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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 98-07-06Macedonian 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 THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCYThessaloniki, July 6, 1998TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF FOREST TURNED TO DUST, MOST FIRES UNDER CONTROLThessaloniki, July 6 (MPA)Two persons have died and thousands of planted acres have turned to dust and fire-fighters and the military are constantly at work putting out forest fires that have been sweeping across the country throughout the weekend.According to the government, most of the fires have been set under control. Prime Minster Kostas Simitis said that the appropriate state agencies have moved fast to contain the disaster, a statement made in response to the opposition parties who accuse the government of lacking co-ordination and sufficient infrastructure. Press and Media Minster Dimitris Reppas stated that those who have suffered damages will be compensated and those forest areas that have been burned will be replanted. The fires were ignited due to the high temperatures that sizzled the country for three days straight and the high winds that followed. Police are also investigating whether arson was to blame for some of the fires. [02] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER EMBARKS ON CONTACTS IN NEW YORKNew York, July 6 (MPA)The Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who is on an official visit to the Unites States is currently in New York where he will attend a Greek-American Business Council meeting and will also address a Council of International Affairs conference on "Security Policy in the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea". In turn, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will travel this afternoon to Washington for two days of talks with Vice President Al Gore, his US counterpart William Cohen and other government officials. The Greek Defense Minister is to also visit N. Carolina and Massachusetts, while he will also give a speech at Harvard University.[03] HELLENIC PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ON VISIT TO CHINABeijing, July 6 (MPA)The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis is currently on a nine-day official visit to China, as of yesterday, following an invitation by his Chinese counterpart Li Peng.During his stay in Beijing, Mr. Kaklamanis met with Mr. Peng to whom he stressed Greece's will for the promotion of Greek- Chinese relations on a more permanent basis. Mr. Kaklamanis informed Mr. Peng on recent developments over the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and Turkish provocations against Greece. Mr. Peng stated that "China's long-standing position on international relations issues, is that they must be resolved with peaceful means." He added that "in this framework, a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem must be sought in accordance with the rules of International Law, regarding the independence and territorial integrity of countries, which must be respected by all." The two men expressed their satisfaction over the progress made in Greek- Chinese relations and stated the decision for the further promotion of cooperation between the two countries in all sectors. Mr. Kaklamanis visited the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. [04] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN WASHINGTON, TO MEET WITH US COUNTERPARTWashington, July 6 (MPA)National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is currently on an official tour to the United States, where he will meet with his US Defense Secretary William Cohen, in Washington today. According to reports, the two men will discuss the Cyprus issue, Greece’s purchase of US military equipment, the continuation of efforts for a reduction of tension in the Aegean and the creation of a Balkan multinational force. On Wednesday, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will be received at the Pentagon and will attend a reception in his honour at the US State Department. The defense minister will also meet with the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and members of the Jewish community.[05] INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARRIVE IN KOSSOVO TODAYPrishtina, July 6 (MPA)International observers are to embark on a mission to Kossovo today where they will start work with routine patrols that are to be held on a daily basis.According to the United States envoy to Kossovo Richard Holbrooke, the observers are to be the core of an international force assigned to the area. Meanwhile, the vice-president of the Serb government Voislav Seseli renounced Mr. Holbrooke’s policies and stated that he never wants to meet with the US diplomat. “Holbrooke will never be able to resolve the Kossovo issue,” Mr. Seseli said. “Let’s be honest. The Serb government holds differentiated views regarding his person. Our allies in the government coalition, the Socialist Party of Serbia believe that we should be talking with him. But I will not meet with him since he met with the Albanian terrorists in Kossovo.” [06] HOLBROOKE WRAPS UP THREE DAYS OF TALKS OVER KOSSOVOPrishtina, July 6 (MPA)US mediator Richard Holbrooke wrapped up three days of talks aimed at defusing violence in Kossovo, yesterday, and stated that a change of Kossovo's status within Yugoslavia was needed. ``Some change in the current status of Kossovo within the boundaries, the international boundaries, of Yugoslavia is essential in our view,'' Holbrooke told reporters after a three and a half hour meeting with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.Mr. Holbrooke declined to comment in the content of his talks with Mr. Milosevic, stating that it was confidential. ``The talks with President Milosevic and the talks with the Albanian leaders in Kossovo have been very useful in clarifying many issues,'' Holbrooke said. ``As usual I can't go into any of the details of our talks here in Belgrade.'' ``It neither succeeded nor failed, it simply continues intensively,'' he added. [07] RUSSIAN ENVOY CRITICISES ALBANIAN LEADERS FOR LACK OF UNITY.Belgrade, July 6 (MPA)US envoy Richard Holbrooke has urged the leader of Kossovo’s Albanian community Ibrahim Rugova to expand his political base in light of potential negotiations with Belgrade, a view also held by Russian deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Afanasievski.Mr. Afanasievski also stated that the lack of unity among the Albanian leaders stands in the way of resuming a dialogue to resolve the Kossovo crisis. Mr. Afanasievsky said he came to the conclusion that it is Albanian politicians who now should give answers to acute issues concerning the Kossovo crisis. Belgrade's readiness for the dialogue is obvious, he added. The deputy minister was talking to Russian reporters after his trip to Kossovo. Albanian politicians should foremost "assume control over the situation in the region and ensure cease-fire guarantee" by the so- called Kossovo Liberation Army, he said. Second, the international community expects that the Albanian side signals "readiness to resume concrete talks with the official Belgrade" over Kossovo's future. Speaking about the upcoming Contact Group meeting over the former Yugoslavia in Bonn on Wednesday, Afanasievsky said Moscow is planning to propose measures on strengthening mutual cease fire obligations by Serbs and Albanians, as an important prerequisite for the peaceful solution of the problem. Meanwhile, during the Prishtina-held talks between the US envoy, Mr. Rugova and the Russian deputy FM, Mr. Holbrooke stated that the Albanian leader’s goal to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the crisis enjoys the US’ support. It should be noted that the Kossovo Liberation Army does not recognise the authority of Mr. Rugova, who was elected as Kossovo’s “president” unchallenged, in unofficial polls, not acknoweledged by Belgrade. [08] THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF FOREST TURNED TO DUST, MOST FIRES UNDER CONTROLThessaloniki, July 6 (MPA)Two persons have died and thousands of planted acres have turned to dust and fire-fighters and the military are constantly at work putting out forest fires that have been sweeping across the country throughout the weekend.According to the government, most of the fires have been set under control. Prime Minster Kostas Simitis said that the appropriate state agencies have moved fast to contain the disaster, a statement made in response to the opposition parties who accuse the government of lacking coordination and sufficient infrastructure. Press and Media Minster Dimitris Reppas stated that those who have suffered damages will be compensated and those forest areas that have been burned will be replanted. The fires were ignited due to the high temperatures that sizzled the country for three days straight and the high winds that followed. Police are also investigating whether arson was to blame for some of the fires. [09] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER EMBARKS ON CONTACTS IN NEW YORKNew York, July 6 (MPA)The Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who is on an official visit to the Unites States is currently in New York where he will attend a Greek-American Business Council meeting and will also address a Council of International Affairs conference on "Security Policy in the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea". In turn, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will travel this afternoon to Washington for two days of talks with Vice President Al Gore, his US counterpart William Cohen and other government officials. The Greek Defense Minister is to also visit N. Carolina and Massachusetts, while he will also give a speech at Harvard University.[10] HELLENIC PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ON VISIT TO CHINABeijing, July 6 (MPA)The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis is currently on a nine-day official visit to China, as of yesterday, following an invitation by his Chinese counterpart Li Peng.During his stay in Beijing, Mr. Kaklamanis met with Mr. Peng to whom he stressed Greece's will for the promotion of Greek- Chinese relations on a more permanent basis. Mr. Kaklamanis informed Mr. Peng on recent developments over the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and Turkish provocations against Greece. Mr. Peng stated that "China's long-standing position on international relations issues, is that they must be resolved with peaceful means." He added that "in this framework, a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem must be sought in accordance with the rules of International Law, regarding the independence and territorial integrity of countries, which must be respected by all." The two men expressed their satisfaction over the progress made in Greek- Chinese relations and stated the decision for the further promotion of cooperation between the two countries in all sectors. Mr. Kaklamanis visited the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. [11] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN WASHINGTON, TO MEET WITH US COUNTERPARTWashington, July 6 (MPA)National Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is currently on an official tour to the United States, where he will meet with his US Defense Secretary William Cohen, in Washington today. According to reports, the two men will discuss the Cyprus issue, Greece’s purchase of US military equipment, the continuation of efforts for a reduction of tension in the Aegean and the creation of a Balkan multinational force. On Wednesday, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will be received at the Pentagon and will attend a reception in his honor at the US State Department. The defense minister will also meet with the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and members of the Jewish community.[12] INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ARRIVE IN KOSSOVO TODAYPrishtina, July 6 (MPA)International observers are to embark on a mission to Kossovo today where they will start work with routine patrols that are to be held on a daily basis.According to the United States envoy to Kossovo Richard Holbrooke, the observers are to be the core of an international force assigned to the area. Meanwhile, the vice-president of the Serb government Voislav Seseli renounced Mr. Holbrooke’s policies and stated that he never wants to meet with the US diplomat. “Holbrooke will never be able to resolve the Kossovo issue,” Mr. Seseli said. “Let’s be honest. The Serb government holds differentiated views regarding his person. Our allies in the government coalition, the Socialist Party of Serbia believe that we should be talking with him. But I will not meet with him since he met with the Albanian terrorists in Kossovo.” [13] HOLBROOKE WRAPS UP THREE DAYS OF TALKS OVER KOSSOVOPrishtina, July 6 (MPA)US mediator Richard Holbrooke wrapped up three days of talks aimed at defusing violence in Kossovo, yesterday, and stated that a change of Kossovo's status within Yugoslavia was needed. ``Some change in the current status of Kossovo within the boundaries, the international boundaries, of Yugoslavia is essential in our view,'' Holbrooke told reporters after a three and a half hour meeting with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.Mr. Holbrooke declined to comment in the content of his talks with Mr. Milosevic, stating that it was confidential. ``The talks with President Milosevic and the talks with the Albanian leaders in Kossovo have been very useful in clarifying many issues,'' Holbrooke said. ``As usual I can't go into any of the details of our talks here in Belgrade.'' ``It neither succeeded nor failed, it simply continues intensively,'' he added. [14] RUSSIAN ENVOY CRITICIZES ALBANIAN LEADERS FOR LACK OF UNITY.Belgrade, July 6 (MPA)US envoy Richard Holbrooke has urged the leader of Kossovo’s Albanian community Ibrahim Rugova to expand his political base in light of potential negotiations with Belgrade, a view also held by Russian deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Afanasievski.Mr. Afanasievski also stated that the lack of unity among the Albanian leaders stands in the way of resuming a dialogue to resolve the Kossovo crisis. Afanasievski said he came to the conclusion that it is Albanian politicians who now should give answers to acute issues concerning the Kossovo crisis. Belgrade's readiness for the dialogue is obvious, he added. The deputy minister was talking to Russian reporters after his trip to Kossovo. Albanian politicians should foremost "assume control over the situation in the region and ensure cease-fire guarantee" by the so- called Kossovo Liberation Army, he said. Second, the international community expects that the Albanian side signals "readiness to resume concrete talks with the official Belgrade" over Kossovo’s future. Speaking about the upcoming Contact Group meeting over the former Yugoslavia in Bonn on Wednesday, Afanasievski said Moscow is planning to propose measures on strengthening mutual cease fire obligations by Serbs and Albanians, as an important prerequisite for the peaceful solution of the problem. Meanwhile, during the Prishtina-held talks between the US envoy, Dr. Rugova and the Russian deputy FM, Mr. Holbrooke stated that the Albanian leader’s goal to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the crisis enjoys the US’ support. It should be noted that the Kossovo Liberation Army doesn’t recognize the authority of Mr. Rugova, who was elected as “president” of Kossovo, unchallenged, in elections not acknowledged by Belgrade. [15] BOSNIAN SERB DOCTOR CHARGED WITH GENOCIDE BY WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALSarajevo, July 6 (MPA)Bosnian Serb doctor Milan Kovacevic appeared before the U.N. war crimes tribunal on former Yugoslavia and pleaded innocent to genocide, the first such case to be heard before the International Court at the Hague. Prosecutors allege that Kovacevic, 57, as a senior official, helped set up camps in the Prijedo region of north-western Bosnia in which his Croat and Muslim victims were raped, tortured and killed. He was snatched by NATO officers.He has denied 14 counts of genocide, complicity to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. If found guilty, Kovacevic faces a maximum of life imprisonment. 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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