Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 96-11-21

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, November 21, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PREMIER WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO ROME, RETURNED TO ATHENS TONIGHT

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis returned to Athens this evening, after completing his official two- day visit to Rome, where he met with Italian Premier Romano Prodi and the secretary of the Italian Democratic Left Party Massimo d'Alema.

The Greek and Italian Premiers discussed issues of bilateral interest, such as developments in the European Union in relation to the Intergovernmental Conference (ICG), the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish issues.

Both Msrs. Prodi and d'Alema stated that they comprehend Greece's positions regarding the Aegean and the Cyprus problem.

"The socialist parties should become pioneers in combating unemployment, promoting social justice and supporting other reforms which will make Europe more embraceable by its peoples," Mr. Simitis stated.

Mr. d'Alema, who has been invited to Athens by Mr. Simitis, stated that he supports the Greek position, that is, Turkey should respect international laws and accords.

[02] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN BRUSSELS ON MONDAY

The European Union Foreign Ministers Council will convene in Brussels on Monday.

It is confirmed that the report to be submitted during Monday's session will concern the EU-Turkey relations and will include a toning down of Ankara's obligation to take initiatives in imrpoving its relations with Athens. Moreover, the report is stated to contain an appeal directed at both Greece and Turkey to resolve their differences at the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

The Greek delegation has strongly reacted to this appeal, refusing to accept the EU Presidency's relevant proposals.

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos has stated that Greece will exercise its veto powers if the EU- Turkey council is held between the EU and Turkey.

[03] GREECE'S OPPOSITION CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT'S FOREIGN POLICY

The upcoming year will be a difficult one for Greece's national security, according to the leader of Greece's main opposition party New Democracy's Miltiades Evert.

Mr. Evert added that it is quite possible that during 1997 a warm incident in the Aegean, Thrace or Cyprus will take place and asked the Government to remain unyielding on its sovereign rights.

On another front, the Secretary-General of Greece's Comnmunist Party Aleka Paparega critisized the Government for its stance during the Western European Union Summit in regards to Turkey-related policies.

Ms. Paparega stated that Greece appeared idle during the WEU Summit-wherein Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller asked for all-inclusive negotiations with Greece- which, as she said, upgraded Turkey's role and rewarded Ankara's stance in the Kurdish, Cypriot and Aegean issues.

Moreover, in Parliament today, the President of the Democratic and Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas blasted the Government for its costly armament program which, he stated, is simply an alibi employed to justify the austere, anti-popular measures drawn in the annual budget.

[04] GREEK PREMIER TO MEET WITH LEADER OF ITALY'S DEMOCRATIC LEFT PARTY

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, currently on an official visit to Rome, will meet with Italy's Democratic Left Party leader Massimo d'Alema today.

Yesterday, the Greek Premier met with his italian counterpart Romano Prodi and discussed issues of bilateral interest, such as developments in the European Union in relation to the Intergovernmental Conference (ICG), the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish issues.

Mr. Simitis reiterated Greece's positions and stated that he and Mr. Prodi are in agreement that the rules of international law and treaties must be applied.

[05] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER MEETS WITH ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON IN NEW YORK

The Archbishop of North and South America Spyridon received today the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos in New York.

In his message to the Greek people, His Eminence emphasized the importance of unity in facing national issues and stated that the Archbishopry systematically develops its contacts in the United States government in order to promote the Greek interests.

Moreover, the Archbishop commented on his meeting with Mr. Petsalnikos and expressed his pleasure at the Greek Government's interest to promote and spread the teaching of the greek language to the second, third and fourth generations of Greeks in the States.

Mr. Petsalnikos has invited the Archbishop to visit Thessaloniki during 1997 in order to attend manifestations of the "Thessaloniki: European Cultural Capital of '97" which will include various exhibitis at Mt. Athos.

[06] GREECE DOES NOT ACCEPT PACKAGE DISCUSSIONS WITH TURKEY, STATED THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER

In an unscheduled press conference, greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated categorically that Greece does not accept package discussions on the Cyprus issue and the greek-turkish relations, neither the simultaneous reference to the International Court of Justice in The Hague of the issues of Imia and continental shelf. At the same time, he called on the international community to take military and economic measures against Turkey in order to be forced to act in a civilized manner.

The greek government's firm position has not changed, stated mr.Pangalos, adding that a favourable development in the Cyprus issue may have a positive effect on the climate that exists in the greek-turkish relations but is also possible to have the opposite effect.

Mr.Pangalos stressed that the Cyprus issue is a problem of invasion and occupation and as such is being handled. He also said that the issue of the islets of Imia is a matter of territorial claim which is impossible to be included in negotiations concerning the continental shelf. Mr.Pangalos said that Greece will never accept a package discussion on the greek-turkish relations pointing out that in such talks mutual compliance is implied and in this case this can not happen as we are dealing with unfounded turkish claims.

He said that Turkey from its part can bring the issue of the Imia islets to The Hague, while on the issue of the continental shelf, Greece and Turkey can reach an agreement to refer the dispute to international arbitrators. Mr.Pangalos stressed that Greece bases its views on the International Maritime Treaty and called on Turkey to clarify its own positions.

Mr.Pangalos characterized the statements made by turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, that the greek- turkish relations are not an issue that should concern the European Union, as being absurd when Greece is an EU member and the EU decisions are made unanimously. He stated characteristically that there is no bilateral greek-turkish problem but a problem of relations between Europe and Turkey.

Also, mr.Pangalos confirmed the existence of an Irish EU Presidency report which suggests the simultaneous reference to The Hague of the issues of Imia and continental shelf and he characterized it as a bad text, stressing that Greece does not accept such interventions while he called on the international community to stop showing tolerance toward Turkey and force this country through military and economic measures to act in a civilized manner.

[07] GREECE WILL EXERCISE ITS VETO POWER IN THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL IN ORDER TO STOP THE SPEEDING- UP OF THE PROCEDURES FOR THE EU-TURKEY CUSTOMS UNION

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in a dinner he hosted in honour of the EU ambassadors to Athens, announced Greece's intention to exercise its veto power in order to block the adoption of the Irish EU Presidency proposal for the speeding-up of the procedures concerning Turkey's customs union with the EU.

Mr.Pangalos clarified that this stance will be adopted if Turkey does not lift its disputes over the status in the Aegean and does not give a response to the text adopted by the EU partners on July 15 with which they call on Ankara to respect human rights.

[08] THE STRENGTHENING OF CYPRUS' DEFENCE IS AN OBLIGATION FOR HELLENISM, STATED THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENCE

Greek Minister of Defence, Akis Tsohatzopoulos stated upon his arrival in Cyprus that the joint defence doctrine is hellenism's political response to Turkey's expansionism and threat adding that Cyprus' defence shielding is an obligation for hellenism.

Cypriot Defence Minister Kostas Eliadis underlined that mr.Tsohatzopoulos' presence sends out the message that the joint defence doctrine is a fact and that it provides a deterrent force within the framework of the efforts for the peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem undertaken by the governments of Cyprus and Greece.

Both mr.Tsohatzopoulos and mr.Eliadis stressed their countries' dedication to the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem which are strengthened by the joint defence doctrine and underlined their readiness to work for a fair and viable solution based on the United Nations principles.

Regarding Cyprus' accesion into the European Union, Mr.Tsohatzopoulos expressed optimism and mentioned characteristically that the pace toward this direction is steady adding that a continuous effort is still needed.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] FOR BOSNIAN MUSLIMS IN MOSTAR, ANOTHER KIND OF BATTLE

As harsh rains and bitter cold sets in, residents on the Eastern side of the divided Bosnian city of Mostar are desperately trying to prepare for what promises to be yet another winter of discontent.

Of the 126,067 pre-war inhabitants of Mostar, approximately 104,150 remain. As a result of the war, West Mostar is now almost exclusively populated by Bosnian Croats and administered by Bosnian-Croat authorities. East Mostar is currently adminstered by Bosnian Muslim (Bosniak) authorities and has a population of 50,000 persons (including approximately 20,000 persons who re-located to East Mostar during the war from other areas in Bosnia), the vast majority of whom are Bosniaks. A small minority population (200 Bosnian Croats and 400 Bosnian Serbs in East Mostar, and 800 Bosnian Serbs and 3000 Bosniaks in West Mostar) has remained on each side.

The two sides of the city are regarded by their respective authorities as completely separate entities, and all decisions taken by either side regarding various aspects of daily life (public and social services, housing, police, judicial system, etc.) are generally in the interest of only the majority population on that side.

The division of Mostar, coupled with extensive destruction and damage to property in East Mostar, the collapse of the city's infrastructure, a massive exodus of its own residents as well as an influx of displaced persons from other areas of Bosnia, the continued lack of collaboration and political will between the two sides, as well as a recent decision by the German Government to lift the temporary refugee status of Bosnian refugees in Germany and send them back home no matter what the conditions, are the basis for continued tensions among the different ethnic groups as well as growing sense of panic as residents wonder how they will manage to stay warm and dry during the long winter ahead.

According to a survey performed by the International Management Group in 1995, over 90.9% of housing in East Mostar was either completely destroyed or severely damaged during the war. There is currently no available housing in East Mostar, and conditions in much of the existing housing are at best, primitive. Most houses and apartments that are still standing lack windows and doors, and many do not have roofs. Windows are covered by plastic sheeting which provides no barrier from the cold. The winter's incessant rains and a non-existant drainage system moreover, often leave the lower levels of houses covered with as much as 15 cm of water. A large number of houses do not have running water due to damages suffered to the water system during the war. Those which have water often do not have sufficient water pressure to produce more than drips from the faucet, and hot water is nearly unheard of. The electricity system functions at a significantly lower capacity than before the war, and power cuts are frequent, especially during bad weather, thus making it difficult to heat houses by electric heaters. The three major power plants in the vicinity of Mostar are still not operational, and proposed projects to improve the electrical network are currently blocked due to political conflicts of interest between the two sides. Wood-fueled stoves provide another means of heating, yet raging unemployment means most people cannot afford to buy wood, even if they are lucky enough to have stoves.

The Bosniak minority in West Mostar, as well as refugees returning to Mostar face additional problems. Bosniaks in West Mostar live in constant fear of being illegally evicted from their homes and finding themelves on the street, a practice which occurs regularly in Mostar despite efforts by the international community to stop such proceedings. Refugees who wish to return to their homes in West Mostar invariably find that their houses have been allocated to displaced Bosnian Croats or members of the Bosnian Croat Army (HVO) by the West Mostar authorities for an indefinite period of time. Although legal recourse for such cases exists de jure, in practice minorities have little or no chance of regaining their property, especially as the underlying aim of such practices is to "ethnically cleanse" West Mostar of all Bosniaks.

Bosniak returnees to East Mostar, on the other hand, while they are not faced with racial discrimination, often find that their property has been severely damaged, completely looted, or occupied by displaced persons from other areas. In the event they cannot re-occupy their homes, they must seek alternative accommodation in East Mostar, which usually means staying with family or friends in extremely overcrowded conditions, with as many as 14 people living in one small room. Those who are able to re-possess their houses often find them completely empty but cannot afford to buy new furniture. They are, therefore, forced to live without even the most basic amenities such as water and electricity, heat, a table to eat on and mattresses to sleep on, conditions which are especially difficult for sickly or elderly persons. In light of this situation, Germany's decision to forcibly return Bosnian refugees to their place of origin this winter is particularly alarming.

Presently, nearly everyone in East Mostar can be considered as a social case, and is either partially or totally dependent on some form of humanitarian aid (in the form of food or non-food items such as mattresses and blankets) in order to survive. However, the humanitarian aid available through both international and local channels is not sufficient to meet the needs of the community. Distribution by the local authorities is unreliable, and is more often conducted according to "who knows who" rather than needs.

International organizations are bound to mandates which link them to a particular sector of the population, and must determine the recipients of humanitarian aid on the basis of criteria set forth in their mandates. This means of distribution inevitably by-passes many would-be recipients who, however needy, do not meet the various criteria required in order to become included on the list of beneficiaries.

Thus, another battle with few winners and many losers continues for the residents of East Mostar, as the legacy of the war between neighbours continues to make itself felt. One can only hope that this winter will be milder than the last.

[10] ANCIENT GREEK SETTLEMENT DATED BACK TO THE 6TH CENTURY BC WAS DISCOVERED IN THE CITY OF NIKOLAYEV IN THE UKRAINE

One of the largest and most significant monuments of the greek antiquity found in the Ukraine, the settlement of Olvia and its citadel dated back to the 6th century BC, was discovered in the city of Nikolayev reminding to its residents that the colonists from ancient Militos in Asia Minor had passed from the region.

The ancient settlement that covers an area of about 350 hectares was the center of intense cultural and economic activity where the greek presence was very strong. Due to the importance of the monument, the whole area surrounding it was placed in 1921 under the protection of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.

Deputy mayor of the city of Nikolayev mr.Katsev, who is in Thessaloniki to participate in the second meeting of municipalities from the Black Sea, the former Soviet Republics and the EU, held within the framework of a pilot programme of cooperation, stated that he will present to the greek government specific proposals for the better promotion of the region and expressed optimism that finally, there will be cooperation with Greece toward this direction.

[11] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER IN NICOSIA, TO MEET WITH CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsoxatzopoulos, currently on a four-day visit to Cyprus, will met this afternoon with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides and Cypriot Defense Minister Kostas Heliades and will be received by Archbishop Chrysostomos this evening.

Tomorrow, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will meet with the President of the Cypriot Parliament Spyros Kyprianou and the Parliamentary Committee for Defense, followed by a visit to the Cypriot National Guard's General Staff. Also, he will meet once again with President Clerides in the evening.

On Saturday, the Greek Defense Minister will visit some of the National Guard's barracks and in the evening he will have successive meetings with the leaders of the parliamentary parties.

On Sunday, Mr. Tsohatzopouoos will attend the memorial service of Kyriakos Matsis, the hero of Cyprus' liberating struggle, and will visit the families of Tasos Isaak, Solomos Solomou and Petros Kakoulis, the three Greek-Cypriots who were killed by turkish occupation troops.

Mr. Heliades characterized his Greek counterpart's visit to Cyprus as very significant, stating that "a mutual briefing session will be conducted on all the pending issues and decisions will definitely be drawn regarding the steps to be taken next."

Moreover, the Cypriot Defense Minister referred to the two countries' armament programs and stated that, in regards to their assessment, "the needs related to the Joint Defense Doctrine are always taken into consideration, therefore there is a harmonization in certain arming systems, which both Cyprus and Greece need."

[12] NATO'S 42ND PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES

The re-organization and expansion of NATO, as well as its relations with Russia and the Ukraine, the situation in Bosnia and issues of Greek interest, were tackled by the representatives of the Alliance's member- states during its 42nd Regular Meeting held in Paris.

The Greek delegation has reacted to Turkey's two- member representation in the work group for the Mediterranean, as was proposed by the Christian-Democrat Group without foreseeing an analogous greek representation. Following a request for an equal representation of all of NATO's Mediterranean allies, or to at least maintain this Group within the previously- established framework, Greece's representation was increased to two members, as were the representations of Germany and Turkey.

Yet, there was a prevalent tactic displayed by Turkey which presented all of the south Mediterranean's countries as supposedly being influenced by Ankara because they are Moslem, and that there is a supposed need to examine these issues through a strengthened turkish participation, albeit at the cost of other issues that burden Turkey, such as the Kurdish matter, the Cyprus problem and the human rights issue.

[13] EXHIBITION OF GREEK PRODUCTS BEGINS IN BELGRADE TODAY

A five-day exhibition of Greek products begins today in the Former Yugoslav Republic's capital Belgrade, featuring a variety of goods from the sectors of outerwear, footwear, chemicals, stationery, raw materials for furniture, heating equipment and others.

The approximately 100 participating Greek businessmen, most of whom are from Thessaloniki, will meet with Yugoslav businessmen on Saturday, while the Fair will last until Monday, November 25.

Meanwhile, within the framework of examining opportunities to further promote bilateral trade between the two countries, Greece's Ambassador to F.R.Y. Panayiotis Vlassopoulos met yesterday with the Serb Minister of Industry Oscar Fodor.

Mr. Vlassopoulos was briefed by Mr. Fodor on the privatization processes in F.R.Y. and, according to a statement issued by the Serb government, one of the strongest cooperation opportunities between the two countries is the investment of Greek capital in certain Yugoslav programs, given that Greece is that country's fifth largest foreign trade ally.

The trade volume between Greece and Yugoslavia, during the first nine months of 1996, rose to 170 million drachmas.

[14] GREEK-BULGARIAN JOINT COMMITTEE LOOKS AT CREATING THREE NEW BORDERS

A joint committee of Greek-Bulgarian experts met in Komotene yesterday evening, looking into the details of creating three new border crossings in the Greek perfectures of Rodopi, Xanthi and Drama, in the effort to link eastern Macedonia and Thrace with southern Bulgaria.

Attending the meeting were the Greek Foreign Ministry's secretary-general Konstantinos Georgiou and Bulgarian Alternate Regional Development and Public Works Minister Nikolai Grigorov.

Both countries intend to build and operate the three new passages at the Drama-Goce Nelce, Xanthi-Rudozem and Komotini Makaza points, as was confirmed during the session.

[15] THESSALONIKI TO HOLD CONCERT DEDICATED TO CARPACIA'S GREEK-CYPRIOTS

A music concert dedicated to the Greek-Cypriots who live in Carpacia, an occupied city in Northern Cyprus, will be held in Thesaloniki on Sunday, jointly organized by the cultural and intellectual association "Koraes" and the Association of Cypriots in Northern Greece.

The concert, to be attended by Cyprus' Minister of Interior Dinos Michaelides, will feature Cypriot composer Marios Tokas whose works will be sung by a choir. Also, the "Ioannis Vellides" Conference Center, where the concert will be held, will feature an art exhibit by Electra Halatsi, whose works have been inspired by the Cypriot struggle.

All proceeds from the concert will be given to Carpacia's Greek-Cypriots.

[16] FYROM: VMRO-DMPNE ASKS FOR EARLY ELECTIONS, ACCUSES OSCE OBSERVERS OF SELLING OUT TO SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS

The leader of FYROM's nationalist party VMRO-DPMNE demands that early parliamentary elections be held in his country, claiming that the results of November 17th's municipal elections proved that the government does not enjoy the people's trust.

At a press conference, Liupco Georgievski stated that the government coalition garnered only 10,000 more votes than the opposition during the second round of the elections, a fact that precipitates early elections in order to appoint a government with an absolute majority rule.

Georgievski also turned against the OSCE and Council of Europe observers stationed in FYROM whom he accused of having sold out to the governing Social-Democratic Union.

The VMRO-DPMNE leader claimed that "the Social- Democrats' victory, along with overlooking the irregularities noted in the voting process, had been agreed in exchange to a deal with Greece for changing the name of FYROM."

Moreover, Georgievski stated that the same had taken place during the 1994 elections, when the exchange was the signing of the interim agreement between Athens and Skopje.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/