Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK, TURKISH FORCES TO TAKE PART IN DYNAMIC MIX

[02] GREECE AND ITALY ARE ALBANIA'S MAIN TRADE PARTNERS

[03] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS ON THE "DYNAMIC MIX" EXERCISE

[04] GAINS OF 1.19% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[05] DANIEL TSAVARIA: NOT SPEAKING MODERN GREEK IS DRIVING ME TO DESPAIR

[06] THE GREEK INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO MPA

[07] 4.9% OF THE GREEK GDP IS ALLOCATED FOR DEFENSE SPENDING

[08] ASIA FORUM TO TACKLE SIX ECONOMIC SECTORS

[09] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO VISIT ISRAEL, PALESTINE

[10] AUTO, HI-FI SHOW OPENS IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

[11] SURGEONS REATTACH YOUNG SHEPHERDS PENIS

[12] ABOUT 900 ALBANIANS RECEIVED VISAS FOR SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT IN GREECE

[13] GREEK CULTURE CELEBRATED IN BUCHAREST

[14] PATIENTS ARE BEING TREATED IN SAE'S MEDICAL CENTERS

[01] GREEK, TURKISH FORCES TO TAKE PART IN DYNAMIC MIX

Both Greek and Turkish forces will be participating in NATO's Dynamic Mix military exercise, which begins on May 20 and will involve 15,000 men, 65 ships and 293 aircraft from 12 countries.

The exercise, led by Greece this year, is the first one featuring the participation of both countries and will be held in the southern part of the Aegean and the Ionian Sea.

The countries participating in the exercise are Greece, Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, the United States, Britain, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Portugal and Turkey.

Greece will participate with four frigates, four missile boats, two submarines, two tank carriers, 64 aircraft, the 2nd mechanized infantry division and the 33rd mechanized brigade.

Turkey will have a company of marines (150 men), four jeeps, two trucks, two frigates, two missile boats, two submarines, an oil tanker and a tank carrier. It will also participate with aircraft, 12 of which will arrive at Nea Anchialos on May 19, provided they submit flight plans.

The United States will provide the 2nd marines brigade, numbering 4,645 men, the 24th division, three frigates, two submarines, three landing craft and 62 aircraft.

France will have 550 marines, one frigate, one submarine, two landing craft and six aircraft.

Germany will participate with 1,850 men who will handle four Patriot and three Hawk batteries, as well as seven Roland platoons.

A.F.

[02] GREECE AND ITALY ARE ALBANIA'S MAIN TRADE PARTNERS

The first places among the trade partners of Albania are occupied by Italy, Greece and Germany with 44%, 25% and 6% respectively, according to figures published by the Tirana newspaper "Ekonomia".

In 1999, 83% of the Albanian trade transactions were made with European Union countries. Kosovo is also developing into a significant partner for Albania as according to the newspaper "Ekonomia", the Albanian exports to Kosovo have increased considerably especially in the first months after the crisis when there were no borders and customs' checks.

[03] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS ON THE "DYNAMIC MIX" EXERCISE

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in statements he made from Switzerland where he attends a 13-state summit for the promotion of peace, referred to the flight plans Turkey is obligated to submit for its participation in the "Dynamic Mix" NATO exercise that will take place in southern Aegean.

Greece exercises its sovereign rights on its territory regarding defense, economic growth and cultural development, stated Mr. Papandreou and stressed that the Greek side exercises its rights in accordance with international law and the agreements signed and also in accordance with the Helsinki Summit meeting conclusions that are binding for all the EU candidate states, among them Turkey.

[04] GAINS OF 1.19% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

The positive climate continued today in the Athens Stock Exchange as the gains recorded were 1.19% and the general index was at 4.581,65 points. The volume of transactions was high at 215 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today 305 recorded gains and 19 had losses.

[05] DANIEL TSAVARIA: NOT SPEAKING MODERN GREEK IS DRIVING ME TO DESPAIR

"I feel desperation for not speaking modern Greek and I have decided to learn. I want to make a lot of friends in your country", stated famous author Daniel Tsavaria from Uruguay in an interview with the Thessaloniki newspaper "Angelioforos". Daniel Tsavaria's most recent book "The eye of a Goddess" that refers to ancient Greece has received two prizes in Mexico and Italy.

Tsavaria will visit Greece in May at the invitation of "Opera" publications. Before becoming an author he had worked as a sailor on a Greek ship, toured Italy and completed his philosophy studies when he returned to Latin America.

In 1969, chased by the Colombian authorities for his links with Fidel Castro's movement, boarded an airplane and armed with a pistol forced the pilot to change his course and turn the plane to Cuba. Since then he lives in Havana and teaches ancient Greek, Latin and Classical Archaeology.

[06] THE GREEK INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO MPA

The view that Greece's GDP must increase with a pace of at least 6% annually in order to meet within the timetable set for the true convergence of the Greek economy, was expressed to MPA by Greek Industries Association president Mr. Jason Stratos.

Mr. Stratos reiterated the need for the immediate promotion of structural changes giving a special emphasis to the abolition of state monopolies. He said characteristically that the state can not play the role of a businessman because a business has risks and if the state losses the cost will be paid by all Greeks.

Commenting on the unfavorable speculations over a further weakening of the Euro because of Greece's accession into the EMU, Mr. Stratos pointed out that such statements should not be taken seriously.

When asked to comment on the doubts expressed regarding the survival potential of the Greek businesses in the intensively competitive environment of the post-EMU era, Mr. Stratos stated that their level of competitiveness is good, while the EMU accession will benefit them by eliminating the foreign exchange risk and securing low interest rates.

[07] 4.9% OF THE GREEK GDP IS ALLOCATED FOR DEFENSE SPENDING

Greece's defense spending corresponds to 4.9% of the GDP giving it the leading place among the EU countries, while it occupies the second place among the NATO countries after Turkey which spends 5.7% of its GDP for its defense.

Of the overall Greek Armed Forces' budget, 61.4% is spent on the needs of its personnel, both civilian and military. In plain words for every 10 drachmas spent only 3.86 go to military material, infrastructure projects and other expenses that concern the armed forces' operation and 6.14 drachmas cover the personnel expenses.

The figures mentioned above are included in the lists with the defense spending of the NATO member-states published by the Atlantic alliance's "NATO Review" and republished by the Athens newspaper "Imerisia".

[08] ASIA FORUM TO TACKLE SIX ECONOMIC SECTORS

At the onstart of the new millennium, Asia Forum aims at bridging the gaps between the Asian markets and those of the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, Balkans, Black Sea and the Middle East.

Held in Thessaloniki between May 23-28, Asia Forum's second phase will include six workshops that will concern the sectors of banking-sock markets, commerce-export promotion, tourism, telecommunications, transportation and marine.

Moreover, the event will include an exhibition of industrial, agricultural and technological products, we well as an exhibition of banking and investment firms.

A.F.

[09] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO VISIT ISRAEL, PALESTINE

The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos is to conduct an official visit to Israel and Palestine between May 14-18.

The President will meet with Israel political and state leadership, while he will also hold talks with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

A.F.

[10] AUTO, HI-FI SHOW OPENS IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

Over 100 cars, racing cars, antiques, luxury cars and sports cars, as well as Demo cars, are participating in this year's three-day Car and Moto Accessories and Hi-Fi Show 2000 which begins today at the installations of the Thessaloniki International Fair.

According to a press release, a series of events will be held such as driving displays, baby cross and displays by antique cars.

Eight car representatives will present their latest models on the premises, 15 companies will display motorcycles and accessories, 16 tires and wheel parts and 30 others preservatives, spare parts and driving accessories.

A.F.

[11] SURGEONS REATTACH YOUNG SHEPHERDS PENIS

Thessaloniki surgeons have successfully reattached a 13-year-old's penis that was torn off in a freak machinery accident on Wednesday.

The young shepherd, whose name has not been disclosed, was grazing his family's flock of sheep when he stood too close to machinery located at a sewage treatment plant outside his village in Halkidiki.

According to his statement, his shoelace became entangled in the machinery before he felt an excruciating pain in his groin area. Despite the massive hemorrhaging, the young boy walked back to his village clutching his detached penis inside a bag of fertilizer.

Hospital officials have stated that, while the penis has been successfully reattached, tests over the next few days will show whether the organs functions will fully recover.

A.F.

[12] ABOUT 900 ALBANIANS RECEIVED VISAS FOR SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT IN GREECE

About 900 Albanians have received seasonal employment visas and have already left for Greece within the framework of an agreement reached between the two countries which was put into effect two weeks ago, according to information by the Greek embassy published by the Albanian press.

The newspaper "Sekuli", citing Greek embassy sources, mentions that the number of Albanians that will undertake seasonal jobs in Greece will be determined each year after talks between the two sides.

[13] GREEK CULTURE CELEBRATED IN BUCHAREST

In honor of the 10-year anniversary since the founding of the Greeks in Romania Association, a series of events is presently being held in Bucharest, including symposiums and book presentations.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Greece's Ambassador to Romania Stylianos Malliakouris, and a score of Romanian officials.

The events will include a symposium on "The Greek language - the Language of International culture".

A.F.

[14] PATIENTS ARE BEING TREATED IN SAE'S MEDICAL CENTERS

World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, Andrew Athens, stated that about 20.000 visits of patients were recorded in the month of March in the Medical Centers operated by SAE in the former soviet republics of Georgia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.

SAE's three medical centers are in Tblisi, Tsalka and Cicikisvari all in regions of Georgia with Greek population. In Ukraine, SAE has founded a network of 25 nurses that serve 25 villages from their basis in Mariupoli. A new medical center is expected to open in the next 6 months.

In Georgia, 10.718 patients have visited the medical centers and the two mobile medical units in isolated villages. In Ukraine, the nurses' network served 9.030 patients.

The figures concerning the patients' visits have been provided by Counterpart International an experienced, non profit, non governmental organization based in Washington that has been appointed by SAE to monitor the management of the medical centers.

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