Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-01-25
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 25, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PMs OF ALBANIA, FYROM AND GREECE TO MEET NEXT WEEK
[02] PM TO RECEIVE CYPRIOT ECONOMY MINISTER
[03] GREECE ACQUIRES FOUR HOVERCRAFT
[04] ONE IN FIVE GREEK WOMEN BATTERED BY SPOUSE
[05] BITTER COLD WORSENS TOMORROW
[06] REFUGEES FIND SOLACE, FOOD IN GREEK CHURCH
[07] MEDIUM-TERM FORECAST OF QUAKES FEASIBLE
[08] PM OPTIMISTIC OVER COURSE TO EMU
[09] THESSALONIKI TO HOST ASIA FORUM 2000
[10] APOSTOLAKIS ON THE GREEK-TURKISH MILITARY EXERCISES
[11] THE SHIPPING STUDIES CENTER WAS INAUGURATED BY PRIME MINISTER
SIMITIS
[12] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED WITH LOSSES OF 1.17%
[13] THERE IS NO QUESTION OF ELECTIONS, STATED MR. REPPAS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] ALBANIAN VP - LABOR MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA
[15] GREEK FM: I'M OPEN TO ANY CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT
[16] MOODY'S OPTIMISTIC ON GREEK ECONOMY
[17] US SECRETARY OF STATE SATISFIED OVER G/T RAPPROCHEMENT
[18] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITS POLAND
[19] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HOLOCAUST
[20] ATHENS ENTERS THE MODERN POLITICAL ERA, ACCORDING TO THE
GUARDIAN
[21] THE VOLUME OF TRADE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA AND GREECE
HAS INCREASED
[22] PRAISES TO PAPANDREOU AND CEM BY ALBRIGHT
[23] INTRACOM'S DYNAMIC PRESENCE IN HUNGARY
[24] "AEGEAN: PICTURES OF GREECE" PHOTO EXHIBITION IN WASHINGTON
[25] THE SIT-IN AT THE GREEK CONSULATE IN MUNICH HAS ENDED
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PMs OF ALBANIA, FYROM AND GREECE TO MEET NEXT WEEK
The Prime Ministers of Greece, Albania and FYROM are to meet
at the Prespes lakes on February 2, world Wetlands Day, a Greek
initiative aimed at the creation of an international protected
region in the Balkans.
The Undersecretary of Environment, City Planning and Public
Works Theodoros Koliopanos is to provide more details on the
meeting tomorrow.
The lakes of Mikri Prespa and Megali Prespa are situated in a
mountainous, largely forested area which attracts a vast number
of migratory birds, as well as having the richest biodiversity in
Greece. They represent Greece's largest national park.
[02] PM TO RECEIVE CYPRIOT ECONOMY MINISTER
Cyprus' Minister of Economy Takis Clerides is to be received
by Greece's Prime Minster Costas Simitis in Athens tomorrow, where
he will hand his host a check of one million dollars as part of
the Cypriot government's relief aid for Athens' earthquake
victims.
According to an official announcement, this aid constitutes
the last of a series of relief measures undertaken by the Cypriot
Ministerial Council for the assistance of those who suffered in
the devastating earthquake of September 7.
Mr. Clerides will also be received by his Greek counterpart
Yiannos Papantoniou.
[03] GREECE ACQUIRES FOUR HOVERCRAFT
The Greek government has signed a 65-billion-drachma deal for
its first-ever purchase of four military hovercraft · two from
Ukrainian arms exporter Ukrspetsexport and two from Russia's well-
known Rosvoorouzhenie.
The two Ukrainian-built hovercraft are scheduled for delivery
between 12 to 14 months, whereas the Russian ones are expected in
12 to 18 months.
According to the specifications, the hovercraft can transport
three medium-sized tanks or eight to 10 personnel carriers or 10
armored vehicles. Moreover, they can transport 500 fully equipped
soldiers, 60 to 70 mines or any combination of the two. These
vessels can move onto land and overcome obstacles some 1.5 meters
in height.
[04] ONE IN FIVE GREEK WOMEN BATTERED BY SPOUSE
One out of every five Greek women has fallen victim to
spousal abuse at least once, according to a recent European study
on battered women.
Upon the study's release, representatives from Greece's
Center for Equality, called on the Greek women to break their
silence and seek help.
The study also noted that the majority of boys who witness
violence at home grow up to become battering husbands.
[05] BITTER COLD WORSENS TOMORROW
Unaccustomed to such low temperatures, Greeks are bracing for
another bout of cold weather expected to hit the country tomorrow.
Anti-skid chains are required on all automobiles travelling
on provincial roads and the country's mountainous areas where
dozens of villages remain isolated due to heavy snowfall.
[06] REFUGEES FIND SOLACE, FOOD IN GREEK CHURCH
Thirty-three African and Asian refugees, who along with 242
others arrived at the shore of Naxos last week, are presently
being sheltered at Thessaloniki's Church of Agion Panton (All
Saints) where the parish is providing them with food and board,
that is until Saturday.
Greece's immigration officials transported the 33 men from
Naxos to Thessaloniki where they filed petitions for political
asylum. Following personal interviews, the local immigration
agents granted the refugees temporary permits to stay in the
country and also provided them with temporary housing.
Father Ioannis of Agion Panton told the Macedonian Press
Agency that while the church immediately rushed to the beleaguered
refugees' aid, the hosting conditions are not ideal, as the
church hall has no beds and the guests are forced to sleep on the
floor.
Moreover, as the hall is already booked for various events,
the refugees can only stay until Saturday.
The Church also has a food line that feeds 170 persons on a
daily basis.
[07] MEDIUM-TERM FORECAST OF QUAKES FEASIBLE
With the "leaps and bounds" noted in scientific progress,
medium-term forecasts of earthquake could be feasible as soon as
five months from now, according to the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki seismology professor Vasilis Papazachos.
Mr. Papazachos was honored yesterday for his 40-year
contribution to the field of seismology in a ceremony attended by
the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yianos Magriotis and other
officials.
[08] PM OPTIMISTIC OVER COURSE TO EMU
In a meeting held this morning at the presidential mansion,
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and President of the Hellenic
Republic Costis Stephanopoulos agreed that Greece's course to the
Economic and Monetary Union is proceeding as planned.
Mr. Simitis stressed that the approval of Greece's reviewed
convergence plan by the European Union's Monetary Council is an
additional and positive step towards the country's accession.
Speaking to reports, the Premier stated that he and the
president discussed Greece's relations with the EU and Turkey the
country's economy and other domestic issues.
"Things are going well," Mr. Simitis stated, adding that "we
will continue our course as planned, with firm steps and actions."
When pressed by the journalists to state when the country's
accession to the EMU is expected to take place, in order to
deduce an estimate time of elections, Mr. Simitis refused to
answer and merely commented that "we need to do our work."
[09] THESSALONIKI TO HOST ASIA FORUM 2000
Political and business leaders from Europe, Asia and the
Middle East are to meet in Thessaloniki in February, in a
conference organized by the newly-founded "Asia Forum 2000".
The conference, to be held on February 7-8, constitutes the
first public event held by a Greek organization aiming to create
business links between 90 countries from the European Union,
eastern Europe, the Balkan and Black Sea regions and the Middle
East.
Held under the auspices of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs,
National Economy, Development, Merchant Marine, Macedonia-Thrace
and Transportation-Communication. The event is expected to feature
the participation of more than 30 countries.
The participants will review the opportunities, forms and
conditions of economic cooperation among their countries.
The conference is expected to result in the establishment of
permanent Eurasian institutions in Thessaloniki, such a tourism
chamber and a Eurasian banking center, according to professor
Marios Nikolinakos, president of Asia Forum 2000.
[10] APOSTOLAKIS ON THE GREEK-TURKISH MILITARY EXERCISES
The proposal on the Greek-Turkish military exercises is an
issue that concerns the government policy and will be examined by
the responsible governmental bodies, stated Greek undersecretary
of defense Dimitris Apostolakis in his visit to the 3rd Army Corps
headquarters in Thessaloniki.
Responding to the accusations against the government launched
by former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos who maintains that
concessions have been made to Turkey, he responded that everyone
is entitled to his own opinion but the final responsibility
belongs to the government.
[11] THE SHIPPING STUDIES CENTER WAS INAUGURATED BY PRIME MINISTER
SIMITIS
Prime minister Kostas Simitis emphasized the quality and
services offered in the shipping sector referring to its
development in the opening of the National Bank of Greece Shipping
Studies Center in Piraeus. He said that more efforts should be
made in order to have better quality in the services offered.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis stated that the Greek merchant
fleet is almost the largest in the world and certainly the largest
in the European Union adding that quality is necessary in order to
maintain the first place.
On the competitiveness of the Greek shipping sector, Mr.
Simitis said that many mergers have been made lately, while many
companies have been restructured mainly in the sector of coastal
shipping and those moves have offered the leading role to Greece
in the sea transportation to Italy.
[12] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED WITH LOSSES OF 1.17%
The general price index in the Athens Stock Exchange closed
with losses of 1.17% today affected by a computer problem that
paralyzed transactions until 12:40pm.
The session was delayed by an hour and a half and was
extended until 2:30pm to the discontent of foreign institutional
investors. The general index closed at 5.022,41 points, while the
volume of transactions was at 148.9 billion drachmas.
[13] THERE IS NO QUESTION OF ELECTIONS, STATED MR. REPPAS
There is no issue of elections, stated Greek government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas today, stressing that elections will be
held when the government completes its work and its term.
Mr. Reppas pointed out however, that no one knows what will
happen next week or next month and accused the right-wing main
opposition party of New Democracy of being responsible for
creating a pre-election climate in the climate.
On the issue of the election of the president of the Greek
republic, Mr. Reppas stated that it will be held according to the
constitution.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] ALBANIAN VP - LABOR MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA
The Vice President of Albania and Minister of Labor and Civil
Affairs Makbule Ceco is fully supportive of the task performed by
the Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA), as she stated
following a meeting with the Macedonian Press Agency's general
director Spyros Kouzinopoulos.
Ms. Ceko was in Thessaloniki recently where she participated
in the two-day conference on democratization and the
implementation of the Stability Pact organized by the European
Economic and Social Committee and the Royaumont process at the
initiative of the Economic and Social Committee of Greece.
As she underlined, the national news agencies of the Balkan
region and their association, the ABNA, are making significant
contributions to the developments and qualitative improvement of
information and news reports emanating from Southeastern Europe.
Moreover, Ms. Ceko agreed that the opening of information
channels to the Balkan peoples will eradicate hatred and passions
of the past and, thus, enable them to enter the roads of
development and creativity.
[15] GREEK FM: I'M OPEN TO ANY CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT
Foreign Minister George Papandreou has stated that he is open
to any constructive suggestions, thereby making an indirect
reference to the scathing comments made by his predecessor
Theodoros Pangalos in regards to the former's policy on G/T
relations.
Speaking from Brussels where he attended the EU General
Affairs Council, Mr. Papandreou stated that government
spokesperson Dimitris Reppas has already responded to Mr.
Pangalos' statements, while he also added that when constructive
suggestions are voiced by various parties or former ministers, it
is important that they be taken into consideration.
While in Brussels, Mr. Papandreou met with the Commissioner
responsible for the EU's expansion with whom he discussed the
enforcement of the Helsinki summit's accords, especially those
pertaining to Cyprus.
Mr. Papandreou requested the utilization of the Community's
framework concerning the rapprochement of Greece and Turkey, while
he recommended the re-formulation of the "wisemen's committee"
which will comprise officials from both countries.
The Greek FM stated that the efforts to resolve the Cyprus
issue require perseverance and added that "those who expect the
issue to be magically resolved in 15-20 days or a month, have
their heads in the clouds."
[16] MOODY'S OPTIMISTIC ON GREEK ECONOMY
Moody's Investors Service ranks Greece 34th on a scale of 109
countries in terms of future prospects, although, is spite of the
noted improvement, the country still holds the last place among
the European Union's 15 member-states.
In Moody's annual report on global credit rating trends
titled "Global Outlook 2000," Greece has earned a first-ever place
among the developed - as opposed to emerging - markets, propelled
by the promising signs for further development of macro-economic
sizes, and the increasingly certain belief that the country will
receive the coveted go-ahead for accession to the Economic and
Monetary Union.
Moody's analyst Christine Lidow stated that the present state
of Greece's economy is the best in the recent decades, marked by
immense improvement in its macroeconomic policy.
[17] US SECRETARY OF STATE SATISFIED OVER G/T RAPPROCHEMENT
United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has
expressed her satisfaction over the results of Greek Foreign
Minister George Papandreou's recent visit to Turkey.
Ms. Albright stated that she is very encouraged over the
signing of bilateral agreements between the two countries and
added that "this significant visit facilitated progress in the
complicated relations of these two countries."
[18] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITS POLAND
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos wrapped up his visit to
Poland today with an address before the Polish parliament.
Addressing the deputies, Mr. Vartholomeos defined the role of
the Orthodox Church in the modern world, aware that his audience
is Roman Catholic.
Nevertheless, His Eminence stressed that Orthodoxy is not
unknown to the Polish people as there are thousands of Orthodox
who live in the country.
In an inspiring tone, Mr. Vartholomeos stated that Orthodoxy
does not promote schisms among the people, and is neither
interested in acquiring secular power nor in becoming involved in
politics.
The Ecumenical Patriarch stated that the singular aim of
Orthodoxy is the victory of good over evil.
[19] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HOLOCAUST
An international conference on the Holocaust and the
persecution of the Jews in WWII will open in Stockholm tomorrow at
the initiative of Swedish prime minister Goran Persson.
The decision to organize the conference that will last until
January 28 was made after a research conducted in the Swedish
schools. Based on its results, students know very little about the
issue and many of them even dispute the facts. Also, the research
has shown phenomena of neo-fascism in schools.
[20] ATHENS ENTERS THE MODERN POLITICAL ERA, ACCORDING TO THE
GUARDIAN
The British newspaper "The Guardian" refers to Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou's successful visit to Ankara, as it
characterizes it, underlining that Athens is entering the modern
political era.
In an article signed by Peter Preston, Mr. Papandreou is
described as quiet, gentle and very smart politician who managed
to achieve an impressive change in the relations of the two
countries. The article also referred to Turkish foreign minister
Ismail Cem with whom it appears that Mr. Papandreou speaks the
same language underlining that they shared a kind of cautious
mutual trust on which they knew that they could count on.
The article mentions that Greece's economy develops rapidly
and the stability in its relations with Turkey will help the
country to enter the Euro-zone, pointing out that furthermore,
eastern Mediterranean needs a stronger voice within the framework
of the European Union.
[21] THE VOLUME OF TRADE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA AND GREECE
HAS INCREASED
The volume of trade transactions between Albania and Greece
was increased notably in 1999 based on data provided by the
National Bank of Albania and published by the newspaper "Koha
Yone".
The newspaper stressed that the trade transactions of Albania
with Greece exceeded even those with Italy in the last months of
1999, underlining that the Greeks import from Albania tobacco,
timber and metals and export food, while the Albanian businessmen
have increased the imports of high technology equipment for their
country's food industry.
"Koha Yone" gave a special emphasis to the Greek plan for the
reconstruction of the Balkans within the framework of the
Stability Pact, stressing that the Greek side has offered economic
assistance of US$ 55 million to Albania for the next 5 years.
[22] PRAISES TO PAPANDREOU AND CEM BY ALBRIGHT
US secretary of state Madeleine Albright expressed
satisfaction over the outcome of the important visit, as she
characterized it, of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou to
Turkey.
According to the BBC radio, the US secretary of state
responding to questions by reporters in New York, did not hide her
satisfaction over the signing of agreements between Athens and
Ankara, while she stated that she is very encouraged by the
results of the Greek foreign minister's visit to Turkey.
Ms. Albright stated that this important visit helped in
making progress in the complicated relations between the two
countries and referring to the Greek and Turkish foreign
ministers, she said that they are excellent ministers and knows
both of them well, stressing that they have realized that they
have a historic chance before them.
[23] INTRACOM'S DYNAMIC PRESENCE IN HUNGARY
A new contract of over 12 million Euro in the two-year period
of 2000-2001 was signed by Intracom and the Telecommunications
Organization of Hungary, MATAV.
The contract provides for the construction by Intracom of
ISDN lines and the supply of their management system. Since 1994,
the Greek company has supplied MATAV with network access material
worth over US$ 10 million.
Meanwhile, the process continues for the buyout of the
Budapest based Hungarian FORNAX company which in addition to its
other activities also represents Intracom's products in Hungary.
[24] "AEGEAN: PICTURES OF GREECE" PHOTO EXHIBITION IN WASHINGTON
The "Aegean: Pictures of Greece" exhibition, which includes
160 photographs by 11 contemporary Greek photographers, brought
the sunny beaches of Greece to Washington.
The exhibition which will be hosted at Atrium Gallery in the
Ronald Reagan building until February 3 aims at presenting life in
the Aegean beyond the usual pictures of the blue sea and sky used
in tourist brochures.
Ann Gerasimos, in an article on the Washington Times mentions
that the exhibition was like a balsam to the hearts of the people
in Washington who are freezing in Arctic temperatures.
[25] THE SIT-IN AT THE GREEK CONSULATE IN MUNICH HAS ENDED
The sit-in at the Greek consulate in Munich organized by
parents and sponsors of the students of the 2nd Greek Elementary
School in that German city has ended. The demonstrators decided to
leave the building after occupying it for 12 days when they
received assurances that their demands will be met as soon as
possible. Their main demand was for their children to stay away
from their old school building because a scientific inspection had
traced cancer-causing substances.
The parents accepted a proposal according to which, the 408
students of the school will be temporarily housed in three
different places until their new school building is ready in about
6 weeks.
The settlement was reached after the mediation of Greek
parliamentary committee on the Greeks living abroad chairman,
professor Dimitris Pantermalis.
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