Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK FM: EXTREMISTS IN FYROM ARE NOW ISOLATED

[02] FIDEL CASTRO IN ATHENS DURING 2004 OLYMPICS

[03] ABNA TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI OVER FYROM CRISIS

[04] BRITISH MP SUPPORTS MARBLES' RETURN TO ATHENS

[05] THE GOVERNMENT PUTS AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL POLICY

[06] CLARIFICATIONS BY PAPANDREOU ON POWELL'S STANCE CONCERNING CYPRUS

[07] THE 8TH THESSALONIKI FORUM OPENS ON MONDAY IN THE PRESENCE OF SIMITIS

[08] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] MORE TOURISTS ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT CHALKIDIKI THIS YEAR

[10] THE GREEK FM WILL BE IN TURKEY ON APRIL 5-6

[11] FIRST GREEK-LATVIAN MINISTERS CONFERENCE TODAY

[12] SERB JOURNALISTS DAY

[13] THE GREEKS FROM ISTANBUL

[14] THE LONDON TIMES ON THE DISCOVERY OF AN ANCIENT SHIPWRECK

[01] GREEK FM: EXTREMISTS IN FYROM ARE NOW ISOLATED

Foreign Minister George Papandreou underlined Greece's interest in FYROM's efforts to recover from the crisis and stressed the European Union's firm position advocating dialogue and peace, during his visit to Skopje yesterday.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece is open to providing any kind of aid, on a bilateral basis, within the frameworks of NATO and the EU.

The problem is not between two ethnic groups, the problem is the conflict between an ethnically-clean society and a multi-ethnic society," Mr. Papandreou said, while pointing out that in this region, all countries are multi-ethnic.

Our aim is not the establishment of new countries with clean ethnic groups, nor the change of borders. The change of borders will create new problems. The experience of Europe is clear: we must accept the existing borders, we must cooperate with each other and communicate with each other.

He also stressed that the European Union clearly supports the restoration of order, solidarity and respect for the principles of territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, condemnation of violence and terrorism.

During his stay in Skopje, Mr. Papandreou met with FYROM's President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, former president Kiro Gligorov and other political leaders.

A.F.

[02] FIDEL CASTRO IN ATHENS DURING 2004 OLYMPICS

Cuban President Fidel Castro has accepted the invitation to visit Athens during the 2004 Olympic Games, extended by the mayor of the Greek capital Dimitris Avramopoulos, who is presently on a visit to Havana.

During their two-hour talks, Mr. Castro referred to his country's difficult relations with the United States, the consequences of the continuing embargo on Cuba and expressed his admiration for the Greek civilization's contribution to the world.

Mr. Avramopoulos and Havana Mayor Conrado Martinez Corona signed a cooperation protocol between the two capitals. The Athens mayor was also honored with the Golden Key to the Cuban capital.

After Cuba, Avramopoulos visited Panama where he met the country's President Mirella Moskoso.

The Athens Mayor will depart for New York today where he will have talks with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and representatives of the Greek community.  

A.F.

[03] ABNA TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI OVER FYROM CRISIS

The Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) will hold an extraordinary meeting in Thessaloniki tomorrow, in order to discuss the present situation in southeastern Europe in light of the latest developments in FYROM.

The meeting will feature the participation of the general-directors from the national news agencies of Anadolu (Turkey), ANA (Greece), ATA (Albania), BTA (Bulgaria), MIA (FYROM), ROMPRESS (Romania), Tanjug (Yugoslavia), IHA (Turkey), MOLDPRESS (Moldova) and MPA (Greece).

The discussion, held under the initiative of the Macedonian Press Agency and within the framework of ABNA, will focus on the discovery of initiatives by the region's national news agencies and their contribution to restoring a climate of peace, security and cooperation in southeastern Europe.

Moreover, the participants will review issues pending within the ABNA, such as the operation of its web site, (abna.org), and the formulation of an improved version of the DIAVLOS program, which would provide for a multilateral link among all of the region's national news agencies via the Balkan News Bank.

Presently in operation at the MPA's facilities in Thessaloniki, the Balkan News Bank provides an archive of news, photographs sound and video.

A.F.

[04] BRITISH MP SUPPORTS MARBLES' RETURN TO ATHENS

The Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece, British Labor Party deputy Eddy O'Hara stated during his visit to the Greek Parliament yesterday.

According to Mr. O'Hara, who is the president of the Greek-British Friendship Committee, he closely worked with Greece's then-culture minister Theodoros Pangalos, in order to conclude an agreement for the return of the marbles without changing their ownership status, in light of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The Labor Party deputy stressed that the placement of the Marbles in the Acropolis Museum would be under the auspices of the British government.

At the same time, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is adamant that the ancient friezes belong to the British Museum.

In a recent interview with the Athens daily To Vima, Mr. Blair, who had advocated the friezes' return before being elected as prime minister in 1997, said the artifacts belong to the British Museum, which does not intend to return any part of the collection to Greece.

I know my reply will disappoint many of your readers, Mr. Blair stated, adding that but one should consider the fact that six million people visit the British Museum every year, where they can appreciate the beauty of the Parthenon sculptures and Greece's special contribution to world civilization.

A.F.

[05] THE GOVERNMENT PUTS AN EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL POLICY

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis outlined the fiscal policy that will be followed in the next three years, in statements he made after the governmental committee meeting today.

Mr. Simitis said that the basic priorities of the government are the promotion of social policy by facing the problems in the sectors of employment, health and education, the promotion of the country's development policy and the successful organizing of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. As it was made known, the government's specific plan for the creation of a social solidarity network aimed at dealing with poverty and social isolation will be presented shortly.

The necessary funds estimated at 4 trillion drachmas will be collected through spending cuts and also by postponing part of the armaments program concerning the purchase of the Eurofighter fighter jet.

Mr. Simitis also said that the country's economic prospect is very good and the priorities set will help in its further development as well as in the creation of a fair society offering more opportunities to the Greek citizens to improve their quality of life.

[06] CLARIFICATIONS BY PAPANDREOU ON POWELL'S STANCE CONCERNING CYPRUS

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, responding to a question tabled by governing socialist party of PASOK parliament deputies, attributed the guarded stance adopted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, in the first brief meeting with him, to the procedural practice followed by the US government which did not have the time yet to be fully informed on every aspect of the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Papandreou stated that in the half-hour meeting he had with his US counterpart they discussed a great number of issues and that himself gave a priority to the Cyprus problem, while a reference was made to the Greek-Turkish relations and the developments in the Balkans.

The Greek foreign minister stated that the US backs the efforts of the UN secretary-general and that the American policy on the Cyprus problem remains the same and the only change made is the abolition of the office of the US special envoy to Cyprus due to a general distrust by the new US administration toward this institution and not because its interest in the Cyprus issue has decreased.

Mr. Papandreou underlined that in the meeting with Mr. Powell he reiterated Greece's support to the proximity talks promoted by the UN secretary-general and presented the reasons based on which the creation of a two-zone, two-community federation, in accordance with the UN decisions, is the most suitable solution for Cyprus.

[07] THE 8TH THESSALONIKI FORUM OPENS ON MONDAY IN THE PRESENCE OF SIMITIS AND ZIZIC

The 8th Thessaloniki Forum will open on Monday in the presence of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis and his Yugoslav counterpart Zoran Zizic. In the meeting will be discussed issues concerning the EU course of the southeastern European countries. Also, present in the two-day event will be right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

During the forum, prime minister Simitis will meet with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov to discuss the political developments in southeastern Europe, the Balkan reconstruction and the Greek-Bulgarian political and economic relations.

The forum is organized by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece and the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce.

In the conference has been invited Stability Pact coordinator Bodo Hobach. The meeting will also be attended by the finance ministers of Greece, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Albania and FYROM. Also, present will be senior executives representing international organizations and credit institutions such as, the European Reconstruction Agency in southeastern Europe, the World Bank, EBRD and the Overseas Private Investment Cooperation.

Also, invited to attend are the foreign ministers of Albania, FYROM, Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The US assistant secretary of state James Swiggart, responsible for south-central European affairs, will present the US position regarding the situation in the region, while it is the first time that the US is represented in the forum at such a high level.

[08] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.22% at 3.013,42 points, while the volume of transactions was relatively increased at 279.6 million Euro or 95.3 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 276 recorded losses and 63 had gains, while the value of 32 stocks remained stable.

[09] MORE TOURISTS ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT CHALKIDIKI THIS YEAR

An increase of 10% in tourist arrivals is expected in the two traditional tourist markets to which the region of Chalkidiki in northern Greece has a great appeal namely, the British and the German, according to figures provided by the Association of Chalkidiki Hoteliers, while the predictions on Greece's overall course as a tourist country are ominous.

Chalkidiki anticipates a new increase in tourist arrivals in continuation of the positive course observed last year when the tourist arrivals increase was 2-3%.

Association of Chalkidiki Hotelliers president Makis Athanasopoulos put most of the blame for the stagnation in the Greek tourism on the inadequate tourist promotion and advertisement campaign.

[10] THE GREEK FM WILL BE IN TURKEY ON APRIL 5-6

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will have consultations with the Turkish leadership in Ankara on April 5-6.

The Greek foreign ministry characterizes this trip as very important having as a goal to consolidate the good climate observed lately in bilateral relations.

The fact that the Greek parliament has ratified seven of the nine agreements signed by the two countries and concern customs authorities, sea transportation, tourism, the scientific and technical sector, the economic sector, investment protection and environment, has played an important role in the consolidation of the good climate.

Mr. Papandreou is scheduled to have meetings with Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit, government vice-president Mesut Yilmaz, foreign minister Ismail Cem and National Party president Mr. Bahcelin.

The talks he will have will focus on the course of bilateral relations and Cyprus as well as, on Turkey's European course in relation to the national program it has submitted to the EU.

[11] FIRST GREEK-LATVIAN MINISTERS CONFERENCE TODAY

The first Greek-Latvian conference of ministers will be held in Athens today, where the participants will address bilateral economic issues and discuss future plans for their development.

Greece's Deputy National Economy Minister Yiannis Zafiropoulos will inaugurate the proceedings, while Latvian Economics Minister Aigars Kalvitis will be heading his government's delegation. 

A.F.

[12] SERB JOURNALISTS DAY

A diploma recognizing the contribution of the Greek journalists to the publication of the first Serb newspaper was awarded to Greece's ambassador to Belgrade Michalis Spinelis in a ceremony held at the offices of the Association of Serb Journalists, where a celebration took place on the occasion of the recently established Serb Journalists Day and the 210th anniversary of the Serb press.

The ceremony started with a reading of excerpts from the first Serb newspaper "Srpskia Novini" that was published in Vienna on March 27, 1791 and was printed by the Greeks, Markidis Brothers.

[13] THE GREEKS FROM ISTANBUL

The Swiss newspaper "Basler Zeitung" published a correspondence from Athens under the headline "The Greeks from Istanbul have never forgotten their fatherland" signed by Jan Keetman.

The article writer refers to the meeting he had with Greeks from Istanbul who among others, described the 1955 rioting and the 1965 deportations as the main causes that led them to leave their homes.

According to a representative of the Constantinopolites' Association, only 3.000 Greeks of the 130.000, who lived in Istanbul before 1955, have remained there. It is mentioned that many of them emigrated and one of their main destination was the French-speaking Switzerland, while they still keep their friendship ties with Turks from their old fatherland.

[14] THE LONDON TIMES ON THE DISCOVERY OF AN ANCIENT SHIPWRECK

The accidental discovery of an ancient shipwreck in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea appears to confirm the speculation that the Greek sailors were capable of the epic voyages made by Ulysses and other ancient heroes.

The above are mentioned in a correspondence from Nicosia, Cyprus on the discovery of an ancient shipwreck that was published on the London Times.

As it is mentioned in the report, the discovery of a shipwreck 200 miles away from Cyprus, between the Aegean island of Rhodes and the Egyptian city of Alexandria, overturns the view that ancient sailors avoided the open sea and stayed close to the coasts.

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