Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS WILL ASK: PROGRESS OR REGRESSION?

[02] MEETINGS WITH POLITICAL LEADERS CONTINUE

[03] PLANS FOR A VISIT TO THE US BY MR. SIMITIS

[04] THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY

[05] RUSSIA'S STANCE ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS POSITIVE

[06] PAPANDREOU-HASIKOS MEETING

[07] POLICE OFFICERS WILL DRIVE THE CARS OF DRUNK DRIVERS

[08] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[09] CHRISTODOULOS CALLED ON THE FAITHFUL TO RALLY AROUND THE CHURCH

[10] THE METROPOLITES MET WITH TSOVOLAS AND SAMARAS

[11] PAPARIGA-AGELKOVIC MEETING

[12] THREE DAY ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL IN SAMOTHRAKI

[13] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL INAUGURATE THE FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR

[01] SIMITIS WILL ASK: PROGRESS OR REGRESSION?

References to great dilemmas and challenges are expected to be made by Prime Minister Simitis in his speech at today's and tomorrow's PASOK Central Committee meeting, while he will criticize the position of the conservative powers.

Mr. Simitis will stress that "the dilemma which determined and still determines sociopolitical developments is more obvious: Regression or progress? Change or conservation? Fallback or search for new ways? This dilemma permeates all spheres of political, social and economic way of life of our country. All of us are judged on the position and stance we take on this dilemma."

The Prime Minister is going to point out that clear targets, targets of PASOK and of the Greek people require two principles of action:

Yes to changes, but to those that build on what we've conquered, not those changes that cancel what we have achieved.

No one has the right to risk even a centimeter of the distance Greece has covered in comparison with previous partners of hers.

Yes to the redistribution of income, yes to targeted income support which invests in the active citizen and supports social cohesion, no to providing with nothing to show for it, no to provisions that bind and mortgage the people's future.

Referring to the Conference the Prime Minister will characterize it as the starting point of a great political campaign and will point out that this is called to give clear and documented answers on the county's perspective.

[02] MEETINGS WITH POLITICAL LEADERS CONTINUE

The meetings of the Holy Synod's Committee will continue today with the parties of the opposition, after the strong denial of the President of the Republic and yesterday's intervention by the President of the Parliament , Apostolos Kaklamanis.

At 09:00 the committee met with the secretary of PASOK Kostas Skandalidis, at 10:30 with the President of Democratic Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas, at 12:00 he will meet with the president of Political Spring, Antonis Samaras and at 13:30 with the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Aleka Papariga.

In the meantime the meeting of the Hierarchy in October is anticipated with great interest, at the same time as the PASOK convention, since that is where the next movements on the ID issue are expected to be made.

[03] PLANS FOR A VISIT TO THE US BY MR. SIMITIS

The discussions concerning a visit to the United States by prime minister Kostas Simitis as a formal guest of the US government, to take place in the following period, are in progress, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, pointing out that for the time being there has been no such invitation but consultations take place at a diplomatic level.

The invitation will come from the US government said Mr. Reppas. He added that the new US government is in contact with world leaders and within this framework the US government has undertaken the initiative to contact the Greek government as well.

[04] THE GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON TUESDAY

The governmental committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the government's economic policy in view of the prime minister's presence in Thessaloniki on the occasion of its International Trade Fair.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that this year's state budget is being met in a reliable and smooth manner. Mr. Reppas also said that there is neither lack of revenues nor overspending, adding that the state budget revenues increase with a 9% rate compared to the 8% target, while the primary spending increase is 7.7% compared to the annual target of 7.9%.

[05] RUSSIA'S STANCE ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS POSITIVE

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized Russia's stance on the Cyprus issue as positive in statements he made on the occasion of Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides visit to Russia.

Commenting on US president Bush's bimonthly report on Cyprus, he said that we should be interested in the observations made by US officials which are positive in general and help toward finding a solution to the Cyprus issue.

Responding to a question by a reporter, Mr. Reppas pointed out that Greece will participate in the next military exercise "Nikiforos" as planned, adding that the military exercises held with the participation of the forces of the two countries take place based on what it has been jointly planned.

[06] PAPANDREOU-HASIKOS MEETING

The Cyprus issue and defense cooperation were the issues discussed in Athens today in the meeting of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou with visiting Cypriot minister of defense Socrates Hasikos.

In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stated that they had a positive discussion and a good exchange of views on the occasion of the significant changes that are expected to take place as a result of the efforts made by UN secretary-general.

Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece wants to see the whole region to make steps toward Europe and referred to Cyprus' successful course toward this direction. On Turkey, he said that it is a great opportunity for the country to follow European steps, stressing that this means that it must contribute in a meaningful way to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

From his side, Mr. Hasikos characterized the meeting as friendly and productive. He said that they discussed the Cyprus issue, the country's EU accession course, as well as issues of defense and security within the framework of the European security and defense.

The Cypriot minister said that they decided to hold regular meetings to adopt a common line and policy, given the fact that the issues of defense are linked directly with foreign policy in view of Cyprus' EU accession.

[07] POLICE OFFICERS WILL DRIVE THE CARS OF DRUNK DRIVERS

The Police Employees Union in the prefecture of Messinia, southern Greece, undertook a significant initiative aimed at limiting the number of traffic accidents. According to statements by union president Dimitris Filos, the drivers, who have consumed alcohol drinks, will be able to call a special telephone number.

Members of the union will drive the cars of drunk drivers to their homes helping them this way to avoid being involved in a traffic accident or pay a fine.

[08] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Small losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.25% at 2.762,12 points, while the volume of transactions was 134.9 million Euro or 45.487 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 61 recorded gains and 272 had losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained stable.

[09] CHRISTODOULOS CALLED ON THE FAITHFUL TO RALLY AROUND THE CHURCH

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece called on the faithful to rally around the Church in his sermon today. He pointed out that desperation is not for the Christians meaning that the Church will continue its campaign concerning the identity cards issue.

Archbishop Christodoulos also said that the Church is our last shelter and hope and added that through the Church we learn to live in a community as members of society and not selfishly.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Christodoulos will be on a six-day visit to Serbia starting on September 7, according to the Yugoslav newspaper "Novosti". The newspaper writes that the Serb Orthodox Church prepares the program of the Archbishop's visit.

[10] THE METROPOLITES MET WITH TSOVOLAS AND SAMARAS

A committee of Metropolites met to discuss the identity cards issue with Democratic Social Movement president Dimitris Tsovolas and Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras.

Mr. Tsovolas stressed that the statements made on the issue by president Kostis Stephanopoulos are correct and based on the country's constitution. He also called on both the Church and the government to contribute to the efforts aimed at easing the tension.

Mr. Samaras stated that the prime minister was the one that ignited the crisis and has an obligation to end it through dialogue. He said that there will be no winners or losers, stressing however, that national unity and social cohesion will be seriously wounded.

[11] PAPARIGA-AGELKOVIC MEETING

Serbia's Socialist Party general secretary Zoran Agelkovic met in Athens today with Greek Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga and discussed issues concerning the developments in the Balkans.

In statements made by Ms. Papariga it was stressed that the war against Yugoslavia was aimed at promoting the change of the borders in the region and settling disputes on economic and political interests.

[12] THREE DAY ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL IN SAMOTHRAKI

More than 5000 young people from Greece and Europe are expected to attend the 1st International Electronic Music Festival "Sola Luna". which is organized in Samothraki starting today and lasting until September 2nd. At the Festival organized by the Prefecture of Samothraki, in the framework of the "Kaviria 2001" events, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the General Secretariat for the New Generation, dozens of electronic music groups from France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain and Denmark will participate, while our country will be represented by the ABATON and BLEND bands. The Sola Luna Festival will take place in the Samothraki Municipal camping, free of charge, while for the better transportation of the visitors, the SAOS company has programmed extra trips.

[13] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL INAUGURATE THE FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR

President of the Greek republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will inaugurate the 53rd International Book Fair in Frankfurt on October 9 in which Greece is the honored country.

According to the German news agency DPA, present in the inauguration ceremony will be Benakis Museum director Angelos Delivorias and German Booksellers president Ronald Ulmer.

Greece is the honored country in the largest international book fair in the world and will have the opportunity to promote a wide spectrum of cultural and literature issues. The Frankfurt Book Fair will last until October 15.

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