Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-24
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 24, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER CONFIDENT OF PASOK'S VICTORY IN EUROELECTIONS
[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH OFFICIATES MASS AT ATHENS CATHEDRAL
[03] FUNERAL OF VETERAN JOURNALIST GERMANOS TO BE HELD TODAY
[04] SECOND WAVE OF KOSOVO REFUGEES TO USE THESSALONIKI AIRPORT
[05] THESSALONIKI MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PROTEST NATO RAIDS IN SERBIA
[06] NEW TRAFFIC CODE BECOMES EFFECTIVE AS OF TODAY
[07] GREEK-CANADIAN CONGRESS HOLDS ANNUAL CONFRENCE THIS WEEK
[08] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
[09] THE NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF REQUESTED THAT THE NATO
FORCES STOP PASSING THROUGH THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 4-17
[10] THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA IS IN GREECE
[11] EURO-PARLIAMENT PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES BY SIMITIS AND
KARAMANLIS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA
[13] GREEK AND CZECH FMs ISSUE APPEAL FOR SUSPENSION OF BOMBS
[14] GREEK FM IN BEIJING, TO MEET WITH CHINESE LEADERS
[15] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT: SUPPORT PEACE INITIATIVES
[16] GREECE'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER IN PARIS
[17] HERMES EXPO '99 A GRANDLY SUCCESSFUL TRADE SHOW
[18] MOST OF SERBIA REMAINS IN THE DARK AS NATO STRIKES POWER
[19] THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS CONTINUE
[20] EFFORTS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER CONFIDENT OF PASOK'S VICTORY IN EUROELECTIONS
In an interview with the Sunday edition of "To Vima", Prime
Minster Costas Simitis expressed his confidence that the ruling
PASOK party, of which he is president, will win in the June 13
Euroelections.
"Greece is presently among the 25 most prosperous states in
the world," Mr. Simitis stated, adding that "the Greek people know
that the country is secure and a force of peace and security in
the Balkans."
Referring to the Yugoslav crisis, Mr. Simitis noted that
"thanks to our stand, we have safeguarded our major and vital
national interests".
[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH OFFICIATES MASS AT ATHENS CATHEDRAL
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Archbishop of Athens
and All Greece Christodoulos officiated at a mass held at the
Athens Cathedral yesterday morning, in the presence of the
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, ministers and
other officials.
Addressing the Patriarch, the Archbishop stressed the
significance of the Phanar, which, he said, "makes every effort
for the unity, stability and concord of the autonomous and
autocephalus Orthodox Churches".
The Patriarch and Mr. Christodoulos visited the United
States Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns, who conveyed
Washington's high regard for the Patriarch and the Autocephalus
Orthodox Church of Greece.
The Patriarch was the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by
the Turkish ambassador in the evening.
He will meet with Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and
Prime Minister Costas Simitis today.
[03] FUNERAL OF VETERAN JOURNALIST GERMANOS TO BE HELD TODAY
The funeral of noted journalist and author Freddy Germanos
will be held this evening at the Athens First Cemetery. Mr.
Germanos died on Friday, at the age of 65, after a month-long
hospitalization for cancer.
Mr. Germanos, who started writing at the age of 18 and
published his first book 12 years later, also hosted one of the
first television talk shows on a state-run television.
Condolences and statements were issued by the PM, the main
opposition leader and other political leaders, as well as the
government spokesman.
The National Federation of Journalists Union's (POESY), in a
press release, said Freddy Germanos' death was a "great loss for
journalism" and expressed its condolences to his family.
[04] SECOND WAVE OF KOSOVO REFUGEES TO USE THESSALONIKI AIRPORT
A second wave of refugees from Kosovo will pass through
Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport this week, in transit to
Australia.
Approximately 400 people, mostly women and children, flew out
of Thessaloniki last Thursday headed for Australia.
According to reports, a total of 20,000 refugees will depart
for various destinations from the Macedonia Airport.
[05] THESSALONIKI MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PROTEST NATO RAIDS IN SERBIA
The Mayor of Thessaloniki Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and the
members of the City Council are to present a message of peace to
the NATO forces presently stationed at the city's port this
afternoon.
In a recent resolution, the City Council expresses its
opposition to any whatsoever involvement of Greek forces to
military operations in Yugoslavia, and the passage of NATO forces
from Thessaloniki for ground operations in the neighboring
country.
[06] NEW TRAFFIC CODE BECOMES EFFECTIVE AS OF TODAY
Greece's new Road Traffic Code (ΚΟΚ) will become effective as
of today, imposing steep fines and (at times) severe penalties in
an effort to curb the country's high traffic accident and fatality
rate.
Under the new code, drivers who illegally overtake other
cars, drive down lanes in the opposite direction and, overall,
drive recklessly, will be faced with fines amounting to
GRD100,000.
The penalty for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts
or motorcycle helmets will be 50,000 drachmas. Driver's licenses
will be suspended for up to two years in case the motorist is
found to have been driving under the influence, while the
penalties are much stricter in cases of repeat offenders.
[07] GREEK-CANADIAN CONGRESS HOLDS ANNUAL CONFRENCE THIS WEEK
The Greek-Canadian Congress will hold its yearly conference
for May 28 to 30, where elections of the new administrative
council will take place.
The subject of this year's conference is set to be "A new
millennium, a new beginning."
[08] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, in response to the
welcoming speech delivered by prime minister Kostas Simitis in the
luncheon that was given in his honor today, expressed complete
solidarity to the efforts of the Greek government for peace in
Kossovo.
The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed satisfaction over the
efforts of the Greek government and the Greek people aimed at the
further consolidation of democratic life in the country and the
safeguarding of the terms for co-existence in the new European
reality. He also underlined the role of the Christian Orthodox
Church as the bridge of communication for the peoples aimed at
averting a division of East and West.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis stressed, in the speech he
delivered welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch, that the Greek
people honor the head of the Christian Orthodox Church that has
shaped a civilization of ecumenical dimensions. Mr. Simitis
referred to the messages and principles the Ecumenical
Patriarchate gave to humanity concerning human rights, the love
among the peoples, the protection of the environment, the fight
against racism, the cooperation among religions and peace.
[09] THE NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF REQUESTED THAT THE NATO
FORCES STOP PASSING THROUGH THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 4-17
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas confirmed a report
published on the Athens newspaper "TA NEA" according to which, the
National Defense General Staff requested from NATO to stop moving
its forces via Thessaloniki 10 days before and 4 days after the
Euro-parliament elections.
Mr. Reppas stated that in the specific period of time the
Greek police forces will have additional obligations due to the
Euro-parliament election process and will not be able to fulfil
their duties concerning the protection of the NATO military forces
that pass through Greek territory.
[10] THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA IS IN GREECE
The president of Estonia is on a visit to Greece and this
morning had a meeting with his Greek counterpart.
In statements he made after the meeting, Greek president Mr.
Stephanopoulos expressed the hope that the war in Yugoslavia will
end soon. From his side, the Estonian president stressed that the
war stems from the violation of the rights of the people who were
forced to flee their homes. During the contacts of delegations of
Greece and Estonia were signed agreements concerning the road
transportation of passengers and goods as well as, agreements on
cultural, tourist, education and scientific cooperation.
[11] EURO-PARLIAMENT PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES BY SIMITIS AND
KARAMANLIS
Prime minister Kostas Simitis will speak in an open air Euro-
parliament pre-election rally that will be held in Iraklion, Crete
this afternoon, while right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis will speak in the city of
Larisa.
Three weeks before the elections there is open confrontation
between the government and the main opposition party. Speaking in
the city of Patras last night, the prime minister accused Mr.
Karamanlis of double-talk as he says one thing when he speaks to
businessmen and another when he speaks to employees. Mr.
Karamanlis, who visited the historical town of Souli yesterday,
accused Kostas Simitis of being unaware of the problems of the
Greek people and of living in his own fantasy world.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos is to conduct an official visit to Bulgaria this
week.
President Stephanopoulos will embark on his visit on
Wednesday, May 26, and will return to Athens on Friday, May 28.
[13] GREEK AND CZECH FMs ISSUE APPEAL FOR SUSPENSION OF BOMBS
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Czech
counterpart
Jan Kavan have issued a joint appeal for a brief suspension of the
NATO bombings of Yugoslavia in order to facilitate the search for
a peaceful solution.
The common declaration, signed yesterday by Messrs.
Papandreou and Kavan in Beijing, states that the two countries
decided to support in public initiatives for a "short suspension
of the bombings in order to give a real chance to diplomacy and
allow for the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution".
Mr. Kavan said the two countries "strongly believe in the
role which the UN must play", with a Security Council resolution
that must send "a most clear message".
He added that the proposal did not oppose NATO's efforts in any
way.
Mr. Papandreou stated that the joint initiative followed the
intense diplomatic activity from various sides that arose
recently, but which was 'ad hoc'.
[14] GREEK FM IN BEIJING, TO MEET WITH CHINESE LEADERS
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is presently in
Beijing where he will hold talks on the Yugoslav crisis with
Chinese leaders.
Following his stay in the Chinese capital, Mr. Papandreou
will travel to he United States where he will meet with Secretary
of Sate Madeleine Albright. Talks between Russian envoy for the
Kosovo crisis Viktor Chernomyrdin and Finnish President Marti
Ahtisaari and US deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott will
continue on Wednesday.
[15] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT: SUPPORT PEACE INITIATIVES
The proposal submitted by the President of the Hellenic
Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis to support the efforts for a
peaceful resolution of the Kosovo crisis was ratified during the
Lisbon-held conference of the Presidents of Parliaments of
European Union member-states.
In his address, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that at a time when
the peaceful procedures are constantly gaining ground, the
European parliaments body is obliged to support them.
Mr. Kaklamanis further called for an end to bombings and the
continuation of the troop withdrawal from the region, the
deployment of an international peacekeeping force acceptable to
both sides and the return of refugees to their homes under
conditions of security in an autonomous but not independent
Kosovo, as well as the provision of aid to all regions harmed by
the war.
[16] GREECE'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER IN PARIS
Greece's Minister of Development Evangelos Venizelos
is presently in Paris, where he is participating in the
ministerial conference of the International Energy Organization,
in light of its 25th anniversary.
The ministers will discuss the Kyoto global warming accord
and the implementation of an energy policy,
Mr. Venizelos will meet with his counterparts on the
sidelines of the meeting, with whom he will discuss the future of
the energy policy.
[17] HERMES EXPO '99 A GRANDLY SUCCESSFUL TRADE SHOW
Personal communication is the spark that ignites business and
cultural accomplishments and the 7th International exposition
HERMES EXPO `99 held at the New York Hilton on May 7 and 8, 1999
proved this by providing a substantial bridge between Greek,
Greek American and American business.
In the words of HERMES Chairman Theodore Spyropoulos, Hermes
Expo is a
"highly effective and necessary means to open and establish
intensive business networking.
"And here at HERMES EXPO '99 the networking was tangible: the
top people behind Greek, Greek American and American business,
products, services and creative government projects, met and
conversed in the spirit of camaraderie and common goals. Business
deals and transactions were the going currency at this show."
There were over 150 exhibitors in the Expo, and several thousands
of guests attended
throughout the show.
The Macedonian Press Agency also participated at the event
held at the New York Hilton, where it illustrated the agency's
multifaceted activities in the media sector, and especially its
singular commitment to the Greek community abroad.
[18] MOST OF SERBIA REMAINS IN THE DARK AS NATO STRIKES POWER
A large part of Serbia has been without electric power since
NATO aircraft hit thermo-electric power plants in Obrenovac with
destructive shells during the early morning hours yesterday.
Serbia's power industry teams are presently trying to
stabilize the power supplies system in the country.
NATO has also managed to exclude Yugoslav television from the
European satellite program Itelsat. Among the program's
participating countries, 31 voted in favor of excluding the
Yugoslav channel, while Russia, Belarus and Armenia voted against.
Greece, Ukraine and the Vatican cast a blank vote.
[19] THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS CONTINUE
The diplomatic efforts for the solution of the crisis in
Kosovo continue. Victor Chernomyrdin stated today that it is
extremely difficult to hold peace talks while the air strikes
continue.
The Russian mediator will continue his talks with Finnish
president Maarti Ahtisaari and US assistant secretary of state
Strobe Talbott in Moscow on Wednesday. Mr. Chernomyrdin will go to
Belgrade on Thursday to meet with Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic.
[20] EFFORTS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY
In Turkey, prime minister designate Bulent Ecevit, who has
received the mandate to form a government, stated that Mesut
Yilmaz's Motherland Party has agreed in principle to participate
in a coalition government.
Last Saturday, the extreme right Nationalist Action Party had
also expressed willingness to take part in a government with the
party of Bulent Ecevit. It should be noted that the three parties
have the absolute majority in the Turkish National Assembly as
they control 350 of the 550 parliament seats.
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