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MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (30/05/1996)
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* *Subject*: *MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (30/05/1996) *
* *From*: *Macedonian Press Agency *
* Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 22:41:39 +0300
* From thrace@demokritos.cc.duth.gr Thu May 30 22: 43:58 1996
* Organization: Democritus University of Thrace Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Bas. Sofias, 67100 Xanthi, Greece
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MA=8B=80CEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 30, 1996
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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TITLES
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[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] "WE WANT DIALOGUE ON ALL MATTERS", REITERATES TURKISH FOREIGN
MINISTRY
[02] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES SECURITY,
DEFENCE
[03] HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO GREECE
[04] TRANSPORTS-COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER MEETS HUNGARIAN
COUNTERPART
[05] "FINANCIAL TIMES" SUSPECT GREEK ECONOMY IS IN BETTER SHAPE
THAN SAID
[06] BALKAN PUBLISHERS, WRITERS AND TRANSLATORS TO MEET IN
THESSALONIKI
[07] 17TH PANHELLENIC HISTORICAL CONGRESS BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI
TOMORROW
[08] GREEK COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN BULGARIA'S PRIVATIZATION
PROGRAM
[09] GREECE'S COALITION PARTY ORGANIZED EVENT FOR OCCUPIED CYPRUS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] US MILITARY AID TO GREECE AND TURKEY TO BE MAINTAINED AT 7:10
RATIO
[11] MUSIC CONCERT FOR CYPRUS WILL BE HELD IN PARIS
[12] HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY GAINED SEATS IN ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT
[13] THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL MEETS TODAY TO DISCUSS THE
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS' FINDINGS CONCERNING THE ALBANIAN ELECTIONS
[14] SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN
FYROM AND THE EU HAS BEEN COMPLETED
[15] BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS MET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT
[16] TURKEY AND CROATIA TO SIGN A MILITARY AGREEMENT
[17] DIPLOMATIC CONFLICT ARISES BETWEEN ROMANIA AND CROATIA
[18] ROMANIA WANTS TO BECOME JAPAN'S STRATEGIC PARTNER IN CENTRAL
EUROPE
[19] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] "WE WANT DIALOGUE ON ALL MATTERS", REITERATES TURKISH FOREIGN
MINISTRY
Ankara's known position favoring negotiations with Greece on all
matters and without conditions, a stance that was first expressed by
Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz on March 24, was reiterated today by
Turkey's Foreign Ministry which, in an announcement, expressed its
regret at the Greek government's decision to cancel the meeting
between the two countries' foreign ministers scheduled for Berlin.
According to the announcement, the Greek and Turkish Foreign
Ministers, Theodoros Pangalos and Emre Gonensay respectively, are not
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scheduled to meet during the Bildenberg Club meeting, scheduled to
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begin next week in Toronto.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry's announcement promotes Ankara's
position which attributes to Athens a "lack of political initiative
for improving the relations between the two countries" and includes
the claim that "Greece, through its provocative stance, promotes a
fait accompli."
[02] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES SECURITY,
DEFENCE
Greek Minister of Defence, Gerasimos Arsenis briefed President,
Kostis Stephanopoulos on issues concerning the country's defence and
security.
Mr.Arsenis agreed with the Foreign Ministry's decision to cancel
the meeting between Foreign Ministers Pangalos and Gonensay
describing it as unanimous and advisible.
Responding to the question if a warm incident is likely after
the rejection of the dialogue proposed by Ankara, mr.Arsenis said
that he is watching the developments closely, while he added that he
does not regard as necessary the undertaking of an initiative by NATO
for the de-escalation of the tension in the Aegean.
Meanwhile, greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated
that the government is not examining the possibility of another
meeting to be held between the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey
on another date. He also underlined that mr.Pangalos and mr.Gonensay
will not have talks during the Bildenberg Club meeting that will be
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held in Toronto on Saturday. Nevertheless, he did not rule out the
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possibility to meet by chance and to exchange views, adding that this
is not included in the itinerary.
[03] HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO GREECE
Hungary's President Arpad Goncz visited today the archeological
sites of Vergina, within the framework of his formal visit to Greece.
The intellectual President of Hungary, who is especially keen of
classical history and literature, did not hide his admiration of
Vergina and stated upon his departure that "there is absolutely no
doubt that Macedonia is Greek, as well as its cultural heritage."
[04] TRANSPORTS-COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER MEETS HUNGARIAN
COUNTERPART
The Budapest-held 80th European Conference of Transportation
Ministers, where 43 European-region countries are represented, is
wrapping up its last session today.
In his speech, Greek Transportations and Communications
Minister Haris Kastanides focused on the importance of a gradual
approach to the overall issue of transportation in the European
continent, pointing out the differences noted in the traffic
conditions between Western and Eastern Europe.
On one hand, Mr. Kastanides stated, there is the problem of
traffic congestion and the serious environmental impacts in
western european countries, mostly those within the alpine arrow
range. On the other hand, there is the problem of the inefficient
structure and the pollution created by vehicles of outdated
technology in countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Mr. Kastanides pointed out that today there are acceptable
solutions to these problems, such as management measures, the
development of an environmental transportation policy which will
be based on the user being able to choose his transportation
methods, the coordination of structures so that the legally-bound
European axes be linked with the politically significant axes of
Crete and thereby form a modern and productive network.
Moreover, the Greek Transportations Minister met with his
Hungarian counterpart Karoli Lotch, with whom he discussed
european and bilateral issues of common interest.
During the talks, which were held in a friendly atmosphere,
an agreement was reached on the regulations and improvements of
the conditions of road transports through Hungary. Specifically,
two issues of utmost greek interest were examined, which are
related to the increase in the number of transit permits and to
the linking of the two transit categories through taxes. These
issues will be further discussed during the permanent joint
committee which is scheduled to regulate the technical details.
Mr. Kastanides conveyed to his Hungarian counterpart Greece's
support regarding Hungary's future accession to the European
Union.
[05] "FINANCIAL TIMES" SUSPECT GREEK ECONOMY IS IN BETTER SHAPE
THAN SAID
London's daily "Financial Times" supports the theory that the
greek economy might be in better shape than the picture presented
by official data.
The article refers to data presented by the European
Commission's Statistical Agency, according to which, the size of
the economies of Belgium, Portugal and Greece could be even 20 per
cent higher than that presented by official data. The difference
is partly due to black economy, tax evasion, and the manner in
which these countries produce data in order to lessen the deficit
and debt rates.
Since the assessment of each country's input to the
Commission's budget is based on the size of its economy, now that
this data has surfaced these countries may be called upon to dig
deeper into their pockets.
This data is not expected to be published within the next two
years and, therefore, cannot become a criterion for determining
which countries will participate at the monetary union's first
phase, since the relevant decision will be drawn at the beginning
of 1998.
[06] BALKAN PUBLISHERS, WRITERS AND TRANSLATORS TO MEET IN
THESSALONIKI
As part of the efforts to promote a closer cooperation among
book publishers, translators and writers from the Balkan countries,
the third Interbalkan Meeting of representatives from the publishing
industry will be held tomorrow in Thessaloniki.
[07] 17TH PANHELLENIC HISTORICAL CONGRESS BEGINS IN THESSALONIKI
TOMORROW
The 17th Panhellenic Historical Congress will begin its sessions
tomorrow in Thessaloniki, organized by the Greek Historic Society
with the support of the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.
Europarliament member Euthymios Christodoulou will give the
opening address by speaking on the true meaning of the economic and
monetary union.
During the Congress, to be held until June 2, will be held
discussions regarding ancient Macedonia, such as the issue of
succession and dual monarchy.
Other issues include "the small national communities during the
decline of Ottoman Thessaloniki", "the unabridged letters of the
Monastery consul Panourgia with Peheona (1885-1888)", "The case of
Maceodnia's Muslims 1913-1914" and others.
[08] GREEK COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN BULGARIA'S PRIVATIZATION
PROGRAM
Greek companies will have the opportunity to participate in
Bulgaria's privatization programs, stated the President of the
Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Trade, Bozidar Bozinof in an
article published in Sofia's "Trud" newspaper.
Meanwhile, within the parameters of the Joint Inter-
governmental Committee Meeting, held today at the Ministry of
Trade, a joint agreement between Bulgaria and Greece is expected
to be signed concerning the avoidance of double taxation, the use
of the Nestos River waters, and the ratification of the agreement
regarding the establishment of the Black Sea Bank.
[09] GREECE'S COALITION PARTY ORGANIZED EVENT FOR OCCUPIED CYPRUS
President of the Coalition of Left and Progress party Nikos
Konstantopoulos emphasized the need to unite the efforts in solving
the ancient heritage of Cyprus, during a briefing rally organized by
his party in light of the recent reports by the Cypriot government
that the occupied territory's antiquities are being pillaged.
Mr. Konstantopoulos stated that the international public opinion
must be informed of the size of the damages and the turk-cypriot
side's violations of the international accords.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] US MILITARY AID TO GREECE AND TURKEY TO BE MAINTAINED AT 7:10
RATIO
The United States will maintain the seven to ten ratio of
military aid allocation to Greece and Turkey for 1997, according
to a decision drawn by the US Allocations Sub-Committee.
The House of Representatives Sub-Committee's proposal
curtails by 50 per cent the military aid provided to Turkey, in
relation to 1996, allocating $103.77 million in military aid to
Greece and $147.82 million to Turkey.
According to the Sub-Committee's report, these figures are
limited to the maintenance of the already existing programs and
cannot be used for purchases of new military arms.
Moreover, the Sub-Committee upkeeps its decision for $15
million to be granted in economic aid to Cyprus.
In the beginning of the session, Illinois Senator John Porter
(Rep) submitted his proposal asking for the withdrawal of funding to
Ankara. Mr. Porter had submitted a similar proposal to the Senate
last year, which resulted in a $25 million reduction of economic
aid to Turkey.
Referring to the Sub-Committee's decision, President of the
Council of Greeks Abroad Andrew Athens stated that it is a result of
the reactions caused by the recent turkish threats to Greece and the
continuing occupation of Cyprus by Turkey.
[11] MUSIC CONCERT FOR CYPRUS WILL BE HELD IN PARIS
An array of some of Greece's most renowed musicians will perform
tomorrow at the Palais des Congres in Paris, in the "Chypre Parmi
Nous" concert honoring Cyprus.
Sponsoring the event are the Cypriot government, the Greek
Ministry of Press and Mass Media, the Foundation for Hellenic
Culture, the Greek state television ET, the Cypriot Airlines, Olympic
Airways, and others.
Among the performers participating will be George Dalaras, Elli
Paspala, Georges Moustaki, Eleni Tsaligopoulou, Manolis
Christodoulides and the "Diastasis" band.
Yesterday, the concert's central organizing committee gave a
press conference in Paris where the members, (director Kostas Gavras,
Cypriot Ambassador in Paris Andreas Pirisis and the singers George
Dalaras and Georges Moustaki) spoke of the cypriot people's right to
remind the free world of the tragedy they suffered by the turkish
invasion and the continuous occupation of the island's northern part.
Ambassador Pirisis, speaking on behalf of the cypriot
government, stated that "the silencing of the cypriot problem and the
turkish provocation constitute a sense of guilt and shame for today's
world."
[12] HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY GAINED SEATS IN ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT
Four days after the voting process ended in Tirana, the Albanian
Central Returning Board issued an announcement on the final results
of the parliamentary elections first round.
According to the announcement, 89 per cent of those eligible to
vote turned up at the polls, where, among 2,204,002 registered
voters, 1,963,344 cast their votes.
The Democratic Party gathered a 67.8 per cent rate with 95
parliament members,
the Socialist party garnered five seats while the Human Rights Party
gathered two seats, one from the Argyrokastro prefecture where
Vangelis Dulles was elected with a 51.9 per cent rate while in the
Aghii Saranta region Thomas Metsos was elected with 62.1 per cent.
In spite of the various reports by international observers that
irregularities were noted during the elections, the Central Returning
Eutrning Board decided to repeat the voting process in three areas
only.
According to an announcement, the Socialist Party, which had
walked out of the elections by accusing the Democratic Party and
Albanian President Sali Berisha of tampering with the results, will
not participate in the second round of the elections. As such, taking
their place will be other parties that follow in a sucessive rate
order.
[13] THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL MEETS TODAY TO DISCUSS THE
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS' FINDINGS CONCERNING THE ALBANIAN ELECTIONS
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Permanent Council meets today to discuss the international observers'
findings on the albanian elections.
According to greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas, the
findings will be sent on to the governments of the organization's
member-states and Greece's reaction will be based on their content.
He also added that the greek government will adopt the stance that
will be decided by the OSCE Council.
Mr.Bikas also said that the issue is possible to be discussed
and in the European Union Political Committee meeting which is being
held in Rome. Greece is represented in the meeting by ambassador
Alexandros Filon.
Commenting on the issue of the elections in Bosnia, which is
being discussed in the Political Committee, mr.Bikas said that the
greek government believes that every possible effort should be made
for the holding of the elections in Mostar, even if they are delayed
for a short period of time.
[14] SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN
FYROM AND THE EU HAS BEEN COMPLETED
The second round of consultations for economic and trade
cooperation between FYROM and the European Union ended sucessfully in
Brussels yesterday.
According to the skopjan state television, the vice-president of
FYROM's government, who was leading the country's delegation in the
talks with the EU, has stated that the two sides managed to settle
the problem of FYROM's regional cooperation with the countries of the
wider Balkan region, which was the main pre-condition set for the
further development of cooperation between FYROM and the EU.
Based on the amended text of the agreement, the development of
cooperation with the EU will depend not only on FYROM's cooperation
with the Balkan states, but on the political and economic
developments that will take place in the country as well.
Regarding the issue of the trading of skopjan products in the
european markets, the European Commission issued a permission for the
export of skopjan tobacco to the EU member-states.
[15] BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS MET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT
Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and Gen. Ratko Mladic -
indicted war criminals - held in Belgrade on May 28 secret talks
with Slobodan Milosevic, international media reported.
According to BBC, while no details of the discussions are
known, topping the agenda was the issue of the two Bosnianserb
leaders continuing political influence in Serb Republic (RS),
despite intensifying demands from the international community for
them to stand trial for war crimes. On May 21, Gen. Ratko Mladic
attended the funeral of his colleague Gen. Djordje Djukic, also an
accused war criminal, but Belgrade authorities did not proceed to
arrest him.
Some reports now say Karadzic, too, may have been present at
Djukic's funeral. Daily newspaper "Nasa Borba" reported yesterday
that RS acting President Biljana Plavsic and RS parliamentary
speaker Momcilo Krajisnik were also in Belgrade for talks with
Milosevic but declined to comment on the substance of their
meetings.
The UN Security Council deplored Belgrade's continued failure
to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia.
[16] TURKEY AND CROATIA TO SIGN A MILITARY AGREEMENT
Croatian Defense Minister Gojko Susak will pay soon a visit
to Ankara to discuss forms of military cooperation between the two
countries and to sign an agreement on defense cooperation, which
includes troops training.
Turkey is counting on Croatia to help make the Muslim-Croat
federation in Bosnia-Herzegovina finally work. Foreign Ministers
of Turkey, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, who met at the
beginning of this week in Ankara, said they would invest fresh
efforts to overcome problems between Muslims and Croats in Bosnia-
Herzegovina. They also agreed to hold soon, before the September-
elections in Bosnia, a high level meeting between Presidents
Suleyman Demirel, Franjo Tudjman and Alija Izetbegovic.
[17] DIPLOMATIC CONFLICT ARISES BETWEEN ROMANIA AND CROATIA
A diplomatic conflict seems to arise between Bucharest and
Zagreb, following President's Franjo Tudjman ironic comments on
Romania's democracy, Romanian and international media reported.
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, commenting on the decision
adopted by the Council of Europe to delay Croatia's admission,
ironically said that such democratic countries as Albania,
Romania, Moldova and Russia have already been admitted to the
Council.
"Bucharest will not reply to Croatian President Franjo
Tudjman criticism concerning democracy in Romania," said Florin
Radulescu Botica, head of the Romanian delegation to the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Mr. Botica also
stressed that the Parliamentary Assembly considered the decision
justified, recalling the violations of freedom of press and human
rights in Croatia.
[18] ROMANIA WANTS TO BECOME JAPAN'S STRATEGIC PARTNER IN CENTRAL
EUROPE
"Romania is interested in becoming a strategic partner of
Japan in Central Europe and wishes that Japan becomes our
strategic partner in the Pacific region," said Romanian Foreign
Minister Teodor Melescanu, who on May 28 ended a four-day official
visit to Tokyo, Romanian news agency Rador reported.
On May 27 Mr. Melescanu discussed bilateral relations with
his Japanese counterpart Yukihiko Ikeda and other senior Japanese
officials and was received by Emperor Akihito the next day, whom
he handed an official invitation from Romanian President to visit
Romania.
"The Japanese government decided to boost economic
cooperation with Romania by giving it assistance and expertise,"
Mr. Melescanu also said, adding that mutual trade and economic
cooperation figured high on his talks agenda.
The Japanese side pledged to support the process of
privatization and industrial restructuring in Romania through a
$50 million Fesal credit that will be used for the upgrading of
the metallurgical company in Galati and with another $45 million
loan for modernizing the Constanta harbor and several Romanian
plants.
Melescanu stressed Romania's interest in an agreement similar
to the one with the EU that would remove obstacles for Romanian
exports to Japan. Japanese officials, on their part, insisted that
Romania must offer better treatment to foreign investors if it is
to attract more Japanese investment.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry intends to grant a $465,000
assistance to the National Theater of Bucharest, in order to
purchase new sound equipment.
[19] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORT
CURRENCY FIXING BUY SELL
U.S. Dollar 244.3750 243.6420 245.1080
Deutsche Mark 157.9000 157.4260 158.3740
French Franc 46.6630 46.5230 46.8030
UK Sterling 370.5700 369.4580 371.6820
Swiss Franc 191.7100 191.1350 192.2850
Italian Lira 15.6805 15.6330 15.7280
Danish Kroner 40.8800 40.7570 41.0030
Swedish Crown 35.8040 35.267 35.9110
Norwegian Crown 36.9440 36.390 37.0550
Yen 224.4000 223.7270 225.0730
Spanish Peseta 1.8936 1.871 1.8993
Finnish Mark 51.2960 50.527 51.4500
ECU 298.5000 294.918 303.873
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