Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-12-22
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, December 22, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STREETS BLOCKED, BOOKS CLOSED, REFORM IS STILL OPPOSED
[02] 1999 BUDGET APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT, BUT IT WAS NO SURPRISE
[03] TWENTY GREEK COMPANIES AMONG EUROPE'S 500 STRONGEST
[04] PAN-MACEDONIANS OF US-CANADA RECEIVED BY GREEK PRESIDENT
[05] REPPAS: FYROM'S ALPHABETICAL CODE WILL BE "XJ"
[06] REPPAS: THE FYROM DOCUMENTARY IS A PROVOCATION ATTEMPT
[07] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE MET WITH HIS ROMANIAN
COUNTERPART
[08] TOPURKOFSKI AND VASILIEF WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI AT THE
INVITATION OF THE INTER-BALKAN AND BLACK SEA BUSINESS CENTER
[09] PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OF THE STUDENT STREET
BLOCKADES
[10] CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FOR THE ALBANIAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE
NORTH-WESTERN GREEK CITY OF KOZANI
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] GREEK FM IN FYROM TODAY, TO MEET WITH PM GEORGIEVSKI
[12] ALBANIA'S "OMONIA" ELECTS VANGELIS DULES AS NEW PRESIDENT
[13] GREEKS IN CZECH REPUBLIC, "CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION"
[14] ROMANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER TO CONDUCT OFFICAL VISIT TO GREECE
[15] ISRAELIS PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES ON ESPIONAGE IN CYPRUS
[16] FYROM: EU REQUESTS THE RELEASE OF GOSTIVAR, TETOVO MAYORS
[17] US PENTAGON DISTRESSED OVER ANTI-IRAQI GRAFFITI SCRAWLED ON
MISSILE
[18] PANGALOS: "NO" TO THOSE WHO ARE POISONING THE RELATIONS
BETWEEN GREECE AND FYROM
[19] PANGALOS-GEORGIEFSKI MEETING
[20] PANGALOS: GREECE WILL NEVER RECOGNIZE A SLAV-MACEDONIAN
MINORITY
[21] THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN TURKEY CONTINUES
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STREETS BLOCKED, BOOKS CLOSED, REFORM IS STILL OPPOSED
Disgruntled students throughout the country who vehemently
oppose the Education Ministry's academic reforms are to block the
country's highways and major city streets today, halting cross-
state traffic from one end of Greece to another.
While the state had hoped that the students would grow tired
of the protests during the holidays, nothing could be further from
the truth as they are determined to outlast any reform ally.
In addition to today's mobilization, the coordinating
committees of students throughout the country will also conduct
massive rallies on January 15.
Meanwhile, in a last-minute effort to ease the mounting
tension, Minister Gerasimos Arsenis is expected to propose four
slight changes to the reforms, although these alterations will not
affect the overall plan to re-haul the educational sector.
[02] 1999 BUDGET APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT, BUT IT WAS NO SURPRISE
The parliamentary debate over the 1999 budget culminated at
midnight last night with its approval, specifically 161 votes in
favor, 135 against.
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, in a dynamic address before
the House, launched a powerful riposte to the main opposition
party's relentless criticism and accused its leader (New
Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis) of engaging in "coffee-house
politics".
Mr. Simitis stressed that the country is on the verge of
entering the Economic and Monetary Union and vowed that the Greek
citizens who have been suffering from the extended periods of
austerity are to reap the fruits of the upward-bound economy.
One ruling party deputy (Christos Kipouros -PASOK) abstained
from the voting process.
[03] TWENTY GREEK COMPANIES AMONG EUROPE'S 500 STRONGEST
Twenty Greek companies are listed among Europe's 500
strongest, according to "Europe's 500", 11 of which are listed on
the Athens bourse and 20 are headquartered in Northern Greece and
Thrace.
Specifically, they are: AEGEK, ATHINA, ALUMIL MYLONAS, AIR
GREECE, GERMANOS, DELTA, DIEKAT, DORAL, ETANE, LAVIPHARM, MAILLIS,
MASOUTIS, MEVGAL, MODA BANGO, NEREUS, NOMIKI BIBLIOTHEKE, PLASTIKA
THRAKIS, SARANTIS, SKLAVOS, WACKENHUT.
The selection was based on the Birch index.
[04] PAN-MACEDONIANS OF US-CANADA RECEIVED BY GREEK PRESIDENT
The three-member delegation from the Pan-Macedonian
Association of the United states - Canada, currently on a visit to
Greece, was received by the President of the Hellenic Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos in Athens yesterday.
Mgrs. Evangelos Michalopoulos, the Association's chairman,
Fotis Ikonomou, secretary and Antonis Ikonomou, chairman of the
National Affairs Committee, expressed their pleasure at having met
with the President in a friendly atmosphere and told the
Macedonian Press Agency that they do not expect the name issue
currently between Greece and FYROM to be discussed during the
Greek Foreign Minister's, Theodoros Pangalos, visit to Skopje
today.
The representatives of the Pan-Macedonian Association told
President Stephanopoulos that they are opposed to the often-
printed name of "Democracy of Macedonia - Skopje" since it does
not make a clear distinction between the Greek Macedonians and the
residents of FYROM.
Moreover, they advised that Greece should not rush into
taking a final position on the matter before the newly-elected
government of FYROM illustrates its policies.
[05] REPPAS: FYROM'S ALPHABETICAL CODE WILL BE "XJ"
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas gave the assurance
that FYROM's alphabetical code will change into "XJ" from "MK"
starting January 1st, 1999 responding to a question by socialist
governing party of PASOK parliament deputy and former government
minister Stelios Papathemelis.
Mr. Reppas stated that a protest has already been made to the
responsible European Union agency and the initials in question
that appeared in the European countries catalogues have been
corrected.
[06] REPPAS: THE FYROM DOCUMENTARY IS A PROVOCATION ATTEMPT
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the
slanderous documentary on Greece shown on the FYROM television was
possibly a provocation attempt in view of the visit to the country
by Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos.
Mr. Reppas said that the Greek attache in Skopje made a
verbal demarche to the FYROM government and added that the
government of the neighboring country admitted that the showing of
the documentary was not a friendly act.
Mr. Reppas said that a change is imminent in the management
of the radio and television in FYROM and it is possible that the
documentary was a provocation attempt against the Pangalos visit,
adding that the FYROM government has expressed regret over the
incident and has stated that the documentary does not express its
positions.
The documentary that was aired a few days before the visit by
Mr. Pangalos presented the positions of the Greek origin FYROM
nationals, who live as immigrants in Australia, Canada and in
European countries.
Those individuals, who are members of the organization named
"Association of Children-Fugitives from Macedonia" express
positions according to which, Greece is not a democratic state.
The whole issue started last summer when three buses with 120
FYROM nationals traveled to the Greek city of Edessa to
participate in the 2nd world meeting of the members of the above
mentioned association. The creators of the documentary maintain
that to certain FYROM nationals was not allowed to enter Greece.
[07] THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENSE MET WITH HIS ROMANIAN
COUNTERPART
Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos met in Athens
today with his visiting Romanian counterpart Viktor Babius.
The two government ministers discussed Romania's prospects
for accession into the European Union and NATO, the situation in
the Balkans and especially in Kosovo and the Cyprus issue.
In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos
expressed concern over the situation in Kosovo and pointed out
that there is an increased likelihood for the armed clashes to
continue in the region.
From his part, Mr. Babius thanked Greece for its contribution
to the efforts aimed at Romania's NATO membership.
[08] TOPURKOFSKI AND VASILIEF WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI AT THE
INVITATION OF THE INTER-BALKAN AND BLACK SEA BUSINESS CENTER
The Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Center builds new
bridges for a more direct cooperation with the Balkan countries
starting with FYROM and Bulgaria.
Within the framework of that effort leader of Democratic
Alternative party Vasil Topurkofski, who is regarded as the
strongman of the new FYROM government, will be in Thessaloniki on
January 27. Mr. Topurkofski will visit Thessaloniki as the head of
the Organization for the Reconstruction and Development of FYROM
to attend a Day of Skopje event organized by the Inter-Balkan and
Black Sea Business Center.
The Day of Bulgaria will take place in February and Bulgarian
minister of trade and tourism Valentin Vasilief will attend a
special event that will be held possibly on the 28th of the month.
Those events are aimed at presenting to the business
community of Thessaloniki the latest developments in the economy
and the course of privatization taking place in the neighboring
countries.
[09] PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OF THE STUDENT STREET
BLOCKADES
The student street blockades held in protest to the education
reform promoted by the ministry of education caused serious
problems in transportation in Thessaloniki, Athens and in other
big cities.
In Thessaloniki, the students blocked the main Tsimiski
street creating a traffic chaos at the center of the city, while
the situation was similar in the streets Papanastasiou, Agiou
Dimitriou and the Farm School area.
The Thessaloniki-Kavala motor-way was also blocked by the
protesting students at the point of Stavros.
[10] CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FOR THE ALBANIAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE
NORTH-WESTERN GREEK CITY OF KOZANI
A Christmas celebration for the Albanian immigrants and their
children will be held in the north-western Greek city of Kozani in
cooperation with the Metropolis of Kozani and the "Makriyiannis"
Association.
It is a move of solidarity toward those people, who are in
the difficult position of being an immigrant, a position many
Greeks found themselves in when they left for America, Australia
and Germany looking for a better future. The local authorities
believe that this celebration will be the starting point for a
cooperation that will create better cohabitation conditions. The
municipality of Kozani also plans the establishment of an
Immigration and Refugee Center in the immediate future.
The event will be held on Sunday, December 27 in the presence
of Albanian ambassador Robo Kastriot.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] GREEK FM IN FYROM TODAY, TO MEET WITH PM GEORGIEVSKI
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is
presently on an official visit to Skopje, at the invitation of the
new prime minister of FYROM Ljubco Georgievski, with whom he will
meet this afternoon.
During his one-day visit, Mr. Pangalos will also hold talks
with FYROM's President Kiro Gligorov, Parliament President Savo
Klimofski, Foreign Minister Alexander Dimitrov, Democratic
Alternative party leader Vasil Topurkofski, former prime minister
Branko Cervenkofski and former foreign minister Blagoi Hadjinski.
Mr. Pangalos and the FYROM officials will discuss the latest
developments in the Balkans and international affairs and will
exchange views on the present state of
bilateral relations.
[12] ALBANIA'S "OMONIA" ELECTS VANGELIS DULES AS NEW PRESIDENT
Albania's ethnic Greek organization "Omonia" has elected 32-
year-old Vangelis Dules as its new president.
Mr. Dules, who is from Gjirokaster's Kalogorantzi village,
holds a degree in English literature and was a leading member of
the December 1990 students' movement that led to the fall of the
Alia regime.
He was elected to the Albanian parliament in 1996 with the
Human Rights Union party.
[13] GREEKS IN CZECH REPUBLIC, "CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION"
The Czech Republic's largest circulation daily Mlada Fronta
DNES, has dedicated a three-age article -authored by Ivana
Karasova- to the country's Greeks, titled "They Call them
Children of the Revolution".
The article chronicles the arrival of the first political
refugees' children from Greece to the then-Czechoslovakia in 1948,
as well as the care and aid given to them by that country. Three
representatives, one from each generation, describe their
experience as a Greek in the Czech Republic in a narrative
approach. The article illustrates the desire of today's Greeks
living in the Czech Republic to cultivate the Greek culture and
heritage onto their children, in spite of the hardships faced due
to their dissemination.
According to the latest demographic results (1990),
approximately 3,500 Greeks reside on a permanent basis in the
Czech Republic today.
[14] ROMANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER TO CONDUCT OFFICAL VISIT TO GREECE
Romania's Minster of National Defense Victor Babiuk is to
conduct an official visit to Athens where he will be received by
his Greek counterpart Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
The two ministers are to discuss bilateral military ties,
cooperation in the technical-military sectors, training, as well
as Greece support to Romania's efforts to accede NATO.
Moreover, the Romanian Minster will be received by the
Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Crhistodoulos and will
visit Mt. Athos. On December 24 he will depart for Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
[15] ISRAELIS PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES ON ESPIONAGE IN CYPRUS
The Israeli nationals who were apprehended in Cyprus last
month
suspected of spying against military positions, have pleaded not
guilty to charges of espionage.
Udi Hargov, 37 and Igal Damari 49 were arrested on November 7
and their presence in Cyprus coincided with major National Guard
activities on the
island. Cypriot police found sophisticated surveillance equipment
in the apartment they were renting at the village of Zygi, the
planned site for the island's first ever naval base.
The Larnaca court rejected a defense request to release the
suspects into the custody of the Israeli embassy in Nicosia until
the start of their trial, set for January 20.
Israel has not denied the two suspects might have been Mossad
agents but insists they were not spying for Turkey.
[16] FYROM: EU REQUESTS THE RELEASE OF GOSTIVAR, TETOVO MAYORS
The European Union Commissioner Mr. Pineiro has expressed the
hope that the dialogue apparently supported by FYROM's new
government could contribute tot he resolution of problems with the
Albanian minority, especially in the release of the Albanian
mayors of Gostivar and Tetovo, Mgrs. Rufi Osmani and Aladin
Demiri, respectively.
He was addressing the European Parliament's plenary session
regarding a resolution vote, which was approved, that calls on the
authorities of FYROM to respond to the international community's
appeal to grant amnesty to the two incarcerated mayors.
[17] US PENTAGON DISTRESSED OVER ANTI-IRAQI GRAFFITI SCRAWLED ON
MISSILE
The United States Pentagon announced yesterday that it was
distressed to learn that one of its servicemen had scrawled the
words "Happy Ramadan", a reference to the holy Islamic month, on a
missile before it was fired at Iraq last week.
"Department of Defense officials were distressed to learn of
thoughtless graffiti mentioning the holy month of Ramadan written
on a piece of U.S. ordnance during Operation Desert Fox," said
Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon.
"Religious intolerance is anathema to Defense Secretary
William Cohen and to all Americans who cherish the right to
worship freely," Mr. Bacon said. "We are grateful for our good
relations with Arab and Islamic peoples, and we appreciate the
important contributions of Muslim Americans."
He further added that he was confident most U.S. servicemen
and women respected and appreciated religious practices different
from their own.
"This incident is a rare exception that does not reflect American
policy or values," he said.
[18] PANGALOS: "NO" TO THOSE WHO ARE POISONING THE RELATIONS
BETWEEN GREECE AND FYROM
A clear "No" to those who are trying to poison the relations
between Greece and FYROM and especially to the extremist elements
of FYROM who are looking for non-existent minorities in Greece,
came from Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos in a joint
press conference he gave in Skopje this afternoon with his FYROM
counterpart Alexander Dimitrov just before the completion of his
one-day visit to the neighboring country.
Responding to a question by a reporter from the Nova
Makedonia newspaper concerning the non-existent minorities in
Greece, Mr. Pangalos said that the reporter herself and her
newspaper are among those who are trying to poison the relations
between the two peoples. Mr. Pangalos said that this is done in a
systematic manner and expressed the wish that fewer and fewer
people will continue to buy this specific newspaper. To the
observation that the newspaper reports are being based on what is
maintained by a pro-FYROM organization in Greece, Mr. Pangalos
stressed that the "Uranio Toxo" organization run in the recent
elections in Greece in an alliance with the Stalinist Organization
for the Reconstruction of the Greek Communist Party and the
Movement for the Liberation of Homosexuals managing to get just
1.840 votes across Greece. At this point, Mr. Pangalos wondered if
it is worth discussing about 1.800 people creating a minority
problem. He observed that if this way of thinking is followed it
is easy to discover unimaginable minorities.
Responding to the same issue, FYROM's foreign minister
stressed that he discussed with Mr. Pangalos the issue of human
rights within the framework of the cooperation between the two
countries in order to create a climate of trust in order to find a
solution to all the existing problems.
Mr. Dimitrov expressed satisfaction for the wide exchange of
viewpoints he had with Mr. Pangalos and stated that the stable
strategic interests of his country is the EU accession and its
participation in the NATO structure. He said that there are
problems and differences between the two countries but there was a
coincidence of views over the efforts made by both sides, adding
that he is satisfied with the potential for open, honest and
cordial talks between the two countries.
Over the name issue, Mr. Pangalos said that the talks in the
UN on the issue should continue and a decision should be reached
on a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible. He thanked
ambassadors Zacharakis and Tosefski for their efforts saying that
they are excellent diplomats and added that the talks have come a
long way and the politicians should assume their responsibilities.
He said that courage and help is needed by the press for the
peoples to look ahead and overcome the suspicions and the misery
of the past.
Responding to the question on the alleged violation of human
rights of the members of the non-existent "macedonian minority" in
Greece, Mr. Pangalos said that all his life fought for human
rights and the 1.800 votes won by the "Uranio Toxo" can not be
regarded as a slav-macedonian minority. He said that there are 50
people here, 100 people there who express their views, have their
own offices, publish newspapers and run in elections. If they
think that their rights are violated in Greece, said Mr. Pangalos,
they can go to the Council of Europe and claim their rights. Mr.
Pangalos also said that the same is true for groups of people in
FYROM who share the same sentiments over Greece, referring to the
"Pelagonia" association in Skopje.
Mr. Pangalos said that the borders with Greece are open and
Mr. Mallias, the head of the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje,
stated that Greece has issued 1.300.000 entry permits since 1995.
Mr. Pangalos said that there are certain difficulties because of
the Schengen accord and that the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje
has issued 50.000 Schengen visas.
[19] PANGALOS-GEORGIEFSKI MEETING
Foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos met at noon today with
FYROM's prime minister Ljupco Georgiefski after meeting with FUROM
foreign minister Alexander Dimitrof and parliament president Savo
Klimofski.
The two men had a detailed discussion on bilateral
cooperation, which follows a steady upward course in the last few
years, giving a special emphasis to the economic sector.
A special emphasis was given to other sectors as well, such
as transportation, military and defense, the environment and
cultural exchanges. Mr. Pangalos will also meet with FYROM's
president Kiro Gligorov.
[20] PANGALOS: GREECE WILL NEVER RECOGNIZE A SLAV-MACEDONIAN
MINORITY
Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos, speaking to
reporters after his meeting with FYROM's prime minister Ljupco
Georgiefski, stated that Greece will never recognize a Slav-
Macedonian minority.
He said that the talks were held in a good atmosphere and
referring to the issue of the name that will be used by FYROM he
said that it was agreed that the contacts in New York should
continue, adding that Greece will be represented by ambassador
Zacharakis in spite of the fact that he will be an ambassador to
London in two months.
The Greek foreign minister said that he discussed with the
FYROM government the incorporation of the region into the European
Union and NATO and that he conveyed Europe's deep satisfaction
over the latest elections held in the country without any
problems. Mr. Pangalos also said that Europe regards as
satisfactory the handling of the problems of the Albanians in
FYROM.
Responding to a question on the issue of properties in
Greece, Mr. Pangalos said that for Greece this issue has closed
and it is not a bilateral issue. He said that if someone has
objections and wants to claim a "little house" in a village can
appeal to the Greek justice or FYROM's or even to the European
courts, reiterating that this is not a real issue.
Mr. Pangalos said that a big part of the talks covered the
new economic prospects that are being opened, adding that the new
government of FYROM regards Greece as a strategic partner and
ally.
Mr. Pangalos referred to the construction of an oil pipe line
that will carry oil to Thessaloniki and Skopje and said that
Greece will undertake the modernization of the oil refinery in
Skopje. He also stated that FYROM's prime minister has showed
interest in the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipe line and
specifically to its expansion to Thessaloniki and Skopje. There is
also a decision for the promotion of the construction of road axis
number 10 and the vertical link of FYROM's road network with the
Egnatia road network.
Mr. Pangalos said that FYROM is also interested in the
Thessaloniki-Florina-Bitola railway line and the link with Sofia
and the Adriatic. The Greek foreign minister also said that it was
agreed that prime minister Kostas Simitis will meet with his FYROM
counterpart in Thessaloniki next May.
The Greek foreign minister had also contacts with his
counterpart Alexander Dimitrof, parliament president Savo
Klimofski, Democratic Alternative party leader Vasil Topurkofski,
FYROM president Kiro Gligorov, former prime minister Branko
Tservenkofski and former foreign minister Blagoi Hadjinski.
[21] THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN TURKEY CONTINUES
The political crisis in Turkey continues after the failure of
former prime minister Bulent Ecevit to form a coalition
government.
According to a Turkish newspaper, the most likely candidates
for the post of the prime minister are parliament president Hikmet
Cetin and minister of defense Ismet Sezguin.
It should be noted that the military does not want the
Islamists, who are the largest political party in the Turkish
parliament, to receive the mandate to form a government.
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