Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-05-22
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 22, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] IMF: GREEK ECONOMY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER TOURS CENTRAL GREECE
[03] COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE HOSTS INT/L CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
[04] AUSTRIAN ECONOMY MINISTER ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY
[05] BRITISH ENVOY FOR THE CYPRUS ISSUE IN ATHENS
[06] JAPANESE INVESTORS INTERESTED IN TRADE WITH GREECE
[07] SIMITIS' SPEECH IN THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE
[08] MEETING OF COMMUNIST PARTIES IN ATHENS
[09] A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT VISITED MPA
[10] DIGITAL TELEVISION BILL TO BE TABLED IN GREEK PARLIAMENT IN
JUNE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] KOSSOVO'S ALBANIANS TO ATTEND TODAY'S TALKS WITH SERBS
[12] PARLIAMENT DELEGATION ATTENDS NATO CONFERENCE
[13] NATO DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARIES TO MEET AT TIRANA TODAY
[14] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO US,
CANADA
[15] UN: CYPRUS TALKS ON INTERCOMMUNAL BASIS, NOT "TWO STATES"
[16] GREEK SCHOLAR CYRIL TOPALOV THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA TO
ATHENS
[17] SYMPOSIUM ON KAZANTZAKIS IN TIRANA
[18] THE CYPRUS ISSUE AT THE CENTER OF TALKS IN WASHINGTON
[19] THE SARAKATSANE IN BULGARIA WANT COMPENSATION FOR THEIR
CONFISCATED LIVE STOCK
[20] THE "NEW YORK TIMES" ON THE TREASURES OF MOUNT ATHOS
[21] KOSOVO: DIALOGUE BETWEEN SERBS-ALBANIANS TO CONTINUE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] IMF: GREEK ECONOMY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK
The International Monetary Fund has found that the Greek
economy is on the right track.
In the IMF's annual report, it is characteristically stated
that Greece has earned the market trust which enabled the national
currency, the drachma, to enter the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM).
Meanwhile, Ionian Bank employees are continuing their indefinite
strike. The General Confederation of Greek Laborers (GSEE) has
called a nationwide strike for May 27.
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER TOURS CENTRAL GREECE
Leader of the main opposition party of New
Democracy Kostas Karamanlis has accused the government of leading
the country into a shipwreck, over the state's failure to gain
Greece's accession into the first round of the Economic and
monetary Union.
Mr. Karamanlis is currently on a four-day tour throughout
central Greece, where he is scheduled to meet with farmers'
representatives, local chamber members and party supporters. Today
he will meet with the Metropolite, the prefect and the mayor of
the city of Katerini.
[03] COMMUNIST PARTY OF GREECE HOSTS INT/L CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
Marking the eightieth year since its founding and the 150
anniversary since the publication of the Communist Manifesto, the
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) will organize in Athens an
international conference of 60 communist and workers' parties from
50 countries today through Sunday.
According to an announcement issued by KKE, this meeting will
focus on the better coordination and development of common action,
aimed at "processing a common strategy against imperialism."
Orestis Kolozov, a member of KKE's political bureau and the
party's chief of international relations committee, stated that a
wide exchange of views will take place during the three-day
meeting concerning the major contemporary problems faced by the
working class.
The meeting's agenda includes developments in the European
Union, the role of the West European Union and NATO and the role
played by various organizations such as the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank.
Among the parties to attend the international conference are
the Communist Party of the United States, the Communist party of
Japan, The Workers Party of Belgium and the South African
Communist Party.
Specifically, 13 parties from western Europe will attend,
along with 12 from the Far and Near East, 12 from the former
Soviet Republic, eight from eastern Europe and the Balkans, seven
from Asia and Australia, four from Africa, three from north
America and one from Latin America.
[04] AUSTRIAN ECONOMY MINISTER ARRIVES IN ATHENS TODAY
Austria's Minister of National Economy Johannes Farnleitner
is due in Athens today, in light of his country's imminent role as
the president of the European Union.
Mr. Farnleitner will be received by his Greek counterpart
Yiannos Papantoniou, the Minister of Development Vasso Papandreou,
Labor and Social Services Minister Miltiades Papaioannou and
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Kostas
Laliotis.
During his talks, Mr. Farnleitner will brief the Greek
officials on his country's EU-presidency initiatives, which are
reportedly the promotion of the Economic and Monetary Union,
employment and energy issues.
[05] BRITISH ENVOY FOR THE CYPRUS ISSUE IN ATHENS
The British envoy for the Cyprus problem, Sir David Hannay,
is to arrive in Athens today for talks with senior foreign
ministry officials.
According to reports, Sir David will brief Greek government
officials on the visit of British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to
Ankara conducted earlier this week.
The British diplomat is also expected to discuss issues
related to the EU- Turkey Association Council, a meeting that has
been reported as canceled by Ankara.
[06] JAPANESE INVESTORS INTERESTED IN TRADE WITH GREECE
Japanese investors have turned their attention to Greece,
with their efforts being aided by the foundation of a Greek-
Japanese chamber in Athens.
The first Greek-Japanese Business Forum, which was held
within the framework of Hermes by the Association of Greek
Industries and the Union of Greek Banks, aimed at facilitating
Japanese-Greek business trade, focusing on the opportunities for
Greek products exports to Japan.
The Hermes plan constitutes a pilot action program drawn by
the secretariat general of International Economic Relations of the
Ministry of National Economy.
It aims at upgrading Greece's presence in Japan and at
further developing ties of friendship and economic cooperation
between the two countries.
[07] SIMITIS' SPEECH IN THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE
The enactment of central independent resources, the
completion of the procedures for the hiring of 1.000 scientists
and the transfer of authority to the prefectures, were announced
by prime minister Kostas Simitis in his speech at the local
administration conference.
Mr. Simitis stressed that the measures will materialize
within the framework of the capabilities of the Greek economy but
expressed the willingness of the government to promote
decentralization through the strengthening of local administration
at prefecture level.
[08] MEETING OF COMMUNIST PARTIES IN ATHENS
An international meeting of communist and labor parties from
50 countries opened in Athens today at the initiative of the Greek
Communist Party.
The basic aim of the international meeting is the exchange of
experience and views on the problems faced by the working class
around the world and the joined action in the effort to deal with
them.
The conference proceedings opened with a speech of Greek
Communist Party general secretary Ms. Aleka Papariga.
[09] A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT VISITED MPA
British Labor Party Parliament member, Andrew Dismore, a
close associate of prime minister Tony Blair, stated during his
visit to the MPA offices in Thessaloniki that Turkey can not
become a member of the European Union unless it meets certain
criteria concerning human rights. He also pointed out that there
have been no concessions from the Turkish side for the settlement
of the Greek-Turkish issues and the Cyprus problem.
Mr. Dismore visited the MPA offices on his way to Mount Athos
and was briefed on the Balkan News Bank that is being created in
Thessaloniki.
He stated that he backs the return of the Elgin Marbles to
Greece and expressed optimism that certain Parliament members want
to see the marbles returned to the Parthenon in Athens. Mr.
Dismore stated that the new culture minister Chris Smith gave a
negative response to a question made on the issue shortly after
his election, because he and the government did not have the time
to think about the issue seriously. He also added that there is a
fear of creating a precedent with the return of the Greek marbles
as there are many exhibits in the British museums that come from
many different countries, stressing that the Elgin Marbles have a
great historical and philosophical meaning for the Greek nation.
Mr. Dismore stated that the marbles will return to Greece
sooner or later and added that his personal opinion is that they
should be back to Greece by the 2004 Olympic Games, stressing that
the British Parliament needs some time to reconsider its views.
On Turkey, Mr. Dismore said that the British government and
the Labor Party believe that the country has to meet certain
criteria in order to become an EU member and stressed that human
rights are violated in Turkey, its democracy is fragile, while
Britain is very concerned over the issue of Cyprus as there are
many Greek voters mainly in north London, a constituency he comes
from.
He also said that the co-existence of two communities in
Cyprus is feasible and that the problem is created by the Turkish
side and Rauf Denktash, who persist in their views. He said that
the Greek side has made many concessions for the settlement of
this crucial issue but it is not the same with the Turkish side
which refuses to compromise and added that the British government
will exert pressures on Turkey for the peaceful solution of the
issue.
[10] DIGITAL TELEVISION BILL TO BE TABLED IN GREEK PARLIAMENT IN
JUNE
The principles and rules of the satellite digital television
operation were finalized today, during the session of the
government committee and the Political Secretariat of the
governing party of PASOK, which was chaired by prime minister
Kostas Simitis.
According to the government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, the
bill concerning digital television will be introduced in
Parliament, in June, preceded by talks with political parties and
all interested sides. Mr Reppas, also, noted that Greece will,
probably, be the first country to have a complete, juridical
framework for the operation of digital television.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] KOSSOVO'S ALBANIANS TO ATTEND TODAY'S TALKS WITH SERBS
Albanians in Kossovo will attend today's first round of talks
with Serbian government representatives, party officials said, as
NATO reviewed military options to prevent violence spilling out
into the region.
The talks, which are to be held weekly, were agreed during a
meeting last week between Rugova and Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic, itself brokered
by the United States.
The talks will take place in Pristina, the province's main
town.
[12] PARLIAMENT DELEGATION ATTENDS NATO CONFERENCE
A nine-member Greek parliamentary delegation departs for
Barcelona today in order to attend NATO's four-day spring session.
The delegates will tackle a variety of issues such as the
Alliance's expansion through the accession of Eastern European
countries, security in the greater Middle East region and the role
of the mass media in war situations.
[13] NATO DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARIES TO MEET AT TIRANA TODAY
The defense undersecretaries of the states-members of NATO
are to meet at the Albanian capital, Tirana, today.
The undersecretaries of defense from Greece, Albania, Italy,
FYROM, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and the Unites States
will attend the session, along with officials from the alliance
and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
[14] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO US,
CANADA
The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos embarks today on an
official visit to the United States and Canada.
While in the United States, the Patriarch will visit Yale
University which will bestow upon him an honorary doctorate
degree.
Upon arrival at Ottawa, the Patriarch will be received by
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Mr. Vartholomeos will also
visit the cities of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
This is the first time an Ecumenical Patriarch visits Canada.
[15] UN: CYPRUS TALKS ON INTERCOMMUNAL BASIS, NOT "TWO STATES"
The United Nations Security Council has reaffirmed that the
efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue should continue through
intercommunal talks, not on the basis of acknowledging the
existence of two separate states as the Turkish Cypriots want,
according to international press sources.
This view was made clear in a brief reply sent by the SC
president Njuguna Mahugu of Kenya, to the UN secretary-general
Kofi Annan to a letter written by the latter wherein he outlined
the results of a visit that his special adviser on Cyprus, Diego
Cordovez, paid to the island from March 17 to 22.
According to Mr. Annan, the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash told Mr. Cordovez that the picture had changed since
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides embarked on accession talks
with the European Union.
Mr. Denktash argued that any further talks must be based on
acknowledging the existence of two separate states in Cyprus - one
Greek Cypriot and the other Turkish Cypriot.
However, SC President Mahugu, in his reply to Mr. Annan,
stated that Security Council members "reiterate their strong
support for your mission of good offices for Cyprus and for the
efforts of your special adviser on Cyprus, Mr. Diego Cordovez, on
the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions."
All such resolutions call for negotiations on reuniting the
divided island to be conducted on an inter-communal basis, and do
not recognize the existence of a Turkish Cypriot state.
[16] GREEK SCHOLAR CYRIL TOPALOV THE NEW AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA TO
ATHENS
The Greek scholar Cyril Topalov is the new ambassador of
Bulgaria to Athens. Member of the world Greek academy "Arcadia"
with post graduate studies at the Greek Literature Department of
the University of Athens, Mr. Topalov served as assistance
professor of literature in the University of Sofia and was
appointed director of Bulgaria's National Library.
In an interview to the Bulgarian newspaper "Demokratsia",
just before he assumed his duties as an ambassador, he stressed
that in politics and in history there are certain problems that
divide the peoples of the region, while in the area of culture is
just the opposite. This, according to Mr. Topalov, can become the
basis for the creation of a new united community. He also pointed
out that his country clearly has more in common with Greece than
with any other country.
[17] SYMPOSIUM ON KAZANTZAKIS IN TIRANA
A scientific symposium dedicated to the work of the great
Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis, who wrote such books as "Askitiki"
and "Zorba", opens in Tirana today.
The symposium, that is being held at the National Library in
the Albanian capital, is organized by the "Friends of the Greek
Book" Association in cooperation with the International
Association of Nikos Kazantzakis' Friends.
[18] THE CYPRUS ISSUE AT THE CENTER OF TALKS IN WASHINGTON
The Cyprus issue and the intransigence displayed by the
Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot side were at the center of the
talks held by Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides in
Washington within the framework of his visit to the United States
that is being completed today.
Mr. Kasoulides met in the US Congress with International
Relations Committee chairman Ben Gilman, the Democrats leader Lee
Hamilton and other 12 US House Representatives, who were briefed
on the developments in the Cyprus issue and the negative stance of
Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
Responding to a question on the Russian S-300 missiles, Mr.
Kasoulides outlined the firm position of the Cypriot government on
the necessity of this defense system, underlining the proposal
made by Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides on the demilitarization
of the island.
Mr. Kasoulides also met with members of the US Senate
International Relations Committee which was presided over by US
Senator Paul Sarbanis, while he exchanged views on the Cyprus
issue with assistant US Secretary of State Straub Talbott.
[19] THE SARAKATSANE IN BULGARIA WANT COMPENSATION FOR THEIR
CONFISCATED LIVE STOCK
The Sarakatsane in Bulgaria demand compensation from the
state government for 1 million sheep confiscated by the Bulgarian
state in 1958, according to an article published in the Bulgarian
newspaper "24 Hours".
According to the article, the demand of the Sarakatsane was
examined yesterday in the National Council meeting that was
presided over by government vice-president Mr. Metodiev and was
held to consider ethnic and demographic problems.
Recently, the Federation of Cultural and Education
Associations of Sarakatsane in Bulgaria in a letter to the vice-
president expressed discontent for the policy followed by the
state governments since 1989 regarding the problems faced by the
Sarakatsane. Also, it protested to the Bulgarian Academy of
Sciences because in the latest issue of the dictionary of foreign
words included in the Bulgarian language it is mentioned that the
Sarakatsane are Muslims. Based on the same press publication,
5.144 people were registered as Sarakatsane in the 1992 population
census in Bulgaria but according to unofficial data they are over
20.000.
[20] THE "NEW YORK TIMES" ON THE TREASURES OF MOUNT ATHOS
The "New York Times" gave an extensive coverage to the
Internet presentations on the monastic community of Mount Athos in
Chalkidiki, northern Greece, on the occasion of the exhibition of
Mount Athos' Treasures that ended recently in Thessaloniki, making
a special reference to the Mount Athos presentation by Macedonian
Press Agency.
According to the "New York Times", MPA's presentation
outlines the scenery for those who want to see something
different, offering essential information on the place Mount Athos
has in history, the natural environment, its architecture, the
life of the monks, the worship rituals and the treasures exhibited
in the museum.
[21] KOSOVO: DIALOGUE BETWEEN SERBS-ALBANIANS TO CONTINUE
The meeting between the Serb and ethnic Albanian delegations,
which aimed at the settlement of the Kosovo problem, ended without
any positive results.
The meeting lasted nearly 4 hours and, as soon as it was
completed, the Albanian delegation spokesman, Blemir Zajia, noted
that the two sides talked about confidence-building measures as
well as about the political future of Kosovo.
He, also, added that, irrespective of the divergence of
views, both sides expressed their willingness to reach a solution
to the Kosovo conflict through dialogue.
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/
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