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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-04-16Macedonian 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, April 16, 1997TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] GREEK SOLDIERS TO ARRIVE IN ALBANIA TODAYThessaloniki, April 16 (MPA)One hundred and twenty soldiers, the first two parts of the Greek battallion to participate in the multinational force to Albania, departed today from Thessaloniki with the destination being Tirana and Vlore.The first batch of soldiers flew for Tirana in six C-130s while the tank landing ship "Samos" will sail for Vlore this afternoon carrying the second part of the troops. In all, the Greek battallion comprises 760 soldiers, 17 armoured vehicles and 20 jeeps. The remaining soldiers of the Greek batallion will be in Albania by the end of this week. Meanwhile, the protesting Albanians in the country's southern region are opposed to the participation of the Turkish forces in the peacekeping mission. Yesterday, French and German journalists staying in hotel in Vlore were confronted by armed civilians, but no injuries were reported. A.F. [02] DEFENSE MINISTER SALUTES FIRST PART OF GREEK BATTALLION DEPARTING FOR ALBANIAThessaloniki, April 16 (MPA)Greece's Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos was present at the small ceremony held at Thessalonikis military airport at Mikra in honor of the first part of the Greek battallion's departure for Albania and hailed the significance of the Greek battallion's participation in the mission to Albania, as well as its readiness."You are one of the most significant parts of the international police force which, following a decision endorsed by the United Nations and the Security Council and a request on behalf of the Greek government is to express Greece's solidarity and support to all the Albanian people," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated. Moreover, the Defense Minister stated that the Greek battallion's mission is to supervise the secure distribution of humanitarian aid which is to be forwarded to Albania from throughout the world. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos referred to Greece's successful participation in the alliance-led peace force to Bosnia and stated that the Greek force's participation in the Albanian mission serves both the country's national interests and is also propelled by the Greek minority's presence in southern Albania and by Greece's position in the Balkans. A.F. [03] TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN WEU-NATO MILITARY MISSIONS ON EQUAL TERMSBrussels, April 16 (MPA)Turkey will from now on participate on equal terms in missions and military assignments deployed by the Western European Union and NATO, following the lift of Greece's veto.In spite of the fact that Turkey is only an associate, not a full member, of the WEU, it will now be able to participate on equal terms and engage in the voting process for issues concerning common missions with NATO. Turkey is a member of NATO but not a member of the EU which is a prerequisite for full WEU membership. Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek expressed his opposition to Turkey's accession to the European Union. The Commissioner said that the economic and political differences that lie between Greece and Turkey are presently quite vast. A.F. [04] OSCE'S VRANITSKI CURRENTLY IN TIRANATirana, April 16 (MPA)Austria's former chancellor and current special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in |Europe (OSCE) Franz Vranitski is currently in Tirana where he met with Premier Bashkim Fino and is to be received by Albanian President Sali Berisha.Mr. Vranitski's two-day visit to Albania is within the framework of the efforts exerted to prepare the country for June's parliamentary elections. Mr. Vranitski will visit Skodra and Vlore tomorrow, accompanied by Mr. Fino. A.F. [05] GREEN DEPUTY CLAUDIA ROTH HARD ON CILLER OVER HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONSAnkara, April 16 (MPA)The Europarliamentarian of the Green Party and vice-president of the EU-Turkey joint committee Claudia Roth adopted a hard line approach during her meeting yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.During the committee's meeting in Ankara, Ms. Roth asked Ms. Ciller what she plans to do for her country's human rights violations record, if anything is foreseen for the 153 authors currently incarcerated in Turkey, and how does Ms. Ciller come to terms with working in a cabinet with male colleagues who have more than one spouse. Clearly bothered, Ms. Ciller retorted that her presence in the Turkish government and the issue of women's rights in her country is an internal affair of Turkey, to which Ms. Roth failed to grant the proper respect. "You may criticise the government, but you do owe respect to the country's internal affairs," Ms. Ciller sternly said. 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/Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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