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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-08-01Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.Last Update: 08:27 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANS[C] WORLDNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] REPPAS: A GREEK-AMERICAN FORMULA FOR CYPRUS IS POSSIBLEWeb Posted: 22:27 GMT+2Athens, 31/07/1998 (MÐÅ) Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the conviction that the Cyprus problem is an issue on which the Greek and US policies could coincide.Mr Reppas, also, denied reports according to which Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos apologized to the US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns, and noted that mr Pangalos' views were not changed. However, Washington appeared to be satisfied over the explanations provided by mr Pangalos yesterday during his meeting with mr Burns, which it described as productive, and added that the two officials agreed to work together closely and constructively. [02] INSURANCE DRAFT APPROVED BY GREEK CABINETWeb Posted: 22:27 GMT+2Athens, 31/07/1998 (MÐÅ) Greek cabinet approved today an insurance draft which provides for integration and mergers of insurance funds, computerization of the insurance system as well as measures concerning the assets of insurance organizations.The Labour and Social Security minister, Miltiadis Papaioannou, stressed that there are additional matters and details to be settled during the next cabinet session in August and added that the reforms aim at "tidying up" all insurance organizations and offering better services to all their clients. [03] GREENPEACE SAYS THESSALONIKI'S AIR IS HIGHLY POLLUTEDWeb Posted: 14:57 GMT+2Thessaloniki, 31/07/1998 (MPA) The air in Thessaloniki is highly polluted with carcinogenic emissions, micro-particles, nitrogen oxides and industrial pollutants, according to measurements carried out by the environmental advocacy group "Greenpeace."In an announcement issued yesterday, Greenpeace said that the problem was a major one requiring immediate measures, since the levels of the city's air pollution frequently exceeded limits set by the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO) for the protection of public health. Among the ways to alleviate the problems, Greenpeace proposes the reduction of the number of kilometers traveled daily by cars in the city, the abolition of the use of diesel by taxis, the immediate securing of funds for the operation of a tram network, implementation of energy-saving measures in industry and homes, as well as increased measures to protect surrounding forests against fire. [04] PAPOUTSIS OPTIMISTIC OF COMMISSION OPENING OFFICE IN THESSALONIKIWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki, 31/07/1998 (MPA) Greek European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, who is responsible for energy-related issues in the EU, met with the city's Prefect Kostas Papadopoulos and the Mayor of Kalamaria Thrasyvoulos Lazarides in Thessaloniki today with whom he discussed issued related to tourism, trade and development.Following the meeting, Mr. Papoutsis said that he is optimistic the European Commission might open a satellite office in Thessaloniki, adding that a significant development is expected to take place in the following months. "Thessaloniki will be one of the few European cities that will have the capability to host a Commission office," he said. [05] GREEKS EMBARK ON HOLIDAYS, EXTRA MEASURES TAKEN ON HIGHWAYSWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Athens, 31/07/1998 (MPA) The Greek highway patrol is taking extra care measures on the country's highways, in light of the fact that the majority of the Greeks are now embarking on their summer holidays.The Ministry of Merchant Marine is warning that no ferry or ship passenger should arrive at the ports without a ticket, simply because everything is already booked. The situation in Olympic Airways is similar, as all flights to most of Greece's islands are filled to capacity until August 15. [06] EU ENERGY COMMISSIONER PAPOUTSIS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI TODAYWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki, 31/07/1998 (MPA) Greek European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, who is responsible for energy-related issues in the EU, is to visit Thessaloniki today where he will meet with the city's Prefect Kostas Papadopoulos.The two men will discuss a pilot proposal submitted by the prefecture to exploit geothermal energy in the Lagada area in order to supply heating for public buildings. The said proposal is to receive EU funding of 155 million drachmas. [07] GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM TO PLAY AGAINST SENEGALWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Athens, 31/07/1998 (MPA) Greece beat Italy 64-56 during yesterday's game of the 13th World Basketball Championship, held in Athens.The Greek team is to play against Senegal tonight at the at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Lithuania beat South Korea 97-56 and Russia easily prevailed over Japan with a score of 83-58. [08] EU ENERGY COMMISSIONER: CYPRUS' EUROPEAN COURSE IS A GIVENWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Thessaloniki, 31/07/1998 (MPA) European Union Commissioner on energy Issues Christos Papoutsis, stated today that Cyprus course to the EU is a given and added tat the process of assessing the island's legislative makeup concerning the embodiment of EU directives will be fulfilled during the following months.Mr. Papoutsis also added that by Spring the accession negotiations for Cyprus and the other candidate countries from Central and Eastern Europe will begin. When asked to comment of Greek-American relations, and the terse comments made by both sides recently, Mr. Papoutsis said that he is following the developments and hopes that the assurances given by both sides will allay any misunderstanding. "In any case, this is a difficult time for all of us. There are serious concerns over the security of the greater Balkan region with the developments in Kossovo and there is a continuous political instability in Turkey," he said, adding that both the US and the EU have expressed intense interest as to what the developments will be in the region and this is something that demands coordinated efforts. "In any case, low key attitudes and diplomacy, within the boundaries in which diplomacy itself needs to develop, are necessary during this period," he added. [B] BALKANS[09] YUGOSLAVIAN ARMY MINES BORDERS WITH FYROMWeb Posted: 22:27 GMT+2Belgrade, 31/07/1998 (MÐÅ) The Yugoslavian army has recently begun laying mines along the borders with FYROM, after having mined the borderline between Yugoslavia and Albania.This was announced by the Kosovo Information Centre, which supports the moderate Kosovo Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova, without, however, mentioning the source of the information. It should be noted that the authorities in Belgrade have not confirmed the report so far while there is no reaction from FYROM. [10] THOUSANDS FLEE KOSSOVO, TENSION CONTINUESWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Prishtina, 31/07/1998 (MPA) Most of Kossovo stands abandoned as thousands have fled their villages after the week-long operations conducted by the Yugoslav forces.According to foreign news agencies, over 100,000 persons have left their homes and are gathering at the Yunik village, located near the Albanian border. [11] OSCE FEARS WAR ERUPTING IN KOSSOVOWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Prishtina, 31/07/1998 (MPA) The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has expressed its fears of war erupting over the Kossovo region and has issued an appeal to both sides that they hold talks.Also, US Republican Senator Pat Roberts has also expressed similar concern, having stated that he US are on the brink of a costly and dangerous involvement in Kossovo. [C] WORLD[12] WASHINGTON IS PLEASED WITH GREEK F.M.'S EXPLANATIONSWeb Posted: 14:27 GMT+2Washington, 31/07/1998 (MPA) The US State Department has expressed its satisfaction over the explanations provided yesterday by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos to the US Ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns during their meeting in Athens.According to State Department spokesperson James Rubin, Mr. Pangalos assured Mr. Burns that the Greek government wants the strongest possible relationship with the United States. He also added that the Greek Government has the greatest and most profound respect for US President Bill Clinton and American leaders. The Minister and Ambassador Burns also agreed that they would continue to work together closely and stay in close touch. They agreed that both the US and Greece need to work constructively on the major issues facing the two nations. Ambassador Burns was told also by Mr. Pangalos that Greece would welcome a visit by special Cyprus coordinator Miller in early September to discuss issues of regional importance. 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/Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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