Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-10-06
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 6, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] GREEK RESPONSE TO CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA
[02] GREEK FM PLANS TO VISIT BELGRADE
[03] PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET TODAY
[04] "DEFENDORY 2000" TAKES OFF IN ATHENS
[05] "SAMINA" CAPTAIN AND SHIP MATE JAILED
[06] GREEK FM SPEAKS WITH KOSTUNICA
[07] THE YAKOVLEV TRIAL OPENED IN THESSALONIKI
[08] SERB COACHES IN THESSALONIKI COMMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN
YUGOSLAVIA
[09] KARAMANLIS: THE WILL OF THE SERB PEOPLE MUST BE RESPECTED
[10] THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA
[11] GAINS OF 1.73% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] THE GREEK AUTHORITIES ARE IN A STATE OF READINESS REGARDING
THE GREEK STUDENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA
[13] GREECE WILL CALL FOR THE LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON
YUGOSLAVIA
[14] INFLATION CLOSED AT 3.1% IN SEPTEMBER
[15] THE CAUSES OF THE "SAMINA" TRAGEDY ARE BEING INVESTIGATED
[16] GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - YUGOSLAVIA
[17] COHEN - CAKMAKOGLU MEETING IN THESSALONIKI
[18] A UKRAINIAN AIRPLANE IS GROUNDED AT THE AIRPORT OF
THESSALONIKI
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK RESPONSE TO CRISIS IN YUGOSLAVIA
Members of the Greek government have reacted calmly yet
firmly to the action taken by supporters of Yugoslavia's
opposition leader Vojislav Kostunica against the Milosevic regime,
in attempts to reclaim a new Yugoslavia which have stunned the
world.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed the hope that
developments in Yugoslavia will take the calm and democratic path
that Greek initiatives have attempted to encourage, adding that
Greece always stood by Yugoslavia as far as the country's
integration into the European Union was concerned and that it will
continue to do so in the future. Mr Simitis stressed that the
political forces of Yugoslavia should remain calm and act
responsibly and that the nation's will should be respected.
For his part, Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou
foresees that it is the beginning of the end for Slobodan
Milosevic and that further action should be taken calmly. "Greece
has taken the initiative, despite internal criticism, to help
Yugoslavia achieve democracy and this is the message we conveyed
to Mr Milosevic before the elections". Mr Papandreou considers
that "intervention by the West will be fruitless, as Serbs have
decided to take the matter into their own hands and carve out a
different path for themselves".
Greek minister of Culture and former Foreign minister,
Theodoros Pangalos likened the current situation in Yugoslavia to
that of Romania during the Ceaucescu regime and commented on his
efforts to intervene in Yugoslavia's affairs whilst he was Foreign
minister: "I made desperate attempts to save the situation in
Yugoslavia in the lead up to the Kosovo crisis", he said, adding
that he "had asked Mr Milosevic to step down from power", but to
no avail.
Greek Press undersecretary Telemachus Chytiris expressed the
government's concern over the current situation in Belgrade and
stressed that the Greek government is ready to intervene in
Yugoslavia's crisis, not only because of its interest in its
future developments but also because of the huge number of Greek
students currently studying in Belgrade. He maintained that there
has been no political communication between the two countries and
that Greece will continue to encourage the establishment of
democracy in Yugoslavia.
[02] GREEK FM PLANS TO VISIT BELGRADE
Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou is planning a trip
to Belgrade, as part of Greek initiatives in response to the
recent developments in Yugoslavia, Press undersecretary Telemachus
Chytiris announced today.
Mr Chytiris expressed the hope that a solution will be found
to the current crisis as well as with Slobodan Milosevic, adding
that Vojislav Kostunica should take action to solve the problem
internally, without Western intervention.
As far as Greek intervention in the crisis is concerned, the
Greek Press undersecretary stressed that "the policy upheld by
Athens has always been moderate. It was the only capital to have
constant ties with Belgrade and the only capital to send its
Foreign minister to the Yugoslavian capital. Our support has never
been one-sided and we worked towards helping Yugoslavia and
towards finding a solution to the crisis. These efforts are
recognised by the Yugoslavian nation and by Mr Kostunica, with
whom we were in touch with until yesterday, as our diplomatic
representatives are still in Belgrade.
[03] PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET TODAY
The Greek government's Central Committee will hold a meeting
this afternoon, in the midst of the heavy climate created by the
"Express Samina" shipwreck and by recent clashes between party
members.
Greek Prime Minister and Pasok leader Costas Simitis will
open the meeting with a speech, during which he will refer to the
stunning political developments that have shaken Yugoslavia during
the last 24 hours, as well as to the new developing face of
Yugoslavia and to Greece's role in the region.
According to reports, Mr Simitis will attempt to improve the
negative climate currently surrounding the government and his
party and will stress his determination to realize the plans
outlined by Pasok in the run- up to the elections of April 9th.
The Greek Prime Minister will also invite his party members
to focus on realizing the party's aims and plans.
[04] "DEFENDORY 2000" TAKES OFF IN ATHENS
Official representatives of 60 countries, defense industry
representatives from 34 countries and 22 Defense ministers from
all over the world are currently participating in the "Defendory
2000" international armament exhibition in Athens.
The exhibition, during which participating countries will
present different military and defense armament systems, provides
professionals with the opportunity to exchange views on technical
and scientific matters related to defense and is also a stage for
local, national and international cooperation to be discussed.
Representing Greece at the exhibition is the National Vehicle
Manufacturing company, together with a group of construction
companies interested in producing various types of armament
systems.
[05] "SAMINA" CAPTAIN AND SHIP MATE JAILED
The captain and ship mate on duty aboard the "Express Samina"
were jailed on the Greek island of Chios today, following a
decision made by the prosecutor and judge in charge of the case.
Investigations into the causes of the shipwreck, in which
dozens of passengers lost their lives, are still underway in Syros
[06] GREEK FM SPEAKS WITH KOSTUNICA
Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou is ready to depart
for Belgrade whenever possible, according to a statement made by
his spokesman Panos Beglitis.
Mr Papandreou spoke with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov
both yesterday and this morning, as well as with Vojislav
Kostunica. He is also holding regular talks with Greek Prime
Minister Costas Simitis and with Foreign ministers within the
European Union concerning the Yugoslavian crisis.
The Greek Foreign ministry has no information concerning the
whereabouts of Slobodan Milosevic and has been informed that Mr
Ivanov will try to hold a meeting with him.. As he stated to Mr
Papandreou during a telephone call, Mr Kostunica believes that the
Yugoslavian army will maintain a neutral stance and will not
contribute to future developments in the crisis.
It is likely that Mr Papandreou will leave for Paris this
evening, to discuss the crisis in Yugoslavia with his French
counterpart Hubert Vedrine. The situation in Yugoslavia will also
be discussed during the General Affairs Council of the European
Union, due to hold a meeting on Monday, during which the first
issue on the agenda will be the lifting of sanctions imposed
against Yugoslavia.
[07] THE YAKOVLEV TRIAL OPENED IN THESSALONIKI
The trial on the causes of the Yakovlev air accident, at the
Pieria Mountains in December 1997 that cost the lives of 73
passengers and crew members, opened in Thessaloniki today.
On trial are the air traffic controllers who were on duty on
the night of December 17, 1997. They are Yiannis Yiannakopoulos
and Adamantios Frangiadoulis, who are accused of many counts of
manslaughter and of violating the transportation regulations.
In the trial will testify tens of the victims' relatives,
while after a decision by the presiding judge more seats were
added to cover the needs of the trial.
[08] SERB COACHES IN THESSALONIKI COMMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN
YUGOSLAVIA
"The situation in Yugoslavia is difficult. Things have gotten
out of control. No one can predict what will happen in the future
but in the days to come everything will be cleared up", stated
Thessaloniki's PAOK football team coach Dusan Bajevic commenting
on yesterday's dramatic developments in Yugoslavia. However, he
did not want to say more as he does not know exactly what is going
on in the neighboring country.
Similar statements were made by former Iraklis football team
player, Ivan Jovanovic. "I don't know much. I haven't spoken with
my friends in Yugoslavia for two days now. I can assess the
situation only based on what I see on television. I wasn't able to
have a telephone communication and this makes things harder. I
just want to say that I want everything to be peaceful again.
There should be no rioting and above all reason must prevail. I
believe that in the next two days I will be able to assess the
whole situation".
Dragan Sakota, who was with Iraklis' basketball team, avoided
to take a stand. "I was never involved in politics. Things are not
good but I believe that some conclusions will be reached in the
next two or three days. The only thing that is certain is that
Yugoslavia will follow a new course".
Volleyball coach Zoran Michailovic made a brief statement.
"If we try to make an assessment based on what we hear and see the
situation is difficult. No one can predict what will happen
tomorrow".
[09] KARAMANLIS: THE WILL OF THE SERB PEOPLE MUST BE RESPECTED
The will of the Serb people must be respected, stated main
opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, on the
occasion of the developments in Yugoslavia. The main opposition
party leader called on the Greek government to play the role of a
catalyst in order to safeguard stability in the Balkans.
Mr. Karamanlis stated that the will of the Serb people must
be respected immediately, adding that there is no room for a
violent overturning of the expressed will of the people. He also
said that Greece's traditional friend in the Balkans must occupy
again the position it deserves in the European scene.
He also called on the European Union to prove in action that
it can and want to help Yugoslavia in its difficult road ahead.
[10] THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis, in his speech today
before the central committee of the governing socialist party of
PASOK, referred to the latest developments in Yugoslavia and the
political scene that is being formed in Belgrade.
The prime minister stated characteristically that yesterday's
developments in Yugoslavia confirmed in the most clear way that
the Serb people voted for democratic change in their country. The
developments also proved that the Greek government had followed
the right policy. He said that Greece proved, through the
initiatives it undertook, that it has knowledge of the region and
exercised a consistent policy aimed at the consolidation of
stability and security in the wider Balkan region.
The latest rapid developments call for a calm, democratic and
peaceful course that has to be followed in the neighboring
country, said the prime minister, adding that Greece will always
be on the side of the Yugoslav people and will always support
Yugoslavia's course toward becoming a member of the European
family.
The developments in Yugoslavia prove that peace, democratic
development and growth are still needed in the region and for this
reason Greece has a significant role to play, said the prime
minister.
[11] GAINS OF 1.73% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 1.73% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index was at 4.027,09 points, while the
volume of transactions was very satisfactory at 207 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 248 recorded gains, 104 had
losses and 24 remained unchanged.
[12] THE GREEK AUTHORITIES ARE IN A STATE OF READINESS REGARDING
THE GREEK STUDENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA
The Greek foreign affairs ministry is in a state of readiness
for any kind of intervention in case it is needed in order to
evacuate the Greek students from Yugoslavia, according to ministry
officials.
Meanwhile, minister of education Petros Efthimiou stated that he
contacted the Greek embassy in Belgrade and stressed that all the
Greek students are safe.
Tension was recorded yesterday outside the Macedonia-Thrace
ministry building in Thessaloniki when parents of Greek students
in Belgrade gathered to ask for the immediate return of their
children to Greece and their transfer to Greek universities.
[13] GREECE WILL CALL FOR THE LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON
YUGOSLAVIA
The crucial developments in Yugoslavia after the latest
events in the country will be the basic issue on the agenda of the
EU general affairs council meeting that will be held in Luxembourg
on Monday.
Greece, which will be represented by foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou and deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi, will ask
for the immediate lifting of the sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia
and the activation of the 2.3 trillion Euro account approved for
the country's reconstruction in the next five years.
The Greek government will also call for the immediate
expansion of the Organization for the Reconstruction of the
Balkans in Thessaloniki to include Serbia together with Kosovo and
Montenegro.
According to deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi, the EU
has accepted Greece's stance based on which, the candidate for EU
membership western Balkan countries must respect the ethnic
minorities on their territory and the inviolability of the
existing borders. Also, Ms. Papazoi stated that the EU presidency
will announce the establishment of a free trade zone between the
EU and the Balkan states.
[14] INFLATION CLOSED AT 3.1% IN SEPTEMBER
The news from the inflation front in Greece are good.
According to the National Statistics Agency, inflation in Greece
in the month of September was at 3.1% compared to 3.5% in the
month of August.
[15] THE CAUSES OF THE "SAMINA" TRAGEDY ARE BEING INVESTIGATED
The investigation on the causes of the "Samina" tragedy
continues. The two special magistrates investigating the
conditions under which the shipwreck took place are in the Aegean
island of Syros and work together with investigator Ilias
Stefanatos, who was appointed by the ministry of merchant marine.
At the moment, the investigation has focused on a telephone
call ship mate Tasos Psychogios received just before the "Samina"
crashed on the rocky islet, about 2 nautical miles outside the
port of the island of Paros. According to information, Psychogios
had received a phone call on his mobile phone by a crew member of
another ship sailing in the region warning him that the "Samina"
was off course.
The special magistrate is expected to call for questioning
all those who are involved in the shipwreck one way or another,
while written documents and other findings retrieved by the divers
from the sunk ship are also being examined.
[16] GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN - YUGOSLAVIA
Developments in Yugoslavia move toward a positive direction,
stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, pointing out
that a new page with a European orientation has been turned in the
neighboring country.
Mr. Reppas referring to yesterday's developments in
Yugoslavia expressed satisfaction over the fact that the Greek
policy was vindicated, saying that Greece's role proved to be
useful. He said that from the first moment Greece had disagreed
with the interventions in Yugoslavia and Milosevic's indictment
for war crimes by the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
He said that the political powers must handle the crisis with a
sense of responsibility to safeguard the transfer to a new era.
On the fate of Milosevic and his family, the Greek government
spokesman underlined that the issue must be handled by the
political powers in Yugoslavia and that Greece in cooperation with
them will do everything possible to settle the issue. However, he
added that Greece will not become a country that will receive
individuals requesting political asylum, and that it will act
within the framework of the European Union decisions. He said
characteristically that Greece will not offer its territory and
its airports to Mr. Milosevic or other officials.
On Mr. Kostunica, he said that he enjoys the recognition of
the European leaders and the Russian president, adding that he is
a credible debater and his message to the Yugoslav people showed
that he is aware of his responsibilities.
The Greek government spokesman left open the likelihood of a
visit by the Greek foreign minister to Belgrade by saying that Mr.
Papandreou is always welcomed in the neighboring country.
Finally, referring to the Greek students in Yugoslavia he
said that the Greek embassy is in constant contact with them.
[17] COHEN - CAKMAKOGLU MEETING IN THESSALONIKI
Turkish minister of defense Sabahadin Cakmakoglu will meet
with his US counterpart William Cohen in Thessaloniki on Monday.
The meeting is scheduled to last half an hour and will take place
after the summit meeting of defense ministers from south-eastern
Europe.
The Turkish minister of defense is expected to arrive at
Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport on Sunday on board a private
plane and in the afternoon of that day he will visit the Turkish
consulate and the house of Kemal Ataturk.
[18] A UKRAINIAN AIRPLANE IS GROUNDED AT THE AIRPORT OF
THESSALONIKI
Relatives of the victims of the December 1997 air tragedy at
the Pieria Mountains, west of Thessaloniki, were able to order
through their lawyers the grounding of an airplane belonging to
the Ukrainian airline "Aerosweet" based on a court decision
concerning the compensation claims submitted by them.
The "Boeing 737" airplane arrived at Thessaloniki's Macedonia
Airport yesterday at noon on a regular flight from Kiev. The
relatives of the Yakovlev victims maintained that tens of lawsuits
are pending in civil courts claiming compensation for the deaths
of their loved ones and therefore, the grounding of the airplane
was imperative until the court procedures are over.
Another airplane of the same company had been grounded in
January 1998 about a month after the air tragedy in which 73
people lost their lives. The airplane remained grounded at
Macedonia Airport for 9 months. It was released when Ukrainian
company representatives submitted letters of guarantee regarding
the compensation claims by the victims' relatives.
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