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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-11-16
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, November 16, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER COMMENTS ON POLYTECHNIC U. ANNIVERSARY
[02] POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY UPRISING COMMEMORATED TOMORROW
[03] CROATIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT GREECE THIS MONTH
[04] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO SOUTH AFRICA ON THURSDAY
[05] FOREIGN DIPLOMATS TOUR WESTERN MACEDONIA
[06] CHIEF OF GREEK ARMY TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED
STATES
[07] GREEK PRESS MINISTER: THERE IS ONLY ONE MACEDONIAN PRESS
AGENCY
[08] PREMIER TO SPEAK BEFORE THE FOREIGN PRESS ON NOVEMBER 26
[09] "ODYSSEUS" SEMINAR ON DEPORTATION OF ILLEGALS FROM THE EU
[10] MORGAN STANLEY: GREECE WILL FULFILL ALL OF EMU CRITERIA IN
1999
[11] THESSALONIKI TO HOUSE BALKAN CENTER OF INDUSTRIAL MATH
[12] REPPAS: GREECE HAD NO COMMUNICATION WITH OCALAN OR HIS
REPRESENTATIVE
[13] THE EVENTS COMMEMORATING THE POLYTECHNIC UPRISING CONTINUE
[14] GREECE WILL MEET ALL THE EMU CRITERIA
[15] CARS WILL BE CHEAPER STARTING TODAY
[16] REPPAS ON THE US AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO THE NATIONAL
INFORMATION SERVICE
[17] DORIS LESSING WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] GREECE IS WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPION WITH 6 GOLD, 4
SILVER, 5 BRONZE
[19] TURKEY PRESSES ITALY FOR EXTRADITION OF PKK LEADER OCALAN
[20] PRESIDENT OF GREECE AND PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS IN VENICE
[21] THE ALBANIAN INFORMATION MINISTER INTERVIEW WITH MPA
[22] SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE AEGEAN TO LOCATE METHANE DEPOSITS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER COMMENTS ON POLYTECHNIC U. ANNIVERSARY
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis honored the 23rd anniversary of
the Polytechnic University's student uprising by laying a wreath
at the school's gate this morning.
He stated that "the anniversary of the student uprising of
the Polytechnic University is always a reason for us to remember
that democracy, freedom and social justice are valuable virtues
that we should respect."
[02] POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY UPRISING COMMEMORATED TOMORROW
Strong police forces have already been deployed in the area
of the Athens Polytechnic School, near the National Archaeological
Museum, and other university buildings, as the 25-year anniversary
since the 1973 Polytechnic student uprising against the military
junta is being commemorated.
The police force is a preventive measure to guard against
incidents that might occur during the events which will culminate
tomorrow evening with a rally to the American embassy.
[03] CROATIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT GREECE THIS MONTH
Croatia's president Franjo Tudjman will pay an official
visit to Greece from November 23 to 25, at the invitation of his
Greek counterpart, the office of President of the Hellenic
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos announced.
[04] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TRAVELS TO SOUTH AFRICA ON THURSDAY
Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to embark on
an official two-day visit to South Africa on Thursday, November
19.
Famous Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis will accompany the FM
on his visit and will conduct his musical adaptation of Odysseus
Elytis' epic "Axion Esti".
Mr. Pangalos has said that proceeds from the concert would be
donated to South African President Nelson Mandela's charity to
help impoverished children.
Mr. Mandela has said he will attend the Greek composer's
concert.
[05] FOREIGN DIPLOMATS TOUR WESTERN MACEDONIA
The development and investment opportunities of western
Macedonia were presented to a diplomatic delegation through a
mission organized by the Association of Northern Greece's
Industries (SVVE) to the cities of Florina, Kozani, Kastoria and
Ptolemaida.
Development Deputy Minister Anna Diamantopoulou spoke to the
regarding the development potential of the Kozani and Florina
regions.
Ms Diamantopoulou noted the comparative advantages that
Greece offers for joint investments as well as direct investments,
following an improvement of the country's economic indicators over
the past few years.
Regarding western Macedonia, she referred to major
infrastructure projects, such as the under-construction Egnatia
motorway and industrial parks, among others.
The delegation, headed by the chairman of SVVE, featured the
participation of the consul-generals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany,
Italy, Turkey, Canada, Liberia, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico,
Philippines, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, Romania and Korea
The participants attended a seminar in Florina concerning the
municipalities development opportunities and also visited the fur
exhibition-auction center of Kastoria.
Representing the diplomats, the German consul in
Thessaloniki, Mark von Schweinitz, said that the visit constitutes
an opportunity for the diplomats to become acquainted with the
area, believing that possibilities exist for the development of
business relations with economic officials from their countries.
Representatives of Florina officials expressed optimism that
the acquaintance they had with the foreign diplomats could
constitute the first phase of economic cooperation with
businessmen from their countries. They said that apart from energy
reserves, tourism, stockbreeding and agricultural production can
be utilized for the creation of joint businesses.
[06] CHIEF OF GREEK ARMY TO CONDUCT OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED
STATES
The chief of the Greek Army, Lt-Gen. Manoussos Paragioudakis,
will conduct an official five-day visit to the United States at
the invitation of his counterpart Gen. Dennis Reimer, according to
a US Information Service press release.
During his visit, Lt-Gen. Paragioudakis will tour various
military facilities in the US and will have talks with top US
officers on issues of mutual interest. Additionally, there are
planned visits to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and several army
commands.
Lt-Gen. Paragioudakis has recently been promoted to chief of
staff and will be assuming his duties on Feb. 15, 1999.
[07] GREEK PRESS MINISTER: THERE IS ONLY ONE MACEDONIAN PRESS
AGENCY
The Minister of Press and Media and government spokesperson
Dimitris Reppas said that it is not possible for a news agency in
FYROM to take part in a forthcoming conference of the Association
of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) in Sofia if its title included the
word 'Macedonian', as the only news agency whose name already
contains that word is the Thessaloniki-based Macedonian News
Agency.
Mr. Reppas made the statement in reference to the decision
taken by the government of FYROM to launch into operation a new
press agency, under the name "Macedonian Information Agency"
(MIA), a title that closely resembles the MPA's name.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Reppas said that since
the MPA is already using the designation 'Macedonian' in its
title, it was not possible for another agency to participate in
the
conference "under a false name".
[08] PREMIER TO SPEAK BEFORE THE FOREIGN PRESS ON NOVEMBER 26
The Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will be the guest speaker
at a Foreign Press Association (FPA) luncheon to be held on
November 26 at the Caravel Hotel in Athens.
The Premier will speak about government policy, and reply to
questions from the floor.
[09] "ODYSSEUS" SEMINAR ON DEPORTATION OF ILLEGALS FROM THE EU
A two-day seminar, organized by the Public Order Ministry, is
starting in Athens today focusing on the issue of deporting and
reintroducing illegal immigrants into their own society.
The European Commission-funded seminar, part of the
"Odysseus" program initiative, will focus on the exchange of
technical knowledge, practices and methods of planning for the
deportation of illegal immigrants from the European Union.
The Greek ministry has invited representatives from France,
Germany, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and
Portugal, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland and Romania.
[10] MORGAN STANLEY: GREECE WILL FULFILL ALL OF EMU CRITERIA IN
1999
Within the following year, the Greek economy will fulfill all
of the criteria necessary for accession to the Economic and
Monetary Union, according to Morgan Stanley analysts. According
to the financial agency, the Greek government will manage to
contain inflation during the course of 1999 by curbing it at 2.4%,
thus overcoming the last hurdle on the EMU course.
The findings were given by Morgan Stanley officials during a
teleconference conducted with the Ministry of National Economy.
Furthermore, the agency assessed that the country's Gross National
Product will mark a three percent increase, as opposed to the
Greek government's forecast of 3.7%. In regards to the deficit,
Morgan Stanley's assessment is less optimistic than the
government's, but nevertheless positive as its analysts forecast a
2.3 percent rate, as opposed to the 1.9% mark forecast by the
Greek state.
In conclusion, Morgan Stanley does point out that the
positive course of the Greek economy's indices constitutes a
message to foreign investors, especially for the purchase of Greek
treasury bills.
[11] THESSALONIKI TO HOUSE BALKAN CENTER OF INDUSTRIAL MATH
A Balkan Center of Industrial Math is to be founded in
Thessaloniki, following a meeting held recently in town among 30
mathematicians from the Universities of Sofia, Belgrade,
Bucharest, Tirana, Skopje and Istanbul.
The participants at the meeting, which was held at the
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, agreed that the formation of
such center will constitute the link between the academic
community and the industries.
[12] REPPAS: GREECE HAD NO COMMUNICATION WITH OCALAN OR HIS
REPRESENTATIVE
The Greek side had no communication with PKK leader Abdulah
Ocalan or his representative to discuss his arrival to Greece.
The statement was made by Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas responding to questions by reporters on the scenarios
concerning the Kurdish leader.
[13] THE EVENTS COMMEMORATING THE POLYTECHNIC UPRISING CONTINUE
The events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the
Polytechnic uprising in Athens continue. Wreaths were laid at the
Polytechnic heroes monument by prime minister Kostas Simitis,
heading a government delegation, minister of education Gerasimos
Arsenis and opposition political party leaders.
Mr. Simitis stated that the anniversary of the Polytechnic
uprising is an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge that
democracy, freedom and social justice are priceless principles
that need to be respected.
The events will culminate tomorrow afternoon with the march
to the US embassy organized by the university students
association. A police force of over 5.000 men is in a state of
alert to avert any incidents.
In Thessaloniki, a rally that will be followed by a march to
the US consulate, will be held at the Aristotle University
Polytechnic School and not in Aristotelous Square.
[14] GREECE WILL MEET ALL THE EMU CRITERIA
The Greek economy will meet all the criteria set for its
participation in the EMU by 1999, according to the international
credit organization "Morgan Stanley".
During next year, the Greek economy will be able to curb
inflation to 2.4% overcoming its last obstacle in its course to
the EMU, predicted the "Morgan Stanley" representatives after a
tele-conference they had with ministry of national economy high
officials.
[15] CARS WILL BE CHEAPER STARTING TODAY
New cars will be cheaper as of today after a government
decision to cut the automobile taxation. Also, today state revenue
service officials have started inspections to determine if the
reduced car prices reach the consumers.
The new reduced prices for cars and motorcycles will also be
in effect for the new cars that are still in the country's customs
offices on the condition they have received no registration number
from the responsible transport services.
[16] REPPAS ON THE US AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO THE NATIONAL
INFORMATION SERVICE
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that he is
not aware of the content of the talks US ambassador to Athens
Nicholas Burns had during his visit to the National Information
Service headquarters.
Mr. Reppas also stated that he does not have any information
on an imminent terrorist attack in Greece.
[17] DORIS LESSING WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI
The distinguished author Doris Lessing will be in
Thessaloniki on November 27 as the guest of the British Council.
The British author, whose work is characterized by thoughts
on social and political issues, will give a lecture on her
literary work.
Her numerous experiences as a result of her turbulent life
led her to write about women, social and political problems, the
exploitation of people, the racial inequality and the struggle
between the personal and the overall good. In 1956 her beliefs on
the infertility of the white culture in South Africa were the
cause for her deportation from South Africa and South Rodesia
where she lived as a child.
Among her most famous works are "The Children of Violence",
"The Golden Notebook", "The Summer before Darkness", "One man two
women" and "Memories of a Survivor".
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] GREECE IS WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPION WITH 6 GOLD, 4
SILVER, 5 BRONZE
Greece's weightlifting team has become the world champion,
having amassed six gold, four silver and five bronze medals
during the world championships held in Lahti, Finland. While
Bulgaria also won the same number of medals, Greece is ahead as
since it fared better in the fifth position. Needless to say, all
of Greece's political leaders have flooded the champions with
congratulatory salutes.
[19] TURKEY PRESSES ITALY FOR EXTRADITION OF PKK LEADER OCALAN
A large number of Kurds has gathered outside the Rome
hospital where the leader of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK)
Abdullah Ocalan is believed to be held.
Although Italian law forbids the extradition of individuals to a
country that still upholds capital punishment, such as Turkey, the
Turkish government insists that he be turned over to their
authorities.
In a surprise move, the Turkish Minster of Justice has
announced that today he will table a proposal for the abolishment
of the death penalty. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and
Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin are to arrive in Rome today.
[20] PRESIDENT OF GREECE AND PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS IN VENICE
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
has concluded an official visit to Venice where he attended the
festivities celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the city's
Greek community, while Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos
officiated at a liturgy yesterday.
The President led a Greek delegation attending events at the
St. George Cathedral, along with a large number of expatriate
Greeks from around Italy. He was accompanied by the Alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Education Minister
Gerasimos Arsenis.
The Patriarch and Mr. Stephanopoulos visited the Institute of
Byzantine and post-Byzantine studies, the Cathedral and the St.
George monastery, which is undergoing extensive renovations.
During the visit, the Patriarch unveiled a plaque at the Cathedral
commemorating the Archbishops of Philadelphia, the Greek community
and the Bishopry of Italy, while the Greek president unveiled a
plaque marking the anniversary.
Mr. Stephanopoulos and the Patriarch met with the Mayor of
Venice, Massimo Cacciari, for talks on issues concerning the
future venues of European unification, as well as the city's Roman
and Byzantine tradition.
[21] THE ALBANIAN INFORMATION MINISTER INTERVIEW WITH MPA
Albanian government minister Musa Ulkini in an interview with
MPA stated that he aspires to make the newly established ministry
of information, which is an initiative undertaken by the Majko
government, a modern institution patterned upon the western
states' model.
Mr. Ulkini stated that he is the first government minister in
the history of the Albanian state who undertakes to create the
ministry of information from nothing based only on the experience
acquired from the United States, Germany, France and especially
Greece.
Regarding Greece, he believes that it is a great fortune that
the press ministry in the country has a tradition of 20 years and
operates based on modern principles while its experience can have
a positive contribution to the successful operation of the
Albanian ministry of information.
Mr. Ulkini stated that the first congratulatory message after
he became a government minister came from his Greek counterpart
Dimitris Reppas who promised him not only friendship but concrete
assistance in the efforts to create a ministry of information for
the first time in the history of the Albanian state.
He also expressed great satisfaction for the meeting with his
Greek counterpart in Athens during the recent visit of prime
minister Pandeli Majko to the Greek capital.
[22] SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE AEGEAN TO LOCATE METHANE DEPOSITS
A Franco-Dutch scientific mission starts a research tomorrow
to locate large deposits of methane in the Aegean Sea. The
research will last until December 20 and will be held within a 10-
kilometer radius of the southern Aegean island of Crete. The main
role in the research will be played by the French scientific boat
"Nautilus" that will gather samples from the bottom of the sea.
The goal of the researchers is to calculate the methane
percentage in the sea water and its effect on the underwater
environment as well as, the presence of micro-organisms feeding
from methane.
The French researchers believe that the methane is possible
to be found in solid form, such as ice. This is an assumption that
makes this research even more interesting from an economic point
of view, according to the BBC, as the solidified methane occupies
200 times less space than the methane in a gas form which means
that its deposits can be enormous.
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