Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-08
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 8, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EPP-ED GROUP HOLDS SESSION IN THESSALONIKI
[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH CONCLUDES THRACE VISIT
[03] PM: YES, SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE GIVEN PUBLIC FUNDS
[04] GREEK FM ADDRESSES CAPITAL LINK CONFERENCE
[05] BURNS LAUDS US-GREEK ECONOMIC COOPERATION
[06] PM TO ESP: COMMON FOREIGN POLICY, A TOP PRIORITY
[07] MINISTER WONDERS: HOW DOES ND COUNT MONEY?
[08] PRINCE CHARLES ON INCOGNITO VISIT TO MT. ATHOS
[09] APRIL INFLATION SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN MARCH'S
[10] CANADIAN MPs BACK PARTHENON MARBLES' RETURN
[11] SAE PRESIDIUM TO CONVENE IN THESSALONIKI IN MAY
[12] ARCHBISHOP STILL PONDERING PAPAL PARDON
[13] PRINCE CHARLES VISITED THE VATOPEDI MONASTERY TREASURES IN
MOUNT ATHOS
[14] EUROPEAN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI
[15] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[16] INFLATION WAS 3.5% IN APRIL
[17] REPPAS: THE CRISIS IN FYROM IS UNDER CONTROL
[18] STATEMENTS BY REPPAS ON TURKEY'S NEW PROVOCATION
[19] KARAMANLIS SUPPORTS THE IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN FYROM
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] FM TO GIVE OLYMPIC TRUCE STATUE TO KOFI ANNAN
[21] COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES IN CANADA FOR THE RETURN OF THE
PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE
[22] THE 5TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY ENDED TODAY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EPP-ED GROUP HOLDS SESSION IN THESSALONIKI
The regular monthly session of the European People's Party –
European Democrats (EPP-ED) Parliamentary Group is presently
underway in Thessaloniki and will be held until Thursday, May 10.
Among the issues to be discussed are the present situation in
the Balkan region, political asylum and immigration.
The leader of Greece's main opposition party of New Democracy
Costas Karamanlis is to give an address on Wednesday morning, thus
inaugurating a series of sessions that will be addressed by
Bulgaria's foreign minister, the ministers of interior from
Austria and Spain, and others.
The delegates are to attend a formal reception this evening
hosted by the Mayor of Thessaloniki Vasilis Papageorgopouos, while
on Friday, one day after the session concludes, the participants
will be given a sea tour of Mt. Athos.
[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH CONCLUDES THRACE VISIT
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos ended a six-day tour of
Thrace, in northern Greece, yesterday and departed for Istanbul,
after visiting the area of Neos Skopos, the headquarters of the
Strymonas municipality in the prefecture of Serres.
He was given an enthusiastic welcome, while local authorities
proclaimed the Ecumenical Patriarch an honorary citizen.
The Patriarch's official five-day stay included visits to
the dioceses of Xanthi, Serres and Nigrita, which fall under the
patriarchate's jurisdiction. The municipality of Sapes was his
first stop where he received a warm welcome by local authorities
and residents.
At Xanthi, Vartholomeos attended events commemorating Saint
Theophanis, and inaugurate a cathedral for Serres and Nigrita.
Under a 1928 agreement, the patriarch maintains spiritual
leadership over parts of Macedonia, Thrace and Epiros, while the
Church of Greece governs them administratively.
[03] PM: YES, SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE GIVEN PUBLIC FUNDS
Prime Minister Costas Simitis, presently attending the
European Socialist Party Convention in Berlin, told Greek
journalists that the issue of social security is a topic for
dialogue, since dialogue is taking place "across-the-board and
without preconditions".
When asked if the government intends to maintain the
tripartite funding of pension monies, Mr. Simitis responded that
"the social security system should be public and there should also
be public funding. And to a great extent there is public funding.
"You only have to see the figures, the amounts anticipated in
the budget. A big amount of tax revenues will be used to support
social security," he added.
Mr. Simitis is heading a ruling PASOK party delegation that
includes Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis, Foreign
Minister George Papandreou and Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos.
The "Security in Change" conference, is being attended by 11
prime ministers and a total of 281 delegates from 20 parties.
Issues to be discussed are European Union enlargement,
modernizing the European social and economic model, the EU's
global role on the creation of a fairer world and promoting
institutional reforms in the EU in light of the inter-governmental
conference and Euro-elections in 2004.
[04] GREEK FM ADDRESSES CAPITAL LINK CONFERENCE
Inaugurating a New York conference on investment
opportunities in Greece, Foreign Minister George Papandreou
expressed optimism over developments in the Balkans, which are
marked by the introduction of new political and institutional
changes, ushered in by the region's new political leaderships.
Mr. Papandreou was among the first speakers at the
conference, which is organized for the fifth consecutive year by
the Capital Link organization working with the Greek-UK Business
Council.
Referring to the Balkans, Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece's
vision is that the region become one where " the wishes of
citizens, regardless of religion and origin, can be carried out
through peaceful and democratic practices, where minority rights
will be respected and where governments will be reliable,
economies will be healthy and political systems will allow for the
participation of all of society's factors."
In regards to Greece's economic relations with Turkey, the
Greek FM stated that trade, as well as transactions between the
two countries in the tourism and energy sectors have doubled.
As for Greece-US relations, Mr. Papandreou stated that the
two countries have the common targets of stability, democracy,
free markets and social development.
Moreover, he underlined the strengthening of cooperation
between the two countries and referred to the very close and
friendly cooperation he enjoys with US Secretary of State Colin
Powell whom, as he said, he will be meeting in May during his next
visit to the US.
He also called on American and Greek American businessmen to
invest in Greece, particularly in view of the 2004 Olympic Games.
He said the Olympiad constitutes a historic moment for Greece
having a vital significance, since it will transform the country
completely and will provide excellent possibilities for foreign
investors.
Following his address at Capital Link, Mr. Papandreou was due
to give an address at Columbia University on Greek foreign policy.
[05] BURNS LAUDS US-GREEK ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Economic cooperation between Greece and the United Sttes is
steadily developing, while relations between the two countries
"are particularly good at all levels", US Ambassador to Athens
Nicholas Burns stated during his address before the New York-held
Capital Link conference on investment opportunities in Greece.
Mr. Burns said that the Bush Administration shares Greece's
positions and visions for consolidating peace, stability and
democratic institutions in the Balkans, adding that it wishes to
have frequent contacts with the Greek leadership.
Moreover, he said the US agreed with Greece that borders in
the region should remain unchanged.
The annual conference, held for fifth consecutive year, is
organized by Capital Link, working with the Greek-UK Business
Council.
Other speakers include the president of the Athens Olympics
organizing committee, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, and the
chairman of the Athens Stock Exchange, Panayiotis Alexakis.
[06] PM TO ESP: COMMON FOREIGN POLICY, A TOP PRIORITY
Addressing the European Socialist Party Convention in Berlin,
entitled "Security in Change", Prime Minister Costas Simitis,
stressed that a common foreign policy, security and mutual defense
should be Europe's foremost priority in contributing to the
formulation of a multipolar world.
"A soundly structured defense policy should –and will-
strengthen NATO, "the Premier said, adding "our aim is not to
antagonize the USA, but to secure stability".
Referring to the Balkan region, Mr. Simitis stated that
Europe has a duty to ensure regional security.
"The bloodshed in the Balkans has bitterly made us aware of
the fact that Europe is not immune to instability," he said,
noting that the EU should undertake a more active role in regional
security, even outside its borders as "the prevention of conflicts
is the top issue on the international agenda".
Moreover, the Greek Premier added that the European Union has
plenty of abilities, sources and experience to confront the new
challenges we are faced with.
Calling on the European socialists and social democrats to
develop "new ambitions", Mr. Simitis stressed that the future of
the Union is inexorably bound with the future of European social
democrats and both are connected with the dynamics of the wider
international system.
He also stated that Europe should promote democratic
institutions and should find new balances between governments, the
market and the citizens, pointing out that there is a "deficit of
democracy and responsibility" within the international economic
and political system.
Moreover, the Greek premier stated that one of Europe's
greatest advantages is the social model built in the recent years
by the social democrats upon the values of democracy, social
justice and solidarity.
This social model, he explained, combines freedom with
equality, social cohesion with economic competitiveness, and,
while it is characterized by the "market economy" it categorically
rejects the "market society".
Lastly, the Greek Premier stressed that Europe's
international obligations include combating poverty on the planet
and protecting the environment.
[07] MINISTER WONDERS: HOW DOES ND COUNT MONEY?
Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos challenged
the statement made by main opposition party leader, New
Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, who, asking for his resignation,
said that the minister vowed not to give a dime to the social
security system's funding.
Speaking from Brussels where he is attending the ECOFIN
conference, Mr. Papantoniou called on Mr. Karamanlis to prove his
claim.
"I challenge Mr. Karamanlis to mention when I said that I
don't give a dime about the social security system's funding," the
Minister said.
He further added that it is inconceivable for such a thing to
be said about the government at a time when 45 percent of all
pensions in Greece are covered by state funding amounts to 2,350
trillion drachmas for all funds.
[08] PRINCE CHARLES ON INCOGNITO VISIT TO MT. ATHOS
Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is reportedly on a visit
to the Vatopedi Monastery at Mt, Athos, having arrived at the
airport in Kavala yesterday.
Upon his arrival to the Northern Greek city, the Prince was
whisked away to a cruise ship which took him to Mt. Athos, where
he is a frequent visitor.
The heir to the British throne is expected to stay at for at
least two days.
[09] APRIL INFLATION SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN MARCH'S
The inflation rate for the month of April, which will be
officially announced tomorrow, is likely to rise to 3.4 percent
from 3 percent in the previous month and 3.5 in February.
The slight rise in inflation is attributed to higher fuel
prices, which had been significantly reduced in April of last
year.
Despite the rise, the economy's core inflation rate remains
unchanged, as it does not include fuel and fresh produce. The core
inflation rate amounted to 3.9% in February and March.
Eurozone's inflation rate in March amounted to 2.6% and is
believed to have increased during April given to rising fuel
prices.
[10] CANADIAN MPs BACK PARTHENON MARBLES' RETURN
Several Canadian parliamentarians have given their support to
a massive campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from
the British Museum to Greece, launched by a Canadian committee
formed for this very purpose.
The Canadian Committee for the Return of the Parthenon
Marbles was formed in 2000, aiming for the return of these ancient
artifacts to their place of origin, as per a UNESCO resolution
adopted internationally in August 1982.
A deputy with the governing federal Liberal Party Eleni
Bakopanos, who is of Greek descent, heads the campaign to amass
100,000 signatures on a petition calling on Britain to return the
ancient sculptures.
Addressing a press conference in Ottawa yesterday, Ms.
Bakopanos recalled that Britain's current Premier Tony Blair had
promised, when in opposition, to work for the return of the
Parthenon sculptures.
"Our aim, she said, " is to assist in the return of the
Marbles to Athens in time for the 2004 Olympic Games."
The committee includes a number of distinguished figures,
among them Monetoba's Minister of Highways and Government Services
Steven Ashton, Professor at Concordia University's Communication
Studies Department Nikos Metallinos and Scarborough Agincourt
Deputy Jim Karygiannis.
[11] SAE PRESIDIUM TO CONVENE IN THESSALONIKI IN MAY
The presidium of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) is to
convene in Thessaloniki between May 14-18, according to SAE
president Andrew Athens.
In an interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Athens
stated that his meeting with undersecretary of Foreign Affairs
(responsible for expatriate Greeks) Grigoris Niotis was held in a
positive climate yesterday.
Moreover, Mr. Athens stated that the President of Georgia
Eduard Shevardnadze expressed his gratitude for the assistance
provided by SAE's medical centers to the region. Mr. Athens
recently conducted a tour in Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine.
Moreover, Mr. Athens stated that SAE is preparing two
additional Medical Centers in Armenia and Ukraine, as well as a
nurses' training center in Ukraine.
[12] ARCHBISHOP STILL PONDERING PAPAL PARDON
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, presently
on an official visit to Moscow, continued to comment on the
apology given by Pope John Paul II, during the latter's recent
pilgrimage to Athens,
"We handled the Pope's recent visit as a challenge, not
as a trial", Mr. Christodoulos stated, adding that he set forth
the Orthodox peoples problems and secured, aside from the apology,
the pontiff's condemnation of proselytism and the use of violence.
Furthermore, he stated that he secured a statement from the Pope
calling on the European countries to retain their Christian
character and not return into secular states.
The Archbishop refused to term his role as an intermediary
one between the pontiff and the other Orthodox sects, especially
the Russian, albeit adding that he would be willing to carry out
such role if it is requested by him.
The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church,
Metropolitan Cyrill, stated that Moscow freely conducts talks with
the Vatican and is not in need of any intermediaries. At the same
tine, he added that a potential meeting between Pope John Paul II
and Russian Patriarch Alexy II should not turn into a "media show"
without resolving the pending issues, reiterating the Patriarch's
earlier statement that "open wounds" still remain.
[13] PRINCE CHARLES VISITED THE VATOPEDI MONASTERY TREASURES IN
MOUNT ATHOS
The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, visited the
holy relics and treasures kept at the Monastery of Vatopedi in
Mount Athos, in Chalkidiki northern Greece. According to
information, the Prince of Wales will stay in Mount Athos for
three days and he is expected to visit other monasteries at the
monastic community as well.
Prince Charles arrived at Chrisoupolis Airport in Kavala,
northern Greece yesterday afternoon and boarded the "Rio Rita"
yacht. The Prince and his entourage got to Mount Athos on board
small boats from Ierissos in Chalkidiki.
It is Prince Charles' second visit to Mount Athos within a
year. In early May 2000, he had visited again the monasteries of
Vatopedi, Iviron and Megistis Lavras. The police and port
authorities in the region as well as the representatives of Mount
Athos have stated that his entourage hadn't briefed them on the
schedule of his visit to Greece, stressing that the Prince of
Wales didn't want any publicity to be given to his visit.
[14] EUROPEAN ECONOMIC CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI
A European Economic Conference on "Finance, Trade and Factor
Mobility Issues in the Global Economy" is co-organized by
Macedonia University and London's City University to take place in
Thessaloniki on May 17-19.
The conference will be attended by about 80 distinguished
economic science professors from Europe, the United States and
Russia.
Its proceedings will be completed with a visit by the
conference delegates to the archaeological site of Vergina.
[15] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today. The general index dropped to -0.02% at 3.155,52 points,
while the volume of transactions was small at 106.0 million Euro
or 36.1 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 219 recorded gains and 89 had
losses, while the value of 70 stocks remained stable.
[16] INFLATION WAS 3.5% IN APRIL
Inflation in Greece was 3.5% in the month of April showing a
notable increased compared to March's 3%, while it remained at the
same levels with last February's 3.5%. The announcement was made
today by the National Statistics Agency.
The inflation increase and its return to last February's
levels is solely attributed to the fuel price increases.
[17] REPPAS: THE CRISIS IN FYROM IS UNDER CONTROL
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to the
escalation of the armed clashes between government forces and
Albanian-speaking rebels in FYROM, stated that Greece is concerned
with the crises hotbeds, while it watches the situation closely
and participates in the initiatives undertaken. He also added that
the crisis in FYROM is under control.
Mr. Reppas stated that it appears that the clashes are
unlikely to spread.
[18] STATEMENTS BY REPPAS ON TURKEY'S NEW PROVOCATION
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas referred to
Turkey's decision not to allow a Greek helicopter flight carrying
the Greek Navy Staff Chief to Turkey's Aksam Base to take place.
The Greek Navy Staff Chief was going to attend a ceremony for the
delivery of new NATO mine-sweepers. Turkey's decision was aimed at
promoting its claims concerning the demilitarization of the island
of Rhodes in southeastern Aegean.
Mr. Reppas maintained that Greece will not be represented in
this event if there are limitations imposed. He said that legally
and politically Turkey's position is wrong and Greece's position
is clear namely, nobody can impose restrictions inside the Greek
territory. Mr. Reppas also stated that NATO's legal services have
ruled that flights can be held over regions which are regarded as
demilitarized by Turkey.
[19] KARAMANLIS SUPPORTS THE IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN FYROM
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis expressed his strong concern over the situation
in FYROM upon his arrival at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport.
He said that there is a need for an immediate ceasefire and
the EU can not be just a passive observer of the developments that
take place on its own territory, adding that they can lead to a
generalized destabilization.
Mr. Karamanlis pointed out the need for the international
community and the European Union to send a clear message to all
extremist groups that the violence and the threat for the use of
violence are not acceptable ways for the settlement of
differences.
He stressed that there are two preconditions for the
settlement of the crisis namely, the inviolability of the borders
and the respect of minority rights.
Mr. Karamanlis stated that he is in Thessaloniki for the
European Popular Party parliamentary group two-day meeting on the
future of the Balkans and their European prospects.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] FM TO GIVE OLYMPIC TRUCE STATUE TO KOFI ANNAN
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou will deliver the
"Olympic Truce" statue to United Nations Secretary General Kofi
Annan today, during a ceremony at the UN's New York headquarters
in the framework of the International Olympic Truce Center's
(IOTC) board meeting.
The statue, the work of Spanish artist Rosa Serra, is an
offer by former UN Olympic Committee member Irwin Belk who
attended the General Assembly's works on the Olympic Truce in 1999
as a member of the US delegation.
Since only UN member-states are able to offer gifts to the
international organization, the IOTC's secretary Kidane called on
the Greek foreign minister and IOTC vice president to deliver the
statue to Mr. Annan on its behalf.
[21] COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES IN CANADA FOR THE RETURN OF THE
PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE
The Canadian Committee for the Return of the Parthenon
Marbles announced in a press conference held at the Canadian
parliament building that a campaign will be launched for the
collection of 100.000 signatures by Canadians, who back the return
of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.
The committee's board of directors is made up of
distinguished Canadian politicians and university professors.
The collection of signatures will be made mostly through the
Internet after the construction of the Canadian Committee site
(www.parthenoncanada.org).
[22] THE 5TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY ENDED TODAY
The proceedings of the 5th Congress of the European Socialist
Party ended in Berlin today. Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis
pointed out in a press conference that a decision under the title
"progress with safety" was adopted. He also said that the goal is
the strengthening of the political union of the EU, the
modernization and strengthening of its social model, the
strengthening of the global role of the EU and the active
participation of the people in the EU procedures.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis referring to the situation in
FYROM stressed that Greece is against any effort to change the
existing borders in the Balkans and backs the peaceful solution of
differences. He said that Greece wants a national unity government
in FYROM and reiterated that there is only one way that can be
followed in the Balkans namely, that of cooperation, development
and peace.
On the developments in the Middle East, he stressed that a
peaceful solution must be found and the EU is called to play a
more active role toward this direction.
On the situation in the Turkish prisons, Mr. Simitis said
that Greece's position is clear and can be seen in the Greek
government statements on human rights, the prison conditions and
the improvement of living standards.
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