MPA NEWS IN ENGLSH (08/04/19965)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki 8 April 1996,

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER'S VISIT TO U.S. MARKED BY CONTACTS WITH U.S. LEADERS

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis arrived in the United States late last night, landing at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington. He is accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs Theodoros Pangalos, National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou and Press and Media Dimitris Reppas.

His week-long itinerary is marked by successive meetings with American officials and leaders of the greek-american community.

Today in Washington, Mr. Simitis laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and gave a speech at the National Press Club. In the evening, he will meet with leaders of the greek community at a dinner organized in a Washington hotel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Theodoros Pangalos met with U.S. President Bill Clinton's national security advisor Tony Lake, and visited the editorial staff of the Washington Post and Washington Times newspapers and addressed the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Tomorrow, Mr. Simitis will meet with Mr. Clinton in the evening after an afternoon meeting with Defense Secretary William Perry in the Pentagon.

On Wednesday morning he will have private talks with Secretary of State Warren Christopher at the State Department.

On Thursday, the Premier will speak at Yale University and meet with Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos.

He will also meet with United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali.

[02] A NEW ERA IN GREEK-AMERICAN RELATIONS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has embarked on his week-long trip to the United States, within the framework of the governmental strategy for the strengthening of Greece's position within the international system.

The aim of the Premier's visit to the U.S is the presentation of the Greek government's positions regarding the long-term strategy of Greece for the greater issues that are of mutual interest with the U.S. government.

Concurrently, a closer communication with the Greeks abroad will be sought as well as with businesses and institutions that can play a significant role in the dissemination of the greek positions into the american society.

The central aim is to promote a new era in Greek-US relations which will result in a gradual upgrading of Greece's role in the region and a bolstering of international support national issues.

The talks will center around Greece's aims which are to constructively participate in the reinstatement and establishment of peace in the Balkans, in the application of the democratic principles, freedom and justice in the wider region and the respect of human rights.

Other aims are to promote the economic co-operation and development in the Balkans, to aid other Balkan countries to adjust to the challenges presented by the international developments, and to call atention to the dangers presented to the wider region by the turkish aggression.

Also, suggested as a solution to the recent Imia crisis will be the resort to the International Law rules and specifically the international accords and the final abandonment of war threats as a means of political juxtaposition.

Among Greece's aims will also be securing its positions on Cyprus, for a fair and viable solution to the cypriot issue.

Moreover, other targets include: to develop the importance and opportunities of Greece-US economic co-operation, to promote the development of peace and welfare in the area.

To explore the possibilities of common greek-american initiatives.

To point out the importance of the greek-american community's participation in order to embark on a new period of creativity and establish the presence of hellenism beyond Greece's borders.

[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS TO CNN

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos expressed his hope that a solution will be found to the FYROM name issue, through the negotiations taking place under the United Nations auspices.

Answering a question posed by the television channel CNN whether the name Macedonia" is negotiable, Mr. Pangalos stated that " everything is negotiable except our existence and our freedom."

[04] U.S. PRESSURES GREECE TO EMBARK ON ALL-ISSUES DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY

Greece is subject to U.S. pressure to participate in a dialogue with Turkey, spanning all issues, according to the greek- american community press.

According to the greek press published in New York, sources from the White House's National Security Council insist on maintaining positions of equal distancing from Greece and Turkey, and support that the American government "continues to be impartial regarding the territorial sovereignty of the Imia islets, as the U.S. has not been presented with the relevant legal documents that prove beyond a doubt Greece's legal rights.

The Greek Premier, during his meeting with the U.S. president Bill Clinton tommorow, will present him with the relevant documents that prove Imia's, and other islets', greek sovereignty.

[05] FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA REGOGNIZES FYROM

A mutual recognition agreement was signed today between Skopje and Belgrade, referring to FYROM as "Republic of Macedonia."

The accord was signed in Belgrade this afternoon by the Foreign Ministers of FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ljubomir Frchkovski and Milan Milutinovic, respectively.

The formal announcement issued by the FRY Foreign Ministry refers to the accord as an "Agreement on Normalization of Relations", officially establishing diplomatic relations on the level of embassies.

The Agreement on Normalization of Relations states that "the Foreign Ministers of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Milan Milutinovic and the Republic of 'Macedonia' Ljubomir Frchkovski signed today an agreement concerning the re-establishment of relations and co-operation between the two countries. The Republic of 'Macedonia'," as Skopje is referred to in the ministerial announcement, "recognizes in Yugoslavia the continuation of its legal and state entity."

Following the signing of the agreement, FYROM's Foreign Minister stated that this recognition opens new horizons to the co- operation between the two countries, underlining that there are still many more issues which must be settled for the promotion of co-operation.

In turn, the Yugoslav Foreign Minister underlined that the signing of the agreement will contribute to the restoration of relations between their countries.

The two sides agreed to embark on talks regarding the trade and economic co-operation between FYROM and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

[06] STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF THE RECOGNITION OF FYROM

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas, who is in Washington accompaning Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in his visit to the United States, stated after the agreement signed by Belgrade and Skopje, that the greek government, like the other EU member states, has recognized Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and supports its recognition by the other former Yugoslav Republics.

According to the statement, within the framework of the negotiations held under the UN auspices, efforts are being made aiming at finding a name of mutual acceptance, adding that those negotiations have not been completed yet. Therefore, according to the statement, the recognition of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under the name Republic of "Macedonia" does not help toward the stability and the improvement of relations among the region's countries and can not be regarded as good gesture toward Greece.

[07] MAIN OPPOSITION NEW DEMOCRACY REACTS TO FYROM RECOGNITION BY FRY

In a published statement, Greece's main opposition party New Democracy responded to the recognition of FYROM by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and stated that "the public statements regarding the name issue weakened the Greek positions and had as a consequence for Serbia on one hand to sign an accord with Skopje under the name of "Republic of Macedonia" and on the other hand Gligorov to reiterate and insist that there is no reason to change the constitutional name of his country."

The main oppostion party states that 18 days prior to the signing of the agreement it had warned the government that it must proceed to guided actions and adds that " it has been proven once more that the government is walking on a tight rope."

[08] GREEK OPPOSITION PARTIES REACT TO BELGRADE-SKOPJE AGREEMENT

"The Serbs should know that this development fills the Greek people with bitterness," stated the leader of the Political Spring (POLAN) opposition party Antonis Samaras.

The POLAN President granted a portion of the responsibilty to the Greek government since with its stance it gave the message of concession and compromise and refused to consider Belgrade's request for accomodations at Thessaloniki's port, when at the same time it accommodated Skopje through the interim agreement.

Also, the Coalition of Left and Progress called on the government to abandon its double-talk and self-delusion and to promote the interim agreement that calls for a mutually acceptable compound name.

[09] BULGARIA SALUTES THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION BETWEEN FYROM AND FRY

Bulgaria salutes the stabilization of relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, stated the spokesperson of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry Pantelei Karasimeonov today.

As the Bulgarian state radio reported this afternoon, the spokesperson reminded that Bulgaria was the first country that recognized FYROM as "Republic of Macedonia" in 1992 and expressed the hope that the mutual recognition between Belgrade and Skopje will affect positively the Balkan-region situation.

[10] YILMAZ SAYS ANKARA CANNOT ACCEPT ALL OF GREECE'S TERMS

Ankara does not accept all of the terms set by Athens for a greek-turkish dialogue, however, it considers as positive some of the Greek government's positions.

"It is not possible to accept all the conditions set by the Greek Foreign Minister," stated the Turk Premier Mesut Yilmaz today and stated that Ankara will not accept the conditon set by Greece that Turkey retract statements it made, through which it states that the extension of the Greek territorial waters constitutes a cause of war (casus belli.)

The Turk Premier, however, commended that he views as a positive development the Greek side's acceptance of the possibility to proceed to a meeting and to face the problems through dialogue.

[11] TWENTY-TWO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM IRAQ WERE ARRESTED BY THE GREEK COASTGUARD IN THE AEGEAN ISLAND OF SAMOS

Twenty two iraqies of kurdish origin, 7 men, 8 women and 7 children, were arrested in the early morning hours today in the eastern Aegean island of Samos by the greek coastguard.

The illegal immigrants had been smuggled from the Turkish coast on board the high-speed boat of 28yearold romanian Dragomir Ilie, who was also arrested after a chase.

The illegal immigrants said to the greek coastguard authorities that they paid to the romanian 1.500 US dollars each in order to bring them to Greece.

[12] ALBANIAN TRIES TO SMUGGLE 21 KILOS OF HASHISH INTO GREECE

Twenty-one kilos of pure hashish were confiscated by police today, when a 41-year-old Albanian man tried to smuggle the drugs into Greece.

Panteli Marco hid the 40 plastic-covered bags containing the hashish in his truck's reservoir and was arrested when he tried to cross the Florina border in Krystallopigi.

According to the police, the suspect was to turn over the bags to another Albanian man in Thessaloniki.

[13] NEW YORK'S ARTS COMMUNITY GETS READY FOR GREEK PREMIER

Greek Premier Kostas Simitis's visit to New York on Wednesday will be marked by an array of cultural activities given in his honor.

To begin with, the Greek American Business council will grant a luncheon in the PRemier's honor on Wednesday afternoon, to be hosted at the Museum of Modern Art.

Meanwhile, across the street, the American Craft Museum will feature an exhibition of the renowed ceramist and sculptor Peter Voylokis, who will exhibit works of abstract expressionism depicting the greek myths and the religious symbols of byzantine Greece.

In downtown Manhattan's Soho district, Chryssa and Marina Karella will also exhibit their work, while in the Pace Exhibition Hall, Jim Dine returns to ancient times with his work titled "Some Greeks, Some Romans."

[14] HOLY LIGHT TO BE BROUGHT TO GREECE THROUGH OLYMPIC AIRWAYS

For the ninth consecutive time in the history of Greek Orthodoxy, the Holy Light will be brought Saturday to Athens through a special Olympic Airways flight from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

From Athens, the Holy Light will be brought to Thessaloniki, where it will be received ceremoniously by Thessaloniki's municipal authorities and Thessaloniki Metropolite Bishop Panteleemonas.

Another O.A. flight will take the Holy Light from Jerusalem to Egypt's Alexandria.

[15] THE GREEK ORTHODOX EASTER TRADITIONS WILL BE MADE KNOWN ALL OVER EUROPE THROUGH THE STATE TV CHANNEL ET-3

The Easter traditions in Thrace and the way Easter is being celebrated in the border regions of Pentalofos and Petroton in the Prefecture of Evros in north-eastern Greece, will be the topic of the state TV Channel ET-3 participation in a production under the title "Easter In Europe".

This will be an ET-3 co-production, within the framework of its cooperation with 300 television channels, members of CIRCOM (Association of Regional Television Stations in Europe), which will be televised during Easter on all the member TV stations and will be watched by millions of viewers all over Europe.

[16] THE GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE BRITISH MINISTER ON EUROPEAN MARKET ISSUES

The problems concerning the greek textile industry and the milk production quota for Greece were raised by greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos during his meeting in the Foreign Ministry building in Athens with British Minister on European Market issues Roger Freeman. According to reliable information, mr.Romeos gave a special emphasis on the issue of the community solidarity in the case of the "mad cow" disease.

The two men discussed the implementation of the EU directives, the European Union enlargement and issues concerning the Inter-Governmental Conference.

Regarding the Inter-Governmental Conference, mr.Romeos pointed out to mr.Freeman that the institutional recognition of the EU's external borders will contribute and to the protection of its citizens from terrorism and the illegal drugs trade.

Finally, mr.Freeman agreed with mr.Romeos' position, according to which, the eastern and central European states in order to be included in the enlarged European Union must meet certain preconditions.

[17] CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER TABLES RESOLUTIONS DATING BACK 22 YEARS

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Mihaelides has invited the permanent members of the Security Council to examine ways for the implementation of 22-year-old resolutions regarding the cypriot issue and has prompted the members to answer on what measures they plan to apply in order to set bounds to Turkey's intransigence.

In his statements before the Council, Mr. Mihaelides said that Cyprus does not seek new resolutions on the cypriot issue, but, rather, wants the application of the previous ones.

Referring to the mapping of Cyprus' occupied territory and national waters by the Denktash regime, the Cypriot diplomat stated that the effort of the occupied territory's regime aims at political recognition. However, Mr. Mihaelides added, this aim will not succeed as the cypriot government is proceeding to issue letters of protest addressed to all the international organizations involved in the solving of the Cypriot issue.

[18] THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IS WILLING TO BE INVOLVED IN THE EFFORTS FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

The willingness of the Council of Europe to be involved in an effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem, was expressed today to reporters by the Council's Secretary General Daniel Tarschys, who is on a visit to Cyprus.

Mr.Tarschys met with Cypriot Parliament President Alexis Galanos and Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis and afterwards he was received by Cypriot Republic President Glafkos Kliridis.

In statements he made after the meeting with mr.Galanos, the Council of Europe Secretary General stated that today efforts are being made in Europe for the promotion of cooperation between neighbouring countries and peoples and pointed out that the same should be done and in the case of Cyprus.

Responding to the question, in what way the Council of Europe could contribute toward this direction, mr.Tarschys said that the organization has adequate experience in the effort for the promotion of cooperation between countries in Europe and pointed out that there are legal mechanisms that could be proven useful.

Mr.Galanos characterized the cooperation between Cyprus and the Council of Europe as very close and active and underlined that its further strengthening will be sought after in the future.

[19] INFLATION REACHED 9,1% IN MARCH

In Greece, inflation reached 9,1% in the month of March, while in February it was 8,5%, according to official data from the Statistics Agency that were made public today.

It should be reminded that inflation in 1995 had dropped to 8,1%, but in January of 1996 increased to 8,2% and in February reached 8,5%.

The new increase observed in the month of March is due to the price increases in fuel, fruits and vegetables and olive oil. The increase was clearly seen in the price index which, according to official data, increased by 3,4%, while in March of 1995 it had increased only by 2,9%.

[20] GREEK ECONOMISTS CREATED THE HELLENIC-ROMANIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

In order to encourage Romanian-Greek economic relations, a group of Greek economists had the initiative to create the Hellenic-Romanian Business Association, based in Athens, Romanian News Agency Rador reported.

The Greek businessmen are ready to use their skill and expertise for helping Romania to integrate EU programmes, Vice- chairman of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aurel Weiner and member of the Romanian delegation declared in an interview with the Romanian public radio.

[21] ATHENS AND TIRANA GAVE THEIR ECONOMIC TIES A BOOST

An accord between Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Athens Chamber of Commerce for Small and Medium Businesses is expected to be signed soon. This document will boost the economic ties between two countries by providing further guaranties for Greek investments in Albania and facilitating the implementation of several EU programs. It follows the friendship treaty concluded between the two Balkan neighbors last March.

The cooperation aims not only promoting trade but also at increasing investments in Albania, Greek businessmen declared in Tirana. Tirana will lodge the upcoming Greek Week, a major event bringing together businessmen from Greece and Albania.

[22] GREECE-YUGOSLAVIA TO CO-OPERATE IN INSURANCE AREAS

A joint venture company named "Balkan Work Center" aiming at the collection of economic and other data, has been created in Greece by the Serb company "Duna", the oil industry "Jugopetrol" and the banks "Voivotsanska" and "Slavia."

According to an article published in Belgrade's "Politica" newspaper, the second agreement with greek insurance companies foresees the creation of a joined company for the insurance of transports, financial credits and buildings, while the third agreement concerns the co-operation of the "Dunab" company with the Greek company "Aspis Pronia" scheduled to begin in July 1996 for life and health insurances in Yugoslavia.

[23] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT

CURRENCY          FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU              301.9000   300.9940    302.8060
U.S. Dollar      239.9650   239.2450    240.6850
Deutsche Mark    162.3900   161.9030    162.8770
UK Sterling      367.5900   366.4870    368.6930
French Franc     47.6790    47.5360     47.8220
Swedish Crown    36.2400    36.1310     36.3490
Danish Kroner    42.1400    42.0140     42.2660
Norwegian Crown  37.5420    37.4290     37.6550
Italian Lira     15.4190    15.3730     15.4650
Swiss Franc      201.3800   200.7760    201.9840
Spanish Peseta    1.9428    1.9370      1.9486
Finnish Mark     51.8700    51.7140     52.0260
Yen              223.2050   222.5350    223.8750

[24] NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILL VISIT TYRKEY IN MAY

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana will visit Ankara towards the end of May, according to the turkish paper Hyurriet."

According to the article published in the turkish paper, Mr. Solana will give emphasis to the greek-turkish issues.

[25] FOREIGN SECRET SERVICE INFILTRATED ROMANIA

The national security and territorial integrity of Romania are in danger, stated for the press the Romanian Deputy Vasile Matei, member of the Romanian National Unity Party and of the parliamentarian commission controlling the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI). He also stated that foreign secret services has infiltrated all the Romanian institutions, and the Russian secret services were using Moldova's intelligence service to sabotage Romania.

The press office of the Moldovan National Security Ministry mentioned in a comment that the Romanian deputy neither knows, nor agrees with SRI director Virgil Magureanu remarks made in an interview with a Russian newspaper. According to Mr. Magureanu, the tensions between the Romanian and the Russian secret services have been overcome, and both are determined to fight against terrorism and organised crime, Romanian News Agency Rador reported.

[26] ROMANIA'S PRESIDENT HASN'T DECIDED YET TO RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM

I haven't expressed a decision to run after another term yet, and I will not do so until after holding local elections," Romanian President Ion Iliescu told representatives of Romanian and foreign press at his first press conference this year. In his speech opening the conference, president Iliescu referred to the elections due to take place this year, stressing that the local election had to be held by the end of May, and the parliamentary and presidential ones at the latest during September, Romanian News Agency Rador reported. The Romanian President asked all politicians not to go beyond their electoral campaign by complaining to foreign newspaper and international institutions because that might be received as false messages from Romania and deface its image.

Romania and Hungary are deeply interested in establishing solid relationships, but they have to overcome the only real obstacle which is Budapest's insistence that the bilateral basic treaty include a direct referrence to Recommendation 1201 of the Council of Europe. "Romania feels disinclined to making any concession," Iliescu said.

Answering to reporters, the Romanian President said Russia, as a successor to the former USSR which denounced Ribbentrop- Molotov Pact, should not be reluctant in reiterating that position, as Romania had asked in order to conclude the bilateral treaty. Romanian President cast-off the allegations concerning his eastward orientations, stressing the need of developing friendly relationship with all neighbouring countries, in the interest of peace and stability in the whole region. He also said Romania is sustaining China's stand regarding Taiwan as a Chinese territory.

[27] THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA BECAME MEMBER OF 40 UN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

The UN Human Rights Center, based in Geneva, is ready to give technical assistance to the Republic of Moldova in order to create a similar center in Chisinau, Romanian News Agency Rador reported, quoting the Moldovan head of the parliamentarian commision for human rights and ethnic minorities Vladimir Smolnari.

The Republic of Moldova joined 40 UN international organizations and accords, after entering the United Nations, said Gheorghe Lupu head of the parliamentary commission for foreign policy. he added that Moldova was also full member of 15 UN specialised institutions and was granted the right to act as monitor of the International Agency for Atomic Energy.

[28] KINKEL SAID: DEVELOPMENT IN RF YUGOSLAVIA INCOMPATIBLE FOR ITS READMISSION INTO EUROPEAN STRUCTURE

Germany and its EU partners appraise certain developments in rump Yugoslavia as "incompatible with the obligations this country undertook whithin the framework of the peace and stabilization process," German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel replied in a letter sent to Serbian Renewal Movement leader Vuk Draskovic.

The democratization of the FR Yugoslavia is a precondition for its readmission into European structures, Kinkel stressed. He said that main objectives were to establish the democratic institutions and to ensure the human and minority rights are respected.

[29] KARADZIC REJECT ASYLUM ON MT. ATHOS

Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic rejected the Serbian Orthodox Shilandar Monastery on Mt. Athos which proposed that the internationally-wanted war criminal become a monk there. This monastery enjoys extraterritorial status.

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