Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-09

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, June 9, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] GREEK P.M.: THE WAR IS ENDING, PEACE IS SMILING AT BALKANS
  • [02] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: PEACE IN KOSOVO HAS TO BE SUPPORTED
  • [03] MINISTERIAL SESSION TO BE HELD TODAY ON "CHICKEN-GATE"
  • [04] GREEK JOURNALISTS TO VISIT TO PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
  • [05] GREECE TO HOST THREE BEARS FROM WAR-TORN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [06] EARTH'S WARMING POSES A THREAT TO MARINE LIFE
  • [07] 358 MILITARY OFFICERS FROM CANADA HAVE ARRIVED IN THESSALONIKI
  • [08] ATHANASAKIS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO
  • [09] MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND FINLAND
  • [10] MR. VENIZELOS ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DIOXIN CONTROL LAB
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [11] BRITAIN SALUTES GREECE'S STANCE DURING KOSOVO CRISIS
  • [12] NATO EXPRESSES CONTAINED OPTIMISM OVER KOSOVO AGREEMENT
  • [13] NATO BOMBINGS IN SERBIA, KOSOVO CONTINUE
  • [14] UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR BALKANS: KOSOVO IS A DEVASTATED LAND
  • [15] BLAST IN ISTANBUL INJURES TWO, POLICE SUSPECT PKK
  • [16] GREEK FOREIGN MINSTRY DELEGATION VISITS NORTH OSSETIA
  • [17] 69% OF THE ROMANIANS DO NOT WANT NATO TO USE THEIR COUNTRY'S AIRPORTS
  • [18] IVANOV: THE BOMBING MUST END BEFORE A UN RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED
  • [19] THE CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND KLA REBELS CONTINUE
  • [20] REFUGEES SELL THE HUMANITARIAN AID IN SKOPJE
  • [21] NATO HAS TRIED TO SUPPRESS THE VOICE OF MINORITIES, ACCORDING TO A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN VOIVODINA
  • [22] THE TALKS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND NATO CONTINUE IN KUMANOVO
  • [23] RUSSIA: SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WAR CRIMES IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [24] HUMAN CHAIN AROUND THE US CAPITOL HILL ON JULY 20 IN PROTEST TO THE CONTINUING TURKISH OCCUPATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] GREEK P.M.: THE WAR IS ENDING, PEACE IS SMILING AT BALKANS

    Addressing a cheering crowd that flooded Thessaloniki's central square last night during the ruling PASOK party's pre- election rally for Sunday's European Parliament race, Prime Minister Costas Simitis gave a message of optimism and urged voters to opt for stability.

    Referring to the G-8 agreement for a resolution on peace in Kosovo, the Premier stated that the war is ending and peace is finally smiling at the Balkans, stressing that the government didn't gamble with the country's fate and accused the opposition parties of resorting to demagogic tactics.

    He said that if their proposals in regards to the war in Yugoslavia had been utilized, then Greece would have become a part of the problem, not a part o the solution.

    Mr. Simitis underlined that the country is a factor of peace and an oasis of stability in the region.

    Referring to the main opposition party New Democracy and its leader Costas Karamanlis, he said that "they are fishing in murky waters", evasive when called upon to clearly state their position.

    In regards to Sunday's elections, Mr. Simitis stated that voters are called upon to answer a dilemma: "Vote stability or uncertainty?"

    In spite of the inclement weather, which cleared shortly before Mr. Simitis' speech, PASOK officials said that the number of supporters who came to the rally surpassed the main opposition's by 20-30%.

    [02] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER: PEACE IN KOSOVO HAS TO BE SUPPORTED

    Greece's Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos urged that peace in Kosovo be supported and stressed the importance of dispatching the international force in the region as soon as possible, once the Serb troops begin withdrawing and the bombing ends.

    Speaking to an Athens radio station, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that four countries (the United States, France, Germany and Canada) have expressed their interest in sending troops to Kosovo, while the U.S. contingent presently in the Aegean is waiting for the "go ahead" in order to pass through Greece into FYROM and Kosovo.

    Commenting on the various reactions concerning the passage of troops, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos characterized them as unrealistic and pointed out that the Serbs themselves are requesting the troops' presence since they fear possible action from the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK).

    [03] MINISTERIAL SESSION TO BE HELD TODAY ON "CHICKEN-GATE"

    The Ministries of Development, Agriculture and Health are to hold a meeting today in order to discuss the dioxin-contaminated foods scandal.

    The Greek Drug Organization (EOF) ordered yesterday that a great number of Belgium-made baby food be taken off the shelves, while it also calls on consumers to exercise caution when purchasing foodstuffs, being careful as to the food's country of origin.

    [04] GREEK JOURNALISTS TO VISIT TO PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

    A 12-member delegation of Greek journalists is to conduct a visit to the People's Republic of China between June 19-28.

    The Greek journalists will travel to Beijing where they will visit radio and television stations, while they will also tour the city's suburbs, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven.

    During their stay in Hangzhou and Shanghai, the Greek journalists will visit the offices of the "Zhejian Daily" and "Shanghai Jie Fang" newspapers.

    [05] GREECE TO HOST THREE BEARS FROM WAR-TORN YUGOSLAVIA

    Three young bears from the war-torn Yugoslavia are to be transported to Greece, thanks to the efforts of the ecological organization "Arcturos", which will host them at its veterinarian site in Aetos, Florina.

    Prior to their transport, the bears were housed in Belgrade's zoo which hadn't been spared the terror of the relentless bombings. In addition to the hundreds of human lives lost, NATO's air strikes against the Yugoslav capital bore severe consequences on the animals which, left unattended and without food, at times resorted to cannibalism.

    With the aid of the Thessaloniki Prefecture and the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, two members of "Arcturos", departed for Yugoslavia last night in order to receive the three bears, aged 2- 3 years, and transport them to Greece on Friday.

    [06] EARTH'S WARMING POSES A THREAT TO MARINE LIFE

    Climate changes and increases in earth's temperatures are posing significant threats to marine life, such as plankton, which constitutes the basis of the aquatic food chain, polar bears, seals, sea lions, penguins, various sea birds and coral reefs, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

    In a recently-published report, WWF stresses that the earth's warming could constitute the "coup de grace" for many species which are already faced with great pressures due to extensive fishing and the destruction of their preserves.

    Species in northern seas, where the highest rise in temperature is noted, are the most threatened, although, according to a WWF-Hellas marine life specialist, the repercussions are also felt in the Mediterranean where the rise in temperature promotes the settlement of new species, especially in the Sea's eastern region, resulting in the displacement of certain endemic and native species, an alteration that bears unforeseeable consequences for the course of marine life.

    [07] 358 MILITARY OFFICERS FROM CANADA HAVE ARRIVED IN THESSALONIKI

    Three hundred and fifty eight military officers from Canada arrived at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport at noon today and will soon depart for FYROM to be part of NATO's peacekeeping force.

    The Canadian soldiers arrived in Thessaloniki on board a Boeing passenger plane and according to information, it is most likely that in the next few days they will be staying in hotels or military camps near the city.

    In the following days, possibly after the Euro-elections, a NATO ship will sail into the port of Thessaloniki to unload military vehicles and the weaponry of the 358 Canadian soldiers who will then depart for FYROM by trucks and buses.

    [08] ATHANASAKIS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO

    The Greek government welcomes the signing of a peace agreement on Kosovo and this development will be the vindication of the policy it has followed, stated acting Greek government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis.

    Responding to the criticism made by main right-wing opposition party of New Democracy leader, Kostas Karamanlis against the government, maintaining that Greece was not present in the developments, Mr. Athanasakis said that foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou engaged in intense diplomatic efforts that took him from Beijing to Washington.

    On the US marines awaiting to disembark in Litochoro, near Thessaloniki, he said that the issue is technical and not political and it is related to the way the negotiations will develop. He also said that he does not know the exact time of their arrival.

    [09] MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND FINLAND

    Foreign minister of Finland Taria Halonen, who is visiting Athens in view of the Finnish EU presidency, met with her Greek counterpart Giorgos Papandreou. The two ministers discussed the developments in Kosovo, the Agenda 2000, the EU enlargement, the Cyprus issue and bilateral issues.

    The foreign minister of Finland praised the role of Greece in the efforts aimed at dealing with the Yugoslav crisis.

    [10] MR. VENIZELOS ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DIOXIN CONTROL LAB

    The ministers of development, health and agriculture warned consumers not to buy Belgian products suspect of being contaminated with dioxin.

    Minister of development Evangelos Venizelos confirmed that the fresh and pasteurized milk is safe and warned consumers to be careful as small quantities of contaminated foods could still be in the market. He also announced the establishment of a special dioxin control lab.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [11] BRITAIN SALUTES GREECE'S STANCE DURING KOSOVO CRISIS

    In spite of their differences in the ways of approaching the Kosovo crisis, the British government salutes Greece's contribution to NATO's operation against Yugoslavia and has expressed its eagerness to cooperate with Athens in the reconstruction of the Yugoslav province.

    According to BBC radio, which quotes British officials, the Foreign Office has viewed as "significant" the proposals set forth by Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou, concerning regional stability in the Balkans, and believes that Greece can carry out a decisive role in terms of the Serb peoples rapprochement with the European Union.

    Regarding community aid offered to Yugoslavia, Foreign Office sources told BBC that no aid will be given as long as President Slobodan Milosevic remains in office. On the contrary, aid will be poured in Kosovo in order to allow for the return of the thousands of Kosovo refugees.

    Concerning Kosovo's reconstruction, the same sources told BBC that the United Kingdom, either through its Industry Department or through private initiative, is ready to embark on joint ventures with Greece.

    [12] NATO EXPRESSES CONTAINED OPTIMISM OVER KOSOVO AGREEMENT

    NATO officials have expressed their contained optimism over the achievement of an agreement with Yugoslavia concerning the withdrawal of Serb troops and police from Kosovo.

    An Alliance official stated that the signing of the agreement could be made today, although he added that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has the last word on the matter.

    However, Belgrade doesn't appear willing to proceed to the signing of an agreement if the UN Security Council doesn't first adopt the G-8 final draft plan for the Yugoslav issue. The said resolution could be issued today, although Russia and China's interpretation of the plan's certain aspects continue to differ from the West's.

    [13] NATO BOMBINGS IN SERBIA, KOSOVO CONTINUE

    Allied aircraft continued to pound targets in Serbia and Kosovo, striking Novi Sad and other regions where warning sirens screeched throughout the night.

    According to United States President Bill Clinton, the raids could end only if the withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosovo is verified.

    [14] UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR BALKANS: KOSOVO IS A DEVASTATED LAND

    UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Balkans Carl Bildt has described Kosovo as a devastated wasteland that will have to be rebuilt from the bottom up.

    Speaking to the press in Geneva yesterday, Mr. Bildt said the task ahead in Kosovo was staggering and "well beyond anything done so far certainly in Europe and perhaps in the world in the latter part of this century."

    Mr. Bildt said the region was profoundly destabilized not only by the flows of refugees and the political tensions, but also by the economic destruction and devastation of trade routes, industry and communication infrastructures.

    Kosovo could not be considered in isolation from what happened around it and in the region, he said, adding that even if the utmost was done in Kosovo, "it would be dependent on what happened in the region."

    [15] BLAST IN ISTANBUL INJURES TWO, POLICE SUSPECT PKK

    Two people sustained minor injuries when a hand grenade was thrown by unidentified assailants at a shop in Istanbul's Kadikoy district yesterday evening, the Turkish Anatolia news agency reported today.

    The blast caused minor damage to the shop which was closed at the time, the report said, adding that the police have detained a number of suspects in security operations following the explosion.

    Security measures have been beefed up in Turkish cities since Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan went on trial for his life last week on treason and separatism charges.

    Turkish authorities suspect PKK rebels to be behind a spate of bombings that hit Istanbul after Ocalan was captured and brought to Turkey in February.

    [16] GREEK FOREIGN MINSTRY DELEGATION VISITS NORTH OSSETIA

    A delegation from the Foreign Ministry department for ties with Greek communities abroad, conducted a one-week visit to North Ossetia where the participants attended an arts festival.

    George Melos, the department's chairman who led the delegation, told the Russian news agency Itar-Tass that inter- ethnic accord, good neighborly relations and peace in the Caucasus are component parts of stability not only in that region, but also in Russia in general, in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions.

    "The complicated Balkan problem is the result of a number of objective and subjective factors and contradictions in relations between nations in the multinational Yugoslavia. They can be settled by political methods and never by force," Mr. Melos said.

    After meeting with members of the Greek cultural community called Prometheus, the Foreign Ministry's delegation ascertained that North Ossetia's Greeks live harmoniously with people of other nationalities and are active in various fields of the Republic's economy, science, culture and public health sectors.

    The festival featured the Argonauts folk dance group and a music group from Athens, while literary soirees of Greek poets and writers were also held.

    [17] 69% OF THE ROMANIANS DO NOT WANT NATO TO USE THEIR COUNTRY'S AIRPORTS

    An opinion poll conducted by the Romanian "Metro Media Transilvania" Institute showed that 69% of those polled do not want NATO to be allowed to use the country's airports for its military operations in Yugoslavia and 22% approve this policy.

    Also, 78% reject the presence of NATO ground forces in the country and 21% worry that the Yugoslav war will spread to Romania.

    According to the results of the opinion poll, 37% believe that responsible for the situation in Yugoslavia is Milosevic and 12% blame NATO.

    [18] IVANOV: THE BOMBING MUST END BEFORE A UN RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED

    Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov stated that president Boris Yeltsin insists that the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia should stop before a resolution on Kossovo is adopted by the UN Security Council.

    Mr. Ivanov stated yesterday that "as soon as the bombings stop we will do the best we can for the adoption of the UN resolution".

    [19] THE CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND KLA REBELS CONTINUE

    The clashes between Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, separatists rebels and Serb forces continue at the Albanian-Yugoslav borders and for the first time Serb artillery shells hit targets 25 kilometers inside Albanian territory, according to the Albanian authorities.

    A representative of the Albanian ministry of defense confirmed that the country's armed forces are ready to respond to a possible attack by Serbia.

    Meanwhile, the Yugoslav foreign ministry characterized as groundless the allegations made by the government of FYROM according to which, border villages have been hit by Serb artillery shells.

    In a statement issued by the Yugoslav foreign ministry, it is stressed that it is a provocation which is aimed at misleading the international public opinion at a time when efforts for the restoration of peace in the region continue.

    [20] REFUGEES SELL THE HUMANITARIAN AID IN SKOPJE

    FYROM Red Cross general secretary Ivan Narisanov responded to the accusations launched by the Albanian mass media according to which, the FYROM government mismanages the international humanitarian aid that reaches the country.

    According to the newspaper "Dnevnik", Mr. Narisanov has responded to the accusations maintaining that refugee families sell the humanitarian aid they receive in open-air markets.

    [21] NATO HAS TRIED TO SUPPRESS THE VOICE OF MINORITIES, ACCORDING TO A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN VOIVODINA

    Voivodina's general secretary of information Jan Simak accused NATO that with the bombing of the Novisad television facilities attempted to suppress the voice of every ethnic minority in the northern Serb province.

    The technical infrastructure of the television in Novisad has been destroyed by the repeated bombing in May, stated Mr. Simak, stressing that thanks to the superhuman efforts of journalists and technical personnel the program of the Serb state television is being broadcast without problems throughout the region.

    [22] THE TALKS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND NATO CONTINUE IN KUMANOVO

    No progress has been achieved in the negotiations between military delegations from Yugoslavia and NATO in Kumanovo, FYROM. The talks are being interrupted regularly as the Serb delegation wants to take the advice of Belgrade. The alliance has stated that the bombings will end as soon as the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo can be verified.

    The UN Security Council awaits for the end of the bombings before it brings up for discussion the plan which was backed by the G-8 yesterday.

    [23] RUSSIA: SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WAR CRIMES IN YUGOSLAVIA

    Twenty Russian parliament deputies formed a special committee which will investigate the crimes committed during NATO's attack on Yugoslavia.

    The committee will gather and process information, will cooperate with the responsible Russian agencies and will contact the International War Crimes Tribunal to bring before justice all those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law in Yugoslavia since 1991. The outcome of the investigation will be made public by December 1, 1999.

    In the decision for the establishment of the fact-finding committee it is stressed that the activities of NATO constitute a violation of the general principles and regulations of international law and that the attack of NATO on Yugoslavia should be regarded as a military crime and the alliance leadership should be punished for it.

    [24] HUMAN CHAIN AROUND THE US CAPITOL HILL ON JULY 20 IN PROTEST TO THE CONTINUING TURKISH OCCUPATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

    The Cypriot Federation of America in cooperation with the Coordinating Committee for Justice in Cyprus, the Human Rights Alliance and the Hellenic-American Women's Council, will organize a protest demonstration for Cyprus on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island.

    The protest will take place in Washington on July 20 and its organizers call on the members of the Greek community in the United States to join hands and form a human chain around Capitol Hill. Later on, the protesters will march toward the White House and they will continue their protest there.

    In the press release that was issued, it is mentioned that the protest demonstration aims at enlightening the US government, the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the US mass media and the public over the Cyprus problem condemning the continuing occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkey which threatens peace and stability in the region.


    Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    mpegr2html v1.01a run on Wednesday, 9 June 1999 - 18:06:08 UTC