Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-03-06

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek, Turkish Bulgarian foreign ministers meet, visit border cities

[02] Conference on Balkans and the mass media stresses lack of professionalism in news coverage

[03] Defense minister addresses rally in Thessaloniki

[04] Tsohatzopoulos content but vigilant over opinion poll results

[05] ND leader accuses government of being government of taxes and big interests

[06] Education minister accuses ND of 'offhandedness and incoherence' in its education proposals

[07] Greece application for EMU entry this week

[08] Leaders of Greek leftist party and German PDS pay respects to Distomo holocaust victims

[10] Archbishop of Johannesburg and Nobel laureate Tutu receives Athinagoras Award in New York

[11] New homes given to employees and workers in Drama prefecture

[12] De Soto continues contacts

[01] Greek, Turkish Bulgarian foreign ministers meet, visit border cities

PLOVDIV, 06/03/2000 (ANA - D. Constantakopoulos)

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezda Michailova, met in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and visited Edirne, Turkey, and Orestiada, Greece, later in the day, three cities close to the borders the three countries share.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem hosted a dinner in honor of his Greek and Bulgarian counterparts, following their tour of Edirne.

Earlier, during their joint press conference in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, all three ministers expressed their uneasiness over conditions in Kosovo, while Papandreou said that there was a very common framework and approach of the problem by all three countries.

In their joint statement, the three ministers reiterated the importance of and their support of the good neighborliness Charter for stability, security and cooperation in SE, which was signed the all three recently.

They expressed the hope that the meeting of Mar. 29 regarding the funding of the Stability Pact for SE will be a strong push forward for its implementation.

Both Papandreou and Cem reiterated their strong support for Bulgarias entry into NATO and expressed their wish that Bulgaria is invited to attend the next summit of the alliance. Papandreou, speaking to journalists, called the tripartite meeting a historic one.

The three ministers also expressed their support of the United Nations' resolution 1244, regarding the efforts of KFOR to create a safe environment for all nationalities in Kosovo.

They noted their belief that the joint interim administrative structure will pave the road for a multicultural democracy in Kosovo, so as the rights of all citizens, of all nationalities and religious communities are respected.

The ministers reiterated the commitment of their countries in supporting the UN Charter on the full and total respect of the territorial integrity of all nations in the region, adding that they also support the principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Papandreou underlined the new spirit and the new horizons of cooperation in the region, noting the importance of cooperation for the improvement of the quality of life of citizens in the respective borderlands of all three countries. He also stressed the need for respect of existing borders.

On his part, Cem called the meeting a "show of hope for all Europe." Cem also spoke of the importance of SE countries' experiences, which, he added, should be taken into account during the decision making process by the international community, while both Papandreou and Michailova stressed that an ethnically cleansed Kosovo should be avoided.

Michailova said that the meeting of the three ministers heralds the fact that there are positive developments in the Balkans, adding that discussions focused on the Stability Pact, common infrastructure, visas, crime and corruption confrontation.

Responding to a question regarding the possibility of a non-aggression pact between the three countries, Cem said that "the way relations are developing between the three countries, have made such a pact obsolete. I do not believe that anyone asks questions of the ministers of Belgium, France, and Germany on such an issue.

"The present meeting proves the fact that such a pact is so obsolete here as in other parts of Europe," Cem added.

Papandreou, responding to the same question said, "pacts are important, but before them comes the political will (of governments). The fact that we are working to become members of a European family, as well as the very important decisions arrived at in Helsinki, is an example, of a very strong will to work in common in a very European way, which opens new prospects for peace and cooperation".

Finally, they agreed to repeat such meetings-visits, when it is considered necessary, so as to exchange views on issues of common interest.

Papandreou said later in Orestiada, at the end of the tripartite meeting, that progress has been ascertained on minority issues and the peoples are living in peace, while Cem said "the real enemy is inequality, underdevelopment and poverty, while the only thing we really have to fear is our own fear."

"We should look at common interests, overcome the hostilities of the past and proceed with development, and the powerful voice of the Balkans should be heard," Papandreou said.

He stressed the importance of the role played by the citizen's diplomacy and referred to what he called new horizons, new frameworks and new prospects. Underlining the need for UN rules to be implemented and for problems to be resolved in the framework of existing borders, Papandreou voiced support for Bulgaria's bid to join NATO, noting that the decision taken at the EU Helsinki summit means that all belong to the European family.

On his part, Cem said the day was of historical significance, adding that the peoples of the three countries have hopes.

[02] Conference on Balkans and the mass media stresses lack of professionalism in news coverage

SKOPJE, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

Other issues discussed were coverage of the presidential elections in FYROM, minorities, regional stability and the role of the international community in resolving problems.

Views on the role played by the international community varied as some underlined its inadequacy in handling crises, such as in Kosovo, while others stressed the need for an even more active involvement on its part.

A declaration was issued at the end of the conference entitled "Bridges and not obstacles" in which it was noted that the biggest problem in covering events was "the lack of professionalism."

[03] Defense minister addresses rally in Thessaloniki

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

He stressed that the basic preconditions for development in the country were the conditions created by PASOK, regarding the economy, foreign policy and the creation of strong armed forces.

Speaking to the rally, in his own electoral district over the importance of the April 9 election, the northern Greek political leader called on voters to support the progressive proposal, which will move Greece on to the heart of the European Union.

He also called on voters to reject the neo-liberal proposal, which, as he said, was tried and failed in the last decade.

[04] Tsohatzopoulos content but vigilant over opinion poll results

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

Commenting on opinion poll results for the first Thessaloniki electoral district, which show ruling PASOK ahead by 2.8 percentage points from main opposition New Democracy's (ND) 29.1 showing in the poll of the district, Tsohatzopoulos said "it is of course positive and we are glad for this result, but I must say that it is not very smart to depend on opinion polls before an election."

On an unrelated issue, he attacked ND's pre election criticism over the education reform and the plans the opposition party announced.

[05] ND leader accuses government of being government of taxes and big interests

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis, who concluded his party's three-day preliminary conference in Thessaloniki, the 6th and last of its kind, also announced that he will be a candidate for the April 9 general election in Thessaloniki's first constituency.

Focusing on Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Karamanlis called on him to accept a dialogue and accused him of passing from "restrained management to a policy of offering grants" and of populism.

"The repetition of their recent history has become a farce," Karamanlis said and reiterated his criticism of the government for applying a policy of "an industry of models" and of "well-paid propaganda mechanisms."

Karamanlis outlined his party's priorities for Thessaloniki, which include upgrading Macedonia Airport, creating necessary infrastructures at the city's port and the immediate promotion of the Thessaloniki Metro project.

[06] Education minister accuses ND of 'offhandedness and incoherence' in its education proposals

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

Arsenis, who inaugurated the 1st nursery school of Nea Erithrea, in the greater Athens area, discussed educational reform with teachers, parents and pupils saying that an amendment recently ratified in Parliament upgraded the country's Technological Educational Establishments, known collectively as TEI.

Commenting on the aim of educational reform, Arsenis said "the difficulties in such an effort are found at the beginning" and that what is being sought is the creation of an educational system "capable of facing the challenges of the 21st century."

[07] Greece application for EMU entry this week

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

According to a report by the Athens financial daily "Kerdos", Greece's banking regulator, the Bank of Greece, will publish its report on the country's monetary policy and issue its critical decision on interest rates this week.

[08] Leaders of Greek leftist party and German PDS pay respects to Distomo holocaust victims

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

"We are here to cry out never again crimes against humanity, no to wars, yes to peace, no to social barbarism, yes to solidarity, no to racism and yes to human rights," Constantopoulos said.

Constantopoulos also referred to the issue of German war reparations and criticized all Greek governments for "not wanting to raise the issue in the framework of a national strategy."

[10] Archbishop of Johannesburg and Nobel laureate Tutu receives Athinagoras Award in New York

NEW YORK, 06/03/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

The Order comes under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Accepting the award, Tutu spoke of the struggles of the church against oppression. He said he prays night and day for Cyprus to enable the people on the island to enjoy the right of freedom and full protection of human rights one day.

[11] New homes given to employees and workers in Drama prefecture

Athens, 06/03/2000 (ANA)

A total of 330 homes were delivered and were given in Mavrovatos village to workers selected via a draw of names. Their total cost was more than 9.6 billion drachmas.

In the town of Kato Nevrokopi, also Drama prefecture, 60 houses were allocated also by draw. Their cost estimated at more than 2.1 billion drachmas.

In the villages of Agios Athanassios and Doxato, also in the Drama prefecture, a further 134 houses were provided, costing 4.3 billion drachmas.

[12] De Soto continues contacts

NICOSIA, 06/03/2000 (CNA/ANA)

UNFICYP's acting spokesman Charles Gaulkin told CNA de Sotto had accepted an invitation by President Clerides to "enjoy the morning on the boat."

He also said that during the two men's meeting on board "there will not be any continuation of the proximity talks."

In the afternoon de Soto visited a Moslem shrine, Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaka, in the framework of his familiarizing visits at different parts of the island, in the government - controlled and in the occupied areas.

On Monday morning the UN senior diplomat will meet with President Clerides and will later cross to the Turkish-occupied northern part of Nicosia to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

In a new effort to resolve the protracted Cyprus problem, UN-led proximity talks began last December with the third round scheduled to take place in New York in May.

Cyprus has been dived since 1974 when turkey invaded the island occupying 37 per cent of its territory.

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