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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-06-29
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 29, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EU COMMISSIONER PAPOUTSIS: GREECE IN EMU BY 2001
[02] CULTURE MINSTER IN CANADA TODAY
[03] GREEK, GERMAN POST OFFICES TO SIGN DRAFT AGREEMENT ON
COOPERATION
[04] REPPAS: GREECE WILL HELP TURKEY'S EARTHQUAKE STRIKEN
POPULATION
[05] MOSKOV'S FUNERAL WILL TAKE PLACE IN PLATAMONAS THIS AFTERNOON
[06] ABNA ISSUED AN APPEAL TO THE MASS MEDIA OVER KOSOVO
[07] KARAMANLIS: NEW DEMOCRACY WILL WIN THE ELECTIONS
[08] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON MEASURES TO LOWER INFLATION
[09] MEMBER OF THE 70'S GREEK POP GROUP "NOSTRADAMOS" ARRESTED FOR
DRUGS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES APPEAL TO MASS MEDIA OVER KOSSOVO CRISIS
[11] TURKEY MOURNS QUAKE VICTIMS, 112 BODIES DISCOVERED SO FAR
[12] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS CONVENE OVER KOSSOVO TODAY
[13] GREEK PRESIDENT RETURNS HOME IMPRESSED BY CYPRIOTS'
PATRIOTISM
[14] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER: "RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS �JUMPING THE
GUN'"
[15] GERMAN FM: WE SUPPORT NANO'S POLICY IN KOSSOVO
[16] HOLBROOKE: KIJEVO IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE IN EUROPE
[17] AMERICAN COMMANDOS IN BOSNIA, ACCORDING TO THE US PRESS
[18] OVER 100 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DISEMBARKED AT THE COASTS OF
CYPRUS
[19] TWO LARGE EXHIBITIONS IN ATHENS AND VIENNA
[20] THE FORMER MAYOR OF VUKOVAR WAS FOUND HANGED IN HIS CELL
[21] KOFI ANNAN WARNED AGAINST THE USE OF FORCE BY NATO IN KOSSOVO
WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE UN
[22] CRITICISM AGAINST NANO OVER HIS COMMENTS FOR KOSOVO
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EU COMMISSIONER PAPOUTSIS: GREECE IN EMU BY 2001
Greece's target of entering the Economic and monetary Union
by the year 2001 is a realistic one and wholly feasible, according
to the European Union's Commissioner on Energy Christos Papoutsis.
In an interview with a Thessaloniki daily, Mr. Papoutsis
stated that the Commission views Greece's efforts in this
direction as a positive one and sees that significant steps have
already been taken. Moreover, the Commissioner stressed that this
effort must enjoy the Greek people's approval. "There can't be
development without structural changes," he stated.
[02] CULTURE MINSTER IN CANADA TODAY
Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos is to arrive
in Canada today where he will represent Greece at the two-day
international conference on international cultural cooperation in
Ottowa. He will also address the city's Press Club on Greece's
role in Europe, the Mediterranean, the South East Europe and the
Cultural Olympiad, before meeting with Canadian National Heritage
Minister Sheila Copps.
During his visit, Mr. Venizelos is expected to meet with the
Canadian-Greek community and members of the Canadian government.
[03] GREEK, GERMAN POST OFFICES TO SIGN DRAFT AGREEMENT ON
COOPERATION
A draft agreement on co-operation between the Greek and
German post offices is to be signed during the following days,
which will mean the formation of a joint company that twill
undertake the mailing of packages.
Officials from Greece's Greek Post Office and Germany's
Deutsche Post, met last week in Athens.
The Greek-German post company will also have a board of
directors which will comprise three members from each country and
one member mutually appointed.
[04] REPPAS: GREECE WILL HELP TURKEY'S EARTHQUAKE STRIKEN
POPULATION
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the
government's sorrow for the catastrophic earthquake that hit the
city of Adana in south-western Turkey, adding that Greece will
offer its assistance.
Mr. Reppas clarified that Greece wants to help Turkey deal
with the tragic situation it is faced with.
[05] MOSKOV'S FUNERAL WILL TAKE PLACE IN PLATAMONAS THIS AFTERNOON
The funeral of intellectual, historian, poet and journalist
Kostis Moskov, who died on Saturday at the age of 59, will take
place at his parent's summer house in Platamonas, Pieria this
afternoon where he will be buried.
The funeral service was held at the church of Agia Sofia in
Thessaloniki at noon today. Among those, who said the last goodbye
to Kostis Moskov were foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos,
undersecretary to the prime minister's office Mr. Paschalidis
representing the government, Coalition of the Left leader Nikos
Konstantopoulos, representatives of all the political parties,
local authorities and hundreds of people.
Kostis Moskov was born in Thessaloniki in 1939 and his
parents were Iraklis Mokov and Amina, daughter of the well-known
architect Piero Arigoni. He was a Paris university professor, and
was elected city-councilor three times, while he served as
Thessaloniki's mayor for a period of time.
He was a ministry of culture adviser since 1989, was
appointed education attache at the Greek embassy in Egypt and was
a representative of the Greek Civilization Institute in the Middle
East.
[06] ABNA ISSUED AN APPEAL TO THE MASS MEDIA OVER KOSOVO
The Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) in a statement
it has issued underlines the need for the national Balkan news
agencies, all the mass media and the journalists to fully develop
their activities based on the principles of ethics in order to
contribute to the climate of peace, cooperation and good
neighborly relations badly needed in the region after the latest
alarming developments in Kosovo.
The conference held in Ohrid dealt mainly with the pioneer
"DIAVLOS" program for the satellite link of the Balkan news
agencies.
[07] KARAMANLIS: NEW DEMOCRACY WILL WIN THE ELECTIONS
Kostas Karamanlis, in his speech in a party meeting in
Kastoria, north-western Greece, appeared confident that his right-
wing opposition party of New Democracy will be the winner in the
next parliamentary elections.
He said that this is a period of decadence for Greece and
that New Democracy will not accept this reality, while he also
criticized the government for the taxes it imposes.
[08] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON MEASURES TO LOWER INFLATION
The measures discussed at noon today in a government meeting
with the participation of undersecretaries of finance and
development and prime minister's economic adviser Tasos Yiannitsis
are aimed at drastically lowering inflation.
Specifically, were discussed interventions in the food and
automobile sectors, while they also examined the lowering of the
automobile spare parts prices and the liquid fuel consumption tax.
The final decisions of the government will be announced in the
near future.
[09] MEMBER OF THE 70'S GREEK POP GROUP "NOSTRADAMOS" ARRESTED FOR
DRUGS
Eleven kilos of heroin as well as, guns and ammunition were
found in the possession of 45yearold Ippokratis Exarchopoulos and
his wife, according to police.
Exarchopoulos was a member of the 70's popular Greek music
group "Nostradamos" and had been accused of illegal drug trade
again in the past.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES APPEAL TO MASS MEDIA OVER KOSSOVO CRISIS
The Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) has issued an
appeal to all the mass media and journalists throughout the Balkan
region to develop their activities to the fullest always guided by
the principles of journalism, pluralism, objectivity and
commitment to truth, in order to contribute to the development of
a climate of peace, security , cooperation and good
neighbourliness, so needed in the region, especially following the
recent worrisome developments in Kossovo.
This was the final communique issued at the closing of the
6tth regular general assembly of ABNA. Whose session closed n
Sunday evening in Ohrid.
The assembly, which features the participation of the national
news agencies of all the Balkan countries, dealt in-depth with the
innovative program "DIAVLOS:", which allows for the satellite link
among the news agencies and whose approval is awaited soon by the
European Union. Also, the assembly addressed the "Balkan News
Bank" program which has embarked on its pilot operation at its
headquarters in Thessaloniki.
Lastly, the ABNA members unanimously elected MPA's general
director Spyros Kouzinopoulos as ABNA's secretary general and
warmly congratulated the Bulgarian news agency BTA for completing
its centennial anniversary since its founding.
[11] TURKEY MOURNS QUAKE VICTIMS, 112 BODIES DISCOVERED SO FAR
The devastating 6.3 Richter earthquake that occurred in
southern Turkey on Saturday, killed at least 112 people and has
injured another 1,000. The quake struck late in the afternoon and
had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3, Istanbul's Kandilli
observatory said.
Tremors were felt in the neighboring provinces of Mersin,
Nigde and Kayseri. Authorities cut power in Adana and Mersin to
prevent fires and advised people to spend the night outside their
homes, anticipating aftershocks. Much of Turkey sits atop the
Anatolian fault and quakes are relatively frequent in the country.
Many European countries have offered assistance, among them
Greece.
[12] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS CONVENE OVER KOSSOVO TODAY
The European Union's Foreign Ministers are to meet in
Luxembourg today in order to discuss the fermenting crisis in
Kossovo.
Meanwhile the United Nations secretary-general Koffi Annan
warned that if NATO takes military action in Kossovo without the
Security Council's relevant decision, it would constitute a
dangerous precedent.
[13] GREEK PRESIDENT RETURNS HOME IMPRESSED BY CYPRIOTS'
PATRIOTISM
Greek President, Kostis Stephanopoulos, who just completed a
four-day, official visit to Cyprus, stated that his visit was
"most successful" and reiterated that his message to Turkey and
the Turkish-Cypriots was one for friendship and peace.
The Greek head of state told the Macedonian Press Agency that
he was most impressed by the patriotism expressed by the Greek
Cypriots.
When asked to comment on the degree to which the joint defense
doctrine has aided Cyprus, Mr. Stephanopoulos said that it
unquestionably helped since it boosted the morale.
Nevertheless, the Greek President was not optimistic of
resolving the issue as long as Turkey does not shift its policy
and as long as the international organisations and the great
powers fail to exert pressure on the Turkish leaders.
Mr. Stephanopoulos ruled out any possibility of Greece making
a concession. He pointed out that the positions of the Greek
Cypriots and Greece in respect to a solution to the Cyprus problem
stand firm.
"There are no new ideas. We are talking about a bi-zonal, bi-
communal federation. The Greek president's visit to the island
was the first ever conducted by a Greek head of state since the
founding of the Republic in1960. He was escorted by Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos
Kranidiotis, National Economy Undersecretary Alekos Baltas and
other officials.
Mr. Stephanopoulos stressed that "the Cyprus problem is
Greece's top priority", and added that "Greece will never stop
supporting and standing by the people of Cyprus in their effort to
regain their freedom, independence and integrity."
The Greek president also stressed that during his visit he
tried to send "a message of friendship and reconciliation to
Turkey" and expressed the hope Ankara will listen to it.
"Turkey cannot continue acting this way if it wishes to act
with prudence and respect fundamental human rights", he added.
[14] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER: "RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS �JUMPING THE
GUN'"
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, commenting on
the recent statements made by US newly-appointed ambassador to the
UN Richard Holbrooke , who forecast a full-scale war in Kossovo
involving all of the Balkan countries, stated that the US diplomat
is �jumping the gun'.
"Maybe he thinks that he's exerting pressure in order to find
a solution (to Kossovo)," Mr. Pangalos said.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Pangalos said
that there could be a problem for Greece if 200,000 Albanians
move from Kossovo towards Albania and 50,000 of them end up in
Greece.
Moreover, Mr. Pangalos expressed the hope that if military
intervention does take place in Kossovo it be held carefully. He
stated that Greece maintains excellent ties with Serbia, albeit
adding that "Belgrade does not listen in time."
[15] GERMAN FM: WE SUPPORT NANO'S POLICY IN KOSSOVO
Bonn has saluted Albania's "prudent" stance in regards to
Kossovo and encourages the Albanian government to continue with
its constructive policies,.
In a letter addressed to the Albanian Prime Minster Fatos
Nabo, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel stated that "a viable
solution can be achieved only through dialogue. I am aware that
the radical elements., both in Kossovo and in your country are
being strengthened as long as the crisis remains open. I ask that
you do not allow this situation to disorientate you. Continue with
your constructive policy."
[16] HOLBROOKE: KIJEVO IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE IN EUROPE
US newly appointed ambassador to the United Nations Richard
Holbrooke has characterised the small village Kijevo, located 50
kilometers west of Prishtina, as the most dangerous place in
Europe today.
Mr. Holbrooke also warned that the Serb province of Kossovo
is mere steps away from war.
For over a month, about sixty unarmed Serb families are
encircled by guerrillas of the Kossovo Liberation Army in the
village and are subject to daily raids.
Yesterday a Serb army helicopter managed to land in the
village in order to transport four pregnant women to the hospital
of Prishtina.
According to western diplomats, Serb President Slobodan
Milosevic could order an attack against the KLA in the areas
surrounding Kijevo, but this is not feasible since it could
trigger an attack by the KLA against the villagers.
[17] AMERICAN COMMANDOS IN BOSNIA, ACCORDING TO THE US PRESS
A mission in Bosnia with the participation of US commandos
was ordered by the US government within the framework of a 50
million dollar program for the arrest of war criminals.
According to the Reuters news agency, an American magazine
"US and World Report" article mentions that American commandos,
members of the anti-terrorist unit of the US Navy, will stay in
Bosnia for a year.
A NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia (SFOR) press
spokesperson avoided to give clarifications on the mission of the
US commandos in Bosnia, pointing out that the SFOR men follow the
orders for the arrest of war criminals.
[18] OVER 100 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DISEMBARKED AT THE COASTS OF
CYPRUS
Over 100 illegal immigrants disembarked today at the south-
western coasts of Cyprus, near Paphos when their Syrian flag boat
broke down last night.
Eight of the passengers, among them 4 children, are
hospitalized suffering from dehydration, malnutrition and
exhaustion, while two people died and were thrown to the sea two
days ago, according to a police spokesman.
Most of the boat's passengers, which was sailing possibly to
Libya, came from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Rwanta and other
Arab and African countries. Based on unconfirmed information, the
illegal immigrants left Tripoli in Lebanon on June 16 and their
destination was Libya on their way to a European country.
[19] TWO LARGE EXHIBITIONS IN ATHENS AND VIENNA
A protocol of cooperation in holding two large exhibitions
was signed by Greek minister of culture Evangelos Venizelos and
Austrian minister of education and arts Elizabeth Guerer during
their meeting in Vienna. The protocol aims at the promotion of
cultural cooperation between the two countries and specifically,
the cooperation between the Greek museums and Vienna's History and
Arts Museum.
The first exhibition will be held in the year 2000 within the
framework of the celebrations welcoming the new millennium.
Mr. Venizelos also met with Austrian government officials to
discuss the organizing of the Euro-Mediterranean Meeting of
culture ministers that will be held in the Aegean island of Rhodes
on September 25 and 26.
[20] THE FORMER MAYOR OF VUKOVAR WAS FOUND HANGED IN HIS CELL
The former mayor of Vukovar was found hanged this morning in
his cell in the prisons of the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.
Vukovar's former mayor had been accused of the massacre of
200 patients in the town's hospital during the Bosnian war.
[21] KOFI ANNAN WARNED AGAINST THE USE OF FORCE BY NATO IN KOSSOVO
WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE UN
UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, in an interview with the
British television network "ITB", issued the warning that the NATO
use of force in Kosovo without an earlier United Nations approval
will create a dangerous precedent.
The crisis in Kossovo is one of the main issues for
discussion in the EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg
today.
[22] CRITICISM AGAINST NANO OVER HIS COMMENTS FOR KOSOVO
The recent statements made by the Albanian prime minister
Fatos Nano continue to raise serious reactions and criticism in
Albania, since he stressed his opposition against the independence
of Kosovo and called on the Kosovo Liberation Army to end the
violence in the region.
Commenting on these events, the Albanian Foreign minister
Pascal Milo stressed the eventuality that mr Nano's statements
were not conveyed correctly, while he defended the governmental
policy over the Kosovo issue, pointing out that "it has not
changed".
However, the German Foreign minister Klaus Kinkel, through a
letter he sent to mr Nano, expressed Bonn's full support to the
prudent stance of the Albanian government in regards to Kosovo.
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/
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