Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] STRIKE ENCORE TOMORROW, NOTHING WILL OPERATE

[02] TECHNICAL COLLEGES NOW EQUAL TO UNIVERSITIES

[03] RISING GASOLINE PRICES FUEL THE STATE'S CONCERNS

[04] ATHOC PRESIDENT STATEMENTS AFTER IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

[05] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE

[06] INTRACOM EXPANDS TO CHINA

[07] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[08] A 17YEAROLD GREEK WON THE BRONZE MEDAL IN A BALKAN MATH OLYMPIAD

[09] INSPECTION OF OLYMPIC VELODROME

[10] ATHENS MAYOR IN THESSALONIKI AS PARTY LEADER

[11] GREEKS PAY BACK IN EURO COIN AS OF DECEMBER 1

[12] JEWISH CEMETERY WAS VANDALIZED BY BURGLARS

[13] PAPANDREOU: THE CHANGE OF BORDERS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS

[14] PAPANDREOU MET WITH META AND NANO

[15] INFLATION IN THE EURO-ZONE WAS AT 2.9% IN APRIL

[01] STRIKE ENCORE TOMORROW, NOTHING WILL OPERATE

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

Tomorrow's strike is essentially an encore of April 26's massive protest, the largest in over 20 years, whose momentous planning forced the government to shelve the proposed reforms one day before the strike was to get underway.

In spite of the government's repeated appeals for dialogue, tomorrow's strike will also proceed as planned. As such, 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. National air carrier Olympic Airways will carry out only one flight per destination, while the Railway Organization of Greece (OSE) will conduct only the so-called social service routes.

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

The strike has been declared by 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.

A.F.

[02] TECHNICAL COLLEGES NOW EQUAL TO UNIVERSITIES

The education ministry's bill on tertiary education, which upgrades state technical education institutes (TEIs) to university status was approved by Parliament last night, with a majority vote of 134 vs. 124.

However, the presidents of all the country's universities, which remain closed in protest, had vowed earlier to mount their opposition to the bill unless the government promised to evaluate the technical colleges within three years, withdraw the provisions concerning post-graduate studies and classify them as non-university institutions.

On the other hand, TEI representatives have expressed their satisfaction with the bill, according to which TEIs will not be classified as "non-university institutions," but will be allowed to conduct their own research, organize postgraduate studies in conjunction with Greek and foreign universities, and grant their graduates the same professional rights as university graduates.

Meanwhile, in an interview with an Athens radio station, Educaiton Minister Petros Efthimiou referred to the university rectors' protests by stating that conflict in the higher education sector is unfathomable.

The parliamentary debate on other reforms in higher education is to continue this evening.

A.F.

[03] RISING GASOLINE PRICES FUEL THE STATE'S CONCERNS

The government's concerns are mounting over the continuous rise in fuel prices, which are to increase significantly as of midnight.

Specifically, unleaded fuel will increase by 5.8 drachmas per liter, rising to 300 drachmas per liter in some areas, while diesel is to be increased by two drachmas.

Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis is to embark on a series of contacts with the oil sector's representatives in an effort to contain the prices. He will also confer with Prime Minister Costas Simitis over this matter today.

A.F.

[04] ATHOC PRESIDENT STATEMENTS AFTER IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Today ATHOC President, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Managing Director, Ioannis Spanudakis, as well as the Executive Directors Spyros Capralos and Marton Simitsek presented to the IOC Executive Board in Lausanne, the progress made in the course of preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games.

After the meeting, the President of ATHOC stated that it was not just the new airport, the new highways and the tender for the Olympic Village that is already in place but there are also the side works in four other cities and the great marketing results as 93% of the budget has already been secured with only five out of the 40 predicted sponsors.

Ms. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki stated that there is also the progress in Communications, Health, Services and Security, adding that only yesterday, US secretary of state Colin Powell went out to say that the US trust Greece because a major effort is being made.

Responding to a question, the ATHOC president said that there is no decision yet about any change in the canoe venue.

[05] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE

No one can stop Cyprus' EU accession course, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was called to comment on the EU-Cyprus Association Council decision that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a precondition for Cyprus' accession into the EU.

The Greek government spokesman added that Cyprus is the EU candidate state that made the biggest progress in all sectors and pointed out that this decision is the best response to Turkey which believes that it can raise obstacles to Cyprus' EU accession course.

Mr. Reppas also mentioned that with this decision the Turkish Cypriot side is blamed for maintaining the stagnation in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, adding that this is a very important moment not only for Cyprus and Greece but for the international community itself.

[06] INTRACOM EXPANDS TO CHINA

The Intracom management will open a new office in Peking, China within the next two months to exploit the opportunities in the huge Chinese telecommunications market. The company is also expected to expand to Latin America.

The company's investments in the research and development of new products are expected to follow an upward trend as by the end of 2001 the sum allocated for this purpose will be 29 billion drachmas compared to 18.7 billion drachmas the previous year.

[07] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.57% at 3.039,61 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 49.718 billion drachmas or 145.91 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 215 recorded gains and 103 had losses, while the value of 57 stocks remained stable.

[08] A 17YEAROLD GREEK WON THE BRONZE MEDAL IN A BALKAN MATH OLYMPIAD

A seventeen-year-old from Pirgos, in southern Greece won the bronze medal in the Balkan Math Olympiad.

Stathis Metsovitis participated in the competition that was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia with other five students from Greece.

[09] INSPECTION OF OLYMPIC VELODROME

A delegation of the International Cycling Union (UCI), representatives of

the General Secretariat of Sport, officials of the ATHOC Sports and Olympic

Works Divisions and members of the Greek Cycling Federation participated in

yesterday's meeting at the Olympic Velodrome in AOSC.

The participants were briefed by the technical officials of the UCI about

the improvements and overlays on the track and other Velodrome facilities in

view of the Olympic Games. The head of the UCI delegation, Mr. Lucien

Bailly, UCI track coordinator in Sydney, the technical delegate (track) for

the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Mr. Enrico Della Casa and the track

constructions expert Mr. Jean Moiroud, pointed out that several works must

be undertaken in the Velodrome. In their report to be submitted to the UCI,

the IOC and ATHOC, they will also propose the installation of an overall

Velodrome cover.

Also present were the President and the Secretary-General of the Greek

Cycling Federation (in Greek EOP), Mr. Athanassios Terzis and Mr. Costas

Karabetsos, as well as members of the EOP Board, the ATHOC Director for

Cycling Mr. Vladimiros Petsas, the Director for Olympic Venues

Infrastructures, Ms. Elli Papakonstantinou and the representative of the

General Secretariat of Sport, Mr. Georgios Zarkadoulas.

[10] ATHENS MAYOR IN THESSALONIKI AS PARTY LEADER

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos made his inaugural appearance as leader of the newly-founded Movement of Free Citizens (KEP) party in Thessaloniki yesterday.

Proffering his opinion on all current issues, Mr. Avramopoulos stressed that his party was founded upon the initiative of individuals who advocate societal changes and have entrusted him with the task of leading the effort.

In regards to the contentious issue of social security reforms, Mr. Avramopoulos proposed the formation of an all-spanning expert committee, which will result in a cohesive proposal that will lead to a legislative bill. In all cases, he stressed, the potential solution should not involve pension cuts or increased taxes.

Commenting on the decline noted by KEP in a recent poll, Mr. Avramopoulos said that it is simply too early to assess a political party that has yet to complete its program and organizational structure. Still, he pointed out, it's no small feat that it ranked as the country's third political power and it won't be long before it climbs to the top.

KEP's founding congress and youth conference is to be held in Thessaloniki in November.

A.F.

[11] GREEKS PAY BACK IN EURO COIN AS OF DECEMBER 1

Greece will begin circulating a limited number of euro coins as of December 1, in order to allow consumers to adjust to the new single European currency ahead of its official circulation date of January 1, 2002.

According to the national euro coordinating committee, commercial banks, the Hellenic Post Office and possibly the internal revenue service offices will distribute approximately three million packages with the new euro currency to small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The Greek government also plans to promote "gentlemen's agreements" between the state with employers in order to avoid any speculative moves during the conversion period.

Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou stated that all conversions from drachmas to euros will be made in a way that will be to the consumer's benefit.

A.F.

[12] JEWISH CEMETERY WAS VANDALIZED BY BURGLARS

The unknown assailants who broke into the Thessaloniki Jewish Cemetery and vandalized the premises, are most likely burglars and not pro-Nazi followers, according to the police.

The vandals, who broke in on Monday, stole a cordless phone and caused damages to the office, while they also unearthed six marble gravestones from the cemetery.

Apparently they climbed over the stonewall fence and broke in the office hopping to find valuables.

The President of the Thessaloniki Jewish Community Andreas Sefiha also agrees with the police's assessment, since both the method of break-in and the theft of valuables point to a burglary.

A.F.

[13] PAPANDREOU: THE CHANGE OF BORDERS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou addressing the Initiative for the Cooperation in southeastern Europe foreign ministers meeting in Tirana, pointed out that the change of borders cannot solve the problems in the region but on the contrary creates new divisions.

He said that the political party leaders are being encouraged to cooperate closely for the further consolidation of a multi-ethnic society in FYROM and stressed that the goal is to condemn terrorism and extremism. Mr. Papandreou also said that support will be offered only to those who want peace, democracy and cooperation.

The Greek foreign minister stated that the southeastern European foreign ministers meeting sends a clear message that sovereignty, territorial integrity and the existing borders in FYROM will be protected.

On the Greek-Albanian relations, he said that Greece cooperates closely with the government in Tirana for the strengthening of regional stability and pledges to back Albania's European prospect.

[14] PAPANDREOU MET WITH META AND NANO

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou met with Albanian prime minister Ilir Meta and Socialist Party president Fatos Nano on the sidelines of the Inter-Balkan Meeting (SEECP) held in Tirana today.

In the meeting were discussed issues concerning the latest developments in the Balkan region and the Greek-Albanian relations.

Among the issues under discussion were the course of the Stability Pact implementation, the participation of the countries in the region in European institutions and the joint battle against organized crime.

Albania, Greece, Yugoslavia and FYROM were represented at foreign ministers level, while Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia at undersecretaries of foreign affairs level.

[15] INFLATION IN THE EURO-ZONE WAS AT 2.9% IN APRIL

An increase of 0.5% was recorded in the Euro-zone inflation last month compared to March and as a result it has reached 2.9%, according to the European Union Statistics Agency, Eurostat.

On an annual basis, inflation in all EU member-states was at 2.3% in March and 2.6% in April, which is a very high percentage compared to the 2% limit set earlier by the European Central Bank.

Last year, inflation in April was 1.9% in the Euro-zone and 1.7% in the European Union as a whole.

Increased inflation was recorded in April in Holland (5.3%), Portugal (4.6%) and Ireland (4.3%), while the lowest inflation was recorded in Britain (1.1%), followed by France (2%) and Austria (2.5%).

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