Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-18
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 18, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE AND ITALY PROPOSE 48-HOUR TRUCE IN YUGOSLAVIA
[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI
[03] POLICE INVESTIGATORS LOCATE "17 NOVEMBER" GETAWAY VEHICLE
[04] ABOUT 400 REFUGEES TO ARRIVE IN MACEDONIA ON THURSDAY
[05] MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT FOR THE BALKANS PROPOSED BY GREEK MD
[06] REPPAS: THE EVIDENCE ON THE TERRORISTS IS BEING EVALUATED
[07] THE THREE YUGOSLAV PRISONERS OF WAR WILL BE RELEASED TODAY
[08] THE FIRST REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO ARE EXPECTED IN THESSALONIKI
ON THURSAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK FM WELCOMES ELECTION VICTORY OF ISRAEL'S BARAK
[10] GREEK FM MEETS WITH FRENCH COUNTEPRART IN PARIS
[11] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY DOES NOT WANT TO AMPLIFY ATTACK
[12] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER CONTINUES VISIT TO BULGARIA
[13] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER EMBARKS ON VISIT TO CYPRUS
[14] MIKIS THEODORAKIS HONORED IN CYPRUS FOR HIS SOLIDARITY
[15] NATO RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUE, BUT SUPPORT WANES
[16] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTRY: NATO USES BANNED WEAPONS
[17] US TO FREE SERB SOLDIERS, BUT SAYS IT'S NOT A GOOD WILL
GESTURE
[18] BEIJING: ATTACK ON EMBASSY ENCROACHED CHINA'S SOVEREIGNTY
[19] SERIES OF BLASTS ROCK ISTANBUL, NO REPORTS OF CASUALTIES
[20] FRENCH OFFICERS FIGHT NEXT TO KLA REBELS, ACCORDING TO
BELGRADE
[21] A NATO PILOT WAS LOCATED ON FYROM TERRITORY
[22] FYROM: THE TWO JOURNALISTS ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL ARMS TRADE
ARE US CITIZENS
[23] NATO ARMS THE KLA, ACCORDING TO "LA STAMPA"
[24] SCHROEDER: THE LIKELIHOOD OF GROUND OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO IS
UNTHINKABLE
[25] THE YUGOSLAV NAVY STOPPED A CARGO SHIP LOADED WITH FLOUR FROM
DOCKING AT THE PORT OF BAR
[26] THE YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN IS IN FAVOR OF THE
GREEK PROPOSAL FOR A 48HOUR STOP TO THE BOMBINGS
[27] TURKISH MAPS RECOGNIZE THAT THE SMALL ISLAND OF PLATI BELONGS
TO GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE AND ITALY PROPOSE 48-HOUR TRUCE IN YUGOSLAVIA
Greece and Italy have proposed a 48-hour cease-fire period
in Yugoslavia in order to provide an opportunity to diplomatic
initiatives, according to alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos
Kranidiotis.
Meanwhile, Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari is to hold
talks with the Russian President's special Balkans envoy Viktor
Chernomyrdin today and US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott
today.
[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI
The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit
the Thessaloniki suburb of Kalamaria on May 31, the feast of the
Holy Spirit, accompanied by Archbishop
Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.
The Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual leader of
all of the world's Orthodox
Christians, will arrive in Greece on May 20 for a two-week visit
as the official
guest of the Orthodox Church of Greece.
Granted all the honors accorded a head of state,
upon his arrival the Ecumenical Patriarch will be greeted by the
President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and the
Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
[03] POLICE INVESTIGATORS LOCATE "17 NOVEMBER" GETAWAY VEHICLE
Athens police have discovered the getaway vehicle used by the
infamous terrorist group "17 November" during the rocket attack
against the German Ambassador's residence on Sunday night.
The car was found parked on Mesogion Avenue, about one
kilometer away from the crime scene.
The anti-terrorist squad discovered traces of blood in the
back seat of the car, thereby confirming the belief that one of
the terrorsits was wounded when the rocket was launched.
The rocket was fired from a fuse within a short distance, but
no one was hurt as the weapon failed to explode. Both the
Ambassador, Carl Heinz Kuhna, and his wife were inside the house,
when the rocket tore a hole in the roof. Following the incident,
the Ambassador told reporters that he continues to feel safe in
Greece and urged the German citizens to visit Greece fearlessly.
The "17 November" terrorist group has been active for a great
number of years but continues to remain elusive. It first appeared
in 1975 when it claimed responsibility for the killing of 20
Greeks and foreigners.
[04] ABOUT 400 REFUGEES TO ARRIVE IN MACEDONIA ON THURSDAY
A group of about 400 refugees from Kosovo are expected to
arrive at Thessaloniki's "Macedonia" airport, the first group to
arrive from the beleaguered Yugoslav province.
According to radio reports, the displaced persons will make a
brief stopover at the airport prior to departing for Australia.
[05] MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT FOR THE BALKANS PROPOSED BY GREEK MD
The Alexandroupolis chapter of Greece's Social Services
Foundation (IKA) is proposing the creation of a mobile medical
unit that will provide health services to the Balkan region
throughout, according to the supervisor of the Preventive Medicine
Unit of IKA, Constantinos Papoutselis.
The unit will be compatible with similar centers that operate
in the Bulgarian cities of Sofia, Pleven, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora
and Varna.
The Preventive Medicine Centers were founded within the
framework of cross-border cooperation and the INTERREG I and II
programs, mainly for the purpose of combating hepatitis, AIDS and
sexually-transmitted diseases.
[06] REPPAS: THE EVIDENCE ON THE TERRORISTS IS BEING EVALUATED
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responded to
questions by reporters concerning the evidence at the disposal of
the Greek anti-terrorist authorities over the terrorist
organization "17 November" after the traces of blood found in the
car that was used in the latest attack against the residence of
the German ambassador to Athens.
The Greek government spokesman stated that the evidence at
the disposal of the authorities is being evaluated but this should
not lead to the conclusion that arrests will be made soon.
[07] THE THREE YUGOSLAV PRISONERS OF WAR WILL BE RELEASED TODAY
US military officials stated that the three Yugoslav
prisoners of war will be released today. They will be handed over
to representatives of the International Red Cross in Hungary.
Meanwhile, British prime minister Tony Blair is on visit to
Tirana and already had a meeting with Albanian president Redzep
Meidani and prime minister Pandeli Majko. Mr. Blair will visit a
refugee camp in Kukes.
[08] THE FIRST REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO ARE EXPECTED IN THESSALONIKI
ON THURSAY
The first refugees from Kosovo are expected at Thessaloniki's
Macedonia Airport on Thursday.
According to information, they are about 400 refugees who
will stay at the airport only for a few hours before they depart
for Australia. It is not known what means of transportation will
be used to bring the refugees to Thessaloniki.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK FM WELCOMES ELECTION VICTORY OF ISRAEL'S BARAK
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou saluted the
victory of Labor Party leader Ehud Barak in Israel's prime
ministerial elections, stating that it "has brought new hope, new
light to the Middle East."
Following the Paris-held talks with his French counterpart
Hubert Vedrine yesterday evening, Mr. Papandreou expressed the
hope that the result would re-launch the peace process and bring
peace and stability to the region.
Mr. Barak amassed 58% of the votes, while exiting Premier
Benjamin Netanyahu garnered 41%.
[10] GREEK FM MEETS WITH FRENCH COUNTEPRART IN PARIS
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with his
French counterpart Hubert Vedrine, in Paris yesterday evening,
with whom he discussed the efforts to achieve a diplomatic
solution to the Kosovo crisis.
Following the two-and-a-half-hour talks with Mr. Vedrine,
Mr. Papandreou stated that "we are at the most difficult and
sensitive moment of the procedure that could lead to a diplomatic
solution through the adoption of a Security Council resolution."
Mr. Papandreou stressed that the terms for the solution are
that the deployment of a multinational force is accepted, all
refugees return to their homes and the provisional administration
in Kosovo prepares the integration of the area in the European
family.
In turn, Mr. Vedrine stressed the need for the expeditious
preparation and adoption of a UN draft resolution which will open
the way for an end to the crisis.
"France and Greece will be cooperating closely, undertaking
specific bilateral initiatives in the Balkans," the French FM
stated.
When asked if he agreed with the Greek proposal for a 48-hour
truce in Yugoslavia, Mr. Vedrine replied that the adoption of a UN
resolution had priority over any other action.
[11] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY DOES NOT WANT TO AMPLIFY ATTACK
The German Foreign Ministry neither wishes to "amplify"
Sunday night's rocket attack on the German ambassador's residence
in Athens nor does it intend to revise the travel "non-advisory"
it issued on May 6, which encourages German tourists to visit
Greece fearlessly.
According to press reports, German Foreign Minister Joschka
Fischer was "satisfied" with the relevant statements made by his
Greek counterpart George Papandreou. Mr. Fischer has reportedly
communicated by telephone with the German Ambassador.
The May 6 announcement reads that "the Foreign Ministry does
not recommend the avoidance of trips to Greece," adding that "the
situation prevailing in Kosovo does not have repercussions on
tourist regions in Greece."
[12] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER CONTINUES VISIT TO BULGARIA
Greece's Minster of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos is
continuing his two-day, official visit to Sofia, where he is
holding talks with Bulgaria's political leadership regarding the
initiatives for reaching a diplomatic solution to the Kosovo
crisis.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is scheduled to visit Bulgaria's old
capital city of Veliko Turnovo, as well as the military school
"Vasil Levski", accompanied by his Bulgarian counterpart Georgki
Ananiev. The Defense Minister will also meet with Metropolite
Gregorios.
Commenting on yesterday's episode near the Imia islets,
where Turkish boats attempted to approach the rock islets, Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos advised Ankara to review its maps and to cease
creating problems where there aren't any."
[13] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER EMBARKS ON VISIT TO CYPRUS
The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis has
embarked on a two-day visit to Cyprus, at the invitation of the
Cypriot Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Nikos Rolandis.
Upon his arrival in Nicosia, accompanied by a delegation of
local businessmen, Mr. Magriotis stated that the start of Cyprus's
accession negotiations with the European Union has paved the way
for the solution to the Cyprus issue.
He added that intends to develop bilateral ties between his
ministry and Cyprus on matters concerning sports, culture and the
new generation, as reflected by the Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus program.
Mr. Magriotis will be received by the President of the
Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and the Misnter of Natural
Resources and Environment Costas Themistocleus.
[14] MIKIS THEODORAKIS HONORED IN CYPRUS FOR HIS SOLIDARITY
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides has
bestowed a special award on Greece's acclaimed composer Mikis
Theodorakis for his support and solidarity with the people of
Cyprus in their struggle for justice and freedom.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, President Clerides
paid tribute to Mr. Theodorakis' contribution to Cyprus and his
long standing support, by saying that "Cyprus was a source of
inspiration to Theodorakis and we would like to express our
gratitude and appreciation."
Accepting the medal, the Greek composer referred to
NATO's bombing of
Yugoslavia and its consequences and said "it makes the need for
national unity and cooperation between Greece and Cyprus even more
imperative."
Mr. Theodorakis assured he will continue to devote his life
and work to
achieve this goal.
Today, the composer will be declared honorary citizen of the
Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta. He was bestowed the same honor
earlier this week from the town of Limassol.
[15] NATO RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUE, BUT SUPPORT WANES
NATO aircraft launched another round of attacks against
Belgrade's suburbs and other Yugoslav cities during the early
morning hours. According to Serb media, one person was killed and
a score of others were injured during the raids.
Meanwhile, a notable shift has taken place among the U.S.
public, according to a poll conducted on behalf of ABC and the
"Washington Post". Specifically, 58% of those polled have
responded that talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic is
the only way to escape the crisis.
Concurrently, division abounds in NATO's circles concerning
the tactic to be followed in regards to Kosovo. With the exception
of the United Kingdom, which continues to press for ground
operations, most other Allied stated favor the search of a
political solution and flatly reject the option of ground
operations in Kosovo.
[16] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTRY: NATO USES BANNED WEAPONS
Yugoslavia's Foreign Ministry has accused NATO of using
"inhumane and banned weapons" in its assaults against the country.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, the Yugoslav
Foreign Ministry published a memorandum today, saying that these
weapons are cluster and graphite bombs, and shells containing low-
enriched uranium.
"From March 25 to May 15, 60 canisters each containing 240
cluster bombs have been dropped on Yugoslavia", the statement
said, adding that warplanes have dropped about 400 bombs without
canisters, thus bringing the total number of cluster bombs to
15,000, of which two-thirds have been dropped on the Kosovo
province."
These bombs have built-in timers which that can delay blasts
for hours and even days after having fallen on the ground,
according to the memorandum. It is not accidental that victims of
"delayed death" included several tens of children who were
attracted by orange-colored cylinders landing on parachutes.
[17] US TO FREE SERB SOLDIERS, BUT SAYS IT'S NOT A GOOD WILL
GESTURE
The United States is planning to release today the two
Yugoslav servicemen who were captured by militants of the
"Liberation Army of Kosovo" a few weeks ago and who are currently
kept at a US military base in Germany, Pentagon spokesman Kenneth
Bacon stated yesterday.
Mr. Bacon stressed that the release of the two servicemen of
the Yugoslav army should not be regarded "as a gesture of good
will" or a step in return for the recent release of three US
servicemen by the Yugoslav side.
[18] BEIJING: ATTACK ON EMBASSY ENCROACHED CHINA'S SOVEREIGNTY
Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing has stated that the NATO bomb
attack on the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was an encroachment on
the sovereignty of China.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Li Lanqing,
during his meeting with Australian Vice-Premier Timothy Fisher
held yesterday, said that the
North Atlantic Alliance, headed by the United States, must assume
full responsibility for the incident and give China "exhaustive
explanation" of the reasons behind the attack on the Chinese
embassy in Yugoslavia.
"China is a peace-loving state, but the Chinese people will
never put up with any humiliation," he noted.
The Chinese vice-premier said that in spite of the attack on
the Chinese embassy, his country would, as before, "consistently
implement the ongoing reforms and the policy of openness to the
outside world." China will "continue to cooperate" with other
nations in economy, trade, and science on the principles of
peaceful co-existence, Li Lanqing stated.
[19] SERIES OF BLASTS ROCK ISTANBUL, NO REPORTS OF CASUALTIES
A series of bomb blasts rocked Istanbul overnight, with
explosions at a high school, several bank branches and a cafe, but
there were no reports of any casualties, police said.
According to the French news agency AFP, a bomb went off at a
high school in the Maltepe area, in the Asian side of the city,
causing significant damage and blowing out the windows of
neighboring buildings.
Explosions also occurred at two bank branch offices also
located in the Asian part of the city.
Unidentified attackers threw explosive devices at a Maltepe
cafe, causing damage to the building. Police are searching for two
suspects, the Turkish news agency, Anatolia, reported.
[20] FRENCH OFFICERS FIGHT NEXT TO KLA REBELS, ACCORDING TO
BELGRADE
Officers of France's special paratroopers' unit are fighting
on the side of the Kossovo Liberation Army (KLA) rebels, according
to Belgrade newspaper "Vecenje Novosti" which also mentions that
three of them were killed last Sunday in the battles that took
place at the Albanian-Yugoslav borders.
According to the Yugoslav newspaper, the three officers were
killed when together with a group of Albanian separatists tried to
cross over to Kossovo, it is also mentioned that the French
officers were wearing uniforms with the insignia of the French
armed forces.
Meanwhile, the press spokesman of the French ministry of
defense ruled out any involvement of French officers in the
activities of the Kossovo Liberation Army.
[21] A NATO PILOT WAS LOCATED ON FYROM TERRITORY
The pilot of a NATO aircraft which most likely was shot down
during last night's bombings of Yugoslavia was located at a
village situated near the city of Veles in central FYROM.
According to Skopje private television station "A-1", citing
eye witnesses' reports, the pilot was located at 8pm last night
and managed to escape at a nearby forest.
The local residents tried to arrest him but two NATO
helicopters picked him up immediately. The incident has not been
confirmed yet by the command of the NATO forces stationed in
FYROM.
[22] FYROM: THE TWO JOURNALISTS ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL ARMS TRADE
ARE US CITIZENS
The two journalists, who were arrested at the FYROM-Kossovo
borders while trying to bring a large quantity of guns, ammunition
and food to FYROM, were employees of the US television channel
CNN.
According to Skopje private television station "SITEL", they
are US journalists Dominique Robertson 37 years old and Philip
Hiudikurk 42 years old, who worked together with 5 Albanians. The
information concerning the whereabouts of the 5 Albanians are
conflicting. Private mass media in FYROM maintain that they have
escaped, while the newspaper "Makedonia Denes" writes that they
were also arrested. The FROM mass media do not clarify if they are
Albanian citizens or FYROM citizens with Albanian nationality.
[23] NATO ARMS THE KLA, ACCORDING TO "LA STAMPA"
NATO has decided to arm the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA),
according to the Italian newspaper "La Stampa".
Based on the news article published by the newspaper, the
leadership of NATO has already made a step further supplying with
weapons and ammunition the ethnic Albanian rebels who want the
independence of Kosovo. The newspaper underlines that NATO
aircraft have dropped military supplies in different regions
controlled by KLA. There are four such regions, two along the
Yugoslav borders with Albania and FYROM and other two inside
Kossovo near Podujevo and Urosevac.
The Italian newspaper also maintains that there are British
SAS agents in Albania, who are locating the positions of the
Yugoslav army and direct toward them the KLA forces.
[24] SCHROEDER: THE LIKELIHOOD OF GROUND OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO IS
UNTHINKABLE
German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder characterized the
likelihood of ground operations in Kosovo as unthinkable after his
meeting in Bari with Italian prime minister Massimo D'Alema.
At the same time, Russian minister of defense Igor Sergeyev
reiterated that NATO prepares for ground operations. Finnish
president Martti Ahtisaari, who has undertaken a mediating role
between NATO and Belgrade, will meet in Helsinki today with Greek
foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, Russian mediator Victor
Chernomyrdin and US assistant Secretary of State Strobe Talbot.
Mr. Ahtisaari stated that it is too premature to say when he will
meet with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.
[25] THE YUGOSLAV NAVY STOPPED A CARGO SHIP LOADED WITH FLOUR FROM
DOCKING AT THE PORT OF BAR
In spite last week's decision by Belgrade to lift the
blockade it has imposed to the port of Bar, the biggest port of
Montenegro, the Yugoslav Navy prevented a cargo ship under
Georgian flag from docking at the port to unload 3.100 tons of
flour for the market of Montenegro.
The ship was forced to unload its cargo at the port of
Dubrovnik in Croatia and the flour will be transported to
Montenegro with trucks.
[26] THE YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN IS IN FAVOR OF THE
GREEK PROPOSAL FOR A 48HOUR STOP TO THE BOMBINGS
Yugoslav foreign ministry press spokesman Mr. Vujovic backed
the Greek proposal for a 48-hour stop to the bombings for the
promotion of the diplomatic consultations on the issue of Kossovo.
Responding to a question by a Greek state television, NET,
correspondent, he also pointed out that the G-8 plan for the
solution of the Yugoslav crisis is being studied and stressed that
he is expecting clarifications to be made to certain points.
On the occasion of the imminent visit of Russian mediator
Victor Chernomyrdin to Belgrade, Mr. Vujovic stressed that
specific proposals are expected to which will be given specific
responses.
However, he was clearly in favor of maintaining the existing
borders, Kossovo's autonomy and the safeguarding of human rights.
Meanwhile, the Serb soldiers, who were held by the US forces
in Germany, were released today and they were accompanied to
Belgrade by representatives of the International Red Cross.
[27] TURKISH MAPS RECOGNIZE THAT THE SMALL ISLAND OF PLATI BELONGS
TO GREECE
Turkish maps show that the small Aegean island of Plati
belongs to Greece, according to Turkish newspaper reports,
regarding the diplomatic notice issued to Greek charge d' affaires
in Ankara Mr. Christidis.
Meanwhile, Greek minister of justice Evangelos Venizelos
underlined today that Plati is an island that belongs to Greece
and Platia is a rocky islet that also belongs to Greece. He also
stated characteristically that the Turks apparently do not know
how to read.
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