Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-01-21

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

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, January 21, 1997

TITLES

[01] PREMIER ATTENDS SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL MEETING

[02] STRIKE FEVER STRIKES AGAIN, SEAMEN ARE EXTENDING THEIRS UNTIL THURSDAY

[03] ERBAKAN: TURKISH MILITARY SHIPS TO VISIT CYPRUS

[04] THESSALONIKI'S MUSEUM HAILED AS THE BEST, BY FRENCH MAGAZINE

[05] KALAS TRIBE IN PAKISTAN HAS GREEK SCHOOL, BUT NO DESKS, FUNDS NEEDED

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PREMIER ATTENDS SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL MEETING

Rome, January 21 (MPA)

The Greek Premier stated yesterday that Turkey must abandon its provocative tactics if it wishes to conform to the rules and principles of the European Union.

During the session, which is attended by 350 representatives of 139 socialist parties from 120 countries, Mr. Simitis is expected to refer to Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue. According to the council's agenda, the sessions will focus on the Middle East and the peace process, the Dayton Agreement, and the reform and renewal of the Socialist International.

Accompanying the Premier are PASOK's foreign policy secretary and recently-named foreign undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, central committee secretary Kostas Scandalides and executive bureau member and Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos.

[02] STRIKE FEVER STRIKES AGAIN, SEAMEN ARE EXTENDING THEIRS UNTIL THURSDAY

Athens, January 21 (MPA)

Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stated that the striking seamen must consider their responsibilities for the social and political cost of the strike. The government has ruled out the possibility of mobilizing the strikers.

The seamen's strike has brought on a series of problems, especially for the islands where medicines and fresh foods supplies are already becoming scarce.

In Crete, agricultural unions warn that about half of the fresh foods that are waiting to be shipped to the mainland are at risk of rotting if they don't leave by this afternoon.

Also, hundreds of Greek lorry and car drivers remain immobilized at Italian ports, unable to embark for Greece.

High school teachers also embarked on an indefinite strike yesterday, demanding wage increases. Government officials have responded by threatening to extend the school year if they have to in order to make up for school hours lost.

On Thursday, the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's strongest labour force, will conduct a 24-hour, country- wide strike. On January 27, pensioners will organize a mass rally, while on February 3-4 the Highest Union of Public Servants will hold a 48-hour strike. A.F.

[03] ERBAKAN: TURKISH MILITARY SHIPS TO VISIT CYPRUS

Ankara, January 21 (MPA)

"According to information I received form the General Army Staff, our military ships will visit Cyprus," Mr. Erbakan said during his meeting with the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, adding that "Cyprus and Turkey are closely associated with one another. The whole world must see and know this."

Also, Mr. Erbakan referred to Cyprus' purchase of S-300 missiles from Russia, which he characterized as "an unacceptable provocation."

"It does not matter that they have postponed it (the deployment) for 16 months. These arms can never go there, because if they do, they would turn the island into a powder keg," the Turkish Premier said, adding that if the missiles are deployed, then Turkey will take the appropriate steps." A.F.

[04] THESSALONIKI'S MUSEUM HAILED AS THE BEST, BY FRENCH MAGAZINE

Thessaloniki, January 21 (MPA)

France's magazine "Nouveau" recently hailed the city's museum as the "best in Greece", part of a three-page article dedicated to Thessaloniki.

The article is titled "Thessaloniki, Once the City of the Tragic King, now Europe's Cultural Capital" features a useful guide for the city's sights, museums, theaters and hotels. A.F.

[05] KALAS TRIBE IN PAKISTAN HAS GREEK SCHOOL, BUT NO DESKS, FUNDS NEEDED

Thessaloniki, January 21 (MPA)

The Kalas, known as the Greeks of the Himalayas, are a tribe whose culture brings to mind ancient Greece, with similarities in language, religion, rituals and even the hippocratic methods in medicine. Perhaps most importantly, the name Sikander Azam - Alexander the Great- is the strongest link with their splendid ancestry.

In the summer of 1994, a Greek teacher from Athens, Athanasios Lerounis, had travelled to Pakistan for mountain climbing where he met the Kalas. The idea to establish a school for the tribe was his own.

"They didn't ask for money, they only wanted a school so that they wouldn't lose their culture," Mr. Lerounis told the Macedonian Press Agency.

The project started from scratch. Upon his return to Athens, Mr. Lerounis secured a permit from the Education Ministry and, with the aid of other Greek organizations, the Kalas school was built in Pakistan's Kracal, at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level near the Indian Caucasus.

The school has five classrooms with 56 students, but no desks. The Greek academic community continues the fundraising efforts for the Kalas and a bank account has been opened at Agrotiki Trapeza, acc. number 4180100655769. A.F.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/

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