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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-03

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, March 3, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] GREEK PM DECRIES ATTEMPTS AT SLANDER, DISTORTION, UNREST
  • [02] SWEDISH REPORTER DISCLAIMS HAVING WRITTEN CONTENTIOUS PHRASE
  • [03] MORE KOSOVO-BOUND ARMAMENTS ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI
  • [04] GREEK ECONOMY REVIEWED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
  • [05] TIPPER GORE, US VICE-PRESIDENT'S WIFE, TO VISIT THESSALONIKI
  • [06] MR. REPPAS CHARACTERIZED AS RIDICULOUS THE TURKISH ALLEGATIONS
  • [07] NEW DEMOCRACY SPOKESMAN: TURKEY CONTINUES ITS PROVOCATION
  • [08] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS
  • [09] REPPAS: THE STATEMENT BY MR. MITSOTAKIS IS A POSITIVE SIGN
  • [10] MAGRIOTIS-ATHENS MEETING
  • [11] EFFORTS FOR THE DE-ESCALATION OF INFLATION
  • [12] THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ADMITTED IN HIGHER EDUCATION THIS YEAR WILL BE INCREASED BY 7.000
  • [13] 127 INTELLECTUALS SIGNED A TEXT ON OCALAN
  • [14] REPPAS: NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO THE MASS MEDIA ON THE OCALAN CASE
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [15] GREEK PRESIDENT IN UZBEKISTAN, SIGNS 3 BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
  • [16] STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN SIMITIS
  • [17] UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ON GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS
  • [18] US CONGRESSMEN RECOGNIZE GREEK SOVEREIGNTY IN IMIA ISLANDS
  • [19] GERMAN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS TO VISIT ISLAND NEXT WEEK
  • [20] BURNS TO ADDRESS US-GREEK COMMERCIAL COMMISSION MEETING
  • [21] UNHCR: KOSOVO'S REFUGEES LIVE IN "APALLING" CONDITIONS
  • [22] THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS NOT A PRECONDITION FOR CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] GREEK PM DECRIES ATTEMPTS AT SLANDER, DISTORTION, UNREST

    Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated there are many who are trying to promote views and policies, through the situations created, with distortions, slandering and the creation of events leading to troubled situations, such as (PKK leader) Ocalan's illegal entry into Greece.

    "Those who brought Mr. Ocalan to Greece, without legal processes, while the government's statement was clear that this would be contrary to Greek interests, did not think of what was beneficial for the country. Period. Let us not search further," he said.

    Mr. Simitis further stressed that the country's interest must be highlighted, adding that "those who spread rumors and create false impressions and innuendoes will find us before them."

    [02] SWEDISH REPORTER DISCLAIMS HAVING WRITTEN CONTENTIOUS PHRASE

    TT Swedish news agency reporter, Janus Lindgren, has disclaimed the libelous phrase attributed to Greece's former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos in a wire report written by him during correspondence from the European Socialist Party in Milan, and stressed that he does not recognize the report's opening paragraph since it does not contain his writing.

    Mr. Lindgren stressed that he never quoted Mr. Pangalos as having stated "we decided to send Ocalan to Turkey," simply because the latter never said such thing.

    The contentious wire claimed that Mr. Pangalos referred to the Ocalan affair and was erroneously titled "Greece supported the handing over of Ocalan", while its first paragraph contained the phrase "with the aim of sending Ocalan to Turkey. "

    Mr. Lindgren insisted that he did speak with Mr. Pangalos about the Ocalan affair when he met him shortly before the ESP's luncheon.

    "We had a discussion about who would be the Greek candidate for the European Commission," he said, adding " then I posed some questions on how Ocalan was apprehended by Turkey and how the (Greek) government acted and reacted.

    "Then Mr. Pangalos told me that there weren't many alternative solutions available to Greece," Mr. Lindgren said, adding that Mr. Pangalos said Greece could either seek assistance from other European countries, "which was impossible, given what had happened in Italy, or to send him directly to Turkey, which was also impossible, or thirdly, to send him to Latin America".

    The Swedish correspondent said that he cannot explain the title or the report's introduction.

    " It appears that something happened in the process of the dispatch from Stockholm to Athens," he said, stressing that the phrase "with the aim of sending Ocalan to Turkey" was not written by him and may have been added later.

    [03] MORE KOSOVO-BOUND ARMAMENTS ARRIVE IN THESSALONIKI

    Another vessel arrived at the port of Thessaloniki yesterday, carrying arms and military supplies bound for Kosovo.

    The Egyptian-flagged (German-chartered) "Fast Alexandria" transported 60 military vehicles, 22 personnel vehicles, 20 containers with ammunition and pharmaceutical supplies.

    According to military sources, no other military vessels are expected to arrive at the Thessaloniki port until March 5.

    Since February 18, eight vessels have docked at the port and over 2,500 troops arrived at the city's airport.

    [04] GREEK ECONOMY REVIEWED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

    The governor of the Bank of Greece Lukas Papademos is to meet today with the governor of the European Union's Central Bank, with whom he will discuss the Greek economy's overall situation and the flexibility of one out of the five conditions set forth by the Maastricht Treaty, that is inflation.

    According to reports, the EU could propose that Greece, instead of achieving the median inflation rate of those three countries with the highest index, it could alternatively, if it achieves a two-percent inflation rate at the end of the year, apply for EMU accession in March of the year 2000.

    [05] TIPPER GORE, US VICE-PRESIDENT'S WIFE, TO VISIT THESSALONIKI

    Tipper Gore, the wife of United States Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore, is to visit Thessaloniki on March 16 where she will address a forum organized by the city's American College Anatolia.

    Ms. Gore will speak on The Role of Volunteerism in Covering Social Needs."

    The event will held in honor of the 60th anniversary since the founding of Anatolia's Alumni Association, which also coincides with the school's administrative board resolution to promote volunteerism through its social activities.

    Ms. Gore, a known advocate of volunteerism, is the Clinton Administration's mental health adviser.

    [06] MR. REPPAS CHARACTERIZED AS RIDICULOUS THE TURKISH ALLEGATIONS

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as ridiculous the Turkish allegations saying that Ankara is in a state of anti-Greek psychosis. He said that Greece's stance is aimed at creating a good climate in the Greek-Turkish relations and added that Turkey unfortunately does not have a similar stance and is constantly trying to create tension.

    Turkey's foreign affairs undersecretary Korkmas Haktanir stated in an interview to the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet" that if Greece continues to support the Kurdish PKK rebels very bad things will happen between the two countries. He said that Turkey will not tolerate Greece's stance toward terrorism and maintained that the terrorist organization "17 November" is a political party of the Greek state.

    Meanwhile, Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit in an interview to the newspaper "Aksam" stated that Greece's foolishness is clear and launched an attack against the European Union countries saying that "they show racial discrimination tendencies toward Turkey".

    [07] NEW DEMOCRACY SPOKESMAN: TURKEY CONTINUES ITS PROVOCATION

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos stated that Turkey continues the provocative actions and statements in a clear effort to take full advantage of the consequences of the Ocalan case.

    Mr. Spiliotopoulos stated that the Turkish threats strengthen the national unity and the government should use this fact to react immediately and with determination.

    [08] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

    Greece's stance is aimed at having a good atmosphere in the Greek-Turkish relations underlined Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    Mr. Reppas added that unfortunately Turkey does not have a similar attitude and is constantly trying to create tension while statements are being made that electrify the existing climate even more.

    [09] REPPAS: THE STATEMENT BY MR. MITSOTAKIS IS A POSITIVE SIGN

    The statement of right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis displays his own point of view, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, adding that many New Democracy officials express similar positions from time to time.

    Mr. Reppas characterized as a positive sign the statement made by Mr. Mitsotakis and launched an attack against the party of New Democracy saying that it continues to make accusations and adopt different allegations because the prevailing reasoning underneath its stance has to do with the fall of the government.

    Mr. Mitsotakis made the statement in an attempt to intervene in the political scene after the developments in the Ocalan case and issued an appeal to stop the exaggerations and the mutual accusations.

    Mr. Mitsotakis blamed the government for the situation characterizing it as totally weakened and politically disabled and pointed out that the country was heavily wounded by the recent developments.

    In his statement underlined among others that even though the government is totally weakened and politically disabled it will have to deal with a period extremely critical for Greece's course, a period which is also nationally dangerous and added that his conclusion is that sobriety should prevail, while political and personal aspirations should be set aside and do what should be done for the benefit of the country.

    The honorary president of New Democracy stressed that Greece's relations with the neighboring Turkey are at their most dangerous point of the past decades, adding that the Turkish side has lost its self-control. Mr. Mitsotakis said that this makes it even more imperative for Greece to maintain its own self-control in order to deal with this phase of tension with patience and prudence within the framework of its European course and in cooperation with the United States which have overall and specific responsibilities in the present phase stressing that no fuel should be added to the fire both in domestic and foreign policy issues.

    [10] MAGRIOTIS-ATHENS MEETING

    Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis met with World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, president Andrew Athens. They discussed SAE's medical program which materialises in the countries of the former Soviet Union as well as the issue of the building in Thessaloniki where the SAE offices will be permanently based.

    Mr. Magriotis pledged again to assist SAE in its initiatives and efforts made for the further strengthening of relations between the Greeks living abroad and Greece.

    In statements he made after the meeting with Mr. Athens, Mr. Magriotis stressed that Turkey follows a strategy of mud-slinging in an effort to undermine Greece but it has no success in its goals. He said that Turkey has come across a "wall" formed by the international community because Greece has a concrete participation in the international developments and has a stabilizing role in the region.

    Responding to questions by reporters on whether there is a likelihood of a "hot incident" with Turkey, Mr. Magriotis said that the efforts of Turkey toward this end will not bring results, adding that Turkey always wants tension in the region because it suffers continuous diplomatic setbacks.

    [11] EFFORTS FOR THE DE-ESCALATION OF INFLATION

    The Greek government makes efforts aimed at the further de- escalation of inflation which in February remained at 3.7% and at averting the risk of a deviation from its course toward the EMU.

    Minister of development Evangelos Venizelos met with representatives of industrialists and super-market owners in order to revive the agreement aimed at keeping the prices under control or even reduce them as in the case of basic consumer goods.

    The president of the Association of Greek Industrialists stated that there is no intention for price increases and if this happens it will keep up with inflation.

    [12] THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ADMITTED IN HIGHER EDUCATION THIS YEAR WILL BE INCREASED BY 7.000

    The number of students that will be admitted in Greek universities and technical institutions this year will be increased by 7.000 reaching 72.000 as a result of the decision to create 41 new departments.

    The candidates should complete and submit a list with the university schools they prefer by the end of March.

    [13] 127 INTELLECTUALS SIGNED A TEXT ON OCALAN

    Over 100 intellectuals signed a text on the Ocalan case. The text, which is signed by 127 intellectuals, speaks of an effort to destabilise the country made by those who are responsible for the plight of the Kurdish leader.

    It is stressed that patriotism has no relation with warmongering and that the effort made by different elements to substitute the government in exercising the country's foreign policy is directed against democracy itself.

    [14] REPPAS: NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO THE MASS MEDIA ON THE OCALAN CASE

    It is ludicrous to even talk about an intervention to the mass media by the government on the Ocalan case as the government itself was the target, stressed Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas in response to the allegations made against the government.

    Mr. Reppas added that the government moves have already started to prove that the conspiracy accusations made against it were unfounded, a fact that many do not like.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [15] GREEK PRESIDENT IN UZBEKISTAN, SIGNS 3 BILATERAL AGREEMENTS

    The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, who is presently on an official visit to Uzbekistan, met with his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimof in Tashkent yesterday evening.

    Megrs. Karimof and Stephanopoulos signed three agreements that further expand relations between the two countries.

    The agreements concern cooperation in the consular sector, a road transports agreement and cooperation between the two countries' national banks.

    The two heads of state discussed international issues and Greek-Turkish relations. They also expressed the political will for further expansion of relations between Greece and Uzbekistan in all areas, particularly in the economic, cultural and commercial sectors.

    President Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis and a delegation of Greek businessmen.

    Greece and Uzbekistan signed a friendship and cooperation pact and a series of cooperation agreements in commerce, technology, training and tourism when Mr. Karimof visited Greece on April 1, 1997.

    [16] STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN SIMITIS

    State Department spokesperson James Foley has stated that the United States have excellent relations with the Greek government, which they expect to continue, during yesterday's regular press briefing.

    When asked if the Greek government's stability is at risk following the resignation of three top ministers over the Ocalan affair, Mr. Foley stated that the US have confidence in Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and see no sign of instability.

    [17] UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ON GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

    The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed his concern over the course of Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, referring to the aftermath of the PKK leader's (Abdullah Ocalan) apprehension.

    Speaking to the press, Mr. Annan stated that the tension that has arisen in the relations between Athens and Ankara is indeed worrisome, but it should not constitute a cause for conflict.

    "We watched all he developments (surrounding) Ocalan's arrest and in the relations between Greece and Turkey, but I hope that this difficult period will be overcome and not lead to war," the UN chief said.

    At the same time, Washington expressed its concern over G/T relations and has asked Ankara to cease its threatening statements against Greece, while advising Athens to show self-restrain.

    [18] US CONGRESSMEN RECOGNIZE GREEK SOVEREIGNTY IN IMIA ISLANDS

    Seventeen United States congressmen have signed a resolution which recognizes Greece's sovereignty over the Imia islands and which adds that Turkey should agree to bringing the matter forth with the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

    The said resolution was submitted for discussion in the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee.

    [19] GERMAN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS TO VISIT ISLAND NEXT WEEK

    German special envoy to Cyprus Detlev Graf Zu Rantzau is to visit the island next week in order to discuss latest developments on the Cypriot issue and the country's EU accession progress.

    According to press reports, Mr. Zu Rantzau would be discussing "recent developments after the decision not to deploy anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus, and the events of the past three months."

    Zu Rantzau will arrive on Sunday, and will be received by Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides on Monday morning.

    During his five-day stay, the German diplomat will also have meetings with Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kassoulides and Cyprus' chief EU negotiator George Vassiliou.

    He will also meet foreign diplomats, including British High Commissioner David Madden and US Ambassador Kenneth Brill. In addition, the German envoy will meet with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and UN permanent representative Dame Ann Hercus.

    [20] BURNS TO ADDRESS US-GREEK COMMERCIAL COMMISSION MEETING

    United States Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns, presently in the U.S., is to participate in the semi-annual US-Greek Economic and Commercial Commission meeting, which will be held on March 5. I

    In addition to official consultations, Mr. Burns is also participating in a meeting of the US-Greek Business Council in New York and is addressing the American Foundation for Greek Language and Culture in Tampa and speaking at New York University.

    [21] UNHCR: KOSOVO'S REFUGEES LIVE IN "APALLING" CONDITIONS

    Fearful of clashes between the Kosovo Liberation Army and the security forces, thousands of evacuees were staying out in the open in the freezing Balkan winter or taking refuge in packed houses under "appalling" conditions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported yesterday.

    Describing the refugee situation along Kosovo's south-eastern border with FYROM, a UNHCR spokesman told the press that the agency's officials had witnessed about 500 people, mostly women and children, from Gajre camping on a nearby snow- covered mountainside, pitching plastic tents and making fires.

    UNHCR, which is arranging delivery of aid for these people, transported 10-day- old twin babies suffering from exposure to a nearby hospital.

    In another location, near the border crossing point called General Jankovic, UNHCR saw some families packed into houses, each hosting as many as 30 to 50 evacuees. The agency's spokesman described housing conditions -with no heating or sanitation facilities- as "appalling."

    [22] THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS NOT A PRECONDITION FOR CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION

    The British undersecretary of foreign affairs responsible for European issues in a speech she delivered at the Royal Institute for International Relations left open the likelihood for a new initiative by the international community for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

    The British government official reiterated the British position according to which, the solution of the political problem in Cyprus is not a pre-condition for its accession into the European Union even though the solution of the problem would have made Cyprus' EU accession easier. It was also stressed that Britain supports all the initiatives for Cyprus, the efforts made by Ms. Hercus under the UN auspices and the recent UN resolutions on the issue.


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