Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] EXTREMIST UCK CLAIMS DUE TO "SICK IMAGINATION"

[02] SOBRIETY PRODUCES BEST RESULTS, GREEK FM FINDS

[03] THE CABINET DISCUSSED THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY

[04] REPPAS: THE UCK ALLEGATIONS ARE OF NO IMPORTANCE

[05] "NOT EVEN MY NAME" - THEA HALO'S BOOK IN GREEK

[06] GREECE'S COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCES A BIRMINGHAM MOTORWAY

[07] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[08] BAJEVIC WILL COACH PAOK FOR ANOTHER SEASON

[09] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY HANDLED THE "PIRI REIS" ISSUE RESPONSIBLY

[10] DNA TESTING FOR ALL ORGANIZED CRIME SUSPECTS

[11] MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS IN ATHENS

[12] SLOVENIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI

[13] CONFERENCE ON THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN TIMES IN SANTORINI

[01] EXTREMIST UCK CLAIMS DUE TO "SICK IMAGINATION"

The international community must thoroughly condemn extremist Albanian claims made yesterday against Greece by a self-styled representative of Albanians who announced the establishment of a Tsamouria Liberation Army in Greece, Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stated.

Mr. Beglitis stressed that the sick imagination of certain terrorist elements, who attempt to present non-existent issues, seems to have no bounds. Reaction against them by the international community should be equally without bounds.

The UCK forces with their terrorist activities in FYROM and Kosovo, continue to be a destabilizing factor in the Balkans. For this reason they should be condemned and isolated by all countries," the spokesman said.

The issue erupted when a self-styled representative of the so-called "National Liberation Army" (aka UCK) active in FYROM, spoke to an Australian radio broadcast and announced the establishment and activation of an Albanian terrorist organization with the name "Tsamouria Liberation Army" on Greek soil.

A.F.

[02] SOBRIETY PRODUCES BEST RESULTS, GREEK FM FINDS

Stressing the prudence of sobriety and calmness, after the flurry of press reports concerning the activities of Turkish exploratory vessel Piri Reis, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated yesterday that the establishment of communication channels between the two countries has prevented tension in their relations.

Mr. Papandreou was referring to the clarification forwarded by the Turkish government, which dismissed as absolutely inaccurate Greek press reports that the said vessel would be searching for oil deposits in the Aegean.

I believe that this latest incident provides us with a useful experience and we can arrive at a significant conclusion, Mr. Papandreou stated, adding that Greece and Turkey may have important issues to resolve - such as the Cyprus problem - meanwhile, however, through dialogue, through systematic contact, the establishment of channels of cooperation and information exchange we can clarify issues immediately and avert - where necessary- tension, escalation and conflict".

This is exactly what happened Mr. Papandreou added, we received an immediate clarification for this incident, so as something that in the past could have created escalation and tension ... now is - I believe - proof of a serious effort by both sides to avoid tension. I hope that we will continue in this manner," he said.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister stressed that we do all this while securing our national interests, our territorial integrity, the sovereign rights of our country. All the while, we do this with special calmness and I believe that this is also an important conclusion - calmness and sobriety along with decisiveness is the best way to confront any incident.

I believe that to become hostages of our own panic or insecurity would be a mistake. I believe that a well-documented, decisive and prudent, as well as sober confrontation always yields the best results.

A.F.

[03] THE CABINET DISCUSSED THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY

Issues concerning the Greek EU presidency in 2003 were discussed in today's cabinet meeting in Athens.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis stated that the European Council summit meeting under the Greek presidency will be held in Thessaloniki on June 19-21, 2003 and stressed that the goal of the government is to promote Greece's role as a country which actively contributes to the creation of the modern European reality.

The Greek EU presidency will be called to deal with major issues such as, the revision of the new treaty, the future of Europe and enlargement, the Lisbon decisions, the modernization of the European social model, the promotion of foreign policy, the creation of a joint defense policy, the gradual creation of a joint policy on immigration and asylum and the creation of a joint agricultural policy which is an issue of major importance for Greece.

The overall cost of the EU presidency is estimated to be 10-13 billion drachmas.

The "Piri Reis" issue was also discussed in the cabinet meeting and foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou stated that he has received assurances that no research will be conducted in the continental shelf and that the movement of the Turkish research vessel will cause no problems to bilateral relations.

[04] REPPAS: THE UCK ALLEGATIONS ARE OF NO IMPORTANCE

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the allegations of a National Liberation Army (UCK) representative concerning the creation of a "Chameria Liberation Army" are of no importance, adding that his statements carry no weight and can not put Greece in any danger.

Mr. Reppas said that the Albanian government itself has condemned the actions of the UCK members, adding that Greece is a country that must deal seriously with everything. He also said that UCK is an organization with a terrorist action.

[05] "NOT EVEN MY NAME" - THEA HALO'S BOOK IN GREEK

The sensational book "Not even my name" written by author Thea Halo, who is of Greek origin, has been published in Greek and a presentation of the book will be held at the War Museum in Athens today.

The special event will be held in the presence of the book's 91-year-old heroine, Sano Halo, while also present will be her daughter and the book's author, Thea Halo. Excerpts from the book will be read by actress Anna Sinodinou.

In her book Thea Halo presents a dramatic part of the history of the Greeks from Pontos through the soul-stirring memories of her mother Sano (Efthimia), who was forced by the Turks to leave Pontos at the age of 10 and was the only one from her family to survive when she was left with an Armenian family in Diyarbakir. At the age of 15 and having lost everything she loved most in life, "even her name", she was introduced to a 45-year-old Assyrian-American whom she married and went with him to the United States where she lives until today. The book presents her life as a married woman, the way she brought up her ten children and her evolution from an innocent child to a loving mother and a resolute New York woman. Seventy years after, Sano returns to Turkey with her daughter Thea looking for her home in the village of Saint Anton (Agios Antonios).

It should be noted that the book was published by the giant US publishing house Picador St. Martin Press and received rave notices from the critics in widely respected US mass media.

The book will also be presented in the northern city of Kavala on June 5 and in Thessaloniki on June 7.

[06] GREECE'S COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCES A BIRMINGHAM MOTORWAY

Representatives of 26 banks, among them Greece's Commercial Bank, signed an agreement in London approving a loan of 685 million British pounds for the financing of the construction of Birmingham's Northern Auxiliary Motorway. The 43 kilometers-long motorway will operate with the toll posts system.

Greece's Commercial Bank participates in the financing of the project with the sum of 14.850.000 British pounds. The Bank of America and Abbey National Treasury Services plc are heading the 26 bank Group.

[07] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.45% at 3.088,66 points, while the volume of transactions was very impressive at 806.37 million Euro or 274.8 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 150 recorded gains and 173 had losses, while the value of 51 stocks remained stable.

[08] BAJEVIC WILL COACH PAOK FOR ANOTHER SEASON

The coach of Thessaloniki's PAOK football team Dusan Bajevic confirmed that he will stay with the team for another season in a press conference he gave today.

The "prince", as he is called, stated that he will stay with the team under certain preconditions, stressing that he wants to continue the work he started. He also stated that this year was a very difficult one, adding that PAOK is a very good team with very good players. Mr. Bajevic said that PAOK has won the Greek Cup this year and efforts should continue for an even better performance in the new season.

Mr. Bajevic also stated that he does not want any of the players to leave the team and talks will be held this week with those who wish to transfer to another team.

[09] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY HANDLED THE "PIRI REIS" ISSUE RESPONSIBLY

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis backed the way

the foreign ministry handled the issue of the Turkish research vessel "Piri Reis".

Mr. Beglitis stressed that the issue was handled responsibly and expressed the belief that "with the clarifications given by the Turkish side everything agreed in Budapest will be kept". He said that the steps made were of precautionary nature to avoid possible research at the continental shelf that could put the Greek national sovereign interests at risk.

Mr. Beglitis said that the ministry neither concealed the "Piri Reis" issue nor came to the conclusion that a major issue was being created. He said that the foreign ministry wanted as a precaution to avoid any possible complications and pointed out that the lack of calm in similar cases in the past had led to crises.

[10] DNA TESTING FOR ALL ORGANIZED CRIME SUSPECTS

DNA testing is to be conducted in all cases concerning organized crime, according to a modified bill that introduces tougher measures against organized crime and terrorism.

The said modification was approved by Justice Minster Michalis Stathopoulos yesterday, the second day of a parliamentary committee debate.

According to the bill, the DNA testing can be performed during the interrogation phase, following a court order.

A.F.

[11] MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS IN ATHENS

The third Conference of Agriculture Ministers from Mediterranean Countries is presently being held in Athens, where the 13 national delegations participating are to review cooperation aimed at sustainable farming and the development of the Mediterranean diet.

Presided by Greece's Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis, the conference features the participation of agriculture ministers from Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Algiers, Tunisia, Morocco, Malta, Lebanon and Albania.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to receive the ministers this afternoon.

A.F.

[12] SLOVENIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI

Investment and trade opportunities in Slovenia are to be showcased to Northern Greece's investors during an event jointly organized in Thessaloniki by the city's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (EVETH) and the corresponding Slovenian chamber.

The meeting, to be held on June 8, will also be attended by Slovenian ambassador to Athens Borut Mahnic who will give an address on his country's economic situation.

A delegation of Slovenian entrepreneurs is to also attend the meeting.

A.F.

[13] CONFERENCE ON THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN TIMES IN SANTORINI

The challenges of modern times, the progress of bio-technology, the society of information, social isolation and the destruction of the environment, are some of the issues that will be discussed in the conference on "How our lives will be in the 3rd millennium" that will be held in Santorini on June 4-6 under the auspices of the Council of Europe parliamentary assembly environment and agriculture committee.

In three sessions, the 150 conference participants will analyze issues like the environment as an indicative factor of an oncoming crisis, the economic and environmental development and the 21st century values.

The conference will be opened by Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis. The participants will be addressed by Michail Gorbachev as the president of the world organization Green Cross, while among others will also be present agriculture minister Giorgos Anomeritis, Francine Cousteau of the Cousteau Group, Kiril Stepanov of the Vernadsky Institute in Russia and French author Tomi Ungerer.

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