Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-01
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 1, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS TO VISIT GREECE TOMORROW
[02] POPE JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN ATHENS TOMORROW
[03] HERMES EXPO: MILESTONE FOR GREEK BIZ ABROAD
[04] IMPROVED ANTI-TERROR BILL TABLED IN PARLIAMENT
[05] TERRORISM REPORT HAILS GREEK-US COOPERATION
[06] US JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN VISITS ATHENS
[07] IOC COMMITTEE IN ATHENS TO CHECK ON PROGRESS
[08] FIFA GRANTS THREE-MONTH EXTENSION TO GREECE
[09] CUSTOMARY MAYDAY RALLIES THROUGHOUT GREECE
[10] GREEKS PROUD, BUT DISPLEASED BY QUALITY OF LIFE
[11] STRONG QUAKE RATTLES RHODES AREA, NO DAMAGES
[12] GREECE, TURKEY DISCUSS ANIMAL, PLANT HEALTH
[13] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO TOUR NORTHERN GREECE
[14] NEW ERA IN THE GREEK-US COOPERATION
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] BRITISH INTEREST IN "CAPTAIN CORELLI'S" CEPHALONIA
[16] PAPANTONIOU-GRASSO DISCUSSED THE ASE-NYSE COOPERATION
[17] HERMES EXPO: THE FIRST ROUND IN CHICAGO WAS SUCCESSFUL
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS TO VISIT GREECE TOMORROW
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides is
to conduct an official visit to Greece on May 2-4.
Mr. Clerides, who will be accompanied by his wife, is
visiting Athens at the invitation of the President of the Hellenic
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos with whom he will meet tomorrow.
On Thursday, President Clerides will meet with Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and the two will discuss the latest developments
in the Cyprus issue and the island's course of accession to the
European Union, as well as Greek-Turkish relations.
[02] POPE JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN ATHENS TOMORROW
Pope John Paul II is due to arrive in Athens for an official
visit on Friday, May 4, at the invitation of the President of the
Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The Pontiff will be greeted at the airport by Foreign
Minister George Papandreou, while, immediately afterwards, he will
be meeting with the president, Prime Minister Costas Simitis,
Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and main opposition New
Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis at the presidential mansion.
The state is to enforce draconian security measures during
the Pope's stay in Athens. In addition to heavy police escort, the
80-year-old Pontiff will be protected by sharpshooters during his
address at Pnyx Hill, a location beneath the Acropolis where the
Apostle Paul preached to the ancient Athenians. Security forces
will also be on guard at the Vatican's embassy.
The Athens visit will fulfil the Pope's dream to retrace the
steps of Pope Apostle Paul. He will be the first pontiff to visit
Greece since the Great Schism of 1056, when Christianity was
divided into Eastern and Western branches.
The Pope will meet with President Costis Stephanopoulos, who
extended the invitation for the visit during his earlier talks at
the Vatican, as well as with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
According to the itinerary, the Pope will arrive in Athens at
11:30 on Friday, May 4, on board an Alitalia airliner, and a small
welcoming reception will be held at the airport.
Later, he will be visiting the Presidential Mansion where the
official welcoming will be taking place, as well as the
Archdiocese, before arriving at the residence of his
representative in Athens where he will be staying.
He will dine with Catholic clergymen there and rest before
going to Agios Dionysios Catholic Cathedral for a meeting with
clergymen and monks of the Catholic Church.
At 8 a.m. on May 5, the Pope will be visiting the indoor
basketball stadium at the installations of the Athens Olympic
stadium where a church service will be held in Greek and Latin.
The Pope's address to the faithful is to be read in Greek.
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos will be
present alongside the visiting pontiff on three occasions – the
first during John Paul's visit to the Athens Archbishopric,
followed by their joint appearance at the foot of the Acropolis.
Finally, Mr. Christodoulos will visit the pope at the residence of
the Vatican's representative in Athens the same evening, May 4.
In their addresses before the faithful, the Pope and the
Archbishop will refer to terrorism, pollution and the gradual loss
of Europe's Christian identity.
After his departure from Athens, the Pope will visit Damascus
and Malta.
Meanwhile, a group of Greek monks and nuns held an all-night
vigil at a Mount Olympus monastery last weekend, praying that the
Pope's visit, planned for May 4, will be cancelled. The vigil was
also attended by members of the clergy and faithful, who wished to
express their opposition to the Pope's visit.
The group also announced that it plans to hold a protest
rally against the visit, to be held in Athens on May 2, two days
before the pontiff's arrival.
[03] HERMES EXPO: MILESTONE FOR GREEK BIZ ABROAD
Named after the ancient Greek god of commerce, this year's
Hermes Expo International will promote products and services from
Greece, Eastern European Countries and the Mediterranean, bringing
together businesses and representatives from a wide range of
industries to the U.S. market.
The ninth annual business development trade show and
exhibition is presently being held in Chicago's Navy Pier Trade
Center, having earned its mark as a "milestone event in the annals
of Greek American activities.
Held since 1992, the Hermes Expo will feature the
participation of firms from the sectors of travel & tourism,
banking & finance, ministries & government, prefectures &
agencies, food and service industry, distribution, new technology,
arts & crafts, media, imports, exports, etc.
As series of seminars will also be held, focusing on various
topics such as Trade with Greece, Cyprus and Eastern Europe and
Business Opportunities for the 2004 Olympics.
Since 1993, the Hermes Expo has grown tremendously,
attracting Greek American business and industry from across the
country and across the world. Now, in its ninth year, the
exhibition expects to draw on its past successes and offer the
best networking and product exposition event to date.
Hermes Expo 2001 is scheduled to bring together businesses,
representatives and industries from all parts of the United
States, Greece, Cyprus, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The trade show will not only provide a forum for these
businesses to present their products, but will also include
networking opportunities as well as entertainment, special offers
and awards.
Taking advantage of new market trends, Hermes Expo will focus
its seminars on trade in the USA, Greece, Cyprus and Eastern
Europe; the vast business opportunities leading up to the 2004
Olympic Games; and the explosive increase in the popularity of the
Greek Cuisine across the United States.
Following the two-day event held in Chicago, the Hermes Expo
will be moved to New York's Jacob Javitz Center for a "repeat
performance" between May 5-6.
[04] IMPROVED ANTI-TERROR BILL TABLED IN PARLIAMENT
Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos tabled in Parliament
yesterday an improved version of legislation that introduces
measures to combat terrorism and organized crime.
According to Mr. Stathopoulos, the bill contains
"improvements" which will not, however, alter its substance.
These "improvements" concern the use of DNA to identify
suspected criminals, the abrogation of witnesses' anonymity and
the surveillance of suspects.
The Minister has stated that only people against whom there
were very serious indications of involvement - and not just
suspicions - would have their DNA tested.
Also, they would have the option of refusing to provide a
sample but this could be taken into consideration by a court.
If the suspect is found innocent, the sample and all
information taken from it will be destroyed in front of the
acquitted person, he said. He said witnesses' anonymity would be
lifted if the accused demanded this, in effect nullifying the
concept of anonymity.
The limits on electronic surveillance will be more specific,
and will be determined in accordance with the constitution.
Mr. Stathopoulos did not rule out scrapping a clause allowing
police to infiltrate criminal gangs.
[05] TERRORISM REPORT HAILS GREEK-US COOPERATION
Greece has undertaken a series of more stringent
counterterrorism measures during the past year, according to the
US State Department's report on terrorism released yesterday.
Entitled "Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000" the report notes
that while the Greek government undertook some meaningful steps to
combat terrorism -especially in the wake of the murder of British
Defense Attache Stephen Saunders in Athens, who was killed by the
elusive organization 17 November (17N)-, it has yet to make any
arrests in connection with any of the group's 21 murders over the
past quarter century.
Nevertheless, the report notes that the Greek government
strengthened the police counterterrorism unit, implemented a
multimillion-dollar reward program, and began drafting legislation
to provide a legal basis for more vigorous counterterrorism
efforts.
Specifically, the report cites that the murder of Brigadier
Saunders and Greek preparations for the 2004 Olympics "have
contributed to a political and public opinion climate more
supportive of effective counterterrorism measures."
Moreover, it notes that Prime Minister Costas Simitis, his
cabinet colleagues, and opposition leaders denounced the murder of
Saunders and spoke out against terrorism in general.
"The Greek media provided extensive coverage of Heather
Saunders' eloquent public statements in the aftermath of her
husband's murder. The public widely observed a national moment of
silence for all victims of terrorism, and Orthodox Archbishop
Christodoulos held an unprecedented memorial service for all Greek
and foreign victims of terrorism in Greece."
The report also hails the key role carried out by Minister of
Public Order (MPO) Michalis Chrysochoides who led the state's
efforts to involve the public in the Saunders investigation and
encouraged witnesses to come forward.
"During the year, MPO Chrysochoides met with cabinet-level
officials in the United States and in the United Kingdom and
signed a bilateral counterterrorism agreement in London. By year's
end, Greece had signed all 12 and ratified all but two of the UN
counterterrorism conventions", the report states.
Mr. Chrysochoides is to visit Washington at the end of May
where he will have meetings with CIA, FBI and State Department
officials to discuss efforts against November 17 as well as
cooperation regarding security measures for the 2004 Olympic
Games.
In 2000, Greece and the United States ratified a mutual legal
assistance treaty and signed a police cooperation memorandum to
enhance bilateral cooperation on law enforcement, including
terrorism.
The report also states that fewer anti-American actions took
place in Greece last year than in 1999.
[06] US JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN VISITS ATHENS
The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Henry H.
Shelton, is embarking on an official two-day visit to Athens
today.
Gen. Shelton will hold talks with Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos and the chairman of Greece's chiefs of staff, Gen.
Manoussos Parayioudakis.
[07] IOC COMMITTEE IN ATHENS TO CHECK ON PROGRESS
A delegation of International Olympic Committee (IOC)
officials, led by IOC Coordinating Committee chief Jacques Rogge,
is to arrive in Athens this evening to Athens to check on the
city's progress in preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games.
The IOC officals will hold a series of meetings with the
Athens Olympics organizers with whom they will review the pace of
preparations, especially at the indoor stadiums of Nikaia, Liosia
and Galatsi, as well the Olympic Village and press facilities.
During his previous visits to Athens, Mr. Rogge had stressed
that the next six months will be crucial in the country's course
in preparing for the Games.
[08] FIFA GRANTS THREE-MONTH EXTENSION TO GREECE
FIFA, the International Football Federation, has given Greece
a three-month extension to adapt its sports legislation to
international standards, following a meeting held yesterday in
Zurich.
Greek Sports Minister George Florides and officials from the
national soccer federation (EPO) met with FIFA President Sepp
Blatter yesterday after FIFA had threatened to ban Greek teams
from international competition due to alleged government
interference in the sport.
[09] CUSTOMARY MAYDAY RALLIES THROUGHOUT GREECE
The traditional May Day labor celebrations-rallies took place
around the country today, with a large crowd turning out in both
Athens and Thessaloniki.
This year's rallies were fuelled by last week's massive
strike (hailed as the largest in over twenty years) which took
place in protests to social security reforms proposed by the
state.
Although the proposed measures were subsequently shelved by
the state, which called on the labor unions to participate in
"social dialogue", a new nationwide general strike has been called
for May 17.
According to Christos Polyzogopoulos, president of the General
Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the "freeze" on the
reforms announced by labor minister Tassos Yannitsis does not meet
the demands of the unions, which adamantly refuse to negotiate a
proposed increase in the retirement age and reduction of pensions.
While the state calls on the unions to participate in
dialogue with no "prior demands," Mr. Polyzogopoulos said that
dialogue is not the main issue at stake for the unions but,
instead, that funds be found to support the social insurance
system.
"The problem isn't for us to have our photo taken around a
table but to clear up the political framework: will things move in
the direction of (wealth) redistribution, or will the insurance
system be reduced to eating its own innards," he said.
[10] GREEKS PROUD, BUT DISPLEASED BY QUALITY OF LIFE
When compared to their European Union allies, Greeks are most
dissatisfied by the quality of their lives, according to a survey
recently released by Eurobarometer, the European Commission's
public opinion measurement body.
Specifically, the survey found that 40 percent of Greeks are
not satisfied by their living standards, at a time when the EU
average is 16 percent.
At the same time, Greeks are among the European Union's most
confident people in regards to their employment situation, as well
as over their country's economic outlook.
Also, the overwhelming majority of Greeks (94%) are
"nationally proud", ranking second only to the Irish who have a
"national pride" rate of 97 percent. A distinct sign of the
changing times, Germans rank lowest (68%) in this category.
The survey also found that 55% of Europeans support the
single currency, while 37% are against it. The member-states in
which this support is strongest are Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium,
Greece, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands. However, the majority
of public opinion is against the euro in Sweden, the United
Kingdom, Denmark and Finland.
Greece also ranks among the countries most supportive of the
EU's enlargement, along with Italy, Spain, Denmark and Sweden.
According to Eurobarometer, the countries in which the people take
the least favorable view of enlargement are the United Kingdom,
Austria and France.
As for safety, 51% of Greeks feel unsafe walking in their
neighborhood at night, at a time when the EU average is 33
percent.
The survey also found that while 42 percent of Europeans read
newspapers on a daily basis, a mere 18 percent of Greeks maintain
this habit. However, they don't fare even as well when it comes to
the Internet: a mere 11 percent of Greeks go on line, at a time
when the EU average is 26%, with the Swedes, at 61 percent, being
the EU's most prolific Internet users.
[11] STRONG QUAKE RATTLES RHODES AREA, NO DAMAGES
A strong tremor measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale shook the
islands of Rhodes and Carpathos this morning.
Occurring at 9.02 a.m., the quake was felt in both islands,
while its epicenter was pinpointed in the sea region between
Rhodes and Carpathos. No damages have been reported.
[12] GREECE, TURKEY DISCUSS ANIMAL, PLANT HEALTH
A Greek delegation is presently in Ankara to hold talks over
animal and plant health matters, as per a bilateral agreement
between the two neighboring countries.
The Greek delegates, led by international relations secretary-
general Evangelos Tsekouras, are to review the final draft of a
bilateral agreement concerning animal and plant health matters,
which have already been discussed by an informal experts committee
comprising Greek and Turkish officials.
The resulting documents are to be signed by Greece's and
Turkey's Agriculture Ministers, George Anomeritis and Yusuf
Giokalp respectively, during the Second Summit of Balkan
Agriculture Ministers in Istanbul.
[13] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO TOUR NORTHERN GREECE
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is to embark on a tour of
northern Greece tomorrow, at the invitation of local
metropolitans.
During the course of his tour, Mr. Vartholomeos is expected
to refer to Greek-Turkish relations and to stress that friendship
between the two peoples "will be to the benefit of the two
countries".
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos will not be
meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, due to his scheduled
preparations for the Pope's imminent arrival to Athens.
Ties between the Patriarchate and the Church of Greece are
presently poor, given disputes over the two bodies' areas of
jurisdiction.
[14] NEW ERA IN THE GREEK-US COOPERATION
The developments that place the Greek-US cooperation on a new
basis will be examined in a conference that will be held at the
Javits Conference Center in New York on May 5.
Greece's EMU membership that signaled currency stability and
boosted the credibility of the Greek monetary and economic policy
as well as the imminent upgrading of the Greek capital market to a
mature one, are some of the developments that form the new basis
of the Greek-US cooperation.
The conference on the "Greek-US economic cooperation: in the
beginning of a new era" will be attended by distinguished
representatives of the Greek government and the Greek-American
community as well as by many well-known businessmen and
representatives of big companies from Greece and the United
States, who will present their views within the framework of 5
distinct entities.
The conference will be covered by Greek, Greek-American and
American mass media and its conclusions will be included in a
special publication that will be issued in early June.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] BRITISH INTEREST IN "CAPTAIN CORELLI'S" CEPHALONIA
It appears that the film "Captain Corelli's mandolin", part
of which was filmed at the Ionian island of Cephalonia, has won
the interest of the British people.
The appeal of the film is such that in its recent issue the
British newspaper "The Guardian" offered to its readers a tourist
guide for the island of Cephalonia and the Ionian Sea islands in
general.
[16] PAPANTONIOU-GRASSO DISCUSSED THE ASE-NYSE COOPERATION
Green national economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou and NYSE
chairman Richard Grasso discussed formulas for the cooperation of
the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) with the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) and the introduction of more Greek companies in the Wall
Street.
The two met in New York on the occasion of the visit held in
the United States by the Greek national economy and finance
minister at the invitation of his US counterpart Mr. O'Neil and
MIT University.
Mr. Grasso characterized as encouraging the fact that the
Athens Stock Exchange will be upgraded and starting on May 31 it
will join the world mature markets' club.
Mr. Papantoniou will also have contacts with institutional
investors and the Hellenic American Business Council management.
[17] HERMES EXPO: THE FIRST ROUND IN CHICAGO WAS SUCCESSFUL
The first round of the trade exhibition Hermes Expo
International that was held in the Navy Pier Center in Chicago was
very successful.
Greece had a dynamic presence with more than 60
participations. The number of visitors increased and they had the
opportunity to be briefed on the developments in Greece, the
special characteristics of every Greek region as well as the Greek
history and civilization.
The second round of Hermes Expo will take place in New York
on May 5-6. The business conference of the "Greek-US cooperation:
In the beginning of the new era" will be held during the
exhibition.
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