Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-12-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE BANK OF GREECE CUTS INTEREST RATES TO 4.75%

[02] POSITIVE REPORT ON THE GREEK COASTAL SHIPPING BY THE US STATE

[03] THE TRIAL OF ITALIAN MAFIA MAN PRUBENTINO WAS POSTPONED

[04] BAD WEATHER ACROSS GREECE

[05] LOSSES OF 0.13% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[06] YUGOSLAV MINISTER MET WITH A GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY ADVISER

[07] MESSAGE OF UNITY, PEACE AND LOVE FROM NIKEA

[01] THE BANK OF GREECE CUTS INTEREST RATES TO 4.75%

The Bank of Greece proceeded with interest rates cuts of one percentage point today to harmonize the drachma interest rates with the interest rates of the Euro-zone.

After the new big cut, the Bank of Greece and the rest central banks of the Euro-zone countries will have the same intervention interest rate of 4.75% in 2001.

The joint interest rate will change only after a decision by the European Central Bank board of directors that will be made taking under consideration the existing conditions.

[02] POSITIVE REPORT ON THE GREEK COASTAL SHIPPING BY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT

The US State Department in an information bulletin issued for the US consulates mentions that the safety conditions in the Greek coastal shipping have improved.

In the bulletin it is mentioned that the regulations followed by the cruise ships are tougher than those in effect internationally, while it is also mentioned that the ferry-boats have started to implement stricter safety rules for the passengers.

[03] THE TRIAL OF ITALIAN MAFIA MAN PRUBENTINO WAS POSTPONED

The trial of 52yearold Italian Mafia man Francesco Prubentino, who was arrested in Thessaloniki last week, accused of illegal cigarette and weapons trade, drug trafficking and extortion, has been postponed to take place on Friday because there was no interpreter available in court due to the Christmas Holidays.

Prubentino is regarded by the Italian police to be a leading Mafia member in southern Italy and is expected to be extradited to his country. In the past few years he was wanted by the Interpol accused of illegal trade and extortion, while he is also a suspect in the murder of a customs officer in the Italian port of Printizi.

[04] BAD WEATHER ACROSS GREECE

A new wave of bad weather hits Greece characterized by heavy storms and gale force winds. As a result of the latest snowfall there are problems in the road network in northwestern Greece where temperature is very low.

Meanwhile, the ships are not allowed to leave port due to the strong winds in the Aegean Sea.

[05] LOSSES OF 0.13% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Marginal losses of 0.13% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today and the general index was at 3.394,43 points.

A new negative record of 50.62 billion drachmas was recorded in the volume of transactions.

Of the stocks trading today, 105 recorded gains, 188 had losses while the value of 29 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] YUGOSLAV MINISTER MET WITH A GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY ADVISER

Yugoslav minister responsible for the ethnic minorities in Yugoslavia Mr. Rasim Ljajic met in Belgrade yesterday with Greek foreign ministry adviser Charalambos Kontonis and discussed the political developments in Yugoslavia after the Democratic Opposition victory in the Serb elections.

Mr. Ljajic stated that in spite of the fact that the electoral law is imperfect, ethnic minorities now have their own representatives in the Serb parliament and this will contribute to the normalization of the political life and the speeding up of the democratic procedures in Serbia.

In the talks it was also stressed that the election results in Serbia are a big step toward the democratization of the whole country.

[07] MESSAGE OF UNITY, PEACE AND LOVE FROM NIKEA

The heads of the Christian Orthodox Churches, who officiated in the Holy Liturgy for the 2.000 years since the birth of Christ, issued a message of unity, peace and love from the ruins of the historical Byzantine church of St. Sophia in Nikea, Turkey.

The heads of the Christian Orthodox Churches conveyed the message of hope to the Christian Orthodox faithful across the world.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos met with the Patriarch of Estonia at the Phanar in Istanbul and they discussed the problems that arose with the Patriarchate of Moscow.

The Patriarchate of Moscow is opposed to the independence of the Church of Estonia because it wants to be under its authority.

Patriarch Vartholomeos stated that the issue will be discussed soon in the meeting of Ecumenical Patriachate and Patriarchate of Moscow representatives.

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