Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-10-04
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 4, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] "SAMINA" CAPTAIN AND SHIP MATE IN CUSTODY
[02] SIMITIS-PAPOUTSIS DISCUSS NEW SHIPPING MEASURES
[03] SIMITIS RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OVER "SAMINA" SHIPWRECK
[04] 2ND GREEK-TURKISH BUSINESS CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH
[05] MILITARY RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY DISCUSSED
[06] GREEK SUSPICIONS OVER LOCAL ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA
[07] GREEK INITIATIVE AIMED AT LIFTING THE DEADLOCK IN YUGOSLAVIA
[08] FISHERMEN BLOCKED PORTS IN GREECE
[09] VOTE RIGGING TARGETING "OMONIA" IN THE ALBANIAN ELECTIONS
[10] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS LAUNCHED A STRONG ATTACK ON OPPOSITION
NEW DEMOCRACY
[11] THE FAIR COMPETITION COMMITTEE REQUESTED DETAILS ON THE
BUYOUT OF SHIPS
[12] SAE-EUROPE CONFERENCE IN FRANKFURT
[13] LOSSES OF 1.69% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] EXPLANATIONS GIVEN BY REPPAS ON RONTOS' MISSION TO YUGOSLAVIA
[15] KENTERIS' T-SHIRT OFFERED TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
[16] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS WILL BE IN GREECE ON
OCTOBER 17-25
[17] GREEK CANDIDATES IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BELGIUM
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] A US CONGRESS COMMITTEE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] "SAMINA" CAPTAIN AND SHIP MATE IN CUSTODY
The captain of the shipwrecked "Express Samina", Vasilis
Yiannakis and his deputy Anastasios Psychogios have been remanded
in custody on the island of Chios, following the testimonies made
before the courts.
Panagiotis Kazaklis, who had been at the ship's helm at the
time of the tragedy was let go conditionally, following a bail
charge of one million drachmas.
The president, managing director and general director of
Minoan Lines are due to testify before a court in Syros today.
[02] SIMITIS-PAPOUTSIS DISCUSS NEW SHIPPING MEASURES
New measures in Greek shipping, such as the reduction in the
years of operation allowed for passenger vessels and the early
liberalisation of the Greek sea transport market, were discussed
in the meeting held by the country's Prime Minister, Costas
Simitis with the Commercial Shipping minister Christos Papoutsis
and with former Shipping minister Christos Soumakis.
It was also decided that swift action should be taken to
discover who was responsible for the tragic "Express Samina"
shipwreck and to impose an appropriate punishment accordingly.
Greek Commercial Shipping minister Christos Papoutsis
submitted a new document for liberalising the Greek sea transport
market, in preparation for the meeting due to be held by the
ministerial council tomorrow. Mr Papoutsis also commented on the
modernisation of sea-faring vessels, the level of safety within
shipping and the environmental protection of the sea.
[03] SIMITIS RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OVER "SAMINA" SHIPWRECK
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will today respond to
harsh criticism over the tragic shipwreck, voiced against him by
the opposition. Mr Simitis will speak before his party's
parliamentary council and is expected to answer questions made by
Costas Karamanlis, Aleka Papariga and Nikos Konstantopoulos.
Government representative Dimitris Reppas yesterday accused
the New Democracy party of identifying guilty parties in the
"Express Samina" shipwreck, even though legal investigations are
still underway. Mr Simitis has stated that he is determined to
take measures with the aim of shedding light on the issue.
The Greek Minister's Council will tomorrow decide what
changes should be made in the shipping industry during its general
meeting.
[04] 2ND GREEK-TURKISH BUSINESS CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH
The second Greek-Turkish Business Cooperation conference will
be held in Athens on the 2nd and 3rd November, with the aim of
discussing the European Union, Greece, Turkey and potential
developments both financially and as far as business cooperation
between the two countries is concerned.
The conference will also be a springboard for matters
relating to various areas of cooperation with Turkish enterprises
and press interviews will be given by the Greek and Turkish
presidents of the Greek-Turkish Business Cooperation Council,
Panagiotis Koutsikos and Sarik Tara respectively.
Selected Greek and Turkish speakers will participate in the
conference. Amongst those representing Greece will be Greek
Development minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Foreign minister
George Papandreou and the Greek EU Commissioner on Social Issues,
Anna Diamantopoulou. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will
represent Turkey at the conference.
[05] MILITARY RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY DISCUSSED
Military relations between Greece and Turkey will be taken to
a different level, following talks held yesterday between defense
ministers of both countries, Akis Tsochatsopoulos and Sabahadin
Cakmakogklou respectively, within the framework of the Defendory
2000 exhibition, in which Turkey is participating for the first
time.
The issue of arms reduction was also discussed for the first
time by the two ministers. Both sides agreed to hold direct talks
for reducing tension between Greece and Turkey. Mr
Tsochatsopoulos stated that the possibilities for reducing tension
depended on further developments in the Cyprus issue.
At the opening of the Defendory exhibition, Mr
Tsochatsopoulos said that defense manufacturers boost the role
played by Greece in the EU and in the UN.
[06] GREEK SUSPICIONS OVER LOCAL ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA
Greek Foreign ministry representative Panos Beglitis has
demanded that the Albanian government examine suspicions that
election results were distorted, after accusing it of
psychologically pressurising the Greek minority in the country's
municipal elections.
"Several cases of psychological pressure were noted in South
Albania during the local elections held there recently, where the
population is made up of mainly Greeks. Irregularities were
recorded by observers and members of the Greek minority in Albania
during voting in a predominantly Greek southern region and rumours
have been raised that the elections were rigged, to the
disadvantage of the Omonoia party candidate", Mr Beglitis said.
The Greek government continues to support the consolidation
of democratic institutions in Albania and the construction of a
legal structure necessary for Albania's integration into
international institutions, however, it is concerned by the above
incidents and accusations. "We expect the Albanian side to examine
existing accusations seriously concerning the distortion of
election results. The electoral procedure in the rest of Albania
went smoothly according to information we have received until
now", Mr Beglitis added.
[07] GREEK INITIATIVE AIMED AT LIFTING THE DEADLOCK IN YUGOSLAVIA
The Greek foreign ministry undertook an initiative aimed at
lifting the post-election deadlock in Yugoslavia. For this
purpose, Alexandros Rontos, one of the closest aides of Greek
foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will go to Belgrade to assist
in the efforts to settle the crisis.
According to a report published by the Athens newspaper "TA
NEA", while the Greek initiative is in progress, a US non paper
recommends to Athens to comply with the "hard" line of the United
States on the Milosevic issue.
The newspaper mentions that for the time being there are
three possible developments in Yugoslavia namely, the strong
reaction of the opposition, its participation in a second round of
elections or the participation of both parties in a referendum
which is essentially a second round of voting.
From his side, foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou backs the
recounting of the votes in the September 24 elections provided
that it will take place in the presence of international
observers.
[08] FISHERMEN BLOCKED PORTS IN GREECE
The Greek fishermen have blocked many of the country's ports
protesting against the high fuel prices and the European community
directive that forbids them to fish within a 2-mile distance from
the coasts.
The fishing boats have already blocked the ports of Kavala,
Chios and Patras and the commercial sectors of the ports of
Thessaloniki and Piraeus.
[09] VOTE RIGGING TARGETING "OMONIA" IN THE ALBANIAN ELECTIONS
"Omonia" ethnic Greek minority organization president Mr.
Doulis made accusations of vote rigging that was aimed against the
organization's candidates in last Sunday's municipal elections in
a letter addressed to Albanian prime minister Ilir Meta and the US
and OSCE ambassadors in Albania.
According to the Athens newspaper "Kathimerini", Mr. Doulis
does not recognize the election results in the region of Himara
and calls for new elections.
[10] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS LAUNCHED A STRONG ATTACK ON OPPOSITION
NEW DEMOCRACY
Prime minister Kostas Simitis in his speech today before the
parliamentary group of the governing socialist party of PASOK
launched a strong attack on main opposition party of New
Democracy.
The parliamentary inquiry committees proposed by New
Democracy to examine the causes of the "Samina" shipwreck and the
corruption allegations will influence the judiciary and will be
part of the impression-creating games that are being played,
stated the prime minister.
He also underlined the serious risk of creating a climate of
rejection toward the country's political world from which no one
will be excluded, neither the government nor the opposition,
adding that in such a case democracy will be the loser while the
fascist attitude will be the winner.
The prime minister stressed that light will be shed on the
causes of the tragic accident and later in the week the minister
of justice will submit law amendments to prevent such an accident
from happening again.
Mr. Simitis recognized that the developments in the
international economy are unfavorable and stated that there should
be no panic in Greece, while people should not believe that Greece
will be affected more than other countries.
On the problem of unemployment, he referred to the government
proposals aimed at increasing the job positions and adopting the
38-hour working week.
Regarding the foreign policy issues, Mr. Simitis stated that
the Helsinki decisions are the framework guaranteeing the natural
course of Turkey's rapprochement with the European Union. On
Cyprus, he said, that the Greek government backs a two-zone, two-
community single sovereignty Cyprus, adding that the confederation
solution is not backed by the Cypriot or the Greek government.
[11] THE FAIR COMPETITION COMMITTEE REQUESTED DETAILS ON THE
BUYOUT OF SHIPS
The ministry of development fair competition committee had
requested information on the buyout of ships conducted by the
Minoan Sea Lines since February.
According to a statement issued by the committee, it was
examining whether the law on fair competition was violated and if
there is a monopoly situation in the Greek coastal shipping.
The Minoan Sea Lines referred the committee to the Minoan
Flying Dolphins which denied that its acts or deals were in
violation of the law on fair competition.
The committee has the files of the two companies with the
buyouts they have made since July and in cooperation with the
merchant marine ministry will proceed with the evaluation of the
two companies before issuing a decision.
[12] SAE-EUROPE CONFERENCE IN FRANKFURT
The presiding boards of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE-
Europe federations and agencies will meet in Frankfurt on October
13-15. According to SAE-Europe president Angelos Aslanidis, SAE-
Europe seeks through this meeting to draw-up its future policy,
strategy and tactic.
The goals of the meeting will be the briefing of the
different agencies on the SAE-Europe activities so far and the
operation of the new organizational structures for the Greeks
living abroad, the holding of discussions on the concerns and
problems faced by the Greeks abroad, the exploitation of the
Greeks elected to local administration agencies in European
countries, the financial backing of the Aid Fund for the Greeks
living in Europe and ways to assist the suffering Greeks in the
former Eastern Block countries.
[13] LOSSES OF 1.69% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses of 1.69% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
and the general index dropped to 4.010,83 points, while the volume
of transactions was very disappointing at 57 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 39 recorded gains, 309 had
losses and 24 remained stable.
[14] EXPLANATIONS GIVEN BY REPPAS ON RONTOS' MISSION TO YUGOSLAVIA
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that
Alexandros Rontos, one of the advisers of foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou, is in Belgrade not for personal reasons but in order
to be used by the Greek foreign ministry because he has
significant experience.
Mr. Reppas stated that Greece has undertaken initiatives
aimed at overcoming the crisis in Yugoslavia and Mr. Rontos is in
contact with all parties in the country. Greece's efforts have
been recognized by all the political forces in the international
community and Yugoslavia and the doors must be kept open, stated
Mr. Reppas.
[15] KENTERIS' T-SHIRT OFFERED TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Greece's Kostas Kenteris proved that he is not only a great
athlete but a great human being as well. The Olympic gold
medallist decided to put up for auction the T-shirt he was wearing
when he competed in the men's 200m finals in the Sydney Olympic
Games and the highest bid will go to an institution for children
with special needs.
The institution is under the supervision of the Olympic
Committee and the auction will be held on the Internet. He said
characteristically that after the race he thought that he should
do something for the children with problems. Kenteris said that
the institution contacted him and he decided to offer the T-shirt
he was wearing in the golden 200m race.
[16] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS WILL BE IN GREECE ON
OCTOBER 17-25
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will be on an unofficial
visit to Greece on October 17-25, as it was announced today after
the Greek Church's Holy Synod meeting in Athens. The Ecumenical
Patriarch will be in Athens for the inauguration of the
Patriarchate's office in the Greek capital.
Holy Synod spokesman Metropolite Efstathios of Sparta
referred to the signature collection procedure with the demand for
a referendum to be held on the issue of the listing of the
bearer's religion on the new state-issued identity cards.
According to the available figures, the number of signatures
already gathered are estimated at 1 million.
[17] GREEK CANDIDATES IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BELGIUM
The presence of the Greek candidates in the municipal
elections in Belgium that will be held on October 8 is notable.
Over 20 Greeks, among them 26yearold Dimitris Pechlivanidis former
president of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, world
coordinating committee for the Young, will run for town
councillors in 11 municipalities.
It is the first time that citizens with double nationality or
foreign nationals have the right to vote or be election candidates
according to the EU regulations.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A US CONGRESS COMMITTEE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
A US Congress committee approved a resolution recognizing as
genocide the persecutions and murders of hundreds of thousands of
Armenians in Turkey in 1915.
The resolution of the US House of Representatives
International Relations Committee is not binding but it caused the
strong reaction of Ankara as well as criticism on behalf of the
Clinton government which maintains that the issue should concern
the historians and not the politicians.
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