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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-10-11

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, October 11, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS PRECEDED BY PARTY MOBILITY
  • [02] REGISTRATION OF QUAKE-STRICKEN ATHENIANS COMPLETED TODAY
  • [03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HOLD HUMAN RIGHTS SEMINAR IN CYPRUS
  • [04] EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO HOLD CONFERENCE IN RHODES
  • [05] SE EUROPEAN, BLACK SEA COUNTRIES DISCUSS TRANSPORT LINKS
  • [06] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER: GREECE LACKS IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES
  • [07] AGET: CALCEMENTO PICKS BLUE CIRCLE AS BUYER, NOT GREEK OFFER
  • [08] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE HOMELESS
  • [09] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS EMBARKS ON A FOUR- DAY VISIT TO IRAN
  • [10] SIMITIS IN THE EU-BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE
  • [11] OVER 100 JUVENILE DELINQUENTS WILL STUDY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
  • [12] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH THE JAPANESE UPPER HOUSE PRESIDENT
  • [13] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE VISIT OF THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TO THE UNITED STATES
  • [14] MR. REPPAS DENIED THE SCENARIOS ON EARLY ELECTIONS
  • [15] THE FYROM NEWSPAPERS THANK THE GREEK INVESTORS FOR THEIR CONTINUING INTEREST
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [16] ALBANIA: MAJKO LOSES TO NANO IN SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER VOTE
  • [17] FATOS NANO IS NOW THE PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA'S SOCIALIST PARTY
  • [18] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT ISRAEL THIS WEEK
  • [19] SERB OPPOSITION PARTIES TO BOYCOTT EUROPEAN UNION MEETING
  • [20] UNITED HELLENIC-AMERICAN CONGRESS HOLDS 15TH ANNUAL SESSION
  • [21] EUROMEP ALAVANOS HOPEFUL OF KOZLODUI PLANT'S REFORM
  • [22] COMMISSION LACKS SPECIFIC POLICY ON TURKEY, EUROMEP SAYS
  • [23] GREECE AND TURKEY WILL GO BACK 50 YEARS IN CASE OF A WAR
  • [24] THE EU-SOUTH AFRICA TRADE ACCORD IS SIGNED TODAY - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS PRECEDED BY PARTY MOBILITY

    In light of the elections that will appoint the president of the Hellenic Republic, all parties are presently in a state of mobilization as the possibility iof an early ballot cannot be ruled out.

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis has refuted persistent rumors of a February ballot, by firmly stating that elections are to be held in September of 2000, as planned, and making it clear that he will not allow any development hamper the coutnry's course of accession to the Economic and Monetary Union.

    The leader of the country's main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis stated that he will reveal his plans on the presidential elections towards the end of January.

    [02] REGISTRATION OF QUAKE-STRICKEN ATHENIANS COMPLETED TODAY

    The registration process that lists the earthquake-stricken residents of 33 municipalities in Attica is to be completed today. The government is looking into housing into hotels some of those who were rendered homeless by the September 7 earthquake. The Undersecretary of Interior George Florides stated that 4,500 vacant homes have been located but no plans have been drawn yet in regards to their requisition for the homeless.

    [03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HOLD HUMAN RIGHTS SEMINAR IN CYPRUS

    Distinguished personalities in the field of human rights will be in Cyprus on October 16 to attend a seminar to mark 50 years since the establishment of the Council of Europe, which will focus on achievements and Prospects in the field of human rights.

    Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides is scheduled to open the one-day meeting, which is organized by the International Association for the Protection of Human Rights of the Council of Europe and the Directorate of Human Rights of the Council.

    [04] EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO HOLD CONFERENCE IN RHODES

    Access given to enterprises in support services provided by the European Union will be discussed during a conference to be held on October 14-16 at the island of Rhodes, organized by the General Directorate of the European Commission.

    The event will feature the participation of 600 delegates from various European countries, who will attempt to secure a wide- yet focused- action plan from the Commission in supporting enterprises at a local level.

    [05] SE EUROPEAN, BLACK SEA COUNTRIES DISCUSS TRANSPORT LINKS

    Two high-level meetings will be held in the city of Alexandroupolis today, to promote multilateral cooperation in the transport sector, with the participation of countries of the Black Sea region and southeastern Europe.

    Both meetings have been organized on the initiative of Greece's Transport and Communications Ministry.

    Today, within the framework of Greece's presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the organization's Transport Group will meet to discuss infrastructure policy and easing transport.

    The meeting will focus on the prospects for integrating the transport infrastructures of Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania, particularly within the framework of the inter-European networks. It will also look at the possibilities of funding viable investment programs.

    Greece aims to project its strategic role in formulating policy by making optimum use of a Memorandum of Understanding on easing road transport in southeastern Europe.

    [06] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER: GREECE LACKS IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES

    The leader of the country's main opposition party, New Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, who was in Thessaloniki for a two-day stay during the weekend, visited the "Infosystem ‘99" international software exhibition which came to a successful end today.

    Mr. Karamanlis stated that "the state is lacking considerably and as a country we are last in the European Union in all sectors in new technologies", adding that Greece should rush ahead because knowledge and new technologies will become the most important criterion of wealth.

    The main opposition leader advised that software and computer hardware firms should be given incentives to import the latest state-of- the-art technologies for education.

    Concerning the "Infosystem '99" exhibits, Mr. Karamanlis expressed his satisfaction, stating that the private sector and several universities are on the cutting edge of new technologies.

    [07] AGET: CALCEMENTO PICKS BLUE CIRCLE AS BUYER, NOT GREEK OFFER

    A flurry of reactions has resulted in both Greece and Italy from Calcemento's decision to sell the Aget Heracles, Greece's largest cement maker, to the UK's Blue Circle, a move that has sparked intense speculation of misdeed, since the Greek consortium's bid was significantly higher than the British one.

    The Greek bidder for Calcemento, a consortium comprising construction contractors Aktor, Technodomiki, TEB, GEK, AEGEK, Intracom Construction, Bakatselos Group and Bank of Piraeus, intend to seek legal recourse over the fact that its bid was ignored.

    In Italy meanwhile, Calcemento's shareholders and its parent company Mediabanca have demanded that the matter be investigated, in light of the fact that the Greek consortium's offer was 30 billion drachmas higher than Blue Circle's.

    [08] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE HOMELESS

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis issued an appeal to the earthquake homeless to use the rent or co-habitation benefits, in statements he made in the city hall of Metamorphosi.

    Mr. Simitis stressed that the government wants the earthquake victims, currently living in tent cities, to settle down in regular or prefabricated houses by November. However, he underlined that it is impossible to put everyone in prefabricated houses, trailers or houses of similar kind and therefore, the rent and co- habitation benefits must be used.

    The prime minister listened carefully to the earthquake victims' problems and stressed that the cooperation of all is necessary to overcome the difficulties, characterizing as unprecedented the mobilization and solidarity atmosphere displayed so far, while he appeared optimistic that the time-tables set will be observed.

    [09] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS EMBARKS ON A FOUR- DAY VISIT TO IRAN

    Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos will be in Iran tomorrow for a four-day visit accompanied by ministers of foreign affairs and agriculture Giorgos Papandreou and Giorgos Anomeritis.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos will visit the Trade and Industry Chamber in Teheran on Wednesday to declare the opening of the Greek-Iranian Forum, while on Thursday he will have a meeting with Iranian president Mohammad Hatami and on Friday he will visit a number of Iranian cities.

    [10] SIMITIS IN THE EU-BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE

    The common areas for business activities among the 15 EU member-states and the 11 BSEC states will be considered in the conference of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation countries with the European Union that will be held in Athens on October 12 and 13.

    The conference, which is being organized by BSEC's Greek business council, will be officially opened by prime minister Kostas Simitis.

    During the conference, which is under the auspices of the Greek foreign ministry, will be promoted certain measures for the modernization of the small and medium sized businesses, the strengthening of foreign investments and trade and the upgrading of infrastructures. At the same time, will be considered coordinated actions between the EU and BSEC in the energy and environment sectors.

    [11] OVER 100 JUVENILE DELINQUENTS WILL STUDY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    Over 100 juvenile delinquents will study in public schools this year while the special education furloughs will give the opportunity to under age inmates to acquire higher education degrees.

    Two teenage inmates took this year's university admittance tests and one of them was accepted in the Polytechnic School of Athens.

    Meanwhile, according to a Council of Europe report concerning the correctional systems in effect in each member-state and their deficiencies, Greece has the most prison inmates under the age of 18 compared to all the rest member-states. Specifically, 6.4% of the inmates are under 18 followed by Britain with 4% and Turkey 3.5%, while the average in the western European countries is 1.5%.

    According to a Council of Europe recommendation, the imposition of a prison sentence is not the only solution, suggesting a number of other measures such as cutting down the period of time they are held in police custody, alternative sentences, the surveillance of juvenile delinquents outside the prison and their conditional release.

    Also, Greece came sixth in Europe in 1997 regarding the overcrowded prisons, as 128 inmates were held packed in cell areas that can house only up to 100 inmates. The biggest problem have Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania followed by Portugal and Italy.

    [12] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MET WITH THE JAPANESE UPPER HOUSE PRESIDENT

    Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis met in Athens today with the Japanese Upper House president and they discussed cooperation issues concerning the two parliaments as well as bilateral relations.

    Mr.Kaklamanis thanked the Japanese official for the assistance offered by his country's rescue crews in the efforts to search for survivors under the collapsed buildings in Athens after the recent devastating earthquake that hit the region on September 7. Mr. Kaklamanis also expressed his regret for the nuclear accident that hit the country.

    [13] MR. REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE VISIT OF THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TO THE UNITED STATES

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when asked to comment on the visit to the United States by minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis, pointed out that there is an agreement between the two countries for cooperation in order to tackle terrorism and crime.

    Mr. Reppas stated that the United States recognize the efforts made by Greece and their results adding however, that can be achieved even more.

    [14] MR. REPPAS DENIED THE SCENARIOS ON EARLY ELECTIONS

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas denied today the scenarios on early elections, stressing that there is no such issue and that the government wants to serve its full four-year term.

    Finally, when he was asked if the prime minister talks with his associates about the likelihood to speed up the date of the elections, he responded negatively by saying that Mr. Simitis has not talked with anyone such a likelihood.

    [15] THE FYROM NEWSPAPERS THANK THE GREEK INVESTORS FOR THEIR CONTINUING INTEREST

    The newspaper "Kapital" refers to the continuing interest of the Greek investors in FYROM in an article under the headline "Thank you Greek" which includes especially positive comments on the activities of the Greek businessmen in the Balkans.

    Greece is first among 33 countries that have invested in FYROM followed by Cyprus and Germany in the second and third place respectively. The strategic investments made by the Greek businesses lately are being characterized by the "Kapital" as vital even for the national security of FYROM. Also, it is mentioned that the catalytic role undertaken by Greece in the procedure for the reconstruction of the Balkans after the war in Kosovo, guarantees that it will become the Mecca of investments, market enlargement and economic growth.

    The newspaper also writes that Greece's strong investment interest in FYROM was expressed recently with the buyout of the majority shares of the state oil refinery OKTA by the Greek Petroleum Ltd. FYROM analysts pointed out that with this buyout, which is the biggest foreign investment in the country, the Greek Petroleum Ltd will have the oil monopoly in the FYROM market for the next 20 years..

    Furthermore, a intense mobility is being observed lately in the banking sector as apart from the long-standing "flirting" of the Greek National Bank with Stopanska Banka which will be made official soon, there is the Export Credit Bank which, according to information, soon will go to the hands of one of the biggest private banks in Greece.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [16] ALBANIA: MAJKO LOSES TO NANO IN SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER VOTE

    Significant developments are expected to take place imminently in Albania where Prime Minister Pandeli Majko lost to Fatos Nano during yesterday's elections for the Socialist Party's president.

    Mr. Majko has threatened to resign from the premier's post if he is not elected president.

    [17] FATOS NANO IS NOW THE PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA'S SOCIALIST PARTY

    Former prime minister Fatos Nano was elected president of Albania's ruling Socialist Party today at the end of a three-day party congress in Tirana, ousting current prime minister and party president Pandeli Majko by 295 votes to 261.

    Mr. Nano's election at the party's top post could signal significant political developments as, prior to the ballot counting, Mr. Majko had stated that in case he is not elected he will resign from the premier's post and did not rule out the possibility of early parliamentary elections.

    After his victory was announced, Mr.Nano thanked the party delegates and stressed that the messages conveyed during the congress were directed towards everyone, regardless of political affiliations, focusing on the fact that "Albania has to walk the democratic path, just like all the other European countries."

    Referring to his opponent's defeat, Mr. Nanon stated that there are no winners and losers, adding that there were no individual victors, "the victors are Albania and the democratic ideals."

    Referring to cooperation with Mr. Majko, Mr. Nano stated that "it would be a great loss if Majko left the party since he is an important member and along (with him) we managed to create the current climate in the Socialist Party."

    When asked if he would become the country's premier, Mr. Nano advised that the results be announced on the ballot taken concerning the amendments he has proposed on the party's statutes, one of which states that the party's president could not concurrently serve as premier.

    Mr. Nano, 47, has served three terms as prime minister since 1990.

    [18] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT ISRAEL THIS WEEK

    Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will conduct an official visit to Israel on October 13-15, where he will hold talks with the country's top leadership, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is expected to be received by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who also holds the defense portfolio. The Defense Minister will also visit Israel's defense industries.

    [19] SERB OPPOSITION PARTIES TO BOYCOTT EUROPEAN UNION MEETING

    Serbia's main opposition groups said they will not attend a meeting with European Union foreign ministers scheduled to take place today in Luxembourg, according to the French news agency AFP.

    Speaking at Belgrade airport, Zoran Zivkovic, a member of Alliance for Change, which has been co-ordinating a campaign of protests against Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, told AFP that the Alliance had decided to boycott the meeting.

    The talks were intended to bring together EU ministers with around 30 Serb opposition figures to discuss ways of marginalizing Mr. Milosevic and restoring democracy.

    Yesterday, the main opposition, Serbian Renewal Movement of Vuk Draskovic, said it would not be attending either.

    According to reports, the point at issue was a demand from the EU that those attending the meeting sign a declaration promising that, once in power, they hand over all those indicted by the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

    [20] UNITED HELLENIC-AMERICAN CONGRESS HOLDS 15TH ANNUAL SESSION

    With the 15th annual meeting of the United Hellenic American Congress UHAC -National coming to an end in Washington yesterday, its president Andrew Athens urged Greek Americans to write and request of US President Bill Clinton and the National Security Council to aid efforts of the new US presidential envoy charged with the Cyprus problem.

    Mr. Athens stated that, following the recently-held meetings between White House officials and Greek-American community leaders, it is evident that the next 30-45 days will be decisive in resolving the Cyprus issue at its present phase.

    Furthermore, Mr. Athens stated that the US must make it clear to the Turkish government that they will cancel the any given incentives if the latter does not respond to specific terms, such as the unification of the divided islands, the return of the refugees to their homes and the withdrawal of Turkish troops.

    [21] EUROMEP ALAVANOS HOPEFUL OF KOZLODUI PLANT'S REFORM

    The President of the new joint parliamentary committee of the European Union and Bulgaria, Greece's euro-deputy Alekos Alavanos hopes that the nuclear plant at Kozlodui will be transformed into a mechanism that will strengthen the development of ties between the EU and Sofia.

    The European Commission is to release a progress report for the countries-candidates for accession on October 18-19.

    In a letter addressed to eurodeputy Antonis Trakatellis, the Commission stressed that it would unthinkable to issue a favorable decision regarding the EU's expansion for all those countries which have not set a timeline for the closure of dangerous nuclear plants which cannot be subject to upgrading.

    After Slovakia and Lithuania have both taken the pertinent measures, Bulgaria is the only remaining country to do so.

    [22] COMMISSION LACKS SPECIFIC POLICY ON TURKEY, EUROMEP SAYS

    The European Commission has not drawn a specific policy over its relations with Turkey, while, concurrently, it lacks in specifics over the future of the European Union itself, according to the European Deputy Claus Hans, Germany, who is responsible for the Socialist Group's expansion issues.

    Mr. Hans was prompted by the Commission's intention to grant Turkey the official status of an EU candidate-member. Contrary to his group's majority, Mr. Hans abstained from voting on the European Parliament's resolution regarding Turkey, and voted against proposals calling for the said country's selection as an accession candidate, or for characterizing its future inclusion as a positive development for the European Union.

    [23] GREECE AND TURKEY WILL GO BACK 50 YEARS IN CASE OF A WAR

    Former Turkish Navy Chief retired admiral Salim Dervisoglu stated that in case of a war Greece and Turkey will go back 50 years.

    In an interview with a Turkish newspaper, he launched an attack against all those who are in favor of a war as the way to solve bilateral disputes, while he stressed that the generals know better than anyone else the extent of the damage that can be caused by a war to all sides. According to Mr. Dervisoglu, the earthquake brought back to surface feelings that were already there.

    [24] THE EU-SOUTH AFRICA TRADE ACCORD IS SIGNED TODAY

    The trade accord between the European Union and South Africa will be signed this afternoon as the obstacles raised by 5 European countries were overcome at the last minute.

    The signing of the accord is the result of tough negotiations that started 4 years ago and were put in danger by 5 EU member-states and specifically, by Spain and Portugal. According to the Reuters news agency, the disagreement between the two sides concerned the use of the terms "porto" and "sherry" that refer to the widely known liqueurs produced mainly by those two EU countries.

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