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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-04-13

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, April 13, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] HIGH DEATH TOLL FOR EASTER EXODUS, THE WORST IN RECENT YEARS
  • [02] GREEK PREMIER IN BRUSSELS TOMORROW FOR EU SUMMIT
  • [03] GREEK FM: THE ROLE OF GREECE HAS BEEN UPGRADED
  • [04] PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU TO DISCUSS EUROELECTIONS, KOSOVO
  • [05] PREMIER AND DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSS ARMS PROGRAM
  • [06] SIMITIS-GLIGOROV MEETING IN THE UNITED STATES
  • [07] REPPAS: NO DOUBLE ELECTIONS IN JUNE
  • [08] REPPAS: A SIMITIS-DEMIREL MEETING IS NOT SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE US
  • [09] FOOD AID WORTH 130 MILLION DRACHMAS WILL BE SENT TO FYROM BY THESSALONIKI'S TRADE AND INDUSTRY CHAMBER
  • [10] 50 TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO BELGRADE FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALAMARIA
  • [11] SIMITIS-TSOCHATZOPOULOS MEETING ON THE ARMAMENTS PROGRAM
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [12] NATO STRIKES YUGOSLAV TRAIN WITH ROCKET, NINE KILLED
  • [13] US SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS WITH RUSSIA'S IVANOV IN OSLO
  • [14] GREEK FM MEETS WITH SECRETARY ALBRIGHT IN BRUSSELS
  • [15] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS DECIDE TO CONTINUE BOMBING SERBIA
  • [16] EUROPARLIAMENT CHIEF SPEAKS TO MPA ON YUGOSLAVIA
  • [17] TRUCKS CARRYING ARMS FOR UCK CONFISCATED IN ANCONA
  • [18] KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ASKS FOR ARMS FROM UNITED STATES
  • [19] ANOTHER ROUND OF EXPLOSIONS ROCKS PRISHTINA
  • [20] ALBANIA'S ARCHBISHOPRY OFFERS ENORMOUS RELIEF TO REFUGEES
  • [21] NEW NATO BOMBINGS IN PRISTINA
  • [22] THE ARCHBISHOPRIC OF ALBANIA OFFERS RELIEF TO THE REFUGEES
  • [23] A FORMER US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CONDEMNS CLINTON'S MOVES
  • [24] ALBRIGHT-IVANOV AGREED ON THE BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR PEACE IN KOSSOVO
  • [25] MILOSEVIC MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF GREEK POLITICAL PARTIES' YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN BELGRADE

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] HIGH DEATH TOLL FOR EASTER EXODUS, THE WORST IN RECENT YEARS

    Forty-four persons were killed and another 484 were injured in 341 traffic accidents since Thursday, when Greeks fled the cities en masse for the country sites in order to celebrate Easter.

    The highway patrol has drawn extensive preventive measures in order to safeguard the return of travelers which was expected to peak yesterday evening.

    [02] GREEK PREMIER IN BRUSSELS TOMORROW FOR EU SUMMIT

    Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to travel to Brussels tomorrow in order to take part in the European Union's Summit Council.

    The Council will meet with the European Commission's new president Romano Prodi.

    According to Mr. Simitis' itinerary, he will travel to Sofia on Thursday.

    [03] GREEK FM: THE ROLE OF GREECE HAS BEEN UPGRADED

    The Kosovo crisis has upgraded Greece's role in the region, Foreign Minister George Papandreou told the Athens daily "Ta Nea", adding that the government's policy has borne fruits.

    "In spite of the Greek public's differing views regarding NATO's operations, Greece's role is finally recognized. To begin with, the humanitarian aspect, the country's contribution to the refugee issue, the setting up of camps, and the successive visits to Albania and Skopje," Mr. Papandreou stated.

    He added that "secondly, with our potential to contribute in resolving the crisis, through our channels with the Serbs and, finally, the restoration of Yugoslavia and the Balkans, following the crisis, with Greece being the cornerstone."

    Concerning the possibility of NATO deploying ground troops in Yugoslavia, Mr. Papandreou stated that it cannot be ruled out, although he stressed that no such decision is imminent.

    [04] PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU TO DISCUSS EUROELECTIONS, KOSOVO

    The Executive Bureau of the country's ruling PASOK party is to convene today under the chairing of Prime Minster Kostas Simitis in order to discuss the upcoming European parliament elections and the latest developments in Yugoslavia.

    The party's Central Committee is to convene on Saturday in order to review preparations for the Euroelections.

    [05] PREMIER AND DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSS ARMS PROGRAM

    Defense Minster Akis Tsochatzopoulos has expressed his contained optimism over the discovery of a political solution to the crisis in Yugoslavia, following his meeting with the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

    The two men discussed the country's armed forces outfitting program, as well as the developments in Kosovo.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that there are certain approaches that aim at finding a political solution and expressed the hope that the conditions are set forth to actually allow these plans to materialize.

    [06] SIMITIS-GLIGOROV MEETING IN THE UNITED STATES

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis will meet in the United States with FYROM president Kiro Gligorov but they have no specific agenda and there is not an issue of an agreement on the name of FYROM, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    The request for the meeting was made by Mr. Gligorov and the prime minister responded positively, said Mr. Reppas, adding that the talks will be held on the sidelines of the NATO summit meeting on the occasion of the alliance's 50th anniversary.

    Mr. Reppas stated that the issue of the name is in the United Nations and the conditions for an agreement regarding FYROM's name are not ripe yet. However, he said that the fact that there are pending issues regarding the name has not stopped the two countries from improving their relations. He said that the existing situation in the Balkans has brought the two countries closer, adding that this is evident from the statements made recently by FYROM officials who recognize the important role played by Greece.

    [07] REPPAS: NO DOUBLE ELECTIONS IN JUNE

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas categorically rejected the likelihood of double elections in June.

    Mr. Reppas said that there is no such issue and added that the government is not concerned by such a likelihood.

    [08] REPPAS: A SIMITIS-DEMIREL MEETING IS NOT SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE US

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that a Simitis-Demirel meeting is not scheduled to take place in the United States, while there is no tripartite meeting planned to be held with the participation of the American leadership.

    However, Mr. Reppas did not rule out the likelihood for the Greek prime minister to shake hands with the Turkish president on the margins of the NATO summit meeting.

    [09] FOOD AID WORTH 130 MILLION DRACHMAS WILL BE SENT TO FYROM BY THESSALONIKI'S TRADE AND INDUSTRY CHAMBER

    Three trucks with food worth 130 million drachmas are scheduled to leave for FYROM. The aid was collected by Thessaloniki's Trade and Industry Chamber and it is regarded as a tangible proof that Greece does not forget the Kossovo refugees.

    According to the chamber's president, the humanitarian aid collected by the businessmen of northern Greece is enough to sustain 10.000 four-member families for seven days.

    [10] 50 TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO BELGRADE FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF KALAMARIA

    The municipality of Kalamaria collects humanitarian aid for Serbia and it is expected to arrive in Belgrade in ten days.

    The humanitarian mission will be headed by mayor of Kalamaria Christodoulos Economidis and will be made up of 50 tons of food and medicines that will be carried to Serbia with Serb trucks.

    The ministry of health is expected to issue a special permit to include in the humanitarian aid the blood that was donated by volunteers in the municipalities of Kalamaria, Pentalofos near Thessaloniki, Florina, as well as by the monks in monastery of Hilandariou in Mount Athos.

    [11] SIMITIS-TSOCHATZOPOULOS MEETING ON THE ARMAMENTS PROGRAM

    Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, immediately after the meeting he had with the prime minister to discuss the armed forces armaments program, expressed guarded optimism over the likelihood of a political solution in the crisis in Yugoslavia. The developments in Kossovo were also discussed in the meeting.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that there are certain efforts made for a political solution and expressed the hope that the pre- conditions will be created for the materialization of such an effort.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [12] NATO STRIKES YUGOSLAV TRAIN WITH ROCKET, NINE KILLED

    NATO rockets struck a passenger train crossing a rail bridge in southern Yugoslavia yesterday afternoon, killing nine people on board and wounding at least 20 others.

    According to NATO officials, the possibility of casualties cannot be excluded, despite taking "extraordinary" measures to avoid collateral damage.

    The train was not bound for Thessaloniki and no Greek journalists were on board, as was initially reported.

    Yugoslav Foreign Ministry spokesman Nebojsa Vujovic called the attack "a great tragedy, great crime against humanity in broad daylight."

    Meanwhile, the Alliance continues with its raids, focusing its targets on industrial sites. At the same time, ethnic Albanians continue to flee Kosovo. seeking refuge in Albania and FYROM.

    [13] US SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS WITH RUSSIA'S IVANOV IN OSLO

    US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is to meet with her Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov in Oslo today, as part of an effort to reach a political solution to the Yugoslav crisis.

    US Secretary of Defense William Cohen has reiterated that the Clinton Administration is satisfied with the results of the raids in Yugoslavia. Furthermore, he added that Washington is, for the time being, opposed to deploying land troops in Yugoslavia.

    Yesterday, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to continue the bombardment of Yugoslavia.

    [14] GREEK FM MEETS WITH SECRETARY ALBRIGHT IN BRUSSELS

    Greece's Foreign Minster George Papandreou held a brief meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Brussels yesterday, on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers informal meeting.

    Mr. Papandreou briefed his US counterpart on the present state of events in the Balkans and underlined Greece's cooperation with the region's countries.

    In turn, Ms. Albright acknowledged Greece's constructive role in the region.

    "The Greeks have helped us and they will help more," she said.

    [15] NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS DECIDE TO CONTINUE BOMBING SERBIA

    NATO's foreign ministers, who convened in Brussels yesterday, have decided to continue the bombardment of Yugoslavia, until Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic meets the international community's demands.

    According to the joint communique issued by the FMs of the 19 NATO members, the demands are as follows:

    1) An end in a reliable way to all military activity and all acts of violence and repression. 2) The withdrawal of all forces (military, paramilitary and police) from Kosovo 3) Acceptance of an international military presence in Kosovo 4) Acceptance of the return of all refugees and the granting of permission for humanitarian aid to reach its destination 5) And the rendering of reliable proof of his intention to cooperate on the basis of the Rambouillet agreements for the shaping of a draft political agreement in harmony with international law and the UN Charter.

    Moreover, the communique holds Mr. Milosevic solely responsible for the crisis, by stating that his forces "created a human disaster for Kosovar civilians on a wide scale, rendering NATO's intervention necessary and justified".

    The Alliance's Secretary-General Javier Solana warned that NATO will respond forcefully if the Serbs attack Albania or threaten Montenegro.

    [16] EUROPARLIAMENT CHIEF SPEAKS TO MPA ON YUGOSLAVIA

    The President of the European Parliament Jose Maria Jil Robles has forwarded to all of the House's political party leaders the Yugoslav leadership's letter which was relayed to him by Greek euro-deputy Nikitas Kaklamanis.

    The letter, whose content was not publicized, was written by the presidents of the Serb and Federal Yugoslav Parliament, Messrs. Minic and Vozovic, and is the result of lengthy talks held between them and Mr. Kaklamanis during which they accepted his proposal to request the mediation of the European Parliament for the start of talks aiming at a "fair and viable" solution", as well as the immediate cease of NATO's bombings.

    Mr. Robles stated that should the majority of the political groups, which are convening today, decide on the letter, then it will be placed on the agenda.

    "The letter expresses the key positions of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, from that point of view, it doesn't contain any new elements, but the groups could include it in the draft resolutions that are being drawn for the plenary session regarding Kosovo," Mr. Robles added.

    The session will be held following the Albright-Ivanov talks held in Oslo today.

    [17] TRUCKS CARRYING ARMS FOR UCK CONFISCATED IN ANCONA

    Port authorities in Ancona, Italy, have confiscated three trucks carrying arms and ammunition reportedly destined for the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK), according to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug.

    The trucks, which arrived initially from Bosnia, had accompanying documentation that their cargo was humanitarian aid for Kosovo refugees.

    Following the cargo confiscation, the leader of Italy's Green Party Parliamentary Group Mauricio Pieroni told the Italian media that "we must distance ourselves from the Kosovo Liberation Army", adding that western governments have in the past often supported the side that was proven later to be the enemy of peace.

    [18] KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ASKS FOR ARMS FROM UNITED STATES

    The spokesman of the Kosovo Liberation Army Yakup Krasnici has requested that the United States assist his organization by providing them with arms, and that it proceed to deploying ground troops in Kosovo.

    According to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug, Mr. Krasnici met with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Brussels yesterday evening and requested that the Clinton Administration support the UCK's struggle.

    Quoting Belgian media, Tanjug reported that Ms. Albright rejected Mr. Krasnici's request, by stating that the US do not want to violate the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations on Yugoslavia.

    [19] ANOTHER ROUND OF EXPLOSIONS ROCKS PRISHTINA

    NATO warplanes bombarded the capital of Kosovo Prishtina this morning, targeting military camps and oil refineries. Meanwhile, representatives of Greek political youth organizations are presently meeting with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade.

    A Russian convoy of humanitarian aid entered Yugoslavia this morning, after a two-day diplomatic row with Hungary over its contents.

    Gen. Wesley Clark, the supreme NATO commander in Europe, has requested an additional 300 aircraft.

    [20] ALBANIA'S ARCHBISHOPRY OFFERS ENORMOUS RELIEF TO REFUGEES

    The Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Albania has undertaken the responsibility of providing an enormous amount of relief to Kosovo's refugees.

    In an exclusive interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, the Archbishop of Tirana and all of Albania Anastasios stated that the Church has already forwarded more than 100 tons of foodstuffs and other materials to the tent "cities" housing the refugees, while it is also setting up additional tents that will house up to 12,000 persons.

    "These refugees may not belong to our religious family, but they are beleaguered individuals," His Reverence stated, adding that "this automatically prompts us to do whatever we can with love and respect in order to alleviate their suffering."

    [21] NEW NATO BOMBINGS IN PRISTINA

    The NATO bombings continue. Just before 11am this morning, Greek time, new explosions were heard in Pristina. According to eye witnesses, army camps and tank-trucks were hit.

    Meanwhile, representatives of the Greek political parties' youth organizations, who are visiting Belgrade since this morning, are meeting with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

    The Russian convoy of 70 trucks with humanitarian aid for Yugoslavia has entered the Yugoslav territory. Information from Washington mentions that NATO's supreme commander, general Clark, has asked for 300 more warplanes.

    [22] THE ARCHBISHOPRIC OF ALBANIA OFFERS RELIEF TO THE REFUGEES

    The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania has undertaken a huge effort for the relief of the Kosovo refugees who have sought shelter in Albania away from the war.

    Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All of Albania in an exclusive interview with MPA stated that over 100 tons of food and supplies have been distributed to makeshift refugee camps, while more tents are being set up that can house up to 12.000 people. Archbishop Anastasios stated that those refugees belong to a different religious family but still they are suffering people and therefore, everything possible should be done for their relief.

    The Archbishop of Albania stated that Easter was celebrated under tragic conditions this year and stressed that in the past five months even before the big crisis had erupted the Orthodox Church of Albania had already offered assistance to over 1/3 of the 22.000 refugees in Albania and as soon as the tragic situation started the Autocephalous Church of Albania issued an appeal for help to all the Churches that belong to the World Council of Churches and the response was immediate.

    In 24 hours were collected 1.800.000 US dollars and aid started pouring in, said Archbishop Anastasios. Six cargo planes with aid from Denmark arrived during the Holy Week and almost immediately 21 tons of food were distributed to Kukes, 34 tons to Koritsa and Pogradec as well as to other towns.

    Archbishop Anastasios stated that the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania was reorganized in the past 8 years and has already showed its interest in helping people who do not belong to the Christian Orthodox Church but are people who are suffering and therefore, they are in need of relief. He added that certain radio and television stations from Europe and the United States have made interviews on the work of the Church and they have noticed that Orthodoxy is an open Church that wants to relieve the pain of every person without making any discrimination.

    [23] A FORMER US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CONDEMNS CLINTON'S MOVES

    Former US Secretary of defense Caspar Weinberger criticized the moves of US president Bill Clinton on the Yugoslav issue. In an article he signed and was published in The New York Times, he underlined that the Clinton government drags the United States in a war is not willing to win.

    The former secretary of defense, under president George Bush, maintains that the United States are not as strong as they should be, while the Balkan crisis has weakened them in other areas of vital importance.

    He underlines that the United States have not defined what is victory neither their strategic goals. He said that the resumption of negotiations is not a victory, stressing that a victory for the alliance would be only the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kossovo, the return of the refugees to their homes and the total extermination of Milosevic.

    [24] ALBRIGHT-IVANOV AGREED ON THE BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR PEACE IN KOSSOVO

    US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and her Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov agreed on the basic principles for the peaceful solution of the Yugoslav crisis but not on the deployment of an international force in Kossovo.

    After long talks on their positions in the Balkan conflict, Ms. Albright praised the agreement achieved in many of the basic principles for peace but both ministers admitted that they have not agreed yet on the international force that will oversee peace in Kossovo and will allow the hundreds of thousands of ethnic Albanian refugees to return to their homes.

    Mr. Ivanov stated that an international presence of any form presupposes Belgrade's approval adding that the Yugoslav authorities are opposed to any military presence on their territory.

    Ms. Albright stated that the main points on which Moscow and Washington have agreed for a peaceful settlement are the withdrawal of the Serb army and police forces from Kossovo, the unconditional return of the refugees to their homes and the access of humanitarian organizations to the region.

    [25] MILOSEVIC MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF GREEK POLITICAL PARTIES' YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN BELGRADE

    Representatives of Greek political parties' youth organizations met in Belgrade today with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

    The delegation expressed the solidarity of the Greek people to the suffering Yugoslav people and pointed out that the NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia are being condemned.

    The representatives of the political youth organizations in Greece stated to Mr. Milosevic that they condemn the exploitation of ethnic minorities which are being used as an excuse for the creation of military fait accompli and underlined that their firm stance is that there should be no change in the existing Balkan borders.

    Mr. Milosevic thanked them for their presence in Belgrade and underlined that their visit is a proof of the solidarity and the brotherly relations existing between the two peoples. The Yugoslav president also thanked the Greek people for their support. The Yugoslav president characterized the actions of NATO against his country as fascist and murderous and pointed out that Yugoslavia will resist until the end and it will be the victor in the conflict.

    The Greek delegation will return tomorrow to Greece via Sofia, Bulgaria. Tonight the members of the delegation will stay in Belgrade to attend a music concert that will be held at the Brankov Most bridge which unites the old with the new part of the city.


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