MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (06/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, June 6, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER ARRIVES IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR A TWO-DAY VISIT

Greek Premier Kostas Simitis will arrive in Thessaloniki this afternoon, accompanied by a delegation of ministers and undersecretaries, where he will examine the region's problems and will announce the timetables for the currently under-construction projects.

Mr. Simitis will be greeted by local dignitaries in a formal welcoming ceremony at the "Macedonia" airport and will then move on to the Thessaloniki International Fair Conference Center where he will give a speech on regional developent and decentralization.

On Friday morning, the Prime Minister will meet with Macedonia- Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and in the afternoon will meet with officials from the Thessaloniki European Cultural Capital Organization.

The Premier will be accompanied by the Ministers of Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos, National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, Agriculture Stefanos Tzoumakas, Health and Welfare Anastasios Peponis, Justice, Evangelos Venizelos, Culture, Stavros Benos, Transportations Haris Kastanides.

Also accompanying the Prime Minister will be the under- Secretaries of National Economy Christos Pachtas, Development Michalis Chrysochoides, Health, Franklinos Papadelis and Education George Paschalides.

[02] TURKEY'S POLICY IS MARKED BY IRRESPONSIBLITY, AUDACITY AND HYPERBOLE

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas stated today that the new turkish positions which question the greek sovereignty of the Gavdos island are marked by irresponsibility, audacity and hyperbole.

The Greek government does not intent to follow Ankara's tactic which is contrary to the international community's legal principles, Mr. Bikas added.

Moreover, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson reminded that NATO has categorically rejected Turkey's claims and noted that the international community is no longer able to comprehend such policies and is viewing Ankara with scepticism.

[03] GREEK-SKOPJAN TALKS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK IN NEW YORK

Thje Greece-FYROM talks on the name issue will be continued the following week in New York under the aegis of Cyrus Vance.

According to Foreign Minsitry spokesperson Konstantinos Bikas, this week's talks were cancelled following Skopje's request.

[04] TURKEY'S PREMIER MESUT YILMAZ RESIGNS, NEW GOVERNMENT TO BE FORMED

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz submitted his resignation today to President Suleiman Demirel, thereby leading the country to a new coalition government.

Following his meeting with the turkish President, Mr. Yilmaz stated that Mr. Demirel will embark on contacts with party leaders tomorrow and, until a new government is formed, today's Motherland Party Cabinet will keep its post, albeit temporary.

[05] GREEK POET ODYSSEAS ELYTIS COMMEMMORATED IN PARIS EVENT

Amidst a crowded room with a packed audience of French and Greek supporters of the arts and literature an evening of poetry was dedicated yesterday to the late Greek poet Odysseas Elytis at the House of Poetry in Paris.

Elytis died on March 18, at the age of 85. A Nobel prize winner, he is considered as being one of the most important contemporary European wtiters and one of the leading representatives of surrealism in Greece.

[06] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH BILL CLINTON ON JUNE 18

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides will meet with United States President Bill Clinton at the White House on June 18, where they will discuss the Cyprus situation and will examine the ways the US can promote the possibilities of finding a permanent and peaceful solution.

According to a White House announcement, Presidents Clinton and Clerides will also exchange views on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[07] HABITAT CONFERENCE IN TURKEY IS AN OXYMORON, SAYS FLEMISH EURO MEP

A Flemish eurodeputy participating at the United Nations international conference "Habitat" in Constantinople has sterny criticised the event as an "oxymoron", and made lengthy references to the continuous violations of human rights in Turkeyu.

Ms. A. Aelvoet, member of the Ecologists Party, stated that the decision to hold the conference in Turkey is "oxymoron" since the turkish army has uprooted 2,675 kurdish villages and is continuing to do so, leaving the homeless villagers to wander aimlessly in Constantinople.

The Habitat conference is themed after human settlements and the right to housing.

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