Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-07-21
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 21, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE SIMITIS-KOSTOV MEETING WAS HELD IN A VERY POSITIVE
ATMOSPHERE
[02] KRANIDIOTIS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI TO DISCUSS ISSUES
CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
[03] UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM 7 BALKAN STATES WILL VISIT
CHALKIDIKI
[04] IOC PRESIDENT JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH IS IN ATHENS
[05] MR. KRANIDIOTIS MET WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF CYPRUS
[06] A TURKISH FIGHTER JET HARASSED THE PASSENGER PLANE WITH THE
GREEK MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION
[07] "GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY AND OIL
COMPANIES
[08] BULGARIAN PREMIER VISITS ATHENS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] THE TURKISH MIT ARRESTED PKK'S SECOND IN COMMAND
[10] THE FIRST DEADLINE FOR THE DISARMAMENT OF KLA EXPIRES TODAY
[11] PKK: SOYSAL WAS HANDED OVER BY MOLDAVIA
[12] KLIRIDIS: WE DO NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER OF CONFEDERATION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE SIMITIS-KOSTOV MEETING WAS HELD IN A VERY POSITIVE
ATMOSPHERE
The meeting of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis with his
Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov has been completed in Athens.
Their talks focused on the reconstruction of the Balkans and the
construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project.
Mr. Simitis stated in a press conference regarding the
situation in the Balkans, that both have agreed that the stability
pact procedures should go ahead within the framework of the
European Union. They also stressed that the stability pact can not
be directed to isolated problems but it has to deal with the
Balkans as a whole, given the fact that the EU does not have a
complete and satisfactory policy at this point.
Mr. Simitis stated on the issue of Kosovo that there are many
problems in the region that can be faced through international
law, the participation in the United Nations procedures as well
as, the respect of international regulations and the existing
borders.
Prime minister Simitis stressed that Greece will deal with
the EU enlargement in the Helsinki summit meeting and it will
suggest that the negotiations with Bulgaria should start
immediately.
The two prime ministers characterized bilateral relations as
very good and the Bulgarian prime minister expressed his
satisfaction concerning the pledge by Mr. Simitis to back
Bulgaria's bid for membership in the European Union and NATO. Mr.
Kostov stated that Greece is Bulgaria's most important economic
partner in south-eastern Europe which is proved by the volume of
Bulgaria's foreign trade transactions and the impressive presence
of Greece in the Bulgarian privatization process.
On the joint Greek-Bulgarian projects, Mr. Simitis and Mr.
Kostov discussed the pan-European road axis No4 construction plan
which according to Mr. Kostov is the alternative road that links
the south-eastern European countries with the rest European
states. On the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil
pipeline, Mr. Kostov reiterated his country's positive stance and
announced that by the end of July there will be a meeting of Greek
and Russian specialists to discuss the creation of a committee
that will undertake the further examination of the existing
issues.
Mr. Simitis pointed out that a joint group of specialists
should be formed to examine the likelihood of a free movement zone
of 10 to 25 kilometers deep on both sides of the Greek-Bulgarian
borders. Commenting on the issue of the construction of the road
axes, Mr. Simitis stated that certain issues have already been
settled but more preparatory work is needed.
[02] KRANIDIOTIS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI TO DISCUSS ISSUES
CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
Deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis will be in
Thessaloniki next Tuesday to discuss with local authorities the
issue concerning the place where the headquarters of the
Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans will be housed.
The first stop for Mr. Kranidiotis will be the ministry of
Macedonia-Thrace where he will discuss with minister Yiannis
Magriotis the existing options. Afterwards, the deputy foreign
minister will have contacts with local administration authorities
on the same issue.
On the organization's timetable, it is estimated that it will
be in operation by September or in October at the latest, given
the fact that the European parliament has to issue a decision on
the matter.
[03] UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM 7 BALKAN STATES WILL VISIT
CHALKIDIKI
University students from Greece and Cyprus and from 5 other
Balkan states will be in Chalkidiki, northern Greece on Friday to
participate in the 4th Conference of the South-Eastern Europe
Youth Center.
In the conference that is being organized with the support of
the National Youth Institute participate university student
associations from Albania, Yugoslavia, FYROM, Romania and
Bulgaria.
During the conference the students will adopt a number of
proposals on the role of the new generation in the effort to bring
peace and prosperity to the Balkans. Those proposals will be sent
to the EU member-states, the OSCE and the United Nations.
[04] IOC PRESIDENT JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH IS IN ATHENS
International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio
Samaranch arrived in Athens at noon today and later this afternoon
he will speak in the Olympic Academy meeting.
In statements he made upon his arrival at the Athens Airport,
Mr. Samaranch referred to the resignation of the Olympic Games
Organization "Athens 2004" organizing committee president Stratis
Stratigis.
He stressed that he is not concerned over the resignation,
underlining that there will be someone equally able to replace Mr.
Stratigis. Mr. Samaranch also appeared very satisfied with the
construction course of the sports facilities projects scheduled to
be completed in time for the 2004 Olympic Games that will be held
in Athens.
IOC president Mr. Samaranch will meet today with culture
minister Elisavet Papazoi and undersecretary of sports Andreas
Fouras.
[05] MR. KRANIDIOTIS MET WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF CYPRUS
Greek deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis met with
Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides in Athens today. In
the meeting they discussed the prospects for the accession of
Cyprus into the European Union, the Cyprus problem and the
relations with Turkey.
Mr. Kranidiotis stated that the visit of Turkish prime
minister Bulent Ecevit to the Turkish occupied northern part of
Cyprus undermines the efforts made for the opening of a Greek-
Turkish dialogue on secondary issues and the efforts made by
Turkey itself to become part of the European family.
From his side, Mr. Kasoulides characterized as especially
positive the initiative undertaken by the G8 and the United
Nations on the Cyprus problem and underlined that the efforts will
continue for the overturning, through political and diplomatic
means, of the fait accompli created by the Turkish invasion of
Cyprus.
[06] A TURKISH FIGHTER JET HARASSED THE PASSENGER PLANE WITH THE
GREEK MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION
A Turkish fighter jet harassed today the two-engine passenger
plane on board which was Greek minister of transportation Tasos
Mandelis on his way back to Athens from Cyprus.
The first harassment was recorded while the passenger plane
was 48 miles south-east of the southern Aegean island of Rhodes
and the second when the plane was 28 miles away from the island.
Two Greek Mirage-2000 fighter jets arrived at the region
immediately but there was no interception as the Turkish
fighter jet had already left.
The Greek minister of transportation was in Cyprus
representing the Greek government in the events held in the island
on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.
[07] "GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY AND OIL
COMPANIES
New fuel prices are to be announced today, as well as the
highest possible profit, after the "gentlemen's agreement" reached
yesterday between oil companies and gas station owners and the
Ministry of Development. The agreement will be valid until August
17, especially in 12 prefectures where extremely high prices have
been reported. Development Minister, Evagelos Venizelos estimated
that in the next few days there will be a fall in the prices of
crude oil due to the fall of the dollar equivalency, as well as
due to the decrease in the rate of international demand.
[08] BULGARIAN PREMIER VISITS ATHENS
Bulgarian Premier, Ivan Kostov, is paying a visit to Athens
today. He will meet with his Greek counterpart, Kostas Simitis,
Greek President, Kostis Stefanopoulos and Speaker, Apostolos
Kaklamanis. Their discussions will focus on the construction plans
of three new roads in the border passages of Rouzodem-Xanthi ,
Delchev-Drama and Kirtzali-Komotini. They are also expected to
discuss about the construction of the oil pipeline between Burgas
and Alexandroupolis. Mr Kostov is accompanied by the Bulgarian
vice-president Evgeni Bakartziev and the Minister of Trade and
Tourism, Valentin Vasilev.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] THE TURKISH MIT ARRESTED PKK'S SECOND IN COMMAND
The Turkish Information Service (MIT) announced that it has
arrested in Germany Cevat Soysal, second in command in the Kurdish
PKK organization in Europe, according to a report on the Turkish
television network MTV.
In a statement issued by MIT, it is stressed that Soysal was
arrested during a Turkish secret service operation in Germany and
was taken to Turkey.
Meanwhile, two police officers and a civilian have lost their
lives, while seven people were injured in armed attacks against
two cities in Turkey that are being attributed to Kurdish rebels.
[10] THE FIRST DEADLINE FOR THE DISARMAMENT OF KLA EXPIRES TODAY
The first deadline for the gradual disarmament of the Kosovo
Liberation Army, KLA, expires today.
The KLA rebels will have to hand over all their heavy weapons
and 30% of their light weapons.
[11] PKK: SOYSAL WAS HANDED OVER BY MOLDAVIA
The Kurdish Workers' Party, PKK, has issued a statement
according to which Cevat Soysal was handed over to Turkey by the
Moldavian authorities and he was not arrested in Germany as it was
reported by the Turkish mass media. Meanwhile, German officials
have stated that they can not confirm Soysal's arrest on German
soil.
The Turkish television had reported earlier that Soysal was
arrested in Germany and was transferred to Turkey on board a
private plane, while it also presented pictures showing Soysal
leaving the plane accompanied by Turkish MIT secret agents and
wearing a hood over his head.
[12] KLIRIDIS: WE DO NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER OF CONFEDERATION
There is no way we are going to discuss the matter of a
confederation or accept talks of an inter-state nature, stressed
President of Cyprus, Glafkos Kliridis. Mr. Kliridis said that the
Greek-cypriot side is ready to take part in inter-communal talks
in order to search for a solution of a two-zone-two communities
confederation, according the UN Security Council's resolutions and
the declaration of G-8 on Cyprus.
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