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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-05-25

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 25, 1998

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] ALL BANKS CLOSED TODAY IN PROTEST TO YESTERDAY'S SWAT TEAM RAID
  • [02] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER CRITICIZES GOVERNMENT
  • [03] KING AND QUEEN OF SPAIN EMBARK ON OFFICAL VISIT TO GREECE
  • [04] INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE HELD IN ATHENS
  • [05] ASTRONAUT NEIL ARMSTRONG IN ATHENS, INAUGURATES INFOWORLD
  • [06] MEDITERRANEAN POETS MEET IN NORTHERN GREEK CITY OF KAVALA
  • [07] GREEK BORDER TOWN HAS WORLD'S LARGEST FLAG
  • [08] BULGARIA'S FM IN THESSALONIKI, SPEAKS TO MPA
  • [09] SPAIN'S ROYAL COUPLE ARRIVED IN ATHENS THIS AFTERNOON
  • [10] REPPAS: TURKEY SHOULD ABANDON THE ROLE OF THE MIGHTY
  • [11] SIMITIS DISCUSSED NATIONAL ISSUES WITH HIS MINISTERS
  • [12] STATEMENTS BY MS. MICHAILOVA TO MPA
  • [13] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS - ARSENIS MEETING
  • [14] US SENATOR PAUL SARBANIS MET WITH THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT
  • [15] INCREASED DEMAND FOR "VIOHALKO" SHARES BY GREEK AND FOREIGN INVESTORS
  • [16] "LOULIS": MODERN FLOUR PLANT IN BUCHAREST WORTH 3.4 BILLION DRACHMAS
  • [17] PAPOUTSIS PRESENTED THE NEW EU COMMISSION STUDY ON ENERGY
  • [18] THE FUND RAISER FOR THE GREEKS IN THE BLACK SEA WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [19] GREEK DIRECTOR EARNS PALME D'OR AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
  • [20] THOMAS MILLER TO VISIT CYPRUS TODAY
  • [21] US TO PERSEVERE WITH EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE
  • [22] EXCAVATIONS IN ANCIENT GREEK CITIES IN ALBANIA
  • [23] PATRIARCH MAXIMOS WILL RESIGN, ACCORDING TO THE BULGARIAN PRESS

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] ALL BANKS CLOSED TODAY IN PROTEST TO YESTERDAY'S SWAT TEAM RAID

    Workers at all of Greece's banks are on a 24-hour strike today, in a sign of protest to yesterday's raid conducted by SWAT teams at Ionian Bank's computer headquarters in Piraeus .

    Meanwhile, Ionian's management last week decided to initiate legal proceedings against the bank's unions in an attempt to put an end to the strike. The court is to issue its ruling today.

    [02] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER CRITICIZES GOVERNMENT

    The leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, sharply criticized the government and its policies, during an address he gave last night at the city of Yiannitsa in central Macedonia.

    Mr. Karamanlis announced that should his party win the next elections, then he will form a government of young and uncorrupted people.

    "We will form a government that will not disappoint the people, one that will be responsive to their expectations" he stated.

    Addressing agricultural issues, the main opposition leader accused Agricultural Minister Stefanos Tzoumakas of being incompetent and held the ruling PASOK party responsible for the agricultural crisis hitting farmers.

    He also lashed out against the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, accusing him of being out of touch with reality.

    [03] KING AND QUEEN OF SPAIN EMBARK ON OFFICAL VISIT TO GREECE

    King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia are embarking today on a five-day official visit to Greece, invited by the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    The royal couple will be received by the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, and will inaugurate the "Classic Greece in Spain" exhibition in Athens.

    Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes, who will accompany the royal couple, is to be received by his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos.

    On Thursday, May 28, the royal couple will visit Thessaloniki where they will be received by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos and on May 29 they will visit the archaeological sites and museum of Vergina.

    [04] INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE HELD IN ATHENS

    A five-day conference, featuring the participation of journalists, scholars and activists from Europe, the Middle East Africa and America opened in Athens yesterday, in order to review the role of corporate and government control of news and information.

    The event, organized by the Andreas Papandreou Foundation in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic and Development Studies -Andreas Papandreou (ISTAME) is titled "A 21st century dialogue: A media-run world".

    Addressing the conference, Press Minister Dimitris Reppas spoke of the risks lurking in the domination of the mass communication media and new technologies, stressing the need for formulating policies on a European Union level, with the criteria being the maintenance of human qualities and collective goods.

    In turn, Alternate Foreign Minister and president ISTAME, George Papandreou, said that those controlling technology, along with those producing, interpreting and transmitting information were all crucial to the future of democracy. Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos attended the opening of the conference.

    Among those scheduled to speak are Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the former president of Haiti, who will speak on "What the Media doesn't print: Neoliberalism and structural adjustment policies"; Ramsey Clark, the former U.S. attorney general, who will speak on "Media Manipulation of Foreign Policy"; and renowned Egyptian writer and novelist Nawal El-Sadawi, who will speak on "Western Cultural Imperialism reflected in the Media and International News".

    [05] ASTRONAUT NEIL ARMSTRONG IN ATHENS, INAUGURATES INFOWORLD

    Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the moon, was in Athens yesterday, to inaugurate the Infoworld 98 exhibition at the capital's Peace and Friendship Stadium.

    Mr. Armstrong gave a brief speech on space history and the roles of technology and information. He stated that man's next quest into space will be the solar system.

    [06] MEDITERRANEAN POETS MEET IN NORTHERN GREEK CITY OF KAVALA

    Poets from Greece, Lebanon, Algiers, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Turkey, Cyprus, Italy and France are to meet this Thursday in the northern Greek city of Kavala in order to hold the third symposium titled "The music of poetry and the poetry of music".

    The event, organized by the House of Letters and Arts of Kavala will be held until May 31 and will concern poetry set to music. Works of all the participating poets have been turned into songs in the country of their origin.

    Among the Greek poets who will participate in the event are Takis Varvitsiotis and Antonis Fostieris, as well as the composer Christos Leontis.

    [07] GREEK BORDER TOWN HAS WORLD'S LARGEST FLAG

    In celebration of the anniversary of its liberation, the Greek border town of Didimoticho yesterday hoisted what is believed to be the world's largest flag on its Byzantine tower. The flag, which measures 480 sq. meters and weighs 130 kilos, will be featured in the Guinness World Book of Records next edition.

    The flagstaff, whose construction has not yet been completed, will measure 53 meters high and will cost three million drachmas.

    Present at yesterday's ceremony were the Metropolite of Didimoticho Nikiforos, various parliamentarians, a score of locals and many Greeks who live abroad and who arrived just for the magnificent event.

    [08] BULGARIA'S FM IN THESSALONIKI, SPEAKS TO MPA

    Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Nadejda Michailova visited Thessaloniki yesterday in order to inaugurate the new building of the Bulgarian consulate. During her brief visit, she met with Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos with whom she discussed matters of bilateral interest, as well as the recent developments in the Balkan region, specifically Kossovo.

    Ms.Michailova presented Mr.Pangalos with a letter wherein she briefed him on her government's positions concerning bilateral matters, among them the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipelines, the three new road axes between the two countries and the visa issuance process.

    Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister expressed the hope that the Greek government will soon adopt the draft law concerning seasonal employment of Bulgarian nationals in Greece.

    Ms.Michailova said that Greece's participation in the Schengen Accord poses a hurdle when it comes to granting a visa to Bulgarian citizens but she added that she intents to discuss the matter further with Mr.Pangalos.

    She stressed that Greece is one of Bulgaria's most fervent supporters for this country's accession to the European Union. In regards to the three new highways, which are to be built in Eastern Macedonian and Thrace in order to improve transport between the two countries, Ms.Michailova said that the slow pace of progress was due to technical, of political problems.

    Lastly, the Bulgarian Minister expressed the hope that the protocol to bypass double taxation, which was recently drawn up by Greek and Bulgarian experts in Athens, will soon be completed.

    [09] SPAIN'S ROYAL COUPLE ARRIVED IN ATHENS THIS AFTERNOON

    Spain's royal couple arrived in Athens this afternoon for a formal visit. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were welcomed by president Kostis Stephanopoulos, prime minister Kostas Simitis, leader of New Democracy right-wing opposition party Kostas Karamanlis, Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos.

    After the formal welcoming ceremony, Spain's royal couple had a private meeting with the president of the Hellenic Republic.

    [10] REPPAS: TURKEY SHOULD ABANDON THE ROLE OF THE MIGHTY

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas speaking to reporters today referred to the meeting of prime minister Kostas Simitis with minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos and undersecretary of foreign affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis that was held to review the Greek foreign policy.

    Responding to the question if the government discusses confidence-building-measures with Ankara, he said that Turkey should abandon the role of the mighty in order to achieve its goals and called on the country to change its policy and to accept the framework set by Europe.

    [11] SIMITIS DISCUSSED NATIONAL ISSUES WITH HIS MINISTERS

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis met in Athens this morning with foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos and minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos. Their talks focused on national issues and the Cyprus problem.

    Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek criticized Greece for the fact that the EU-Turkey Association Council has not met yet stating that the time has come for Athens to lift its veto on Turkey's funding by the European Union.

    [12] STATEMENTS BY MS. MICHAILOVA TO MPA

    Bulgarian foreign minister Nadezda Michailova delivered a letter to her Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos with which she briefs him on the Bulgarian positions regarding the Burgas- Alexandroupolis oil pipe line, the three new road border crossings between Greece and Bulgaria and the visa issue.

    In statements she made to MPA, Ms. Michailova expressed the hope that the Greek side will soon hammer out a draft law on the seasonal employment of Bulgarian nationals in Greece.

    [13] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS - ARSENIS MEETING

    Issues concerning the ecclesiastical education were discussed in the meeting of Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece with minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis.

    The minister of education characterized as positive the discussion and stressed that more talks will follow for the solution of ecclesiastical issues within his authority.

    [14] US SENATOR PAUL SARBANIS MET WITH THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

    Greek-American US Senator Paul Sarbanis met in Athens at noon today with president of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis. The meeting was held in the presence of US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns.

    Mr. Kaklamanis presented the Greek positions on the issues of national importance, while there was also a discussion on the US positions on issues concerning the Greek-Turkish relations.

    [15] INCREASED DEMAND FOR "VIOHALKO" SHARES BY GREEK AND FOREIGN INVESTORS

    Greek and foreign investors expressed strong interest in the shares of the Greek copper and aluminum industry "Viohalko Ltd.".

    The firm's shares follow a steady upward course as a result of the successful moves made by its subsidiary companies in the sectors of copper, aluminum and steel in which they hold a leading place.

    [16] "LOULIS": MODERN FLOUR PLANT IN BUCHAREST WORTH 3.4 BILLION DRACHMAS

    The construction of a modern flour plant by the "Loulis" flour industry, in its own property in Bucharest, will cost a total of 11 million dollars or about 3.4 billion drachmas. It is estimated that the construction of the plant will be completed in the fall of 1999.

    The company has also purchased a large land property in the village of Mezez in Tirana for the construction of a large flour mill with the capacity to produce 300 tons of flour daily.

    [17] PAPOUTSIS PRESENTED THE NEW EU COMMISSION STUDY ON ENERGY

    The new study on the "prospects for the development of a regional electricity market in the Balkans" was presented in Athens today by EU Commissioner responsible for energy issues Mr. Christos Papoutsis.

    According to the EU Commissioner, the study includes a proposal on the competitiveness of the electricity market in the Balkan region. The proposal includes a set of criteria for the exploitation of the whole system, its development and the electricity trade.

    Mr. Papoutsis stressed that the development of the Balkan energy market, based on the Bucharest meeting in November 1997, can contribute to the efforts for peace and stability in south- eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, adding that the Bucharest memorandum is a milestone in the course of the EU activities concerning the sector of energy.

    [18] THE FUND RAISER FOR THE GREEKS IN THE BLACK SEA WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL

    According to the first estimates made, over 200 million drachmas have been gathered in the marathon fund raiser for the Greeks in the Black Sea, organized last weekend by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) with the support of the Greek state radio and television channel, NET, the Greeks Abroad General Secretariat and the Greek Parliament Permanent Cross-Party Committee for the Greeks Abroad.

    In statements to MPA, the Greek Parliament Committee chairman Grigoris Niotis expressed the satisfaction of the fund raiser organizers for the participation of the Greeks all over the world in the effort aimed at offering medical care to the Greeks in the Black Sea.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [19] GREEK DIRECTOR EARNS PALME D'OR AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

    The Cannes film festival critics have awarded the prestigious Palme d'Or to the Greek film "Mia Eoniotita Ke Mia Mera", or "Eternity and a Day", directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos.

    The film, which focuses on a poet's struggle with memory and death, took the top award at the 51st French film festival.

    Mr. Angelopoulos received a rousing reception at the closing ceremony. He said that "awards are welcome, but I wouldn't change the moment when the audience was standing up and applauding for any award."

    Set in Angelopoulos's trademark fog and rain, the film charts a writer's quest on the eve of his death to find memories of happier days with his late wife Anna. As he drives through the streets of the Greek city of Thessaloniki, Alexander, played by Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, crosses the path of an Albanian boy who has fled his country.

    [20] THOMAS MILLER TO VISIT CYPRUS TODAY

    The United States special coordinator for the Cyprus issue Thomas Miller is expected at the island today where he will meet with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides.

    Mr. Miller is expected to exert pressure on the Cypriot government to cancel the order of the Russian-made S-300 anti- aircraft missiles.

    [21] US TO PERSEVERE WITH EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE

    The US Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering has stated that the American initiative to resolve the Cyprus issue will not be deterred by the failure of Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke's recent mission to the island.

    Speaking at a lunch organized by Europe Magazine in Washington, Mr. Pickering stated that the US was disappointed with the outcome of Mr. Holbrooke's mission, and in particular with Turkey for raising preconditions for further talks, including the recognition of the 'TRNC' and the suspension of Cyprus EU accession talks.

    But in spite of this, he said, the US would "keep on moving" in the area. There was, he added, no reason to abandon the process, stressing that what was needed was harder work "to persuade those who are not yet ready to move the process ahead."

    The US was, Mr. Pickering concluded, justifiably anxious to get somewhere on Cyprus, as the situation always posed a threat to stability, tensions and security in the region.

    [22] EXCAVATIONS IN ANCIENT GREEK CITIES IN ALBANIA

    A ten-member group of archaeologists headed by Jack Davis, professor of Classical Studies in the University of Cincinnati in the United States will start excavations next month in regions where ancient Greek colonies in Albania were located at the coasts of the Adriatic Sea.

    Prof. Davis stated to BBC radio that there are many ancient Greek colonies at the Albanian coasts that are as significant as the ancient Greek cities in Greece but archaeologists know little about them because of Albania's isolation from the rest of the world for a long period of time.

    [23] PATRIARCH MAXIMOS WILL RESIGN, ACCORDING TO THE BULGARIAN PRESS

    A final solution to the controversy that exists for many years within the Bulgarian Christian Orthodox Church is expected to be reached with the possible resignation of Patriarch Maximos.

    According to the Sofia newspaper "24 Hours", the dialogue between the Church and the State that is being held with the mediation of vice-president Todor Kavaltziev it appears to be fruitful. The newspaper mentions that the 86yearold Patriarch Maximos is considering to resign for the sake of the unity of Orthodoxy.

    The controversy within the Bulgarian Church broke out in 1989 with the fall of Todor Zivkov, when many bishops and priests accused the Patriarch that in many instances he backed the former Communist leader and did not defend the Church and the faithful as much as he should have.


    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/


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