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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-04

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, June 4, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] SIMITIS: BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT A "PROMISING" DEVELOPMENT
  • [02] PRE-ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTIES
  • [03] OPPOSITION CONTENT AND WARY OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO
  • [04] PREMIER SIMITIS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT IN BELGRADE
  • [05] 160 TONS OF BELGIAN POULTRY CONFISCATED IN GREECE
  • [06] PAPANTONIOU: GREECE WILL JOIN THE EMU
  • [07] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN SERRES
  • [08] THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE BANNED THE IMPORTS OF PORK AND BEEF FROM BELGIUM
  • [09] 50 GREEK POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE TRAINED IN THE UNITED STATES TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE CASES
  • [10] VASILIS SKOURIS IS APPOINTED JUDGE IN THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE
  • [11] NIKOLAOU: WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO PEACE
  • [12] APOSTOLAKIS: THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS A POSITIVE STEP
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [13] STEPS TOWARDS PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA
  • [14] SOLANA TO LEAD EU'S COMMON FOREIGN POLICY
  • [15] IVANOF-ZEMIN MET IN BEIJING
  • [16] AHTISAARI-CHERNOMIRDIN-TALBOTT BEGIN NEW ROUND OF TALKS
  • [17] THE KLA WILL SUPPORT THE PEACE PLAN ON KOSOVO
  • [18] LIMITED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
  • [19] STEPASHIN TO CONTROL THE CRUCIAL MINISTRIES
  • [20] HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DENOUNCES AKIN BIRDAL'S IMPRISONMENT
  • [21] THE EFFORTS FOR THE MATERIALIZATION OF THE PEACE PLAN ARE UNDERWAY
  • [22] THE 15 EU LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING THE DAY AFTER IN KOSOVO
  • [23] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GENERAL CLARK AND THE CHIEF OF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES
  • [24] YELTSIN: THE BOMBING SHOULD STOP IMMEDIATELY
  • [25] INFLATION IN THE MONTH OF MAY WAS 2.4%
  • [26] NATO DENIED REPORTS OF MEETINGS WITH YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES REPRESENTATIVES IN BELGRADE TOMORROW

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] SIMITIS: BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT A SPROMISING" DEVELOPMENT

    Premier Costas Simitis said that Slobodan Milosevic's consent to the peace agreement is an important and promising development, stressing that Greece contributed a lot towards this direction. The prime minister noted that the agreement should be implemented in good faith while there are still difficulties and issues to be settled.

    The recent developments are very positive, said Greek Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, however emphasizing that nothing is over yet.

    [02] PRE-ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTIES

    Members of PASOK in Thessaloniki prepare the gathering which will take place in Aristotelous Square on June 8th, where premier Costas Simitis is to address his speech to the supporters of his party. Meanwhile minister of Development, Evagelos Venizelos and deputy of PASOK Haris Kastanidis will hold a speech tonight in Kalamaria while minister of Macedonia and Thrace, Giannis Magriotis will address a speech tonight in Peraia and tomorrow afternoon in Lefkos Pirgos Square together with Justice minister Evagelos Giannopoulos. Also tomorrow, secretary of the Central Committee of PASOK, Costas Skandalidis will hold a press conference at the electoral headquarters of the party at 55 Tsimiski st. at 11 am.

    Leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy, Costas Karamanlis will address a speech tonight at Liberty Square of Herakleion city, in Crete. At the same time members of his party work on the preparations of the party's gatherings in Thessaloniki (June 7th) and Athens.

    Leader of the Coalition of the Left and the Progress, Nikos Konstantopoulos will be in Hania today, while Secretary General of the Communist Party will be in Epirus. President of the Democratic and Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas will visit consecutively the prefectures of Xanthi, Rodopi, Drama, Serres and Kavala.

    President of the Political Spring party, Antonis Samaras will be in Thessaloniki today, and around noon time he will visit Kilkis, and president of the Liberal party, Stefanos Manos will visit Corfu.

    [03] OPPOSITION CONTENT AND WARY OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO

    The opposition parties in Greece welcomed today the agreement achieved between the Presidents of Finland and Yugoslavia on the peace plan on Kosovo, although they remain wary of the developments to come.

    President of New Democracy, Costas Karamanlis stressed the need to restore peace as soon as possible warning of the great danger of destabilisation, while he noted that he is more worried about what is going to happen in "the next days" following the end of the war.

    Secretary General of the Communist Party, Aleka Papariga pointed out that it is against Greece's interest to take part in the war against Yugoslavia or in the mission of "occupation troops" that is currently being planned.

    Nikos Konstantopoulos, leader of the Coalition of the Left and the Progress, said that hopes of peace have emerged and underlined that Greece and the European Union should not allow these hopes to be destroyed, while president of the Democratic and Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas noted that we should remain cautious on whether it is peace that is being prepared or another intervention in Kosovo.

    [04] PREMIER SIMITIS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT IN BELGRADE

    Premier Costas Simitis said that Belgrade's consent to the peace plan on Kosovo is a promising development, in a press conference he held last night in Cologne.

    "Today's agreement is an important development. A promising development, after two months of gloom, two months of destruction. Greece in content with this development. We welcome the peaceful outcome of today's talks in Belgrade. An outcome in which we also contributed with all of our powers" said the prime minister.

    Mr Simits expressed his sorrow for the victims of war and promised that Greece will use all of its powers to limit down the consequences of the war and help to the peaceful reconstruction of the region.

    "Today's outcome confirms our point of view. According to this point of view a political solution to the problem was considered to be possible, and the diplomatic efforts could end up in reconciliation. This has been proved today", stressed Mr. Simitis.

    The prime minister stated that Greece's view has been vindicated according to which war was not the most effective way to solve problems like to Kosovo ones. Greece has followed a policy of searching for solutions and not a policy of confrontation. A policy of a way out and not of a dead end.

    He acknowledged that difficulties will emerges while the agreement will be implemented and noted that its upon Yugoslavia and NATO to come to an understanding regarding the way the Serb forces will be withdrawn from Kosovo.

    The Greek premier underlined the two steps needed to be followed from now on.: First: we should be careful and ensure the right and immediate implementation of the agreement in order for the war to end. Second: we should begin to realize all the planes we have worked out so far for the reconstruction of the Balkans and the coordination of the humanitarian assistance.

    [05] 160 TONS OF BELGIAN POULTRY CONFISCATED IN GREECE

    The problem of the dioxin infected food in Europe seems to expand, after statements made by Belgium authorities saying that there have been traces of infection in beef, pork, farm fish and rabbits.

    In Greece the responsible authorities stress that they have received no warnings from European countries on infected pork noting that the Greek companies have not imported food from Belgium.

    The European Commission has ordered that destruction of all beef and pork food which have been nourished with Belgian food for animals.

    So far in Greece, 160 tons of Belgian poultry have been confiscated, 3,5 tons of eggs and by-products as well as 5 tons of mayonnaise and 1.6 tons of chicken pie.

    [06] PAPANTONIOU: GREECE WILL JOIN THE EMU

    Greece will fulfill all the conditions for its accession to the EMU by the end of 1999, Minister of Economy, Giannos Papantoniou said today.

    According to Mr. Papantoniou the data provided by the annual report on the economic progress of the country are positive for Greece and our accession to the EMU will be a certainty in 2001.

    [07] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN SERRES

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits Serres today, continuing his tour of Northern Greece. This morning the leader of the Orthodox Church visits the "Maximion Spiritual and Cultural Center" in the old metropolis of Serres, the Byzantine temple of Agioi Theodoroi and the convent of the Holy Prodrome.

    At noon the Patriarch is expected at Sidirokastro well he will hold a doxology at the holy convent of Saints Kirikos and Iouliti. Afterwards he will visit the holy retreat of the Holy Prodrome of Akritohori where he will spend the night. Tomorrow he will continue his tour to Kilkis.

    [08] THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE BANNED THE IMPORTS OF PORK AND BEEF FROM BELGIUM

    The ministry of agriculture banned the import and sale of pork and beef from Belgium in response to the food scare in Europe concerning the contamination with dioxin of chickens and eggs. The emergency measures will be in effect until the meeting of the permanent EU veterinary committee is held in order to issue the final decisions on the case.

    The Belgian authorities announced yesterday that there are indications of contamination not only in chickens but in beef and pork meat as well and also in fish grown in fish-farms and in rabbit meat.

    [09] 50 GREEK POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE TRAINED IN THE UNITED STATES TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE CASES

    About 50 high ranking officers of the Greek police will be trained in the United States in the handling of crisis and negotiations with hijackers in hostage taking cases.

    The first 25 police officers will leave for the US by the end of June and will specialize in crisis management, while other 25 will visit the United States in September in order to be trained in dealing with hostage taking situations.

    [10] VASILIS SKOURIS IS APPOINTED JUDGE IN THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE

    Vasilis Skouris, professor in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and director of the Center for International and European Economic Law, will take over his duties as a judge in the Luxembourg based European Court of Justice replacing the late Krateros Ioannou. Mr. Skouris will exercise his duties in the European Court of Justice for the next 4,5 years and has the right to be reelected for 6 more years.

    Mr. Skouris was born in Thessaloniki in 1948 and studied law in Berlin's Free University while he continued his studies for a post graduate degree in the University of Hamburg. He was public law professor in the Law School of Dimokrition University and in the Law School of Germany's Bielfeld University. Since 1982 he is a professor in the Law School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

    Professor Skouris served as a minister of interior in the caretaker government of Ioannis Grivas for the holding of the November 5,1989 elections and in the government of prime minister Simitis for the September 22, 1996 elections.

    [11] NIKOLAOU: WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO PEACE

    Acting Greek government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou stated that "we are on the road to peace", commenting on the peace agreement on Kosovo.

    Mr. Nikolaou when called to comment on the statements of US president Bill Clinton, who expressed the reservations of the US side, stated that the developments are positive and added "I do not know what Mr. Clinton meant."

    On the time when the peacekeeping force will be deployed in the region, Mr. Nikolaou stated that talks between NATO and Yugoslav officials are imminent.

    Finally, responding to the question what the government will do on the day after when the bombing will stop, he stated that Greece is present and will be ready, adding that the government has already made the necessary moves in order to coordinate efforts for the day after the crisis in Yugoslavia.

    [12] APOSTOLAKIS: THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS A POSITIVE STEP

    Greek undersecretary of defense Dimitris Apostolakis stated that the agreement reached between Belgrade and NATO is a positive and decisive step and the fact that it has been approved by the Yugoslav parliament is also very important. He expressed the hope that the agreement will be ratified by the other side as well putting an end to the war.

    Mr. Apostloakis stated that the war will not be over unless the agreement is ratified by both sides and its implementation gets underway stressing, however, that one can not dispute that this was a very positive step welcomed by all.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [13] STEPS TOWARDS PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA

    Steps towards peace were made yesterday when Belgrade accepted the peace plan drafted by G-8. "Peace is only a breath away" German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder said. Its a matter of days for the war in Yugoslavia to end, stressed EU envoy Marti Ahtisaari. American President Bill Clinton noted, though, that the air strikes will continue until the Serb forces are withdrawn from Kosovo.

    British Prime Minister Tony Blair remains still cautious that peace will eventually be achieved, although the rest of the EU leaders welcomed the peace deal. According to the peace plan hostilities in Kosovo will be terminated, Serb forces will withdraw from the region and will be replaced by an international peace force.

    [14] SOLANA TO LEAD EU'S COMMON FOREIGN POLICY

    NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana was appointed head of the European Union's Common Foreign and Defense Policy, according to an announcement made by the German presidency of the EU, at the Summit held in Cologne.

    The Spanish politician is expected to take up his new duties when his term of office in NATO has expired, next November. French Ambassador in the European Union, Pier De Boisiaux has been appointed Mr Solana's deputy.

    [15] IVANOF-ZEMIN MET IN BEIJING

    Russian Foreign Minister met with Chinese President Xiang Zemin, carrying a message by President Yeltsin regarding the boost of the strategic cooperation between Russia and China.

    The main goal of Ivanov's visit to China was to prepare the subsequent informal meeting between Yeltsin and Xiang, which is to be held sometime between late October and early November.

    The fist chino-russian meeting of this kind was held last November. Ivanov said that after his visit to Beijing there is a common chino-russian approach concerning the handling of international issues which are in progress

    [16] AHTISAARI-CHERNOMIRDIN-TALBOTT BEGIN NEW ROUND OF TALKS

    Finnish President, Marti Ahtisaari, Russian mediator, Viktor Chernomirdin and US deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott will hold another round of talks to day in Helsinki, on the implementation of the peace plan accepted by Belgrade yesterday.

    German Foreign Minister, Joshka Fisher stressed that a draft resolution on Kosovo by the UN Security Council has been prepared and that NATO and Yugoslav strategists have agreed to meet and consider the way that the Serb forces will be withdrawn from Kosovo.

    However, a statement made British Foreign Minister, Robin Cook, saying that Slobodan Milosevic should be tried as a war criminal is considered to be a discord within the positive feelings of Europe towards the agreement.

    [17] THE KLA WILL SUPPORT THE PEACE PLAN ON KOSOVO

    The political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Hashim Thachi stated today that the Kosovar separatists will support the G-8 peace plan.

    Talking to the german television station ZDF, Thachi stressed that KLA is ready to cooperate on a military and political basis with all the members of the international community that wish for the restoration of peace in Kosovo, although he did not comment on the provision included in the agreement which requires the disarmament of the KLA.

    [18] LIMITED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT

    NATO air raid were limited throughout the night to a few targets around Yugoslavia.

    The Yugoslav new agency, Tanjug, reported that an abandoned mine in Kosovo was hit, in Novo Berdo, as well as industrial facilities in Prizren, while three missiles fell on Gora causing material damage.

    In southern Serbia and television transmitters of the Serbian TV where knocked down in Trgovice and Besna Cobila, as well as targets around Lescovac.

    During the night missiles hit Cursumlia, and no victims have been reported.

    Residents of Belgrade spend a rather quite night and the alarms did not go off.

    [19] STEPASHIN TO CONTROL THE CRUCIAL MINISTRIES

    More measures for the increase of the tax incomes and the protection of the Russian market are the two main targets of Sergei Stepashin's government, who is to announce today the line- up of his new government.

    The new Russian premier intends to control personally all the crucial ministries as well as Moscow's relations with the surrounding regions.

    The new government of Russia has to cope with the foreign debt of the country and the adoption of new measures proposed by foreign financial institutions, mainly by the International Monetary Fund, in order to continue receiving loan programmes.

    [20] HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DENOUNCES AKIN BIRDAL'S IMPRISONMENT

    The humanitarian organisation Human Rights Watch denounced the one year imprisonment imposed to Turkish human rights activist Akin Birdal, president of the Human Rights Union in Turkey since 1992.

    Head of the organisation's department in Europe and Cental Asia, Holy Gardner stressed that the freedom and expression rights are commonly violated in Turkey adding that Birdal's case proves that the Turkish government has no intention of abolishing laws that restict freedom of speech.

    Birdal began serving his sentence today after attending a farewell ceremony in Ankara in the presence of Michael Ellman, from the International Federation of Human Rights, rights activists from Germany and France and journalists.

    Fifty year old Birdal was sentenced to on year jail terms by two state security courts for speeches made in 1995 and 1996 in which he proposed a democratic solution through negotiations on the Kurdish issue.

    [21] THE EFFORTS FOR THE MATERIALIZATION OF THE PEACE PLAN ARE UNDERWAY

    The efforts for the materialization of the peace plan for Yugoslavia are underway. NATO forces commander US general Whesley Clark had a telephone communication with the chief of the Yugoslav forces, while a meeting with representatives of both sides to examine the details of the plan for the withdrawal of Serb forces from Kosovo will be held during the weekend.

    However, the Serb forces have not withdrawn from the region. Until this happens the air attacks on Yugoslav targets will continue, according to US president Bill Clinton.

    Meanwhile, Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin canceled his trip to Helsinki where he was scheduled to have talks with Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari and US assistant secretary of state Strobe Talbott.

    [22] THE 15 EU LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING THE DAY AFTER IN KOSOVO

    The leaders of the European Union participating in the summit meeting held in Cologne focus their attention on the next steps toward peace in Kosovo, the securing of funds for the return of the refugees and the reconstruction of the region.

    According to officials, 16 billion dollars will be needed only for Kosovo.

    [23] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GENERAL CLARK AND THE CHIEF OF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES

    NATO and Yugoslav army officers have held meetings to discuss practical issues concerning the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo and the deployment of an international force, according to British prime minister Tony Blair.

    German officers believe that those meetings will speed-up the end of the bombing of Yugoslavia. Allied forces commander in Europe American general Whesley Clark had a telephone communication with the chief of the Yugoslav armed forces.

    NATO spokesman Jammie Shea stated that the forces of the alliance in the region should be reinforced and reach 45.000 men in order to cover the void after the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo.

    [24] YELTSIN: THE BOMBING SHOULD STOP IMMEDIATELY

    Russian president Boris Yeltsin in a telephone communication he had with German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made it clear that NATO has no reasons to continue the bombing of Yugoslavia, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.

    Mr. Schroeder, who holds the European Council presidency in the first half of 1999, stated yesterday that without Mr. Yeltsin's involvement there would have been no agreement, while he praised Mr. Ahtisaari's talent in mediation and diplomacy.

    [25] INFLATION IN THE MONTH OF MAY WAS 2.4%

    Greek minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou stated that in the month of May a decisive step was made aimed at limiting inflation, stressing that it has dropped to 2.4%. He said that this is a very significant achievement and added that when inflation drops down to 2% and remains there the battle will be won. He also stated that more efforts should be made especially by the business community.

    Mr. Papantoniou issued an appeal to businessmen calling them to freeze the prices and limit their profits stressing that Greece is very close to joining the EMU.

    [26] NATO DENIED REPORTS OF MEETINGS WITH YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES REPRESENTATIVES IN BELGRADE TOMORROW

    NATO denied Russian news reports according to which, alliance military officers will visit Belgrade tomorrow to discuss the implementation of the Kosovo peace plan maintaining that no such trip has been scheduled.

    Meanwhile, NATO has stated through its spokesman Jammie Shea that no indication of Yugoslav forces withdrawal from Kossovo has been reported yet.

    On the contacts between NATO and Yugoslav officers, the spokesman of the alliance expressed the hope that in the following days a meeting will be held to settle the technical details of the Yugoslav forces withdrawal but he did not clarify when and where the meeting will take place.


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