Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-07-11
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 11, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE FIRE ON THE ISLAND OF SAMOS IS UNDER CONTROL
[02] MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND FYROM
[03] THE THREE TEENAGE GERMAN GIRLS WERE FOUND SAFE ON THEIR CANOE
[04] TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM
[05] 160 PEOPLE DROWNED IN GREECE SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR
[06] GREEK-AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER IN ATHENS
[07] THE CONFISCATION OF GERMAN PROPERTY HAS BEGUN
[08] A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM OPENED IN ATHENS
[09] EDUCATION COOPERATION MEMORANDUM BETWEEN GREECE AND THE
AUSTRALIAN STATE OF VICTORIA
[10] THE DRAFT BILL ON THE EURO WAS GIVEN TO PUBLICITY
[11] TERRORISM-ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE
[12] INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S RIGHTS FORUM STARTS IN LEROS
[13] OTE CHARGE RATES STEP IN LINE WITH EU STANDARDS
[14] DRIVERS ADVISED TO AVOID GOING INTO ATHENS TOMORROW
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] PAPANDREOU DOES NOT RULE OUT THE "FREEZING" OF THE DIALOGUE
WITH TURKEY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE FIRE ON THE ISLAND OF SAMOS IS UNDER CONTROL
The fire that destroyed most of the Aegean island of Samos
have been put under control after a six-day battle with the
flames. There is only one fire front still burning at the village
of Manolates and the fire fighters are struggling to put it under
control. The fire is destroying a forest land and is not
threatening a populated area.
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis arrived on the island at noon today to visit the
regions destroyed by the massive fires.
Meanwhile, minister of interior Ms. Vaso Papandreou called on
the people to actively participate in the prevention of fires as
the weather conditions have surpassed the measures taken.
Speaking to the Athens radio station "Sky", Ms. Papandreou
appeared skeptical over the large number of fires which on Sunday
alone were 153 and reiterated that a state of alertness is in
effect in the army, the coast guard and the Air Force.
She also said that all the fires in the country are under
control and spoke of extreme weather conditions and situations
that hampered the fire fighting efforts in Samos.
[02] MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND FYROM
A new military cooperation agreement between Athens and
Skopje was signed in the Greek ministry of defense by defense
minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and his FYROM counterpart Nikola
Kljusev.
The agreement provides, among others, for the strengthening
of the border forces, mainly at the borders with Albania as well
as, the cooperation in the defense industry sector.
Regarding the issue of FYROM's name, Mr. Kljusev expressed
the hope that it will be resolved before the end of the year.
[03] THE THREE TEENAGE GERMAN GIRLS WERE FOUND SAFE ON THEIR CANOE
The three teenage German girls, who were missing since
yesterday when they drifted away from the coasts of Koroni in the
Peloponese southern Greece with their rented canoe, were found
safe and the coast guard brought to the island of Kithira.
The girls, 15, 16 and 19 years old, were located off the
coasts of the island of Kithira, south of the Peloponese, on their
canoe where stayed all night. They were exhausted but in good
condition.
[04] TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM
A two-day conference on terrorism is being held in Athens
today and tomorrow at an initiative by Britain and Greece.
The conference proceedings will be opened by foreign minister
Giorgos Papandreou and minister of public order Michalis
Chrisochoidis.
Mr. Papandreou stated that the British side is satisfied with
the cooperation it has with the Greek authorities.
[05] 160 PEOPLE DROWNED IN GREECE SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR
Six people drowned yesterday while swimming in different
parts of Greece among them, a 8yearold girl, Maniela Stavre, from
Albania.
It should be noted that a total of 160 people drowned in the
country since the start of the year.
[06] GREEK-AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER IN ATHENS
The first Greek-Australian Chamber under the name Greek-
Australian Association of Trade and Development was founded in
Athens, while branches will open in other cities in Greece and
Australia.
The mission of the Greek-Australian Chamber is to promote the
economic and trade relations between Greece and Australia for the
development of trade and industry.
The Chamber will offer information and advice on the
economies of the two countries and will mediate for the
establishment of business relations between individuals, companies
and institutions.
[07] THE CONFISCATION OF GERMAN PROPERTY HAS BEGUN
The materialization of the Greek court ruling reached
recently according to which, German state property can be
confiscated in order to pay reparations to the relatives of the
victims of the Distomo massacre that was committed by the Nazis
during WWII, has begun with the confiscation of Goethe Institute
property in Athens.
Police arrived at the building at the request of the Goethe
Institute director and the court officials started recording the
institute's assets in the presence of police officers. No further
details on the confiscation procedure are known.
The attorney representing the relatives of the Distomo
Holocaust victims gave the "green light" for the procedure to get
underway as according to him, no previous approval by the minister
of justice is necessary, contrary to statements made by the Greek
government spokesman.
It should be noted that during prime minister Kostas Simitis'
four-day visit to Bonn the German government gave no formal
assurance that it will pay the reparations awarded to the
relatives of the Distomo victims by a Livadia court in Greece.
The decision allows the relatives of the victims to start the
procedures for the confiscation of German state property in Greece
in order to receive reparations of 9.5 billion drachmas awarded to
them. The Greek government maintains that the issue is political
and the confiscation must not take place.
[08] A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM OPENED IN ATHENS
The determination of the Greek government to deal with
terrorism in the most unrelenting and decisive way, was reiterated
today by the Greek ministers of foreign affairs and public order
in the Greek-British two-day conference that opened in Athens.
Speaking in the opening of the conference foreign minister
Giorgos Papandreou and minister of public order Michalis
Chrisochoidis gave assurances that Greece will do everything it
can to find the killers of British military attache Stephen
Saunders, who was assassinated by members of the "17 November"
terrorist group.
Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou addressing the conference
stated that the international legal framework must be strengthened
in order to deal with terrorism, adopt more effective measures and
safeguard the democratic institutions.
Minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis reiterated
Greece's determination to deal with the problem of terrorism and
expressed the belief that international police cooperation plays
an important role in the battle against terrorism.
In the two-day conference that is being held on the occasion
of the assassination of the British brigadier, participate Greek
and British foreign affairs and public order ministry officials,
while the British ambassador to Athens also addressed the
conference. He said that Britain is determined to find the killers
and bring them to justice, adding that Scotland Yard officials are
in Athens to help the Greek police and they will stay until their
job is done.
The goal of the conference is to establish police cooperation
between the two countries and cooperation at a European level.
[09] EDUCATION COOPERATION MEMORANDUM BETWEEN GREECE AND THE
AUSTRALIAN STATE OF VICTORIA
A five-year memorandum for the cooperation on issues of
education was signed by the government of Greece and the state
government of Victoria in Australia during the meeting in Athens
of visiting Victoria state prime minister Steve Bracks with Greek
minister of education Petros Efthimiou.
The memorandum is placed within the framework of the 1979
Greek-Australian education agreement and recognizes the mutual
cognitive and cultural understanding between the two countries.
In a press conference he gave today together with general
secretary for the Greeks living abroad Dimitris Dollis, the prime
minister of the state of Victoria expressed satisfaction for the
contacts he had in Athens.
Responding to a question on the issue of the Parthenon
marbles, he stated that he backs their return to their place of
origin, adding that the Australian committee on the Parthenon
marbles has worked hard toward this direction. He also announced
that 7 state prime ministers together with federal prime minister
Mr. Howard will raise the issue to the British government.
On the meeting he had with culture minister Theodoros
Pangalos, he said that they discussed the prospects for the
creation of a Greek Art Museum in Melbourne, while they also
referred to the issue of the Olympic Games preparations.
From his side, general secretary for the Greeks living abroad
Dimitris Dollis stated that the state of Victoria prime minister
is a philhellene and his visit opens new prospects for the Greek
language, and the place of the Greek culture and national identity
in Australia, where the Greek community numbers 700.000.
In the meetings the state prime minister of Victoria had with
minister of transportation Christos Verelis and Olympic Airways
managing director Dionisios Kalofonos he suggested that the OA
seat should be moved from Sydney to Melbourne and pledged that he
will give economic support to the OA marketing in the state of
Victoria. The Greek side will examine the proposals and will
respond after a decision is reached on the management of the
airline.
The OA flights to and from Melbourne will continue until
March 2001.
[10] THE DRAFT BILL ON THE EURO WAS GIVEN TO PUBLICITY
The draft bill on the Euro which, among others, mentions that
the consumer goods' prices should be written in drachmas as well
as in Euros starting on January 1, 2001, while the drachma will be
history on February 28, 2002 with an exchange rate of 340.75
drachmas per Euro, was given to publicity today.
The single European currency will be a reality, at least in
accounting, after January 1, 2001. According to statements made by
minister national economy, Yiannos Papantoniou, the companies will
have a favorable treatment regarding the cost of the conversion of
their cash register systems into Euros, while a special emphasis
will be given in the clarity of the market's operation aimed at
avoiding profiteering.
[11] TERRORISM-ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE
A minute of silence will be held tomorrow at noon in all the
public offices at an initiative undertaken by the government aimed
at sensitizing the public opinion on the serious issue of
terrorism. At the same time, a text under the title "One minute of
silence" will be broadcast by all radio and television stations in
which terrorism is characterized as a threat for modern Greece.
In a statement issued by Greek government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas this symbolic action has an obvious significance that is
understood by all Greeks.
The text has as follows: "Terrorism constitutes an insult for
the Greeks because of the contempt it displays toward the sanctity
of human life, and because it seeks to undermine the social
cohesion and political stability. It is a threat for today's
Greece. It is totally strange toward Greece's philosophy and
logic. It is strange toward all of our traditions. The battle
against terrorism is a priority. A priority not only for the state
but for the Greek people, its political culture. It is a
commitment undertaken by the government and the society's
objective to continue the effort aimed at uprooting terrorism. In
every possible way. We owe it to the victims of the terrorists. We
owe it to Democracy and its human values. We owe it to Greece".
[12] INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S RIGHTS FORUM STARTS IN LEROS
The first international forum for children's rights is being
held on the island of Leros, under the auspices of the Universal
Patriarch Bartholomeos. Hundreds of children are expected to
attend the forum, from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria amongst others, as
well as leading figures of the children's rights field both from
Greece and from abroad.
It is the first time that children and adolescents will have
the opportunity to participate in the forum on a equal basis with
the adults, thus bringing a breath of fresh air to the talks. The
children will have a chance to air their views for the first time,
concerning a matter directly affecting them, ten years after the
signing of the Children's Rights Agreement, the most widely
accepted agreement worldwide, which was accepted by Greece in
1992.
The Metropolitan Bishop of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaias,
Mr Nektarios, will give a speech about the Children's Rights
Agreement at the forum. He is expected to discuss the importance
of childhood and the need to protect it. He will also pass on a
personal message from the Universal Patriarch Bartholomeos to
those present at the event.
The Prefect of the Dodecanese islands, Savvas Karagiannis
will mention the important role that local governments should play
in applying the articles of the Children's Rights Agreement,
whilst the Mayor of Leros, Yiannis Antartis will focus on the role
offered by the island, an island which has gone from being in
exile during the dictatorship, to offering an international
breeding ground for the maintenance of children's rights.
Eleni Argyriadou, president of the Greek UNICEF committee, is
expected to focus on the role played by international
organizations and on the importance of applying the Agreement for
the protection of childhood.
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Ministry of the Aegean and of the General Secretariat of the New
Generation will offer their greetings to the forum, as will Maria
Kaila, vice dean of the Aegean University and Vasiliki
Theotokatou, president of the State Infirmary of Leros.
The event was organized by the Dodecanese Prefecture and the
Municipality of Leros, in conjunction with UNICEF, the Children's
Health Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General
Secretariat of the New Generation, the Aegean University, the
Adolescent Trustees of Rhodes, the Adolescent Court and the
Medical Centre for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims.
[13] OTE CHARGE RATES STEP IN LINE WITH EU STANDARDS
The Greek Telecommunications Company (OTE), announced its
decision to increase its charge rates until December 31st 2000, in
order to step in line with common EU practice and in connection to
the opening of the telecommunications market from January 1st 2000
onwards.
The monthly connection charge will increase by 100 Greek drachmas,
going from 2,300 to 2,400 drachmas, whilst the local rate will
rise from 7 to 9 drachmas.
In stark contrast to this, the rate of international calls
will drop from 120 to 94 drachmas per minute for calls to
neighbouring countries, whilst falling from 98 to 94 drachmas for
calls to EU country-members, the USA, Canada and Australia.
As far as the Internet is concerned, the standard charge of
420 drachmas per hour will drop to 120.
In response to these changes in call rates, shadow Transport
Minister of the New Democracy party Anastasis Papaligouras,
accused the government of "trying to make up for the dramatic
increase in local calls by lowering the price of long-distance
calls."
He further stated that a significant part of the Greek
population will be more concerned with the changes being made to
local and national calls, rather than that being made to trans-
atlantic conversations.
"The 30% increase in individual daily use of the telephone
will gravely affect the average Greek citizen" he remarked.
Finally, Mr Papaligouras pointed out that the figures speak
for themselves, especially when those of 1996 are taken into
account, whereby a local phone call cost 6 drachmas, regardless of
its duration. Today, a three minute conversation will cost 27
drachmas.
"This decision has not been made for the sake of
modernisation and the upgrading of OTE, but as a result of bad
management, partisanship and interwoven interests which have had
negative effects on the government".
[14] DRIVERS ADVISED TO AVOID GOING INTO ATHENS TOMORROW
The Greek Ministry of Environment, Land Planning and State
Projects (YPEXODE), is advising car drivers to avoid taking their
vehicles into the center of Athens tomorrow due to an increase
pollution rates in the capital, expected to be caused by
atmospheric conditions.
It has also advised that the transportation of state vehicles
carrying gas fluids be limited.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] PAPANDREOU DOES NOT RULE OUT THE "FREEZING" OF THE DIALOGUE
WITH TURKEY
It is self-evident that actions like that of Turkey in the
region of Strovilia, near Famagusta in Cyprus have a negative
effect on the Greek-Turkish relations, stated Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou in an interview with the BBC.
As it was reported from London, Mr. Papandreou, responding to
the question if Greece intends to "toughen" its stance toward
Turkey on the occasion of the incident in Strovilia, stressed that
Greece sees the Cyprus problem not as a bilateral Greek-Turkish
issue, adding that there is an issue for the United Nations as the
international organization has the supervision especially, in the
issue of Strovilia. Mr. Papandreou stated, however, that such
issues and especially the developments in Cyprus can affect
bilateral relations negatively or positively according to the
developments.
Mr. Papandreou did not rule out the "freezing" of the
dialogue with Turkey, saying that the Greek-Turkish relations will
be affected negatively if such actions continue, while he stressed
that it will be a mistake to react at this moment based on
sentiment and not make decisions based on pure logic.
He said that talks are being held between the two communities
under the UN auspices and Greece must support these procedures,
while he added that the strategy decided in Helsinki must continue
and this can have only positive results for Greece and Cyprus.
Mr. Papandreou also linked Turkey's European course with the
developments in Cyprus and with the developments in bilateral
relations.
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