Read about Turkey's early 20th Century Genocides (by R.J. Rummel) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-11-13

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, November 13, 1998

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET IS TICKET TO EMU
  • [02] GREECE-ALBANIA COOPERATION
  • [03] FIRST INTER SOUTHEAST EUROPE FORUM BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
  • [04] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT TO VISIT CYPRUS ON SUNDAY
  • [05] GREEK PM, FORMER PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPEAK IN ATHENS
  • [06] CROATIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT GREECE THIS MONTH
  • [07] GREEK GOVERNMENT GRANTS AID TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE "MITCH"
  • [08] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO SOUTH AFRICA NEXT WEEK
  • [09] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC DEPARTS FOR VENICE TODAY
  • [10] SWEDISH FOREIGN AID MINISTER: GREECE BEHAVIOR TO ALBANIA IS EXEMPLARY
  • [11] 1ST BALKAN CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION
  • [12] BEAUTY OF WESTERN MACEDONIA TO BE DISPLAYED ABROAD
  • [13] SWITZERLAND'S "CAVALIER OF THE ROAD" AWARDS GREEK MAN FOR BRAVERY
  • [14] ALBANIAN PM APOLOGIZES TO GREECE FOR HIS COUNTRY'S CRIMINALS
  • [15] REPPAS: MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY IS ONLY THE ONE BASED IN THESSALONIKI
  • [16] KAKLAMANIS-MAJKO MEETING
  • [17] REPPAS: THE PROBLEM OF CRIME MUST BE DEALT WITH IN ITS RIGHT DIMENSIONS
  • [18] THE GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY CALLS FOR A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD ON THE TREATY OF AMSTERDAM
  • [19] EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MAGNUM AGENCY ARCHIVES
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [20] DIMAS, KAHIASVILI VIE FOR THE GOLD MEDAL
  • [21] ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON MEETS WITH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OVER CHALKI
  • [22] TURKISH OFFICERS ROBBED IN VLORE
  • [23] PIRROS DIMAS FIGHTS FOR THE GOLD MEDAL TODAY
  • [24] THE NEW PARLIAMENT OF FYROM CONVENES ON MONDAY
  • [25] ITALIAN POLICE CONFIRM THE ARREST OF PKK LEADER OCALAN
  • [26] THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CYPRUS CALLS FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IN THE UN

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET IS TICKET TO EMU

    The 1999 budget is the country's ticket to the Economic and Monetary Union, according to officials from the ministry of economy and finance. The budget allows for meager public sector pay raises next year, and raises the income taxes of middle class professionals and the self-employed by up to 20 per cent.

    The main opposition party New Democracy has stressed that government over-spending has increased while taxes are mounting, and the Communist Party of Greece accused the government of having adopted an anti-populist policy through its budget.

    [02] GREECE-ALBANIA COOPERATION

    Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis received his visiting Albanian counterpart Panteli Majko in Athens yesterday and discussed regional security matters, particularly the Kosovo issue. Mr. Simitis stated that Greece wants to help Albania forge closer links to NATO, the European Union and other international organizations.

    The two sides signed a 5 billion drachma loan agreement within the framework of a bilateral agreement already signed which provides aid to Albania in rebuilding its police force.

    Mr. Simitis called his meeting with Majko a sign of growing friendship and cooperation between their two peoples.

    This marked Mr. Majko's first visit to Greece as Premier.

    [03] FIRST INTER SOUTHEAST EUROPE FORUM BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

    The 1st Inter-Southeast Europe Forum is to begin in Thessaloniki today, featuring the participation of government officials and representatives of private companies from Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Bosnia, Croatia, Romania, Turkey, Yugoslavia and Cyprus.

    The participants will present the existing situation in their countries and the prospects of inter-state alliances in public sector informatics' application projects.

    The Forum will close on Saturday.

    [04] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT TO VISIT CYPRUS ON SUNDAY

    The President of the Hellenic Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis, will embark on a two-day official visit to Cyprus on Sunday, at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart, Spyros Kyprianou.

    He will be received by the President of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and other party leaders.

    Mr. Kaklamanis will hold a series of meetings before his return to Athens on Monday evening.

    [05] GREEK PM, FORMER PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPEAK IN ATHENS

    Jacques Delors, the former president of the European Commission, and Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will be the keynote speakers at a two-day international meeting on European identity, beginning in Athens this evening.

    The three basic items on the agenda are: Nation, sovereignty and democracy; The state, the market and intermediate organizations; and The society of citizens.

    The meeting will be opened today by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and will close tomorrow with discussion and addresses by Mgrs. Simitis and Delors.

    [06] CROATIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT GREECE THIS MONTH

    Croatia's president Franjo Tudjman will pay an official visit to Greece from November 23 to 25, at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, the office of President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos announced.

    [07] GREEK GOVERNMENT GRANTS AID TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE "MITCH"

    The Greek foreign ministry has announced that it will donate US$125,000 to four Latin American countries which have been devastated by last' week's hurricane "Mitch".

    According to the Ministry's announcement, Athens grants this emergency aid as a symbolic gesture of solidarity to the suffering people of Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

    In addition, $35,000 will be allocated to the disaster's victims through the group "Doctors of the World".

    [08] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO SOUTH AFRICA NEXT WEEK

    Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to embark on an official two-day visit to South Africa on Thursday, November 19.

    Famous Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis will accompany the FM on his visit and will conduct his musical adaptation of Odysseus Elytis' epic "Axion Esti".

    Mr. Pangalos has said that proceeds from the concert would be donated to South African President Nelson Mandela's charity to help impoverished children.

    Mr. Mandela has said he will attend the Greek composer's concert.

    [09] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC DEPARTS FOR VENICE TODAY

    The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is departing for Venice today in order to attend the festivities celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the city's Greek community.

    President Stephanopoulos will be accompanied by the Minister of Education Gerasimos Arsenis and the alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

    [10] SWEDISH FOREIGN AID MINISTER: GREECE BEHAVIOR TO ALBANIA IS EXEMPLARY

    Swedish Foreign Aid Minister Pierre Schori is presently in Athens where he addressed an event on the subject of "Greece and Sweden in a United Europe" yesterday evening.

    Speaking to reporters, Mr. Schori stated that there was much Greece could do to "unblock" the difficult situation which has been created with Turkey.

    Reluctant to appear as one who touts advice, Mr. Schori limited himself to saying that Turkey had the right to participate in the European Union but first had to fulfill certain prerequisites, such as respect for human rights.

    He also welcomed the beginning of accession talks between the EU and Cyprus, expressing a view that this would assist in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

    Mr. Schori is best known in Greece for the solidarity he showed to Greek democrats during the seven-year military dictatorship (1967-74) and as a close friend and associate of late Swedish premier Olaf Palme.

    Shortly before speaking at the news conference, Mr. Schori met briefly with Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko who is staying at the same hotel. The main subject of discussion was Mr. Schori's forthcoming visit to Tirana.

    "Albania needs our solidarity and the truth is that Greece's behavior towards Albania has been an example to us all," Mr. Schori said.

    [11] 1ST BALKAN CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

    The First Balkan Conference on "Education and Research Within the Frame of Sustainable Development" will be held in Thessaloniki next week, between November19-21.

    The Conference's basic idea is to introduce new education systems, like the "Open University or the Selective Studies", as powerful instruments of knowledge within the frame of the social - economical development of any country.

    Scientists, politicians, reporters, industrial and commerce representatives from Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro, Rumania, and Turkey will participate in the Conference.

    The event is being held under the auspices of the Ministries of Education and Culture and it is also supported by the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace.

    [12] BEAUTY OF WESTERN MACEDONIA TO BE DISPLAYED ABROAD

    The development and investment opportunities of western Macedonia are to be presented abroad through a mission organized by the Association of Northern Greece's Industries (SVVE) to the cities of Florina, Kozani, Kastoria and Ptolemaida.

    The delegation, headed by the chairman of SVVE, will feature the participation of the consul-generals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Canada,. Liberia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, Switzerland and Uruguay,

    The participants will attend a seminar in Florina concerning the municipalities development opportunities and will also visit the fur exhibition-auction center of Kastoria.

    [13] SWITZERLAND'S "CAVALIER OF THE ROAD" AWARDS GREEK MAN FOR BRAVERY

    A Greek man, Petros Drakakis of Crete, has been awarded by the Swiss organization Cavalier of the Road for saving the lives of a Swiss national and another Greek who were victims of a traffic accident, the Swiss embassy in Athens announced yesterday.

    On July 14 along the national road between the cities of Chania and Iraklion, Mr. Drakakis rescued Swiss national Willy Gantner and Kostas Badouvas from a burning vehicle despite the dangers he faced.

    Although Cavalier of the Road usually limits its awards to exemplary acts occurring on Swiss territory, the organization decided to make a first-time exception.

    [14] ALBANIAN PM APOLOGIZES TO GREECE FOR HIS COUNTRY'S CRIMINALS

    Albania's Premier Panteli Majko, who is currently on an official visit to Athens, issued an apology towards the Greek people for the alarms caused by Albanian criminals active in Greece.

    Following his meeting with the President of the Hellenic parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Mr. Majko asked the Greek citizens not to associate these criminals with all Albanians who work and live in Greece. Perhaps they appear disheveled, but they are civilized, he stated characteristically, adding that the Albanian people have a rich civilization.

    In turn, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that Greece supports Albania's efforts to adjust tot he modern parliamentary democracy and expressed the conviction that through the cooperation of the two countries the criminal conduct of some Albanians in Greece will be eradicated.

    [15] REPPAS: MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY IS ONLY THE ONE BASED IN THESSALONIKI

    There is no other news agency named "Macedonian Press Agency" but the one based in Thessaloniki, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when called to comment on the likelihood of another news agency to appear under the same name in the Balkan News Agencies' Meeting that will be held in Sofia next Thursday.

    The minister of press and government spokesman stated characteristically that it is not possible for a news agency under a false name to participate in the meeting.

    It should be noted that in the eve of the FYROM elections the then Chrvenkofski government had put in operation a new news agency under the name "Macedonian Information Agency" (MIA) clearly for pre-election purposes. Its name coincides with the name of Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) which was founded in Thessaloniki in 1991, long before the creation of the state of FYROM itself.

    As it has been stressed in a statement issued by the MPA Board of Directors, the use of the name "Macedonian Agency" constitutes a misappropriation of its own name as it is internationally recognized since 1991 and undoubtedly causes a moral and material damage to Macedonian Press Agency as a result of the confusion that is being created regarding the origin of the news items. The MPA Board of Directors has announced that it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its name and its interests.

    [16] KAKLAMANIS-MAJKO MEETING

    Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko apologised for the behavior of certain of his fellow countrymen in Greece during the meeting he had with Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis today.

    Mr. Majko stressed that the Greeks should not be biased toward all Albanians, who live and work in Greece, influenced by the criminal behavior displayed by certain of them. Mr. Kaklamanis stated that Greece backs the efforts of Albania to become a modern parliamentary republic and characterized as isolated the negative incidents involving Albanian immigrants that will not be able to poison the good relations between the two countries.

    [17] REPPAS: THE PROBLEM OF CRIME MUST BE DEALT WITH IN ITS RIGHT DIMENSIONS

    The problem of crime must be dealt with in its right dimensions, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    When asked to comment on the apology offered to the Greek people by Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko for the concern caused in the country by certain criminal elements who came to Greece from Albania, Mr. Reppas pointed out that the statement made by Mr. Majko shows that he admits there is a problem. Mr. Reppas added that crime is not a problem caused by all Albanians neither a problem that concerns only the Albanian immigrants and underlined the need for cooperation between the two countries in order for the phenomenon to cease to exist.

    [18] THE GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY CALLS FOR A REFERENDUM TO BE HELD ON THE TREATY OF AMSTERDAM

    Greek Communist Party general secretary Ms. Aleka Papariga with a letter addressed to prime minister Kostas Simitis calls for a referendum to be held on the Treaty of Amsterdam.

    Ms. Papariga points out in her letter that the Greek people must be informed in every possible way on such a crucial issue and regardless of the government's intentions toward a referendum.

    [19] EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MAGNUM AGENCY ARCHIVES

    Classic scenes from the different "fronts" opened in a very turbulent and much discussed era which were immortalised by the cameras of the international photo news agency Magnum are being displayed to the public in an exhibition held in Thessaloniki under the title: "1968: The year that was going to change the world". The exhibition, which opened yesterday and will remain open until November 28, has toured much of Europe and on December 7 it will be brought to Athens.

    In the exhibition are being presented samples of the work by famous photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Joseph Koudelka, Dennis Stock, Pruno Barbey, Marc Ribooud, Konstantinos Manos and many others.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [20] DIMAS, KAHIASVILI VIE FOR THE GOLD MEDAL

    After Leonidas Sabanis came away from the world weight- lifting championships in Finland with new world record and three gold medals, another two of Greece's gold medalists are to vie for the gold, Pyros Dimas in the 85-kilo category and Kahi Kahiasvili - Leonidas Kokkas in the 94 kilo category.

    Lifting in the 69-kilo category, George Tzelilis won the silver medal in the overall and the bronze in the jerk.

    [21] ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON MEETS WITH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OVER CHALKI

    The Archbishop of America Spyridon met with the director of Amnesty International USA, Steve Rickard yesterday, in order to discuss the Turkish persecution of the Theological School of Chalki and the firing of its board of trustees.

    According to reports, Amnesty International expressed its concern and indicated its intention to pursue these issues as well as the broader matter of religious freedom for minorities in Turkey.

    After the Archbishop invited AI representatives to visit the Patriarchate and Chalki, the AI's advocacy director Maureen Greenwood will travel to Istanbul next week and will meet with representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

    [22] TURKISH OFFICERS ROBBED IN VLORE

    Two high-ranking Turkish officers, assigned to the restoration works of the "Pashaliman" port, were robbed by two armed youths in Vlore yesterday.

    According to the Albanian daily "Koha Jon", the two officers were robbed of $1,000, their pass ports and all of their personal belongings.

    [23] PIRROS DIMAS FIGHTS FOR THE GOLD MEDAL TODAY

    Olympic champion in weight-lifting Pirros Dimas fights this evening for the gold medal in the World Championship held in Lahti, Finland. Greek champions Kahi Kahiasvili and Leonidas Kokkas will compete tomorrow in the 94 kilos category.

    The successes of the Greek champions continued yesterday. Giorgos Tzelilis won a silver and bronze medal, Valerios Leonidis won a bronze medal, while Victoras Mitrou also won a bronze.

    [24] THE NEW PARLIAMENT OF FYROM CONVENES ON MONDAY

    The opening session of the parliament in FYROM will be held on Monday if the center-right coalition VMRO-DPMNE - Alternative Solution Party announces the members of the new government by tomorrow, stated parliament president Tito Petkovski.

    In the session will participate 112 deputies, while 8 more deputies will be elected on Sunday in the poll that will be held in certain districts where the results of the second round were annulled due to irregularities.

    [25] ITALIAN POLICE CONFIRM THE ARREST OF PKK LEADER OCALAN

    Italian authorities confirmed reports from Ankara that Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan was under arrest in Rome, according to AFP news agency.

    Ocalan, head of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is seeking an autonomous homeland for south-east Turkey's mainly Kurdish population, was arrested at Rome's airport last night and according to information, he is currently in a Rome clinic under Italian surveillance.

    Meanwhile, according to the pro-PKK television channel Med- TV, Ocalan has requested political asylum in Italy. In a written statement by Ocalan, broadcast by the Kurdish television channel, it is maintained that the Italian government was aware of his presence in the country.

    Based on information from Turkey, Ocalan came to Rome from Moscow where he went after leaving Syria as a persona non grata following intense pressure on Damascus by the Turkish authorities.

    The PKK has been waging an armed struggle against the Turkish army since 1984 and over 31.000 people have been killed in the conflict.

    [26] THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CYPRUS CALLS FOR THE DISCUSSION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IN THE UN

    The National Council of Cyprus that met in Nicosia today decided to request that the Cyprus issue be discussed in the UN General Assembly meeting that will be held next May. Also, in the meeting of the Cypriot National Council a detailed briefing was made on the developments in Cyprus's EU accession course.

    When asked to comment on the issue of the Russian S-300 anti- aircraft missile system, Cypriot government spokesman Christos Stilianidis stated that nothing has come up that would have justified a decision to reconsider the earlier National Council decision for the installation of the missiles' system on the island. However, he confirmed that consultations are taking place on the issue and the government does not wish to make any revelations.


    Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    mpegr2html v1.01a run on Friday, 13 November 1998 - 20:18:14 UTC