Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-10-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPANDREOU IN WASHINGTON TODAY

[02] VIOLATIONS BY TURKISH FIGHTERS DURING ARMY MANEUVRES

[03] SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS NOW!

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] REPPAS: MR. LALIOTIS IS A VERY ABLE AND EFFECTIVE MINISTER

[06] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES

[07] THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE TURKISH ACCUSATIONS

[08] THE OECD CHARTS THE REFORM PROGRESS IN SE EUROPE

[09] INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES IN DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

[10] CHRISTODOULAKIS' STATEMENTS ON TOURISM

[11] DIAVATA PRISON INMATES ON HUNGER STRIKE

[12] IMAGE PROCESSING CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

[13] COMPLETION OF MANEUVRES IN THE PRESIDENT'S PRESENCE

[14] PAPANDREOU-FISCHER MEETING

[01] PAPANDREOU IN WASHINGTON TODAY

The Greek Foreign Secretary, Giorgos Papandreou, will go to Washington today, where he will come into contact with his US counterpart, Colin Powell, while Mr. Papandreou met, yesterday, with Igor Ivanof in Moscow. The two ministers expressed their volition for close cooperation in the framework of the struggle against international terrorism. They also announced the scheduling of an official visit of President Vladimir Putin to Greece in December. Yesterday, Mr. Papandreou had discussions in Berlin and Brussels with his German and Belgian counterparts.

[02] VIOLATIONS BY TURKISH FIGHTERS DURING ARMY MANEUVRES

Ten violations of Greece's national air space and 10 violations of Athens' FIR took place yesterday, which, in all cases, were intercepted by Greek fighter aircraft. On Sunday, 12 violations and 18 infractions took place. Turkish provocation was centered over the area of Lesvos, which is the base of operations for the PARMENION 2001 army maneuvers, which will be completed today.

[03] SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS NOW!

Facts in the international community after the strike against the US, make the resolving of pending issues in Cyprus imperative, stated Minister of Defense Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday, adding that only the European Union can conduce towards this direction, while in reference to Greek-Turkish relationships he considered it naïve to believe that there could be better relationships without resolving the Cyprus issue first.

For his part, speaking at the joint press conference he gave with his Greek counterpart, the Cypriot Minister of Defense, Socrates Hasikos, stated that only with a strong defense can you ensure a peaceful course towards the accession of Cyprus to the EU as well as the position that there should be talks with the other side for a peaceful resolving of the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stated that for the past 27 years, the people of Cyprus have suffered the consequences of an illegal action and supported that conditions are appropriate for the beginning of a new phase of a collective struggle, Cyprus and Greece, and a final end for this illegal action.

The international political scene was affected by international terrorism said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who was for the forming of joint international answer to terrorist phenomena.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.38% at 2.230,11 points, while the volume of transactions was at 110.80 million Euro or 37.75 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 286 recorded gains and 50 had losses, while 42 remained stable.

[05] REPPAS: MR. LALIOTIS IS A VERY ABLE AND EFFECTIVE MINISTER

Environment, public works and land planning minister Kostas Laliotis is a very able and effective government minister and Mr. Mitsotakis is annoyed because Mr. Laliotis signed with the contractor a much better deal on the "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport at Spata compared to the deal signed by the Mitsotakis government, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and added that the accusations made by the honorary president of the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy and former prime minister are groundless.

The government spokesman, referring to the charges made against officials of the "National Land Register" company, said that the politicians will not replace the prosecutors and judges, neither the justice servants will assume a political role. He said that each sector is autonomous and added that their roles are different and discernible and must be mutually respected. None can escape criticism and none is untouchable, stated Mr. Reppas.

Mr. Reppas stated that the government will wait for the whole procedure to be completed and expressed the certainty that the truth will shine.

[06] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES

The host country of the 2004 Olympic Games will not change, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to comment on the statements made by Mr. Livingston according to which, Greece is at risk of losing the Olympic Games because it does not do anything on the issue of terrorism.

The Greek government spokesman stated that based on this reasoning if the United States were the host country for the 2004 Olympic Games it would be impossible for it to host the events given the existing situation. Mr. Reppas stated that Greece is a safe country much safer than many other countries which speak lightly of Greece.

[07] THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE TURKISH ACCUSATIONS

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the accusations launched by Turkey against Greece are made for reasons of expedience, when he was called to comment on the statements made by Turkish armed forces chief Hussein Kivrikoglu, who alleged that Greece harbored Kurdish leader Ocalan and allowed the operation of Kurdish camps in the region of Lavrion.

The government spokesman added that Turkey attempts to take advantage of the fluidity in the wider region to have certain gains but it cannot persuade anyone.

Referring to Mr. Kivrikoglu, he said that he should read the UN resolutions and decisions on Cyprus to get the responses he wants on who is the one who complies with the rules set by the UN and who undermines the implementation of its decisions.

On the allegations concerning the camps in Lavrion, Mr. Reppas stated that the operation of the specific center is overseen by the UN and Mr. Kivrikoglu should ask the UN for answers.

[08] THE OECD CHARTS THE REFORM PROGRESS IN SE EUROPE

The southeastern European countries move toward market economy in a much quicker pace as, with the EU and OECD blessings, they systematize their efforts for regulatory reform, macro-economic stability, privatization and the restructuring of institutions.

The regulatory reform is one of the main priorities among the countries in the region aimed at attracting investments and achieving economic and social development.

The situation existing in the region's countries was charted by the Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, within the framework of the Stability Pact Investment Compact program. The OECD together with Britain undertook last year to materialize the specific program that was formally launched in Thessaloniki today within the framework of the joint seminar given by the Greek government and the OECD.

The background paper presented in the first day of the seminar included figures concerning Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, and Romania.

[09] INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES IN DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

The expansion of the security measures, that were in effect for the flights abroad, to the domestic flights as well, was announced by transportation minister Christos Verelis speaking to the Athens radio station "Flash".

Mr. Verelis maintained that the advanced luggage control system is among the advantages of the "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport in Athens. Meanwhile, referring to the issue of special guards during the flights, he stressed that the measures in effect will be the same with the measures in effect in other countries, while the final decision will be made by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

[10] CHRISTODOULAKIS' STATEMENTS ON TOURISM

Greece's strongest weapon is that it is a safe solution in an era of redistribution in the world tourist scene, pointed out minister of development Nikos Christodoulakis in an interview with the Athens radio station "Flash".

Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that it is too early to talk about any consequences on the Greek tourism, while he stated that the government is open to the financial backing of airline companies adding, however, that above all demand must be maintained at a high level.

The minister of development stated that no serious booking cancellations have been made in the 2002 tourist packages while at the same time, he announced the establishment of an emergency situation management committee for the promotion of the tourist advantages offered by Greece. He also stated that the feeling of safety and stability existing in Greece will be strengthened at an international level.

[11] DIAVATA PRISON INMATES ON HUNGER STRIKE

The inmates in Thessaloniki's Diavata Prison are on a hunger strike following the example of other inmates in the prisons of Agios Stefanos and Patras.

They protest against a draft bill promoted by the justice ministry that regulates the furloughs enjoyed by inmates and the time those accused of drug related crimes will have to spend in jail before they are released.

[12] IMAGE PROCESSING CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

The 8th International Image Processing Conference 2001 will take place in Thessaloniki on October 7-10 with the participation of 1.000 scientists, engineers and business executives from all over the world.

The conference delegates will discuss the application of image processing technologies for the effective maintenance of art works and the discovery of new ways to exhibit cultural heritage works of art. The need to cut the restoration costs for cultural art works and monuments has turned the scientists' interest toward digital maintenance techniques in the cases of works of art that suffered the effects of time or have been damaged by different factors.

Also, the scientists specializing in the area of image processing will examine the option of virtual representation and surfing in digital libraries and virtual museums.

[13] COMPLETION OF MANEUVRES IN THE PRESIDENT'S PRESENCE

The PARMENION 2001military maneuvers were completed today, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, and the Minister of Defense, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, in the areas of Apalo and Lavara in Evros.

Mr. Stefanopoulos, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos and military leadership observed the battle plan of a branched operation.

During the operation, two hovercrafts went ashore. Let it be noted, that this was the first time these vehicles have been used in a branched military maneuver, they are brand new and were just transported from Volos. Also, they are high-speed transports, since they hover over the sea, move at great speeds and can come ashore. They are also maneuverable and can transport up to 500 individuals.

These to vehicles came ashore in order to participate in the capturing of the Alexandroupoli Airport, which was held by the enemy, to secure and to be ready in case of later orders in the operation.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stated he was completely satisfied by the coordination of the forces, after the end of the first stage of the maneuver, while he characterized the whole maneuver as highly successful.

[14] PAPANDREOU-FISCHER MEETING

Peripheral crises, the situation in FYROM and the developments of the Cypriot issue were the main topics of discussion at the meeting of the two Foreign Secretaries of Greece and Germany, Giorgos Papandreou and Yoska Fischer, in Berlin.

The two Ministers made a common statement that security and human rights must coexist.

There are issues in the EU, which will be discussed by the Ministers of Justice and Public Order, which concern specific security measures for our countries, stressed Mr. Papandreou.

Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Fischer discussed the need for the European Union to mobilize in the peripheral crises sources (Balkans, Middle East, Cyprus, the Caucasus), while there were approaches for the exchange of information, between the two countries, on the networks active in the Balkans, Kossovo, Albania, FYROM, and the coordination for proper measures to be taken.

Mr. Papandreou reassured Mr. Fischer that Greece will support the stabilization attempts in FYROM, and characterized the uncompromising position of Cypriot-Turks, unproductive and unacceptable.

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