Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-09-20

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 20, 1999

SECTIONS

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] SCHOOL YEAR GETS OFF TO A BAD START AFTER LENGTHY DELAYS

While the majority of schools will open today, Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis conceded that a series of obstacles still need to be overcome. Nevertheless, he expressed his confidence that this year will not be marked by teacher of student mobilizations and added that the shortage in teaching staff will be covered by new hires who will be selected in the spring.

[02] STATE TO SET UP PRE-FABRICATED HOMES FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

Mr. Laliotis said that 130 settlements would be established in the Metamorphosi area in some 10 days for the use of the area's homeless.

In eight to 10 weeks, Mr. Laliotis added, the ministry will have established 4,000 settlements of pre-fabricated homes in all the areas hit by the quake.

The Sept. 7 quake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale and killed 139 people; most were killed when buildings, including factories and high-rise apartment buildings, collapsed.

[03] WEAK TREMOR OCCURS IN NORTH AEGEAN, MEASURES 4.1 RICHTER

According to statements given to the Macedonian Press Agency by professors of the Aristotle University's Geophysics laboratory, there is no cause for concern, while the tremor is not associated to the strong earthquake that devastated Turkey on August 17.

[04] ISTANBUL MAYOR TO MEET WITH GREEK PRESIDENT TODAY

In order to personally convey his condolences to the capital city's Dimitris Avramopoulos for the victims of the devastating earthquake which killed 141 people on September 7.

Heading a delegation of city council members and journalists, Mr. Yurtuna met with the Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday, to whom he conveyed his condolences for the devastating earthquake of September 7 which killed 141 people.

Mr. Yurtuna said that the solidarity displayed by both peoples during the course of the earthquakes could constitute the starting point for the further strengthening of Greek-Turkish ties.

"A bridge has already been created by the earthquakes. We want to consolidate and create a better principle. We want peace to prevail in our region. I believe that Istanbul and Athens will achieve this," Mr. Yurtuna said.

Mr. Avramopoulos had visited Istanbul after the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey's northwestern region on August 17.

[05] MULTITUDE OF FUTURE PROJECTS FOR THESSALONIKI'S DEVELOPMENT

Focusing on the creation of two new hi-tech units, Mr. Venizelos said the BOPP-film unit in Komotini will be operational in December 2000 and will provide much needed employment opportunities in the region, while the Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) refinery in western Thessaloniki will begin operations on October 10, following repairs from a fire last February.

Furthermore, Mr. Venizelos said efforts are already underway for the creation in Thessaloniki of a new national research center, a maritime research facility, and a regional office of Renewable Energy Sources Center, among others.

[06] N.D. HON. PRESIDENT: WE NEARED A G/T NON-AGGRESSION PACT IN ‘92

In an interview with the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", Mr. Mitsotakis opined that while the premises exist for such a development, it would be premature at this given period considering the sensitive phase of the Cyprus issue.

Commenting on the rapprochement noted between Greece and Turkey following the earthquakes that devastated both countries, Mr. Mitsotakis said that it became apparent that the differences between the two peoples are not as great as once thought.

"What is pleasant in Greece today is that the policy of conducting a dialogue with Turkey -since this is the key to a dialogue- is that it was accepted by all the Greek politicians.

Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that this common Greek national policy on conducting talks with Turkey is a result of his efforts as premier.

"It is a national foreign policy that enjoys the support of all parties. This is something that a lot of people are unaware of. Following Davos in February of 1992, I had requested from the then-president of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Karamanlis that the first meeting of political leaders be held under his leadership on February 18. The minutes exist.

"During this meeting, (the policy of) dialogue was agreed upon as a national policy. That is, Greece has to conduct dialogue with Turkey. As a matter of fact, Andreas Papandreou, who was severely compromised by what he had said to the contrary in the past, sought a mildly different term. In an effort to somehow justify himself, he said ‘let's not call it dialogue, let's call it line of communication'," Mr. Mitsotakis stated.

According to the former Premier, he had brought forth the issue of a cooperation, friendship and non-aggression pact to Greece's political leaders, albeit without an ensuing agreement. While Turkey was willing to sign the said pact, and he himself having accepted it on principle, he refused to sign it as he awaited -in vain- for progress to be made on the Cyprus issue.

[07] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINISTER DEPARTS FOR NATO SUMMIT IN CANADA

On the sidelines of the summit, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will have talks with his counterparts from the United States and Turkey.

[08] GREEK CONSTRUCTION FIRM ENTERS ALBANIAN MARKET

The project, which amounts to 3.6 million euro, is the first step in the company's plans to expand its activity in the neighboring country.

Themeliodomi is already active in Romania and participates in the projects to reconstruct Yugoslavia, while it also plans to expand into Bulgaria as well.

[09] THREE ADDITIONAL RESCUE TEAMS TO BE FOUNDED IN GREECE

Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoides, during a interview with the Athens daily "Ta Nea", referred to the heroic assistance offered by the EMAK team during the earthquakes that devastated both Greece and Turkey. He stated that five billion drachmas will be made available for the upgrading of the units and that efforts are underway to increase the remuneration of the team's members.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. Chrysochoides stressed that his ministry enjoys full cooperation with the United States, noting that Washington never requested that it be given the results of the DNA testing conducted on the blood spots discovered near the German ambassador's residence in Athens which was jolted by rocket fire on May 16, 1999.

[10] NANA MOUSKOURI, UNICEF'S GOODWILL AMBASSADOR, VISITS TENTS

The chairman of UNICEF's Greek Committee Eleni Argyriadou, who accompanied Ms. Mouskouri during her visit, pointed out that those wishing to contribute to UNICEF's drive for the children who survived the quake can deposit their donation in the following bank accounts: National Bank 169/480020-64, CITIBANK of Ampelokipi 5502346484, Trade Bank 80191081, Agricultural Bank (Central Branch) 4416-70.

[11] CHRISTOS ROKOFILLOS IS THE NEW DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

The announcement was made by government spokesman Dimitris Reppas. Mr. Rokofillos is former parliament deputy and had served as industry undersecretary when Kostas Simitis was minister of industry in an Andreas Papandreou government. Mr. Rokofillos was elected parliament deputy in the prefecture of Etoloakarnania, central Greece but in the last elections was not elected.

The new deputy foreign minister is 68 years old and studied Law in the University of Athens, while his post graduate studies were made in Sorbonne where he was declared a Law professor.

He was first elected in parliament in 1977, while he was a member of the Council of Europe parliamentary assembly (1989-1993), PASOK's parliament spokesman (1993-1994), deputy minister of industry (1994-1995) and head of the Greek delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO (1997 until today).

Mr. Rokofillos also served as governor of the Agricultural Bank (1981-1982), Greece's ambassador to France (1982-1987), while at the same time he was Greece's ambassador to the Vatican and UNESCO.

He was a member of PASOK since its founding and was elected secretary in PASOK's Central Committee Foreign Policy and Security Sector.

He is married and has two children, Konstantis and Anna.

[12] 465 SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED IN THE REGION OF ATTIKI

The minister of education stated that the repair work in school buildings moves quickly and within the week it will be known when it will be completed. Organization of School Buildings general director Manolis Baltas pointed out that new school buildings will be built to house the students in the earthquake stricken areas.

Meanwhile, the school year started in Attiki with big problems as over 465 schools did not open for the students, while in Thessaloniki everything went well.

[13] THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY

Minister of environment, land planning and public works Kostas Laliotis promised that about 3.500 pre-fabricated houses will be set up in camps in the next 8 weeks and the first 130 pre-fabricated houses will be ready to house earthquake homeless in 10 days.

[14] 1.200 BUSINESSES WERE DESTROYED BY THE EARTHQUAKE

The number of such cases is expected to exceed the 5.000 mark as small family businesses will also be added to the list.

[15] THE FUNERAL OF THE NET CAMERAMAN, WHO WAS AMONG THE PASSENGERS OF THE ILL-FATED FALCON, WAS HELD TODAY

Meanwhile, the state of health of diplomat Grigoris Papadopoulos remains critical and he is still hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the General State Hospital in Athens with heavy head injuries.

[16] THESSALONIKI MEETS ALL THE PRECONDITIONS TO BECOME THE SEAT OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS ORGANIZATION

The above were stated by governing socialist party of PASOK Euro-deputy Yiannis Koukiadis on the occasion of the discussion held in the European Parliament to decide where the seat of the organization will be based. Mr. Koukiadis also stressed that the selection of the seat must be made taking under consideration the fact that it can become the basis for an overall European policy in the Balkans.

[17] THE MAYOR OF ISTANBUL WAS RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS

In a meeting earlier between Mr. Avramopoulos and Mr. Yurtuna were discussed issues concerning the two municipalities, while a protocol of cooperation on issues of culture, tourism and maintenance of historic buildings, was also signed.

[18] REPPAS: THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY

Mr. Reppas stated that the government safeguards the clarity in the transactions and the healthy operation of the Athens Stock Exchange, adding that the measures promoted are aimed at shielding the Stock Exchange to contribute to the development of the country.

The government spokesman also stated that the good operation of the Stock Exchange is the result of the government's successful economic policy and suggested to investors to be calm.

[19] BRIDGE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY

The two mayors signed a protocol of cooperation in the sectors of culture, trade and tourism and Mr. Avramopoulos assured that the initiative of the 5 Greek mayors to build a camp that will house about 8.000 homeless in Istanbul will materialized as planned.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[20] GREEK-TURKISH JOINT PROPOSAL ON QUAKE DAMAGE RECOVERY

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is presently in New York for the session, met with his Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem yesterday with whom he discussed the progress of the talks held between Greek-and Turkish foreign ministry officials.

[21] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA ENTHRONED IN GRAND CEREMONY

He is the sixth archbishop since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1922.

Among his goals are the cultivation of the orthodox faith, love, charity and care, unity and concord.

[22] UCK GIVEN 48-HOUR EXTENSION ON DEADLINE TO DISARM

According to resolution No 1244 of the United Nations Security Council, UCK was to be disarmed and disbanded by September 19.

While its commanders say that their detachments have surrendered all their weapons to NATO, the shots and grenade explosions, which are still being heard in Kosovo, show that this is not so.

[23] RAISA GORBACHEV DIES THIS MORNING AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS

Her doctor Thomas Buechner stated that she succumbed to leukemia after a lengthy struggle.

[24] RAISA'S SYSTEM WAS TOO WEAK FOR BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT

He made the announcement at the Westfaelische Wilhelm Universtaet clinic where she had been undergoing treatment.

According to the French new agency AFP, the spokesman of the Gorbachev Foundation in Moscow stated: "This happened around five in the morning Moscow time (0100 GMT)."

"Gorbachev is in Germany right now. We just found out about it, and will have more information in a few minutes," he said.

Mrs. Gorbachev, 67, had been in a critical condition. Doctors had hoped to carry out a bone marrow transplant, but she had been too sick to undergo the operation after last week experiencing a sudden drop in blood pressure, a high fever and breathing problems.

She was hospitalized in Muenster on July 26 for leukemia and received chemotherapy. Her sister Ludmilla Titorenko flew to Germany from Russia in August to be available for a bone marrow transplant, for which she had been found compatible.

Mikhail Gorbachev has been by his wife's side since her hospitalization. He has said news of his wife's cancer had come as an utter shock, "like snow in July."

He resigned from his post in December 1991 as the Soviet Union broke up into its constituent republics.

[25] GREECE'S COMMISSIONER ASKS FOR GRD200 BILLION IN QUAKE AID

Ms. Diamantopoulou briefed her colleagues on the initial estimates of damage caused by the quake, which indicate that the need for EU funding rises to 200 billion drachmas.

The Greek Commissioner stated that the EU should overcome the legal problems so the funding may be released.

[26] EU COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT: TURKEY MUST CHANGE

As the French news agency AFP reported, Mr. Verheugen stated that "we won't negotiate with a country where the fundamentals of democracy, respect for law and the rights of minorities are not clear.

"Turkey must change before any negotiations begin."

The German Commissioner had announced Thursday that the EU planned to recognize Turkey's candidature at a Helsinki summit in December, but emphasized then that "this does not imply that concrete negotiations will follow."

[27] GREECE'S DEPUTY FM TO BE RECEIVED BY ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA

His Eminence will also meet with the members of the cross-party committee of the Hellenic Parliament, among them Dimitris Pantermalis who is the president of the Committee for Greeks Abroad, Nikolaos Katsaros, second vice-president of the Parliament and vice-president of the Orthodoxy Committee, and Stelios Papathemelis, the president of the Orthodoxy Committee.

[28] CARREFOUR-CONTINENT MERGER IN GREECE

CARREFOUR had done a market research in Greece three years ago in order to open its first stores in the country in the year 2000, but the merger of CARREFOUR with PROMODES (Continent) held at an international level temporarily changed CARREFOUR's plans.

However, CARREFOUR has already launched the construction of a big super market in Thessaloniki, while at the same time it appears as the owner of real estate in Athens and Patras.

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