Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-03-30
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 30, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE KOSOVO TOMORROW
[02] THESSALONIKI'S ANTI-WAR RALLY DRAWS LARGE CROWD
[03] PRESIDENT OF PANAMA TO VISIT GREECE TOMORROW
[04] PRESIDENT OF CHINA'S PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CONGRESS IN ATHENS
[05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT V.P. COLLINS SPEAKS TO THE MPA
[06] GOVERNMENT, CHURCH SEND AID TO BELGRADE, SKOPJE, TIRANA
[07] ANTI-NATO PROTESTS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT GREECE
[08] REPPAS: THE US EXERTS NO PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT
[09] MR. REPPAS DENIED PRESS REPORTS ON A TRIPARTITE MEETING OF
CLINTON-SIMITIS-DEMIREL IN THE US
[10] SPILIOTOPOULOS: THERE IS ROOM FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN
KOSOVO
[11] VASO PAPANDREOU: THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS IS DRAMATIC
[12] KARAMANLIS-PAPANDREOU MEETING
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] MILOSEVIC TO MEET WITH PRIMAKOV IN BELGRADE TODAY
[14] SIRENS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT IN BELGRADE
[15] YELTSIN: RUSSIA WILL NOT BE DRAWN INTO KOSOVO CONFLICT
[16] RUSSIAN PM: WE CAME TO PROMOTE KOSOVO SETTLEMENT
[17] THOUSANDS OF GERMANS CANCEL TURKISH HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS
[18] POPE DOES NOT RULE OUT COOPERATION WITH ORTHODOX CHURCH
[19] MILOSEVIC-PRIMAKOV MEETING IN BELGRADE
[20] JUGANOVIC: THE NATO BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA MUST END
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE KOSOVO TOMORROW
The latest developments in Kosovo and NATO's raids over
Yugoslavia will be discussed in a parliamentary debate to be held
tomorrow at a political leaders level.
Earlier, the Permanent Committee of Foreign Affairs and
Defense will also convene in order to review the initiatives to be
undertaken by Greece, which will provide financial assistance to
Yugoslavia, FYROM and Albania.
[02] THESSALONIKI'S ANTI-WAR RALLY DRAWS LARGE CROWD
A massive anti-war rally was held in downtown Thessaloniki
yesterday evening, featuring the participation of thousands who
marched to the United States consulate and chanted anti-NATO
slogans, stressing that the raids must stop now and that a
political solution needs to be found for the Kosovo problem.
The event was organized by 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 stated
that they will forward pharmaceutical supplies to the Serbs
through a humanitarian aid mission. The said supplies are being
collected at the "St. Dimitrius" hospital.
[03] PRESIDENT OF PANAMA TO VISIT GREECE TOMORROW
The President of Panama Ernesto Perez Balladares will embark
on a three-day official visit to Greece tomorrow, March 31 - 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.
[04] 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 today afternoon on an official visit.
The Chinese official is visiting Greece at the invitation of
the Greek Parliament's President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
[05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT V.P. COLLINS SPEAKS TO THE MPA
The Vice-President of the European Parliament and former
Foreign Minister of Ireland Gerald Collins spoke to the Macedonian
Press Agency yesterday and stated that no one knows when the war
in Yugoslavia will end
"But one thing is certain: we must place some limits right
now. We must take action in order to ensure that human rights will
be respected and that people will not fall victim to violence and
invasion," he added.
Mr. Collins further expressed the hope that Russia will not
become involved in the war.
"I hope that common sense will prevail, in spite of the
political reasons that could exist for the continuance of the war.
I hope that people will prevail," he added.
Referring to similar behavior of other countries, such as
Turkey or Albania against Greeks and Kurds, Mr. Collins stressed
that "the European Parliament has displayed a greater degree of
bravery (in regards to the expression of these views) than the
member-states of the European Union.
"Especially in the matter of human rights, the EU member-
states displayed a lesser degree of bravery when it came to openly
expressing their reaction to Turkey" he said.
[06] GOVERNMENT, CHURCH SEND AID TO BELGRADE, SKOPJE, TIRANA
The Greek government and the Church are cooperating closely
in the humanitarian aid mission presently provided by Greece to
Yugoslavia, FYROM and Albania.
Foreign Minister George Papandreou met yesterday evening with
the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Christodoulos and,
having discussed the initiatives taken by both the state and the
church in regards to forwarding aid to the neighboring countries,
agreed to coordinate their efforts.
[07] ANTI-NATO PROTESTS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT GREECE
Anti-NATO protests and rallies supporting the Serb people's
plight are to continue throughout Greece today and tomorrow.
The General Confederation of Greek Laborers is organizing a
rally in Athens this evening, calling on all workers to
participate, while a group of singers (the same who had held a
concert for the Kurdish people on March 1) is to perform in
Thessaloniki on Friday.
[08] REPPAS: THE US EXERTS NO PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT
The Greek government is not pressured by the United States
regarding its stance over the Kossovo problem, stated Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
On the regular contacts US ambassador to Athens Nicholas
Burns has with the Greek foreign ministry, Mr. Reppas commented
that they are placed within the framework of the contacts the
American diplomats have in all the European capitals and added
that taking under consideration the developments in the Balkans
the contacts Mr.Burns has are limited.
[09] MR. REPPAS DENIED PRESS REPORTS ON A TRIPARTITE MEETING OF
CLINTON-SIMITIS-DEMIREL IN THE US
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Repas categorically
denied newspaper reports on a tripartite meeting in the United
States with the participation of US president Bill Clinton, Greek
prime minister Kostas Simitis and Turkish president Suleiman
Demirel. Mr. Reppas stated that the reports have nothing to do
with reality.
The Greek government spokesman stated that Mr. Simitis will
go to Washington and New York for the NATO summit meeting on the
occasion of the 50th anniversary of its establishment.
Mr. Reppas stated that no such thought has been expressed and
no meeting is scheduled that would lead to similar actions and
decisions.
[10] SPILIOTOPOULOS: THERE IS ROOM FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN
KOSOVO
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman
Aris Spiliotopoulos stated that there is still room for a
political solution to the crisis in Kossovo.
Mr. Spiliotopoulos stated that time should be given to
diplomatic efforts that will bring the two sides back to the
negotiating table. He said that negotiations can resume if the use
of force is abandoned and the talks are held within the framework
of the Rambouillet agreement.
He also said that the view concerning the holding of a
referendum in Kossovo should be abandoned as it can lead to a
partial independence and therefore, to pressures for the start of
a procedure to change the existing borders.
[11] VASO PAPANDREOU: THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS IS DRAMATIC
A ministerial meeting on the issue of the refugees was held
under minister of interior Vaso Papandreou.
In the meeting took part foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou,
minister of environment, public works and land planning Kostas
Laliotis, minister of public order Michalis Chrisohoidis and
minister of health Lambros Papadimas as well as deputy foreign
minister Yiannos Kranidiotis.
Ms. Papandreou stated this morning that the situation in the
Balkans is dramatic but she expressed the view that there is no
fear for Greece to be involved in the crisis. The main concern of
the government is to send humanitarian aid in order for the
refugees to be able to stay close to their homes, stated the
minister of interior.
[12] KARAMANLIS-PAPANDREOU MEETING
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet this
afternoon with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy
leader Kostas Karamanlis.
The foreign minister will brief the leader of the main
opposition party on the developments in Yugoslavia and the
initiatives of the Greek government for a peaceful solution in
Kosovo.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] MILOSEVIC TO MEET WITH PRIMAKOV IN BELGRADE TODAY
In a diplomatic bid to end the violence in Yugoslavia,
Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov is to travel to Belgrade
today where he will meet with Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic. While the State Department has accepted the Primakov
initiative, it has pledged that NATO is to continue with the raids
until Mr. Milosevic concedes.
Following his meting with the Yugoslav leader, Mr. Primakov
will travel to Bonn tomorrow where he will hold talks with German
chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
[14] SIRENS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT IN BELGRADE
Sirens were heard throughout the night in Belgrade, coming to
a stop at 7 am, as NATO aircraft raided chemical manufacturing
plants and military facilities in Batanica and Pacevo, north of
Belgrade.
Yugoslavia's state-owned television station has broadcast
that a RAF Harrier jet was downed over Podgorica, capital of
Montenegro, although a NATO spokesman said: "We have heard this
report and it is wrong. We have lost no aircraft."
According to the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug, two rockets
struck a military field in Prishtina and brought on extensive
damages to the surrounding buildings. Two more rockets struck
Novisaad early this morning.
[15] YELTSIN: RUSSIA WILL NOT BE DRAWN INTO KOSOVO CONFLICT
Russia has made its choice and will not be drawn into the
Kosovo conflict, stated Russian President Boris Yeltsin in his
annual state of the nation address.
According to the French news agency AFP, the Russian
President stated that this is the first time his address has come
at such a dramatic moment and stressed that "the Balkan crisis
demands from us not emotion but balanced and reasonable actions.
President Yeltsin stated that NATO's raids against Yugoslavia
must not cause a prolonged crisis in relations between Moscow and
Washington.
He further said that the tragic mistake American leaders made
in Kosovo must not lead to an extended crisis in the Russian-
American partnership.
[16] RUSSIAN PM: WE CAME TO PROMOTE KOSOVO SETTLEMENT
Immediately upon arriving in Belgrade, Russian Prime Minister
Yevgeni Primakov stated that "war is going on. Barbaric bombing is
not subsiding. We have come here to try and move the process
towards a political route, on the order of the (Russian)
president.
"We shall try to put it into effect and to find an acceptable
solution through political consultations."
Mr. Primakov is to meet with Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic today.
[17] THOUSANDS OF GERMANS CANCEL TURKISH HOLIDAY RESERVATIONS
The publication of photos depicting PKK leader Abdullah
Ocalan blindfolded and handcuffed was a mistake, according to
travel agents, who've said that 15,000 German reservations for
holidays in Turkey have been canceled so far.
Speaking to the Ankara daily Hurriyet, a German travel agent
stated that the specific photograph was abhorrent to German
tourists who decided to opt for Greece and Tunisia.
The same travel agent likened the masked Turkish secret
agents with Ku-Klux-Klan members.
He also said that Turkish officials told him that the
photographs were leaked to the press by mistake.
[18] POPE DOES NOT RULE OUT COOPERATION WITH ORTHODOX CHURCH
After Pope John Paul II appealed for the silence of arms in
Kosovo, hopes have arisen for the Vatican's involvement in
achieving a peaceful outcome to the humanitarian and perhaps
political crisis, the Polish representative in the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, Dr. Xerxes Zaskiernia told the
MPA.
Other observers in the C of E assembly also pointed out the
Pope's indirect referral to a potential collaboration with the
Orthodox church.
[19] MILOSEVIC-PRIMAKOV MEETING IN BELGRADE
The meeting of Russian prime minister Gevgeni Primakov with
Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic was completed in Belgrade.
No official statements have been made so far on the content of the
talks, while it is not known if there will be a second round of
talks or the Russian prime minister will leave for Bonn and
Brussels.
Upon his arrival in the Yugoslav capital, Mr. Primakov
condemned the continuation of the barbaric bombings, as he
described them, and added that the Russian delegation is there to
promote an acceptable political solution to the crisis.
[20] JUGANOVIC: THE NATO BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA MUST END
Montenegro president Milo Juganovic issued an appeal to NATO
today to stop the bombing of Yugoslavia and open the road to the
resumption of the negotiations in Kossovo, according to the
Russian news agency Itar-Tass.
Mr. Juganovic stated that the use of force does not solve the
problem in Kossovo and those who are suffering the most are the
innocent civilians. He also added that if the air raids continue
the survivors will not be able to find shelter.
The Montenegro president stated that over 30.000 refugees
have already crossed the borders to Montenegro, while according to
official estimates their number will rise to 40.000.
|
