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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-07

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, June 7, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] K. KARAMANLIS' SPEECH IN THESSALONIKI TONIGHT
  • [02] PRE-ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN OF THE GREEK PARTIES
  • [03] THREE NATO WARSHIPS IN THERMAIKOS
  • [04] NATIONAL CONSUMERS' COUNCIL MEETING ON INFECTED FOOD
  • [05] PAPANDREOU: IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THERE IS NO DEADLOCK IN THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS
  • [06] REPPAS: THERE IS A NEED FOR PEACE IN THE REGION
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [07] NATO-YUGOSLAVIA TALKS FALL APART
  • [08] MORE AIR RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
  • [09] STEPASHIN-KOSTOV MEET TODAY
  • [10] G-8 FOREING MINISTERS MEET IN BONN TODAY ON KOSOVO
  • [11] ZHIRINOVSKI: "CHERNOMIRDIN HANDED YUGOSLAVIA OVER"
  • [12] SESELJ PREDICTS DIFFICULT TIMES FOR SERBIA
  • [13] BELGRADE INSISTS THAT NATO COUNTRIES SHOULD BE ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE
  • [14] YUGOSLAVIA SAID YES TO SIX OF THE TWENTY TERMS ON KOSOVO
  • [15] CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE KLA IN THE KOSOVO- ALBANIAN BORDER
  • [16] THE NATO-YUGOSLAV TALKS RESUME TODAY
  • [17] THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN BONN
  • [18] SHELDON: THE US HAS NEVER PROMISED THAT IT WILL DISARM THE KLA REBELS
  • [19] WASHINGTON IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE PEACE AGREEMENT, ACCORDING TO TANJUG
  • [20] RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICIAL BLAMES NATO FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE TALKS IN KUMANOVO
  • [21] IVANOV: THE TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE BEING HELD WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
  • [22] THE KLA REBELS FAILED IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE BORDERS INTO KOSOVO
  • [23] BELGRADE REFUSED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE UN ADOPTS A RELEVANT RESOLUTION

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] K. KARAMANLIS' SPEECH IN THESSALONIKI TONIGHT

    Thessaloniki has become the epicenter of the pre-electoral battle of the Greek political parties, only six days before the elections are to be held. Tonight, Kostas Karamanlis is to address his speech at 8.00 pm to an open gathering of New Democracy's followers in Aristotelous Square, where prime minister Kostas Simitis is to hold a speech tomorrow night.

    The last time, consecutive gatherings were held in Aristotelous Square was back in 1981, when leader of PASOK was Andreas Papandreou, and leader of New Democracy was Georgios Rallis.

    [02] PRE-ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN OF THE GREEK PARTIES

    Leader of the Coalition of the Left and the Progress, Nikos Konstantopoulos, will address his speech to an open gathering of the party's followers, to be held in Kotzia Square, Athens, at 8.00 pm tonight,

    President of the Democratic and Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas will visit Kozani and Naoussa today and at 8.00 pm will hold a speech at an open gathering at Zafeiraki Square in Naoussa.

    Leader of Politcal Spring, Antonis Samaras toured Kozani yesterday and during his speeches he accused PASOK and New Democracy of maintaining a false feeling of polarity for the voters. Today, President of the Liberal party, Stefanos Manos will visit areas in Attiki, after having rounded off his tour of Crete.

    [03] THREE NATO WARSHIPS IN THERMAIKOS

    An American helicopter carrier and two landing warships are in the sea of Thermaikos today, carrying around 2500 American marines to FYROM.

    The marines are expected to disembark in Litohoro, during the night and afterwards they will be transported to FYROM through the border stations of Evzoni and Idomeni.

    Spokesman of the General Army Staff, Mr. Lazarou told MPA that he is not aware when the NATO troops are planing to disembark and explained that this will depend on the progress of the negotiations held between NATO and Serb generals in Kumanovo.

    [04] NATIONAL CONSUMERS' COUNCIL MEETING ON INFECTED FOOD

    The National Consumers' Council holds a special meeting today in Athens on the issue of the infected foods imported from Belgium.

    The Council is to announce a series of new measures aiming to restore the normal function of the Greek market.

    Veterinarians of the Agriculture Ministry continue intense inspection today in storage facilities of meat and its by-products in order to track down and confiscate dangerous foods.

    Meanwhile, Agriculture Ministers of EU's member-states convene in Luxembourg today on the same issue, while the problem is expected to be discussed in the permanent veterinarian committee of the European Commission in Brussels.

    [05] PAPANDREOU: IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THERE IS NO DEADLOCK IN THE YUGOSLAV CRISIS

    The belief that in spite of the difficulties in the Yugoslav crisis there is no deadlock, was expressed by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in statements he made after the government meeting that was held under prime minister Kostas Simitis and with the participation of minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

    The Greek foreign minister had telephone communications during the weekend with foreign ministers of Russia Igor Ivanov and Germany's Joshka Fischer as well as with US assistant secretary of state Strobe Talbott and the Greek embassies in all the European capitals. Mr. Papandreou stated characteristically that it was decided that at this moment peace is an absolute priority.

    Mr. Papandreou stated that in spite of the difficulties peace is getting closer and Greece acts toward this direction. When called to comment on the NATO forces that are being transported to FYROM via Thessaloniki, the foreign minister stated that the role of this force is to contribute to the implementation of the peace agreement. He also stated that an agreement will be reached soon and after the technical procedures are settled the Serb forces will withdraw from Kosovo and the bombing will end.

    [06] REPPAS: THERE IS A NEED FOR PEACE IN THE REGION

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated today that there is a need for peace to be achieved in the region and expressed the wish for the negotiations to be completed and the agreement reached between the NATO and Yugoslav forces to be implemented.

    Responding to the question if the decision for a 10-day interruption of the passage of the alliance forces from Thessaloniki in view of Sunday's elections for the Euro-parliament is still in effect, Mr. Reppas stated that "we have entered another phase of the crisis" and added that the issue will be dealt with in the following days in the light of the developments.

    Regarding the passage of NATO peacekeeping forces from Greece on their way to FYROM, the Greek government spokesman stated that if an agreement is signed in Kumanovo there shouldn't be an undesirable void in Kossovo as a result of the withdrawal of the Yugoslav forces and added that the international forces should be able to be present at that crucial time.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [07] NATO-YUGOSLAVIA TALKS FALL APART

    Marathon talks between NATO and Yugoslav military delegations fell through, after lasting for 16 hours. Head of the Alliance's strategists, General Michael Jackson said that the Yugoslavs did not abide by the terms of the agreement ratified by the Serbian parliament last week and presented a proposal which could not guarantee the secure return of the refugees.

    A spokesman of the Yugoslav delegation said that their aim is to protect their territorial integrity and that Belgrade is prepared to continue negotiations on this basis. NATO has announced that the air strikes will continue until the Yugoslav side fully accepts all the conditions included in the agreement that was achieved last week.

    [08] MORE AIR RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA

    NATO conducted heavy air raids against Yugoslavia throughout the night. Serbian media report that alliance fighters hit targets all over Kosovo, as well as television transmitters in central Serbia.

    Belgrade was not attacked although its habitants fear that new NATO raids are to begin during the day as a retaliation to the refusal of the Yugoslav authorities to agree to the full withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo.

    [09] STEPASHIN-KOSTOV MEET TODAY

    Bulgarian Premier, Ivan Kostov arrived in Moscow on a two-day visit yesterday and he is to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Stepashin, today.

    Their discussions will focus on the Kosovo issue and the recent diplomatic developments as well as on bilateral cooperation subjects.

    Kostov is also to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Moscow mayor Yuri Lushkov, and will return in Sofia tomorrow.

    [10] G-8 FOREING MINISTERS MEET IN BONN TODAY ON KOSOVO

    Group of Eight (G-8) Foreign Ministers meet in Bonn today in order to discuss the drafting of a resolution by the UN Security Council on the settlement of the Kosovo crisis.

    A German Foreign Ministry official said that the meeting of the G-8 Foreign Ministers will be held in the "Petersberg" presidential residence outside Bonn, behind closed doors and is expected to last around three hours, followed by a press conference.

    [11] ZHIRINOVSKI: "CHERNOMIRDIN HANDED YUGOSLAVIA OVER"

    Russian ultra-nationalist leader, Vladimir Zhirinovski accused openly Viktor Chernomirdin of literally "handing over Yugoslavia" claiming that the Russian presidential envoy may be an expert in natural gas issues but has no knowledge and experience on foreign and international issues.

    Many deputies of the Communist Party seem to agree with these views, who are afraid that their fears have been confirmed by NATO's new claims made during last night's negotiations which brought back a feeling of uncertainty on the course of the Kosovo problem.

    [12] SESELJ PREDICTS DIFFICULT TIMES FOR SERBIA

    Leader of the nationalist National Radical Party of Serbia, Vojislav Seselj warned, in an interview in the "Glas" daily that Serbia is is to face "very difficult times" in the future.

    Seselj noted that the situation in Serbia is very difficult. Food supplies will be limited and many people will be unemployed unable to afford to buy food, adding that the peace deal on Kosovo is against Yugoslavia's interest and that his party will not accept it.

    He also said he was angry that with the International Court of Justice which put him on the list of those wanted for war crimes.

    [13] BELGRADE INSISTS THAT NATO COUNTRIES SHOULD BE ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE

    The Federal government of Yugoslavia expressed its regret and concern on International Tribunal's decision to reject Yugoslavia's petition for an end to the NATO raids.

    "The fact that the ten NATO member-states believe that the Court of Hague is note responsible to decide on the termination of the air strikes proves that their leaderships acknowledge that their attack against Yugoslavia in unlawful and criminal" said the Yugoslav government in an announcement.

    The announcement stressed that NATO member-states which take part in the bombardment of Yugoslavia violate the UN Charter and the International Law, committing crimes against peace and humanity and as a result they should be accused of genocide.

    [14] YUGOSLAVIA SAID YES TO SIX OF THE TWENTY TERMS ON KOSOVO

    Yugoslav generals have accepted six of the twenty conditions included in the agreement on the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo, according to CNN reports quoting reliable sources.

    The American television network reported that US officials said yesterday that they will not tolerate any delays which will allow "snipers and terrorists to set up new traps to the unsuspected Kosovars".

    Meanwhile US Defense Minister, Willian Kohen expressed his worries regarding the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo. Speaking to American television network ABC, Kohen said that NATO and the US will not allow the intentional use of any tactic to postpone day by day the beginning of the withdrawal.

    [15] CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE KLA IN THE KOSOVO- ALBANIAN BORDER

    Serb forces continue to clash with Kosovo Liberation Army fighters in the Kosovo-Albanian border.

    According to the Albanian authorities, the Serb forces shelled three Albanian villages near Kukes, destroying dozens of houses. Clashes were also reported in Tropoja between the Kosovar separatists and the Serbs, however the number of casualties is still unknown.

    A spokesman of the Albanian government expressed his worry on the fact that residents of the northern part of the country have been deserting their homes, heading to southern Albania.

    [16] THE NATO-YUGOSLAV TALKS RESUME TODAY

    The talks between NATO and Yugoslav forces representatives resume in Kumanovo, FYROM today at a lower level. The talks were not interrupted, stated the representative of the alliance, while he left open the likelihood to give to the Serbs more time than the 7-day deadline they were initially given to withdraw from Kosovo.

    Yugoslavia must allow the international presence in Kosovo where NATO will have a leading role and this is not negotiable, stated NATO spokesman Jammie Shea.

    [17] THE G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN BONN

    The foreign ministers of the G-8 will meet in Bonn today and their main goal is to adopt an emergency UN resolution text on Kosovo. The draft resolution will clearly express the initial NATO demands toward Belgrade. Yugoslavia insists that a UN resolution should be voted through before Belgrade agrees to the withdrawal of its forces from Kosovo.

    Meanwhile, the ambassadors of the 19 NATO member-states hold an extraordinary meeting in Brussels to assess the situation in Yugoslavia.

    [18] SHELDON: THE US HAS NEVER PROMISED THAT IT WILL DISARM THE KLA REBELS

    Head of the US armed forces joint chiefs of staff general, Henry Sheldon pointed out in statements he made to the US television station ABC that the United States had never promised that they will disarm the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels but that they will proceed with demilitarization of the Serb province.

    The US general clarified that after the demilitarization is completed, the KLA will not have organized groups any more neither heavy weapons nor military uniforms, while he expressed the view that the Albanian separatists will agree to the demilitarization of their organization within the framework of the peace agreement.

    [19] WASHINGTON IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE PEACE AGREEMENT, ACCORDING TO TANJUG

    Washington is trying to change the peace agreement that was proposed by the G-8 and was accepted by Belgrade, according to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug.

    Based on its news reports, the US press references in today's issues prove that "the clique in Washington plays a dirty game and is solely responsible for the interruption of the consultations between NATO and Yugoslav officials aimed at the signing of a military-technical agreement for the withdrawal of the Yugoslav forces from Kosovo".

    [20] RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICIAL BLAMES NATO FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE TALKS IN KUMANOVO

    A Russian military official blamed NATO for the collapse of the talks in Kumanovo yesterday and stated that a British military official abused its authority, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

    The Russian officer stated that the talks for the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo were held without the participation of the UN Security Council in violation of the agreement that was prepared by Ahtisaari, Chernomyrdin and Talbott in Bonn and was accepted by the Serb leadership.

    Specifically, the Russian military official accused Mike Jackson, head of the NATO delegation in the talks, that he abused his role. The same source mentioned that Moscow wants the talks to resume as soon as possible.

    [21] IVANOV: THE TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE BEING HELD WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY

    Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov stated upon his arrival in Bonn that the negotiations between the Yugoslav military leadership and NATO for the withdrawal of the Serb forces from Kosovo move on with great difficulty.

    Mr. Ivanov pointed out that NATO has tried to add political issues to the text of the agreement on which only the UN Security Council has the exclusive privilege to decide.

    [22] THE KLA REBELS FAILED IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE BORDERS INTO KOSOVO

    The efforts of the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, rebels to create a safe passage at the Albanian-Yugoslav borders, near the military outpost of Grmlie has failed, according to the Serb state television.

    In a Serb television news broadcast last night it was reported that over 500 Albanian rebels were killed in an organized operation that took place with the participation of KLA rebels, and Albanian and NATO armed forces which was aimed at breaking the frontier line. According to the Serb television, the operation, code-named "Arrow", began 12 days ago and continued in spite of the fact that Belgrade had accepted the terms of the peace agreement.

    [23] BELGRADE REFUSED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE UN ADOPTS A RELEVANT RESOLUTION

    The Yugoslav authorities refused to sign an agreement with NATO before a UN Security Council resolution is adopted that would define the mandate for a peacekeeping force to be deployed in Kossovo, according to the Serb state radio.

    The Serb radio also reported that Belgrade's position is the same with that of Russia which has maintained that the international presence in Kossovo is possible only after the approval of an additional resolution by the UN Security Council.

    Yugoslav foreign ministry spokesman Nebojsa Vujovic, who was present in the talks that were held in Kumanovo during the weekend, stated that only the UN Security Council can determine the strength, the form and the mandate of an international presence in Yugoslavia. He also added that Belgrade can not know in advance what will be the UN Security Council decision.


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