Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] CUSTOMARY MAYDAY RALLIES THROUGHOUT GREECE

[02] TERRORISM REPORT HAILS GREEK-US COOPERATION

[03] POPE JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN ATHENS ON FRIDAY

[04] FIFA GRANTS THREE-MONTH EXTENSION TO GREECE

[05] NEW ERA IN THE GREEK-US COOPERATION

[06] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO TOUR NORTHERN GREECE

[07] GREECE, TURKEY DISCUSS ANIMAL, PLANT HEALTH

[08] STRONG QUAKE RATTLES RHODES AREA, NO DAMAGES

[09] GREEKS PROUD, BUT DISPLEASED BY QUALITY OF LIFE

[10] IOC COMMITTEE IN ATHENS TO CHECK ON PROGRESS

[11] US JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN VISITS ATHENS

[12] BRITISH INTEREST IN "CAPTAIN CORELLI'S" CEPHALONIA

[13] HERMES EXPO: THE FIRST ROUND IN CHICAGO WAS SUCCESSFUL

[14] PAPANTONIOU-GRASSO DISCUSSED THE ASE-NYSE COOPERATION

[01] CUSTOMARY MAYDAY RALLIES THROUGHOUT GREECE

The traditional May Day labor celebrations-rallies took place around the country today, with a large crowd turning out in both Athens and Thessaloniki.

This year's rallies were fuelled by last week's massive strike (hailed as the largest in over twenty years) which took place in protests to social security reforms proposed by the state.

Although the proposed measures were subsequently shelved by the state, which called on the labor unions to participate in social dialogue, a new nationwide general strike has been called for May 17.

According to Christos Polyzogopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the freeze on the reforms announced by labor minister Tassos Yannitsis does not meet the demands of the unions, which adamantly refuse to negotiate a proposed increase in the retirement age and reduction of pensions.

While the state calls on the unions to participate in dialogue with no "prior demands," Mr. Polyzogopoulos said that dialogue is not the main issue at stake for the unions but, instead, that funds be found to support the social insurance system.

The problem isn't for us to have our photo taken around a table but to clear up the political framework: will things move in the direction of (wealth) redistribution, or will the insurance system be reduced to eating its own innards, he said.

A.F.

[02] TERRORISM REPORT HAILS GREEK-US COOPERATION

Greece has undertaken a series of more stringent counterterrorism measures during the past year, according to the US State Department's report on terrorism which was released yesterday.

Entitled Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000 the report notes that while the Greek government undertook some meaningful steps to combat terrorism -especially in the wake of the murder of British Defense Attache Stephen Saunders in Athens, who was killed by the elusive organization 17 November (17N)-, it has yet to make any arrests in connection with any of the group's 21 murders over the past quarter century.

Nevertheless, the report notes that the Greek government strengthened the police counterterrorism unit, implemented a multimillion-dollar reward program, and began drafting legislation to provide a legal basis for more vigorous counterterrorism efforts.

Specifically, the report cites that the murder of Brigadier Saunders and Greek preparations for the 2004 Olympics have contributed to a political and public opinion climate more supportive of effective counterterrorism measures.

Moreover, it notes that Prime Minister Costas Simitis, his cabinet colleagues, and opposition leaders denounced the murder of Saunders and spoke out against terrorism in general.

The Greek media provided extensive coverage of Heather Saunders' eloquent public statements in the aftermath of her husband's murder. The public widely observed a national moment of silence for all victims of terrorism, and Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos held an unprecedented memorial service for all Greek and foreign victims of terrorism in Greece.

The report also hails the key role carried out by Minister of Public Order (MPO) Michalis Chrysochoides who led the state's efforts to involve the public in the Saunders investigation and encouraged witnesses to come forward. During the year, MPO Chrysochoides met with cabinet-level officials in the United States and in the United Kingdom and signed a bilateral counterterrorism agreement in London. By year's end, Greece had signed all 12 and ratified all but two of the UN counterterrorism conventions, the report states.

Mr. Chrysochoides is to visit Washington at the end of May where he will have meetings with CIA, FBI and State Department officials to discuss efforts against November 17 as well as cooperation regarding security measures for the 2004 Olympic Games.

In 2000, Greece and the United States ratified a mutual legal assistance treaty and signed a police cooperation memorandum to enhance bilateral cooperation on law enforcement, including terrorism.

The report also states that fewer anti-American actions took place in Greece last year than in 1999.

A.F.

[03] POPE JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN ATHENS ON FRIDAY

Pope John Paul II is due to arrive in Athens for an official visit on Friday, May 4, at the invitation of the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The Pontiff will be greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, while, immediately afterwards, he will be meeting with the president, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis at the presidential mansion.

The state is to enforce draconian security measures during the Pope's stay in Athens. In addition to heavy police escort, the 80-year-old Pontiff will be protected by sharpshooters during his address at Pnyx Hill, a location beneath the Acropolis where the Apostle Paul preached to the ancient Athenians. Security forces will also be on guard at the Vatican's embassy.

The Athens visit will fulfil the Pope's dream to retrace the steps of Pope Apostle Paul. He will be the first pontiff to visit Greece since the Great Schism of 1056, when Christianity was divided into Eastern and Western branches.

The Pope will meet with President Costis Stephanopoulos, who extended the invitation for the visit during his earlier talks at the Vatican, as well as with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

According to the itinerary, the Pope will arrive in Athens at 11:30 on Friday, May 4, on board an Alitalia airliner, and a small welcoming reception will be held at the airport.

Later, he will be visiting the Presidential Mansion where the official welcoming will be taking place, as well as the Archdiocese, before arriving at the residence of his representative in Athens where he will be staying.

He will dine with Catholic clergymen there and rest before going to Agios Dionysios Catholic Cathedral for a meeting with clergymen and monks of the Catholic Church.

At 8 a.m. on May 5, the Pope will be visiting the indoor basketball stadium at the installations of the Athens Olympic stadium where a church service will be held in Greek and Latin. The Pope's address to the faithful is to be read in Greek.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos will be present alongside the visiting pontiff on three occasions the first during John Paul's visit to the Athens Archbishopric, followed by their joint appearance at the foot of the Acropolis. Finally, Mr. Christodoulos will visit the pope at the residence of the Vatican's representative in Athens the same evening, May 4.

In their addresses before the faithful, the Pope and the Archbishop will refer to terrorism, pollution and the gradual loss of Europe's Christian identity.

After his departure from Athens, the Pope will visit Damascus and Malta.

Meanwhile, a group of Greek monks and nuns held an all-night vigil at a Mount Olympus monastery last weekend, praying that the Pope's visit, planned for May 4, will be cancelled. The vigil was also attended by members of the clergy and faithful, who wished to express their opposition to the Pope's visit.

The group also announced that it plans to hold a protest rally against the visit, to be held in Athens on May 2, two days before the pontiff's arrival.

A.F.

[04] FIFA GRANTS THREE-MONTH EXTENSION TO GREECE

FIFA, the International Football Federation, has given Greece a three-month extension to adapt its sports legislation to international standards, following a meeting held yesterday in Zurich.

Greek Sports Minister George Florides and officials from the national soccer federation (EPO) met with FIFA President Sepp Blatter yesterday after FIFA had threatened to ban Greek teams from international competition due to alleged government interference in the sport.

A.F.

[05] NEW ERA IN THE GREEK-US COOPERATION

The developments that place the Greek-US cooperation on a new basis will be examined in a conference that will be held at the Javits Conference Center in New York on May 5.

Greece's EMU membership that signaled currency stability and boosted the credibility of the Greek monetary and economic policy as well as the imminent upgrading of the Greek capital market to a mature one, are some of the developments that form the new basis of the Greek-US cooperation.

The conference on the "Greek-US economic cooperation: in the beginning of a new era" will be attended by distinguished representatives of the Greek government and the Greek-American community as well as by many well-known businessmen and representatives of big companies from Greece and the United States, who will present their views within the framework of 5 distinct entities.

The conference will be covered by Greek, Greek-American and American mass media and its conclusions will be included in a special publication that will be issued in early June.

[06] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO TOUR NORTHERN GREECE

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is to embark on a tour of northern Greece tomorrow, at the invitation of local metropolitans.

During the course of his tour, Mr. Vartholomeos is expected to refer to Greek-Turkish relations and to stress that friendship between the two peoples will be to the benefit of the two countries.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos will not be meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, due to his scheduled preparations for the Pope's imminent arrival to Athens.

Ties between the Patriarchate and the Church of Greece are presently poor, given disputes over the two bodies' areas of jurisdiction.

A.F.

[07] GREECE, TURKEY DISCUSS ANIMAL, PLANT HEALTH

A Greek delegation is presently in Ankara to hold talks over animal and plant health matters, as per a bilateral agreement between the two neighboring countries.

The Greek delegates, led by international relations secretary-general Evangelos Tsekouras, are to review the final draft of a bilateral agreement concerning animal and plant health matters, which have already been discussed by an informal experts committee comprising Greek and Turkish officials.

The resulting documents are to be signed by Greece's and Turkey's Agriculture Ministers, George Anomeritis and Yusuf Giokalp respectively, during the Second Summit of Balkan Agriculture Ministers in Istanbul.

A.F.

[08] STRONG QUAKE RATTLES RHODES AREA, NO DAMAGES

A strong tremor measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale shook the islands of Rhodes and Carpathos this morning.

Occurring at 9.02 a.m., the quake was felt in both islands, while its epicenter was pinpointed in the sea region between Rhodes and Carpathos. No damages have been reported.

A.F.

[09] GREEKS PROUD, BUT DISPLEASED BY QUALITY OF LIFE

When compared to their European Union allies, Greeks are most dissatisfied by the quality of their lives, according to a survey recently released by Eurobarometer, the European Commission's public opinion measurement body.

Specifically, the survey found that 40 percent of Greeks are not satisfied by their living standards, at a time when the EU average is 16 percent.

At the same time, Greeks are among the European Union's most confident people in regards to their employment situation, as well as over their country's economic outlook.

Also, the overwhelming majority of Greeks (94%) are nationally proud, ranking second only to the Irish who have a national pride rate of 97 percent. A distinct sign of the changing times, Germans rank lowest (68%) in this category.

The survey also found that 55% of Europeans support the single currency, while 37% are against it. The member-states in which this support is strongest are Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands. However, the majority of public opinion is against the euro in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Finland.

Greece also ranks among the countries most supportive of the EU's enlargement, along with Italy, Spain, Denmark and Sweden. According to Eurobarometer, the countries in which the people take the least favorable view of enlargement are the United Kingdom, Austria and France.

As for safety, 51% of Greeks feel unsafe walking in their neighborhood at night, at a time when the EU average is 33 percent.

The survey also found that while 42 percent of Europeans read newspapers on a daily basis, a mere 18 percent of Greeks maintain this habit. However, they don't fare even as well when it comes to the Internet: a mere 11 percent of Greeks go on line, at a time when the EU average is 26%, with the Swedes, at 61 percent, being the EU's most prolific Internet users.

A.F.

[10] IOC COMMITTEE IN ATHENS TO CHECK ON PROGRESS

A delegation of International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials, led by IOC Coordinating Committee chief Jacques Rogge, is to arrive in Athens this evening to Athens to check on the city's progress in preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games.

The IOC officals will hold a series of meetings with the Athens Olympics organizers with whom they will review the pace of preparations, especially at the indoor stadiums of Nikaia, Liosia and Galatsi, as well the Olympic Village and press facilities.

During his previous visits to Athens, Mr. Rogge had stressed that the next six months will be crucial in the country's course in preparing for the Games.

A.F.

[11] US JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN VISITS ATHENS

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Henry H. Shelton, is embarking on an official two-day visit to Athens today.

Gen. Shelton will hold talks with Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and the chairman of Greece's chiefs of staff, Gen. Manoussos Parayioudakis.

A.F.

[12] BRITISH INTEREST IN "CAPTAIN CORELLI'S" CEPHALONIA

It appears that the film "Captain Corelli's mandolin", part of which was filmed at the Ionian island of Cephalonia, has won the interest of the British people.

The appeal of the film is such that in its recent issue the British newspaper "The Guardian" offered to its readers a tourist guide for the island of Cephalonia and the Ionian Sea islands in general.

[13] HERMES EXPO: THE FIRST ROUND IN CHICAGO WAS SUCCESSFUL

The first round of the trade exhibition Hermes Expo International that was held in the Navy Pier Center in Chicago was very successful.

Greece had a dynamic presence with more than 60 participations. The number of visitors increased and they had the opportunity to be briefed on the developments in Greece, the special characteristics of every Greek region as well as the Greek history and civilization.

The second round of Hermes Expo will take place in New York on May 5-6. The business conference of the "Greek-US cooperation: In the beginning of the new era" will be held during the exhibition.

[14] PAPANTONIOU-GRASSO DISCUSSED THE ASE-NYSE COOPERATION

Green national economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou and NYSE chairman Richard Grasso discussed formulas for the cooperation of the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the introduction of more Greek companies in the Wall Street.

The two met in New York on the occasion of the visit held in the United States by the Greek national economy and finance minister at the invitation of his US counterpart Mr. O'Neil and MIT University.

Mr. Grasso characterized as encouraging the fact that the Athens Stock Exchange will be upgraded and starting on May 31 it will join the world mature markets' club.

Mr. Papantoniou will also have contacts with institutional investors and the Hellenic American Business Council management.

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