Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-16

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 16 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] REPPAS: THE LIFTING OF THE GREEK VETO ON TURKEY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WEU IS A REALISTIC MOVE

The lifting of the Greek veto on Turkey's participation in the Western European Union as an associate member was characterized by Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas as a realistic move for the handling of a pending issue.

Mr.Reppas also clarified that the status of relations between the associate members and the WEU was safeguarded and remains unchanged, namely the full members make the decisions and the associate members are called to follow them if they wish to do so, while the full members of WEU, which are also members of NATO have the right of a veto.

In conclusion, the Greek government spokesman reiterated that Greece's position on the EU funds to Turkey remains the same.

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas reiterated himself that the WEU decisions will be made by its full members, while the associate members will not be able to block those decisions. Mr.Bikas stated that the Greek decision will contribute to the strengthening of the WEU's role.

[02] THE GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT RECEIVED A LETTER OF THANKS SENT BY HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART

Turkish Parliament President mr.Mustafa Kalemli sent a letter to his Greek counterpart mr.Apostolos Kaklamanis, dated April 11, thanking him for the warm and honest hospitality he found during his recent visit to Athens, while he expresses concern over the wish of certain Greek Parliament deputies to invite to Greece PKK leader, Abdulah Otsalan.

Mr.Kalemli underlines his belief that the efforts for the improvement of bilateral relations will be accelerated.

[03] DEFENSE MINISTER SALUTES FIRST PART OF GREEK BATTALLION DEPARTING FOR ALBANIA

Greece's Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos was present at the small ceremony held at Thessalonikis military airport at Mikra this afternoon in honor of the first part of the Greek battallion's departure for Albania and hailed the significance of the Greek battallion's participation in the mission to Albania, as well as its readiness.

"You are one of the most significant parts of the international police force which is following a decision endorsed by the United Nations and the Security Councilas well as a request on behalf of the Greek government to express Greece's solidarity and support to all the Albanian people," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated.

Moreover, the Defense Minister stated that the Greek battallion's mission is to supervise the secure distribution of humanitarian aid which is to be forwarded to Albania from throughout the world.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos referred to Greece's successful participation in the alliance-led peace force to Bosnia and stated that the Greek force's participation in the Albanian mission serves both the country's national interests and is also propelled by the Greek minority's presence in southern Albania and by Greece's position in the Balkans.

The soldiers flew for Tirana in six C-130s while the Navy's tank-landing ship "Samos" sailed for Vlore this afternoon carrying the second part of the troops.

In all, the Greek battallion comprises 760 soldiers, 17 armoured vehicles and 20 jeeps. The remaining soldiers of the Greek batallion will be in Albania by the end of this week.

The relatives of the men assigned to the battallion bid an emotional farewell to the soldiers.

The teary-eyed family members tried to remain stoic and inspire a climate of optimism to their beloved, in spite of having to spend Easter holiday apart. A.F.

[04] GREEK PREMIER ANNOUNCES CREATION OF BORDER POLICE AUTHORITY

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated today that the Public Order Ministry will now feature a Border Police Department which is being formed to more adequately deal with the problem of illegal immigration.

Moreover, the Premier stated that the drug enforcement agencies will be fortified by the State to combat the county's dismal record in car accidents. Mr. Premier stated that this phenomenon will be addressed through a complete programme of control and prevention. A.F.

[05] GREEK SOLDIERS TO ARRIVE IN ALBANIA TODAY

One hundred and twenty soldiers, the first two parts of the Greek battallion to participate in the multinational force to Albania, departed today from Thessaloniki with the destination being Tirana and Vlore.

The first batch of soldiers flew for Tirana in six C-130s while the tank landing ship "Samos" will sail for Vlore this afternoon carrying the second part of the troops.

In all, the Greek battallion comprises 760 soldiers, 17 armoured vehicles and 20 jeeps. The remaining soldiers of the Greek batallion will be in Albania by the end of this week.

Meanwhile, the protesting Albanians in the country's southern region are opposed to the participation of the Turkish forces in the peacekeping mission.

Yesterday, French and German journalists staying in hotel in Vlore were confronted by armed civilians, but no injuries were reported. A.F.

[06] DEFENSE MINISTER SALUTES FIRST PART OF GREEK BATTALLION DEPARTING FOR ALBANIA

Greece's Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos was present at the small ceremony held at Thessalonikis military airport at Mikra in honor of the first part of the Greek battallion's departure for Albania and hailed the significance of the Greek battallion's participation in the mission to Albania, as well as its readiness.

"You are one of the most significant parts of the international police force which, following a decision endorsed by the United Nations and the Security Council and a request on behalf of the Greek government is to express Greece's solidarity and support to all the Albanian people," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated.

Moreover, the Defense Minister stated that the Greek battallion's mission is to supervise the secure distribution of humanitarian aid which is to be forwarded to Albania from throughout the world.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos referred to Greece's successful participation in the alliance-led peace force to Bosnia and stated that the Greek force's participation in the Albanian mission serves both the country's national interests and is also propelled by the Greek minority's presence in southern Albania and by Greece's position in the Balkans. A.F.

[07] CARAVAGGIO'S ART EXHIBIT INAUGURATED IN THESSALONIKI TONIGHT

An exhibit featuring works of one of the most significant, yet controversial, figures in the wolrd of art Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1610) was officially inaugurated this evening in Thessaloniki, with a score of local dignitaries attending the opening ceremony.

Along with Caravaggio's works, paintings drawn by his followers, the "Caravaggeschi", are also exhibited, namely works of Bartolomeo Manfredi, Orazio Gentileschi, Carlo Saraceni, Orazio Borgianni and Battistello Caracciolo.

The exhibit, to be open until June 15, is held within the framework of events organized by the Organization Cultural Capital of Europe "Thessaloniki '97". A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08]STALEV: WE DO NOT HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH GREECE, BUT ONLY SERIOUS PLANS FOR OUR FUTURE COOPERATION

Bulgaria's caretaker Foreign Minister Stoyan Stalev stated to MPA during his visit to Thessaloniki, where he met with Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, that he is certain of the "United Democratic Forces" victory in the upcoming Parliamentary elections of April 19 and mentioned that the opinion polls give to the coalition a lead of 30 percentage points.

Mr.Stalev stated that the founding of the Bulgarian "Euro- Left" is a positive development, stressing that with its European Social-Democratic face will offer an active support to the reforms implemented in the country.

Referring to the visit of exiled King Simeon to Bulgaria he said that he is a great friend of the country and undoubtedly can contribute to the improvement of Bulgaria's image in Europe.

On the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline, the Bulgarian minister pointed out that immediately after the elections in his country negotiations will start on a specialists level.

He said that there are no problems between Athens and Sofia on the construction of three new border crossings and pointed out that during his visit to Athens got the assurance from the Greek side that those plans will materialize by the end of 1998.

Mr.Stalev stated that his country is ready to participate in the multi-national force in Albania even with a small presence due to its economic problems.

The Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister concluded that his country does not have serious problems with Greece but it has serious plans for the future bilateral cooperation, while he expressed the optimism that after the elections bilateral dialogue will be very active and will have concrete results.

[09] TURKEY TO PARTICIPATE IN WEU-NATO MILITARY MISSIONS ON EQUAL TERMS

Turkey will from now on participate on equal terms in missions and military assignments deployed by the Western European Union and NATO, following the lift of Greece's veto.

In spite of the fact that Turkey is only an associate, not a full member, of the WEU, it will now be able to participate on equal terms and engage in the voting process for issues concerning common missions with NATO. Turkey is a member of NATO but not a member of the EU which is a prerequisite for full WEU membership.

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek expressed his opposition to Turkey's accession to the European Union.

The Commissioner said that the economic and political differences that lie between Greece and Turkey are presently quite vast. A.F.

[10] OSCE'S VRANITSKI CURRENTLY IN TIRANA

Austria's former chancellor and current special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in |Europe (OSCE) Franz Vranitski is currently in Tirana where he met with Premier Bashkim Fino and is to be received by Albanian President Sali Berisha.

Mr. Vranitski's two-day visit to Albania is within the framework of the efforts exerted to prepare the country for June's parliamentary elections. Mr. Vranitski will visit Skodra and Vlore tomorrow, accompanied by Mr. Fino. A.F.

[11] GREEN DEPUTY CLAUDIA ROTH HARD ON CILLER OVER HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

The Europarliamentarian of the Green Party and vice-president of the EU-Turkey joint committee Claudia Roth adopted a hard line approach during her meeting yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.

During the committee's meeting in Ankara, Ms. Roth asked Ms. Ciller what she plans to do for her country's human rights violations record, if anything is foreseen for the 153 authors currently incarcerated in Turkey, and how does Ms. Ciller come to terms with working in a cabinet with male colleagues who have more than one spouse.

Clearly bothered, Ms. Ciller retorted that her presence in the Turkish government and the issue of women's rights in her country is an internal affair of Turkey, to which Ms. Roth failed to grant the proper respect.

"You may criticise the government, but you do owe respect to the country's internal affairs," Ms. Ciller sternly said. A.F.

[12] THE POLISH PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IS VISITING NICOSIA

The developments in the Cyprus issue as well as, issues of mutual interest were discussed in Nicosia during the meeting between Cypriot Minister of the Interior Dinos Michaelides and Polish Parliament President Joseph Zits.

Mr.Michaelides stressed after the meeting, that Poland is strongly interested in the issues concerning those still missing since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the enclaved in the Turkish occupied territories and the human rights violations, while he said that the close cooperation between Cyprus and Poland was affirmed once again.

The Polish Parliament President maintained that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be based on the UN resolutions and the right to freedom, justice and independence.

[13] THE GREEK ETHNIC MINORITY IN ROMANIA BACKS THE COUNTRY'S REQUEST FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP

The Greek ethnic minority in Romania undertook specific initiatives for the support of the country's request for NATO membership. According to an interview to the newspaper "Jurnalul National", given by the President of the Association of Greeks in Romania mr.Sotiris Fotopoulos, those initiatives were evaluated positively by the Romanian President, the Prime Minister and other government officials.

Mr.Fotopoulos stated that the Association invited to Romania the President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad mr.Andrew Athens, who promised to work for the creation of a Romanian lobby in the White House.

Also, the President of the Greek-American National Council mr.Spiropoulos visited Romania on the invitation of the Association and met with President Constantinescu and Prime Minister Ciorbea.

[14] OVER 100 ESCAPEES RETURNED VOLUNTARILY TO THE ALBANIAN PRISONS

Over 100 inmates, who escaped from the Albanian jails taking advantage of the anarchy that reigned in the country in early March, have returned voluntarily to the prisons after the amnesty law was passed.

According to the Albanian press, the law was used as an incentive for the return of the escapees and among them, are included 4 of the 30 members of the former communist leadership sentenced for crimes against the Albanian people.

Based on the Albanian newspapers, those who had been arrested with the accusation of complicity in the get-rich-quick "pyramid" investment schemes, the collapse of which had led to the popular uprising, have already left the country.

The newspaper "Gazetta Skiptare" mentions that according to unconfirmed information, former Albanian President Ramiz Alia has left the country and lives in Paris with his son.

[15] F. NANO: THE ELECTIONS' DELAY WOULD PROLONG THE CRISIS IN ALBANIA

Albanian Socialist Party President Fatos Nano stated that the setting of a specific date for the Parliamentary elections in Albania is imperative because their delay would have as a result the prolongation of the crisis and instability in Albania.

In an interview to the newspaper "Dita Informasion", the Socialist leader stressed that the political parties supporting the caretaker government must set the date for the holding of the elections and that procedures for their preparation should begin by the political forces in Albania and the international organizations that will undertake to oversee them.

[16] US UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE ON GREECE-FYROM RELATIONS

The United States Undersecretary of State John Kornblum has expressed his conviction that the relations between Greece and FYROM are to soon improve to such degree as to consider the two neighbors as enjoying close cooperation.

In an interview given to a FYROM daily, Mr. Kornblum also stated that there has been vast improvement noted in the relations between the two countries, "especially if one thinks back to how these relations started" he said, adding that the Greek foreign minister's (Theodoros Pangalos) recent visit to Skopje greatly contributed to such improvement. A.F.

[17] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHUFFLES ITS LEADERS

The Albanian Democratic Party's National Council met behind closed doors in a meeting that searched for the reasons the Mecsi government collapsed.

About forty party deputies openly questioned the Democratic Party and directly held former Premier Aleksander Mecsi as the man responsible for the crisis, not to mention their opposition to President Sal Berisha, as well as party leader and former Foreign Minister Tritan Sehu.

Former ministers Diasiamir Siexi, Bashkim Koplicou and Dylber Vrioni were removed from the party's leadership. These three members of the Democratic Party's National Council had signed the common statement issued by 13 deputies wherein they distanced themselves from President Sali Berisha and hold him as being responsible for today's crisis. This common statement was rejected by the National Council. Also, the party's secretary-general Mr. Giugetsai resigned and was replaced by G. Polo.

During the session, the parliamentarians asked the party's National Council to table a censure vote against the party's leadership, which in turn accused them of corruption and collaboration with the Sigurimi, the country's former secret services. Also, the Democratic Party leadership turned against the dissenting deputies and held them equally responsible for today's crisis since, it said, they too are part of the government. A.F.

[18] CROATIA: POLLING STATIONS CLOSE, RESULTS IN A FEW DAYS

The polling stations have closed in eastern Slavonia according to the UNTAES Electoral Commission whose officials stated that the voting process was fair and regular.

Preliminary results will start arriving on Monday night or Tuesday morning and final results should be available a few days thereafter, accordIng to UNTAES officials. A.F.

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/