Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-25
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 25, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK CANADIAN CONGRESS BEGINS IN OTTAWA
[02] EVENT ON BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN THESSALONIKI
[03] PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO HONOR SOULI HEROES
[04] GREEK PM IN MALTA FOR EU'S EXPANSION TO THE MED
[05] GREEK FM AT US PENTAGON FOR BALKAN CRISES
[06] GREEK PRESIDENT IN FAVOR OF EU ENLARGEMENT
[07] DM: NO MORE BICKERING OVER ARMS PROGRAMS
[08] GREECE CONDEMNS ALBANIAN-NLA DUET IN FYROM
[09] TOURISM PROSPECTS NOT SO GOOD, INSTITUTE SAYS
[10] ATHENS GIRDS FOR INCIDENT UPON CYPRUS' EU ENTRY
[11] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] DANGER WARNING BY GREENPEACE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK CANADIAN CONGRESS BEGINS IN OTTAWA
The Greek-Canadian Congress is to hold its
annual general assembly on May 25-27 in Ottawa, in
order to elect a new president and board.
The congress will also examine ways to further
promote facilitate Greek-Canadian economic and trade
relations.
Established in 1982, the Greek-Canadian
Congress constitutes an umbrella-organization that
includes all Greek community organizations in
Canada.
[02] EVENT ON BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN THESSALONIKI
An international conference entitled "Byzantine
Monuments and World Heritage" is to be inaugurated
by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos in
Thessaloniki today.
The purpose of the event, which will conclude
on June 1, is the exchange of points of view on the
following matters: protection of national monuments
in accordance to state legislation; issues,
prospects and principles pertaining to monument
manipulation, the formation of a common electronic
site of Byzantine monuments under the auspices of
UNESCO, etc.
Held under UNESCO's auspices, the conference is
organized by the European Center of Byzantine and
Post-Byzantine Studies and features the
participation of 16 countries.
[03] PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO HONOR SOULI HEROES
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos is to attend commemorative events in
Souli, Epirus, on Sunday, May 27, honoring the
town's legendary resistance to Ottoman Turkish rule
in the 19th century.
Souli's inhabitants, the Souliotes, lived in
fort-like villages in the mountains and remained
independent during most of the occupation of Greece
by the Ottoman Turks. They fought successfully
(1790–1802) against Ali Pasha, the Turkish governor
of Ioannina.
In 1803, however, Ali Pasha massacred many of
them after concluding a false truce. In what has
become a historic point of reference, 63 Souli women
leapt to their death from a cliff, many holding
their babies in their arms, preferring to die than
succumb to the Turks.
[04] GREEK PM IN MALTA FOR EU'S EXPANSION TO THE MED
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is
presently on an official visit to Malta, where he
will discuss the island's European union accession
process, in line with Cyprus, with Malta's
president, Guido De Marco.
Mr. Simitis was received by his Maltese
counterpart Eddie Fenech Adami with whom he
discussed the developments in the Balkan region,
Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and
economic cooperation between Greece and Malta.
Addressing a dinner hosted in his honor by Mr.
Adami last night, the Greek Premier stressed that
"Greek-Turkish relations cannot progress, if
conditions in Cyprus remain unchanged," adding that
a fair and overall solution to the Cyprus problem is
a priority for the Greek government.
He characterized the EU's s enlargement as "a
great challenge and a great opportunity for the
European Union" stressing that Greece supports the
acceleration of the substantial negotiations with
candidate states.
In reference to Malta's EU candidacy, Mr.
Simitis said that the small island nation complies
with all political and economic criteria to become
an EU member-state, adding that he believed Malta
would progress toward the adoption of the aquis
communautaire.
The Greek Premier underlined that Greece
supports Malta's accession prospect, as it would
greatly contribute to the stabilization of the
Mediterranean and would benefit the EU by granting
it a stronger southern wing.
In turn, Mr. Adami said that his country
supports Cyprus' EU entry, adding that Cyprus'
accession should take place regardless of a solution
to its protracted political problem.
Greece and Malta are to sign two agreements
during Mr. Simitis' stay, including a pact on
cooperation in the public safety sector.
The Greek Premier is to be received by the
Maltese president today.
[05] GREEK FM AT US PENTAGON FOR BALKAN CRISES
Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with US
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz in
Washington, with whom he discussed Balkans-related
matters, the Comprehensive Technical Agreement (CTA)
on the regime governing the US forces in Greece and
the Greek forces in the US.
Messrs. Papandreou and Wolfowitz also reviewed
matters pertaining to security for the 2004 Olympic
Games in Athens, and cooperation between the two
countries in combating terrorism.
Following the talks, Mr. Papandreou stressed
that the discussion focused on the situation in the
Balkans, not only in reference to its flash points
in FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro and southern Serbia,
but, also, in terms of consolidating stability.
[06] GREEK PRESIDENT IN FAVOR OF EU ENLARGEMENT
Having concluded the official part of a three-
day visit to Zagreb, the President of the Hellenic
Republic Costis Stephanopoulos expressed his
satisfaction over his contacts with Croatia's
leaders and stressed that he ascertained an identity
of views on matters of mutual interest.
In an interview with Croatia's state television
channel HRT, the President stated that Greece is an
advocate for facilitating the course of all European
countries that wished to join the European Union.
"Greece has from the first been in favor of EU
enlargement with all European countries that wish to
become members," Mr. Stephanopoulos stated.
"I believe that it is the right of these
countries to become EU member-states and that Europe
must be integrated, so that it can fulfill its
historic mission with all the states that make it
up."
The Greek President also addressed an economic
forum organized by Greek and Croatian businessmen
where he stressed the need to strengthen economic
and trade relations between the two countries.
During his stay in Zagreb, President
Stephanopoulos was received by his Croatian
counterpart Stipe Mesic with whom he discussed
bilateral ties and the overall situation in the
Balkans, as well as with Prime Minister Ivica Racan
and the President of the Croatian Parliament.
Prior to his return to Athens this evening, Mr.
Stephanopoulos will be given a tour of the city of
Dubrovnik.
[07] DM: NO MORE BICKERING OVER ARMS PROGRAMS
Any existing differences over the armaments
program have been overcome and the state's Defense
and Foreign Policy Council (KYSEA) has arrived at
unanimous decisions, Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos stated yesterday while speaking to
journalists in Thessaloniki.
Specifically, KYSEA agreed to delay the
implementation of certain parts of the armaments
program, where the signing of relevant contracts
(i.e. Eurofighter) will be transferred for the
period following 2004.
The decision also concerns armaments costing a
total of about one trillion drachmas.
In reference to the recent remarks made by
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismael Cem concerning
Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos stated that the economic, social and
political crisis being experienced by Turkey are
leading it to use high tones.
"Turkey has been realizing very correctly for
some months that the accession of Cyprus and other
eastern European countries to the EU is proceeding
at an accelerated rate. Turkey has difficulties. The
economic crisis, the social crisis and the political
crisis it is going through are leading it to use
high tones. However, it cannot be concealed that the
country itself in its entirety has entered a course
of adjustments at many levels and, despite
reactions, I am optimistic, with regard to Greece's
interests, that this adjustment of Turkey's to the
new situation will produce results."
[08] GREECE CONDEMNS ALBANIAN-NLA DUET IN FYROM
A statement of joint action taken by leaders of
Albanian parties in FYROM and the so-called National
Liberation Army is unacceptable and it is condemned
by the international community in its entirety,
Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panayiotis
Beglitis, stated yesterday, adding that the
statement undermines political stability in FYROM
and creates a climate of tension in the wider
region.
"The statement by the leaders of the Albanian
parties substantively undermines FYROM's political
stability and creates a climate of tension in the
wider region.
"Legal political forces in FYROM should
continue and complete political dialogue with the
aim of achieving necessary reforms for the country,
while, at the same time, ruling out any legalization
of extremist forces and terrorist elements, so as to
prevent the undermining of whatever effort made so
far by the international community and the European
Union in particular", he added.
[09] TOURISM PROSPECTS NOT SO GOOD, INSTITUTE SAYS
Countering the Greek Tourism Organization's
optimistic forecasts for the summer vacationer
arrivals, the Institute for Tourism Research and
Forecasts (ITEP) revealed gloomy forecasts for the
industry in Greece this year, saying that "prospects
for the current year did not look optimistic at
all".
In a report unveiled yesterday, ITEP referred
to "lost opportunities" in the state's efforts to
present a beautified and "false reality" in regards
to the tourism sector.
Moreover, ITEP noted that the sector's first
"encounter" with the Eurozone, coupled with the
absence of a tourism policy, is especially
detrimental for Greek tourism and-concurrently-
benefits other destinations outside Europe.
The Institute also faults the "Athens 2004"
organization for not having embarked on any form of
communication strategy taking advantage of the
Olympic Games.
ITEP forecasts a decline of three to five
percent in tourist arrivals in 2001, contrary to the
seven percent increase anticipated by the
Development Ministry.
According to ITEP, Athens was subject to a 20%
decline in tourism during the first quarter of 2001,
with equally gloomy forecasts for the months ahead.
[10] ATHENS GIRDS FOR INCIDENT UPON CYPRUS' EU ENTRY
Athens and Nicosia are reportedly bracing for a
Turkey-caused incident in the Aegean or Cyprus when
the latter joins the European Union, according to a
Foreign Ministry classified document that was leaked
to the press yesterday.
The said document, published in the Athens
daily "Imerisia", notes that "the scenario of an
episode either in Cyprus or in the Aegean on the eve
of Cyprus' accession to the EU should not be ruled
out."
According to the article, both Greece's and
Cyprus' ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense
have agreed to proceed to a concerted review of all
the potential scenarios.
The concerns shared by Athens and Nicosia are
only fuelled by the warning statements Turkey's
Foreign Minster Ismael Cem made recently, who
alluded to a "no bar reaction" in the event Cyprus
accedes to the EU without prior solution to the
pending political problem.
[11] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today. The general index rose to +1.27% at 3.222,45 points, while
the volume of transactions was at 211.19 million Euro or 71.964
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 138 recorded gains and 183 had
losses, while the value of 57 stocks remained stable.
[12] DANGER WARNING BY GREENPEACE
The ecological organization Greenpeace issued a danger
warning for 53 food products that are suspect of being genetically
altered.
The list was given to publicity by the Network of Consumers
that was formed by Greenpeace and according to Ms. Mirto Pispini,
who is in charge of the network, the legislation based on which
the genetically altered products have to be distinctively marked
is in effect in Greece since April 9, 2000 but it is not
implemented.
The products were put on the list based on the certificates
issued by the food companies and the results of lab tests made by
Greenpeace itself. Most of the suspect products include
genetically altered soya, corn or one of their derivative-
products.
Soya derivatives can be found in deli products, diet
products, desserts, sweets, cookies, baby food, soups etc. It is
speculated that the genetically altered corn can be found in
cereals, sweets, canned fish, blends of spices, soups, potato
chips, baby food or vegetable oils.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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