Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU TO REVIEW TURKEYS ´PERSONAE NON GRATAE´ LIST

[02] GREEK FM MEETS WITH ALBANIAS SOCIALIST LEADER

[03] PAPANDREOU: WE SEEK A CLIMATE OF STABILITY IN THE BALKANS

[04] GREECE'S SAD LEAD IN DEADLY DISEASES

[05] THE NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE WILL INVEST IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE

[06] GAINS OF 1.94% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[07] PREMIER: GREECE HAS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN BALKANS

[08] SIMITIS: WE GAVE A VOICE AND PRESTIGE TO GREECE

[09] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER ON PARTYS ECONOMIC POLICY

[10] MPA TO BROADCAST DEBATE LIVE ON THE INTERNET

[11] ALBANIAN SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER IN GREECE

[12] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA

[13] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION ON TOURISM

[14] TURKISH JOURNALIST IMPRESSED BY GREEK PM

[15] KPN-OTE MAKES FINAL OFFER ÏF $600 M.FOR BTC

[16] THE FIRST GREEK WOMAN TO BECOME A MAYOR IN AUSTRALIA

[17] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ATHENS AND WASHINGTON

[01] EU TO REVIEW TURKEYS ´PERSONAE NON GRATAE´ LIST

Following a motion tabled by a Greek eurodeputy, the European Union's Minister's Council is to review the notorious "blacklist" published by the Turkish daily Sabah, which contains the names of 56 Europeans deemed as "personae non gratae".

EU parliamentarian Alekos Alavanos (Coalition of the Left and Progress - Synaspismos) stated that the said list, which has yet to be refuted by the Turkish government, includes a number of parliamentarians from Denmark, Italy, Greece, Sweden and Spain, all EU members, as well as individuals from non-EU members.

Mr. Alavanos deemed the said list as "unacceptable" and "undemocratic" and called on the Council to look into the matter and require the Turkish government to immediately rescind it.

A.F.

[02] GREEK FM MEETS WITH ALBANIAS SOCIALIST LEADER

Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with Albania's Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano, in Athens yesterday evening.

Messrs. Papandreou and Nano, who has also served as his country's prime minister, discussed the present situation in Kosovo and stressed their will to mutually address the problems plaguing the Balkan region.

The Greek FM stated that Greece would like to see the enforcement of United Nations resolutions pertaining to Kosovo, while Mr. Nano noted that there has been progress - albeit slow- achieved in the province, however adding that there are still radical elements active in the area.

Lastly, Mr. Papandreou stated that he and Mr. Nano discussed cooperation not only at a governmental level, but at a partisan one as well.

Mr. Nano was in Greece on the Invitation of the Andreas Papandreou Foundation.

The Albanian Socialist Party leader met earlier in the day with Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, where the latter stated that the relations between the two countries have to be strengthened in order to secure peace and regional security.

A.F.

[03] PAPANDREOU: WE SEEK A CLIMATE OF STABILITY IN THE BALKANS

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in an article he wrote published on the monthly issue of the US review "Western Policy Center" spoke of a revision of the foreign policy and a reassessment of the Greek interests, according to a report published by the Athens newspaper "Eleftherotypia" today.

Mr. Papandreou characterized the Helsinki EU Summit meeting as a new phase for the Greek foreign policy and stressed that under the pressuring conditions of internationalization and pluralism Greece was forced to reconsider its foreign policy, adding that it would have been inconsistent to threaten Turkey in the name of stability and cooperation.

Mr. Papandreou wrote that by bringing Turkey closer to Europe more security and stability will be enjoyed in south-eastern Europe and a climate of security, economic development, democratization and fuller cooperation among the regions' countries will be achieved.

However, he admits that bilateral problems have not disappeared through magic and that Greece is willing to play a constructive role for the democratization of Turkey and its incorporation into Europe.

In conclusion, Mr. Papandreou writes that the road will be long and often hard and admits that the Turkish violations of the Greek airspace and the Turkish territorial claims over the Aegean continental shelf continue to cause concern in Greece.

The Western Policy Center had asked Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem to also write an article on the developments in the region in order to be published next to Mr. Papandreou's article but he chose not to do so.

[04] GREECE'S SAD LEAD IN DEADLY DISEASES

The Greeks have a sad lead in deadly diseases, according to a study by the World Health Organization published by the Athens newspaper "Ethnos". Based on the report, the Greeks come first in the consumption of fat and occupy the second place regarding the number of deaths from cancer and heart diseases.

The report under the title "Neighbors in the Balkans" was drawn up by the organization's European department head Anna Ritsatakis with the assistance of professors Jeffrey Levet and Yiannis Kirtopoulos of the National School of Public Health.

In spite of the fact that public health in Greece is at a better state compared to the rest of the Balkan states it is disappointing if it is compared to the rest European countries.

According to the report, the Greeks consume more fat than any other Balkan people at an increased rate. Specifically, the animal fat calorie percentage that was consumed by the Greeks in 1981 was at 32.7% of the total calorie consumption to reach 37% in 1995.

Compared to the rest of Europe, the number of Greeks dying from heart failure and heart diseases is on the increase and this is attributed among others to the increase of the animal fat consumption. Namely, in 100.000 people over the age of 64 correspond 340 deaths from cardiovascular diseases when the EU average is 291. However, compared to the rest of the Balkans Greece is in a better state.

Regarding cancer, the situation is bad for Greece as the Greeks come first in the number of cancer deaths in the Balkans and the picture is worse among the male population.

[05] THE NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE WILL INVEST IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE COMPANIES IN W.EUROPE

The National Bank of Greece through its international banking arm NGBI is setting up a European private equity arm, NBG Private Equity, to invest development capital and back the buyout of small and medium size companies in Britain and the western Europe.

The private equity fund will focus on small and medium size enterprises which constitute a high yield sector in this business.

The fund will be managed from London. Howard Jennings, formerly a partner at Apex Partners and Mark Owen, formerly a director of Granville Private Equity Managers have joined the team which will be further strengthened. Initially, the team will manage Euros 100 million and will look to build its funds under management both organically and with outside fundraising within the next 18 to 24 months. The aim of establishing this operation will be to enable NBG to take advantage of the fast growing market for private equity in Europe.

[06] GAINS OF 1.94% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Impressive gains of 1.94% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today and the main index closed at 4.762,98 points, while the volume of transactions was still small just over 130 billion drachmas.

The purchase interest focused on stocks of small and medium capitalization and as a result the secondary indexes showed impressive increases.

Of the stocks trading today, 329 recorded gains, 11 had losses and 24 remained unchanged.

[07] PREMIER: GREECE HAS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN BALKANS

Prime Minister Costas Simitis outlined Greece's active role in the Balkan region, especially Kosovo, during a press interview on foreign policy given in Athens this afternoon.

Mr. Simitis stated that the country's role in Kosovo was justified, stressing that Greece's foreign policy emanates from the respect of borders and territorial integrity of all countries and aims at the unwavering defense of its sovereign rights.

"Greece worked hard for peace in Kosovo," Mr. Simitis stated, "Mr. Papandreou (Foreign Minister) traveled to all the Balkan capitals in order to achieve a solution.

"As such, we illustrate our role and thus balance the any given geo-strategic advantage another holds," he stated.

Moreover, the Premier stated that Greece supports the prospects of European Union accession of Balkan countries and pointed out that the country's effect on Bulgaria, Romania and Albania does not stem from the older policies of strategic power but, instead, is based on Greece's membership in the EU, its imminent accession to the Economic and Monetary Union and to its contribution to the economic reconstruction of Southeastern Europe.

Lastly, the Premier stated that Greece has provided $600 million for the Stability Pact and added that Athens welcomes the plan to reconstruct the second bridge at the Danube River, which, he stated, will also serve Greek transports to central Europe.

A.F.

[08] SIMITIS: WE GAVE A VOICE AND PRESTIGE TO GREECE

Prime minister Kostas Simitis in a press conference he gave in the Zappion Building in Athens today on foreign policy issues made a review of the governmental work in the sector of the foreign policy and presented the 10 targets set by the governing socialist party of PASOK for the next four-years.

1. The strengthening of the position and the role of Greece in the European Union.

2. The normalization of the Greek-Turkish relations. Greece does not claim anything neither gives away anything.

3. The promotion of Cyprus' EU accession as soon as possible.

4. The strengthening of Greece's regional role in the Balkans and its stabilizing role in south-eastern Europe.

5. The expansion of the role and presence of Greece in international organizations and institutions starting with the 2004 Olympic Games.

6. The strengthening of the ties with the Greeks living abroad.

7. The strengthening of the country's defense capability.

8. The promotion of the economic and cultural diplomacy.

9. The exploitation of the society of citizens and the activation of humanitarian organizations.

10. The modernization of foreign policy institutions, with more capabilities and funds by the foreign ministry, for a more effective operation.

Responding to a question by a reporter on the Greek-Turkish relations he responded that things will not change in one day, while he also said that there is room for the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements in other sectors as well and underlined that Greece can only benefit if Turkey follows the European prospect respecting the international law and treaties. He said that Greece recognizes only one bilateral difference which concerns the Aegean continental shelf and all the rest are Ankara's claims.

Mr. Simitis praised the stance followed by Greece on Kosovo, while on Yugoslavia today he stated that the only solution is to have free and democratic elections. On the scenarios concerning a possible new conflict in Kosovo, he expressed the belief that they will not be confirmed soon.

He accused the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy of keeping a negative stance on foreign policy issues and of being afraid to open up and touch issues it regards as dangerous. He said that New Democracy has not showed that it is a political party that wants the country to undertake international initiatives and criticized it for its positions on the issue of Kosovo, the Clinton visit to Greece and other issues.

[09] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER ON PARTYS ECONOMIC POLICY

The leader of the main opposition party of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis stated that in the event he wins in April 9's parliamentary elections, he does not intend to waste time as he already has an economic plan in the works that will be immediately enforced.

In an interview with the financial daily "Naftemporiki", Mr. Karamanlis spoke of his plans to shuffle the administrations of Greece's National and Commercial banks, with the new board members to be elected by the financial institutions' general assemblies, and not appointed by the minister of national economy. The governor of the Bank of Greece, Lukas Papademos, will remain at his post, Mr. Karamanlis stated.

Moreover, the main opposition leader vowed to proceed with reforms on the Third Community Support Framework, by strengthening control mechanisms, and said that his party will expedite the privatization process.

Among other measures, Mr. Karamanlis stated that foreign workers are to be included in the social security system, aiming at the inflow of GRD 200 billion in revenue.

A.F.

[10] MPA TO BROADCAST DEBATE LIVE ON THE INTERNET

Tomorrow night's debate between Premier Costas Simitis and main opposition leader (New Democracy) Costas Karamanlis is to be broadcast live at 9.p. on the Macedonian Press Agency's Internet server at www.mpa.gr .

The debate, whose rules of order are to be consistent with those of 1996, will be moderated by journalist Nikos Hatzinikolaou, while 12 questions are to be submitted in all by journalists Elli Stai, Manolis Kapsis and Thodoris Rousopoulos.

With the Premier answering first, Messrs. Simitis and Karamanlis will direct their answers to the representatives of the media instead of each other.

The journalists will have a maximum of 30 seconds in which to ask a question, and the two leaders will have to provide an answer within two minutes. A warning signal will be given ten seconds before time runs out, and if either of the speakers exceeds his time limit, the moderator is expected to interrupt them.

The MPA, which was the first Greek medium to enter cyberspace in 1993, will also have a minute-by-minute account on April 9's election day, featuring newscasts and ballot percentages in each district and nationwide.

A.F.

[11] ALBANIAN SOCIALIST PARTY LEADER IN GREECE

Optimistic that the turbulent Kosovo region will eventually be transformed into a full-fledged, multi-ethnic democracy, Albania's Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano attributed the clashes in Motrovica and the Presevo valley to extremist groups active in the regions, characterizing these isolated episodes as "emotional reactions".

In an interview with Athens radio station "Flash", Mr. Nato stated that Kosovo is no longer in war and added that the area has been freed from (Yugoslav President) Milosevic's rule. Moreover, the former premier added that the region's ethnic Albanians are cooperating closely with international organizations that aim at the establishment of stability.

Concerning Greek-Albanian relations, Mr. Nano stated that "on a long-term range, Greece and Albania are destined to live together and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Lastly, referred to the influx of Albanians who smuggle into Greece and stated that he is confident the Greek state will take additional measures after the elections to curb the flow of illegal immigrants.

A.F.

[12] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER SPEAKS TO MPA

In an interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, the Minister of Macedonia-ThraceYiannis Magriotis, who is also running on the ruling PASOK party's ballot in Thessaloniki's First District, expressed his confidence that the city's residents will provide PASOK with a wide and clear victory during the parliamentary elections of April 9.

Mr. Magriotis referred extensively to Thessaloniki, stating that a bright future awaits the northern port city, while he blasted the main opposition party of New Democracy, accusing it of verbose-yet-unsupported promises.

Specifically, the Minister stated that Greece is entering a period of economic and social growth, strengthening its position in the international arena.

"An innovative program of development projects and infrastructures is being enforced throughout the country, set to change the image of prefectures and regions," Mr. Magriotis stated, stressing that Thessaloniki plays a leading role by utilizing its geopolitical position and emerging as an international and European economic center, for example through the operation of the Balkan cooperation and stability institutions, such as the Organization for Balkan Reconstruction, through the development of economic and business collaboration, the operation of the Council of Greeks Abroad.

The Minister stated that projects in Northern Greece, such as the Egnatia Route, the renovation of the city's port and airport and the creation of the city's metro, all serve the region's growth prospects.

Lastly, Mr. Magriotis stated that his participation in politics was a result of his desire to serve his city and his country.

"These reasons still stand," he said, adding "regardless of the position I may hold after the elections, I will continue to fight for the same principles, for a modern Greece, with Thessaloniki the capital of the new era."

A.F.

[13] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION ON TOURISM

A plan for the attraction of tourists from the United States and the Far East is being promoted by Greek and Turkish businessmen active in the tourist sector. According to statements made by Turkish Tourist Investors Association chairman Tavit Kioletavitoglu to the newspaper "Milliyet" it has been decided that the big tourist trips to eastern Mediterranean will include one- week stays in Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Kioletavitoglu also stated that the association has formed a four-member work group with the Greek Tourist Business Association to consider the capabilities for a Greek-Turkish cooperation in the specific sector. The issues up for discussion have already been determined and the group will meet in the Turkish city of Bodrum at the Aegean coast in the following days. According to Mr. Kioletavitoglu, the Thessaloniki based Black Sea Trade and Development Bank is ready to finance the joint programs.

[14] TURKISH JOURNALIST IMPRESSED BY GREEK PM

A Turkish journalist accompanying Greek Premier Costas Simitis on his flight to a pre-election campaign rally in Rhodes, marking the first time Turkey's press was invited to attend such an event, came away with the best impression of the state leader, characterizing him as a "warm, friendly and low-key individual."

Ertugrul Ozkiok, the general director of the Turkish daily "Hurriyet" reported that Mr. Simitis gave very positive messages regarding Greek-Turkish relations.

In a conversation he had with the Greek state leader, Mr. Ozkiok said that Mr. Simitis stressed the Greek people's support of peace with Turkey.

According to the Greek Premier, Greece showed its support for Turkey's European prospects through the decision adopted in Helsinki, while, he added, Turkey declared that it accepts the framework drawn by the European Union and has announced its intent to respect it.

"I want to believe that Turkey will take advantage of these opportunities that were established in Helsinki, since peace and cooperation is to the benefit of both peoples," Mr. Simitis reportedly told Mr. Ozkiok.

Nevertheless, Mr. Simitis added that problems still exist between the two neighbors and referred to the "blacklist" that bars the entry of 56 individuals to Turkey.

"This blacklist is unacceptable," Mr. Simitis stated, adding that it can only exist is countries that are not democratic.

However, "Hurriyet" adds, the Greek Premier expressed his conviction that Turkey will change, albeit slowly.

The Turkish journalist also noted that the Greek Premier traveled with the national air carrier Olympic Airlines, did not fly first class and was not accompanied by a large delegation of party officials.

A.F.

[15] KPN-OTE MAKES FINAL OFFER ÏF $600 M.FOR BTC

The Greek-Dutch telecommunications consortium OTE-KPN has presented its final offer of $600 million - in cash - for the 51 percent acquisition of Bulgaria's BTC and the second GSM license.

Stated as the "final proposal", the said offer represents a $90 million increase of the bid price.

OTE's chief executive officer George Symeonides stated that "we are sure that our final offer brings a lot of benefits to the Bulgarian government and the country and we want to state one more time our firm commitment to fulfilling all our engagements to BTC, to dramatically improving services at the same time."

KPN board member Martin Pieters stated that "we consider our new offer an important part of the final phase of the transaction and really hope that it will bring the deal to a fast and successful conclusion", adding that I really hope that our Bulgarian counterpart realizes the big improvement presented in the final offer."

In a letter to the Bulgarian government, OTE-KPN calls for a clear reply to its offer, as soon as possible, leaving no room for doubt. Bulgarian Premier Ivan Kostov met with Messrs. Symeonides and Pieters earlier this month, with both sides agreeing that they entered the final phase of the transaction.

OTE and KPN established the consortium more than a year ago, being the sole bidder for a 51 percent stake of BTC and the second GSM operator in the country. The Consortium signed a preliminary agreement with Bulgaria last June, calling for the acquisition of both the BTC shares and the GSM operator, at a price of $510 million. The agreement was later re-negotiated after a government reshuffle in December.

A.F.

[16] THE FIRST GREEK WOMAN TO BECOME A MAYOR IN AUSTRALIA

The formal ceremony for the election of Ms. Stella Kariofillidis to the post of the mayor of Morland in Melbourne, Australia and the taking over of her duties as the first Greek woman mayor in the country was held in the Moreland City Hall last Sunday.

The Greeks in Morland constitute the second largest community after the Italians in a municipality where over 142 different languages are being spoken.

Ms. Kariofillidis was born in the city of Veria in northern Greece and followed her parents to Australia at a very young age.

[17] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ATHENS AND WASHINGTON

A protocol of friendship and cooperation between Athens and Washington was signed in the US capital by the mayors of the two cities Dimitris Avramopoulos and Anthony Williams respectively.

The agreement covers a wide spectrum of activities concerning the structure of operation of the municipal authorities, the protection of the environment, the organizing of cultural and sports events and the backing of business initiatives.

Mr. Avramopoulos stressed that Athens and Washington are two great cities in the world scene and considering the new strong role of the cities in the new globalized society it is evident how important, useful and beneficial this cooperation will be.

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