Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-11-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] THESSALONIKI HOSTS GREEK-CANADIAN CONFERENCE

[02] PM IN THESSALONIKI FRIDAY FOR HEALTH CONFERENCE

[03] THE POPE IS LIKELY TO VISIT GREECE

[04] PAPADIMOS: THE INFLATION RISE IS COINCIDENTAL

[05] ATHANASAKIS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE

[06] THE LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[07] PAPANDREOU: THE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING-MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BASED

[08] INFLATION IS A PROBLEM FOR THE GOVERNMENT

[09] PREMIER SIMITIS CONDUCTS WORKING VISIT TO ROME

[10] DIPEK EVENT:ECONOMIC TIES, PROSPECTS IN BALKANS

[11] U.S. CITIZENS IN THESSALONIKI ARE DILIGENT VOTERS

[12] COMMERCIAL BANK OF GREECE INTERESTED IN BIOCHIM

[13] CYPRUS PLACED AT TOP OF EU ENTRY CANDIDATES LIST

[14] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ADOPTED A TEXT ON THE EU-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP

[15] NANA MOUSKOURI CONCERT IN LONDON FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON

[16] DEAD MAN POSTHUMOUSLY ELECTED SENATOR IN U.S.

[17] FIRST LADY CLINTON WINS SENATE SEAT IN NEW YORK

[18] CLIFFHANGER ELECTIONS: GORE RETRACTS CONCESSION

[01] THESSALONIKI HOSTS GREEK-CANADIAN CONFERENCE

A conference on the coexistence of different cultures, titled Multiculture: A developing dialogue. The Greek and Canadian example, will begin in Thessaloniki today, under the auspices of Greece' Culture Ministry.

The three-day conference will highlight the issue of coexistence between different cultures in the two countries and will be attended by Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Thessaloniki Deputy Mayor Nikos Makrantonakis and the Canadian Ambassador to Greece David Hatton.

The event is organized by the Canadian embassy and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

A.F.

[02] PM IN THESSALONIKI FRIDAY FOR HEALTH CONFERENCE

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to arrive in Thessaloniki on Friday November 10 in order to address the ruling PASOK party's nationwide conference on Health and Welfare.

In addition to Mr. Simitis, the conference will feature keynote addresses from Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and the secretary of PASOK's Central Committee Costas Skandalides who will outline the state's health and welfare policies. Other issues to be discussed include the planned reforms of the National Health System.

A.F.

[03] THE POPE IS LIKELY TO VISIT GREECE

Ministry of press general secretary Nikos Athanasakis, who is acting government spokesman, stated that Pope John-Paul B', the head of the Roman-Catholic Church, is always welcomed to Greece as a head of state.

According to information, the head of the Roman-Catholic Church wishes to visit Greece in April.

[04] PAPADIMOS: THE INFLATION RISE IS COINCIDENTAL

Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papadimos attributed the inflation rise to the increased oil prices and the weak Euro. In statements he made after the meeting he had with minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou, he stated that the inflation rise is coincidental and partially reversible.

He also underlined that the structural inflation increased in October to 2.7% which proves that the inflationary pressures are spreading in the economy in general.

On the interest rate cuts, he reiterated that their course is predefined and that by the end of the year they must be at the Euro interest rate levels.

[05] ATHANASAKIS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONTINUATION OF ITS COOPERATION WITH THE US

Greek press ministry general secretary Nikos Athanasakis, stated when he was called to comment on the initial results of the US presidential elections, that first we should wait for the final results.

Specifically, Mr. Athanasakis, who is acting government spokesman, stated that the final results are expected and added that in any case the Greek government is looking forward to the continuation of its cooperation with the United States both on bilateral issues and on issues concerning the wider region.

[06] THE LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

The general price index in the Athens Stock Exchange is moving quickly toward the 3.600 points mark, confirming a technical analysis according to which, the losses will continue before the Athens stock market will start recording gains again.

With the thriller of the vote recount in the US state of Florida that will decide who will be the new US president, the general index recorded losses of 1.35% and dropped to 3.620,27 points. The volume of transactions was very small at 59.1 billion drachmas after yesterday's news according to which, inflation was at 4% in the month of October. Of the stocks trading today, 167 recorded gains, 170 had losses and 44 remained unchanged.

[07] PAPANDREOU: THE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING-MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BASED ON THE PAPOULIAS-YILMAZ MEMORANDUM

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou formally submitted to parliament the text of the agreement for the 17 confidence-building-measures (5 within the framework of NATO and 12 at a bilateral level) that was recently signed in Budapest with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Mr. Papandreou stated that the framework within which the confidence-building-measures are being discussed with Turkey is always based on the Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement. The goal remains the strengthening of the status quo and the consolidation of certain rules of behavior that will assist in the effort to maintain peaceful relations. He said that the procedure concerning the discussion of the confidence-building-measures within the framework of NATO is not new and it is implemented for the past one year and a half.

Greece, said Mr. Papandreou, has reservations toward Turkey and that is why an effort is being made for the differences to be resolved within the framework of NATO, while he characterized as a mistake the impression that NATO adopts Ankara's stance disputing the Greek sovereign rights.

[08] INFLATION IS A PROBLEM FOR THE GOVERNMENT

Inflation, which was 4% in the month of October, is a problem for the economic staff of the Greek government.

Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou met with Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papadimos and discussed the latest developments concerning inflation.

It appears that the new interest rate cuts scheduled to take place at the end of the year will be postponed in fear of the price index. The explosive rise of inflation has also led the workers to call for changes in the income policy.

[09] PREMIER SIMITIS CONDUCTS WORKING VISIT TO ROME

Prime Minister Costas Simitis embarked today on a two-day working visit to Rome, where he will hold talks with his Italian counterpart Giuliano Amato.

Later this afternoon, Mr. Simitis will also meet with Rome Mayor Francesco Rutelli, the center-left coalition's candidate premier.

The Premier, who is accompanied by a delegation of government officials, is expected to return to Athens tomorrow evening.

A.F.

[10] DIPEK EVENT:ECONOMIC TIES, PROSPECTS IN BALKANS

"Economic Ties and Prospects in the Balkan Region" will be the theme of a one-day presentation held tomorrow in Thessaloniki by the Interbalkan and Black Sea Trade Development Center (DIPEK), held within the framework of the Balkan Partnership 2000 conference.

Following the presentation, addresses will be given in regards to investment opportunities in the Balkan region, with speakers such as the representative of the Yugoslav Industry and Commerce Chamber Jadranka Zenic Zeljkovic and the officer of the World Bank's liaison bureau in Greece.

A.F.

[11] U.S. CITIZENS IN THESSALONIKI ARE DILIGENT VOTERS

Approximately one thousand of American registered voters who reside in Thessaloniki cast their vote in the U.S. presidential elections by posting absentee ballots with the city's U.S. consulate.

Having a deadline of November 3, these voters either mailed or dropped off their ballot at their local DHL World Wide Express, a service provided by the US embassy in Athens for free. DHL couriered it to New York's JFK airport, where the ballots entered the US postal system. Collection boxes were available at all DHL service centers in Greece and at the American Citizens Services section at the US embassy in Athens.

Reflecting the high abstention rates in the United States, a mere 20 per cent of the 100,000 U.S. citizens residing in Greece are believed to have voted in these elections.

Seventy percent of Greece's U.S. citizens, the majority of whom are Greek-Americans, reside in Athens, with the remaining dispersed throughout Thessaloniki, the Peloponnese, and the islands of Rhodes, Kos, and Chios.

A.F.

[12] COMMERCIAL BANK OF GREECE INTERESTED IN BIOCHIM

Commercial Bank of Greece has expressed interest in purchasing Bulgaria's Biochim Bank, the neighboring country's fourth largest financial institution that is slated for privatization.

According to press reports, other banks that have expressed interest in Biochim Bank are Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, BNP Paribas, Raiffeisen Zentralbank and Hebrosbank of Bulgaria.

An unsuccessful attempt to sell the bank was made in the summer.

A.F.

[13] CYPRUS PLACED AT TOP OF EU ENTRY CANDIDATES LIST

The European Commission's assessment of candidates for European Union entry is expected to place Cyprus ahead of all other countries in meeting entry requirements when it is ratified by the commission's plenary session today.

The Commission's report is also expected to say that the island's division caused by Turkey's invasion in 1974 and the ongoing occupation of its northern part will not be a barrier to the island's eventual entry into the EU.

The annual progress report will note that Nicosia has made significant progress toward adapting to the acquis communautaire, while areas for improvement include adapting to the EU's banking legislation.

In its report, the Commission judges that the fourth round of UN-mediated "proximity talks" between the President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was a "step forward" in that "it has brought the two sides into what is now a process of substantive dialogue on the four basic points," those of territory, constitution, security and property.

Aside from mentioning the decision taken at the Helsinki summit almost a year ago to not make a solution to the Cyprus issue a precondition for its accession to the EU, the Commission's report will praise President Clerides' invitation to the Turkish-Cypriot side to participate in the team negotiating with the European Union.

A.F.

[14] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ADOPTED A TEXT ON THE EU-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP RELATION THAT SATISFIES THE GREEK POSITIONS

Greek circles characterize as positive the intervention by Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou in the European Commission meeting today that resulted to the approval of a legal text on the steps Turkey must make within the framework of its partnership relation with the European Union. The initial text was presented by EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, responsible for the EU enlargement but certain changes and additions were made after an intervention by Ms. Diamantopoulou.

Specifically, in the preamble of the text were included parts from the Helsinki decisions' document that concern the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue. Also, certain time binding limits were included within which, Turkey has to settle the Greek-Turkish relations by the year 2004.

On the other hand, the binding part of the text, that includes the short-term goals, stresses that Ankara must back the UN secretary-general in his efforts to bring a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

This legal and binding text on the partnership relation between Turkey and the European Union was adopted by the European Commission, while it is the first time that a text is being adopted in which significant changes have been incorporated compared to the initial text that was submitted. In the European Commission meeting a first assessment was also made of the partnership relation between Ankara and the EU after the Helsinki summit when Turkey became a candidate for accession. In this report, it is noted that Turkey does not meet any of the Copenhagen Summit political and economic criteria necessary for the negotiations to get underway. At the same time, it is pointed out that Ankara has to make significant steps toward the respect of human rights and the rights of the minorities, the constitutional consolidation of the freedom of expression, the religious beliefs and the right to associate, the abolition of the death penalty and torture, the revision of the role of the armed forces, while similar steps must be made in other sectors as well.

The legal and binding text approved by the European Commission will be discussed and will be presented for approval in the Foreign Ministers Council meeting on November 20 in which the evaluation report on Turkey will also be discussed.

[15] NANA MOUSKOURI CONCERT IN LONDON FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE

The people in Greece try to preserve their culture in an intensified globalization, while it is very important for a country to preserve its culture as it is part of its history and heritage, stated world-famous Greek singer Nana Mouskouri in an interview with the British newspaper "Evening Standard" on the occasion of her music concert in London yesterday in favor of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

The newspaper also writes that in spite of the fact that Greece's demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles has the backing of distinguished personalities such as, Prince Charles, US president Bill Clinton and London mayor Ken Livingston, the British government continues to rejected it.

Nana Mouskouri, who is UNESCO's ambassador and has served as a Euro-deputy, has given a number of concerts for this purpose in Europe.

[16] DEAD MAN POSTHUMOUSLY ELECTED SENATOR IN U.S.

Missouri's late governor Mel Carnahan, who died in a plane crash in mid-October, was elected posthumously to the state's U.S. Senate seat, the first time a dead candidate has been chosen for the Senate, although American voters have chosen deceased candidates for the House of Representatives in the past.

Governor Carnahan's widow, Jean, has been appointed to fill her husband's seat by the state's acting governor.

Republican incumbent, Sen. John Ashcroft is expected to challenge the result.

A.F.

[17] FIRST LADY CLINTON WINS SENATE SEAT IN NEW YORK

United States First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has made history by winning a seat to represent New York in the Senate, the first time a President's spouse ran for political office.

Ms. Clinton's campaign focused on issues such as employment, health care, education, social security and abortion rights. She beat Republican Representative Rick Lazio.

President Bill Clinton has said that he will help his wife write her acceptance speech.

"I'm the first president in history with a wife in the Senate, and I like it," he said.

A.F.

[18] CLIFFHANGER ELECTIONS: GORE RETRACTS CONCESSION

United States Democratic candidate Vice President Al Gore has retracted his concession of defeat to Republican George Bush as latest estimates in one of the tightest races in decades still await the counting of overseas ballots and the process of absentee ballots in a number of Florida counties.

Meanwhile, Florida state officials and media organizations are presently examining vote count discrepancies, while some estimates put the state vote at this hour within less than 2,000 votes of more than 5 million cast statewide.

Earlier today, U.S. media reported that Bush had won Florida's coveted 25 electoral votes, which were enough to guarantee him victory.

A.F.

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