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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-07-26
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 26, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] 5,7 R EARTHQUAKE IN SKYROS
[02] SCIENTIFIC STATEMENTS ON THE EARTHQUAKE
[03] VENIZELOS: PROTECTION FOR THE HANDICAPPED
[04] PASOK MOVES TOWARDS ITS MEETING IN UNITY
[05] GREEK CITIZENS POORLY INFORMED ON THE EURO
[06] TWO GREEK AMERICANS REPRESENTATIVES AT THE UN
[07] EUREKO HOLDS 54,38% OD INTERAMERICAN
[08] STATEMENTS ON GREECE BY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT
[09] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[10] GREEK INTERESTS ARE NOT AFFECTED IN SKOPJE
[11] BEGLITIS: MOBILITY ON CYPRUS
[12] OECD: THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IN GREECE IS
STABLE
[13] THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF LISTS OF
PROTESTERS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] CHURCH TURNS INTO A BAR IN THE OCCUPIED PART OF CYPRUS
[15] GREEK-ALBANIAN CONCERT IN TIRANA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] 5,7 R EARTHQUAKE IN SKYROS
The strong earthquake that took place at 3:20 am, of at least
5,7 R, was centered on the northern coast of Syros, and was felt
most strongly in the Sporades Isles, Attiki, Evia, Magnisia,
Thessalia, and Fthiotida. Early reports talk of slight material
damages to the castle of Syros, from which a rock came loose, and
damaged three cars. No other damages have been reported in any of
the other areas, while seismologists remain cautious on coming to
any conlusions.
[02] SCIENTIFIC STATEMENTS ON THE EARTHQUAKE
The earthquake was followed by strong postseismical activity,
while the first aftershock was of 5,3 R. According to the
professor emeritus of the AUTh, Mr. Vasilis Papazahos, the
earthquake was slightly higher than 6 R and it is possible that it
is part of the broader postseismical sequence following the Turkey
earthquake. The earthquake set the General Secretariat for Civil
Protection into motion, in order for damages to be recorded, but
also to intervene where needed.
Even though the crucial 48 hours so as to be able to come to
safe conclusions have not yet passed, the Director of the
Geodynamic Institute of the Athens Observatory, Pr. Giorgos
Stavrakakis, commented to "Flash" radio station that one would
believe this to be the main earthquake, however the area should
remain alert during the next 48 hours, since more powerful
earthquakes have been recorded in the same area in the past .
Mr. Stavrakakis attributes the difference in his estimation
of the earthquake's power from that of other seismological bodies,
to the different methodology followed by each, while he does agree
with Mr. Papazahos, that this earthquake is a consequence of the
great Turkey earthquake of 1999.
[03] VENIZELOS: PROTECTION FOR THE HANDICAPPED
"Today, the Cabinet is sending a very significant message to
Greek society having to do with the handicapped, people with
special needs. After the Revisal of the Constitution, which has
foreseen a special act on their rights, we are now specifying the
measures, regarding the 2004 Olympics", stated the Minister of
Culture, Evaggelos Venizelos, after the Cabinet meeting on the
2004 Olympics, the topic of which was the Special Olympics.
The Minister then added, "we want, Greece, all areas of
athletic infrastructure, cultural infrastructure, the Mass Transit
System, all the transportation infrastructure to be friendly to
and accessible by the handicapped."
He then sent a message to 30-year-old Katerina Dontsidou,
from Thessaloniki's Kalamaria, who uses a wheelchair, and whose
neighbors will not allow to insert a ramp in their building's
entrance stairway. "We must not just say that we are ready to
accept our fellow persons with all their characteristics, but to
prove it with our actions, as a state and as individuals."
Parliament member, Giannis Magriotis, also expressed his
sympathies to Katerina Dontsidou, who has experienced racism due
to her handicap, from her neighbors. "Katerina, I am with you.
Nobody can limit your rights", stressed Mr. Magriotis.
Initiatives for the support of Katerina have been taken by
the Center for Cultural Development and Adapted Athletics. The
board and chairman of "KAPPA 2000", Stelios Aggeloudis, have
unanimously decided the formal and economic settlement of the
matter. "Katerina, to whom we all owe a great apology, through her
brave stance, calls all handicapped people to lift social
seclusion, to exercise their indisputable right to life and equal
treatment from others and their equal participation in society,"
concluded Mr. Aggeloudis.
[04] PASOK MOVES TOWARDS ITS MEETING IN UNITY
A good climate prevailed over yesterday's meeting of the
members of the PASOK's Executive Office, where discussion of
political developments and the course to the meeting of the party.
The Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, Kostas Skandalides,
stated that PASOK will reach the meeting in unity, and the feeling
of unity will be even greater after the meeting is over.
Furthermore, he expressed the belief, that members of PASOK's
executive bureau have a common problem, and disregarding any
differences they may have between them, they are determined to
move forward together.
[05] GREEK CITIZENS POORLY INFORMED ON THE EURO
Greek citizens seem to be poorly informed regarding the Euro,
a fact made evident from survey "Eurobarometer 55.0" which took
place from March 5th until April 24th 2001 by the Research Group
for the European Public Opinion, in the 15 member countries of the
EU. Evidence shows that 73% of the 1005 (over the age of 15) asked
have been minimally informed or know nothing about the Euro, while
only 22,3% stated it is well informed and just 4,1% that they are
very well informed. Groups with a higher level of education,
higher income, people in managerial and high-ranking positions
feel better informed about the Euro. Only 5,1% of the financially
weaker seem well informed in contrast to those asked with high
income, the percentage of which is 35,2%. Also, men seem to be
better informed than women.
[06] TWO GREEK AMERICANS REPRESENTATIVES AT THE UN
Two students of the St. Dimitrios School in Astoria, John
Douvelis and Jennifer Lamprou, represented the Greek-American
community at the UN special General Assembly, which was held last
month in its headquarters in New York. They took part as members
of the non-governmental organization, "International Federation
for the protection of the rights of ethnic, religious, language
and other minorities".
[07] EUREKO HOLDS 54,38% OD INTERAMERICAN
A little after noon, 54,38% of Interamerican shares,
controlled by D. Kontominas, were transfered to the Eureko
insurance group, through the Athens Stock Market. Eureko is
expected to submit its request to the Capital Market Committee for
Interamerican shares to be offered on the stock-market.
The price for each stock will be 7.067 drs, while the whole
cost will come up to 132,2 billion drs. According to company
estimations, the shares will go public in mid August and
completion of sales is expected in late September.
[08] STATEMENTS ON GREECE BY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT
A Greek correspondent raised questions of Greek interest to
deputy spokesman Philip Reeker in the US State Department briefing
of reporters.
Responding to a question concerning the statements made by
new US ambassador to Athens, Thomas Miller before the US Senate
Foreign Relations Committee according to which, it will be his
priority to fight terrorism in Greece, Mr. Reeker said that Mr.
Miller reiterated that terrorism is a high priority for all US
ambassadors in the world and that the US government continues to
cooperate with the Greek government on the issue as it does with
all the countries in the world.
To the question that had to do with the fact that the Greek
government was surprised by the US State Department report on the
illegal trafficking of people, Mr. Reeker responded that this is a
global phenomenon and is not limited in Greece, adding that the US
government cooperates with friends and allies, like Greece, in
order to deal with this tragic international problem.
[09] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains were recorded again today in the Athens Stock Exchange.
The general index rose to +1.57% at 2.662,75 points, while the
volume of transactions was explosive reaching 1.093,62 million
Euro or 372.652 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 283 recorded gains, and 45 lad
losses, while the value of 45 stocks remained stable.
[10] GREEK INTERESTS ARE NOT AFFECTED IN SKOPJE
The Greek government is concerned with the situation in
Skopje and no Greek interests are affected, stated today foreign
ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis commenting on the attack by
Slavomacedonians against the Greek press center in the FYROM
capital last Tuesday night.
Mr. Beglitis said that the attackers were extremist elements,
placed within the framework of the Slavomacedonian population, who
express an anti-West sentiment and should be put under control by
the FYROM government.
Commenting on the contacts of NATO secretary-general
representative, Peter Faith with the Albanian rebels, he stated
that the move should not be interpreted as a legalization of the
extremists, stressing that the contacts were necessary within the
efforts for understanding leading to the ceasefire observance.
[11] BEGLITIS: MOBILITY ON CYPRUS
Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis characterized
as positive the reference made to the Cyprus issue in the final
communique issued by the G8, stressing that a special mobility is
observed on behalf of UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan and his
special envoy, Alvaro de Soto concerning Cyprus.
However, he clarified that there is no specific timetable for
the resumption of the talks between the two communities, and added
that there will be contacts on Cyprus on the sidelines of the UN
general assembly.
Finally, he announced that Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail
Cem is scheduled to visit Athens at the end of fall.
[12] OECD: THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IN GREECE IS
STABLE
The gap separating the rich from the poor in Greece remains
stable in spite of the "tight" fiscal policy and the stability
measures implemented in the past 7 years that led the country in
the EMU.
According to the Organization for the Economic Cooperation
and Development, OECD, the income inequality in Greece continued
in the 90s at the same levels that were recorded in the 1980s.
Contrary, in countries like, Italy, Britain, Germany, France,
Holland, and Sweden, and in other European countries, there is a
big income inequality increase.
[13] THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF LISTS OF
PROTESTERS
Minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis briefed the
responsible parliamentary committee today on the incidents in
Genoa, two days after a request by the Coalition of the Left party
to parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis.
Mr. Chrisochoidis categorically denied the accusations
according to which, the Greek government gave a list with the
names of protesters to the Italian authorities, and pledged that
the government will ask for explanations from Italy concerning the
attitude of the Italian authorities toward the Greek protesters in
Genoa.
He reminded that Italy had suspended the Schengen accord in
view of the protest, adding that the Schengen system includes
information on individuals that should be discreetly watched at a
national level but the relevant Greek list is empty.
Mr. Chrisochoidis also mentioned that Greece did not respond
to Italy's request for close cooperation on the occasion of the
Genoa G8 summit meeting which caused Rome's discontent.
On the Greek police officers who went to Genoa, he stated
that they were plain observers at the International Center of
Operations, while on the two Greek protesters, who were arrested
and then released, he said that they had a clean police record.
The representatives of the opposition parties in parliament,
characterized the briefing as incomplete and the absence from the
discussion of the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister was
slated.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] CHURCH TURNS INTO A BAR IN THE OCCUPIED PART OF CYPRUS
The church of Panagia Thermiotisa, at the Turkish occupied
village of Thermia in northern Cyprus, will soon turn into a bar-
restaurant, reveals the Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Avrupa".
The newspaper stresses that the monthly rent for the church
is three million Turkish lire, pointing out that a Cyprus pound is
sold in the occupied territories for two million Turkish lire.
[15] GREEK-ALBANIAN CONCERT IN TIRANA
About 12.000 people in Tirana had the opportunity yesterday
to watch a concert by famous singer Konstantina from Greece, and
Albanian Artiola Toska. The event was organized by the Greek
embassy in Tirana under the auspices of Tirana mayor Enti Rama.
The concert was regarded as a major cultural event as the two
artists are among the best and most popular in Greece and Albania.
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