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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-10-15
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 15, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TURKISH AIRCRAFT VIOLATE ATHENS FLIGHT
INFORMATION REGION
[02] THESSALONIKI TO HOST CONFERENCE ON
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
[03] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS RECEIVES EUROPEAN AWARD FOR
MAINTENANCE
[04] GREEK FM EMBARKS ON EUROPEAN TOUR TO
PROMOTE POSITIONS
[05] BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE HOSTED BY
THESSALONIKI
[06] HOLIEST ICON, AXION ESTI, IN ATHENS FOR
SAKE OF QUAKE VICTIMS
[07] MORE BRITISH TOURISTS ARE EXPECTED IN
GREECE NEXT YEAR
[08] HISTORY OF THE ICON OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
"AXION ESTI"
[09] MEETING HELD IN THESSALONIKI ON EXPORT
CREDITS INSURANCE
[10] THE GREEK MAJOR WAS FREED BY HIS ABDUCTORS
IN ABKHAZIA
[11] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE PLUNGED AGAIN
TODAY
[12] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADS IN AN ALCO PUBLIC
OPINION POLL
[13] THE HOLY ICON OF THE MOTHER OF CHRIST
"AXION ESTI" HAS ARRIVED IN ATHENS
[14] EU COMMISSIONERS VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE
STRICKEN REGIONS IN ATHENS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] INFORMAL EU SUMMIT BEGINS IN TAMPERE,
FINLAND, TODAY
[16] GEORGIA:GREEK ARMY OFFICER STILL HELD
HOSTAGE IN ABKHAZIA
[17] GREECE-ISRAEL STRENGTHEN DEFENSE
COOPERATION ACCORD
[18] C OF E HOLDS HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE IN
CYPRUS TOMORROW
[19] EU TAMPERE SUMMIT ON ASYLUM, IMMIGRATION
AND JUSTICE OPENS
[20] GREEK, TURKISH IMMIGRANTS APPEAR JOINTLY
OUTSIDE EU SUMMIT
[21] GEORGIA SPEAKER: "NO NEED TO USE FORCE FOR
HOSTAGES RELEASE"
[22] EU SUMMIT:BORDER SECURITY, ASYLUM, AMONG
GREECE'S PRIORITIES
[23] THE EURO-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL BE
DISCUSSED IN THE FORMAL DINNER OF THE 15 EU
LEADERS
[24] GREEK AUTHORS IN THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK
FAIR IN FRANKFURT
[25] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS CONTINUES HIS
VISIT TO IRAN
[26] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS IN TAMPERE, FINLAND
[27] TURKEY: TENS OF CHILDREN ARE BEING TORTURED
IN POLICE CUSTODY
[28] THE DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS WERE AWARDED
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
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NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TURKISH AIRCRAFT VIOLATE ATHENS FLIGHT
INFORMATION REGION
Eight Turkish aircraft violated the Athens
Flight Information Region yesterday morning, in
the area between the islands of Rhodes and Kos.
The aircraft violated aviation regulation,
while one pair continued its flight into the
Greek airspace and flew towards Crete, only to
be intercepted by Greek military jets between
Rhodes and Carpathos.
[02] THESSALONIKI TO HOST CONFERENCE ON
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
Thessaloniki will host a conference on
electronic commerce, business and digital
economy on October 22-25, the first such event
ever held in southeast Europe.
The event, to be inaugurated by Development
Minister Evangelos Venizelos, is organized by
the Commercial Association of Thessaloniki with
the European Commission's information society's
general directorate.
Delegates from the private and public
sectors throughout southeastern Europe and field
experts from European and US universities are
expected to attend the conference.
[03] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS RECEIVES EUROPEAN AWARD FOR
MAINTENANCE
The national air carrier, Olympic Airways,
is to be the recipient of a first-ever
maintenance award, to be bestowed by the
European Maintenance Academy, an organization
which reviews the upkeep records of various
companies throughout the continent.
Along with O.A., Unilever-Elais and Volvo
car manufacturer will also receive the award for
their maintenance record, in a ceremony to be
held today in Athens on the sidelines of a
European conference on maintenance.
The conference, which will be attended by
distinguished Greek and European scientists and
sector professionals, will feature analysis of
building and tool maintenance methods.
[04] GREEK FM EMBARKS ON EUROPEAN TOUR TO
PROMOTE POSITIONS
Foreign Minister George Papandreou will
begin a tour of Europe next Monday in order to
promote Greek positions in light of the upcoming
European Union Helsinki summit and to discuss
Turkey's candidacy for EU membership and Cyprus.
Mr. Papandreou is expected to state that
Turkey has to adhere to democratic norms adopted
by other member states before joining the union,
and Cyprus' eventual candidacy will have to be
assured.
After returning from the informal European
Council in Tampere, Finland, (held today and
tomorrow), Mr. Papandreou will meet US President
Bill Clinton's Cyprus envoy, Alfred Moses, and
the US State Department's special coordinator
for Cyprus, Tom Weston.
The Foreign Minister will visit London on
October 18, where he will meet with his British
counterpart Robin Cook and possibly British
Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He will travel to Madrid on October 19
where he will meet his Spanish counterpart Abel
Matutes and probably Spanish Prime Minister Jose
Maria Aznar. The next day, October 20, Mr.
Papandreou will travel to Rome where he will
meet with foreign minister Lamberto Dini,
ministry spokesman Panagiotis Beglitis said.
[05] BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE HOSTED BY
THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki will host a conference on
Balkan reconstruction on November 2 and 3, which
will be inaugurated by the special coordinator
of the Stability Pact for SE Europe, Bondo
Hombach and attended by prominent officials of
several governments and organizations, with the
president of the European Commission Romano
Prodi also expected to be present .
The conference will include discussion of
inter-Balkan cooperation in business and
banking, and of the financing of the planned
reconstruction projects.
National economy minister Yiannos
Papantoniou will present Greece's Balkan
reconstruction plan, to be followed by an
exchange of views with his Balkan counterparts.
The event is jointly organized by the
Industries Association of Northern Greece
(SVVE), the International Trade Fair of
Thessaloniki and the Euromoney publications.
The President of Montenegro Milo Juganovic
has also been invited to attend as a speaker at
the event, the only official from the former
Yugoslavia.
The chairman of SVEE Vasilis Takas has
stated that "the international community is not
willing to conduct talks with officials from the
Yugoslav government, hence, Mr. Juganovic was
the only person who could represent the region
at this present stage."
[06] HOLIEST ICON, AXION ESTI, IN ATHENS FOR
SAKE OF QUAKE VICTIMS
The holiest icon of Mount Athos, Axion
Esti, will be taken out of the monastery's
confines today 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.
[07] MORE BRITISH TOURISTS ARE EXPECTED IN
GREECE NEXT YEAR
An increase of British tourists traveling
to Greece is anticipated next year, keeping up
with this year's increased rate, according to
the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) Secretary
General Evgenios Yiannakopoulos who concluded
his four-day visit to London yesterday.
"The overall image is that we will have a
very significant increase in British tourism
next year, expected to amount at least 10
percent," he stated, adding that the British
consider Greece a very special destination, as
an exotic tourist destination in Europe.
[08] HISTORY OF THE ICON OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
"AXION ESTI"
In one of the monasteries of the all-male
monastic community of Mt Athos, there is a huge
icon on the Blessed Virgin Mary which has been
titled "Axion Esti," meaning 'it is worthy to
bless Thee, the Virgin'.
Painted in the seventh century, this
beautiful icon is venerated by the Greek
Orthodox, who believe in the miracle that took
place in front of "Axion Esti" over 1,000 years
ago.
The information below was provided by the
Greek orthodox Archdiocese of Australia:
During the celebration of the Divine
Liturgy every Sunday, we hear the beautiful, and
inspiring hymn called "Axion Esti" which follows
the prayer (as we kneel) called the "Epiklesis."
This hymn was written originally in the year 720
by St. Cosmas, one of the greatest hymnographers
of the Christian Church. The hymn, however,
began with the words 'Thee that art more
honorable than the Cherubim (Tin Timioteran)."
It was well over one hundred years later
that this hymn was added to the Divine Liturgy,
but with an added beginning as the result of the
following miraculous event:
On June 11, 980 A.D. as a group of monks
were conducting an all-night vigil before the
icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they suddenly
noticed a monk standing on the right of the icon
whom they did not recognize at all. He was
unknown to the monks, and no one could explain
his abrupt presence. This unidentified monk
began to chant the beautiful hymn written by St.
Cosmas, but rather began with the words "Axion
Esti os Alethos Makarizin Se Tin Theotokon"
which means "It is very meet to bless Thee,
Theotokos the ever blessed and most pure Virgin
and Mother of God."
The monk then explained to the others that
he was the Archangel Gabriel and that these
words should be added to the hymn. The Archangel
then vanished from their sight, leaving the
monks amazed at the power of God.
Since that day on June 11, 980 A.D. the
additional words to the hymn of St. Cosmas have
been sung by all Orthodox Christians around the
world.
[09] MEETING HELD IN THESSALONIKI ON EXPORT
CREDITS INSURANCE
The new role of the Export Credits
Insurance Organization (ECIO), within the
framework of the Greek plan for the
reconstruction of the Balkans, is to be unveiled
during a Thessaloniki-held conference today.
The undersecretary of National Economy
Rodoula Zisi will be among the featured speakers
at the event which is organized jointly by the
ECIO and the associations of Northern Greece's
industries and exporters (SVEE and SEVE).
[10] THE GREEK MAJOR WAS FREED BY HIS ABDUCTORS
IN ABKHAZIA
Greek army major Giorgos Kopanos was freed
today together with another of his colleagues
and their interpreter after being held by
unidentified gunmen in the break away region of
Abkhazia.
Yesterday, the rebels freed four of the UN
officials they were holding. The three, who were
freed at noon today, are on their way to a
region in the former soviet republic of Georgia
which is controlled by the United Nations. Two
Greeks, a military officer and a diplomat, have
already left for Georgia.
[11] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE PLUNGED AGAIN
TODAY
The Athens Stock Exchange plunged again
today and the general index showed big losses of
2.17% closing at 5.788,49, under the shadow of
intense rumors concerning a possible drop in the
value of the drachma to the foreign currencies.
However, the volume of transactions
increased compared to yesterday and reached
451.3 billion drachmas. Specifically, the
general index at some point dropped by 3.3%,
while the dispute that has erupted between the
government and the opposition over the Olympic
Video-lotto contract has caused nervousness to
investors.
[12] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADS IN AN ALCO PUBLIC
OPINION POLL
An opinion poll conducted by the polling
company ALCO on behalf of the Athens television
station "A Sky" shows that right-wing main
opposition party of New Democracy leads with
2.7%. New Democracy has the backing of 31.3%,
while the governing socialist party of PASOK
follows with 28.6%. The Communist party has the
support of 5.8%, the Democratic Social Movement
5%, Coalition of the Left 3.7%, Political Spring
1.2% and the Liberals 0.6%, while the undecided
are 16.7%.
Most popular political leader is Coalition
of the Left leader Nikos Konstantopoulos with
50% followed by prime minister Kostas Simitis
46%, Dimitris Tsovolas 45%, Kostas Karamanlis
41%, Aleka Papariga 22% and Stephanos Manos 20%.
The opinion poll was conducted across
Greece in the period from September 29 to
October 12 and on a sample of 1.981 people.
[13] THE HOLY ICON OF THE MOTHER OF CHRIST
"AXION ESTI" HAS ARRIVED IN ATHENS
The holy icon of the Mother of Christ
"Axion Esti" arrived today in Athens from the
monastic community of Mount Athos on board a
military C-130 transport plane and accompanied
by 30 monks.
It was welcomed by Archbishop Christodoulos
of Athens and All of Greece and was brought in
procession to the church of St. Panteleimon
where a liturgy was held.
The holy icon will remain in the church
until October 26 and the donations of the
faithful will be offered for the relief of the
earthquake victims. Later, it will be taken to
Megara and the islands of Egina and Tinos.
It dates back to the 10th century and is
being kept in Karies in Mount Athos while it is
among the most worshipped icons by the faithful.
[14] EU COMMISSIONERS VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE
STRICKEN REGIONS IN ATHENS
Greek European Commissioner Anna
Diamantopoulou and her colleague Michel Barnier,
responsible for regional policy issues, visited
the earthquake stricken region in Athens
accompanied by undersecretary of environment,
public works and land planning Christos Verelis.
Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that funds will
be allocated from the 2nd Community Framework of
Support for the relief of the earthquake victims
and in addition there will be specialized
programs in cooperation with the Greek
government. Mr. Barnier stated that the extent
of the damage is bigger than estimated. The two
EU commissioners also had meetings with minister
of environment, public works and land planning
Kostas Laliotis and minister of interior Vaso
Papandreou.
Meanwhile, an earthquake measuring 4 on the
Richter scale shook Athens 12 minutes before 2pm
today. Its epicenter was located in the same
region that gave the big earthquake of September
7 and seismologists characterized the tremor as
an aftershock.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] INFORMAL EU SUMMIT BEGINS IN TAMPERE,
FINLAND, TODAY
The European Union is to hold an informal
Summit Tampere, Finland, today, where the "15"
will discuss matters concerning security,
justice and illegal immigration, the formation
of a new European Academy that will train
police, while they will also review matters
concerning the EU's expansion and the timeline
for the accession negotiations with new
countries.
In regards to Turkey's accession, Greece's
Premier Costas Simitis will stress that Ankara
has to proceed to substantive steps and measures
in order to achieve candidate-country status.
[16] GEORGIA:GREEK ARMY OFFICER STILL HELD
HOSTAGE IN ABKHAZIA
Negotiations are presently underway for the
release of three members of the Sukhumi office
of the UN military observer mission, who were
taken hostage yesterday in Abkhazia, Georgia's
breakaway province.
A Greek UN staff member, George Kopanos is
among the hostages who continue to be held by
the armed kidnappers, while four of the
kidnapping victims were released yesterday.
The UN military observer mission was
attacked by masked men early on Wednesday as a
helicopter with the observers aboard landed.
[17] GREECE-ISRAEL STRENGTHEN DEFENSE
COOPERATION ACCORD
Greece's Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos, presently on an official, three-
day visit to Israel, and by Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Barak have agreed to strengthen
and expand the military cooperation accord
signed between the two countries in 1994.
Messrs. Tsochatzopoulos and Barak, who
holds his country's defense portfolio, discussed
matters pertaining to the expansion of bilateral
ties between Greece and Israel, security and
stability in the region, as well as armament
programs.
Commenting on his visit, Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos stated that "it constitutes the
basis for new Greek-Israeli ties."
[18] C OF E HOLDS HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE IN
CYPRUS TOMORROW
Distinguished personalities in the field of
human rights will be in Cyprus on tomorrow to
attend a seminar marking the 50th anniversary
since the establishment of the Council of
Europe, which will focus on achievements and
prospects in the field of human rights.
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides is
scheduled to open the one-day meeting, which is
organized by the International Association for
the Protection of Human Rights of the Council of
Europe and the Directorate of Human Rights of
the Council.
[19] EU TAMPERE SUMMIT ON ASYLUM, IMMIGRATION
AND JUSTICE OPENS
The heads of state and government of the
European Union's 15 member- states opened a two-
day summit in Tampere, Finland today, where they
will discuss matters related to asylum,
immigration and justice.
The participants will draw up guidelines
for joint asylum and immigration policies and
wider police cooperation, the first time such
efforts have been undertaken by the EU.
The summit began with an address by the
president of the European Parliament, Nicole
Fontaine.
Ms. Fontaine stated that if the political
will exists, the Tampere Summit can lay the
foundations for a "qualitative step forward".
The first working group will be dedicated
to the establishment of a European justice zone
and the fight against cross-border crime, to be
followed by a debate on asylum and immigration
policies in the afternoon.
[20] GREEK, TURKISH IMMIGRANTS APPEAR JOINTLY
OUTSIDE EU SUMMIT
Greek and Turkish immigrants living in
Finland gathered together at the lobby of the
building hosting the European Union's informal
Summit today, holding banners with slogans
supporting friendship between the two peoples.
Tampere's local press has also noted that
the EU's Finland-held presidency is pleasantly
surprised over the expedient progress made in
Greek-Turkish relations.
[21] GEORGIA SPEAKER: "NO NEED TO USE FORCE FOR
HOSTAGES RELEASE"
The Speaker of the Georgian parliament
Zurab Zhvania stated today that "there is no
necessity to use force" to release the three
United Nations hostages, among them Greek army
officer George Kopanos, who are still being held
by gunmen in the Kodor valley.
As the Russian news agency reported, Mr.
Zhvania said that there are grounds to believe
that the three will be released through talks
possibly today.
Four UN observers were freed yesterday
after the group of seven was seized by
unidentified gunmen who initially demanded a
200,000-dollar ransom.
Mr. Zhvania insisted that ho money has
been paid to the terrorists for the release of
the four.
The speaker said the kidnappers are now
mainly concerned with their own safety after
they let go the captives and are demanding
guarantees from negotiators.
According to him, "the Georgian authorities
do not negotiate any ransom speaking with
terrorists and abductors."
Meanwhile, Georgian Security Minister
Vakhtang Kutateladze said that he saw no link
between the abduction of the UN military
observers and former leader of the Georgian
security service Igor Giorgadze who is being
looked for by Georgian law enforcement bodies on
suspicion of masterminding a terrorist act
against President Eduard Shevardnadze in August
1995.
Mr. Kutateladze claimed that the kidnapping
was committed by "criminal elements", backed by
"a definite criminal group", while he added that
the scenario resembles a hostage-taking of
Georgian officials and reporters, committed in
the Kodorskoye gorge last July.
[22] EU SUMMIT:BORDER SECURITY, ASYLUM, AMONG
GREECE'S PRIORITIES
As the European Union's informal summit got
underway today in Tampere, Finland, the Greek
government has stressed that the country is
foremostly interested in "the start of amore
substantive cooperation among the member-states,
especially in the sectors of asylum and
immigration and the combating of organized and
cross-border crime."
Due to its geographical location, Greece is
far more exposed to the phenomenon of illegal
immigration than other EU member-states and, as
such, has set forth the following specific
priorities:
Intensification of controls at the EU's
external borders, based on an operational system
that will include the provisions of the Schengen
accord.
Establishment of common rules and
principles among the EU member-states for the
entry and stay of non-EU citizens.
Visa uniformity.
Measures to combat organized rings of
illegal alien smugglers.
Uniform deportation regulations.
Harmonization of legislation and practices
of illegal employment combat.
Dialogue with countries which have a high
rate of emigration to the EU.
Re-entry agreements and clauses.
Promotion of voluntary repatriation.
Asylum policy. Greece emphasizes that any
effort in this sector shall not lack the
essential regulations of the 1951 Geneva Accord
for the refugees (and the New York Protocol of
1967), while it will have to respect and uphold
human rights.
[23] THE EURO-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL BE
DISCUSSED IN THE FORMAL DINNER OF THE 15 EU
LEADERS
The 15 European Union leaders in the Summit
meeting in Tampere, Finland will discuss issues
concerning crime, illegal immigration, the
creation of a common European judicial space,
asylum granting, unemployment and racism. The
greatest interest focuses on the course of the
Euro-Turkish relations that will be discussed in
the formal dinner of the 15 EU leaders.
Earlier today, Greek and Turkish immigrants
had sent their own message when they gathered in
front of the building where the summit meeting
is being held holding signs with slogans in
favor of the Greek-Turkish friendship. The
Finnish EU presidency has expressed surprise for
the speedy improvement of the relations between
Athens and Ankara. Greece supports the European
prospect of Turkey but expects from the
neighboring country to make the necessary moves
in the issue of Cyprus and bilateral issues.
[24] GREEK AUTHORS IN THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK
FAIR IN FRANKFURT
Greek authors presented their work live to
the German public in two events organized by the
National Book Center within the framework of the
51st International Book Fair in Frankfurt which
was inaugurated on October 13 and will close on
October 18. In the events participated authors
Antonis Samarakis, Aris Sfakianakis, Pantelis
Sfiridis, Giorgos Giatromanolakis, Sophia
Zarambouka, Amanta Michalopulou, Petros
Tatsopoulos and Christos Homenidis while also
present was writer Rea Galanaki, who is a
candidate for the European Literature Award.
Meanwhile, the 2001 Frankfurt International
Exhibition planning committee chairman Giorgos
Romeos stated that the goal for the year 2001 is
to open the borders for the Greek intellectuals,
literature, science and art, adding that Greece
will be the honored country in that event.
[25] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS CONTINUES HIS
VISIT TO IRAN
Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos, who
continues his formal visit to Iran, visited the
city of Ishpahan yesterday.
Mr. Stephanopoulos met again with Iranian
president Hatami and in statements he made
expressed satisfaction for the strengthening of
the relations of Iran with Greece and other
European countries.
The Greek delegation accompanying Mr.
Stephanopoulos signed cooperation agreements
with Iranian officials.
[26] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS IN TAMPERE, FINLAND
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou,
who is Tampere, Finland for the EU summit
meeting, stated that illegal immigration on one
hand and xenophobia with racism on the other are
the two sides of the same coin. The Greek
proposal is for the European Union to sign
treaties with the countries from where the
illegal immigrants come in order to deal with
the problem.
On the large numbers of Albanian immigrants
who come to Greece, Mr. Papandreou stated that
the immigration wave of Albanians to Greece has
helped in the stabilization of Albania.
Meanwhile, the MPA report on a joint Greek-
Italian proposal on issues of security was
confirmed today by deputy foreign minister
Christos Rokofillos.
Specifically, he said that Greek prime
minister Kostas Simitis and his Italian
counterpart Massimo D'Alema will undertake an
initiative in order to deal with the increased
crime rate and the corruption in the Balkans and
the Ionian Sea region.
[27] TURKEY: TENS OF CHILDREN ARE BEING TORTURED
IN POLICE CUSTODY
Tens of children have been tortured in
Turkey in 1998 and most of these inhumane acts
(64.8%) took place in the security forces'
headquarters.
According to data provided by the Treatment
and Rehabilitation Centers of the Human Rights
Institute in Turkey, 10% of the 673 complaints
for tortures made to the five centers of the
institute concerned children under the age of 18
and most complaints were made in the south-
eastern regions followed by the eastern part of
the country.
The security forces' headquarters top the
list with the torture areas, followed by police
stations, the military police stations and
prisons.
Of those who submitted the complaints, 92%
were tortured for their political beliefs and 8%
for a number of different reasons. Of those
tortured, 314 were held in custody for 1 to 3
days, 150 from 4 to 7 days, 137 from 8 to 15
days, 52 from 16 days to one month and 20 of
them were held for over a month.
[28] THE DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS WERE AWARDED
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
The humanitarian non governmental
organization "Doctors Without Borders" was
awarded the last Nobel Peace Prize of this
century, according to the Royal Academy of
Sweden.
The international humanitarian organization
which is based in France was founded in 1971 and
is present in every part of the world where
there is a need for humanitarian aid and its
members are the last to abandon the war zones
where the people need their help. It has over
2.000 members from 45 countries.
In Greece, over 150 Greek doctors, nurses
and technicians have participated in programs in
over 40 countries.
Other candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize
were Pope John-Paul, former US president Jimmy
Carter, US ambassador to the UN Richard
Halbrooke and two Chinese dissidents.
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