Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-08-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK FORCES READY TO MOVE TO FYROM

[02] TODAY OR TOMORROW FIRST NATO OFFICERS IN FYROM-AND ONE GREEK

[03] ALL IS CALM AT THE ASE

[04] TRACK MEET FOR CHILDREN OF GREEKS LIVING ABROAD

[05] CHRISTODOULOS: THERE CAN BE NO GREECE WITHOUT THE CHURCH

[06] PRIME MINISTER RETURNS AND BEGINS MEETINGS

[01] GREEK FORCES READY TO MOVE TO FYROM

According to an article published in "Kathimerini" newspaper a Greek military force of about 330 soldiers which is based in the 525 Infantry Motor Battalion in Polykastro of Kilkis, is on 24 hour call waiting the "green light" for its incorporation in the 3.500 soldiers comprising the multinational military force which will transcend to FYROM. The operation code named "Operation Harvest" intends to collect the weapons which will be turned over by the guerrillas... of their own free will, something which the cause of more than a few ironic smiles in the Greek "Pentagon".

The staff of the Defense Ministry have no illusions on the role of the Greek force in Fyrom. Their presence there will be merely as a military force with many limitations, but the political implications are important, and the Greek forces there will help win some time in which the stabilization and de-escalation of the situation.

The operation presents "small but existing" risk. The risk factor may be low, but no one can rule out the possibility of provocation, possibly this time from the side of the Slavomacedons, like that of the Albanian ethnic groups in Kossovo. The possibility of new acts of violence between the two sides cannot be ruled out.

[02] TODAY OR TOMORROW FIRST NATO OFFICERS IN FYROM-AND ONE GREEK

Today or later tomorrow15 NATO officers, among which 1 Greek Air Force Major, will arrive in Skopje in order to examine the situation in the neighboring country and will take the first actions in preparation of the armed forces' arrival.

In the meeting of the Standing Committee of NATO Spokespersons in Brussels, it was decided that the first phase of the operation will be the ending of the first Army Staff, which is comprised of 400 officers, the majority of which British, among which there will be 2 Greeks. The "Ta Nea" newspaper states today that the main NATO force is expected to begin arriving in Skopje next Monday.

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is on holiday, is in constant communication with the Chief of the General Staff of National Defense, while he had a telephone communication with Foreign Secretary MR. George Papandreou. The Greek Force which will take part in the NATO mission is comprised of a personnel of 350 and ready for departure at any moment.

[03] ALL IS CALM AT THE ASE

There were no unpleasant surprises in the ASE today, with the general index moving up and closing at 2.706,71 units, with an increase of 0,60%.

The volume of trade came to 104,66 million Euro, with 229 stocks recording gains, 92 having losses and 53 remaining stable.

[04] TRACK MEET FOR CHILDREN OF GREEKS LIVING ABROAD

The 2nd Track Meet for children of Greeks living abroad is dedicated to the Greek champion Kostas Kenteris and to all the other athletes that took part in the World Championship in Edmonton, Canada.

The events will take place tomorrow at 18:30 in the Kafthatzoglio Stadium of Thessaloniki, organized by the Foreign Ministry, the Committee of Greeks Living Abroad, The General Secretariat of Greeks Living Abroad and the Association of Athletic Unions of Thessaloniki

The program of events includes the parade of children from the GSGLA summer camp in Thessaloniki's Epanomi, aged 12-18, coming from 15 countries of Europe and Africa, with a portrayal of the lighting of the Olympic Flame and sports events.

[05] CHRISTODOULOS: THERE CAN BE NO GREECE WITHOUT THE CHURCH

Archbishop Christodulos inaugurated the Church of the Annunciation in Isternia of Tinos, in the presence of the Metropolites of Thiras, Panteleimonas, and Fthitida, Nikolaos.

Addressing the faithful, Mr. Christodoulos referred to the relationship between the Church and the State pointing out that there can be no Greece without the Church. "Whomever claims the opposite either doesn't know his history or is completely cut off from the people's tradition" he added.

He also stated that the struggle to save the spiritual and national identity of Greeks cannot but be crowned in success. In surmising he stressed that every Greek has the Church, Orthodoxy, the Saints, Holy Worship, the icons and remains of the Saints in him, and surrounds them with reverence.

[06] PRIME MINISTER RETURNS AND BEGINS MEETINGS

The Prime Minister, Mr. Kostas Simitis, cut his vacation in Sifnos short to speed up the organization of PASOK, in view of Mr. Simitis' upcoming speeches at the 66th TIF and at the congress of the Central Committee of the Party, on August 31st and September 1st.

Instead of Monday, the Prime Minister is expected to return tomorrow from his vacation, and according to information will then go to his summer house in Agious Theodorous where he will study his staff's proposals and the information of the government's economic staff. On Monday he has a meeting with the secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Mr. Skandalidis, with whom they will discuss the preparation of the Central Committee's congress and the meetings of the committees on the statutes and positions of the 6th congress.

On Tuesday Mr. Simitis will meet with a delegation from the Board of Industry of Northern Greece, which will present their positions and proposals on economy and development , in view of the Prime Minister's visit to the 66th TIF on the 7th,8th, and 9th of September. The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Giorgos Skandalidis, will also take part in the meeting, while tomorrow he will have meetings with representatives of all bodies in preparation of the Prime Minister's visit.

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