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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-08

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 8, 1999

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] DEFENSE MINISTER: GREECE REMAINS A FORCE OF STABILITY
  • [02] FINDINGS ON OCALAN INQUIRY TO BE GIVEN TO CHIEF PROSECUTOR
  • [03] FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY: PM IS STRONG, SUPPORTED BY PASOK
  • [04] GREEKS DISSATISFIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT, ACCORDING TO POLL
  • [05] REPPAS: SIMITIS REMAINS BEST GUARANTEE FOR COUNTRY'S COURSE
  • [06] CYPRIOT WOMEN GIVE PROTEST RESOLUTION TO TURKISH EMBASSY IN ATHENS
  • [07] GREEK AND TURKISH LOBBIES TO HOLD JOINT CONVENTION
  • [08] US MARINES IN LITOCHORO, FOR "ALEXANDER THE GREAT" EXERCISE
  • [09] QUAKE OF 4.9 RICHTER ROCKS PELOPONNESE, NO DAMAGES
  • [10] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS WARNS OF DECLINING BIRTH RATE
  • [11] GREECE TO HAVE WORLD'S THIRD OLDEST POPULATION BY 2020
  • [12] FM MEETS WITH POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS FOR BRIEFING SESSIONS
  • [13] REPPAS' COMMENTS ON THE RECENT OPINION POLL
  • [14] REPPAS: THIRD COUNTRIES WANT TO RAISE OBSTACLES TO GREECE'S COURSE TOWARD THE EMU
  • [15] REPPAS: THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO KENYA REPORT WAS NOT LEAKED TO THE PRESS BY THE GOVERNMENT
  • [16] REPPAS: WE SHOULD NOT BE TRAPPED BY TURKEY'S AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR
  • [17] SIMITIS: THE POLITICAL CLIMATE WILL NOT AFFECT GREECE'S COURSE TO THE EMU
  • [18] STEPHANOPOULOS-SIMITIS MEETING
  • [19] CROSS-PARTY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ISSUES PROPOSED BY GIORGOS PAPANDREOU
  • [20] EXHIBITION ON "THE GREEKS OF THE WORLD" IN THE EURO- PARLIAMENT
  • [21] MILLIONS OF WOMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE THE VICTIMS OF DISCRIMINATION
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [22] GREEK BANKS TO COOPERATE WITH BEOGRADCA BANK
  • [23] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER OFFICIALLY VISITS UNITED STATES
  • [24] GREECE MIGHT COMPLY WITH JAT FLIGHT EMBARGO AS OF MARCH 11
  • [25] GREEK FM DOES NOT FORESEE "WARM EPISODE" WITH TURKEY
  • [26] KENYANS HANDED OCALAN OVER TO TURKEY, SAYS HIS ATTORNEY
  • [27] THE KOSSOVO LIBERATION ARMY DECIDES IF IT WILL SIGN THE PEACE PLAN
  • [28] THE HELSINKI WATCH CONDEMNS THE INCIDENTS IN SKOPJE

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] DEFENSE MINISTER: GREECE REMAINS A FORCE OF STABILITY

    Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has warned Turkey to "stop playing with fire", saying it would have no-one but itself to blame if things got out of hand."

    We have given the assurance as a force for peace and stability in the region that we have no inclination and that we do not follow the slippery road of threats," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated, adding "but we make clear our decisiveness and readiness to answer to any provocation, every threat in the necessary effective manner which is demanded by the need to protect peace, and the rights of the Greek people."

    [02] FINDINGS ON OCALAN INQUIRY TO BE GIVEN TO CHIEF PROSECUTOR

    The findings on the prosecutor's inquiry of civilian involvement in the Ocalan Affair are to be turned over to the chief prosecutor of Athens George Koliokostas either today or tomorrow. According to early reports, at least five persons will be held liable.

    Meanwhile, criminal charges have been filed against all those responsible for leaking the classified report of former Ambassador to Kenya George Kostoulas to the press. The charges concern the violation of state secrets through the press, being an accessory prior to the fact, and the violation of legislative provisions relating to the press. Any persons deemed to have acted illegally may face charges of providing classified documents to the press, which is a felony offense.

    [03] FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY: PM IS STRONG, SUPPORTED BY PASOK

    Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Grigoris Niotis has stated that the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is strong and is enjoying the support of all the members of the ruling PASOK party, a fact which will be confirmed during the party's oncoming congress.

    Mr. Niotis was commenting on the opposition parties' call for the Premier's resignation and added that the opposition's tactics are to be judged by those to whom it aims, "and I think it aims towards the Greek people."

    [04] GREEKS DISSATISFIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT, ACCORDING TO POLL

    The Greek public is dissatisfied with the ruling PASOK's government's policy in a number of areas, with the exception of the state's target of entering the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), according to a recent poll published today in an Athens daily.

    The poll's questionnaire concerned seven sectors of the state's policy (economy, foreign policy, health, education, unemployment, public order, EMU). An astounding 77.1% of those asked responded that they have little or no trust in the government's policy in six of the aforementioned sectors, while trusting the policy in only one of the sectors.

    A mere 5.2% of those polled have a great degree of trust for more than three and up to all seven sectors of the state's policy.

    Moreover, 39.5% of those questioned responded that they are not at all satisfied with the way the Premier exercises his duties, with 36.7% responding that they are somewhat satisfied, 18.2% quite satisfied and 3.9% very satisfied.

    Regarding the popularity of government officials, Foreign Misnter George Papandreou is ahead with 50%, followed by Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos with 44.2%, Evangelos Venizelos 39.2%, Vaso Papandreou 36.2%, Kostas Laliotis 32.8%, Giannos Papantoniou 31.1% and Kostas Simitis with 29.2%.

    [05] REPPAS: SIMITIS REMAINS BEST GUARANTEE FOR COUNTRY'S COURSE

    Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas disagrees with the Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who called for an expanded reshuffle in the cabinet and a shift in policy after the ruling PASOK party's congress, while he stresses that an issue of leadership should not be set forth in case PASOK is defeated in the European parliament elections.

    "Talk of changing leadership is made without a reason, unless there is a reason that deals exclusively with the control of power," Mr. Reppas told an Athens daily.

    Referring to the proposed reshuffle, Mr. Reppas reminded that there were two reshuffles in the past six months and many of the ministers arrived in office just recently. "Talk of a new cabinet maintains uncertainty and recreates scenarios and suspicions of exercised personal policies which aim, again, at controlling power," Mr. Reppas said, advising the Defense Minister to maintain his political stance that has rendered him credible and popular.

    Referring to the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, Mr. Reppas stated that he remains the best guarantee for the country's outlook and expressed the conviction that when the time of judgment comes, the Greek people will once again illustrate their trust.

    [06] CYPRIOT WOMEN GIVE PROTEST RESOLUTION TO TURKISH EMBASSY IN ATHENS

    A group of displaced Cypriot women are to hand a protest resolution to the Turkish Embassy in Athens today, on the occasion of the International Day of Women.

    This evening, the same group will stage an event this evening at the Unknown Soldier Monument in Athens, protesting Turkey's continued violation of the Cypriot people's human rights and especially of the women.

    [07] GREEK AND TURKISH LOBBIES TO HOLD JOINT CONVENTION

    The Greek-American community has undertaken the initiative to hold a joint conference between the Greek and Turkish lobbies in the United States, according to the President of the World Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens, who also said that the conference, the first of its kind, will be held during the month of May in Washington.

    Speaking to a Thessaloniki daily, Mr. Athens stated that "we must now speak of peace and that is why we have enforced the ‘Initiative for Peace' ."

    He added that "the Turks are our neighbors, whether we like it or not. We do not want Greece or Turkey to suffer a war. But Greece, since Turkey continues with its armaments (pile up ) cannot be left behind in this sector."

    Referring to the Ocalan case, Mr. Athens stated that Greece will overcome the crisis and will enjoy the support of SAE, while he also stated that Turkey will try to benefit politically by continuing to accuse Greece of harboring terrorism.

    [08] US MARINES IN LITOCHORO, FOR "ALEXANDER THE GREAT" EXERCISE

    United States armored tanks have arrived at the port of Litochoro, central Greece, within the framework of the Greek-US joint military exercise "Alexander the Great", currently underway in the Aegean.

    According to military sources, the four tanks and their personnel are in the region for training and their presence is not related with the NATO forces presently in Thessaloniki which are destined for FYROM.

    [09] QUAKE OF 4.9 RICHTER ROCKS PELOPONNESE, NO DAMAGES

    A strong earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale shook the region of Elia this morning at 7:10, with its epicenter located in the vicinity of Zacharo.

    The tremor reverberated throughout the Peloponnese peninsula, although no damages were reported.

    [10] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS WARNS OF DECLINING BIRTH RATE

    The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos warned of the dangers of Greece's declining, which he considers to be the country's dominant problem.

    Addressing the Panhellenic Association of Large Families, Mr. Christodoulos announced that the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece plans to pay families having a third child a monthly benefit of 40,000 drachmas.

    The program will begin with the northeastern region of Thrace and may be extended to other areas.

    [11] GREECE TO HAVE WORLD'S THIRD OLDEST POPULATION BY 2020

    Greece will have the world's third oldest population by the year 2020 due to its declining birth rate and increasing life expectancy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    The WHO has reported that there will be over one billion people over the age of sixty in the world 20 years from now, nearly double the current number.

    The "oldest" countries that year will be Japan and Italy, each with 31 percent of their populations being at least 60 years old, according to the report.

    They will be followed by Greece, Switzerland and Finland, each at 28 percent.

    [12] FM MEETS WITH POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS FOR BRIEFING SESSIONS

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to complete his round of contacts with the country's political party leaders today, wherein he personally conveys to them the position and the actions taken by his ministry on the Ocalan issue.

    Today, Mr. Papandreou will meet with the secretary-general of the Communist Party Of Greece Aleka Paparega.

    Moreover, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to meet today with Miltiades Evert, the former president of the main opposition party New Democracy whom he will brief on the latest developments and Ankara's provocations against Greece.

    [13] REPPAS' COMMENTS ON THE RECENT OPINION POLL

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, commenting on the results of an opinion poll according to which, the voters appear very displeased with the government, while the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leads the socialist governing party of PASOK with 7 percentage points, stated that it is not wise to ignore the results of opinion polls, adding however that the final opinion poll will be the election results.

    To a question on the view expressed by minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos that the issue of leadership should be raised in PASOK in case the party is defeated in the European Parliament elections, Mr. Reppas responded that the prime minister and the government will be judged by the people in the national elections of the year 2000.

    [14] REPPAS: THIRD COUNTRIES WANT TO RAISE OBSTACLES TO GREECE'S COURSE TOWARD THE EMU

    The government has dealt with relative success with the successive crises that broke out as a result of the Ocalan affair and guarantees the safe and steady course of the country and the fulfillment of the goals it has set, stressed Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    He accused certain "third countries", without naming them, of trying to raise obstacles to the course of the country toward the EMU by causing disorganization and destabilization problems.

    On the stance of prime minister Kostas Simitis in the Ocalan affair, he stated that no government minister got any orders by cabinet council secretary Mr. Sokratis Kosmidis. He said that Mr. Simitis was being briefed and that this does not mean that he did not have talks with the then foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos when it was necessary. He said that Mr. Simitis had been briefed on the general framework of the policy followed and not on its practical application.

    [15] REPPAS: THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO KENYA REPORT WAS NOT LEAKED TO THE PRESS BY THE GOVERNMENT

    The government did not leak to the press former Greek ambassador to Kenya Mr. Kostoulas report, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and characterized as unacceptable the allegations made by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman according to which, it was the government that leaked the report to the press, saying that those statements show spitefulness toward the prime minister and the government.

    Regarding the report itself, Mr. Reppas said that the government has no reason whatsoever to dispute its authenticity, adding that it describes the events as they were experienced and perceived by the ambassador and that his account of the events must be evaluated in combination with the testimonies of other officials. He also underlined that there is no second report submitted by Mr. Kostoulas.

    [16] REPPAS: WE SHOULD NOT BE TRAPPED BY TURKEY'S AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

    The aggressive and provocative stance of Turkey is a bad sign and we should not be trapped by it, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    He said that Turkey wants to maintain the tension and has made Greece an enemy target in order to lead the Turkish people away from its true problems, while on the statements made by prime minister Bulent Ecevit, he commented that he must have a lot of nerve to make such false references.

    To the question if Turkey wants to block Greece's course toward the EMU, Mr. Reppas responded that Ankara is not happy with the course of Greece because Turkey itself is a very long way from becoming a member of the European Union.

    [17] SIMITIS: THE POLITICAL CLIMATE WILL NOT AFFECT GREECE'S COURSE TO THE EMU

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis, after the meeting he had with president Kostis Stephanopoulos in order to brief him on the current economic and political developments, expressed the view that the political climate in the country will not affect Greece's course toward the EMU. Mr. Simitis said that the economic indexes show a steady improvement and it can be seen by anyone that inflation is on the decline, while there is progress in all general economic indexes.

    The prime minister characterized his cooperation with president Stephanopoulos as very good. Mr. Simitis expressed the hope that there will be positive developments in the negotiations with the EU on issues concerning resources and programs, he also characterized as positive the fact that the German EU presidency does not persist anymore on the co-funding of the agriculture policy that would have cost about 1 trillion drachmas to Greece for 6 years.

    [18] STEPHANOPOULOS-SIMITIS MEETING

    Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos, welcoming prime minister Kostas Simitis to the presidential building, stated that "it is very important to strengthen the trust of the people in the country's forces".

    From his side, the prime minister stated that "we will meet all our goals, not just the EMU, in spite of the difficulties". He also said that the government can do a lot and will prove it.

    [19] CROSS-PARTY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ISSUES PROPOSED BY GIORGOS PAPANDREOU

    Minister of foreign affairs Giorgos Papandreou, who will convey the views of the opposition to the prime minister, will submit a written proposal requesting that each political party of the opposition appoint a representative to participate in the cross-party committee on national issues that will be established. Mr. Papandreou completed his contacts today with the leaders of the opposition parties with the meeting he had with Greek Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga.

    Referring to the likelihood of a "hot incident" with Turkey he reiterated that Greece does not make a distinction between a small or a large scale incident. Ms. Papariga, even though she stated that she does not believe in the likelihood of a "hot incident", she added that is not impossible for the Turkish leadership to do that.

    [20] EXHIBITION ON "THE GREEKS OF THE WORLD" IN THE EURO- PARLIAMENT

    The exhibition on "The Greeks of the world" based on a book under the same title that was published by the Literary and Arts Center "Apopsi" will be presented in the Euro-Parliament on March 15-26.

    The goal of the exhibition is to promote the significant achievements of the modern Greek culture at an international level. The European deputies and all the visitors of the exhibition will have the opportunity to learn that Greece is not just the sun, the sea and the ancient Greek civilization. They will learn about the cultural achievements of contemporary Greeks and be more aware of the thought and intellect of modern Greece.

    Among the Greeks who have promoted Greece's name around the world are Nikos Poulantzas, Nikos Kazantzakis, Mitropoulos, Maria Kallas, Nelly, Fotopoulos and many others.

    [21] MILLIONS OF WOMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE THE VICTIMS OF DISCRIMINATION

    Millions of women all over the world are suffering from ignorance and discrimination. At the dawn of the new millennium practices like the removal of genitals are still in effect, while thousands of women are the victims of rape during wars and for the sake of national purposes. Millions of girls do not receive basic education, while they are more malnourished compared to the boys in the same family.

    On the occasion of the World Woman's Day celebrated today, UNICEF published facts on the condition of women around the world. According to them, 14.3 million teenage women become mothers, 2 million girls aged between 4-12 years old suffer mutilation of their genital organs within the framework of a practice widely followed in Africa aimed at confirming the total subjugation of women to men.

    The practice of systematic rapes as a weapon of war and in cases of ethnic cleansing from Liberia to Bosnia-Herzegovina and from Rwanda to Cambodia has become widely spread in the past two decades. It is estimated that at least 20.000 rapes were committed by soldiers of all sides since 1992 when the Bosnian war started.

    On education, 81 million children of the 130 million, who do not receive basic education, are girls and the result is for them to be less trained for work and have less economic independence compared to boys.

    The girls are discriminated against even in the food they receive compared to the boys in the same family, which means that 40% of women in the developing countries are malnourished.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [22] GREEK BANKS TO COOPERATE WITH BEOGRADCA BANK

    Yugoslavia's Beogradca Bank is developing cooperation with three Greek banks, National Bank, Piraeus Bank and Commercial Bank, as well as financial institutions from four other countries. Greece, China, Russia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have approved a limit of medium-term loans up to $500 million, according to Beogradca's director. A.F.

    [23] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER OFFICIALLY VISITS UNITED STATES

    The leader of the country's main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, has embarked on his first official visit to the United States.

    According to his itinerary, Mr. Karamanlis will give an interview to Cable News Network (CNN) today, and hold talks with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright tomorrow, vice-president Al Gore on Thursday, and UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and Archbishop Spyridon on Friday.

    The ND leader will also visit the universities of Tufts and Harvard, the Wall Street Journal and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in addition to giving a speech to the Greater New York Federation of Greek Societies.

    Mr. Karamanlis is accompanied by New Democracy MPs Petros Molyviatis, Vassilis Magginas and Fani Palli-Petralia.

    [24] GREECE MIGHT COMPLY WITH JAT FLIGHT EMBARGO AS OF MARCH 11

    Greece might comply with a European Union embargo imposed on the Yugoslav national air carrier JAT six months ago, according to JAT'S general director Zika Petrovic.

    Mr. Petrovic stated that as a result of the Sept. 7, 1998 embargo on JAT, 70 per cent of the Yugoslav market is controlled by foreign companies.

    Greece did not enforce the embargo on Yugoslavia regarding air transport at the time, because a bilateral Greek-Yugoslav agreement was already in place, and set to expire six months later.

    As the agreement has expired, Greece is now compelled to enforce the embargo in order to avoid legal action in the European Court for failing to comply.

    Greece could begin enforcing the embargo on March 11.

    [25] GREEK FM DOES NOT FORESEE "WARM EPISODE" WITH TURKEY

    Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou has dismissed reports of Ankara preparing a "minor episode" in Cyprus, adding that Turkey would not proceed to creating any "warm episode" with Greece.

    Speaking to the Cypriot daily "Fileleftheros", part of which was broadcast by BBC's radio, Mr. Papandreou stressed that a military incident between Greece and Turkey would certainly be major and could lead to a confrontation between the two countries, even leading to war.

    Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides agreed that Ankara would not even proceed to the "senseless thought of an episode", albeit he added that Hellenism should be in a state of readiness.

    [26] KENYANS HANDED OCALAN OVER TO TURKEY, SAYS HIS ATTORNEY

    It was the Kenyans who handed Abdullah Ocalan over to Turkey, according to one of the PKK leader's attorneys.

    Ahmet Zeni Okcuoglou, conveying testimony given by his client, told the German periodical "Der Spiegel" that Mr. Ocalan said he was not arrested by Turkish agents, but, rather, Kenyan agents turned him over to them.

    [27] THE KOSSOVO LIBERATION ARMY DECIDES IF IT WILL SIGN THE PEACE PLAN

    The leadership of the ethnic Albanian separatists decides today if it will sign the international peace plan on Kossovo which provides for the disarmament of the Kossovo Liberation Army and does not include their demand for a referendum on independence.

    It should be noted that the second round of talks between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanians is scheduled to take place in Rambouillet, France on March 15.

    [28] THE HELSINKI WATCH CONDEMNS THE INCIDENTS IN SKOPJE

    The office of the human rights committee Helsinki Watch in Skopje condemned the incidents that take place in the capital of FYROM between Slav and Albanian students in the past 20 days.

    In a statement published in the local press, the Helsinki Watch points out that the recent incidents in Skopje hurt the picture created internationally concerning the improvement of relations between the different ethnic entities in FYROM and can affect negatively the efforts of the country to become a member of NATO and the European Union.

    The Helsinki Watch office in Skopje also mentions that the violent incidents taking place can spread and can have a big effect on the country.

    The latest incident between Albanian and Slav students occurred last Friday evening at a Skopje suburb when tens of Albanians attacked two young Slavs with iron bars and wooden clubs. On Saturday night, similar clashes erupted in Tetovo without serious injuries.


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