MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (04/04/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

CONTENTS

[01] U.S TRADE SECRETARY'S DEATH CONFIRMED, ALL 33 PASSENGERS KILLED

The plane was traveling from Bosnia to Croatia and crashed on a mountain hill shortly before it was due to land at Croatia's Dubrovnik airport. The reasons for the crash remain unknown.

The Croat Ambassador stated that a woman who had been found alive, died on the way to the hospital.

Earlier, the U.S. government had announced that Ron Brown and his delegation of 13 businessmen and 12 U.S. government officials were considered killed.

[02] BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH GREEK PREMIER

Mr. Pirinski was received this morning by the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, while in the afternoon he will meet with the President Kostis Stefanopoulos and Mr. Pangalos.

Topics of discussion will include the proposed Burgas- Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the opening of three new border cross-points and the link of perpendicular road axes with Egnatia.

[03] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS IN NEW YORK

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Mr. Romeos discussed the role and mission of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) and pointed out that the Council's role is not to replace the greek organizations established abroad, with which it will closely collaborate, but instead to "coordinate the efforts in facing the common problems and to fulfil the common aims of Greeks throughout the world."

The Minister also referred to the legislation regarding the International Convention of Hellenism, scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki during the first months 1997, coinciding with the city's appointment as European Cultural Capital.

Mr. Romeos also stated that during his United States visit he had the opportunity to "communicate with the greek community's organizations and to affirm the complete acceptance of the governmental policy by the Greeks abroad."

[04] PANATHINAIKOS WON 1-0 IN THE SEMIFINAL FIRST LEG EUROPEAN CUP GAME

The victorious goal, which was shot three minutes from time by Polish striker Krysztof Warzycha, placed the greek champions half-way into the Champions League May final.

Up to now, Ajax had a record unbeaten 10-match Cup run. Its defeat by Panathinaikos was its first in the European competition since 1994, when it was beaten by Italy's Parma in the Cup Winners' quarter finals.

[05] BRITISH LABOUR PARTY SHADOW MINISTER FAVORS RETURN OF ELGIN MARBLES TO GREECE

Noting that Athens' atmospheric pollution has been reduced and that standards of curatorship have been significantly improved in Greece, Mr. Fisher stated that the british opposition to the return of the marbles to Greece no longer stands. Moreover, the British Shadow Minister pointed out that a museum currently planned in Athens would provide a suitable home for the marbles.

In an interview to the british paper "Daily Telegraph", Mr. Fisher stated that if his party came to power, "it would be foolish and internationally churlish not to hold proper talks with the greek government."

Also, the former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock, has made repeated requests for the return of the marbles to Greece. He has said that "the Parthenon without the Marbles is like a smile with a missing tooth."