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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-02-10
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 10, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HEALTH SECTOR AILING AS STATE DOCTORS EMBARK ON STRIKES
[02] STATE LOOKS INTO REGULATING FARMERS' DEBTS
[03] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN ATHENS TODAY
[04] INTERPRISE BRINGS TOGETHER 65 BUSINESSMEN FROM 4 COUNTRIES
[05] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SPYRIDON MEETS WITH PRESIDENT TODAY
[06] US-GREECE SIGN SPORTS COOPERATION AGREEMENT
[07] PREMIER TO EMBARK ON THREE-DAY TOUR OF NORTHERN GREECE
[08] VAN DEN BROEK: MISSILES CANCELLATION FACILITATES ACCESSION
[09] S.E. EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTER TO BE FOUNDED
[10] ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON BALKAN CRISIS TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
[11] REPPAS: ANKARA CAN NOT APPEAR AS THE PROSECUTOR AND CRITIC OF
ALL
[12] THE PROPOSAL FOR A DISCUSSION IN THE EURO-PARLIAMENT ON THE
PERMANENT HOSTING OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES BY GREECE WAS TURNED DOWN
[13] MEETING ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FARMERS' DEBTS
[14] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
[15] THE CONTACTS OF ARCHBISHOP SPIRIDON OF AMERICA IN ATHENS
[16] THE HEALTH MINISTER IS IN THESSALONIKI
[17] THE US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MET WITH HIS GREEK
COUNTERPART
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] KOSOVO PEACE TALKS CONTINUE IN RAMBOUILLET
[19] PANGALOS-DRASKOVIC MEETING
[20] MILOSEVIC-PANGALOS MEETING
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HEALTH SECTOR AILING AS STATE DOCTORS EMBARK ON STRIKES
Problems continue to mount in the sector of health as state
hospital doctors have embarked on a series of mobilizations,
disgruntled over the fact that they have yet to be paid for
overtime and on-call duty.
Thessaloniki's physicians are to abstain from on-call duty on
Monday, demanding back-pay while their colleagues in all of Athens
have declared six-hour work stoppages next week.
Meanwhile, the government believes that the crisis will be
defused as the back pay will be submitted to the doctors within
the following days.
Health Minister Labros Papademas is to meet with hospital
doctors in Thessaloniki today.
[02] STATE LOOKS INTO REGULATING FARMERS' DEBTS
Officials at the Ministry of National Economy and Finance are
to discuss ways of regulating debts owed by the country's farmers,
in an effort to meet some of the sector's demands.
Meanwhile, while no traffic halts have taken place so far,
tractors remain lined up along the national highway of Athens-
Thessaloniki, while a strong police force equipped with cranes is
also on stand-by.
[03] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN ATHENS TODAY
The United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs Frank Kramer will arrive in Athens
today for a two day meeting during which he will have high-level
consultations with Greek officials.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the talks will focus on
defense issues of mutual interest.
[04] INTERPRISE BRINGS TOGETHER 65 BUSINESSMEN FROM 4 COUNTRIES
An opportunity to embark on a series of contacts among 65
businessmen from Greece, France, Spain and Italy is provided by
the INTERPRISE of Marmaro and Petra, which will begin tomorrow in
Thessaloniki.
The event will be inaugurated by the representative of the
European Commission's 23rd Directorate Nasos Christoyiannopoulos.
The event is co-organized by the Business Confederation of
Saragosa (Spain), the Regional Chamber of Pyrenees Toulouse
(France) and the Trade and Industry chamber of Udine (Italy).
[05] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SPYRIDON MEETS WITH PRESIDENT TODAY
The Archbishop of America Spyridon is to meet with the
President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos this
afternoon, following his meetings with Prime Misnter Kostas
Simitis and the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos
Kaklamanis. Later today, he will be the honored guest at a
luncheon hosted by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
This morning he laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier
Monument. This evening he will meet with Education Minister
Gerasimos Arsenis, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and the
leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas
Karamanlis.
Mr. Spyridon's visit aims at developing cooperation and
stable relations between Athens and expatriate Hellenism.
[06] US-GREECE SIGN SPORTS COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Greece's Undersecretary for Sports Andreas Fouras and United
States Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns signed a protocol on
bilateral sports cooperation in Athens yesterday, during a special
ceremony held at the Greek Olympic Games Committee building.
The protocol will also extend U.S. help in developing Olympic
sports which are unfamiliar to Greece, such as baseball.
"We believe the implementation of this agreement will bring
good results," Mr. Fouras stated, while Mr. Burns said the
protocol was "very important" for both countries.
"The Olympic Games of 2004 will be a great moment for the
Olympic Movement. Greece is a force in international sports. I
hope that this protocol will be a symbol of friendship and
cooperation between the peoples of the two countries," the US
Ambassador said.
[07] PREMIER TO EMBARK ON THREE-DAY TOUR OF NORTHERN GREECE
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to embark on a three-day
tour of Northern Greece on Saturday, escorted by the Ministers of
National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Development Vaso
Papandreou, Environment Kostas Laliotis, Health Labros Papademas,
Agriculture George Anomeritis, Culture, Evangelos Venizelos,
Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis, and various undersecretaries,
His tour will include a visit at Thessaloniki's
"Papanikolaou" hospital.
[08] VAN DEN BROEK: MISSILES CANCELLATION FACILITATES ACCESSION
Cyprus' process of accession to the European Union has been
facilitated following President Glafcos Clerides's decision not to
install the Russian-made S-300 missiles on the island, according
the EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek.
Responding to a question tabled by Greek euro-deputy George
Dimitrakopoulos (new Democracy), Mr. van den Broek characterized
the decision as "an act of political bravery that will bear
results."
He further called on the Turkish government and the Turkish-
Cypriot side to also proceed to take positive steps.
[09] S.E. EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTER TO BE FOUNDED
The founding of a Southeastern European Youth Center is
expected to be ratified during the course of the Third Conference
of S.E. Europe's College Students, which will be held in Athens
on February 12. .
Minster of National Education Gerasimos Arsenis, alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the secretary-general of
the New Generation Petros Sfikakis are to salute the conference
which will feature the participation of college student unions
from Greece, Romania, Turkey, Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria, F.R.
Yugoslavia and Cyprus.
The organization will aim to promote policies of stability
and cooperation in the region, with Greece as its headquarters.
[10] ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON BALKAN CRISIS TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
A round table discussion on "conflict avoidance and
management" is to be held this Saturday, February 13, in Athens,
featuring the participation of representatives from socialist and
social-democratic parties from Central and Eastern Europe.
The discussion is organized by the Institute of Strategic and
Developmental Studies (ISTAME) of Andreas Papandreou (ISTAME) and
will be held at the St. George Lycabettus Hotel.
[11] REPPAS: ANKARA CAN NOT APPEAR AS THE PROSECUTOR AND CRITIC OF
ALL
Ankara can not appear as the prosecutor and critic of all,
stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was
called to comment on the statement issued by the Turkish
government concerning the bomb blast in a building across the
street from the Turkish consulate in the city of Komotini, north-
eastern Greece.
To the question on the press publications according to which,
the cargo of guns confiscated at the customs office of
Kristalopigi was destined for Thrace, north-eastern Greece, Mr.
Reppas responded that he has no such information but he did not
rule out this likelihood.
[12] THE PROPOSAL FOR A DISCUSSION IN THE EURO-PARLIAMENT ON THE
PERMANENT HOSTING OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES BY GREECE WAS TURNED DOWN
The representatives of the Socialist Group and the European
Left in the Euro-Parliament rejected the proposal that was
submitted by Euro-deputies of the Greek right-wing opposition
party of New Democracy with the backing of the European Popular
Party, to discuss the permanent hosting of the Olympic Games by
Greece.
This is mentioned in a press release issued by the New
Democracy Euro-deputies.
[13] MEETING ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FARMERS' DEBTS
The meeting of the ministers of national economy and finance
and agriculture with the governor of the Bank of Agriculture on
the issue of the settlement of the farmers' debts is in progress.
The meeting is not expected to bring impressive results as already
has become known that the debts of the farmers to the bank will be
settled on a case-by-case basis and not collectively.
Meanwhile, the tractors of the farmers are parked along the
Athens-Thessaloniki national motor-way at the Viokarpet junction.
A strong special police force and police mobile cranes are in the
city of Larisa in central Greece and their mission is to avert the
blockade of the national motor-way.
[14] THE PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
Prime minister Kostas Simitis referred to the impressive
developments in the sector of economy in statements he made after
the meeting with president of the republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
whom he briefed on the current political developments.
Specifically, Mr. Simitis pointed out the drop observed in
inflation and interest rates expressing the hope that all will go
well in the country.
Mr. Simitis reiterated that the governing socialist party of
PASOK will back Mr. Stephanopoulos again for president in the next
presidential elections in Greece.
[15] THE CONTACTS OF ARCHBISHOP SPIRIDON OF AMERICA IN ATHENS
Archbishop Spiridon of America, who is on a visit to Greece,
had contacts in Athens today with the political and state
leadership of the country.
He had separate meetings with parliament president Apostolos
Kaklamanis, prime minister Kostas Simitis and president Kostis
Stephanopoulos. Their talks focused on issues concerning the
Greeks living abroad as well as, the relations between the United
States and Greece which were characterized by the Archbishop as
very deep-rooted.
Later in the afternoon, the Archbishop of America will meet
with minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, minister of
education Gerasimos Arsenis and leader of the right-wing main
opposition party of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis.
[16] THE HEALTH MINISTER IS IN THESSALONIKI
Minister of health Lambros Papadimas met with the presidents
of the hospitals of Thessaloniki as well as with representatives
of the hospital doctors. Earlier this morning, he had a meeting
with minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis.
Meanwhile, serious problems have been created in the
hospitals because of the doctors' mobilizations, who are demanding
to be paid for their overtime work. On Monday, the doctors will
escalate their mobilizations with 6-hour work stoppages.
[17] THE US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MET WITH HIS GREEK
COUNTERPART
US assistant secretary of defense Frank Kramer, who is
touring the region to discuss the issue of Kossovo, met in Athens
today with his Greek counterpart undersecretary of defense
Dimitris Apostolakis. The Greek government official stated after
the meeting that there was agreement on the way the crisis should
be dealt with.
Called to comment on what did the US president mean when he
spoke of a possible involvement of Greece and Turkey in the issue
of Kossovo, Mr. Kramer stated that president Clinton did not mean
that there will be a problem between Greece and Turkey.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] KOSOVO PEACE TALKS CONTINUE IN RAMBOUILLET
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, on an official
visit to Belgrade, has ruled out any possibility of granting
independence to Kosovo, as well as Greece's participation in the
international peacekeeping force, if Yugoslavia is not in
agreement.
Meanwhile the Foreign Ministers of France and Great Britain
have stressed the need to compromise in order to no lose the
opportunity of restoring stability in the strife-torn region of
Kosovo.
[19] PANGALOS-DRASKOVIC MEETING
Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos met in Belgrade
with Yugoslav government vice-president Vuk Draskovic and in
statements after the meeting Mr. Draskovic stressed that the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is willing to give full democracy
to Kossovo, the same democracy Greece, Britain, the United States
and France have, as he characteristically said.
He also stressed that Yugoslavia is willing to protect human
rights in Kossovo but he added that yesterday morning the Albanian
prime minister spoke again of a Greater Albania and the situation
in FYROM, stating that this is unacceptable and leads to many
different thoughts.
From his side, Mr. Pangalos emphasized that Greece backs the
positions of Mr. Draskovic, reiterated the Greek positions on the
issue and invited Mr. Draskovic to visit Athens.
[20] MILOSEVIC-PANGALOS MEETING
Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos, who is touring
former Yugoslavia, met this morning with his Yugoslav counterpart
Zivadin Jovanovic.
The two men pointed out that any solution on Kosovo should be
found through dialogue and within the framework of the Yugoslav
Federation without any changes at the existing borders.
Later at noon, Mr. Pangalos met with Yugoslav president
Slobodan Milosevic and immediately afterwards the Greek foreign
minister stated that Mr. Milosevic confirmed that he will not
abandon his very constructive stance for the continuation of the
talks that currently take place.
The Greek foreign minister stated that he is not very
optimistic as it is already the fifth day of the talks in
Rambouillet, France and there is no information on their course.
Mr. Pangalos said that there is no information on who are the
members of the ethnic Albanian delegation in the peace talks and
called on the international community to take under consideration
the constructive behavior of Yugoslavia and assume its
responsibilities.
Mr. Pangalos, who has already arrived in Podgorica, is
scheduled to meet with president of Montenegro Milo Juganovic and
foreign minister Mr. Petrovic.
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