Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-06-06
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 6, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK, TURKISH DMs TO ESTABLISH RED-LINE PHONE
[02] STUDENTS BLOCK ARCHBISHOP'S HONORARY DEGREE
[03] LOCAL WORKERS GROUP RALLIES FOR TVX OPERATION
[04] INDUSTRIALIST PANAYIOTIS AGGELOPOULOS DIED
[05] FYROM DM ADDRESSES SEDM TALKS IN THESSALONIKI
[06] PREMIER LOOKS FORWARD TO ONE MORE TERM ONLY
[07] GREECE, US REAFFIRM EXCELLENT BILATERAL TIES
[08] PROSECUTOR ASKS FOR FILE ON SAUNDERS MURDER
[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AT AGGELOPOULOS FUNERAL
[10] HOUSE Oks "IN PRINCIPLE" BILL ON ORGANIZED CRIME
[11] BLACK ECONOMY RUNS RAMPANT IN GREECE
[12] POLITICAL SUPPORT TO FYROM'S GOV'T BY THE SE EUROPEAN DEFENSE
MINISTERS
[13] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL VISIT BERLIN
[15] DECISIONS ON THE BALKAN BRIGADE WILL BE MADE IN THE FALL
[16] WORLD CAMP FOR THE YOUNG GREEKS ABROAD
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] THE ELECTRONIC TRADE NETWORK IN SE EUROPE
[18] GREEK STUDIES DEPARTMENT IN THE NIS UNIVERSITY
[19] FYROM'S PM WANTS TO DECLARE A STATE OF WAR
[20] FIRE ON BOARD A GREEK PASSENGER SHIP
[21] THE FYROM AUTHORS ASSOCIATION HONORS A GREEK POET
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK, TURKISH DMs TO ESTABLISH RED-LINE PHONE
Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos met with his
Turkish counterpart Sabahattin Cakmakoglu yesterday evening, on
the sidelines of a meeting of defense ministers from southeastern
European countries.
Following their talks, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos announced
that Mr. Cakmakoglu agreed to the establishment of a "red-line
phone" in order to have direct personal communication every time
issues appear which they consider to be important.
Moreover, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that he and his
Turkish counterpart agreed to the holding of joint military
exercises, in the framework of Partnership for Peace, in the
Ionian Sea and the Adriatic coast with Greece's responsibility,
and in the Black Sea with Turkey playing a leading role.
The two defense ministers further agreed to promoting
the confidence-building measures in the Aegean, within the
framework of the initiative undertaken by NATO's secretary general
Lord Robertson.
Mr. Cakmakoglu invited his Greek counterpart to visit Turkey in
September 26, in light of an international military materials
exhibition.
Following their talks, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that both sides
are interested in the avoidance of tension.
Also attending the two-day conference are US Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Romanian DM Mircia Pascu, Ukrainian DM
Olexander Kuzmuk, representatives of NATO, the OSCE, the European
Union and the special representative for the Stability Pact in
southeastern Europe Bodo Hombach.
[02] STUDENTS BLOCK ARCHBISHOP'S HONORARY DEGREE
In an unprecedented move, the School of Medicine at the
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was forced to cancel the
awarding of an honorary professorial degree upon Archbishop of
Athens and All Greece Christodoulos yesterday, when a large group
of egg-hurling students loudly protested to his nomination.
Mr. Christodoulos was to be proclaimed an honorary
professor of the university's medical faculty by its president
Achilles Tourkantonis, when the students entered the amphitheater
and began shouting slogans accusing the Archbishop of having
adopted a pro-junta stance during the seven-year dictatorship that
ruled Greece between 1967-74.
Following the vociferous reactions, Prof. Tourkantonis
merely announced that the ceremony has been cancelled for the time
being, albeit not indicating when -or if- the degree will be
bestowed upon the Archbishop.
The students were not alone in their opposition to last
night's ceremony; although not as radical in their protestation, a
number of university professors who are affiliated with the minor
opposition party of Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) issued an announcement expressing their displeasure
over the honor bestowed upon Mr. Christodoulos, citing his
expressed opposition to in-vitro fertilization and denouncement of
abortion.
"The awarding of an honorary professor degree on behalf
of a School takes place either for (one's) preeminent contribution
to the Nation, or for (one's) substantial contribution to the
development of the said School's science," the professors noted in
an announcement, implying that Mr. Christodoulos meets neither of
the criteria, adding that his nomination runs counter to
democratic ideals and academic mores.
[03] LOCAL WORKERS GROUP RALLIES FOR TVX OPERATION
A rally in support of the unhindered operation of the
TVX-Hellas gold mine project in northern Greece's Halkidiki
peninsula is to be organized by a local Employees and Laborers
Center in Thessaloniki today.
The rally, which will commence in front of
Thessaloniki's landmark White Tower and will culminate at the
Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, is to coincide with a 24-hour strike
throughout the Halkidiki prefecture.
According to the Center, the $248-million project should
not be obstructed, since it would provide a solution to the area's
massive unemployment rate and will greatly boost local economy and
improve living standards.
TVX, a Toronto-based mining company, wants to expand its
gold mining operations in the area and to build a processing metal
plant at the Olympiada site.
Its polymetallic gold project aims to develop 254,000
ounces of gold on an annual basis, along with 2.3 million ounces
of silver, 21,500 tons of zinc and 22,500 tons of lead over the
first five years of production.
Prior to gaining the state's approval of its
environmental impact report last year, TVX was subject to a series
of protests and obstructive action from various local groups which
dogged the planned development of Europe's largest known gold
deposit of an estimated 90 tons.
[04] INDUSTRIALIST PANAYIOTIS AGGELOPOULOS DIED
One of Greece's largest industrialists and a major
benefactor of the Orthodox Church Panagiotis Aggelopoulos died in
Athens yesterday, at the age of 93.
The founder o the "Halyvourgiki" steelworks, Mr.
Aggelopoulos was among the forerunners of Greece's heavy
industry, while he also became involved in shipping later in his
career.
The late man was named a major benefactor of the
Orthodox Church by Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios for paying to
rebuild the Ecumenical Patriarchate's main building at Phanar,
which had been razed during a fire in 1941, as well as helping
restore the Patriarchate's library, the church of St. George and
other church buildings.
He is survived by his wife Eleni, sons Theodoros and
Constantine and four grandchildren. His funeral will be held in
Athens tomorrow and will be attended by the Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomeos.
[05] FYROM DM ADDRESSES SEDM TALKS IN THESSALONIKI
Opening the morning session of the informal meeting of
defense ministers from southeastern European countries (SEDM),
FYROM's Defense Minister Vlado Bukovski described the present
plight of his country and launched a verbal attack against the
actions of Albanian extremists.
Mr. Bukovski issued an appeal for support to his
government's efforts in facing the crisis, while, upon his
initiative, the attending ministers and representatives observed a
moment of silence in honor of the war's victims.
The SEDM talks are focusing on ways to deal with the
ethnic Albanian insurgency in FYROM, the future of Kosovo and the
general situation in the Balkans.
In addition to Greece's Akis Tsochatzopoulos, also
attending the two-day conference are US Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld, Romanian DM Mircia Pascu, Ukrainian DM Olexander Kuzmuk,
Turkish DM Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, representatives of NATO, the
OSCE, the European Union and the special representative for the
Stability Pact in southeastern Europe Bodo Hombach.
Other ministers and delegations are also present from
Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia.
In their last meeting, held in Skopje, the region's
defense ministers had agreed on a joint statement condemning
extremist actions and supporting the territorial integrity of
countries. They had also agreed on stronger measures to prevent
ethnic Albanian guerrillas from infiltrating FYROM from Kosovo.
[06] PREMIER LOOKS FORWARD TO ONE MORE TERM ONLY
There is no cabinet reshuffle in store for the time
being, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated yesterday, adding that
while he will lead the ruling PASOK party to the next elections,
it will be the last time he will seek the premier's post.
In an extensive interview with the public television
station NET, Mr. Simitis also stated that government policy in all
sectors will proceed as planned.
Regarding the government's economic policy, the Premier
conceded that there have been some unsuccessful moves and some
which lacked the element of sensitivity, while others revealed a
lack of coordination. Nevertheless, he pointed out that
indications on the economy are good and no concern is justified,
while he attributed expressed criticism to a "miserable logic" and
to "propaganda by the opposition."
[07] GREECE, US REAFFIRM EXCELLENT BILATERAL TIES
Greece's leading role in the Balkans was stressed by US
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who met with his Greek
counterpart Akis Tsochatzopoulos in Thessaloniki this morning on
the sidelines of the informal meeting of defense ministers from
southeastern European countries (SEDM.
Secretary Rumsfeld expressed his pleasure over Greece's
contribution to establishing peace in the Balkan region, as well
as over the constant improvement in Greek-Turkish noted
rapprochement between Athens and Ankara.
Following their 50-minute talks, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos
said that they had reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations
between Greece and the US, and noted that both countries support
the efforts towards consolidating security, cooperation and
stability in the Balkans.
The Greek DM brought up the issue of European security
and defense policy with Secretary Rumsfeld, which he said must
proceed without delay. The two officials further agreed on the
legal regime governing the activities of US military forces in
Greece.
Moreover, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos briefed his American
counterpart on the need for immediate advancement of a solution to
the political problem in Cyprus within the framework of the United
Nations, and expressed hope that Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash would return to the intercommunal talks. He also said
that Cyprus' accession to the European Union would give new
impetus to Greek-Turkish relations.
In turn, Secretary Rumsfeld stated that the presence of
US troops in the Balkans will continue, since he had ascertained
the usefulness of the KFOR during his recent visit to Kosovo. He
added, however, that the countries in the region where
international military forces were deployed should, within a
reasonable length of time, develop policies and structures that
would enable peaceful cohabitation for their peoples.
When asked by reporters to comment on statements by
western and Balkan officials concerning changes to the existing
border status in the Balkans, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos replied that
there was no issue of a change of borders.
[08] PROSECUTOR ASKS FOR FILE ON SAUNDERS MURDER
The Appeals court prosecutor who heads the department
for judicial cooperation between European Union member states, has
asked for the file on the murder of Brig. Stephen Saunders, shot
on June 8 last year in Athens by the November 17 terrorist group,
to be handed over by the police to the judicial authorities.
The prosecutor has also asked to be briefed on the
course of the investigation and as to whether criminal charges
against persons unknown are to be made.
A memorial service for Saunders is to take place at
Athens Cathedral at 11 a.m. this Friday, June 8 and it will be
attended by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.
[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AT AGGELOPOULOS FUNERAL
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will attend the
funeral of Ecumenical Patriarchate benefactor Panayiotis
Angelopoulos in Athens tomorrow.
One of Greece's largest industrialists and a major
benefactor of the Orthodox Church, Mr. Aggelopoulos died
yesterday, at the age of 93.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate's Holy Synod also decided
that flags at patriarchal offices will fly at half mast. Moreover,
the Ecumenical Patriarch will establish a scholarship fund "in
memory of Panayiotis Aggelopoulos."
Mr. Vartholomeos expressed his profound sorrow over
Angelopoulos's death, while a memorial service was held at Saint
George's Cathedral at the Phanar in his memory.
[10] HOUSE Oks "IN PRINCIPLE" BILL ON ORGANIZED CRIME
A bill calling for "the protection of the citizen from
organized crime" was approved by the 300-member Hellenic
Parliament "in principle" last night, supported by both the ruling
PASOK deputies and those from the main opposition party of New
Democracy.
However, the parliamentarians of the Communist Party of
Greece (KKE) and Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos)
walked out of the debate in opposition to the bill, which they
feel will infringe on civil rights.
According to Greece's parliamentary proceedings, there are
three stages to enacting new legislation: a bill is first approved
"in principle" (first reading), followed by an article-by-article
debate and approval, before a vote is taken on the finalized
legislation.
[11] BLACK ECONOMY RUNS RAMPANT IN GREECE
The black economy in Greece has reached 30 percent of the
country's economic activity, the most extensive in the European
Union, according to a study released by the Institute for Economic
and Industrial Research (IOBE).
The study also found that 75 percent of those working in the
armed forces has additional -and untaxed- income, while the state
does not pale by comparison: the public sectors with the highest
degree of corruption are health, tax offices and city planning
offices.
According IOBE, Greece and Italy have the highest rate of
corruption among the EU member states.
[12] POLITICAL SUPPORT TO FYROM'S GOV'T BY THE SE EUROPEAN DEFENSE
MINISTERS
The southeastern European defense ministers expressed total
support to the national unity government of FYROM in their
informal meeting that took place in Thessaloniki.
They condemned the terrorist actions committed by extremist
elements and stressed the need for more effective ways to promote
political security in the Balkans.
Presenting the results of the informal meeting, Greek defense
minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the ministers expressed
their regret for yesterday's bloody incidents in FYROM and
guaranteed political support to the Skopje government, while he
appeared optimistic that the problems will be solved.
The FYROM foreign ministry representative reiterated minister
Vlado Bukovski's appeal to NATO, KFOR and the international
community to activate every method that is necessary for the
terrorists to be removed from the country.
The Bulgarian defense minister expressed his country's full
support to FYROM's appeals.
The US secretary of defense stated that NATO and the US
contribute to the settlement of the crises in the Balkans and
offer support to FYROM. Responding to a question on NATO's
enlargement with the participation of Balkan states, the US
minister stated that the United States are in favor of the
enlargement and the open doors policy.
[13] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The
general index dropped to -0.27% at 2.209, 83 points, while the
volume of transactions was at 204.55 million Euro or 69.69 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority
namely, 232 recorded gains and 65 had losses, while the value of
84 stocks remained stable.
[14] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL VISIT BERLIN
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis will be in Berlin this
afternoon at the invitation of German chancellor Gerhard Schroder.
The two men will have talks on the future of Europe.
Mr. Simitis will return to Athens at the end of the week.
[15] DECISIONS ON THE BALKAN BRIGADE WILL BE MADE IN THE FALL
The decisions on the way the Balkan Brigade will be used in
the peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, will be made in the
southeastern European defense ministers summit meeting, SEDM, that
will take place in the fall.
The above were announced by Greek defense minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos, who pointed out that the issue was discussed in
their informal summit meeting held in Thessaloniki today.
The Balkan Brigade is operationally ready to take action
since May 1.
[16] WORLD CAMP FOR THE YOUNG GREEKS ABROAD
The World Camp 2001 attempts to lay the foundations for a
more meaningful communication among the Greeks living abroad. It
is a program organized by the Greek interior ministry, the general
secretariat for Greeks abroad and the general secretariat for the
new generation in cooperation with the World Council for Greeks
Abroad, SAE, and its Youth Network.
The program is divided into four phases namely, July 10-July
20, July 21-July 31, August 7-August 17 and August 18-August 28.
In the program can take part young Greeks over the age of 18
with at least one of their parents being of Greek origin.
The World Camp 2001 will give the opportunity to the young
Greeks living abroad to meet, exchange views and experience and
lay the foundations for the Greek world community.
The program includes visits to archaeological sites, trips to
Mount Olympus, music nights, Greek films' screenings, cultural
events and sports activities.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] THE ELECTRONIC TRADE NETWORK IN SE EUROPE
The development of cooperation between the southeastern
European countries and Cyprus for the creation of an electronic
trade network was discussed in the meeting of Romanian prime
minister Adrian Nastaze and Greek transportation and
telecommunications minister Christos Verelis, who is on a visit to
Bucharest.
Mr. Nastaze insisted that the trade ties between the
countries in the region must be strengthened both at a private and
a public level.
The cooperation issue arose last month during the visit to
Athens by Romanian communications minister Dan Nica.
In today's meeting, both Romania and Greece expressed their
wish to accelerate the road network and communications projects.
[18] GREEK STUDIES DEPARTMENT IN THE NIS UNIVERSITY
A Greek Studies Department was founded in the University of
Nis within the framework of the changes adopted in Yugoslavia's
higher education system.
The Greek language and literature became mandatory classes
for the Slav Studies students. Athanasios Bintas, was elected
to the position of the Greek Studies professor.
The establishment of the Greek Studies Department opens new
prospects of cooperation for the two countries at many levels.
[19] FYROM'S PM WANTS TO DECLARE A STATE OF WAR
FYROM's prime minister Ljupco Georgievski wants a state of
war to be declared in his country. Government spokesman Antonio
Milososki told reporters that the government no longer believes
that it can solve the crisis stemming from an ethnic Albanian
rebellion through dialogue and that a strong military action is
necessary.
For a state of war to be declared in the country it must be
approved by a two-third majority in parliament.
[20] FIRE ON BOARD A GREEK PASSENGER SHIP
Fire broke out in the Greek passenger ship "Arethousa" as it
was sailing off the Italian coasts with 531 passengers and 111
crew members on board on its way to the port of Patras in southern
Greece. The fire broke out in the ship's engine room control panel
and was caused by a short circuit. Shortly afterwards, the fire
was put out by crew members.
However, the ship's engines were turned off and the ship was
left adrift as its crew was trying to fix the failure. The
passengers were at no risk, whatsoever, throughout the incident.
As it was made known, the ship is now being towed to the port
of Bari in Italy escorted by Italian Coast Guard vessels.
[21] THE FYROM AUTHORS ASSOCIATION HONORS A GREEK POET
The Slamojat international poetry event prizes were awarded
to Greek poet Kostas Asimakopoulos and FYROM's Peter Andreev,
according to the state radio in Skopje.
The prizes of the event, which is organized by the FYROM
Authors Association, will be received by the two poets in a
special ceremony that will be held in Skopje next week.
Also, after a decision made by Skopje mayor Risto Penov, the
Greek poet will be declared a honorary citizen of Skopje.
In statements he made, Mr. Asimakopoulos expressed the belief
that his presence in Skopje will contribute to the development of
bilateral cooperation, dialogue and cultural contacts.
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