Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] WESTERN POLICY CENTER: THE WORLD CHANGED ON SEPTEMBER 11

[02] THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM WILL PLAY IN THESSALONIKI IN 2004

[03] CABLE FAILURE IN THE HELICOPTER OF THE GREEK PRESIDENT

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] ATHENS AND TOMARAS WILL VISIT NEW YORK

[06] RUSSIAN TOURISTS IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS

[07] A GREEK-AMERICAN WHO ESCAPED THE DISASTER SPOKE TO MPA

[08] THOMAS MILLER: IT IS A GREAT HONOR FOR ME TO COME TO GREECE

[01] WESTERN POLICY CENTER: THE WORLD CHANGED ON SEPTEMBER 11

Western Policy Center director John Sitilidis stated to MPA that the terrorist attack did not target just the United States but the West and the whole civilized world.

Mr. Sitilidis stated that the United States now prepare to hit the terrorists where they live and expressed the hope that this will happen in close cooperation with NATO.

Responding to the question how it was possible for such a well coordinated attack to be kept secret, Mr. Sitilidis stated that 100% security cannot be found anywhere in the world and this was obvious in the specific case. He said that there are big questions on the work of the CIA and the FBI but they will be answered by the thorough investigation that will take place. He also said that the world changed on September 11 and nothing will be the same again.

[02] THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM WILL PLAY IN THESSALONIKI IN 2004

The Greek national football team will play in Thessaloniki's Group in the 2004 Olympic Games, while the small football final will be held in the city. The above were stressed by competition sector director Patrick Komninos during Olympic Games' seminars.

In the Athens Olympic Games there will be four groups made up of four teams in the men's category, while in the women's category there will be two groups made up of four teams. The men participating in the games will have to be under the age of 23.

The football games within the framework of the Athens Olympic Games will be held in the cities of Athens, Thessaloniki, Iraklio, Patras, and Volos.

[03] CABLE FAILURE IN THE HELICOPTER OF THE GREEK PRESIDENT

The helicopter that was about to carry president Kostis Stephanopoulos from Rhodes to the island of Kastelorizo in southern Aegean suffered a cable failure.

The Aegean minister, parliament deputies, and mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos were also scheduled to board the same helicopter. Finally, a second helicopter brought Mr. Stephanopoulos and the rest of the mission to Kastelorizo.

Mr. Stephanopoulos and the other officials attended the festivities that took place on the island on the occasion of the anniversary of the island's liberation.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.77% at 2.376,20 points, while the volume of transactions was 140.8 million Euro or 47.9 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 148 recorded gains and 163 had losses, while the value of 67 stocks remained stable.

[05] ATHENS AND TOMARAS WILL VISIT NEW YORK

North and South America World Council for Hellenes Abroad, SAE, coordinator Chris Tomaras, speaking to MPA, expressed his deep regret for the loss of so many innocent people and wished that the number of victims will be as small as possible.

He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that SAE's thoughts are with them, while he also expressed indignation for the horrific attack, condemning this cowardly event and its culprits.

Mr. Tomaras denied the information that SAE maintained offices in one of the two Twin Towers and stressed that he is in contact with SAE's Coordinating Committee in New York to determine the number of Greek-Americans working in the skyscrapers.

Meanwhile, both Mr. Tomaras and SAE president Andrew Athens prepare to visit New York and organize a support campaign.

[06] RUSSIAN TOURISTS IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS

A total of 145 Russian tourists arrived in the Turkish occupied territories of northern Cyprus yesterday coming from Antalia, Turkey for a one-day visit inaugurating an agreement between the so-called "ministry of tourism and environment" of the Turkish Cypriot regime with the Association of Tour Operators in Turkey.

The agreement provides for one-day illegal visits of tourists to the Turkish occupied territories of Cyprus. Initially, the visits will take place every Wednesday.

[07] A GREEK-AMERICAN WHO ESCAPED THE DISASTER SPOKE TO MPA

Aris Papathanasiou, a 39-year-old Greek-American, who worked in one of the Twin Towers in New York, was saved because he did not listened to those telling the people from the megaphones of the second tower, where he worked, not to leave the premises.

He worked as a computer specialist for the brokerage firm Morgan Stanley and spoke to MPA about his horrible experience.

When the first airplane crashed into the first tower he was in the elevator on his way to the 69th floor where he worked. The whole time he was in the building none knew what was going on and finally, somebody told them what happened and that there is no risk for them. He said that the only thing he thought was to use the stairs and abandon the building as many others did.

While he was walking down the stairs with other people they were discussing about how could it be that such an accident could have taken place. He was at the 35th floor when the building shook from his foundations as a result of the second plane crash. There was panic, screaming, crying...and finally he was able to get out of the building. He stated characteristically that now that he thinks about it again and again he realizes that the experience he had lived was beyond any action movie he had seen in his life.

[08] THOMAS MILLER: IT IS A GREAT HONOR FOR ME TO COME TO GREECE

Thomas Miller, who will take over his duties as the new US ambassador to Athens next week, stated that he is thrilled with his appointment in a radio interview yesterday with Giorgos Bistis of the "Voice of America" Greek service.

In the interview that was taken before the dramatic events in the United States, Mr. Miller stated that both his wife and himself preferred the embassy in Athens than any other embassy in the world and when the US president and the secretary of state gave him the post it was like a dream that came true.

Mr. Miller has a very positive view about Greece where he has many friends. He finds that the Greeks are very direct people, who do not hesitate to tell you their opinion.

On the Greek-US relations, he said that they are very strong for a number of reasons including historical and cultural ones. He said that both countries share many common values and views and it should not be ignored that 3 million Greek-Americans live in the United States, while many American citizens live in Greece.

Among the issues he will deal with when he arrives in Athens will be the Greek-Turkish relations, the tension in the Aegean, the Cyprus issue, bilateral military issues, terrorism and the promotion of US exports.

Mr. Miller stated that Greece plays a very positive role in the Balkan region especially, in the economic sector. He finally, stated that he is looking forward to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and stated that he is certain that it will be a great event for Greece and the Greek people. He also said that he will do everything he can to make sure that the Olympic Games in Athens will be a great success.

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