Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-02-11
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 11, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ISTAME, PASOK HOST THESSALONIKI CONFERENCE ON EUROPE
[02] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI
[03] AUSTRIAN AIRLINES: THESSALONIKI-VIENNA THREE TIMES A WEEK
[04] PARTIES QUARREL OVER CAMPAIGN FUNDS
[05] STUDENTS' PARENTS RALLY IN FRONT OF U.S. CONSULATE
[06] ELVO'S "CENTAURUS" TANK TO BE PRESENTED TODAY
[07] FOOD AND CIGARETTES TOP GREEKS' EXPENSES
[08] FARMER IN DEBT FOR LIFE, OWES 10 DRS IN TAXES
[09] ALBANIA EYES GREEK ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
[10] TEN NEW CENTERS OF EUROPEAN INFORMATION FOUNDED
[11] ROKOFILLOS' STATEMENTS ON THE EU ENLARGEMENT
[12] A YOUNG ALBANIAN WOMAN GAVE BIRTH AT THE CUSTOMS OFFICE OF
KRISTALLOPIGI
[13] GAINS OF 0.04% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] KARAMANLIS' PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD
[15] THE NEW ARMORED BATTLE TANK WAS PRESENTED TODAY
[16] FYROM'S TRACK AND FIELD SECRETARY WAS KILLED IN A TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
[17] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE "FALCON" FINDINGS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] S.E. EUROPE'S PMs TO SIGN STABILITY PACT
[19] GREEK FIRMS EXPOSITION OPENS IN FYROM
[20] PROPOSAL TO NAME A BELGRADE AVENUE AFTER ELEFTHERIOS
VENIZELOS
[21] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO YUGOSLAVIA VISITED MONTENEGRO
[22] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS LEAVES FOR BUCHAREST
[23] KIPRIANOU LEAVES FOR LONDON TODAY TO UNDERGO A NEW SURGERY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ISTAME, PASOK HOST THESSALONIKI CONFERENCE ON EUROPE
The Institute of Strategic and Developmental Studies
(ISTAME), established in the name of the late Andreas Papandreou,
and the ruling PASOK party's prefectural committee in Thessaloniki
are to host a two-day international conference this weekend,
titled "Europe and the World at the Dawning of the New
Millennium".
The Thessaloniki-held event will be attended by the Greece's
Ministers of Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Development Evangelos
Venizelos, Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis the chairman of
ISTAME Yiannis Souladakis, and other leading officials.
A score of foreign officials will also participate in the
conference, among them representatives of Socialist parties from
Balkan countries.
Albania will be represented by the Socialist Party's director
of international relations Alexandre Abdullah and the former
minister and vice-president of the Social Democrats Apostol Gogol.
Bulgaria's former president of Parliament Bugovest Sedov will
also be present, along with Socialist Party deputy Nora
Ananieva.
Romania's former president Ion Iliescu, who is also the
leader of the Social-democratic party, will be attending, along
with Mircea Popescu, a member of the Socialist Party' s
Institute.
FYROM will be represented by Igor Ivanovski, deputy and
president of the youth chapter of the Social-democrats, as well as
deputy Radmila Sekeriska.
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be represented by two
professors from the University of Belgrade, while Montenegro will
be represented by the President's adviser Milo Juganovic.
Croatia will be represented by the director of Zagreb's
Economic Institute.
[02] EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI
In cooperation with the European People's Party, Greece main
opposition New Democracy is to hold a conference in Thessaloniki
this month over matters pertaining to democracy, stability and
cooperation in Southeastern Europe.
The two-day event, to be held on February 25-26, will be
addressed by N.D. leader Costas Karamanlis who will speak on "A
New Strategy of Cooperation and Development in the Balkans".
[03] AUSTRIAN AIRLINES: THESSALONIKI-VIENNA THREE TIMES A WEEK
Austrian Airlines is to feature a direct morning flight from
Thessaloniki to Vienna - with return- three times week, as of
March 28.
The Thessaloniki-Vienna flight will be held every Wednesday,
Thursday and Sunday, while Vienna-Thessaloniki routes will be held
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
For those wishing to have a weekend stay-over in Vienna,
Austrian Airlines features a package deal at GRD88,400 per person,
not including tax. This offer is valid until March 26 and includes
two overnight stays with breakfast at a "three star" hotel.
[04] PARTIES QUARREL OVER CAMPAIGN FUNDS
The country's political parties continued to quarrel over the
size of funds to be allocated for the election campaign during an
all-party committee meeting last night, agreeing only on reviewing
the issue next Tuesday.
Greece has a law providing for a ceiling on electoral
expenditure, although attempts to enforce the said law often fail.
Pre-election expenditures for each of the two major parties,
PASOK and New Democracy, are expected to range from 10 to 20
billion drachmas.
[05] STUDENTS' PARENTS RALLY IN FRONT OF U.S. CONSULATE
A group of parents whose children are attending universities
in Yugoslavia conducted a rally in front of the United States
Consulate in Thessaloniki last night, demanding that the said
students be transferred to Greek universities.
The protesting parents, about 100 of them, chanted anti-
American slogans and held banners stating that their issue is not
an economic one, but, rather, humanitarian.
The entry to the consulate was barricaded by a Greek police
squad and the protesters dispersed peacefully without obstructing
traffic.
[06] ELVO'S "CENTAURUS" TANK TO BE PRESENTED TODAY
A new tank produced by the state-run Hellenic Vehicle
Industry SA, (ELVO), is to be presented in Litochoro today, in a
ceremony to be attended by the Minister of National Defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos.
The tank, named "Centaurus", is the newest model of ELVO
whose strong point is tank production.
The ceremony will be also attended by the country's military
sector leadership, foreign officials and ELVO's chairman Lukourgos
Sakellaris.
[07] FOOD AND CIGARETTES TOP GREEKS' EXPENSES
Food and cigarettes get the lion's share of the Greeks'
purchasing power, according to a recent survey conducted by the
Consumers Institute (INKA).
Specifically, food and cigarettes top the list of products
most affecting the cost of living, at a rate of 59 percent,
followed by housing (41%) and education (31%). Apparel and
footwear expenses also rank high on the list with 23%, relatively
on the same level with monies spent for automobile expenses.
Health ranks considerably lower on the scale with 11 percent,
with public utility expenses representing 10% of the overall
expenses.
The study also revealed that one-third of the Greek shoppers
base their selection on the product's price.
[08] FARMER IN DEBT FOR LIFE, OWES 10 DRS IN TAXES
A young Greek farmer could have his property confiscated if
he doesn't pay three drachmas (about ten U.S. cents) owed in back
taxes, an amount which doubled with interest through the course of
six years, as the sum originally due was 1.5 drachmas.
Thirty-year-old Prokopis Fotopoulos offered to pay the
amount, proffering 5 drachmas, but was told that the tax office
could not accept payment because it could not give him a receipt
for such a small amount.
Instead, the tax officers stated, he could pay once the
interest comes to 10 drachmas. This could be in about eight years.
[09] ALBANIA EYES GREEK ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
Since the country is undergoing administrative restructuring,
Albania is reportedly looking to adopt Greece's system which they
deem as most suitable for their needs.
The Prefects of Albania and western Macedonia met recently in
Korce, on the initiative of the Albanian Prefect Bardhi Alickolli,
where the discussion focused on the further development of
bilateral ties, while the Albanian prefects were given an outline
of the Greek model of administration.
The Secretary General of the Western Macedonia Prefecture
Aris Papadopoulos pointed out that a given administrative system
has to be adjusted to the specific country on the basis of its
structure, mechanisms and public mentality.
[10] TEN NEW CENTERS OF EUROPEAN INFORMATION FOUNDED
Ten new centers of European Information are presently
operating in Greece, aimed at providing the average citizen with
access to reports, news and programs.
Specifically, five new info points have been established in
the cities of Lamia, Rhodes, Iraklion Patras and Larisa, with the
cities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Komotene already having such
centers.
Moreover, four new centers of agricultural information and
activity (Carrefours) were established in the cities of Livadia,
Xanthi, Naxos and Kalamata, joining the existing ones in
Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Karditsa, Egio and Chania.
Also, a new Center of European Documentation (CDE) was
established at the University of Crete, making it the fourth such
center after Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Komotene.
Fourteen Euro Info Centers are already in operation
throughout Greece.
[11] ROKOFILLOS' STATEMENTS ON THE EU ENLARGEMENT
The hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will take part in the
negotiations for Cyprus' accession into the European Union was
expressed by deputy foreign minister Christos Rokofillos speaking
in a meeting organized in Athens by the diplomatic academy and the
European forum. The meeting was held to focus on the enlargement
of the European Union after the Helsinki EU summit meeting.
Referring to Turkey's accession into the EU, Mr. Rokofillos
pointed out that it is up to Ankara to respond to the European
challenge and contribute to the improvement of the Greek-Turkish
relations.
[12] A YOUNG ALBANIAN WOMAN GAVE BIRTH AT THE CUSTOMS OFFICE OF
KRISTALLOPIGI
A 25yearold Albanian woman gave birth to a healthy baby-girl
at the Customs Office of Kristallopigi with the help of the Greek
Customs officers.
The young woman left Thessaloniki for Koritsa with her
husband to give birth. At 4:30am the Greek Railways bus to Koritsa
arrived at Kristallopigi and the birth pains came during the
customs checks.
The two Greek customs officers who helped the woman in the
delivery expressed the wish to baptize the child at the
Kristallopigi chapel.
[13] GAINS OF 0.04% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange general index recorded gains of
0.04% today and closed at 5.502,32 points, while the volume of
transactions was at 212 billion drachmas.
Most of the secondary indexes recorded losses except from the
bank shares and investment companies that managed to record gains
in the last 10 minutes of the session.
[14] KARAMANLIS' PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis expressed the certainty that his party will win
the April 9 parliamentary elections in a press conference he gave
in Athens today to present his party's stance in the pre-election
period.
Mr. Karamanlis stated that New Democracy will exercise
criticism on the government without exaggerations and extremes
while at the same time it will promote its own positions.
The New Democracy leader sent a letter to EU Commissioner
Romado Prodi asking him to ban the promotion of projects built
with community funds during the pre-election period. He also
suggested that there should be no open-air pre-election rallies
and backed the election spending checks, while he proposed that
the radio and television air time that will be divided among the
political parties should be bought.
On the television debate with prime minister Kostas Simitis
he said that he would accept a face-to-face television appearance
under the pre-condition that there will be a dialogue and not a
monologue.
Responding to a question on the decision of Athens mayor
Dimitris Avramopoulos not to run for parliament, he stated that he
will be useful to the party from the position he has chosen.
[15] THE NEW ARMORED BATTLE TANK WAS PRESENTED TODAY
The new armored battle tank (TOMA), under the name "Centaur",
was presented today at the Litochoro, Pieria shooting ground.
Army general staff chief Konstantinos Panagiotakis
characterized as successful the presentation that was attended by
representatives of German defense industries. The armored tank was
operated by two crews, a Greek and German and overcame
successfully all obstacles.
Greek Vehicle Industry president Likourgos Sakellaris spoke
about the capabilities of the armored tank and said that the
number of the tanks that will be built will depend on the needs of
the armed forces within the framework of the armaments program.
Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos was unable to attend
the presentation due to prior engagements that kept him in Athens.
[16] FYROM'S TRACK AND FIELD SECRETARY WAS KILLED IN A TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
FYROM's track and field secretary was killed, while two
female athletes were seriously injured when their private car
crashed on a tree due to slippery road.
Venofski Menoti, 42 was killed while 19yearolds Maja Kujoska
and Daniella Kulieska were injured. The young women were going to
Athens to take part in track and field sports events. The traffic
accident happened at the Thessaloniki-Athens national motor-way in
Stilida.
[17] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE "FALCON" FINDINGS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, responding to a
question by reporters on whether prime minister Kostas Simitis
will raise the "Falcon" issue to his Romanian counterpart during
his visit to Bucharest, stated that the committee of experts set
up in Romania to examine the conditions under which the "Falcon"
freak accident occurred resulting to the deaths of a number of its
passengers among them deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis
must continue its work undistracted.
Mr. Reppas stated that the Romanian mass media have reported
that the committee together with foreign specialists, such as
Greeks, met today and he expressed the hope that the findings of
the committee will be out soon.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] S.E. EUROPE'S PMs TO SIGN STABILITY PACT
The prime ministers of Southeastern European countries are
to meet in Bucharest tomorrow in order to sign the Pact of
Stability, Security and Good Neighborliness in S.E. Europe and
renew regional cooperation.
The six leaders of the Southeast European countries, namely
the Premiers of Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania, Turkey and
FYROM, are to meet tomorrow in order to sign the Chart of
Friendship, Stability, Security and Cooperation in Southeast
Europe. Yugoslavia will not be attending since, according to
Romania's Foreign Ministry, the said country's participation is
not feasible until its domestic situation has been resolved.
Romanian Premier Emil Constantinescu will chair the meeting,
since his country presently holds the presidium of the said
cooperation initiative.
The Coordinator of the Stability Pact for the Balkans Bodo
Hombach is to also attend the signing ceremony.
Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister
George Papandreou are to meet with their Turkish counterparts,
Bulent Ecevit and Ismael Cem, respectively, on the sidelines of
the Bucharest-held summit. In addition to his Turkish counterpart,
Mr. Simitis will also meet privately with Bulgaria's Premier Ivan
Kostov, and his counterpart from FYROM Liupcko Georgievski.
According to diplomatic circles n Athens, the Simitis-Ecevit
meeting in Bucharest will aim at maintaining the present state of
G/T relations, while matters of substance are not expected to be
touched upon.
[19] GREEK FIRMS EXPOSITION OPENS IN FYROM
A Greek firms exposition is presently underway in Skopje,
FYROM, featuring the participation of 110 companies from the food,
chemical, information and health sectors.
Inaugurated yesterday by the vice-president of FYROM Vasil
Topurkovski, the exposition will provide the opportunity for joint
ventures between the countries. It will be held until February 20.
[20] PROPOSAL TO NAME A BELGRADE AVENUE AFTER ELEFTHERIOS
VENIZELOS
An initiative to name a main avenue in Belgrade after
Eleftherios Venizelos has been undertaken by Association of Greeks
in Serbia former president and current president of the
"Aristotle" cultural center Diogenis Valavanidis.
In statements he made to the television station "Studio B"
explained the reasons that led him to undertake this initiative
and referred extensively to the personality of Eleftherios
Venizelos reminding the statements made by the distinguished Greek
politician and statesman on Serbia and the Serb army during WWI,
while he also stressed that the exhausted Serb army reached the
island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea with the permission of
Eleftherios Venizelos.
Mr. Valavanidis stated that his initiative had the positive
response of Belgrade's municipal authorities and that he was
informed that the issue has been placed among the priorities of
the municipality.
[21] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO YUGOSLAVIA VISITED MONTENEGRO
Greek ambassador to Yugoslavia Panagiotis Vlassopoulos
conveyed to Montenegro president Milo Juganovic the support of the
Greek government to the policy followed by Montenegro for the
strengthening of democratic procedures and the preservation and
strengthening of political stability in Yugoslavia and the region.
In the meeting were discussed issues concerning Montenegro
and relations with Serbia as well as the mutual interest in the
strengthening of bilateral relations.
The Greek ambassador also met in Podgorica with parliament
president Svetozar Marovic and expressed satisfaction over the
state of relations between Montenegro and Greece.
[22] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS LEAVES FOR BUCHAREST
Prime minister Kostas Simitis will be in Bucharest today to
attend the inter-Balkan conference. On the sidelines of the
conference, Mr. Simitis is expected to meet with his counterparts
from Turkey, Bulgaria and FYROM, while Greece will raise the issue
of the partial lifting of the sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia.
The issue will be raised and in the European Union foreign
ministers' meeting that will be held in Brussels on Monday.
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas pointed out that a
declaration of friendship and cooperation for security and
stability in south-eastern Europe will be signed in the Bucharest
conference.
[23] KIPRIANOU LEAVES FOR LONDON TODAY TO UNDERGO A NEW SURGERY
Cypriot parliament president Spiros Kiprianou leaves for
London today to undergo a new operation after the complications
that appeared one month after the open heart surgery he underwent
in the United States.
According to an official statement, Mr. Kiprianou will
undergo a surgery tomorrow afternoon.
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