Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-10-13
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 13, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SECOND ROUND OF LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY
[02] FAMILY OF FLIGHT 111 GREEK VICTIM FILES $1.25 MILLION SUIT
AGAINST SWISS AIR
[03] EU COMMISSIONER: GREECE'S GROWTH EXPECTATION IS REALISTIC,
AMBITIOUS
[04] THE BALKAN LEADERS ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT FROM ANTALYA
[05] AGREEMENT TO END THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO
[06] THE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE POSTS OF MAYOR
AND PREFECT DECIDE ON THEIR STRATEGIES
[07] GREECE'S CONVERGENCE PROGRAM GOT THE APPROVAL OF THE EU
[08] ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRUG DEALERS IN EUROPE WAS ARRESTED IN
ATHENS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] GREEK PREMIER'S ADDRESS IN ANTALYA SUMMIT
[10] SIMITIS- YILMAZ TALKS PRODUCE NO RESULTS
[11] ALLIANCE ALLOWS FOUR DAYS TO MILOSEVIC BEFORE FORAY
[12] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY'S PRESIDIUM MEETS TODAY IN BRUSSELS
[13] SIMITIS: THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE ANTALYA SUMMIT MEETING WAS
POSITIVE
[14] NEW HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SECOND ROUND OF LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY
The second round of the local government elections is to be
held this Sunday in Thessaloniki and Piraeus as no candidate was
able to win a majority during last Sunday's primaries.
The candidates backed by the conservative opposition New
Democracy are ahead in both cities. In Thessaloniki, New Democracy-
backed Vassilis Papageorgopoulos won 44.3 per cent of the vote,
compared to the 31.3 per cent pulled in by PASOK's Thrasivoulos
Lazarides. That gives Papageorgopoulos reason to hope for the
victory in next weekend's run off against Lazarides. The 15 per
cent of voters who chose the Left and Progress Coalition candidate
Spyros Vougias in Sunday's race will be crucial in determining the
outcome of the run off.
[02] FAMILY OF FLIGHT 111 GREEK VICTIM FILES $1.25 MILLION SUIT
AGAINST SWISS AIR
The family of Greek music teacher Chronoula Bonanou-
Ikonomopoulou, who was among the victims of the Swiss Air
aircraft that crashed off the Nova Scotia coast on September 3,
has filed a lawsuit against the airline seeking 1.25 million
dollars in damages.
The suit, which was filed in Brooklyn's Federal Court,
charges that the company failed to ensure the passengers' safety
abroad Flight 111.
[03] EU COMMISSIONER: GREECE'S GROWTH EXPECTATION IS REALISTIC,
AMBITIOUS
The European Commissioner for Finance has characterized the
Greek government's development rate expectations (3.7% in 1999) as
realistic, albeit ambitious.
Yesterday, the European Union economics ministers (ECOFIN)
approved Greece's 1998-2001 revised plan of convergence in order
to gain accession to the economic and monetary union.
German Finance Minister stressed that in order for Greece to
attain this goal, it must accelerate its fiscal revitalization
plan.
[04] THE BALKAN LEADERS ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT FROM ANTALYA
The leaders of south-eastern Europe, participating in the
summit meeting held in Antalya, Turkey issued a joint statement
backing the UN Security Council decisions on Kosovo and calling on
all the parties involved to implement the resolutions of the
international organization and avoid the further escalation of the
crisis.
The south-eastern European leaders mentioned in their
statement that they support the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Yugoslavia based on the full protection of the rights
of its population in accordance with the UN Charter principle of
equality, the Helsinki principles and the OSCE regulations.
They also expressed their deep satisfaction for the new
developments in Kosovo and the understanding reached, stressing
that they strongly back the full implementation of the UN
decisions because they can only bring peace and stability to the
region.
In the joint statement, the leaders of the south-eastern
European countries expressed their support to the cooperation of
state parliaments and any cooperation aimed at the stability in
the region. They also called for the adoption of a good economic
relations charter and regarded the case of Bosnia as a test for
Europe.
[05] AGREEMENT TO END THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO
An agreement to end the crisis in Kosovo was reached in the
meeting US mediator Richard Halbrooke had in Belgrade with
Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.
Based on the information available, Mr. Milosevic accepted
the presence of 2.000 OSCE observers, who will oversee both the
implementation of a cease fire and the negotiation procedure aimed
at the autonomy of the ethnic Albanians. Those developments create
a climate of optimism that the military intervention in Kosovo
will be averted.
[06] THE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE POSTS OF MAYOR
AND PREFECT DECIDE ON THEIR STRATEGIES
The staff members of the candidates of the governing
socialist party of PASOK and right-wing main opposition party of
New Democracy for the posts of Thessaloniki's mayor and prefect,
meet to form their pre-election strategies in view of the second
round of voting on Sunday.
The two largest parties in Greece will use all their leading
members in the fight for an election victory and they have already
issued calls to their members for a more united front. They also
examine ways to win over the support of voters who backed other
candidates in the first round. A meeting was held in PASOK's
central offices in Thessaloniki last night in the presence of
minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
[07] GREECE'S CONVERGENCE PROGRAM GOT THE APPROVAL OF THE EU
The responsible EU Commissioner characterized as realistic
and ambitious the government predictions on the growth rate of the
Greek economy that is estimated to reach 3.7% in 1999.
It should be reminded that this goal of prime minister
Simitis' government is included in the revised convergence program
submitted to Brussels by Greece which yesterday got the approval
of the European Union finance ministers.
[08] ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRUG DEALERS IN EUROPE WAS ARRESTED IN
ATHENS
One of the biggest drug dealers in Europe was arrested in an
Athens suburb today. According to the Greek police, Miguel Antonio
was born in Alexandria, Egypt and is a member of the Latin
American cocaine cartel.
In 1991 he was accused of bringing 300 kilos of cocaine from
Colombia to Greece, while in 1994 he was again accused of bringing
to Greece 800 kilos of cocaine.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[[09] GREEK PREMIER'S ADDRESS IN ANTALYA SUMMIT
In his address at the Summit of heads of state and
governments of southeast European countries, which began yesterday
in Antalya, Turkey. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stressed the
importance of promoting stability, prosperity and good
neighborliness in the wider region.
"The promotion of stability, prosperity and good
neighborliness in South Eastern Europe, to the benefit of the
entire region, is one of the fundamental aims of Greece's foreign
policy, " Mr. Simitis said.
"Due to its geographical location, economic development and
international affiliations, my country is able and willing to work
together with its neighbors in order to support their European
orientation.
"Security in Europe as a whole cannot be guaranteed without
sustained economic development and mature democratic institutions
in South Eastern Europe. During the present transition phase, the
complex political, economic and historical background of our
region requires a novel and daring approach. Nation-states have
been critically undermined by either ethnic strife or political
crisis and by the absence of civil society.
"Ethnic and religious differences brought to the fore issues
such as autonomy, self-determination and minorities rights, that
were either ignored or suppressed by the previous regimes. The
protracted war in Bosnia- Herzegovina and now the situation in
Kosovo should have persuaded most of the people that violence,
arbitrary partition and ethnic cleansing do not deliver lasting
peace. On the contrary they nourish hatred and conflict and impede
coexistence and cooperation. Dialogue, respect for ethnic
religious and cultural communities, groups and minorities and
protection of their rights, are the remedy.
"A comprehensive stabilization policy in our area should,
thus, be based on certain fundamental principles: respect for the
territorial integrity of states and the inviolability of existing
borders, according to the UN Charter and the OSCE, non-
interference in internal affairs, refraining from the threat or
the use of force. Equally important is the peaceful settlement of
disputes between countries in the region through constructive
efforts, including recourse to the International Court of Justice,
in accordance with the generally recognized norms of international
relations, international law and relevant international practices.
"Greece, the only country in South Eastern Europe, which is
both a NATO and EU member, has a crucial role to play in promoting
these noble goals. The successful integration of the South Eastern
area into European and Euro- Atlantic structures is of strategic
importance to Greece. Thus, Greece will be part of the same family
of countries with all her northern neighbors, for the first time
since the Second World War. Furthermore, economic integration of
the South East European states will greatly contribute to the well
being and prosperity of the area and of Europe as a whole.
"The development of good bilateral relations is essential but
does not suffice for stability and good neighborly relations in
our sensitive area. Hence, Greece has, also, actively promoted
multilateral cooperation. The Crete Summit gathered together
around the same table all the leaders of South East European
countries, with positive results. In addition, there are today a
number of regional cooperation schemes and patterns, such as the
European Union's Royaumont Process on Stability and Good-
Neighborliness, the US-sponsored South East European Cooperative
Initiative (SECI) and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The
existence of these numerous initiatives is a point of strength.
Different interests and aims can be accommodated in an appropriate
framework, featuring flexibility and efficiency, on a mutually
beneficial basis.
"However, we must not rest on these successes. On the
contrary, we must work together to promote a climate of confidence
and trust. We must convert our words into action. It is not enough
to sign Joint Statements and depart with satisfaction from our
meetings. We should endeavor to implement our decisions.
"Regional cooperation is essential for the modernization of
countries in our area. At the same time, however, during our
meetings, we, the leaders of countries of South East Europe must
discuss the dangerous issues affecting our region.
"I am referring specifically to Kosovo. The Ministerial
meeting in Istanbul last June proved to be a frustrating
experience. We should avoid its repetition today. The dangerous
situation in Kosovo is on television every day for the whole world
to watch.
"It threatens stability in the region and can destroy the
fragile peace there. The humanitarian crisis would have disastrous
consequences for all our countries and put an abrupt end to
economic development.
"We should not forget that our countries, Yugoslavia's
immediate neighbors, are most affected both by the crisis in
Kosovo and by any punitive measures of the international
community. I use every opportunity to drive this point home to
Greece's partners in the European Union and NATO.
"The Antalya Summit provides an excellent venue for a
significant step forward. This is the only multilateral forum
where the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia fully participates on an
equal footing with the other countries of the area. It should
therefore
use this forum to express its views so that we can have a
substantial discussion on Kosovo and achieve progress.
"I further believe that European Integration could not be
complete without the participation of South East European
countries, based on the very same principles that helped to
establish and develop what is today the European Union."
[10] SIMITIS- YILMAZ TALKS PRODUCE NO RESULTS
The meeting held last evening between Greek Prime Minister
Kostas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz has been
characterized as friendly and useful, albeit unproductive.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Antalya-held
Balkan Summit.
Mr. Yilmaz reiterated his country's wish to conduct a
dialogue with Greece spanning all subjects, while Mr. Simitis once
again stressed that Ankara should seek recourse for its
differences with the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
[11] ALLIANCE ALLOWS FOUR DAYS TO MILOSEVIC BEFORE FORAY
NATO's permanent representatives in Brussels have granted
Serb President Slobodan Milosevic with a four-day grace period
before the Alliance conducts an air strike against military forces
in Yugoslavia. The move comes in the wake of extensive talks held
between Mr. Milosevic and US envoy Richard Holbrooke who returned
to Belgrade from Brussels early this morning. Mr. Holbrooke said
that there are optimistic signs of the Serbs backing away.
[12] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY'S PRESIDIUM MEETS TODAY IN BRUSSELS
Greece's Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis is currently in
Brussels where he will participate in the European Socialist
Party's (ESP) presidium meeting today.
The participants will examine the prospects for European
socialists in light of June's European Parliament elections. Also
on the agenda are developments in the Balkans, including Kosovo.
Mr. Kranidiotis will present Greece's positions regarding
Kosovo.
[13] SIMITIS: THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE ANTALYA SUMMIT MEETING WAS
POSITIVE
Prime minister Kostas Simitis, in a press conference after
the end of the second meeting of the Balkan leaders in Antalya,
Turkey, stressed that the summit was successful but pointed out
that no concrete results can be expected from such meetings.
At the same time, the Greek prime minister stressed the
important role played by Greece in the Balkan region and pointed
out that 3.500 Greek businesses have a notable presence there.
On the Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Simitis said that in his
meeting with Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz he reiterated
that the issue of the continental shelf can be resolved in the
International Court of Justice in The Hague and if the Turkish
side believes that there are other differences too, Ankara should
also bring them to The Hague as soon as possible.
The prime minister underlined that his Turkish counterpart
raised the issue of the Kurdish PKK as well as, the issue of the
Turkish-Syrian relations and pointed out that Turkey will
intervene in Syria if Damascus does not comply. Mr. Simitis
responded to Mr. Yilmaz that he does not believe in interventions
that are not based on the decisions of international organizations
and the UN Security Council and expressed the hope that Turkey
will realize that the road to understanding and cooperation with
the European Union passes through international regulations,
stressing that problems today are being resolved through
institutional procedures.
Mr. Simitis responded negatively to the question if there is
a timetable regarding the confidence-building-measures in the
Aegean, adding that agreement has been reached on certain points.
The prime minister praised the atmosphere in which the summit
meeting in Antalya was held, stressing that it brought closer
together the countries in the region in spite of the existing
problems and differences which will slowly be resolved. Mr.
Simitis said that the situation is not heaven-like but gave the
assurance that the situation in south-eastern Europe is much
better today than it was one and a half year ago.
On the multi-national force and whether Greece will
participate in it, Mr. Simitis said that the likelihood is being
examined positively, while foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos
pointed out that the establishment of a multi-national force was a
proposal made by Greece two months ago in Yugoslavia, adding that
Greece will participate in the force with specially trained
observers, who will be both political and military observers.
Finally, the prime minister referred to the joint statement
issued by the Balkan leaders and especially to the issue of Kosovo
using as an example the fact that even though Albania and
Yugoslavia have different views on Kosovo they agreed on the joint
statement and on the need for a peaceful solution, the
implementation of the UN decisions and a wider autonomy for
Kosovo.
He also referred to the European prospect of the whole Balkan
region and stressed that it is very important for the Balkan
leaders to meet and exchange views.
[14] NEW HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY
The list of human rights violations in Turkey was long last
month. Prison sentences were imposed to Islamist mayor of Istanbul
Tagip Erdogan and Labor Party leader Dogu Perintsek.
Based on a Human Rights Association report on last month's
violations, 7 people lost their lives in mystery attacks, 1.375
were placed under police custody, 29 were tortured, 17 journalists
were assaulted and the issues of 26 newspapers and magazines were
confiscated based on a State Security Court decision.
Also, 12 searches were conducted in buildings that belong to
political parties or cultural centers and 22 members of political
parties or cultural centers employees were placed under police
custody.
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