MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (25/09/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, September 25, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREECE'S NEW CABINET SWORN IN OFFICE TODAY BY THE PRESIDENT

Greece's new Government, following the elections of September 22 where incumbent party PASOK won, was sworn in this morning before the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Archbishop of Greece Serapheim.

Present at the swearing-in ceremony were all of the Cabinet's members, some of them newcomers, others reshuffled and a few who simply stayed put. The only absent members were Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos who is currently in New York reppresenting Greece at the United Nations 51st General Assembly and Stephanos Tzoumakas, Agriculture Minister, who is currently in Dublin.

Prime Minister-elect Kostas Simitis was the first to give his oath, followed by the Ministers and Undersecretaries.

In turn, President Stephanopoulos offered his congratulations and wishes for success to each member and afterwards Archbishop Serapheim saluted each official personally.

The new government's first Ministerial Council convened immediately afterwards in Parliament.

The Cabinet is composed by the following members:

Prime Minister: Konstantinos Simitis

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization: Alekos Papadopoulos
Undersecretaries: Lambros Papademas, Anastasios Mantelis

National Defense: Apostolos Athanasios Tsohatzopoulos
Undersecretary: Dimitris Apostolakis

Foreign Affairs: Theodoros Pangalos
Alternate Minister: George Papandreou
Undersecretary: Christos Rozakis

National Economy: Yiannos Papantoniou
Undersecretaries: Christos Pachtas, Ar. Baltas

Finance: Yiannos Papantoniou
Undersecretaries: George Drys, Al. Christodoulakis

Development: Vasso Papandreou
Undersecretaries: Michael Chrysochoides, Anna Diamantopoulou

Environment, City Planning and Public Works: Kostas Laliotis
Undersecretaries: T. Koliopanos, H. Verelis

Education: Gerasimos Arsenis
Undersecretary: Yiannis Anthopoulos

Agriculture: Stephanos Tzoumakas
Undersecretaries: Dimitris Sotirlis, Vasilis Geranides

Labour and Social Insurances: Miltiades Papaioannou
Undersecretaries: Nikos Farmakis, Christos Protopapas

Health and Welfare: Kostas Geitonas
Undersecretaries: Manolis Skoulakis, Theodoros Koutsonis

Justice: Evangelos Yiannopoulos

Culture: Evangelos Venizelos
Undersecretary: Andreas Fouras

Shipping: Stavros Soumakis

Public Order: George Romeos

Macedonia-Thrace: Philippos Petsalnikos

Aegean: Elisabeth Papazoi

Transportation and Communication: Haris Kastanides
Undersecretary: Manolis Loukakis

Press: Dimitris Reppas

Undersecretary to the Prime Minister: George Paschalides

[02] PASOK WANTS A COMMON COURSE WITH THE CENTER-LEFT AND THE PROGRESSIVE POWERS, STATED MR.SIMITIS

PASOK's intention to make every effort for a common course with the center-left and the progressive powers in order to form a policy that will be followed by the country in the next four years, was expressed by Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis in statements he made after the first cabinet meeting of the newly elected government.

Mr.Simitis also stressed that the September 22 election result and the mandate given to PASOK by the greek people constitute a lasting obligation for the government, while he announced that the new government will proceed with its work immediately and with a quick pace.

The Prime Minister said that everyone should contribute in order for the government effort to succeed, adding that the election result is a great victory for PASOK but this victory belongs and to other powers as well, to the center-left, to progressive powers which want Greece to play a different role and have a different presence. Mr.Simitis said that PASOK will try to find a common language and expression with all these powers in order to form a common course.

Meanwhile, mr.Simitis will visit Cyprus on October 1 as it was scheduled before the elections and on October 4 he will visit Dublin to attend the extraordinary EU Summit meeting.

The new Parliament will open on October 7 with the ceremony for the swearing-in of the new Parliament deputies, while on the same day will be held and the first meeting of the new Parliamentary Group of PASOK, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Simitis.

On October 8, the new Parliament President will be elected and PASOK will propose again mr.Apostolos Kaklamanis for the post. On the following day will be elected the Parliament's 5 vice- presidents and on October 10 will begin the discussion over the government's policy statements that will be concluded with the vote of confidence to the new government. On October 15, PASOK's Parliamentary Group will meet again to elect its Presiding Board.

[03] OUTGOING DEFENSE MINISTER ARSENIS CONCERNED OVER GREECE'S SECURITY

Greece's outgoing Minister of National Defense Gerasimos Arsenis bid his staff farewell this morning by expressing his concern for the country's security and, more so, for the Greece- Cyprus joint defense doctrine.

"I am leaving," he stated "with the country's security in my mind" and guided the military officers to closely guard the greco- cypriot joint defense doctrine.

Mr. Arsenis clearly stated that he is mistrustful of any Greece-Turkey dialogue, as well as of the trust-building measures between the two countries since, as he said, "the greek-turkish dialogue is brought in from the back door."

He added that Turkey's strategic aim is to shrink hellenism "and this is something that all should understand."

With the formation of the PASOK government's new Cabinet, Mr. Arsenis has been transferred to head the Education Ministry.

[04] GIORGOS PAPANDREOU FORMALLY ASSUMES DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER POST

New Deputy Foreign Minister, Giorgos Papandreou stressed that he will work hard in order to handle with responsibility and effectiveness the very important national issues.

He also said that he is happy to work with Theodoros Pangalos, who kept his position as Foreign Minister, and also with the new Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Christos Rozakis who has systematically dealt with foreign policy issues.

In his brief speech mr.Giorgos Romeos, who was mr.Papandreou's predecessor, said that Greece's position must improve and all the chronic problems should be overcomed.

[05] ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER GEORGE PAPANDREOU ON GREECE-ITALY RELATIONS

Greece must play a stabilizing-factor role in the Balkans and concurrently help the region's countries gain accession in the European Union, stated the newly appointed alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in an interview with the italian daily Messaggero.

Mr. Papandreou added that Turkey's challenges and provocations must not be underestimated, especially if one thinks of Cyprus.

On greek-italian relations, Mr. Papandreou stated that a closer cooperation on all fronts concerning the Mediterranean is sought between the two countries and noted that the absence of understanding is often due to the fact that the various countries singularities are not taken into consideration.

Referring to the recently held elections in Greece, Mr. Papandreou stated that the PASOK that won in the September 22 elections was one that his father, the late Andreas Papandreou and PASOK founder, dreamt of.

[06] NEW DEFENSE MINISTER PROMISES ARMED FORCES MODERNIZATION

New Minister of Defence, Akis Tsochatzopoulos formally replaced his predecessor to the post, Gerasimos Arsenis.

The new Minister assured mr.Arsenis and the military leadership that he will continue the same policy in the sector of defence and that his top priority will be the passing of the draft law concerning the wages of army officers.

Mr.Tsochatzopoulos also said that he will promote both the modernization of the armed forces and the draft law concerning the military service which will solve the problem of draft-dodgers.

[07] NAT'L ECONOMY MINISTER: EFFORT FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY TO GO ON

Yiannos Papantoniou, who heads both the Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Finance, stated that the institutional unification of these two Ministries will contribute positivelly to the better implementation of the greek economic policy.

He said that this important task will be achieved with the contribution of the two undersecrataries mr.Giorgos Dris and mr.Nikos Christodoulakis and also through the ministry's reorganization.

Mr.Papantoniou referred to the positive steps made in the past three years and pointed out that the efforts for the recovery of the country's economy should continue.

[08] DIMITRIS REPPAS RETURNED TO THE MINISTRY OF PRESS

Mr.Dimitris Reppas formally assuming his post as Minister of Press, stated that reform in the state radio and television will continue, while the ministry's reorganization will be completed.

Mr.Reppas stressed that the initiatives for the orderly operation of mass media will also be completed.

[09] N.D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DISCUSSES NEW LEADER'S ELECTION PROCEDURES

New Democracy's Executive Committee met in the party's central offices to discuss the procedures that will be followed for the setting up of the body of electors who will vote for the new party President.

In his speech ND Parliamentary Group General Secretary, Stavros Dimas thanked mr.Evert saying that he gave the election fight successfully and assured him that New Democracy, united and strong, will continue its work.

The Committee decided that on Monday or Tuesday local party committees will elect the electors who will vote for the new party President, possibly at the end on next week.

Meanwhile, ms.Dora Bakoyianni suggested that New Democracy should have its congress with a transitional president enjoying wide support. Ms.Bakoyianni had separate meetings today with ND Parliamentary Group General Secretary, Stavros Dimas and also with mr.Ioannis Varvitsiotis and mr.Miltiadis Evert.

Ms.Bakoyianni stated that the party congress will give the opportunity to those who want to be candidates for the party presidency to present their positions in order to have a new leader elected through democratic procedures.

[10] MANOS: IN THE PAST 6 YEARS A CIVIL WAR RAGES IN NEW DEMOCRACY

In the past 6 years a Mitsotakis-Evert civil war rages within the party of New Democracy and as a result the party was the loser in two parliamentary elections, stated former Minister, Stefanos Manos.

The former Minister also said that the only way for the restoration of the party's unity is the two sides to withdraw from the procedures for the election of a new party leader.

This is the only way for the party to move ahead, stated mr.Manos otherwise there is the danger of a split or in the best case the dragging on of this civil war.

[11] POLITICAL SPRING WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST IN THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL SCENE, STATED ITS LEADER

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras stated that his party will continue to exist in the country's political scene.

Mr.Samaras said that with the support of its members the party will regroup its forces on a more modern and effective basis, and concluded that he will remain on the front line of the struggle for a better Greece.

[12] THE ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIES IN NORTHERN GREECE URGES THE NEW GOVERNMENT TO GO AHEAD WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ECONOMY

The Association of Industries in Northern Greece in a statement it has issued mentions that if the necessary technical and business infrastructure is completed fast and if the new institutions are better organized then the benefits for the greek economy will be greater and the economic growth will accelerate bringing the country closer to the european unification.

The Association also underlines the need to set a time-table for the step-by-step handling of pending issues and for the drawing up of solutions with specific targets and time limits that will enjoy the acceptance of Greece's EU partners.

[13] PHILHELLENE TURK BEY'S OLD PHOTOS OF MT. ATHOS EXHIBITED IN TOWN

Old photographs of Mt. Athos taken by the Ottoman philhellene Ali Sami are to be exhibited at the National Bank's Cultural Center in Thessaloniki.

The black and white photographs date back to 1925-27, when Sami worked at Mt. Athos. Most of them picture the monastery's artifacts and the monk's living quarters.

The Turkish photographer was an officer at the Ottoman Navy and served as photographer to the Yildiz palace and as lieutenant to Sultan Abdulhamid. After the Sultan's fall, Sami became a publisher in Thessaloniki, where he founded the turkish-language "Hak" (Justice) in 1912 and the greek-language "Justice" in 1916.

Siding with Greeks, Sami headed a rebel group that fought the turkish forces and was pronounced an "outlaw" by Kemal.

Sami's photographs will be on display until October 28.

[14] BIRD WATCHERS CELEBRATE THIS WEEKEND, OUTINGS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY

Greece's Bird Association will organize this year's Bird Celebration between September 28-29, by offering bird-watching outings in various locations of the country, ranging from Evros to Crete.

The Association, which is affiliated with Birdlife International, will offer its services free of charge to all persons who, with binoculars in tow, will be given the opportunity to observe a vast range of migratory birds nesting in areas still virgin to development.

[15] "EUROPEAN DAYS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE" TO BE CELEBRATED IN GREECE

All of Greece's museums and archaeological exhibit sites will offer an open entrance, that means free-of-charge, this weekend (September 28-29) in honor of the annual "European Days of Cultural Heritage".

Marking Greece's third successive participation, this year's event will begin on September 27 when Greek students will paint, draw and write the impressions of their visits to the museums.

The event is held every September and is coordinated by Belgium's King Bodoin Foundation, which aims at creating a european cultural identity based on the premise that the cultures of the European peoples are closely knit.

Over 40 countries are participating this year and all are members of the Council of Europe.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[16] E.U. ADOPTS AMENDMENT ON MEMBERS' TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY, SECURITY

The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted an amendment today which provides that the security and territorial sovereignty of the EU-member-states is a responsibility that lies with the European Union.

The amendment, which was tabled by PASOK europarliamentarian and vice-president of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Yiannis Roubatis, foresees that the E.U. can undertake an offcial role for peacekeeping purposes, as well as employ armed forces in the case of a military crisis.

[17] EUROPEAN UNION'S IRISH PRESIDENT DICK SPRING BACKS GREECE'S POSITIONS

The European Union's Irish President Dick Spring supported Greece's positions on the greco-turkish issues during yesterday's convention of the United Nations 51st General Assembly in New York.

Mr. Spring relayed the European Union's concern over Turkey's demands and supported that the turkish territorial claims should be resolved through the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Moreover, Mr. Spirng condemned the murders of the two Greek- Cypriots who lost their lives at Deryneia in August.

[18] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE

The United States are ready to undertake an initiative in order to settle the greek-turkish relations, stated the U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher to Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos during their meeting yesterday at the United Nations headuarters.

According to State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns, Mr. Christopher conveyed a message from the Clinton Administration and added that resolving the differences between the two neighboring countries is of great significance for the U.S.

Moreover, the State Department representative stated that the US Ambassador to the UN Madeleine Albright, along with the State Department's Assistant Secretary Peter Tarnoff, will be called on to carry a mediator role.

Mr. Christopher told Mr. Pangalos that he hopes Washington will become more actively involved in Cyprus too and condemned the murders of the two Greek-Cypriot civilians, as well as the murder of the Turk-Cypriot soldier.

In regards to the US initiative, Mr. Burns also added that Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, in her meeting with Mr. Christopher, had also agreed that "perhaps now is the right time for such action."

[19] TURKEY IS IN NO HURRY TO RESOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE, SAYS CYPRIOT PRESIDENT

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides has stated that Turkey is in no hurry to resolve the Cyprus problem since its aim is to secure the pseudostate's recognition and turn it into an islamic pseudostate.

Mr. Clerides assessed that the situation in Cyprus will not turn into a military conflict since this is not in Turley's plans, although he added that any danger for conflict will not have been pre-planned but would likely result from an episode that would escalate the tension.

The Cypriot President also reiterated that the solution to the Cyprus problem lies with Ankara. However, he added, in order for this to be achieved, Turkey must first have a stable government.

[20] FRENCH PRESIDENT SENDS CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO THE GREEK PREMIER

French President, Jacques Chirac sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis for PASOK's election victory.

In his letter mentions that he is very happy because the friendly cooperation between the two countries that was confirmed with the recent visit to Athens by Prime Minister Alain Juppe, will be strengthened even more.

[21] THE CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER HAD SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING

Cypriot Foreign Minister, Alekos Michailidis had significant contacts with his counterparts from Australia, Moldavia and Slovenia on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Mr.Michailidis briefed his australian counterpart on the developments in the Cyprus problem and the head of the australian diplomacy assured the cypriot Foreign Minister that in his speech before the UN General Assembly he will make a special reference to the Cyprus problem, while he invited him to make a formal visit to Australia.

In the meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Slovenia and Moldavia were discussed ways for the promotion and development of bilateral relations and for the further cooperation in the economic and culture sectors.

[22] FYROM PRESIDENT ADDRESSES UN ASSEMBLY ON RELATIONS WITH GREECE

The President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov expressed his conviction today that the differences that lie between his country and Greece will be resolved, as he expressed his certainty that friendly relations between the two countries will develop further.

Addressing the United Nations annual General Assembly, currently held in New York, Mr. Gligorov added that the results of the interim agreement between FYROM and Greece are "clearly positive."

[23] FIRST BALKAN CONFERENCE OF CATTLE BREEDERS TO BE IN THESSALONIKI

The first Balkan Conference of Cattle Breeders will be held in Thessaloniki, between September 29 - October 1 and will address agricultural development in relation to cattle production.

Aside from cattle breeders , present at the Conference will be officials from the Greek Agriculture Ministry, as well as government officials from the Federal Yugoslav Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, FYROM, Albania and Turkey.

The Conference is jointly organized by the Association of the Greek Cattle Breeders Industry and the American Soya Organization.

[24] JAPAN MARVELS AT PARTHENON'S FRIEZE, COPY DISPLAYED IN OSAKA

The Greek exhibit titled "Parthenon: architecture and maintenance" opened in Osaka, Japan yesterday, gaining extensive media coverage throughout the country.

The exhibit features an exact copy of the ancient Greek monument's left frieze and this is the first time it is fully displayed abroad. Hundreds of thousands locals are expected to flock at Osaka's museum to see the exhibit up close.

[25] HALKIDIKI'S HOTELS BECOME EUROPE'S PIONEERS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Halkidiki's hotels have undertaken such a pioneering role in the area of environmental protection, that they are soon to serve as a model for the rest of Europe.

According to Nikos Zacharis, a consultant for "EUROCONSULTANTS" a Greece-based company that has often collaborated with the European Committee's XI General Directorate, the region's hoteliers have formed "EMAS", a plan that includes a series of steps necessary in assessing the environmental impacts of industrial development in the region brought about by the hotels.

"Our aim is to improve water, energy and waste management, as well as establish recycling programs," Zacharis said.

The program, which is mostly funded by the Greek Ministry of Environment, City Planning and Public Works, is expected to receive the E.C.'s final approval before the end of the year.

[26] RUSSIA WILL PAY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR ITS SHARE IN THE BLACK SEA BANK INITIAL SUBSCRIBED CAPITAL

The prospects for the opening of the Black Sea Bank on January 1st, 1997 are regarded as auspicious after the announcement made a few days ago by Russia according to which it intends to pay its share in the bank's initial subscribed capital.

Russia is one of the three countries participating in the Black Sea Bank with the highest share percentage (16,5%) and therefore, after its announcement is regarded as certain that the 51% of the initial subscribed capital needed will be collected in time in order for the bank to open as scheduled.

Mr.Emanuel Spiridakis, greek Foreign Ministry ambassador stated to MPA that with the participation of Russia the share- capital needed will be collected and the bank will open on the scheduled date.

[27] EUROPEAN UNION'S GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT ON THE RISE

The European Union's Gross National Product presented a slight rise of .22% during the second quarter of 1996, thereby marking a one per cent increase between the last half of 1995 and the corresponding period of this year.

The aforementioned data was included in a report pubished by Eurostat, the E.U.'s offcial statistical agency.

[28] INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT OF UNDERWEAR-SWIMWEAR TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

Over 130 international manufacturers of underwear and swimwear have signed up to participate in Thessaloniki's "Lace" exhibit to be held at Helexpo between October 5 and 7.

Representatives will arrive from France, Italy, the United States, Britain, Germany, Spain and Israel and will display samples of their designs to the visiting crowd. It is not known if the exhibit will feature live modeling.

[29] STOCKHOLM PUTS FORTH BID FOR 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES, 11 SUITORS SO FAR

The Olympic Games International Committee is currently considering Stockholm's candidacy as a city-host of the 2004 Olympic Games, bringing the Games' total number of would-be- suitors to eleven.

According to the Committee's German president Thomas Bach, "Stockholm is very well outfitted and prepared for the occassion" however, the city's ecological issues and lack of sufficient transportation to the Olympic village are seen as potential drawbacks.

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