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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-08-22Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.Last Update: 23:27 GMT+2SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] GREECE[B] BALKANSNEWS IN DETAIL[A] GREECE[01] THESSALONIKI PREFECT TO MEET WITH TURKISH VICE-CONSULWeb Posted: 18:57 GMT+2Thessaloniki, 22/08/1999 (MPA) The Prefect of Thessaloniki Costas Papadopoulos is to meet with the vice-consul of Turkey Ida Eroglou at the Turkish Consulate tomorrow in order to discuss emergency aid to be sent to earthquake victims in the neighboring country.Messrs. Papadopoulos and Eroglou will also examine ways to coordinate the efforts of the Thessaloniki's prefectural administration and the Turkish consulate in order to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to the needy regions. A.F. [02] GREEK, TURKISH AMBASSADORS HOLD SECRET TALKS IN BRUSSELSWeb Posted: 18:57 GMT+2Athens, 22/08/1999 (MPA) The Ambassadors of Greece and Turkey, Messrs. Tsilas and Akyol respectively, held secret talks in Brussels, during the course of which the Turkish government conveyed a confidential message to the Greek government pertaining to the three issues of the Aegean Sea, Cyprus and the European Union.According to the Athens daily "To Vima", in regards to the Aegean, Ankara is said to have stated that there is plenty of room for compromise which would be satisfactory to Athens. Concerning the Cyprus issue, Turkey reportedly stresses its determination not to make any concessions on the matter and, as for the EU, Ankara does not wish to accede the community if it is not confident that the country's economy will hold up to the fierce competition. A.F. [03] YOUTH GROUPS WARN OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK IN MEDITERRANEANWeb Posted: 18:57 GMT+2Hania, 22/08/1999 (MPA) Youth groups from five Mediterranean countries participating in a presently-held international meeting in Crete, whose theme is "The Mediterranean, Our Home", are warning of the rapidly increasing environmental risks in the region, a result of extensive urban development and unregulated fishing practices.The meeting, which will be held until August 29 and features the participation of youth delegations from Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Italy, France and Turkey, is being held on the initiative of the "Mediterranean SOS" network and enjoys the support of the European Union and the General Secretariat of Expatriate Greeks. During a press conference held at the Technical Chamber of Hania, the "Mediterranean SOS" members voiced their heightened concern over the extensive environmental damage suffered by the region, emphasizing the negative impact borne by senseless development of the coastal line and the reduced number of fish species in the Sea which, according to board member Nikos Chrysogelos, "is threatening not only the biological diversity of the Mediterranean, but also the fishermen's future." The Mediterranean region's industry makes up for 16% of global industrial production, although the gap between the south and north zones remains to be wide. A good portion of industrial production bears significant impact onto the environment, either through waste production and emission or through energy and raw materials consumption. According to data provided by "Mediterranean SOS", the consumption of energy in the region is expected to increase by 50% by the year 2025, with date measured in 1985, while the number of automobiles driven in the Mediterranean region has increased twofold within the span on one decade (1970-1980), and is expected to surpass this rate by the start of 2000. The Turkish representative of "Mediterranean SOS" ("SOS Akdeniz) Ozgur Tec, urged that the nuclear plant in Ackuyu not be constructed since it would pose a massive environmental threat to the region, while he also stressed that the coal-burning electrical plant in the Yekova valley should not be permitted to operate. A.F. [04] HEATWAVE TO ABATE, SCORCHING TEMPERATURES WILL DROPWeb Posted: 18:57 GMT+2Thessaloniki, 22/08/1999 (MPA) The National Weather Service has forecast a gradual drop in temperatures as of today, a relief from the heatwave that has been tormenting city dwellers since Friday.Temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius in Athens and 37 degrees in Thessaloniki. According to meteorologists, this year's summer has proven so far to be the hottest during the past 20 years. A.F. [05] PM TO ANNOUNCE TAX RELIEFS AND INCREASED FARMER PENSIONSWeb Posted: 18:57 GMT+2Athens, 22/08/1999 (MPA) The Prime Minister Costas Simitis is expected to announce increases in farmers pensions, as well as added tax reliefs, during his annual address to be given at opening of the upcoming 64h International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki.According to press reports, the measures, which will be adjusted this week during talks with the economy and finance ministry, will aim at strengthening the income of pensioners and the lower classes. The Premier will meet with the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou tomorrow. A.F. [B] BALKANS[06] RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE IN TURKEY, BUT HOPE IS FADINGWeb Posted: 18:57 GMT+2Ankara, 22/08/1999 (MPA) Only one-third of the rubble has been checked to date in the earthquake-stricken northwestern region of Turkey, with the number of victims climbing to 12,000, although authorities estimate that the figure could climb to 40,000 since many of those still missing are presumed to be trapped beneath the ruins.Experts say people trapped in such situations usually can survive only 72 hours because of dehydration. Meanwhile, fearing typhoid fever, cholera or dysentery, officials have been spraying disinfectants and distributing water purification tablets in some regions. New fresh water wells are to be dug in some areas, including the devastated seaside resort of Yalova, 30 miles south of Istanbul. The rescue operations continue the gruesome task, while the Greek special forces team extricated a nine-year-old boy beneath the rubble yesterday morning. A.F. Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |