Browse through our Interesting Nodes on Religion in Greece 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
Friday, 29 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, 98-11-25

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, November 25, 1998

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PREMIER TO CONFER WITH FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS OVER CYPRUS ISSUE
  • [02] DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY TO UNVEIL NEW PRICE REDUCTIONS TODAY
  • [03] GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT GERMANY IN EARLY DECEMBER
  • [04] ATHENS TO HOST CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY
  • [05] BALKAN AUTHORS IN THESSALONIKI ON FRIDAY FOR LITERARY EVENTS
  • [06] CYPRIOT MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR IN ATHENS TODAY
  • [07] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT: GREECE SUPPORTS CROATIA'S EUROPEAN ORIENTATION
  • [08] THESSALONIKI HOSTS BALKAN CONFERENCE OF CARTOGRAPHY
  • [09] ATHENS-THESSALONIKI TRAIN ROUTE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THREE DAYS
  • [10] FEW, YET BRAVE, TAXPAYERS DECLARE INCOME OF MORE THAN 10 MILLION GRD
  • [11] THE PRICES OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE REDUCED
  • [12] THE "MINI" SOCIAL SECURITY BILL HAS BEEN TABLED IN PARLIAMENT
  • [13] JOINT VENTURE FOUNDED BY "BALKAN EXPORT"
  • [14] GREEK PARLIAMENT DEPUTY M. MUSTAFA IS AGAINST THE EXTRADITION OF OCALAN
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [15] GREECE TAKES PART IN BUDAPEST'S INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXPO
  • [16] INTERIOR MINISTER: GREECE WILL ACCEDE TO EMU IN THE ALLOTED TIME
  • [17] TURKEY RETREATS ON ITS ITALIAN TRADE BOYCOTT
  • [18] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TURKISH PREMIER TO BE HELD TODAY
  • [19] .NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL IN FYROM TOMORROW
  • [20] SIR DAVID DOES NOT EXPECT BREAKTHROUGH IN NEW ROUND OF TALKS
  • [21] SENIOR MOSSAD OFFICER RESIGNS OVER ISRAEL'S SPY FIASCO IN CYPRUS
  • [22] D' ALEMA - SCHRODER MEETING
  • [23] CLERIDES: THE TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP AND TURKEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEADLOCK IN CYPRUS

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PREMIER TO CONFER WITH FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS OVER CYPRUS ISSUE

    Prime Minster Kostas Simitis is to meet with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and National Defense, Theodoros Pangalos and Akis Tsochatzopoulos respectively, in order to discuss the Cyprus issue.

    Today's meetings is taking place in light of the Cypriot President's imminent visit to Greece. Mr. Glafkos Clerides will arrive in Athens on Friday, November 27, where he will be received by the Greek Premier. Mr. Clerides met with the British envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay in London yesterday, where the latter briefed the Cypriot leader on his recent talks in Turkey.

    [02] DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY TO UNVEIL NEW PRICE REDUCTIONS TODAY

    New price reductions or freezes are to be presented today by the Minister and Undersecretary of Development, Vaso Papandreou and Michalis Chrysochoides respectively.

    According to reports, the reductions concern twenty sectors of goods and services, among them construction, electronics and cellular phones.

    The so-far price reductions have already had a positive effect on inflation as the price index appears to have dropped to 4.3%.

    [03] GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT GERMANY IN EARLY DECEMBER

    Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will be received by the new German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on December 7, during a visit to Germany, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

    Mr. Simitis will also meet with the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, on December 4, while alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou will visit Germany on December 1, where he will meet with the German Foreign Minister.

    [04] ATHENS TO HOST CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY

    Greek government officials and EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis are to address the conference "Application of Renewable Sources of Energy, National Priorities and European Strategy" which will be held in Athens on November 30- December 2.

    The main focus of the conference is the further introduction of renewable energy sources in the country's energy balance and the shaping of an integrated national strategy on development of these forms of energy.

    Among the speakers at the conference will be the Minister of Development, Vaso Papandreou, Minster of Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, the Minister of the Aegean Elisabeth Papazoi and the Eurodeputy of the Coalition for the Left and Progress Michael Papayiannakis.

    [05] BALKAN AUTHORS IN THESSALONIKI ON FRIDAY FOR LITERARY EVENTS

    A number of renowned Balkan authors are to attend a two-day literary event, set to begin in Thessaloniki on Friday, titled "Literary landscapes of the Balkan nature and soul."

    The event is held within the framework of the city's "Dimitria" festivities and is co-organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the InterBalkan Center of Books and Culture.

    Bulgaria's ambassador to Greece Kyril Topalov will speak on the "Greek-Bulgarian literary ties in the 18th-19th century.

    [06] CYPRIOT MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR IN ATHENS TODAY

    Cyprus Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides is presently in Athens to discuss matters of bilateral interest with Greek government officials.

    Discussions will focus on the Shengen Convention, European Union issues, local administration and matters relating to cooperation between the Greek Television and Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.

    [07] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT: GREECE SUPPORTS CROATIA'S EUROPEAN ORIENTATION

    The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis received the Croatian President Franco Tudjman yesterday, with who he discussed problems in the wider region of the Balkans and relations between the two countries.

    Following the talks, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that Greece supports Croatia's European orientation and extended an invitation to the members of the Croatian parliament to visit Greece. President Tudjman called on the international community to take immediate measures on the strife in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, saying that there would be "serious" consequences if peace was not maintained. He further hailed Greece's positive and constructive contribution to resolving the Balkan crisis.

    [08] THESSALONIKI HOSTS BALKAN CONFERENCE OF CARTOGRAPHY

    A Balkan and Black Sea cartography conference is to begin in Thessaloniki today, where map experts are to trade experiences and information on geography of rapidly-changing region. The three-day conference will start with the official presentation of three Braille maps of Thessaloniki, the first of their kind in Greece, and will feature the participation cartographers from universities in Turkey, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.

    The conference is taking place under the aegis of the Council of Europe and will focus on mapping of urban centers.

    Also today, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will open the proceedings of the Fifth National Congress of Cartographers, where the Hellenic Army Geographic Service, the Naval Hydrographic Service and the chairman of the International Cartographic Association, Aberdeen University professor Michael Wood, will be presented with awards for their contribution to the science during the congress.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is also scheduled to inaugurate the exhibition of priceless 20th century maps of Greek port cities.

    The International Cartographic Association will also hold its regular meeting during the events, with the participation of scientists from as far as Japan and Australia. The inaugural meeting of the members of the European Union program Cartotech for European cartographic heritage will also be held. The Thessaloniki-based National Center for maps and Cartographic Heritage - National Map Archive is the leader of the group.

    [09] ATHENS-THESSALONIKI TRAIN ROUTE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THREE DAYS

    The Athens-Thessaloniki rail link will be closed until Friday, November 27, due to floods brought on by recent rains.

    The Greek Railways Organization, (OSE) said in a statement that damage had been noted to the tracks at a number of locations.

    The Corinth- Tripoli link in the Peloponnese will also be closed for the next two days to allow for repair work to be completed. For more information, passengers may contact OSE at 529-7777.

    [10] FEW, YET BRAVE, TAXPAYERS DECLARE INCOME OF MORE THAN 10 MILLION GRD

    Very few Greek taxpayers declared an annual income of more than ten million drachmas on their 1997 income tax returns, with 42,000 out of four million Greek households actually admitting such income.

    According to Finance Ministry data, more than three million taxpayers declared an income of up to four million drachmas for 1997, while a mere one percent declares income of more than 14 million.

    [11] THE PRICES OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE REDUCED

    Minister of development Vaso Papandreou announced the reduction of prices in household items, construction material, electronic appliances and mobile phones. Ms. Papandreou pointed out that those measures are placed within the framework of the government's efforts to cut inflation in order to meet the criteria for Greece's participation in the EMU.

    The government has taken all necessary measures for the strengthening of the consumers' income, said the development minister, adding that with those measures the consumers' income will be indirectly increased and the production cost of the companies will be reduced.

    [12] THE "MINI" SOCIAL SECURITY BILL HAS BEEN TABLED IN PARLIAMENT

    The "mini" social security bill has been tabled in parliament today. In a press conference minister of labor Miltiadis Papaioannou announced the increase of the social solidarity benefit by 50% for the low pension recipients, who will have to pay for 20% of the value of their medicine instead of 25%.

    Also, the journalists working in television and radio stations will be covered by the printed media journalists' social security fund. The bill also provides for unification and mergers of different social security funds.

    [13] JOINT VENTURE FOUNDED BY "BALKAN EXPORT"

    The timber industry "Balkan Export" founded a joint venture with a share capital of 2.5 billion drachmas. Among the investors participating in the joint venture will be Greek and foreign companies as well as Greek-American investor Theodoros Spiropoulos.

    The basic goal of the joint venture is to move ahead with the procedures necessary to increase the share capital of "Balkan Export" and to pay off its bank debts.

    [14] GREEK PARLIAMENT DEPUTY M. MUSTAFA IS AGAINST THE EXTRADITION OF OCALAN

    Greek Muslim parliament deputy Mustafa Mustafa, elected with the Coalition of the Left party in the north-eastern prefecture of Rodopi, stated to MPA that "our position and our sensitivity toward human rights issues across the world can not be selective". This way Mr. Mustafa distanced himself from the position adopted by the rest of his colleagues elected in Thrace, Galip Galip and Akifoglu Birol, who are against the granting of political asylum to Kurdish PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan by Italy and in favor of his extradition to Turkey. Also, Mr. Mustafa is against the procedure for the collection of signatures by Muslim minority circles calling for the extradition of Ocalan to Turkey and for a boycott of Italian products.

    Mr. Mustafa, commenting on the statements and the initiatives of his colleagues, stated that he felt regret and pity for his fellow parliament members and stressed that Ocalan's presence in Italy opens new doors for the peaceful solution of the Kurdish problem, adding that all efforts should turn toward this direction at a social, state, international relations and international solidarity level.

    Mr. Mustafa said that the Left has fought for ecumenical values, stressing that a selective sensitivity will compromise the Muslim minority. He also added that most of the Muslim minority members, on the occasion of the recent developments, want the wound of the Kurdish issue to close in a peaceful manner through a political solution that will be based on the international agreements for human rights and minority rights. Mr. Mustafa stated that an international conference on the Kurdish issue could be one solution.

    Commenting on the stance of his colleague Mr. Akifoglu, who is a member of the Greek parliament and accompanied the Turkish ambassador in the meetings he had with officials in Xanthi during his tour of Thrace, Mr. Mustafa stated that he wouldn't accompany the Turkish ambassador to his meetings but he said that he met with him for half an hour during a reception.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [15] GREECE TAKES PART IN BUDAPEST'S INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXPO

    The International Exhibition of Foods and Beverages and Food Process (FOODAPEST) is currently underway in Budapest, featuring the participation of Greece.

    The event, held every two years, is considered the largest in the field for the central-eastern European region.

    It should be noted that Greek food and beverages exports to Hungary are steadily on the rise. The exhibited products represent all the food and beverage sectors of Greece, as well as related machinery and process materials.

    [16] INTERIOR MINISTER: GREECE WILL ACCEDE TO EMU IN THE ALLOTED TIME

    Barring unforeseeable circumstances, Greece will achieve its inflation-curbing targets and thus achieve the criteria for accession to the Economic and Monetary Union, stated the Minister of the Interior Alekos Papadopoulos who is presently in London.

    Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Papadopoulos was called to comment on the statements of Greek Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou, who had stated on Monday that there could a slight delay of a few months in meeting the targeted inflation mark.

    The Minister of the Interior said that "what I am aware of is that Greece will submit its request (for accession) by the end of the year 1999 and in March it will enter the EMU.

    "From what it looks like, there is nothing that could hinder this accession," he said, albeit adding that "of course, there is always an element of the unexpected in politics."

    [17] TURKEY RETREATS ON ITS ITALIAN TRADE BOYCOTT

    Ankara has yet to officially enforce its threatened boycott on imported Italian products, in spite of the ongoing dispute over the extradition of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, according to a Turkish government spokesperson.

    "We have not decided on an official boycott against Italian products and we bear no responsibility for the Turkish private sector's reactions towards Italy," he stated, in response to the relevant warning issued by the European Commission's President Jacques Santer who has stated that Turkey could face retaliatory sanctions if the Turkish government or state-owned companies continue the boycott over Rome's refusal to hand over Mr. Ocalan who is on trial in absentia in Turkey on charges of heading a terrorist organization, threatening the country's territorial integrity and ordering killings.

    Following his meeting with the Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema, Mr. Santer stated that the embargo is a "clear violation" of accords signed between Turkey and the EU, such as the Turkey-EU customs union signed in 1995.

    In response to these views, the Turkish government spokesperson said that his country is aware of its obligations."

    [18] CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TURKISH PREMIER TO BE HELD TODAY

    The Turkish Parliament is to hold a vote of confidence this evening, which will determine whether or not Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and his coalition government will remain in power.

    The censure vote was initiated by the True Path and Republican People's Party If more than 275 parliamentarians vote in favor of the censure, then the government will fall.

    [19] .NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL IN FYROM TOMORROW

    NATO's secretary-general Javier Solana and the Alliance's military chief Wesley Clark are to travel to FYROM tomorrow where they will be received by President Kiro Gligorov, the outgoing Prime Minister Branco Cervenkovski and the Premier by proxy Lupco Georgievski.

    Mr.Gligorov stated that his country is ready to allow the deployment of a NATO rapid intervention force in FYROM.

    [20] SIR DAVID DOES NOT EXPECT BREAKTHROUGH IN NEW ROUND OF TALKS

    The British government's and European Union's envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay is not optimistic that immediate breakthroughs will arise in the new round of UN talks conducted over the occupied island's issue.

    Following an hour-long meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides in London yesterday, Sir David said: "I think at the moment it's a period of quiet diplomacy. I hope our talks will contribute to that."

    When asked to comment on his recent visit to Turkey, Sir David replied that he did not wish to draw any conclusions from the visit.

    "It is a very rapidly moving situation in Ankara with the prospect of elections in April," he said.

    Sir David said he had talks with ministers and officials in Ankara. "I was able to cover a wide range of issues," he said, adding that ways to help the UN shuttle talks were also discussed.

    "It is a procedure to which we give our full support," he said. "We do not anticipate a great and immediate breakthrough in every issue, but we hope that steady progress can be made through it."

    [21] SENIOR MOSSAD OFFICER RESIGNS OVER ISRAEL'S SPY FIASCO IN CYPRUS

    A senior officer in Israel's Mossad has resigned following the arrest in Cyprus of two of its suspected agents, according to Israeli newspaper reports.

    According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman had declined to comment on the report.

    The Israeli nationals who were apprehended in Cyprus earlier this month suspected of spying, have been charged with three counts of espionage by the Larnaca court. and, if found guilty, face ten years in jail. The charges concern spying against the National Guard and the Cyprus Republic, not only in Zygi but also in other parts of the island between October 15 and November 6.

    Udi Hargov, 37 and Ig'al Damari 49 were arrested on November 7 and their presence in Cyprus coincided with major National Guard activities on the island. Cypriot police found sophisticated surveillance equipment in the apartment they were renting in Zygi, the planned site for the island's first ever naval base.

    [22] D' ALEMA - SCHRODER MEETING

    Italian prime minister Massimo D'Alema will meet today with German chancellor Gerhard Schroder to discuss Turkey's boycott of Italian products made in protest to the Italian court decision not to extradite Kurdish PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan.

    Yesterday, European Commission president Jacques Santer, after meeting with Mr. D'Alema, stated that if Turkey formally decides to boycott the Italian products it will be a violation of the Turkey-EU association agreement and can lead to countermeasures.

    [23] CLERIDES: THE TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP AND TURKEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEADLOCK IN CYPRUS

    Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides attributed the political deadlock in the Cyprus issue to the persistence of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side aimed at wining the international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot regime in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus.

    In a speech at the "London School of Economics", that was delivered in the presence of Sir David Hannay, the representative of Britain in Cyprus, Mr. Clerides referred to the importance of Cyprus' accession into the European Union and the way it can affect the Cyprus issue.

    Mr. Clerides underlined that Cyprus' accession into the EU will relax the fears of the two communities in Cyprus over their intentions toward each other.

    The Cypriot president referred to the background of the decision concerning the installation of the Russian S-300 anti- aircraft missiles in Cyprus, stating that the decision was made because this defense system will bring a balance of power in the region, adding that Nicosia turned to Russia only after the West's refusal to sell long range missiles to Cyprus.


    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 Wednesday, 25 November 1998 - 21:12:46 UTC