Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-05
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 5, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM IN N.Y. TODAY FOR UN MILLENNIUM SUMMIT
[02] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TRAVELS TO U.S. TOMORROW
[03] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN US
[04] AUGUST INFLATION RATE EXPECTED TO CLOSE AT 2.9%
[05] GREEK FM TO VISIT BELGRADE PRIOR TO ELECTIONS
[06] OVER 80,000 VISITORS DURING FIRST THREE DAYS OF TIF
[07] G/T MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
[08] BELGRADE REFUSES CLEARANCE TO GREEK PM'S PLANE
[09] A RARE KIND OF DOLPHINS THAT DISAPPEARED 100 YEARS AGO WAS
LOCATED IN THE AEGEAN SEA
[10] THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND JAPAN WERE POINTED
OUT BY THE PRESIDENTS OF THE TWO STATE PARLIAMENTS
[11] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED BY THE GREEK POLICE
[12] THE GREEK ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE CEM
STATEMENTS
[13] IMPRESSIVE GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] MESSAGE OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE BY GREEK AND TURKISH STUDENTS
[15] ATHENS 2004 COMMITTEE DEPARTS FOR SYDNEY
[16] ICAO PRESIDENT VISITS ATHENS
[17] GREEK FM WILL LEAVE ON 3 DAY BALKAN TRIP TOMORROW
[18] BALKAN TRADE CONFERENCE HELD TODAY
[19] OA FIRES 4 EMPLOYEES AFTER GREEK PM FLIGHT FIASCO
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] JUGANOVIC-VLASSOPOULOS MEETING
[21] THE US PRESIDENT REPORT ON CYPRUS
[22] CLERIDES-ANNAN MEETING
[23] PAPANDREOU MEETS WITH IVANOF IN MOSCOW
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM IN N.Y. TODAY FOR UN MILLENNIUM SUMMIT
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to arrive in New York today,
where he will address the UN General Assembly Millennium Summit.
Mr. Simitis, who will remain in New York until September 9,
will also participate in the "Progressive Government" leaders
meeting -at the invitation of U.S. President Bill Clinton -, where
he will speak on the effects of globalization and its containment.
Specifically, the Premier will focus on ways to control
international bourses, so as to avert international economic
crises. He will also outline the significance of new technologies,
education and knowledge, and will stress the need for social
cohesion, justice and solidarity, coupled with the establishment
of common projects in disadvantaged regions of the planet.
Lastly, Mr. Simitis will underline the significance of "the
quality of democracy" and democratic institutions.
The participants in the "Progressive Government" conference
will discuss the reformation of the social state, development of
national health systems, crime prevention and combat, respect for
human rights and the ecumenical dimension thereof, development,
the role of technologies is countering social isolation and
fortifying the ideal of the international community.
The "Progressive Leaders" will aim to map out a draft plan to
be presented at their next meeting in the Fall of 2001 at
Stockholm.
While in New York, the Premier is expected to hold a series
of meetings with other leading figures, such as the UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan, the President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and
the Archbishop of America Dimitrios.
On the summit's sidelines, the Premier will also meet with
the King of Jordan Abdullah, and the Presidents of FYROM, Iran and
Albania.
The Greek Premier will be accompanied by deputy Foreign
Minister Aggeliki Laiou, and Press and Media Minister Dimtiris
Reppas and various political advisers.
[02] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TRAVELS TO U.S. TOMORROW
A key memorandum of police cooperation - particularly in the
field of counter-terrorism - between Greece and the United States
will be signed in Washington tomorrow by Public Order Minister
Michalis Chrysochoides and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.
A State department announcement notes that the said
memorandum "will facilitate cooperation between the two countries
on a thorough series of matters pertaining to the maintenance of
lawful order, inclusive of terrorism, with full regard to the
sovereignty of both countries."
[03] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN US
Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet with his
Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem tomorrow, September 6, on the
sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Messrs. Papandreou and Cem are expected to discuss proposals
for confidence building measures between the two neighbors.
The two ministers had agreed in July to meet in New York
during this period, on the occasion of their presence there for
the General Assembly.
Messrs. Papandreou and Cem will have the opportunity to
discuss the course of Greek-Turkish relations over the past year,
while Mr. Papandreou is also expected to raise the Cyprus issue.
On the sidelines of the United Nations' General Assembly, the
foreign minister will have contacts with all his Balkan
counterparts. Along with his 14 European counterparts, he will
also meet U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Russian
Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
[04] AUGUST INFLATION RATE EXPECTED TO CLOSE AT 2.9%
August's inflation rate is expected to close at 2.9 %,
according to National Economy Ministry sources, having slightly
edged upwards from July's 2.7 percent.
The increase is attributed to higher oil prices as well as to
pricier fresh produce, a result of last month's heatwaves that
caused extensive crop damages.
According to the same sources, the slight increase should not
be a cause for concern as structural inflation continues to abate.
However, inflation in the oncoming months could be jolted
from the planned interest rate cuts.
The National Statistics Service will officially release the
August inflation rate on Thursday, September 7.
[05] GREEK FM TO VISIT BELGRADE PRIOR TO ELECTIONS
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to conduct a
visit to Belgrade, in an effort to stress the importance of
conducting the imminent elections in a peaceful manner.
Mr. Papandreou had declared his intention to visit the Balkan
region during last weekend's European Union Foreign Ministers'
informal council in Evian, France.
According to press reports, the Foreign Minister is expected
to visit Belgrade this week, while a visit to Skopje is to follow.
Foreign Ministry sources have stated that Mr. Papandreou's
series of contacts stems from Greece's concern over the course of
developments in Yugoslavia, especially over the evident absence of
credible international observer missions that would oversee the
elections process.
As such, according to the same sources, the Greek FM will
attempt to convince all political parties in Yugoslavia that they
contribute to a smooth and democratic election process, as this
would be the only opportunity for their country to emerge from
international isolation.
Within the framework of Greece's initiative, which enjoys the
European Union's support, Mr. Papandreou will also visit Albania,
Slovenia, Bosnia and Kosovo.
[06] OVER 80,000 VISITORS DURING FIRST THREE DAYS OF TIF
Over 80,000 visitors from throughout the county, as well as
the Balkan region and the European Union, visited the 65th
Thessaloniki International Fair, during the first three days of it
operation.
Being this year's featured country, the United States'
pavilion exhibits products from various conglomerates such as
Procter & Gamble, Philip Morris, XEROX and Chrysler, while
Turkey's participation (the first after 25 years) is also
expansive with 80 exhibitors.
Regarding the private sector's participation at TIF, Greek
enterprises from the metal processing sector hold center stage.
Covering an expanse of 49,000 square meters, TIF features the
official participation presence of 38 countries. Visitors can also
enjoy a number of cultural events on the sidelines of TIF, such as
a concert by Nikos Papacostas and Franco Simone tomorrow night.
Singer Maria Farandouri will present the same show as the one
she performed at the EXPO 2000 fair in Hanover, for a triumphal
close to the 65th TIF.
[07] G/T MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
The Second Greek-Turkish Conference of Journalsts and Media
Executives is to be held in Istanbul between October 6-8,
organized by the Turkish chapter of the Permanent Group of Contact
and Cooperation of Greek and Turkish Journalists.
Among the topics to be discussed are "Foreign Policy issues
in Greek-Turkish relations are considered -as a rule- to be
national ones. How are journalists and the media affected by this
equation and to what degree do they contribute to this view?" and
"Practical measures that can be taken by the media in order to
improve bilateral relations across the board".
The conference, which was first held in Athens last February,
will feature the participation of 50 Greek journalists and media
executives.
[08] BELGRADE REFUSES CLEARANCE TO GREEK PM'S PLANE
Yugoslav air traffic control authorities refused clearance to
the Greek aircraft transporting Prime Minister Costas Simitis to
New York this morning, claiming that no relevant passage
permission had been issued and requiring that the Greek Foreign
Ministry proceed to the necessary diplomatic steps.
The Olympic Airways pilot informed Belgrade that he is
conducting an O.A. Athens-New York regular flight and, as such,
does not require a special clearance for passage.
While the Premier's aircraft was forced to take a detour
through another air corridor in order to continue its course, the
Greek government stated that the whole matter was simply a result
of miscommunication.
The Premier is en route to New York where he will address the
United Nations General Assembly Millennium Summit.
It should be noted that Greek Foreign Minister George
Papandreou recently announced that he plans to visit the Balkan
region, Yugoslavia included, although Belgrade doesn't seem to
welcome this initiative.
[09] A RARE KIND OF DOLPHINS THAT DISAPPEARED 100 YEARS AGO WAS
LOCATED IN THE AEGEAN SEA
A rare kind of dolphins that had disappeared 100 years ago
from the Mediterranean was located in northern Aegean. It is the
dolphin known as "Fokena or Falianos", which is relatively small
in size as it is 1.80 meters long. Large populations of this
specific kind of dolphins lived in the Aegean during the ancient
times based on writings by Aristotle. Two such dolphins appeared
in the Sea of Thrace near the coasts of Alexandroupolis in
February and March this year and were located by members of the
Greek Society for the Protection of Dolphins and Whales "Delphis".
According to "Delphis" chairwoman, oceanographer Emilia
Drouga this event has a worldwide significance because this kind
of dolphins had disappeared from the Mediterranean for the past
100 years. Those dolphins still live in the Black Sea and because
of the pollution in the region they move south together with other
kinds of fish.
The "Delphis" Society has started a program for the
registration of the dolphins and whales living in the Aegean,
Cyprus and the Ionian Sea. It has been established that a total of
12 kinds of whales and dolphins live in the Greek seas.
[10] THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND JAPAN WERE POINTED
OUT BY THE PRESIDENTS OF THE TWO STATE PARLIAMENTS
The friendly relations between Greece and Japan and the need
to be further promoted through the exchange of visits by
delegations of their legislative bodies were confirmed by Greek
parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and Japan's Lower House
speaker Tamisuke Waranuki in the meeting they had yesterday.
Mr. Kaklamanis stated that the two peoples in spite of the
big geographic distance between them are linked through their
ancient cultural tradition and their contribution to literature
and the arts as well as through their dedication to the ideal of
peace.
From his side, Mr. Watanuki renewed the invitation issued to
Mr. Kaklamanis by the Japanese parliament to visit Japan formally
as last September his scheduled visit was canceled because of the
catastrophic earthquake that hit Athens.
[11] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED BY THE GREEK POLICE
A truck with 35 illegal immigrants from Albania was located
by border guards and police officers near the village of Negrades
in Ioannina, north-western Greece.
The truck driver ignored the border guards who signaled him
to stop and a chase got underway that ended with the arrest of the
illegal immigrants packed inside the truck while the driver
managed to get away.
As it was made known, the illegal immigrants had paid 60.000
drachmas each to the Albanian who undertook to bring them to
Greece.
In another similar incident, two Greek nationals attempted to
bring to Greece 20 Iraqi illegal immigrants from the borders with
Turkey and were arrested by border guards in Peplo, Evros in north-
eastern Greece.
The illegal immigrants stated to police that they had entered
Greece yesterday at dawn from the region of Evros River with the
assistance of a Turkish slave-trader who got the sum of US$ 8.000.
[12] THE GREEK ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED ON THE CEM
STATEMENTS
Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem gives his own
interpretation to the Helsinki decisions and this is his right.
But the important thing is that it is the "15" EU states that make
the decisions on Turkey's partnership relations with the EU, said
Greek acting government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris.
The statement was made when Mr. Hitiris was asked to comment
on the Turkish foreign minister's letter that was addressed to the
EU and accuses Greece of avoiding the dialogue on a number of
issues.
[13] IMPRESSIVE GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Impressive gains of 5.05% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange and the general index was at 3.839,76 points, while the
volume of transactions was at 121 billion drachmas and of the
stocks trading today only 13 had losses.
Stock market circles underline that it appears that investors
have regained their confidence in the Athens Stock Exchange
reversing the negative climate of the past several months.
[14] MESSAGE OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE BY GREEK AND TURKISH STUDENTS
A message on the peaceful coexistence of the people of Greece
and Turkey was conveyed to minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos
Paschalidis by 10 Turkish and 13 Greek female students attending
an education program organized by the Research and Action Center
for Peace and the Winpeace in Thessaloniki.
The program directed to the young citizens who are sensitized
toward the positive coexistence of the people of Greece and Turkey
for a peaceful and viable future in the Mediterranean provides for
the exchange of young female students from both countries and
combines educational, cultural and environmental elements always
based on the principles of democracy and the peaceful coexistence
of the peoples.
Mr. Paschalidis in statements he made to reporters said that
the girls from Greece and Turkey prove that together we can build
a peaceful future for the region without fanaticism and
intolerance.
[15] ATHENS 2004 COMMITTEE DEPARTS FOR SYDNEY
Members of the Athens 2004 Organising Committee left for
Sydney today, to attend the Olympic Games and to familiarise
themselves with Australian expertise as far as the organisation of
the greatest event on earth is concerned.
"It is an event of great coincidence, as exactly three years
have passed since Athens accepted the task of organising the 2004
Olympic Games, on September 5th 1997, said the President of the
Greek committee, Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki.
She added that the presence of the Athens 2004 Committee in
Sydney will be discreet and expressed her certainty that the
organisation of the forthcoming event will be a success. She also
wished Greek athletes participating in the Games good luck.
[16] ICAO PRESIDENT VISITS ATHENS
The President of the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO), Dr Assad Kotaite expressed his satisfaction
with the progress made in Greece as far as air circulation is
concerned, during his visit to Greece.
Dr Kotaite, who was invited by the Greek ministry of
Transport, was welcomed by the President of the Republic, Costis
Stephanopoulos and also met with ministers of Foreign Affairs,
George Papandreou and of Transport, Christos Verelis. The
President of the ICAO also visited the new Air Traffic Control
Centre at the International Athens Airport.
[17] GREEK FM WILL LEAVE ON 3 DAY BALKAN TRIP TOMORROW
Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou, will visit Skopje,
Belgrade, Pristina and Podgorica over the next three days for a
series of talks, due to be held in each city.
His first stop will be Skopje, where he is expected to meet
with FYROM Prime Minister Liupso Georgievski, the leader of the
country's opposition, Branco Tservenkofski and the head of the
"Democratic Albanian Party", Arben Tsaferi.
Mr Papandreou will arrive in Belgrade the following day,
where he will meet with his FRY counterpart Zivadin Jovanovic, the
Serbian Democratic Opposition coalition candidate Vojislav
Kostunica and with Serbian Patriarch Pavlos.
Friday will see Mr Papandreou's visit to Pristina, the
capital of Kosovo, where elections are due to be held on October
28th by the UN. The Greek Foreign minister will visit Podgorica,
the capital of Montenegro, on the same day.
Municipal elections are due to be held in FYROM on Sunday
September 10th, whilst presidential and parliamentary elections
are to be held in Yugoslavia on September 24th and municipal
elections in Serbia on the same day.
Mr Papandreou had announced his plans to visit FYROM and FRY
during the unofficial European Union Foreign ministers conference
held in Evian. Both countries are currently counting down the days
to the elections. During his trip, the Greek Foreign minister aims
to highlight the need for stable and honest elections in the
countries concerned.
[18] BALKAN TRADE CONFERENCE HELD TODAY
A conference was held today for commercial and investment
opportunities in the Balkans, organised by the Export Promotion
Organisation and the Balkan Center of Trade Promotion (BCTP).
Financial development and cooperation between Balkan
countries contribute to the consolidation of peace in the region,
according to Greek minister of Macedonia and Thrace, George
Paschalides, who spoke at the conference.
The event aimed to provide relevant information for those
businessmen professionally interested in the Balkan region.
Representatives from all country-members of the BCTP (Greece,
Turkey, FYROM, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia), attended the conference.
[19] OA FIRES 4 EMPLOYEES AFTER GREEK PM FLIGHT FIASCO
Four OA employees have been fired as a result of the
investigation carried out following the problem caused earlier on
today, when Belgrade's airport control refused to allow an OA
aircraft carrying Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, from
passing through a Yugoslavian air passage during an Athens-New
York flight. The Flight Control manager, the controller in charge
of this specific flight and two employees in charge of receiving
and forwarding the messages in question were found responsible and
subsequently let go.
"The aircraft's planned route Korinth, Corfu, Italy etc, was
sent at 8.45, followed by a revised route of Thessaloniki,
Skopje, Yugoslavia etc at 9.06 and yet another revised version at
9.21 through Central Europe. A message was then sent by OA at 9.59
referring to the aircraft status as being "State". The Greek Civil
Aviation Service received a message from Yugoslavia, asking for
diplomatic clearance for the aircraft. Finally, the Greek Civil
Aviation Service transmitted the previous message to OA.
According to OA, the flight in question took off at 12.00,
reached the Greek borders with Skopje and headed for Central
Europe through Corfu and Italy, where it continued its journey
normally", an OA statement said.
Greek Transport minister, Christos Verelis, came into contact
with OA administration and asked for the matter to be investigated
and for action to be taken against those responsible.
"Its clear", the OA statement goes on to say, "that the OA staff
responsible should have asked for diplomatic clearance when the
aircraft status changed to "State". This did not happen even after
the message was received from Yugoslavia".
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] JUGANOVIC-VLASSOPOULOS MEETING
Outgoing Greek ambassador to Belgrade Panagiotis Vlassopoulos
had a meeting with Montenegro president Milo Juganovic.
In the meeting both men expressed satisfaction for the
promotion of friendly relations between Montenegro and Greece and
the president of Montenegro praised the Greek ambassador's
contribution to the efforts for the development of bilateral
cooperation in all sectors wishing him success in his career.
They also exchanged views on the current situation in
Montenegro and Yugoslavia in the light of the upcoming federal
elections.
Mr. Vlassopoulos took over his duties in Belgrade in 1996 and
he was one of the few ambassadors who stayed in the Yugoslav
capital during the NATO bombings.
[21] THE US PRESIDENT REPORT ON CYPRUS
The need to intensify the talks aimed at finding a just and
permanent solution in Cyprus is backed by US president Bill
Clinton two weeks before the opening of the new round of talks in
New York.
In a letter attached to his bimonthly report to the US
Congress on the progress made in the efforts for the solution of
the Cyprus problem in the period June 1 - July 31, the US
president reiterates the US commitment in the process taking place
under the auspices of the United Nations which is aimed at the
establishment of a two-zone, two-community federation.
[22] CLERIDES-ANNAN MEETING
Specific ideas that concern the talks procedure for the
solution of the Cyprus problem will be presented to UN secretary-
general Kofi Annan by Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides in the
meeting they will have in New York later today.
The above were stated by Cypriot government spokesman
Michalis Papapetrou who stressed that meaningful negotiations must
be underway, adding that the Turkish side wants to secure
recognition but this will never happen.
[23] PAPANDREOU MEETS WITH IVANOF IN MOSCOW
Greek Foreign Affairs minister, George Papandreou described
the level of Greek-Russian relations as excellent, whilst also
stressing that Greece welcomes its cooperation with Russia.
During a recent interview, Mr Papandreou maintained that Athens
supports the participation of Russia in certain NATO programs and
emphasised the importance of traditionally warm relations between
the two countries.
Mr Papandreou also gave his meetings with Russian counterpart
Igor Ivanov as an example of the good relations between the two
countries, as well as the discussions held by the two ministers on
the Kosovo crisis, amongst other issues, which included the recent
trip to Russia made by Greek President of the Republic, Costis
Stephanopoulos.
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