Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-03-27

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, March 27, 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT IN THESSALONIKI TODAY, TO ADDRESS SVVE

Albania's President Reijep Meidani is currently in Thessaloniki, invited by the Northern Greek Industries Association (SVVE), in order to examine the opportunities to expand Greek investments n Albania.

This is part of SVVE's initiative to promote contacts with neighboring countries aiming at strengthening northern Greece's economic ties with the Balkan and Black Sea countries.

Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano is to also arrive in Thessaloniki on May 8 in order to address SVVE's general assembly.

According to SVVE, Albania is a growing market and is slowly -but surely- overcoming the hurdles it presented due to the lack of a favorable investment framework.

[02] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECLARED PROFESSOR EMERITUS IN THESSALONIKI

Albania's President Reijep Meidani is to be declared professor emeritus at the Physics Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki today.

During his address, President Meidani will speak on the topic "From the liquid crystals through the biological applications to the problems of public, social and political life."

Upon his arrival in Thessaloniki yesterday evening, President Meidani condemned what he called the "collective punishment" of Albanian nationals in Greece for a recent upsurge in crime.

Mr. Meidani said that "it is not a characteristic of a friendly and democratic country to proceed with collective punishments in our times", adding that each case should be examined separately.

This evening the Albanian head of state will be the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos.

[03] PREMIER HEADS CABINET MEETING TO REVIEW ECONOMIC MATTERS

The Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to head a meeting of the cabinet's economy and finance ministry officials in order to look into the possibility of privatizing Ionic Bank, cutting public expenses by 320 billion drachmas and forming a timetable for the state-owned enterprises (DEKOS).

Yesterday, the General Price Index at the Athens bourse rose by 3.4% and trading surpassed the 80-billion-drachmas mark.

[04] RAIN STORMS TORMENT GREECE, CAUSE FLOODS AND BLACK OUT IN ATHENS

Torrential rainstorms brought on extensive flooding and power shortages in Athens last night, paralyzing the Greek capital for hours on end and closing the Athens airport to both international and domestic flights - many of which were rerouted to Thessaloniki's airport.

The storms also affected Athens' power stations with lengthy black outs, forcing the government to hold an emergency meeting in order to map out the measures to be taken.

In Thessaloniki today, the temperatures are low, between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius, with sleet or snow falling inmost of the region rendering the use of anti-skid chains on vehicles necessary. The adverse weather has brought on extensive crop damages to local farmers.

[05] INVESTIGATION ON PRO-JUNTA POLICEMEN COMPLETED

Thessaloniki's District Attorney is expected to file charges today against those policemen who are said to have been involved in a pro-junta party held in 1993. The suspects were identified by video footage.

Former leaders of the Police Department have turned over their investigation findings to the district Attorney's office.

Thessaloniki's District Attorney is expected to file charges today against those policemen who are said to have been involved in a pro-junta party held in 1993. The suspects were identified by video footage.

Former leaders of the Police Department have turned over their investigation findings to the district Attorney's office.

[06] CRIME CAN BE DEALT WITH THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF GREECE AND ALBANIA

The problems of organized crime, smuggling and illegal immigration can be dealt with through cooperation between Greece and Albania, stressed Albanian president Redjep Meidani commenting on the issue of the increased crime rate in Greece that is being attributed to the Albanian illegal immigrants.

In statements he made just before the formal ceremony in Thessaloniki's Aristotle University during which he was declared professor emeritus in the Physics Department, President Meidani called on the Greek mass media to send a message of friendship to the public opinion within the framework of peace and cooperation between the two countries.

On the issue of Kosovo, he said that, as in the case of Bosnia, valuable time was lost and pointed out the need for the better use of time in order to solve the problems based on international treaties and the respect of human rights. The Albanian president also stressed that the attitudes of the past that kept the people oppressed have no future.

[07] THESSALONIKI TO HOST SE EUROPE ECONOMY FORUM ON MONDAY

Thessaloniki is to host a two-day forum on business and economic development in the Balkan region, for the fifth consecutive year, on Monday, featuring the participation of ministers, bankers, stockbrokers and industrialists from 13 countries.

The event, titled "Thessaloniki Forum: Greece and the Balkans: An Emerging Market in Southeastern Europe" is organized by the Northern Greek Industries Association (SBBE), Macedonia- Thrace Bank, and the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce.

The issues to be addressed are expected to reach beyond theory and actually delve into specific issues, such as the incentives and shortcomings in investment, the familiarity of the Balkan entrepreneurs with the western business mentality, as well as Greece's role as the only Balkan country that is a member of the European Union. The honorary president of SVVE, Nikos Efthimiades, stated that this year's forum is to focus on economic issues, as opposed to political ones.

He added that two significant figures, the vice presidents of Bulgaria and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mgrs. Boskov and Vusic respectively, will be present at the forum in order to provide the views of the privatization process their state economies are undergoing.

Moreover, Mr. Efthimiades added that the prevailing optimism is fortified by the American SECI initiative in regards to facilitating commerce and creating a unified code of transporting goods through the Southeastern European region.

This initiative is of specific interest to Greece, at a time when the International Monetary Fund is to loan 70 million dollars to the region's countries for the upgrading of border stations, a matter over which significant announcements are to be made on Monday at the forum.

[08] NEW RECORD HIGH IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

The course of privatizations, the issue of reforms in Olympic Airways, as well as the cuts in subsidies and state spending were among the issues discussed in a cabinet meeting presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis.

The cabinet meeting also examined the state of the economy after the entry of the drachma in the European exchange rate mechanism.

Meanwhile, the Athens Stock Exchange broke a new record at noon today reaching 2.050 units, which is an increase of 3%.

[09] THE RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT FOR THE ALBANIAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The Greek cabinet characterized the decision of a village council in the prefecture of Pieria, in northern Greece to restrict the movement of the Albanian illegal immigrants during the night as unfounded, illegal and unconstitutional. The above were stated by Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and already the interior ministry has ordered an investigation on the matter.

Deputy foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, speaking in the annual conference of the European and Foreign Policy Institute, appealed to the citizens not to be carried away by a wave of racism and xenophobia.

[10] GREEK CABINET SESSION

The Greek cabinet session chaired by prime minister Kostas Simitis that took place today concentrated on issues such as the extremely unfavourable weather conditions in Greece, the governmental economic policy and the fight against crime.

The ministers thoroughly discussed the participation of the national currency in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism and suggested ways to increase the revenues of the state budget. Within the framework of the public services reform, 12 state-owned Companies of Social Benefit as well as the Banks of Crete, Central Greece and Ionian will be privatized.

Regarding crime, mr Simitis reiterated that borders were effectively guarded while new ways to fight against that problem were also recommended.

[11] PAPANDREOU ADDRESSES MESSAGE TO TURKEY AND ALBANIA

Greek Alternate Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in an interview with MPA stressed that the joint Greek-Turkish initiative for Kosovo was taken within the framework of a multilateral cooperation and addressed a message to Turkey that if the two countries could solve their bilateral problems, especially the Cyprus issue, in a fair way, they could substantially contribute to multirateral initiatives for the Balkans.Since-he continued-there is no solution to these problems, this multilateral cooperation may have positive moments but it can not yield the desirable outcome.

Commenting on the criminal activity of Albanian refugees in Greece, mr Papandreou noted that all criminals should be charged equally irrespective of their colour, language and nationality and added that criminals exist in all societies, thus fighting the social roots of criminality should be a priority.

Mr Papandreou suggested that Greece should cooperate with Albanian authorities, so as to re-establish the order in the neighbouring country, and amend its laws towards the legalization of illegal refugees and a more effective settlement of the problem.

Mr Papandreou underlined that the Greek government had to set series of streamlined rules and measures in order to control not only criminals and mobsters but the entire operation of the Greek society critisizing Greece's delay in adjusting to modern social conditions and structures.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[12] THE GREEK-FYROM RELATIONS ARE ON A POSITIVE COURSE

Head of the Greek Liaison Office in FYROM Alexandros Mallias in an interview to the state television in Skopje characterized as positive the course of the Greek-FYROM relations.

Mr. Mallias pointed out that there are issues between the two countries that are still open but he stressed that Greece wants their solution as soon as possible.

Referring to the incidents in Kosovo, the head of the Greek liaison office expressed satisfaction for the coincidence of views between Athens and Skopje regarding the measures that need to be taken for the easing of the tensions in the region.

[13] THE OSCE PRESIDENT WILL VISIT BELGRADE AND PRISTINA

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, president and Polish foreign minister Bonislav Jeremek will visit Belgrade and Pristina.

His visits are aimed at preparing the ground for the opening of negotiations between Belgrade and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

Yesterday, during their visit to Pristina the envoys of the United States and Britain, Robert Gelbart and Jeremy Greenstock, supported the option of the international intervention for the solution of the crisis and reiterated the warning issued by the "contact group" that tougher measures against Belgrade will be taken if no dialogue is opened with ethnic Albanians in Kosovo in the next four weeks.

[14] A TURKISH JOURNALIST CHARACTERIZES AS BRAVE THE SIMITIS GOVERNMENT POLICY

Turkish journalist and political analyst Mehmet Ali Birad characterized as brave the decisions made by the Simitis government in a number of his articles published in the Turkish newspaper "Sabah".

Mr. Birad stressed that the steps made by the Greek government will have as a result a different Greece and said characteristically that from now on "Athens' effectiveness should be feared". He also wrote that Greece has finally decided to safeguard its security not by staying under the political umbrella of the European Union but by using its own economic umbrella and by making brave steps toward this direction.

The Turkish journalist also stressed that the old picture of Greece in the European Union and the United States has changed thanks to the Simitis government and underlined that the firm policy followed by the Greek prime minister on economic matters as well as, his cool-headed approach have led the West to view Greece more seriously. He also said that Greece's prestige internationally has increased compared to the previous years.

[15] 22,1% OF THE YOUNG BULGARIANS WANT TO IMMIGRATE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY

Only 6,9% of the young Bulgarians are determined not to immigrate ever to another country. A different position is backed by 22,1% of those questioned, who responded that they would leave their country as soon as they had the chance, while 30% said that they would do the same under certain pre-conditions.

The data mentioned above were provided by an opinion poll conducted by the Democratic Bulgarian Youth organization that processed the responses given by 647 students and other young people.

Responding to the question if their income is enough to cover their needs, 37,7% were negative and only 3,2% stated that they are totally satisfied.

[16] RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BLUNDERS AT MEETING WITH KOHL

In a slip of the tongue, Russian President Boris Yeltsin declared open a press conference, which actually was not a press conference but, instead, an informal summit meeting with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

His spokesperson Sergei Yastrezebski tried to gently remind Mr. Yeltsin that it was the start of talks, not a press conference but the undaunted Russian President went on and asked the journalists present at the meeting to submit their questions.

Of course, there were no questions to be submitted as the talks had not taken place yet.

[17] RUSSIA WILL SEND THE S-300 MISSILES TO CYPRUS AS SCHEDULED

Russia will supply Cyprus with the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles as scheduled and will not keep the deal only in the case of Cyprus's complete demilitarization, stated Vladimir Tsizov spokesman of the Russian foreign ministry on the issue of Cyprus.

The agreement for the installation of the Russian S-300 air- defense missiles in Cyprus caused the "inappropriate" reaction of Turkey, according to Mr. Tsizov, because Ankara already has enough fighter jets on the island, a fact that allows it to have full dominance in the Cypriot air space. He underlined that with the implementation of the agreement Turkey's dominance will be limited, stressing at the same time, that the Russian weapons are for purely defensive purposes and can not strike ground targets.

[18] STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON COMMENTS ON CYPRUS' S-300 MISSILES

The spokesperson of the US Secretary of State James Rubin reiterated yesterday that the Clinton Administration position on the S-300 missiles deployment on Cyprus has not changed. During the daily news briefing, Mr. Rubin stated that "although we do not question Cyprus' right to make decisions about its defense, we believe the S-300 missile deal increases the danger of conflict on the island and is a serious obstacle to our efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus dispute. We continue to urge the Government of Cyprus to cancel the deal."

Nevertheless, the US official added that "we have also urged Turkey to address the S-300 issue through diplomatic means and to refrain from threats to take the missiles out militarily." With regard to the idea of a no-fly zone that Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos raised in his recent meetings with Secretary of State Madleine Albright, Mr. Rubin stated that "we certainly would welcome the establishment of a permanent moratorium of all combat aircraft over-flights over Cyprus by Greece and Turkey as a serious effort to reduce tensions and build confidence.

"We do not agree, however, that a no-fly enforcement regime that could potentially pit one NATO ally against the other, is the best way to accomplish this objective."

Commenting on the meeting held between Mr. Pangalos and Ms. Albright, Mr. Rubin stated that "the two had a very good meeting."

[19] UN SECRETARY GENERAL TO MEET WITH RAUF DENKTASH TOMORROW

The United Nations secretary general Koffi Annan is to received the self-called leader of the Turkish-Cypriots Rauf Denktash in Geneva tomorrow.

Mr. Denktash is expected to insist on his known intransigence concerning the talks for resolving the Cyprus issue and the start of accession talks between the European Union and Cyprus.

The Turkish-Cypriot leader is reportedly counting on Mr. Annan 's support for the official recognition of his enclave as a "state", which he sets forth as a condition for talks between the two communities of the island republic.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-general's special envoy for the Cyprus issue Diego Cordovez characterized tomorrow's meeting as significant, stating that it could alleviate the current impasse.

[20] YELTSIN RECOMMENDS KIRIYENKO TO PREMIER'S POST

Rusian President Boris Yeltsin appointed today acting prime minister Sergei Kiriyenko as Rusian premier and threatened the State Duma with dissolution if it did not approve him.

According to the Rusian Press Agency Interfax, mr Yeltsin stressed that he took that decision because he wanted a new group to give a fresh impetus to the governmental programme and to continue the economic reforms.

Rusian President also announced that the new government would include many new people.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/