Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-01-13

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, 13 January 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE ON OFFICAL VISIT TO INDIA, IN NEW DELHI TODAY

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is currently in India, the first official visit by a Greek head of state to that country.

Aiming at strengthening political and economic ties between the two countries, Mr. Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Finance Undersecretary Alekos Baltas and a delegation of leading Greek businessmen. representatives.

In New Delhi today, Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet with his Indian counterpart Mr. Narayanan, and India's prime minister and parliament president.

On Thursday, President Stephanopoulos is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal. He will travel to Bombay on Friday and Calcutta on Saturday, departing for Athens on Sunday.

According to reports, business leaders accompanying the President are expected to propose that Greek engineering contractors could undertake design and construction of several projects in India. A.F.

[02] GREECE’S DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS ISLANDS IN THE AEGEAN

Greek Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos has embarked on a tour through the Aegean Sea islands of Lesvos, Chios, Psara and the islet Panagia. Meanwhile, in the open seas of northern Aegean, the Turkish air and sea military exercise is currently underway.

Today, the leader of Greece’s main opposition party, New Democracy’s Kostas Karamanlis is to meet with the U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Burns. A.F.

[03] NEW TURKISH PROVOCATION IN THE AEGEAN, VIOLATIONS OF ATHENS’ FIR

Turkish military planes proceeded in new violations of Athens’s FIR and Greece’s national air space today, when 14 fighter jets flew into the air space between the islands of Rhodes and Carpathos, flying close to the shore at a distance less than six miles.

Greece’s Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that Ankara continuously violates Greece’s national air space and Athens’ FIR in vain since Greek pilots and Greek aircraft are always in a state of readiness.

Moreover, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos added that Turkey is also acting illegally before the international community since it challenges the national air space, risks the flight security of Athens’ FIR and violates the rules of international law. A.F.

[04] FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY BRIEFS TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

Greece’s Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis met with Turkey’s Ambassador in Athens Ali Tinaz Tuygan yesterday, whom he briefed on Greece's position regarding recent developments in relations between the European Union and Turkey.

According to reports, Mr. Kranidiotis told the ambassador that Greece is not in principle against Turkey’s European orientation and that the Greek government desired and supported such a development in so far as Turkey decided to recognize and uphold the same principles and rules as all EU member-states and candidate countries. Mr. Kranidiotis also strongly condemned the recent violations of Greek air space by Turkish air force planes during the course of the latter’s military exercise in the Aegean Sea.

The meeting was held at the Turkish ambassador’s request. A.F.

[05] US AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS: WE RESPECT GREEK SOVEREIGNTY IN AEGEAN

The United States Ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns met today with the President of Greece’s main opposition party, New Democracy’s Kostas Karamanlis in Athens.

Mr. Burns stated that Greece has established the 10 nautical miles since 1931, is a US and NATO ally, has a really good relationship with the United States and there is no issue of disagreement.

Moreover, the American diplomat said that “we respect Greek sovereignty in the Aegean and we do not associate this with other issues.”

When asked if the US would be willing to undertake a new initiative in the Aegean Sea, Mr. Burns stated that this could happen if it were requested by Athens and Ankara.

He added that Greece and Turkey need to work together in order to reduce the existing tension, albeit he added that sovereignty must be respected, “which is why we thought it was important we state that Kalogiri (the islets) are Greek.”

In turn, the spokesperson of New Democracy said that stability in the region is strengthened when all sides respect sovereign rights. A.F.

[06] GOVERNMNENT REMAINS FIRM ON ITS POLICY OF HARD CURRENCY

Mobility in the country’s banking institutions will have a determining effect on the course of interest rates, according to the government.

The Ministry of National Economy insists on its hard drachma policy by exerting pressure on the banks not to up the interest rates. According to reports, four banks are expected to re-adjust their interest rates within the following days. A.F.

[07] ATHEN’S WORLD ARMISTICE PROPOSAL DURING 2004 OLYMPICS ACCEPTED

Greece’s proposal for an international armistice during the 2004 Olympics in Athens, was accepted yesterday during a Lausanne- held meeting between Greece’s alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch.

During their meeting, the two officials decided that the Greek proposal for more cease-fire of hostilities during the period of Olympic Games be adopted and that a center for the further promotion of this idea be established at the site of ancient Olympia.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is expected to announce tomorrow the group of persons who will compose the Executive and Organizing Committee for the Organization of the 2004 Olympic Games. A.F.

[08] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS THE CRIMINAL ATTACK IN ISTANBUL

The Greek government regrets, condemns and protests strongly against the unprecedented criminal attack that took place in Istanbul yesterday afternoon when unidentified people set on fire the Church of Agios Therapon, located near the Church of St.Sofia, murdered its elderly guard and dumped his body in a nearby well.

The Istanbul Fire Department stated that it was an arson and also announced that certain valuable icons are missing.

According to Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, based on the information available to the Greek government, the fire broke out in the church yesterday afternoon and police forces that arrived in the region after an hour found the old guard’s body in a well. As it was made known, the victim is 73yearold Vasilis Hadiaropoulos from Greece.

The Greek government spokesman wondered how the perpetrators managed to escape the arrest as the specific area is very busy during that time of day when the attack took place. The Greek government will make all necessary diplomatic moves, while already the necessary procedures are underway in the Greek foreign ministry, said Mr.Reppas.

[09] THE ATHENS POLICE IS CLOSE TO BREAKING UP A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

The Athens police is close to breaking up a terrorist organization. According to the first available information, the terrorist organization is the “Fighting Rebel Formation” but based on other evidence, it may also be the “Revolutionary Popular Struggle”.

The terrorist organization “Fighting Rebel Formation” claimed responsibility for many bomb attacks among them, the attack targeting the office of minister of development Vaso Papandreou at the center of Athens.

Based on initial information, 8 people were arrested, 5 men and 3 women, after a police search in their apartments. Police confiscated explosive materials and other materials used in makeshift bomb devices which are being examined by the anti- terrorist police.

Unconfirmed information mentions that the head of the terrorist organization is Nikos Maziotis, who had been convicted in 1990 by a court as a conscientious objector and after staying in prison for a significant time he was released.

[10] NEW TURKISH PROVOCATION IN THE AEGEAN

New Turkish provocation in south Aegean. Fourteen Turkish fighter jets violated the Greek air space in the region included among the islands of Karpathos, Kos and Rhodes. Immediately afterwards, 8 Greek F-16 fighter jets intercepted the Turkish aircraft.

Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Turks are wasting their energy thinking that they can “hurt” the Greek air space. Mr.Tsochatzopoulos visited the island of Lesvos this morning and later he visited the island of Psara, while he is also scheduled to visit the rocky islet of Panagia.

Mr.Tsochatzopoulos stated that Ankara puts in danger the safety of the flights inside the Athens FIR and violates International Law.

Meanwhile as it was made known, two Turkish F-16 jets attempted to harass the Chinook helicopter carrying Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos from the island of Chios to the island of Psara within the framework of his tour to Aegean islands and islets.

The two Turkish jets were flying at an altitude of 14.500 feet, while the Greek helicopter was at 4.500 feet. To avert a harassment by the Turkish jets two Greek F-16 jets attempted to intercept them. The Turkish pilots refused the interception procedure and a number of dog-fights followed.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that Greece takes note of the facts that have to do with the Turkish violations of the Greek air space over the Aegean and will take the necessary action in order to brief the EU representatives on Turkey’s unacceptable military activity.

[11] WE RESPECT THE GREEK SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE AEGEAN

Greece has instituted the 10-mile limit since 1931, is a US and a NATO ally, we get along fine and there is no issue of disagreement, stated US ambassador to Athens Nicolas Burns after the meeting he had with leader of main opposition party of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis.

Mr.Burns stressed that “we respect the Greek sovereignty in the Aegean and we do not associate this with other issues”.

The US ambassador reiterated the American positions and pointed out that his country wants to be useful as it was recently displayed with its intervention in the Turkish air and sea exercises because it believes that the islets Kalogeri are Greek.

[12] 1,15% RISE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Transactions in the Athens Stock Exchange were held in a positive climate today and the price index rose by 1,15%.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange closed with a 7,5% rise, while all Asian stock markets showed a notable recovery in spite of the fact that a climate of uncertainty continues to exist.

[13] PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE

Changes in the way the Greek government deals with the issue of the social rehabilitation of the repatriated Greeks are included in the draft law prepared by the ministry of Macedonia- Thrace which is now being studied by the responsible government bodies before it is presented in Parliament.

According to minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, based on the research made by the ministry there are about 100.000 repatriated Greeks in all the prefectures of the country.

Mr.Petsalnikos also referred to his meeting with prime minister Kostas Simitis in Athens last week and said that he briefed him on his trip to the United States, pointing out that US officials, among them US assistant Secretary of State Michael Grossman, expressed satisfaction for the initiatives undertaken by Greece in the Balkans, stating that they can contribute to the consolidation of peace and the improvement of the economies of the Balkan states.

Mr.Petsalnikos also announced the construction of sports facilities for the young people living the Pomak villages in Thrace and said that the program will be initially financed with 40 million drachmas.

On the issue of the removal of the land mines that were placed in the mountain of Grammos during the Greek civil war, the minister said that it will start this year and will be financed by the ministry of national defense.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[14] FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC COMMENTS ON GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

French President Jacques Chirac has expressed the wish that Greek-Turkish differences be bridged, while he also stated that he is sorry that the European Union’s Luxembourg summit decided to exclude Turkey from the list of candidates for accession.

Speaking to the BBC radio, Mr. Chirac said that "I'm sorry for the tension which exists between Greece and Turkey. A better solution can and must be found."

He added that “I did as much as possible for Turkey and the role it can play in Europe," and said that Turkey’s relations with France and Europe are very important and that there is a place for Turkey in Europe.

The French President also announced that the has invited his Turkish counterpart Suleiman Demirel on an official visit to Paris on February 18, hoping to “find a solution that could be accepted by Greece.” A.F.

[15] TURKISH-CYPRIOTS GIVE UN INFORMATION ON GRAVES OF MISSING GREEK-CYPRIOTS

The Turkish-Cypriots have given the United Nations information on the graves of Greek-Cypriots who are missing, according to the alternate special representative of the UN’s secretary-general Gustav Feishel and the commissioner for Humanitarian Issues Takis Christopoulos.

Mr. Christopoulos referred to reports that concern 400 cases of Greek-Cypriots who have missing since Cyprus’ invasion by Turkey in 1974 and characterized the reports as “satisfactory” and the work performed by the Turkish-Cypriots s “important.”

The exchange of information is expected to take place at the beginning of next week when the Turkish-Cypriots representative in the investigation committee for the missing returns from abroad. A.F.

[16] TWO TURKISH RF-4 AIRCRAFT VIOLATED THE CYPRIOT AIR SPACE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON

Two Turkish RF-4 military aircraft specializing in picture taking, violated the Cypriot air space yesterday afternoon and flew over the Turkish occupied territories. Earlier, the two RF-4 entered the Nicosia flight control region from the region of Apostolos Andreas and followed a course south of Famagusta, Larnaca and Limassol, while they flew over Paphos where an air base is located.

The Cypriot government made demarches protesting against the new Turkish provocation.

[17] THE GREEK COAST GUARD LOCATED AN ALBANIAN SPEED-BOAT WITH A LARGE CARGO OF CANNABIS

The Greek Coast Guard located an Albanian speed-boat with a large cargo of cannabis, off the Ftelia Bay in Thesprotia, north- west Greece, in the early morning hours today.

Members of the Albanian Mafia, on board the boat, responded with gun shots to the calls made by the Coast Guard officers, who asked them to stop. The Coast Guard opened fire and as a result the boat was engulfed in flames and was destroyed together with the cargo of drugs. As it was made known, the three Albanians on board the speed-boat are missing.

[18] THE BULGARIAN SECRET SERVICES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THEFT OF THE PAISIOS HISTORY BOOK FROM MOUNT ATHOS

Former Bulgarian secret service chief Brigo Asparuhov admitted the responsibility of handing over the History Book of Father Paisios to the National Museum of History in Sofia in 1996. The revelation was made in the Bulgarian state television last night.

He said that even though he did not delivered the book himself, he admits that he was responsible, revealing that the original copy of the History Book was already in the hands of the Bulgarian secret services long before he became chief.

According to Asparuhov, his predecessors decided to steal the historic relic from the Monastery of Zografou in Mount Athos after information on the intentions of a Bulgarian immigrant and a Greek civilian to steal the manuscript and sell it to Germany for the sum of half a million DM. The former secret service chief also said that the Bulgarian foreign ministry had informed the Greek ministry on the issue but it did not take the necessary measures. Mr.Asparuhov stated that this is not a theft but a successful attempt to save history.

The Paisios History Book scandal broke out in 1991 when a former official of the Monastery of Zografou, Petar Mitanov stated that the manuscript is in Bulgaria. In 1996 an anonymous man left the manuscript in the National Museum of History in Sofia wrapped in a newspaper.

After almost a year of dispute on the fate of the relic, Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov and the country’s culture ministry decided the return of the manuscript to the Monastery of Zografou which took place today January 13th.

[19] TURKEY MAKES STEPS TOWARD THE ANNEXATION OF THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES IN CYPRUS

A protocol was signed today in the occupied part of Nicosia according to which, Turkish Cypriot regime officials will be able to represent Ankara in diplomatic missions abroad.

The news was reported by the Turkish news agency TAK and the signing of such a protocol is regarded as one more step toward the planned integration of the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus to Turkey.

Also, the Turkish Cypriot newspaper “Kibris”, wrote in today’s issue that Turkey allegedly plans to create three Navy and Air Force Bases in the occupied part of Cyprus as a countermeasure to the creation of a Cypriot military base that is scheduled to be inaugurated in Paphos later this month.

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