Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-16
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 16, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PASOK TO UNDERGO SERIES OF REFORMS, IN VIEW OF ELECTION
RESULTS
[02] KIDS WHOSE PARENTS WERE KILLED IN WAR ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI
[03] ALTERNATE FM: G8 STATEMENT ON CYPRUS IS A POSITIVE RESULT
[04] GREEK MARBLE FIRM FOUNDS PERMANENT EXPOSITION IN CHINA
[05] THE GREEK CONSUMERS WERE EATING DIOXIN CONTAMINATED FOOD
PRODUCTS FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS WITHOUT KNOWING IT
[06] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE INCIDENT AT THE TURKISH COAST
INVOLVING A GREEK BOAT
[07] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH WILL VISIT ORESTIADA ON SATURDAY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[08] PRESIDENT OF GREECE CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA
[09] NATO EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF SERB TROOPS
[10] SERBS DEPART FROM SOUTHERN KOSOVO, MEETING NATO'S DEADLINE
[11] BELGRADERS RUN FOR COVER AFTER MISTAKING THUNDER FOR ATTACK
[12] SERB PRESIDENT REJECTS RESIGNATION OF RADICAL PARTY MINISTERS
[13] UNHCR DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER MASS EXODUS OF SERBS
[14] FOCUS INITIATIVE GROUP COORDINATES HUMANITARIAN AID EFFORT
[15] BOVINE IMMUNE DEFICIENCY DISEASE REPORTED IN NETHERLANDS
[16] BULGARIA TO TRANSPORT KOSOVO REFUGEES ON RAIL VIA GREECE
[17] THE WARNING OF KLA TO THE RUSSIAN KFOR SOLDIERS IS A
"STATEMENT OF WAR"
[18] THE YUGOSLAV FORCES DOWNED 61 NATO FIGHTER JETS
[19] ITALIAN SOLDIERS DISCOVERED A MASS GRAVE IN PEC
[20] THE SECOND PART OF THE GREEK FORCE HAS ARRIVED IN KOSOVO
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PASOK TO UNDERGO SERIES OF REFORMS, IN VIEW OF ELECTION
RESULTS
On the aftermath of the defeat the ruling PASOK party
suffered during Sunday's European Parliament elections, Prime
Minister and party leader Costas Simitis has announced that he
intends to carve a series of reforms from within. These changes
are to take place after the party's central committee convenes on
July 9-10.
Mr. Simitis stated that, in spite of the fact that the party
fought a tough battle under unfavorable circumstances during the
Euro-elections, the government will not waver from its policy on
major issues such as the country's course to the Economic and
monetary Union, the country's economic development and national
issues. He further vowed that the government will display a higher
degree of social sensitivity.
"We are aware that we need to improve (when it comes to )
facing issues such as unemployment, agriculture, crime and quality
of life," he stated.
[02] KIDS WHOSE PARENTS WERE KILLED IN WAR ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI
A group of children whose parents (journalists) were killed
during NATO's raids against the Yugoslav television station RTS,
as well as kids of the Tanjung news agency's staff are arriving
in Thessaloniki this evening for a 15-day visit, on the initiative
of the Macedonian Press Agency.
The 35 children will be hosted and entertained at summer
camps in the Chalkidiki peninsula, an event sponsored by the
Municipality of Kalamaria.
The children will be in the limelight during tomorrow's
welcoming event, where they will be greeted by the Mayor of
Kalamaria Christodoulos Economides and the MPA's General Director
Spyros Kouzinopoulos.
As it has previously been reported, Tanjung, which is
Yugoslavia's official news agency, constituted one of NATO's
imminent targets. Understandably, Tanjung's staff members and
their families were subject to an unfathomable psychological
ordeal that lasted the full duration of the war, 2 1/2 months.
The MPA had extended the invitation to host the small
children on May 20 and while the bombings were occurring at full
scale.
The Municipality of Kalamaria rushed to embrace the MPA's
initiative by undertaking the majority of the costs.
Another lucky bunch of children will be hosted by the MPA the
following month, comprising children of the Albanian Telegraph
Agency's staff, as well as children of Kosovar journalists who
were forced to flee their houses and seek refuge in Albanian and
FYROM shelters.
[03] ALTERNATE FM: G8 STATEMENT ON CYPRUS IS A POSITIVE RESULT
The foreign ministers of the "Group of 8" (the world's most
industrialized nations plus Russia) have issued a statement
regarding Cyprus, wherein they call on both sides to resume
dialogue based on UN Security Council resolutions and to avoid
heightened tension on the island.
The statement, which was issued in Cologne earlier this
month, has been characterized as a positive development by
Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis who said
that "the statement by the G8 foreign ministers constitutes a
positive development and offers a new opportunity, provided the
Turkish side will also respond positively, for a resumption of
intercommunal dialogue under the general secretary and in the
framework of the UN.
Mr. Kranidiotis added that "the fact that the G8 session
preoccupied itself with the Cyprus issue underlines that it is an
exclusive international political problem for which the
international community has responsibility."
Mr. Kranidiotis said that a fortunate end to this process,
combined with the European prospects of Cyprus, will allow all the
people of Cyprus to "enjoy the fruits of an encouraging European
future."
[04] GREEK MARBLE FIRM FOUNDS PERMANENT EXPOSITION IN CHINA
The Greek marble firm CosmoMarmara S.A. is to establish a 300
sq. m. permanent exhibition site in Shanghai, China, a first step
in the company's projected expansion into markets abroad.
CosmoMarmara S.A. comprises six marble manufacturers, seven
of which are headquartered in Northern Greece, the country's
marble haven, and with the eighth being active in the commercial
sector, all involved in the areas of production, distribution,
promotion and facility supplies.
The firm's operational targets include improving innovation
and production, increasing exports, reducing unemployment and
contributing to environmental protection.
It receives state funding of GRD286 million for the execution
of investments amounting to GRD475 million.
[05] THE GREEK CONSUMERS WERE EATING DIOXIN CONTAMINATED FOOD
PRODUCTS FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS WITHOUT KNOWING IT
The Greeks were eating dioxin contaminated food products for
the past 5 months without knowing it due to the criminal delay of
the responsible bodies in Belgium in informing the European Union
about the crisis, according to the Geo-technical Chamber.
In a press conference in Thessaloniki it was also stressed
that while the dioxin creates health problems to people, the so-
called AIDS traced in cows (BVD) has no relation to the AIDS virus
infecting humans and can not be passed on to people.
According to president of the Greek Association of State
employed Veterinarians Giorgos Tsolis the Belgian ministry of
agriculture was informed on the problem on March 19, while on
April 26 it was established that the problem of the dioxin food
contamination was caused by animal feed produced in a specific
plant. However, the Belgian government informed about it the
responsible EU bodies with a delay of one month namely, on May 27.
Mr. Tsolis stated that in the period from January to June
1999 the Greeks consumed Belgian products that could be
contaminated with dioxin, while he underlined that Greece even
before any decision by the EU Commission was made proceeded to the
unilateral confiscation and destruction of poultry and pork meat
coming from specific Belgian producers.
[06] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE INCIDENT AT THE TURKISH COAST
INVOLVING A GREEK BOAT
If the Greek boat was carrying Pakistani and Iraqi illegal
immigrants the intervention of the Turkish authorities is positive
because they stopped illegal immigrants from crossing over to
Greek territory, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas.
The comment was made concerning the incident between a Greek
boat and the Turkish Coast Guard. Mr. Reppas also underlined that
the Greek side is conducting the necessary investigation to
determine exactly what happened.
[07] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH WILL VISIT ORESTIADA ON SATURDAY
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit Orestiada on
Saturday. Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece
will welcome the Patriarch at the customs station of Kastanies.
Patriarch Vartholomeos will then officiate in a holy liturgy
that will be held in Didimoticho. At noon he will attend the
official opening of the YTONG ceramic tiles industry plant in the
region of Neochori, Orestiada.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[08] PRESIDENT OF GREECE CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROMANIA
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is presently on an official, three-day visit to Romania,
accompanied by a delegation of Greek businessmen, at the
invitation of his Romanian counterpart Emil Constantinescu.
During his stay in Bucharest, President Stephanopoulos will
meet with President Constantinescu -with whom he will sign a
bilateral agreement- as well as other state and political
leaders.
Tomorrow, 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. He
will also meet with leading members of the Greek-Romanian
community and with the Greek students in Bucharest.
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.
[09] NATO EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF SERB TROOPS
NATO has complied with Yugoslavia's request for a 24-hour
extension of the deadline for the withdrawal of Serb military
units from southern regions of Kosovo until mid-night, Lieutenant-
Colonel Robin Clifford, spokesman for NATO force in Kosovo, has
announced.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Mr. Clifford
pointed out
that this decision by NATO was motivated by technical complexities
which hindered the Serb units from leaving the Territory before
Wednesday morning.
[10] SERBS DEPART FROM SOUTHERN KOSOVO, MEETING NATO'S DEADLINE
The deadline for the withdrawal of Serb troops from southern
Kosovo and Prishtina expired at midnight last night and, according
to reports, there have been no major problems so far.
Nevertheless, the withdrawal of the Serb troops has caused concern
among Kosovo's Serbs who are abandoning the region by the
thousands.
At the same time, British Lt. General Mike Jackson has
called on the Serb civilians to remain and plead that both sides
display self-restrain.
[11] BELGRADERS RUN FOR COVER AFTER MISTAKING THUNDER FOR ATTACK
When a strong thunderstorm broke out in Belgrade last night,
many of the locals - who had survived 78 days of NATO bombings -
ran for cover after mistaking the tempest for a military strike.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, the
successive lightning resembled the fire of Yugoslavian air
defenses, while thunder was similar to explosions of NATO bombs.
Many city districts were once again covered by darkness, just like
during the air strikes, as electricity supplies were cut off .
The outpour of rain brought in a monthly norm of
precipitation in a course of two hours, causing a great number of
floods.
Municipal authorities are presently working hard to cope with
the situation while the electrical supply is being gradually
restored.
[12] SERB PRESIDENT REJECTS RESIGNATION OF RADICAL PARTY MINISTERS
Serb President Milan Milutinovic has refused to accept the
resignation of 15 government ministers of the ultranationalist
Radical Party (SRS) of Vojislav Seselj, according to a statement
published by Yugoslavia's Tanjung news agency.
Mr. Seselj, Serbia's leading hardliner, and his party quit
the government on Monday, accusing Belgrade of "betraying"
Kosovo.
The SRS has 82 out of 250 seats in the Serb parliament.
The statement said that under the state of war, which was
imposed in Yugoslavia the night of March 24 when NATO began its
air campaign, Milutinovic can order all government members to
remain at their post because it is "vital" for Serbia.
[13] UNHCR DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER MASS EXODUS OF SERBS
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
yesterday expressed its deep concern over the exodus of thousands
of Serbs from Kosovo.
The UN agency said it was witnessing the same pattern of
displacements of
Serbs seen in Western Slavonia in December 1991, in the Krajina
and August 1995 and in Sarajevo after the 1995 Dayton peace
agreement.
According to a UN press report, The High Commissioner's
Special Envoy, Dennis McNamara, discussed the outflow of Serb
civilians with Lieutenant General Michael Jackson, the commander
of the Kosovo Force (KFOR), who confirmed that his troops would do
their best to provide security for all of Kosovo's citizens, but
stressed that under the circumstances, there was unfortunately a
limit to what could be done.
In an effort to stabilize the situation, UNHCR is also
talking to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and to the Serb
leadership in Kosovo. However, the agency said tensions were high
and there were likely to be more departures.
Serbs arriving in Montenegro say they fear reprisals and are
uncertain of
their future in Kosovo. UNHCR is using both local radio and
international networks to send out the message that KFOR troops
will provide security to all people regardless of ethnicity.
UNHCR estimates 13,000 Serbs have crossed into Montenegro
since Thursday
but it is not known how many Serbs are crossing directly into
Serbia. The Serb population of Kosovo is estimated at between
100,000 and 200,000 people.
At the same time, UNHCR reported a rush of refugees returning
to Kosovo
from neighboring countries. People in cars, tractor trailers and
on foot were lined up at the borders of Albania and FYROM.
UNHCR estimates more than 3,000 refugees in vehicles and an
indeterminate
number on foot crossed back into Kosovo yesterday. At least one
mine explosion on the Kosovo side of the Blace border crossing
killed one returnee and injured another. Three people from Albania
were also injured in a separate mine explosion.
[14] FOCUS INITIATIVE GROUP COORDINATES HUMANITARIAN AID EFFORT
Officials from the four countries comprised in the Focus
initiative (Greece, Russia, Switzerland and Austria) met in
Belgrade yesterday, with the participation of Yugoslav government
representatives, in order to coordinate the content and size of
the humanitarian aid to Yugoslavia.
Following the meeting, Russia's Minister for Emergency
Situations said that "we got a full picture of the destroyed and
damaged infrastructure, energy and health care sites. We will give
priority to their restoration."
As the NATO air raids denied hot water and central heating o
almost one million residents of the Yugoslav capital and the
authorities ask for the assistance to the restoration of a thermal
power plant in Belgrade by winter.
The supply of medicines, including pain-killers, was another
item on the agenda. Their shipment was hindered by the fact some
of the medicines contain narcotic substances. The Russian Ministry
for Civil Defense and Emergencies will ship the medical supplies
to Belgrade tomorrow.
[15] BOVINE IMMUNE DEFICIENCY DISEASE REPORTED IN NETHERLANDS
European consumers now have more cause for concern over what
they put in their mouths, as hundreds of cows in the Netherlands
are reportedly infected by a deadly disease that has symptoms
similar to AIDS.
According to a report issued by the Netherlands Ministry of
Agriculture, the bovine immune deficiency disease first broke out
in February, when authorities ordered the slaughter of 1,500 cows
at 12 Dutch farms.
Six thousand Dutch cattle breeders have reported to state
veterinarians that their animals have fallen ill by the disease
which may have been caused by expired inoculations performed in
1998.
The sickness represents no threat to dairy products, a
spokesman for the Netherlands Agriculture Ministry stressed.
The confederation of Dutch cattle-breeders believes that the
disease is not a new development and maintains that it has to do
with the inoculation against other bovine illnesses. Meanwhile,
the confederation has blocked large quantities of beef destined
for exportation to Greece.
[16] BULGARIA TO TRANSPORT KOSOVO REFUGEES ON RAIL VIA GREECE
Officials from Bulgaria's Railway Organization (BDZ) have
embarked on negotiations with their counterparts from Greece's
Railway Organization (OSE) regarding the route to be followed by
two Bulgarian trains that will transport refugees from FYROM to
Kosovo via Greece.
According to the Sofia daily "24 Hours", the vice-president
of Bulgaria Evgeni Bakargiev announced in Skopje earlier this week
that Bulgaria is willing to provide two trains for the transport
of refugees from FYROM to Kosovo.
However, there is a hitch since there is no direct railway
route between Bulgaria and FYROM as the railroad section between
the cities of Giesevo and Kumanovo has yet to be constructed.
Whether and when the two Bulgarian trains will set off for
FYROM will be determined with OSE's cooperation but it is
anticipated that 4,000 Kosovars will return home this way on a
daily basis, with the overall number of returnees expected to
surpass the 270,000-mark.
[17] THE WARNING OF KLA TO THE RUSSIAN KFOR SOLDIERS IS A
"STATEMENT OF WAR"
A Russian foreign ministry spokesman characterized as a
"statement of war" against the Russian forces the warning issued
by the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels.
Earlier, the ethnic Albanian separatist rebels of the KLA had
warned that the Russian soldiers of the KFOR will be regarded as
enemies.
[18] THE YUGOSLAV FORCES DOWNED 61 NATO FIGHTER JETS
The Yugoslav army downed 61 allied fighter jets, 30 unmanned
spy aircraft, 7 helicopters and 238 missiles during the NATO air
strikes campaign, according to Yugoslav armed forces general staff
chief, general Dragoljub Oidanic.
The Yugoslav army chief stated on the occasion of the
Yugoslav Armed Forces Day that the resistance displayed by the
Serb army and the Serb people will be the object of study for war
analysts and stressed that in spite of the fact that in the past
2.5 months over 21.700 tons of explosives ended up on Yugoslavia
the morale and unity of the people, the political leadership and
the army remained high and managed to defeat an opponent who was
676 times more powerful in financial terms.
The general stated that the successful handling of the crisis
by the military command and the use of well-tried strategies
minimized the losses in manpower and military equipment.
[19] ITALIAN SOLDIERS DISCOVERED A MASS GRAVE IN PEC
Italian soldiers of the peacekeeping force in Kosovo
discovered a mass grave with 120 bodies near the town of Pec in
western Kossovo, according to the Italian news agency Ansa.
The mass grave was located in the village of Korenica and the
Serbs are allegedly responsible for the killings. Italian soldiers
also found other four bodies in a field and four more among them,
a small child were found in a house.
The mass grave was discovered based on information from the
Kosovo Liberation Army rebels, according to the Italian news
agency.
[20] THE SECOND PART OF THE GREEK FORCE HAS ARRIVED IN KOSOVO
Other 450 Greek soldiers, part of the Greek force that is
being deployed in Kosovo, have crossed the FYROM-Kosovo borders.
The first Greek soldiers of the 501 mechanized battalion
arrived in Urosevac yesterday. The soldiers camped last night next
to a US brigade and today they will set up the Greek military
camp.
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