gave positive
answers.
[05] REPPAS: THE OLYMPIC IDEAL MUST REMAIN INTACT
The Olympic ideal should remain intact and it can not be hurt
by the reprehensible acts of certain members of the International
Olympic Committee.
The above were stated by Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas responding to a question by reporters on the corruption
scandal involving members of the IOC.
[06] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN IS OPTIMISTIC ON THE ARSENIS-
TEACHERS' UNION MEETING
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas appeared optimistic that
today's meeting of education minister Gerasimos Arsenis with
representatives of the teachers' union will lead to the
normalising of the situation in the sector of education.
The government spokesman accused the political parties of the
opposition of irresponsibility and impressive absence of ideas.
[07] THE MEETING BETWEEN THE EDUCATION MINISTER AND THE TEACHERS'
UNION WILL TAKE PLACE THIS AFTERNOON
The street blockades by students continued today, while the
teachers of secondary and primary education are on a 24hour
strike. The meeting of minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis
with the presiding board of the main teachers' union will take
place this afternoon.
In Thessaloniki, the teachers held a protest march that ended
up outside the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace building. On Thursday,
the students will organise protest rallies in all the big cities
across the country, while the coordinating bodies responsible for
the school-building occupations also decided to hold a new rally.
[08] REPPAS: THE PEOPLE WILL JUDGE THE GOVERNMENT BY ITS WORK IN
THE YEAR 2000
The government leaves others to be fascinated by the meaning
of public opinion polls while it continues its work and it will
have again the confidence of the people in the next elections,
said government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to the
opinion poll published by the Athens newspaper "TA NEA" which
shows a decline in the popularity rates of the government.
Mr. Reppas said that public opinion polls are useful tools
and their messages should not be underestimated adding however
that the government is not in a difficult position. He said that
the people will judge the government by the truthfulness of its
work and not by the lies of the opposition parties.
[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS: THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
REJECTS NATIONALISM
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in an interview with the
newspaper "Exousia" distinguishes healthy patriotism from
pathological nationalism.
Responding to a question on the nationalist tendencies
characterizing certain Orthodox Churches in south-eastern Europe,
the Ecumenical Patriarch underlines that the Orthodox Church
respects the national peculiarities of each people and describes
patriotism as a duty, while it rejects as a sect nationalism and
racism.
On the relations of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the
Church of Greece the Ecumenical Patriarch notes that they continue
to be good, while on the dialogue between the Orthodox and the
Catholic Church he points out that is being held having as a goal
the gradual solution of the problems. On the issue of the Orthodox
Christians who refer to the Pope, he said that any initiative and
responsibility for the interruption of the dialogue will belong
from now on to the Roman-Catholic Church as the Christian Orthodox
Church does not request anything more than the recognition of what
was jointly agreed upon concerning this issue.
[10] 36 OTTOMAN FERMANS SHED LIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF KOZANI, NORTH-
WESTERN GREECE
Thirty-six Ottoman fermans dating back from the 18th century
to early 20th century, are being translated and will be published
before the end of the year by Kozani's Institute of Book and
Reading.
Those translations will shed light on the history of Kozani
during the period of the Ottoman rule as the specific fermans
refer to the taxation system, trade issues, church organization,
appointments of bishops and metropolites as well as the
maintenance and construction of church and school buildings.
The fermans, that are being kept in the Municipal Library of
Kozani, offer significant information on the economic and social
history of the Christians who lived in the Ottoman Empire.
[11] THE 15TH AGROTICA WILL OPEN ITS DOORS ON WEDNESDAY
The 15th exhibition of farm machinery and equipment
"AGROTICA" will open its doors in Thessaloniki on Wednesday with
the participation of 1.218 Greek and foreign exhibitors.
The fair will cover a space of 37.000 square meters and it is
expected to attract the interest of over 100.000 visitors compared
to 84.000 last year. According to the organizers, in the
exhibition will participate 128 companies members of the European
Union ( a participation increased by 12% compared to last year)
and they will cover a space of 9.400 square meters.
The 15th AGROTICA is radically different compared to all the
previous ones as the sector of cattle raising is not included this
time. A separate cattle-raising sector fair under the name
"Zootechnia" is scheduled to be held in September with the
participation of 400 exhibitors.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] IOC MEMBERS FACE EXPULSION AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY
Six members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have
the threat of expulsion hanging over their heads, after an inquiry
into allegations of corruption surrounding Salt Lake City's
successful bid for the 2002 winter games.
IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said he was "profoundly
saddened" at the conduct of the individuals concerned and
apologized to followers of the Games. He said the members in
question had violated their Olympic oath and "the trust that had
been placed in them". They will be temporarily suspended until
March, when the recommendation for their expulsion is put before
a special meeting of the IOC general assembly.
A seventh official implicated in the scandal announced
yesterday that he is resigning from the IOC. The IOC members
recommended for expulsion are: Agustin Arroyo of Ecuador, Jean-
Claude Ganga of Republic of Congo, Zein El Abdin Ahmed Abdel Gadir
of Sudan, Lamine Keita of Mali, Charles Mukora of Kenya and Sergio
Santander of Chile.
[13] US SENATE TO DECIDE ON FATE OF CLINTON'S TRIAL
The impeachment trial of United States President Bill Clinton
resumes today, And the senators' first order of business will be
to complete their submission of written questions to prosecutors
and the defense team before considering whether to dismiss the
case or call witnesses.
Over 100 written questions were submitted on Friday and
Saturday and once the questions round is over, a motion will be
tabled to dismiss the perjury and obstruction-of-justice charges
against Mr. Clinton. A debate will follow and then the 100-member
Senate, by a majority vote, could go into closed session to
discuss the motion.
Once those deliberations are completed the Senate could
proceed to considering another motion, that is to authorize the
House prosecutors to formally depose, or question, witnesses under
oath, among them Monica Lewinsky.
If the motion to dismiss is approved by a majority vote, then
the impeachment trial will be over.
[14] GREEK DEPUTIES ATTEND COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEETING TODAY
Eleven Greek parliamentarians are presently in Strasbourg
where they will participate in the first part of the 1999 Meeting
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The sessions of the meeting, which will begin today, will
address a number of issues including commitments and obligations
of Turkey as a CoE member-state, the creation of an enlarged
Europe, religion and democracy, the crisis in the Yugoslav
province of Kosovo, the situation in Federal Yugoslavia and
internal security in Europe.
[15] EU FOREIGN MINSTERS DISCUSS KOSOVO ISSUE
The European Union's Foreign Ministers are to meet in
Brussels today in order to discuss a new plan to resolve the
Kosovo crisis. The said plan is being deliberated by the EU in
cooperation with the Contact Group and NATO.
Among others, it threatens the use of force in order to
compel both sides to stop the conflict and to re-start
negotiations.
According to Serb press reports, which quote EU officials,
the Foreign Ministers are to examine the European Commissions
report, calling for intensifying the sanctions against Yugoslavia
and asking Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw his
police force and troops from Kosovo, confirming the ongoing
operation of the OSCE verification mission and allowing the
Criminal Court of Justice at the Hague to embark on an
investigation concerning the Racak events.
[16] GREECE'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER IN THE US PROMOTING TIES
Greece's Development Minister Vaso Papandreou is presently on
an official visit to the United States where she is promoting
closer Greek-US economic relations and the investment
opportunities offered by Greece for American investors.
Today Ms. Papandreou will address an event at the Harvard
Club in New York, organized jointly by the Greek-American Chamber
of Commerce and the American-Greek Trade Council.
[17] AUSTRALIAN FM DENOUNCES OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS
Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer denounced the
"illegal" occupation of Cyprus by Turkey, during his address at
the conference of the Federation of Australia's Cypriot
Communities.
Mr. Downer stated that an end must be put to the illegal
occupation of part of Cyprus and assured the conference
participants, among them Australian political figures, that his
country remained staunchly supportive to Cyprus' territorial
integrity and to finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, based on
United Nations resolutions.
[18] UN INTICES ALBANIA WITH AID IN EXCHANGE TO WEAPONS
The United Nations is launching a program this month designed
to encourage Albanians to hand over the weapons seized from
military depots at the 1997 insurrection.
According to the French news agency AFP, the UN's bait is an
improved standard of living and jobs.
The man in charge of the program, Philip Pierce stated that
"we aim to encourage them to surrender their arms while enabling
them to obtain better conditions, telecommunications, an efficient
road system and work."
According to Albanian officials, more than one million guns
were taken from military depots during the unrest which broke out
after the collapse of speculative savings schemes.
[19] ALBANIAN TEACHERS DECLARE INDEFINITE STRIKE
Albania's primary and secondary education teachers declare a
strike of indefinite duration today, following the government's
refusal to meet their economic demands, among them salary
increases of 20%.
Following marathon talks on Saturday, the government
counterproposed a salary increase of 10% which was flatly rejected
by the teachers.
[20] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER SPEAKS ON TURKEY'S EUROPEAN VOCATION
The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New
Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, participated in the Istanbul-held
joint meeting of the presidium and directing committee of the
European Democratic Union (EDU), of which he is vice-chairman.
In an interview with the Ankara daily "Hurriyet", Mr.
Karamanlis expressed support for Turkey's European prospects,
saying "we support a Turkey which will meet and fulfill all
European prospects and will be a more compatible neighbor for
Greece."
Mr. Karamanlis said this meant that Turkey will also honor
absolutely and fulfill obligations and terms set by the European
Union concerning the need for the country's complete
democratization, respect for human rights and minorities, the
denunciation of force or the threat of the use of force, show
absolute respect for international law and treaties and resolve to
find a solution for the Kurdish issue.
The main opposition leader stated that the said issue should
be resolved through political means and denied Turkey's claims
that Greece harbors support to the PKK.
[21] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE S-300 WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE
GREEK SYSTEM OF DEFENSE
Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, in an
interview with the German-speaking Greek newspaper "Athener
Zeitung" parts of which were republished by the Romanian newspaper
"Romania Libera", underlined that the Russian-made S-300 anti-
aircraft missiles that were not installed in Cyprus will be
incorporated into the Greek system of defense.
According to the report, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, responding to a
question on the installation of the missiles in Crete, stated that
it is nothing unusual because Greece already has US-made long-
range Patriot missiles which are powerful.
The minister of defense pointed out, according to the
newspaper interview, that with the incorporation of those missiles
into the Greek system of defense Greece will be in the position to
deal with any attack or threat in the Aegean, while he expressed
satisfaction over the Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides' decision
to abandon the installation of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus.
[22] NEW BOMBARDMENT OF IRAQ
The allied aircraft bombed Iraq at noon today. According to
the Iraqi news agency, there are dead and wounded as a result of
the bombing.
The US Pentagon spokesman stated that air-strikes were held
in south Iraq after the provocation targeting US aircraft. Britain
stated that none of its planes was involved in the bombing.
[23] WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE THE VICTIMS OF THE AIR STRIKE IN
VASORA
Tens of people, mainly women and children, were injured in
today's air strike launched by the US and British air forces
against a suburb of the city of Vasora in southern Iraq, according
to the state-run Iraqi news agency.
Based on the Iraqi news agency, which cites the testimonies
of eye-witnesses, the missiles that hit the city come from south-
west insinuating that they were possibly launched from Saudi
Arabian territory.
[24] THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET ON KOSOVO
The foreign ministers of the European Union will discuss in
Brussels today the new plan for the solution of the crisis in
Kosovo hammered out by the community in cooperation with the
Contact Group and NATO.
The plan provides for the threat for the use of force in
order to persuade the Yugoslav and the Albanian side to end the
clashes and start new negotiations.
[25] PEOPLE ARE NOT PLACED UNDER SURVEILLANCE IN GREECE BECAUSE OF
THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
The Greek government stated, on the occasion of the Jehovah's
witnesses case that was brought before the European Court of
Justice, that people in Greece are not under surveillance because
of their religious beliefs and they will never be in the future.
The European Court of Justice judges ruled unanimously that
the deal reached between the plaintiff and the Greek government,
which agreed to pay the sum of 1.5 million drachmas to cover the
court expenses and make the statement mentioned above, shows
respect for human rights based on the European Treaty on Human
Rights.
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