Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-12-22
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, December 22, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] WHITE CHRISTMAS IN THESSALONIKI AS SNOW
BLANKETS THE CITY
[02] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN
FEBRUARY, PM STRESSES
[03] BUDGET VOTED IN PARLIAMENT, 160 IN FAVOR,
133 AGAINST
[04] ALBANIAN PREMIER ILIR META ARRIVES IN
ATHENS TODAY
[05] MINISTER: GREECE IS ONE OF EUROPE'S SAFEST
COUNTRIES
[06] OTE ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR
ARMENIA'S ARMENTEL
[07] SAE PRESIDENT:ENTRY INTO NEW CENTURY WITH
STRONG HELLENISM
[08] PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OF THE
SNOWFALL
[09] STEPHANOPOULOS-KARAMANLIS MEETING
[10] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] STEPHANOPOULOS: GREECE WILL ENTER THE NEW
CENTURY AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EUROPE
[12] THE POLITICAL SCENE IS CHANGING IN THE
COUNTRY
[13] THE PRIME MINISTERS OF GREECE AND ALBANIA
MET IN ATHENS TODAY
[14] REPPAS: THE AUTONOMY OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE
MUST BE SAFEGUARDED
[15] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE ECEVIT STATEMENTS
[16] SCHOLARSHIPS TO GREEK AND TURKISH STUDENTS
FOR STUDIES IN HARVARD BY KOC AND KOKKALIS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE ACQUIRES 65% OF
FYROM'S STOPANSKA
[18] CYPRUS EXPECTS DECISIVE THIRD ROUND OF
TALKS AFTER APRIL
[19] ARMENIA: ARRESTS OVER HOUSE MASSACRE,
OFFICIALS AMONG THEM
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NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] WHITE CHRISTMAS IN THESSALONIKI AS SNOW
BLANKETS THE CITY
Snowy weather with temperatures bordering
at below-zero, along with rain and storms have
surprised northern Greece which had enjoyed a
recent bout of Spring-like conditions.
While anti-skid chains are required on all
cars traveling on the national highway, traffic
jams are also hampering city transportation.
According to meteorologists, the inclement
weather is expected to abate by Friday.
[02] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN
FEBRUARY, PM STRESSES
Presidential elections will be held in
February, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed
in Parliament last night, following the main
opposition party of New Democracy leader's
(Costas Karamanlis) turn-around statement that
ND plans to vote for incumbent President Costis
Stephanopoulos.
According to the Premier, New Democracy's
shift represents a spirit of national unity. In
his riposte however, Mr. Karamanlis reiterated
his call for early elections, while he justified
his party's willingness to vote for President
Stephanopoulos by stating that New Democracy
does not want to go against the majority
people's will.
[03] BUDGET VOTED IN PARLIAMENT, 160 IN FAVOR,
133 AGAINST
The Parliament approved the government-
proposed state budget for 2000, with 160 votes
in favor and 133 against. One deputy abstained
and six others were absent.
This is the last budget before Greece's
entry into the euro zone, as the European Union
is expected in June to endorse the country's bid
to join the euro by January 1, 2001.
The budget targets a 5.8 percent rise in
revenue, a reduction in the government deficit,
tax cuts worth 470 billion drachmas, and a 7.4
percent increase in public spending.
[04] ALBANIAN PREMIER ILIR META ARRIVES IN
ATHENS TODAY
Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta will
conduct an official visit to Athens today where
he will hold talks with his Greek counterpart
Costas Simitis and the President of the Hellenic
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The discussions will center on bilateral
relations, regional political developments,
Kosovo and the implementation of the SE Europe
Stability Pact.
Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with
the head of the ethnic Greek organization of
Albania 'Omonia' and the Albanian Human Rights
Party leader, Vangelis Dulles and Vassili Melo,
respectively, during talks in Athens.
Their talks focusing mainly on human rights
issues and on protection of the ethnic Greek
community in the Albanian south.
Mr. Papandreou stated that Athens supported
the efforts of the Greek minority in Albania for
economic growth and in the problems it faced.
[05] MINISTER: GREECE IS ONE OF EUROPE'S SAFEST
COUNTRIES
Addressing the Parliament yesterday
evening, the Minster of Public Order Michalis
Chrysochoides stated that Greece is one of the
safest countries in Europe and outlined his
Ministry's various programs that have helped
curb crime.
Specifically, Mr. Chrysochoides stated that
the state's policy of "safe cities", which
included policemen patrolling streets on foot,
had resulted in a 15 percent decrease in crime
levels in the first year.
The Minister stated that Greece ranks
fourth among Europe's safest countries and,
according to statistics he cited, robberies had
fallen 7.0 percent, homicides 17.0 percent,
thefts 23 percent and thefts of cars and
motorbikes by 4.0 percent.
[06] OTE ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR
ARMENIA'S ARMENTEL
Greece's state-run Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization (OTE) announced
yesterday the appointment of George Argyropoulos
as new chairman of the board of directors of
Armentel, the Armenian telecoms utility of which
OTE holds a 90 percent stake.
Mr. Argyropoulos, whose appointment was
decided at a general assembly of Armentel
shareholders on December 17, has worked with OTE
since 1977. He holds a degree in mechanical
engineering from the National Technical
University of Athens, with specialization in
electronics and telecommunications.
[07] SAE PRESIDENT:ENTRY INTO NEW CENTURY WITH
STRONG HELLENISM
The year 2000 will mark the entry of a
century characterized by a strong, united and
organized Hellenism, which will once again earn
a significant place in world history, stated the
President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE)
Andrew Athens in his holiday message.
Referring to the Greeks living abroad, Mr.
Athens stated that their dynamic presence in
their host countries, where their were driven
either by need or by a venturesome spirit,
constitutes the guiding star in SAE's own
course.
[08] PROBLEMS IN TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OF THE
SNOWFALL
Serious problems have been caused in
transportation because of the heavy snowfall
that hits northern Greece since last night.
In many regions of north central and
western Greece the cars need non-skid chains,
while in the cities of Florina and Grevena
schools remained closed today. The temperatures
are very low and in many cities in northern
Greece dropped below zero.
Many problems were caused by the heavy snow
in the prefecture of Thessaloniki. The cars that
move toward the regions of Hortiatis, Panorama,
Agios Vasilios and Derveni have to use non-skid
chains, while problems have also been created in
the center of Thessaloniki.
[09] STEPHANOPOULOS-KARAMANLIS MEETING
Right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis visited
president Kostis Stephanopoulos at noon today to
inform him formally that his party will vote for
him in the presidential elections.
In statements he made after the meeting the
leader of the main opposition party stressed
that the president has won the respect and
recognition of all and the position of New
Democracy is clear, courageous and right, taking
under consideration the will of the overwhelming
majority of the people and the demand for
understanding and consensus in major issues.
[10] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today. The general index closed at
4.998,08 recording gains of 0.62% while the
volume of transactions reached 243,2 billion
drachmas. The regional stocks and the stocks of
companies of medium and small capitalization had
significant losses.
Two hundred and thirteen stocks recorded
losses, 94 had gains and 23 remained stable. The
bank shares had gains of 1.06%, leasing -2.56%,
insurance companies -1.53%, investments -1.46,
constructions -2.66%, holdings -0.21%, others
+3.02% and the parallel market -4.30%.
[11] STEPHANOPOULOS: GREECE WILL ENTER THE NEW
CENTURY AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EUROPE
Greece will enter the new century as an
integral part of Europe being aware of the fact
that the struggle will be continuous and
laborious while the need for vigilance by all to
defend the rights of the nation is imperative,
pointed out president Kostis Stephanopoulos in
his Christmas message to the Greeks living
abroad.
He also expressed the belief that united we
will overcome successfully the adversities and
challenges of the times.
[12] THE POLITICAL SCENE IS CHANGING IN THE
COUNTRY
A new political scene is being formed in
the country after last night's decision by right-
wing main opposition party of New Democracy
leader Kostas Karamanlis to vote in favor of the
re-election of president Kostis Stephanopoulos
to the post in the presidential elections that
will be held in parliament next February.
This decision distances the likelihood of
early parliamentary elections and therefore, the
government will submit Greece's application to
join the EMU in March, 2000 without being
affected by pressing political problems inside
the country and will be able to proceed with the
hard negotiations necessary concerning Greece's
EMU accession.
Late last night, during the discussion in
parliament on the new state budget, Mr.
Karamanlis announced that New Democracy agrees
with the renewal of the term of today's
president and called for immediate parliamentary
elections. Prime minister Kostas Simitis accused
him of engaging in dealings and also of
violating the existing institutions, saying that
everything will be done in accordance with the
constitution. The scene was completed with the
statement made by New Democracy honorary
president Konstantinos Mitsotakis who did not
hide his disagreement and discontent for
Karamanlis' decision which essentially closes
the doors to probably his last political
ambition which is to become president of the
Hellenic republic.
According to political analysts, Mr.
Karamanlis was led to this decision because he
thought that there was no other solution for him
and in case he delayed more the cost he would
have to pay would have been even bigger. With
this surprise tactical move he wanted to change
the negative climate over him, but from now on
he will have to face an even more malign in-
party problem namely, the discontent of
Konstantinos Mitsotakis.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis charged Mr.
Karamanlis of backing out in fear of the polls
and now the time of the elections will be
determined by the government and not by the
opposition.
The big winner is beyond any doubt
president Kostis Stephanopoulos not only because
he essentially has already been re-elected for a
second five-year term and because he sees that
he has the backing of the overwhelming majority
of the people becoming part of the political
game but also because his re-election will take
place with the most votes ever won by a
president in the contemporary Greek history. If
the word consensus exists in the Greek political
dictionary it is personified by president
Stephanopoulos.
[13] THE PRIME MINISTERS OF GREECE AND ALBANIA
MET IN ATHENS TODAY
The Greek-Albanian relations, the Balkan
stability pact, issues concerning the Greek
minority in Albania and the Albanian immigrants
in Greece were discussed in the meeting prime
ministers of Greece and Albania Kostas Simitis
and Ilir Meta had in Athens today.
In statements he made afterwards, Mr.
Simitis said that the regular contacts at prime
ministers' level help in the better cooperation
of the two countries. Mr. Simitis said that this
cooperation has a general framework which is
based on two poles namely, the Greek and the
Albanian agreements and the stability pact.
The Greek prime minister also stressed that
Greece has a specific policy regarding the
relations of Albania and the rest Balkan
countries with the European Union, adding that
it seeks greater cooperation. He also said that
Greece has come to the conclusion that
unfortunately the implementation of the
stability pact moves slowly and pointed out that
due to the regular contacts of the Greek
government ministers with their Albanian
counterparts there is great progress in
bilateral cooperation. During the meeting of Mr.
Simitis with Mr. Meta an agreement was signed
for the backing of the Albanian budget.
The Albanian prime minister will also meet
with the leaders of the opposition political
parties of New Democracy and Coalition of the
Left.
[14] REPPAS: THE AUTONOMY OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE
MUST BE SAFEGUARDED
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
stressed that the autonomy of the stock exchange
must be safeguarded responding to the question
on whether the statement of the government
according to which, the stock market reflects
the course of the economy is still in effect.
Mr. Reppas also stated that the stock
exchange has all the preconditions to record
gains.
[15] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE ECEVIT STATEMENTS
The only difference between Greece and
Turkey in the Aegean is the definition of the
continental shelf and it will be settled by the
International Court of Justice in The Hague,
reiterated today Greek government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas when he was called to comment on
the statements made by Turkish prime minister
Bulent Ecevit who spoke of other differences
between the two countries.
Mr. Reppas called on Turkey to view
developments in the wider region in a different
way because it will have to be in harmony with
the European Union decision.
[16] SCHOLARSHIPS TO GREEK AND TURKISH STUDENTS
FOR STUDIES IN HARVARD BY KOC AND KOKKALIS
Turkish and Greek tycoons Rahmi Koc and
Sokratis Kokkalis decided to offer scholarships
to Greek and Turkish students respectively for
studies in Harvard University.
According to the Turkish newspaper
"Hurriyet", during his one-day visit to the
computer exhibition "Bilisim ‘99" in Istanbul
Sokratis Kokkalis met with Rahmi Koc and Turkish
- Greek Business Council president Sarik Tara.
Based on the newspaper report, Mr. Kokkalis
announced that as a first step in the
cooperation between Greek and Turkish
businessmen he plans to offer scholarships to
Turkish students, while similar scholarships are
being planned by Mr. Koc as well.
In the newspaper is also mentioned that
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou plans
to visit Ankara in the second week of January
accompanied by a large delegation of Greek
businessmen, adding that four agreements will be
signed by the Greek and Turkish delegations
which are in contact for a year now. Those
agreements will concern mainly trade
cooperation.
Meanwhile, Turkish foreign minister Ismail
Cem is expected to visit Athens in early
February for the signing of agreements, while in
the same period of time Greek and Turkish
journalists will meet in Athens to discuss
issues concerning the contribution of the mass
media to the improvement of bilateral relations.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE ACQUIRES 65% OF
FYROM'S STOPANSKA
The National Bank of Greece acquired the
majority stake (65%) of FYROM's largest bank
Stopanska, which has a network of about 100
branches with assets of over $330 million, as
the Macedonian Press Agency had reported
earlier.
Stopanska's share capital is expected to
increase during the following six months by
DM50 million, which will be allocated for
modernizing the bank's infrastructures and
fortify its cash flow.
In addition to the majority share acquired
by the National Bank, 10% will be issues to the
European Bank of Development and Reconstruction,
as well as 10% to the International Financial
Cooperation which is a "branch" the World Bank.
[18] CYPRUS EXPECTS DECISIVE THIRD ROUND OF
TALKS AFTER APRIL
The Cypriot government expects a third,
decisive round of its indirect talks with the
Turkish Cypriots to take place in the spring.
Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou
foretold that the talks would be held after
Turkish-Cypriots have voted in presidential
elections in their part of the island in April.
"The most decisive stage will be during the
third round," Mr. Papapetrou said.
A second round of proximity talks is
scheduled for Geneva in January, to be conducted
by Alvaro de Soto, the special representative of
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for Cyprus.
It will also be closely monitored by US
President Bill Clinton's special envoy for
Cyprus, Alfred Moses.
[19] ARMENIA: ARRESTS OVER HOUSE MASSACRE,
OFFICIALS AMONG THEM
A total of 14 people, including a member of
parliament and a presidential adviser, have been
arrested in connection with shootings in the
country's parliament which left the prime
minister and seven others dead, Armenian
President Robert Kocharian stated yesterday.
According to the French news agency AFP,
Alexan Arutiunian, an adviser on diplomatic
affairs and former chief of staff, is suspected
of having played a role in the October 27 attack
in which five gunmen stormed the parliament
building and shot dead prime minister Vazgen
Sarkissian, parliamentary speaker Karen
Demirchian and six others.
President Kocharian told a press
conference the massacre was an "attempted coup
d'etat by a terrorist act, the consequences of
which are still being felt today."
He rejected media allegations that the
investigation into the attack was biased and
that torture had been used on the suspects, but
added: "I can't be 100 percent sure, but those
leading the investigation assure me that there
has been no violence."
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