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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-09-07

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 7, 1998

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] GREEK PREMIER: WE WILL CONTINUE WITH SAME POLICY FOR NEXT TWO YEARS
  • [02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO MEET WITH BOSNIA'S PREMIER IN ATHENS TODAY
  • [03] PRIME MINISTER: GREEK ECONOMY SHOWS SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
  • [04] US AMBASSADOR NICHOLAS BURNS ATTENDS THESSALONIKI'S TRADE FAIR
  • [05] FRENCH PREMIER DENOUNCES DIVISION OF CYPRUS AS "DEPLORABLE"
  • [06] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON EURO, ELECTRONIC TRADE TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
  • [07] TOURISTS' COMPLAINTS FEWER THAN LAST YEAR'S, ESPECIALLY IN PEAK SEASON
  • [08] NEW GREEK NATIONAL BANK BRANCH IN CHANNEL ISLANDS
  • [09] PANGALOS-DODIK MEETING
  • [10] THE STOCK MARKETS HAVE RECOVERED
  • [11] REPPAS: THE SOCIAL POLICY MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED STARTING JANUARY 1ST, 1999
  • [12] GREAT NAMES OF THE INTERNATIONAL AND GREEK MUSIC SCENE IN THE "GEA" FESTIVAL AT THESSALONIKI'S PORT
  • [13] SCENARIO ON THE DIVISION AND INDEPENDENCE OF KOSSOVO
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [14] RUSSIA'S DUMA TO VOTE TODAY OVER CERNOMYRDIN'S APPOINTMENT
  • [15] BLACK BOX OF SWISSAIR'S CRASHED FLIGHT RETRIEVED
  • [16] FOREIGN MINISTERS OF S.E. EUROPE TO MEET IN FYROM ON SEPTEMBER 26
  • [17] YELTSIN: RUSSIA WILL OVERCOME THE CRISIS
  • [18] ONE IN TEN RUSSIANS SUPPORTS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS
  • [19] ARGENTINA SUPPORTS THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
  • [20] SELEZNIEV: CYPRUS HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE ON ITS DEFENSE

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] GREEK PREMIER: WE WILL CONTINUE WITH SAME POLICY FOR NEXT TWO YEARS

    Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stressed the need for the government to continue with the same policy for the following two years in order to achieve Greece's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union.

    Speaking at a press conference held on the sidelines of Thessaloniki's 63rd International Trade Fair, the Premier also stated that the possibility of imposing additional taxes will depend on the development of the global monetary crisis.

    Meanwhile, the leader of the main opposition party New Democracy and the Communist Party of Greece have not responded favorably to the Premier's address.

    New Democracy's president Kostas Karamanlis said that the Premier is detached from reality while the Communist Party of Greece stated that the Premier once more provokes the working class, the poor farmers, the small incomes and the pensioners.

    [02] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO MEET WITH BOSNIA'S PREMIER IN ATHENS TODAY

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to meet with the Prime Minster of Bosnia-Herzegovina Milorad Dodik this afternoon in Athens. The two men will discuss the latest developments in the Balkans and the Kossovo crisis.

    This evening, Mr. Dodik will be received by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

    [03] PRIME MINISTER: GREEK ECONOMY SHOWS SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

    Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, in a press interview given on the sidelines of the 63rd International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki yesterday, stated that the guidelines of the government's policy are the steadfast continuation of modernizing initiatives and the structural changes in the economy, as well as the systematic development of the new social state with the creation of a new social insurance system for those who are truly in need.

    Mr. Simitis also sent a message of confidence on the country's national issues, saying that we "are stepping firmly with our political arguments, with our alliances and with boosting our defenses", adding that "we have nothing to fear if we rally together and if we plan tomorrow and our strategy soberly, defending peace and stability."

    Mr. Simitis also stated that the state could reduce the inflation rate to less than two percent by the end of 1999 in order to join the Economic and Monetary Union in January 2001.

    ``We consider the inflation target for 1999 feasible. We have to fight hard to achieve this target because it is a criterion that will put us into the European economic and monetary union (EMU),'' Mr. Simitis stated.

    ``The leap that we have to take in slashing inflation until the end of 1999 is big and difficult. I appeal to everyone for self-constraint in price rises or even for price cuts to achieve our national goal,'' he added.

    [04] US AMBASSADOR NICHOLAS BURNS ATTENDS THESSALONIKI'S TRADE FAIR

    American business should invest in Greece since it is a stable country, open to foreign investment, forging ahead with a developing economy characterized by a constant improvement of its economic indices, stated the United States Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns during his visit at Thessaloniki's 63rd International Trade Fair yesterday.

    The US diplomat added that "one of the reasons that President Clinton sent me here is to ensure that the US and Greece will strengthen their relations and there is no better way for this than by developing their economic relations. I believe this and I advise American investors to invest in Greece which is a stable country with a good economy, contrary to some Balkan states where we have conflicts. There is stability in Greece," Mr. Burns said.

    "Our primary target as the US government is to promote American enterprises in Greece to invest in Greece and to conclude cooperations with Greek companies," he added.

    "The main priority is for us to increase trade and our investments," he said.

    Referring to the SECI (Southeaster Corporation Initiative), Mr. Burns stressed the particularly important role played by the Greek government aimed at facilitating overseas trade and transport in the region.

    Mr. Burns reiterated that Greece and the US have been friends and partners ever since Greece gained its independence and pointed out that the issue of Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations do not affect American investors.

    [05] FRENCH PREMIER DENOUNCES DIVISION OF CYPRUS AS "DEPLORABLE"

    French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has denounced the Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern part, by saying that it is a "deplorable situation for international law".

    In an interview with the Athens Sunday paper, "To Vima", Mr. Jospin stated that "the real question" in Cyprus is the "division of the island...which persists since nearly 25 years. "

    "What France wishes, is to achieve putting an end to a deplorable situation for international law," he said.

    "Those who block the process of rapprochement of the two communities and are opposed to any political settlement based on United Nations resolutions, bare towards their people and to history a grave responsibility, " Mr. Jospin added.

    [06] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON EURO, ELECTRONIC TRADE TO BE HELD IN ATHENS

    The annual "Partnership '98" conference, themed "European spirit and business cooperation: the challenges of Euro and electronic trade" is to take place on September 10-11 in Athens, after an initiative taken by the European Commission.

    European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and Greek Minister of Development Vasso Papandreou will declare the opening of the conference while the undersecretary of development Anna Diamantopoulou will present the keynote speech.

    [07] TOURISTS' COMPLAINTS FEWER THAN LAST YEAR'S, ESPECIALLY IN PEAK SEASON

    Fewer complaints were submitted by vacationers this year, in comparison with the last, especially during the peak tourism season and up until August 31.

    The total filed complaints numbered 3,065, of which 2,082 were submitted by Greek vacationers.

    Nightclubs, restaurants and taverns represented the sector that disappointed most the tourists, having a rate, out of the total complaints, of 9.95%, while product prices and product quality were the next two areas that attracted complaints, having a rate of 8.51% and 7.57%, respectively.

    There were 57 complaint registration centers throughout the country this year, posted by the Agency of Tourist Protection and the General federation of Greek consumers, while the four-digit number 1721 was a great help to both the locals and foreigners frustrated over products and services.

    [08] NEW GREEK NATIONAL BANK BRANCH IN CHANNEL ISLANDS

    The National Bank of Greece in its effort to materialize its expansion abroad program has founded a new branch in Guernsey, Channel Islands aimed at conducting all the off-shore transactions with the permission of the local monetary authorities.

    The Channel Islands branch will be in close cooperation with the Greek National Bank branch in London and will offer its services to private individuals and companies inside and outside Greece.

    The Channel Islands belong to Britain and are not part of the European Union enjoying a special economic and taxation status.

    [09] PANGALOS-DODIK MEETING

    Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos meets in Athens today with Serb Republic of Bosnia prime minister Milorad Dodik. Their talks will focus on the developments in the Balkans and the crisis in Kosovo.

    Mr. Dodik will meet in Athens this evening with prime minister Kostas Simitis.

    [10] THE STOCK MARKETS HAVE RECOVERED

    The general price index of the Athens Stock Exchange showed a rise of 1.87%. The international money markets also showed signs of recovery.

    The stock markets in Frankfurt, Milan, London and Tokyo showed an upward trend in the opening of their transactions, while the gains were notable in the stock markets of Hong-Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.

    [11] REPPAS: THE SOCIAL POLICY MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED STARTING JANUARY 1ST, 1999

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the social policy measures that were announced by prime minister Kostas Simitis will be implemented starting January 1st, 1999.

    Mr. Reppas clarified that the reactions by different social groups will not stop the country's course toward the European economic and monetary union just to satisfy certain workers unions' demands that run against the interests of other social groups.

    [12] GREAT NAMES OF THE INTERNATIONAL AND GREEK MUSIC SCENE IN THE "GEA" FESTIVAL AT THESSALONIKI'S PORT

    Great names of the Greek, Balkan and international music scene among them, American singer Nina Simone, Armenian Djivan Gasparian, Cesaria Evora from Cape Verde, bass player Jah Wobble from Britain , Nikos Papazoglou and Savina Giannatou will participate in this year's "Gea" Music Festival.

    The festival will be held at the port of Thessaloniki on September 17-20 and is organized by HELEXPO and "Milos" cultural complex.

    [13] SCENARIO ON THE DIVISION AND INDEPENDENCE OF KOSSOVO

    The gradual disengagement in Kossovo that will have as a result its division in a period of 5-6 years, the incorporation of one part into Serbia and the independence of the other one, is predicted in a scenario of the Greek Institute of European and Foreign Policy included in the latest issue of the "International Spectator" magazine published by the Italian Istituto Affari Internazionali.

    The Greek Institute of European and Foreign Policy has been studying the issue of Kossovo since 1995 implementing a research programme that lasted 3 years. Within the framework of this programme it has issued the one-volume book "Kossovo: Avoiding another Balkan War" written by the institute's president Thanos Veremis and the institute's special adviser on Balkan issues Evangelos Kofos.

    Speaking to MPA, prof.Veremis pointed out that a gradual autonomy in the region can lead even to the independence of part of Kossovo and the incorporation of the other part into the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Mr. Veremis expressed the view that this scenario will become a reality in the next 5-6 years.

    Mr. Veremis said that it is possible to have a transition from a state of temporary autonomy to the establishment of Serb cantons in the regions with Serb population. Later, those regions will vote in a plebiscite to decide on their allegiance and this is how a division will take place.

    Mr. Veremis stated that the current situation in Kossovo is not to the interest of the Serbs as due to their demographic growth the Albanians soon will be the majority of the population in Serbia.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [14] RUSSIA'S DUMA TO VOTE TODAY OVER CERNOMYRDIN'S APPOINTMENT

    Russia's lower house of parliament (Duma) is to vote today on prime minister-designate Victor Cernomyrdin.

    Last week, Mr. Cernomyrdin secured only 94 votes in the 450- seat Duma where his adversaries, that is communists and liberals, have made clear their overwhelming rejection. In order to be elected, he needs at least 226 votes.

    Communist Party leader Gennadi Zuganov produced a list of five alternative candidates, including the unexpected choice of acting Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov.

    [15] BLACK BOX OF SWISSAIR'S CRASHED FLIGHT RETRIEVED

    One of the two black boxes of Swissair's crashed flight 111 has been located by a submarine five miles off the Canadian coastline and is expected to shed light into the tragedy that cost the lives of 229 individuals.

    The box will be examined by an international experts team in Ottawa, which also features the participation of a Greek scientist.

    The pilot's last conversation with the control tower, which took place a mere seven minutes before the crash, were publicized yesterday. The pilot stated that there was smoke in the cockpit and requested directions for landing at the nearest airport.

    [16] FOREIGN MINISTERS OF S.E. EUROPE TO MEET IN FYROM ON SEPTEMBER 26

    The Foreign Ministers of Southeastern European countries are to meet in FYROM on September 26, where the agreement for the formation of a multinational peacekeeping force will be signed.

    Meanwhile, the five-day conference of S.E. European countries' experts started in Rome today, where the participants are to review the details of the aforementioned force's creation. .

    [17] YELTSIN: RUSSIA WILL OVERCOME THE CRISIS

    Russian president Boris Yeltsin appeared confident that his country will overcome the crisis. The crucial vote in the Lower House of Parliament for the approval of Victor Chernomyrdin to the post of the prime minister will take place this afternoon. Mr. Yeltsin continues to support the candidature of Mr. Chernomyrdin, while the Communists refuse to vote for him.

    Meanwhile, the president of the Central Bank of Russia handed in his resignation to Mr. Yeltsin. The opposition had repeatedly requested for his removal from office.

    [18] ONE IN TEN RUSSIANS SUPPORTS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS

    Only one in ten Russians supports the implementation of reforms, while 40% want deep changes in the economic policy "in favor of the country's interests", according to the results of an opinion poll published in the newspaper "Vremya".

    Based on the outcome of the opinion poll, only 10% of those asked support the return of Communism, while 30% want the state to play a more active role in the economy.

    Meanwhile, 1/3 of the Russians believe that president Yeltsin made a mistake by firing prime minister Sergei Kirienko, while 60% of those asked blame president Yeltsin for the crisis in the country and the rest believe that the responsibility belongs to Chernomyrdin, who served as head of the cabinet from December 1992 to last March.

    [19] ARGENTINA SUPPORTS THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

    The support of Argentina to the solution of the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the UN resolutions and principles, was expressed by the country's president Carlos Menem in the ceremony during which Cypriot ambassador to Madrid Christos Psilogenis presented his credentials to become Cypriot ambassador to Buenos Aires.

    Mr. Psilogenis briefed Mr. Menem on the developments in the Cyprus issue and laid a wreath at the monument of Argentina's national hero San Marten.

    [20] SELEZNIEV: CYPRUS HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE ON ITS DEFENSE

    Cyprus has the right to decide on the means it will use for the strengthening of its defense, stated Russian Lower House of Parliament president Genadi Selezniev in a meeting he had yesterday with the Cypriot parliamentary delegation which participates in the 100th Inter-Parliamentary Association Summit meeting in Moscow.

    Mr. Selezniev referred to the close relations between Russia and Greece and mentioned that all the political parties in the Duma, or Lower House of Parliament, support the case of Cyprus.


    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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