Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-01-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 27, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM: WE WANT A FAIR, VIABLE SOLUTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
[02] AGRICULTURE MINISTER INAUGURATES AGROTICA 2000
[03] OBLIGATORY MILITARY SERVICE CUT BY SIX MONTHS
[04] EARTHQUAKES JOLT CRETE AND SAMOTHRACE
[05] THESSALONIKI'S MAYORS TO HOST KIDS FROM ABROAD
[06] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
[07] BULGARIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI
[08] THE EARTHQUAKES IN CRETE AND SAMOTHRAKI ARE ISOLATED
PHENOMENA
[09] SMALL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[10] ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FOUR-
YEAR TERM
[11] THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE CHANGES ITS NAME
[12] A DUTCH OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST WILL BE HONORED BY THE GREEK
SPORTS PRESS
[13] DISAGREEMENT IN THE EU OVER THE PROTECTION OF THE NAMES OF
RETSINA, OUZO AND GRAPA
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] GREEK FM ADDRESSES HOLOCAUST CONFERENCE AT STOCKHOLM
[15] DEFENSE MINISTER DEPARTS FOR CYPRUS TODAY
[16] WAN: 70 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 1999
[17] ROMANIAN HOSPITALS ENFORCE QUARANTINE OVER FLU
[18] TURKISH-GREEK SEA TOURISM PLAN PROMOTED
[19] TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO -38 DEGREES CELSIUS IN YUGOSLAVIA
[20] NEW DRUG AGAINST CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES
[21] GREEK-TURKISH PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEA TOURISM
[22] "THE TREASURES OF ANCIENT GREECE" IN AUSTRALIA
[23] THE CHRISTIAN LOVE DICTATES TO WORK FOR PEACE, STATED THE
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM: WE WANT A FAIR, VIABLE SOLUTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
In view of the second round of talks regarding Cyprus which
will be held in Geneva next week, Prime Minister Costas Simitis
reiterated that Greece wants a fair and viable solution to the
matter, which will be based on United Nations decisions.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and
the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are to depart for Geneva
on January 31 in order to conduct a second round of proximity
talks that are expected to last 15 days.
Mr. Simitis received Cyprus' Minister of Economy Takis
Clerides yesterday who handed his host a check of one million
dollars as part of the Cypriot government's relief aid for Athens'
earthquake victims.
According to diplomatic sources, although Mr. Denktash
appears to be intransigent on his insistence that the occupied
part be recongized, there are signs that the Turkish side may have
shifted from its position in regards to Cyprus's accession course
to the European Union.
As per the United Nations instructions, the third round of
the proximity talks, which is deemed as the most critical, is to
be held following the elections in the Turkish-occupied northern
part of Cyprus, most likely in the beginning of June.
[02] AGRICULTURE MINISTER INAUGURATES AGROTICA 2000
Minister of Agriculture George Anomeritis inaugurated the
16th International Exhibition of agricultural machinery, equipment
and supplies, "Agrotica 2000," in Thessaloniki yesterday evening,
at the city's HELEXPO fairgrounds.
Mr. Anomeritis referred to the country's agriculture policy
which, he stated, is based on the axes of development, product
competitiveness, and reconstruction of the countryside, a sector
which amasses the lion's share of funds.
Moreover, the Minister stated that for the period between
2000-2006, the Greek government has secured funds amounting to
8.2% of the Agenda 2000 budget.
Mr. Anomeritis warned that Greece's agricultural sector is to
face a tough battle in light of a globalized economy.
"The European countries want (the sector of ) agriculture to
be multi-central, subsidized, based on the foods the Europeans are
accustomed to, not on genetically-modified and hormone-filled
products," he stated.
"Agrotica 2000" features the participation of 1,200
exhibitors, 660 of whom are foreign and represent 36 countries.
Albania, Poland, Italy and Bulgaria are participating with
official state pavilions.
[03] OBLIGATORY MILITARY SERVICE CUT BY SIX MONTHS
Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos has announced
that obligatory military service will be reduced by six months,
with conscripts being replaced by large numbers of professional
soldiers.
According to Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, the reform will be brought
into place progressively as part of a program designed to increase
the armed forces' flexibility.
At present, all young Greek men are faced with the choice of
serving 18 months in the army, 21 in the air force and 23 in the
navy. The government is believed to be considering taking on
15,000 recruits on five-year contracts.
[04] EARTHQUAKES JOLT CRETE AND SAMOTHRACE
An earthquake registering 5 on the Richter scale jolted the
island of Crete at 8:50 a.m. today, while another quake shook the
island of Samothrace earlier today (2.03 a.m.), this one measuring
4.4 on the open-ended scale.
No damages have been reported in either of the tremors.
Crete's earthquake was recorded at a distance of 350 kilometers
south of Athens, with its epicenter in the sea area west of Crete.
[05] THESSALONIKI'S MAYORS TO HOST KIDS FROM ABROAD
Six mayors from Thessaloniki's municipalities are to
coordinate their efforts in strengthening a host program for
children and young adults of Greek descent who live aboard.
The program, whose idea was launched during the Thessaloniki-
held Third World conference of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE),
will be hosted by the mayors of Kalamaria, Abelokipi, Neapoli,
Polichni, Stavroupoli and Triandria.
Already, the city council of Neapoli has resolved to host 50-
100 children or young adults of Greek descent during the summer
months.
[06] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
The second European Parliamentary Conference on information
and communication technology is presently underway in Athens,
featuring the participation of 50 deputies from the European
Union's member-states.
The two-day conference was inaugurated by the President of
the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis while PASOk deputies
Theodoros Katsanevas and Dimitrios Sarris are to jointly preside
over the event.
The conference is also attended by two deputies from each
Greek party represented in parliament.
[07] BULGARIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI
In an effort to promote bilateral economic and trade ties, a
delegation of Bulgarian entrepreneurs conducted a visit to
Thessaloniki yesterday, headed by the Chairperson of Plovdiv's
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dobrina Prodanova.
The general director of Thessaloniki's Chamber of Commerce
and Industry Charalambos Goudoulakis presented the Bulgarian
delegates with an outline of Thessaloniki's commercial and
cultural role, as well as of the city's significance now that it
hosts the headquarters of the Balkan Reconstruction Organization.
In his address, Mr. Goudoulakis drew parallels between
Thessaloniki and Plovdiv, pointing out that both are the second
largest cities in their respective countries, and could
greatly benefit from increased trade.
In turn, Ms. Prodanova briefed her Greek host on the
Plovdiv's chamber's right to organize a Euro Info Center, which,
she stated, will facilitate Greek investments in Bulgaria.
[08] THE EARTHQUAKES IN CRETE AND SAMOTHRAKI ARE ISOLATED
PHENOMENA
Thessaloniki's Aristotle University seismologists
characterize the two earthquakes measuring 5 and 4.4 on the
Richter scale that were recorded earlier in the morning and their
epicenters were located respectively in the sea region west of
Crete and in northern Aegean, north of Samothraki, as isolated
phenomena that should not cause concern.
According to data available, the two earthquakes do not
constitute proof of an increased seismic activity in the region.
[09] SMALL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Small gains of 0.10% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today. The general index closed at 4.941,60 and the
volume of transactions reached 157.2 billion drachmas.
The session started with losses which were increased
gradually but in the process the trend changed and the investors
expressed purchase interest limiting the initial losses.
[10] ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FOUR-
YEAR TERM
The intention and the goal of the government is for
parliamentary elections to be held in Greece at the end of its
four-year term when its work will be completed, reiterated today
acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou.
Mr. Nikolaou pointed out that the pre-election climate is
evident and it is not to the benefit of the country.
Responding to the question if there will be an intervention
by the prime minister in order to determine when elections will be
held, Mr. Nikolaou stated that Mr. Simitis and the government
members have stated repeatedly that the intention is to hold
parliamentary elections in September 2000.
[11] THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE CHANGES ITS NAME
The transformation of the ministry of agriculture and the
change of its name to ministry of agriculture, reconstruction and
development of the countryside will be approved by February 15.
The statement was made by minister of agriculture Giorgos
Anomeritis on the sidelines of the international farm exhibition
Agrotica 2000 that will be open in Thessaloniki until January 30.
The reformed ministry will be in full operation in the next
few months and will have decentralized agencies in the prefectures
and local administration organizations across the country.
Mr. Anomeritis reminded that European Union funds of 1
trillion drachmas will be allocated until the year 2006 for the
further development of agriculture, while the policies that will
be implemented in the following years will focus on the
reconstruction of the Greek countryside both socially and
economically.
[12] A DUTCH OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST WILL BE HONORED BY THE GREEK
SPORTS PRESS
Four times gold medalist in the 1948 Olympic Games, Dutch
Fani Blankers-Kunn will be honored on January 31 in the annual
event organized in Athens by the Greek Sports Press Association.
The Dutch athlete is 82 years old and she was recently honored by
the World Track and Field Federation (IAAF) as the leading athlete
of the century.
In the first post-war Olympic Games when she was already 30
years old and a mother of two won the gold medal in the 100
meters, the 200 meters, the 80 meters hurdles and the 4x100 meters
relay race.
[13] DISAGREEMENT IN THE EU OVER THE PROTECTION OF THE NAMES OF
RETSINA, OUZO AND GRAPA
The trade agreement between the European Union and South
Africa, which provides for the African state to have the right to
use the names of the Greek "retsina" and "ouzo" and the Italian
"grapa" for the alcoholic beverages it produces, is expected to
collapse.
Greece and Italy refuse to sign the agreement and therefore,
it will be canceled as in order to be valid it has to be ratified
by all the EU member-states.
Greece disagrees with the characterization of the "retsina"
table wine as an alcoholic beverage made from grapes because based
on the European Council regulations, "retsina" is a table wine but
not an alcoholic beverage.
Meanwhile, South Africa appears to regard the name of "ouzo",
as the names of many other alcoholic beverages in the EU (for
example the Italian "grapa") as generic or semi-generic and
therefore, it maintains that it has the right to use the name of
"ouzo" as is not associated with a geographic region or
indication. However, this claim is against the European community
regulation according to which, "ouzo" is produced exclusively in
Greece.
Another point of disagreement on behalf of Greece concerns
all the EU member-states as well and refers to South Africa's
disagreement with the EU regulations concerning the wine
production from VITIS VITIFERA grapes or a crossbreed.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] GREEK FM ADDRESSES HOLOCAUST CONFERENCE AT STOCKHOLM
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, addressing a Stockholm-
held international conference on the Holocaust, referred to the
present situation in the Balkans, as well as the efforts being
exerted for the creation of a framework of co-existence that would
include all the peoples of various religions and nationalities.
Mr. Papandreou, who is leading a delegation of Greek
officials, stated that the greatest challenge faced at the dawn of
the 21st century is the prevention of another genocide. He further
referred to the Greek government's efforts to resolve the Cyprus
issue and stated that Greece counts on the international
community's support.
Greece's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, as well
as Thessaloniki's Jewish Community, Greece's Jewish Museum and the
"George Papandreou Foundation" are taking part in the forum with
report presentations.
The conference coincides with today's Holocaust Remembrance
Day.
[15] DEFENSE MINISTER DEPARTS FOR CYPRUS TODAY
Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is embarking on an
official two-day visit to Cyprus today, where he will address the
"Economist" conference on the economy of Cyprus.
In addition to meeting with the President of the Republic of
Cyprus Glafcos Clerides, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also be received
by Archbishop Chrisostomos, his Cypriot counterpart Socrates
Hasikos and other political party leaders.
[16] WAN: 70 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 1999
At least 70 journalists and other media staff were killed on
the job during the course of 1999 in 19 countries, according to
the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).
The 1999 report features the highest number of victims since
1994, when 73 journalists were killed, WAN reported. Fifty-one
were killed in 1995, 32 in 1996, 26 in 1997 and 28 in 1998.
The largest number of deaths occurred in the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia,
where 22 media workers died, 18 of them in NATO bombardments -- 15
at the
Yugoslavian state television building, and three in the Chinese
Embassy.
Ten journalists died in the Sierra Leone conflict, while
deaths were also reported in Colombia (6), Nigeria (5), Sri Lanka
(5), India (4), Russia (4), Burma (2), East Timor (2), Angola (1),
Argentina (1), Great Britain (1), Indonesia (1), Ivory Coast (1),
Lebanon (1), Pakistan (1), Peru (1), Tajikistan (1) and Turkey
(1).
The Paris-based WAN represents 17,000 newspapers, while its
membership includes 63 national newspaper associations, individual
newspaper executives in 93 countries, 17 news agencies and seven
regional and world-wide press groups.
[17] ROMANIAN HOSPITALS ENFORCE QUARANTINE OVER FLU
A great number of hospitals and maternity clinics in Romania
have enforced a system of quarantine in order to prevent the
spread of a flu epidemic, according to health ministry reports.
Twenty-three thousand Romanians have caught pneumonia since
the beginning of the year, while about 450 people have been
hospitalized with the illness, local officials have stated.
Temperatures in Bucharest have repeatedly dipped as low as
minus 20
Celsius (minus four Fahrenheit), with some heating systems running
only at
night for lack of fuel.
[18] TURKISH-GREEK SEA TOURISM PLAN PROMOTED
Turkish firm Seatour Marina, which belongs to the Koc Group,
is reportedly preparing a proposal to promote sea tourism with
yachts, in cooperation with Greek firms which are already active
in the sector.
As the Turkish daily "Hurriyet" reported, the potential
collaboration would focus on attracting Mediterranean tourism to
the Greek-Turkish coastline .
As the general director of Seatour Marina told "Hurriyet",
both sides are presently reviewing specific plans and marketing
strategies, one of which includes a yacht race in the Aegean.
[19] TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO -38 DEGREES CELSIUS IN YUGOSLAVIA
Temperature dropped to -38 degrees Celsius in the villages at
the Peterska plateau in Yugoslavia.
Meanwhile, there is strong concern in the northern Serb
province of Voivodina as its rivers have begun freezing. The
responsible agencies in the region announced that large ice-packs
could block the river bed and cause extensive floods.
Also, Serb experts warn that if large ice-packs are created
in the Danube river they can end up at the remnants of the damaged
bridges in Novi Sad that were destroyed during the NATO bombings,
flooding about 4/5 of the city.
[20] NEW DRUG AGAINST CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES
A new drug which, according to many scientists in the United
States, can contribute effectively to the cure of cancer patients
was recently produced in Chicago laboratories.
According to the newspaper The New York Times, a long
scientific research was recently completed by a scientific team
headed by Chicago University professor Dr. Philip Eaton which
maintains that a small quantity of the substance they have
produced can be proved to be especially effective in the treatment
of certain types of cancer.
The production of the pharmaceutical substance, named
octanitrocubane (ONC), was the result of a number of difficult
consecutive steps first thought of by Plato, as it is mentioned
characteristically by the newspaper.
[21] GREEK-TURKISH PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEA TOURISM
Plans for the promotion of yacht tourism are being promoted
by the Turkish Setour Marina company of the Koc business group
seeking cooperation with Greek businessmen active in the specific
sector.
Setour Marina general director Bedat Gelketzi stated that
cooperation with Greek businessmen will give a boost to sea
tourism in the Mediterranean, the Greek and the Turkish coasts
adding that joint plans and marketing strategies are being
promoted within this framework. He said that a Greek-Turkish yacht
race is being planned to take place in the Aegean, adding that
Setour Marina will finance the race that will be launched from
Istanbul and will extend along the Turkish coasts.
Among the Setour Marina plans are the construction and
exploitation of a marina at a European country adding one more to
the seven already built by the company at the Turkish coasts.
[22] "THE TREASURES OF ANCIENT GREECE" IN AUSTRALIA
Ancient Greek treasures worth over 730 million dollars will
be exhibited in Sidney's Powerhouse Museum from July 15 to
November 15, 2000, within the framework of an agreement that was
signed recently by the museum's director and the responsible
department of the Greek ministry of culture.
The exhibition "One thousand years of Olympic Games-The
Treasures of Ancient Greece" will include 54 exhibits on the
ancient Olympic Games and the track and field events.
[23] THE CHRISTIAN LOVE DICTATES TO WORK FOR PEACE, STATED THE
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
The important role of Orthodoxy and the systematic effort by
the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestants to proselytize the
Orthodox Christians mainly at the zone of responsibility of the
Russian Christian Orthodox Church were stressed by Ecumenical
Patriarch Varholomeos in an interview to the Polish newspaper
"Gazata Wyhorcza" during his visit to Poland on January 22-25.
The head of the Christian Orthodox Church also referred to
the World Council of Churches and the balances that are being
preserved stressing however that the Protestants seek to
appropriate the Council's decisions.
Responding to the question if the stance adopted by the
Church of Serbia and the other Christian Orthodox Churches during
the wars in Yugoslavia could be characterized as nationalist, he
stated that all the Christian Orthodox Churches condemned the
persecutions of the Albanian-speaking population in Kosovo and the
bloody retaliations coming from any warring sides.
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