Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-04-12

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] STATE ANNOUNCES WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES

[02] EU GIVES THUMBS UP TO GREEK-UK POLICE INITIATIVE

[03] CITY DWELLERS FLOCK TO THE COUNTRY FOR EASTER

[04] TSOCHATZOPOULOS IS CONCERNED OVER THE CRISIS IN TURKEY

[05] THE DOCTORS OF THE WORLD OFFERED A NEW LEASE ON LIFE TO A ONE-YEAR-OLD

[06] GAINS WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[07] PAPANTONIOU: THE GREEK ECONOMY IS RESISTING SUCCESSFULLY

[08] PAPANDREOU ON TURKEY'S DECISION TO SUSPEND ITS ARMAMENTS PROGRAMS

[09] FM BRIEFS PREMIER ON LATEST CONTACTS IN TURKEY

[10] COUNCIL OF STATE UPHOLDS PROTESTS TO TVX GOLD

[11] PASOK MOOD "REMINISCENT OF KRAMER VS KRAMER"

[12] MILOSEVIC UNDERGOES MEDICAL TESTS

[13] US SENATORS CALLED FOR THE REOPENING OF THE THEOLOGY SCHOOL IN CHALKI

[14] MILOSEVIC IN PRISON HOSPITAL FOR HEART EPISODE

[15] PIONEER MOTORCYCLE DESIGN BY A GREEK-AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT

[01] STATE ANNOUNCES WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES

The Agriculture Ministry is expected today to announce a set of measures aimed at restricting water consumption, in light of the threat of drought that looms ahead this summer.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis recently chaired a meeting with the ministers of agriculture, Aegean, development, interior and public works, in an effort to assess the extent of the problem and forge a national water policy.

The ministers agreed on the need to form a single agency that would handle water resources, although it has not been specified when this body will begin operating.

The lack of rainfall, coupled with a dwindling water supply, has rendered 2001 as the century's driest year and forecasters warn of prospective water shortages as early as this summer.

Last summer brought Greece its worst fire season in decades. Successive heatwaves and strong winds contributed to blazes which razed up to 370,500 acres of forest - more than 10 times the amount of damage recorded in 1999. At the height of the destruction, the fires killed seven people and destroyed dozens of homes in one week.

Scrambling to avoid a repeat of the damage, the interior ministry has earmarked 10.3 billion drachmas for fire prevention measures at the local government level.

According to a United Nations world climate report released in January, the 1990s were the world's hottest decade in 1,000 years, with the Mediterranean countries being on the front line of global warming.

Italy, Portugal, Spain and southern France are also losing farmland because of dry soil, while Turkey is at odds with neighbors Iraq and Syria over water rights from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Drought is a major cause of migration from North Africa, and one of the reasons European countries are assisting with environmental aid programs.

A.F.

[02] EU GIVES THUMBS UP TO GREEK-UK POLICE INITIATIVE

The European Union's Political Committee has approved a document recommending Best Practice for police forces and other professionals dealing with terrorist shootings and bombings, which in essence sets the EU standards for police response to terrorist activity.

According to Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, the document is the result of a Greek-British initiative prompted by the terrorist assassination of British diplomat Stephen Saunders last year. The new recommendations will be disseminated widely both within the EU and to non-EU countries for use by police forces throughout the world.

The Best Practice guidelines stress the need to preserve evidence in a professional manner, restricting access to the scene by establishing proper cordons, full documentation, and rapid deployment of specialist expertise.

The document also stresses the need to ensure proper handling of the international dimension through close liaison with other countries involved, and includes suggestions for dealing with victims and their families, and liaison with the media.

Brig. Stephen Saunders was gunned down on June 8, 2000 by two masked motorcyclists as he was driving alone on a central avenue in Athens.

The elusive 17 November 17 terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack.

A.F.

[03] CITY DWELLERS FLOCK TO THE COUNTRY FOR EASTER

Traffic police are taking escalated measures to prepare for the mass exodus of urban dwellers flocking to the countryside for their Easter holidays.

The measures will be in force to facilitate the flow of traffic, while main roads will be patrolled for dangerous driving.

Undaunted by forecasts for inclement weather, travelers have already booked to capacity most of the itineraries to the islands. At the same time, the state's Railway Organization (OSE) is planning to use additional trains to cover increased demand.

The police have also intensified its campaign in limiting the sale of fireworks, which are set off after midnight on Easter Sunday, to celebrate the news of Christ's resurrection.

According to police data, eight people have died in Easter fireworks accidents over the past 11 years, while 130 have been severely injured.

A.F.

[04] TSOCHATZOPOULOS IS CONCERNED OVER THE CRISIS IN TURKEY

Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos expressed concern regarding the crisis in Turkey one day after the announcement by Ankara that it suspends many of its armaments programs.

He stated that such crises put security and stability in the region at risk and expressed the wish that the crisis in Turkey will be overcome with the help of the international community.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos also pointed out that Greece became a power of security and stability in the region and this was achieved through its effective economic policy, the successful foreign policy and the deterrent role of its armed forces.

The Greek minister of defense stated that for the past year and a half an effort is being made for the reconstruction of the Greek armed forces aimed at cutting down the number of its troops, limiting operational cost and advancing them technologically.

[05] THE DOCTORS OF THE WORLD OFFERED A NEW LEASE ON LIFE TO A ONE-YEAR-OLD FROM MONTENEGRO

The Doctors of the World in cooperation with the Onasion Cardiology Center in Athens and the Greek foreign ministry gave a new lease on life to one-year-old Bodin Markovic from Montenegro by helping him to overcome a heart problem he had since birth.

It should be noted that the Doctors of the World have brought to Greece over 10 children from foreign countries in the past decade, within the framework of the Hope Chain program, in order to undergo surgery and offered them an opportunity to live a normal life.

[06] GAINS WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +2.35% at 3.159,47 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 149.5 million Euro or 50.9 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 238 recorded gains and 80 had losses, while the value of 53 stocks remained stable.

[07] PAPANTONIOU: THE GREEK ECONOMY IS RESISTING SUCCESSFULLY

The government's economic staff maintains its optimism on the course of the Greek economy and states that the GDP rate will be at 5% even if the growth rate in Europe is under 3% (2.7% according to the OECD).

Greek minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou stated yesterday that the Greek economy resists more successfully compared to the economies of other European countries and any consequence from the negative international developments will be limited.

[08] PAPANDREOU ON TURKEY'S DECISION TO SUSPEND ITS ARMAMENTS PROGRAMS

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou referred to Turkey's decision to cut its defense spending by almost 7 trillion drachmas, in an interview with the Athens newspaper "TA NEA". Mr. Papandreou stated that the decision does not have a unilateral character but it comes as a follow-up to a similar decision that was taken by Greece two weeks ago.

Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece's decision to cut its defense spending made it easier for the Turkish government to take a similar decision. He also said that during his visit to Turkey he referred to the Greek decision presenting it as a contribution to peace and stability in the region.

However, Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece should know more on the aspects and content of the Turkish government decision to suspend the country's 32 armaments programs.

The Greek foreign minister denied once again that during his contacts in Turkey, Athens undertook to play a mediating role in the solution of Turkey's economic problems.

[09] FM BRIEFS PREMIER ON LATEST CONTACTS IN TURKEY

Foreign Minister George Papandreou had a lengthy meeting with Prime Mimister Costas Simitis yesterday, whom he briefed on the latest developments in Turkey, his talks within the European Union and today's Balkan FMs meeting in Skopje.

Following the meeting, Mr. Papandreou briefed journalists on his talks with the Premier while, he also referred to the announcement by Turkey's General Staff on the postponement of certain armaments programs worth six trillion drachmas, saying it contributes to a further detente in bilateral relations as well as to development and stability in the region in general.

Mr. Papandreou stated that Turkey's decision is an "important event" for the Turkish people at a time of great economic hardship and considerable social problems facing the neighboring country.  

He expressed the hope that it "presages further detente", adding that "maybe later there will be a mutual decrease (in armaments) when conditions will permit this." "I hope that our decision to cut back on armaments expenditures contributed to Turkey's recent decision on its own armaments programs," he said.

Messrs. Papandreou and Simitis also discussed Cyprus's accession course to the European Union and the recent signing of the Association and Stabilization Agreement between FYROM and the EU, as well as developments in the Balkans. 

A.F.

[10] COUNCIL OF STATE UPHOLDS PROTESTS TO TVX GOLD

The Council of State, Greece's highest court, has ruled in favor of local residents in northern Greece's Halkidiki peninsula who are opposed to the operation of a gold mine and mill owned by TVX Hellas SA, a subsidiary of the Canadian mining company, TVX Gold Incorporated.

With 20 votes to 7, the Council of State upheld the residents' challenges to the Olympias project, which is not currently in operation, and voted to overturn all acts of government, inter alia presidential decrees establishing the mining unit, approving environmental specifications and selecting a site for the project.

The Council of State found that the mill's use of cyanide and arsenic for processing gold ore would endanger the environment and the health of residents. Specifically, the court found that the state had not taken sufficiently into account the impact that the processing method would have on the environment.

The court's ruling, which is to be published in May, could have a significant effect on the project, which has been held up since 1996.

The $248-million project aims to develop 254,000 ounces of gold on an annual basis, along with 2.3 million ounces of silver, 21,500 tons of zinc and 22,500 tons of lead over the first five years of production.

A.F.

[11] PASOK MOOD "REMINISCENT OF KRAMER VS KRAMER"

The mood permeating ruling PASOK party circles these days is reminiscent of the 1979 movie drama Kramer vs Kramer, whose underlying theme is that of self involvement, according to Greece' s European Union Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.

In an interview with the Athens daily Eleftherotypia, Ms. Dimantopouou, responsible for Employment and Social Affairs, underlined the need for forming a new era agenda which would serve as the basis for the party's expansion at its next congress.

Concurrently, she noted a fragmentation of proposals, ideas, monologues, personal targets and strategic groups, all of which give the party an image of being thoroughly confused.

I think that self-involvement is the most dangerous thing we are experiencing presently in PASOK and in other parties as well, she said.

A.F.

[12] MILOSEVIC UNDERGOES MEDICAL TESTS

Former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic, who was taken to hospital yesterday suffering from chest pains, undergoes medical tests since this morning. It is not known for how long he will be under medical supervision.

A Serb government representative said that the former Yugoslav president was not taken to hospital because of some serious medical problem. Mr. Milosevic is held in a Belgrade prison for the past two weeks.

[13] US SENATORS CALLED FOR THE REOPENING OF THE THEOLOGY SCHOOL IN CHALKI

US Senators issued an appeal to the Turkish authorities calling for the reopening of the Theology School in Chalki after meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

Republican Senator Jimmy Duncan stated that he and his colleagues gave an order to the US ambassador to Ankara to make the reopening of the Theology School in Chalki an issue of immediate priority.

The eight US Senators met with the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Fanar accompanied by the US consul general in Istanbul.

[14] MILOSEVIC IN PRISON HOSPITAL FOR HEART EPISODE

Former president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic has suffered a minor heart episode in prison, according to the French news agency AFP.

Quoting unidentified sources from the prison where Mr. Milosevic is incarcerated, AFP reported that the former president is being treated at the prison hospital and was not rushed to Belgrade's military hospital as earlier reports had claimed.

We could say that he underwent a minor cardiac episode.He is being treated in a separate room and is being observed by outside physicians, the source told AFP.

A.F.

[15] PIONEER MOTORCYCLE DESIGN BY A GREEK-AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT

The Dyson Product Award for industrial design, that was accompanied by a big money prize, was won by a motorcycle designed by Dimitris Skoutas, a Greek-Australian student from Melbourne.

The motorcycle named "Skipee", which means kangaroo, has two wheels in the front and one in the back for more safety. It is environmentally friendly as it is made of recyclable material and it is powered by a 48-volt electric engine.

The young student said that he designed a motorcycle that offers safety like the car and at the same time, gives a sense of freedom.

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