Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-10-05
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 5, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] PAPANDREOU: GREECE MUST MAINTAIN FIRM STANCE OVER CYPRUS
[02] SIMITIS TO MEET WITH FLORIDES AND ANGELOPOULOU
[03] DRASTIC CHANGES MADE IN GREEK SHIPPING
[04] MINISTERIAL COUNCIL DISCUSSES STATE OF SHIPPING
[05] INFLATION INCREASES IN SEPTEMBER
[06] S.E EUROPE DEFENSE MINISTERS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI
[07] JUDGE OF APPEAL TO HANDLE "SAMINA" CASE
[08] SIMITIS RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OVER "SAMINA"
[09] EU DELEGATION WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI NEXT WEEK
[10] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ANNAN AND PAPANDREOU
[11] PROTESTS BY SERBS OUTSIDE THE YUGOSLAV CONSULATE IN
THESSALONIKI
[12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: BIG CHANGES IN THE GREEK ARMED FORCES
[13] LOSSES OF 1.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] GREEK ISLANDS AND VILLAGES IN JAPAN
[15] GREEK SCIENTISTS LIVING ABROAD WILL ATTEND A MEDICAL
CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
[16] ABOUT 150.000 ABORTIONS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN GREECE EACH
YEAR
[17] FINAL DECISIONS ON THE MODERNIZATION OF THE GREEK COASTAL
SHIPPING
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] GREEK PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS ROMANIA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PAPANDREOU: GREECE MUST MAINTAIN FIRM STANCE OVER CYPRUS
Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou will today continue
talks with political leaders of Cyprus. Following yesterday's
meetings, he emphasized the utmost cooperation and understanding
existing between the two countries, during this crucial phase of
the Cyprus issue.
"We discussed the need to maintain a firm stance as far as
Greek policy on the matter is concerned, in the face of statements
made by all those participating in the negotiations, such as UN
General Secretary Kofi Annan. We will be firm and very specific in
our action", the Greek Foreign minister stated.
Mr Papandreou asked opposition parties of Cyprus to avoid
toying with unrealistic ideas such as that of a confederation,
adding that encouraging an atmosphere dominated by disputes and
doubts would be unproductive.
The Greek Foreign minister will hold talks next week with his
Russian counterpart Igor Ivanof, during which he will raise the
Cyprus issue.
[02] SIMITIS TO MEET WITH FLORIDES AND ANGELOPOULOU
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will today meet with his
undersecretary of Sport, George Florides will meet today with the
president of the Athens 2004 committee, Yianna Angelopoulou-
Daskalaki.
It is expected that Mr Florides will propose the merging of
the organising and inter-parliamentary committees, following the
example shown by Sydney.
[03] DRASTIC CHANGES MADE IN GREEK SHIPPING
Greek Merchant Marine minister Christos Papoutsis has fired
ten executives of the inspection committee for commercial ships,
including the general director Damianos Doumakis, as part of
drastic changes planned in Greek shipping.
Mr Papoutsis will also present his proposals concerning the
reduction of years a ship is allowed to operate and the
liberalisation of the sea transport market, during a meeting with
the ministerial council.
He will suggest the creation of an independent controlling
committee to examine charges made against the authenticity of
inspections made.
[04] MINISTERIAL COUNCIL DISCUSSES STATE OF SHIPPING
Final decisions concerning the modernisation of Greek
shipping and to secure public interests will be made today at the
ministerial council meeting. Amongst the issues up for discussion
are that of liberalising the Greek sea transport market, reducing
the number of years a ship is allowed to operate, and insuring sea
transport.
Leaders of the Greek opposition yesterday blamed the
government for shipwreck and for the current state of shipping,
whilst the Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, accused the opposition
of taking advantage of the situation politically.
[05] INFLATION INCREASES IN SEPTEMBER
The increase of inflation in September will be announced
tomorrow, together with negative predictions for the short term
future in the Greek economy.
The price-index closed at around 3.3% and the raise in
inflation can mainly be attributed to the rise in fuel.
October is expected to bring worse results, as expensive
heating fuel will be introduced to the market and a rise in
transport fares is expected.
[06] S.E EUROPE DEFENSE MINISTERS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI
Greek minister of Defense Akis Tsochatsopoulos will
participate in the annual meeting of Defense ministers of
Southeastern Europe, due to be held in Thessaloniki on 8th-9th
October.
Mr Tsochatsopoulos will speak at the opening of the meeting,
on Monday morning at 8.30am and at the conference due to be held
at 9.30am on the same day. He will then end the meeting at 12
noon, with a speech.
The Defense ministers of Southeastern Europe who will
participate in the meeting are expected to give a press interview
at 12.20pm. Amongst them will be American Defense Secretary
William Cohen, who will hold talks with his Greek and Turkish
counterparts, Akis Tsochatsopoulos and Sabahadin Cakmakoglou
respectively. According to reports, Mr Cohen aims to discuss
procedures for military confidence building measures with NATO.
[07] JUDGE OF APPEAL TO HANDLE "SAMINA" CASE
A judge of appeal has been elected to take over the case of
the shipwrecked "Express Samina". Public prosecutor Nikos
Karadimitriou will now be responsible for handling legal
procedures taken over the tragedy, with Dimitris Chondroyiannis as
his deputy.
Ship mate Anastasios Psychogios was taken to magistrates in
Syros to testify for a second time. Two members who had been on
shift prior to the accident, Nikos Vourlos and Dimitris Tsoumas,
also testified.
It is expected that the captain and his deputy will testify
before the judge of appeal and will be cross-examined in order to
clarify conflicting aspects of their previous statements, before
being taken to a prison in Chios.
[08] SIMITIS RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OVER "SAMINA"
"We recognise our responsibilities and realise that several
areas are lacking, however, we will not gain anything by simply
blaming the government. Everyone, from the Prime Minister to the
lowest-ranking sailor has a duty to serve citizens. We are partly
responsible for the "Samina" tragedy and will work towards
improving the current situation".
This was the response given by Greek Prime Minister Costas
Simitis in Parliament yesterday, in response to questions made by
opposition leaders relating to the causes of the "Express Samina"
shipwreck and the general situation of the Merchant Marine sector.
Mr Simitis expressed his remorse for the tragedy and for the
loss of so many innocent people and recognised the rescue efforts
made by fishermen and citizens of Paros, especially that of port
officer Dimitris Malamas, who lost his life during the rescue
operation.
"The causes of the shipwreck are being legally investigated
and all efforts will be made to shed light on the matter", Mr
Simitis went on to say, adding that 76 new ships will have been
added to the Greek fleet between 1996 and 2001.
[09] EU DELEGATION WILL VISIT THESSALONIKI NEXT WEEK
An eight-member delegation from the European Parliament's
Industrial, Foreign commerce and Research committee will arrive in
Thessaloniki at the start of next week.
The delegation will visit Thessaloniki on Monday and Tuesday,
following an invitation by Greek eurominister Christos Folias and
will meet with political representatives as well as with members
of executives of European organisations based in the second
capital of Greece.
Giles Bryan Chichester, John Purvis and Paul Rubig are
amongst those due to visit Thessaloniki, as well as Eduard Beysen,
Wolfgang Kreissl-Dofler and Esco Seppanen.
[10] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ANNAN AND PAPANDREOU
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou had a telephone
communication with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan last night.
Mr. Papandreou called on Mr. Annan to confirm through a
statement that the Cyprus problem will be solved based on the UN
Security Council decisions. Mr. Annan expressed reservations and
the issue will be discussed again.
[11] PROTESTS BY SERBS OUTSIDE THE YUGOSLAV CONSULATE IN
THESSALONIKI
About 40 Serb students gathered outside the Yugoslav
consulate in Thessaloniki today chanting slogans against president
Milosevic and calling him to step down. The protesters expressed
this way their solidarity to the democratic opposition of Serbia
and its candidate in the September 24 presidential elections
Voiclav Kostunica.
Among them were Theology School students, who requested a
meeting with the consul general to deliver to him a petition in
protest to what is going on in their country. The consul general
refused to see them. The protesters also made accusations of vote
rigging in the recent presidential elections.
[12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: BIG CHANGES IN THE GREEK ARMED FORCES
Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos prepares drastic
changes for the Greek armed forces aimed at creating a small,
flexible and at the same time effective army that will be totally
adjusted to the new conditions at a world level.
In an interview with the Athens newspaper "Eleftherotipia",
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that a draft bill defining the new
structure of the Greek armed forces is ready.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that by January 1, 2003 the
military service in the Army will be reduced to 12 months, in the
Air Force to 14 months and in the Navy to 16 months. Also, about
15.000 professional soldiers will be hired by the armed forces in
the same period of time.
The wages will be increased by 16.2% and the master's degree
will be a basic criterion for those who will rise to the
leadership of the armed forces.
[13] LOSSES OF 1.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange general index dropped under the
4.000 points mark confirming the statements made earlier in the
week by economic analysts who maintained that without a
satisfactory turnover the Athens Stock Exchange will not be able
to regain the lost ground and will drop to even lower levels.
The losses recorded was at 1.30% and the general index
dropped to 3.954,77 points, while the volume of transactions was
very discouraging at 61.8 billion drachmas.
Market circles attribute today's drop to the continuing
abstention of the foreign institutional investors from the Greek
stock market and to the inactivity of the domestic "players" as
well as to the negative psychology observed among the investors.
[14] GREEK ISLANDS AND VILLAGES IN JAPAN
The "voluntary Greek communities" that have been created in
Japan promote the Greek culture and traditions. The Japanese
island of Yoron with its population of 5 thousand people is the
Mykonos of Japan with the characteristic windmills and the colors
of the Cyclades islands complex in the Aegean. The colors white
and blue dominate in the island and its main avenue was named
after Mykonos.
Another Japanese island, called Sontosima, which has been
twinned with the Greek island of Milos is known as the island of
the olive and has an impressive park and museum where the visitor
can learn all about the history of olive-oil production in ancient
Greece. There are also signs in the Greek language welcoming the
visitors.
Another small town named, Inazaouou is twinned with Olympia
in Greece and is widely known for the naked men festival that is
organized there for many years.
[15] GREEK SCIENTISTS LIVING ABROAD WILL ATTEND A MEDICAL
CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
Distinguished scientists and academicians of Greek origin
from the United States, Latin America, Europe and Japan will take
part in the 6th Conference of the World Hellenic Bio-Medicine
Association, WHBA, that will be held in Athens on October 11-15
with the support of the Athens Medical Society sponsored by the
Greek foreign ministry and the General Secretariat for the Greeks
Living Abroad.
World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, president Andrew
Athens will address the conference participants and will present
the organization's medical program for the Black Sea countries.
The keynote speaker will be New York University honorary professor
John Bradimas.
[16] ABOUT 150.000 ABORTIONS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN GREECE EACH
YEAR
About 150.000 abortions are being carried out in Greece each
year and this fact supports the view that the Greeks can have more
children but they do not want to have big families.
In spite of the fact that in the past few years the
interruptions of pregnancies in Greece have been reduced the
number of abortions continues to be high both among adult women
and teenagers.
About 9% of all pregnancies are recorded among teenagers,
while the unmarried women who give birth to children before they
reach the age of 20 correspond to 10%. It should be noted that 1
in 3 pregnancies is planned and only 3 in 10 women, who are
sexually active, use some form of contraception. Condoms are the
third preferred method of contraception for the Greek women (15%),
after the endometrial contraception methods (30%) and the pill
(32%).
[17] FINAL DECISIONS ON THE MODERNIZATION OF THE GREEK COASTAL
SHIPPING
Final decisions on the modernization of the Greek coastal
shipping were reached in the cabinet meeting in Athens today held
under prime minister Kostas Simitis.
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the
protectionism status in the Greek shipping will end in 2002, while
there will be no exclusive exploitation of any sea line by a
specific shipping company. Also, the maximum age limit for the
withdrawal of the ships will gradually drop from 35 to 30 years,
while the ship inspections will intensify and an internal affairs
agency will be established in the merchant marine ministry.
Responding to questions concerning the personnel changes in
the ships' inspection agency, Mr. Reppas stated that they were
made after a decision to reduce the service term of the ship
inspectors to no more than 2 years.
The Greek government spokesman also stated that there will be
an initiative for the financial support of those who survived the
"Samina" tragedy.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] GREEK PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS ROMANIA
A Greek parliamentary delegation is currently on a three day
visit to Romania, following an invitation by the Senate's vice-
president Ulm Spineanu.
The second vice-president of the Greek Parliament Panagiotis
Sgourides and MPs Emmanouil Stratakis and Nikolaos Katsaros met
with members of the Senate councils of Foreign Affairs, Defense,
Civil Order and National Safety.
The Greek delegation has also planned meetings with the
Senate president, the president of the Romanian Parliament and the
ministers of Foreign Affairs, of Defense, of Industry and of
Commerce.
This official visit will further boost the already warm
political, economic and social relations between the two
countries.
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