Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-21
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 21, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT TO ATTEND EU CONFERENCE
[02] GREECE, ISRAEL HOST TELECOMMUNICATIONS EVENT
[03] THESSALONIKI HOSTS UNESCO'S WOMEN ARTISTS EVENT
[04] GREECE, CROATIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION ACCORD
[05] GREEK ENGINEERING FIRM WINS US BASE CONTRACT
[06] PUBLIC GETS TAKEN ON FREE RIDE ON "NO CARS" DAY
[07] GREEK RIDER SECOND IN CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE
[08] GREEK SAILING CHAMPION FOURTH IN MISTRAL FLEET
[09] PREMIER ADDRESSES PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU
[10] PREMIER RECEIVES FM TO DISCUSS RESULTS OF US TRIP
[11] O.A. SUBSIDIARY IS 9TH WORLDWIDE IN PERFORMANCE
[12] DEPUTY SPORTS MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA IN SYDNEY
[13] LOSSES OF 1.52% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] SIMITIS: MEASURES OF SOCIAL CHARACTER IN RESPONSE TO THE FUEL
PRICE INCREASES
[15] STRONG RESPONSE BY BEGLITIS TO THE CYPRIOT PRESS REPORTS ON
MR. PAPANDREOU
[16] MR. PAPANDREOU BRIEFED PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS
[17] THE VIRUS OF THE NILE APPEARED IN FRANCE AFTER 40 YEARS - ITS
REAPPEARANCE IN GREECE IS NOT RULED OUT
[18] PARTICIPATION OF THE MUSLIMS IN XANTHI IN THE COLLECTION OF
SIGNATURES BY THE CHURCH
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] HEIDI ANTIKATZIDOU: I WILL MAKE IT IN THE LAST EVENT AS WELL
[20] KALIN KREANKA: THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF I HAD WON
THE FIRST SET
[21] TWO GREEK BOXERS COMPETE TOMORROW
[22] THANOU, GATSIOUDIS AND MITROU COMPETE TOMORROW
[23] CEM: ANKARA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE HELSINKI DECISIONS ON
CYPRUS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT TO ATTEND EU CONFERENCE
The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis
is to depart for Rome tomorrow, where he will participate in the
European Union's Parliament presidents' three-day conference.
The event is titled "The role of National Parliaments and of
the Europarliament in the process of reforming the Union and in
the formulation of the Charter of fundamental rights of citizens".
In his address, Mr. Kaklamanis is expected to underline the
need for the unhindered continuation of the enlargement process,
so as to attain the aim of a unified and peaceful Europe,
stressing the positive effect the accession of Cyprus will have on
the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the need for pressure to
be applied on Turkey to adhere to the terms of the Copenhagen and
Helsinki Union Summits.
[02] GREECE, ISRAEL HOST TELECOMMUNICATIONS EVENT
A conference examining the opportunities for Greek-Israeli
collaboration in the sector of telecommunications is to be held in
Athens this evening, jointly organized by the Israeli embassy in
Athens and held within the framework of a recently-created joint
Greek-Israeli ministerial committee for telecommunications.
The keynote speaker will be the secretary general of the
Israeli telecommunications ministry, Danny Rosenne, while among
those addressing the conference will be Mr. Rosenne's Greek
counterpart in the transport and communications ministry,
Constantine Rovlias, and Israeli Ambassador in Athens Ran Curiel.
In addition, Oded Peres, president of an Israeli start-up
company called Cell Vibes, will present the latest technological
breakthroughs in live TV broadcasting through cell phones.
[03] THESSALONIKI HOSTS UNESCO'S WOMEN ARTISTS EVENT
Thessaloniki is to host a UNESCO festival of female artistic
creation, featuring the participation of women artists from 30
Mediterranean and Black Sea countries, as part of the
organization's celebrations for the new millennium.
The week-long event, titled "Women Creators from two Seas:
Mediterranean and Black Sea" will open tomorrow and will include
a series of theatrical plays, screenings of films directed by
women, concerts, ballet, opera, painting and photographic
exhibitions among other events.
[04] GREECE, CROATIA: ECONOMIC COOPERATION ACCORD
An economic cooperation protocol pertaining to the sectors of
transportation, energy and trade was signed between Greece and
Croatia this week, thus facilitating the latter's European Union
pre-accession course.
Greece's National Economy Deputy Minister Yiannis
Zaphiropoulos and his Croatian counterpart signed the protocol, on
behalf of their respective governments, in Athens.
[05] GREEK ENGINEERING FIRM WINS US BASE CONTRACT
Greek engineering firm Themeliodomi, listed on the Athens
bourse, has won a 1.46-billion-drachma construction contract at
the United States military base in Souda, Crete.
The project, involving the expansion of airport and other
facilities at the base, will be jointly undertaken with Ira
Construction.
According to a company statement, Themeliodomi has been
carrying out projects at the base since 1996 worth around 5.0
billion drachmas.
[06] PUBLIC GETS TAKEN ON FREE RIDE ON "NO CARS" DAY
Public transportation in Thessaloniki and Athens will be free
of charge tomorrow, in observance of "European day without cars -
in a city without cars" - a joint initiative of the European
Union's environment ministers.
Sixty municipalities throughout the country are participating
in the program, under the auspices of the ministry of environment.
Seven hundred and fifty cities in 25 European countries are to
take part in the program.
[07] GREEK RIDER SECOND IN CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE
Greece's Heidi Antikatzidis had a clean round and was left
with 37.4 on her horse Michaelmas to stand second in the second
round of the individual three-day event cross-country course of
the equestrian competition in the Sydney Olympic Games.
This marks the first time Greece make a noteworthy appearance
in this sport.
The three-day event combines dressage, cross-country and show-
jumping, rewarding the horse that can excel at dressage one day
and gallop flat-out cross-country the next.
The medals will be decided by the show-jumping round
tomorrow.
[08] GREEK SAILING CHAMPION FOURTH IN MISTRAL FLEET
Greek sailing champion Nikos Kaklamanakis, gold medalist in
the Atlanta-held 1996 Games in the Men's Mistral, finished fourth
in the seventh round of the Men's Mistral fleet race today, with
his his fiercest competition coming from is from his Australian,
Argentine and New Zealand counterparts.
Olympic sailing is a grueling competition that features at
least 10 races per class. It will be held until September 24.
[09] PREMIER ADDRESSES PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU
Chairing a meeting of PASOK's Executive Bureau yesterday,
Prime Minister Costas Simitis underlined the government's firm
commitment to its policies - even to the point of sidestepping
potential dissenters.
Focusing on the economy, under the prism of the global unrest
brought on by the soaring fuel prices, Mr. Simitis stressed that
the government is to take measures to counter the repercussions of
the crisis, such as giving allowances to low pensioners and the
low incomes, and reducing the price of oil for agricultural use.
In regards to the ongoing referendum held by the Church, Mr.
Simitis described it as prejudiced and non- democratic, albeit
adding that the government intends to embark on a dialogue with
the society and the Church on the relations between the State and
the Church.
Referring to the persistent accusations hurled by the main
opposition party of New Democracy (regarding intertwined economic
interests), Mr. Simitis stressed that the state's legislative
framework safeguards the country from questionable economic deals.
Nevertheless, he added that the state should not involve itself in
business conflicts that arise, so as to not become a part of the
problem.
[10] PREMIER RECEIVES FM TO DISCUSS RESULTS OF US TRIP
Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with Foreign Minister
George Papandreou this morning, in order to discuss the results of
the latter's trip to the US and his contacts on the sidelines of
the UN Millennium Summit.
Following the talks, Mr. Papandreou addressed the media and
stressed the sense of "coordinated action" between the Greek and
Cypriot governments, as well as with the minority parties of
Cyprus.
Mr. Papandreou reiterated that Greece's position advocating a
federated, bi-zonal, bi-communal solution to the Cyprus issue, in
accordance with the UN Security Council's resolutions, remains
unchanged. According to the Foreign Minister, who met with US
Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns last night, he inquired as to
the degree the US could exert pressure on the Turkish-Cypriot side
in regards to upholding the UN resolutions and abandoning
proposals for a confederation on the island.
Messrs. Simitis and Papandreou also discussed the agreement
reached between Greece and Turkey on holding talks over Confidence
-Building -Measures.
In regards to the forthcoming elections in Yugoslavia, Mr.
Papandreou stated that Greece will accept whatever result
Sunday's presidential elections in Yugoslavia produce, provided
the polls are conducted according to "democratic procedures".
"I want to stress that Greece recognizes any result that
derives from democratic procedures," he said.
The minister said Athens has proposed that Greek observers -
especially parliamentarians - should attend the election process.
"We shall see how Yugoslavia will take that," he noted, adding
that the European Union has not pressured Yugoslavs to vote
against President Slobodan Milosevic.
"(The EU) is not asking the Serb people to vote for this
candidate or the other," he said, referring to a joint statement
last week by EU foreign ministers.
Mr. Papandreou also met with former foreign minister Carolos
Papoulias, presently the chairman of the Parliament's permanent
defense and foreign affairs committee, with whom he reviewed the
latest developments in Yugoslavia.
Mr. Papoulias is expected to travel to Belgrade, upon the
invitation of FR.Y.'s government, in order to observe the
elections.
[11] O.A. SUBSIDIARY IS 9TH WORLDWIDE IN PERFORMANCE
Greece's Macedonian Airlines S.A., a subsidiary of the
national air carrier Olympic Airways, ranks ninth in a global
lineup of airlines, in terms of performance and output, according
to an article in the latest issue of "Flight International".
Enjoying economic growth, the charter company's 1999 profits
surpassed the one-billion-drachma mark (GRD 1.027 billion), and is
expected to reach 1.5 billion drachmas by the end of the fiscal
year.
Macedonian Airlines was founded in 1992 as an Olympic Airways
charter flight subsidiary. Its fleet of aircraft consists of four
Boeing 737-400.
[12] DEPUTY SPORTS MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA IN SYDNEY
The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens will have to be organized in
an excellent manner, according to deputy Minister of Sports George
Florides, presently in Sydney- along with a team of officials of
the 2004 organizing committee - gaining a first-hand account of
the way things are run.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Florides stated
that "we're getting ideas for Athens 2004. We've ascertained a few
weaknesses and we'll take care so that they are not repeated in
Athens. The biggest problem is transportation."
Regarding the Greek athletes' performance so far, the deputy
minister expressed his satisfaction and stressed that "the
important thing is that (our athletes) have earned one of the top
eight positions, and we're expecting similar successes to come.
"Greece is competing with 198 other countries in many sports
and, so far, it's doing great."
[13] LOSSES OF 1.52% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Significant losses of 1.52% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today and the general index dropped to 4.040,61 points as
a result of the strong pressures exerted on the bank shares. The
volume of transactions was 103.4 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 80 recorded gains, 264 had losses
and 39 remained unchanged.
[14] SIMITIS: MEASURES OF SOCIAL CHARACTER IN RESPONSE TO THE FUEL
PRICE INCREASES
The Greek government examines the likelihood to take measures
of social character in order to support the financially weaker
classes in case the oil and the dollar continue their upward
trend. Those measures will be taken within the framework of the
state budget in case it is established that the price rally
continues.
The above were announced by prime minister Kostas Simitis in
the cabinet meeting that was held today. He also issued a warning
to every direction that tough measures will be taken in case of
profiteering incidents.
He also reminded that the oil taxes in Greece are at the
lowest allowed level in the European Union and stressed that the
Greek economy displays resistance as its EMU accession protected
it from the turbulence it experienced in the first and the second
oil crises.
The prime minister also stated that it is too early for any
predictions on what will happen in the next few months. In any
case, he said that we should be neither relaxed nor react in an
exaggerated manner under the pressure of events.
[15] STRONG RESPONSE BY BEGLITIS TO THE CYPRIOT PRESS REPORTS ON
MR. PAPANDREOU
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou is very annoyed by
the Cypriot press publications holding him responsible for the
unfavorable, as they characterize it, course of the New York talks
on Cyprus calling him to resign.
In a strong statement Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos
Beglitis stressed that such press publications are curious as they
appear in a very difficult period for the developments in the
Cyprus issue. He suggested calm and called for objective
information by the mass media.
He said that neither the foreign minister nor the government
will apologize for their foreign policy, especially over the
Cyprus issue which remains a priority for Greece, adding that the
policy positions are clear. He also stated characteristically that
no apology will be given to the press reports and the cries that
come from circles which in the past did not hesitate to offer
ideological cover to anti-democratic diversions.
Mr. Beglitis also said that such press publications do not
help in the effort made by Athens and Nicosia on the Cyprus issue.
On Yugoslavia, he said that all the EU countries are
concerned over the day after the Yugoslav elections regardless of
the result, while he reiterated that the Greek government is ready
to accept the election result that will come from democratic
procedures.
Meanwhile, Greek foreign affairs and defense parliamentary
committee chairman Karolos Papoulias will go to Belgrade on
Saturday for contacts with Yugoslav government officials and
opposition representatives.
[16] MR. PAPANDREOU BRIEFED PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou briefed president
Kostis Stephanopoulos on the course of the foreign policy issues.
Mr. Papandreou referred to the criticism on him expressed by
circles in Cyprus which blame him for the unfavorable, as they
characterize it, course of the New York talks on Cyprus calling
him to resign.
The foreign minister stated that the government handles a
national tragedy, adding that the far-right fascist government of
the junta made a grave mistake in 1974 and the same circles in
Cyprus are trying now to create a problem between Greece and
Cyprus. He said that those are the circles that have the historic
responsibility for the stalemate in the Cyprus issue observed in
the past 25 years because they are responsible for trying to
overthrow Archbishop Makarios.
Mr. Papandreou stated that of course now Turkey is
responsible for keeping under its occupation part of Cyprus for 25
years but those circles in Cyprus have the initial responsibility
and they have no right to have a say over the Cyprus issue.
[17] THE VIRUS OF THE NILE APPEARED IN FRANCE AFTER 40 YEARS - ITS
REAPPEARANCE IN GREECE IS NOT RULED OUT
The virus of western Nile that had disappeared for 40 years
reappeared in south France and the likelihood to be traced in
Greece too is not ruled out. The symptoms of the virus, which last
year caused the deaths of 7 people in New York, range from fever
and headaches to encephalitis, myocarditis and difficulty in
breathing, while it can also cause death to elderly individuals.
The incubation period lasts from 3 to 6 days and the disease
itself lasts another 3 to 6 days. The virus is spread by
mosquitoes.
In a press conference in Thessaloniki today on the occasion
of the 3rd General Assembly meeting of the EU public institutions
for the management of the natural environment (EdEn) it was
mentioned that responsible for the fact that the virus appeared in
France are the migrating birds that came from Egypt carrying the
virus, were then stung by mosquitoes which in turn gave it to
humans.
According to EdEn director Michel Babineau the likelihood for
the virus to be brought to Greece by birds coming from Egypt is
not ruled out. He stressed that the virus in France has infected
only horses and not humans, while referring to its reappearance
after 40 years he stated that this is due to the fact that after a
long period of time the immunity to the specific disease weakens.
Society of environment, public health and eco-development
representative Spiros Mourelatos stated that in Greece, at least
for the time being, there is no concern over the spread of
infectious diseases by mosquitoes as extensive and organized
programs against the insects are in effect since 1997 but he did
not rule out the likelihood for an infectious disease to be
brought to Greece from the countries where it is endemic such as,
Turkey and Albania either by the mosquitoes or the immigrants. Mr.
Mourelatos also said that Greece has a problem at its borders with
Turkey as the neighboring country has about 30.000 hectars of rice-
fields where the mosquitoes live.
[18] PARTICIPATION OF THE MUSLIMS IN XANTHI IN THE COLLECTION OF
SIGNATURES BY THE CHURCH
The mufti of Xanthi requested printed forms by Metropolite
Panteleimon of Xanthi for the collection of signatures on the
issue concerning the listing of the bearer's religion on the state-
issued identity cards.
Athens radio station "Flash" reported that the mufti asked
for printed forms and stated that Muslims in his region have
already put their signatures in favor of the listing of the
bearer's religion on the state-issued identity cards. This is
attributed, according to the radio station, to the fact that the
Muslims have an interest in having their population percentage in
the region registered.
Meanwhile, Archbishopric circles responded today to the
statement made yesterday by the prime minister according to which,
the Church's undertaking is undemocratic in inspiration and
planning, discriminatory and one-sided and therefore, insolvent.
The Archbishopric circles pointed out that the Church is not
holding a referendum but it collects signatures for a referendum.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] HEIDI ANTIKATZIDOU: I WILL MAKE IT IN THE LAST EVENT AS WELL
A step closer to a medal is Greece's Heidi Antikatzidou, who
is ranking 2nd in the equestrian triathlon, while the event will
be completed tomorrow. In statements she made she appeared very
satisfied and maintained that she will get a medal.
She said that her horse is in a fantastic shape and they had
an excellent race. She also said that she is tired but this is
common for all the athletes, adding that she and her horse will
make it in the last event tomorrow namely, the jumping in the
individual three-day event.
[20] KALIN KREANKA: THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF I HAD WON
THE FIRST SET
Greek table tennis champion Kalin Kreanka appeared
disappointed because of his disqualification when he was defeated
by Taipei's Pang Loung Ziang.
He said that he had the opportunity to be the winner in the
first set and if he was able to get that chance things would have
been different. He also stated that maybe he was not strong enough
or his opponent was better prepared psychologically.
It should be noted that Kalin Kreanka had an injury problem
just before the opening of the Olympic Games and this prevented
him from ranking higher.
[21] TWO GREEK BOXERS COMPETE TOMORROW
Two Greek boxers continue their efforts tomorrow in the
Sydney Olympic Games. Antonis Giannoulas in the 75kg category will
face Cuban world champion Jorje Guiteres, while in the 60kg
category Uzlian Tigran will face Said Asgar Ali Sah from Pakistan.
It should be reminded that the third Greek boxer Mikaelian
Artur was disqualified in the 54kg category.
[22] THANOU, GATSIOUDIS AND MITROU COMPETE TOMORROW
The track and field events start in the Olympiad tomorrow.
Greek champion Katerina Thanou competes in the women's 100m
preliminaries. Voula Patoulidou will also compete in the same
event. Giorgos Theodoridis will compete in the men's 100m, while
Angelos Pavlakakis will be absent due to injury.
Kostas Gatsioudis will compete in the javelin, Lambros
Papakostas in high jump, Tasos Gousis in 400m, Olga Vasdeki in the
triple jump and Chrisoula Iakovou in the women's 5.000m.
In weightlifting, Victoras Mitrou will compete in the 77kg
category and will make an attempt to win a medal. In the following
days are scheduled to compete Piros Dimas, Christos Spirou and
Akakios Kachiasvilli.
In swimming, Spiros Gianniotis will compete in the 1.500m
freestyle and Athina Bochori in the 50m freestyle, while Eftichia
Papa will compete in diving. Finally, shooting champion Agi
Kasoumi will compete in the pistol category.
[23] CEM: ANKARA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE HELSINKI DECISIONS ON
CYPRUS
The Turkish government does not recognize the Helsinki Summit
meeting decisions on Cyprus except from the reference made to the
political problem concerning the backing of the efforts for the
solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the United
Nations.
The above were maintained in Brussels yesterday by Turkish
foreign minister Ismail Cem who met with the German EU
commissioner responsible for enlargement issues.
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