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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-24

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, May 24, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PREMIER CONFIDENT OF PASOK'S VICTORY IN EUROELECTIONS
  • [02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH OFFICIATES MASS AT ATHENS CATHEDRAL
  • [03] FUNERAL OF VETERAN JOURNALIST GERMANOS TO BE HELD TODAY
  • [04] SECOND WAVE OF KOSOVO REFUGEES TO USE THESSALONIKI AIRPORT
  • [05] THESSALONIKI MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PROTEST NATO RAIDS IN SERBIA
  • [06] NEW TRAFFIC CODE BECOMES EFFECTIVE AS OF TODAY
  • [07] GREEK-CANADIAN CONGRESS HOLDS ANNUAL CONFRENCE THIS WEEK
  • [08] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
  • [09] THE NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF REQUESTED THAT THE NATO FORCES STOP PASSING THROUGH THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 4-17
  • [10] THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA IS IN GREECE
  • [11] EURO-PARLIAMENT PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES BY SIMITIS AND KARAMANLIS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [12] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA
  • [13] GREEK AND CZECH FMs ISSUE APPEAL FOR SUSPENSION OF BOMBS
  • [14] GREEK FM IN BEIJING, TO MEET WITH CHINESE LEADERS
  • [15] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT: SUPPORT PEACE INITIATIVES
  • [16] GREECE'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER IN PARIS
  • [17] HERMES EXPO '99 A GRANDLY SUCCESSFUL TRADE SHOW
  • [18] MOST OF SERBIA REMAINS IN THE DARK AS NATO STRIKES POWER
  • [19] THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS CONTINUE
  • [20] EFFORTS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PREMIER CONFIDENT OF PASOK'S VICTORY IN EUROELECTIONS

    In an interview with the Sunday edition of "To Vima", Prime Minster Costas Simitis expressed his confidence that the ruling PASOK party, of which he is president, will win in the June 13 Euroelections.

    "Greece is presently among the 25 most prosperous states in the world," Mr. Simitis stated, adding that "the Greek people know that the country is secure and a force of peace and security in the Balkans."

    Referring to the Yugoslav crisis, Mr. Simitis noted that "thanks to our stand, we have safeguarded our major and vital national interests".

    [02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH OFFICIATES MASS AT ATHENS CATHEDRAL

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos officiated at a mass held at the Athens Cathedral yesterday morning, in the presence of the President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, ministers and other officials.

    Addressing the Patriarch, the Archbishop stressed the significance of the Phanar, which, he said, "makes every effort for the unity, stability and concord of the autonomous and autocephalus Orthodox Churches".

    The Patriarch and Mr. Christodoulos visited the United States Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns, who conveyed Washington's high regard for the Patriarch and the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece.

    The Patriarch was the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by the Turkish ambassador in the evening.

    He will meet with Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and Prime Minister Costas Simitis today.

    [03] FUNERAL OF VETERAN JOURNALIST GERMANOS TO BE HELD TODAY

    The funeral of noted journalist and author Freddy Germanos will be held this evening at the Athens First Cemetery. Mr. Germanos died on Friday, at the age of 65, after a month-long hospitalization for cancer.

    Mr. Germanos, who started writing at the age of 18 and published his first book 12 years later, also hosted one of the first television talk shows on a state-run television.

    Condolences and statements were issued by the PM, the main opposition leader and other political leaders, as well as the government spokesman.

    The National Federation of Journalists Union's (POESY), in a press release, said Freddy Germanos' death was a "great loss for journalism" and expressed its condolences to his family.

    [04] SECOND WAVE OF KOSOVO REFUGEES TO USE THESSALONIKI AIRPORT

    A second wave of refugees from Kosovo will pass through Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport this week, in transit to Australia.

    Approximately 400 people, mostly women and children, flew out of Thessaloniki last Thursday headed for Australia.

    According to reports, a total of 20,000 refugees will depart for various destinations from the Macedonia Airport.

    [05] THESSALONIKI MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PROTEST NATO RAIDS IN SERBIA

    The Mayor of Thessaloniki Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and the members of the City Council are to present a message of peace to the NATO forces presently stationed at the city's port this afternoon.

    In a recent resolution, the City Council expresses its opposition to any whatsoever involvement of Greek forces to military operations in Yugoslavia, and the passage of NATO forces from Thessaloniki for ground operations in the neighboring country.

    [06] NEW TRAFFIC CODE BECOMES EFFECTIVE AS OF TODAY

    Greece's new Road Traffic Code (ΚΟΚ) will become effective as of today, imposing steep fines and (at times) severe penalties in an effort to curb the country's high traffic accident and fatality rate.

    Under the new code, drivers who illegally overtake other cars, drive down lanes in the opposite direction and, overall, drive recklessly, will be faced with fines amounting to GRD100,000.

    The penalty for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts or motorcycle helmets will be 50,000 drachmas. Driver's licenses will be suspended for up to two years in case the motorist is found to have been driving under the influence, while the penalties are much stricter in cases of repeat offenders.

    [07] GREEK-CANADIAN CONGRESS HOLDS ANNUAL CONFRENCE THIS WEEK

    The Greek-Canadian Congress will hold its yearly conference for May 28 to 30, where elections of the new administrative council will take place.

    The subject of this year's conference is set to be "A new millennium, a new beginning."

    [08] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, in response to the welcoming speech delivered by prime minister Kostas Simitis in the luncheon that was given in his honor today, expressed complete solidarity to the efforts of the Greek government for peace in Kossovo.

    The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the Greek government and the Greek people aimed at the further consolidation of democratic life in the country and the safeguarding of the terms for co-existence in the new European reality. He also underlined the role of the Christian Orthodox Church as the bridge of communication for the peoples aimed at averting a division of East and West.

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis stressed, in the speech he delivered welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch, that the Greek people honor the head of the Christian Orthodox Church that has shaped a civilization of ecumenical dimensions. Mr. Simitis referred to the messages and principles the Ecumenical Patriarchate gave to humanity concerning human rights, the love among the peoples, the protection of the environment, the fight against racism, the cooperation among religions and peace.

    [09] THE NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF REQUESTED THAT THE NATO FORCES STOP PASSING THROUGH THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 4-17

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas confirmed a report published on the Athens newspaper "TA NEA" according to which, the National Defense General Staff requested from NATO to stop moving its forces via Thessaloniki 10 days before and 4 days after the Euro-parliament elections.

    Mr. Reppas stated that in the specific period of time the Greek police forces will have additional obligations due to the Euro-parliament election process and will not be able to fulfil their duties concerning the protection of the NATO military forces that pass through Greek territory.

    [10] THE PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA IS IN GREECE

    The president of Estonia is on a visit to Greece and this morning had a meeting with his Greek counterpart.

    In statements he made after the meeting, Greek president Mr. Stephanopoulos expressed the hope that the war in Yugoslavia will end soon. From his side, the Estonian president stressed that the war stems from the violation of the rights of the people who were forced to flee their homes. During the contacts of delegations of Greece and Estonia were signed agreements concerning the road transportation of passengers and goods as well as, agreements on cultural, tourist, education and scientific cooperation.

    [11] EURO-PARLIAMENT PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES BY SIMITIS AND KARAMANLIS

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis will speak in an open air Euro- parliament pre-election rally that will be held in Iraklion, Crete this afternoon, while right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis will speak in the city of Larisa.

    Three weeks before the elections there is open confrontation between the government and the main opposition party. Speaking in the city of Patras last night, the prime minister accused Mr. Karamanlis of double-talk as he says one thing when he speaks to businessmen and another when he speaks to employees. Mr. Karamanlis, who visited the historical town of Souli yesterday, accused Kostas Simitis of being unaware of the problems of the Greek people and of living in his own fantasy world.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [12] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO BULGARIA

    The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to conduct an official visit to Bulgaria this week.

    President Stephanopoulos will embark on his visit on Wednesday, May 26, and will return to Athens on Friday, May 28.

    [13] GREEK AND CZECH FMs ISSUE APPEAL FOR SUSPENSION OF BOMBS

    Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Czech counterpart Jan Kavan have issued a joint appeal for a brief suspension of the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia in order to facilitate the search for a peaceful solution.

    The common declaration, signed yesterday by Messrs. Papandreou and Kavan in Beijing, states that the two countries decided to support in public initiatives for a "short suspension of the bombings in order to give a real chance to diplomacy and allow for the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution".

    Mr. Kavan said the two countries "strongly believe in the role which the UN must play", with a Security Council resolution that must send "a most clear message". He added that the proposal did not oppose NATO's efforts in any way.

    Mr. Papandreou stated that the joint initiative followed the intense diplomatic activity from various sides that arose recently, but which was 'ad hoc'.

    [14] GREEK FM IN BEIJING, TO MEET WITH CHINESE LEADERS

    Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is presently in Beijing where he will hold talks on the Yugoslav crisis with Chinese leaders.

    Following his stay in the Chinese capital, Mr. Papandreou will travel to he United States where he will meet with Secretary of Sate Madeleine Albright. Talks between Russian envoy for the Kosovo crisis Viktor Chernomyrdin and Finnish President Marti Ahtisaari and US deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott will continue on Wednesday.

    [15] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT: SUPPORT PEACE INITIATIVES

    The proposal submitted by the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis to support the efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Kosovo crisis was ratified during the Lisbon-held conference of the Presidents of Parliaments of European Union member-states.

    In his address, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that at a time when the peaceful procedures are constantly gaining ground, the European parliaments body is obliged to support them.

    Mr. Kaklamanis further called for an end to bombings and the continuation of the troop withdrawal from the region, the deployment of an international peacekeeping force acceptable to both sides and the return of refugees to their homes under conditions of security in an autonomous but not independent Kosovo, as well as the provision of aid to all regions harmed by the war.

    [16] GREECE'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER IN PARIS

    Greece's Minister of Development Evangelos Venizelos is presently in Paris, where he is participating in the ministerial conference of the International Energy Organization, in light of its 25th anniversary.

    The ministers will discuss the Kyoto global warming accord and the implementation of an energy policy,

    Mr. Venizelos will meet with his counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting, with whom he will discuss the future of the energy policy.

    [17] HERMES EXPO '99 A GRANDLY SUCCESSFUL TRADE SHOW

    Personal communication is the spark that ignites business and cultural accomplishments and the 7th International exposition HERMES EXPO `99 held at the New York Hilton on May 7 and 8, 1999 proved this by providing a substantial bridge between Greek, Greek American and American business.

    In the words of HERMES Chairman Theodore Spyropoulos, Hermes Expo is a "highly effective and necessary means to open and establish intensive business networking.

    "And here at HERMES EXPO '99 the networking was tangible: the top people behind Greek, Greek American and American business, products, services and creative government projects, met and conversed in the spirit of camaraderie and common goals. Business deals and transactions were the going currency at this show." There were over 150 exhibitors in the Expo, and several thousands of guests attended throughout the show.

    The Macedonian Press Agency also participated at the event held at the New York Hilton, where it illustrated the agency's multifaceted activities in the media sector, and especially its singular commitment to the Greek community abroad.

    [18] MOST OF SERBIA REMAINS IN THE DARK AS NATO STRIKES POWER

    A large part of Serbia has been without electric power since NATO aircraft hit thermo-electric power plants in Obrenovac with destructive shells during the early morning hours yesterday.

    Serbia's power industry teams are presently trying to stabilize the power supplies system in the country.

    NATO has also managed to exclude Yugoslav television from the European satellite program Itelsat. Among the program's participating countries, 31 voted in favor of excluding the Yugoslav channel, while Russia, Belarus and Armenia voted against. Greece, Ukraine and the Vatican cast a blank vote.

    [19] THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ON THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS CONTINUE

    The diplomatic efforts for the solution of the crisis in Kosovo continue. Victor Chernomyrdin stated today that it is extremely difficult to hold peace talks while the air strikes continue.

    The Russian mediator will continue his talks with Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari and US assistant secretary of state Strobe Talbott in Moscow on Wednesday. Mr. Chernomyrdin will go to Belgrade on Thursday to meet with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

    [20] EFFORTS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY

    In Turkey, prime minister designate Bulent Ecevit, who has received the mandate to form a government, stated that Mesut Yilmaz's Motherland Party has agreed in principle to participate in a coalition government.

    Last Saturday, the extreme right Nationalist Action Party had also expressed willingness to take part in a government with the party of Bulent Ecevit. It should be noted that the three parties have the absolute majority in the Turkish National Assembly as they control 350 of the 550 parliament seats.


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