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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-07-02
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 02, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GARGANAS: INFLATION IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM
[02] FIFTY THOUSAND NEW PASOK MEMBERS
[03] ARMANI WAS PRESENT IN RAMAZZOTTI'S CONCERT
[04] THE SAE-EUROPE EXPANDS ITS ACTIVITIES
[05] THE FUNERAL OF TAKIS PAPAS WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW
[06] LARGE ROMANIAN DELEGATION IN THRACE
[07] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE
[08] LARGE QUANTITIES OF TOXIC WASTES AT THESSALONIKI'S PORT
[09] A "MAD COW" DISEASE CASE IN KILKIS, N. GREECE
[10] GREEK INITIATIVE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FYROM
[11] SIX GREEK RECORDS IN WEIGHTLIFTING
[12] ALEXANDROUPOLIS-ANDRIANOUPOLIS COOPERATION
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GARGANAS: INFLATION IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM
Inflation continues to be the biggest problem, stated Bank of
Greece deputy governor Nikos Garganas to Athens radio station
"Flash", expressing concern over the increase observed in the bank
consumer loans.
Mr. Garganas stated that an effort will be made to persuade
the banks to limit them, estimating that a growth rate of 4.3-4.5%
is feasible and satisfactory.
[02] FIFTY THOUSAND NEW PASOK MEMBERS
According to the first estimates by governing socialist party
of PASOK central offices in Athens, there is an impressive
increase in the new party members.
Specifically, the number of party members skyrocketed to
270.000 and 50.000 of them are new.
Equally impressive is the increase recorded in PASOK's Youth
Movement as its members rose to 46.000, 30.000 of whom are new
members. Based on reliable information, the majority of party
members support the so-called "modernization" front (70%), while
the picture is different among the party's youth where the
supporters of Mr. Akis Tsochatzopoulos dominate (60%).
The total number of party members is approximately 310.000
which is regarded as unprecedented given the fact that in the 1999
turbulent pre-party congress procedures the party members numbered
200.000.
[03] ARMANI WAS PRESENT IN RAMAZZOTTI'S CONCERT
Thousands of Eros Ramazzotti's fans, among them world-known
high fashion designer Giorgio Armani, watched last night's
concert, the famous Italian singer gave in Thessaloniki's
Kaftantzoglio Stadium within the framework of his tour for the
promotion of his new album "Stilelibero".
Concert scenes and video clips of his new songs were
projected on a giant screen behind the main stage, and Ramazzotti
presented songs covering the whole spectrum of his work.
The most popular Italian singer of recent years will give a
concert in Athens tomorrow within the framework of his European
tour.
Eros Ramazzotti was born in Rome in 1963 and his career was
launched in the San Remo Festival in the early 80s. His first
international hit was his album "In Certi Momenti" in 1987. In
1990 he gave his first concert in New York's Radio City Music Hall
and in 1991 a live double album, called "Eros In Concert", was in
the music stores followed by his most successful album "Cose Della
Vita". His appearances in European festivals with artists like,
Elton John, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, and Robert Plant led his
career to the top. In 1998 his album "Eros" included a duet with
Tina Turner, while his most recent work, called "Stilelibero",
includes a duet with Cher.
[04] THE SAE-EUROPE EXPANDS ITS ACTIVITIES
Decisions for the adoption of new activities aimed at the
support of the Greeks in Europe and especially, in the countries
of the former Soviet Union, were reached in the recent meeting of
the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, Europe coordinating
committee.
In statements made to MPA, SAE-Europe coordinator Angelos
Aslanidis pointed out that the majority of the Greeks in Ukraine,
who live in overall conditions of moral and psychological
degradation, remain isolated as they do not have the right to
visit Greece and Cyprus for seasonal employment.
Mr. Aslanidis stated that in the new birth certificates
issued in those countries, nationality is not listed and in the
following years it will be hard for the Greek to prove their
national identity by presenting official documents. He said that
3.000 Greeks from those regions, who went to Cyprus as tourists,
and continue to be there under a state of tolerance, live in
conditions of insecurity and they are at risk of deportation.
[05] THE FUNERAL OF TAKIS PAPAS WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW
The distinguished criminal lawyer Takis Papas drowned as a
result of a stroke he suffered while swimming in the sea at the
coasts of the island of Spetses, according to the findings of the
autopsy. His funeral will take place in Athens tomorrow.
The former president of the Athens Bar died yesterday
afternoon, while swimming with his wife at Ligoneri Beach in
Spetses.
[06] LARGE ROMANIAN DELEGATION IN THRACE
A large Romanian delegation made up of local administration
representatives, prefects, mayors and local officials arrived in
Thrace, northeastern Greece today within the framework of the
effort made by the non governmental organization "Greek
Association for International Development" aimed at promoting
cooperation, cohabitation, and coexistence among the peoples in
the Balkans, Europe and the world in general.
The members of the delegation will visit municipalities to be
briefed on the operation of Local Administration Organizations in
Greece.
[07] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE
Losses were recorded in today's session of the Athens Stock
Exchange. The general index dropped to -0.20% at 2.735,66 points,
while the volume of transactions was small at 135.22 million Euro
or 46.11 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 109 recorded gains and 204 had
losses, while the value of 66 stocks remained stable.
[08] LARGE QUANTITIES OF TOXIC WASTES AT THESSALONIKI'S PORT
A large quantity of toxic wastes, weighing 116.5 tons, is at
Thessaloniki's Port waiting to be transported to Belgium. The case
came to light after the mobilization of members of the Ecological
Group of Veria, a city in northern Greece, who blocked the road at
Malgara, outside Thessaloniki, and stopped for a few hours the
five trucks carrying 116.5 tons of liquid toxic wastes from the
Greek Air Industry. The toxic wastes were destined for the Port of
Thessaloniki where they arrived after hours of delay.
Port of Thessaloniki Organization president Apostolos
Genitsaris stated that he had ignorance over the issue and
admitted that the toxic wastes arriving at the Port of
Thessaloniki are not guarded and are simply placed away from the
rest of the containers. The responsibility in case of a leak
belongs to the companies which must take all necessary safety
measures. He added that such cargoes are not left at the port
facilities but they are loaded immediately on ships, stressing
that there is greater danger during their road transport.
[09] A "MAD COW" DISEASE CASE IN KILKIS, N. GREECE
A "mad cow" disease case was traced in a farm in Kilkis,
northern Greece, confirmed today agriculture minister Giorgos
Anomeritis. The animal was slaughtered and after routine lab tests
it was confirmed that it had the disease.
The veterinary agencies destroyed and cremated a total of 100
cows and 46 calves in the farm at Pontoiraklia, Kilkis in northern
Greece where the diseased animal was found.
The cow was five years old and had been taken to a
slaughterhouse in Serres with other 34 animals which were
destroyed as well for precautionary reasons.
The agriculture minister assured that the diseased animal's
meat has not ended up in the market and appeared reassuring
concerning the milk produced by the cow, as according to
scientific research, the disease does not infect humans though
milk consumption.
Mr. Anomeritis stated that a total of 6.703 samples have been
tested in the period of January 1, 2001 to June 30, 2001 and all
of them were found to be negative until now.
[10] GREEK INITIATIVE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FYROM
A Greek initiative is in progress aimed at an international
conference to be held for the settlement of the crisis in FYROM.
According to foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, the
Greek proposal had a positive reception so far and foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou has already discussed the issue in
detail with his counterparts from France, Great Britain, the
United States, and Russia.
The likelihood of a conference is also seen in a positive way
by the European Union and the political powers in FYROM. The
conference is likely to be held in Paris.
[11] SIX GREEK RECORDS IN WEIGHTLIFTING
Young athlete Hariklia Kastritsi from Thessaloniki broke six
Greek records (three in the women's and three in the girls'
categories) in the World Weightlifting Championship of young male
and female athletes taking place in Thessaloniki.
Kastritsi lifted 77.5kg in clean-and-jerk, 97.5kg in snatch,
while in total she lifted 175kg. She finished second in Group B of
the 53kg category of young female athletes, behind Soleni Velasmel
from Venezuela, who was lighter than her by 200 grams.
[12] ALEXANDROUPOLIS-ANDRIANOUPOLIS COOPERATION
The promotion and materialization of greater cooperation
plans for the neighboring municipalities of Alexandroupolis
(Greece) and Andrianoupolis (Turkey) was announced by their mayors
Triantafillos Arvanitidis and Cengiz Varnatopu in the meeting they
had in Andianoupolis during the weekend.
Mr. Arvanitidis visited Andrianoupolis at the formal
invitation of its mayor in order to meet with him and watch the
wrestling games, which are a big sports event in the region. He
will also attend a number of other events.
The Turkish mayor expressed the wish for the two
municipalities to be twinned, while the Greek mayor thanked his
Turkish colleague for the invitation and the warm reception,
expressing satisfaction for the good climate in the relations of
the two neighboring municipalities.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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