Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK RIGHTS CHALLENGED IN TURKISH DOCUMENT

[02] GREECE AT A STANDSTILL FROM TOMORROW'S STRIKE

[03] REPPAS: PARTICIPATION IN THE DIALOGUE IS AN OBLIGATION FOR EVERYBODY

[04] MELANOMA IS MORE FREQUENT IN THE LAST YEARS COMPARED TO THE REST CANCER

[05] UNEMPLOYMENT WAS LOWER IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF 2000

[06] ONE IN NINE WOMEN IS AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER IN GREECE AND THE UNITED

[07] A 2% INCREASE IN THE LEATHER SHOE MARKET IN 2001

[08] GREECE WILL BE REPRESENTED IN EUROVISION BY TWO YOUNG GREEKS FROM

[09] THE UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER CONTINUED HIS CONTACTS IN GREECE

[10] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[11] PM RECEIVES UKRAINIAN COUNTERPART YUSHCHENKO

[12] GREECE, TURKEY HOLD CBM TALKS IN BRUSSELS

[13] MESSAGE BY ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS ON THE POPE'S VISIT TO GREECE

[01] GREEK RIGHTS CHALLENGED IN TURKISH DOCUMENT

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos presented the press with a White Paper published by the Turkish Armed Forces, which officially states Turkey's claims against Greece.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos revealed that the said White Paper 2000 contains a special chapter on the Aegean and the Cyprus issue, setting forth Turkey's known views and claims that challenge Greece's sovereign rights.

Taking the opportunity to stress the necessity of the proposed arms expenditures, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos vowed that the country's new armaments program will be realized in spite of views to the contrary.

The Minister defended the armaments program, stating that Greece's aim is to safeguard its integrity and its sovereign rights in the Aegean and impose respect for international law.

The White Paper 2000 chapter in contention refers to the width of territorial waters and the delineation of the continental shelf, airspace problems, primarily the bad use of responsibility concerning the Flight Information Region (FIR).

Moreover, the document challenges the Greek islands' Flight Information Region, by claiming that the arming of islands in the eastern Aegean, is contrary to regulations set out in international agreements, geographical formations, islands, islets and rocky islets not given to Greece with sovereignty agreements in the Aegean and the lack of an agreement defining sea borders in the Aegean between Turkey and Greece".

The White Paper also endorses the proposal by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a confederation in Cyprus and states that the island's accession course to the European Union should be based on that premise.

A.F.

[02] GREECE AT A STANDSTILL FROM TOMORROW'S STRIKE

The country is to come to a standstill tomorrow as everyone, even clerics, is expected to take part in a mass strike held in protest to the social security reforms proposed by the state.

All public utilities will be closed, along with state and private schools, banks, tax offices, ministries and municipal offices, while there will be no public transport all day, including trains. Olympic Airways will carry out only one flight per destination, while all boats will be moored in port from 6 a.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday.

Hospitals will only function with skeleton staff, while a news blackout will cover the country as the media sector will be striking en masse.

In spite of the state's insistent pleas for dialogue, the country's main labor umbrella groups - the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE), representing the private and the broader public sector, and ADEDY, the civil servants' union are adamant in their refusal to enter negotiations.

A.F.

[03] REPPAS: PARTICIPATION IN THE DIALOGUE IS AN OBLIGATION FOR EVERYBODY

The participation in the dialogue is a right and an obligation for everybody and even more so when everybody agrees that interventions are necessary in the social security system, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas., adding that the formal invitation for dialogue will be issued by the government in the following days.

The government spokesman reiterated that the dialogue is the only process that will lead to the best conclusion, adding that other proposals are not ruled out.

When Mr. Reppas was asked to comment on the statements made by Greek General Confederation of Labor president Christos Polizogopoulos according to which, the measures the government attempts to impose have turned the whole of society against the governing socialist party of PASOK, responded that Mr. Polizogopoulos was re-elected recently and defends the interests and positions of our fellow citizens whom he represents, adding that all views are respected.

[04] MELANOMA IS MORE FREQUENT IN THE LAST YEARS COMPARED TO THE REST CANCER TYPES

The melanoma is a malignant neoplasm that can be lethal through its metastases.

It affects both sexes equally but there is a difference when it comes to the age factor. Women are affected more frequently between 40-50 years old, while men are usually affected after the age of 60.

The frequency of melanoma and the deaths caused by it have increase more rapidly in the last years compared to other cancer types.

The most important external factor affecting the appearance of melanoma is sun exposure.

The above will be presented in the 16th Medical Conference in Northern Greece. The intensity of the sun rays, the frequency and the time length of the exposure of an individual to the sun affect the degree of risk. It has been estimated that by the age of 20 an individual receives 80% of the overall sun radiation he or she will receive in a lifetime.

[05] UNEMPLOYMENT WAS LOWER IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF 2000

The unemployment rate was 10.9% in the third trimester of 2000, according to data provided by the National Statistics Agency. The unemployed in Greece are 485.900 and unemployment dropped by 9.2% among men and 4.5% among women compared to the third trimester of 1999.

Also, the number of the long-time unemployed dropped by 7.8% in the third trimester of 2000 compared to the same period in 1999.

[06] ONE IN NINE WOMEN IS AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER IN GREECE AND THE UNITED STATES

Breast cancer is on the rise at a worldwide level in the last decades and as a result one in nine women in the United States, the western European countries and Greece is affected by the disease.

About 2.000-2.500 new cancer cases appeared annually in Greece in the 1981-1990 decade, while in the 1991-2000 decade the new cancer cases were close to 4.000 annually.

However, for unknown reasons the breast cancer frequency among yellow race women (China, Japan) is lower.

Breast cancer corresponds to 25-28% of the cancers affecting women.

The above were presented in a press conference on the occasion of the 1st Conference of the Greek Society for the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer that will be held in Thessaloniki on May 4-5.

[07] A 2% INCREASE IN THE LEATHER SHOE MARKET IN 2001

The domestic market of men's and women's leather shoes will have an average annual increase rate of 2% in the two-year period of 2002-2003, according to official figures. The overall volume of the market is estimated to be increased by 2% in the current year compared to 2000.

A similar increase was recorded in the Greek leather shoe market in the 1999-2000 period, while in the three-year period 1997-1999 the stabilizing tendencies prevailed.

Meanwhile, the imports in the period 1992-2000 doubled and increased to 43.4% in 2000 compared to 21.7% in 1992. Most imports come from Italy, Spain, Germany and France, while most Greek exports go to Cyprus, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria and the African countries.

[08] GREECE WILL BE REPRESENTED IN EUROVISION BY TWO YOUNG GREEKS FROM SWEDEN

Two young Greeks from Gothenburg, Sweden will represent Greece in the music competition of Eurovision that will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 12.

They are 19yeraold Elena Paparizou and 21yearold Nikos Panagiotidis who are friends since childhood and two years ago formed the group "Antique". The group has already become famous in other countries as well.

Their first single in Greece called "Mera me ti mera" (or "Day by Day") became a big hit, while their appearances in the Scandinavian countries, Poland, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany and Canada were very successful.

[09] THE UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER CONTINUED HIS CONTACTS IN GREECE

Ukrainian prime minister Viktor Yushchenko continued his contacts in Athens and met this morning with Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos to discuss the prospects for the further development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Mr. Yushchenko also met with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis. Mr. Karamanlis referred to the friendly relations shared by the two peoples and expressed his support to Ukraine's gradual accession into the European organizations.

In the meeting with the New Democracy leader were discussed issues concerning the European security and regional cooperation as well as issues concerning the Greek community in the Ukraine.

Mr. Karamanlis recognized the important role a large country like Ukraine can play in the international scene and pointed out the need to strengthen more the joint actions of the two countries in the wider Black Sea region.

[10] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.12% at 3.234,58 points, while the volume of transactions was at 146.82 million Euro or 50.03 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 189 recorded gains and 123 had losses, while the value of 63 stocks remained stable.

[11] PM RECEIVES UKRAINIAN COUNTERPART YUSHCHENKO

Prime Minister Costas Simitis received his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko in Athens yesterday, with whom he discussed prospects of strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties.

Following their talks, Mr. Simitis stated that the level of bilateral trade can be further increased, noting that Ukraine's vast market offers a variety of opportunities for Greek firms and exporters. Moreover, he stated that Ukraine's significant steps towards reforming its economy allow for closer ties with the European Union.

In turn, Mr. Yushchenko referred to political ties between his country and Greece which he termed as excellent and expressed his satisfaction over Athens' positive evaluation of his government's significant reform progress.

On the sidelines of the meeting between Messrs. Simitis and Yushchenko, the two countries Athens and Kiev also finalized a joint law enforcement cooperation that outlines efforts to combat organized crime and terrorism.

Greek Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis and Ukrainian Interior Undersecretary Mykola Dzyga signed the pact.

A.F.

[12] GREECE, TURKEY HOLD CBM TALKS IN BRUSSELS

Greece and Turkey's permanent representatives at NATO, Ambassadors Vassilis Kaskarelis and Onur Oymen respectively, held a new round of confidence-building measures (CBMs) in Brussels yesterday, in a meeting chaired by NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson.

While no statements were made, the two ambassadors have agreed to a new round next month.

According to diplomatic sources, yesterday's talks focused on a review and evaluation of the CBMs' course to date.

It is recalled that Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem recently reaffirmed the two countries' determination to forge ahead with the CBM talks.

Previous rounds of CBM talks have already resulted in agreement on mutual briefing by the two sides on matters concerning the time and place of strategic military exercises so as to avert problems arising.

A.F.

[13] MESSAGE BY ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS ON THE POPE'S VISIT TO GREECE

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece issued a message to the Italian public opinion through the monthly Italian-speaking magazine published by the Greek embassy in Rome. The message, which is republished today on the Italian newspaper "La Stampa", was sent on the occasion of the Pope's visit to Greece on May 4-5.

Archbishop Christodoulos points out that the Pope's visit to Greece has an autonomous momentum as it will contribute to the unity of the Christian people. He mentions that the autonomous momentum presupposes the clear will to gradually heal the wounds of the past and the adoption of a different, more generous stance toward the problems of the division.

The Archbishop adds that the Church of Greece does not raise borders and also does not accept borders. He mentions that the Church of Greece enters talks with honesty and a sense of cooperation which have already gave fruit with the Roman Catholic Church and the rest Christian Churches.

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