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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-10-06

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 6, 1999

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] TEACHERS EMBARK ON MOBILIZATIONS TODAY
  • [02] REGISTRATION OF EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS TO BEGIN ON FRIDAY
  • [03] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER INAUGURATES NATO SUB- HQ IN LARISA
  • [04] GREEK, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS IN THESSALONIKI FOR SEMINAR
  • [05] GERMAN NATIONAL MISSING SINCE YESTERDAY AT MT. ATHOS
  • [06] PM ADDRESSES PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, DISCUSSES G/T RELATIONS
  • [07] JAPANESE DELEGATION OF ECONOMY OFFICIALS VISITS THRACE
  • [08] YUGOSLAVIA'S PRINCESS CATHERINE TO VISIT EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
  • [09] DRAMA CHAMBER OFFICIALS TO MEET WITH EC'S PRESIDENT PRODI
  • [10] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS MET WITH PAPANDREOU AND TSOCHATZOPOULOS
  • [11] VEDRINE AND PAPANDREOU ARE IN THESSALONIKI
  • [12] REPPAS: NO ONE CAN UNDERMINE CYPRUS' BID FOR EU MEMBERSHIP
  • [13] NEW PRESIDENT IN THE AMERICAN FARM SCHOOL
  • [14] ACROPOLIS IS AT THE CENTER OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM EVENTS
  • [15] GREECE OCCUPIES THE SECOND PLACE IN ALBANIA IN EXPORTS AND INVESTMENTS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [16] DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 26 FROM LONDON TRAIN CRASH
  • [17] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO UNITED STATES
  • [18] SALOMON SMITH BARNEY UPGRADES ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
  • [19] NIOTIS MET WITH AMBASSADOR AL MOSES IN WASHINGTON
  • [20] IMPORTANT CONTACTS OF THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER IN WASHINGTON
  • [21] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON ON CNN - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] TEACHERS EMBARK ON MOBILIZATIONS TODAY

    School teachers, professors and other employees in the academic sector are embarking on a series of mobilizations today, demanding the abolishment of the educational reform law, examinations in the junior year of high school and brand new school buildings in Attica.

    According to official estimates, 18% of the country's high school juniors are flunking the grade.

    On the protest front, employees from all sectors of Greece's labor force will join the teachers in a rally to be held in downtown Athens on October 12.

    [02] REGISTRATION OF EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS TO BEGIN ON FRIDAY

    The National Statistical Service will begin registering all those Attica residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged during the September 7 devastating earthquake.

    The inner cabinet has conducted a thorough review of damage and quake relief efforts. According to the findings, 33% of the 185,000 buildings inspected throughout Attica needed repair work and seven percent needed to be pulled down.

    School buildings had been particularly adversely affected. Of the 2,465 buildings inspected, 427 needed repair and two were to be demolished.

    Of those buildings needing repair, 175 were to be completed in November, 125 in a longer period of time and 45 would not open this school year.

    [03] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER INAUGURATES NATO SUB- HQ IN LARISA

    Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos inaugurated the NATO sub- headquarters in Larisa yesterday, in an official ceremony attended by other leaders and NATO representatives.

    Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that Greece's upgraded role in the new structure of NATO has vindicated the country's contribution to shaping the Alliance's new face, while it also confirmed the country's role as a force for stability, peace and security in the region.

    The ceremony was attended by NATO supreme commander US Gen. Wesley Clark, who described yesterday's activation of the sub-headquarters as a historic occasion.

    [04] GREEK, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS IN THESSALONIKI FOR SEMINAR

    The Foreign Ministers of Greece and France, George Papandreou and Yber Vedrine respectively, are to meet in Thessaloniki today, in order to address a seminar titled "southeastern Europe, democratization, development, process of fulfilment", which got underway yesterday.

    Mr. Papandreou will brief Mr. Vedrine on Greece's positions regarding Turkey's candidacy for EU membership.

    The two ministers will give a joint press conference this evening.

    The seminar will focus on the actions to be taken by the two countries within the framework of the Stability Pact and the discussion will focus on the developments in the Balkan region.

    [05] GERMAN NATIONAL MISSING SINCE YESTERDAY AT MT. ATHOS

    Police continue to search for a German tourist missing on Mount Athos, the all-male monastic community in northern Greece.

    The German, was last seen near the Great Lavra Monastery. His last contact was a phone call he made on his mobile phone yesterday afternoon where he stated that he is in good health.

    [06] PM ADDRESSES PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, DISCUSSES G/T RELATIONS

    Prime Minster Costas Simitis will meet with the leaders of the Foreign Affairs and Defense ministries today, with whom he will discuss Greek-Turkish relations and the stance to be adopted by Greece during the EU summit at Helsinki.

    In his address before the ruling PASOK party's parliamentary group yesterday, Mr. Simitis stated that the present and "un- precedented" positive climate in Greek-Turkish relations, must be turned into "deeds and decisions" by Ankara, which clearly showed that bilateral ties had entered a new period.

    Mr. Simitis clarified that he was speaking of deeds and decisions by Ankara which would "create a solid foundation for the improvement of bilateral relations".

    The prime minister said such deeds and decisions had "yet to appear", but expressed the hope that Turkey would "take a substantial step" to advance its European vocation and support efforts being made for closer cooperation.

    [07] JAPANESE DELEGATION OF ECONOMY OFFICIALS VISITS THRACE

    A delegation of Japanese businessmen conducted a visit to Thrace yesterday, in order to look into the opportunities for economic and trade liaisons with local ventures.

    The delegation included the general director of JETRO, the Japanese foreign trade board, and the head of economy and trade at Japan's embassy in Athens.

    Among the items discussed were opportunities for local investment and expanded alliances between Greek and Japanese firms.

    Deputy National Economy Minister Rhodoula Zissi, outlined Greece's role in aiding growth in neighboring Balkan countries and the economy ministry's Hermes plan designed to help widen business ties between Greece and Japan.

    [08] YUGOSLAVIA'S PRINCESS CATHERINE TO VISIT EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

    Princess Catherine of Yugoslavia will conduct a visit to the earthquake victims of Attica tomorrow, accompanied by a representative of the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos, Greek singer Demis Roussos and other celebrities.

    The princess is expected to distribute medicines and food which she collected in London for the earthquake's victims.

    [09] DRAMA CHAMBER OFFICIALS TO MEET WITH EC'S PRESIDENT PRODI

    Representatives from the network of 28 chambers from the European Union's border regions are to meet with the president of the European Commission Romano Prodi this month.

    The Chamber of the northeastern Greek city of Drama, which is the network's sole Greek and Mediterranean member, will also participate in the meeting.

    The chamber officials are to request that all affairs concerning the EU initiatives PHARE/CBC and INTERREG by transferred into the Commission's authority in order to optimize coordination.

    [10] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS MET WITH PAPANDREOU AND TSOCHATZOPOULOS

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis met at noon today with the foreign ministry leadership. The talks focused on the developments in the Greek- Turkish relations, Turkey's bid for EU membership and the Cyprus issue in view of December's EU summit meeting in Helsinki and the OSCE summit meeting that will take place in Istanbul.

    The prime minister also met with minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos. At noon today, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that Cyprus' bid for EU membership is a decision of the European Union and is not subject to a cancellation.

    [11] VEDRINE AND PAPANDREOU ARE IN THESSALONIKI

    Foreign ministers of Greece and France Giorgos Papandreou and Yber Vedrine will give a joint press conference in Thessaloniki at 6pm today after the end of the Greek-French seminar on south-eastern Europe which is being held in the city since yesterday.

    The two ministers will arrive in Thessaloniki early this afternoon and according to information, they will refer to a joint initiative on south-eastern Europe that will be undertaken by Greece and France within the framework of the Stability Pact.

    [12] REPPAS: NO ONE CAN UNDERMINE CYPRUS' BID FOR EU MEMBERSHIP

    Cyprus EU candidature is a European Union decision and is not subject to any cancellation, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when reporters asked him to comment on the fact that German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder did not refer to Cyprus' candidature during his visit to Athens.

    He said that all the EU countries agree with the candidature of Cyprus and only certain EU officials raise an issue that has to do with the state of occupation on the island. Cyprus meets all the pre-conditions for accession into the EU and no one can undermine this procedure, stated Mr. Reppas..

    [13] NEW PRESIDENT IN THE AMERICAN FARM SCHOOL

    Academician David Back was appointed to replace George Dreiper, who was president of the American Farm School for the past 10 years.

    The new school president and his wife Patty Back has a long experience in directing educational institutions as in the past 22 years he has been teaching in different schools all over the world.

    During the last 5 years, he was the director of the International School of Prague, while earlier he had similar duties in Curacao in the Dutch Antilles, in Vienna and in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur.

    [14] ACROPOLIS IS AT THE CENTER OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM EVENTS

    Acropolis will be at the center of the new millennium celebrations, according to a decision reached in yesterday's meeting of the Greek prime minister with minister of culture Eleisavet Papazoi.

    The celebrations will start in December and will last until the end of the year 2000, while the major event will involve the Parthenon.

    Greece's historic and cultural wealth and the contemporary achievements will be displayed through the celebrations that will be open to the public.

    [15] GREECE OCCUPIES THE SECOND PLACE IN ALBANIA IN EXPORTS AND INVESTMENTS

    The Greek businesses occupy the second place in Albania regarding their investment and export activity in the country.

    According to the Economic and Trade Affairs Office of the Greek embassy to Tirana, the Greek exports to the neighboring country showed an impressive increase from 1993 until 1996 when they reached 322.9 million dollars. Greece after Italy is Albania's second biggest economic partner and according to recent data, a total of about 200 Greek businesses are active in the country.

    The Greek investments have reached about 100 million dollars and make up 27% of the foreign investments in Albania.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [16] DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 26 FROM LONDON TRAIN CRASH

    Twenty-six people were killed and another 160 were injured in London yesterday, when two commuter trains collided during the height of the morning rush hour.

    The search for other victims continued into the night, Scotland Yard said.

    The cause of the collision was not immediately known, but health and safety officials began an urgent investigation, picking through the wreckage near the residential Ladbroke Grove area of west London.

    [17] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO UNITED STATES

    Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoides has embarked on an official visit to the United States, where he will have talks on issues related to combatting terrorism and organised crime.

    Mr. Chrysohoidis is leading a delegation of officials, comprising the head of the Greek police, Lt.-Gen. Ioannis Georgakopoulos and Public Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis.

    During their stay in Washington, the members of the Greek delegation will meet with FBI director Louis Freeh, CIA director George Tenet and US Sen. Paul Sarbanes.

    [18] SALOMON SMITH BARNEY UPGRADES ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

    Salomon Smith Barney has upgraded the Athens Stock Exchange, granting the Greek market a place on the rank of European developed bourses.

    Salomon had foretold since last July its plans to upgrade the ASE from an emerging to a mature market, as of June 2000.

    Similarly, another confident report Societe Generale assesses that the Greek blue chips will prove to be profitable with the next three-year span.

    [19] NIOTIS MET WITH AMBASSADOR AL MOSES IN WASHINGTON

    Greek undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis met in Washington with US president special envoy to Cyprus, ambassador Al Moses and deputy national security adviser James Steinberg. They discussed the progress of the US mediation on Cyprus and the imminent visit of US president Clinton to Athens.

    On the Cyprus issue, Mr. Niotis stated that he requested from the US president's close associates to exert more pressure in order to bend the intransigence of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, adding that the effort to solve the Cyprus issue is met with obstacles both because of Denktask's intransigence and the lack of positive political will by Ankara.

    On the trip of the US president to Athens, he stressed that attention focuses on bilateral issues, the development of economic cooperation and Greece's role as the gate of Europe and NATO for the stability, peace and reconstruction of the Balkans.

    [20] IMPORTANT CONTACTS OF THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER IN WASHINGTON

    Greek minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis will have important contacts in Washington starting today and he is expected to discuss issues which are falling under his authority with leading US officials about 45 days before US president Bill Clinton's visit to Greece.

    Mr. Chrisochoidis will meet this afternoon with the director of the FBI and with Greek American senator Paul Sarbanis, while tomorrow he will have a meeting with the CIA director and with the US Attorney General. He will also meet with the assistant secretary of state responsible for political affairs and with the coordinator on issues concerning measures against terrorism.

    [21] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON ON CNN

    Greek ambassador to Washington Alexandros Filon presented the Greek positions on issues of Greek-Turkish rapprochement and the Cyprus issue in an interview on the US news television network CNN.

    On Turkey's European Union prospect, Mr. Filon stated that the Greek side believes that a unanimous decision should be reached on whether Turkey has met the political and economic criteria that are in effect for all the candidate states for EU membership.

    Mr. Filon stated that Turkey must make specific steps and gestures in the sectors of human rights, freedom of the press and democratization and mainly in the relations with Greece and the Cyprus issue. Among the issues underlined by the Greek ambassador was the abolition of the death penalty in Turkey as together with Albania, they are the only European countries where the death penalty is still in effect.

    On the improvement of bilateral relations, Mr. Filon stated that the mutual sympathy for the earthquake victims displayed by both peoples gave a new boost to diplomacy and the effort already underway by the two governments. The Greek ambassador called on Turkey to implement what Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit had said recently namely, that there are no territorial claims against Greece, while regarding the Cyprus issue, he reiterated that Greece agrees with the proposal submitted by the G8 and the international community providing for the interested sides to meet under the auspices of the UN secretary-general in New York for essential negotiations on all issues, negotiations that will last until a solution is found.

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