Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-29
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 29, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE AT THE DEFENSE MINISTRY FOR BRIEFING
[02] PASOK'S NEW EXECUTIVE BUREAU TO BE ELECTED TODAY
[03] GREECE'S GOVERNMENT COUNCIL FOR DEFENSE CONVENES TONIGHT
[04] GREEK ALTERNATE FM MEETS WITH US AMBASSADOR BURNS
[05] ANTI-WAR RALLY TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI THIS EVENING
[06] REPPAS : NO TURKISH TROOPS WILL PASS THROUGH GREECE
[07] PRESIDENT OF PANAMA TO VISIT GREECE ON WEDNESDAY
[08] PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CONGRESS IN ATHENS
[09] THE HOLY SYNOD ISSUED AN APPEAL FOR THE IMMEDIATE CEASE FIRE
IN YUGOSLAVIA
[10] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE WITH LAND FORCES IN THE NATO
OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA
[11] THE US PUBLIC OPINION IS DIVIDED OVER THE AIR STRIKES AGAINST
YUGOSLAVIA
[12] THE UNLOADING OF A CARGO SHIP WITH NATO SUPPLIES IS BEING
DELAYED AT THE PORT OF THESSALONIKI
[13] FIVE POINT INITIATIVE BY GREECE FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE
PROBLEM IN KOSOVO
[14] THE US AMBASSADOR STATED THAT THE NATO AIR RAIDS ON KOSOVO
WILL CONTINUE
[15] KOSTAS SKANDALIDIS WAS RE-ELECTED SECRETARY OF PASOK'S
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
[16] SIMITIS: THE MILITARY SOLUTION CAN NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN
KOSOVO
[17] GREECE IS READY TO UNDERTAKE AN INITIATIVE ON KOSOVO
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] NATO CONTINUES TO RAID YUGOSLAVIA, ATTACKS INTENSIFY
[19] ALBANIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY'S DIRECTOR: WHEN WILL RAIDS END?
[20] FM PAPANDREOU: GREECE TO UNDERTAKE INITIATIVE ON SERBIA
[21] PRIMAKOV WILL BE IN BELGRADE TOMORROW
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE AT THE DEFENSE MINISTRY FOR BRIEFING
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is presently at the Ministry of National Defense where he is being
briefed by the country's political and military leaders on the
latest developments in Kosovo and the present situation at the
country's northern borders.
Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with his counterpart
from FYROM last night in Athens whom he assured that Greece will
provide every possible assistance to Skopje in regards to the
incoming wave of Kosovo refugees.
[02] PASOK'S NEW EXECUTIVE BUREAU TO BE ELECTED TODAY
The central committee of the country's ruling PASOK party is
to convene today in order to elect the new members of the
Executive Bureau and the party's Secretary.
In light of today's session, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis
held successive meetings yesterday with the Minister of National
Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Environment, City Planning and
Public Works Kostas Laliotis and Interior Vaso Papandreou.
The CC members can vote for up to seven candidates, while, as
foreseen by the quota principles, at least two women will be
elected as members.
[03] GREECE'S GOVERNMENT COUNCIL FOR DEFENSE CONVENES TONIGHT
Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will chair the
Government Council for Defense (KYSEA) tonight, which will review
the crisis situation in the neighboring Yugoslavia.
KYSEA will also attempt to coordinate the Greek government's
stance in regards to achieving a solution to the drama, stressing
the need to resolve the case through political, not military,
means. The Greek government continues its contact with other
European countries.
[04] GREEK ALTERNATE FM MEETS WITH US AMBASSADOR BURNS
Greece's alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis is to
receive the United States Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns
today who is expected to relay the State Department's appeal for
a unified front in regards to NATO's raids against
Yugoslavia.
In a letter forwarded to Greek Prime Minster Kostas Simitis,
United States President Bill Clinton requests unqualified support
to NATO's raids.
President Clinton asks that "all members of the Alliance
support NATO's decisions" and stressed the necessity of Greece
"remaining united with its allies in NATO".
[05] ANTI-WAR RALLY TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI THIS EVENING
An anti-war rally will be held in downtown Thessaloniki this
evening, featuring the participation of the city's prefecture,
local government, Aristotle University teaching staff, the local
chapter of the civil servants union (ADEDY), chambers and other
professional organizations, political parties, and others.
In a joint announcement, the rally organizers have condemned
NATO's raids over Yugoslavia and states that it will forward
pharmaceutical supplies to the Serbs through a humanitarian aid
mission. The said supplies are being collected at the "St.
Dimitrius" hospital, while a bank account is also to be opened in
order to provide the Yugoslav victims with financial aid.
[06] REPPAS : NO TURKISH TROOPS WILL PASS THROUGH GREECE
The Government Council for Defense (KYSEA) convened last
night and reviewed the crisis in the neighboring Yugoslavia.
Specifically, the participants discussed the oncoming wave of
Kosovo refugees to Greece, as well as NATO' s possible ground
operation to Yugoslavia.
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas reiterated that there
was no question of Turkish troops passing through Greece to
conduct military operations against Yugoslavia, adding that Greece
will not facilitate the passage of land forces into Yugoslavia.
He also said NATO troops that were already transported to
FYROM via Greece were not related to ground operations in Kosovo.
[07] PRESIDENT OF PANAMA TO VISIT GREECE ON WEDNESDAY
The President of Panama Ernesto Perez Balladares will conduct
an official visit to Greece between Wednesday, March 31 and
Friday, April 2.
During his stay in Athens, President Balladares will meet
with the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the President of the Hellenic
Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.
The Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos will bestow upon
the Panamanian President the city's Gold Medal.
[08] PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CONGRESS IN ATHENS
The President of China's People's National Congress Li Peng
is to arrive in Athens tomorrow afternoon on an official visit.
The Chinese official is visiting Greece at the invitation of
the Greek Parliament's President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
[09] THE HOLY SYNOD ISSUED AN APPEAL FOR THE IMMEDIATE CEASE FIRE
IN YUGOSLAVIA
The Holy Synod will address a written statement to the Greek
government, the embassies of the western states that participate
in the bombing of Yugoslavia and the delegations of the United
Nations and the European Union in Greece calling for the immediate
cease fire in Yugoslavia.
The Holy Synod expresses grief for the bombings, while it
condemns the attacks against civilians and the destruction of
historical Christian Orthodox monasteries.
Also, the Metropolites of Veria, Mitilini and Xanthi will
visit Belgrade in the next few days and will meet with the
Patriarch and the Synod of the Serb Church, while they will also
bring humanitarian aid to the country.
[10] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE WITH LAND FORCES IN THE NATO
OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated that
Greece will not offer land forces to participate in the NATO
military operations in Yugoslavia.
The minister of press stressed that Greece, being a NATO
member-state, respects the alliance's operation regulations as the
rest of its members but he underlined that there is communication
with the rest of the countries within the framework of the efforts
for a political solution to the problem of Kossovo. Also, Mr.
Reppas underlined that the mission of the NATO forces that have
passed through Greek territory is to safeguard the terms of a
peace agreement and not to conduct military operations.
[11] THE US PUBLIC OPINION IS DIVIDED OVER THE AIR STRIKES AGAINST
YUGOSLAVIA
The US public opinion is split over the usefulness of the
NATO air raids against Yugoslavia, while the overwhelming majority
is against the use of land forces.
According to the latest opinion poll conducted by the US
television channel CNN, 48% of the American citizens are in favor
of the strikes, while 43% are against and the overwhelming
majority of them, namely 75%, believe that that no US marines
should be sent to Kossovo as opposed to 15% that backs this
likelihood.
The US daily "Washington Post" writes that the 9.800 US
marines stationed in Bosnia are ready to be moved to FYROM to join
about 12.000 British, German and French troops.
The degree of the deadlock in the situation is apparent by
the proposals under discussion in the US Congress. According to
the BBC, one of the proposals under discussion is to reinforce the
ethnic Albanian separatists with more weapons in order to be able
to deal with the Yugoslav army, while another proposal examines
the likelihood to financially back the undermining of Yugoslav
president Milosevic from inside the country.
[12] THE UNLOADING OF A CARGO SHIP WITH NATO SUPPLIES IS BEING
DELAYED AT THE PORT OF THESSALONIKI
The Liberian flag cargo ship "Petersburg" with material for
the NATO forces in Skopje remains off the port of Thessaloniki for
the past two days.
According to information, the cargo ship with supplies for
the NATO forces in Skopje arrived on Saturday evening and was
supposed to unload yesterday. The supplies it carries are destined
for the German troops and had to reach Skopje immediately.
However, this has not happened yet.
Based on information, the reason for the delay is that the
FYROM government does not want to receive more military material
for the NATO forces now that the military operations against
Yugoslavia intensify in order to avoid any accusations from the
Serb government.
[13] FIVE POINT INITIATIVE BY GREECE FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE
PROBLEM IN KOSOVO
A five point initiative for humanitarian aid and a peaceful
solution in Kosovo was announced by foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou in a press conference today.
Mr. Papandreou underlined the special and important role
Greece has as a member of NATO and as a Balkan state. He said that
due to this fact, Greece decided not to take part in military
operations and participate only in the implementation of a peace
agreement in case it is reached.
Mr. Papandreou stated that within this framework Greece
undertakes a five-point initiative with short-term and long-term
targets.
Specifically, Greece will send humanitarian aid to the
neighboring countries of Albania, FYROM and Serbia, while it will
promote and coordinate humanitarian aid efforts within the
framework of the Inter-Balkan initiative in cooperation with
international organizations. Greece will also coordinate its
efforts with the rest Balkan countries to stop the crisis from
spilling over to neighboring states, while it will also promote a
coordinated strategy within the framework of the EU and the
international community for the restoration of relations in the
regions hit by the war. Finally, Greece will undertake initiatives
at a diplomatic level, always in cooperation with its partners and
with the neighboring countries, in order to find a political
solution in Kossovo.
[14] THE US AMBASSADOR STATED THAT THE NATO AIR RAIDS ON KOSOVO
WILL CONTINUE
US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns met with deputy
foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, who underlined that there is
readiness and all the relevant initiatives for contacts aimed at
finding a political solution in Kosovo have been undertaken.
However, Mr. Burns stated that the time of diplomacy has not come
yet.
The US ambassador stated to Mr. Kranidiotis that the bombings
will continue until the end of the ethnic cleansing operations in
Kosovo and the signing of the Rambouillet peace agreement by the
Serbs.
Mr. Burns expressed the view that a way should be found for
Milosevic and all those who are responsible for the massacres in
Kosovo to be tried for war crimes in The Hague.
[15] KOSTAS SKANDALIDIS WAS RE-ELECTED SECRETARY OF PASOK'S
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Kostas Skandalidis, was re-elected to the position of PASOK's
central committee secretary.
Earlier, in the first meeting of the central committee, prime
minister Kostas Simitis had referred to Mr. Skandalidis' abilities
and his contribution in a difficult period for the party of PASOK.
In the voting that followed voted 177 central committee
members. In favor of Mr. Skandalidis were found 133 votes, while
there were 42 blank and 2 spoilt ballots.
[16] SIMITIS: THE MILITARY SOLUTION CAN NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN
KOSOVO
The new central committee of the Greek socialist governing
party of PASOK met for the election of the secretary of the
party's executive bureau.
Speaking during the meeting prime minister Kostas Simitis
referred to the developments in Kosovo and stated that the main
concern is Greece, stressing that any incalculable consequences on
the Greek interests should be avoided, while the strengthening of
Turkey's role should be averted. Mr. Simitis stressed that the
main principles are the territorial integrity, the inviolability
of the borders, human rights and the peaceful solution of
differences within the framework of the UN principles. The prime
minister reiterated that Greece will not participate in the
military operations in Kosovo, while he stressed that Greece will
offer humanitarian aid to Serbia, FYROM and Albania.
[17] GREECE IS READY TO UNDERTAKE AN INITIATIVE ON KOSOVO
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou underlined that
Greece is a NATO member and a Balkan state and is ready to
undertake a peace initiative on Kosovo.
The foreign minister stressed that Greece has responded fully
to its obligations toward the alliance as determined by the
treaties it has signed but it is a Balkan country and the fact
that it does not take part in the military operations should be
respected.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] NATO CONTINUES TO RAID YUGOSLAVIA, ATTACKS INTENSIFY
Yugoslavia resembled an inferno last night, as NATO
intensified its attacks -16 in all- against the capital city of
the Kosovo province, Prishtina.
Adding insult to injury, Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) rebels,
who represent the area's ethnic Albanians, pounced on Serb forces
in Prishtina.
Meanwhile, NATO officials categorically refuted rumors that
five NATO fighters and one helicopter were downed.
United States President Bill Clinton announced the State
Department's intent to intensify the raids, although American
public opinion appears to be divided over the war in Kosovo. At
the same time, Paris and Vienna have ruled out their participation
in land forces missions to Yugoslavia. Also, Russian President
Boris Yeltsin may met with his Yugoslav counterpart Slobodan
Milosevic in an effort to halt the violence.
[19] ALBANIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY'S DIRECTOR: WHEN WILL RAIDS END?
As a voice of calm in the midst of cacophonous war cries, the
director of the Albanian Telegraph Agency Frrok Cupi has adopted a
different stance from the majority of his country's journalists in
regards to NATO's bombardment of Yugoslavia.
In an article published in the Tirana daily Koha Jone, Mr.
Cupi, who is also the president of the Association of Balkan News
Agencies, asks "When will they end?
"That is the question set forth by a world frightened by the
raids in the Balkans. However, the act has a beginning without
which one cannot see the end. It is an ominous fact that the
beginning and the end have a common place. The circle has been
completed," Mr. Cupi writes.
"The known disintegration process of the Yugoslav state began
precisely in Kosovo during 1981-1989, (a region ) which afterall
remained a part of the present-day Yugoslavia.
"Therefore, the end came in the beginning. But what is the
future of this act? There are some who say �now that Yugoslavia
has disintegrated it will let go of Kosovo.' However, there is the
other view that claims �now that Yugoslavia let go of the most, it
will not let go of the last part.'
"As such, what will be left after NATO�s raids will be an
unresolved conflict between the Serbs and the Albanians," Mr. Cupi
warns, adding that "it was never understood that if you burn your
neighbor's land, you will beg for bread tomorrow. The land
continues to burn."
Lastly, the Albanian journalist eloquently points out that
"apparently, democracy decided to violate democracy, in order to
reformulate the theory of the future order."
[20] FM PAPANDREOU: GREECE TO UNDERTAKE INITIATIVE ON SERBIA
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou has told the
British daily The Guardian that there is diplomatic communication
between Athens and Belgrade, while h also reiterated the country's
stance that diplomatic efforts need to be promoted in order to
resolve the Kosovo crisis.
In the interview. Mr. Papandreou said that Athens will
attempt to convince Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to sign
an agreement, while pointing out that Greece, as the only Balkan
member of NATO and the European Union, holds a position that
differs from the other Western countries.
[21] PRIMAKOV WILL BE IN BELGRADE TOMORROW
Russian prime minister Gevgeni Primakov will be in Belgrade
tomorrow morning to meet with Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic. Russian minister of defense Igor Sergejev stated that
1.000 Serb civilians have been killed in the NATO air strikes
against Yugoslavia.
A Russian OSCE official stated that 70.000 refugees have
crossed the borders to Albania since Saturday.
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