Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-04-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, April 27, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CYPRIOT FM IN ATHENS, MEETS WITH PAPANDREOU
[02] SWAT TEAMS RAID PRISON TO QUELL RIOT
[03] BUNDESBANK BANKER FIRM ON OFF-THE-CUFF VIEW
[04] SEVE CREATES ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FOR EXPORTS
[05] STRICT MARKET CONTROLS OVER EASTER HOLIDAY
[06] THIS EASTER HOLIDAY HAS LARGEST EXODUS EVER
[07] REPORT ON RED TAPE CALLS FOR FRESH ATTITUDES
[08] TWO SLIGHT TREMORS, NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN
[09] THE TRANSPORT OF CRUDE OIL FROM THESSALONIKI TO SKOPJE
CONTINUES
[10] DIAMANTOPOULOU'S STATEMENTS TO MPA
[11] GAINS OF 2.64% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] INCIDENT BETWEEN CROSSAIR AND ALITALIA PILOTS
[13] SIMITIS MET WITH THE IOC VICE-PRESIDENT
[14] ELTON JOHN WILL BE IN ATHENS IN SEPTEMBER
[15] ANALYSTS EXPLAIN THE BEHAVIOR OF THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] BSEC MEETING BEGINS IN BUCHAREST TODAY
[17] GREEK, TURKISH FMs "PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR"
[18] CHIRAC BESTOWS HIGHEST AWARD TO MS. ARVELER
[19] ANDREAS' BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT A SUCCESS
[20] BOUCHER REPLACES RUBIN AT STATE DEPARTMENT
[21] BIG WELCOME FOR GREEKS VISITING BUYUKADA
[22] GREECE LOW ON FOREST PRESERVATION SCALE
[23] PAPADIMOS IS IN FRANKFURT
[24] NEW GREEK AMBASSADOR TO SOFIA
[25] PROTEST BY THE "OMONIA" GREEK MINORITY ORGANIZATION IN
ALBANIA
[26] ROMANIAN ECONOMY WEEK IN GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CYPRIOT FM IN ATHENS, MEETS WITH PAPANDREOU
Cypriot Foreign Minister Yannakis Kassoulides held talks with
his Greek counterpart George Papandreou in Athens yesterday where
they discussed all aspects of the Cyprus issue in light of the
third round of proximity talks due to start in New York on May 23.
Following the discussion, Mr. Papandreou said that both
Athens and Nicosia believe that the time has come for substantive
negotiations on the Cyprus issue and that the cycle of proximity
talks has closed.
Furthermore, he stated that he and Mr. Kasoulides discussed
issues concerning the preparation of Cyprus President Glafcos
Clerides' visit to Athens on May 19 for talks with Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and the Greek government.
[02] SWAT TEAMS RAID PRISON TO QUELL RIOT
A riot that erupted last night at the Avlona prison has left
two juvenile inmates - one of them an Albanian national -
injured.
According to official reports, the riot broke out at 10 pm
yesterday and lasted for most of the night, until the Justice
Department, following intense negotiations, ordered SWAT teams to
raid the prison.
About fifty inmates at the juvenile detention facility
participated in the melee and took a prison guard hostage.
Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos has ordered an
investigation into the matter.
The injured prisoners were taken to nearby hospitals for
treatment while the correctional officer did not require medical
care.
[03] BUNDESBANK BANKER FIRM ON OFF-THE-CUFF VIEW
Yesterday's unsubstantiated comments by a senior German
central banker that Greece will not be ready for EMU membership
for another year have provoked a strong reaction from Athens, but
the naysayer insisted on his view during an interview with the
economic daily "Naftemporiki" today.
Hans Reckers, a Bundesbank council member, states that Greece
has not secured the EMU's public deficit and inflation criteria in
a sustainable manner.
However, Mr. Reckers views are apparently not espoused by the
European Central Bank's board which is to issue a favorable
opinion today in regards to Greece's accession to the Economic and
Monetary Union.
Mr. Recker's comments pushed the drachma to an all-time low,
while the Athens bourse also took a four-percent plunge, only to
recover shortly afterwards and close with losses registering at
1.83%.
A high-ranking official from the Ministry of National
Economy pointed out that isolated views expressed by one board
member, of one financial institution out of the European Central
Bank's 15 members are not to play a role in the assessment of
Greece's candidacy for entry in the eurozone.
[04] SEVE CREATES ELECTRONIC LIBRARY FOR EXPORTS
The Association of Northern Greek Exporters (SEVE) has
established an electronic library providing information useful to
exporters.
Accessed at www.seve.gr/gr/gmain.html, the library, is open
to members, and also to trade associations by agreement, according
to SEVE.
[05] STRICT MARKET CONTROLS OVER EASTER HOLIDAY
Strict market controls are presently being enforced in light
of the Easter holiday, in an effort to ensure adequacy of
supplies, good quality of products and keep prices in check.
According to Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, the
overall cost of this year's Easter dinner table is only 2-2.3
percent higher than last year, meaning that price increases are
slightly lower than inflation. Price fluctuations may exist for
some commodities.
[06] THIS EASTER HOLIDAY HAS LARGEST EXODUS EVER
Even though mass transportation schedules were boosted with
added routes in order to facilitate the Easter holiday travelers,
everything is booked to capacity as this year has the largest
exodus ever.
Highway patrols have stepped up road checks while trucks have
been banned from using the national roads today and tomorrow, and
next Monday and Tuesday for the returning vacationers.
[07] REPORT ON RED TAPE CALLS FOR FRESH ATTITUDES
Greeks are overwhelmed by ever-reaching red tape in the
public sector where, if the paper chase wasn't enough, their woes
are compounded by rude employees, lack of answers and
indifference, according to an annual report on bureaucracy.
The report was submitted to Premier Costas Simitis by
Ombudsman Nikoforos Diamantouros who stated that the aim is to
form an alternative administrative mentality based on the
principles of resolution, not confrontation.
According to the report 8,223 complaints were filed with the
Ombudsman's office during 1999, while it received 29,000 calls
from the disgruntled public.
Subdivided into sections, 32.65% of the complaints concerned
state-citizen relations; 27.48% were over social welfare issues;
25.15% were on quality of life and 15.74% regarded human rights.
[08] TWO SLIGHT TREMORS, NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Two slight tremors occurred early this morning in the Attica
basin, measuring 3.6 and 3.4 degrees on the Richter scale, both
stemming from the Parnitha region.
According to seismologists, there is no cause of concern over
the tremors - which occurred seven minutes apart.
[09] THE TRANSPORT OF CRUDE OIL FROM THESSALONIKI TO SKOPJE
CONTINUES
The transport of crude oil destined for the Skopje oil
refinery resumed today through the railway border crossing of
Idomeni-Gevgeli at the Greek-FYROM borders after a 10-day
interruption.
The crude oil arrived in Thessaloniki two days ago with a new
tanker that has a capacity of 48.000 tons. An average of 4.000
tons arrive at the oil refinery of Skopje every day, while another
tanker is expected in Thessaloniki carrying 50.000 tons of crude
oil for the needs of the Skopje oil refinery.
[10] DIAMANTOPOULOU'S STATEMENTS TO MPA
Specific initiatives against discrimination in the European
Union job market are being undertaken by the "15" having as a
"vehicle" among others the EQUAL program, according to statements
made to MPA by EU Commissioner responsible for job issues, Ms.
Anna Diamantopoulou.
The specific program is a continuation of the community
initiatives EMPLOYMENT and ADAPT and covers the period 2000-2006,
while part of the funds, estimated at 953,7 billion drachmas, will
be directed to Greece.
A 3% of the EQUAL program budget corresponds to Greece and
Ms. Diamantopoulou speaking to MPA clarified that its goal is to
counter any form of discriminating treatment in the job market
through the promotion of new solutions.
On the occasion of the discussions that followed the
statements made by German chancellor Gerhard Schreder suggesting
that the so-called "green card" be issued to foreigners who are
computer scientists, she said that the "green card" in the
specific sector reflects the lack of qualifications in the area of
computer science and the need for specialized employees.
It should be reminded that according to recent statements
made by the Greek EU Commissioner in a 2-year period the lack of
specialized personnel in the specific sector will be increased by
1.600.000 job positions.
[11] GAINS OF 2.64% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange had gains of 2.46% today and the
general index closed at 4.249,45 points. However, the volume of
transactions was disappointing as it was under 75 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 307 recorded gains, 30 had losses
and 28 remained stable.
[12] INCIDENT BETWEEN CROSSAIR AND ALITALIA PILOTS
The Swiss pilot of a CROSSAIR airline passenger plane was
suspended when last Thursday ignored twice the directions given by
Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport control tower.
According to airport officials, the Swiss pilot had received
the order by the control tower to stop at the so-called holding
position giving a priority to take off to the pilot of an ALITALIA
airplane. However, the Swiss pilot continued to move his airplane
irritating the Italian pilot.
The two crews exchanged heavy words through their radio
transmitters based on the tapes with the conversations that took
place between the pilots and the control tower.
The issue has taken up big dimensions in Switzerland and
according to the Swiss newspaper "TAGES ANZEIGER", an airline
spokesman characterized as "gross" the error made by the pilot.
It should be reminded that in the last four months CROSSAIR
airplanes, a SWISSAIR subsidiary, had big problems such as, a
crash that caused the deaths of 10 people in northern Switzerland
and three mechanical failure incidents.
[13] SIMITIS MET WITH THE IOC VICE-PRESIDENT
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis met with the
International Olympic Committee vice-president in Athens in the
presence of culture minister Theodoros Pangalos. Mr. Simitis
briefed the IOC vice-president on the effort make by Greece
regarding the preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games and the way
in which the existing problems will be handled.
According to press information, Mr. Simitis will have a round
of contacts with the responsible ministers and the members of the
2004 Olympic Games committees and he is expected to proceed with
changes regarding the structure of those committees and their
members.
[14] ELTON JOHN WILL BE IN ATHENS IN SEPTEMBER
World famous British singer and music writer Elton John will
be in Athens in September within the framework of this year's
Athens Festival events. He will give a concert on September 1 or
10 at Irodion Theater and the decision to include an Elton John
concert within the framework of the festival was taken by its
board of directors last Thursday.
However, the artist has not given yet his written
confirmation but he has already said "yes" verbally to the
invitation. According to rumors, the preparations for the concert
will cost 200 million drachmas.
[15] ANALYSTS EXPLAIN THE BEHAVIOR OF THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Analysts attempted to give an explanation to the behavior of
the Athens Stock Exchange underlining however, that today the
Greek stock market showed signs of maturity compared to its
reaction to the statements made by German Bundesbank official Hans
Reckers yesterday.
The small volume of transactions did not cause an alarm to
the market circles who pointed out that it is partly justified by
the fact that in effect the whole of the Greek market is affected
by the Easter Holidays. Today's session was characterized as very
good but with a small turnover which is a usual phenomenon
observed every year during the Easter Holiday period.
The analysts expressed guarded optimism saying that soon the
Athens Stock Exchange will turn a new page given the fact that the
Greek economy indexes are improved and this will be reflected on
the Greek money market. They also suggest calm to investors,
adding that they should not invest in stocks of companies they
know nothing about.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] BSEC MEETING BEGINS IN BUCHAREST TODAY
The fourth meeting among the member-states of the
Organization of Economic Cooperation in the Black Sea (BSEC) is to
be held in Bucharest today and tomorrow.
The participants will review the results of the terrorism-
combat agreement signed during the BSEC's previous meeting.
The meeting will feature the participation of Interior
Ministers from Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Albania,
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Romania, which presently holds the
organization's six-month rotating presidency.
[17] GREEK, TURKISH FMs "PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR"
Greece's Foreign Minster George Papandreou and his Turkish
counterpart Ismael Cem are to be declared "Personalities of the
Year" by the East-West Institute, during their visit to New York
on May 2.
Earlier the same day, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Richard
Holbrooke - the next Secretary of State if Al Gore is elected
president - will hold a reception in honor of the two ministers,
with whom he has often worked in the past in his capacity as
presidential envoy on the Cyprus issue and in the Balkans.
On May 3, Messrs. Papandreou and Cem will travel to
Washington, where they will meet with Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright at the State Department.
She is expected to congratulate Mr. Papandreou on his
victory, but to encourage both to make the most of the "historic
opportunity" and to take "courageous steps."
Mme. Albright is also expected to remind Mr. Cem of the
usefulness of a positive gesture towards Greece in return for
Greece's approval of Turkey's candidacy for EU membership in
Helsinki.
Greece's and Turkey's Emergency Task Forces, EMAK and AKUT
respectively, are also to be jointly awarded with the
"Humanitarian Prize" in acknowledgment of their massive rescue
efforts during the successive earthquakes that struck both
countries last August and September.
[18] CHIRAC BESTOWS HIGHEST AWARD TO MS. ARVELER
French President Jacques Chirac will award France's highest
distinction of the "Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor"
to world-renowned Byzantinologist Ms. Eleni Arveler who is of
Greek descent.
President Chirac is to award Ms. Arveler for her scientific
work and her administrative activities in many French Universities
and the George Pompidou Cultural Center in Paris.
[19] ANDREAS' BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT A SUCCESS
A bone marrow transplant operation on six-year-old Cypriot
leukemia sufferer Andreas Vassiliou in a hospital in Houston, was
a success.
According to press reports from Cyprus, placenta cells were
used in the operation, after 50,000 blood samples from Cyprus and
Greece failed to identify a potential bone marrow donor.
Cypriot doctors have stated that it will take three or four
weeks to see if the transplant was effective.
[20] BOUCHER REPLACES RUBIN AT STATE DEPARTMENT
Richard Boucher will be replacing James Rubin as State
Department spokesman as of today.
Mr. Boucher, who has served as US Ambassador to Cyprus, is a
career foreign service officer who has served in both Republican
and Democratic administrations. He was deputy spokesman under
Republican Secretary of State James Baker; spokesman under
Lawrence Eagleburger, Baker's successor during the Bush
administration; and spokesman for Secretary of State Warren
Christopher during the first five months of the Clinton
Administration.
He is fluent in German, French and Chinese.
[21] BIG WELCOME FOR GREEKS VISITING BUYUKADA
A group of 92 Greeks born and raised in Buyukada, but who
later migrated to Greece, returned to their birthplace yesterday
as guests where they were greeted by locals and officials with
flowers and Turkish and Greek children performing folk dances.
"We believe that our friendship will contribute to the
rapprochement between Turkey and Greece," city councilman Mustafa
Farsakoglu stated.
The guests are to be hosted by relatives for a week in
Buyukada.
[22] GREECE LOW ON FOREST PRESERVATION SCALE
Greece holds the fifteenth rank among 19 European states in
forest preservation measures, according to the World Wildlife Fund
report submitted to the eighth session of the United Nations
Commission on Sustainable Development, presently held in New
York.
Specifically, Greece ranks 15th with an average forest
protection rate of 47%, while Turkey is considerably higher, at
eighth place and 53%.
According to the WWF report, no country safeguards its
forests as it should. Even Switzerland, which ranks first among
the nineteen, holds a protection rate of 62 percent, while the
median is also a low 51%.
"Mediterranean countries safeguard their forests quite well
and, at times, even better then their northern neighbors," WWF
reports.
[23] PAPADIMOS IS IN FRANKFURT
The European Union bankers are expected to adopt a positive
stance toward Greece's application for EMU accession in their
meeting today held under European Central Bank governor Vim
Duisenberg.
However, it is expected that they will make certain
recommendations for structural changes in all the "fronts" of the
Greek economy which will be considered seriously by Bank of Greece
governor Loukas Papadimos who is in Frankfurt for that purpose.
[24] NEW GREEK AMBASSADOR TO SOFIA
Greece's new ambassador to Sofia Michalis Christidis
presented his credentials to Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov.
The Greek diplomat is a graduate of Thessaloniki's Aristotle
University Law School and has worked in the Greek embassy in Libya
and in the Greek consulates in Napoli and Milano, in Italy.
It should be noted that Mr. Christidis' predecessor in the
Greek embassy in Sofia Mr. Panagiotis Karakasis was honored with
the highest distinction in Bulgaria, the Stara Planina medal.
[25] PROTEST BY THE "OMONIA" GREEK MINORITY ORGANIZATION IN
ALBANIA
The Democratic Union of the Ethnic Greek minority
Organization "Omonia" protested strongly against the Albanian
campaign aimed at giving pastures and grasslands that belong to
the ethnic Greek minority to individuals who are not their
rightful owners.
Members of the ethnic Greek minority sent a memorandum today
to the local and state authorities in Albania and to international
organizations signed by thousands of ethnic Greek minority
members, pointing out that groups of people and state and judicial
institutions try to appropriate thousands of hectares of land,
grasslands and forest land, that belong to villages, monasteries
or the state, by grossly violating moral rules and laws.
The members of "Omonia" want the files on the pastures and
grasslands to be re-examined by a special committee and also wants
the individuals involved to suffer the consequences of the law.
The memorandum and the file with the thousands of signatures
were sent to Albanian president Redzep Meidan, prime minister Ilir
Meta, the parliament president, the Supreme Judicial Council, the
prosecutor general, the OSCE ambassador, the US ambassador, the
Council of Europe delegation and the French ambassador.
[26] ROMANIAN ECONOMY WEEK IN GREECE
The US East European Investment Institute in cooperation with
Forum Invest Romania will organize a Romanian Economy Week in
Greece to take place on June 5-9.
The representatives of the Forum Invest Romania maintain that
the sum of US$78 million will be invested in the main sectors of
the Romanian economy through the Greek program for the
Reconstruction of the Balkans.
Meanwhile, the Romanian-Greek Economic Forum will be held on
June 7 and among the issues that will be discussed are the
strengthening of economic cooperation between Greece and Romania,
the financing through banks, investment funds, capital markets and
access to the funds allocated by the Greek state within the
framework of the Romanian-Greek programs.
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