Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-12-07
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, December 7, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] COUNCIL OF MONETARY POLICY FOR INTEREST RATES TO CONVENE
[02] UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS PROTEST EDUCATION REFORM
[03] SAE TO ESTABLISH CLINICS IN SIX EX-SOVIET REPUBLICS
[04] FARMERS TO HOLD PROTEST RALLY TOMORROW
[05] ECONOMY MINISTER FORECASTS CONTROLLED DECLINE IN INTEREST
RATES
[06] GUARDED DE-ESCALATION OF INTEREST RATES
[07] THE STUDENTS' MOBILIZATIONS ARE THE RESULT OF MISINFORMATION
[08] FROZEN CELLS: THE REVOLUTION OF THE FUTURE IN THE TREATMENT
OF IMMUNITY SYSTEM DISORDERS
[09] PAPAZACHOS: THE REGION OF AKKUGIU IS A BAD CHOICE FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF TURKEY'S NUCLEAR PLANT
[10] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INCREASED BY 105% IN THE PAST FEW YEARS
[11] THESSALONIAN POET TAKIS VARVITSIOTIS IS AMONG THE "IMMORTALS"
OF THE ACADEMY OF ATHENS
[12] CONFERENCE ON THE APPLICATIONS OF TELEMATICS IN THE SECTOR OF
HEALTH
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] PM SIMITIS MEETS WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER TODAY
[14] PRESS MINISTER REPPAS IN CYPRUS TODAY, TO MEET WITH CLERIDES
[15] G. PAPANDREOU AT EU COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
[16] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON CYPRUS ISSUE
[17] MEXICO HONORS NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS WITH EVENTS AND SEMINARS
[18] GREEK AND SERB VOLLEYBALL FEDERATIONS ENJOY EXEMPLARY
COOPERATION
[19] YELTSIN FIRED HIS CHIEF OF STAFF
[20] CLERIDES: THE S-300 WILL BE IN CYPRUS LATER THIS MONTH IF NO
AGREEMENT ON DEMILITARIZATION IS MADE
[21] THE PRESIDENT OF SAE COMMENTED ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE
[22] TSOVOLAS' SPEECH BEFORE THE PAN-MACEDONIAN OF MELBOURNE-
AUSTRALIA
[23] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS' CONTACTS WITH SCHRODER AND LAFONTAINE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] COUNCIL OF MONETARY POLICY FOR INTEREST RATES TO CONVENE
The Council of Monetary Policy is to convene tomorrow in
order to map out its course.
According to reports, the Bank of Greece is to reduce
interest rates as of Wednesday by half a percentage point, a move
expected to be followed by commercial banks.
[02] UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS PROTEST EDUCATION REFORM
Reactions to academic reforms proposed by the Education
Ministry continue to mount as technical college professors and
students have joined high-schoolers in rallying against the
changes.
The archaeological site of Acropolis was taken over by
students today, while professors are preparing a 24-hour strike on
Wednesday.
[03] SAE TO ESTABLISH CLINICS IN SIX EX-SOVIET REPUBLICS
The Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) has announced its
intention to establish 21 medical clinics which will provide free
health services in six republics of the former Soviet Union.
The clinics would provide services to large ethnic Greek
communities in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan and would also be open to the local population.
The establishment of the clinics falls under the aegis of
SAE, headed by Andrew Athens.
Three different types of clinics are planned: 11 small clinics
that can deal with up to 25 people a day; six medium-sized clinics
de signed for up to 125 visits a day; and four full-scale larger
clinics which will also be able to provide medical specialists.
Greece's Foreign Ministry officials have stated that this
action supplements and does not compete with whatever is happening
in these countries, as it connects two policies: that of the
foreign ministry's development aid and the General Secretariat for
Overseas Greeks. The program would be conducted with the close
cooperation of the U.S. State Department, USAID, the World Bank,
UN agencies such as UNDP and UNICEF as well as a number of private
institutions and multinational groups.
[04] FARMERS TO HOLD PROTEST RALLY TOMORROW
Thousands of organized farmers (Panthessaly Association of
Farmers) from central and northern Greece are to hold a protest
rally in Larissa, central Greece tomorrow, in order to underline
their opposition to the government's agricultural policy and press
their demands.
The protests are to mount after the holidays when they
threaten to blockade the national highways.
The farmers are demanding a higher production ceiling for
cotton crops and government intervention in Brussels to prevent
what they claim will be a 30 per cent reduction in crop prices
this year if the European Union does not alter its regulations.
The Minster of Agriculture George Anomeritis visited Larissa
yesterday but refused to meet with the members of the farmers'
association organizing committee.
[05] ECONOMY MINISTER FORECASTS CONTROLLED DECLINE IN INTEREST
RATES
The Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos
Papantoniou, opening the annual conference of the Hellenic-
American Chamber of Commerce today, announced that the state and
the Bank of Greece have agreed on a controlled de-escalation of
interest rates, a process to be accelerated in the second half of
1999.
Moreover, the Minster forecast an inflation rate of two
percent during the second half of 1999 and also stated that the
privatization process of the Ionian Bank and the Duty Free Shops
will proceed during the first quarter of 1999.
"The present economic conditions are the best of the past 25
years," Mr. Papantoniou said, adding that there is room for
improvement, while there are also vast and long-term
opportunities and benefits.
"The stability of the economic and political horizon, the
accession to the European economy, the move towards the Balkans
and the Mediterranean, compose a new, unprecedented scene," he
emphasized.
Sponsors of the conference are the National Bank of Greece,
National Investment Bank for Industrial Development, Commercial
Bank of Greece, Sigma Securities and Agricultural Bank of Greece
Mutual Funds.
[06] GUARDED DE-ESCALATION OF INTEREST RATES
The government and the Bank of Greece agreed on a guarded de-
escalation of interest rates that will be accelerated on the
second half of 1999. This was made known by minister of national
economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou speaking in the annual
conference of the Greek-US Chamber.
The policy that will be followed on interest rates is the
subject of the monetary policy council meeting that will be held
today and tomorrow. According to information, the Bank of Greece
will lower the intervention interest rates by a half percentage
point and the move is expected to be followed by the commercial
banks as well by lowering their interest rates on loans.
[07] THE STUDENTS' MOBILIZATIONS ARE THE RESULT OF MISINFORMATION
Minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis attributed the
mobilizations of the students who are protesting against the
proposed reforms in the education system to deliberate
misinformation, speaking to school directors from all over Greece.
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis, after his meeting with the presiding boards of
the teachers' unions, called for the postponement of the education
reforms and the opening of a national dialogue on education.
[08] FROZEN CELLS: THE REVOLUTION OF THE FUTURE IN THE TREATMENT
OF IMMUNITY SYSTEM DISORDERS
The frozen cells, that will be removed from the newly-born,
will be used in the future to treat disorders of the immunity
system such as AIDS, leukemia, cancer etc after they are suitably
"trained".
The treatment of immunity system disorders through the use of
frozen cells is expected to be a giant step forward for medicine
and genetics in the area of immunology as for each patient a
custom-made treatment can be created.
This method is already implemented in several countries
around the world, according to statements made in a press
conference by Ippokration Hospital of Thessalonki immunology
department director Dr. Zafiris Polimenidis on the occasion of the
4th Greek Immunology Conference that will be held in Thessaloniki
on December 9-12.
[09] PAPAZACHOS: THE REGION OF AKKUGIU IS A BAD CHOICE FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF TURKEY'S NUCLEAR PLANT
Distinguished seismologist Vasilis Papazachos, stated that
based on the first figures that were produced by a scientific
research conducted by Aristotle University Geophysics Laboratory,
Akkugiu in southern Turkey is a very bad choice as a region for
the construction of a nuclear plant due the increased seismic
activity observed there.
Mr. Papazachos stated that on the average an earthquake of
6.5 on the Richter scale is recorded every year in Greece but this
does not mean that every year such a strong earthquake takes
place. He also stated that the Aegean is a key-region for
seismology research and that it has the highest earthquake
activity rate in western Europe.
Also, an Aristotle University Geophysics Laboratory research,
held in cooperation with Cypriot scientists, showed that Cyprus
has lower seismic activity compared to Greece.
[10] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INCREASED BY 105% IN THE PAST FEW YEARS
Traffic accidents in Greece showed an increase of 105% in the
past 20 years while in the rest European countries traffic
accidents dropped to 32% in the same period of time.
A very impressive fact is that half of those injured in
traffic accidents state that they use more anti-depressants, they
smoke more and drink more alcohol after their accident compared to
their behavior before this traumatic experience.
[11] THESSALONIAN POET TAKIS VARVITSIOTIS IS AMONG THE "IMMORTALS"
OF THE ACADEMY OF ATHENS
Thessalonian poet Takis Varvitsiotis is among the "immortals"
of the Academy of Athens, according to a decision made recently.
Takis Varvitsiotis is regarded as one of the most
distinguished Greek poets enjoying international recognition. He
is a member of the World Organization of Poets and the Michael
Eminescu International Academy and has received many international
distinctions and prizes. He has represented Greece in a number of
international conferences and has published 24 anthologies, while
his work has been translated into many languages.
[12] CONFERENCE ON THE APPLICATIONS OF TELEMATICS IN THE SECTOR OF
HEALTH
The applications of telematics in the sector of health will
be the main topic in an international conference that will be held
in Thessaloniki on December 11-12 organized by the European
Popular Party.
Greek Euro-deputy Antonis Trakatelis stated that the
conference will be attended by leading university professors from
the United States and Europe. Among the participants are
specialists from the European Union, such as head of the
telematics applications of the 13th general directorate M.
Richonnier, and professor J.C. Healy director of the telematics
applications department on health.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] PM SIMITIS MEETS WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER TODAY
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, presently in Germany, will be
received by Germany's new Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, part of
the latter's meetings with EU leaders.
Talks between Mgrs. Schroeder and Simitis will focus on the
preparation, issues and the timetable of the German EU presidency
as of January 1, and will include the matter of WWII reparations
by Germany to Greece.
Following his meeting with Mr. Schroeder, Mr. Simitis'
program includes private talks with SPD President and German
Finance Minister Oskar Lafontaine. The Premier met with German
Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Friday.
[14] PRESS MINISTER REPPAS IN CYPRUS TODAY, TO MEET WITH CLERIDES
Greece's Minister of Press and Media and government
spokesperson Dimitris Reppas is to be received by the President of
Cyprus Glafkos Clerides today.
Upon his arrival at the island yesterday evening, Mr. Reppas
stated that nothing has changed on the S-300 missiles issue. He
pointed out that "there is some concern which is necessary for the
realignment of the strategy so that the race with Turkey become
the political arena."
[15] G. PAPANDREOU AT EU COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
Greece's alternate Foreign Minster George Papandreou
participated at the European Union's Council of Foreign Ministers
meeting, held in Brussels yesterday.
The participants discussed the "Agenda 2000" and the EU's
imminent enlargement, albeit they failed to reach specific
conclusions as Greece, Spain and Portugal refused to accept any
move to stabilize EU expenditures over the span of the next five
years.
Concerning the Cohesion Fund, Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece
rejects any idea of abolishing the possibility of funding in the
event that a country enters the euro zone.
[16] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON CYPRUS ISSUE
The President of the Council of Greeks Abroad Andrew Athens,
who was received by the president of the Cypriot parliament Spyros
Kyprianou, expressed his disappointment regarding the lack of
progress noted in the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Athens said that in order to achieve progress on the
deadlocked issue, the US President Bill Clinton will have to exert
pressure and also pointed out the need to take action while
Clinton is in office.
Regarding the S-300 missiles purchased by Cyprus from Russia,
Mr. Athens reiterated the view held by Greeks abroad that "Cyprus
has the right to care for its defense" and assured that the Cyprus
issue constitutes a priority matter for Greeks living abroad.
[17] MEXICO HONORS NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS WITH EVENTS AND SEMINARS
Geneva's Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis organized a
series of events in the great Greek writer's honor at Mexico City,
held for the first time at the Mexican capital.
Participants analyzed the works of Kazantzakis, particularly
the notion of freedom through his (perhaps most famous) work
"Zorbas".
The International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis has
founded a chapter in Mexico and will organize a symposium next
year titled "Kazantzakis, Europe and Latin America."
[18] GREEK AND SERB VOLLEYBALL FEDERATIONS ENJOY EXEMPLARY
COOPERATION
The president of Yugoslavia's Volleyball Federation Alexandar
Boricic has stressed that his team enjoys excellent rapport with
Greece's and Russia's volleyball federations.
In order to drive the point home, Mr. Boricic reminded that
in 1995, Yugoslavia would have been banned from participation in
international events if Greece's Mr. Mastrandreas wasn't the
president of the European Volleyball federation.
Finally, Mr. Boricic said that during a match in Japan the
leader of the Greek team congratulated Yugoslavia's national team,
a gesture of grave importance, he said, as it was unprecedented.
[19] YELTSIN FIRED HIS CHIEF OF STAFF
Russian president Boris Yeltsin fired his chief of staff
Valentin Yumasev soon after his return to Kremlin, according to a
statement issued by a spokesman of the Russian president.
The news agency Interfax reported that Mr. Yumasev was
replaced by the head of the Russian Security Council Nikolai
Bordutsa.
[20] CLERIDES: THE S-300 WILL BE IN CYPRUS LATER THIS MONTH IF NO
AGREEMENT ON DEMILITARIZATION IS MADE
Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides confirmed that the Russian
S-300 anti-aircraft missile system will be delivered later this
month, if no progress is made on the demilitarization of the
island.
In a speech he delivered yesterday in front of his
supporters, the Cypriot president reiterated that the only way to
avert the installation of the missiles is for the two communities
to reach an agreement on total demilitarization.
The Cypriot president and his advisers are being strongly
pressured during the past few weeks on the issue of the S-300
missiles and Mr. Clerides' opponents have even accused him of
indecisiveness.
[21] THE PRESIDENT OF SAE COMMENTED ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE
World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) president Andrew
Athens expressed disappointment for the lack of progress in the
Cyprus issue after the meeting he had with Cypriot parliament
president Spyros Kiprianou.
Mr. Athens stated that in order for progress to be made in
the Cyprus issue US president Bill Clinton should exert pressures,
while he pointed out that there is a need for a move to be made
during Mr. Clinton's term to the US presidency.
On the S-300 missiles, the SAE president reiterated the
stance shared by the Greeks living abroad according to which,
Cyprus has the right to reinforce its defense, while he gave the
assurance that the Cyprus issue is a priority for the Greeks
living abroad.
[22] TSOVOLAS' SPEECH BEFORE THE PAN-MACEDONIAN OF MELBOURNE-
AUSTRALIA
Leader of Greek opposition Democratic Social Movement party
Dimitris Tsovolas, speaking in an event organized by the Pan-
Macedonian Association of Melbourne-Australia, speculated that
neither the present Greek government nor any other Greek
government can solve the Church problem in Australia.
Mr. Tsovolas stated that the problem can be resolved only if
the two sides abandon the extremities and in good intention search
for a solution, while he appeared disappointed over the fact that
Archbishop Stylianos of Australia refused to meet with him.
Mr. Tsovolas had meetings with the prime minister of the
state of Victoria, the president of the state parliament and
leading members of the Greek community in Australia.
[23] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS' CONTACTS WITH SCHRODER AND LAFONTAINE
Prime minister Kostas Simitis in a press conference he gave
in Bonn, after the meetings he had with German chancellor Gerhard
Schroder and finance minister and president of the Social-
democratic party Oscar Lafontaine, characterized the EMU as a
milestone.
Mr. Simitis said that in the talks he had with the German
government dominated bilateral relations, national issues,
international developments, the European unification and the EU
enlargement prospects.
The Greek prime minister reiterated the firm Greek positions
on the prospects of Turkey's EU accession, stressing that Greece
does not want to become an obstacle to such a prospect but Turkey
first should meet the necessary pre-conditions for an EU
membership. He said that no exceptions can be made for Turkey,
while on Cyprus' EU membership he said that under no circumstances
the Cyprus problem, which is still pending since 1974, can be an
obstacle to Cyprus' European course.
Mr. Simitis also said that the next phase of the European
unification should be a common foreign and defense policy. He also
added that he raised the issue of the German war reparations for
the crimes committed in Greece by the Nazi occupation forces in
the period of 1941-1944.
Responding to the question on whether Kurdish PKK leader
Abdullah Ocalan landed at the Athens Airport before leaving for
Moscow, the prime minister stated that this is not true and that a
statement has already been made on the issue by the Greek
government spokesman. Mr. Simitis added that the problem with
Ocalan must be resolved through a common European policy.
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