Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-07-24

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 24, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] SIMITIS: GREECE IS READY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES

Greece is at a starting-point of a new national and social course, states Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in his message issued on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the restoration of democracy. Mr.Simitis also stressed that Greece is ready to meet the great challenges of its future.

Similar are the messages issued by the Greek political leaders, who point out that democracy is consolidated in the country but continuous vigilance is necessary.

[02] GREEK PARLIAMENT SALUTES 23RD ANNIVERSARY SINCE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

All of the country's political forces need to unite so that the open threats can be addressed decisively, according to the resounding message heard in the Greek Parliament today on the occassion of the 23rd anniversary since the restoration of democracy in Greece

Twenty-three years ago the seven-year-old junta imposed on Greece was overthrown, beneath the shadow of the Cypriot tragedy, when Turkey invaded the island and occupied 40 percent of its territory, as it still does today. A.F.

[03] MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY SECURES VERGINA STAR AS ITS EMBLEM

In 40 capitals throughout the world, the Macedonian Press Agency has secured the exclusivity of its name and the use of the Vergina Star as its emblem, as was announced today by the MPA's General Director Spyros Kouzinopoulos during his address at the Seventh World Conference of Pan-Macedonian Associations.

According to Mr. Kouzinopoulos, "through decisions drawn by the state committees on signs and names of the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China and other countries, anything that refers to 'Macedonia' or 'Macedonian' will belong to the Macedonian Press Agency.

"This is well understood by the authorities of FYROM who attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to secure these rights for themselves. And this is, I believe, one of the reasons why they changed their flag, eliminating the Star of Vergina, so that they would avoid a potential lawsuit on the emblem issue," Mr. Kouzinopoulos stated. A.F.

[04] MPA'S ROLE SALUTED WARMLY BY PAN-MACEDONIAN CONFERENCE DELEGATES

The pioneering steps the Macedonian Press Agency has been undertaking during the recent years were warmly saluted by the delegates of the Thessaloniki-held Pan-Macedonian Associations conference.

The President of the Pan-Macedonian Federation of the United States Vaggelis Michalopoulos stressed the leading role the Agency has played in employing the latest technological advances in order to optimally staff and outfit its facilities and become one of the best news agencies in the world.

The President of the Pan-Macedonian Associations of Europe Paschalis Papachristopoulos stated that "the Macedonian Press Agency is the only one that covered the Conference thoroughly. I believe that the Athens-based media and the state-owned channels purposely refrained from the Conference. Only ET-3 was here to cover it.

"The Macedonian Press Agency's work is known. With the Macedonian Press Agency we have established the name 'Macedonia' internationally," he added.

The MPA is currently holding the six-month rotating presidency of the Association of Balkan News Agencies. In the imminent future it will meet with the Foreign Ministers of the Balkan countries in order to achieve wider support for the initiatives it is undertaking in establishing cooperation in the Balkan region, especially in the sector of news exchange. A.F.

[05] THE FIRST GREEK SOLDIERS HAVE RETURNED FROM ALBANIA

The Greek Navy's tank landing ship "Chios" sailed into the port of Thessaloniki today carrying the first 117 Greek soldiers who participated in the multi-national force deployed in Albania. The withdrawal of the Greek force will be completed gradually by August 12.

Meanwhile, south Albania welcomed the resignation of President Sali Berisha with relief, while the first session of the new Albanian Parliament was held yesterday.

The new Albanian President is expected to be elected today by the country's Parliament, while according to the state radio, the new Parliament President will also be elected today and is expected to be Skender Ginusi. The position of the Parliament's A' vice-President is expected to be occupied by Socialist Namik Dolke, while the B' vice-President will come from the Democratic Party.

As it was made known, President of the Republic will be elected the Socialist Party General Secretary Redzep Meidani, after a proposal made by the party which was accepted by the members of center-left coalition.

[06] WORLD PAN-MACEDONIAN UNION FOUNDED TODAY

The delegates of the Seventh World Conference of Pan- Macedonian Associations have decided on the formation of a World Pan-Macedonian Association.

The proposal, which enjoyed the unanimous approval of the delegates, includes a co-ordinating body which will comprise the four presidents of the Pan-Macedonian Unions of US-Canada, Australia and Europe. Moreover, four committees will be formed which will be represented by one or two individuals from each Association. A.F.

[07] THE GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY

The Greek defense policy, the future structure of the armed forces and the planning for the handling of the Turkish provocativeness in the Aegean will be discussed in the meeting of the Governmental Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense that will be held next Wednesday.

Minister of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos presented yesterday his proposals for the modernization of the armed forces to the Prime Minister. Among others he proposed the creation of an immediate action force, the abolition of the large army units and their replacement by other smaller and more flexible ones that will act quickly and effectivelly.

[08] THE PRESIDENT OF SAE MET WITH MR.SIMITIS AND MR.KAKLAMANIS IN ATHENS

World Council of Hellenes Abroad President Andrew Athens met today with Prime Minister Simitis and Parliament President Kaklamanis in Athens.

In the meetings they discussed the problems faced by the Greek communities abroad, the government policy concerning the Greeks living abroad and their contribution to the promotion of the Greek national issues.

[09] REACTIONS TO THE ISSUE OF THE PROPOSED BANNING IN THE CONSUMPTION OF SHEEP AND CATTLE BRAINS AND SPINAL MARROW

Greek Minister of Agriculture Stephanos Tzoumakas spoke of a "war of interests" responding to a question on the issue of the banning in the consumption of brains and spinal marrow that comes from sheep and cattle which are over 12 months old. According to the proposal, the consumption of spleen will be banned regardless of the age of the sheep or the cattle it comes from.

The issue will be brought before the European Commission as a result of the disagreement observed in the meeting of the EU Ministers of Agriculture when many countries reacted to the above proposal, including Greece.

Mr.Tzoumakas stated that a good alliance has been formed with Germany, Spain and Italy which will not allow the issue to pass without specific criteria and procedures, adding that the EU Commission has realized that. He also speculated that the banning will not be imposed on Greece because there was no problem whatsoever in the country due to the "mad cow" disease.

[10] THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS OPENED TODAY

The World Conference of the Pan-Macedonian Associations opened in Thessaloniki today, while the separate proceedings held by each of the Pan-Macedonian Associations were concluded yesterday with the issuing of resolutions.

The common characteristic of those resolutions is the opposition to the recognition of FYROM under the name "Macedonia" or any of its derivatives.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[11] ALBANIA'S NEW PRESIDENT IS REJEP MEIDANI

Rejep Meidani, the Secretary-General of Albania's Socialist Party is the country's new President as of today.

Meanwhile, during today's session, the Albanian Parliament appointed as House leader the chief of the Socialdemocratic Party Skender Gjinushi and decided to lift the emergency status which had been declared in Albania last March.

The Socialist Party deputies hold 119 seats in the Parliament, against 27 held by the Democratic Party which abstained from the session. A.F.

[12] THE ITALIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IS ON A VISIT TO ATHENS

Greek alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou will meet today with Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs mr.Fasino, who is on a visit to Athens.

Their talks will focus on bilateral issues as well as, on the issue of the European Union enlargement.

[13] CLERIDES AND DENKTASH WILL MEET ON MONDAY

The meeting of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish- Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that will be held on Monday in the residence of UN Secretary General alternate special envoy to Cyprus Gustav Feisel will have an open agenda.

As it was made known, mr.Clerides and mr.Denktash will have the opportunity to discuss other issues as well and not just humanitarian matters.

[14] FIVE AUSTRIAN TOURISTS WERE KILLED YESTERDAY IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN RHODES

Five tourists from Austria were killed yesterday in a traffic accident in the region of Haraki in the south-eastern Aegean island of Rhodes, while four others were seriously injured.

According to police, the collision of a truck with the small van of the Austrian tourists was the result of speeding.

Last night, a C-130 military transport plane brought the injured to Athens, among them a 7yearold girl.

[15] 45 CHILDREN FROM SERBIA WILL BE HOSTED BY FAMILIES IN KALAMARIA

Forty five children from Serbia will be in the municipality of Kalamaria tomorrow and for the next month they will stay with the same families with which they had stayed for 7 months in the period of December 1995 to June 1996.

The decision to materialize this new programme was taken after requests made by those families to the City Council of Kalamaria.

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