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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-30

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 30, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] GREEK PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE KOSOVO TOMORROW
  • [02] THESSALONIKI'S ANTI-WAR RALLY DRAWS LARGE CROWD
  • [03] PRESIDENT OF PANAMA TO VISIT GREECE TOMORROW
  • [04] PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CONGRESS IN ATHENS
  • [05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT V.P. COLLINS SPEAKS TO THE MPA
  • [06] GOVERNMENT, CHURCH SEND AID TO BELGRADE, SKOPJE, TIRANA
  • [07] ANTI-NATO PROTESTS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT GREECE
  • [08] REPPAS: THE US EXERTS NO PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT
  • [09] MR. REPPAS DENIED PRESS REPORTS ON A TRIPARTITE MEETING OF CLINTON-SIMITIS-DEMIREL IN THE US
  • [10] SPILIOTOPOULOS: THERE IS ROOM FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSOVO
  • [11] VASO PAPANDREOU: THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS IS DRAMATIC
  • [12] KARAMANLIS-PAPANDREOU MEETING
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [13] MILOSEVIC TO MEET WITH PRIMAKOV IN BELGRADE TODAY
  • [14] SIRENS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT IN BELGRADE
  • [15] YELTSIN: RUSSIA WILL NOT BE DRAWN INTO KOSOVO CONFLICT
  • [16] RUSSIAN PM: WE CAME TO PROMOTE KOSOVO SETTLEMENT
  • [17] THOUSANDS OF GERMANS CANCEL TURKISH HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS
  • [18] POPE DOES NOT RULE OUT COOPERATION WITH ORTHODOX CHURCH
  • [19] MILOSEVIC-PRIMAKOV MEETING IN BELGRADE
  • [20] JUGANOVIC: THE NATO BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA MUST END

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] GREEK PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE KOSOVO TOMORROW

    The latest developments in Kosovo and NATO's raids over Yugoslavia will be discussed in a parliamentary debate to be held tomorrow at a political leaders level.

    Earlier, the Permanent Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defense will also convene in order to review the initiatives to be undertaken by Greece, which will provide financial assistance to Yugoslavia, FYROM and Albania.

    [02] THESSALONIKI'S ANTI-WAR RALLY DRAWS LARGE CROWD

    A massive anti-war rally was held in downtown Thessaloniki yesterday evening, featuring the participation of thousands who marched to the United States consulate and chanted anti-NATO slogans, stressing that the raids must stop now and that a political solution needs to be found for the Kosovo problem.

    The event was organized by the city's prefecture, local government, Aristotle University teaching staff, the local chapter of the civil servants union (ADEDY), chambers and other professional organizations, political parties, and others.

    In a joint announcement, the rally organizers have stated that they will forward pharmaceutical supplies to the Serbs through a humanitarian aid mission. The said supplies are being collected at the "St. Dimitrius" hospital.

    [03] PRESIDENT OF PANAMA TO VISIT GREECE TOMORROW

    The President of Panama Ernesto Perez Balladares will embark on a three-day official visit to Greece tomorrow, March 31 - April 2.

    During his stay in Athens, President Balladares will meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

    The Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos will bestow upon the Panamanian President the city's Gold Medal.

    [04] PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CONGRESS IN ATHENS

    The President of China's People's National Congress Li Peng is to arrive in Athens today afternoon on an official visit.

    The Chinese official is visiting Greece at the invitation of the Greek Parliament's President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

    [05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT V.P. COLLINS SPEAKS TO THE MPA

    The Vice-President of the European Parliament and former Foreign Minister of Ireland Gerald Collins spoke to the Macedonian Press Agency yesterday and stated that no one knows when the war in Yugoslavia will end

    "But one thing is certain: we must place some limits right now. We must take action in order to ensure that human rights will be respected and that people will not fall victim to violence and invasion," he added.

    Mr. Collins further expressed the hope that Russia will not become involved in the war.

    "I hope that common sense will prevail, in spite of the political reasons that could exist for the continuance of the war. I hope that people will prevail," he added.

    Referring to similar behavior of other countries, such as Turkey or Albania against Greeks and Kurds, Mr. Collins stressed that "the European Parliament has displayed a greater degree of bravery (in regards to the expression of these views) than the member-states of the European Union.

    "Especially in the matter of human rights, the EU member- states displayed a lesser degree of bravery when it came to openly expressing their reaction to Turkey" he said.

    [06] GOVERNMENT, CHURCH SEND AID TO BELGRADE, SKOPJE, TIRANA

    The Greek government and the Church are cooperating closely in the humanitarian aid mission presently provided by Greece to Yugoslavia, FYROM and Albania.

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou met yesterday evening with the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Christodoulos and, having discussed the initiatives taken by both the state and the church in regards to forwarding aid to the neighboring countries, agreed to coordinate their efforts.

    [07] ANTI-NATO PROTESTS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT GREECE

    Anti-NATO protests and rallies supporting the Serb people's plight are to continue throughout Greece today and tomorrow.

    The General Confederation of Greek Laborers is organizing a rally in Athens this evening, calling on all workers to participate, while a group of singers (the same who had held a concert for the Kurdish people on March 1) is to perform in Thessaloniki on Friday.

    [08] REPPAS: THE US EXERTS NO PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT

    The Greek government is not pressured by the United States regarding its stance over the Kossovo problem, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    On the regular contacts US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns has with the Greek foreign ministry, Mr. Reppas commented that they are placed within the framework of the contacts the American diplomats have in all the European capitals and added that taking under consideration the developments in the Balkans the contacts Mr.Burns has are limited.

    [09] MR. REPPAS DENIED PRESS REPORTS ON A TRIPARTITE MEETING OF CLINTON-SIMITIS-DEMIREL IN THE US

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Repas categorically denied newspaper reports on a tripartite meeting in the United States with the participation of US president Bill Clinton, Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis and Turkish president Suleiman Demirel. Mr. Reppas stated that the reports have nothing to do with reality.

    The Greek government spokesman stated that Mr. Simitis will go to Washington and New York for the NATO summit meeting on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

    Mr. Reppas stated that no such thought has been expressed and no meeting is scheduled that would lead to similar actions and decisions.

    [10] SPILIOTOPOULOS: THERE IS ROOM FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSOVO

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos stated that there is still room for a political solution to the crisis in Kossovo.

    Mr. Spiliotopoulos stated that time should be given to diplomatic efforts that will bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. He said that negotiations can resume if the use of force is abandoned and the talks are held within the framework of the Rambouillet agreement.

    He also said that the view concerning the holding of a referendum in Kossovo should be abandoned as it can lead to a partial independence and therefore, to pressures for the start of a procedure to change the existing borders.

    [11] VASO PAPANDREOU: THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS IS DRAMATIC

    A ministerial meeting on the issue of the refugees was held under minister of interior Vaso Papandreou.

    In the meeting took part foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, minister of environment, public works and land planning Kostas Laliotis, minister of public order Michalis Chrisohoidis and minister of health Lambros Papadimas as well as deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis.

    Ms. Papandreou stated this morning that the situation in the Balkans is dramatic but she expressed the view that there is no fear for Greece to be involved in the crisis. The main concern of the government is to send humanitarian aid in order for the refugees to be able to stay close to their homes, stated the minister of interior.

    [12] KARAMANLIS-PAPANDREOU MEETING

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet this afternoon with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

    The foreign minister will brief the leader of the main opposition party on the developments in Yugoslavia and the initiatives of the Greek government for a peaceful solution in Kosovo.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [13] MILOSEVIC TO MEET WITH PRIMAKOV IN BELGRADE TODAY

    In a diplomatic bid to end the violence in Yugoslavia, Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov is to travel to Belgrade today where he will meet with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. While the State Department has accepted the Primakov initiative, it has pledged that NATO is to continue with the raids until Mr. Milosevic concedes.

    Following his meting with the Yugoslav leader, Mr. Primakov will travel to Bonn tomorrow where he will hold talks with German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

    [14] SIRENS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT IN BELGRADE

    Sirens were heard throughout the night in Belgrade, coming to a stop at 7 am, as NATO aircraft raided chemical manufacturing plants and military facilities in Batanica and Pacevo, north of Belgrade.

    Yugoslavia's state-owned television station has broadcast that a RAF Harrier jet was downed over Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, although a NATO spokesman said: "We have heard this report and it is wrong. We have lost no aircraft."

    According to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug, two rockets struck a military field in Prishtina and brought on extensive damages to the surrounding buildings. Two more rockets struck Novisaad early this morning.

    [15] YELTSIN: RUSSIA WILL NOT BE DRAWN INTO KOSOVO CONFLICT

    Russia has made its choice and will not be drawn into the Kosovo conflict, stated Russian President Boris Yeltsin in his annual state of the nation address.

    According to the French news agency AFP, the Russian President stated that this is the first time his address has come at such a dramatic moment and stressed that "the Balkan crisis demands from us not emotion but balanced and reasonable actions.

    President Yeltsin stated that NATO's raids against Yugoslavia must not cause a prolonged crisis in relations between Moscow and Washington.

    He further said that the tragic mistake American leaders made in Kosovo must not lead to an extended crisis in the Russian- American partnership.

    [16] RUSSIAN PM: WE CAME TO PROMOTE KOSOVO SETTLEMENT

    Immediately upon arriving in Belgrade, Russian Prime Minister Yevgeni Primakov stated that "war is going on. Barbaric bombing is not subsiding. We have come here to try and move the process towards a political route, on the order of the (Russian) president.

    "We shall try to put it into effect and to find an acceptable solution through political consultations."

    Mr. Primakov is to meet with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic today.

    [17] THOUSANDS OF GERMANS CANCEL TURKISH HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS

    The publication of photos depicting PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan blindfolded and handcuffed was a mistake, according to travel agents, who've said that 15,000 German reservations for holidays in Turkey have been canceled so far.

    Speaking to the Ankara daily Hurriyet, a German travel agent stated that the specific photograph was abhorrent to German tourists who decided to opt for Greece and Tunisia.

    The same travel agent likened the masked Turkish secret agents with Ku-Klux-Klan members.

    He also said that Turkish officials told him that the photographs were leaked to the press by mistake.

    [18] POPE DOES NOT RULE OUT COOPERATION WITH ORTHODOX CHURCH

    After Pope John Paul II appealed for the silence of arms in Kosovo, hopes have arisen for the Vatican's involvement in achieving a peaceful outcome to the humanitarian and perhaps political crisis, the Polish representative in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Dr. Xerxes Zaskiernia told the MPA.

    Other observers in the C of E assembly also pointed out the Pope's indirect referral to a potential collaboration with the Orthodox church.

    [19] MILOSEVIC-PRIMAKOV MEETING IN BELGRADE

    The meeting of Russian prime minister Gevgeni Primakov with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic was completed in Belgrade. No official statements have been made so far on the content of the talks, while it is not known if there will be a second round of talks or the Russian prime minister will leave for Bonn and Brussels.

    Upon his arrival in the Yugoslav capital, Mr. Primakov condemned the continuation of the barbaric bombings, as he described them, and added that the Russian delegation is there to promote an acceptable political solution to the crisis.

    [20] JUGANOVIC: THE NATO BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA MUST END

    Montenegro president Milo Juganovic issued an appeal to NATO today to stop the bombing of Yugoslavia and open the road to the resumption of the negotiations in Kossovo, according to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass.

    Mr. Juganovic stated that the use of force does not solve the problem in Kossovo and those who are suffering the most are the innocent civilians. He also added that if the air raids continue the survivors will not be able to find shelter.

    The Montenegro president stated that over 30.000 refugees have already crossed the borders to Montenegro, while according to official estimates their number will rise to 40.000.


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