Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-07-17
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 17, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CATARRHAL FEVER IN CATTLE IN CENTRAL GREECE
[02] EARTHQUAKE OF 3.8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN THE IONIAN SEA
[03] POLICE DENIES A "SUNDAY TIMES" REPORT ON THE ARRIVAL OF
SCOTLAND YARD AGENTS TO THESSALONIKI
[04] 222 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED BY THE GREEK COAST GUARD
[05] GAINS OF 1.87% WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[06] INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS ENTERING GREECE FROM THE
BORDERS WITH FYROM
[07] MINISTERIAL DECISION OVER ID CARDS IS REACHED
[08] CHURCH RESPONDS ACUTELY TO THE DECISION OVER ID CARDS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] THE TURKS WILL NOT BE NEEDING A VISA FOR ONE-DAY EXCURSIONS
TO GREECE
[10] INTENSE EFFORTS BY THE GREEK POLICE FOR THE ARREST OF THE
KILLERS OF BRIGADIER SAUNDERS
[11] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL VISIT BULGARIA TOMORROW
[12] NEW BORDER CROSSING WAS FOUNDED AT THE GREEK-BULGARIAN
BORDERS
[13] GREECE IS A MODEL OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN THE BALKANS
[14] PAPANDREOU'S INTERVIEW WITH THE FYROM STATE TELEVISION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] CATARRHAL FEVER IN CATTLE IN CENTRAL GREECE
The Greek ministry of agriculture has taken measures since
yesterday to deal with the catarrhal fever disease that was traced
in cattle in the central Greek region of Larissa.
The catarrhal fever cases were diagnosed in cattle in the
region of the Delta of Pinios River and the ministry of
agriculture has banned the movement of live animals from the
region were the problem was traced.
The disease is spread by gnats and the authorities began
spraying the region with insecticides. Local authorities point out
that the problem will be solved easily given the fact that no
movement of live animals is observed during that time of year.
[02] EARTHQUAKE OF 3.8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN THE IONIAN SEA
The sea region, north of Preveza and east of the Ionian Sea
island of Lefkada, was rocked by an earthquake measuring 3.8 on
the Richter scale at 9:07am this morning.
Thessaloniki's Aristotle University geophysics laboratory
seismologist Mr. Giorgos Karakaisis stated to MPA that a small
seismic activity is being observed in the region for the past few
days but there is no evidence on a likely development. It should
be noted that the region had an intense seismic activity in the
past and gave strong earthquakes.
[03] POLICE DENIES A "SUNDAY TIMES" REPORT ON THE ARRIVAL OF
SCOTLAND YARD AGENTS TO THESSALONIKI
The Greek police denied the British "Sunday Times" report
according to which, Scotland Yard agents are in Thessaloniki to
hold an investigation on the assassination of British embassy
military attache in Athens brigadier Stephen Saunders.
According to the "Sunday Times" report that is being
republished by the Thessaloniki newspaper "Angelioforos", the
investigation has been directed to Thessaloniki because Saunders
participated as an observer in the NATO exercise that was
completed in the region last May.
The "Sunday Times" referred to Thessaloniki characterizing it
as a tough port city with a long history of political violence
and mentions that given the anti-NATO and pro-Serb sentiment it is
likely that the visit of Saunders to Thessaloniki during the NATO
exercise was regarded as a provocation by the "17 November"
members. The British newspaper also maintains that there can be a
Bulgarian link in the moves of the terrorists. It is believed that
the 45caliber handgun used by 17N has similarities with the so-
called "sacred gun" associated with the Bulgarian underground
moves, while it is also believed that the small Greek terrorist
cell is associated with the Bulgarian underworld. It is believed
that the 17N is made up of a 3-member nucleus using 2 independent
special associates who stalk the future victims.
"Angelioforos" writes that Thessaloniki security police
director Philippos Karagiozidis has stated that Scotland Yard
agents never came to Thessaloniki and had no contact with the
police. He said that formally no contact was made with the local
police and neither Athens nor the British have made any requests,
adding that such investigations are not secret and therefore, if
British agents were about to visit Thessaloniki the local police
would have been informed about it.
[04] 222 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED BY THE GREEK COAST GUARD
Two hundred and twenty two illegal immigrants, who almost
crashed into the rocks off the Tenaron Cape in Lakonia, Peloponese
when the fishing boat carrying them was left adrift, were arrested
by the Greek Coast Guard.
Thanks to the prompt intervention of the Coast Guard the
shipwreck was averted and the illegal immigrants, most of them
with dehydration symptoms, were taken to Githio.
The majority of them were Kurds and Iraquies, among them 7
children and 6 women.
The boat was spotted yesterday at noon off the island of
Kithira, south of the Peloponese. The 6 Turkish slave-traders were
also arrested by the Coast Guard.
[05] GAINS OF 1.87% WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 1.87% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index was at 4.081,52 points, while the
volume of transactions was satisfactory at 127,3 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 310 recorded gains, 26 had losses
and 28 remained stable.
[06] INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS ENTERING GREECE FROM THE
BORDERS WITH FYROM
The number of tourists entering Greece from the borders with
FYROM has notably increased compared to previous years and
according to estimates, it has almost doubled compared to last
year when the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia had just ended.
Most of the tourists entering Greece from the border crossing
of Evzoni are FYROM citizens, who show increased interest in
visiting Greece for tourism. It should be noted that the travel
agencies in the neighboring country that in the past were urging
their customers to visit Turkey for vacations now suggest Greece
and especially the regions of Pieria, Chalkidiki, Thasos, Kavala
etc. in northern Greece.
The Skopje state radio reported that last Saturday morning
and in a period of a few hours over 3.000 tourists from FYROM had
entered Greece from the border crossing of Bogorodica at the FYROM-
Greek borders.
[07] MINISTERIAL DECISION OVER ID CARDS IS REACHED
The Greek minister of Civil Order, Michalis Chrysochoides and
the under secretary of Finance, George Drys have finally signed a
document calling for religious faith to be removed from personal
ID cards, originally called for by the Personal Protection
Authority.
According to the document, the new ID cards will have the owner's
full name and that of his parents, the date and place of the card
holder's birth, height, municipality, municipal roll number,
photograph, signature as well as the card holder's blood type if
he so wishes.
The ID card holder's full name and that of his father will be
written in Latin characters, to enable the cards to be used as
travel documents in countries within the European Union.
The cards will be issued to all citizens who are applying for an
identification card for the first time and to those who have lost
their card and require a replacement.
The Press under secretary Telemachus Chytyras stated that the
decision is not surprising and the government's position is
completely consistent.
A press representative at the residence of Archibishop Charis
Konidaris stated that the church has made its decisions and will
maintain its position on the matter.
George Kalos, who is head of Education for the New Democracy
party, stressed that although the government has cut all ties
during the summer season, the opposition will continue attempts
for talks.
[08] CHURCH RESPONDS ACUTELY TO THE DECISION OVER ID CARDS
The Church has made an acid response to the decision taken
concerning the ID cards, which states that religion should be
removed from the new cards.
In an announcement, Church representatives insisted that it
has noted the persistence of certain government circles in
applying an illogical, anti-religious program, whilst totally
disregarding the opinion of religious Greek citizens who recently
voiced their views at the Church rallies held in both Athens and
Thessaloniki.
The statement claims that "the Church of Greece would like to
inform the Prime Minister, Costas Simitis that it continues to
uphold the belief that there should be a vote concerning the
optional removal of religion from new ID cards".
The announcement goes on to say that "the Church considers
that dialogue and the nation's wish, should overrule authoritarian
decisions in a democratic State".
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] THE TURKS WILL NOT BE NEEDING A VISA FOR ONE-DAY EXCURSIONS
TO GREECE
According to the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet", citing a
document of Greek consul general in Istanbul Emanuel Apostolakis,
the Turks will be able to make one-day excursions to Greece
without needing a visa.
According to the newspaper report, that has not been
confirmed by the Greek foreign ministry, the Piraeus based
"Stinpoli Shipping" company managed to get a permit by the Greek
ministries of foreign affairs and interior allowing the Turkish
tourists, making one-day trips to Greece with its ferry-boats, to
travel without a visa.
The newspaper writes that based on the document, the foreign
nationals, including the Turks, who participate in one-day
organized excursions from the Turkish coasts to the Greek islands
and back do not have to get a visa and they can just display their
passports to the Greek authorities.
[10] INTENSE EFFORTS BY THE GREEK POLICE FOR THE ARREST OF THE
KILLERS OF BRIGADIER SAUNDERS
The head of the British anti-terrorist agency, the director
of Scotland Yard, expressed his satisfaction over the efforts made
by the Greek police authorities aimed at the arrest of the killers
of British military attache in Athens brigadier Stephen Saunders.
Brigadier Saundres' assassination by the "17 November"
terrorist group resulted to the total change of the stance of the
Greek authorities regarding terrorism, underlines among others the
BBC correspondent to Athens.
The Scotland Yard director stated to BBC that the
professionalism displayed by the Greek police authorities is
notable as they do everything they can and work very hard. He also
stated characteristically that the Saunders case would have been
resolved if there were any cases the solution of which depended
solely on the efforts made.
[11] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL VISIT BULGARIA TOMORROW
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis will make a one-day
working visit to Plovdiv, Bulgaria tomorrow at the invitation of
his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov.
The two leaders will discuss the joint infrastructure plans
in the sectors of transportation, energy industry and
telecommunications.
In tomorrow's meeting a complementary protocol will be signed
aimed at avoiding double taxation. Among the issues that will be
discussed will be the construction of three new border crossings
at the Greek-Bulgarian borders. They will also discuss the
construction of the Sofia-Thessaloniki motorway that will
facilitate the development of bilateral economic and trade
relations.
A special emphasis will be given to the development of
bilateral cooperation between Sofia and Athens within the
framework of the Stability Pact and Greece's support to Bulgaria's
candidature for accession into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
According to the Bulgarian press, Mr. Simitis will raise the
issue of the buyout of 51% of the Bulgarian Telecommunications
Organization (BTK) by the Greek-Dutch joint venture OTE-KPN.
[12] NEW BORDER CROSSING WAS FOUNDED AT THE GREEK-BULGARIAN
BORDERS
Bulgarian prime minister Ivan Kostov laid the foundations
today for the construction of the "Iliden" border crossing that
will link the cities of Gotse Deltsev in Bulgaria and Dramas in
Greece. Present in the ceremony was Greek ambassador to Sofia
Michalis Christidis.
The Greek company "Proodeftiki" has undertaken the
construction of the road network that will cost 9 million Euro and
is scheduled to be completed in 18 months, while the construction
of the customs office that will take 15 months to complete and
will cost 4.5 million Euro was undertaken by the Bulgarian
"Sikonko" company.
The materialization of the project was delayed by 1,5 year
due to the intervention of ecological organizations for the
protection of the brown bear population living in the region. The
mutually acceptable solution was the construction of a 590meter
long tunnel, 150 meters of which will be on Bulgarian territory.
[13] GREECE IS A MODEL OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN THE BALKANS
The Strategic and International Studies Center in Washington
in a new report on the Islam in the Balkans mentions that in spite
of a few problems that arise from time to time with the Muslim
minority in Western Thrace, Greece is a model of peaceful
coexistence in the Balkans, a region that often suffered from
national and religious conflicts.
Based on the report, the presence of Islam in Europe is
expected to increase and bring social and cultural changes that
could lead to new tensions, especially in south-eastern Europe,
putting the region's stability at risk.
Whether the Balkans will become a bridge or an obstacle to
the coexistence of Christians and Muslims will depend on the
extent and the speed of the democratization of the Balkan states
and the incorporation of the region into the European
institutions.
On Bulgaria, the report maintains that even though the
tension between Christians and Muslims was very serious in the
past the country's democratization has improved the Christian-
Muslim relations.
On FYROM, it is pointed out that the new state of the Balkans
has been based on the coexistence of ethnic groups.
[14] PAPANDREOU'S INTERVIEW WITH THE FYROM STATE TELEVISION
There is a will to settle the problem of the name that will
be used by FYROM both by the country itself and from Greece's
side, stated Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in the
FYROM state television on the occasion of his participation in the
meeting of the foreign ministers from south-eastern Europe that
took place in Ochird, FYROM.
On the question if there was a discussion on a specific
proposal regarding FYROM's name in the meeting he had recently
with the political party leaders in Athens Mr. Papandreou
responded negatively, adding that the name was among the important
foreign policy issues that were discussed in order to establish if
there is a will to continue the consultations in the United
Nations and attempt to find a solution. He said that there is such
a will and if a solution is found will depend on the form of that
solution.
Referring to the cooperation between the two countries, he
characterized it as constructive and reminded that they followed a
common line on the inviolability of the borders in the Balkans and
the handling of the crisis in Kosovo.
Responding to the question if he really said that Greece must
protect FYROM from the increasing Albanian minority, he said that
he did not use those words. He stated that he said clearly that
the intention is to preserve the existing borders and avoid the
partition of countries along ethnic lines adding that this
concerns not only FYROM but all the countries in the region.
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