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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-01-23Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCYThessaloniki, January 23, 1997TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] STRIKE REPORT: SEAMEN TO OPEN PORTS, BUT LOCAL FARMERS WILL CLOSE ROADSAthens, January 23 (MPA)The Greek seamen and dockworkers have called-off their strike, after a decision taken early this morning, as a response to the improved proposals submitted to them by the Minister of Merchant Marine Stavros Soumakis.Specifically, the proposals foresee for an 8% income tax for the seamen in 1997, to rise to 9% to 1998, while the lower ranks will be taxed with 4% in 1997 and 6% in 1998. Farmers from Macedonia and Thrace have decided to proceed to roadblocks on February 3, as well as barricade the entrance of Thessaloniki's International Fairgrounds, where the Agrotica 13 exhibition of agricultural machinery will be held. When the Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas was asked if the government will arrest the farmers as they proceed to the roadblocks, he replied that he does not wish to comment on what the law enforcement department will do. Meanwhile, the country's high school teachers appear determined to continue their indefinite strike, following last night's marathon meeting with the Minister of Education Gerasimos Arsenis and the Undersecretary of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis. The teachers demand improved wages and benefits, but Mr. Arsenis has said that their demand of a GRD70,000 pay increase is beyond the government's ability. [02] FOREIGN MINISTER: MORATORIUM CAN'T BE ENFORCED UNDER THESE CONDITIONSAthens, January 23 (MPA)Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated today that the State Department's proposal of a flight moratorium over Cyprus does not solve the Cyprus issue."Can the United States guarantee that they will attack Turkish planes if it's needed?" Mr. Pangalos asked, adding that "at this time, the moratorium has no legal meaning and cannot be enforced under the current conditions." Moreover, he added that Greece is ready for any whatsoever development that could defuse the tension in the Aegean. On other matters, referring to the ongoing strike of the Foreign Ministry's diplomats, which has already been ruled illegal, Mr. Pangalos said that "the prosecutor will not enter the Ministry." [03] U.S.: PROGRESS ON CYPRIOT ISSUE DETERMINED BY NICOSIA, ATHENS, ANKARANicosia, January 23 (MPA)State Department spokesperson Nicholas Burns stated today that any progress to be noted on the Cyprus issue depends solely upon Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and the leaders of Greece and Turkey.Mr. Burns reiterated that the U.S. adminstration views the recent tour to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara conducted by U.S. envoy Carey Cavanaugh as successful since it managed to reduce the tension. Also, Mr. Burns stated that achieving an agrement over the moratorium of military flights over Cyprus is a matter concerning the involved parties, while speaking on the matter of Cyprus' purchase of the Russian-made S-300 missiles he said that it is not a good idea and it will strain the island's political climate. Nevertheless, the State Department spokesperson repeated once again that "Turkey must not direct threats of using force against Cyprus" and said that President Clerides' decision not to deploy the missiles until 16 months from now is a very good one. [04] BRITAIN'S SHADOW FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED BY CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDESNicosia, January 23 (MPA)Britain's Shadow Foreign Minister Robert Cooke was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia today, wherein the British official stated that a Labour Party cabinet in his country will be very willing to aid in finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, one that would be fair and would secure trust among the two communities.When asked on his plans to promote the Cyprus issue on the international agenda, Mr. Cooke stated that Britain will hold the European Union's rotating presidency during the first six months of 1998, a time when negotiations will start for the EU's expansion. Mr. Cooke stated that Britain's Labor Party believes that Cyprus should become an EU member and added that "we believe that Cyprus has a great priority as an EU candidate-member." Moreover, he added that when Britain will hold the EU presidency, "the opportunity will be provided, within the framework of the expansion negotiations, to see to what degree we can reach a solution which will resolve the differences on the island, and will give, both to Europe and to Cyprus, a greater degree of trust in regards to the accession." 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/Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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