Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-02-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 27, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HOUSE TO VOTE ON OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PRIVATIZATION
[02] THESSALONIKI TO HOST WINE COMPETITION IN DETROP
[03] GREEK BUSINESS DELEGATION VISITS BELGRADE
[04] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE
[05] MERRY DEFENDS VIEWS: I AM NOT ATTACKING GREECE
[06] GREEK FM ON NAME ISSUE: A VERY DELICATE MATTER
[07] CROATIAN PREMIER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS
[08] MASS EXODUS CLAIMS 33 LIVES, LEAVES 323 INJURED
[09] GREEK FIRMS ACTIVE IN TURKEY ARE NOT AT RISK
[10] GREEK FM HAS "CONSTRUCTIVE" TALKS WITH POWELL
[11] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER IN BELGRADE
[12] GREECE IMPROVES RANK IN US HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
[13] EFFORT TO REGISTER THE GREEK BUSINESSMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD
[14] MORE LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[15] THE MEETING OF THE PRIME MINISTERS OF GREECE AND CROATIA WAS
HELD IN A POSITIVE CLIMATE
[16] STEPHANOPOULOS-CIAMPI MEETING IN THE IONIAN SEA ISLAND OF
KEFALONIA
[17] REACTIONS TO A LIKELY AGREEMENT ON THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM
NAME
[18] THE GENERAL POPULATION CENSUS IN GREECE WILL BE HELD ON MARCH
18
[19] EARTHQUAKES IN THE IONIAN AND THE AEGEAN SEA
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] THE EXHIBITION ON THE HOLOCAUST OF THE GREEK JEWS ENDED IN
STRASBOURG
[21] PASCHALIDIS-PITIC MEETING IN BELGRADE
[22] PAPANDREOU: COOPERATION OF BALKAN STATES BASED ON THE
SCANDINAVIAN MODEL
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HOUSE TO VOTE ON OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PRIVATIZATION
A parliamentary discussion and vote on the privatization of
Olympic Airways is to be held this week, after having been
postponed on Thursday due to a lack of quorum.
Presenting the privatization bill last Thursday, Deputy
Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiades stressed that the government's
foremost concern is to secure the jobs of the ailing national
carrier's employees.
While supporting the move to sell the national air carrier,
the main opposition party of New Democracy stressed that it was
done way too late, as the company has now amassed sizeable debts.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the
Left and Progress (Synaspismos) both argued against the
privatization and requested a roll call vote.
[02] THESSALONIKI TO HOST WINE COMPETITION IN DETROP
The second International Wine Competition will be held in
Thessaloniki between February 28-March 3, aiming to present the
world's quality wines and to further promote and expand the wine
culture in the Mediterranean region.
Coinciding with the international food and beverages trade
fair "DETROP", the event is organized by the Ambelonas Vinters
Union and held under the auspices of Office International de la
Vigne et du Vin and several Greek wine agencies.
The judges committee will comprise Greek and foreign wine
experts, producers and journalists.
[03] GREEK BUSINESS DELEGATION VISITS BELGRADE
A 100-member business delegation, headed by the Minister of
Macedonia-Thrace George Paschalides, is embarking on a two-day
visit to Belgrade today, an event organized by the Thessaloniki
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), in cooperation with the
Interbalkan and Black Sea Business Center and Thessaloniki's
production and scientific agencies.
According to the TCCI, the purpose of the delegation will be
to probe possibilities of developing cooperation between
businessmen from the two countries. It is the first delegation to
be organized by agencies in Thessaloniki to the region after the
end of the war in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Various seminars will be held on the sidelines of business
activities, where speakers will include Serbian Minister of
International Trade Relations Goran Pitic, Minister of industry
and Privatization Alexandar Vlachovic and Mr. Paschalides who will
speak on "Reconstruction Steps."
Mr. Paschalides will have a series of meetings with
government officials, among them the Prime Minister of Serbia
Zoran Djindjic.
[04] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE
Foreign Minister George Papandreou briefed his European Union
counterparts on the results of the recently-held Inter-Balkan
Summit in Skopje, during an EU General Affairs meeting held
yesterday in Brussels.
The talks focused on the latest developments in southern
Serbia, in light of the latest upsurge of violence, and the Middle
East, following the change of government in Israel.
The EU Foreign Ministers tabled a series of measures that
would lead to the de-escalation of tension, among them dispatching
EU observes in the area, limiting the security zone is southern
Serbia and promoting the region's economic and social development.
In regards to the Middle East, the General Affairs Council
decided to allocate 60 million euros in economic aid to the
Palestinian Authority and to exert pressure upon Israel to cease
the economic isolation it subjects the Palestinians to.
Mr. Papandreou is expected to hold talks with US Secretary of
State Colin Powell today in Brussels, during a meeting held on the
sidelines of a NATO summit.
According to a foreign ministry announcement, Messrs. Papandreou
and Powell are expected to discuss bilateral relations and
regional developments.
[05] MERRY DEFENDS VIEWS: I AM NOT ATTACKING GREECE
E. Wayne Merry, a former employee at the US Embassy in Athens
who appears to be running a one-man campaign against Greece's
alleged inability to crush terrorism, staunchly defended his
position through a letter to the editor published in the
periodical "The Weekly Standard".
"I am not attacking Greece and its people", Mr. Merry wrote.
"My founded accusations concern the political leaders who have
shamed their nation through their tolerance of terrorists who
could have been ferreted years ago," he added in his letter,
written in response to the director of the Greek Embassy Press
Office Achilleas Paparsenos who had earlier accused Mr. Merry of
having embarked on an anti-Greek vendetta.
Merry, presently a senior associate on the American Foreign
Policy Council, stressed that the notorious terrorist organization
"17 November" has claimed responsibility for 106 attacks, none of
which have been resolved by the Greek police.
Moreover, he added that the US National Commission against
Terrorism has identified 146 terrorist strikes against American
interests in Greece, of which Greek police have solved one, and
that in Thessaloniki.
[06] GREEK FM ON NAME ISSUE: A VERY DELICATE MATTER
The name issue pending between Greece and FYROM is a
particularly "delicate" matter for both sides, Greece's Foreign
Minister George Papandreou stated during an interview with the
radio station of Skopje.
"What is new and different is the fact that we now regard the
problem as a problem between friends, not enemies. Greece regards
Macedonia as an equal and it strives to find a solution that will
reflect our mutual respect. I think that the political powers in
both countries should work together on the issue and put an end to
this chapter of our history," he stated.
In reference to the hurdles that surface between the two
neighbors over the name of FYROM, the Greek FM pointed out that
during the Inter-Balkan Summit held in Skopje one could not see
inscriptions of names of countries, but only of names of
ministers, prime ministers and presidents.
"We need to invest more energy in solving such problems.
There are also bureaucracy issues, such as issuance of visas,
production, economy. Concerning international commitments, we are
signing agreements and are ratifying them in our parliaments. We
have many things in common and we can accomplish a lot together.
This is why we should overcome this last problem. It takes
courage, it is tough, but, if we succeed, the generations to
follow will appreciate it.
"I can only say this: Let's reach into the problem bravely
and find a solution acceptable to both sides, which will improve
our relations and direct us toward the future."
Moreover, he added that the issue is not a technocratic one,
but it rather concerns the deepest feelings of the two peoples.
"The peoples are those who will give the final decision. At the
end I would like to say that the people of both countries should
be the ones to say ‘yes, we would like to be friends, and we can
find a solution that will satisfy both sides.' "
[07] CROATIAN PREMIER ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS
Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan is to arrive in Athens on
an official, one-day visit today.
Premier Racan is expected to hold talks with his Greek
counterpart Costas Simitis this afternoon, while he will be
received by the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos
Kaklamanis this evening.
Bilateral ties, which had been disrupted during the war that
led to the breakup of Yugoslavia, are expected to top the agenda.
[08] MASS EXODUS CLAIMS 33 LIVES, LEAVES 323 INJURED
Even though the highway patrol had taken extraordinary
measures in light of the mass exodus expected during the three-day
Lent Monday weekend, the death toll was high again with 33 people
having lost their lives and 323 injured, in 223 car accidents.
The expected mass exodus was marred at its onset when six
occupants of a car died in a horrific triple collision on Friday
night on the Nea Moudania-Kassandra provincial road on the
Halkidiki peninsula, south of Thessaloniki. All six passengers,
aged between 17 and 20, were fatally injured.
Highway patrols had added extra lanes to ease traffic flow
for the incoming city dwellers.
[09] GREEK FIRMS ACTIVE IN TURKEY ARE NOT AT RISK
Greek firms active in Turkey are reportedly not at risk over
the economic turmoil and appear undaunted by the looming crisis,
given the neighboring country's numerous difficult periods they
have survived.
From the information systems sector, the Datamedia firm
already has a ten-year presence in Turkey, while Intracom and
Pouliades have recently entered the Turkish market by purchasing
20 percent of Turkey's Gantek Technologies and 50% of the Index
firm, respectively.
According to Datamedia's managing director Andreas Zervos the
Turkish lira's devaluation is not expected to impact the financial
structure of the three firms affiliated with Datamedia as two of
them have not had to borrow, while the third – Porcan Holding SA,
has borrowed in the Turkish currency which is now to its benefit.
[10] GREEK FM HAS "CONSTRUCTIVE" TALKS WITH POWELL
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou held
"constructive, useful and friendly" talks with US Secretary of
State Colin Powell today in Brussels, during a meeting held on the
sidelines of a NATO summit.
During their 30-minute talks, Messrs. Papandreou and Powell
discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, as well
as the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and European defense.
Following the talks, Mr. Papandreou said that in general
terms there was a coincidence of views in regards to the Balkan
crisis, while he also added that Mr. Powell praised Greece's role
in the region.
Mr. Papandreou is to also meet with his Turkish counterpart
Ismael Cem.
[11] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER IN BELGRADE
The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace George Paschalides,
presently on a two-day visit to Belgrade today heading a business
delegation, addressed a seminar today with a speech entitled
"Reconstruction Steps", where he stressed the need to strengthen
cooperation between Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(FRY) on all levels.
Underlining that time lost has to be regained, Mr.
Paschalides stated that the country's isolation in the recent
years led to its absence from initiatives concerning regional
cooperation.
"It is very important that we unite our powers is order to
expedite the country's re-accession into the international
community and to promote initiatives and actions that will lead to
a development respectful of the environment and the citizens'
needs," he said.
The Minister also stated that the various delays noted in the
materialization of projects that fall under the Balkan
Reconstruction Plan are due to bureaucratic roadblocks and the
simultaneous operation of a plethora of regional initiatives, as
well as to the slow adjustment of the Balkan states' institutional
and legislative frameworks.
In order to combat these hurdles, Mr. Paschalides proposed
that a common front be created against bureaucracy and corruption.
Moreover, the Minister stressed that the Greek government is
bilaterally and multilaterally supporting FRY's re-accession
course and has already allocated $15 million for this purpose.
Greece's five-year Balkan reconstruction plan envisages
spending a total of 180 billion drachmas, with the money to be
spent on social infrastructure, financial infrastructure and
services and production.
Moreover, Mr. Paschalides stressed the significance of the
city of Thessaloniki in the Balkan Reconstruction plan, both
through its role as the headquarters of various international
organizations, and through its multiple initiatives.
Specifically, he pointed out that the Ministry will soon feature a
Bureau of International Economic Relations in Southeastern Europe,
while a SECI coordinating office will also soon open in the city.
During his stay in Belgrade, Mr. Paschalides will have a
series of meetings with government officials, among them the Prime
Minister of Serbia Zoran Djindjic.
[12] GREECE IMPROVES RANK IN US HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
In its annual global report on human rights, the State
Department notes that Greece has made significant progress in the
area, albeit adding that problems still remain in regards to
police treatment to prisoners and discrimination against the
gypsies.
The report also makes extensive references to the
assassination of British diplomat Stephen Saunders, who was killed
by the terrorist group "17 November"
At the same time, the State Department's report, as set forth
by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is highly critical
of Turkey's human rights record, which h remains dismal.
[13] EFFORT TO REGISTER THE GREEK BUSINESSMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD
The World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, businessmen
network has launched a big effort aimed at having all Greek
businessmen around the world registered.
Network president Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos stated to MPA that
when the project is completed Greece will receive the assistance
it wants in the sectors most needed. The initial goal is to
register the top 100 businesses in each country.
Mr. Dimitrakopoulos underlined that the businessmen of Greek
origin are interested in investing in Greece and want cooperation
with Greek businesses, while they also want to become active in
the 2004 Olympic Games.
[14] MORE LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
More losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today.
The general index dropped to 0.33% at 3.154,03 points, while the
volume of transactions was 143.8 million Euro or 48.99 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 272 recorded gains and 69 had
losses, while the value of 30 stocks remained stable.
[15] THE MEETING OF THE PRIME MINISTERS OF GREECE AND CROATIA WAS
HELD IN A POSITIVE CLIMATE
Prime minister Kostas Simitis met in Athens today with his
Croatian counterpart Ivica Racan. In their meeting they discussed
the situation in the Balkans, while the Greek prime minister
reiterated the firm Greek position that the existing borders in
the Balkans must be respected. He also expressed Greece's support
to Croatia's effort for cooperation with the European Union, while
he was in favor of the strengthening of the Greek business
presence in Croatia.
Croatia is an integral part of southeastern Europe, while it
plays a significant role in the efforts for peace and cooperation
as it was proven in the recent meeting of the Balkan and EU
leaders in Zagreb, said Mr. Simitis, adding that Mr. Racan's
presence in Greece will contribute greatly to the further
improvement of bilateral relations.
The two prime ministers signed an air transportation
agreement, while they expressed interest in signing other
agreements as well especially, in the sectors of electricity, farm
products and alternative energy sources. They characterized their
meeting as friendly and cordial.
As it was made known, Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos
is scheduled to visit Zagreb in May.
[16] STEPHANOPOULOS-CIAMPI MEETING IN THE IONIAN SEA ISLAND OF
KEFALONIA
Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos will welcome Italian
Republic president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in the Ionian Sea island
of Kefalonia on March 1.
Mr. Ciampi will be on the island to attend a memorial service
for the Italian soldiers killed during WWII.
[17] REACTIONS TO A LIKELY AGREEMENT ON THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM
NAME
The Greek-American National Council sent an open letter to
the Greek political and state leadership expressing its discontent
over the latest developments concerning a likely agreement between
Athens and Skopje on the name that will be used by FYROM.
The council reacts to the likely use of the term Macedonia or
any of its derivatives in the FYROM name. It also mentions that if
the name Macedonia is given away it would mean that the Greek
history and identity are up for negotiation.
Meanwhile, the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne-
Victoria in a statement it has issued also reminds its position
regarding the name of FYROM.
In the statement it is mentioned that the Pan-Macedonian
Association rejects any name for FYROM that will include the term
Macedonia or any of its derivatives.
[18] THE GENERAL POPULATION CENSUS IN GREECE WILL BE HELD ON MARCH
18
The general population census in Greece, that will be
conducted by the National Statistics Agency, will take place on
Sunday, March 18.
Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou in a press
conference he gave characterized the population census of
historical importance.
[19] EARTHQUAKES IN THE IONIAN AND THE AEGEAN SEA
An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale shook the
sea region south of the Ionian Sea island of Kefalonia in early
afternoon today. According to seismologists, the tremor is placed
within the framework of the usual seismic activity in the region.
Another tremor, measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale, alarmed
the people in the islands of Mitilini and Limnos, in the
northeastern Aegean Sea, in the morning hours today. The epicenter
of the tremor has been located at the Turkish coasts.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] THE EXHIBITION ON THE HOLOCAUST OF THE GREEK JEWS ENDED IN
STRASBOURG
The photo, documents and objects exhibition under the title
the "Holocaust of the Greek Jews-Hunted and saviors" that opened
in the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg on February 12
ended yesterday.
The exhibition attracted the interest not only of the
diplomatic community and the international organizations in
Strasbourg but the Greek, Jewish and French society as well.
The goal of the exhibition was to make the history of the
Jewish Holocaust in Greece known and to pay tribute to the
individuals and institutions in Greece that contributed to the
rescue of the Jews hunted down by the Nazis during WWII.
[21] PASCHALIDIS-PITIC MEETING IN BELGRADE
Greek minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis met
today with Serbia's international economic affairs minister Dr.
Goran Pitic within the framework of his visit to Belgrade heading
a large Greek business delegation.
In the meeting, Mr. Paschalidis was briefed by Dr. Pitic on
the new economic and political reality in Serbia where a new law
is being promoted that will facilitate foreign investments opening
the way for the Greek businessmen in the region who want to make
new investment moves.
Mr. Paschalidis reminded that the Greek government has
already prepared a new law based on which the Greek Plan for the
Reconstruction of Southeastern Europe will be implemented. The
Greek plan provides for economic assistance of 70 billion drachmas
for Serbia.
Mr. Pitic stated that the fact that Greece was the first
country to run to Serbia's economic assistance was not a surprise
for the Serb government, and expressed joy over the fact that more
than 100 Greek businessmen will have contacts with about 400 Serb
businessmen.
[22] PAPANDREOU: COOPERATION OF BALKAN STATES BASED ON THE
SCANDINAVIAN MODEL
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, in an interview
with the news agency SENSE that was published by the Belgrade
newspaper "Politika", referred to the prospects of cooperation
among the Balkan states, the conclusions of the summit meeting of
the southeastern European states in Skopje, the role of Greece in
the stabilization of the situation in the region and the
investigation underway in the Greek banks for the location of bank
accounts that belong to Slobodan Milosevic and his associates.
Mr. Papandreou expressed the hope that now with democratic
governments in every Balkan state the region will move decisively
on the road toward the European integration, while referring to
the cooperation prospects among the Balkan states he expressed the
view that it can be planned based on the Scandinavian model.
On Greece's role, he said that it is the only Balkan state
which is an EU member, and recently a Euro-zone member as well,
and stressed that the wish is for every country in the region to
become an EU member. He also added that Greece is ready to offer
its experience and exert its influence.
Regarding the outbreak of violence by extremists in Kosovo,
south Serbia and FYROM, Mr. Papandreou stated that the summit
meeting in Skopje has sent a clear message that extremism in the
region must end. Mr. Papandreou was also against the further
breakup of the existing states in the Balkans.
Referring to the investigations for the location of Slobodan
Milosevic bank accounts in Greece, Mr. Papandreou stated that an
investigation was launched in all Greek banks by the Central Bank
and the accounts that were located, based on EU and Court of
Justice in The Hague evidence, have been frozen. He also said that
he does not know the exact size of the accounts and added that
Greece is ready for further cooperation with the Court of Justice
in The Hague.
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