Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-05-21
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 21, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ECONOMY, LABOR MINISTERS AND STRIKERS MEET TO NO AVAIL
[02] PRESIDENT, PM OPEN GREEK INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION ASSEMBLY
[03] COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE HOSTS INT/L CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
[04] NATIONAL ECONOMY MINISTER ADDRESSES SEV CONFERENCE
[05] GREECE'S POSITIONS ON TURKEY-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL ARE FIRM
[06] PARLIAMENT DELEGATION ATTENDS NATO CONFERENCE
[07] GERMAN INDUSTRIALISTS CHAIRMAN SAYS: SPEED UP PRIVATIZATIONS
[08] DIMITRIS DIMITRIADIS IS THE NEW MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI
[09] PAPANTONIOU: NO TAX CUTS
[10] KARAMANLIS WILL BE IN KATERINI THIS EVENING
[11] THE OA MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO HIRE 50 PILOTS
[12] TURKEY WILL NOT PARICIPATE IN THE EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
[13] GREEK LABOUR MINISTER CALLS FOR DIALOGUE WITH STRIKERS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] TURKEY-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL TO BE HELD ON MONDAY
[15] ITALY, GREECE ARE ALBANIA'S TOP TRADE PARTNERS
[16] KOSSOVO'S ALBANIANS TO ATTEND TOMORROW'S TALKS WITH SERBS
[17] NATO DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARIES TO MEET AT TIRANA TOMORROW
[18] EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY GREEK PAINTERS LIVING IN HUNGARY
[19] TALKS BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERBS ON KOSOVO
[20] IMF: DANGER OF SOCIAL EXPLOSION IN TURKEY
[21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES SUGGESTS THE FULL DEMILITARIZATION OF
CYPRUS
[22] DEMIREL-YILMAZ ARGUMENT OVER THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ECONOMY, LABOR MINISTERS AND STRIKERS MEET TO NO AVAIL
The Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos
Papantoniou, along with the Minister of Labor Miltiades
Papaioannou met with representatives from the General
Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the General
Confederation of Bank Employees (OTOE) yesterday, in order to
attempt to ease the crisis that has erupted in the banking sector
where striking employees are opposed to privatization plans.
Mr. Papantoniou rejected the unionist's request to restart
talks for the sale of Ionian Bank from ground zero. He said that
the decision to sell the bank is final. As a result, Ionian
employees are continuing their indefinite strike, joined by the
workers at Bank of Greece who are holding a work stoppage today in
a sign of solidarity.
GSEE has called a nationwide strike for May 27.
[02] PRESIDENT, PM OPEN GREEK INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION ASSEMBLY
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis opened the session of the
annual assembly of the Greek Industries Association (SEV)
yesterday, which was also attended by the President of the
Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The Premier defended his economic policy, stating that they are
placing the country on the right track, that is the way to
Economic and Monetary Union accession.
Moreover, he stated that the privatization of state-owned
enterprises will help revitalize the public sector. Also,
referring to the social security reforms, he said that an overhaul
of the nation's pension funds is the only way to guarantee that
there will be any money in the till to pay the pensions of today's
young workers.
The Minister of Finance and National Economy Yiannos
Papantoniou was among the speakers at the event, along with SEV's
Chairman Jason Stratos and the chairman of the German Industries
Association Hans-Olaf Henkel.
[03] COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE HOSTS INT/L CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
Marking the eightieth year since its founding and the 150
anniversary since the publication of the Communist Manifesto, the
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) will organize an international
conference in Athens of 60 communist and workers' parties from 50
countries between Friday and Sunday.
According to an announcement issued by KKE, this meeting will
focus on the better coordination and development of common action,
aimed at "processing a common strategy against imperialism."
Orestis Kolozov, a member of KKE's political bureau and the
party's chief of international relations committee, stated that a
wide exchange of views will take place during the three-day
meeting concerning the major contemporary problems faced by the
working class.
The meeting's agenda includes developments in the European
Union, the role of the West European Union and NATO and the role
played by various organizations such as the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank.
Among the parties to attend the international conference are
the Communist Party of the United States, the Communist party of
Japan, The Workers Party of Belgium and the South African
Communist Party.
Specifically, 13 parties from western Europe will attend,
along with 12 from the Far and Near East, 12 from the former
Soviet Republic, eight from eastern Europe and the Balkans, seven
from Asia and Australia, four from Africa, three from north
America and one from Latin America.
[04] NATIONAL ECONOMY MINISTER ADDRESSES SEV CONFERENCE
Addressing the annual assembly of the Greek Industries
Association (SEV) yesterday,
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou called for more
dynamic initiatives, more investment and mergers or strategic
alliances.
"The private sector has an important responsibility for the
course of the economy and convergence, and must assume this
responsibility by participating more actively in the common
effort," he said.
Moreover, Mr. Papantoniou assured his audience that the
government's announcements regarding the restructuring of the
public sector would be adhered to, describing plans as "a
particularly difficult endeavor" in the "most crucial conjuncture"
in the country's political history.
"But we must complete it," he stressed.
[05] GREECE'S POSITIONS ON TURKEY-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL ARE FIRM
Greece‘s alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to
reiterated the Greek government's firm positions, regarding the
improvement in Greek-Turkish relations, during the Association
Council to take place on Monday between the European Union and
Turkey.
The Greek government will differentiate itself from its 14
allies in the EU, who will adopt the common position to be
presented by the British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, whose
country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.
According to the BBC, during yesterday's discussion at the
Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER), Greece's
representative Pavlos Apostolides requested that joint positions
by the "15" include a statement that relations between Turkey and
the Union depended on a settlement of Greek-Turkish differences
(concerning the Imia islets) through the International Court at
The Hague, a solution of the Cyprus problem and improvement in
Turkey's human rights record, as was decided last December at the
Luxembourg Summit,
These requests were not accepted by the other
representatives.
[06] PARLIAMENT DELEGATION ATTENDS NATO CONFERENCE
A nine-member Greek parliamentary delegation is to depart for
Barcelona tomorrow in order to attend NATO's four-day spring
session.
The delegates will tackle a variety of issues such as the
Alliance's expansion through the accession of Eastern European
countries, security in the greater Middle East region and the role
of the mass media in war situations.
[07] GERMAN INDUSTRIALISTS CHAIRMAN SAYS: SPEED UP PRIVATIZATIONS
The German industrialists' chairman Dr. Hans-Olaf Henkel,
addressing the annual assembly of the Greek Industries Association
(SEV) yesterday evening, urged Greece to intensify its reforms of
the public sector through privatization.
Describing Greece as "a key-country" in southern Europe, and
"an important partner in Europe", Dr. Henkel said that "we want
Greece to become a member of EMU fast, and for this reason it must
be fully serious in its efforts for restructuring the public
sector and speeding up privatizations."
He stressed that in order for Greece to meet the criteria for
the Economic and Monetary Union it must be serious about
restructuring its public sector, speeding up privatization and
continuing the fiscal consolidation.
The German businessman warned that the introduction of the
Euro would bring strong competition for Greece, stressing that
more than 50 per cent of the Greek economy was in the hands of the
state - more than in Poland or Hungary. He said that Greece's
overall public debt remains high with over 100 percent of GDP and
this necessitates further efforts and structural reforms.
"At present the state-owned sector depends on subsidies that,
in turn, make it hard for Greece to keep its budget deficit under
control."
Nevertheless, Mr. Henkel opined that the Greek government is
moving in the right directions and expressed his wish that it
will be able to achieve results quickly.
"We want Greece to become a member of EMU soon," he stated,
acknowledging that the ambitious reforms program which was
announced in March will not be an easy task to accomplish.
He saluted the Greek government for the measures it is
undertaking in the sectors of social insurance and flexibility in
the work sector.
"The entry of the drachma into the European Exchange Rate
Mechanism (ERM) in March 1998 was a n important step for Greece on
its way of entering EMU. Substantial progress has been achieved
over the past years.
"Inflation has fallen from a peak of almost 25 percent and is
targeted to fall to 2.4 percent this year.
"Long-term interest rates were brought down to the one-digit
area (nine percent). As a result, economic growth jumped up to 3.5
percent and is expected to attain 3.7 percent this year."
In closing his address, Mr. Henkel stated that Greece plays a
strong and important role in Europe, "be it to contribute to the
architecture of the 21st century, be it as a central force to
promote economic and political cooperation in southern Europe and
the entire Mediterranean region.
"Greece needs Europe and the European Union," Mr. Henkel
said, adding "but Europe also needs Greece.
[08] DIMITRIS DIMITRIADIS IS THE NEW MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI
City councilor Dimitris Dimitriadis was elected mayor of
Thessaloniki today. The candidature of Mr. Dimitriadis was the
only one submitted in the meeting of the New Democracy city
councilors, who are holding the majority in the City Council.
Mr. Dimitriadis got 22 votes and 2 ballots were blank. In
statements he made after his election, he appealed for unity among
the ND group of city councilors.
[09] PAPANTONIOU: NO TAX CUTS
There will be no new regulations for the unsettled tax cases
and no tax cuts, stressed minister of national economy and finance
Yiannos Papantoniou. He also said that the round of privatization
for 12 state-owned companies and 3 banks has closed.
The statement was made after the meeting he had with the
prime minister in view of the International Monetary Fund report
that will be made public today and concerns the Greek economy.
According to Mr.Papantoniou, the report recognizes the positive
course and the stability of the Greek economy.
[10] KARAMANLIS WILL BE IN KATERINI THIS EVENING
Leader of right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy
Kostas Karamanlis will be in the town of Katerini, in northern
Greece today within the framework of a four-day tour to the
prefectures of Pieria, Imathia and Pella.
Mr. Karamanlis is expected to arrive at Katerini's "Ekavi"
cultural center at 7pm this evening to meet with representatives
of production forces in the local Chamber and with a delegation of
the agricultural associations' union.
Later in the evening, he will speak at a gathering of party
supporters, while tomorrow morning he will meet with the
Metropolite, the prefect and the mayor of Katerini.
[11] THE OA MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO HIRE 50 PILOTS
The Olympic Airways Board of Directors decided to hire 50
pilots, while the program for the reform of the state airline is
in progress.
Also, the OA Board of Directors decided to sell two Boeing
727 passenger planes, announced an open competition for the hiring
of an adviser to hammer out an operational and strategic handling
plan as well as, the immediate repayment of the state debts to the
company.
[12] TURKEY WILL NOT PARICIPATE IN THE EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, on the occasion
of the impending Association Council between Turkey and the EU,
which is due to be held in Brussels, on Monday, noted today that
Greece will insist on its stances which are in accordance with the
firm principles of the European Union and the resolutions of the
Luxembourg summit.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Turkey will not participate
in the Association Council. However, if the Council takes place,
Greece will be represented by its Alternate Foreign minister
Giorgos Papandreou.
[13] GREEK LABOUR MINISTER CALLS FOR DIALOGUE WITH STRIKERS
Greek Labour minister Miltiadis Papaioannou called today on
the trade union leadership of the employees of the Ionian Bank to
proceed to a dialogue stressing that the government is open to
that eventuality.
Mr Papaioannou noted that all the announced resolutions
focused on the interests of the employees, the bank and thus on
the general interests of the national economy.
The Labour minister stressed that there is a governmental
resolution concerning the bank sale through transparent procedures
underlining that this is a complex process which is why the bank
workers were invited to participate in it.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] TURKEY-EU ASSOCIATION COUNCIL TO BE HELD ON MONDAY
The Association Council between Turkey and the European Union
is to be held in Brussels on Monday.
Greece is expected to fully distance its position from those
adopted by its European allies. Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou stated that the Greek government will reiterate its
firm positions regarding improvements in Turkey-EU relations.
[15] ITALY, GREECE ARE ALBANIA'S TOP TRADE PARTNERS
Italy and Greece are the top trade partners of Albania whose
import-export volume last month amounted to 12 billion lek, with
Italy holding approximately 45 percent of commercial trade, while
Greece represented 28 percent of the total commercial trade.
This month Albania slightly improved the commercial exchange
ratio with Greece, marking a slight increase of export volume with
90 million lek and a drop of imports from Greece with 160 million
lek, compared to March.
[16] KOSSOVO'S ALBANIANS TO ATTEND TOMORROW'S TALKS WITH SERBS
Albanians in Kossovo will attend tomorrow's first round of
talks with Serbian government representatives, party officials
said, as NATO reviewed military options to prevent violence
spilling out into the region.
Fehmi Agani, an advisor to Kossovo's Albanians leader
Ibrahim Rugova, said yesterday: "We will go to the talks, where we
will defend our position in favor of an independent Kossovo."
The news came as NATO said it was reviewing military options
to protect
Yugoslavia's neighbors Albania and Macedonia from unrest in
Kossovo which has
killed around 160 people since a Serbian police started a
crackdown in late February.
Germany is against deploying NATO troops, saying Wednesday
the problem has
to do with internal politics, while the US Defense Secretary
William Cohen said no option was being ruled out, but efforts were
being focused on a political resolution.
However, Agani was cautious on the chances of success at
Friday's talks, accusing Belgrade of imposing a blockade on food
supplies to Kossovo since last week.
"That is a factor which could compromise the success of the
discussions," he said.
Serbia's trade ministry has denied that such trucks carrying
food were being stopped at the entry to Kossovo and said such
reports were false, according to Serbia's official Tanjug news
agency.
The talks, which are to be held weekly, were agreed during a
meeting last week between Rugova and Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic, itself brokered
by the United States.
Friday's talks will take place in Pristina, the province's
main town.
[17] NATO DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARIES TO MEET AT TIRANA TOMORROW
The defense undersecretaries of the states-members of NATO
are to meet at the Albanian capital, Tirana, tomorrow.
The undersecretaries of defense from Greece, Albania, Italy,
FYROM, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and the Unites States
will attend the session, along with officials from the alliance
and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
[18] EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY GREEK PAINTERS LIVING IN HUNGARY
A significant exhibition of works by Greek painters that will
last until June 14 was inaugurated recently in Budapest.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Greek ambassador to Hungary
Ioannis Fotopoulos, who praised the work of the Greek artists and
stressed the significance of the exhibition for the Greeks living
in Hungary.
[19] TALKS BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND SERBS ON KOSOVO
The leaders of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo will participate in
the first round of talks with representatives of the Serb
government that will be held tomorrow, according to a statement by
officials of the Democratic Union, the largest Albanian party in
the province.
Meanwhile, NATO is considering ways to handle the situation
militarily and stop the crisis from spreading.
[20] IMF: DANGER OF SOCIAL EXPLOSION IN TURKEY
According to an International Monetary Fund report, the
likelihood of a social explosion in Turkey is visible.
The course of the country's economy, in spite of the
assurances given by its government, is disappointing and is not
expected to bring any improvement to the situation and give the
right to Ankara to request its accession into the European Union.
The above are mentioned, among others, in an article
published in the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet". In the article it
is stressed that the Yilmaz government "celebrates" for the
inflation drop but it is pointed out that, according to the
International Monetary Fund report, this is mainly the result of
the drop in the price of oil observed in the international market.
[21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES SUGGESTS THE FULL DEMILITARIZATION OF
CYPRUS
Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides reiterated the readiness
of his government to discuss measures that will contribute to the
demilitarization of the island.
In the speech he delivered in the opening of the 23rd
International State Fair of Cyprus, Mr. Clerides pointed out that
the tension in the island is not the result of the Cypriot defense
efforts but the result of the strong Turkish presence on the
island and added that all those who are interested in easing the
tension should back the Cypriot government proposal for the full
demilitarization of the island.
Mr. Clerides also stated that the Cypriot government will not
accept neither the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot regime nor
the upgrading of the status of the de facto situation in the
Turkish occupied northern Cyprus. He underlined that any such
effort from third countries will be rejected immediately and at
the same time, will have negative effects on the relations of the
Cypriot Republic with the country in question.
[22] DEMIREL-YILMAZ ARGUMENT OVER THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
Turkish president Suleiman Demirel sharply criticized prime
minister Mesut Yilmaz, due to the latter' s objections concerning
proposals by mr Demirel, over the change of the government system
in effect to a "political democracy".
Mr Demirel, whose term of office as president ends in the
year 2000, has repeatedly stressed the necessity for a change in
the country's government system in order to prevent eventual
crisis.
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