Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-04-02
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, April 2, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THESSALONIKI HOSTS EIGHTH BALKAN FORUM TODAY
[02] WORLD LEADERS AT "ECONOMIST" EVENT IN ATHENS
[03] PM ADDRESSES PASOK DEPUTIES IN THESSALONIKI
[04] ABNA MEMBERS ADOPT ANTI-JINGOIST RESOLUTION
[05] GREECE TAKES PART IN "CORNERSTONE 2001"
[06] MERCHANT MARINE MINISTER TO VISIT US IN MAY
[07] UK MINISTER FOR CABINET OFFICE IN ATHENS TODAY
[08] UK REPORT: CUT PENSIONS, RAISE AGE OF RETIREMENT
[09] POPE'S VISIT, PETITION, TO DOMINATE CHURCH TALKS
[10] LEADING POLITICAL FIGURES AT 8TH BALKAN FORUM
[11] M490 EUROS SLATED FOR SE EUROPE RECONSTRUCTION
[12] GREEK RECONSTRUCTION PLAN CRUCIAL FOR FYROM
[13] F.R.Y. SETS 6 LONG-TERM TARGETS FOR ITS ECONOMY
[14] FM SPOKESMAN: ARREST IS FRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIR
[15] THE BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
[16] MIROLJUB LABUS: THE GREEK-FRY RELATIONS WILL BE IMPROVED
[17] THE THESSALONIKI FORUM OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FERTILE
DIALOGUE
[18] ZAFIROPOULOS: PEACE IS A PRECONDITION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE BALKANS
[19] REPPAS ON MILOSEVIC'S ARREST
[20] LOSSES WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[21] KARAMANLIS: THE BORDERS ARE INVIOLABLE AND DO NOT CHANGE
[22] THE CONDITIONS FOR INVESTMENTS IN SE EUROPE ARE PERFECT
[23] PAPANTONIOU: THE SOCIAL POLICY BENEFITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
[24] THE GREEK CAR INDUSTRY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE SERB MARKET
[25] REPPAS: THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE ATHENS AIRPORT IS A
MATTER OF TIME
[26] THE FIRST TOURISTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CRETE
[27] THE BALKAN COURSE TOWARD THE EU IS DIFFICULT BUT FEASIBLE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[28] MILOSEVIC PLEADS "NOT GUILTY" TO ALL CHARGES
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THESSALONIKI HOSTS EIGHTH BALKAN FORUM TODAY
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Yugoslav counterpart
Zoran Zizic are to be among the speakers at the Eighth Balkan
Forum, which gets underway in Thessaloniki today, organized by the
Association of Industries of Northern Greece and the Hellenic
American Chamber of Commerce.
The foreign ministers of three Balkan countries will also
speak at the meeting, namely Albanian's Paskal Milo, FYROM's
Srgjan Kerim and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Goran
Svilanovic, who will discuss the topic "Southeastern Europe:
Political Stability as a Prerequisite for European Cohesion".
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will also be
joined by four of his counterparts, namely from F.R.Y., Cyprus,
Albania and FYROM, who will review the latest developments in
their countries' economies, under the scope of Greece's Balkan
Reconstruction Plan.
Other speakers include Bodo Hombach, the Balkan stability
pact coordinator, and senior U.S. State Department official James
Swiggart, director of the Office of South Central European
Affairs.
According to the organizers, the event aims at serving as the
platform for peace in the Balkans and an exchange of ideas on
social and economic development in the region.
[02] WORLD LEADERS AT "ECONOMIST" EVENT IN ATHENS
An international conference to be held by the magazine "The
Economist" in Athens on April 3-4, will be attended by Prime
Minister Costas Simitis and other leaders, among them the former
president of the United States George Bush.
The international event will focus on the theme "Leadership
Strategy at the Dawn of the 21st Century".
Other leaders expected to attend are former president of the
former Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, Palestinian President
Yasser Arafat, former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres, former
Russian prime minister Yevgeny Primakov, Yugoslav President
Vojslav Kostunica and FYROM Premier Ljubco Georgievski, Albanian
Premier Ilir Meta, Secretary General of the Council of the
European Union and High Representative for Common Foreign Policy
and Security Policy (CFCP), Brussels, Javier Solana, and others.
Among the participants representing Greece will be Foreign
Minister George Papandreou, National Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou,
leader of the main opposition party of New Democracy Costas
Karamanlis and the party's honorary president Constantine
Mitsotakis and Bank of Greece Governor Loukas Papademos.
[03] PM ADDRESSES PASOK DEPUTIES IN THESSALONIKI
Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in Thessaloniki yesterday
attending celebrations marking Greece's 20th anniversary of its
accession to the European Union, stressed that the ruling PASOK
party, over which he presides, is implementing a visionary policy
which will soon bear results to the public.
Addressing a group of PASOK deputies during a dinner last
night, Mr. Simitis stated that this policy may not always be
apparent, as it needs lengthy preparation, and referred to
Greece's accession to the European Monetary Union and consequently
to the Eurozone.
Referring to the new international airport of Athens
"Eleftherios Venizelos", Mr. Simitis stressed that the problems
plaguing the early days of operation of this "grand, impressive
project" are nothing new if compared to similar cases, noting
those of the Milan, Italy and Seoul, South Korean airports. He
said characteristically, that the delays, flight cancellations and
baggage claim problems are merely "standard childhood illnesses"
that will be overcome.
[04] ABNA MEMBERS ADOPT ANTI-JINGOIST RESOLUTION
The members of the Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA)
adopted a resolution denouncing all forms of nationalism and
upholding journalistic principles, during an extraordinary meeting
held in Thessaloniki on Friday over the present situation in
southeastern Europe, and especially FYROM.
The discussion, held under the initiative of the Macedonian
Press Agency, culminated with an appeal towards the Balkan media
to adhere to the ethics of journalism and principle of pluralism,
as well as to maintain an open front against phenomena of
jingoism, chauvinism and blind violence.
The meeting featured the participation of the general-
directors from the national news agencies of Turkey (Anadolu),
Albania (ATA), Bulgaria (BTA), FYROM (MIA), Romania (ROMPRESS),
Yugoslavia (Tanjug), Greece (ANA) and (MPA), the latter of which
hosted the event.
The talks focused on the role of the news agencies, and the
mass media overall, in the troubling situation re-emerging in the
Balkan region as a result of the latest developments in FYROM and
the eruption of extremist nationalism.
The participants also reviewed means for improving the work
of the news agencies and all the media in the Balkan region and
pledged to undertake initiatives for the restoration of a climate
of peace, security in the region of Southeastern Europe.
Specifically, ABNA resolved to:
Reconfirm its members' commitment to liberty, respect for
human rights and the safeguarding of human values, as well as to
the peaceful resolution of any whatsoever conflict.
Aim towards objective, balanced and succinct news writing
pertaining to regional events; therefore, the members agreed to
enrich and empower the ABNA website (ABNA.org).
Embark on the process of establishing a think tank, in
collaboration with organizations, entities and individuals from
other sectors, i.e. academics, intellectuals, researchers,
artists, etc., which would work towards improving the climate in
the region.
The meeting also addressed issues pending within the ABNA,
such as the formulation of an improved version of the DIAVLOS
program, which would provide for a multilateral link among all of
the region's national news agencies via the Balkan News Bank.
Presently in operation at the MPA's facilities in
Thessaloniki, the Balkan News Bank provides an archive of news,
photographs sound and video.
[05] GREECE TAKES PART IN "CORNERSTONE 2001"
The engineers corps exercise code-named "Cornerstone 2001"
will take place on the Milot river, in northern Albania, from
April 6 to July 31 and is part of the multinational force of
southeastern Europe's activities.
Greece will participate with an engineers company for peace
missions, which will depart for Albania today.
The purpose of the exercise is to develop cooperation between
the engineers corps of participating countries, as well as the
building of a road two kilometers long.
[06] MERCHANT MARINE MINISTER TO VISIT US IN MAY
Greece's Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis is to
conduct an official visit to the United States from May 6 to 9 at
the invitation of the US government.
During his stay in the US, Mr. Papoutsis will meet with the
head of the US Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration and
other government officials, with whom he will discuss cooperation
in fighting drug trade and maximizing shipping safety.
Thirty-two Greek Coast Guard officers who completed a two-
week course in counter-narcotics work at were recently honored by
DEA in a ceremony held at the Merchant Marine Ministry. The
purpose of the seminar was to train coast guard officials in
modern methods of counter-narcotics work.
US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns saluted counter-
narcotics cooperation between the US and Greece as one of the
great strengths of the two countries' relationship.
Minister of Merchant Marine Christos Papoutsis, stressed that
the Greek government is very sensitive on the issue of counter-
narcotics and will in no way allow the country to become a
corridor for drug trafficking from east to west.
Greek counter-narcotics work played a major role in the
interception of drug cargoes aboard the ships China Breeze in 1999
and the Suerte in 2000.
[07] UK MINISTER FOR CABINET OFFICE IN ATHENS TODAY
British Minister for the Cabinet Office, Dr. Marjorie Mowlam,
is to embark on an official visit to Athens today.
Ms. Mowlam will be received by the Minister of the Interior
Vasso Papandreou with whom she is scheduled to sign a wide-ranging
memorandum of cooperation for the modernization of Greece's public
sector.
[08] UK REPORT: CUT PENSIONS, RAISE AGE OF RETIREMENT
British actuaries reviewing the condition of Greece's social
security funds have called for a 20% reduction of pensions and a
five-year increase in the age of retirement, as two alternative
options to deal with the country's aging population problem.
Speaking at a Labor Ministry conference held recently,
Anthony Young of the British agency conducting the study, stated
that he also proposed a system where the workers' social security
contributions would be invested.
European Union Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and the Prime
minister' s advisor Plato Tinios said they were in favor of a
combination system, based both on investments and redistribution
of the workers contributions.
[09] POPE'S VISIT, PETITION, TO DOMINATE CHURCH TALKS
The papal visit in Athens in May is to dominate talks within
the higher ranks of the Church of Greece this week, along with the
gathering of signatures on a petition calling for the
reinstatement of one's religious affiliation on state-issued
identification cards.
The Vatican has officially announced that Pope John Paul II
will visit Greece on May 4, at the start of a five-day pilgrimage
to retrace the steps of Apostle Paul.
The pontiff is arriving in Greece specially in order to
worship at the site where the Apostle Paul preached to the
Athenians on Pnyx Hill.
The 80-year-old Pope will depart for Syria on May 5 and plans
to travel on to Malta on May 8 before returning to Rome on May 9.
The visit is the first-ever by a pontiff to the modern Greek
state and the first by a Roman Catholic pope in Greece proper for
more than 1,200 years. The President of the Hellenic Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos had invited the Pope to the country during
his recent visit to the Vatican.
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, the head
of the Greek Church, has said he will not be among the welcoming
committee that meets the Pope on his arrival.
A delegation from the Vatican is due to visit Athens today in
order to arrange the details of the Pope's visit with the Greek
Church and state,
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Church of Greece is to
arrive in Istanbul today to confer with a Patriarchate committee
of ecclesiastical leaders, two years after the last round of
regular contacts.
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos called for
a resumption of regular meetings between the two Orthodox
institutions during Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' visit to
Athens in October 2000. A December meeting was postponed due to
the illness of Patriarchate delegation's chairman.
[10] LEADING POLITICAL FIGURES AT 8TH BALKAN FORUM
Aiming to serve as the platform for peace in the Balkans and
an exchange of ideas on social and economic development in the
region, the eighth annual Balkan Economic forum is to get underway
in Thessaloniki today, featuring the participation of Greek prime
minister Costas Simitis, Yugoslav federal premier Zoran Zizic, and
Greece's main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.
Jointly organized by the Federation of Industries of Northern
Greece and the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce at the Hyatt
Regency Hotel, the forum will review southeastern European
countries' course towards the European Union, as well as the socio-
economic developments related to Balkan reconstruction.
The Yugoslav government is participating for the first time
this year after several years of exclusion, while the United
States is also taking part with its deputy secretary of state for
European Affairs James Swiggart and attache to the Athens embassy
Michael Cleverly.
Also attending are five economy ministers (from Greece,
federal Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Albania and FYROM) and four foreign
ministers (from Albania, FYROM, federal Yugoslavia, and Bosnia-
Herzegovina), as well as senior executives of several
international organizations and financial giants, including the
Stability Pact, the European SE Europe Reconstruction Service, the
UN Economic Committee, the World Bank, the EBRD, and the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation.
Mr. Simitis will be the keynote speaker at tonight's
official dinner, while Mr. Karamanlis will address the forum's
formal luncheon today. Mr. Zizic will be the guest speaker at
tomorrow's official luncheon.
Tomorrow's session will comprise six workshops with the
attendance of ministers and deputy ministers from the countries of
the wider region.
[11] M490 EUROS SLATED FOR SE EUROPE RECONSTRUCTION
The European Agency for Reconstruction is expected to carry
an overall budget of 490 million euros, at maximum, for the
present year, its secretary general Adreas Zobel stated in
Thessaloniki today.
According to Mr. Zobel, who addressed the Eighth Forum of
Thessaloniki, the budget's lion share (285 million) is to be
allocated for Kosovo, while Serbia is to receive 170 million and
Montenegro 35 million. The monies allocated for this year's
Reconstruction projects do not include the sum of 175 million
euros from 2000's budget (amounting to an overall 505 million
euros), which are to be funneled to the region during the present
year.
According to Mr. Zobel, the Agency has so far managed to
release the approved funds in a timely manner. Specifically, 92%
of the approved capital had been contracted by the end of 2000,
with 53% of the secured funds having been deposited during that
time as well.
"The Agency's headquarters in Thessaloniki provides all the
necessary services to the three operation centers in Prishtina,
Belgrade and Podgorica," Mr. Zobel stated, adding that the
Agency's staff amounts to 170 members, while an additional 80 are
to be hired within the year.
[12] GREEK RECONSTRUCTION PLAN CRUCIAL FOR FYROM
Greece's Plan for the Reconstruction of Southeastern Europe
can prove to be the key for FYROM's economic development,
according to the neighboring country's Minister of Economy Besnik
Fetai.
Addressing the Eighth Thessaloniki FORUM, Mr. Fetai stated
that the Greek funds to be funneled to Skopje, namely US$83.03
million out of a total of $358.17 million, are targeted for
economic and social structures in a primary phase, but will later
be expanded to the production sector. The allocation of funds will
be performed in accordance to a list of priorities, composed by
the Greek government, in cooperation with FYROM.
According to the Minister "these funds are expected to
finance enterprises in the agricultural and industrial sectors, as
well as to projects related to the sector of non-metallic
minerals."
"The government of FYROM, which features the participation of
Albanian minority representatives, managed to neutralize the
recent political crisis and can now direct its attention to the
further development of its economy," he stated, adding that his
country was able to boost its GNP growth rate by five percent
during 2000, while it increased its indirect foreign investment to
US$155 million.
FYROM is expected to sign a Stability and Union Accord with
the European Union on April 9.
[13] F.R.Y. SETS 6 LONG-TERM TARGETS FOR ITS ECONOMY
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has set forth six long-
term targets during 2001, aiming at the rejuvenation of its
economy after the collapse it suffered from the 1999 Kosovo
crisis.
According to the country's deputy Prime Minister Miroljub
Labus, who addressed the Eighth Thessaloniki Forum, the targets
include boosting his country's GNP by five-percent, increasing
trade by 20%, containing the national currency's devaluation to
less than 15%, curbing inflation, strengthening agricultural
production and maintaining its foreign policy.
As Mr. Labus said, the government of F.R.Y. is also targeting
a series of structural reforms during the present year, among them
the liberalization of trade in foreign currency, restructuring the
banking sector and expediting the privatization process.
In spite the hardships, F.R.Y. managed to take significant
steps towards its economic recovery, namely by stabilizing its
national currency and reducing inflation to 0.9% in March, after
it has climbed to 27 percent in October of 2000.
[14] FM SPOKESMAN: ARREST IS FRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIR
The arrest of Yugoslavia's former leader Slobodan Milosevic
is an internal affair of that country, according to the
spokesperson of Greece's Foreign Ministry Panos Beglitis, who also
stressed that this should be respected by all.
"No one should interfere with the gradual development of an
independent and sovereign state," Mr. Beglitis stated, adding that
Mr. Milosevic's arrest should not give cause to domestic turmoil.
"Yugoslavia has to be guided through a smooth development and
the road to this progress, which got underway last September, must
not be hindered," he said.
Moreover, the Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that "the
responsibility for Milosevic's referral –or not- to the
International Court of Justice at The Hague lies with the Yugoslav
government, which has certain responsibilities stemming from its
constitution.
"It is not we who will tell a democratic country what to do,"
he said.
[15] THE BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
Bulgarian prime minister Ivan Kostov arrives in Thessaloniki
tomorrow for a meeting with his Greek counterpart Kostas Simitis.
The meeting of the two prime ministers in Thessaloniki will
be held at Mr. Kostov's request tomorrow morning and afterwards
they will give a joint press conference.
Later, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Kostov will tour Thessaloniki's
port facilities and they will have lunch at a city restaurant.
Thessaloniki's mayor will honor the Bulgarian prime minister
with the gold medal of the city in a ceremony that will be held
tomorrow afternoon.
[16] MIROLJUB LABUS: THE GREEK-FRY RELATIONS WILL BE IMPROVED
The belief that bilateral relations between Greece and the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be improved even more as the
trade difficulties faced by FRY will be settled, was expressed to
MPA by Yugoslav government vice-president and foreign economic
relations minister Miroljub Labus.
On the FRY course to the EU, the Yugoslav vice-president
stressed that talks are underway for normalization and stability
in the region but five different sectors must be examined among
them, human rights and infrastructure issues that need to be
settled soon.
Referring to the 8th Thessaloniki Forum, he underlined that
he is satisfied with the event, pointing out that Yugoslavia
attends the forum for the first time.
Mr. Labus stated that it is a good opportunity for business
and political officials to meet not only with their Greek
counterparts but with their Balkan counterparts as well to improve
bilateral relations and cooperation.
[17] THE THESSALONIKI FORUM OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FERTILE
DIALOGUE
The 8th Thessaloniki Forum that opened this morning with the
participation of hundreds of delegates will offer an opportunity
for fertile dialogue today and tomorrow on the recent developments
in southeastern Europe.
The conference will be attended by the prime ministers of
Greece and Yugoslavia Kostas Simitis and Zoran Zizic, as well as
leading government and business officials from Greece and the
Balkan countries.
The participants are expected to exchange useful views and
proposals aimed at consolidating a stable political and social
environment in the region which is regarded as a necessary factor
for its economic development.
The opening of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum, which is organized
by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece and the
American Hellenic Chamber, was made by minister of Macedonia-
Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis.
[18] ZAFIROPOULOS: PEACE IS A PRECONDITION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE BALKANS
Greek national economy undersecretary Yiannis Zafiropoulos
characterized the 8th Thessaloniki Forum as a meaningful Balkan
summit meeting where the governments as well as, the economic and
political forces in the wider region exchange views within the
framework of a sincere cooperation aimed at strengthening peace
and economic development.
Speaking to MPA, Mr. Zafiropoulos expressed the belief that
the positive developments in the Balkan region will become even
more positive aimed at reducing the distance between the Balkan
countries and the EU member-states, while he also added that
Greece is ready to support the course of the Balkan states.
Commenting on the present situation in the Balkans, he
expressed the belief that normalization and stability will be
consolidated in the region. Mr. Zafiropoulos stated that it has
been realized by everybody, both the Balkan states and the
international community, that peace in the region is a
precondition for the Balkan development.
[19] REPPAS ON MILOSEVIC'S ARREST
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated a
statement made by prime minister Kostas Simitis when he was asked
to comment on the arrest of former Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic.
Mr. Reppas pointed out that the issue is being handled by the
Yugoslav government.
[20] LOSSES WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The
general index dropped to -0.41% at 3.032,08 points, while the
volume of transactions was very small at 100 million Euro or 34.23
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 223 recorded losses and 98 had
gains, while the value of 53 stocks remained stable.
[21] KARAMANLIS: THE BORDERS ARE INVIOLABLE AND DO NOT CHANGE
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis, speaking in the 8th Thessaloniki Forum today,
issued an appeal to everybody to play a leading role in the joint
effort for democracy, security and stability in the Balkans.
Mr. Karamanlis stated that the borders are inviolable and do
not change, adding that national borders can not be drawn up
arbitrarily. He added that New Democracy believes that only a
political solution can bring peace and prosperity in the western
Balkans region, stressing that probably the safest way to create a
new attitude in southeastern Europe is the cooperation of
businessmen.
Mr. Karamanlis stated characteristically that the Greek
investments in the Balkans are over 2.5 billion Euro,
corresponding to 2.5% of the Greek GDP, while over 5.500 companies
have been established in the region with the participation of
Greek businessmen, stressing that in FYROM alone the Greek
businesses offer work to more than 5.000 people. He also said that
Greece offers work to hundreds of thousands of economic immigrants
supporting this way the economies of the neighboring countries
adding, however, that only those who come to Greece legally in
order to work legally are welcome.
He suggested the creation of a new Greek foreign ministry
international cooperation agency that will be based in
Thessaloniki, the founding of a European university for the Balkan
states in Thessaloniki and the creation of a technological park in
northern Greece.
On the Balkan Reconstruction Organization and the Stability
Pact, he said that their authorities are often overlapping, while
one can also observe phenomena of antagonism and "red tape".
[22] THE CONDITIONS FOR INVESTMENTS IN SE EUROPE ARE PERFECT
The belief that conditions are right for investments in
southeastern Europe was expressed by Stability Pact office
director in Thessaloniki Ms. Irene Lambrakis, underlining that the
activation of the private sector in the reconstruction of the
countries in the region is of decisive importance.
In exclusive statements she made to MPA on the sidelines of
the 8th Thessaloniki Forum, Ms. Lambrakis pointed out that the
growth rate in southeastern Europe this year is expected to be
more than 4%, while Yugoslavia is also expected to have a positive
growth.
Ms. Lambrakis underlined that the southeastern European
markets make an attempt to become attractive to foreign investors
and stressed that the direct foreign investments in southeastern
Europe were about US$4 billion last year.
Responding to a question by MPA on whether the unsettled
situation in FYROM could be an obstacle to the activities of the
Greek investors, she stated that it will not be a "dark spot" in
the activation of Greek investors reminding that the Greek
businessmen have already an active presence in the Balkan markets.
[23] PAPANTONIOU: THE SOCIAL POLICY BENEFITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou in
statements he made on the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum
characterized the government decision to proceed with armaments
spending cuts as a decision of great political significance.
He said that the Greek government made this decision in order
to secure adequate funds for its social policy, the social state
and the strengthening of social justice. The additional funds
that will be secured are estimated at one trillion drachmas and
will be used in the sectors of the farmers' pension system, the
Social Solidarity Bonus, public education and the National Health
System. They will also be used in the program against poverty and
social isolation, the support of the large families and the
increase of the benefits for the support of the people with
special needs.
Mr. Papantoniou stressed that social policy benefits economic
development because it supports the purchasing power of the small
and medium sized incomes.
[24] THE GREEK CAR INDUSTRY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE SERB MARKET
The Greek Car Industry, ÅËÂÏ, has expressed interest in the
Serb market. In statements made to MPA by a member of the
company's management on the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki
Forum, it was mentioned that it is considering the existing
proposals to decide if it will expand to this particular market.
However, he clarified that for the time being there is no specific
plan.
He also expressed the belief that the Greek Plan for the
Reconstruction of southeastern Europe will support the activation
of Greek investors in the region. Referring to the 8th
Thessaloniki Forum, he said that it offers direct information on
the developments taking place in the markets of the region and at
the same time it is a ground for business contacts.
[25] REPPAS: THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE ATHENS AIRPORT IS A
MATTER OF TIME
The opening of the new Athens Airport creates problems,
pointed out Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
He said that the problems were created because of a lack in
coordination and expressed the belief that soon the situation will
be normalized, stressing that the smooth operation of the airport
is only a matter of time and soon everything will be just a bad
memory.
[26] THE FIRST TOURISTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CRETE
The 125 tourists from Denmark, the passengers of a chartered
flight that arrived at the Daskaloyiannis Airport in Chania today,
were the first to open the tourist season in the Aegean island of
Crete.
They arrived on board a MAERSK airline flight, while other
145 Danes are expected to arrive later this evening coming from
Copenhagen.
According to the local tourist agencies, this first chartered
flight arrived in Crete a month earlier compared to last year and
this is a very positive sign.
Many tourists are expected in Crete from the Scandinavia
countries as well as Britain, Israel even Malta.
[27] THE BALKAN COURSE TOWARD THE EU IS DIFFICULT BUT FEASIBLE
The Balkans must work more eagerly in order to become part of
the European family, while the countries in the region must
improve their weak points both at a political and an economic
level, stated to MPA Swedish ambassador to Athens Bjorn Elmer on
the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum.
Referring to the armed incidents between the FYROM
authorities and the Albanian-speaking rebels, he stressed that
there can be a cooperation with the local authorities to avoid the
deterioration of the situation in the region.
Sweden currently holds the EU rotating presidency and the
Swedish ambassador to Athens stated that the EU is making efforts
for the return of normality to FYROM.
He also characterized the Thessaloniki Forum as a very
important way to promote the Balkan development, adding that it
brings in contact political and economic officials from different
states and promotes cooperation. He concluded by saying that
cooperation in the Balkan region can gradually lead to its
accession into the European Union.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[28] MILOSEVIC PLEADS "NOT GUILTY" TO ALL CHARGES
Former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, presently being
held in Belgrade's central prison after his arrest yesterday, has
pled not guilty to charges of abuse of power and corruption,
according to his attorney Thomas Fila.
Mr. Milosevic has been remanded in custody for the customary
30-day period in Belgrade's central prison.
According to Mr. Fila, the former leader has pled not guilty
to each count from the charge sheet.
"He responded to all the questions in a normal way. He
decided to defend himself. He will speak up and tell the truth,"
Fila said.
The former president was arrested and taken to prison early
Sunday, ending a nearly 36-hour stand-off, after reportedly
deciding to surrender on his own free will, even though he had
vowed earlier that he would "not go to jail alive".
The ex-leader is wanted by the United Nations war crimes
tribunal in The Hague for crimes allegedly committed in Kosovo,
but the Belgrade authorities are committed to trying the former
president for "criminal deeds committed here in Serbia" rather
than handing him over.
The arrest coincides with the expiration of a US deadline for
the Yugoslav Government to detain the former president or risk
losing substantial American economic aid and loans from the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
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