Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-11-17

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, November 17, 1999

SECTIONS

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS HEADLINES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL UPRISING COMMEMORATED IN 3-DAY EVENTS

Strong police forces have been deployed in the area of the Athens Polytechnic School, near the National Archaeological Museum, and other university buildings.

The police force is a preventive measure to guard against incidents that might occur during the events. In Athens, a rally will lead to the American embassy, while in Thessaloniki a similar rally will end in front of the U.S. Consulate.

[02] PROSECUTORS TO SUPERVISE SECURITY AT POLYTECHNIC RALLY

In case of incidents breaking out, the prosecutors will order arrests, while the faculty senate at the Polytechnic School has agreed to allow the immediate intervention of the prosecuting authority in case non-students violate the university asylum code.

[03] RALLIES HELD TODAY IN HONOR OF POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL UPRISING

The Polytechnic School's gates will close today upon the commencement of the protest march.

[04] ATHENS POLICE CHIEF BANS ALL PROTESTS ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY

The orders, issued late last night, stated that for "reasons of public safety" all outdoor assemblies or marches of organized groups throughout central Athens and from the airport to the center of the Greek capital are banned, beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. and ending on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The orders noted that any attempt to violate the ban will be "opposed with all legal means, while participants in such protests will be prosecuted".

[05] PREMIER AND OTHER LEADERS SALUTE POLYTECHNIC ANNIVERSARY

The Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) and Progress Party said the celebration "should be a source of inspiration and renewal of historical memory. With new struggles for peace, stability and multifaceted cooperation in the region, without the undesirable arbitration and hegemony of US policy; for democratic and social rights, for a modern public education for all; for productive work...for a better quality of life."

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said the mandates of the students' uprising are clear: "Resistance to the `barbaric 'New World Order', no to subdued and subservient political leaderships, for national dignity, peace, social solidarity and justice", adding that "the arrival of the President of the US, at the head of the new barbarism, in our country these days constitutes a provocation to the Greek people and an affront to the Polytechnic's dead."

[06] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON COMMENTS ON CLINTON'S SCHEDULE

Mr. Clinton will attend an official dinner given by the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos on Friday night, and will hold his meetings with the country's leadership on Saturday morning.

During his visit to Athens, Mr. Clinton is also expected to meet with New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.

[07] GREECE-FYROM-ALBANIA TO COOPERATE ON AERONAUTICS ISSUES

The agreement is a result of the bilateral agreements signed by Mr. Mantelis during the course of his official visits in Albania last year and FYROM this year.

The Bureau has been given seals of approval by ICAO, EUROCONTROL and ΙΑΤΑ.

[08] GERMANY TO PROVIDE GREECE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWHOW

Organizing the meeting are the National Documentation Center, the Greek Center for the Distribution of Innovation and the German Center for the Distribution of Innovation of Essen/Rhineland-Palatinate.

The talks aim at boosting ties among Greek and German companies in order to effect the transfer of know-how.

Attending the meeting will be company executives and representatives of universities and research centers from the two countries involved in the field.

[09] NEW DEMOCRACY SALUTES POLYTECHNIC UPRISING ANNIVERSARY

Mr. Meimarakis stated that "the struggle of the Polytechnic is a struggle for liberty, democracy, social justice, national independence."

[10] RALLIES HELD TODAY IN HONOR OF POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL UPRISING

The Polytechnic School's gates will close today upon the commencement of the protest march. A team of prosecutors will supervise security measures and, in case of incidents breaking out, they will order arrests, while the faculty senate at the Polytechnic School has agreed to allow the immediate intervention of the prosecuting authority in case non-students violate the university asylum code.

[11] RISING OIL PRICES WILL NOT BEAR IMPACT ON INFLATION CRITERION

[12] US PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ITINERARY FOR 24- HOUR VISIT TO ATHENS

Air Force One will land at 6:35 p.m. at Athens' international airport. Shortly after his arrival, Mr. Clinton and his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea will attend a banquet at the presidential mansion to be given in his honor by the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos. Messrs. Clinton and Stephanopoulos will hold a brief private discussion at the presidential mansion on Saturday at 10:25 a.m., after which they will be joined by aides.

In the afternoon of Saturday, November 20, Mr. Clinton will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and, following their talks, the two men will give a joint press interview.

[13] OPPOSITION PARTIES IRED BY PROTEST RALLY AND MARCH BAN

The Communist Party of Greece called the move an "American-inspired choice of the (Greek) government" and a "deeply anti-popular decision with a political goal".

The Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos), said that the government, hiding behind the police authorities, was aligning itself with the demands of the American authorities and going back on previous commitments", with an "authoritarian decision reminiscent of other eras".

The orders, issued late last night, stated that for "reasons of public safety" all outdoor assemblies or marches of organized groups throughout central Athens and from the airport to the center of the Greek capital are banned, beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. and ending on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The orders noted that any attempt to violate the ban will be "opposed with all legal means, while participants in such protests will be prosecuted".

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[14] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL GIVES FINAL OK FOR BALKAN HQ

According to a joint communique issued by the Council, both the basic services and the base of the Organization will be stationed in Thessaloniki, adding that meetings of the managing board and the general administrative and accounting services will also be in the northern Greek city.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Christos Rokofyllos both expressed their satisfaction over the expected decision.

[15] TURKEY: WOMAN PULLED FROM UNDER DEBRIS AFTER 105 HOURS

The woman, Sefa Cebeci, who suffered only a slight injury to one of her arms, was pulled out from the debris of a several-story building that had collapsed in Duzce, one of the worst hit cities. Rescue workers had said Tuesday said there was no hope of finding any more survivors.

The latest casualty figures were 550 dead and 3,305 injured, according to the Turkish government's crisis center in Istanbul.

[16] TURKEY: POWERFUL AFTERSHOCK RATTLES TURKEY WITH 5 RICHTER

A spokesman for the Kandilli seismological institute in Istanbul stated that the tremor, whose epicenter was situated in the town of Bolu, was a strong aftershock from Friday's violent quake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale.

[17] GREEK PREMIER, ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH MEET AT PHANAR TODAY

The Premier will meet with his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit tomorrow when the two men are expected to discuss the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish issues and Turkey's candidacy for accession to the European Union.

Mr. Simitis will also meet with other Balkan and European leaders on the sidelines of the OSCE Summit.

[18] US PRESIDENT URGES RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN GREECE, TURKEY

Mr. Clinton added that the solidarity displayed by the two peoples on the aftermath of the earthquakes that devastated both countries, as well as the restart of negotiations over the Cyprus issue, constitute an opportunity to establish lasting friendship between the two neighbors.

"Securing a better future also depends on a decrease in tension in the Aegean," Mr. Clinton said in an address to a Turkish assembly plenum yesterday.

He added that in terms of recent Greek- Turkish rapprochement, "the Ecevit government has made leaps in this direction", and that "Greece has also made efforts in this direction, showing that it sees Turkey's future in Europe."

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Clinton expressed satisfaction over the fact "the two sides accepted the proposal by the UN Secretary General for a start to talks" and expressed the hope "we will be led to a permanent solution."

The US President expressed "hope that the coming talks on Cyprus will bring us closer to a lasting peace with real security for all Cypriots and an end to the island's division."

[19] OVER TWO MILLION UK TOURISTS EXPECTED IN GREECE IN 2000

The pavilion also included 40 Greek businesses and agencies from the private and public sectors, while Mr. Giannakopoulos held a series of meetings with tourism representatives from China, Egypt and Cyprus.

[20] OECD:GREECE IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK FOR EMU IN EARLY 2000

The semi-annual country report stated that the growth rate in Greece was dynamic this year and was expected to accelerate in 2000 and 2001.

Rising growth was the result of strong domestic demand combined with an increase in exports, while lower domestic spending had helped to lower inflation, the report said.

The OECD urged the government to adopt more "ambitious" targets in the drive to lower inflation ahead of an anticipated easing of monetary policy to help interest rates converge with the euro zone.

Albeit noting a slight slowdown in economic activity in the first half of 1999 due to lower exports, The OECD report forecast that the country's gross domestic product would grow by 3.25 percent by the end of the year.

The OECD forecast that the country's GDP growth would exceed 4.0 percent in the year 2001 with the help of major investments in the private and public sectors and a significant rise in consumer demand.

Moreover, inflation was likely to fall to 2.25 percent next year, thereby meeting the Maastricht criterion for entry into the euro zone, the OECD reported.

[21] PREMIER IN ISTANBUL TO "ILLUSTRATE GREECE'S POSITION"

While the Premier will meet with his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit, it is not likely that a meeting will be held between Mr. Simitis, Turkish President Suleiman Demirel and United States President Bill Clinton.

Responding to a question posed by the Macedonian Press Agency, regarding the outcome of the Istanbul meetings concerning Greek- Turkish relations, Mr. Papandreou stated that "there will be a confirmation of the climate".

Referring to the protests planned in Greece in light of Mr. Clinton's imminent visit to Athens, Mr. Simitis stressed that Greece is a sovereign state, which knows how and can defend its interests.

"It would not be beneficial for Greeks to harm the country's image or give the impression that we are awaiting handouts. We will illustrate our position. We will defend our point of view and will try to steer the developments towards the direction which we deem proper," he stated.

Mr. Simitis further stated that the country is presently before a crossroads of developments, stressing the need to establish the policies of development and stability in the Balkan region.

"It is our firm belief that the interest of peace in the region requires good neighborliness and cooperation between Greece and l undertake similar initiatives in order to establish International Law and Accords as a point of reference in our relations and to reach a resolution to the Cyprus issue, in accordance with the UN's resolutions," he stated.

Referring to the United States, Mr. Simitis stated that Greece is aiming at a productive meeting with US President Bill Clinton on Friday.

He added that Mr. Clinton's visit is obviously significant for Greece since it gives the government the opportunity to reiterate its view on ways to promote peace and cooperation in the region.

"The excellent Greece-US ties, the lengthy ties that bind the two countries, the robust Greek community in the US, call for a good relationship and warm hospitality," he said.

[22] BALKAN ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO DISCUSS INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

The over 300 Balkan delegates are to examine the domestic and regional effects of industrial pollution and relevant legislation, while various proposals on environmental protection are to also be tabled.

[23] PREMIER MEETS WITH PATRIARCH, "WE DISCOVERED SOLUTIONS"

His Eminence stated that he congratulated the Premier on his efforts towards establishing rapprochement and good neighborliness with Turkey.

When asked if Turkey is responding to his statements concerning rapprochement, Mr. Vartholomeos refrained from making political statements and said that he believes there is a sense of good will on behalf of Turkey.

Mr. Simitis, who has met on other occasions with the Patriarch in Athens and Mt. Athos, stated that the Greek government supports the Patriarchate and will grant any needed assistance for actions deemed necessary.

Mr. Vartholomeos will receive the President of the United States Bill Clinton this evening.

Within the OSCE summit framework, Mr. Simitis will also meet with the German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder, Dutch Premier Wim Kok and Russian Premier Vladimir Putin.

There are four resolution being negotiated at the OSCE Summit and await signatures from the leaders of the 54 member- states, the first being a European Security Chart, the second being revised "Vienna Text" pertaining to confidence-security-building measures, the third the modernizing of the conventional arms control and the fourth the declaration of Istanbul.

[24] GREEK PREMIER IN ISTANBUL, MEETS WITH ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

In statements the Premier made today, he asked the Greek citizens to display a sense of national responsibility and vigilance in order to defend the country's national interests through the observance of democratic legality.

Mr. Simitis will meet with his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit tomorrow when the two men are expected to discuss the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish issues and Turkey's candidacy for accession to the European Union. Mr. Simitis will also meet with other Balkan and European leaders on the sidelines of the OSCE Summit.

The Premier also stated that Greece is aiming at a productive meeting with US President Bill Clinton on Friday.

He added that the significance of Mr. Clinton's visit to Greece is self-evident since it gives the government the opportunity to reiterate its view on ways to promote peace and cooperation in the region.

[25] THERE WILL BE NO GREEK, TURKISH, US TRIPARTITE MEETING AT OSCE

Moreover, Mr. Nikolaou added that there was also no expectation that a joint communique would be issued in the wake of Thursday's meeting between the Greek and Turkish prime ministers, Costas Simitis and Bulent Ecevit respectively.

[26] GREEK-AMERICANS, TURKISH-AMERICANS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT

The President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens and the President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) Tolga Cubukcu signed the statement, which reads:

"We strongly endorse the language of Senate Resolution 198 which commends, encourages and supports recent efforts by Greece and Turkey to improve bilateral relations.

"It is our further hope that the goodwill produced by the actions of our respective motherlands following their respective earthquakes will carry forward and grow."

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