Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] FONTEN MEETING WITH POLITICAL LEADERS

[02] MUSLIM FANATICS IN THE BALKANS

[03] HEIDER IS ON HIS WAY TO THESSALONIKI

[04] SMALL GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] SEMPRUN: THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE US IS A NEW KIND OF FASCISM

[06] GREEECE OFFERS US$1ML TO THE AFGHAN REFUGEES

[07] MODERN GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOLARS MEET IN TENERIFE

[08] FONTAINE: COMMON EU JUSTICE POLICY TO COMBAT TERRORISM

[09] TOUGH SECURITY MEASURES FOR HEIDER

[10] THE TRIAL ON THE FALCON FREAK AIR ACCIDENT WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 8

[11] THE GREEKS TRUST THE ARMED FORCES, THE CHURCH AND THE POLICE

[12] ANTI-WAR RALLIES IN GREECE

[13] A. TSOHATZOPOULOS IN CYPRUS ON SUNDAY

[14] KARAMANLIS-PALACIO MEETING IN BRUSSELS

[15] US: COOPERATION WITH GREECE AGAINST TERRORISM

[16] JOURNALIST THEO IKONOMOU DIED

[01] FONTEN MEETING WITH POLITICAL LEADERS

President of the European Parliament Nicole Fonten, who is visiting Greece, will meet today with the President of the Coalition, Nikos Konstantopoulos, the Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party, Aleka Paparhga, and the President of DIKKI, Dimitris Tsovolas. She will also visit the offices of New Democracy, while a meeting has been scheduled with the President of Athens 2004, Gianna Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki.

Yesterday, Mrs. Fonten met with the President of the Parliament, Nikos Kaklamanis, during which meeting the need to confront terrorism, without the infringement of human rights, was expressed by both sides.

Mr. Kaklamanis underlined the role of the European Parliament in the unhindered accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

[02] MUSLIM FANATICS IN THE BALKANS

Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos does not exclude the possibility of Muslim fanatic groups, active, in the Balkans, who may have not only corroded the Muslim soldiers of former Yugoslavia (UCK soldiers), but may have established organized networks in the Balkans and all through Europe.

The Greek Defense Minister said the Mujahedin fought in Bosnia, Albania, Kossovo and FYROM, and there is no doubt about the creation of cores with soldiers from these organizations in the region. When asked if they are still present and active in the region, his answer was: Our appreciation is probably, yes.

In a short meeting (10 minutes) he had yesterday with his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Tsakmakoglou, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos discussed the developments in the bilateral relations of our countries, as well as some new Measures for the Construction of Mutual Trust.

The two ministries also agreed on creating a red telephone line which will connect the two Ministries.

With his French counterpart, Alain Richard, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos discussed the common activities of their countries in Kossovo, while on the eradication of international terrorism they agreed that the US appeared at yesterday's ministerial meeting, with studied, complete, responsible and realistic positions on dealing with the problem. Positions which have nothing to do with all the vengeful emotions being given to them daily by International Press and other Media. From this report it is revealed that yesterday, the US informed the allies on plans of retaliation. A. Tsohatzopoulos met with Russian Foreign Secretary Ivanof, who informed him on the present situation in Afghanistan. Both of them agreed on the activation the treaty signed by their countries three years ago, on cooperation between their intelligence services and their institutes of strategic analysis. Mr. Ivanof will visit Athens before the end of the current year.

[03] HEIDER IS ON HIS WAY TO THESSALONIKI

The private jet with Austrian far-right politician Jorge Heider on board, the biggest shareholder of Austria's Kerden football team, was expected to arrive in Thessaloniki this evening to watch the game between his team and Thessaloniki's PAOK taking place within the framework of the UEFA championship.

The private jet bringing him to Greece departed late this afternoon from an Austrian airport and according to information Heider, former leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party, is accompanied by a number of bodyguards. He is likely to stay for a while at a Thessaloniki hotel before arriving at the football stadium just before the opening of the match at 9pm.

Members of the "Genoa Initiative 2001" will hold a rally outside the stadium protesting against his arrival and strong police forces will be inside and outside the stadium to avert any incidents.

[04] SMALL GAINS IN THE ASE

Small gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.67% at 2.172,46 points, while the volume of transactions was at 111.28 million Euro or 37.92 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 186 recorded gains and 122 had losses, while the value of 70 remained stable.

[05] SEMPRUN: THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE US IS A NEW KIND OF FASCISM

The terrorist attack on the United States was characterized as a new kind of fascism by famous Spanish author Jorge Semprun, who stressed to reporters that it is a phenomenon of violence that has taken up a new dimension, while at the same time, he said that religious fanaticism should not be confused with terrorism. He also referred to Islam's relation with democracy and characterized the movement of the Basks as national totalitarianism. He said that he holds nothing against those who expelled him from the Spanish Communist Party and stated that he prefers to live than to write.

On the terrorist attack on the US, he said that now an explanation must be given to this phenomenon as none has assumed responsibility for this action. He said that ideologically, is a new type of fascism characterized by anti-Semitism and hatred for democracy. He said that terrorism should not be confused with religious fanaticism and stressed that Islam is the religion that has the greatest difficulty with democracy.

Mr. Semprun is in Thessaloniki to promote his new book under the title "Goodbye light of youth", which is at the Greek bookstores published by Exantas publishing house.

In his new book, he describes parts of his life as an adolescent and his first years as an adult, including memories from the Spanish civil war, the fall of the Spanish Republic, and WWII.

Semprun, together with film director Kostas Gavras, wrote the script for the movie "Z" based on the book by Vasilis Vasilikos on the murder-case of leftist Greek parliament deputy Grigoris Lambrakis, who was killed in Thessaloniki in 1963.

He was born in 1923 in Madrid to a family of diplomats and intellectuals. During the Spanish civil war his family was exiled to France, he became a member of the Communist Party and participated in the resistance against the Nazis. In 1943 he was arrested by Gestapo and was held for two years. In 1964 he came to a disagreement with the Spanish Communist Party and he was expelled. He served as culture minister in the government of Felippe Gonzales. He is a member of the Goncourt Academy since 1996 and lives in Paris.

[06] GREEECE OFFERS US$1ML TO THE AFGHAN REFUGEES

Greece offers economic assistance of one million US dollars for the Afghan refugees inside Afghanistan, and in Iran and Pakistan, stated foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou clarifying that US$500.000 will be given to the UN High Commission for Refugees and an additional US$500.000 to non governmental organizations offering their help to those people.

Mr. Papandreou stated that this is the biggest humanitarian crisis of the last decades and called on all non governmental organizations and the people to contribute to the efforts to overcome it.

[07] MODERN GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOLARS MEET IN TENERIFE

Modern Greek language scholars from the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America will meet in Tenerife on October 30-November 3 within the framework of the conference "The classical tradition in modern Greek literature".

The conference is organized by the Laguna University Classical Literature and Arab Studies Department, the Spanish Society of Modern Greek Studies and the Greek-Canary Association, the "Bridge".

[08] FONTAINE: COMMON EU JUSTICE POLICY TO COMBAT TERRORISM

The view that a common EU justice policy is necessary for Europe to be effective when dealing with terrorism and organized crime, while the member-states should even relinquish certain of their powers toward this end, was expressed by Euro-parliament president Nicole Fontaine, who is on a visit to Athens.

Speaking in a meeting on Greece's preparation in view of the circulation of the Euro, that took place in the European Parliament building in Athens, Ms. Fontaine stated that the new European currency gradually will become a factor of stability for the European economies. She also pointed out that the adoption of additional measures such as, the harmonization of tax laws, cannot be avoided.

[09] TOUGH SECURITY MEASURES FOR HEIDER

The president of the Austrian football team, Kerden, Jorg Heider, known for his racist beliefs, is expected to arrive in Thessaloniki today to watch the game of his team with Thessaloniki's PAOK within the UEFA championship.

As it was made known, he will be at the football stadium half an hour before the start of the game and under tough security measures.

[10] THE TRIAL ON THE FALCON FREAK AIR ACCIDENT WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 8

The trial on the Falcon freak air accident that happened two years ago killing 7 people among them, deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis and his son, Nicholas, will be held on January 8, 2002.

Six people, namely, the two pilots of the prime minister's plane and four technicians responsible for the plane's maintenance, are on trial accused of homicide, causing bodily harm and disruption of flight safety.

The two specialists appointed by the prosecutor's office to investigate the accident stated that it was human error and insufficient maintenance that caused it and not mechanical failure. Also, they reached the conclusion that the plane's speed was excessive during descent, there was human error in the automatic pilot operation and delay in the pilot's orders to the passengers to fasten their seat-belts.

[11] THE GREEKS TRUST THE ARMED FORCES, THE CHURCH AND THE POLICE

The Greeks trust institutions like the armed forces, the Church, the police and the European Union, according to an opinion poll conducted by the polling company Kapa-Research on behalf of the Athens newspaper "To Vima".

Specifically, 82.2% of those questioned stated that they trust the armed forces, 70.9% the Church, 60.9% the European Union and 55.8% the police. Also, they trust the workers' movement (43.5%), and the UN (42.1%), while at the last places are the Greek political parties (26.9%), NATO (25.4%) and globalization (23.3%).

To the question "who do you believe can contribute more to the efforts aimed at making life better", 44.5% trust the mayors, 29.75% the government and 28.2% the parliament deputies. At the last place, are the businessmen (7.8%), the regional officials (7.6%) and spiritual people (5.3%).

To the question on the likelihood for the former King to return to Greece as a plain citizen, 39.5% expressed disagreement, 28.8% is in favor and 28.4% responded that they do not care.

[12] ANTI-WAR RALLIES IN GREECE

Anti-war rallies have been organized for this afternoon in Athens and Volos. In Athens the rally is to take place at 6pm, organized by Genoa Initiative 2001. In its events, Initiative will express its opposition to the retaliation operations promoted by the US, after the attack on Manhattan. Other organizations of the Left will hold anti-war rallies in the same area an hour later.

At 7pm, a meeting has been organized by the Volos Peace Committee, with Vice-President of the EEYDE, Mr. Fotiadis, as its speaker. The rally will take place in Liberty Square and many organizations of the area have stated their participation.

[13] A. TSOHATZOPOULOS IN CYPRUS ON SUNDAY

The Minister of Defense will travel to Cyprus on Sunday afternoon, to represent the Greek government at the celebrations of the Cypriot Republic's Independence Day.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will observe the military parade on October 1 in Nicosia, which will be greeted by the President of the Republic, Glafkos Kliridis, with the Minister of Defense, Socrates Hasikos.

[14] KARAMANLIS-PALACIO MEETING IN BRUSSELS

The issue of air transport security following the terrorist attacks in the US was the topic of discussion the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis, had in Brussels, where he is, participating in the session of the European People's Party Presidency with the Vice President of the European Committee for Transports and Power, Loyolla de Palacio.

In statements after the meeting, Mr. Karamanlis stressed that after the hideous terrorist strikes, a series of questions arises on air transport security.

So, we wanted to have more specific information and images on ideas of what will happen, he stressed.

Mr. Karamanlis also underlined the need for initiatives to be taken, in order for the crisis striking the air transport sector, to be overcome. He stressed, that a convention was agreed on, which is to take place in Thessaloniki. Its topic will be on the promotion of Transports and Power networks and of democracy in the Western Balkans, with the participation of spokespersons from Balkan countries.

[15] US: COOPERATION WITH GREECE AGAINST TERRORISM

In yesterday's briefing of the press in the US State Department, the Greek correspondent called on Mr. Bautcher to comment on the facilitation offered by Greece to the US in its efforts against international terrorism, after the statements made by the Greek government spokesman that Greece will allow US airplanes to use the Greek airspace and the country's airports.

Mr. Bautcher responded that Greece is one of the NATO member-states that decided to activate article 5 and added that there was great cooperation with Greece against terrorism in the past and the US is looking forward to continue the cooperation on the issue in the future.

The US State Department spokesman stated that he will respect the rule he adopted a few days ago and will not announce what each country does. He said that Greece is an ally with which the US is in close cooperation both at a bilateral level and within the framework of NATO.

[16] JOURNALIST THEO IKONOMOU DIED

The loss of the distinguished Greek living abroad journalist, Theodosios Ikonomou, is being mourned by the Greeks living in Perth, Australia. Theo, as he was known to friends and acquaintances, published the Hellenism newspaper for decades, until 1999, a beacon for the community. Born in Greece in 1917. Completed his studies as a teacher, fought in the Albanian front and was later captured by the Germans, who sent him to a concentration camp in Austria, from where he was miraculously saved, shortly before the Nazis fell from power.

After the liberation, he stayed in Vienna, where he studied theatre, the arts, philosophy and journalism at the local university. In 1956 he settled in Santiago, Chile, where he published the first Greek newspaper, The Voice of the Mediterranean.

He lived in Australia since 1959. Initially he worked at the Panhellenic Herald and the Sidney Vima newspapers.

From 1969 until his dying breath, he lived with his family in Perth, where, through the pages of his newspaper, he fought his own battle for the national issues of Cyprus and Greece.

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