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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2003-02-19

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY Thessaloniki, February 19, 2003

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PARTIAL LAPSE IN HARSH WEATHER
  • [02] PROFESSIONAL RULE BREAKERS
  • [03] PRESIDENCY AT THE MPA: ACTIONS FOR ENERGY
  • [04] SECOND TESTIMONY, STILL DENIES EVERYTHING
  • [05] CONGRATULATIONS ON GREEK PRESIDENCY INITIATIVE
  • [06] PAPANTONIOU CONTACTS IN BRUSSELS
  • [07] GISCARD D' ESTAING IN ATHENS
  • [08] AGGELOPOULOU MEETS KING OF SPAIN
  • [09] EU AGENDA TODAY
  • [10] PROTECTION OF EU AIR TRANSPORTION
  • [11] ADOPTION OF THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION IS IMPERATIVE
  • [12] TRIALS AND THE MEDIA
  • [13] RALLY ON THE EU ENERGY MINISTERS' MEETING
  • [14] SIMITIS: THE EU SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS WAS A SUCCESS
  • [15] THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT MEETS IN GREVENA
  • [16] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE
  • [17] PROTESTS AGAINST NATO WARSHIPS IN THE PORT OF PIRAEUS
  • [18] STOCK EXCHANGE COOPERATION MEMORANDUM
  • [19] GOV'T SPOKESMAN: KOSTAS SIMITIS WILL BE PASOK'S LEADER IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS
  • [20] PROTOPAPAS ON THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY
  • [21] MICHALOPOULOS HAS COMPLETED HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR
  • [22] YIANNITSIS MET WITH AUSTRALIA'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS
  • [23] GREEK EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON COTE D' IVOIRE
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [24] STRENGTH FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY
  • [25] GETTING TO THE POINT WITH THE THIRD PLAN NEWS IN DETAILS

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PARTIAL LAPSE IN HARSH WEATHER A partial lapse in the harsh weather will be recorded from today until Sunday according to the Weather Forecast Service, but it will be difficult to solve the problems that have been caused by the snow until then. Ships sailing from Piraeus can go as far

    as Syros. Eight islands in the Cyclades have declared a state of emergency, as the intense rainfall has caused great damages. Minister of the Environment, Planning and Public Works, V. Papandreou, characterized the weather phenomena as unprecedented, in reference to the shifts and landslides.

  • [02] PROFESSIONAL RULE BREAKERS Serious penalties, which may even reach demotion, are threatening more than 10 FCs and BCs of the First National category in football and the A1 in basketball, as they are accused of serious violation of tax laws and not responding to their obligations. The teams on the list include Olympiakos, both the football and the basketball team. A preliminary investigation is underway on the legal framework of Neos Panionios FC.
  • [03] PRESIDENCY AT THE MPA: ACTIONS FOR ENERGY The Council of EU Ministers of Energy will meet in Thessaloniki on Saturday, during an especially crucial period, as the main topics to be discussed are the energy policy of the EU and the crisis in relationship of the International Community with Iraq, one of the most important oil producers in the world, which, in combination with the crisis in Venezuela, has led to a significant increase in international oil prices.
  • [04] SECOND TESTIMONY, STILL DENIES EVERYTHING DA in charge of the blackmail in the name of N17 case D. Papaggelopoulos, will hear the second testimony of the "Eleftheri Ora" newspaper publisher Gr. Michalopoulos, whom a series of witnesses have named as the perpetrator of the blackmails. According t o his attorney, during his 7-hour testimony, Mr. Michalopoulos denied all accusations against him by the Aggelopoulos' couple, businessman Argyris Saliarelis, Marianna Latsi, and Metropolite of Zachynthos Chrysostomos.
  • [05] CONGRATULATIONS ON GREEK PRESIDENCY INITIATIVE A message of unity and political self-restraint was sent to the 13 candidate countries by President of the European Council and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. He expressed his full satisfaction with the fact that the 13 countersigned the decisions to which the heads of EU states and governments came regarding the Iraq crisis, stressing that this is "the confirmation of the political will of all European states for more unity".

    "The power of Europe is its common will for more peace, democracy and progress", stressed the Prime Minister, pointing out that after the consent of the candidate countries to the common position of the 15 on Iraq, a new momentum is building up in the Un ited Europe.

    The Prime Minister also underlined that despite the fact that differences within the EU are often overstressed, what is important is achieving consent.

    The Greek Presidency was praised on convening and the results of the informal Summit Meeting, by the European family. European Commission spokesperson Jonathan Faull greeted "the courage which was so very much needed on behalf of the Greek Presidency to convene this meeting, but mainly the results that this initiative bore", and he stressed that "the consent noted between the partners at the informal Summit proved that the EU is really united during a difficult international crisis".

    Satisfaction on yesterday's decision was also expressed by the Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who mentioned that a common position of Europe towards the Iraq issue was made possible. "I think that the EU made an important effort to s peak with one language regardless of the different opinions between the countries, succeeded in the continuance of the effort to avert the war, as was expressed in a very dynamic way by millions of European citizens over the last few days, in streets acro ss Europe. And of course they ask that the UN Security Council play the defining role in the area of legalizing every response towards the need for Iraq to accept UN decisions, which is a demand of the United Nations for a peaceful disarmament and to let the inspectors complete their work".

  • [06] PAPANTONIOU CONTACTS IN BRUSSELS Greek Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou met with the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, Commissioner Michel Barnier, as well as the President of the Assembly on the Future of Europe, Giscard D'Estaing, in the framework of h is visit to Brussels yesterday.

    As far as his discussions with Mr. Prodi are concerned, Mr. Papantoniou expressed his satisfaction with the Commission's response to the Greek Presidency's request to take initiative on a more cohesive and effective cooperation framework in the defense s ector.

    The Minister made a proposal to the Commission President, that a new line be created in the budget for the financing of defense R&D, and asked that the concerns on competitiveness issues in the defense sector, as well as in the sector of defense research , be noted in the findings of the Summit Meeting this coming March.

    With Commissioner Barnier, Mr. Papantoniou discussed the initiative of the Greek Presidency in strengthening the ties of European Defense and European industry, both through the reinforcement of expenses for research on defense issues on the side of the EU, as well as supporting the view of the Assembly in the constitution, regarding the creation of a European armaments organization in the direction of creating a common market for weapons systems within Europe.

    With Giscard D' Estaing, the Minister discussed various issues connected to international developments, the potential war in Iraq and the results of the European Council regarding this crucial issue, as well as the developments as far as the European Con stitution is concerned, which is the object of the Assembly Mr. D' Estaing presides over.

  • [07] GISCARD D' ESTAING IN ATHENS The President of the Assembly on the future of Europe, Valerie Giscard D' Estaing, will be in Athens tomorrow, in order to participate in the International Conference of the European Movement in Athens, on: "Building the European Conscience - Which Europ e do we want", organized on Thursday February 20 at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, by the Greek Committee for European Unity (national sector of the International European Movement).

    The President of the European Assembly will reach Athens tomorrow afternoon. On Thursday morning he will meet with President of the Republic Costis Stefanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, and the Mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyanni.

    In the afternoon he will speak at the EVEA Conference and will present the first findings of the Assembly to the participants representing 25 countries.

  • [08] AGGELOPOULOU MEETS KING OF SPAIN The President of the "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee, Gianna Aggelopoulou, will visit Spain today, where she will be received by the king of Spain, Juan Carlos.

    Mrs. Aggelopoulou and her husband accepted the invitation of the king of Spain, who expressed his interest and asked to be briefed on the progress of the preparations for the 2004 Olympics.

    Mrs. Aggelopoulou will also meet with the Spanish deputy Minister of Sports, Juan Antonio Angulo. She will visit him escorted by Authorized Consultant Spyros Capralos, in order to brief him concerning hospitality issues and the services to be provided fo r the Spanish athletes to participate in the Olympics.

  • [09] EU AGENDA TODAY A seminar in the framework of the Bologna Procedure on: "Exploring the Social Dimensions of European Higher Education", is being held today and tomorrow in Athens, in the framework of the EU Education Policy.

    The Education Council Committee and the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU (COREPER I and II) are meeting in Brussels today.

    The 6th Framework Program among Candidate and Third Countries conference is being held in Thessaloniki.

    Tomorrow, the President of the Assembly on the Future of the EU, Valerie Giscard D' Estaing, will visit Athens, while he has scheduled an informal meeting on budget issues.

    The Employment Committee will meet in Grevena, while the Preparatory Meeting for the Promotion of Research and Development between the EU and Balkan Countries will be held in Thessaloniki.

    In Brussels there will be meetings of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Political and Security Committee and Education Committee.

  • [10] PROTECTION OF EU AIR TRANSPORTION The proposal of the "Unfair Practices" regulation, with which European airlines will be protected from unfair practices of airlines of third countries, is being promoted by the Greek Presidency, which pointed out the gaps left by the legal framework whic h rules the functioning of third country and EU airlines.

    The Ministry of Transportation has pointed out the difference in the treatment of third country airlines to those of the EU. For example, there is the case of a Middle Eastern airline and a Greek airline, covering the similar itineraries in the same regi on. The Middle Eastern airline can receive various forms of state subsidies, in contrast to the Greek, and in general any EU airline.

    The Regulation Proposal is an issue proposed by Commission in June 2002, and depends on the coordinated decision of the Council and the European Parliament. Its goal is to allow the Community to take measures against the airlines of certain countries, wh ich either receive support, state subsidies, or resort to practices for the determination of fairs which are considered unfair. The measures foreseen will take the form of fees to be collected from the airlines, which receive direct subsidies or other adv antages provided by their governments.

    The issue is being discussed by the Council and practical ways of applying the Regulation are being searched for, in relation to the general framework of foreign airline relations. Minister of Transportation and Communications Christos Verelis stated tha t the Greek Presidency will pursue the attainment of a political agreement, if there are positive developments.

  • [11] ADOPTION OF THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION IS IMPERATIVE To a European Union in which rapid political changes are taking place and which is steadily enlarging, soon to number 25 member-states, the adoption of a European Constitution is an imperative. The above was supported by the President of the German Feder al Constitutional Court, Hans Jurgen Papier, who, however, expressed his own concerns on this endeavor undertaken by the European Assembly.

    The complexity of the EU cannot be removed by the European Constitution, noted Mr. Papier in statements to the MPA. The President of the German Federal Constitutional Court was acclaimed honorary Doctor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Law Sch ool at a special event yesterday.

    "If we reach a point where the European Union, acting as a federal state through one united Constitution, determines its own rights and responsibilities without taking into account the principles of the member-states, that would create problems", he supp orted, and added that in that case there should be differentiations in the provisions of each member-state's Constitution.

    "In this case, German legislature foresees the holding of a referendum so that the citizens decide if they want such a Union, and I believe that something similar would occur in all other countries".

  • [12] TRIALS AND THE MEDIA The MPA asked Mr. Papier to give his view on the issue of televised trials of terrorist organizations, drawing on the upcoming "November 17" terrorist organization trial.

    Mr. Papier's answer was not limited to the case of trials concerning terrorist organizations, but in Criminal trials in general.

    "The issue has at times occupied the German Federal Constitutional Court. Its verdict was clear and the entrance of television crews inside courtrooms was forbidden", a fact, which, he says, "caused the reaction of isolated television networks in Germany ".

    "The live transmission of trials holds dangers. When the "stars"-defendants, district attorneys, etc.- know that millions of people are watching them, then they change their behavior".

    He considered that the entrance of journalists that want to cover a trial, should be allowed for democratic reasons, and for the protection of the defendants. CV

    Hans Jurgen Papier was born in Berlin in 1943. He studied Law at the Free University of Berlin, from where he graduated in February 1976. In May 1970 he was nominated Doctor at the Free University of Berlin and in February 1973, Professor at the same ins titution.

    From 1975 to 1992, he taught Public Law at the University of Bilefelt. In January 1992 he was invited to the University of Munich, where he still teaches Public Law and Public Law of Security Funds.

    In April 2002, he was elected President of the Federal Constitutional Court, an office with an 8-year tenure.

    He has a rich bibliography, concentrated on Law pertaining to the State's civic responsibility, Law for the protection of property and the environment, as well as the issue of securing the independence of the judicial authority.

  • [13] RALLY ON THE EU ENERGY MINISTERS' MEETING A rally near the "Hyatt" hotel, where the meeting of the EU Ministers of Energy will take place, is being organized by General Federation of DEI (Public Power Corporation) Workers and the federation of workers in petrol products and the chemical industry , on Saturday, February 22, at 1pm.

    The workers will gather approximately 500 meters from the hotel, in an area they have agreed on with the police, for security reasons. The President of GENOP-DEI, Nikos Pilalidis, said that a delegation will attempt to meet the President of the Meeting, Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos, in order to submit a resolution with certain demands.

  • [14] SIMITIS: THE EU SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS WAS A SUCCESS Prime Minister Kostas Simitis briefed President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos today on the latest developments in the Iraq crisis and the outcome of the EU informal Summit on the issue held earlier in the week in Brussels, called by the Greek EU presidency.

    Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Mr. Stephanopoulos praised the Prime Minister for his initiative and the summit result, as the leaders of the 15 EU member states reached a common position on the Iraq issue.

    Mr. Simitis said that the volition had existed for a common confrontation of the problem, and expressed the hope that "we shall continue like this in the future".

    He warned, however, that tension was anticipated as ''the Iraq issue is not finished'', but added that ''no one can proceed alone, without the cooperation of the others''.

    After the 90-minute meeting, Mr. Simitis said that he and the President had discussed international affairs, developments in the European Union and the results of the EU leaders' meeting in Brussels on Monday.

    He described Monday's summit as a success "because Europe's common desire to play a role" was made apparent.

    "'War is not inevitable", he said, reiterating the common EU position agreed at the summit, adding that Iraq must comply with the Security Council resolutions.

    Mr. Simitis gave the assurance that the Greek government effort for a peaceful solution would continue "because everyone must realise the misfortune that war brings".

  • [15] THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT MEETS IN GREVENA The meeting of the European Committee on Employment got underway in Grevena, northwestern Greece, today. The proceedings will be completed on Friday.

    The European Committee on Employment is a high level European Union body with a special weight which introduces issues to the Labor and Social Affairs Ministers Council.

    The committee meeting in Grevena is one of the most important as its conclusions and proposals will be linked with the main issues concerning the revision of the European Strategy on Employment and the assessment of the Lisbon agreement implementation co urse.

    In the committee meeting participate about 60 representatives (Undersecretaries, General Secretaries, General Directors) from the 15 EU member states.

  • [16] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.02% at 1.693,44 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 60.2 million euros.

    Of the stocks trading today, 191 recorded gains compared to 81 that had losses, while the value of 107 stocks remained unchanged.

  • [17] PROTESTS AGAINST NATO WARSHIPS IN THE PORT OF PIRAEUS Protest demonstrations were held today against NATO warships that sailed into the port of Piraeus. Local residents and authorities gathered in the area holding signs.

    They also held a protest march to Alexandra Square chanting slogans against a war in Iraq and against the United States.

  • [18] STOCK EXCHANGE COOPERATION MEMORANDUM Thessaloniki Stock Exchange Center managing director Vasilis Margaris and Bucharest Stock Exchange general director Stere Farmache signed a memorandum of cooperation yesterday.

    The agreement is the outcome of the efforts made by the Thessaloniki Stock Exchange Center aimed at promoting the Greek stock exchange to the developing countries within the framework of the DAC program sponsored by the Greek Foreign Ministry.

    The goal of the Cooperation Memorandum is to promote open cooperation relations between the interested parties.

    After the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum, Mr. Farmache expressed gratitude to the Greek side for the overall assistance planned to be offered to the local stock exchange. He also expressed the hope that the program already tabled by the Thessaloni ki Stock Exchange Center, regarding the establishment of a New Stock Exchange Market in Romania, will be approved soon within the framework of the Greek Development Aid.

  • [19] GOV'T SPOKESMAN: KOSTAS SIMITIS WILL BE PASOK'S LEADER IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas denied the scenarios according to which, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will accept a European Union post and leave Greek politics. The comment was made in response to press reports based on which, the Greek Parliament President urges the Prime Minister to take over a European post.

    Mr. Protopapas stated that the Prime Minister himself has put an end to the scenarios. He added that Mr. Simitis will complete the mandate given to him by the Greek people. He also said that he will be heading the governing Socialist Party of PASOK in th e next parliamentary elections seeking another victory in the polls.

  • [20] PROTOPAPAS ON THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY All those who had assumed that the initiative undertaken by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, as the European Council President, will fail have been proven wrong, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas. He added that the Prime Minister was fu lly vindicated for his decision to call an EU informal Summit meeting on the issue of Iraq.

    Mr. Protopapas stated that the Greek EU Presidency has been upgraded through perseverance, patience and specific political goals. It has become an EU Presidency that can play a decisive role in developments, form developments and undertake initiatives th at can be exploited at an international level for the solution of problems.

    He also expressed the hope that the decisions reached will contribute in a positive way to the creation of a climate that will guarantee that the crisis will be overcome through peaceful means and the disarmament of Iraq.

    The Greek government spokesman concluded that Saddam Hussein should accept his country's complete disarmament from weapons of mass destruction and the UN Security Council can guarantee that there will be no threat for humanity in the future through the w eapons' inspectors work.

  • [21] MICHALOPOULOS HAS COMPLETED HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR Publisher Grigoris Michalopoulos completed his testimony today before the responsible prosecutor, who is examining the case concerning the blackmails made in the name of terrorist group "17 November".

    According to information, Mr. Michalopoulos rejected the accusations targeting him characterizing as slander and lies the charges made against him, while he also spoke of a well orchestrated attempt aimed at his extermination.

    Grigoris Michalopoulos was called to give information on the fact that he was an eyewitness in the assassination of Michalis Vranopoulos in January 1994. Based on the same information, he stated that he was never called by the police to testify even thou gh he had made the fact known from the beginning.

  • [22] YIANNITSIS MET WITH AUSTRALIA'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CYPRUS The Annan Plan on Cyprus and the conclusions of the extraordinary EU Summit meting in Brussels on the crisis in Iraq dominated in today's meeting of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Yiannitsis with Australia's special envoy for Cyprus Jim Short.

    Mr. Yiannitsis briefed Mr. Short on the common decision reached by the "15" concerning Iraq, while Mr. Short conveyed to the Deputy Foreign Minister the outcome of his recent visit to Ankara. They also discussed the prospect of a referendum in Cyprus in case the Annan Plan is approved.

    Regarding the revised Annan Plan, it was established that an agreement is very difficult to be reached by February 28, while a reference was made to the Turkish reservations.

  • [23] GREEK EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON COTE D' IVOIRE The European Union urges all parties, in particular the Ivorian authorities, to implement immediately the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, which the United Nations Security Council endorsed by Resolution 1464 on February 4, 2003. In that context, the Europea n Union would stress the need for all concerned to maintain a safe and stable environment.

    The European Union would like the Prime Minister, Mr Seydou Diarra, to be given the full support of all Ivorian parties in the work of forming a government, so that it can swiftly embark on the task of achieving reconciliation and an end to the crisis. The European Union accordingly calls on all forces involved in this process to avoid taking any steps that might endanger the national reconciliation process underway.

    The European Union would reiterate the firm commitment of the entire international community to full implementation of the undertakings given in Linas-Marcoussis and confirmed at the Paris Summit.

    In this connection, the European Union welcomes the role played by the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations in promoting a return to peace and reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire.

    As an observer of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and a participant in the Paris Summit on January 25-26, the European Union will, by virtue of its position within the Follow-Up Committee, be playing an active role, in particular by monitoring application

    of the terms of reference for the Agreement, and calls on all participants to lend their full cooperation to the Follow-Up Committee. The European Union emphasises its commitment to supporting implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, using all appropriate instruments at its disposal.

    The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries [Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway], mem bers of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.

  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [24] STRENGTH FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY Europe's strength, is its common will for more peace, democracy, and progress, stated Prime Minister Costas Simitis, immediately after the completion of the EU Summit Meeting which ended with an agreement on an policy concerning Iraq, constituting a posi tive surprise both for the European Parliament as well as for the European press. A new resolution at the Security Council is being processed by the UK and the US. Discomfort was expressed by five candidate countries that were excluded from the Monday Sum mit.
  • [25] GETTING TO THE POINT WITH THE THIRD PLAN The newly elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, will have his first meeting with the UN Secretary General's representative in Cyprus Alvaro De Soto, while discussions with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are expected to b e resumed. President Kliridis refuted that he will be remaining on the negotiations committee. There is certainty that a third plan will be submitted. The Turkish Prime Minister is in favor of expediting a solution.
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