Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-14
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki,May 14, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS
[02] GREEK -CZECH INITIATIVE FOR KOSOVO IS IN THE WORKS
[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS WITH GERMAN COUNTERPART
[04] AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR RECEIVED BY MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER
[05] FM UNDERSECRETARY HAILS RESULTS OF GEORGIA, ARMENIA VISITS
[06] BSTDB DIRECTORS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI THIS MONTH
[07] COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR OLYMPIC AIRWAYS MANAGEMENT
[08] SIMITIS HAD A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION WITH HIS FINNISH
COUNTERPART
[09] PASOK ANNOUNCED ITS CANDIDATES FOR THE EURO-PARLIAMENT
[10] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK AGAINST NATO
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO BULGARIA TODAY
[12] GREEK AMBASSADOR IN MOSCOW MEETS WITH EMERGENCY MINISTER
[13] YUGOSLAVIA'S ELECTRICITY PLANTS TARGETED BY NATO
[14] BRITISH FM TO MEET WITH IBRAHIM RUGOVA TODAY
[15] RUSSIA: DUMA CONTINUES DEBATE ON PRESIDENT'S IMPEACHMENT
[16] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN SOFIA
[17] HILLARY CLINTON IS EXPECTED IN SKOPJE TODAY
[18] 50 PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY THE NATO BOMBINGS IN KOSOVO
[19] COOK-RUGOVA MEETING
[20] A NATO F-16 MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN TIRANA
[21] BELGRADE REIMPOSED THE VISA REQUIREMENT FOR ITALIAN NATIONALS
[22] EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS PREPARE DRAFT RESOLUTION ON THE YUGOSLAV
CRISIS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
returned to Athens yesterday after completing an official visit to
Georgia and Armenia.
Responding to a question posed by the Macedonian Press Agency
concerning Greece's role in the Balkans as a NATO and EU member-
state, the President stated that Greece is being given the
opportunity to undertake this role and carry it out successfully,
"...to restore damages in the region and aid in the establishment
of peace and stability."
[02] GREEK -CZECH INITIATIVE FOR KOSOVO IS IN THE WORKS
Greece and the Czech Republic are working on a joint
initiative for reaching a political resolution to the Kosovo
crisis, according to Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs
Yiannos Kranidiotis.
The Greek-Czech initiative, which was announced by Mr.
Kranidiotis and his Czech counterpart Jan Kavan at the Western
European Union ministerial meeting in Bremen, will be
supplementary to the G-8's decision, by supporting that the
countries which were not directly involved in the air raids
against Yugoslavia will be able to carry out a role in organizing
the peacekeeping force that would be assigned to the region.
The initiative emphasizes the need to reach a political
solution to the crisis through diplomatic negotiations.
The proposal is supported by Slovenia and Italy.
[03] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS WITH GERMAN COUNTERPART
The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis
received his German counterpart Wolfgang Thierse in Athens
yesterday, where they confirmed both countries' opposition to the
continuation of the war in Yugoslavia.
Messrs. Kaklamanis and Thierse underlined the need for a
political solution to be found to the Kosovo crisis, the safe
return of refugees to their homes, the prevention of a spill-over
of the crisis into neighboring countries and international
assistance in rebuilding the region.
Mr. Kaklamanis expressed the view that hopes for a peaceful
settlement which were recently fueled by the G8 draft agreement
now appeared to be waning, "a fact of grave concern to the Greek
people, which is already experiencing the negative repercussions
from the conflict".
He also pointed to a lack of sensitivity similar to that
shown towards Kosovar refugees in the case of the 200,000 Greek
Cypriots who were forced from their homes by the Turkish forces
which invaded Cyprus in 1974 and has subsequently occupied 40 per
cent of the island republic's territory.
In turn, Mr. Thierse described the war in Yugoslavia as "a
defeat for European policy" and urged the adoption by the European
Union of a common foreign and defense policy.
He also expressed the view that the positive outcome of the
Yugoslav conflict against Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic
would have positive consequences for the Cyprus problem and for
other problems involving the violation of human rights and
international law.
Mr. Thierse will meet with the Greek Premier Costas Simitis
today.
[04] AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR RECEIVED BY MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER
The Austrian Ambassador in Greece Hans Sabaditsch was
received in Thessaloniki yesterday by the Minister of Macedonia-
Thrace Yiannis Magriotis, accompanied by Austria's Consul-General
Ioannis Koufas.
The discussion centered around the latest developments in
Kosovo, and both Messrs. Magriotis and Sabaditsch agreed that the
armed conflict must cease immediately and that a humanitarian and
economic aid program needs to be founded.
Furthermore, they agreed that Northern Greece, especially
Thessaloniki, can be the center of this European effort since
the region has both the infrastructure and the know-how to carry
out such a role.
[05] FM UNDERSECRETARY HAILS RESULTS OF GEORGIA, ARMENIA VISITS
Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Grigoris Niotis
warmly saluted the recent visit he conducted to Georgia and
Armenia, where he accompanied the President of the Hellenic
Republic, as a monumental event.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Niotis exalted
the treatment granted to the Greek delegation by the peoples of
the respective countries and stated it signifies Greece's leading
role in Black Sea Cooperation Pact with the European Union, which
will culminate in October with the Thessaloniki-held conference of
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
The President was accompanied in his visits to Armenia and
Georgia by a large delegation of Greek businessmen and investors,
as well as officials from Greece's ministries of foreign affairs
and national economy.
"We came here not only to confirm our immense interest for
the Greek community, but also to seal our traditional ties of
friendship and love with the Georgian and Armenian peoples," Mr.
Niotis stated.
Regarding the "Hippocrates Hospital", which was inaugurated
by President Stephanopoulos during his visit to Tbilisi and is
one among the ten clinics founded by the Council of Greeks Abroad
(SAE), Mr. Niotis stated that it is a state-of-the-art facility
with a staff of 19 physicians, 12 of whom are Greeks.
[06] BSTDB DIRECTORS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI THIS MONTH
The Board of Directors of the Black Sea Trade and
Development Bank
(BSTDB) is to meet in Thessaloniki on May 21-22, in order to draw
the final touches prior to the financial institution's operation.
The meeting will concern the BSTDB's latest financial
policies which are subject to approval, matters concerning project
strategy and investment policies and assessment of risk
management.
While the Bank will embark on full operation mode on the 1st
of June, the official inauguration will take place on the 21st of
that month.
The bank's budget, which is expected to be 150 million
dollars in 1999, will finance projects and programs funded
jointly with other credit organizations, such as the European
Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The shareholders of the Black Sea Bank are the 11 member-
states of the Black Sea Organization of Economic Cooperation:
Greece, Turkey, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia and Albania.
[07] COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR OLYMPIC AIRWAYS MANAGEMENT
The new manager of Greece's Olympic Airways is
expected to be unveiled within the following days, as, according
to statements made earlier by Transportation and Communications
Minister Tasos Mantelis, the selection process is to wrap up by
the end of this month.
According to persistent rumors, the short-list candidates
willing to assume O.A's management are "British Airways"'s
subsidiary "Speedwing" and "American Airlines"'s subsidiary
"Sabre".
[08] SIMITIS HAD A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION WITH HIS FINNISH
COUNTERPART
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis had a telephone
communication with his Finnish counterpart and discussed the
developments in Yugoslavia in view of Finland's EU presidency in
the second half of 1999.
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will be in Finland
in the following days for contacts with the political leadership
of the country.
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated that
Greece's position on the NATO bombings is clear, namely, it
supports a peace process and at the same time it undertakes
initiatives aimed at reaching a political solution.
On the likelihood of ground military operations, Mr. Reppas
stated Greece will not offer its airspace, while it will express
reservations over the holding of ship inspections.
[09] PASOK ANNOUNCED ITS CANDIDATES FOR THE EURO-PARLIAMENT
Prime minister Kostas Simitis announced PASOK's candidates
for the Euro-parliament. The ballot-paper of the governing
socialist party of PASOK is headed by constitution specialist and
Euro-deputy Dimitris Tsatsos and the top places are shared by Euro-
deputies Giorgos Katiforis, Anna Karamanou, national economy
undersecretary Alexandros Baltas, Yiannis Souladakis, journalist
Petros Efthimiou and Aristotle University professor Yiannis
Koukiadis.
Tomorrow evening, prime minister Kostas Simitis will speak in
an open rally in Komotini, north-eastern Greece.
[10] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK AGAINST NATO
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece launched
an attack against the West and the discrimination made for the
sake of the defense of international law and human rights, using
as an example the case of Cyprus.
Archbishop Christodoulos, who is on a visit to
Alexandroupolis in north-eastern Greece, referred to the NATO
bombings of Yugoslavia and criticized the stance of the alliance,
stressing that this alleged implementation of international law is
unfortunately made in a selective manner and as a result in some
cases it is displayed sensitivity toward the value of the human
beings and in others a total lack of it.
The head of the Greek Orthodox Church also gave a response to
those who attempt to associate Kossovo with Thrace and stated
characteristically that there can be no comparison between
Yugoslavia and Greece.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO BULGARIA TODAY
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to travel to
Sofia today, where he will hold talks with his Bulgarian and
Romanian counterparts, Nadejda Michailova and Andrei Plesu,
respectively.
Speaking in a press conference held earlier this week, Mr.
Papandreou stated that
Greece will continue to work towards a speedy political and
diplomatic solution to the Kosovo crisis through a series of
contacts in Europe, the United States and China.
He reiterated Greece's initiatives for the "day after" the
war, underlining the aim of restructuring the region since it is
integrally connected with Greek national interests.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to travel to Paris on
Tuesday, at the invitation of his French counterpart Hubert
Vedrine.
[12] GREEK AMBASSADOR IN MOSCOW MEETS WITH EMERGENCY MINISTER
Greece's Ambassador in Moscow, Dimitris Ciprios was received
by the Russian Minister for Emergencies yesterday, with whom he
discussed issues regarding the Greek-Russian-Swiss humanitarian
action "Focus" which has began its operations in Yugoslavia.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, a Ministry mobile,
with a capacity of 50 patients, began receiving its first air-raid
victims yesterday in the Serbian town of Prokuple, 30 kilometers
from Nis.
The Greek Russian and Swiss flags, representing the three
countries participating in the humanitarian action, were hoisted
over the hospital.
Messrs. Ciprios and Shogu agreed on the necessity to
establish several humanitarian zones in Yugoslavia, where the
security of international humanitarian missions will be
guaranteed.
In addition, the ambassador conveyed an invitation on behalf
of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to Mr. Shoigu to visit
Athens.
[13] YUGOSLAVIA'S ELECTRICITY PLANTS TARGETED BY NATO
NATO aircraft have intensified their raids against
Yugoslavia, this time targeting the country's power transmission
lines and transformer substations in the cities of Belgrade, Novi
Sad and Nis, completely cutting off electricity supply.
According to the Yugoslav news agency "Tanjug", NATO aircraft
bombarded a bridge in north Serbia, causing extensive damages to
houses and other buildings.
Meanwhile, NATO officials have said that the partial withdrawal of
Serb troops from Kosovo is at best "insufficient".
[14] BRITISH FM TO MEET WITH IBRAHIM RUGOVA TODAY
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook is to meet with the
moderate leader of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians Ibrahim Rugova in
London today.
Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac stated that
progress was noted in his talks with the Russian leaders, albeit
declining to elaborate.
At the same time, the United States and China have embarked
on an effort to restore their diplomatic ties, one week after the
bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft where
three Chinese nationals were killed.
Regarding the United Nations, this marks the first time since
the war started 51 days ago that the world organization will send
a delegation to Yugoslavia which will examine humanitarian issues.
[15] RUSSIA: DUMA CONTINUES DEBATE ON PRESIDENT'S IMPEACHMENT
The State Duma will continue to discuss the item "On
accusations against the President of the Russian Federation"
today, where Boris Yeltsin is facing charges of disbanding the
Soviet Union, illegally shelling the former parliament with tanks
in 1993, ruining the armed forces, and committing "genocide"
through poor economic policies and easier access to birth control.
The fifth charge -- responsibility for the disastrous 21-
month war against
breakaway Chechnya -- is seen as having the most chance of
garnering the 300
votes needed to take the impeachment process further.
[16] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN SOFIA
After the war ends in Yugoslavia, Thessaloniki will become
the distribution center of the economic aid for the reconstruction
of south-eastern Europe. The proposal was made by Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou upon his arrival in Sofia, where he
will attend a meeting with his counterparts from Bulgaria and
Romania.
Mr. Papandreou also announced that Greek president Kostis
Stephanopoulos will visit Bulgaria next week.
Romania's foreign minister Andrei Plesu stated upon his
arrival in Sofia that in the talks will be discussed the prospects
for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union
and the coordination of the efforts aimed at achieving stability
in the wider region of the Balkans. Also, the three foreign
ministers will discuss the construction of infrastructure projects
as well as the construction of the second bridge over the river
Danube.
[17] HILLARY CLINTON IS EXPECTED IN SKOPJE TODAY
Hillary Clinton is expected in Skopje today and she is
scheduled to meet with FYROM president Kiro Gligorov and prime
minister Ljupco Georgievski as well as with representatives of
humanitarian and non governmental organizations.
The aim of the visit of the US president's wife is to be
briefed on the situation of the Kossovo refugees, who have found
shelter in the country. Ms. Clinton will also meet with the wives
of the president and the prime minister of FYROM, who are involved
in humanitarian efforts while she will also visit refugee camps.
[18] 50 PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY THE NATO BOMBINGS IN KOSOVO
New massacre of unarmed civilians in Kosovo. In the bombing
of the village of Koris last night at least 50 people were killed
and over 50 were injured according to the press center "Media
Centar" in Pristina.
According to information reported by the Yugoslav news agency
"Tanjug", most of the victims were women, children and elderly
people. The village was bombed at midnight with cluster bombs,
while it was bombed again at dawn. The injured were taken to the
Prizren hospital.
[19] COOK-RUGOVA MEETING
British foreign minister Robin Cook met with moderate Kosovo
ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova, who is visiting European
capitals.
Mr. Rugova stressed that Kosovo is a region with abandoned
cities and that the presence of NATO is necessary to secure the
return of all the refugees.
[20] A NATO F-16 MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN TIRANA
A NATO F-16 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Tirana
airport yesterday. According to information from NATO sources, the
reason that led the pilot to make the emergency landing was a
mechanical failure.
Meanwhile, according to information confirmed by the Albanian
ministry of defense, NATO is prepared to hold military exercises
in the Raspul region in Durres. The exercises will take place with
the participation of armoured tanks and artillery and this is
associated, according to the newspaper "Sekuli", with the fact
that the alliance's ground military operations against Yugoslavia
will start soon.
[21] BELGRADE REIMPOSED THE VISA REQUIREMENT FOR ITALIAN NATIONALS
According to a decision by the Belgrade government, Italian
nationals from now on will be able to enter Yugoslavia only if
they have a visa.
Belgrade clarified that this measure will not affect the
agreement reached between the two countries for the free movement
of Yugoslav and Italian diplomats and officials.
In the statement issued by the Yugoslav federal government it
is mentioned that the measure will be implemented in order to stop
the nationals of a country which participates actively in the NATO
air strikes, from entering Yugoslavia freely.
[22] EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS PREPARE DRAFT RESOLUTION ON THE YUGOSLAV
CRISIS
According to the BBC, which cites British diplomatic sources,
Western governments have prepared a draft resolution on the
Yugoslav crisis that will be presented to the UN Security Council
and will be based on the G8 agreement.
The BBC reported that in a meeting that was held in Brussels
on Wednesday, G8 officials agreed on a draft resolution on
Kossovo. The plan that will be presented to Russia, provides for
the deployment of an international security presence in Kossovo
without mentioning which international organizations will take
part. Also, it provides for a transitional international
administration in Kossovo possibly under the United Nations. The
BBC reported that the plan will be discussed by G8 officials in
their meeting next week that will be held with the participation
of Russia.
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