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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-06-01
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 1, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EU PRESIDENT DISCUSSES UPCOMING SUMMIT WITH PM
[02] MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS IN ATHENS
[03] QUAKE RATTLES EGIO, NO INJURIES REPORTED
[04] HOUSE C/TEE OKs ORGANIZED CRIME, TERRORISM BILL
[05] DEPUTY DM RECEIVES HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART
[06] FAMILY, ARMY VALUED MOST, CAPITALISM DETESTED
[07] GREECE IN LINE WITH EU POLICY OVER GM PRODUCTS
[08] EXPERT FINDS SAMINA CREW LIABLE FOR DISASTER
[09] ASE SHEDS EMERGING IMAGE, NOW MATURE MARKET
[10] PM SIMITIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON ND
[11] LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] ALLEGED TIES OF POLITICIANS WITH TERRORISM
[13] PAPANDREOU-CEM WILL BE IN SAMOS IN JUNE
[14] THE RADIO-TV COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON THE "BIG BROTHER"
[15] GREECE-FYROM COOPERATION PILOT PROGRAM
[16] THE SOLBES FIGURES DO NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES WANT CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EU PRESIDENT DISCUSSES UPCOMING SUMMIT WITH PM
Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, whose country presently
holds the European Union's rotating presidency, was received by
Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens yesterday, with whom he
discussed the imminent EU Summit in Goteborg on June 15-16.
Addressing a joint press conference after their talks, Mr.
Persson underlined the importance of the EU's enlargement,
expressing the hope that the June 15-16 Summit will provide this
process with a greater impetus and will send a positive message to
candidate countries.
In turn, Mr. Simitis said the Greek government agrees with
the agenda presented by his Swedish counterpart, who is presently
on a tour of European capitals.
Regarding the free movement of people, goods and services,
the Swedish premier said that if an agreement is reached on this
"we shall be in a position to state that accession negotiations
with countries included in the first wave will be completed before
2002."
In reference to climatic changes, Mr. Persson said the issue
will also be examined at the EU-U.S. summit during which "we shall
also discuss the different views we have regarding the Kyoto
Protocol."
The EU-US Summit will also feature discussions on the Middle East
issue and the situation in the Balkans.
"The dominant issue might be the Balkans, it might be the
Middle East issue, it might be climatic changes or something else
which will arise by then," he said.
On his part, Mr. Simitis said that Greece considers the issue
of enlargement very important and desires acceleration in the
relevant process "so that relevant protocols will have been signed
at the end of 2002 and later, during the Greek presidency, to have
the official signing take place."
Moreover, Mr. Simitis said the position announced by Spain on
Wednesday, which dissociates the issue of structural funds'
prospects from the issues of the free movement of people and
goods, was a "pleasant development."
Asked whether the European Council in Goteborg will reconfirm
the decision taken at the EU Helsinki summit on the completion of
Cyprus's accession course regardless of a solution being found to
its political problem, Mr. Persson responded that "we have already
decided this at Helsinki", adding that "given that accession
negotiations are developing successfully, we shall adhere to our
decisions and there is no danger of us moving away from them."
Commenting on the same issue, Mr. Simitis said that "it is
unnecessary for us to seek confirmation of previous decisions at
every summit" because "it is as if we ourselves are sowing doubts
on these decisions."
Replying to a question on whether the European Council will
set a specific date for the start of new countries joining the EU,
the Swedish Premier said various proposals on the issue are being
discussed, reminding that the European Council in Nice has already
decided that the best prepared countries will be able to
participate in Euroelections in 2004.
"For this to happen, accession negotiations should be
completed before 2002," he said. He further said the issue
remains open, but both the Swedish presidency and Athens would be
positive to 2002 being set as the date for the start to
enlargement.
[02] MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS IN ATHENS
The third Conference of Agriculture Ministers from
Mediterranean Countries is presently being held in Athens, where
the 13 national delegations participating are to review
cooperation aimed at sustainable farming and the development of
the Mediterranean diet.
Presided by Greece's Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis,
the conference features the participation of agriculture ministers
from Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Egypt,
Algiers, Tunisia, Morocco, Malta, Lebanon and Albania.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to receive the ministers
this afternoon.
[03] QUAKE RATTLES EGIO, NO INJURIES REPORTED
An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale shook the
region of Egio this morning, but there were no reports of damage
or injury.
The tremor occurred at 6:21 a.m., with its epicenter located
12 kilometers southwest of Egio, in the Kouninon region.
It was the second quake to take place in less than 24 hours
at the prefecture of Achaia.
[04] HOUSE C/TEE OKs ORGANIZED CRIME, TERRORISM BILL
A bill tabled by the government on organized crime and
terrorism was approved yesterday by a parliamentary committee,
supported by both the ruling PASOK and the main opposition party
of New Democracy.
Commenting on the bill's passage, Justice Minister Michalis
Stathopoulos stated that "this is one of the few cases - of the
past few years- of support for a bill by such a wide majority of
the two major parties of Parliament.
"This bill aims to combat criminal organizations, both those
who aim at profit with their activities and terrorist criminal
organizations," he said, adding "during discussions in the
Parliament's plenum further improvements may occur, as it did
happen in the committee." The bill will now be tabled in the
plenum for ratification.
At the same time, a rally was held in Thessaloniki yesterday
evening, in protest to the so-called "terror law".
[05] DEPUTY DM RECEIVES HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART
Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis met with his
Hungarian counterpart Janos Homoki in Athens yesterday, with whom
he reviewed security conditions in the Balkans, Greek-Turkish
relations, bilateral cooperation and political controls of the
armed forces.
In reference to Greek-Turkish relations, he stated that "the
key to relations is the respect for existing Treaties and
Agreements and not challenging anyone's national sovereignty".
Regarding the Balkans, Mr. Apostolakis stressed that the
Balkan Stability Pact provides the means for a final response to
the demands for stability of the Balkans both political and
economic.
[06] FAMILY, ARMY VALUED MOST, CAPITALISM DETESTED
The overwhelming majority of Greeks (92.7%) espouse family as
their highest value, followed by the armed forces that enjoy the
support of 82.1 percent of the respondents to a recent survey.
Conducted by Kappa Research on behalf of the Athens daily "To
Vima", the survey attempted to tap the current tendencies of Greek
society. It also found that volunteerism is valued by 79.9%,
followed by church/religion with 89.7%, a rate that increases to
81.6% among the supporters of the conservative main opposition
party of New Democracy.
Conversely, capitalism, at least as an ideal is detested by
14.4 percent.
[07] GREECE IN LINE WITH EU POLICY OVER GM PRODUCTS
Greece is in line with the European Union's policy regarding
genetically modified products, Prime Minister Costas Simitis
stated during his talks with visiting Agriculture Ministers from
Mediterranean countries.
Concurrently, Mr. Simitis stated that any products whose
origin cannot be ascertained are not welcomed in Greece.
The third Conference of Agriculture Ministers from
Mediterranean Countries is presently being held in Athens,
attended by the agriculture ministers of Italy, Spain, France,
Portugal, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Algiers, Tunisia, Morocco,
Malta, Lebanon and Albania.
[08] EXPERT FINDS SAMINA CREW LIABLE FOR DISASTER
The Minoan Flying Dolphin ferry Express Samina disaster
occurred largely due to human error, according to an expert report
that was submitted by an independent diver to appeals court judge
Nikos Karadimitriou, who is in charge of the investigation.
According to the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", the diver, N.
Labrakos, stated that the ferry had veered off course by 30 to 40
squadrons, while he also found that the doors of the bulkhead were
not operating, which resulted in the ship's quick sinking.
Labrakos also stated that the ship's crew made no effort to
avoid the colission with a rock formation, as attested by the
impact-borne gash, which is straight and not jagged as it would
have been if efforts to steer the ship into line were made.
Eighty people lost their lives when Samina Express sank on
September 26, 2000, shortly after hitting the Portes rock
formation.
[09] ASE SHEDS EMERGING IMAGE, NOW MATURE MARKET
Equity prices rose this morning on the Athens Stock Exchange,
which entered its first day as a "mature market", having been
upgraded by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI).
New volatility rates also went into effect today, with the
upper and lower at +18 percent and -18 percent, respectively.
Also entering into effect as of today are revised high and
medium capitalisation indices, and the new small capitalisation
index.
Greece will be the 15th largest country out of 16 in MSCI
Europe's index with a pro forma market capitalization weight of
0.52 percent, larger than Austria but smaller than Norway or
Portugal, according to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (MSDW).
[10] PM SIMITIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON ND
Prime minister Kostas Simitis launched an attack on the right-
wing main opposition party of New Democracy speaking today in the
governing socialist party of PASOK central committee meeting.
He accused ND of adopting a policy of insults, slander,
populism and costless promises and stressed that PASOK will not
follow it to this path. He referred to the period 1990-1993 when
ND was in power and pointed out that the effects of its term in
government were negative for the Greek economy and the Greek
people.
Mr. Simitis stated that the decision of the Greek people is
given namely, the people want the country to move forward and not
return to the past. The prime minister also presented the
government's vision for a "strong Greece" in the post-EMU era.
He referred extensively to the achievements made in the
economic policy, the social security system, the government's
social face and in the sectors of education, health, etc.
On PASOK, he pointed out that the central committee meeting
is the starting point for a new beginning and issued an appeal to
the forces of the Left to rally together with his party.
The prime minister also gave a personal tone to his speech by
saying that everyone in this country has followed their own course
in life and referring to himself he said that there are many who
recognize that Greece's EMU accession was his achievement but this
is not enough for him. He said that his ambition is for PASOK to
materialize the new national strategy for a Greece of social
justice and progress.
[11] LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The losses continued today in the Athens Stock Exchange which
is now included in the mature markets. The general index had big
losses and dropped to -2.54% at 3.010,29 points, while the volume
of transactions was satisfactory at 294.4 million Euro or 100.3
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 59 recorded gains and 268 had
losses, while the value of 54 stocks remained stable.
[12] ALLEGED TIES OF POLITICIANS WITH TERRORISM
Greek Communist Party parliament deputy Liana Kaneli
submitted documents to the public administration parliamentary
committee chairman which, according to her, are being distributed
lately by the US embassy in Athens to political personalities and
link governing socialist party of PASOK members with the terrorist
organization "17 November".
The documents have the date November 4, 1989 (just after the
assassination of Pavlos Bakoyiannis) and their origin cannot be
certified. Based on them, former public order minister and PASOK
parliament deputy Sifis Valirakis, former National Information
Service chief and PASOK parliament deputy Konstantinos Tsimas and
PASOK's public relations committee member Vasilis Konstantineas
have ties with international terrorism.
[13] PAPANDREOU-CEM WILL BE IN SAMOS IN JUNE
The 3rd Economic Conference of the Aegean Islands' Chambers
and the Turkish Coasts' Chambers will be held in the southeastern
Aegean island of Samos on June 22-23.
The conference will be held with the participation of Greek
foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart
Ismail Cem.
[14] THE RADIO-TV COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON THE "BIG BROTHER"
It is the responsibility of the Radio-Television Council to
decide on whether the "Big Brother" TV show will be broadcast on
the Greek television, but the people too have a share of the
responsibility because they should take a stance when it comes to
shows that insult their dignity. The specific television show is
an example of how the new technologies can vulgarize and be used
for low purposes.
The above were stated by undersecretary of press Tilemachos
Hitiris responding to a timely question made in parliament by
independent parliament deputy Giorgos Karatzaferis on the TV show
"Big Brother" that will be broadcast by ANT1 in Greece starting in
September.
[15] GREECE-FYROM COOPERATION PILOT PROGRAM
The completed pilot program of cross-border cooperation
between Greece and FYROM for the restoration and rebirth of the
Vlach-speaking community of Milovista was displayed in the
presence of local authorities and a large audience in the city of
Bitola, FYROM last Wednesday.
The project has as a model and main partner the Greek
community of Nimpheon in northwestern Greece on behalf of the EU,
within the framework of the PHARE European program.
[16] THE SOLBES FIGURES DO NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY
The figures provided by Spanish European Commissioner Pedro
Solbes, responsible for economic and monetary affairs, do not
correspond to reality concerning the state of the social groups in
Greece when compared to the poverty line, stated Greek government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas. He said that those figures refer to the
1994-1996 period and therefore, reflect the policy followed in the
period of 1990-1993, pointing out that the government policy has
as a main goal the strengthening of the social state.
Mr. Reppas stated that gradually after 1996 social spending
has increased by 2 trillion drachmas, corresponding to 2% of the
GDP. He also referred to the policies followed by the government
during that period such as, the adoption of the Social Solidarity
benefit, the policies against unemployment, measures for the
elderly and pensioners, tax changes for wage-earners and other
citizens with low income and the Social Solidarity Network.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES WANT CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION
The clear statement that the United States back Cyprus'
accession into the European Union with or without the earlier
solution of the Cyprus problem, is being requested by 45 US House
Representatives in a letter addressed to US Secretary of State
Colin Powell.
The initiative for this move belongs to US House
Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Robert Menendez and was
undertaken after a meeting foreign minister of Cyprus Yiannis
Kasoulidis had with a group of US House Representatives, members
of the International Relations parliament committee, during his
recent visit to Washington.
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