Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] "ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF OLYMPIC GAMES: THE TREASURES OF ANCIENT GREECE"

[02] DOBBINS AIRS VIEWS ON CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] ASLANIDIS: GOOD INDICATIONS FOR A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

[04] THE FIRE STILL RAGES IN THE ISLAND OF SAMOS

[05] MANY GREEKS WILL NOT GO ON SUMMER VACATIONS THIS YEAR

[06] A US SENATOR IN FAVOR OF THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE

[07] SENATOR WANTS UK TO NEGOTIATE RETURN OF MARBLES

[08] OTE-YAHOO APPROACH FINAL AGREEMENT

[09] 140 FIRES ENGULF GREECE

[10] PAPAPETROU: THE TURKISH SIDE MADE NO PROPOSAL TO CLERIDES THROUGH THE

[11] THE GREEKS ARE NOT INFORMED OVER THE EURO

[12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN RUSSIA

[13] US-CANADIAN PAN HELLENIC CONFERENCE SUCCESSFUL

[01] "ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF OLYMPIC GAMES: THE TREASURES OF ANCIENT GREECE" IN SYDNEY

Ancient Greek treasures with a value of over US$ 730 million will be hosted in Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia within the framework of the exhibition "One thousand Years of Olympic Games: Treasures of ancient Greece" that will open on July 19 and will last until November 15.

The exhibition includes 54 objects that are related with the ancient Olympic Games and the track and field sports events. Most of the exhibits are dated back to the 8th and 3rd centuries BC and are marble and bronze statuettes as well as marble and ceramic vessels.

[02] DOBBINS AIRS VIEWS ON CYPRUS ISSUE

James Dobbins, US undersecretary of Foreign Affairs today issued a statement shortly after his meeting with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou during which the recent action taken by Turkey in the region Strovilia was discussed.

The US official stated that his country is currently in contact with both sides and is trying to find a solution to the issue.

As far the issue of Cyprus is concerned, Dobbins expressed the desire of the US to see both sides offering specific solutions to the problem. Although there is bound to be a huge gap between these potential solutions, the US undersecretary maintained that it is only once possible solutions are offered that efforts can then be made to bridge differences between the two.

[03] ASLANIDIS: GOOD INDICATIONS FOR A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

The view that Turkey's EU accession can give a solution to the Cyprus problem was expressed by World Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE Europe president Angelos Aslanidis in an interview with MPA.

Mr. Aslanidis said that many efforts are being made by the Greek side for the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that if the EU demands are met and the Turks cooperate the problem will be resolved. He also said that the Greeks abroad have contributed greatly to the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem as well as to other issues of national interest especially in the relations with Turkey.

The SAE Europe president referred to the issue of the joint business activities in the Balkans and the Black Sea countries, stressing that this is one of the targets set. He also stated that he has made a proposal for the establishment of a partnership bank by Greeks living abroad.

Mr. Aslanidis stated that among the priorities of SAE Europe is to establish associations of Greeks and to make efforts to persuade those living in the Black Sea not to abandon their homes, as they will be able to move freely to and from Greece and Cyprus.

He said that the efforts for the solution of the problems of the people from Pontos, who have moved to Cyprus and the Greek immigrants in western Europe continue, stressing that big steps have been made toward this direction.

Referring to the involvement of the Greeks living abroad to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Mr. Aslanidis said that the Greeks of the diaspora, who will come to Greece to work in the Olympiad as volunteers, are estimated to be about 60.000 people.

[04] THE FIRE STILL RAGES IN THE ISLAND OF SAMOS

The fire that has destroyed thousands of hectars of forest land and 30 houses in the Aegean island of Samos continues to burn out of control for a third day. It has four long fronts and two villages are being threatened by the flames.

The fire fighters are trying to put the blaze under control but their work is being hampered by the lack of water and the strong winds.

[05] MANY GREEKS WILL NOT GO ON SUMMER VACATIONS THIS YEAR

Four out of 10 Greeks will not go on summer vacations this year mainly due to financial, business or family reasons.

However, of the 56.1% of those who will go on vacation most prefer the period of August 1-15, according to a weekly opinion poll conducted by "Focus" polling company on behalf of Athens radio station "Alpha News 98.7".

The average vacation time is two weeks, while 4week vacations will have only 15% of the people. According to the research, a significant percentage of those who will travel, namely 30.8%, state that they are satisfied a little or not at all with their choice as they will not go where they would like to go due to financial reasons or because of family and friends.

[06] A US SENATOR IN FAVOR OF THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE

Britain is called to negotiate with Greece the return of the Parthenon Marbles before the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, according to Republican US Senator Peter Fitzerald.

The US Senator underlined that the Parthenon was adopted as a symbol of democracy by the founders of America and represented the principles they wanted to incorporate into the operation of the state.

[07] SENATOR WANTS UK TO NEGOTIATE RETURN OF MARBLES

Republican senator Peter Fitzgerald has invited Britain to negotiate the return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece before the 2004 Olympic Games are held, according to the amendment he presented to the US Senate.

Included in the senator's amendments is the statement that the Parthenon was adopted as a symbol of democracy by the founders of America and represents the principles that these founders wanted the functioning of their country to embody.

[08] OTE-YAHOO APPROACH FINAL AGREEMENT

The agreement between the Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and the Internet search engine Yahoo seems to be reaching its final stages.

A Yahoo delegation is expected to arrive in Athens next week to discuss the concluding details of the agreement, which deals with OTE's purchase of legal rights of a certain section within the Yahoo network.

The OTE Internet department will start setting up its new network field if both sides come to an agreement. Mr Manasis, the company's president, pointed out that that "all telecommunications organisations are progressing gradually, to incorporate Internet technology."

[09] 140 FIRES ENGULF GREECE

There were 141 fully fledged fires in Greece last night according to the country's fire brigade service, bringing the total number of acres burnt during the month of July to 15,000.

This figure is three times higher than was measured during the same period of time last year.

Over 500 acres of forest land and 3,000 olive trees have been burnt to ashes in Messinia, where fires continue to rage for the third day running, threatening the lives of inhabitants in nearby villages.

[10] PAPAPETROU: THE TURKISH SIDE MADE NO PROPOSAL TO CLERIDES THROUGH THE UN

The Cypriot government through its spokesman Michalis Papapetrou clarified today that the United Nations did not deliver any proposal by the Turkish side to Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides.

In statements he made in Geneva on the occasion of mass media reports according to which, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash submitted proposals to the UN, Mr. Papapetrou clarified that in the meetings with UN secretary-general special adviser Alvaro de Soto were discussed the four basic aspects of the Cyprus problem as it is determined by the UN secretary-general.

[11] THE GREEKS ARE NOT INFORMED OVER THE EURO

Based on the latest figures given to publicity by the Eurobarometer yesterday, 81.5% of the Greeks, the biggest percentage in the European Union, stated that they are a little or not at all informed over the Euro, while only 17.8% responded that they are very well or well informed regarding the single European currency.

Best informed are the Dutch (73%), the people of Luxembourg (69%) and the Finns (63.7%).

[12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS CONTINUES HIS CONTACTS IN RUSSIA

Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos continues his formal visit to Russia. Yesterday, he had a meeting in Moscow with Russian president Vladimir Putin and it was established that bilateral relations are good, as well as the prospects opened for the two countries.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that there was agreement between the two countries on issues such as, peace and stability in south-eastern Europe, Cyprus, and shipping in eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

It was also established that Greece and Russia share the same views on issues concerning terrorism and Russia's relations with Europe and NATO.

[13] US-CANADIAN PAN HELLENIC CONFERENCE SUCCESSFUL

The 54th Pan Macedonian Union conference is successfully continuing in New York, bringing together representatives from all over America and Canada.

Greek representatives currently attending the conference are professor Dimitrios Pandermalis, attending on behalf of the General Secretary of Hellenic Emigrants and Panayiotis Skandalakis, New Democracy MP, attending on behalf of the Greek parliament's Hellenic Emigrants Committee, of which he is vice-president.

Dimitris Platis and Vasilis Filippou, General Consuls of Greece and Cyprus respectively, both spoke at the event, as did the president of the Pan Macedonian Union, Dr Serapheim Papayiannis.

Messages were also sent to the conference by Bill Clinton, US president, Apostolos Kaklamanis, president of the Greek Parliament, Archibishop Dimitrios of America and Alexandros Filon, Greek ambassador to the US, amongst others.

Also present at the formal dinner held at the start of the gathering was Peter Valon, president of New York's Town Council.

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