Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-09-13

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK FM IN NY, MEETS WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE

[02] SIMITIS: THE GREEK ECONOMY IS STRONG

[03] TURKEYS ARMED FORCES CHIEF IN THESSALONIKI

[04] WORLD CONFERENCE ON FUR ANIMAL BREEDING IN KASTORIA

[05] REPPAS ON THE CANCELLATION OF MR. PANGALOS' TRIP TO SYDNEY

[06] FORMAL CEREMONY FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE HOLY CROSS IN ATHENS

[07] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE KOFI ANNAN STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS

[08] LOSSES OF 1.00% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] IMPORTANT MACEDONIAN TOMBS WERE DISCOVERED IN THESSALY

[10] WOMEN ARTISTS FROM THE TWO SEAS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI

[11] OIL PRICES SOARING, ECONOMIC CRISIS LOOMING

[12] PART OF COSMOTE WILL BE SOLD TO PRIVATE INVESTORS

[13] GREEK FM MEETS WITH FYROM COUNTERPART

[14] CYPRUS IRKED BY ANNAN STATEMENT

[15] GREECE RANKS 34TH IN A WEF REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH RATES

[16] CONGRESSWOMAN SEES CASTRO, DENKTASH PARALLELS

[01] GREEK FM IN NY, MEETS WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, presently in New York, to address the United Nations General Assembly, met with the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright yesterday, whom he briefed on his recent Balkan tour.

Following their talks, Mr. Papandroeu stressed that the first and foremost of priorities are the UN-led Cyprus proximity talks that began yesterday in New York.

"Greece believes that we should enter into substantive negotiations on the problem, an issue I had the opportunity to stress to my counterparts of the European Union during our meeting this morning, and of course, to Mrs. Albright, to whom I stressed the need for every effort, during the fourth round, to make the talks substantive," Mr. Papandreou said, adding that "I must say that everyone has the best intentions and especially the US to do whatever they can for the two sides to enter into substantive talks."

Regarding his Balkan tour, Mr. Papandreou said "I had the opportunity to brief both the "15" (EU ministers) and Mrs. Albright on my trip to the Balkans (Skopje, Belgrade, Pristina, Podgorica). A trip, which I believe, was especially successful, promoting thoughts on overcoming the impasse and at the same time giving the message for the need of stability and democracy in the region."

While Mr. Papandreou is expected to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem on Friday, a joint Greek-Turkish delegation is to meet on Saturday in order to review the up-to-date course of bilateral relations and discuss the Confidence-Building-Measures between the two neighbors.

During his stay in New York, Mr. Papandreou will also met with his Balkan counterparts and will address the United Nations tomorrow.

A.F.

[02] SIMITIS: THE GREEK ECONOMY IS STRONG

Prime minister Kostas Simitis met today with president of the republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and briefed him on the course of domestic and foreign issues. Mr. Simitis referred specifically to the outcome of his contacts in New York during the UN millennium conference.

The prime minister stated that the situation created as a result of the increase in the petrol and US dollar prices is difficult but the Greek economy is strong. He also said that the situation must normalize as quickly as possible because it can become even harder. Mr. Simitis stated that the course of the economy is good and the government's intention is to make Greece an even stronger country.

On the UN summit, the prime minister stressed that it confirmed Greece's important role for peace and cooperation in the Balkan region.

[03] TURKEYS ARMED FORCES CHIEF IN THESSALONIKI

Turkish Armed Forces Chief General Hussein Kivrikoglu, who was among the 19 NATO military chiefs attending the Athens-held Military Committee's 139th session, is presently in Thessaloniki where he will visit Kemal Ataturk's home and will also meet with the city's Turkish consul-general.

On a slightly different itinerary, Gen. Kivrikoblu's 18 counterparts will visit Vergina's archaeological sites and Mount Athos today, prior to departing for Istanbul where the second part of NATO's session will be held.

During their session in Athens, the chiefs reviewed the Alliance's command structure, exchanged views on the current Balkan situation and were briefed about the current situation and future development of the Greek and Turkish armed forces. They also discussed the creation of a second southeastern European rapid reaction force.

The convention began in an Athens resort on Sunday and will continue in Istanbul until Saturday.

All 19 NATO member-states participated via their National Defense General Staff Chiefs, while the Supreme Alliance Commander Europe and the Supreme Alliance Commander Atlantic represented the high command of the Alliance.

A.F.

[04] WORLD CONFERENCE ON FUR ANIMAL BREEDING IN KASTORIA

The proceedings of the 7th World Conference on Fur Animal Breeding opened in Kastoria, north-western Greece, this morning. The conference, that will last until Friday, will be attended by 200 delegates from 30 countries.

It is organized by the International Fur Animal Scientific Association (IFASA) and is a big event not only for the city of Kastoria but for the whole country, stated Kastoria prefect Giorgos Kapahtsis.

In the conference will be presented over 120 scientific announcements and research results conducted in universities and research centers in Canada, Russia, Japan, China and other parts of the world.

[05] REPPAS ON THE CANCELLATION OF MR. PANGALOS' TRIP TO SYDNEY

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas referred to the issue of the cancellation of culture minister Theodoros Pangalos' trip to Sydney, Australia.

According to information, Mr. Pangalos appears to be annoyed by the big wages received by the senior officials of the "Athens 2004" organization, responsible for the preparations and the overall organizing of the 2004 Olympic Games.

Mr. Reppas stressed that Mr. Pangalos contacted the prime minister and stated the reasons that led him to this decision, adding that the prime minister agreed with the culture minister. He also stated that the leadership of "Athens 2004" enjoys the total confidence of the government.

[06] FORMAL CEREMONY FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE HOLY CROSS IN ATHENS

A formal ceremony for the reception of the Holy Cross that came from Jerusalem was held at the Athens Cathedral this afternoon. The sacred relic will be displayed for the public until September 25, while the collection of signatures against the new state-issued identity cards which do not list the religion of the bearer will start by the Church of Greece tomorrow.

The Metropolites of Theva and Zakynthos expressed their opposition to the association of the Holy Cross with the collection of signatures.

Referring to the issue, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that everybody are free to express their views and each one is responsible for his or her choices, adding that the end does not justify the means.

[07] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE KOFI ANNAN STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, called to comment on the UN secretary-general Kofi Annan statements on Cyprus, said that the priority is to open meaningful negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem, stressing that in this front everybody will be judged

Mr. Reppas responded, when he was asked what is the Greek government's position regarding the Annan statements, that the position of the Greek government is reflected by the positions promoted by the Cypriot government.

The UN secretary-general, in a statement read to Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash by UN secretary-general special envoy on Cyprus Mr. Alvaro de Soto, who had separate meetings today with the two men, points out that the equal status of the two sides in Cyprus must be clearly recognized.

He also added that Mr. Annan has reached the conclusion during the course of the proximity talks that both parties share the wish to achieve a comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus problem, stressing that Mr. Annan is willing to assume a more active role in the present phase of the proximity talks aimed at promoting the procedure acting within the framework of UN resolution 1250.

[08] LOSSES OF 1.00% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Stabilizing tendencies dominated in the Athens Stock Exchange today after the extreme behavior displayed lately by the Greek stock market moving between skyrocketing gains and violent corrections.

Losses of 1.00% were recorded today and the general index dropped to 3.990,72 points, while the volume of transactions was smaller compared to previous sessions at 96.7 billion drachmas. Of the stocks trading today 153 recorded gains, 184 had losses and 38 remained unchanged.

[09] IMPORTANT MACEDONIAN TOMBS WERE DISCOVERED IN THESSALY

Important archaeological findings were unearthed in the excavations taking place in the region of Gomfi near Trikala, in Thessaly central Greece, among them two ancient Macedonian tombs with findings dated back to the 3rd and 4th centuries BC.

According to the Athens newspaper "Ethnos", the first tomb was discovered on September 6 and it was pillaged, while a few days later the second tomb was unearth and this one was untouched by grave robbers.

Inside the second tomb archaeologists found two box-shaped urns with the bones of two men as well as, a metal statuette depicting a dog, a one-meter long sword and its case and a instrument called stregida that was used by athletes in antiquity.

According to the archaeologists, who are in charge of the excavations, the two tombs are situated at the imaginary perimeter of a main tomb where a senior officer of the Macedonian army is thought to be buried.

The cemetery is dated back to the 3rd century BC when the Macedons occupied Gomfi and renamed the city to Filippoupolis after King Philippos, the father of Alexander the Great.

[10] WOMEN ARTISTS FROM THE TWO SEAS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI

Over 500 women artists from 30 countries will participate in the cultural events that will take place in Thessaloniki on September 22-27, within the framework of the 2nd Festival entitled "Women of the Two Seas", which is organized by the UNESCO Center for Women and Peace in the Balkans.

The festival is dedicated this year to the spirit of peace. It is a recognized event that takes place every three years and it is included among UNESCO's most significant events for the celebration of the new millennium.

The goal of the event is to promote the cultural diversity of the two seas namely, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, through the common language of creation.

[11] OIL PRICES SOARING, ECONOMIC CRISIS LOOMING

Soaring oil prices, coupled with the dollar's vertical rise, have brought the European Union on the verge of a looming economic crisis, with repercussions spilling over into the social sector.

With thousands already protesting in Belgium, Spain, Germany and Ireland, Greece will join in the discord on September 29 when truck drivers have scheduled mobilizations.

According to Greek minor party deputy Panayotis Lafazanis (Coalition of the Left and Progress), world fuel prices have increased by 50 percent in the past year, while petroleum companies have been purchasing petrol at a cost increased by 250%.

While Petrol Station Union president Dimitris Makrivelios said that if the government lowered the taxation of petrol, fuel prices would subsequently go down, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stated that Greece already had the lowest tax on petrol compared to other EU member states, and that no cuts would be made.

A.F.

[12] PART OF COSMOTE WILL BE SOLD TO PRIVATE INVESTORS

The management of Cosmote, the mobile phone division of the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, announced at noon today that 15% of the company will be sold to private investors.

Subscription will open in the Athens and London stock markets on October 2-6.

[13] GREEK FM MEETS WITH FYROM COUNTERPART

Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou met with his FYROM counterpart, Alexander Dimitrov, during the UN Millennium Summit, being held in New York.

The two ministers discussed the further development of bilateral relations and for realizing plans aimed at protecting Prespes.

[14] CYPRUS IRKED BY ANNAN STATEMENT

The statement written by UN General Secretary Kofi Annan, which was read out to Mr Klerides and Mr Denktash during the first day of the fourth round of negotiations on the Cyprus issue, aroused the concern of mainly the Cypriot side and led to the meeting of the National Commission of Cyprus, held in the "World of Astoria" hotel in New York.

The Cypriot delegation was irked by two points of the statement issued by the UN General Secretary. Firstly, he expressed confidence that "these talks will be based on the joint desire to reach a settlement through negotiations, in which each participant represents his own side, as political equals, in a total settlement, for a new cooperation, on which a better future will be based, with peace, security and prosperity on a united island".

Secondly, Mr Annan went on to say that he has "concluded that the equal regimes of both sides must reach a joint solution which will take the negotiation results into consideration".

[15] GREECE RANKS 34TH IN A WEF REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH RATES

Greece was upgraded in the economic research and analysis institute World Economic Forum annual list of countries that are expected to achieve the highest economic growth rates in the year 2000.

Specifically, according to the institute's annual report, Greece is listed 34th compared to the 41st place it occupied last year, while Singapore tops the list stealing the first place away from the United States.

Regarding the environmental protection legislation, Greece is graded with -0.558 points and is placed at the 35th place ahead of Poland, Russia, China and Bulgaria, while it trails behind the western European countries.

In the economic creativity list and the technology index, Greece is graded with -0.01 and

-0.04 points respectively. Part of the report is published by the US newspaper "Los Angeles Times".

[16] CONGRESSWOMAN SEES CASTRO, DENKTASH PARALLELS

Cuban President Fidel Castro and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have a lot in common, according to U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (18th district -Florida), who also believes that the situations in Cuba and Cyprus will improve only when these two men withdraw from power.

Addressing an event organized in Astoria, New York, by the Cypriot Federation and the World Coordinating committee for the Cypriot Struggle (PSEKA), Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, who was born and raised in Cuba until she was seven years old, referred to the latest round of proximity talks between the divided island's two sides and said that the Turkish-Cypriot side appears to be making concessions, fueled by Turkey's desire to accede to the European Union.

Regarding the talks, the congresswoman conceded that there is not a lot of room for optimism as long as Mr. Denktash remains intransigent.

A.F.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article