Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] M. CHRYSOCHOIDIS: SAFE ORGANIZATION OF THE OLYMPICS

[02] NAMES OF GREEKS IN NEW YORK HOSPITALS

[03] OLYMPIC PRODUCTS IN THE US MARKET

[04] MOU SIGNED WITH THE ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

[05] SECURITY IS THE FIRST PRIORITY

[06] PAPANDREOU WILL MEET WITH THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

[07] THE LOSSES IN THE ASE WERE LIMITED

[08] THOUSANDS OF VISITORS IN THESSALONIKI'S 66TH ITF

[09] TSOCHATZOPOULOS ON TERRORISM

[10] ND CALLS FOR A MEETING OF THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

[11] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE ASE

[12] THE OA FLIGHTS TO MONTREAL, TORONTO AND NEW YORK RESUME TOMORROW

[13] THE PARTHENON MARBLES IN THE COMMONWEALTH SUMMIT MEETING

[14] AUSTRALIAN MEMORIAL FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK

[15] 7 NAMES OF GREEKS LIVING ABROAD CONFIRMED

[01] M. CHRYSOCHOIDIS: SAFE ORGANIZATION OF THE OLYMPICS

The issue of reforming the security plan of the 2004 Olympics in Athens was left open by the Minister of Public Order, Michalis Chrysochiodis. In an interview to "Ethnos" newspaper, the Minister stressed that the security plan has been formed according to experience of previous events and has been approved by the International Olympic Committee (DOE) and at the same time noted that "any developments, of course, are in any case taken under consideration, since in the Olympics the "dogma" from which we do not move is its safe organizations".

To a question on the terrorist organization "November17" he pointed out that the goal of their eradication is still a steady one, and that services are working in that direction and it is known that they aren't taking stabs in the dark, but are utilizing the valuable knowledge of other country's services. He added that on the particular issue, "we must be calm in our analyses and laconic in our words".

In what may concern dealing with terrorism, a point of reference for policies which the Greek government will apply, are the ideas and policies which are being formed in the framework of the European Union.

Drawing on the terrorist attack in the US, the Minister noted: "Democracy has a debt to punish terrorist activity and even better, if it can prevent it. The most effective way of defending human rights is by disarming those who would conspire against it. The defense of Democracy from its enemies, in this case terrorism, must in no case lead to the undermining of institutions. There is no discount on freedoms".

Tomorrow the cabinet will come into session, presided over by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, on the safety measures in the 2004 Olympics.

[02] NAMES OF GREEKS IN NEW YORK HOSPITALS

The names of the Greeks living abroad that were wounded during the attack on the World Trade Center and have been transferred to New York hospitals, are included in the lists given to the New York Mayor's office by the hospitals for the Emergency Coordination. The Greek names are the following:

NAMES IN HOSPITALS

Dimitri Alexiou Beth Israel - Kings Div. NY

John Antoniadis SYCMC - St. Vincent's Manhattan, NY

Johnny Antiniadas SYCMC - St. Vincent's Manhattan, NY

Paul Athane Beth Israel Medical Center (Petrie Div.) NY

Theo Athanassiou Chelsea Piers, NY

John Basiliou Chelsea Piers, NY

Evangelina Canellopoulos Mount Sinal Hospital of Queens, NY

John Costalas NYU - Downtown, NY

Dean Coutsouris New York Methodist Hospital

Mark Dephtaraos SVCMC - St. Vincent's Manhattan, NY

Marina Diamantopoulos Staten Island University Hospital, NY

Aris Economopoulos St. Francis Medical Center, NJ

Anton Economos SVCMC - St. Vincent's Manhattan, NY

James Efthimiades SVCMC - St. Vincent's Manhattan, NY

John Fortis Bellevue Hospital, NY

Mark Grilis NYU - Downtown, NY

Gregory Kourtesis The Valley Hospital, NJ

Jennifer Kouzi NYU (Tisch/Rusk), NY

Luis Lemos Possimbly SVCMC - St. John's Queens

Pete Leventis Chelsea Piers, NY

George Liropoulos Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, NY

William Manas SVCMC - St. Vincent's Manhattan, NY

Joanna Mariti NYU (Tisch/Rusk), NY

John Nakrosis Liberty HealthCare System, Inc. Jersey City Med Ctr.

Athena Nakrosis Liberty HealthCare System, Inc. Jersey City Med Ctr

Thomas Nakrosis Liberty HealthCare System, Inc. Jersey City Med Ctr

Lawrence Nakrosis Liberty HealthCare System, Inc. Jersey City Med Ctr

Peter Papadopoulos Staten Island University Hospital, NY

Ralpb Papadopoulos Staten Island University Hospital, NY

Peter Papaemanuel Hospital for Joint Diseases, NY

Peter Paramathis Staten Island University Hospital, NY

Gregory Patsos Bellevue Hospital, NY

Evgenia Poumpouras Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton, NY

Rizzos Alex Chelsea Piers, NY

Stephen Savas Chelsea Piers

Lisa Skiptunis Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, NJ

Dennis Valsamedis Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, NY

Aristides Varsos SVCMC - St. John's Queens, NY

Douglas Vlachos SVCMC - St. John's Queens, NY

Gregoria Voulgaris Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, NY

Xenaris John Chelsea Piers, NY

Spiro Yioras Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, NY

Gloria Zeros St. Mary's Hospital Passaic.NJ

[03] OLYMPIC PRODUCTS IN THE US MARKET

An agreement for licensed ATHENS 2004 merchandise has been reached in New York between the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), following negotiations between Executive Director, Marton Simitsek, and Marketing General Manager, George Bolos, with USOC representatives.

This important agreement foresees:

· ÁTHENS 2004 licensed merchandise will enter the vast US market;

· Expected revenue, according to moderate estimates, will amount to 5 million USD;

· ATHENS 2004 products will be available to Greeks of the Diaspora living in the USA;

· Ôhe agreement is the first step in a series of additional initiatives taken by ATHENS 2004 in the USA, in order to increase awareness of the ATHENS 2004 brand and core values associated with it.

After approval by the IOC, the agreement will be signed between the ATHENS 2004 President, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, and the USOC President, Sandra Baldwin, at a special ceremony in New York next November.

[04] MOU SIGNED WITH THE ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A Memorandum of Understanding between the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and the Athens International Airport (AIA) has been signed by the ATHENS 2004 President, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and the AIA President, Dr. Matthias Mitscherlich.

The Memorandum refers, among others, to the following services and actions:

· Provide of working areas for ATHENS 2004 representatives;

· Adapt of the passport control infrastructure, in order to serve the Olympic Family members;

· Service to travelling officials;

· Study and draft transport plans for the luggage of the Olympic Family, as well as accommodation, service, transport and accessibility for persons with a disability;

· Study and adapt the Olympic Family waiting rooms.

The President of the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee underlined the importance of the MOU.

"The Airport will certainly hold a key-role in the lead up and during the 2004 Olympic Games regarding arrival and departure of several thousands of athletes, officials, journalists and visitors.

The arrival and departure will be the first and the last impression about Greece for all those present at the Games. Today's Memorandum will evolve, in cooperation with the Airport Administration, into a detailed Functional Plan describing all actions necessary for the smooth and safe arrival and departure of all our guests for the Games."

[05] SECURITY IS THE FIRST PRIORITY

ATHENS 2004 will take all measures to ensure secure Games, stressed the ATHENS 2004 President, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Athens International Airport.

"It is clear that after this tragic terrorist act the whole world is joining together to increase its resolve to eradicate terrorism. We have stated in the past that for the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games, security is our first priority. To achieve our goal of safe and secure Games we are working closely with the Government, specialists from past organising committees and the IOC. Should additional procedures be required to ensure the safety of all our guests in 2004, these will be integrated into our security plan."

[06] PAPANDREOU WILL MEET WITH THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will open a round of meetings with the Greek political party leaders starting tomorrow to brief them on the latest developments after the terrorist attack on the United States.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that Mr. Papandreou undertook this initiative to reach a common stance and a common reaction with the Greek political parties in dealing with the consequences caused by this terrorist attack.

On the future of the Stability Pact, Mr. Reppas stated that developments are followed closely, adding that Greece will move within the framework of its obligations and defend the interests of the Greek economy.

He said that Greece will meet its obligations as an ally within the framework of NATO and continue its efforts aimed at promoting the leading political role the EU should play in the world.

When he was called to comment on the rumors on bin Laden's activities in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus, Mr. Reppas referred to the fact that the US State Department has condemned the unfounded allegations made by Mr. Whesley Clark and stressed that the Cypriot government and its services follow the developments closely and so far no evidence have come up on bin Laden's alleged activities in Cyprus.

[07] THE LOSSES IN THE ASE WERE LIMITED

Today's Athens Stock Exchange session closed with losses of -1.80% at 2.207,94 points, after a plunge of -8.21% by the general index.

The losses were limited after a decision by the American Central Bank to cut its interest rates by 0.5%.

Transactions in the ASE were interrupted for two hours after a decision by its president Panagiotis Alexakis that was made in order to give time to market officials and investors to evaluate the international developments calmly.

The volume of transactions was 232.7 million Euro and of the stocks trading today, 44 recorded gains, compared to 302 that had losses, while the value of 32 stocks remained stable.

[08] THOUSANDS OF VISITORS IN THESSALONIKI'S 66TH ITF

The new services for the citizens with the application of high technology and the single European currency, the Euro, were the two main characteristics of Thessaloniki's 66th International Trade Fair that was held in the city on September 8-16.

Thousands of people visited its grounds to be informed on the achievements of the Greek production and the new technologies. As it was announced, a total of 295.950 people visited the ITF compared to 285.561 last year.

In the ITF participated a total of 1.210 exhibitors, 581 of which were direct exhibitors and 629 were indirect.

[09] TSOCHATZOPOULOS ON TERRORISM

The need to find a way to counter terrorism that will combine all means of domestic and foreign security and every principle of democracy, international law and democratic rights, was underlined by minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos in statements he made after the meeting he had with prime minister Kostas Simitis in Athens today. The armed forces disarmament programs, the situation as it has been formed after the terrorist attacks on the United States and the developments in the Balkans, were discussed in the meeting. The prime minister reiterated the need for calm and self-restraint.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos pointed out that it is the first time that terrorism has the form of a military operation with a war character, adding that the simple domestic security methods that were used in the past now are not enough.

The Greek minister of defense also expressed Greece's solidarity to the United States in the effort to counter terrorism.

Meanwhile, according to information Greece will facilitate the Americans by allowing the US ships and aircraft to pass through Greek territory.

[10] ND CALLS FOR A MEETING OF THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy called for a meeting of the political party leaders presided over by Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The party's foreign affairs committee met today and discussed the international developments after the terrorist attacks on the United States.

In the meeting it was pointed out that terrorism has no place in the civilized world, while it was underlined that there is a need for Greece to be in line with the rest European Union and NATO countries and contribute to the efforts aimed at countering terrorism.

However, it was stressed that any decision on the measures that will be taken must be made after a discussion in the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, the Greek Communist Party stated that it is against any Greek participation in the NATO military operations.

The issue of terrorism in the light of the attacks on the United States will be examined after the opening of the parliament's regular session in October, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who did not rule out the likelihood of a political party leaders' meeting that will be presided over by president Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[11] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE ASE

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, responding to the question on whether the government is considering to take measures after the new plunge in the Athens Stock Exchange, suggested that comments that can burden the operation of the Athens Stock Exchange even more must be avoided.

Mr. Reppas called on the mass media to avoid making negative comments, suggesting calm as the stock markets all over the world have a negative reaction as a result of last Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

Mr. Reppas stated that the stock market investors should weigh things carefully before making their final investment choices.

[12] THE OA FLIGHTS TO MONTREAL, TORONTO AND NEW YORK RESUME TOMORROW

Olympic Airways flight 423 for Montreal and Toronto with time of departure 9.50am as well as, OA flight 411 for New York, time of departure 12.20pm, will take place as scheduled.

According to Olympic Airways, in the specific flights will travel only the ticket holders, while passengers will have to be at the "Eleftherios Venizelos" Athens Airport four hours before their flight's time of departure.

[13] THE PARTHENON MARBLES IN THE COMMONWEALTH SUMMIT MEETING

The request concerning the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece will be presented by Australian prime minister John Howard to his British counterpart Tony Blair within the framework of the Commonwealth Summit meeting that that will be held in Brisbane, Australia on October 6-9.

According to a news report by the Australian News Agency (AAP), the movement for the return of the Parthenon Marbles got strong support by former prime ministers Witlam and Freiser, who are among the leading members of the "Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles" committee.

The Australian prime minister agreed to raise the issue to his British counterpart in the summit meeting after a meeting he had with the Greek-Australian Council, the members of which delivered him a memorandum with over 30.000 signatures.

[14] AUSTRALIAN MEMORIAL FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK

In the presence of a great crowd and several officials, among whom the shadowy Minister of Multiculturalism, Helen Shardy, Archbishop of Australia, Mr. Stylianos, assisted by the Bishops Iezekeil and Joseph and the hieratic superior of St. Nicolaos, in Yaraville, Father Alexandros Korlos, inaugurated the new spacious and modern room of the parish of Yaraville.

According to the New World in an auction which took place, many Greeks living abroad offered large sums of money, while the gold key of the room was given to Stavros Kianes, the silver to Giorgos Papadopoulos and the copper to Evaggelia Axarli.

Archbishop Stylianos performed a short memorial service for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the US, while in his speech he supported that such actions are not solved with revenge, but with forgiveness.

[15] 7 NAMES OF GREEKS LIVING ABROAD CONFIRMED

The General Consulate of Greece in New York confirmed the names of 7 Greeks living abroad missing from the terrorist attacks on the twin towers and possibly another two, whose names appear to be Greek.

The number of Greeks living abroad wounded that have been admitted to New York hospitals is 33, a few of which have already returned to their homes.

From the total 187 victims which have been pulled out from under the ruins, 115 have been recognized while the number of missing is 5.097.

For more information the special hotline of the Greek Embassy in New York is functioning (001 212 988 5500)

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