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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-11-05

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, November 5, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PM HOLDS TALKS WITH PARTY LEADERS IN LIGHT OF CLINTON'S VISIT
  • [02] FLIGHT INFORMATION CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THESSALONIKI
  • [03] GREECE DRAWS UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY MEASURES FOR CLINTON
  • [04] PHILOXENIA INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR OPENS IN THESSALONIKI
  • [05] OPPOSITION PARTY TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON CYPRUS TOMORROW
  • [06] INFLATION CLOSED AT 2.2% IN OCTOBER
  • [07] AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE WAS NEUTRALIZED IN AN ATHENS SUBURB TODAY
  • [08] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS LEAVES FOR PARIS TOMORROW
  • [09] 1.350.000 VISA CREDIT CARD HOLDERS IN GREECE
  • [10] MEETINGS OF PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WITH POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS
  • [11] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
  • [12] AN ATHENS BASED GREEK BANKING INSTITUTE IS FOUNDED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF GREEK BANKS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [13] GREECE, ROMANIA, BULGARIA AGREE ON BORDER INVIOLABILITY
  • [14] DEFENSE MINISTER AT 11TH IN/AL SYMPOSIUM ON "THIRD ROAD"
  • [15] PREMIER SIMITIS EXPRESSES SUPPORT TO ALBANIAN COUNTERPART
  • [16] US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ARRIVES IN GREECE ON NOVEMBER 13
  • [17] PAKISTANI MILITARY LEADER TO VISIT TURKEY MONDAY
  • [18] UN REPORT: 63 PERCENT OF YUGOSLAVS LIVE BELOW POVERTY LEVEL
  • [19] BELGRADE TO UN: WE WANT TROOPS, POLICE, SENT BACK TO KOSOVO
  • [20] ARMENIA: SLAIN PREMIER'S BROTHER NAMED AS HIS REPLACEMENT
  • [21] CYPRIOT FM: YES TO NEGOTIATIONS IN LINE WITH UN RESOLUTIONS
  • [22] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV DISCUSSED ISSUES CONCERNING THE BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPE LINE, THE BORDER CROSSINGS AND KOZLODUI
  • [23] TURKEY MUST CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PM HOLDS TALKS WITH PARTY LEADERS IN LIGHT OF CLINTON'S VISIT

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to hold a round of meetings with political party leaders today in order to discuss the upcoming arrival of United States President Bill Clinton in Athens.

    Specifically, Mr. Simitis will meet with the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka Paparega, whose party supporters are planing a protest rally, as well as with the President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress Nikos Constantopoulos, the leader of the Democratic and Social Movement Dimitris Tsovolas.

    The Premier will meet with the leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, on Thursday.

    [02] FLIGHT INFORMATION CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THESSALONIKI

    A European flight information center will be established in Thessaloniki, the third one of its kind, which will overview the route of aircraft flying at above 30 thousand feet.

    The center is expected to render Thessaloniki a flight information hub throughout Southeastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. Transportation Minister Tasos Mantelis is to sign a relevant agreement with his counterparts from Albania and FYROM later this month.

    [03] GREECE DRAWS UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY MEASURES FOR CLINTON

    Over 10,000 Greek policemen have been assigned to the Athens "Hellinikon" airport, in light of the visit of United States President Bill Clinton to Greece.

    The airport premises resemble a "fortress", while the same security force will be in effect throughout the American President's stay in Greece. Police are already on watch at areas the US president is expected to visit during his stay and this surveillance will continue until after his departure.

    The Attica traffic police has issued a statement calling on drivers not to park their cars along the route to be taken by the president during his arrival and departure. The ban will be in force from November 10 through 15.

    Mr. Clinton will be accompanied by about 750 people, including officials, reporters and security personnel.

    [04] PHILOXENIA INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR OPENS IN THESSALONIKI

    The annual tourism exposition Philoxenia '99 was inaugurated yesterday at Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair by the Minister of Development Evangelos Venizelos in the Ioannis Vellidis conference center.

    The four-day event features a record number of 449 industry-related exhibitors, a 30 percent increase from last year.

    The fair will be open only to commercial visitors and branch professionals today, before opening its doors to the public for the weekend.

    [05] OPPOSITION PARTY TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON CYPRUS TOMORROW

    An anti-occupation conference for Cyprus will be organized by Greece's minor opposition party Democratic and Social Movement (DHKKI) in Athens tomorrow, aiming at heightening awareness and sensitivity over the island's division.

    The session will be opened with addresses by DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas and the Speaker of the Parliament of Cyprus Spyros Cyprianou, while it will also feature the participation of officials from both Greece and Cyprus.

    [06] INFLATION CLOSED AT 2.2% IN OCTOBER

    Inflation closed at 2.2% in the month of October compared to 2% in September, according to the National Statistics Agency.

    The Greek government's economic staff attributes the increase to the price hikes in fruits, vegetables and fuel and estimates that inflation will return to its downward course without the implementation of fiscal measures.

    [07] AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE WAS NEUTRALIZED IN AN ATHENS SUBURB TODAY

    An explosive device that had been placed in a sports store of American sports company NIKE in the Athens suburb of Nea Smirni was neutralized with a controlled explosion in the early morning hours today.

    Police found the device after an unidentified caller warned that a bomb mechanism had been planted in the store. Bomb specialists located the device and destroyed it.

    Earlier, a hand grenade had exploded in the front-yard of a house in the Athens suburb of Glifada.

    [08] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS LEAVES FOR PARIS TOMORROW

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis leaves for Paris tomorrow to attend the Socialist International conference that will be held on Monday. Mr. Simitis is expected to have contacts with European officials in view of the Helsinki summit meeting in which the Euro-Turkish relations will be examined.

    A new president will be elected in the Socialist International summit meeting, while the contents of the new ideological manifesto will be discussed after a presentation by Felipe Gonzales.

    [09] 1.350.000 VISA CREDIT CARD HOLDERS IN GREECE

    The number of VISA credit card holders in Greece has increased by 50% this year compared to 1998.

    Specifically, based on figures of the past 9 months, the number of VISA credit cards in Greece is estimated at 1.350.000 compared to 920.000 in 1998, while it was found that the consumers use their credit cards twice a month on the average.

    The VISA credit card has a volume of activities bigger that the total of the rest major credit cards in Greece and constantly renews its products (ways of payment) and introduces new technologies for the benefit of the 20 financial institutions which are its members in Greece and the credit card holders.

    [10] MEETINGS OF PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WITH POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis had meetings with political party leaders to brief them on the imminent trip to Greece by US president Bill Clinton.

    Mr. Simitis had separate meetings with Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga, Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Konstantopoulos and Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas. On Thursday, he will meet with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

    Meanwhile, a government meeting with the participation of all the responsible ministers, that will be chaired by prime minister Simitis, will be held this afternoon to discuss the Clinton visit to Greece.

    [11] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis launched an attack against the government, speaking in the party central committee meeting.

    He accused prime minister Kostas Simitis of trying to win the support of the voters by offering extra benefits in view of the next state elections. He also said that all new appointments will be checked and New Democracy will not recognize those that will be found to be illegal.

    Referring to the imminent visit by the US president and the existing climate, he observed that the government must discuss with Bill Clinton those issues that concern the two countries and at the same time, must present the points of disagreement.

    [12] AN ATHENS BASED GREEK BANKING INSTITUTE IS FOUNDED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF GREEK BANKS

    Association of Greek Banks general secretary Yiannis Manos announced the creation of a Greek Banking Institute that will be based in Athens, speaking in the 15th international tourism exhibition PHILOXENIA that is being held in Thessaloniki.

    The institute's aim will be to train wider banking sector employees in banking, economic and administrative issues, while in its goals will be included advisory and organizational interventions in the Balkan banking sector.

    Speaking on the preparation of the Greek banks in view of the EURO in January 2001, he said that its cost will reach 35-40 billion drachmas in a period of 4 years, while an additional 4 billion drachmas will be spent for the withdrawal of the Greek currency from circulation by the year 2002.

    Within the framework of the initiatives undertaken by the Greek banking system, the Association of Greek banks will organize an international conference in Thessaloniki in the summer of 2000 with the participation of bank representatives from Balkan countries, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [13] GREECE, ROMANIA, BULGARIA AGREE ON BORDER INVIOLABILITY

    The Presidents of Bulgaria and Romania, Petar Stoyanov and Emil Constantinescu, and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis agree on the inviolability of Balkan borders, after meeting during the second tripartite meeting in Borovec, Bulgaria yesterday.

    In a statement during a joint press conference, Mr. Simitis said the criterion for a solution to problems in the region should be the observance of rules set by international law and international treaties.

    Regarding the Kosovo issue, the three leaders agreed that a status of wide autonomy should be granted and, as Mr. Simitis underlined, processes should be speeded up to allow for a political entity in the region to tackle problems. On the other hand, the solution should be provided within the borders of Yugoslavia.

    The Bulgarian president said any change of borders in the region could create new reactions and new misery.

    In regards to the implementation of the Stability Pact, the Presidents of Bulgaria and Romania expressed satisfaction over the fact that Greece has provided the sole aid plan so far for the region's reconstruction which, as they said, has a timetable and concerns specific countries.

    Likewise, both presidents expressed satisfaction for support given to the two countries by Greece in their efforts to join the European Union and NATO.

    This was the second Greek-Bulgarian- Romanian summit meeting between the three countries. The first meeting was held under Greece's inititiative in October 1998 in Delphi.

    [14] DEFENSE MINISTER AT 11TH IN/AL SYMPOSIUM ON "THIRD ROAD"

    Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos proposed socialist practices different to both the Soviet and the post-liberal models, during the 11th international "third Road" symposium in Tunis, where he participated as the vice- president of the European Socialist Party (ESP).

    "The policy and practices of the 'third road to socialism' aim at leading societies to the next century, in conditions different from those of the Soviet system, which collapsed, and different from the post-liberal proposal. Thus, the 'third road' is a way to reach modern socialism," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said.

    [15] PREMIER SIMITIS EXPRESSES SUPPORT TO ALBANIAN COUNTERPART

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis relayed the Greek government's support to the Albania's new cabinet, during a telephone conversation he held with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta.

    Messrs. Simitis and Meta agreed on the further development of bilateral ties within the framework of the Stability Pact. Mr. Meta stated that Greece constitutes his country's most significant ally.

    Mr. Simitis assured Mr. Meta that the two countries will continue to enjoy their course of cooperation, while they will soon meet in Athens.

    [16] US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ARRIVES IN GREECE ON NOVEMBER 13

    The President of the United States Bill Clinton is to arrive in Greece on Saturday, November 13, accompanied by his wife Hillary, daughter Chelsea, an entourage of 750 people, including U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, National Security Adviser and the White House Chief of Staff, as well as the Archbishop of America Dimitrios and other leading figures of the Greek-American community.

    Immediately upon his arrival, Mr. Clinton will be received by the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and, successively, by the Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    [17] PAKISTANI MILITARY LEADER TO VISIT TURKEY MONDAY

    Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf will travel to Turkey for a one-day visit on Monday, nearly a month after he seized power in a bloodless coup in October, the Pakistani embassy announced yesterday.

    According to the French news agency AFP, Gen. Musharraf, who toppled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, is scheduled to hold talks with President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

    He is expected to hold a news conference and attend a dinner hosted by President Demirel before leaving Turkey on Tuesday morning.

    The Pakistani embassy explained that the general had actually been invited to Turkey for a ten-day visit by Turkish chief of staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu before the October 12 coup.

    "He is now keeping his promise," an embassy official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that "this is yet another manifestation of the special relationship between Turkey and Pakistan."

    During his visit, Gen. Musharraf is also scheduled to visit the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, who the general said had been an inspiration for him.

    [18] UN REPORT: 63 PERCENT OF YUGOSLAVS LIVE BELOW POVERTY LEVEL

    The influx of refugees from Kosovo has aggravated Yugoslavia's social problems, United Nations Coordinator of Humanitarian Aid to Yugoslavia Steven Allen told a press conference at the U.N. Headquarters yesterday.

    According to Mr. Allen, the social situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had substantially deteriorated in the course of the past two years. Whereas in July 1998 people with an average monthly income of less than 60 U.S. dollars accounted for 33 per cent of the country's population, this figure had grown to 63 per cent by September 1999.

    [19] BELGRADE TO UN: WE WANT TROOPS, POLICE, SENT BACK TO KOSOVO

    The Yugoslav government told the United Nations Security Council yesterday that it wants to send troops and police back to Kosovo, saying minorities in the UN-administered province are living under a reign of terror, the official Tanjug news agency reported.

    On Wednesday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said in a joint report that "there is a climate of violence and impunity, as well as widespread discrimination, harassment and intimidation directed against non- Albanians" in Kosovo.

    Yesterday, the European Union's Finnish presidency said EU support for Kosovo's reconstruction would suffer if ethnic Albanians persisted in attacking Serbs.

    [20] ARMENIA: SLAIN PREMIER'S BROTHER NAMED AS HIS REPLACEMENT

    Armenian President Robert Kocharian has named Aram Sarkissian, 38, the brother of the country's slain premier Vazgen Sarkissian, to lead the government with the support of the parliament's majority Unity Party.

    The new premier's older brother was shot dead along with seven other political figures when gunmen burst into the parliament building and sprayed the chamber with machine gun fire.

    [21] CYPRIOT FM: YES TO NEGOTIATIONS IN LINE WITH UN RESOLUTIONS

    Nicosia intends to sit at the negotiations table only if the UN Security Council's resolution 1250 is observed fully, Cypriot Foreign Minster Yiannakis Kasoulides told "The Cyprus Weekly" commenting on reports that a four- day session on Cyprus will be held on the sidelines of the forthcoming Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) conference in Istanbul.

    Referring to Turkey's European orientation, Mr. Kasoulides stated that Ankara will have to make specific moves and noted the position held by Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou who has stated that Greece's approval of Turkey's EU accession is not to be given in advance.

    Moreover, Mr. Kasoulides stated that he is close contact with the Greek government and stressed that the Cyprus issue constitutes a priority. He said that if Turkey takes a positive step towards this direction, than all else can be resolved at Helsinki's EU Summit in December.

    Otherwise, he noted, Ankara would be void of credibility in terms of its candidature for EU accession and could perhaps create a dangerous precedent.

    [22] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV DISCUSSED ISSUES CONCERNING THE BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPE LINE, THE BORDER CROSSINGS AND KOZLODUI

    The construction of the Burgas- Alexandroupolis oil pipe line was one of the main issues discussed in the meeting of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov that was held in Bojana, Sofia this morning.

    The interest of the two countries in the project was renewed and it appears that there is a will to overcome the organizing difficulties. The talks of the two prime ministers were held in a cordial atmosphere. Mr. Kostov thanked the prime minister for the Greek initiative to finance the projects in the Balkans within the framework of the economic reconstruction. The Bulgarian prime minister also expressed gratitude to Mr. Simitis for the stable support of Greece to the efforts of his country to become a member of the European Union and NATO.

    Mr. Kostov called for the increase of the Greek investments in Bulgaria and stressed that the economic situation in his country has improved and there will be a system of guarantees for investors. The Bulgarian prime minister said to Mr. Simitis that foreign officials such as, the German finance minister had suggested to him that Bulgaria should follow the model of Greece and pay attention to the Greek proposals.

    Mr. Simitis and Mr. Kostov also discussed the issue of the Greek-Bulgarian border crossings and specifically, the delay in the opening of the border crossing of Dramas in Greece. Based on a Greek high court decision the brown bear that lives in the region must be protected and the Greek side has proposed to overcome the problem with the construction of an underground tunnel.

    The two prime ministers also discussed the issue of the Kozlodui nuclear plant. Bulgaria exports electricity to Turkey and prime minister Kostas Simitis suggested to Mr. Kostov to follow the directives of the European Union and close down the reactors, stressing that there are strong reactions among the European public opinion, the "Greens" and others concerning the operation of the nuclear plant.

    [23] TURKEY MUST CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA

    Turkey must change and accept the principles of the European Union if it wants to become one of its members, stressed Greece's ambassador to Ankara Ioannis Korantis speaking in a dinner that was given in his honor by the Rotary Club of Eski Sehir. He said that the EU is not a religious union but a union of principles and if Turkey accepts them it will be able to become its member.

    The principles that are in effect for the rest of the countries are in effect for Turkey as well, said the Greek ambassador, adding that Greece wants Turkey to take its place in the European Union if it complies with the framework of the European Union principles.

    Mr. Korantis also said that the feelings of friendship displayed by the two peoples after the devastating earthquakes that hit the two countries have sent important messages to the state governments. He said that solutions must be found at an international level and emphasized that if Turkey accepts the International Court of Justice in The Hague the problems will be solved.

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