MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (13/07/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, July 13, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREECE TAKES UNPRECEDENT MEASURES AGAINST FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

"The strictness of measures taken by the Greek Agriculture Ministry for the foot and mouth disease have been without precedent and we call on the European Union officials to prove if they have taken similar measures against another country in comparable situations," stated today the Undersecretary of Agriculture Apostolos Fotiades in an interview with the Macedonian Press Agency.

Mr. Fotiades travelled to the Evros Prefecture in order to preside over a session held there for assessing the situation that has arisen over the disease outbreak.

Mr. Fotiades pointed out that the situation is completely under control, as he was assured by the veterinarians who participated in the session. Also, the disease outbreak has not surpassed Northern Greece's Nea Makris community limits where about 15 cases of the disease where found.

"The measures taken by the Ministry were immediate and contributed to controlling the disease, " Mr. Fotiades stated.

He added that the cost factor was not taken into account as more than 2,000 animals were slaughtered, in spite of the fact that merely 15 cases of the foot and nmouth disease were found. Moreover, the region's streets have been washed with disinfectant in order to kill the virus.

The Agriculture Undersecretary added that the breeders will receive restitution for the killing of their animals and expressed his confidence that the EU officials expected to arrive in Evros on Tuesday will be convinced that the measures taken are satisfactory and will lift the quarantine placed on Greece yesterday.

[02] SAE IS MATURE AND SUCCESSFUL, SAYS ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER

A plan that aims at the coordination of efforts exerted by the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) was presented today in Thessaloniki, where SAE's Presidium holds its second session.

"The Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) has matured and we believe that this new institution is successful, " stated the alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos during a press interview given with SAE President Andrew Athens, Secretary-General for Greeks Abroad Yiannis Panousis and the President of the Parliamentary Inter-party Committee for issues of overseas hellenism Dimitris Sotirlis.

Mr. Romeos stated that living proof of SAE's maturity is the success noted by the organizing conferences held by the four Regional SAE (America, Australia, Asia-Africa and Europe. Moreover, during the beginning of August, legislation will be introduced to Parliament providing for a SAE Foundation which will oversee the economic, administrative, and technical support of the organization. Following the resolution's approval, it shoud be enforced in September.

Moreover, according to the alternate Minister, SAE's permanent offices should be established in Thessaloniki by the end of the year and will be funded by various sources, mostly a combination of state and private-sector funding.

The term of SAE's Presidium will be extended to an additional year, while the Congress of Worldwide Hellenism will take place with the close cooperation of the Church.

Referring to a plan of cohesion, regarding Greeks throughout the world that will aim at the promotion of national issues, Mr. Romeos stated that all foreign parliamentarians who have Greek roots will be invited to Greece in September.

Also, Mr. Romeos stated that he is in favor of forming a permanent General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, which will aim at the coordination of the efforts made by Greeks throughout the world for national issues.

[03] MR. ATHENS:GREEKS ABROAD TO PRESSURE CLINTON ON NATIONAL MATTERS

Speaking to the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) second session in Thessaloniki today, SAE President Andrew Athens expressed his optimism that Greece's national issues will be even more effectively promoted abroad by the Greek community and added that there will be intense pressure exerted upon US President Bill Clinton.

"We are not satisfied by the US' stance on Greece's national issues. Elections are in November. If there is anything else to do, we must act now. We must seize this power. And we will," Mr. Athens stated.

[04] PRIME MINISTER TO MEET WITH US REPRESENTATIVE TO UN ON WEDNESDAY

The United States permanent representative to the United Nations Madleine Albright will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis on Wednesday in order to discuss greco-turkish relations and the issue of Cyprus.

Ms. Albright will be accompanied by the US special emissary for Cyprus Richard Beatty.

On July 17, the US ambassador will travel to Nicosia in order to examine the "effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus" and discuss potential opportunities for a comprehensive agreement.

Following Nicosia, Ms. Albright will travel to Ankara on July 18 and 19 where she will meet with officials of the newly-formed Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

[05] DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES COMMENT ON GREECE-FYROM TALKS IN NEW YORK

In light of the new round of talks over the name issue that Greece and FYROM embarked upon two days ago in New York, diplomatic circles present juxtaposing opinions on the possible meaning of the meeting that took place under the auspices of the UN mediator Cyrus Vance.

According to sources, if the talks took place under "specific conditions" then it could pave the way for further approach between the two sides.

The negotiations, whose second round is expected to take place on August 26, has reached a point of drawing out the specifics, thereby surpassing the stumbling blocks of confusion and lack of clarity.

[06] ARCHBISHOP STYLIANOS OF AUSTRALIA AVOIDS TO COMMENT ON NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA SUCCESSION

Australia's Archbishop Stylianos has neither confirmed nor denied the reports that claim him as the chosen successor to Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

When asked to comment on the possible appointment, Mr. Stylianos stated that "you are asking me to guess and I cannot do that. I cannot confirm what is being written regarding the upcoming changes in our Church during the following weeks or months, because I do not positively know anything.

"I can assure you, however, that even if something has been decided upon during the talks held by the Holy Synod, can be changed later. Nevertheless, the Ecumenical Patriarchate's visit is a significant event in the life of our Church, perhaps the most significant."

[07] CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL LAW OF SEA TO BE HELD IN RHODES

The Rhodes Academy of International Law of the Sea will hold its first convention on Monday, embarking on this year's three- week program that will cover general subjects of maritime law.

The program is funded by the European Union and the founding institutes, which are the Aegean Institute of the Law of the Sea and of Nautical Law, the University of Virginia's Center for Ocean Law and Policy, the Max-Panck University and the Netherlands Institute of Law of the Sea.

The Rhodes Academy is largely viewed as the nautical law's equivalent to The Hague's international law.

[08] KEPA TO ISSUE NORTHERN GREECE GUIDE FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS

The Center for Business and Cultural Development (KEPA) plans to issue a guide targeted at the foreign investor on how to enter Northern Greece's market.

According to the business plan, primary focus will be given to the technological data of the basic business sectors in the region, which will be coordinated with additional supplementary material that will aid the foreign investor in becoming acquainted with the local market.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, KEPA's director Yiannis Tsaras stated that "since Greece lacks statistical data, it is very difficult for a foreign investor to form a complete picture on the business activities in the region."

According to Mr. Tsaras, further impeding the investments is the foreigner's demand to have access to reliable and recent data.

"Our country's lacking in statistical data results in the discouragement of the foreign investors snce they see a blurred picture. All in all, the end result is a loss of investments and jobs," Tsaras said.

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