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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-16

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 16, 1998

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] DEFENSE MINISTER BRIEFS LEADER OF MAIN OPPOSITION ON ALBANIAN CRISIS
  • [02] ROLLING STONES TO ROCK ATHENS TONIGHT, THOUSANDS TO GET SATISFACTION
  • [03] TWO SLIGHT EARTHQUAKES BRING TREMORS TO THESSALONIKI
  • [04] FBI DIRECTOR ARRIVES IN GREECE TOMORROW FOR TWO-DAY VISIT
  • [05] FERRARI, SUPERFAST FERRIES & CAMPARI TO STAGE SIX-DAY EVENT TOMORROW
  • [06] HEAD OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF FINLAND
  • [07] SIMITIS HAD NO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION WITH NANO AND CLINTON
  • [08] MINISTERS AND AMBASSADORS FROM 76 COUNTRIES WILL MEET IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS
  • [09] NINA SIMONE, THE GREAT LADY OF JAZZ, IS IN THESSALONIKI FOR ONE APPEARANCE
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [10] BERISHA FOLLOWERS HOLD NEW RALLY IN TIRANA, NO EPISODES
  • [11] SITUATION IN ALBANIA NORMALIZED, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY
  • [12] GREEK FM TO GIVE ADDRESS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY EVENT
  • [13] GREECE AND CYPRUS SIGN CULTURAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT
  • [14] DEPUTY FM: CYPRUS WILL NOT BE ECONOMIC BURDEN TO THE EU
  • [15] TIRANA MOVES TO REMOVE BERISHA'S PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY
  • [16] THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WATCHES CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA
  • [17] SEVEN PEOPLE WERE THE VICTIMS OF THE BLOODY INCIDENTS IN ALBANIA

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] DEFENSE MINISTER BRIEFS LEADER OF MAIN OPPOSITION ON ALBANIAN CRISIS

    The Minster of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos briefed today the leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis on the latest developments in Albania.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the problem in the neighboring country is a political one and stated that the situation is being normalized.

    In turn, Mr. Karamanlis stated that the situation is still too fluid and proposed that the Greek government request the convention of an emergency session with the European Union's foreign ministers.

    Moreover, Mr. Karamanlis asked that the security of Greek residing in Albania and Greek troops assigned there be ensured.

    [02] ROLLING STONES TO ROCK ATHENS TONIGHT, THOUSANDS TO GET SATISFACTION

    Greek politicians, among them Premier Kostas Simitis, leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis and the leader of minor opposition party Synaspismos Nikos Konstantopoulos are to join thousands of Rolling Stones fans tonight at the Olympic Stadium, where Mick Jagger and his entourage will walk the Bridges to Babylon. The concert is to start around 9.30 p.m. and the Stones are expected to play for two whole hours.

    [03] TWO SLIGHT EARTHQUAKES BRING TREMORS TO THESSALONIKI

    Two slight earthquakes brought concern to Thessaloniki's residents last night, the first measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale and occurring at 23.27, with the second taking place two minutes later and measuring 2.7.

    The quake's epicenter was located 10 kilometers northeast of the city. Seismologists at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics lab stated that the tremors are no cause for concern.

    [04] FBI DIRECTOR ARRIVES IN GREECE TOMORROW FOR TWO-DAY VISIT

    The director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Louis Freeh will begin a two-day visit to Greece as of tomorrow.

    According to the U.S. embassy in Athens, Mr. Freeh, who is currently on a European trip, will have talks on issues of mutual interest with Greek government officials involved in law enforcement.

    [05] FERRARI, SUPERFAST FERRIES & CAMPARI TO STAGE SIX-DAY EVENT TOMORROW

    Ferrari, the famous sports car, SuperFast Ferries and Campari are to embark on a six-day event in Athens tomorrow with the participation of over 70 Ferrari cars from all over Europe.

    The cars will depart from the Italian port of Ancona tomorrow and will arrive in Patras 19 hours later aboard a SuperFast ferry, owned by Greek blue-chip Attica Enterprises, which is listed on the Athens bourse.

    Among events planned starting on Friday are skill races in Alepohori near Megara and then a drive to Athens.

    The Ferraris will be lined up in front of the Kallimarmaro Stadium in central Athens and the Acropolis.

    [06] HEAD OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF FINLAND

    The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday received the Finnish President Matti Ahtisaari who is currently on an official visit to Greece.

    Following their talks, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that there is an excellent level of relations between the parliaments of the two countries.

    In turn, Mr. Ahtisaari expressed his satisfaction over the close cooperation between the parliaments of Greece and Finland and noted that he discussed with Mr. Kaklamanis ways "to make the people, and especially the youth, interested in day-to-day issues and politics."

    He also stressed the need for the strengthening national parliaments' role and European integration. The Finnish president also noted that the international community must support the effort for a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

    Mr. Kaklamanis expressed the hope that Cyprus' accession talks will be concluded by the time Finland assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union in 1999.

    Finally, Mr. Kaklamanis underlined that it is necessary for the international community to follow a mutual course so as to restore the territorial integrity of Cyprus.

    [07] SIMITIS HAD NO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION WITH NANO AND CLINTON

    There is no information that prime minister Kostas Simitis had a telephone communication with US president Bill Clinton, stated acting Greek government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou.

    Mr. Nikolaou also added that Mr. Simitis had no telephone conversation with Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano and no Greek foreign ministry official is scheduled to visit the neighboring country. Mr. Nikolaou said that Greece is interested in restoring normality in Albania and the Balkans as a whole, adding that it has a stabilizing role and each time considers seriously any initiatives it undertakes.

    [08] MINISTERS AND AMBASSADORS FROM 76 COUNTRIES WILL MEET IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS

    The third international conference on "Mediterranean cooperation and development, prospects of a new economic region after the year 2000, Mediterranean-Balkans-Black Sea" will be held in Alexandroupolis on October 22-25.

    In the conference will participate ministers, ambassadors and representatives of production sectors from 76 countries of the wider region of the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

    The event is organized by the Institute of Mediterranean Cooperation with the backing of the European Parliament, the European Bank of Investments, the Institute for Mediterranean Studies and the local administration of the prefecture of Evros, in north-eastern Greece.

    [09] NINA SIMONE, THE GREAT LADY OF JAZZ, IS IN THESSALONIKI FOR ONE APPEARANCE

    The great lady of jazz, Nina Simone is in Thessaloniki for one concert she will give tomorrow within the framework of the "Gea" Festival. Speaking to journalists she made comments on the way the contemporary music has developed, while she also spoke about her own role in the music scene and about .... Bill Clinton and his problems....

    Widely-known for her struggle through her songs against the violation of human rights and racism, Nina Simone said that she fought through her music. She stressed that maybe it is impossible to get rid of class discrimination but it is possible to get rid of racism. Ms. Simone said that for the past 25 years she lives in Europe because it was impossible for her to tolerate the race discrimination in America.

    The real name of Nina Simone is, Eunice Kathleen Waymon, and was the direct target of racism at the age of 5 when during her performance in a piano festival at the library of her native South Carolina, she witnessed her parents being forced to leave the front row seats because their presence was disturbing for certain white people.

    Commenting on rap music, Ms. Simone stated that this is not music and said characteristically that she hates rap which is "just poetry and drums, but not music".

    Commenting on the Rolling Stones, whose Athens concert takes place this evening, she stressed that they play a totally different kind of music compared to hers and stated that "the Stones do not play music, they destroy it" adding that "there are no good musicians today".

    To the question on the Clinton sex scandal, she said that she does not understand why people criticize something that all men want to do, saying "not that I like Clinton as a president but he has rights too and his personal life is his own business".

    Ms. Simone also referred to Maria Callas saying that she was a genuine diva, while she characterized Nelson Mandela as the greatest man on the planet.

    Nina Simone was born in 1933. Her first success was the song "I loves you Porgy" at the end of the ‘50's and later it was followed by "Gin house blues", "I put a spell on you", "Don't let me be misunderstood" and the great classic song "My baby just cares for me".

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [10] BERISHA FOLLOWERS HOLD NEW RALLY IN TIRANA, NO EPISODES

    A rally organized by followers of the main opposition leader and former president Sali Berisha did not result in any episodes.

    A parliamentary committee is to review whether or not Mr. Berisha's and five Democratic Party deputies' parliamentary immunity will be lifted in order to criminally prosecute them. Meanwhile, the European Union, the Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe and the Western European Union has issued an appeal to all of Albania's political forces to support president Rejep Meidani

    [11] SITUATION IN ALBANIA NORMALIZED, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY

    The situation in Albania appears to have been normalized, although the police are in a state of readiness in light of this afternoon's rally organized by main opposition leader and former president Sali Berisha.

    The Albanian parliament's appropriate committee is to examine the district attorney's request to lift Mr. Berisha's parliamentary immunity which he enjoys as the leader of the main opposition party. Mr. Berisha and four of his colleagues, face charges of organizing, aiding and abetting an armed uprising. Meanwhile, the European Union, the Organization for Security and cooperation in Europe and the Western European Union has issued an appeal to all of Albania's political forces to support president Rejep Meidani.

    [12] GREEK FM TO GIVE ADDRESS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY EVENT

    Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to present an address at New York's Columbia University tomorrow evening, where he will speak on "Greece and Europe's future".

    The event is organized by the Greek Studies program, the School of International and Public Relations and the Institute of Western Europe.

    [13] GREECE AND CYPRUS SIGN CULTURAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT

    The Cultural Ministers of Greece and Cyprus Evangelos Venizelos and Lycourgos Kapas respectively, signed a Cultural Cooperation Program for the years 1998-2000 in Nicosia yesterday.

    The agreement provides for upgraded Greek participation in the annual Cyprus festival "Ta Kypria", now underway, the furthering of cooperation in theater, music, cinema and archaeology, as well as exchanges and cooperation in the international art and music fields.

    It also provides for Cyprus' participation in the Cultural Olympiad to take place in Greece from the year 2000 to 2004.

    Mr. Venizelos underlined the importance of cultural cooperation between the two countries and pointed out that never before had it been set out in such a formal way as in the agreement signed today. He said the agreement had a "practical basis".

    In turn, the Cypriot Culture Minister stated that "as we believe closer cultural cooperation is our national duty, the two ministries have developed close ties aiming at safeguarding the historical identity of the Greek nation."

    He added that meetings between delegations of the two ministries will be held every six months and there will be a constant exchange of information and views.

    Replying to questions, Mr. Venizelos expressed disappointment with the European Union's stance towards the destruction of the cultural heritage in the areas of the Republic occupied by Turkey since 1974.

    He said the EU should show more sensitivity as it believes in the common European cultural heritage and noted that UNESCO and the Council of Europe show more interest in the situation.

    [14] DEPUTY FM: CYPRUS WILL NOT BE ECONOMIC BURDEN TO THE EU

    Addressing the Development Bank's general assembly meeting held in Athens yesterday, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis stated that Cyprus will not create very high expenditures for the European Union's budget after accession.

    Speaking on the issue of "The Prospects of Europe: Greece and Cyprus, a Dynamic and Supplementary Relation", Mr. Kranidiotis said that whatever expenditures will be channeled in their largest part in the northern part of Cyprus, being the less developed. He said that for Cyprus to obtain economic benefits, it will go ahead quickly and systematically with the adjustment of the economy to the facts and claims of the big united market of Economic Monetary Union.

    Moreover, Mr. Kranidiotis stated that Europe, Greece and Cyprus are faced with new prospects, opportunities and challenges on the threshold of the 21st century since the global system, as he said, appears to lack institutional bases of stability, the European Union with the establishment of EMU and enlargement is emerging as the exclusive factor of stability.

    [15] TIRANA MOVES TO REMOVE BERISHA'S PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY

    The Albanian government has moved to prosecute the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party -and former president- Sali Berisha for inciting the uprising of September 14, which it characterized as an attempted coup d'etat.

    The prosecutor's office has already requested that Mr. Berisha's parliamentary immunity be lifted, along with other five deputies from the Democratic Party, on the grounds of organizing and participating in an armed uprising, which resulted in the destruction of government buildings and stores.

    A parliamentary committee is to review whether or not Mr. Berisha's and the five deputies' parliamentary immunity will be lifted in order to criminally prosecute them.

    Mr. Berisha has stated he is not concern over possibly being stripped of parliamentary immunity.

    "I am not at all concerned," he stated. "I am determined to face any attack will all my strength."

    The Albanian parliament yesterday ratified the Public Order Ministry's request to have the military police and a SWAT team to its avail given the critical stage of the situation.

    Moreover, the government announced that it will adopt harsher measures in dealing with Mr. Berisha's armed followers.

    Approximately 150 armed individuals are reportedly still stationed at the Democratic Party's headquarters.

    [16] THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WATCHES CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA

    The international community watches closely the rapid developments in Albania as the risk for the spread of violence and the likelihood of a civil war are still present.

    In a joint statement the OSCE, the European Union and the Western European Union condemned the use of violence and issued an appeal to all the political forces in Albania to back president Redzep Meidani in his efforts to defuse the crisis. Russia also expressed concern over the unexpected developments in Albania and issued an appeal for self-restraint.

    The foreign ministers of Germany and France suggested to the European Council president that an international police operation should be organized in Albania to avert the likelihood of new clashes, while they also proposed the increase of the EU funds to the country in order to stop it from plunging into chaos.

    Meanwhile, the Albanian capital appears to be returning to normality but police is in a state of alert as armed followers of Berisha's Democratic Party remain in the party offices refusing to hand over their guns. The ministry of public order issued an ultimatum calling them to leave the building by sunset.

    The leader of the opposition Sali Berisha vowed to continue the "peaceful" demonstrations, as he characterized them, until the government resigns.

    [17] SEVEN PEOPLE WERE THE VICTIMS OF THE BLOODY INCIDENTS IN ALBANIA

    Seven people were killed and 50 were injured in the bloody incidents that in the past few days rocked the Albanian capital of Tirana, while the material damages caused are estimated to be over one million dollars.

    The pro-government newspaper "Zeri i populit" likened Democratic party leader and former president Sali Berisha to the south American dictator Pinocet and published the statement of prime minister Fatos Nano who denied the rumors according to which, he is ready to resign, stressing that his resignation would be a betrayal for the Albanian people who trusted him with their vote.

    Calm is gradually restored in Albania even though the mastermind of last Monday's coup attempt, Sali Berisha, with new inflammatory statements continues to add fuel to the fire, while at the same time, the Albanian government examines ways to disarm the 150 followers of Sali Berisha, who remain at the party's central offices in Tirana. As it was made known, the procedures for the lifting of Berisha's parliamentary immunity and his prosecution that were activated by the general prosecutor's office and the government, move rapidly.

    Today, light was shed on the mystery surrounding the 48hour disappearance of prime minister Fatos Nano as according to the newspaper "Sekuli", at the critical hours when the coup attempt was taking place, the prime minister had found refuge at Daiti mountain near the Albanian capital, where he was guarded by 300 police officers, national guardsmen and socialist party supporters. As it was made known, during those hours Mr. Nano had no communication with president Redzep Meidani and had contact only with certain of his ministers through his mobile phone.


    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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