Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-14
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 14, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] MAIN OPPOSITION "NEW DEMOCRACY" WINNER IN EUROELECTIONS
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY EMERGES AS WINNER IN THESSALONIKI
[03] POLITICAL LEADERS COMMENT ON RESULT OF ELECTIONS
[04] GREECE'S 25 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES ARE:
[05] ECONOMY MINISTER: ELECTIONS RESULT WON'T ALTER OUR POLICY
[06] KOSOVO-BOUND BRITISH TROOPS PASS THROUGH THESSALONIKI
[07] GREEK ALTERNATE FM TO RECEIVE MEXICAN DEPUTY FM TODAY
[08] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE KILLINGS OF
FOREIGN JOURNALISTS IN PRISTINA
[09] CLINTON IS LIKELY TO VISIT GREECE IN THE FALL
[10] THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL DRUG ORGANIZATION
HOLDS AN URGENT MEETING ON THE BELGIAN COSMETICS
[11] HACKERS "ATTACKED" THE FOREIGN MINISTRY WEB SITE ON THE
INTERNET
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY AMASSES 225 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT
[13] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY TAKES THE REIGN FROM SOCIALISTS
[14] JACQUES SANTER HAS WON A SEAT IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
[15] GERMAN JOURNALIST KILLED IN KOSOVO DURING REBEL ATTACK
[16] YUGOSLAVIA: STUDIO B ORDERED TO RE-BROADCAST STATE NEWS
[17] RUSSIA: THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET ON KOSOVO
[18] THREE JOURNALISTS, TWO GERMANS AND AN ITALIAN, WERE KILLED IN
KOSOVO
[19] BRITISH SOLDIERS DISARMED 70 ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN SOUTH
KOSOVO
[20] BAYER IS ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY IN NAZI WAR CRIMES
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] MAIN OPPOSITION "NEW DEMOCRACY" WINNER IN EUROELECTIONS
The country's main opposition party, the conservative New
Democracy, has emerged as the winner in yesterday's European
Parliament elections, amassing three percentage points more than
the ruling socialist party, PASOK.
With 99% of the ballots counted, N.D. garnered 36%,
whereas PASOK received 32.8%. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
ranks third with 8.6%, the Democratic and Social Movement (DIKKI)
ranks fourth with 6,8%,Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) ranks fifth with 5.1%, followed by the Political
Spring 2.2% and the newly-founded Liberals with 1.6%.
New Democracy and PASOK will be represented in the European
Parliament with nine deputies each, KKE with three, DIKKI and the
Coalition with two each.
Political Spring and the Liberals will not be represented in the
European Parliament.
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY EMERGES AS WINNER IN THESSALONIKI
The country's main opposition party New Democracy clearly
emerged as the dominant political force in Thessaloniki, where it
defeated the ruling PASOK party by
3.98 percentage points.
With the exception of one voting center out of 832 in
Thessaloniki's First District, N.D. garnered the majority of
ballots. Out of 465,388 registered voters, 119.873 voted for N.D.
(34.25%), as opposed to PASOK which garnered 105.946 votes
(30.27%).
The Communist Party of Greece ranks third with a percentage
rate of 10.73, followed by the Democratic and Social Movement with
6.71%.
The Coalition of the Left and Progress received 20.558 votes
(5.87%) while Political Spring was the option of 7,975 voters
(2.28%). The newly-founded Liberals, headed by former Minister of
National Economy Stefanos Manos, ranks seventh with 1.93%, i.e.
6,754 votes.
The prefecture of Thessaloniki also marked an abstention rate of
20.87%.
[03] POLITICAL LEADERS COMMENT ON RESULT OF ELECTIONS
In statements he made last night, Prime Minister Costas
Simitis conceded that the ruling PASOK party, over which he
presides, did not achieve its target of being the leading party in
yesterday's European Parliament elections.
Nevertheless, he added that the result is positive and
confirms PASOK's leading role.
New Democracy's leader Kostas Karamanlis said that
yesterday's result amounted to a "resounding no" to the
government's line which he characterized as the most stony and
miserable policy in recent years.
The secretary-general of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
Aleka Paparega said that the percentage her party amassed (it
ranks third) is dynamic since it illustrates a significant
increase of supporters in urban centers and among the youth.
The leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) Dimitris
Tsovolas,
whose party amassed 6.8% of the votes, thereby ranking fourth, has
expressed his satisfaction over the results, noting that it
negated the naysayers who had predicted the end of his party.
Mr. Tsovolas said that, in light of next year's national
elections, his party's aim will be to transform the party into a
movement which can vie for the government.
He added that the basis of DIKKI's philosophy will be to
create a social front against "liberalism".
The leader of the minor opposition party Coalition of the
Left and Progress (Synaspismos), which ranked with 5.1% of the
votes, stated yesterday evening that his party did not meet its
target but added that Synaspismos will continue its struggle
against what the country's "major problems", which the "current
government policies" are bringing on.
Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras (2.2%) stressed that
his party's "struggle will continue" and thanked his party's
voters.
The leader of the Liberals party (1.6%), Stefanos Manos,
noted that "in every new effort, the first step is the most
difficult one. "Some 180,000 Greeks dared and took that first step
toward something new," he added.
[04] GREECE'S 25 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES ARE:
The 25 men and women who will represent Greece in the
European Parliament are:
Dimitris Tsatsos, Ioannis Souladakis, George Katiforis, Ioannis
Koukiadis, Petros Euthimiou, Anna Karamanou, Alexandros Baltas,
Meni Malliori, Emmanuel Mastorakis (PASOK); Marietta Yiannakou,
Christos Zacharakis, Antonis Trakatellis, Yiannis Marinos, George
Dimitrakopoulos, Kostis Hatzidakis, Christos Follias, Rodi Kratsa,
Yiannis Averof (New Democracy); Stratis Korakas, Yianis Theonas,
Kostas Alyssandrakis (Communist Party of Greece); Dimitris
Koulourianos, Emmanuel Bakopoulos (Democratic and Social
Movement); Alekos Alavanos and Michalis Papayiannakis (Coalition
of the Left and Progress).
[05] ECONOMY MINISTER: ELECTIONS RESULT WON'T ALTER OUR POLICY
In spite of its defeat to the country's main opposition
party New Democracy during yesterday's European Parliament
elections, the PASOK-led government's economic policy will remain
intact and unaltered and its main target will continue to be the
country's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union.
In an interview with the finance daily "Imerisia", the
Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou
stated that the "stern message of the elections is that certain
aspects of the economic and social policy will need to become more
productive", clarifying that in no way does this mean "a reversion
to the past with promises and concessions."
Reminding the Premier's statement that Greece's successful
course to the EMU will proceed unwaveringly, Mr. Papantoniou said
that the government will not jeopardize the country's strategic
targets, sacrifices, trust and stability in the economy.
[06] KOSOVO-BOUND BRITISH TROOPS PASS THROUGH THESSALONIKI
The transport operation of Kosovo-bound British troops and
NATO military equipment is presently underway in Thessaloniki's
airport and port.
Two military trailer-truck convoys passed the Evzoni border
station in Kilkis at noon today, destined for Skopje and then
Kosovo, transporting about 160 military vehicles and dozens of
containers with supplies for the British troops taking part in the
peacekeeping force stationed at the Serb province.
The military equipment was transported to Thessaloniki on the
British-flag "Sea Centurium" which sailed into the port during the
early morning hours.
Meanwhile, 350 British troops and officers arrived at
Thessaloniki's "Macedonia" airport this morning aboard three C-130
and DC-10 aircraft. They will travel to Kosovo via buses and
helicopters.
[07] GREEK ALTERNATE FM TO RECEIVE MEXICAN DEPUTY FM TODAY
Greece's alternate Foreign Minister Yianos Kranidiotis is to
receive Mexico's deputy Foreign Minster Juan Reboiedo today, as
the latter is conducting a working visit to Athens.
The two ministers will discuss a series of topics, including
bilateral relations and the European Union's ties with Mexico.
[08] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE KILLINGS OF
FOREIGN JOURNALISTS IN PRISTINA
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the
regret of the Greek government for the death of a German
journalist who was killed in Kossovo's regional capital of
Pristina.
Mr. Reppas stated that the situation in Kossovo has no
resemblance to the situation a few days ago. He said that efforts
are being made but there are obstacles, adding that optimism
should prevail as the difficult phase is now in the past.
[09] CLINTON IS LIKELY TO VISIT GREECE IN THE FALL
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that a
visit by US president Bill Clinton to Greece is likely, responding
to questions by reporters on whether the US president will visit
Greece in the fall.
Mr. Clinton is scheduled to visit Turkey this fall and
according to information, he intends to visit Greece as well.
[10] THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL DRUG ORGANIZATION
HOLDS AN URGENT MEETING ON THE BELGIAN COSMETICS
The scientific committee of the National Drug Organization
holds an urgent meeting today to discuss the issue of the Belgian
face cosmetics in order to determine if they are harmful to the
health of consumers.
Organization officials stated that there is no such risk as
the percentage of animal fat in the face cosmetics is small and
the absorption of dioxin by the skin is negligible.
However, minister of agriculture Giorgos Anomeritis suggested
to consumers to avoid using face cosmetics made in Belgium for
the time being.
[11] HACKERS "ATTACKED" THE FOREIGN MINISTRY WEB SITE ON THE
INTERNET
The "Internet Struggle-November 1998" chose the time when the
Euro-parliament election results were reported to attack the Greek-
speaking Internet service.
The target of the hackers became once again the official web
site of the foreign ministry as well as the web site of the
ministry of the environment where the problem was restored almost
immediately.
A short while after 1am on Monday morning the visitors of
those home pages could see instead of their normal contents a
tough satire targeting all the political parties and public
individuals.
The hackers mainly targeted the governing socialist party of
PASOK, the special police forces, the right-wing main opposition
party of New Democracy, the Communist Party, the smaller parties,
the Archbishop and the minister of education.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY AMASSES 225 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT
The defeat suffered by the social-democrats and dealt by the
conservative parties, along with the high abstention rate that in
many cases surpassed the 50% mark, are the two new elements that
emerged from yesterday's European Parliament elections.
According to official data from the 626-member Assembly, the
European People's Party amassed 225 seats, while Socialists rank
second with 180.
The Liberals are expected to garner 43 seats, remaining in
third place, followed by the Greens with 36, the Communists with
35 and the nationalists with 20.
In Austria, the Social-democrats retained their lead against
the conservative People's Party, receiving 32% of the votes.
In Germany, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's center-left
coalition was lambasted by the opposition conservatives.
In Britain, the ruling Labor party, headed by Prime Minister
Tony Blair, lost half its seats in the European assembly, while
the opposition Conservatives doubled their share.
In Italy, the Freedom Alliance led by Silvio Berlusconi's
Forza Italia party won approximately 39 percent of the vote, while
left-wing parties garnered around 35 percent, according to
estimates.
In Spain, Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's Popular Party
retained its position ahead of the opposition Socialists.
Opposition Conservatives also beat out the ruling Social
Democrats in Finland, while Sweden's Social Democrats lost ground
but remained the largest group.
Socialists maintained their position in France, Portugal and
Sweden.
"Early results throughout Europe indicate that a historic
shift in power is
taking place," the EPP said in a statement. "For the first time,
the EPP is set to gain up to 30 more seats than the Socialists."
[13] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY TAKES THE REIGN FROM SOCIALISTS
The center-right European People's Party emerged as the
winner in yesterday's European Parliament elections held in the
European Union's member-states, thus taking the reign from the
Socialists in the majority of the countries.
According to the up-to-date results, the European People's
Party amasses up to 30 seats held until now by the Socialists.
Specifically, the EPP will now hold 215 seats, compared to
the previous 201, while the Socialist Party will occupy 183 seats
in the Euro-parliament compared to the 220 it controlled so far.
This is the first time that the Euro-socialist Group is
defeated by the EPP.
[14] JACQUES SANTER HAS WON A SEAT IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
The outgoing president of the European Commission, Jacques
Santer, has won a seat in the European Parliament, only three
months after it forced him to resign, the French news agency AFP
reported.
Mr. Santer was one of two members of Luxembourg's governing
Social Christian party to be elected in Sunday's elections to the
parliament.
They will be joined by two Socialists, a Green and a Liberal
Democrat, according to results released today.
[15] GERMAN JOURNALIST KILLED IN KOSOVO DURING REBEL ATTACK
A German journalist has been killed in Kosovo, the Russian
news agency Itar-Tass reported from Prishtina today, quoting a
spokesman for the Command of the international peacekeeping force.
The incident occurred near the town of Dulje, 40 km south-
west of the administrative center of Kosovo, yesterday.
According to first reports, a car with journalists was
attacked by gunmen. One of the journalists was killed and another
one wounded in the stomach and brought to Kosovo. The journalists'
names or publications for which they worked are
unknown so far.
[16] YUGOSLAVIA: STUDIO B ORDERED TO RE-BROADCAST STATE NEWS
Yugoslavia's telecommunications ministry yesterday ordered a
Belgrade-based television station, Studio B, to continue re-
broadcasting the news program of the state-owned television, the
station's director and editor-in-chief, Ugljesa Kojadinovic said
last night.
Studio B ceased airing state news programs on June 9 when
Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic declared that the aggression
against the country had ended and that peace had been restored.
Mr. Kojadinovic said that he refused the ministry's order
but added that
the TV station would broadcast the state television's flagship
news program at the request of TV Belgrade which still had some
operational problems after its relays were destroyed.
Studio B, which is under the control of the Belgrade city
authorities and Vuk Draskovic's political party - the Serb Revival
Movement (SPO)- , recently released opposition parties statements
demanding the end of the war and the replacement of those who are
now in power in Serbia and Yugoslavia.
[17] RUSSIA: THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET ON KOSOVO
Russia's Security Council, a powerful decision-making
military body, will meet this afternoon to discuss the issue of
Kosovo and the participation of Russia in the KFOR peacekeeping
force, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
Prime minister Sergei Stepasin will preside over the Council
meeting which will be attended by the ministers of defense and
security as well as, the speakers of both parliament chambers.
Russia rejects the joint command in Kosovo and does not want
to place its forces under the command of the NATO generals.
[18] THREE JOURNALISTS, TWO GERMANS AND AN ITALIAN, WERE KILLED IN
KOSOVO
Three journalists were killed in Kossovo, according to the
German foreign ministry. The two were killed when their car was
attacked in the town of Dulje, 40 kilometers south-west of
Pristina, while a third journalist was found dead near Suvarek in
south-west Kosovo.
They are Folker Kramer, 56 and Gabriel Gunes, 35 who were
working for the German magazine "Stern". The third journalist
initially was believed to be German but based on the latest
information he was an Italian national who has not been identified
yet.
[19] BRITISH SOLDIERS DISARMED 70 ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN SOUTH
KOSOVO
A representative of the British forces participating in
NATO's peacekeeping force in Kosovo announced in Pristina today
that British soldiers disarmed 70 rebels of the Kosovo Liberation
Army, KLA, in the town of Katsanik, 50 kilometers south of
Pristina.
According to the Serb news agency, the representative of the
British forces stated that the 70 rebels had surrounded a building
occupied by Serbs in the town since Saturday evening and were
firing periodically at them.
The armed ethnic Albanians did not put up a resistance and
handed over their weapons to the British soldiers who were sent to
the region.
[20] BAYER IS ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY IN NAZI WAR CRIMES
The German pharmaceutical company Bayer faces serious
problems as it is accused of collaboration with the Nazis in World
War II and of participation in illegal experiments in which Jews
from the Nazi concentration camps were being used as guinea-pigs
on whom the effects of new drugs were being tested, according to
the US television network ABC.
The whole issue came to light when an Auswitch camp survivor,
Eva Korr, now 65yearsold, filed a suit against the pharmaceutical
company. According to her case, she maintains that at the age of
12 herself and her twin sister Miriam, who later died, became the
guinea-pigs in painful and mysterious medical experiments
conducted by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele while they were being held
in the concentration camp.
The management of Bayer refused to respond to relevant
questions by ABC reporters, while a company spokesman stated that
the company is not responsible for what happened as during WWII it
was an affiliated company of the I.G. Farben which now only exists
in the papers.
Also, Bayer maintains that the whole issue has been settled a
long time ago in the Nuremberg trial when three executives of the
company had been accused of war crimes such as experiments in
which new drugs were being tested on people held in concentration
camps but due to lack of incriminating evidence they were
acquitted.
However, new evidence has been recovered since then such as a
letter signed by the then Bayer sales director Wilhelm Mann who
congratulates Mengele for his experiments and agrees to finance
his efforts.
Bayer together with other 12 companies have already
established a joint fund exceeding 1 billion dollars to help the
victims of Auswitch.
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