Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-07-10
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 10, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THERE IS NO END TO THE NIGHTMARE OF FIRE IN GREECE
[02] MARGINAL GAINS OF 0.06% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[03] PAPANDREOU: SOLUTION FOR THE CONTINENTAL SHELF WITHOUT
HURTING THE AEGEAN
[04] THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION OF HELLENISM MEETING IS
HELD IN ATHENS
[05] THE JAWBONE OF A PRE-HISTORIC ELEPHANT WAS UNEARTHED IN
GREVENA, NORTH-WESTERN GREECE
[06] THE EUROPEAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CHILDREN WILL BE HELD IN
ATHENS
[07] REPPAS: STROVILIA HUMILIATES THE UNITED NATIONS
[08] GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM
[09] WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS IN GREECE
[10] THE OA PRESIDENT MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE
AUSTRALIAN STATE OF VICTORIA
[11] GREEK-FYROM MILITARY AGREEMENT SIGNED
[12] PASCHALIDES: PROPOSALS FOR MEDITERRANEAN-BALKAN FIREFIGHTING
NETWORK
[13] BAKOYIANNI: GOVERNMENT REACTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
"UNCOORDINATED & AWKWARD"
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] STRONG GREEK REACTION TO THE ALTERATION OF THE NAME OF FYROM
IN THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEETING
[15] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID FOR THE CHILDREN OF SERBIA
[16] DETECTIVE NOVEL ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES
[17] THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION OF US-CANADA ELECTED A WOMAN
PRESIDENT
[18] INTERVENTION BY MS. PAPAZOI IN THE EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THERE IS NO END TO THE NIGHTMARE OF FIRE IN GREECE
Hundreds of fires are in progress across Greece as the strong
winds fan the flames, while the high temperatures and the drought
favor the spread of the fire to many regions.
The big fire in the Aegean island of Samos continues its
catastrophic work, while according to interior ministry general
secretary Panagiotis Vasiliou, priority has been given to fires in
Fthiotida, central Greece and Samos, adding that 110 fires are in
progress across the country today 25 of which are in Fthiotida
The dramatic situation that has been formed with the hundreds
of fire fronts in the country was examined in an emergency meeting
under minister of interior Vaso Papandreou that was held in Athens
yesterday. It was decided that the people who suffered damages by
the fire will be compensated and the army will patrol across the
country in order to prevent fires and guard the evacuated
villages.
Meanwhile, the three Albanians arrested for the fire in
Gramatiko, near Athens were charged with arson, while a pensioner,
who was arrested for the fire in the Ionian island of Kefalonia
last week, was taken to the Patras prison.
Minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis stated in an
interview with the Athens radio station "Flash" that this summer
will be an ugly one with very difficult conditions, while he
attributed the large number of fires raging across the country to
the extreme weather conditions, the heat, drought and the strong
winds.
Mr. Chrisochoidis stated that 153 fires were burning in
Greece last night and of them only 6 are raging out of control
today. According to public order general secretary, about 25
thousands of hectars of forest and farm land and tens of houses
have been destroyed in Samos.
Meanwhile, the temperature will be tolerable in the country
today and tomorrow but on Wednesday the heatwave will return and
temperatures will reach 42 and 43 degrees Celsius.
[02] MARGINAL GAINS OF 0.06% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Marginal gains of 0.06% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today and the general index was at 3.916,42 points,
creating a climate of guarded optimism among investors after
Friday's plunge.
However, the volume of transactions was very low, at 66
billion drachmas, and was the result of the lack of purchasing
interest.
Of the stocks trading today, 236 recorded gains, 94 had
losses and 34 remained unchanged.
[03] PAPANDREOU: SOLUTION FOR THE CONTINENTAL SHELF WITHOUT
HURTING THE AEGEAN
The issue of the state-issued identity cards is nothing
compared to the big issue that concerns the State-Church
relations, stated foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in an
interview with the Athens newspaper "TA NEA".
Referring to the Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of the
continental shelf he said that Greece is preparing for the moment
when those issues will be discussed and specialists are examining
the legal aspects of the issue as well as the political aspects of
the negotiations.
Mr. Papandreou stated that the final normalization of
bilateral relations will come after the solution of the Cyprus
problem. Mr. Papandreou said that Turkey must assume its
responsibilities on the Cyprus issue and mainly on Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash's provocative stance in the region of
Strovilia. He also said that a failure in the efforts for the
solution of the problem will have direct consequences on Turkey's
course toward the European Union.
On the issue of FYROM's name he said that a solution should
be found as soon as possible.
Regarding the relations with Albania, he said that Greece
will work for the stability in the country but Tirana must show
responsibility and respect toward Greece and the rest Balkan
countries.
Mr. Papandreou appears ready to play the role of the mediator
between the international community and Belgrade saying that
Athens briefs its partners on Belgrade's stance and at the same
time brief's Belgrade on the developments in the international
community.
[04] THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION OF HELLENISM MEETING IS
HELD IN ATHENS
The World Inter-Parliamentary Association of Hellenism
presiding board meeting opened in Athens today and will be
completed on Wednesday, July 12. The Greek parliament attends the
meeting through its vice-president Panagiotis Sgouridis.
The World Inter-Parliamentary Association of Hellenism was
formed at the initiative of the Greek government in December 1996
and its goal is the cooperation of the Greek origin parliament
deputies around the world aimed at their briefing on issues of
mutual interest and the development of joint strategies.
It numbers about 100 members and its plenary session has met
twice in Athens in 1996 and in 1998.
[05] THE JAWBONE OF A PRE-HISTORIC ELEPHANT WAS UNEARTHED IN
GREVENA, NORTH-WESTERN GREECE
The excavations in the region of Milia, in Grevena, north-
western Greece unearthed the most complete jawbone of a pre-
historic elephant ever discovered in Europe. The findings are
estimated to be 3 million years old, while the scientists also
found the elephant's 4.5meter long tusks.
According to paleontologists, this specific elephant was 4
meters high and its weight was estimated at 12 tons. Paleontology
lecturer in Thessaloniki's Aristotle University Ms. Evangelia
Tsoukala stated to MPA that their gigantic size was the reason
that led these creatures to extinction.
The excavations in Milia, Grevena started in 1996 and the
tusks were unearthed on that year, while they are exhibited to the
public in Milia since 1997. According to Ms. Tsoukala, similar
findings have been discovered only in China.
Ms. Tsoukala's group is scheduled to conduct excavations in
the regions of Sidirokastro, Serres in northern Greece and in
Zagliveri, near Thessaloniki where the findings unearthed in the
past date back 5-7 million years.
[06] THE EUROPEAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CHILDREN WILL BE HELD IN
ATHENS
The 5th European Boxing Championship for Children will be
held in Athens on July 12-17 and it is expected to attract the
interest of many fans of the sport as they will have the
opportunity to watch tomorrow's great European boxers.
In the European Boxing Championship for Children will take
part 27 countries with 187 athletes, while FYROM is likely to also
take part with one boxer. The teams from 8 countries namely,
Slovenia, Armenia, Israel, Germany, Moldavia, Bulgaria, Lithuania
and Ukraine have already arrived in Athens, while the rest of the
teams representing Russia, Croatia, Finland, Belarus, Georgia,
Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, the
Czech Republic, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Ireland, Slovakia and Romania
will arrive tomorrow. Greece will be represented in all 13
categories with an equal number of athletes.
[07] REPPAS: STROVILIA HUMILIATES THE UNITED NATIONS
Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash showed that
they are not ready to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus
problem, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas,
responding to a question by a reporter on the occasion of Mr.
Denktash's article on the US newspaper "Washington Times" that
speaks of the establishment of two countries and two sovereign
entities.
Mr. Reppas stated that Turkey's intentions were revealed and
stressed that the United Nations must attribute responsibilities
regarding the stance of the Turkish Cypriot leadership. The Greek
government spokesman stated characteristically that Mr. Denktash's
proposals can not become a point of reference or the basis for the
solution of the Cyprus problem.
Regarding the provocative stance of the Turks in the region
of Strovilia near Famagusta, the Greek government spokesman
reiterated that this issue humiliates the international
organization which appears unable to react.
[08] GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM
An information campaign aimed at the sensitization of the
people on the issue of terrorism will be launched by the
government next Wednesday, according to government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas. The campaign will start with television and radio
spots.
At noon on Wednesday there will be one minute of silence in
the Greek parliament and all the public agencies in memory of the
victims of terrorist attacks.
[09] WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS IN GREECE
The problem of water shortage is outside our doors, stated
minister of agriculture Giorgos Anomeritis speaking to the Athens
radio station "Flash" this morning, while he expressed concern
over the fact that water resources have become limited.
Speaking in the 8th summit of the Farm Policy Council that
will discuss the construction of 300 dams across Greece, Mr.
Anomeritis expressed concern over the dramatic decline in the
water reserves as a result of the limited rainfall during the
winter.
However, he clarified that for the moment there is no risk of
water shortage, adding that the mismanagement of water resources
by agriculture plays a significant role in causing water shortage
as this sector uses 83% of the country's water supply.
[10] THE OA PRESIDENT MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE
AUSTRALIAN STATE OF VICTORIA
Prime minister of the Australian state of Victoria, Steve
Bracks met with the Greek national airline Olympic Airways, OA,
president Mr. Kalofonos in Athens to exchange views on the OA
development potential in Melbourne.
The meeting was attended by airline executives and were
discussed trade policy issues as well as issues concerning OA's
operation in Victoria.
Mr. Bracks expressed his satisfaction for the improvement of
the offered services and the renewal of the OA fleet with AIRBUS
A340-300 aircraft, while he pledged the full support of his
government if it is needed.
[11] GREEK-FYROM MILITARY AGREEMENT SIGNED
A new military agreement was signed today between the Foreign
ministers of Athens and Skopje, Akis Tsochatsopoulos and Nikola
Kliousef respectively.
The agreement has been signed with the aim of developing
border forces, mainly on the Albanian borders, as well as
cooperation between Greece and FYROM within the military industry.
As far as the name FYROM is concerned, Mr Kliousef expressed
his wish to resolve the issue in the near future.
[12] PASCHALIDES: PROPOSALS FOR MEDITERRANEAN-BALKAN FIREFIGHTING
NETWORK
The minister for Macedonia and Thrace, George Paschalides,
has put forward a proposal calling for the creation of a
Mediterranean-Balkan network to deal with the fires currently
blazing through the region. Mr Paschalides described the saving of
lives, personal property and the environment as being the most
pressing issue at the moment, adding that the emergency network is
necessary as fires are affecting all mediterranean and balkan
countries.
In his proposal, Mr Paschalides also expressed the opinion
that "the saving of lives is our main priority, as is the saving
of personal property and of the environment. At the same time, it
is an issue which affects the whole of the Balkan region and all
mediterranean countries, making it necessary to create a support
network of solidarity between these countries that can deal with
these events. Unfortunately, these are problems that we will
always have to face, due to the constant weather changes."
In addition to this, the minister for Macedonia and Thrace
stated that the Greek government is coordinating the extinguishing
of the fires, reminding people not to forget that "there were over
100 fires in Greece, meaning that resources were spread very
thinly. Firemen and forest firefighters have made an incredible
effort and spent several nights at work, in an attempt to help
those who are suffering the most".
[13] BAKOYIANNI: GOVERNMENT REACTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
"UNCOORDINATED & AWKWARD"
Dora Bakoyianni, the New Democracy's shadow minister of
National Defense and Foreign Affairs, today criticized the Greek
government for its "uncoordinated, awkward and uninspired"
reaction to recent events concerning the Cyprus issue.
During her statement, Ms Bakoyianni maintained that "the
creation of new tensions caused by the Turkish advance into
Strovilia, the provocative tactics on the part of Rauf Denktash at
the Geneva negotiations and the promotion of the "solutions for a
confederation", show that Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot side have
systematically continued to use delaying tactics these last few
months."
"Following the Helsinki agreement, agreements on "non-
provocative policies" and the encouragement, on the part of Greece
at least, of a warm atmosphere, sharply contrast with Turkey who,
on the other hand, instead of proceeding with good natured steps
in response to Greece's constructive stance, is going ahead with
steps taken with the intention of showing her greater strength",
Ms Bakoyianni firmly added, going on to say that "in this way,
Turkey is denying both countries the opportunity to take their
relationship to a different level as far as fundamental issues are
concerned. The Greek government is reacting in an uncoordinated,
awkward and uninspired manner in the face of this policy. The New
Democracy party unfortunately proved this recently as far as
Turkey's questioning of our island formation in the Aegean is
concerned. The government, as proved by the response offered by
the minister responsible, to the question put forward by the Euro-
minister Mr Chatzidakis, failed to inform the European Union of
this crucial matter.
Ms Bakoyianni also pointed to the fact the government
obviously had not outlined a strategy to constantly pressurize
Turkey over the Cyprus issue, in order to force the country to
abide by the commitments it promised to fulfil upon accepting the
decision made at Helsinki
The assigning of responsibility to certain government members
to deal with the need for dialogue with Turkey, with the aim of
changing the Turkish stance to the issue was also given emphasis
by Ms Bakoyianni during her statement.
Following recent developments in the Cyprus issue, Ms
Bakoyianni stated that the New Democracy party is inviting the
government to demand that all conditions agreed upon by those
present at Helsinki be fulfilled and more specifically the gradual
and constant adapting of its neighbor to these conditions, the
effective creation of a controlling body for Turkey, as well as
the prioritization of finding a fair and viable solution to the
Cyprus issue in accordance with UN decisions. She further
maintained that these measures are necessary for the effective
improving of Greek-Turkish relations and for the acceptance of
Turkey as a member of the European Union.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] STRONG GREEK REACTION TO THE ALTERATION OF THE NAME OF FYROM
IN THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEETING
The Greek delegation in the 9th OSCE parliamentary assembly
meeting reacted strongly to the FYROM delegation move to alter the
formal sign with its country's name.
Covering part of the sign that wrote "Former Yugoslav" the
FYROM delegation left uncovered the part that wrote "Republic of
Macedonia" leading the members of the Greek delegation to deliver
a protest letter to the assembly president asking that all
necessary measures be taken for the restoration of the order.
The OSCE parliamentary assembly president called on FYROM to
respect the rules and order and pointed out that the specific
action is a violation of the organization's principles for as long
as the issue of FYROM's name is pending within the framework of
the United Nations.
[15] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID FOR THE CHILDREN OF SERBIA
A delegation of the humanitarian organization "Greek
Solidarity Caravan" will be in Serbia tomorrow and will deliver
the humanitarian aid collected for the needs of the children who
were left orphan or suffered irreparable bodily harm during the
NATO bombings of Yugoslavia.
In the next few days, the representatives of the "Greek
Solidarity Caravan" will travel to Serb cities and will distribute
aid worth DM 25.000 to 500 children victims of the war.
[16] DETECTIVE NOVEL ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES
The Parthenon Marbles was the inspiration for a detective
story that promises to be a success. British author Reg Gadney in
his latest novel under the title "Strange Police" tells the story
of a group of very rich Greeks who attempt to steal the Parthenon
Marbles from the British Museum in order to bring them to Greece,
while in the case is involved even the "17 November" terrorist
organization.
The book that was published in Britain by the publishing
house Faber & Faber has all the ingredients of a best seller
namely, manhunts, prison escapes, torture and sudden deaths.
[17] THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION OF US-CANADA ELECTED A WOMAN
PRESIDENT
The proceedings of the 54th annual conference of the Pan-
Macedonian Association of US-Canada held for the election of a new
supreme presiding board were concluded in New York late last
Saturday afternoon.
The role of women in the new presiding board is notable as
four of the six positions have been occupied by women.
Pan-Macedonian Association president was elected its former
vice-president Ms. Nina Peropoulou from Texas, vice-president is
Sotiris Proios from New York, secretary is Alexandra Avgitidou
from New Jersey and treasurer is Varvara Papigioti from New York.
Babis Moutidis was elected vice-president of the association for
Canada, while Eleftheria Achtaridi was elected vice-president for
the association's youth. The supreme council is also made up of
the 16 governors of the different departments of the Pan-
Macedonian Association in Canada and the United States many of
whom are young and take over the post of the governor for the
first time.
[18] INTERVENTION BY MS. PAPAZOI IN THE EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL
The need for the European Union to play a decisive role in
the handling of basic problems that affect peace and stability in
its neighbors, was pointed out in an intervention made by Greek
deputy foreign minister Ms. Elisavet Papazoi in the EU General
Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
Ms. Papazoi called on the Turkish Cypriot side to put an end
to its intransigence and provocation in order to find a fair and
viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
She also expressed the hope that Cyprus' unhindered EU course
and the fact that Turkey is a candidate state for EU accession
based on the Helsinki decisions will create a network of relations
in the region that will be based on the respect of international
law.
Referring to the situation in the Balkans, she underlined
that the restoration of democratic procedures is necessary and
that UN Security Council resolution 1244 on Kosovo must be
implemented safeguarding Yugoslavia's territorial integrity and
offering wide autonomy to Kosovo.
Also, Ms. Papazoi reiterated Greece's opposition to the
implementation of sanctions on Serbia.
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