Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-02
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 2, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] KOSTAS KARAMANLIS VISITS BONN
[02] K. SIMITIS: PASOK WILL WIN THE EUROELECTIONS
[03] FOREIGN MINISTRY OPTIMISTIC ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS
[04] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN ARNEA AND DRAMA
[05] PRE-ELECTORAL ACTIVITY OF THE GREEK PARTIES
[06] INFLATION RATE EXPECTED AT 2% DURING SUMMER
[07] THE GREEK CARAVAN OF SOLIDARITY WILL GO TO BOSNIA
[08] NIKOLAOU: TURKEY SHOULD RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LAW
[09] MR. SIMITIS DEPARTED FOR GERMANY TO ATTEND THE EU SUMMIT
MEETING
[10] CONSUMERS ARE WARNED OVER THE DIOXIN CONTAMINATED BELGIAN
POULTRY
[11] K.SIMITIS ON THE EU SUMMIT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] CHERNOMIRDIN-AHTISAARI IN BELGRADE
[13] ANOTHER HEAVY WAVE OF NATO ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
[14] NATO CREW AND EQUIPMENT IN ROMANIA
[15] NATO CONTINUED RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
[16] YUGOSLAV ARMY LOSSES MINIMAL ACCORDING TO YUGOSLAV GENERAL
[17] NATO ADMITS UNINTENTIONAL BOMBING OF ALBANIAN TERRITORY
[18] CHERNOMIRDIN AHTISAARI CONTINUE TALKS IN BONN
[19] KOHEN: NATO WILL NOT GIVE WAY ON THE ISSUE OF THE COMMAND OF
THE PEACE FORCE
[20] RUSSIA AND CHINA DEMAND AN END TO NATO BOMBINGS
[21] BULGARIAN PREMIER TO VISIT MOSCOW
[22] PLANES WILL DROP FOOD TO KOSOVO REFUGEES
[23] INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL DECIDES ON YUGOSLAVIA VS NATO CASE
[24] RUSSIA: NEW PROPOSALS MADE BY TALBOTT "UNACCEPTABLE"
[25] KURDS AGREE TO END HOSTILITIES AGAINST TURKEY
[26] CHERNOMIRDIN'S-AHTISAARI'S VISIT TO BELGRADE UNCERTAIN
[27] THE NEW PROPOSALS BY TALBOTT CONCERN THE END OF THE BOMBING
AND THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES
[28] THE INTERNATIONAL COURT REJECTED YUGOSLAVIA'S DEMAND FOR THE
END OF THE BOMBING
[29] BELGRADE SEES POSITIVELY THE DEPLOYMENT OF A PEACEKEEPING
FORCE UNDER SPECIFIC PRE-CONDITIONS
[30] THE TALKS OF CHERNOMYRDIN-AHTISAARI-TALBOTT CONTINUE
[31] THE EU HAS DECIDED TO DESTROY THE CONTAMINATED BELGIAN
PRODUCTS
[32] URANIUM 238 IN THE NATO MISSILES THAT DROPPED ON BULGARIAN
TERRITORY
[33] AHTISAARI AND CHERNOMYRDIN LEAVE FOR BELGRADE THIS AFTERNOON
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] KOSTAS KARAMANLIS VISITS BONN
Leader of New Democracy party, Kostas Karamanlis leaves to
Bonn today in order to take part in the conference held by the
European People's Party on the situation in Yugoslavia.
Mr Karamanlis will put forward his proposal to form a
tripartite committee presided by a Greek official, who will
receive wide support, with the participation of Serbs and
Kosovars. This committee will bear the responsibility of securing
a peace agreement when one is achieved.
[02] K. SIMITIS: PASOK WILL WIN THE EUROELECTIONS
Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis was positive last night that
there will be progress on the Kosovo crisis during the European
Union Summit in Cologne, speaking at an interview broadcasted by
state channel NET. Mr Simitis declared once again that Greece is
totally opposed to plans of ground operations in Yugoslavia and
stressed that there will be no ground operations in Kosovo.
The Greek Premier said that PASOK will win the Euroelections
as well as the national elections to be held in year 2000 and
reassured that after June 13 his government will continue its
policy towards Greece's integration in the EMU.
Mr. Simitis accused main opposition leader, Kostas Karamanlis, of
downgrading political dialogue when calling the voters to
overthrow the government's policy which leads to the EMU and the
decreasing of the inflation and the budget deficit.
[03] FOREIGN MINISTRY OPTIMISTIC ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS
Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou talked last night over
the phone with US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright and the
Serb President Milan Milutinovic and according to diplomatic
sources there's a positive feeling in the Greek Foreign Ministry
regarding the Yugoslav crisis.
Mr Papandreou is to visit Belgrade over the next days,
depending on the outcome of the negotiations towards a peace
agreement for Kosovo, and today he is meeting with New Democracy's
honorary president, Konstantinos Mitsotakis who met with Slobodan
Milosevic last week.
[04] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN ARNEA AND DRAMA
Ecumenical Patriarch, Vartholomeos continues his tour of
northern Greece, visiting Arnea and Drama today.
Last night he was in Lagadas were the he was accepted with
enthusiasm.
Vartholomeos officiated a doxology held in the Metropolitan Church
of Lagadas and afterwards he attended a dinner held in his honor
in the bishop's residence.
[05] PRE-ELECTORAL ACTIVITY OF THE GREEK PARTIES
Leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos
Konstantopoulos will give a speech in Larissa today, while General
Secretary of the Communist Party, Aleka Papariga will visit the
building of the Telecommunications Organization of Greece (OTE).
President of DIKKI, Dimitris Tsovolas will visit the central
market of Pireas and Livadia, president of Political Spring,
Antonis Samaras will address a speech at Sporting and leader of
the Liberal Party, Stefanos Manos will visit Nafplio and Argos.
[06] INFLATION RATE EXPECTED AT 2% DURING SUMMER
The government expects to limit inflation down to 2% during
summer, a goal that is believed to be feasible, given that during
May inflation rate declined to 2,5-2,6% from April's 2,8%.
This decline of the inflation rate is expected to lead the
Bank of Greece into setting lower interest rate which will drag
along the interest rates of every other banking organization.
[07] THE GREEK CARAVAN OF SOLIDARITY WILL GO TO BOSNIA
The Greek Caravan of Solidarity will depart today for Bosnia
to offer economic assistance to the Bosnian families that
participate in the programme of the economic adoption of children
who became orphans because of the war.
The trip is being held on a regular basis and in the
programme participate about 7.500 orphans and an equal number of
Greek donors.
[08] NIKOLAOU: TURKEY SHOULD RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LAW
Greek acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou stated
that the government has already expressed its position that
Kurdish PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan should have a fair trial.
He said that Greece condemns the terrorist actions and
recognizes the rights of the Kurdish people, adding that it is up
to Turkey to show that it has made steps toward the respect of
international law.
He confirmed that Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou
has received a letter by Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem and
reiterated the firm Greek position that Turkey should respect
international law. He also said that the foreign ministry is
studying the letter and will prepare a response.
[09] MR. SIMITIS DEPARTED FOR GERMANY TO ATTEND THE EU SUMMIT
MEETING
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis, speaking to reporters
upon his departure for Germany to attend the EU summit meeting,
appeared optimistic that there will be positive developments in
the Yugoslav crisis.
Mr. Simitis stressed that there is a need for the procedures
to move ahead for a solution to be found and the implementation of
a peace agreement to begin as soon as possible. Referring to
Greece's position, he said that it will back this effort in the EU
Council, while a solution should be found as soon as possible
putting aside the obstacles and difficulties. Mr. Simitis
expressed the hope that the messages will be positive and the
Balkan region will enter a course leading to peace.
In the summit meeting will also be discussed issues
concerning the European Employment Pact and the joint foreign
policy and policy of defense. According to the prime minister, a
framework is needed that will regulate the national employment
pacts, adding that if an agreement is reached toward this
direction it will be a step closer to countering unemployment.
Regarding the European Union joint foreign policy and policy
of defense, the prime minister pointed out that the idea to form a
European force that will be able to intervene in cases of
humanitarian and peace initiatives is being promoted.
[10] CONSUMERS ARE WARNED OVER THE DIOXIN CONTAMINATED BELGIAN
POULTRY
The ministry of development in Greece issued a warning to
consumers after the confirmation by the ministry of agriculture
that chickens contaminated with dioxin had been imported from
Belgium. The warning to consumers concerns the egg by-products as
well, that have been distributed to the market in small quantities
and are used in mayonnaise, pasta, pastry etc.
The ministry of agriculture began intensive control in places
of poultry storage and sale, while the ministry of development has
warned consumers not to buy chickens and eggs coming from Belgium
and avoid consuming any supplies they may have in store. Also, it
has called on the super-markets to withdraw all suspect products
from their shelves.
Meanwhile, the responsible agency in the prefecture of
Thessaloniki has stated to MPA that for the moment no poultry
products from Belgium have been found in Thessaloniki and in case
they are found they will be confiscated and destroyed.
[11] K.SIMITIS ON THE EU SUMMIT
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis said that he is optimistic that
there will be positive developments on the Yugoslav crisis, before
his departure to Germany where he is to take part in the European
Union Summit.
Mr Simitis called for progress in the efforts to resolve the
crisis as soon as possible in order to begin the implementation of
a peace agreement stressing that Greece will support this effort
inside the Summit Council and will insist in finding a solution to
the problem. "We hope that the messages will be positive so that
the Balkan region gets in the course of peace", he said.
The premier touched upon the subject of a common foreign and
defense policy of the European Union member-states noting that the
idea of forming a common European force is being promoted, a force
which will be able to intervene in cases of humanitarian and peace
initiatives.
"The European Union must become a distinct pole, different
from the rest of the forces, and have its own policy and
direction" said Mr Simitis adding that Greece has been pointing to
that direction for a while now while recently Great Britain
accepted the same positions.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] CHERNOMIRDIN-AHTISAARI IN BELGRADE
Viktor Chernomirdin's and Marti Ahtisaari's meeting in
Belgrade with Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic, raises hopes
that the process for a political solution to the Kosovo crisis
will eventually begin.
The Russian mediator and the Finnish President rounded off
last night consultations with the US Deputy Secretary of State
Strobe Talbott and the German Chancellor.
Mr Schroeder said that there has been significant progress
towards finding a political solution. After the meeting in
Belgrade, Ahtisaari will return to Germany in order to brief the
leaders of the European Union.
[13] ANOTHER HEAVY WAVE OF NATO ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
NATO bombers launched another heavy wave of attacks last
night against Belgrade suburbs and cities in Serbia and Kosovo.
Planes of the Alliance bombed the electricity network, fuel
repositories, telecommunications facilities and military targets.
NATO representatives confirmed that fighters attacked
Albanian troops in the borders of Albania and Kosovo.
[14] NATO CREW AND EQUIPMENT IN ROMANIA
Two c-130 planes arrived Craiova airport, Romania, carrying
crew and equipment to coordinate the operations of NATO borders
through Romanian airspace.
Meanwhile, Romanian Defense Minister, Andrei Plesu and his
visiting Slovak counterpart, Boris Frlec, discussed the conflict
in Yugoslavia.
Romania's integration to NATO is the main goal of the
Bucharest's foreign policy, which supports the Alliances operation
plans facilitating their deployment.
[15] NATO CONTINUED RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
NATO continued for the 71st consecutive night intense raids
against targets in Serbia and Kosovo.
According to the Yugoslav press agency "Tanjug", 10 missiles
hit areas in Belgrade last night causing only material damages.
There were explosions in the areas of Velica, Bostanica, and
Iriski Venac, as well as in Lipovacka Suma and Ostruzancka Suma,
south of Yugoslav capital.
In Kosovo, only Pizren was hit during the night.
Pristina information center said that throughout the night
NATO planes lit up the sky of Pristina with devices which like
self-luminous orange balls were slowly falling to the ground.
[16] YUGOSLAV ARMY LOSSES MINIMAL ACCORDING TO YUGOSLAV GENERAL
Yugoslav forces have suffered "minimal losses" from NATO air
raids according to General Nebojsa Pavkovic, commander of the
Third Army of Yugoslavia.
Mr. Pavcovic did not give details on how many Yugoslav troops
have been killed. He said that less than 1% of the Third Army's
soldiers have been wounded, which accounts to 1800 people.
He stressed that NATO has only managed to destroy military
facilities, warehouses and barracks while the Yugoslav forces are
very well prepared and have not suffered any losses.
[17] NATO ADMITS UNINTENTIONAL BOMBING OF ALBANIAN TERRITORY
NATO admitted that its fighters fired against Albanian
territory close to the border with Kosovo, yesterday, while 50
people where in the area, including journalists.
A NATO spokesman in Brussels said that some projectiles fell
inside the Albanian territory when planes were attacking Yugoslav
forces on mount Pastrik, in Kosovo, adding that it was not
immediately known whether the area was hit and an Albanian bunker
was blown. He stressed that the attack was "unintentional" and
nobody has been hurt.
Journalists, accompanied by Albanian troops and customs
officials where inspecting the area around Morina which had been
hit by NATO bombs on Monday night. According to the Yugoslav press
agency, Tanjug, NATO planes had also hit the area around the town
Gora, close to the Albanian-Yugoslav border.
[18] CHERNOMIRDIN AHTISAARI CONTINUE TALKS IN BONN
Viktor Chernomirdin and Marti Ahtisaari delayed their
departure to Belgrade and continued talks in Bonn, on the Kosovo
crisis.
German Deputy Foreign Minister, Wolfgang Ischinger said that
the two envoys decided to continue discussions in order to form a
common position to be presented to the Yugoslav President,
Slobodan Milosevic.
German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder stressed that there has
been "substantial progress in all areas, after a meeting with
Chernomi`rdin and Ahtisaari with the participation of US Deputy
Secretary Strobe Talbott.
The two envoys are expected to hold negotiations with
Slobodan Milosevic, which are believed to be crucial on the
progress of the Kosovo problem.
[19] KOHEN: NATO WILL NOT GIVE WAY ON THE ISSUE OF THE COMMAND OF
THE PEACE FORCE
NATO will not give in on the issue of the command of the
peace force to be deployed in Kosovo, US Defense Secretary,
William Kohen said today, stressing that the core of this force
will be formed by NATO troops.
Commenting on the letter addressed to his German counterpart
by the Yugoslav Foreign Minister, Zivadin Jovanovic, asking for an
immediate end of the air raids, Kohen noted that the strikes will
continue until Belgrade fully complies to every term set by the G-
8 meeting.
[20] RUSSIA AND CHINA DEMAND AN END TO NATO BOMBINGS
Russia and China condemn the barbaric attack against
Yugoslavia and demand that NATO stop the raids imeediately, said
Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers Igor Ivanov and Tang
Ziaxuan, who stressed that this is an "indispensable condition"
for achieving a political settlement of the Kosovo crisis.
Meanwhile Moscow and Beijing agree that the United Nations
should play a more active role in the settlement process and that
the opinion of Belgrade should be taken into account.
[21] BULGARIAN PREMIER TO VISIT MOSCOW
Bulgarian Premier, Ivan Kostov will pay an official visit to
Moscow on June 6 and 7, where he is expected to meet his Russian
counterpart Sergei Stepashin.
The two premiers will discuss Bulgaria's and Russia's
bilateral relations as well as the Kosovo crisis.
Kostov will be accompanied by Bulgaria's Deputy Premier,
Evgeni Bakarziev, and Ministers of Agriculture, Vedislav Varbanoc
and Justice, Vasil Gochev.
[22] PLANES WILL DROP FOOD TO KOSOVO REFUGEES
Four thousand packages containing food will be dropped down
to the refugees in Kosovo by aircrafts of the international
organization for assistance IRC.
The operation, which has not been approved by the Yugoslav
authorities, will last one month it is funded by the American
government. Planes will take off from Italy twice a day in order
to throw food to the refugees.
IRC has announced that it will also throw flyers to inform
people who have fled their homes seeking refuge in the mountains
of Kosovo.
[23] INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL DECIDES ON YUGOSLAVIA VS NATO CASE
The International Tribunal of Justice in Hague is expected to
issue an interlocutory decision today, concerning Yugoslavia's
request that NATO bombings should stop.
The Yugoslav government appealed to the International
Tribunal on April 29th, accusing 10 NATO member-states of
genocide, asking immediate measures to end the bombings. During
the hearing process, Yugoslavia's advocate argued that NATO raids
violate international laws as well as the UN Charter.
According to BBC reports, legal experts in Hague note that
this is going to be a very complicated case but they estimate that
the Court is unlikely to satisfy Yugoslavia's demands.
[24] RUSSIA: NEW PROPOSALS MADE BY TALBOTT "UNACCEPTABLE"
New proposals made by the US Deputy Secretary of State,
Strobe Talbott, are "partially unacceptable", aide to Russian
envoy, Viktor Chernomirdin said today.
Valentin Sergeyev did not reveal what the proposals were but
he noted that "these were not previously agreed" and are
"partially unacceptable".
[25] KURDS AGREE TO END HOSTILITIES AGAINST TURKEY
The Kurd Workers Party has announced its consent to its
leader's Abdullah Ocalan call for an end to the hostilities
against Turkey, in a statement issued by the party's leadership.
The Kurd Workers Party has been fighting against the Turkish
army since 1984, aiming to set up an independent Kurd state. More
than 30.000 people were killed during the conflicts, including
Turkish soldiers, Kurd fighters and civilians.
[26] CHERNOMIRDIN'S-AHTISAARI'S VISIT TO BELGRADE UNCERTAIN
It remains uncertain whether Viktor Chernomirdin and Marti
Ahtisaari will eventually fly to Belgrade, Russian envoy's aide,
Valentin Sergeyev said today.
Their visit to the Yugoslav capital depends on the results of
the negotiations held now in Bonn between the two envoys and the
US Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott.
[27] THE NEW PROPOSALS BY TALBOTT CONCERN THE END OF THE BOMBING
AND THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES
The proposals by US assistant secretary of state Strobe
Talbott concern the date when the NATO bombing will end and the
return of the refugees to their homes, stated Valedin Sergeyev
assistant of Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin.
Mr. Sergeyev stated that the Americans have presented new
demands during the talks with Chernomyrdin and Finnish president
Maarti Ahtisaari adding that the new proposals are not valid from
a military standpoint.
Mr. Sergeyev stressed that the two diplomats must go to
Belgrade with realistic and acceptable proposals and solutions,
pointing out that the talks will continue without ruling out the
likelihood for the visit of the two diplomats to the Yugoslav
capital to be canceled.
[28] THE INTERNATIONAL COURT REJECTED YUGOSLAVIA'S DEMAND FOR THE
END OF THE BOMBING
The International Court of Justice in The Hague rejected
Yugoslavia's demand for the temporary interruption of the NATO
bombing with 12 votes to 4.
Meanwhile, NATO bombarded the Yugoslav capital again at noon
today. The allied aircraft hit the military airport of Batanica,
while a big fire is burning in New Belgrade.
According to the Yugoslav news agency "Tanjug", Serb Air
Force deputy chief Ljubisa Velikovic was killed during a NATO
attack, while he was inspecting defense positions in the war
front.
[29] BELGRADE SEES POSITIVELY THE DEPLOYMENT OF A PEACEKEEPING
FORCE UNDER SPECIFIC PRE-CONDITIONS
A representative of the Yugoslav government reiterated that
Belgrade is ready to accept a peacekeeping force under the pre-
condition that in it will not be included countries that
participated in the operations against Yugoslavia.
In an interview with the BBC, the Yugoslav foreign ministry
spokesman stated that the Belgrade government is open regarding
the composition of the peacekeeping force in Kossovo which
however, should be discussed by the Yugoslav authorities and the
United Nations.
[30] THE TALKS OF CHERNOMYRDIN-AHTISAARI-TALBOTT CONTINUE
The talks of Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin with
Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari and US assistant secretary of
state Strobe Talbott continue in Bonn as Mr. Talbott has presented
new proposals for the solution of the Yugoslav problem.
The Russian mediator and the Finnish president are expected
to go to Belgrade today to meet with Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic. It should be noted that the two envoys were planning to
leave for the Yugoslav capital this morning.
[31] THE EU HAS DECIDED TO DESTROY THE CONTAMINATED BELGIAN
PRODUCTS
The European Union special committee has decided the
withdrawal from the market and the destruction of all the Belgian
poultry, eggs and food products made of eggs.
A representative of the EU agriculture committee stated that
the decision provides for the destruction of all the food products
made from January 1 to June 1 and their ingredients that come from
farms where the chickens were fed with animal feed that included
dioxin.
[32] URANIUM 238 IN THE NATO MISSILES THAT DROPPED ON BULGARIAN
TERRITORY
Uranium 238 was detected in the "Harm" type NATO missiles
that dropped near the Gorna Bagna suburb of Sofia and at a small
distance from the village of Ljulin near the Bulgarian capital.
The information is reported by the Bulgarian newspaper "24 Hours"
citing the outcome of an investigation by the international
organization "Greenpeace" that was published in the Russian
newspaper "Moskovskje Novosti".
It should be stressed that dangerous concentrations of a
chemical substance have been detected in Bulgaria, FYROM, Romania,
Hungary and Albania after the NATO bombing of the oil refineries
in Serbia.
This substance is in the form of dust particles and can cause
the inflammation of the respiratory system in humans, while in big
quantities it can be poisonous. Its poisonous capacity usually is
lost within 7 days, while in cases of large concentrations it is
lost in 30-45 days.
[33] AHTISAARI AND CHERNOMYRDIN LEAVE FOR BELGRADE THIS AFTERNOON
The envoys of the European Union and Russia to the Balkans
will leave this afternoon for Belgrade where they will have talks
on Kossovo, according to Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari.
After the talks he had with Russian special envoy to the
Balkans Victor Chrnomyrdin and US assistant secretary of state
Strobe Talbott, Mr. Ahtisaari pointed out that there was progress
in the talks he characterized as extremely good.
He also underlined that he will brief on the outcome of the
Belgrade talks the EU leaders meeting in Cologne, Germany tomorrow
and on Friday.
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