Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO DMs REACH NO AGREEMENT ON TURKEY

[02] MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR SLAIN U.K. ATTACHE

[03] BUSH PROPOSES MILLER FOR ATHENS EMBASSY POST

[04] PAPANDREOU: A REVISION OF THE NICE AGREEMENT IS RULED OUT

[05] THE TURKISH EXERCISE "SEA WOLF" IS HELD BASED ON A PLAN

[06] AN INDICTMENT WAS ISSUED ON THE SAUNDERS CASE

[07] THE GREEK PROPOSAL FOR THE CRISIS IN FYROM

[08] THE ELECTION RESULT IN BRITAIN IS POSITIVE

[09] INCREASED INFLATION IN MAY

[10] PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS' MEETING

[11] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[12] EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO COMBAT TERRORISM

[13] TERRORISM, ORGANIZED CRIME DRAFT BILL PASSED

[14] SIMITIS AND SCHRODER DISCUSSED THE EUROPEAN COURSE AND THE CRISIS IN

[01] NATO DMs REACH NO AGREEMENT ON TURKEY

The NATO Defense Ministers Summit concluded yesterday without an agreement on Turkey's participation in European security and defense policy and the European army.

Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stressed that Greece will remain steadfast to the decisions drawn at the Nice summit, concerning EU-NATO cooperation, and denied reports that allow Turkey's to participate in the implementation of European security and defense policy, even though it is not an EU member-state.

Referring to the situation in FYROM, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that forces will be reinforced to optimally secure borders between Kosovo and FYROM.

A.F.

[02] MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR SLAIN U.K. ATTACHE

Exactly a year after his murder, a memorial service was held in Athens this morning in honor of British Brigadier Stephen Saunders who was assassinated by the November 17 terrorist group.

Earlier, his widow, Heather, laid a wreath near the spot where her husband was gunned down on Kifissias Avenue in Filothei.

Held at the Athens Cathedral, the memorial service was officiated by Bishop Manktclow of the Anglican Diocese of Europe conducted the service, which was attended by Greek government and state officials, and the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Christodoulos.

In an interview with the Greek service of BBC, Ms. Saunders said she believes that there is a renewed and coordinated effort to discover her late husband's assassins, albeit adding that if the crime had occurred in England then the investigations would have already borne results, given the experience of the British police.

Greece is still learning, she characteristically stated.

Meanwhile, a UK Foreign Office spokesman has confirmed that a Scotland Yard report on November 17 has been handed to Greek authorities.

A.F.

[03] BUSH PROPOSES MILLER FOR ATHENS EMBASSY POST

US President George Bush Jr. has proposed career diplomat Thomas Miller to the ambassadorial post in Athens, replacing Nicholas Burns.

According to a White House announcement, Mr. Miller's appointment is subject to the approval of the Senate's Foreign Affairs committee.

Presently serving as ambassador in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mr. Miller would be replacing departing ambassador Nicholas Burns, who will be assigned to Brussels where he will hold the US ambassadorial post in NATO.

A protégé of Richard Holbrooke, who once referred to him as one of his closest colleagues, Mr. Miller is deemed an expert on terrorism issues. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Athens from 1994 to 1997, while during an earlier assignment to Greece (1985-87), he also served in the Embassy's political section. Moreover, he served as Special Coordinator for Cyprus (with the rank of Ambassador) from August 1997 until the Bosnia assignment.

A member of the Senior Foreign Service at the rank of Minister Counselor, Mr. Miller joined the State Department in 1976. During most of the 1980s and early 1990s, he concentrated on the Middle East, serving twice on the Israeli Desk (once as Director), heading the Office of Maghreb Affairs, and acting as Director of the Counter-terrorism Office.

A.F.

[04] PAPANDREOU: A REVISION OF THE NICE AGREEMENT IS RULED OUT

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in statements made in parliament today, stated that any revision of the Nice agreement, that specifically determines the framework of the European Union member-states' relations with their partners in NATO which are not EU members, is ruled out.

He said that the associated members cannot become equal with the EU member-states in the European security and defense decision making. Mr. Papandreou stated that this is not an issue that concerns only the Greek-Turkish relations, stressing that it is an issue between the European Union and NATO.

[05] THE TURKISH EXERCISE "SEA WOLF" IS HELD BASED ON A PLAN

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas referred to the Turkish Navy missile-boat that was seen southeast of the Aegean island of Astipalea and pointed to the statement made by the Greek Navy General Staff according to which, the vessel was spotted 16 miles off the costs of the island and therefore, it was outside the Greek territorial waters.

Responding to the question if there was a violation of the Greek territorial waters, Mr. Reppas stated regarding the Turkish Naval exercise "Sea Wolf 2001", which is underway, that everything is being done based on the plan submitted by Ankara and there is no problem.

The incident came to light when a fisherman from Astipalea reported to the Coast Guard this morning that a Turkish missile-boat was near the Greek islets in the specific region. Fisherman Kiriakos Hatzidakis reported that the missile-boat was coming from the west and was directed toward the southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes. Earlier, the same fisherman had spotted a frigate of unknown nationality that was patrolling 2 nautical miles south of the islet of Sirna.

[06] AN INDICTMENT WAS ISSUED ON THE SAUNDERS CASE

Athens prosecutor Giorgos Gerakis issued an indictment on the case of the assassination of British military attache Stephen Saunders who was killed in Athens one year ago today.

Specifically, an indictment was issued for manslaughter, illegal possession and use of weapons, theft and the establishment of a gang.

The prosecutor also asked for an official translation by the foreign ministry of all English texts included in the legal papers as the case is now assigned to a magistrate.

The indictment was issued by the prosecutor after a careful study of the information gathered on the case by the anti-terrorist agency.

[07] THE GREEK PROPOSAL FOR THE CRISIS IN FYROM

A Greek proposal, complementary to the initiatives that were undertaken recently by the international community aimed at lifting the deadlock in FYROM and averting widespread armed conflicts in the country, will be discussed in the EU General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday.

According to Greek foreign ministry spokesman, Panos Beglitis the proposal in question, which has the approval of the parliament political parties in FYROM wants to get a pledge from all involved sides, and mainly the parliamentary political parties in FYROM, that they will seek a mutually acceptable political solution within a strict timetable of five days of continuous negotiations.

In the negotiations that will be chaired by the FYROM president will participate the leaders of the four political parties in the FYROM national unity government and a ten-member secretariat that will process the texts under the chairmanship of a local or foreign independent personality. A group of 10-12 legal specialists will also be present in the negotiations. The leaders of the Albanian rebels terrorist organizations will not be invited to participate in the dialogue. A limited number of high ranking EU and US officials will be invited to attend the first days of the negotiations, while Javier Solana, head of the EU joint foreign policy and policy of defense, will be present after the fourth day of the negotiations.

[08] THE ELECTION RESULT IN BRITAIN IS POSITIVE

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as positive the election result in Britain and the victory of the Labor Party.

He said that the victory of prime minister Tony Blair and his party creates the best preconditions for Britain and bilateral relations and for Britain's presence in the European Union.

[09] INCREASED INFLATION IN MAY

Inflation in Greece was 3.6% in the month of May, according to a formal announcement by the National Statistics Agency. The price hikes in fuel, fruits, vegetables and airplane tickets contributed to the increase of inflation which continues to cause headaches to the government's economic staff.

Specifically, last month's inflation was increased by 0.1% compared to April (3.5%) imposing the adoption of measures aimed at achieving the government's goal for a 2.7% price index by the end of 2001.

[10] PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS' MEETING

The 55th National Conference of the US-Canada Pan-Macedonian Association and the 8th World Conference of all Pan-Macedonian Associations will take place in Litochoro on

July 12-16.

A meeting of the Supreme Council will be held on the first day of the conference, while a presentation of the Kalas from Pakistan and a Macedonian night will also take place.

The National Conference proceedings will open on July 13 and will end on the next day with a music concert by singer Giorgos Dalaras in the ancient theater of Dion.

The proceedings of the World Conference of All Pan-Macedonian Associations will open on July 15 for the election of Pan-Macedonian Association officials. The conference will end on the next day with the election of the Alexander the Great Institute Intermediary Committee members and the institute's general secretary.

[11] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -075% at 2.951,05 points, while the volume of transactions was disappointing at 106.41 million Euro or 36.26 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, just 55 recorded gains and the overwhelming majority namely, 277 had losses, while 49 stocks remained stable.

[12] EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO COMBAT TERRORISM

Undersecretary of national defense Dimitris Apostolakis expressed the Greek government's regret for the assassination of British military attache Stephen Saunders in Athens a year ago today.

Mr. Apostolakis gave the assurance that everything possible is being done to combat terrorism in Greece, stressing that the anti-terrorism law that was passed in parliament will strengthen the existing institutional framework.

In the memorial service held in Athens today speeches were delivered by the widow of Stephen Saunders, Heather, the British ambassador and an Anglican bishop who performed the service.

Present in the memorial service were also Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece, foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, public order minister Michalis Chrisochoidis, parliament deputies, representatives of religious dogmas, ambassadors, civilian and military embassy personnel.

[13] TERRORISM, ORGANIZED CRIME DRAFT BILL PASSED

Closing three days of heated debate, a controversial draft law on fighting organized crime and terrorism was passed by Parliament last night, approved by both the ruling PASOK, albeit with a few internal dissentions, and the main opposition party of New Democracy.

Deputies from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) ad the coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) abstained from the vote, expressing their opposition to the bill.

Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, who drafted the bill, stated that the proposed legislation enjoys the government's well as that of the majority of PASOK's deputies.

One of the most hard-line dissenters was PASOK MP Sifis Valyrakis who stressed that not only did he vote against the draft law, but views the policy and the procedures followed as being contrary to the vote of confidence that he has cast.

A.F.

[14] SIMITIS AND SCHRODER DISCUSSED THE EUROPEAN COURSE AND THE CRISIS IN FYROM

The European course and the situation in the Balkans with an emphasis on the crisis in FYROM, were the issues that dominated in yesterday's meeting of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis with German chancellor Gerhard Schroder in Berlin.

Mr. Simitis stated that he delivered a memorandum on the crisis in FYROM to Mr. Schroder which Greece has already submitted to the European countries and includes the Greek initiative for the settlement of crisis in the country.

On the European course, Mr. Simitis stressed that the developments on the EU enlargement issue will be discussed in the Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden next week. He said that they agreed that enlargement should proceed in accordance with the timetables set after settling certain issues that have arisen such as, the continuation of the EU policy on regional convergence.

Responding to questions by reporters, Mr. Simitis stated that they also discussed the Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of the war reparations for the Nazi victims.

On the WWII reparations, he said that the Greek government is waiting for clarifications by the Greek courts before making any proposals to Germany on how the issue can be faced.

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