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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-10-31Macedonian 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, October 31, 1997TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] INTERBALKAN SUMMIT CONFERENCE BEGINS IN CRETE ON MONDAYAthens, October 31 (MPA)The Summit Conference of Balkan leaders, which is to begin at the island of Crete on Monday, is expected to upgrade Greece’s role in the region.This is the first meeting to be held among Balkan leaders and is expected to promote cooperation, stability and the improved understanding among the region’s peoples. The point of the imminent Summit Conference of Balkan leaders, which is to be held at the island of Crete, is to promote the overall issues concerning the region, not to discuss bilateral concerns, according to government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas. Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis’ intention is to hold meetings like this on an annual basis in order to maintain regular contact among the Balkan countries which will improve the future of northeastern Europe. Also, the Greek government would like to see the Summit culminate with the signing of a declaration that will refer to the need to respect borders, uphold International Accords and International Law, respect of the borders and the international accords and which will pave the way for a wider form of cooperation in all sectors, beginning with the economic one. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has stated that, as the host of the event, he is to meet with all the leaders with whom he will discuss matters of inter-Balkan cooperation. Greece’s National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has stated that a meeting between Mr. Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz could bear positive results although he did not rule out the possibility of a warm episode in the Aegean during the months of February-March. The Greek government has stressed that the Summit is to focus on Balkan issues, not Greek-Turkish relations. A.F. [02] ALL POLITICAL LEADERS DENOUNCE PROTESTS OVER GREEK-TURKISH EVENTThessaloniki, October 31 (MPA)The Greek government and opposition parties have denounced in unison the protests conducted yesterday by about 300 unidentified persons who gathered before the Trade and Industry Chamber shouting slogans and throwing coins and eggs at the Greek and Turkish organizers and attendees of the “Thessaloniki, Venizelos, Ataturk” conference.Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas characterized the episodes as “an irresponsible event” and attributed them to “a small group of bigoted individuals with suspect intentions that harm the country.” Mr. Reppas also added that “the country’s interests are secured by the government’s prudent and decisive policy, while the irresponsible stance adopted by individuals of a fascist mentality and behavior jeopardize them.” The Minster of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos intensely condemned these actions which, as he stated, were conducted by irresponsible protesters. The main opposition party’s spokesperson, New Democracy’s Aris Spiliotopoulos said that these episodes are to be condemned and added that “the approach and peaceful coexistence between the Greek and Turkish peoples is Greece’s firm goal through the absolute respect of international law, territorial integrity and sovereign rights of each country. Local press reports also disavowed the episodes which earned front-page coverage. The daily “New Macedonia” wrote “the protests were unjustified”, while “Aggelioforos” wrote “Warm Episode on Tsimiski St.” The front page of “Avriani of Macedonia-Thrace” featured the title “rocks, eggs, tomatoes and beatings for Ataturk”, while its sub-head stated “The people of Thessaloniki denounced the creators of the symposium with an unexpectedly violent manner.” About 300 unidentified persons caused minor episodes, tension and traffic congestion in the center of Thessaloniki yesterday when they gathered before the Trade and Industry Chamber shouting slogans and throwing coins and eggs at the organizers and attendees of the “Thessaloniki, Venizelos, Ataturk” conference. Thessaloniki’s policemen contained the episodes but the conference’s delegates were transported to the “Macedonia Palace” hotel where the event was finally held. A.F. [03] GREECE’S PHARMACISTS GO ON STRIKE, FEW DRUGSTORES ARE OPENThessaloniki, October 31 (MPA)Pharmacies throughout the country remain closed today, while this afternoon the national pharmaceutical association’s board of directors is to convene in order to draw the final decisions on the course of the protest.Minister of Health Kostas Geitonas announced the abolishment of withholdings that amount to 16% and burden the cost of the medicines, while he also announced that the pharmacists’ profit margin will remain at 24%. A.F. [04] RAUF DENKTASH MEETS WITH RICHARD HOLBROOKE IN NEW YORKNew York, October 31 (MPA)The United States Presidential envoy for the Cyprus issue Richard Holbrooke and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots Rauf Denktash discussed the developments on the Cyprus issue, during a meeting held in New York.Following the talks, Mr. Denktash stated that no new ideas were voiced, the discussion simply concerned an exchange of views on the matter. Mr. Denktash is to meet with the United Nations secretary- general Kofi Annan on November 3. A.F. [05] UNDESECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE IN LUXEMBOURGLuxembourg, October 31 (MPA)Greece’s Undersecretary of Agriculture Vasilis Geranides represented the country at the European Union’s Council of Ministers of Fishery, held yesterday in Luxembourg.Among the topics discussed at the session were the technical measures of maintenance and protection of fishery in the Atlantic, as well as fishing-related accords between the EU and third countries. A.F. [06] GREEK-AMERICAN COUNCIL CONCERNED OVER SAE’S COURSEChicago, October 31 (MPA)The president of the Greek-American National Council Theodoros Spyropoulos has expressed his concerns over whether or not the continued operation of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) is feasible.In light of SAE’s second plenary session which is to be held at Thessaloniki in December, Mr. Spyropoulos conducted a tour throughout the United States during which he voiced the concern that SAE is not operating as an advisory body, as a presidential decree mandates, and has said that this has resulted in factions created within the halls of SAE. Mr. Spyropoulos is to run for SAE’s top seat once again, after having been defeated by its current president Andrew Athens in December 1995’s elections. A.F. [07] NEW GREEK-BRITISH FRIENDSHIP GROUP FORMED IN HOUSE OF COMMONSLondon, October 31 (MPA)A new British-Greek friendship group has been formed at Britain’s House of Commons.Heading the new committee is Labor Party deputy Eddie O’Hara while the committee so far features the participation of 20 parliamentarians, ten of whom are from the Labor Party, nine from the Tories and one from the Liberal Democrats. 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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