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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-27

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, May 27, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] REPPAS: THE DECISION TO BRING MILOSEVIC BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN THE HAGUE IS POLITICALLY WRONG
  • [02] REPPAS ON THE AGREEMENT FOR JUDICIAL COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES
  • [03] THE BRITISH PREFER GREECE FOR THEIR VACATIONS
  • [04] PROTESTERS PREVENTED A NATO CONVOY FROM LEAVING THE PORT OF THESSALONIKI
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [05] REASON IS NECESSARY, STATED MR. MITSOTAKIS, AFTER HIS MEETING WITH MILOSEVIC
  • [06] ARMED CLASHES AT THE BORDERS OF ALBANIA WITH YUGOSLAVIA
  • [07] PAPANDREOU: NATO MUST STOP THE BOMBING
  • [08] JOVANOVIC: THE DECISION TO TRY MILOSEVIC IN THE HAGUE HAS POLITICAL MOTIVES
  • [09] CHERNOMYRDIN-AHTISAARI-TALBOTT REACHED AN AGREEMENT
  • [10] CLARK: THE NATO ATTACKS WILL INTENSIFY
  • [11] STEPHANOPOULOS-KOSTOV MEETING
  • [12] THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF ABNA VISITED BELGRADE

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] REPPAS: THE DECISION TO BRING MILOSEVIC BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN THE HAGUE IS POLITICALLY WRONG

    The move to bring Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic before the International Court of Justice in The Hague is politically wrong, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas. He clarified that there should be no misconception regarding the Court of Justice in The Hague and the Court of Justice for War Crimes, as on the one hand Milosevic is called to contribute to a political solution and on the other there is a warrant issued for his arrest.

    Responding to the question if the Greek government has been asked to offer ports and airports for the passage of NATO military forces, he said that no such issue has been raised. He said that Greece has not given its approval for the passage of military forces that will take part in war operations but there was a request for the free passage of peacekeeping forces.

    To the question if Greece has consented to the increase of the peacekeeping force in Kossovo, Mr. Reppas responded that the deployment of peacekeeping forces in the region is not being discussed at the moment.

    [02] REPPAS ON THE AGREEMENT FOR JUDICIAL COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES

    The treaty for the cooperation of the judicial authorities of the United States and Greece that was signed by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and US secretary of state Madeleine Albright does not concern only terrorism but penal offenses as well such as, copyright cases stressed Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    At the same time, he underlined that the government does not discuss the drawing up of a bill to counter terrorism.

    [03] THE BRITISH PREFER GREECE FOR THEIR VACATIONS

    The British continue to prefer Greece for their vacations in spite of the two recent tourist warnings issued by the British foreign office.

    Based on statistics so far, the number of British tourists visiting Greece will increase between 8% to 10% which means that Greece will be visited by about 2.400.000 British tourists.

    [04] PROTESTERS PREVENTED A NATO CONVOY FROM LEAVING THE PORT OF THESSALONIKI

    The port of Thessaloniki remains blocked by protesters, while in the early morning hours today clashes erupted between protesters and police forces. The violent incidents started when the protesters blocked a NATO military convoy that was ready to leave the port facilities.

    Just before midnight, tens of people most of them members and followers of the Greek Communist Party gathered outside Gate 14 and the incidents erupted two hours later when police forces attempted to break them up. The protesters reacted and entered the facilities of the port where they wrote slogans on building walls, armoured personnel carriers and NATO containers.

    In the clashes two people were injured. The incidents ended in the early morning hours but the NATO convoy remains inside the port facilities. The military supplies that were destined for FYROM had arrived at the port of Thesaloniki on board an Italian ship.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [05] REASON IS NECESSARY, STATED MR. MITSOTAKIS, AFTER HIS MEETING WITH MILOSEVIC

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis had talks in Belgrade with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and Serb president Milan Miludinovic.

    In statements he made after the meetings, he said that he got the impression that the Yugoslav side is ready to deal constructively with proposals that will come from NATO through the Russian envoy Victor Chernomyrdin. The only problem is, according to Mr. Mitsotakis, whether the proposals will be such that will be acceptable, adding that there will be good intention from the Yugoslav side and this should be regarded as a positive step. He said that there could be a political solution eventually imposing the views of the West without leading Yugoslavia to humiliation or the Serb and Yugoslav people to a virtual destruction.

    Mr. Mitsotakis stated that actions like bringing Milosevic before the International Court of Justice in The Hague accused of war crimes only strengthen his stance more inside the country having the same effect with the NATO bombing.

    In conclusion, he stated that reason is necessary expressing the belief that a political solution is feasible, stressing that the Yugoslavs are ready to contribute toward this end and the West should do the same.

    [06] ARMED CLASHES AT THE BORDERS OF ALBANIA WITH YUGOSLAVIA

    The most violent armed clashes since the start of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia were recorded at the Albanian-Yugoslav borders last night between Serb forces and Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, separatist rebels, while the Albanian armed forces were also involved.

    According to ministry of defense sources, over 100 Serb soldiers crossed the borders with Albania and attacked KLA bases while the Serb artillery bombed villages along the borders.

    The Albanian armed forces responded to the Serb attacks and according to eye witnesses, 4 Yugoslav soldiers were killed.

    [07] PAPANDREOU: NATO MUST STOP THE BOMBING

    Greece continues to promote the diplomatic initiatives for stability in the Balkans. Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou stated in Washington that NATO must stop the bombing of Yugoslavia in order to give a boost to the diplomatic solution of the crisis.

    This proposal, however, was rejected by US secretary of state Madeleine Albright who said that the bombing will stop only after the NATO terms are accepted by Belgrade.

    Meanwhile, Ms. Albright stated that the Cyprus issue is expected to be one of the topics of discussion in the G-8 meeting that will be held in Germany next month. Ms. Albright stated that the United States remain committed to assist the two allies, Greece and Turkey, to bridge their differences and safeguard stability in the Aegean. She also said that the United States support the efforts for the easing of the tension in Cyprus and will continue to work in order to find a solution that will be acceptable by both communities on the island.

    [08] JOVANOVIC: THE DECISION TO TRY MILOSEVIC IN THE HAGUE HAS POLITICAL MOTIVES

    Yugoslav ambassador to the United Nations Vladislav Jovanovic in an interview with the BBC underlined that the decision to try Milosevic for war crimes has political motives and makes the International Court of Justice in The Hague an accomplice of NATO.

    At the same time, Russian ambassador to the UN Sergei Slavrov stressed that the accusations made against Milosevic is a blow to the diplomatic efforts and has caused the strong concern of Moscow. This move is counter-productive, stated the Russian ambassador to CNN.

    US government officials stated to the US television channel CNN that the international mediators have no other choice than to continue the consultations with Milosevic even if he is accused of war crimes.

    They pointed out that the same was done in the negotiations for peace in Bosnia when the then US envoy Richard Halbrooke had talks with Radovan Karadjic and Ratko Mladic, also accused of war crimes, adding that the talks resulted in the signing of the Dayton peace agreement.

    [09] CHERNOMYRDIN-AHTISAARI-TALBOTT REACHED AN AGREEMENT

    Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin, Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari and US assistant secretary of state Strobe Talbott reached an agreement in principle for the settlement of the crisis in Kosovo, according to an adviser of the Russian mediator.

    Valedin Sergeyev stated that the agreement is almost ready and Victor Chernomyrdin will leave for Belgrade to convey it to the Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

    [10] CLARK: THE NATO ATTACKS WILL INTENSIFY

    The NATO aircraft, which according to the Serb mass media hit two apartment buildings in the Ralia region killing 3 people, made over 740 sorties in Yugoslavia during the night.

    Supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe, US general Wesley Clark stated that the NATO attacks will intensify in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the allied aircraft launched new attacks against Kosovo and central Serbia today.

    [11] STEPHANOPOULOS-KOSTOV MEETING

    Hellenic Republic president Kostis Stephanopoulos, who is on a formal visit to Sofia since yesterday, met at noon today with Bulgarian prime minister Ivan Kostov.

    In a joint press conference they stated that there was coincidence of views in many issues.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos stated that both countries want a solution to be found in Kossovo as soon as possible because the continuing crisis is hurting both Greece and Bulgaria. He also reiterated that Greece is in favor of Bulgaria's accession into the European Union and NATO.

    Bulgarian prime minister Kostov stated that the crisis in Yugoslavia should end in such a way that will avert the likelihood of another conflict in the future. He also stated that he asked for Greece's mediation in order to persuade Yugoslavia to accept humanitarian aid from Bulgaria, an offer that Belgrade has turned down so far. Responding to a question by a reporter, Mr. Kostov stated that a peacekeeping force must be deployed in Kossovo after an agreement is reached.

    Meanwhile, minister of development Evangelos Venizelos, who is accompanying Mr. Stephanopoulos, will have talks with Bulgarian government vice-president and industry minister Mr. Boskov. Also, a meeting of businessmen from Greece and Bulgaria is being held in the Bulgarian capital at the initiative of the Association of Industries in Northern Greece.

    [12] THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF ABNA VISITED BELGRADE

    Association of Balkan News Agencies, ABNA, general secretary and general director of Macedonian Press Agency, MPA, Mr. Spiros Kouzinopoulos visited Belgrade after an invitation by Yugoslav news agency Tanjug to witness himself the problems faced by the journalists and all those working in the national news agency of Yugoslavia.

    In the meeting he had with Tanjug's general director Dusan Djordjevic, Mr. Kouzinopoulos stated that ABNA stands by its members and offers its assistance, while he stressed that as the general director of MPA he conveys the support of its employees, adding that when this irrational war ends the cooperation between the two news agencies will become closer.

    Mr. Kouzinopoulos also stated that ABNA is a milestone in the history of the Balkans and that the time to fulfill the goal of bringing down any wall blocking information in the region is getting closer. When information becomes direct, said Mr. Kouzinopoulos, the Balkan people will know each other better and there will be no more ethnic hatred, nationalism and chauvinism, adding that the DIAVLOS project for the satellite link of all the Balkan news agencies is being promoted toward this end.

    Tanjug's general director Mr. Djordjevic stated that the support of the Greek people will not be forgotten and asked Mr. Kouzinopoulos to convey to the Greeks the deep gratitude of the Yugoslav people.

    Mr. Kouzinopoulos stated that the bombing must end for a political solution to be reached and added that the phenomena that cause unrest in the Balkans will stop existing when the Balkan states become part of the European structures.

    During the visit to Belgrade, Mr. Kouzinopoulos met with journalists working for Yugoslav mass media and was received by deputy minister and press spokesman of the Yugoslav foreign ministry Nebojsa Vujovic as well as with undersecretary of information Radmila Visic, while he visited the destroyed building of the Serb radio and television, RTS, where 16 people lost their lives by the NATO bombs.


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