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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 98-04-07Macedonian 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 7, 1998TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] GREEK PM TO ADDRESS EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY MEETINGLondon, April 7 (MPA)Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to address the European Union’s Socialist prime ministers in London today where he is expected to propose that the European Socialist Party’s policies be reformulated in order to include all political parties as an international organization. Specifically, Mr. Simitis will meet with the prime ministers of Britain, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Portugal. According to the report issued by the Premier’s press office, Mr. Simitis is to evaluate the course made so far by the European left and Europe and will note that "the sweeping changes in the world economy over the past 10 years were as creative as they were disastrous." Referring to the latest economic crisis, the Greek Premier will point out that " 'casino-capitalism' which attempted to replace the mixed economy, and partially achieved this, has already led to social decomposition, social privation, marginalization and disaster." Mr. Simitis will support the view held by British Prime Minister Tony Blair that the European socialists must set a "third path" between the "old-type socialism and savage capitalism." Moreover, he will note that the latest economic crisis proved that "no nation-state can contain unbridled capitalism by itself at present" and will add that an international organization is required "which will express our interests with clarity, our policy and our strategies and purposes." Mr. Simitis will emphasize that this organization is secured by the EU which will represent the "third path" between the weak nation-state and the disastrous, anarchistic and globalized economic system. In turn, the Greek Premier will propose the creation of a separate political authority in Europe, a political government which will proceed with long-term institutional reforms and will propose the immediate creation of a committee composed of European socialist party members which will process proposals for the promotion of political and social democracy in Europe.[02] PARLIAMENT CHIEF IRKED BY US AMBASSADOR’S OUTSPOKENESSAthens, April 7 (MPA)The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis called on Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou to keep United States Ambassador Nicholas Burns "in check", stating that the American diplomat is behaving in Greece like a "local governor". Mr. Kaklamanis’ remarks were made at the end of a discussion on a tabled question by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Orestis Kolozov, concerning the US Ambassador’s recent statements, made at the Thessaloniki- held business forum- wherein he appeared to criticize Greece’s political and business activities. The Parliament President stated that it is unacceptable for foreign ambassadors assigned to Greece to officially visit military and police officers, or public sector officials. On his part, Mr. Papandreou replied that the foreign ministry has its own way of dealing with the issue. However, replying to Mr. Kolozov, Mr. Papandreou said that the US Ambassador's recent tours and contacts "lie within the usual practice of democratic and liberal countries, provided that the rules of diplomatic etiquette are observed" and added that the American diplomat “performs his job well.”Mr. Papandreou walked out of the Parliament immediately upon Mr. Kaklamanis’ outburst. [03] STATE DEPARTMENT DEFENDS BURNS FROM GREEK CRITICISMWashington, April 7 (MPA)In response to criticism directed at the United States Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns by the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, US State Department spokesman Jim Foley stated yesterday that the US diplomat enjoys the full support of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. "Ambassador Burns enjoys Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's full confidence. We think he does an excellent job," Mr. Foley said. Moreover, the State Department spokesman noted that as far as attaining a higher level of US-Greek relations was concerned, there were some issues of concern, mainly over terrorism, trade and copyright violations. He added that Mr. Burns presented those issues as a "faithful servant of US interests" and as a representative of the Secretary of State and US President Bill Clinton.[04] DRAFTBILL ON REVITALIZATION OF OLYMPIC AIRWAYS HEARD TODAYAthens, April 7 (MPA)The draftbill containing the proposed changes to be implemented on the structure of the national air carrier Olympic Airways is to be heard in Parliament today.Meanwhile, the O.A. staff are holding a 24-hour strike today and the country’s airports are operating with a minimal number of workers. This means that only one flight will be conducted for each route. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that there would be no change to the essence of the reforms contained in the bill, which is to be voted on on Thursday. A joint statement issued by six ruling PASOK deputies outlining their concerns over the current situation between government, management and workers at Olympic Airways was characterized by Mr. Reppas as "an expression of concern" but, he added, "I do not understand how they are being considered to be in disagreement". He said the failure to follow the party line on the vote would be followed by "the specific consequences". [05] ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM’S STATE OF HEALTH WORSENSAthens, April 7 (MPA)The state of health of Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Seraphim is critical, following the worsening turn taken yesterday. The Archbishop continues to be hospitalized and underwent dialysis treatment yesterday. The permanent Holy Synod will meet today and, according to reports, the issue of the Archbishop's replacement will not be raised.[06] SERB PRESIDENT MILUTINOVIC ARRIVES IN PRISHTINA TODAYPrishtina, April 7 (MPA)The Serb President Milan Milutinovic is to arrive in the city of Prishtina today, the center of the recent conflict that erupted between Serbs and the local Albanians. Meanwhile, FYROM and the United States agreed yesterday to extend the stay of the peacekeeping force that is stationed along the length of the country’s borders in order to contain the episodes that are taking place in Kossovo.[07] ALBANIANS APPOINT NEGOTIATORS, BUT WON’T TALK TO SERBSPrishtina, April 7 (MPA)Kossovo's ethnic Albanian leaders yesterday appointed a four-member negotiating team but continue to refuse to start talks with the Serbian government without international mediation. Meanwhile, Serbian President Milan Milutinovic will travel to Kossovo's capital, Prishtina, today, in order to take part in the negotiations called by his government. Mr. Milutinovic will be the highest-ranked Serb official to visit Prishtina since the latest Kossovo violence started Feb. 28. Kossovo’s Albanian negotiator, Femi Agani, has rejected any talks with Mr. Milutinovic, saying Serbia is playing "tricks" and reiterated his demand for foreign mediation.[08] BRITAIN REJECTS SERB REFERENDUM AS A “SIDE-SHOW”London, April 7 (MPA)The British-held European Union Presidency has rejected a proposed Serb referendum on foreign mediation in Kossovo as "a side-show" and stressed that it will press forward with its efforts to set up talks between Belgrade and Kossovo’s Albanians. The President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic called a national referendum for April 23 on foreign mediation in the Kossovo crisis."This is a side-show. We are not going to be side- tracked from our main task which is to get a meaningful dialogue going between the parties," a foreign office spokesman said. [09] ATHENS HOSTS MEDITERRANEAN SPECIAL OLYMPICSAthens, April 7 (MPA)The Mediterranean "Special Olympics" were officially opened in Athens yesterday, at the capital city’s Olympic indoor stadium, with a ceremony attended by Sports Undersecretary Andreas Fouras, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, various deputies and other officials Twenty-five countries are to be represented by 1,400 athletes who will compete in athletic events that start today.[10] ALBANIAN TRADE DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI FOR TALKS WITH HELEXPOThessaloniki, April 7 (MPA)Albania’s deputy Minister of Trade and Tourism Alfred Pema arrived in Thessaloniki yesterday, heading a trade delegation, in order to hold talks with HELEXPO officials. The Albanian officials are seeking advice on ways to set up an exhibition center in Tirana. The two countries are also looking into the prospect of organizing trade fairs today. HELEXPO is organizing a Greek product trade fair in Tirana in the upcoming October.[11] GREEK COMPANIES ARE ACTIVE IN ALBANIAThessaloniki, April 7 (MPA)Greek construction companies are alive and well in Albania, one of the most active ones being “Sarantopoulos” which is mainly active in the construction of road networks.The company’s public relations officer Thomas Metsios, speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, stated that “Sarantopoulos” has undertaken the contract on a series of projects, such ad the construction of bridges, the construction of Tirana’s military hospital and the “Rina” airport runway, as well as the road construction of the Mamouras-Miliot axis, whose length measures 22 kilometers. [12] GREEK AMBASSADOR AT TIRANA: RELATIONS NOW AT BEST LEVELTirana, April 7 (MPA)The Greek ambassador at Tirana Konstantinos Prevedourakis characterized the present level of Greek- Albanian relations as the best it has been since the country’s independence.In an interview with a Tirana daily, the Greek diplomat outlined the Greek government’s positions on relations between the two neighbors and, responding to a related question stated that “ the factors that often burden the climate of bilateral relations are the lack of responsible information, shortsighted interests, a times- past mentality, etc.” He stated that the recent expulsions of illegal immigrants from Greece have provoked a lot of unnecessary fuss and praised the Greek government’s measures for these individuals’ legalization. Lastly, Mr. Prevedourakis also praised the Greek government’s assistance in the efforts of Albania’s recovery and the Inter-Balkan Conference held in Crete last summer. [13] BULGARIAN PEASANT DISCOVERS TROJAN-ERA TREASURESSofia, April 7 (MPA)A Bulgarian peasant has discovered a priceless treasure trove including gold and bronze dating back to the 10th century BC, archaeologists have reported.According to the AFP, the haul includes a gilded scepter, a bronze throwing disk, an iron short-sword and five spears, as well as other gold and ceramic artifacts. The War of Troy-era trove was unearthed by a peasant tilling is land in southern Bulgaria, according to Bulgaria’s national history museum director Bojidar Dimitriov, who stated that “it is impossible to put a price on them.” Mr. Dimitriov declined to disclose the exact location of the rare find, in order to avoid treasure hunters. 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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