Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-10-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 12, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER TO MEET WITH NATIONAL ECONOMY AND
FINANCE MINISTER
[02] COPYRIGHT, PATENT MEETING TO BE HELD IN
HALKIDIKI THIS MONTH
[03] TURKISH-GREEK BUSINESS COUNCIL MEMBERS IN
ATHENS TODAY
[04] GREEK PREMIER FORWARDS MESSAGE TO TURKISH
COUNTERPART
[05] HOLIEST ICON, AXION ESTI, TO BE BROUGHT TO
ATHENS ON FRIDAY
[06] NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE LOOKS FOR PORTO
CARRAS BUYER
[07] PAPANTONIOU: THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY IS
POSITIVE
[08] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE SHOWED NEW
INCREASE
[09] THE EARTHQUAKE CREATED 50.000 HOMELESS
[10] THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL FEDERATION
FORMER PRESIDENT GIORGOS DEDES' FUNERAL WILL BE
HELD TOMORROW
[11] FRIENDLY MATCH BETWEEN PAO AND BESIKTAS FOR
THE TURKISH EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
[12] THE DATE OF THE US PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO
GREECE CHANGED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR HILARY
CLINTON TO ATTEND
[13] MR. REPPAS ON PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS'
VERBAL MESSAGE TO HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART
[14] INTERVENTION BY THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
WITH A LETTER TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS
[15] THE REMAINS OF A PRE-HISTORIC ANIMAL WERE
DISCOVERED IN LESVOS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] CLINTON ALTERS ITINERARY, ARRIVES IN ATHENS
10 DAYS EARLIER
[17] YUGOSLAVIA: PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC BLASTS
OPPOSITION PARTIES
[18] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC CONDUCTS
OFFICIAL VISIT TO IRAN
[19] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS DECIDE TO SUPPORT
ATHENS QUAKE VICTIMS
[20] WORKER OF UN KOSSOVO MISSION WAS KILLED IN
PRISHTINA
[21] GREEK FM: WE WANT SERBIA TO BE PART OF THE
EUROPEAN FAMILY
[22] CYPRUS ISSUE DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED AT OSCE
MEETING
[23] EGYPT: EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.2 ON THE
RICHTER SCALE
[24] THE EARTH'S POPULATION EXCEEDED THE 6
BILLION MARK
[25] THE GREEK MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION IS IN
ISTANBUL
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NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PREMIER TO MEET WITH NATIONAL ECONOMY AND
FINANCE MINISTER
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to review
the final details of the 2000 budget in a
meeting with the Minister of National Economy
and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou today.
Messrs. Simitis and Papantoniou will review
the course of the economy and various inflation-
related issues, as well as matters concerning
the country's accession to the Economic and
Monetary Union.
The Premier will also meet with the
secretary of the ruling PASOK party's central
committee Costas Skandalides.
[02] COPYRIGHT, PATENT MEETING TO BE HELD IN
HALKIDIKI THIS MONTH
Two meetings focusing on intellectual
property and patent-related issues will be held
in Halkidiki between October 18 and 22,
featuring the European Patent Office's annual
EPIDOS conference and the European Commission's
biennial Patinnova.
The EPIDOS conference will review the free
patent information available on the Internet,
while it will also focus on students with
discussions centering on their needs including
job prospects in the field.
The Pattinova conference will address
current developments in the availability of
information, recent political decisions
affecting the industry and the cost and
complications of judicial issues.
[03] TURKISH-GREEK BUSINESS COUNCIL MEMBERS IN
ATHENS TODAY
Members of the executive committee of the
Turkish-Greek Business Council will arrive in
Athens today to discuss a date and agenda for
the joint meeting of the council with the Greek-
Turkish Business Council.
The Turkish committee will be led by
businessman Sarik Tara.
[04] GREEK PREMIER FORWARDS MESSAGE TO TURKISH
COUNTERPART
Prime Minister Costas Simitis forwarded a
verbal message to his Turkish counterpart Bulent
Ecevit, delivered by Greek ambassador Ioannis
Korantis in a courtesy call, wherein he
expressed his wish that the existing dialogue
continue, aiming at improving Greek-Turkish
relations.
In turn, Mr. Ecevit thanked the Greek
government for the assistance it offered to his
country and expressed his wish to continue the
ongoing dialogue.
Nevertheless, the Turkish Premier
reiterated his government's position on the
Cyprus issue, i.e. that it should be dealt with
separately and not in association with other G/T
issues.
[05] HOLIEST ICON, AXION ESTI, TO BE BROUGHT TO
ATHENS ON FRIDAY
The holiest icon of Mount Athos, Axion
Esti, will be taken out of the monastery's
confines on Friday when it will be taken to
Athens in order to bring "spiritual and material
aid" to the region's earthquake survivors.
It is hoped that the presence of the
venerated icon, and the donations left by the
faithful who will worship before it, will
significantly help the earthquake victims.
The icon, whose name means "it is worthy to
bless Thee, the Virgin", was painted in the
seventh century.
[06] NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE LOOKS FOR PORTO
CARRAS BUYER
The National Bank of Greece, is looking for
a buyer for Potidea Hotels, Tourism and
Agricultural SA, which is the owner of the Porto
Carras complex in northern Greece, having
declared an international tender with a base
price of GRD 20 billion.
In addition to the National Bank, the
firm's remaining shareholders are Hellenic
Industrial Development Bank and National
Investment Bank for Industrial Development.
The deadline for binding offers, which must
be accompanied by a letter of guarantee, is
December 1, 1999.
[07] PAPANTONIOU: THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY IS
POSITIVE
Minister of national economy and finance
Yiannos Papantoniou in statements he made after
the meeting he had with prime minister Kostas
Simitis today, stressed that the course of the
economy is positive but the public finance
management needs increased attention.
In the meeting were examined the last
details concerning next year's budget, the
course of the economy and issues concerning the
de-escalation of inflation and the course of
interest rates. Mr. Papantoniou stated that the
budget will be submitted to parliament in the
first week of November, pointing out that the
EMU appears certain but the effort for the de-
escalation of inflation must continue, calling
on the businessmen to freeze their prices.
Regarding the cost of the damages caused by
the recent earthquake in Athens, Mr. Papantoniou
stated that it is estimated at 200 billion
drachmas clarifying that this fact will not
overturn the government's economic policy.
On the interest rates, Mr. Papantoniou
stated that the Bank of Greece will make the
necessary moves as soon as the figures
concerning the inflation levels in the month of
October are out.
[08] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE SHOWED NEW
INCREASE
The Athens Stock Exchange showed a big
increase today and the general index recorded
impressive gains closing at 6.127,74 with an
increase of 2.59%, while transactions reached
437.5 billion drachmas.
In today's Athens Stock Exchange session
the general index showed stability regarding its
upward trend compared to last week's sessions,
including yesterday's session which was very
nervous. In today's session it was clear that
the investors showed a special interest in the
regional shares, while the bank shares were
again strongly pressured.
[09] THE EARTHQUAKE CREATED 50.000 HOMELESS
The registration of the earthquake victims
was completed in 33 municipalities in Athens,
while according to the initial results the
homeless families are estimated to be 50.000.
The filing of applications requesting rent
or co-habitation benefits begins tomorrow and
they will be submitted to the 22 offices
responsible for the support of earthquake
victims.
Meanwhile, the holy icon of the Virgin
Mary, "Axion Esti", will arrive from the
monastic community of Mount Athos to Athens on
Friday. The icon will be displayed to the
public, while the proceeds will be used for the
relief of the earthquake victims.
[10] THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL FEDERATION
FORMER PRESIDENT GIORGOS DEDES' FUNERAL WILL BE
HELD TOMORROW
Giorgos Dedes, who was for many years the
president of the Greek National Football
Federation and the Association of the Greek
Football Clubs will be buried tomorrow in
Palini, Athens. Giorgos Dedes died from cancer
yesterday at the age of 74.
Giorgos Dedes had been characterized as
"the Patriarch of professional football" in
Greece and had been elected representative of
UEFA to the executive committee of FIFA, while
he was also a member of the World Federation
Disciplinary Committee.
[11] FRIENDLY MATCH BETWEEN PAO AND BESIKTAS FOR
THE TURKISH EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The devastating earthquakes in Greece and
Turkey united the two peoples and on the
occasion of this tragic event the football teams
of Panathinaikos and Besiktas decided to give a
friendly match in Athens this evening. The
proceeds of the match and the television rights
will be offered to the earthquake victims in
Turkey.
The Turkish team arrived in Athens this
morning, while the team officials, the sports
reporters, who will cover the event and the
Besiktas fans, had arrived a day earlier. Before
the game starts PAO president Giorgos
Vardinoyiannis will honor the rescue teams of
EMAK and AKUT from Greece and Turkey
respectively.
The two football teams will meet again soon
in a match that will be held in Istanbul and the
proceeds will be offered for the relief of the
earthquake victims in Athens.
[12] THE DATE OF THE US PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO
GREECE CHANGED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR HILARY
CLINTON TO ATTEND
The change in the date of US president Bill
Clinton's visit to Athens was made at the
request of the US side to facilitate the first
lady's presence.
This explanation was given by Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas who was
asked to comment on the reasons that led to the
change in the itinerary of the US president.
[13] MR. REPPAS ON PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS'
VERBAL MESSAGE TO HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART
The Greek ambassador to Ankara conveyed a
verbal message by prime minister Kostas Simitis
to his Turkish counterpart in the ceremonial
meeting.
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
stated that the ambassador referred to the good
climate that has been created between the two
countries and reiterated that Greece sees
positively Turkey's European prospect. He also
pointed out the moves made by the Greek side and
added that Athens expects from Turkey a tangible
response proving that there is progress and good
will for the improvement of the Greek-Turkish
relations.
Mr. Reppas said that Greece wants Turkey to
win a real and not fictional accession into the
European Union, adding that in order for all
these to happen certain pre-conditions and terms
must be met.
[14] INTERVENTION BY THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
WITH A LETTER TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in a
letter to Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and
All of Greece, published today in the Athens
newspaper "Kathimerini", urged him to deal with
the pressing problems faced by today's people
and not with the increase and expansion of
titles.
The Ecumenical Patriarch referred to the
issues discussed by the members of the Holy
Synod of the Church of Greece and presented his
position on certain of them. He does not
recognize to the Archbishop the right to give
out titles both to laymen and clergymen,
disputes his right to declare himself as "first"
and points out that this position belongs to the
Holy Synod.
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' letter
was discussed today on the sidelines of the Holy
Synod proceedings which dealt with the issue of
human organs' transplants.
The Church of Greece representative,
Metropolite Anthimos, stated that the
Patriarchate does not have pastoral duties that
is why it occupies itself with sending letters.
[15] THE REMAINS OF A PRE-HISTORIC ANIMAL WERE
DISCOVERED IN LESVOS
A rare discovery was made by chance in the
Fossilized Forest on the north-eastern Aegean
island of Lesvos.
Scientists working in the Gavatha-Antissa
region found fossil remains of a vertebrate
which lived on the Earth 20 million years ago
and possibly was the ancestor of today's
elephant. Specifically, the scientists
discovered a jawbone with all its teeth and the
bones of the animal. The discovery is of great
importance because it is rare not only for
Greece but for Europe as well.
The animal's exact species will be made
known after the remains are carefully examined.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] CLINTON ALTERS ITINERARY, ARRIVES IN ATHENS
10 DAYS EARLIER
United States President Bill Clinton will
conduct an official visit to Greece ten days
earlier than the original itinerary, scheduled
for November 22-24, since he wishes to be home
for Thanksgiving.
Mr. Clinton will visit Athens between
November 13-15 and will then travel to Ankara
and Istanbul. According to reports, the US
President will attempt to pave the way for the
meeting between Greek Premier Costas Simitis and
his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit, to be
held in Istanbul on November 18-19.
[17] YUGOSLAVIA: PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC BLASTS
OPPOSITION PARTIES
Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, who
has been subject to fierce protests organized by
the country's opposition parties for 20 days in
a row, went on the offensive yesterday when he
characterized his opponents and their supporters
as cowards and blackmailers.
Addressing a rally of 20,000 supporters in
Lescovac, southern Serbia, Mr. Milosevic vowed
that the Serb armed and police forces will
return to Kosovo soon.
[18] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC CONDUCTS
OFFICIAL VISIT TO IRAN
The President of the Hellenic Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos embarked on an official
visit to Iran today, where he will stay until
the 15th, at the invitation of his Iranian
counterpart, Mohammad Khatami.
President Stephanopoulos will be the second
European Union head of state to visit the
country since 1979 Islamic revolution, following
Austrian President Thomas
Klestil's trip last month.
The president will be accompanied by
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Agriculture
Minister George Anomeritis, and a delegation of
about 30 businessmen.
[19] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS DECIDE TO SUPPORT
ATHENS QUAKE VICTIMS
The Foreign Ministers of European Union
member-states have called for funds to be given
to Greece, in order to enable the latter to
restore the damages suffered in Attica by the
September 7 earthquake, as requested by Greece's
George Papandreou.
The "15" called on the European Commission
to study the granting of EU aid to Greece as
soon as possible and in cooperation with Greek
authorities to have the consequences of the
recent earthquake assessed and addressed.
Mr. Papandreou stated that he is satisfied
with this statement and expressed a conviction
that the Commission will undertake the necessary
initiatives.
[20] WORKER OF UN KOSSOVO MISSION WAS KILLED IN
PRISHTINA
A worker of the United Nations mission in
Kosovo was killed in its capital city of
Prishtina last night, the Russian news agency
Itar-Tass reported.
The UN secretary general's spokesman said
that the killed man, whose name was not
disclosed, was the first victim among the
personnel of the UN mission for affairs of the
provisional administration in Kosovo.
It was the victim's first day at work,
having arrived at Prishtina early in the day.
An unknown attacker shot him when he was
entering a diner in civilian clothes, the
spokesman said.
[21] GREEK FM: WE WANT SERBIA TO BE PART OF THE
EUROPEAN FAMILY
Addressing the European Union Foreign
Ministers meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, which
featured the participation of a few members of
the Serb opposition parties, Greece's FM George
Papandreou stressed that the "15" want serbia to
become a part of the European family.
The majority of the invited Serb opposition
parties did not attend yesterday's meeting,
objecting to the EU's demand that those
attending the meeting sign a declaration
promising that, once in power, they hand over
all those indicted by the International War
Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
According to the statement issued by the
"15", sanctions presently imposed on Serbia and
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are to soon
be lifted.
[22] CYPRUS ISSUE DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED AT OSCE
MEETING
The start of Cyprus issue negotiations is
expected to be announced on the sidelines of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe summit to be held at Istanbul in
November.
According to the BBC, which quotes
diplomatic sources, Cypriot Foreign Minister
Yiannis Kasoulides confirmed the reports,
further adding that Nicosia does not expect any
substantive development on the matter prior to
the opening of OSCE's summit, which will
reportedly be inaugurated by the President of
the United States, Bill Clinton.
Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash
appears to have accepted the start of the
process, according to the BBC, following the
assurances that the early stage of talks will be
held at close quarters, not directly.
[23] EGYPT: EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.2 ON THE
RICHTER SCALE
An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter
scale shook Cairo, Egypt last night causing no
victims or material damage.
According to the newspaper El Ahbar, the
earthquake's epicenter, which was felt in Cairo
and the surrounding areas, was located 150
kilometers south of the Egyptian capital.
It should be reminded that about 500 people
had been killed by a strong earthquake that hit
the region in October 1992.
[24] THE EARTH'S POPULATION EXCEEDED THE 6
BILLION MARK
The earth's population exceeded the 6
billion mark and is double compared to 1960. The
6 billionth resident of planet Earth is a boy
born in a maternity clinic in Sarajevo, Bosnia
just after midnight this morning.
UN secretary-general Kofi Annan will visit
this afternoon the mother and the newly born as
the UN had announced that the first child born
in Sarajevo would be symbolically recognized as
the one that would increase the population of
the earth to 6 billion people.
According to a report by the responsible UN
agency which follows the world population
increase, the earth's population will be 8.9
billion by the year 2050, stressing that in a
period of 12 years the world population has
increased by 1 billion from 5 to 6 billion
people.
[25] THE GREEK MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION IS IN
ISTANBUL
Greek minister of transportation and
communications Tasos Mandelis is in Istanbul
today where he will meet with his Turkish
counterpart, while later in the evening he will
attend a joint concert by Theodorakis,
Farantouri and Livaneli, the proceeds of which
will be offered for the relief of the earthquake
victims in Turkey.
Mr. Mandelis is scheduled to return to
Athens tomorrow.
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