Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-02-01
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 1, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE ELATED OVER ECOFIN DECISION
[02] PORTUGAL - GREECE: CONVERGENCE OF MANY VIEWS
[03] PMs OF GREECE, ALBANIA, FYROM IN PRESPES TOMORROW
[04] PROGRAM AIMS AT BETTER LIFE FOR GYPSIES
[05] GREEK RADIO OFFERS BROADCASTS IN 11 FOREIGN LANGUAGES
[06] ELECTION RUMORS PERSIST, BUT PM STILL SILENT
[07] SMALL GREEK ISLAND FOR SALE AT ONE BILLION DRACHMAS
[08] PASOK, PM, AHEAD IN LATEST POLL
[09] THESSALONIKI'S NEW HOSPITAL FINALLY OPENS
[10] THE GOLD DEPOSITS IN NORTHERN GREECE ATTRACT INVESTORS
[11] PAPANDREOU BRIEFED THE PRESIDENT ON THE POLITICAL
DEVELOPMENTS
[12] EIGHT TURKISH STUDENTS VISITED PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS
[13] SOFIA WAS READY TO SURRENDER THE BULGARIAN JEWS TO THE NAZIS
DURING WWII
[14] PAPANTONIOU: THE PERIOD FROM THE FILING TO THE APPROVAL OF
THE APPLICATION FOR THE EMU MEMBERSHIP IS CRUCIAL
[15] RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND BELGIUM ARE EXCELLENT
[16] GAINS OF 3.04% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[17] REPPAS ON THE CEM VISIT TO ATHENS
[18] REPPAS ON THE ANNAN STATEMENTS
[19] THE ECOFIN DECISION CONFIRMS THE POLICY FOLLOWED SO FAR
[20]THE US CONSULATE IN THESSALONIKI IS BEING REINFORCED
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[21] UN SECRETARY GENERAL SPEAKS TO MPA
[22] CAMPAIGN FOR RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES STILL STRONG
[23] ECOFIN SAYS YES TO GREECE BUT WARNS AGAINST INFLATION
[24] KOSOVO: LACK OF PROGRESS AND GREEK CONCERN
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE ELATED OVER ECOFIN DECISION
European Union finance ministers (ECOFIN) approved in
Brussels yesterday Greece's 1999-2002 plan to align its economy
with the rest of the EU.
Minister of National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos
Papantoniou stated that the decision marks "a decisive step
towards the country's entry into the final phase of economic and
monetary union."
Hoping to join the 11-member euro zone on January 1, 2001,
Greece plans
to apply for membership in March, with the EU due to decide
whether or not the country qualifies at an EU summit in Lisbon on
June 19.
[02] PORTUGAL - GREECE: CONVERGENCE OF MANY VIEWS
Athens and Lisbon -which presently holds the European Union's
rotating presidency, enjoy a convergence of views on a series of
issues, as it was ascertained in a meeting held yesterday between
Greece's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Christos Rocofyllos and
his Portuguese counterpart.
According to Mr. Rocofyllos, the EU presidency expressed its
interest for the majority of Greece's views and ascertained a
convergence of opinions of a series of matters, especially those
related to the need for cohesion within the EU and emphasis to
the political priorities in spite of the technical structures.
[03] PMs OF GREECE, ALBANIA, FYROM IN PRESPES TOMORROW
The prime ministers of Greece, Albania and FYROM, will
declare a 'Balkans Park' in the area of Prespes Lakes tomorrow,
World Wetlands Day, a Greek initiative aimed at the creation of an
international protected region in the Balkans.
The park will extend into the territory of the three
countries and will constitute a large, integrated natural reserve,
according Undersecretary of Environment Theodoros Koliopanos.
Messrs. Costas Simitis, Ilir Meta and Liuptco Georgievski
will issue a joint proclamation which will set out a series of
activities aimed at maintaining the quality of the waters of the
lakes, protecting wildlife and bio-diversity, the need to develop
an integrated and sensitive approach to tourism in the area and
the improvement, maintenance and promotion of traditional
architecture and Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments in the
region.
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.
[04] PROGRAM AIMS AT BETTER LIFE FOR GYPSIES
The Ministry of the Interior will allocate one billion
drachmas in a program designed to upgrade the quality of life for
Gypsies throughout the country, following a recent meeting held in
Athens by the Panhellenic Network for the Support of Greek
Gypsies.
With 49 municipalities participating from throughout the country,
the program aims at creating spaces for cultural activities for
Gypsies living in urban areas and the establishment of an
organized infrastructure for housing, water supply, drainage and
hygiene for Gypsies living in rural areas.
The Ministry of the Interior has already spent two billion
drachmas over the past two years for the program to improve the
quality of life for Gypsies in Greece.
[05] GREEK RADIO OFFERS BROADCASTS IN 11 FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Greek Radio (ERA) has embarked on a multi-cultural schedule
by featuring news bulletins in 11 foreign languages.
Daily news bulletins will be aired from 4 to 10pm. on ERA 5
program "The Voice of Greece", each segment featuring Greek and
world news, as well as useful information for migrants, analyses
of significant events and from the target audience's country of
origin.
The broadcast hours are: Turkish language at 4pm, Arabic at
4.30pm, Russian at 5pm, Bulgarian at 5.30pm, Romanian at 6pm,
Serbian at 6.30pm, Albanian at 7.30pm, Polish at 8pm, Spanish at
8.30pm, English at 9pm and German at 9.30pm.
[06] ELECTION RUMORS PERSIST, BUT PM STILL SILENT
As rumors of early elections continue to persist and mount,
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is expected to reveal his intentions
within the week, most likely following the ruling PASOK party's
(over which he presides) ideological conference this weekend.
Prior to the conference, Mr. Simitis is to address the PASOK
Executive Bureau today, while he will chair a cabinet meeting on
Friday.
Yesterday, Simitis officially notified the president of the
Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis that PASOK proposes
Stephanopoulos for president, and will vote for him on February 8.
[07] SMALL GREEK ISLAND FOR SALE AT ONE BILLION DRACHMAS
Great news for a "would-be-Onasis" as one of the three
Spathonisia islands near the Halkidiki peninsula is up for sale at
a price of one billion drachmas.
According to press reports, the small island is one of the
remaining few privately-owned ones and belongs to the family of
former parliamentarian Athanasios Philippides who passed away last
year.
Known as the "Philippides island", it is located 500 meters
away from Halkidiki's coastline and has an area of approximately
440 acres.
Among those who have reportedly expressed an interest for the
island is the Berlusconi Group, an Israeli firm and other foreign
and Greek investors. None of the offers have been deemed
satisfactory so far.
[08] PASOK, PM, AHEAD IN LATEST POLL
Ruling PASOK party and its president and Prime Minister
Costas Simitis are leading by a wide margin over the main
opposition party of New Democracy and its leader Costas
Karamanlis, according to a latest poll conducted by V.PRC between
January 15-27.
According to the poll, 55.1 percent of the respondents
believed PASOK would win the next elections, against 15.9 percent
who saw a main opposition New Democracy party victory.
Also, 50.7 percent of those polled responded that Mr. Simitis
is more suitable as Premier, with 26.5 opting for Mr. Karamanlis.
[09] THESSALONIKI'S NEW HOSPITAL FINALLY OPENS
Following years of delays and cancellations, Thessaloniki's
brand new Western Districts Hospital, commonly known as
"Papageorgiou", opened its clinics yesterday, when it entered a
rotating shift system with the city's remaining hospitals,
The state-of-the-art facility features two pathology clinics
and one in cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, surgery, as well as
a blood dialysis unit, all of which have been transferred to
"Papageorgiou" from other hospitals.
The president of the Thessaloniki Hospital Doctors' Union,
Stratis Plomaritis, said that while the Papageorgiou would help
take the burden off other hospitals, there was still much work to
be done, particularly in establishing the intensive care unit that
is desperately needed in northern Greece. Ten specialists are
required to staff the unit.
[10] THE GOLD DEPOSITS IN NORTHERN GREECE ATTRACT INVESTORS
The gold deposits in northern Greece are especially
attractive for the Greek and foreign mining firms as companies
from the European Union, the United States, Canada and even
Australia turn toward northern Greece looking for investment
opportunities.
The interest expressed became stronger after the TVX HELLAS
investment in Olympiada, Chalkidiki, according to Nikos
Arvanitidis from the Institute of Geological and Mining Studies in
Central Macedonia.
Based on statements made to MPA by Greek-Australian
businessman Paul Afkos chairman of AFKOS INDUSTRIES in Australia,
the gold deposits in northern Greece have attracted the attention
of Australian businesses and already two companies consider the
likelihood to become active in the Kavala mines.
[11] PAPANDREOU BRIEFED THE PRESIDENT ON THE POLITICAL
DEVELOPMENTS
Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou briefed president Kostis
Stephanopoulos on issues of foreign policy, the Helsinki EU Summit
meeting, the developments in the Balkans, the contacts he had with
US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and his Turkish
counterpart Ismail Cem as well as the Greek-Turkish agreements he
signed in Ankara.
Greece is making careful steps within the new framework of
principles formed by the Helsinki EU Summit, stated Mr.
Papandreou, adding that the Greek foreign policy moves within a
framework of principles which is the only one that can secure good
neighborly relations and stability in the Balkan region.
Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will speak tomorrow
before the foreign affairs and defense parliament committee, while
he will have a meeting with US assistant secretary of state Thomas
Pikering who is expected in Athens.
[12] EIGHT TURKISH STUDENTS VISITED PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS
Eight students from Ankara, who are visiting Greece at the
invitation of Greek students, met with president Kostis
Stephanopoulos at the presidential building in Athens earlier this
morning.
Mr. Stephanopoulos characterized as important the contacts of
Greek and Turkish students and expressed the hope that more such
steps will be made in the effort to build the Greek-Turkish
friendship.
[13] SOFIA WAS READY TO SURRENDER THE BULGARIAN JEWS TO THE NAZIS
DURING WWII
Bulgaria was ready to surrender to the Nazis all the Jews
living in its territory during WWII and the Bulgarian prime
minister had signed such an agreement with the German army
commander. However, the agreement was not implemented because in
the meantime the armistice had been signed.
The revelation was made to MPA by Thessaloniki's Jewish
Community general secretary Alberto Hawel commenting on the
rejection of Bulgaria's demand to be awarded a distinction of
merit because it had saved the Jews living in its territory during
WWII.
Bulgaria's demand was rejected in the international
conference on the Holocaust held recently in Stockholm, Sweden. A
significant role in the rejection of the Bulgarian demand was
played by the interventions of the Athens based Central Jewish
Council president Moses Konstantinis and Mr. Hawel. In the
conference, the Greek Jews had the discreet support of the FYROM
Jewish delegation.
Bulgaria had asked to be rewarded for saving the Jews living
in its territory during WWII hiding the fact that it had given up
to the Nazis more than 5.000 Jews from the then Bulgarian held
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace as well as the FYROM region.
[14] PAPANTONIOU: THE PERIOD FROM THE FILING TO THE APPROVAL OF
THE APPLICATION FOR THE EMU MEMBERSHIP IS CRUCIAL
The period from the filing to the approval of the application
for Greece's EMU membership is politically crucial, stated
minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou.
Mr. Papantoniou pointed out that Greece must base its
candidature to join the EMU on convincing arguments, while the
framework within which the economic policy will be exercised in
the period after the EMU must be set.
The national economy minister stated in a press conference
that according to the convergence program approved by ECOFIN
yesterday, the growth rate will reach 4% in the next three years,
inflation will be at about 2%, while there will be a zero deficit
in 2001.
On the likelihood of early elections, the minister of
national economy pointed out that the decision will be made by the
prime minister.
[15] RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND BELGIUM ARE EXCELLENT
The excellent relations between Greece and Belgium were
confirmed by Greek parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and
Belgian ambassador to Athens Claude Rigmenans who met in Athens
today.
Mr. Kaklamanis referred to the very close cooperation of the
two state parliaments and the common goals the two countries must
set within the EU framework in order to have not just an economic
union but a society with a political face and social structures
that will continue to move the European people.
The Belgian ambassador praised Greece for its progress in the
economic and diplomatic sector and agreed that the two countries
must develop common strategies within the framework of the
European Union, while he showed a special interest in the Greek-
Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.
[16] GAINS OF 3.04% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 3.04% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today. The general index closed at 5.141,83, while the volume of
transactions was over 210,7 billion drachmas.
The Athens Stock Exchange regained its confidence as a result
of ECOFIN's positive stance regarding Greece's new convergence
program for the period 1999-2002. Also, the psychological state of
the investors was improved after the statements made by minister
of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou according to which, Greece
will meet all the Maastricht criteria by mid February.
[17] REPPAS ON THE CEM VISIT TO ATHENS
The visit of Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem will
contribute to the efforts to preserve and renew the climate of a
better rapprochement between the two countries, stated Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas added that Greece has expressed its interest and
will toward this end and the same must be done by Turkey in order
to have a good communication between the two countries.
[18] REPPAS ON THE ANNAN STATEMENTS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as
promising and positive the statement made by UN secretary-general
Kofi Annan according to which, the Cyprus problem will be resolved
by the end of the year.
Mr. Reppas stated that such a statement is promising and that
it is a form of pressure on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
[19] THE ECOFIN DECISION CONFIRMS THE POLICY FOLLOWED SO FAR
The ECOFIN decision confirms the policy followed so far and
after the successful developments in the efforts made one can say
that Greece is just a breath away from joining the European
Economic and Monetary Union, EMU stated Greek government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas.
When asked to comment on the terms accompanying the decision
(suggestions for tight revenue policy - changes in the social
security system) Mr. Reppas pointed out that terms are set for
each country and that the post-EMU era will be managed by the
governing socialist party of PASOK because it has the confidence
of the Greek people.
[20]THE US CONSULATE IN THESSALONIKI IS BEING REINFORCED
US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns presented Jeremy
Keller, head of the Economic and Trade Cooperation Office of the
United States in Thessaloniki to minister of Macedonia-Thrace
Yiannis Magriotis during their meeting today.
Mr. Burns pointed out that the US Trade Office in
Thessaloniki will cover the whole Balkan region and announced that
the US consulate will be reinforced with two officials from the
Athens embassy.
The US ambassador congratulated Greece and the Greek
government for its very important assistance in the Balkan
Stability Pact and for the fact that the Greek forces help in
maintaining peace in Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[21] UN SECRETARY GENERAL SPEAKS TO MPA
In spite of the additional claims tabled by Turkish-Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
wants to believe that he will achieve "progress" in the on-going
second round of proximity talks presently held in Geneva between
the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and the
head of the island's occupied territory.
Responding to a question tabled by the Macedonian Press
Agency, Mr. Annan stated that the process is a "difficult and
complicated" one, albeit adding that he continues to hope that
there is potential for a comprehensive solution to the issue by
the end of the year.
Specifically, Mr. Annan stated that the talks are focusing on
four core issues: security, distribution of powers, property and
territory. However, he continued, Mr. Denktash tabled additional
matters.
Referring to the news black out enforced during the duration
of the talks, the UN chief neither refuted nor confirmed reports
of Mr. Denktash having demanded recognition of the island's
occupied part, contrary to UN resolutions, claiming that this is
"the only reality".
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is having
separate meetings with President Clerides and Mr. Denktash in the
presence of special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who will
take over the supervision of the talks today.
Mr. Annan also stressed that the only way to reach a
settlement is through a continuous hard discussion with the
spirit of give and take and a will to compromise.
He stressed that all issues are on the table and he cannot
prejudge the outcome of the proximity talks.
[22] CAMPAIGN FOR RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES STILL STRONG
A three-member delegation from the Australian Committee for
the Return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece is presently in
London where it will submit a memorandum to the British parliament
calling for the repatriation of the ancient monuments.
The high-profile committee, which includes two Australian
former prime ministers, deputies, congressmen and intellectuals,
has launched a public campaign with widespread media coverage, and
its next step is to put pressure on the British government.
The committee, which is presided over by Emmanuel Kominos, is
to visit the British Museum today where the Marbles are being
kept.
According to Mr. Kominos, the delegation will submit a
relevant memorandum to the House of Commons committee for
cultural affairs.
[23] ECOFIN SAYS YES TO GREECE BUT WARNS AGAINST INFLATION
Although it has approved the country's revised convergence
program, the European Council of Finance Ministers (ECOFIN), it
nevertheless cautioned Greece of inflationary pressures.
The ECOFIN's opinion stated that "the Council considers that
within the high growth environment projected in the convergence
program, particular effort must be made by Greece to ensure that
the progress made towards disinflation acquires a lasting
character."
Furthermore, it warned that "the Greek authorities must be
ready to tighten fiscal policy further from 2001 if inflation
pressures emerge."
The EU's monetary affairs commissioner Pedro Solbes also
appeared confident of Greek EMU membership by stating that "if
all goes well, Greece can introduce the euro at the start of
2001."
[24] KOSOVO: LACK OF PROGRESS AND GREEK CONCERN
The US newspaper "Washington Times" published a
correspondence from Geneva signed by Andrew Borowic according to
which, Bernard Kuschner, head of the UN political administration
in Kosovo, is likely to resign as no progress is being made in
adopting a long-term policy for the region.
In the report it is also mentioned that Greece, a reluctant
NATO member during the air strikes, is concerned that a further
division of the region is possible to lead to the incorporation of
Kosovo and part of FYROM into a greater Albania, while Germany
which is interested mainly in incorporating the former eastern
European countries into the European structures is unwilling to
finance the reconstruction of the Balkans. The report concludes
that this development could lead the Balkans to ever greater
poverty.
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