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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-09-01

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, September 1, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] BALKAN STABILITY PACT COORDINATOR IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
  • [02] GOVERNMENT TO FINALIZE POLICY RE EU FUNDING FOR TURKEY
  • [03] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY
  • [04] GREEK OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO TURKEY
  • [05] MICHAEL DUKAKIS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI THIS MONTH
  • [06] PRESIDENT OF GREECE RECEIVES CHILDREN OF SERB JOURNALISTS
  • [07] TWO TREMORS OCCUR NEAR ZAKYNTHOS, NO DAMAGES REPORTED
  • [08] ASE MARKS NEW RECORD, GENERAL INDEX CONTINUES UPWARD
  • [09] PAPANDREOU: THERE IS BROAD CONSENSUS ON TURKEY'S ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
  • [10] PAPANDREOU: THE STABILITY PACT IS A HISTORIC CHANCE FOR THE BALKANS
  • [11] 9.5 TRILLION DRACHMAS FOR THE SECTOR OF AGRICULTURE
  • [12] GALATASARAY IS IN THESSALONIKI FOR THE FOOTBALL MATCH AGAINST PAOK
  • [13] TRAIN CARRYING NATO SOLDIERS DERAILED AT THE BORDERS WITH FYROM
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [14] THREE MASS GRAVES FOUND IN PRISHTINA, OVER TEN BODIES IN EACH
  • [15] TURKISH JOURNALIST EMBARKS ON RALLY OF "THANKS" TO GREEKS
  • [16] IMF DELEGATION WILL VISIT TURKEY TO ASSESS FINANCIAL NEED
  • [17] ONE KILLED, SCORES INJURED IN SERIES OF AFTERSHOCKS IN TURKEY
  • [18] GREECE TO SUPPORT EU'S PLANS FOR HUMANITARIAN AID TO TURKEY
  • [19] QUESTION ON THE AKKUYU NUCLEAR PLANT BY A GREEK EURO- DEPUTY
  • [20] A GREEK CYPRIOT WAS MURDERED IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS
  • [21] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE STRICKEN CITY OF IZMIT

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] BALKAN STABILITY PACT COORDINATOR IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

    The Balkan Stability Pact coordinator Bodo Hombach is to arrive in Thessaloniki today, in order to look at the building which will house the organization's offices.

    Mr. Hombach met with Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens yesterday, with whom he discussed the developments in the region following the end of war in Yugoslavia.

    During his visit to Thessaloniki, where he will visit the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), the German official is to be accompanied by Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou and undersecretary of National Economy Rodoula Zisi, and will also meet with the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis.

    [02] GOVERNMENT TO FINALIZE POLICY RE EU FUNDING FOR TURKEY

    An inner cabinet meeting will be held on Friday where the government is to draw its final decisions in regards to the European Union's funding protocol for Turkey, as well as in light of the EU's Foreign Ministers informal meeting, which will be held in Finland on September 4 and 5.

    The ruling PASOK party's Executive Bureau is to convene this evening, while Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet with his predecessor Theodoros Pangalos.

    Tomorrow, Mr. Papandreou will meet with the leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, the secretary-general of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka Paparega and the leader of the Coalition of Left and Progress Nikos Konstantopoulos.

    Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, who met with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook during his visit to London yesterday, has stated that as long as EU funds to Turkey are allocated solely for the relief of the earthquake-stricken people, then Greece is ready to withdraw its objections.

    [03] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY

    The leader of leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, is to give a press conference in Athens today, where he will unveil his party's proposals pertaining to economy.

    Changes in the tax system, privatization of state entities and allocation of European Union funds for the course of the following four years represent the main axes of New Democracy's economic policy.

    Mr. Karamanlis met with the chairman of the Greek Industries Association, within the framework of his preparation for the upcoming 64th International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki.

    [04] GREEK OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO TURKEY

    Greece's Olympic champions are sending nine tons of bottled water and approximately two tons of bread, as humanitarian aid to Turkey's earthquake survivors.

    Members of the Greek Olympic Medalists Association are to depart tomorrow aboard a C-130, among them the world champion of javelin Mirela Magnani-Tzelili.

    [05] MICHAEL DUKAKIS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI THIS MONTH

    The presidential candidate for the Democratic Party in the U.S. presidential elections of 1988 Michael S. Dukakis will be the guest of honor at Thessaloniki's Anatolia College (ACT) on September 13 where he will accept the school's Michael S. Dukakis Chair in Public Policy and Service.

    Mr. Dukakis will give a speech at the inauguration ceremony, along with Greek Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, US Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns and the chairman of the Anatolia College board of trustees, George Bissell.

    Mr. Dukakis has had a distinguished career as the governor of Massachusetts serving two non-consecutive terms - and was voted "Best Governor in the Nation" by the National Governors' Association in 1986. After the presidential elections, he completed his third term as governor and then entered the academic world. He has since held several appointments at US universities, most recently as a visiting professor at the department of policy studies at UCLA.

    [06] PRESIDENT OF GREECE RECEIVES CHILDREN OF SERB JOURNALISTS

    A group of children whose parents are journalists in Serbia, were received yesterday by the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos as part of their holiday in Greece.

    The 32 youths were hosted by the Newspaper Editors Association of Athens (ESHEA) at the camping grounds of St. Andreas.

    President Stephanopoulos emphasized upon his young listeners that he Greek people have friendly sentiments towards the Serb people, and wished upon them every success in the new school year.

    The Yugoslav Ambassador to Athens Dragomir Vuciceviv and members of ESHEA were also present during the meeting.

    [07] TWO TREMORS OCCUR NEAR ZAKYNTHOS, NO DAMAGES REPORTED

    Two earthquakes, measuring 4.5 and 4 on the Richter scale respectively, occurred during the morning hours at the Ionian Sea island of Zakynthos.

    The epicenter of the tremors was noted in the sea region, south of the island. No damages have been reported.

    [08] ASE MARKS NEW RECORD, GENERAL INDEX CONTINUES UPWARD

    Another record was marked in the Athens Stock Exchange today, as the general price index maintained a steadily upward course and registered profits amounting to 3.19%, closing at 5,371.57 points.

    Trading also followed a similar trend, rising to GRD321 billion.

    In the banks sector, the National Bank of Greece ended at GRD24,0800, Ionic at GRD17,400, Commercial at GRD32,000, Labor at GRD28,590 and Credit at GRD24,500.

    [09] PAPANDREOU: THERE IS BROAD CONSENSUS ON TURKEY'S ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE

    Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou stated that the government will make its final decisions on the issue of the Greek veto on Turkey's EU funding as soon as his contacts with the political party leaders and the former foreign ministers are completed.

    He said that there is a broad consensus over a Greek initiative for the assistance of the earthquake stricken population in Turkey both as a humanitarian and as a political act toward the country.

    [10] PAPANDREOU: THE STABILITY PACT IS A HISTORIC CHANCE FOR THE BALKANS

    The European institutions will decide in September on the building that will house the Balkan Reconstruction Organization. At the same time, the Stability Pact secretariat will start operating based both in Thessaloniki and in Brussels.

    The statements were made in Thessaloniki by Balkan Stability Pact coordinator Bodo Hombach who, together with foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, minister of Macedonia- Thrace Yiannis Magriotis and national economy undersecretary Rodoula Zisi, visited the Vocational Training Center (CEDEFOP), Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair and the buildings that are considered to house the seat of the Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans.

    Mr. Hombach characterized as friendly gesture the assistance offered by Greece to Turkey to help it overcome the devastating earthquake of August 17, adding that this gesture will help both sides and Europe very much.

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou gave the assurance to Mr. Hombach that the Greek government will respond positively to the facilitation requested in order for the Reconstruction Committee to be based in Thessaloniki.

    Mr. Hombach stated that the sensitivity of the Greek politicians and their experience in the Balkans will be a decisive factor for the success of the effort for the reconstruction of the Balkans and for this reason, they will be backed by the European Union. He also clarified that Thessaloniki will be the seat of the Reconstruction Committee

    Mr. Papandreou stressed that the Stability Pact is a historic chance for the Balkans, while the minister of Macedonia-Thrace stated that time flies in a positive way for Thessaloniki.

    [11] 9.5 TRILLION DRACHMAS FOR THE SECTOR OF AGRICULTURE

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis announced at noon today that 9.5 trillion drachmas will be given to the agriculture sector in the period of 2000-2006. The statement was made after the governmental meeting in which participated national economy and agriculture ministers Yiannos Papantoniou and Giorgos Anomeritis as well as, Agriculture Bank governor Petros Lambrou.

    The interest rates on the loans taken by new farmers will be cut from 8.5 to 7.5%, while the farmers' pensions will be increased by 25% in case of early retirement. Also, starting on January 1, 2000, 50% of the compensations decided to be given to farmers will be paid in advance.

    Further announcements on social security issues concerning the farmers will be made by the prime minister in the formal opening of Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair.

    [12] GALATASARAY IS IN THESSALONIKI FOR THE FOOTBALL MATCH AGAINST PAOK

    The Turkish football team of Galatasaray arrived in Thessaloniki at noon today and tomorrow will play a historic match against the local football team of PAOK. The match will start at 9:15pm and the money collected will be sent to the earthquake stricken population in Turkey showing that sports unite the people.

    The Galatasaray players praised the initiative undertaken by the Greek team and thanked the people of Greece for the assistance they offer to the suffering population in Turkey.

    [13] TRAIN CARRYING NATO SOLDIERS DERAILED AT THE BORDERS WITH FYROM

    A train carrying NATO soldiers and military vehicles to Kosovo via FYROM derailed 5 kilometers from the Greek-FYROM borders at the valley of Axios river. Specifically, 9 of the train's 16 cars derailed and according to a statement issued by the Greek Railways Organization, there were no injuries reported among the 120 Belgian soldiers on board the train.

    An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the accident.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [14] THREE MASS GRAVES FOUND IN PRISHTINA, OVER TEN BODIES IN EACH

    Three mass graves, each containing at least ten bodies, were discovered last night in the posh suburb of Prishtina, "Suncani Breg".

    According to Belgrade's daily "Blic", KFOR peacekeeping troops have cordoned off the area, not allowing access to journalists.

    The paper also reported that it is not known as of yet if the bodies belong to Albanians or Serbs.

    [15] TURKISH JOURNALIST EMBARKS ON RALLY OF "THANKS" TO GREEKS

    A Turkish journalist is embarking on a 30-mile journey from Turkey to Greece in order to express his heartfelt "thanks" to the Greek people for their outpour of support to his country's earthquake victims.

    Osman Akkus, who is the president of Turkey's Association of Ecologists-Journalists and the editor in chief of the "Cepcevre" daily, set off yesterday afternoon from Kesan and, holding a sign that says "Thanks Friend" in Greek, began walking towards the Greek-Turkish border at Ipsala.

    Before embarking on his journey, Mr. Akkus said that he is carrying 17 pine saplings (the specific number being a reminder of August 17, the day the earthquake devastated Turkey) half of which he will plant in Turkey and the other half he will hand over to Greek soldiers at the border so they can plant them on Greek soil.

    He expects to arrive at the border later today, which marks the World Peace Day.

    "It is significant that we will arrive at the Greek border on such a significant day," he said.

    His next target is to conduct a friendship march from Istanbul to Athens.

    [16] IMF DELEGATION WILL VISIT TURKEY TO ASSESS FINANCIAL NEED

    A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will travel to Turkey on September 8 in order to discuss the country's financial situation in the aftermath of the violent earthquake that shattered its industrial heartland, the Turkish Department of Treasury announced today.

    The delegation will meet Turkish fiscal authorities on providing an emergency loan to deal with the economic devastation the quake has caused.

    As the French news agency AFP reported, IMF emergency assistance is normally granted after natural disasters or major conflicts in order to help a country deal with balance of payments difficulties.

    Unlike other financial institutions, the IMF does not grant emergency aid, but in urgent cases, countries have drawing rights of up to 25 percent of their shares in IMF capital.

    Turkey has a quota of 1.317 billion dollars in the organization's capital, and 25 percent would be roughly equivalent to 330 million dollars.

    [17] ONE KILLED, SCORES INJURED IN SERIES OF AFTERSHOCKS IN TURKEY

    A series of fresh aftershocks jolted northwestern Turkey today, one day after two powerful tremors killed one person and injured 166, the Kandilli seismic institute in Istanbul said.

    The strongest aftershock measured 3.8 on the Richter scale and hit Yalova, on the Marmara Sea coast, followed by a tremor of 3.2 epicentered in Adapazar.

    Both towns were hit by nine mild aftershocks overnight, the institute said.

    [18] GREECE TO SUPPORT EU'S PLANS FOR HUMANITARIAN AID TO TURKEY

    Greece intends to support the European Union's proposal for funding to Turkey, on the provision that the said monies will be allocated for aid in the earthquake-stricken regions, according to deputy foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis.

    The deputy FM reiterated that Greece is eager to assist in the granting of financial aid to Turkey, but only in relation to the earthquake disaster.

    Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kranidiotis referred to the talks he had with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and stated that they have agreed on the need to embark on a bi-communal dialogue, within the framework of the United Nations, sans terms and preconditions.

    When asked by the BBC if a confederation plan is being promoted for resolving the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kranidiotis said that such a solution is ruled out since one entity with two sovereign states cannot accede the European Union.

    [19] QUESTION ON THE AKKUYU NUCLEAR PLANT BY A GREEK EURO- DEPUTY

    The risks involved in the planned construction of an electricity production nuclear plant in the region of Akkuyu in Turkey, were underlined by Greek Euro-deputy for the party of New Democracy Yiannis Marinos in a question he directed to the European Commission requesting to be informed on its position concerning the issue.

    On the occasion of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey, Mr. Marinos reminded that the region of Akkuyu had also been hit a year ago by a strong earthquake with many victims. The Euro-deputy also pointed out that a number of catastrophic earthquakes have hit the wider region in recent years, stressing that it is placed among the most earthquake stricken regions in the world. He also said that the construction of the nuclear plant constitutes a direct threat to the region's safety and furthermore, to the safety of south-eastern Mediterranean in general.

    [20] A GREEK CYPRIOT WAS MURDERED IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS

    A Greek Cypriot, 68yearold Stelios Harpas, who lived in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus, was found murdered in Rizokarpaso, according to a report published today by the Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Kipris".

    His wife had reported to the Turkish Cypriot police that her husband was missing on Monday evening and according to the newspaper, she had also told the police that her husband had left their house when he received a telephone call from a man who maintained that he was a police officer.

    It should be noted that 27 Greek Cypriots have been killed in the Turkish occupied territories under unclear circumstances since 1974, when the Turkish forces invaded and occupied the northern part of Cyprus.

    Cypriot Republic president Glafkos Clerides stated today that he will make all necessary moves and Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides called on the soldiers of the UN peace-keeping mission on the island to launch a detailed investigation.

    [21] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE STRICKEN CITY OF IZMIT

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visited the earthquake stricken region of the city of Izmit in north- western Turkey, accompanied by monks and Greek youth representatives.

    The Ecumenical Patriarch visited the city hospital where a monk-doctor remained to offer his services. He also visited the city university and delivered a 100.000 dollar cheque to the prefect of Izmit for the restoration of the damages caused to the university buildings by the monster earthquake that hit the region on August 17.


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