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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2003-02-26
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY
Thessaloniki, February 26, 2003
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] IN NICOSIA WITH A NEW PLAN
[02] TRIAL IN ABSOLUTE LEGALITY
[03] RADIO-TELEVISION COUNCIL AGAINST PRIVATE TV
[04] FIGHTING DRUGS, A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
[05] SIMITIS-ANNAN: A SOLUTION CAN BE ATTAINED
[06] ANNAN SIGNS OLYMPIC TRUCE
[07] PAPANDREOU IN US TOMORROW
[08] CHARGES IN BLACKMAIL CASE TO BE ANNOUNCED
[09] N17 TRIAL UNDER EXTREME SECURITY MEASURES
[10] OPPOSITION CRITICIZES GOVERNMENT DRUG POLICIES
[11] JUNE SUMMIT MEETING IN "PORTO CARRAS"
[12] KARAMANLIS ANNAN MEETING
[13] INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON IMMIGRATION
[14] BELASICA: FOUNDATION FOR GREEK-FYROM-BULGARIAN COOPERATION
[15] CONCLUSIONS OF THE INFORMAL MINISTERIAL MEETING ON ENERGY
[16] LOSSES IN THE ASE
[17] CHRISTODOULAKIS: FEBRUARY WAS A HARD MONTH FOR INFLATION
[18] BORDERS, CRIME AND EU-US COOPERATION
[19] 15TH INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW COMPETITION "JEAN PICTET"
[20] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE 17N TRIAL
[21] ATHENS JOURNALISTS' ASSOCIATION: PUBLICITY IN THE 17N TRIAL IS NOT SAFEGUARDED
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[22] CANADIAN COMPROMISE CHANGES DATE
[23] GIANNITSIS TO MEET S. KOREAN PRESIDENT TODAY
[24] COMIC BOOKS ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST CONFISCATED
[25] GIANNITSIS IN S. KOREA
NEWS IN DETAILS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] IN NICOSIA WITH A NEW PLAN
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be traveling to Nicosia today, in order to submit his new reviewed plan for the resolving of the island's political problem to the two communities. Mr. Annan spoke of a unique opportunity for a solution, which would n
ot remain open forever, and Athens and Ankara are approaching the initiative positively. Pressures on the Turkish Cypriot side so that it would adopt a more constructive position, which would make a solution more attainable, were asked for by Greek Prime
Minister Costas Simitis, while a solution within March was predicted by Mr. Erdogan. His support to the Annan effort was expressed by US President George Bush.
[02] TRIAL IN ABSOLUTE LEGALITY
The cost of the requirements for a steady trial for "November 17", which is scheduled to begin this Monday, has been estimated at approximately 2 million euro, by Minister of National Defense Ph. Petsalnikos, who inspected the related facilities at the C
orydallos Penitentiary. The list of willing defense witnesses includes international terrorist Carlos the Jackal and Professor V. Aggelopoulos. The President of the National Radio-Television Council in favor of televising the trial.
[03] RADIO-TELEVISION COUNCIL AGAINST PRIVATE TV
An intense attack against private television channel owners, whom it accuses of lack of a mean and an inability to understand the important work that they have undertaken with the holding of television frequencies, was launched yesterday by the National
Radio-Television Council, drawing on the antiwar protests being covered over by the visit of the former monarch. It should be noted that there had been harsh criticism on the issue by distinguished composer Mikis Theodorakis.
[04] FIGHTING DRUGS, A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
A legislature initiative decreasing the highest sentence for drug use to one year and removing the conviction from criminal records, was announced by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, after the meeting on the fight against drugs. The Prime Minister characte
rized reactions and views against the functioning of drug rehabilitation centers, as happened recently in Thessaloniki, inexcusable and unacceptable, placing the blame on local government.
[05] SIMITIS-ANNAN: A SOLUTION CAN BE ATTAINED
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan characterized the current period of time as a unique opportunity to reunify Cyprus, and was swift to add that it is not an opportunity that will remain open forever.
Mr. Annan, who met with Prime Minister Costas at the Maximos Mansion yesterday, expressed his hope that in the end, both sides would come to an agreement prior to the deadline set by the plan.
"Political leaders must display courage and determination. The deadlines are specific and real, if we want a united Cyprus to join (the EU) on April 16", said the UN Secretary General. He stated that he would present his reviewed plan in Nicosia and expr
essed the belief that it would satisfy both sides, which, he said, had been briefed on the new proposals.
On his side, the Prime Minister stated that Nicosia and Athens have the political will to put obstacles aside so that an agreement can be reached. But we are expecting the same from the Turkish Cypriots and Ankara, he underlined, and added that the possi
bility is there, however we want actions.
"What is required now is political will. Both the Cypriot and the Greek side have shown that they have the political will to make a new step. But they cannot make this new step alone. The Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey must want to follow this course of
overcoming the problems created", he pointed out.
He stressed that the plan is a framework dealing with the goals of both sides. It is satisfactory to neither side, but it shows the way. "We have the will for a solution and we are appealing to everyone participating in the procedure to show the same pol
itical will as us. A solution can be found in the time framework set, if there is the will to do so from the other side", stated the Prime Minister.
[06] ANNAN SIGNS OLYMPIC TRUCE
The declaration of distinguished personalities for the Olympic Truce was signed last night by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in an event at the Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou praised Mr. Annan's role on international efforts for peace in many of the world's regions, and referring to the Cyprus issue, he stressed that we are expecting much and have great hopes.
"It is a great honor for us to welcome here today, our dear friend, the Secretary General of the UN, a man of peace, a man who has dedicated his life to diplomacy, and through diplomacy to the effort to resolve serious confrontations and international pr
oblems", stressed Mr. Papandreou.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou pointed out that on his first formal visit to Greece, the UN Secretary General brought with him the hope that an issue that has lasted for a very long time, the Cyprus issue, will be resolved.
"You are here to contribute to the resolving of the Cyprus problem. For us, for our region, it is a period of hope", he noted.
On his side, Mr. Annan expressed his special joy at the fact that his first visit to Athens is connected to the signing of the Olympic Truce, and stated that: "We must apply and materialize our signatures with our actions, every day".
"The Olympic Truce being proposed in view of the Olympics, is not just an attempt to interrupt confrontations and lay down arms; it is at the same time a chance for a humanitarian intervention. It is a great and important contribution. Of course everyone
supports the Olympic Truce and there are many who would sign it - many of us already have. But we must make a great effort to make the content of the Olympic Truce reality with our actions, every day", underlined the UN Secretary General.
[07] PAPANDREOU IN US TOMORROW
Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou will be in the US tomorrow (heading the EU troika) along with High Representative on Foreign and Defense Policy Javier Solana, and Commissioner on Foreign Relations Chris Patten, in order to have meetings with US Secre
tary of State Collin Powel and Special Consultant of US President George Bush, Contoleezza Rice, regarding developments in Iraq and the Middle East.
The visit was announced by Mr. Papandreou at a press conference, following the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday.
[08] CHARGES IN BLACKMAIL CASE TO BE ANNOUNCED
Charges against all responsible parties are expected to be announced within the next few hours, by the Chief of the Athens court of first instance DA's office, Sotiris Bayias, regarding the blackmail of businessmen in the name of N17 case.
After the charges are pressed, the case will be assigned to the regular examiner for further investigation.
The round of investigations on the blackmail case has not permanently shut, as there is a DA investigation still pending on the blackmail against clergy members.
[09] N17 TRIAL UNDER EXTREME SECURITY MEASURES
Preparations for the trial of the suspect members of the "November 17" terrorist organization are in their final stage. On Monday, March 3, the women's wing of the Corydallos penitentiary will open its gates in order for the much-discussed trial to begin
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