Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-15
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 15, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA
[02] CABINET CONVENES TODAY TO ASSESS ELECTION RESULTS
[03] DEFENSE MINISTER: ELECTION RESULTS REFLECT PEOPLE'S CONCERNS
[04] FIRST PART OF GREEK BRIGADE DEPARTS FOR KOSOVO TODAY
[05] HIGH SCHOOL EXAMS BEGIN TODAY, STUDENTS TESTED IN HISTORY
[06] GREEK DRUG ORGANIZATION: BELGIAN COSMETICS ARE SAFE
[07] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS STARTS FLIGHTS TO PRAGUE
[08] THE FIRST ANTI-AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS WILL BE DELIVERED BY RUSSIA
IN AUGUST
[09] THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING IS STILL IN PROGRESS
[10] KARAMANLIS CALLED ON THE LEADING PARTY MEMBERS TO SHOW A
SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
[11] GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE: THE EURO-ELECTION RESULTS WERE
POSITIVE
[12] A BANK DIRECTOR COMMITTED SUICIDE IN POLICHRONO, HALKIDIKI
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] FOCUS INITIATIVE GROUP COORDINATES EFFORT IN BELGRADE TODAY
[14] US-RUSSIAN TALKS ON KOSOVO SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW
[15] RUSSIA REPORTEDLY TO SEND THOUSANDS OF TROOPS TO PRISHTINA
[16] US PRESIDENT- RUSSIAN COUNTERPART DISCUSS KOSOVO BY PHONE
[17] US SECRETARY OF STATE TO MEET WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
[18] ALBANIA TO RECEIVE 30 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM IMF
[19] OCALAN WARNS OF COUP POTENTIAL IN CASE OF HIS EXECUTION
[20] COCA-COLA AND OTHER SOFT DRINKS WERE WITHDRAWN AT THE
DECISION OF THE BELGIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH
[21] THE KLA WILL EXECUTE SERB SOLDIERS IF THEY DO NOT WITHDRAW
FROM PRISTINA TODAY
[22] THE SERBS LEAVE KOSOVO BY THE THOUSANDS
[23] ATTACKS AGAINST THE KFOR TROOPS IN PRISTINA
[24] ANKARA PROTESTED TO ROME AGAINST THE DEPLOYMENT OF ITALIAN-
MADE MISSILES IN CYPRUS
[25] THE DEADLINE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES FROM
KOSOVO'S FIRST ZONE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT
[26] THE SEARCH FOR THE ALBANIAN ABDUCTORS OF A GREEK BUSINESSMAN
AND A 4YEAROLD GIRL CONTINUES
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is to embark on an official visit to Romania tomorrow,
accompanied by a delegation of Greek businessmen.
During his stay in Bucharest, President Stephanopoulos will
meet with his Romanian counterpart Emil Constantinescu with whom
he will sign a bilateral agreement.
On Thursday, the President will give an address at the
Economic Forum and will also visit the Romanian Parliament where
he will hold talks with the Speaker and vice president of the
House.
Later in the day, he will meet with Patriarch Theoktistos,
while he will also inaugurate the Greek art exhibit at the
National Museum of Art.
[02] CABINET CONVENES TODAY TO ASSESS ELECTION RESULTS
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to chair a cabinet meeting
today where the participating ministers and government officials
are to assess the results of Sunday's European Parliament
elections where the ruling PASOK party was defeated by the main
opposition New Democracy.
Mr. Simitis, who is also PASOK president, stated that the
party will be judged in the elections of the year 2000.
In a meeting held yesterday evening between Mr. Simitis and
the secretary of the party's central committee Costas Skandalides,
a series of restructural changes were decided upon in order to
improve the government's effectiveness.
[03] DEFENSE MINISTER: ELECTION RESULTS REFLECT PEOPLE'S CONCERNS
National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos conceded that
Sunday's European Parliament election results were indeed
unfavorable for the ruling PASOK party, however adding that PASOK
can win the national elections of 2000 because it has proved that
it can successfully promote its major interests and needs both in
the European Union and the establishment of peace and security in
the region.
He criticized the main opposition party New Democracy which
he said, despite having won first place in the Euroelections, is
unable to create a popular majority which can only be created by
the sector of the left, the sector of reform and the sector of
progress.
[04] FIRST PART OF GREEK BRIGADE DEPARTS FOR KOSOVO TODAY
Greek troops participating in the peacekeeping force assigned
to Kosovo
embarked on their mission early this morning.
The 501 motorized infantry battalion in Giannitsa, the first
part of the Greek brigade to go to Kosovo, comprises 450
volunteer commissioned officers and
professional soldiers and 50 reservists. It includes M113 armored
personnel carriers, and VPL battle support vehicles. Many of its
members have served in the Greek contingents of the peace forces
in Bosnia and Albania. The battalion is expected to be deployed in
southern Kosovo, in the U.S. sector and based in Gnilane.
[05] HIGH SCHOOL EXAMS BEGIN TODAY, STUDENTS TESTED IN HISTORY
High school juniors throughout Greece were tested on the
arduous subject of history today, the first exam in a two-week
series that will deem their advance to the senior class.
The exam's topics were announced simultaneously in all
schools through the state-television program of ERT. The students
will have a three-hour opportunity to write essays and answers.
[06] GREEK DRUG ORGANIZATION: BELGIAN COSMETICS ARE SAFE
A team of dermatologists and other experts from the Greek
Drug Organization (EOF) found yesterday that cosmetics
manufactured in Belgium do not contain cancer-causing dioxins.
The first vice-president of EOF George Daratsanos stated
yesterday assurances had been received from the Belgian cosmetics
manufacturers, as well as from the competent European Union
authorities, ruling out the possibility of animal tissues tainted
with dioxin having been used in the preparation of cosmetics or
suntan oils in Belgium.
[07] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS STARTS FLIGHTS TO PRAGUE
Greece's state-owned airline Olympic Airways, started flights
to Prague, as of yesterday, in cooperation with Czech Airlines.
The airline has scheduled daily flights from Athens to
Prague, except on Wednesdays. One route departs at 6 a.m. local
time on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and another at 4:40 p.m. on
Monday, Friday and Saturday.
"Prague is a destination with growing tourism and its
position in the geographical triangle Vienna-Budapest-Prague
allows travelers to visit two or three cities in one trip," a
spokesperson for the Greek airline company stated.
[08] THE FIRST ANTI-AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS WILL BE DELIVERED BY RUSSIA
IN AUGUST
Russia will start delivering 21 Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile
systems to Greece by mid August within the framework of the
agreement that was signed in December. This was confirmed today by
ministry of defense armaments general director Yiannis Sbokos in
statements he made to Macedonian Press Agency.
The systems will be delivered in three phases with Russian An-
124 aircraft and the process will be completed in 15 months after
the first payment is made.
The total cost of the purchase is 526 million US dollars and
the first installment had been made in May, while the sum will be
paid off in August 2000.
[09] THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING IS STILL IN PROGRESS
The Greek political parties hold meetings to assess the
results of the Euro-parliament elections. The governmental
committee meeting is still in progress presided over by prime
minister Kostas Simitis. The governing socialist party of PASOK
executive bureau will meet this afternoon, while the central
committee will meet on July 9 and 10.
Minister of environment, public works and land planning
Kostas Laliotis pointed out that PASOK has lost a battle but it
will win the war. Undersecretary of labor Christos Protopappas
stressed that the unity within the party should be safeguarded and
initiatives that could bring political gains should be undertaken
toward every direction.
[10] KARAMANLIS CALLED ON THE LEADING PARTY MEMBERS TO SHOW A
SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy election
committee which met under party leader Kostas Karamanlis assessed
the Euro-parliament election results. Mr. Karamanlis congratulated
the members of the committee, while he expressed the belief that
New Democracy could have had even better results in certain
prefectures.
Mr. Karamanlis called on the leading members of the party to
show a sense of responsibility in the course toward national
elections. Mr. Karamanlis will continue his tour of the country
during the summer.
[11] GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE: THE EURO-ELECTION RESULTS WERE
POSITIVE
The governmental committee met in Athens today presided over
by prime minister Kostas Simitis to assess the Euro-election
results, while later in the afternoon there will be a meeting of
the governing socialist party of PASOK executive bureau. The
members of the governmental committee characterized the result as
positive for the party in spite of the fact that the goal set,
namely to be the election winner, has not been met.
Responding to a relevant question by reporters, government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the goal of the right-wing
main opposition party of New Democracy in this election race was
to bring about a change in the political scene which however, has
not been achieved and for this reason the government believes that
the election result was positive. He also said that New Democracy
does not have an advantage of power as the citizens cast a protest
vote against the policy followed by the government but they did
not cross the line over to the other side and maintain their ties
with PASOK.
Mr. Reppas stated that the likelihood to change the main
goals of the government was not raised in the governmental
committee meeting but it was stressed that there is a need to
become more effective and continue to move on the same direction
by making improvements and adjustments.
[12] A BANK DIRECTOR COMMITTED SUICIDE IN POLICHRONO, HALKIDIKI
A bank director who, according to police was one of the
victims of an investment and loan-shark ring active in
Thessaloniki, killed himself in his summer house at the seaside
resort of Polichrono, in Chalkidiki northern Greece.
Vasilis Siatras, aged 50, was the director of the Credit Bank
branch in the municipality of Neapolis in Thessaloniki and
according to police, he was found dead this morning by his wife
and daughter. The victim committed suicide by drinking insecticide
because he was facing financial problems.
The 50yearold bank executive had financial transactions with
the representative of ALKI brokerage firm in Thessaloniki, who was
arrested last week when the financial scheme the firm was involved
in was uncovered and was revealed that tens of local residents had
fallen victims.
Siatras is included in a list of 133 individuals who had
trusted to the brokerage firm representative large sums of money
to make investments. Based on the list, the bank director was
supposed to win the sum of 110.000.000 drachmas through the
transactions he had with the brokerage firm representative.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] FOCUS INITIATIVE GROUP COORDINATES EFFORT IN BELGRADE TODAY
Officials from the four countries comprised in the Focus
initiative (Greece, Russia, Switzerland and Austria) are to meet
in Belgrade today, with the participation of Yugoslavia, in order
to coordinate the content and size of the humanitarian aid to be
provided to the region.
Experts from the aforementioned countries are to assess the
needs for humanitarian aid in Yugoslavia and the distribution of
the goods.
[14] US-RUSSIAN TALKS ON KOSOVO SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW
The Russian and U.S. defense ministers, Igor Sergeyev and
William Cohen respectively, are to hold talks on the Kosovo issue
on Wednesday, June 16 in Helsinki, the Russian news agency Itar-
Tass reported.
Quoting military and diplomatic sources, Itar-Tass also
reported that the two men will hold a telephone conversation this
evening.
[15] RUSSIA REPORTEDLY TO SEND THOUSANDS OF TROOPS TO PRISHTINA
Russia is preparing to send between 5,000 and 7,000
paratroops to Kosovo in the next three or four days, flying them
into the airport of Prishtina which is currently in the hands of
a Russian force, the Ria-Novosti news agency reported.
Quoting Serb sources in its dispatch from Belgrade today, Ria-
Novosti said that once they arrive in Pristina, flying via Ukraine
and Bulgaria in Ilyushin-76 transports, the troops would be
deployed in the southern Serbian province as part of the
international KFOR peacekeeping force.
The report said that Bulgaria had given its permission for
the Russian
aircraft to use its airspace.
However Bulgaria's BTA news agency reported yesterday that
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadejda Mikhailova had told Moscow that
its request would not be
granted until an accord was reached between Russia and NATO on a
unified command for the peacekeeping force.
An aide to Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Andranik
Migranian, on Sunday
called the lack of an immediate Bulgarian reply a "hostile act" in
an interview with the private Bulgarian radio Express.
Also yesterday, Romania rejected a Russian request to use its
airspace for
flights to Kosovo, arguing that previous UN Security Council
approval would be
needed for such a decision.
[16] US PRESIDENT- RUSSIAN COUNTERPART DISCUSS KOSOVO BY PHONE
Russian President Boris Yeltsin and his U.S. counterpart Bill
Clinton had a telephone conversation yesterday where they
continued their discussion of issues concerning the deployment of
an international peacekeeping force in Kosovo.
According tot he Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Messrs.
Yeltsin and Clinton agreed to intensify bilateral dialogue,
including between the military, in order to work out mutually
acceptable solutions connected with the further peacekeeping
operation.
To this end, the two sides will continue their contacts,
including via diplomatic channels. The presidents agreed that
their defense ministers will meet within days.
President Yeltsin reportedly blasted threats to Russian
peacekeepers from the Kosovo Liberation Army and KLA's
provocations despite the deployment of the international
peacekeeping force. He stressed that such provocative actions
force Serbs and representatives of other ethnic groups out of the
province, endangering the entire settlement process.
President Clinton showed understanding for the Russian
leader's concerns and called for strict compliance with
corresponding U.N. Security Council resolutions.
In connection with the upcoming G-8 summit in Cologne on June
20, the two presidents expressed their interest in a thorough
exchange of views on topical issues of Russian-American relations
in various areas.
[17] US SECRETARY OF STATE TO MEET WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Defense
Secretary William Cohen will leave "shortly" for Helsinki,
Finland, for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and
Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, over Russia's participation in the
international Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR).
Ms. Albright told reporters yesterday that they intend to
"work out the longer-term issues about the participation of
Russians in KFOR."
She also noted the necessity of uniform command over the
peacekeeping mission in the Serb province.
[18] ALBANIA TO RECEIVE 30 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM IMF
The International Monetary Fund has announced a 30 million
dollar Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility for Albania.
According to the French news agency AFP, IMF directors
commended Albanian authorities for restoring macroeconomic
stability following the 1997 financial disturbances, sparked by
the collapse of pyramid schemes.
They noted in a statement that in 1998, "output rebounded
from its earlier losses, inflation was significantly reduced, and
international reserves were kept at a reasonably comfortable
level."
Albania's prudent macroeconomic policies and progress in key
structural
reforms had led to these successes, the IMF said.
The IMF said it also recognized the flood of Kosovar refugees
had placed enormous strain on the country, but that "with
sufficient external support, the crisis need not derail Albania's
recovery."
The directors also stressed it was critical for Albania "to
observe the highest standards of transparency in accounting for
expenditures and funding connected with the Kosovo crisis."
[19] OCALAN WARNS OF COUP POTENTIAL IN CASE OF HIS EXECUTION
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is presently incarcerated by
the Turkish authorities at Imrali island, has warned of a
potential coup in case he is executed.
In a statement conveyed through his attorneys to the "Ozgur
Politika" daily, Mr. Ocalan said that he has fallen victim to
conspiracy which targets Turkey as well and expresses his concern
for the outcome by stressing that his destruction will be a trap
which will lead to a flare-up of chauvinism. He added that there
is the possibility of a coup taking place, which would result in
bloodshed.
[20] COCA-COLA AND OTHER SOFT DRINKS WERE WITHDRAWN AT THE
DECISION OF THE BELGIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH
All the Coca-Cola Company products were withdrawn from the
Belgian market at the decision of the minister of health.
Over 15 million bottles and cans of Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite
and other products of the company were removed from the shelves
when it was established that about 100 children were taken to
hospital with strong pains in the stomach and head after consuming
those products.
A company representative announced, according to the BBC
radio, that lab tests have been made which, however, did not show
a presence of any toxic substance in those products, pointing out
that Coca-Cola consumption does not pose any threat to public
health.
[21] THE KLA WILL EXECUTE SERB SOLDIERS IF THEY DO NOT WITHDRAW
FROM PRISTINA TODAY
Kossovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels will start executing
Serb soldiers if they do not withdraw from Pristina by midnight.
The statement was made by KLA commander Sali Mustafa, who is
stationed in Kossovo's regional capital, in an interview he gave
to the British newspaper "The Daily Miror".
According to the newspaper, Sali Mustafa is a terrorist who
has already executed the Serb police chief and his power is on the
rise.
"The Daily Mirror" points out that KLA's power in Kossovo
increases constantly and NATO appears weak to react, a fact which
caused the mass exodus of the Serbs, who are the targets of the
Kossovo rebels.
[22] THE SERBS LEAVE KOSOVO BY THE THOUSANDS
Scenes that remind of the NATO bombings which forced
thousands of ethnic Albanians to flee their homes are being
witnessed in Kosovo. This time, the refugees are the Serbs as they
fear that they will be the targets of reprisals by Albanian
refugees, who are returning to their homes and by Kosovo
Liberation Army, KLA, separatists who arrive in the cities and the
villages of the province.
Based on evidence provided by international and humanitarian
organizations, over 10.000 Serbs have abandoned Kossovo since the
signing of the peace agreement.
According to a BBC radio report from Prizren, "while the
ethnic Albanians spent most of the night celebrating their
liberation, a small number of Serbs who were still in the town
sought refuge in a church. German KFOR troops were guarding
outside the church to prevent possible reprisals, while frightened
women with babies in their arms and many elderly people were
awaiting for the NATO forces to escort them outside the city in
safety".
[23] ATTACKS AGAINST THE KFOR TROOPS IN PRISTINA
The Russian troops participating in the peacekeeping force
were attacked in Pristina today by unidentified individuals,
according to NATO's press service.
Specifically, it is mentioned that antitank rockets were
launched against the Russian force, while unconfirmed information
speaks of howitzer use.
It should be noted that Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA,
representatives had stated that they will not guarantee the safety
of the Russian soldiers characterizing the presence of the
Russians in Pristina as "undesirable".
An attack was also launched today by KLA against British
soldiers, according to the representative of the British force in
Pristina.
[24] ANKARA PROTESTED TO ROME AGAINST THE DEPLOYMENT OF ITALIAN-
MADE MISSILES IN CYPRUS
The installation of Italian-made "Aspide" missiles in Cyprus
have caused the strong reaction of the Turkish government.
The Italian newspaper "Sole 24 Ore" in a report under the
headline "Missiles in Cyprus. Ankara protests" maintains that a
new missile crisis emerges in Cyprus. According to the newspaper,
Turkey has protested formally to the Italian foreign ministry
against the imminent installation of Italian-made "Aspide" missile
systems. Based on Greek Cypriot press sources, the missiles will
arrive on the island in August.
Ankara is calling on Italy to assume its responsibilities
alleging that peace and stability is being threatened.
[25] THE DEADLINE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES FROM
KOSOVO'S FIRST ZONE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT
The deadline for the complete withdrawal of the Serb forces
from Kosovo's first zone will end at midnight. At a diplomatic
level, Russian prime minister Sergei Stepasin stated that all the
misunderstandings between Russia and the United States concerning
the Russian troops that will participate in the peacekeeping force
in Kosovo will be resolved by the end of the week.
Russian minister of defense Igor Sergeyev will have a
telephone communication this afternoon with his US counterpart
William Kohen on the situation in Kosovo.
[26] THE SEARCH FOR THE ALBANIAN ABDUCTORS OF A GREEK BUSINESSMAN
AND A 4YEAROLD GIRL CONTINUES
The manhunt conducted by Albanian police for the arrest of
the abductors of 24yearold Greek businessman Giorgos Laliotis and
4yearold Sofia Voga, who were kidnapped 9 days ago, have yielded
no results yet.
The Albanian abductors of the little girl want the sum of 50
million drachmas in order to free her, while the ransom for
Giorgos Laliotis is 500 million drachmas.
Today, 250 Albanians working in the business of Laliotis'
father in Delvino will hold a protest march in the city, calling
for more intense investigations for the location of the
perpetrators. They are worried that the family of the 24yearold
will sell its business in order to collect the ransom money and
they fear that as a result they will lose their jobs.
The pro-government newspaper "Zeri i Populit" maintains,
citing public order ministry sources, that the Albanian police is
close to locating the abductors of young Laliotis.
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