Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-04
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 4, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SIMITIS: BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT A
"PROMISING" DEVELOPMENT
[02] PRE-ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTIES
[03] OPPOSITION CONTENT AND WARY OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO
[04] PREMIER SIMITIS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT IN BELGRADE
[05] 160 TONS OF BELGIAN POULTRY CONFISCATED IN GREECE
[06] PAPANTONIOU: GREECE WILL JOIN THE EMU
[07] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN SERRES
[08] THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE BANNED THE IMPORTS OF PORK AND
BEEF FROM BELGIUM
[09] 50 GREEK POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE TRAINED IN THE UNITED STATES
TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE CASES
[10] VASILIS SKOURIS IS APPOINTED JUDGE IN THE EUROPEAN COURT OF
JUSTICE
[11] NIKOLAOU: WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO PEACE
[12] APOSTOLAKIS: THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS A POSITIVE STEP
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] STEPS TOWARDS PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA
[14] SOLANA TO LEAD EU'S COMMON FOREIGN POLICY
[15] IVANOF-ZEMIN MET IN BEIJING
[16] AHTISAARI-CHERNOMIRDIN-TALBOTT BEGIN NEW ROUND OF TALKS
[17] THE KLA WILL SUPPORT THE PEACE PLAN ON KOSOVO
[18] LIMITED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
[19] STEPASHIN TO CONTROL THE CRUCIAL MINISTRIES
[20] HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DENOUNCES AKIN BIRDAL'S IMPRISONMENT
[21] THE EFFORTS FOR THE MATERIALIZATION OF THE PEACE PLAN ARE
UNDERWAY
[22] THE 15 EU LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING THE DAY AFTER IN KOSOVO
[23] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GENERAL CLARK AND THE CHIEF
OF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES
[24] YELTSIN: THE BOMBING SHOULD STOP IMMEDIATELY
[25] INFLATION IN THE MONTH OF MAY WAS 2.4%
[26] NATO DENIED REPORTS OF MEETINGS WITH YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES
REPRESENTATIVES IN BELGRADE TOMORROW
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SIMITIS: BELGRADE'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT A
SPROMISING" DEVELOPMENT
Premier Costas Simitis said that Slobodan Milosevic's consent
to the peace agreement is an important and promising development,
stressing that Greece contributed a lot towards this direction.
The prime minister noted that the agreement should be implemented
in good faith while there are still difficulties and issues to be
settled.
The recent developments are very positive, said Greek Foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou, however emphasizing that nothing is
over yet.
[02] PRE-ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARTIES
Members of PASOK in Thessaloniki prepare the gathering which
will take place in Aristotelous Square on June 8th, where premier
Costas Simitis is to address his speech to the supporters of his
party. Meanwhile minister of Development, Evagelos Venizelos and
deputy of PASOK Haris Kastanidis will hold a speech tonight in
Kalamaria while minister of Macedonia and Thrace, Giannis
Magriotis will address a speech tonight in Peraia and tomorrow
afternoon in Lefkos Pirgos Square together with Justice minister
Evagelos Giannopoulos. Also tomorrow, secretary of the Central
Committee of PASOK, Costas Skandalidis will hold a press
conference at the electoral headquarters of the party at 55
Tsimiski st. at 11 am.
Leader of the main opposition party, New Democracy, Costas
Karamanlis will address a speech tonight at Liberty Square of
Herakleion city, in Crete. At the same time members of his party
work on the preparations of the party's gatherings in Thessaloniki
(June 7th) and Athens.
Leader of the Coalition of the Left and the Progress, Nikos
Konstantopoulos will be in Hania today, while Secretary General of
the Communist Party will be in Epirus. President of the Democratic
and Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas will visit consecutively
the prefectures of Xanthi, Rodopi, Drama, Serres and Kavala.
President of the Political Spring party, Antonis Samaras will
be in Thessaloniki today, and around noon time he will visit
Kilkis, and president of the Liberal party, Stefanos Manos will
visit Corfu.
[03] OPPOSITION CONTENT AND WARY OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO
The opposition parties in Greece welcomed today the agreement
achieved between the Presidents of Finland and Yugoslavia on the
peace plan on Kosovo, although they remain wary of the
developments to come.
President of New Democracy, Costas Karamanlis stressed the
need to restore peace as soon as possible warning of the great
danger of destabilisation, while he noted that he is more worried
about what is going to happen in "the next days" following the end
of the war.
Secretary General of the Communist Party, Aleka Papariga
pointed out that it is against Greece's interest to take part in
the war against Yugoslavia or in the mission of "occupation
troops" that is currently being planned.
Nikos Konstantopoulos, leader of the Coalition of the Left
and the Progress, said that hopes of peace have emerged and
underlined that Greece and the European Union should not allow
these hopes to be destroyed, while president of the Democratic and
Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas noted that we should remain
cautious on whether it is peace that is being prepared or another
intervention in Kosovo.
[04] PREMIER SIMITIS WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT IN BELGRADE
Premier Costas Simitis said that Belgrade's consent to the
peace plan on Kosovo is a promising development, in a press
conference he held last night in Cologne.
"Today's agreement is an important development. A promising
development, after two months of gloom, two months of destruction.
Greece in content with this development. We welcome the peaceful
outcome of today's talks in Belgrade. An outcome in which we also
contributed with all of our powers" said the prime minister.
Mr Simits expressed his sorrow for the victims of war and
promised that Greece will use all of its powers to limit down the
consequences of the war and help to the peaceful reconstruction of
the region.
"Today's outcome confirms our point of view. According to
this point of view a political solution to the problem was
considered to be possible, and the diplomatic efforts could end up
in reconciliation. This has been proved today", stressed Mr.
Simitis.
The prime minister stated that Greece's view has been
vindicated according to which war was not the most effective way
to solve problems like to Kosovo ones. Greece has followed a
policy of searching for solutions and not a policy of
confrontation. A policy of a way out and not of a dead end.
He acknowledged that difficulties will emerges while the
agreement will be implemented and noted that its upon Yugoslavia
and NATO to come to an understanding regarding the way the Serb
forces will be withdrawn from Kosovo.
The Greek premier underlined the two steps needed to be
followed from now on.:
First: we should be careful and ensure the right and immediate
implementation of the agreement in order for the war to end.
Second: we should begin to realize all the planes we have worked
out so far for the reconstruction of the Balkans and the
coordination of the humanitarian assistance.
[05] 160 TONS OF BELGIAN POULTRY CONFISCATED IN GREECE
The problem of the dioxin infected food in Europe seems to
expand, after statements made by Belgium authorities saying that
there have been traces of infection in beef, pork, farm fish and
rabbits.
In Greece the responsible authorities stress that they have
received no warnings from European countries on infected pork
noting that the Greek companies have not imported food from
Belgium.
The European Commission has ordered that destruction of all
beef and pork food which have been nourished with Belgian food for
animals.
So far in Greece, 160 tons of Belgian poultry have been
confiscated, 3,5 tons of eggs and by-products as well as 5 tons of
mayonnaise and 1.6 tons of chicken pie.
[06] PAPANTONIOU: GREECE WILL JOIN THE EMU
Greece will fulfill all the conditions for its accession to
the EMU by the end of 1999, Minister of Economy, Giannos
Papantoniou said today.
According to Mr. Papantoniou the data provided by the annual
report on the economic progress of the country are positive for
Greece and our accession to the EMU will be a certainty in 2001.
[07] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN SERRES
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits Serres today,
continuing his tour of Northern Greece. This morning the leader of
the Orthodox Church visits the "Maximion Spiritual and Cultural
Center" in the old metropolis of Serres, the Byzantine temple of
Agioi Theodoroi and the convent of the Holy Prodrome.
At noon the Patriarch is expected at Sidirokastro well he
will hold a doxology at the holy convent of Saints Kirikos and
Iouliti. Afterwards he will visit the holy retreat of the Holy
Prodrome of Akritohori where he will spend the night. Tomorrow he
will continue his tour to Kilkis.
[08] THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE BANNED THE IMPORTS OF PORK AND
BEEF FROM BELGIUM
The ministry of agriculture banned the import and sale of
pork and beef from Belgium in response to the food scare in Europe
concerning the contamination with dioxin of chickens and eggs. The
emergency measures will be in effect until the meeting of the
permanent EU veterinary committee is held in order to issue the
final decisions on the case.
The Belgian authorities announced yesterday that there are
indications of contamination not only in chickens but in beef and
pork meat as well and also in fish grown in fish-farms and in
rabbit meat.
[09] 50 GREEK POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE TRAINED IN THE UNITED STATES
TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE CASES
About 50 high ranking officers of the Greek police will be
trained in the United States in the handling of crisis and
negotiations with hijackers in hostage taking cases.
The first 25 police officers will leave for the US by the end
of June and will specialize in crisis management, while other 25
will visit the United States in September in order to be trained
in dealing with hostage taking situations.
[10] VASILIS SKOURIS IS APPOINTED JUDGE IN THE EUROPEAN COURT OF
JUSTICE
Vasilis Skouris, professor in Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki and director of the Center for International and
European Economic Law, will take over his duties as a judge in the
Luxembourg based European Court of Justice replacing the late
Krateros Ioannou. Mr. Skouris will exercise his duties in the
European Court of Justice for the next 4,5 years and has the right
to be reelected for 6 more years.
Mr. Skouris was born in Thessaloniki in 1948 and studied law
in Berlin's Free University while he continued his studies for a
post graduate degree in the University of Hamburg. He was public
law professor in the Law School of Dimokrition University and in
the Law School of Germany's Bielfeld University. Since 1982 he is
a professor in the Law School of Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki.
Professor Skouris served as a minister of interior in the
caretaker government of Ioannis Grivas for the holding of the
November 5,1989 elections and in the government of prime minister
Simitis for the September 22, 1996 elections.
[11] NIKOLAOU: WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO PEACE
Acting Greek government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou stated
that "we are on the road to peace", commenting on the peace
agreement on Kosovo.
Mr. Nikolaou when called to comment on the statements of US
president Bill Clinton, who expressed the reservations of the US
side, stated that the developments are positive and added "I do
not know what Mr. Clinton meant."
On the time when the peacekeeping force will be deployed in
the region, Mr. Nikolaou stated that talks between NATO and
Yugoslav officials are imminent.
Finally, responding to the question what the government will
do on the day after when the bombing will stop, he stated that
Greece is present and will be ready, adding that the government
has already made the necessary moves in order to coordinate
efforts for the day after the crisis in Yugoslavia.
[12] APOSTOLAKIS: THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS A POSITIVE STEP
Greek undersecretary of defense Dimitris Apostolakis stated
that the agreement reached between Belgrade and NATO is a positive
and decisive step and the fact that it has been approved by the
Yugoslav parliament is also very important. He expressed the hope
that the agreement will be ratified by the other side as well
putting an end to the war.
Mr. Apostloakis stated that the war will not be over unless
the agreement is ratified by both sides and its implementation
gets underway stressing, however, that one can not dispute that
this was a very positive step welcomed by all.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] STEPS TOWARDS PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA
Steps towards peace were made yesterday when Belgrade
accepted the peace plan drafted by G-8. "Peace is only a breath
away" German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder said. Its a matter of
days for the war in Yugoslavia to end, stressed EU envoy Marti
Ahtisaari. American President Bill Clinton noted, though, that the
air strikes will continue until the Serb forces are withdrawn from
Kosovo.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair remains still cautious that
peace will eventually be achieved, although the rest of the EU
leaders welcomed the peace deal. According to the peace plan
hostilities in Kosovo will be terminated, Serb forces will
withdraw from the region and will be replaced by an international
peace force.
[14] SOLANA TO LEAD EU'S COMMON FOREIGN POLICY
NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana was appointed head of
the European Union's Common Foreign and Defense Policy, according
to an announcement made by the German presidency of the EU, at the
Summit held in Cologne.
The Spanish politician is expected to take up his new duties
when his term of office in NATO has expired, next November. French
Ambassador in the European Union, Pier De Boisiaux has been
appointed Mr Solana's deputy.
[15] IVANOF-ZEMIN MET IN BEIJING
Russian Foreign Minister met with Chinese President Xiang
Zemin, carrying a message by President Yeltsin regarding the boost
of the strategic cooperation between Russia and China.
The main goal of Ivanov's visit to China was to prepare the
subsequent informal meeting between Yeltsin and Xiang, which is to
be held sometime between late October and early November.
The fist chino-russian meeting of this kind was held last
November. Ivanov said that after his visit to Beijing there is a
common chino-russian approach concerning the handling of
international issues which are in progress
[16] AHTISAARI-CHERNOMIRDIN-TALBOTT BEGIN NEW ROUND OF TALKS
Finnish President, Marti Ahtisaari, Russian mediator, Viktor
Chernomirdin and US deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott will
hold another round of talks to day in Helsinki, on the
implementation of the peace plan accepted by Belgrade yesterday.
German Foreign Minister, Joshka Fisher stressed that a draft
resolution on Kosovo by the UN Security Council has been prepared
and that NATO and Yugoslav strategists have agreed to meet and
consider the way that the Serb forces will be withdrawn from
Kosovo.
However, a statement made British Foreign Minister, Robin
Cook, saying that Slobodan Milosevic should be tried as a war
criminal is considered to be a discord within the positive
feelings of Europe towards the agreement.
[17] THE KLA WILL SUPPORT THE PEACE PLAN ON KOSOVO
The political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Hashim
Thachi stated today that the Kosovar separatists will support the
G-8 peace plan.
Talking to the german television station ZDF, Thachi stressed
that KLA is ready to cooperate on a military and political basis
with all the members of the international community that wish for
the restoration of peace in Kosovo, although he did not comment on
the provision included in the agreement which requires the
disarmament of the KLA.
[18] LIMITED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
NATO air raid were limited throughout the night to a few
targets around Yugoslavia.
The Yugoslav new agency, Tanjug, reported that an abandoned
mine in Kosovo was hit, in Novo Berdo, as well as industrial
facilities in Prizren, while three missiles fell on Gora causing
material damage.
In southern Serbia and television transmitters of the Serbian
TV where knocked down in Trgovice and Besna Cobila, as well as
targets around Lescovac.
During the night missiles hit Cursumlia, and no victims have
been reported.
Residents of Belgrade spend a rather quite night and the
alarms did not go off.
[19] STEPASHIN TO CONTROL THE CRUCIAL MINISTRIES
More measures for the increase of the tax incomes and the
protection of the Russian market are the two main targets of
Sergei Stepashin's government, who is to announce today the line-
up of his new government.
The new Russian premier intends to control personally all the
crucial ministries as well as Moscow's relations with the
surrounding regions.
The new government of Russia has to cope with the foreign
debt of the country and the adoption of new measures proposed by
foreign financial institutions, mainly by the International
Monetary Fund, in order to continue receiving loan programmes.
[20] HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DENOUNCES AKIN BIRDAL'S IMPRISONMENT
The humanitarian organisation Human Rights Watch denounced
the one year imprisonment imposed to Turkish human rights activist
Akin Birdal, president of the Human Rights Union in Turkey since
1992.
Head of the organisation's department in Europe and Cental
Asia, Holy Gardner stressed that the freedom and expression rights
are commonly violated in Turkey adding that Birdal's case proves
that the Turkish government has no intention of abolishing laws
that restict freedom of speech.
Birdal began serving his sentence today after attending a
farewell ceremony in Ankara in the presence of Michael Ellman,
from the International Federation of Human Rights, rights
activists from Germany and France and journalists.
Fifty year old Birdal was sentenced to on year jail terms by
two state security courts for speeches made in 1995 and 1996 in
which he proposed a democratic solution through negotiations on
the Kurdish issue.
[21] THE EFFORTS FOR THE MATERIALIZATION OF THE PEACE PLAN ARE
UNDERWAY
The efforts for the materialization of the peace plan for
Yugoslavia are underway. NATO forces commander US general Whesley
Clark had a telephone communication with the chief of the Yugoslav
forces, while a meeting with representatives of both sides to
examine the details of the plan for the withdrawal of Serb forces
from Kosovo will be held during the weekend.
However, the Serb forces have not withdrawn from the region.
Until this happens the air attacks on Yugoslav targets will
continue, according to US president Bill Clinton.
Meanwhile, Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin canceled his
trip to Helsinki where he was scheduled to have talks with Finnish
president Maarti Ahtisaari and US assistant secretary of state
Strobe Talbott.
[22] THE 15 EU LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING THE DAY AFTER IN KOSOVO
The leaders of the European Union participating in the summit
meeting held in Cologne focus their attention on the next steps
toward peace in Kosovo, the securing of funds for the return of
the refugees and the reconstruction of the region.
According to officials, 16 billion dollars will be needed
only for Kosovo.
[23] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GENERAL CLARK AND THE CHIEF
OF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES
NATO and Yugoslav army officers have held meetings to discuss
practical issues concerning the withdrawal of the Serb forces from
Kosovo and the deployment of an international force, according to
British prime minister Tony Blair.
German officers believe that those meetings will speed-up the
end of the bombing of Yugoslavia. Allied forces commander in
Europe American general Whesley Clark had a telephone
communication with the chief of the Yugoslav armed forces.
NATO spokesman Jammie Shea stated that the forces of the
alliance in the region should be reinforced and reach 45.000 men
in order to cover the void after the withdrawal of the Serb forces
from Kosovo.
[24] YELTSIN: THE BOMBING SHOULD STOP IMMEDIATELY
Russian president Boris Yeltsin in a telephone communication
he had with German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made it clear that
NATO has no reasons to continue the bombing of Yugoslavia,
according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
Mr. Schroeder, who holds the European Council presidency in
the first half of 1999, stated yesterday that without Mr.
Yeltsin's involvement there would have been no agreement, while he
praised Mr. Ahtisaari's talent in mediation and diplomacy.
[25] INFLATION IN THE MONTH OF MAY WAS 2.4%
Greek minister of national economy and finance Yiannos
Papantoniou stated that in the month of May a decisive step was
made aimed at limiting inflation, stressing that it has dropped to
2.4%. He said that this is a very significant achievement and
added that when inflation drops down to 2% and remains there the
battle will be won. He also stated that more efforts should be
made especially by the business community.
Mr. Papantoniou issued an appeal to businessmen calling them
to freeze the prices and limit their profits stressing that Greece
is very close to joining the EMU.
[26] NATO DENIED REPORTS OF MEETINGS WITH YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES
REPRESENTATIVES IN BELGRADE TOMORROW
NATO denied Russian news reports according to which, alliance
military officers will visit Belgrade tomorrow to discuss the
implementation of the Kosovo peace plan maintaining that no such
trip has been scheduled.
Meanwhile, NATO has stated through its spokesman Jammie Shea
that no indication of Yugoslav forces withdrawal from Kossovo has
been reported yet.
On the contacts between NATO and Yugoslav officers, the
spokesman of the alliance expressed the hope that in the following
days a meeting will be held to settle the technical details of the
Yugoslav forces withdrawal but he did not clarify when and where
the meeting will take place.
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