MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (12/09/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 12, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

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[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES THE GREEK PEOPLE IN TELEVISED MESSAGE

Embarking on the final ten-day countdown before the September 22 elections, Greek Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis issued today an invitation to the Greek people to place their trust in the socialist movement in order to enable the country to meet the future's challenges.

In his televised message for PASOK, Mr. Simitis acknowledged that the viewers have heard an avalanche of programs, promises and attestations.

"Yet, a thick cloud of speeches and ideas makes it difficult for you to see the truth clearly," he stated. "The time has come for you to decide, to issue your orders.Apathy and indifference is the worst thing we could offer to the nation," he added.

Referring to Greece's foreign policy, Mr. Simitis singled out Turkish expansionism and aggression as being the primary threat to Greece and Hellenism.

"We have made it clear that Greece wishes for good relations with Turkey, however, we will not negotiate our sovereign rights and we will cede nothing," Mr. Simitis stated.

The Premier's speech also touched upon burning issues that concern Greeks, such as the quality of life and social justice as well as a stronger social solidarity, all of which, according to PASOK's President are ideals espoused by the ruling party.

Earlier Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis had expressed his certainty and confidence of the Socialist Movement's victory in the upcoming elections of September 22.

Following a session held by the party's Political Secretariat and members of the Pre-election Campaign Committee, Mr. Simitis stated that from the data and reports that his party has gathered so far, he has concluded that a very positive climate is apparent.

"We believe that everything forecasts a victory," Mr. Simitis stated.

[02] POLITICAL SPRING LEADER SPEAKS IN SERRES, BLASTS AT MAJOR PARTIES

Minor opposition party leader, Political Spring's Antonis Samaras, spoke at an open rally in the city of Serres tonight, where he blasted the main opposition New Democracy and the ruling party PASOK for pouring in the money during the pre-election campaigns.

Mr. Samaras stated that the PASOK and N.D. leaders, Premier Kostas Simitis and N.D. leader Miltiades Evert respectively, have bought the television channels in order to promote themselves and, as such, underestimate the Greek people's intelligence.

"We have told Simitis and Evert to stop fooling the people, to stop talking about development because the Greek people have this government-imposed austerity ingrained to their bones," Mr. Samaras stated.

Antonis Samaras criticised both ruling party PASOK and main opposition New Democracy as having placed the country's national issues and the economy on auction.

Mr. Samaras challeged the leaders of the two major parties to answer if on the day after the elections they will enforce austerity, give away the name "Macedonia" to FYROM, and proceed to dialogue with Turkey.

[03] CARETAKER MINISTER OF PRESS REFERRED TO THE INNOVATIONS INTRODUCED IN THE SEPTEMBER 22 ELECTIONS

Caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas in a press conference today referred to the innovations introduced in the September 22 elections and also to their totally different character compared to previous elections held in the country.

The caretaker Minister stressed that starting from these elections a Central Cross-party Committee has been formed in the Ministry of the Interior, while he pointed out that for the first time regulations have been adopted concerning the political parties' access to state and private television and also, the financial contributions made to political parties.

Referring to questions of procedure concerning the day of the elections, mr.Konstas stressed that for the first time the polling stations will not be guarded by armed soldiers and there will be no restrictions in the operation of night clubs on election night.

[04] THE SIMITIS-EVERT TELEVISED DEBATE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW NIGHT

The televised debate between PASOK leader, Kostas Simitis and New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert will be held in the studios of the state television station, ET-1 tomorrow at 9pm and will be broadcast by all the TV channels in the country.

The spokesmen of PASOK, Tasos Mantelis and New Democracy, Prokopis Pavlopoulos met today with General Secretary of Press, Nikos Athanasakis and agreed on the journalists who will ask the questions to the two leaders and on the procedure that will be followed.

As it has been decided the coordinator of the debate will be Greek Radio and Television, ERT, journalist Petros Efthimiou and the questions will be asked by journalists Yiannis Papoutsanis from the private television channel ANT1 and Pavlos Tsimas and Thodoros Rousopoulos from the private TV channel MEGA.

The journalists will ask 12 questions, the same for mr.Simitis and mr.Evert, who will have 2 minutes to give their answers.

[05] COMMENTS ON THE DEBATE BY THE ND SPOKESMAN

New Democracy spokesman, Prokopis Pavlopoulos expressed his party's regret because finally PASOK did not accept the holding of a public discussion between mr.Simitis and mr.Evert.

Mr.Pavlopoulos stated that his party accepted the televised debate because it believes that the greek people must have the opportunity to hear the essence of the political arguments of both leaders.

Referring to the opinion polls, mr.Pavlopoulos pointed out that they should make those, who believed that they would win the elections easily, think adding that New Democracy never had any illusions over PASOK's new image.

[06] THE LEADER OF POLITICAL SPRING ACCUSED PASOK AND ND OF AUCTIONING OFF THE ISSUES OF GREEK NATIONAL INTEREST

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras accused Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis and New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert of auctioning off both the issues of national interest and the country's economic problems.

Ten days before the elections mr.Samaras called mr.Simitis and mr.Evert to tell the greek people if they will implement austerity measures the day following the elections and also, if they will give away the name of Macedonia and enter a dialogue with Turkey.

Mr.Samaras also stated that it is a shame for the Prime Minister to characterize the Council of Political Leaders as a "public relations institution", adding that it appears that mr.Simitis regards the americans as more reliable interlocutors.

The leader of Political Spring toured this morning Thessaloniki's market and in the afternoon he will meet with representatives of the Associations of Industries and Exporters in northern Greece. Also, he will have a meeting with workers' unions representatives.

In the evening, mr.Samaras will speak in an open-air political rally that will be held in the central square of the city of Serres.

[07] THE COALITION OF THE LEFT LEADER LEFT OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF A CONDITIONAL COOPERATION WITH PASOK

Coalition of the Left leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos in a press conference he gave in Thessaloniki today, left open the possibility of a cooperation with PASOK only on the condition that the ruling party will change its policy, while he criticized the two big parties for the policy they have been following since 1974, accusing them of having no development or social programme.

Mr.Konstantopoulos described the two big parties as pre- election "miracle-makers" and stated that during their terms in power the economic and social situation worsened, characterizing the governments of PASOK and of New Democracy as "bad planners and administrators".

He said that mr.Simitis must assume his responsibilities because with his policy the deficit in the public debt and the public sector is worsening, while unemployment is being inflated and the opening in the balance of current business transactions is getting wider.

The Coalition of the Left leader underlined that if the same policy continues the course of the economy will be characterized by recession, austerity and unemployment, emphasizing the negative role played by the "criminally low" absorption of EU funds and the long delays in the construction of public works projects.

Mr.Konstantopoulos stated that the Coalition of the Left has presented a recovery programme on the reconstruction of the country's production sector, tax reforms, public sector reforms and social justice. He also said that the Coalition of the Left has asked for the reorientation of Greece's policy in the Balkans.

[08] THE COALITION OF THE LEFT LEADER STATED THAT HIS PARTY CAN BE THE MAJOR UPSET IN THE ELECTIONS

Coalition of the Left leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos in statements he made during his visit to the MPA offices, stressed commenting on the increased percentage points the party gets based on the recent opinion polls, that it is in a position to be the major upset in the elections.

Meanwhile, in his meeting with workers' unions representatives mr.Konstantopoulos stressed the need for the re- negotiation of the Maastricht Treaty terms.

[09] COMMUNIST PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT HER PARTY WILL DO WELL IN THE ELECTIONS

Communist party General Secretary, Aleka Papariga in an interview to an Athens newspaper expressed optimism that her party will do well in the elections.

Ms.Papariga underlined that the Communist party will change the political setting with its increased representation in Parliament and added that even though her party always supported cooperations it can not cooperate with the other political parties knowing their policy.

Referring to the issues of national interest, the Communist party General Secretary stressed the dangers hidden behind them and expressed fear that "we are being led to the division of the Aegean".

[10] THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC HONOURED THE GREEK OLYMPIC MEDALISTS

President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos honoured the greek Olympic medalists in a special ceremony that was held in the Presidential Building.

The Olympic Gold medalists received the Golden Cross of the Order of Honour and the silver medalists the Golden Cross of the Order of Phoenix.

In statements he made during the ceremony, the President expressed his gratitude to them because, as he said, they honoured above all the Olympic idea adding that these are times characterized by decadence but in spite this, there are still certain values and ideals that remain, like the Olympic idea.

President Stephanopoulos also thanked the Olympic medalists because they projected Greece internationally and set a precious example to the younger generation.

[11] THE TWO WILLS OF THE LATE ANDREAS PAPANDREOU WERE MADE PUBLIC TODAY

The two wills of the late Andreas Papandreou were made public today by an Athens court and according to both of them, his wife Dimitra is the sole heiress of his personal estate and landed property and also, of his personal files. Both wills were found to be valid.

In the second will that was submitted to the court by ms.Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, Andreas Papandreou turns against his son-in-law, Theodoros Katsanevas and calls his sons to cut any ties with him.

The authenticity of Andreas Papandreou's signature in the second will was verified in court by Antonis Livanis, who was his close associate for 33 years. In that will Andreas Papandreou expresses his gratitude to his wife Dimitra for her support in the years she was with him and describes her as the big love of his life and the only source of true joy for him.

He also mentions that she had become the target of all his enemies and of many of his friends too, and calls all their mutual friends to stand by her and offer her their support in every possible way.

Regarding his children, Andreas Papandreou states in his will that he has fulfiled all his obligations toward them.

[12] PRE-ELECTION PUBLISHED POLLS CONFUTE ONE-ANOTHER ON WHICH PARTY LEADS

On the last day polls are allowed to be published, according to a recent law, today's percentages on which political party has the lead in light of of the September 22 elections vary from newspaper to newspaper.

While all published polls appear to agree that the smaller parties coveting a seat in parliament can withstand the pressure of snap elections, the major players, ruling-party PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, are given conflicting percentages.

According to the first poll, conducted by "Metron Analysis", PASOK has the lead with 31.9% against New Democracy's 27.7 per cent. These rates show an increase in the two major parties' percentages, while the smaller parties appear to maintain their rates constant, with 5.5% for the Coalition, 5.4% combined for the Communist Party and the Democratic Social Movement, and 3.4% for Political Spring.

The second poll, by "ICAP", presents PASOK as having the lead with 31.9% against 29.9% of New Demcoracy, while another, by "Richette International", shows PASOK as having the lead with 31.2% in comparison to 28.6% of New Democracy.

The fourth poll, by "DIMEL", shows New Democracy as having the lead with 28.8% against 27.3% of PASOK. According to this poll, the undecided voters reach the 11% rate.

[13] TEN DAYS BEFORE ELECTIONS, COUNTDOWN BEGINS, CAMPAIGNS INTENSIFY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, who is also President of the ruling party PASOK, addressed an open rally yesterday in Heraklion, Crete and stated the Socialist Movement will turn the page to the 21st century.

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy leader Mitliades Evert stated that his party will win the September 22 elections when he spoke in Arta yesterday.

Minor opposition party Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras arrived in Thessaloniki this morning and his itinerary includes meetings with the local Association of Industrialists and Exporters of Northern Greece and the Worker's Center.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega will tour Nikea, while Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party leader Nikos Konstantopoulos will visit Thessaloniki's Itnernational Trade Fair and will give a speech this evening in the center of town.

Leader of the Democratic Social Movement Dimitris Tsovolas will tour the Peloponnese and will visit Pyrgos, Aigio and Argos where he will speak at an open rally this evening.

[14] COALITION PARTY LEADER IN THESSALONIKI, CONFIDENT AND OPTIMISTIC

The Leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party Nikos Konstantopoulos stated today that his party is in a position to emerge as a "surprise" in the upcoming elections of September 22.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, whose offices he visited this morning, Mr. Konstantopoulos stated that Synaspismos has confidence and optimism.

Commenting on the polls that present his Coalition party as having raised percentages in relation to the 1993 elections, Mr. Konstantopoulos remarked that Synaspismos will not rest on its laurels.

"We will press on with our fight up to the last day, until the ballots close, and I believe that Synaspismos will be justified in its effort," he stated.

Mr. Konstantopoulos dismissed the recent polls published in the media as merely impression-creating ploys that seek to exert political influence in light of the elections.

The Synaspismos leader also remarked that "elections can't be held through polls, elections are held through the conscience of each citizen who casts his vote in the polling station."

[15] THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR ATTRACTS 10,000 VISITORS DAILY

Tens of thousands are the daily visitors who enter the gates of Thessaloniki's 61st International Trade Fair, among them businesspeople who are set to close business deals or to proceed to investments in Greece.

A crowd pleaser is the car and electronic goods exhibit that Helexpo has organized for the first time at the ITF. The technical and production-sector companies participating in these exhibits have focused on ways to attract the markets of the eastern and central Europe and the Middle East.

Also, Polish experts will be visiting Greece in September in an effort to attract Greek investors and will organize a series of informative seminars aimed at promoting bilateral trade.

The trade attache of Poland's Embassy in Athens announced that a delegation of Greek businessmen will be visiting Poland in order to examine the country's investment opportunities.

[16] GREEK FAIR IN TORONTO IS A SHOWPLACE FOR GREECE AND CYPRUS

The Greek Fair held in metropolitan Toronto, was especially successful through its array of stands that exhibited the cream of the crop of Greek products and artifacts.

The Fair, which was held for 18 days, featured the participation of the Ministry of the Aegean, the Greek and the Cypriot Tourism Organizations, the National Bank of Greece, Olympic Airways, the Pan-Macedonian Union of the United States and Canada, the Cypriot commuity of Toronto, the People's Bank of Cyprus and, of course, Toronto's Greek commuity.

[17] THIRD CONFERENCE OF MODERN GREEK STUDIES TO BEGIN IN MELBOURNE

The Third Conference of Modern Greek Studies of Australia's and New Zealand's Associations of Modern Greek Studies will be held at the University of Melbourne between Seprtember 29 - October 2, and will be themed after "Greek Culture: Heritage, Innovation, Development."

Distinguished visitors will give speeches in both the Greek and English languages and will expound on the course of the Greek culture in the recent past and present, as well as on the effects it will bear in the future. Emphasis is also expected to be given to Cypriot culture and to the Greek diaspora.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[18] FURTHER INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE FOR TURKISH-CYPRIOT "AGRICULTURE MINISTER"

Further incriminating evidence has surfaced regarding the murder of Greek-Cypriot Solomos Solomou, according to which Kenan Akin, the agriculture "Minister" of the Turkish-Cypriot pseudostate, was directly involved in the crime.

The Cypriot Republic's General Prosecutor Alekos Markides has stated that new data have surfaced pointing to Askin's direct involvement in the murder, yet he did not reveal what the new evidence is.

Mr. Markides stated that "now it is feasible to bring legal charges for premeditated murder against the so-called Agriculture 'Minister' of the Denktash regime," as well as against the chief of the (regime's) so-called police and the then-chief of the occupying forces, Major-General Mehmet Karli and Erdal Emanet, respectively.

Yesterday, Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos exclaimed that the recently-surfaced reports on the murder "exceed the boundaries of our imagination."

Mr. Pangalos stated that the Greek Government has already denounced the occupied territory's Denktash regime and its various paramilitary groups as being the perpetrators of the violent incidents that took place last month in Deryneia, which were a carefully orchestrated effort to show that the two communities cannot co-exist peacefully.

[19] A PROPOSAL CATAPULT FOR TURKEY WAS ADOPTED IN A SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL RESOLUTION

PASOK's delegation, in cooperation with the Cypriot socialist party, EDEK succeeded in its efforts to have a proposal catapult for Turkey over the Cyprus problem included in a Socialist International resolution. The proposal was adopted during the Socialist International meeting that was held in New York, while both PASOK and EDEK were able to distribute in the UN a well documented special printed material with the title "The turkish atrocities in Cyprus on August 1996 and their implications".

In the resolution it is stressed that the Socialist International supports Cyprus' accession into the EU and expresses concern over the lack of progress in ending the continuing division of the island. It stresses the need for the implementation of UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of all foreign elements and armies, the respect of Cyprus' independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the basic freedoms of its people. The resolution also calls the UN to continue its efforts toward reaching an agreement that will be based on justice and the respect of international law.

It should be noted, that the greek delegations reacted strongly to the efforts made by the turkish delegation, which through Erdal Inonu and Deniz Baykal tried to have the text on Cyprus removed from the resolution and in the voting that followed Turkey was isolated completely by all the other delegations even by those comming from muslim countries.

In the resolution adopted by the Socialist International, a special referrence is being made on the kurds living in the region characterizing Turkey, Iraq and Iran as countries that oppress their kurdish citizens. Also, it regards as important the opening of a dialogue between Turkey and the kurds and suggests extensive Constitution amendments and improvements in Turkey's human rights record, while it also demands the release of all political prisoners including the DEP Parliament deputies.

[20] EURO-PARLIAMENT SOCIALIST GROUP RESOLUTION CONDEMNS TURKEY'S PROVOCATIVE STANCE BOTH INSIDE THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD

The European Parliament Socialist Group in a resolution adopted unanimously condemns Turkey's provocative stance both inside the country, with the increased oppression and annihilation of political rivals and abroad, with the provocations in the Aegean, Cyprus and Iraq.

The resolution was presented by Minister of Environment, Planning and Public Works, Kostas Laliotis, who stated that with this resolution adopted in Helsinki today, the cold-blooded murder of the two greek-cypriots is unequivocally condemned while Turkey's stance on issues that were set as pre-conditions for the ratification of the EU-Turkey customs union agreement is characterized as unacceptable and provocative.

Mr.Laliotis also said that with this resolution the Socialist Group calls for the blocking of EU funds to Turkey.

[21] A MEETING WITH DENKTASH WOULD BE UNPRODUCTIVE, SAYS CYPRIOT PRESIDENT

In a two-page letter addressed to the leader of the occupying regime in Nortern Cyprus Rauf Denktash, Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides itemizes the reasons why he has turned down a proposal for a meeting to be held between them, aimed at easing the tension on the divided island.

According to reports, Mr. Clerides writres that he considers such a meeting to be unproductive, since Denktash's and his collaborators' involvement in the recent violent episodes at Deryneia renders the Denktash regime responsible for the recent crisis in Cyprus.

Mr. Clerides' letter is expected to be brought forward during tomorrow's talks between the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy Han Sung Ju, Rauf Denktash and Glafkos Clerides.

[22] EURO-PARLIAMENTARIAN COMPENSATED $12,750 FOR TURK'S DEFAMATORY REMARK

The President of the European Parliament Greens Group, Claudia Roth, has won the defamation lawsuit she filed against the Turkish government's former Minister Aivaz Giokdemir who had called her a "whore."

Giokdemir, a former Trade Minister in Tansu Ciller's cabinet, was found guilty of defamation and is obliged to pay Roth $12,750 in compensation for damages.

Claudia Roth and the Presidents of two other groups in the European Parliament, the Socialist Group's Pauline Green and Catherine Lalymiere of the Radical Group, had been addressed by the Turkish Minister as "European whores" during a May 1995 pre- election rally held in Turkey.

The former Minister hurled the infamous remark when the three women provoked his ire with their insistance to free Kurdish political leaders from Turkish jails.

Claudia Roth was the only woman among the three to bring charges against Giokdemir. She stated that she is pleased by the court's decision.

[23] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO HOLD FREE ELECTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER WAR

Free elections for the first time after the four-year war will be held in Bosnia-Herzegovina this Saturday where the 2.9 millions of the war-torn country's electorate body will be called to vote on a tripartite, rotating presidium and to form a parliament.

The legislative and executive bodies of the newly-formed state will be primarily composed by the three-member presidium of the Bosnia-Herzegovina union, which will comprise three representatives, a Serb, a Muslim and a Croat. The presidency will be on a rotating, six-month basis and among the likeliest candidates are Bosnia's current President Alia Izetbegobic, a Muslim; Croat Krezimir Zubac, current President of the Mulsim- Croatian Federation; and Serb Momcilo Krisnik, current President of the Bosnianserb Parliament.

The Common Representatives Body will be made up by 42 parliamentarians, 14 from the Serb Republic and 28 from the Muslim- Croatian Federation.

The Muslim-Croat Federation Parliament, will be composed by 120 MPs and expected to take a lead are Alia Izetbegobic's SDA, the Party of the Democratic Action, and the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ) which is led by the like-named party of the Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. Main opponents of these two parties are considered to be the Union for Bosnia-Herzegovina of former Premier Haris Silaigic, and Rasim Kadic's Liberal Alliance.

The Serb Republic's Parliament will be made up by 83 Bosnianserb parliamentarians. It is almost certain that the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) will prevail, led by Radovan Karadic. The Coalition for Peace and Progress led by the Socialist Party and supported by President of Serbia Slobodan Milocevic and the Democratic Patriotic Bloc, led by Banja Luca's former mayor Predrag Radic have also increased their chances of entering parliament, although they're lagging far behind the ruling SDS.

The Serb Republic's Presidency, which up to date has been steered by the acting President Biljiana Plavcic, is likely to gain majority appeal by the Bosnianserbs. However, one cannot doubt the outcome if in Plavcic's seat was Radovan Karadic who, this summer succumbed to the international community's profound pressure to withdraw from Bosnia's political proscenium. Nevertheless, Karadic's candidature as SDS party leader is so heavily promoted in the region, that local authorities have formally protested to the Serb Republic for not observing the pre- election campaign policies.

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