Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-14
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 14, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ANOTHER MASS STRIKE PLANNED FOR MAY 17
[02] BUSINESSMEN FROM NORTHERN GREECE GO TO JAPAN
[03] MUSEUMS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, FREE ON MAY 18
[04] PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA PETROS TO VISIT GREECE
[05] TUNISIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO GREECE POSTPONED
[06] GREEK AND TURKISH VESSELS COLLIDE, NO INJURIES
[07] BATTLE OF CRETE VETERANS AT 60TH ANNIVERSARY
[08] ND LEADS POLL, BUT ATHENS MAYOR MOST POPULAR
[09] PRESIDENT AT CEREMONY FOR 1822 CHIOS MASSACRE
[10] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT COMPLETES TOUR OF THRACE
[11] SAE PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO MPA OVER CONFERENCE
[12] GENERAL STAFF CHIEF IN BRUSSELS FOR NATO SUMMIT
[13] BINDING BIDS FOR OA AWAITED, DEADLINE TODAY
[14] BEGLITIS: THE NEW SKOPJE GOVERNMENT IS A STARTING POINT FOR POLITICAL
STABILITY
[15] THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME IS CLOSE TO A SOLUTION
[16] SIGNIFICANT CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN PAPANDREOU AND THE US GOVERNMENT
[17] INTER-BALKAN MEETING IN TIRANA
[18] LOSSES RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[19] KRAPOVIC WILL VISIT ATHENS TOMORROW
[20] REPPAS: TURKEY'S POLICY LEADS TO A DEAD END
[21] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
[22] THE ABOLITION OF THE SCHENGEN VISA INCREASES THE NUMBER OF BULGARIAN
TOURISTS TO GREECE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[23] NBC PRESENTATION OF GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ANOTHER MASS STRIKE PLANNED FOR MAY 17
Less than a month after the April 26 mass strike that
crippled the country, another 24-hour mobilization has been
scheduled for May 17 by the General Confederation of Greek Labour
(GSEE) and the civil servants union (ADEDY) over government plans
for reform of the social insurance system.
Journalists are to also take part in the 24-hour strike,
which will begin at 6 am on May 17 and ends at 6 am on May 18.
[02] BUSINESSMEN FROM NORTHERN GREECE GO TO JAPAN
Representatives of northern Greek businesses will visit Japan
on May 21-27, in an effort to boost business ties between the two
countries.
The trip is organized by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and Jetro, Japan's trade promotion group.
It falls under the Greek national economy ministry's Hermes action
plan for the two countries.
In 1999, Greek exports to Japan totaled 12.6 billion yen, up
29.7 percent from a year earlier. The value of imports from Japan
fell by 3.8 percent in 1999 to total 118 billion yen, according to
the Greek embassy in Tokyo.
[03] MUSEUMS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, FREE ON MAY 18
All of Greece's museums and archaeological sites will be free
on Friday, May 18, in light of the celebrations for international
Museum Day.
According to the International Council of Museums (ICOM),
this year's theme will be on the role of museums and their
manifold contributions to contemporary society.
The main celebration for 2001 will be held at the Institute
of Peloponnesian Folklore in Nafplion, which will also feature a
round-table discussion by museum representatives and speeches by
Culture Ministry General Secretary Lina Mendoni, Euro-MP Myrsini
Zorba and the president of the Greek branch of ICOM, Nikos Zias.
[04] PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA PETROS TO VISIT GREECE
The Patriarch of Alexandria Petros VII is to conduct an
official visit to Greece between May 17-25, upon the invitation of
the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.
During his stay in Athens, the Patriach will meet with
members of the Holy Synod and will be received by the President of
the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos. He will also meet
with the Speaker of the House Apostolos Kaklamanis, various
ministers and the Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos.
In the evening of May 23, the Patriarch will travel to
Thessaloniki where the Aristotle University's School of Theology
will bestow upon him the title of professor emeritus.
[05] TUNISIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO GREECE POSTPONED
Tunisian President Ben Ali Zine El Abidine's visit to Greece,
scheduled for May 14-15, has been postponed, according to an
announcement issued by the Tunisian foreign ministry on Sunday.
According to the announcement, the visit was postponed
following consultations between the two governments, while a new
date for the visit will be jointly fixed as soon as possible.
The Tunisian president was due to visit Athens at the
invitation of his Greek counterpart Costis Stephanopoulos.
[06] GREEK AND TURKISH VESSELS COLLIDE, NO INJURIES
A Greek-flagged freighter collided with a smaller Turkish
ship late last night, as it was sailing off the southern coast of
the Peloponnese, between the islands of Kythira and Elafonissos,
but none of the 30 crew members have been injured.
Coast guard vessels, a Greek airforce C-130 transport and a
Super Puma helicopter were immediately dispatched to the area.
According to the captain's report, the Greek ship "Zini" has
not undergone any damages, while the Turkish vessel's captain is
to appear before Greek port authorities today in order to testify
as to why he failed to respond to radio calls after the collision.
[07] BATTLE OF CRETE VETERANS AT 60TH ANNIVERSARY
The 60th anniversary of the Battle of Crete is to be observed
on May 20, with the Premier of New Zealand Helen Clark and
Australia's Minister for Veterans Bruce Scott attending
commemorative events in Crete.
Ms. Clark will be accompanied by a large delegation of New
Zealand businessmen and New Zealand veterans who fought in the
Battle of Crete during World War II.
Mr. Scott will be accompanied by Australian officials and 22
veterans, aged 78-85, who fought in the Battle of Crete, in Cyprus
and elsewhere in Greece during WWII.
On 20 May 1941, Germany dropped droves of parachutists over
the island, which it wanted to use as an airbase in the
Mediterranean. The fierce hand-to-hand fighting that followed for
ten days proved to be one of the bloodiest battles of WWÉÉ.
Cretans and allied forces from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and
Greece successfully fought back during the first two days until
German troops overran the Maleme airfield, near Chania. Allied
forces eventually managed to evacuate 18,000 of their 32,000
troops trapped on the island.
The German occupation of the island, the last part of Greece
to come under German control, lasted until the end of WWÉÉ and led
to an active resistance movement that resulted in the bombing and
temporary destruction of many mountain villages whose residents
were executed.
The Souda Bay war cemetery is the resting place of the 862
British, 446 New Zealanders, 197 Australians, nine South Africans,
five Canadians and an Indian who died on Crete, while 4,465 young
German paratroopers are buried at the Maleme war cemetery.
[08] ND LEADS POLL, BUT ATHENS MAYOR MOST POPULAR
The conservative main opposition, New Democracy (ND), ranked
ahead of the ruling socialist PASOK party by nine percentage
points, but Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos was voted as the
most popular politician in a recent poll released yesterday by an
Athens paper.
According to the Sunday edition of the "Ethnos" newspaper, a
poll conducted by the "Metron Analysis" firm shows that PASOK was
favored by 25.8 percent of the respondents, whereas 34.9% opted
for ND. The new party founded by Mr. Avramopoulos in March ranked
third by amassing 10.5 percent of the respondents' support.
Also, 5.9 percent of those polled chose the Communist Party
of Greece (KKE), 3.2 opted for the Coalition of the Left
(Synaspismos) and two percent voiced support for the Democratic
Social Movement (DHKKI).
In response to the question "Which party would win the
elections if they were held today?" 53% responded "New Democracy"
and 21.5% "PASOK".
As to who is better suited to govern the country, 26.6
percent chose Prime Minister Costas Simitis and 26.2 percent
responded in favor of ND leader Costas Karamanlis.
In terms of popularity, Mr. Avramopoulos tops the list with
62.1%, followed by: Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos with
56.9%, Mr. Karamanlis (52.8%), Mr. Simitis (42.2%), DHKKI leader
Dimitris Tsovolas 41.7%, Liberals leader Stephanos Manos (35.9%)
and KKE leader Aleka Paparega (27%).
[09] PRESIDENT AT CEREMONY FOR 1822 CHIOS MASSACRE
The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos
attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the island of Chios,
commemorating an 1822 massacre during Greece's struggle for
independence against the Ottoman rule.
In his address, the President hailed as "magnificent" the
recent ruling issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which
found Turkey guilty of human rights violations during its invasion
of Cyprus.
The President noted that it hasn't been a long time since
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus, where prisoners were executed and
hundreds of thousands were forced to abandon their homes and
property.
"Is humanity emotionally moved anymore? I'm afraid not," he
said with regret.
[10] PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT COMPLETES TOUR OF THRACE
Speaker of the House Apostolos Kaklamanis is to complete a
three-day tour of Thrace today, with festivities culminating in
the city of Komotene to mark the 80th anniversary since the region
became annexed to Greece.
Commenting on the 80 years since Thrace had been part of
Greece, Mr. Kaklamanis noted that these had been marked by
difficult times but that there had been full democracy since the
end of the colonels' junta in 1974.
Addressing those who, as he said, "used local and foreign
propaganda to prevent a democratic course and exploit problems
that also occur elsewhere in Greece," the Parliament President
stressed that the Greek State did not discriminate between
citizens.
[11] SAE PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO MPA OVER CONFERENCE
The President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) Andrew
Athens is confident that the SAE conference presently underway in
Thessaloniki will be a productive one.
In statements to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Athens
stated that the conference, which got underway today and will
conclude on Friday, will address a variety of issues, among them
Greek youth living abroad and its volunteer participation to the
Olympic Games of 2004, SAE's medical centers in countries of the
former Soviet Union and matters of national interest.
Mr. Athens has had a series of meetings with Greek government
officials to whom he relayed his belief that the Bush
Administration will try to discover a solution to the Cyprus issue
and to Greek-Turkish differences. Moreover, he stressed that the
Greek community abroad will have to be present in all decision-
making centers in order to secure solutions that are beneficial to
Greece.
Mr. Athens also referred to the commercial and cultural trade
SAE will organize in November at Chicago, which will provide an
opportunity for Greek entrepreneurs to meet with US businessmen.
The fair will coincide with a museum exhibition of ancient Greek
artifacts related to commerce and, if successful in Chicago the
exhibition could be moved to Melbourne and Toronto.
The SAE conference will officially be inaugurated on
Wednesday and will feature addresses by the Minister of Macedonia-
Thrace George Paschalides and Thessaloniki Mayor Vasilis
Papageorgopoulos.
[12] GENERAL STAFF CHIEF IN BRUSSELS FOR NATO SUMMIT
The chief of the Armed Forces General Staff General Manousos
Paragioudakis is to attend the 142nd Summit of NATO member-states'
Armed Forces chiefs, to be held in Brussels on May 15-16.
The military leaders are to discuss the latest developments
in the Balkans and the common European Policy of Defense and
Security
Moreover, the military officials are to be briefed on the
progress noted in the architectural sector of the Alliance's
Strategic Information, as well as the preparations of the
Cooperative Key 2001 exercise.
[13] BINDING BIDS FOR OA AWAITED, DEADLINE TODAY
Binding bids for the purchase of a majority stake of Greece's
national air carrier Olympic Airways are awaited today, with
potential suitors having until 5 p.m. to submit their offer and a
five-year operational business plan.
In spite of the fact that no potential buyer has withdrawn
from the bidding process, rumors prevail that Australia's venture
capital firm Intergrated Airline Solutions is to refrain from
filing a bid.
Also, Cyprus Airways is reportedly concerned over the
airline's organizational disarray and the pilots' demands for
increased cash
At the same time, the state continued negotiations with the
other two prospective bidders, namely Axon Airlines, which belongs
to the Liakounakos Defense Group, and shipowner Stamatis Restis.
[14] BEGLITIS: THE NEW SKOPJE GOVERNMENT IS A STARTING POINT FOR
POLITICAL STABILITY
Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis characterized
the formation of the new coalition government in Skopje as very
important development for FYROM itself and the wider region in
general.
Mr. Beglitis stated that this positive development is
welcome, adding that from now on FYROM's political forces, with
the political realism they have displayed until now, will continue
and complete the negotiations and political reforms the country
needs. He also expressed the belief that the circle of violence
will close and the Skopjan government will contribute to the end
of hostilities and lead FYROM to a peaceful course.
Mr. Beglitis also referred to the special and decisive
contribution of the EU, Javier Solana, who is responsible for
foreign policy issues and Greece, stressing that FYROM with the
help of Europe will enter the road of political stability.
Meanwhile, the European General Affairs Council meeting is in
progress in Brussels today with the participation of Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou and deputy foreign minister Elisavet
Papazoi. In the meeting will be discussed the latest developments
in the Balkans and especially Skopje, in the light of the
formation of the new government, while the situation in Montenegro
and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will also be discussed.
[15] THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME IS CLOSE TO A SOLUTION
The Greek government believes that a mutually acceptable
solution by the two sides, that will correspond to the region's
geographic reality, is close.
In statements he made, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos
Beglitis stressed the need to continue and complete the
negotiations in a way that will satisfy both sides. Mr. Beglitis
said that this should take place now more than ever as the talks
for changes and constitutional regulations are being launched by
the new Skopje government.
According to information, specific names for FYROM were
discussed in the negotiations that took place in New York in early
May with the participation of ambassadors Gounaris and Tosefski in
the presence of UN mediator Matthew Nimitz.
[16] SIGNIFICANT CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN PAPANDREOU AND THE US
GOVERNMENT
The visit of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou to
Washington next week and the contacts he will have with the US
government are characterized as very important by the Greek
foreign ministry.
The meetings will focus on bilateral, regional and Balkan
issues.
Mr. Papandreou is expected to meet on May 21 with his US
counterpart secretary of state Colin Powell, the US vice-
president, the national security adviser, members of the US House
of Representatives and the US Senate. He will also have contacts
with important American "think tanks".
[17] INTER-BALKAN MEETING IN TIRANA
The recent developments in the Balkans, the course of the
Stability Pact, the European prospect of the Balkan countries and
the measures against organized crime will be among the issues that
will be discussed in the Inter-Balkan meeting that will be held in
Tirana on Wednesday.
On the sidelines of the Inter-Balkan meeting, Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet with Albanian prime minister
Ilir Meta and Socialist Party president Fatos Nano at the
initiative of the Greek side.
[18] LOSSES RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The
general index dropped to -2.19% at 3.051,11 points, while the
volume of transactions was small at 124.98 million Euro or 42.58
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 47 recorded gains and 284 had
losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained stable.
[19] KRAPOVIC WILL VISIT ATHENS TOMORROW
Yugoslav minister of defense Slobodan Krapovic will visit
Athens tomorrow at the invitation of Greek minister of defense
Akis Tsochatzopoulos.
The two ministers will sign bilateral agreements on defense
cooperation and the training of Yugoslav officers in Greece as
well as issues concerning the military cooperation plan.
Mr. Krapovic and Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also discuss
measures for the strengthening of regional security and issues
concerning the Greek initiatives aimed at the Yugoslav accession
into NATO's "Partnership for peace" program and other regional and
wider defense structures.
[20] REPPAS: TURKEY'S POLICY LEADS TO A DEAD END
Turkey follows a policy that leads to a dead end, stated
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to
comment on Ankara's refusal to accept the European Court for
Human Rights decision.
Mr. Reppas reiterated that Turkey has to respect the
decisions reached by the international courts.
Also, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis,
commenting on the European Court for Human Rights decision,
characterized the development as very positive for the Cyprus
problem both from a political and a moral point of view.
He said that it is a very positive development because the
court ruled for the first time against Turkey and not against the
Turkish Cypriot authorities on the violation of human rights in
Cyprus, stressing that this court decision must be implemented. He
also said that this decision will contribute decisively to the
political solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that it does not
deal only with the issue of the refugees and the violations of
human rights but it is linked with other aspects of the problem as
well.
Mr. Beglitis stated that the policy of internationalization
of the Cyprus problem that was followed by the governments of
Athens and Nicosia was vindicated, adding that this policy will
continue with joint coordination and efforts.
[21] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
The international conference "Athens 2001 meeting, toward a
new economy" will be held in Athens on May 19-21 organized jointly
by the Athens Polytechnic and the Association of Computer
Companies in Greece.
Among the main speakers in the formal opening of the
conference proceedings are expected to be Montenegro president Mr.
Djukanovic and former French prime minister Mr. Barre.
The conference will deal with education and research,
economic strategies in view of the new economy,
telecommunications, new technology and the Internet. Also, will be
discussed issues concerning the supervision of the banking system,
stability in the Euro-zone money markets and the use of new
technologies in the public agencies.
[22] THE ABOLITION OF THE SCHENGEN VISA INCREASES THE NUMBER OF
BULGARIAN TOURISTS TO GREECE
An increase of 9.3% was recorded in the number of Greek
tourists, who visited Bulgaria last year. Specifically, 321.652
Greek tourists visited the neighboring country, while the number
of Bulgarians who chose Greece for their vacations last year was
increased by 5%. Tourist market specialists believe that the
abolition of the Schengen visa creates favorable prospects.
An upward trend dominated in the first trimester of 2001,
according to Bulgarian undersecretary of finance Marianna Asenova,
who made the statements within the framework of the 2nd Greek-
Bulgarian meeting on tourism that was held in the city of
Katerini, northern Greece on May 10-11.
The number of the Greeks, who visited Bulgaria last year,
brought Greece to the second place on the tourist arrivals list
after FYROM that occupies the first place with 658.395 tourists in
spite of the fact that this number is smaller by 9.01% compared to
1999.
As it was made known, the tourist sector in Bulgaria
attracted foreign investments of US$130 million last year and its
privatization has reached 94%, while it is expected to be
completed by the end of 2001.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[23] NBC PRESENTATION OF GREECE
The very popular three-hour morning show of the US television
network NBC, part of which was aired from the Aegean island of
Myconos three days ago, evolved into a tourist-cultural ad
promotion for Greece.
The TV show presenter used enthusiastic comments to go with
the majestic pictures from Myconos, Santorini and the ancient
monuments in Delos, while special references were made to the
Greek diet, the popular music and the folk dances to describe the
Greek natural beauty and the Greek hospitality.
The show also included a report on the Athens 2004 Olympic
Games preparations and an interview with the "Athens 2004"
organizing committee president Ms. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis.
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