Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-07-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] ATTACK ON GREEK OFFICE IN SKOPJE CONDEMNED

[02] CONFRONTATION BETWEEN REPPAS AND ROUSSOPOULOS

[03] FISCHLER VISIT TO GREECE

[04] STELIOS KAZANTZIDIS IS IN A CRITICAL CONDITION

[05] THE EU IS SATISFIED WITH THE VETERINARY INSPECTIONS IN GREECE

[06] FOREIGN STUDENTS VISIT THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

[07] GREEK-TURKISH CONCERT IN EFES, TURKEY

[08] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] MILVA SINGS FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN IN SIVIRI, CHALKIDIKI

[10] COOPERATION MEMORANDUM ON THE BROADCAST OF THE ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC

[11] THE 2004 OLYMPIC FLAME WILL VISIT OVER 60 COUNTRIES

[01] ATTACK ON GREEK OFFICE IN SKOPJE CONDEMNED

Greek Foreign Ministry sposkesman, Panos Beglitis, condemned strongly the attack of the extremists whi stormed the press office of Greece in Scopje and called the country's authorities to take all necessary precautions for the protection of the facilities used by the Greek diplomatic mission, while further statements from the Foreign Ministry underlined that Greece is intent on resolving the problem peacefully. Mr. Beglitis also stressed that the incident will not affect the good relationships between Greece and FYROM.

The attack was made by a group of about 500 nationalist from Tetovo. Their attempt to enter the Press Office was prevented by the strong reactions of the head of the mission, Giorgos Koutsoumis. They were part of a 1.000 protesters that had gathered earlier outside the parliament in Skopje, in protest of the situation in the area of Tetovo, asking for "the liberation of their villages (which are in the area of Tetovo), from Albanian extremists".

As Mr. Koutsoumis stated to the Macedonian Press Agency, one of the protesters climbed to the floor on which the Greek Press Office is housed and tried to burn the Greek flag, something he didn't do, but he managed to throw the flag to the mob.

Apart from the stoning of the Press Office, the protesters also shouted slogans against Greece, which they deem responsible for the situation in their country. The protesters finally departed after the arrival of the police called by Mr. Koutsoumis. It is noteworthy that the Greek Press Office is not guarded, even though local authorities have been asked to.

Following the incident, the Greek Ambassador in Skopje, Mr. Kaklikis, asked the FYROM Foreign Ministry to take all measures for the protection of the Greek Press Office.

The main opposition party of Nea Dimokratia stated that the situation in Skopje is being observed with uneasiness but questioned the effectiveness of the greek government action.

[02] CONFRONTATION BETWEEN REPPAS AND ROUSSOPOULOS

After allegations of the main opposition party that the Greek government submitted a list with names of protesters that came from the Greek Intelligence Agency to the Italian authorities in order to assist them in dealing with the riots, a barrage of statements between the government and the main opposition party broke out.

Mr. Reppas categorically denied that "any Agency of the Greek Government gave a list of names." According to a previous statement of Mr. Roussopoulos, The Italian Minister of Internal Affairs stated that he had in his possession a list of troublemakers, and demanded that the government comment on whether or not they had submitted such a list. After a barrage of statements between the two spokesmen, Mr. Reppas attacked Mr. Roussopoulos saying that he had distorted the facts of the Italian Minister's statements, that he had used political slander, and that the Opposition's claims were harmful to the country's image, and thus constituted a major political and ethical issue.

The Government's spokesperson added that the government would be glad to partake in any parliamentary procedure on the issue, as it has nothing to hide. He also added that anyone has access to information hosted on web-sites showing political movements and groups.

Last night found protesters in Athens moving towards the Italian Embassy, while anarchists in their midst broke shop windows and set fire to a garbage can, to which the police answered with tear gas. There were also protesters in Thessaloniki starting from the Polytechnic School and ending at the branch of the Italian Chamber of Commerce which is housed together with consulate services, however the building was well protected by the police.

[03] FISCHLER VISIT TO GREECE

European commissioner Franz Fischler, responsible for agriculture and fishery issues will be on a formal visit to Greece on September 7-10.

According to Agriculture Minister Giorgos Anomeritis, Mr. Fischler will visit Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair and will have meetings with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, the agriculture ministry leadership, and production sector representatives.

[04] STELIOS KAZANTZIDIS IS IN A CRITICAL CONDITION

Popular Greek singer Stelios Kazantzidis is in a critical condition and is hospitalized at the Athens Medical Center with cancer.

His doctor Lefteris Doukas stated that his condition is stable with a tendency to deteriorate.

The prognosis is very bad and the disease brings him closer to death, stated Dr. Doukas, adding that the treatment he undergoes is aimed at offering him relief and cannot be regarded as a cure treatment.

[05] THE EU IS SATISFIED WITH THE VETERINARY INSPECTIONS IN GREECE

The European Union Veterinary Committee appeared satisfied with the quality of veterinary inspections in Greece in a meeting held yesterday, according to Greek agriculture minister Giorgos Anomeritis, who added that Greece will not have to take any additional measures for the protection of consumers after the one case of "mad cow" disease traced in the northern part of the country.

Mr. Anomeritis also announced that the responsible EU committee will proceed with the amendment of the existing EU regulation dealing with issues concerning the implementation of agriculture development projects with the participation of new farmers.

[06] FOREIGN STUDENTS VISIT THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

The Greek parliament seats were occupied today by 270 students from 90 universities in 40 countries, who attend the summer scholarships' education program on Greek studies provided by Athens University.

Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis addressed "the ambassadors of the Greek language and civilization to the world" and stressed that there is a need for cooperation and solidarity among the peoples who share the same vision of peace and progress, especially in this interim period experienced by humanity.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that the incidents in Genoa prove that many have reservations regarding globalization, while he reminded that Nicosia in Cyprus, is the only state capital in the world that continues to be divided.

[07] GREEK-TURKISH CONCERT IN EFES, TURKEY

A Greek-Turkish concert will take place at the ancient theater in Efes, Turkey on August 3. It is a music collaboration between the Thessaloniki Municipality Symphonic Orchestra and the Symphonic Orchestra of Ankara's Bilkent University.

The concert is placed within the framework of the Cultural Olympiad events and is organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki in cooperation with Istanbul's Philharmonic Society and the Municipality of Efes.

[08] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains were recorded again in the Athens Stock Exchange. The general index rose to +0.22% at 2.621,64 points today, while the volume of transactions was at 134.90 million Euro or 45.967 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the majority, 233, recorded gains, and 98 had losses, while the value of 42 stocks remained stable.

[09] MILVA SINGS FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN IN SIVIRI, CHALKIDIKI

A show under the title "Mediterranean-The sea of love and friendship" will be presented for the first time by famous Italian singer Milva. The show will be held at the Siviri Amphitheater within the framework of Kassandra Festival in Chalkidiki on July 28.

Milva will sing songs written by Greek composers Papathanasiou, Theodorakis, and Mikroutsikos. She will also sing Edith Piaf songs, folk songs from Naples, Italy, and many of her international hits.

[10] COOPERATION MEMORANDUM ON THE BROADCAST OF THE ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES

A memorandum of cooperation has been signed by Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, a major sponsor of the Athens Olympics, and the Athens 2004 Olympic Broadcasting, AOB.

The cooperation of the two concerns the services that will be offered in the area of the radio-television broadcast of the Athens 2004 Olympics. ิhe goal of the cooperation memorandum is the signing of a framework-agreement on the services that will be provided to AOB, news agencies, and mass media, which have the radio-television broadcast rights for the Olympic Games.

[11] THE 2004 OLYMPIC FLAME WILL VISIT OVER 60 COUNTRIES

The Australian news agency, AAP, referred to the Olympic Truce revival potential in a correspondence from Athens, pointing out that this revolutionary idea can prove to be strong even in modern times and contribute to the end of contemporary war conflicts.

The report includes statements by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, who points out that the idea can and must become a reality like the revival of modern Olympic Games in 1896.

It is also mentioned that the Olympic Truce Center in a proposal to the Athens 2004 organizing committee suggests that the Olympic Flame of the 2004 Olympics should visit all the regions of the world which are in a war situation. The plan includes more than 60 countries in the five continents, among them, Middle East countries, North and South Korea, and African and Balkan states.

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