Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-03
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 3, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEKS SUPPORT UNIFIED EUROPE, BUT REMAIN GREEKS
[02] REPORTS ON GREEK ECONOMY EXPECTED TO BE POSITIVE
[03] PRINCE CHARLES IN GREECE, VISITS MOUNT ATHOS
[04] THESSALONIKI'S GRAPHIS 2000" TO ATTRACT THOUSANDS
[05] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS RESUMES FLIGHTS TO LIBYA
[06] FIFTY KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DURING EASTER
[07] CULTURE, FINANCE MINISTERS DISCUSS OLYMPIC GAMES
[08] WORLD DAY AGAINST ASTHMA MARKED TODAY
[09] THE BABY-BOY HELD BY HIS EGYPTIAN GRANDFATHER WAS RETURNED TO
HIS PARENTS IN GREECE
[10] GREECE WILL JOIN THE EMU
[11] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE EMU
REPORTS
[12] HALF OF THE GREEKS OWN MOBILE PHONES
[13] GAINS OF 0.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] REPPAS: FREEDOM OF PRESS IS AT AN ENVIABLE LEVEL IN GREECE
[15] THE "PLASTICS OF CRETE" COMPANY WILL ESTABLISH A JOINT
VENTURE IN CHINA
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] GREEK, TURKISH FMs DISCUSS CYPRUS WITH HOLBROOKE
[17] FOREIGN ENVOYS DUE IN CYPRUS THIS WEEK
[18] US STATE SECRETARY SUPPORTS G/T RAPPROCHEMENT
[19] PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS CYPRUS
[20] US STATE SECRETARY CALLS INVESTORS TO BALKANS
[21] GREEK FM BRINGS UP TERRORISM ISSUE WITH ALBRIGHT
[22] GREEK FM EXPRESSES CONTAINED OPTIMISM
[23] GREEK,TURKISH FMs MEET IN NEW YORK
[24] THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THREE AGREEMENTS WITH
GREECE
[25] COUNTERFEIT GREEK PAPER MONEY IN ALBANIA
[26] NINETY TWO GREEKS VISITED THE PRINCE ISLANDS IN ISTANBUL
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEKS SUPPORT UNIFIED EUROPE, BUT REMAIN GREEKS
The majority of Greeks are fervent supporters of a unified
Europe, albeit not forgetting that they remain thoroughly Greek.
According to the 52nd "Eurobarometer" poll published in the
Athens daily "Ta Nea", 57 percent of Greeks, along with the Danish
(60%) and the Dutch (55%) support Europe's unification, all
ranking among the countries with the most positive view of this
feat.
Greece is also the country with the most ardent supporters of
a common European defense and foreign policy, with 80 percent of
its citizens viewing this development as absolutely essential.
According to the report, those least enamored with the idea
of Europe's unification are the French, only 34% of whom hold this
development in a positive light.
[02] REPORTS ON GREEK ECONOMY EXPECTED TO BE POSITIVE
The assessment reports on the Greek economy by the European
Central Bank and the European Commission are to be published today
and confidence abounds that their content will be a positive one
as Greece has satisfied the five prerequisites for entry into the
Economic and Monetary Union.
ECB governor Wim Duizenberg and Commissioner for economic and
monetary affairs Pedro Solbes are to submit their views on the
Greek economy to the Economic and Monetary Committee at noon
today. The report is expected to contain suggestions as to how the
Greek government should conduct its economy policy and correct
weaknesses.
Following its accession into the EMU, the country will
implement an economic policy that will aim to sustain low
inflation and fiscal deficit.
The Greek inflation rate is already on a downward trend and
expected to decelerate even more in the second half of the year
following OPEC's decision to increase oil production.
The next stage in the Greek application will come on May 26
when the economic and financial committee meets to discuss the
issue.
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
has stated that the country has completed its participation in
membership procedures and that it now faced two milestones: first,
an ECOFIN Council meeting on June 6 and the final decision on
Greece's EMU membership by an EU summit in Lisbon, June 19.
[03] PRINCE CHARLES IN GREECE, VISITS MOUNT ATHOS
Prince Charles arrived at the all-male monastic community of
Mount Athos yesterday, where he participated in the vespers
service and was reported to also attend the morning Orthros
service.
The Prince of Wales arrived at the Greek island of Limnos on
Monday accompanied by Camilla Parker and his bodyguards.
According to press reports, the prince has been active in
supporting the activities of "The Friends of Mount Athos" in
Britain, especially in the of efforts to preserve the unique
animal and plant wildlife of the peninsula.
[04] THESSALONIKI'S GRAPHIS 2000" TO ATTRACT THOUSANDS
Four thousand retailers are expected to visit the 8th
"Graphis 2000" exhibition of office supplies, books and toys, to
be held at the Thessaloniki Trade Fair between May 5-8.
About 100 companies will be taking part in the exhibition,
which will be held on a 3,000 sq. meter area, especially from the
Balkan region and Southeastern Europe.
The "Helexpo" organizers of the exhibition have received
requests for details from as far as Ukraine, India and Cameroon
while a delegation of Russian business agents is expected to
arrive, their visit organized by Greece's Bureau of Economic and
Trade Affairs in Moscow.
The exhibition will run between 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the
first day, 11 a.m. to 9p.m. during the weekend, and 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. on Monday.
The National Book Center will hold an event on the
modernization of bookstores on Sunday, within the framework of the
exhibition.
[05] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS RESUMES FLIGHTS TO LIBYA
Greece's national carrier Olympic Airways has resumed flights
to Libya after the United Nations lifted an embargo on the country
in place since 1990.
Olympic Airways now runs three flights a week to Benghazi -
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
[06] FIFTY KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DURING EASTER
In spite of the extra measures traffic police had taken, the
Easter exodus this year was one of the worst on record in terms of
traffic accidents, as 50 people lost their lives and 500 others
injured in 328 reported accidents from Easter Thursday up to
Monday evening.
According to traffic police reports, most of the fatal
accidents were due to driver error, such as speeding, overtaking,
driving on the wrong side of the road, driving distractions and
other factors.
[07] CULTURE, FINANCE MINISTERS DISCUSS OLYMPIC GAMES
Following a meeting with Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos,
the National Economy and Finance Minister Yannos Papantoniou
stated that with a strong economy, the government would implement
its policy statements and boost the culture sector.
The two ministers discussed all issues relating to the
culture ministry's financial situation, as well as possible
revenue sources for the 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Athens.
[08] WORLD DAY AGAINST ASTHMA MARKED TODAY
The Health Ministry is sponsoring a series of events to mark
World Day against Asthma, a disease that affects about 700,000
Greeks, most of them children, and costs around 30 billion
drachmas annually in treatment.
A seminar is to take place at the ministry today with a
representative of the Education Ministry, to set up educational
programs for schools on dealing with the disease.
[09] THE BABY-BOY HELD BY HIS EGYPTIAN GRANDFATHER WAS RETURNED TO
HIS PARENTS IN GREECE
The 20-month old baby-boy kept by his Egyptian grandfather
since last August was returned to his parents in Greece (Greek
father and Egyptian mother). The little boy arrived in Athens on
board a flight from Alexandria, Egypt last night after the
mediation of the Greek government.
The boy was accompanied by Greek consul general Michalis
Daratzikis and his grandmother and was handed over to his parents
Yiannis and Jihad Diamanti.
[10] GREECE WILL JOIN THE EMU
The European Commission report that was given to publicity in
Brussels today gave the green light to Greece's EMU membership.
European Commissioner Pedro Soibles stressed that Greece meets
most of the economic preconditions, while it was pointed out that
in the past years the country had achieved a notable progress and
stability was secured by the economic policy followed.
The next steps will be the final evaluation by the Council of
finance ministers and the approval of its EMU membership by the
June 19 EU Summit in Lisbon.
Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou pointed out
the positive character of the European Commission and the European
Central Bank reports on Greece's EMU membership. He also stressed
that Greece met easily all the criteria for its accession into the
EMU and pointed out that the country will adopt the Euro at the
same time with the 11 Euro-zone countries, adding that the
contents of the report concerning Greece were more positive
compared to the reports drawn up two years ago on the accession of
the 11 European countries into the EMU.
Mr. Papantoniou stated that no clearly stated praise of the
economic policy followed by a government was included in any other
report in the past, while he underlined that the European
Commission report does not include any suggestions whatsoever, on
the Greek economy.
Mr. Papantoniou stated that it was recognized that Greece in
the last 6 years covered a distance four times bigger compared to
the other Euro-zone countries in order to achieve its economic
targets. He said that Greece started out in 1993 with a four times
bigger state budget deficit of 14% of the GDP and with four times
bigger inflation. Therefore, stated Mr. Papantoniou, Greece's
progress was more impressive than that achieved by the rest 11
Euro-zone countries.
Referring to the Commission's positions on the fulfillment of
the five convergence points, Mr. Papantoniou said that the
inflation criterion was set by the Maastricht Treaty at 2.4% when
the Greek inflation was at 2% in March. On the public deficit, Mr.
Papantoniou reminded that in 1999 was at 1.6% of the GDP, while
the criterion set was at 3%.
On the debt, Mr. Papantoniou cited the Commission's report in
which it is estimated that it is on a constant decline with the
prospect to drop under 100% of the GDP in 2001. On the criterion
of the foreign exchange rate, it is mentioned that the drachma is
part of the Foreign Exchange Mechanism for a period of over 2
years and that during that time it did not face serious pressures.
Finally, the interest rate criterion will be met easily. The
criterion for the long-term interest rates is set at 7.2%, while
the average interest rate in Greece in the month of March was at
6.4%.
Referring to the structural changes, Mr. Papantoniou stated
that the Commission report does not include any recommendations
whatsoever toward this direction, while on the job market, he
stressed that the report also does not include any recommendation,
clarifying that at present there is no issue for a review of the
existing institutional framework.
[11] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE EMU
REPORTS
The Greek government is fully satisfied with the EMU reports
issued by the European Commission and the European Central Bank,
stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, adding that they are
a reward for the efforts made by the Greek people.
Mr. Reppas said that the government policy is successful and
the efforts made were justified, while the contents of the reports
fully reflect the successes achieved. He also added that the same
course will be continued with the necessary adjustments, while the
goal is the restructuring and establishment of the social state.
[12] HALF OF THE GREEKS OWN MOBILE PHONES
Almost 4.300.000 Greeks own mobile phones, according to the
figures provided by the three main mobile companies in Greece
namely, Panafon, Telestet and Cosmote.
However, 82% of those who do not have a mobile phone do not
intent to get one in the next 12 months, leading the companies to
a race for the reduction of their rates aimed at attracting more
customers.
Those facts, gathered in a research conducted by the company
FOCUS and were presented by the Athens newspaper "ETHNOS", confirm
that the Greek mobile phone market is on the rise and at the same
time it is close to its limits.
The same research shows that men use mobile phones more
compared to women, while regarding the professional groups using
the mobile phones the leading place is held by architects and
engineers with 78.9%.
By March 31, Panafon had 1.773.000 clients, Telestet
1.278.321 and Cosmote 1.220.172.
[13] GAINS OF 0.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 0.30% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index was at 4.381,14 points while the
volume of transactions was at satisfactory levels over 110 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 102 recorded gains, 231 had
losses while 35 remained at yesterday's levels.
[14] REPPAS: FREEDOM OF PRESS IS AT AN ENVIABLE LEVEL IN GREECE
The freedom of press is synonymous with democracy and the
respect for the rights of the citizens, stated Greek government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas on the occasion of the Freedom of Press
World Day.
Mr. Reppas referred to the free, unhindered and objective
operation of the mass media which is the main ingredient for the
functioning of the democratic institutions and added that Greece
has achieved an enviable level of freedom of press.
[15] THE "PLASTICS OF CRETE" COMPANY WILL ESTABLISH A JOINT
VENTURE IN CHINA
The Greek company "Plastics of Crete" will found a joint
venture in China after an agreement signed with the state-run
company "Shanghai San Hua Film Plant".
The new company in which the "Plastics of Crete" and its
partners from Taiwan own 80% of the shares, while the Chinese
company owns 20%, is named "Shanghai HiTec Plastics Co. Ltd" and
will proceed with an investment of US$10 million for the
production in China of plastic sheets used in greenhouses and in
other farming sector applications, based on the know-how that will
be provided by the Greek company.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] GREEK, TURKISH FMs DISCUSS CYPRUS WITH HOLBROOKE
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations Richard
Holbooke received the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey,
George Papandreou and Ismail Cem respectively, yesterday, with
whom he discussed the Cyprus problem.
According to reports, Mr. Holbrooke stressed the need for a
resolution to the issue, and underlined US President Bill
Clinton's willingness to do all he can down to the last hour of
his presidency.
Moreover, the US diplomat is reported to have implied that he
could be personally involved with the resolution of the Cyprus
problem at some point.
[17] FOREIGN ENVOYS DUE IN CYPRUS THIS WEEK
Foreign envoys dealing with the Cyprus issue on are expected
on the island this week in an effort to move the peace process
forward.
British envoy Sir David Hannay is to arrive in Cyprus
tomorrow, during which he will meet with Cyprus President Glafcos
Clerides and, separately, with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash. The visit comes in advance of the forthcoming third
round of the UN-sponsored "proximity talks."
The United Nations special advisor for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto
will arrive on May 8, when he is scheduled to have meetings with
the President and the Turkish Cypriot leader.
[18] US STATE SECRETARY SUPPORTS G/T RAPPROCHEMENT
In an awards ceremony honoring the foreign ministers of
Greece and Turkey, Messrs. George Papandreou and Ismael Cem
respectively, United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
pledged support for Greek-Turkish rapprochement in Cyprus.
Ms. Albright stated that "the United States will do
everything in its power to help our dear friends and allies
sustain their extraordinary momentum, and to encourage new steps
towards a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus."
Moreover, she added that both Messrs. Papandreou and Cem,
"have done more to bring about reconciliation between Greece and
Turkey than any comparable duo in living memory."
The Secretary of State also praised the two countries' role
in helping to end the Balkans conflict, calling both nations
"incredible allies to the US."
Mr. Papandreou called the division of Cyprus a "tragedy," and
expressed "hope that Cyprus may one day be united." He further
added that Prime Minister Costas Simitis "is committed to
patiently pursuing this cause."
Mr. Cem, addressing his Greek counterpart as "a colleague and
friend," called for better relations between the two countries
through "carefully crafted agreements" and noted that Greece and
Turkey have concluded nine such agreements between them thus far.
[19] PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS CYPRUS
Portugal's Foreign Minister and president of the EU Council
of ministers, Haime Gama, arrived in Cyprus yesterday for talks
with his Cypriot counterpart Yannakis Kasoulidis, as well as with
the head of the negotiating team for Cyprus' EU accession, George
Vasiliou.
The Portuguese foreign minister's visit to Cyprus marks the
beginning of a series of diplomatic visits, in view of the
upcoming third round of proximity talks on Cyprus in New York.
Mr. Gama will also be received by the Cypriot president
Glafcos Clerides, while he is scheduled to meet with the Turkish-
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
[20] US STATE SECRETARY CALLS INVESTORS TO BALKANS
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright urged private
investors to support the efforts of the United States and European
governments to bring political stability to the Balkans through
economic development.
Addressing a conference organized by the East-West Institute
on the theme "the new geopolitics in southeast Europe and the
climate for investment.", Ms. Albright described the Stability
Pact with Balkan countries as "a two-way bargain" rather than a
one-way street, and said "the region has agreed to do all it can
to create the economic, political and security conditions that
will make development possible and private investment rewarding."
Moreover, she praised the foreign ministers of Greece and
Turkey, George Papandreou and Ismael Cem respectively, "for aiding
development, promoting investment, and helping to turn the Balkans
problem into the Southeast European opportunity."
She also stated that Serbia would be welcome to participate
in the Stability Pact's projects and programs when it became
democratic.
[21] GREEK FM BRINGS UP TERRORISM ISSUE WITH ALBRIGHT
Foreign Minister George Papandreou discussed the State
Department report on global terrorism, which essentially accuses
Greece of inaction, with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
during their meeting in New York yesterday.
Stating that the report is unjust to Greece, Mr. Papandreou
said that "it is known everywhere that Greece has made it a top
aim to deal with terrorism, that it is a country with especially
great security for its citizens and that it has signed many
relevant agreements with other countries."
[22] GREEK FM EXPRESSES CONTAINED OPTIMISM
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed "contained
optimism" following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismael
Cem and U.S. Secretary of state Madeleine Albright, with whom he
discussed issues pertaining to Greek-Turkish relations and the
Cyprus problem.
"I believe that it was a very significant opportunity for our
country to promote the Cyprus issue in light of the developments,
especially of the (forthcoming) third round of talks to begin on
May 23 under the auspices of the United Nations.
It is a significant matter to us, whose positive outcome will
definitely contribute to the Greek-Turkish rapprochement," he
stated.
While he stated that the US have underlined their interest in
resolving the issue, he added that he cannot assess Turkey's
stance, albeit he added that "we will soon see Mr. Denktash's
stance and will be able to draw our own conclusions."
[23] GREEK,TURKISH FMs MEET IN NEW YORK
The Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, George Papandreou
and Ismael Cem respectively, met in New York yesterday where they
expressed their intent to promote the resolution of the Cyprus
problem and the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) over the
Aegean.
According to reports, in a trilateral meeting with Messrs.
Papandreou and Cem, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
asked them to maintain the present climate in Greek-Turkish
relations and to deal with their differences constructively.
Mr. Papandreou is to meet with the US presidential envoy to
Cyprus Alfred Moses.
[24] THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THREE AGREEMENTS WITH
GREECE
Three of the agreements signed by Greece and Turkey will be
ratified by the Turkish parliament.
According to the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet", prime minister
Bulent Ecevit decided to bring the agreements on economic
cooperation, investment protection and sea transportation to
parliament for ratification.
The agreements will be discussed in parliament immediately
after the election of the new Turkish president.
[25] COUNTERFEIT GREEK PAPER MONEY IN ALBANIA
An Albanian from Korce tried to sell in the black market of
the city of Lezia counterfeit Greek paper money with a total
value of 350.000 drachmas.
According to information from the ministry of public order,
an investigation is underway to determine if the individual
arrested is a member of an international ring of counterfeiters
who are channeling hundreds of thousands of counterfeit paper
money from different countries in Albania.
[26] NINETY TWO GREEKS VISITED THE PRINCE ISLANDS IN ISTANBUL
Greeks from the Buyukada island, the largest of the Prince
Islands in Istanbul, they were forced to leave 45 years ago during
the violent riots that erupted against the Greeks, returned there
for a one-week visit looking for signs of the past and
anticipating to meet with some of their old friends. The Turkish
newspaper "Radikal" wrote that "their hearts were always here" and
all 92 visitors from Greece were received warmly with a sign
writing "Welcome".
The moving report published on the Turkish newspaper
underlines that the Greeks were sobbing because the islands were
their home and they had lived there in peace with their Turkish
neighbors.
One of them, called Miltos, remembered that during the riots
his family's Turkish friends had raised a Turkish flag at their
house in order to protect them from the rioters and had slept
outside their door to chase away any intruder. A woman, called
Irene, visited Buyukada with her son. Her father had died in
Athens and was buried there but before his death he had expressed
the wish to be buried in Buyukada. His daughter fulfilled his wish
and brought her father's remains to the island in 1992.
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