Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-03-13
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 13, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] DM RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OVER DU IN PARLIAMENT
[02] JUSTICE MINISTER UNVEILS ANTI-CRIME LEGISLATION
[03] NEW BILL INFRINGES ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, CRITICS SAY
[04] OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER ARRIVES IN FYROM TODAY
[05] AIRLINE PASSENGER DIES EN ROUTE TO THESSALONIKI
[06] GREEK FM IN CYPRUS, VISITS AIR BASE IN PAPHOS
[07] FYROM, GREEK, TURKISH FMs HOLD PHONE TALKS
[08] US AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON ANTI-CRIME BILL
[09] ANTI-CRIME BILL TO BE TABLED BY END OF MARCH
[10] MORE LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] REPPAS: TURKEY MUST COMPLY WITH THE UN DECISIONS
[12] AN AMERICAN RETURNED THE ANCIENT OBJECT HE HAD REMOVED FROM
THE ACROPOLIS IN ATHENS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] FYROM POLICE CLASH WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS
[14] THE GREEK-AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY IS SATISFIED WITH THE SIMITIS
STATEMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME
[15] THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IS ON A VISIT TO CANADA
[16] FAMOUS GREEK STAGE-DESIGNER NICHOLAS GEORGIADIS DIED LAST
WEEK
[17] A GREEK JOURNALIST WAS HONORED IN BERLIN
[18] THE PARTY COALITION OF THE LEFT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
DEVELOPMENTS IN FYROM
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] DM RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS OVER DU IN PARLIAMENT
According to Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, there are no indications of
radioactive pollution in Greece, albeit he added that the results
of enquiries by the International Health Committee and the
International Atomic Energy Committee are expected within the
month for a clearer picture. He also stated that the anticipated
answers are to be negative.
Greece, Italy and Germany are insisting on a ban on the use
of depleted uranium shells, the Minister of National Defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos stated in Parliament yesterday, in response to
questions tabled in Parliament by deputies of the main opposition
party of New Democracy.
However, the Defense Minister stated that he and his Italian
counterpart believe that the number of Italian troops who suffer
from leukemia is unusually high.
"It was ultimately proved that NATO's intervention in Kosovo
caused greater harm and delayed a diplomatic and political
solution to the problem, the only possible one, which Greece had
supported from the beginning," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said.
In reference to the latest developments in FYROM, Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos stated that the present situation is expected to
last a long time.
"It is an element formed by new forces which clandestinely
support actions leading to a lack of regional stability," he said.
[02] JUSTICE MINISTER UNVEILS ANTI-CRIME LEGISLATION
The government's new anti-terrorism legislation was
officially unveiled yesterday by the Minister of Justice Michalis
Stathopoulos who stated that the proposed amendments are necessary
for the protection of citizens from punishable acts by criminal
organisations.
The bill, essentially a series of amendments to existing
legislation, will allow for DNA testing of individuals when there
is reasonable belief that felonies have been committed. However,
the provision is that the genetic testing will have to be ordered
by a magistrate, while any DNA material collected and tested will
subsequently be destroyed.
Also, the draft bill allows for collection of personal data and
electronic surveillance of suspects, while it abolishes certain
legal protections heretofore accorded suspects, permits house
searches and establishes measures to protect judges and other
civil servants involved in the prosecution of suspects.
In addition, the jury system will be abolished in terrorism
trials and legal provisions that in the past had tied the hands of
law enforcement authorities pursuing the arrest and prosecution of
suspected terrorists will be lifted.
The proposed law also calls for the creation of a witness
protection program and the granting of amnesty to terrorist
organization members who supply the state with evidence.
[03] NEW BILL INFRINGES ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, CRITICS SAY
The government's new anti-terrorism legislation, unveiled
yesterday by Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, was met with
severe criticism by minor opposition parties who state that the
bill infringes on civil liberties.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) called the bill "one more
weapon against the people's rights and freedoms", saying that the
government succumbed to pressure exerted by the United States.
KKE also claimed that the state's secret services are
affiliated with terrorist organizations, which is why the suspects
have not been brought before the law.
The Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) accused
the government of reverting to judicial authoritarianism.
[04] OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER ARRIVES IN FYROM TODAY
The leader of the minor opposition party Coalition for the
Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Nikos Constantopoulos is departing
for a two-day visit to Skopje today, where he will hold talks over
the present situation in the region.
Mr. Constantopoulos will have successive meetings with the
vice-president of the Parliament of FYROM, former Premier Branco
Cervenkovski, Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski and the President
of the Republic Boris Trajkovski.
This evening, Mr. Constantopoulos will also meet with FYROM's
Foreign Minister Srgjan Kerim.
[05] AIRLINE PASSENGER DIES EN ROUTE TO THESSALONIKI
A passenger on board an Olympic Airways flight died during
the Dusseldorf-Thessaloniki-Athens route yesterday when, according
to early reports, she suffered a heart attack.
Fifty-four-year-old Ekaterini Fotiadou, an expatriate to
Germany, was returning to her homeland in Evros via Thessaloniki
when, according to the captain, she felt ill, went into cardiac
arrest and fell unconscious. The cabin crew unsuccessfully
attempted to resuscitate her with artificial breathing and heart
massage. An ambulance crew awaiting the aircraft at the Macedonia
airport of Thessaloniki ascertained the woman's death.
[06] GREEK FM IN CYPRUS, VISITS AIR BASE IN PAPHOS
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, presently on a three-day
visit to Cyprus, met with the island's Defense Minister Socrates
Hasikos yesterday who gave him a tour of the "Andreas Papandreou"
air base in Paphos and briefed him on its functions and on the
implementation of the joint defence doctrine by Cyprus.
Following the tour, Mr. Papandreou spoke of the effective
implementation of the unified defence doctrine and stated that "we
hope the day will come when we will be able to speak of a
demilitarised Cyprus. However, this cannot happen before a
solution to the problem of Cyprus is reached."
Moreover, Mr. Papandreou reiterated that the island's
positive course and the prospect of its accession to the European
Union is not creating any security problems for the Turkish-
Cypriots, adding that, on the contrary, it is strengthening and
increasing their rights.
[07] FYROM, GREEK, TURKISH FMs HOLD PHONE TALKS
The Foreign Minister of FYROM Srgjan Kerim held telephone
talks with his counterparts from Greece and Turkey, Messrs. George
Papandreou and Ismael Cem respectively, over the present situation
in the region.
The Greek and Turkish foreign ministers reportedly support
the measures undertaken by FYROM in regards to the situation at
the country's border with Yugoslavia, while they also added that
their countries' cooperation with FYROM is not aimed against any
other party.
Messrs. Cem and Papandreou also condemned all forms of
terrorism and violence that threaten regional security.
[08] US AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON ANTI-CRIME BILL
United States Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns, presently
on a three-day visit to Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, referred to
the state's new anti-crime bill by stating that the planned
legislation will benefit Greece.
Ambassador Burns also stated that the bill should be
discussed by the Greek political system, while he added that the
United States are satisfied by the cooperation with the Greek
government.
During is visit to Kavala, Mr. Burns stated that the city can
host the development of business activities and investment.
"There are many possibilities ... the aim of our visit here
is to find out whether we can further increase the economic
relations between us."
The US ambassador is accompanied by the US General Consul in
Thessaloniki, the embassy's commercial attache and the general
secretary of the Greek-US Chamber of Commerce.
[09] ANTI-CRIME BILL TO BE TABLED BY END OF MARCH
The government's new anti-terrorism legislation, unveiled
yesterday by Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, is to be
tabled in Parliament by the end of the month.
The said bill contains ten articles amending or superseding
the existing legislation, among them the lifting of
confidentiality, surveillance using sound or video recordings or
other "special technical means," the combination or juxtaposition
of personal data, inspections of bank accounts and DNA analysis.
[10] MORE LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses were recorded again today in the Athens Stock
Exchange. The general index dropped to 0.86% at 3.231,03 points,
while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 293.7 million
Euro or 100.07 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 141 recorded gains and 206 had
losses, while the value of 23 stocks remained stable.
[11] REPPAS: TURKEY MUST COMPLY WITH THE UN DECISIONS
Turkey must comply with the UN decisions on Cyprus and
contribute to their implementation, reiterated today Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was called to comment
on the statements made by Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem.
Mr. Reppas added that the Cypriot government and the
international community have adopted a clear position. He said
that Turkey is the one that refuses to get into line with the
international community and called on Ankara to change its policy
regarding Cyprus.
Mr. Cem had stated in a radio interview in Turkey that he
does not like the US policy on Cyprus and that he expects a more
objective stance from Washington. He also said that the US should
not expect that it will persuade Turkey to accept the Greek and
Greek Cypriot positions.
[12] AN AMERICAN RETURNED THE ANCIENT OBJECT HE HAD REMOVED FROM
THE ACROPOLIS IN ATHENS
An American tourist returned a small piece of ancient marble
he had removed from the Acropolis in Athens. The ancient object
was sent to the Greek culture ministry through the Greek foreign
ministry a few days ago.
The unknown American sent the object to the Greek consulate
in Houston, USA with an anonymous letter in which he explained
that he had taken the piece of marble during his visit to the
Acropolis some time ago. In his letter he mentioned
characteristically that he was very sorry and that he wanted the
object to be returned back to where it belonged.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] FYROM POLICE CLASH WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS
FYROM police clashed with ethnic Albanian guerillas today,
when the security forces tried to approach two rebel-held villages
near the tense border with Kosovo, according to the French news
agency AFP.
Quoting the police report, AFP reported that units were met
with strong resistance from the guerillas of the National
Liberation Army (UCK) when they tried to take control of the
villages Brest and Malino Malo. The rebels overran the two
localities after FYROM troops last Thursday drove them out of
their former stronghold in Tanusevci, which straddles the border
with UN-run Kosovo.
FYROM defense ministry spokesman Georgi Trendafilov said the
security forces were in full control of Tanusevci since Monday.
US troops based in Kosovo were occupying a small part of
the village on the Kosovo side of the border.
[14] THE GREEK-AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY IS SATISFIED WITH THE SIMITIS
STATEMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME
The Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne-Victoria
expressed satisfaction over the recent statements made by prime
minister Kostas Simitis in the Greek parliament regarding the
FYROM name.
In the statement it has issued it is stressed that the Pan-
Macedonian Association of Melbourne-Victoria and the Federation of
Pan-Macedonian Associations in Australia express their complete
satisfaction regarding the latest statements made by Kostas
Simitis on the "Macedonian" issue and the fact that the Greek
state is opposed to any negotiation on the name that will be used
by FYROM.
At the same time, it is stressed that it backs every move
that will confirm the historical truth over the FYROM name.
[15] THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IS ON A VISIT TO CANADA
Greek undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis,
responsible for issues concerning the Greeks living abroad,
arrived in Canada yesterday for talks with the Canadian foreign
minister and Greek-Canadian community representatives.
Mr. Niotis is scheduled to visit the cities of Montreal,
Ottawa and Toronto and he will be back to Greece on March 17. In
Ottawa, Mr. Niotis will visit the federal parliament.
[16] FAMOUS GREEK STAGE-DESIGNER NICHOLAS GEORGIADIS DIED LAST
WEEK
Famous Greek stage-designer Nicholas Georgiadis died last
Saturday at the age of 75.
He was born in Athens in 1925 and studied architecture in
Athens and New York. Later, he studied stage-design in London's
Slade School of Fine Arts. He became famous for his stage-designs
in ballet performances and for his cooperation with Kenneth
MacMillan and Rudolf Nureyev.
He worked mostly with the Opera Houses in Berlin, Vienna,
Zurich, Paris and the New York Metropolitan Opera.
Last year, Nicholas Georgiadis became corresponding member of
the Athens Academy and was honored by the Greek state for his
work.
His funeral will be held in London on Wednesday, March 21.
[17] A GREEK JOURNALIST WAS HONORED IN BERLIN
The Association of German-Greek Companies honored Kostas
Tsatsaronis for his 40yearold contribution to journalism in a
ceremony that was held in the presence of Greek defense minister
Akis Tsochatzopoulos, the German ambassador to Athens and the
Greek ambassador to Berlin, the Metropolite of Germany and many
Greek and German guests. The ceremony was held in Muhlheim, in the
region of Ruhr, last Friday.
Mr. Tsatsaronis is a former correspondent for the "Der
Spiegel" magazine and now he is the editor of the Athens based
German-speaking weekly newspaper "Athener Zeitung".
[18] THE PARTY COALITION OF THE LEFT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE
DEVELOPMENTS IN FYROM
Leader of Greek opposition party Coalition of the Left Mr.
Nikos Konstantopoulos, who is on a visit to Skopje, expressed
strong concern about the developments in FYROM and the wider
Balkan region after the outbreak of extremist violence at the
FYROM-Kosovo borders.
He said that the developments today remind of the situation
in Kosovo, adding that the region has suffered many wars and there
is no room for more armed conflicts.
Mr. Konstantopoulos underlined that the goal of the extremist
actions is to threaten FYROM's territorial integrity as well as
the territorial integrity of the rest of the countries in the
region, adding that it is the common strategic interest of all the
Balkan states to stop the armed clashes and the spread of the
crisis. Mr. Konstantopoulos had meetings with parliament vice-
president Tomislav Stoyanovski and opposition leader Branko
Cervenkovski, who described to him the situation and expressed
their concern for the developments.
Mr. Konstantopoulos stated that the situation is extremely
serious and that the tension is not coincidental or accidental. He
said that it will be a lasting tension, stressing that it is
necessary to safeguard stability and security in the region as a
scenario of destabilization is underway which was known since 1990
when the war in Bosnia broke out.
He also said that his party supports the accession of all
Balkan countries into the European structures and international
organizations. Referring to the Greek-FYROM relations, he said
that Greece is FYROM's strategic partner and the two countries
have a mutual interest to cooperate to safeguard stability and
security in the region through the respect of the existing
borders.
On the issue of the name of FYROM, he said that Coalition of
the Left wants the issue to be resolved as soon as possible in a
way that will be mutually beneficial.
Later this afternoon, Mr. Konstantopoulos will meet with
prime minister Ljupco Georgievski, president of the republic Boris
Trjkovski and foreign minister Serzan Kerim.
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