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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-11

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, September 11, 1998

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] CABINET CONVENES TODAY TO REVIEW BALKAN, INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
  • [02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH YUGOSLAV COUNTERPART
  • [03] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER TO ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR 3- DAY STAY
  • [04] MPA'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS STARTS THIS EVENING IN THESSALONIKI
  • [05] US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER
  • [06] FINNISH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT NEXT WEEK
  • [07] THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCK TO TIF, GREAT NUMBER OF TRADE VISITORS
  • [08] SCHOOLS START TODAY IN GREECE
  • [09] DIRECTORS OF BLACK SEA BANK HOLD CONFERENCE IN HALKIDIKI
  • [10] THE MPA CONFERENCE ON RIGAS OPENS THIS AFTERNOON
  • [11] DOWNWARD TREND IN THE INTERNATIONAL STOCK MARKETS
  • [12] PANGALOS: GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS IS RECOGNIZED
  • [13] CHILE'S EXPORTS TO GREECE WILL REACH 60 MILLION DOLLARS BY THE END OF 1998
  • [14] THE BALKAN POLICY WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [15] LIBRARY OF GREEK-BULGARIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY NAMED AFTER TROGADIS
  • [16] ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN CHAMBERS TO CONVENE IN SKOPJE TODAY
  • [17] UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END OF HOSTILITIES IN KOSSOVO
  • [18] KOSSOVO: 10,000 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES
  • [19] RUSSIA: DUMA CONVENES TO DECIDE ON PRIMAKOV'S CANDIDACY FOR PM
  • [20] THE INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR REPORT ON CLINTON WILL BE MADE PUBLIC THIS AFTERNOON
  • [21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES WAS BRIEFED ON THE PANGALOS-MILLER MEETING
  • [22] CLINTON IS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE OF THE STAGNATION OBSERVED IN THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
  • [23] GREEK PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES MET IN NICOSIA WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] CABINET CONVENES TODAY TO REVIEW BALKAN, INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

    The Cabinet is to convene today in order to review the latest developments in the Balkans and other international issues.

    Among the key speakers will be the Minster of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos and the undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis.

    [02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH YUGOSLAV COUNTERPART

    Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic met with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos and the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Athens yesterday/

    After their meeting, Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos said Greece is opposed to international sanctions being imposed on Yugoslavia, Greece being one of four European Union nations that has not imposed a ban on the flights of Yugoslav's national airline JAT.

    Mr. Pangalos stated yesterday that Yugoslavia should no longer be ostracized from the European family of nations and added that Serb president Slobodan Milosevic's proposals on Kossovo are in the right direction.

    Moreover, Mr. Pangalos said that the solution to the Kossovo crisis is guaranteeing the human rights of all the people living there, whether they are ethnic Albanians or Serbs.

    Belgrade's recent positions on the Kossovo issue are heading in the right direction, Mr. Pangalos said.

    "We are ready to help as much as we can to find a peaceful solution to this difficult problem in the context of the existing borders of Yugoslavia and with the simultaneous safeguarding of human rights and freedoms for all the population of Kossovo," the Greek minister said.

    Mr. Jovanovic said Yugoslavia was determined to find a peaceful resolution to the problem, to safeguard the rights of all the residents of Kossovo, regardless of religion or ethnicity, and to have full respect for international and European standards of human rights for ethnic minorities. Mr. Jovanovic called the Kossovo Liberation Army a "terrorist organization which should be included on the list of similar organizations". He accused the KLA of kidnapping, torture, bomb attacks on cars and other targets and said he was convinced that the Albanian-speaking population of Kossovo were becoming more skeptical of the KLA.

    In regards to bilateral relations, Mgrs. Jovanovic and Pangalos agreed that there were strong ties between the two countries.

    Economic ties between Greece and Yugoslavia were growing rapidly, with trade rising 26 percent this year, Mr. Pangalos said, pointing out that Greece is Yugoslavia's fifth largest trade partner and biggest foreign investor, he said.

    [03] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER TO ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI TODAY FOR 3- DAY STAY

    The leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, is to embark on a three-day visit to Thessaloniki today.

    During his stay in the northern capital, Mr. Karamanlis will meet with local party leaders and deputies.

    On Sunday, Mr. Karamanlis will visit the 63rd International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki and will give a press interview in the afternoon.

    [04] MPA'S CONFERENCE ON RIGAS STARTS THIS EVENING IN THESSALONIKI

    The two-day Inter-Balkan conference on "The influence of the ideas of Rigas Velestinlis on the countries of south-eastern Europe and the need for Inter-Balkan cooperation today" organized by the Macedonian Press Agency will open this afternoon in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the participation of distinguished personalities, academicians, historians and directors of Balkan news agencies.

    The Minister of Press and Media Dimitris Reppas will inaugurate the event. In his message to the delegates prime minister Kostas Simitis expressed the hope that Rigas' legacies and visions on the Balkans will be a new source of inspiration for the further expansion of the multi-faceted Inter-Balkan cooperation.

    Leader of main opposition party of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis stressed in his message that the conflicts in the Balkan Peninsula clearly show that there is a need to study and use Rigas' ideas again and this need is being served by the conference organized by the Macedonian Press Agency.

    [05] US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER

    United States special envoy for Cyprus Thomas Miller met with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in Athens yesterday with whom he discussed the Cyprus issue.

    Although neither official made any statements after the meeting, Miller said shortly before his talks that they would focus on securing a bi-zonal federal state for the two separate communities.

    [06] FINNISH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE ON OFFICIAL VISIT NEXT WEEK

    Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari will pay an official visit to Greece from September 14 to 17, his first visit to Athens, taking place in return of a visit to Finland by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos in November 1996.

    Apart from issues of a bilateral nature, discussions are expected to focus on the recent developments in Russia, the situation in Kossovo and the Balkans and issues relating to the European Union in view of Finland taking up the union's rotating presidency in the second half of 1999.

    Before leaving Greece, the Finnish official will pay a short visit to Crete, from where he will depart for Helsinki.

    [07] THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCK TO TIF, GREAT NUMBER OF TRADE VISITORS

    Trade visitors at the 63rd International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki have surpassed the 900-number mark during the first five days of the Fair's operation.

    The number of the trade visitors is surpassing even the expectations of HELEXPO, the organization in charge of the Fair.

    These visitors are from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, F.R. of Yugoslavia, Italy, Cyprus, South Africa, Portugal, Romania and the Czech Republic.

    [08] SCHOOLS START TODAY IN GREECE

    Hundreds of thousands of elementary, junior high and high school students are returning to classes as of today.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Education Gerasimos Arsenis stated that "everything is ready in order to start the new school year and the proper measures have been taken in order to ensure the correct operation of the new policies."

    However, the Teachers Association begs to differ. Its representatives have said that the high schools are not ready to apply the new measures, there are insufficient classrooms and the book distribution might be delayed.

    [09] DIRECTORS OF BLACK SEA BANK HOLD CONFERENCE IN HALKIDIKI

    The directors' council of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank is holding a three-day conference as of today in the northern Greek peninsula of Halkidiki, in order to map out the details concerning the financial institution's start of operation in the upcoming year.

    The main topic on the agenda is the location of the Bank's headquarters, which will serve as the "key" in starting its operation. Reportedly, the participants are aiming at achieving the Greek Parliament's ratification of the relevant agreement and, according to the existing plans, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank's permanent headquarters will be in Thessaloniki.

    [10] THE MPA CONFERENCE ON RIGAS OPENS THIS AFTERNOON

    The two-day Inter-Balkan conference on "The effect of Rigas Velestinlis' ideas on the countries of south-eastern Europe and the need for Inter-Balkan cooperation today" which is organized by Macedonian Press Agency will open at the hall of ceremonies in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Philosophy this afternoon with the participation of political personalities, academicians, historians and directors of Balkan mass media.

    The president of the Hellenic Republic, the prime minister, the leader of the main opposition party and the ministers of foreign affairs and culture have sent their messages to the conference which will be declared open by the minister of press. The conference proceedings will continue at the Sun Beach Hotel in the seaside resort of Agia Triada near Thessaloniki.

    [11] DOWNWARD TREND IN THE INTERNATIONAL STOCK MARKETS

    Nervousness prevailed today in the international money markets. After the Dow Jones drop by 3.8%, the Nikkei at the Tokyo Stock Exchange closed with a loss of 5.11%, while the Stock Exchange in Brazil lost 15.8% of its value.

    A similar trend is observed in the European stock markets. In Athens the general price index showed a loss of 2.25%.

    [12] PANGALOS: GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS IS RECOGNIZED

    Greece has a place among the five leading countries in the sector of economic transactions with Balkan states, while it is a powerful factor in the investments of foreign capital in the region, stated foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos after the cabinet meeting that dealt with the issue of Balkan policy and mainly focused on the domestic problems faced by Balkan countries.

    The Greek foreign minister also stressed that the role of Greece concerning peace and security in the Balkan region has won international recognition. He added that three border crossings will be established with Albania and three more with Bulgaria.

    [13] CHILE'S EXPORTS TO GREECE WILL REACH 60 MILLION DOLLARS BY THE END OF 1998

    Chile's exports to Greece are expected to reach 60 million dollars in 1998 and already in the first half of the year they are estimated to be at 31.4 million dollars. An upward trend is followed by the Greek exports to this south American country but they are much less compared to the Chilean exports as during 1997 they have reached 5.7 million dollars and in the period of January- June 1998 were at 3.6 million dollars.

    The information was given during a press conference of the Chilean embassy in Greece on the occasion of the country's 2nd participation in Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair. Present in the press conference was Santiago's Chamber of Commerce president Peter Hill in view of tomorrow's signing of a trade and economic cooperation agreement with Thessaloniki's Commerce and Industry Chamber.

    Chile's growth rate reached 7% in the past 15 years and its GDP is 80 million dollars. The international economic crisis that has affected the south American countries it is estimated that it will cost about 3 percentage points to Chile's growth rate.

    [14] THE BALKAN POLICY WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING

    The Balkan policy was the issue that was discussed in today's cabinet meeting in Athens. Prime minister Kostas Simitis pointed out that a significant progress is observed in Greece's relations with the Balkan states at economic, trade and cultural level and added that the government will continue its efforts toward this direction.

    Regarding Greece's relations with FYROM, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that there is notable improvement and added that the tension of the past does not exist anymore, while on the issue of the name, he said that the goal is to reach a solution acceptable by both sides.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [15] LIBRARY OF GREEK-BULGARIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY NAMED AFTER TROGADIS

    The library of the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Society in the Bulgarian town of Pomorie will bear the name of the late journalist and director of the ERA 5 "Voice of Greece" Radio Pantelis Trogadis.

    The decision to give Trogadis' name to the library is the result of the love he felt for people of Greek origin living in countries of the former communist bloc.

    Pomorie, a town having 14,000 inhabitants, has an extensive Greek community, while the society was established in 1990. A traditional building provided by the municipal authority in the town is used for Greek language lessons for 70 children of Greek and non-Greek origin. ERA has offered books and CDs worth 400,000 drachmas to the Greek-Bulgarian Friendship Society.

    [16] ASSOCIATION OF BALKAN CHAMBERS TO CONVENE IN SKOPJE TODAY

    The Association of Balkan Chambers (ABC) is to convene in Skopje today, in order to examine, among other matters, means of establishing business collaboration in southeastern Europe. Eight countries are being represented in the conference, namely Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, FYROM and Turkey. The participants are to also discuss matters concerning transportation, visas and strengthening cooperation between the ABC and the SECI. The Central Association of Greece's Chambers is to propose the expansion of electronic Trade (EDI) to the Balkan and black Sea countries.

    [17] UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END OF HOSTILITIES IN KOSSOVO

    Members of the Security Council on Thursday demanded an immediate cessation of all hostilities in the Kossovo province of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

    In a statement to the press on behalf of Council members, the President of the Council, Ambassador Hans Dahlgren of Sweden, called for an end to all violent or repressive actions against the civilian population. Council members also called for an end to the wanton destruction of property which was causing people to leave their homes and creating new flows of refugees and displaced persons, he said.

    Ambassador Dahlgren said that Council members were gravely concerned about the severe humanitarian consequences for the civilian population caused by the fighting and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.

    In particular, Ambassador Dahlgren said, Council members noted with concern the forced internal displacement of civilians estimated at 50,000 who have been driven into the woods and mountains. They also noted the lack of adequate safety and security for those people to return to their homes. They warned that with the approach of winter, as the temperature was already dropping and would drop significantly by the end of October, there could be a "humanitarian catastrophe" in the region, the Council President said.

    "All those involved in the mistreatment of civilians and deliberate destruction of property should be brought to justice," he added. Ambassador Dahlgren said that Council members expressed the need for Mr. Milosevic, as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to order a halt to all repressive actions against the civilian population in Kossovo.

    Ambassador Dahlgren said that the members of the Security Council also called for an immediate cessation of violence by all Kossovo Albanian armed groups.

    [18] KOSSOVO: 10,000 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES

    Ten thousand Albanian refugees have returned to their homes in six villages southeast of Decani.

    According the Serb press center in Kossovo, the refugees' return took place following an agreement reached between the Albanians' representatives and a Serb government delegation. The refugees were escorted to their homes by police forces.

    [19] RUSSIA: DUMA CONVENES TO DECIDE ON PRIMAKOV'S CANDIDACY FOR PM

    Russia's Lower House, the Duma is to convene today in order to decide on the Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov's candidacy for the premiership.

    If the Duma votes in the candidate, this could be start of the end of Russia's crippling crises, both economic and political.

    A State Department spokesperson stated that Washington's point of view concerning Mr. Primakov will depend on whether or not he intents to press on with the reform process.

    [20] THE INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR REPORT ON CLINTON WILL BE MADE PUBLIC THIS AFTERNOON

    US president Bill Clinton intensified his efforts today in order to manage to stay in office as the independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr's report on his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinski will be made public this afternoon.

    According to information, the report accuses Clinton of 11 offences such as perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of power. A special committee will decide if those accusations constitute a basis for the president's impeachment.

    The American people await with great curiosity for the presentation of parts of the report on the Internet, while the president tries to regain the trust of the American people and the Democratic party Congressmen, as many of them have publicly expressed opposition to his actions and strong concern that the Kenneth Starr report may even cost them their re-election in the very important November election.

    [21] PRESIDENT CLERIDES WAS BRIEFED ON THE PANGALOS-MILLER MEETING

    Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides was briefed on yesterday's meeting of Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos with special US State Department coordinator on Cyprus Thomas Miller that was held in Athens.

    The Cypriot president appeared satisfied with the briefing he had on the contents of the discussion of the two officials.

    [22] CLINTON IS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE OF THE STAGNATION OBSERVED IN THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

    US president Bill Clinton expressed disappointment because of the lack of progress in the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The statement was made by the US president during the ceremony for the presentation of the credentials of Greece's new ambassador to Washington Alexandros Filonas.

    President Clinton underlined his personal interest and his government's in the solution of the problem and pointed out Greece's strategic position in south-eastern Europe and the country's role in the region's stability. He also referred to the need for the continuation of cooperation toward this direction between Greece and the United States and stressed that Greece's new ambassador assumes his duties in a period during which Greece is making an exceptional progress.

    The US president also received the credentials of Cyprus's new ambassador to Washington Ms. Erato Kozakou-Markoulis and assured her that the United States are committed to a two-zone, two-community federal solution for Cyprus.

    [23] GREEK PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES MET IN NICOSIA WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

    The Greek Parliament Committee on European Issues delegation met with president Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia today to discuss Cyprus's EU accession course.

    Head of the delegation Loukas Apostolidis stated after the meeting that the national issues are in a critical phase but Hellenism has achieved union of hearts.

    He also underlined that the decisions of the European Union on Cyprus are valid and that the obstacles any side tries to raise in order to stop the island's EU accession course will disappear.


    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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