Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOSPER SATISFIED BY OLYMPICS COVERAGE

[02] MILLER: LONG-TERM BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM

[03] SHIFTER CRITICISMS ON STABILITY TREATY

[04] PAGALOS: FOREIGN SECRETARY NOT FIT FOR POSITION OF PRIME MINISTER

[05] G. PAPANDREOU VISIT TO US EFFECTIVE

[01] GOSPER SATISFIED BY OLYMPICS COVERAGE

The President of the IOC Press Committee, Richard Kevan Gosper, was completely satisfied with the way Athens is preparing to welcome media spokespersons from all over the world, who will come to Greece to cover the 2004 Olympics.

The Vice-President of the IOC, met with the President of the Olympic Committee Athens 2004, Gianna Aggelopoulou-Daskaliki and Authorized Consultant Mr. Spyros Kapralos. Mr. Gosper had previously visited the facilities of St. Andreas where one of the Journalist Villages will function, as well as the respective facilities in Amygdaleza. He also went to the building of HELEXPO, where the Main Press Center will be organized during the Games. There, he was shown the facilities of the Athens Exhibition and Conference Center, by its Director, Mr. Dimitris Tsonis as well as the Director of the Main Press Center (MPC) Mr. Aris Nikolakis. He then went to the offices of the Organizing Committee and was informed on the course of Direction of Services for the Games Press works, by Director Mr, Kostas Vernikos.

Mr. Gosper stated he was completely satisfied by the potential offered by the Press Center, and by the Journalist Villages being prepared.

The President of the Press Committee stressed that he firmly believes that Athens can organize unique Games, and offer the Olympic Movement an exceptional service, at this difficult time for the planet.

[02] MILLER: LONG-TERM BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM

Terrorism was characterized as a visible threat not just for the US, but Greece, France and England as well, by the new US Ambassador in Athens, Thomas Miller, while at the same time he stressed that the fight against it will take long.

In statements given to journalists at the "Macedonia" newspaper symposium on "Borders and Minorities in the Balkans", Mr. Miller pointed out that the US has had many discussions, and will keep doing so, with the Greek government on the issue of cooperation against terrorism. "What I stress most of all, is that we must all make an effort and try occupy ourselves with the threat of terrorism, which is a threat to all of us".

The American Ambassador also stressed that terrorism is an international phenomenon and that we must concentrate on the larger threat, which at this time is Osama bin Laden and the organizations and parties cooperating with him. He also expressed the belief that with the cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, other problems may also be solved, including that of "November17".

Mr. Miller pointed out that the fight against terrorism will not end in a week, or a month, but it will take a long time and that it's going to be a different fight than that which takes place on a battlefield where the enemy is known, because in this case conventional means will have no effect.

The American Ambassador, speaking in Greek, expressed his satisfaction in visiting Thessaloniki briefly, only a few days after taking up his duties in Athens. "I think Thessaloniki is important, and that is the reason I am here" he said. At the same time he expressed his gratitude to President Bush for appointing him to his position in Athens. "I hope we work together, Greece and the US. The word you'll hear me say over and over is 'cooperation'. Our two people have a lot in common, common goals, common interests", he said, adding that it is his duty as a spokesperson for President Bush to promote trade, cooperation, and the excellent relationship between the two countries.

[03] SHIFTER CRITICISMS ON STABILITY TREATY

Ambassador Richard Shifter, inspirer of the US SECI initiative, taxed the Stability Treaty with ineffectiveness, stressing that it has not so far born the desirable fruits for peace and stability in the region of Southeastern Europe.

"From a political point of view, the activation of the Stability Treaty was the correct move. But then its materialization mechanisms did not function as they should have. On the other hand, the US initiative on SECI for cooperation in Southeastern Europe was more successful because the US made sure it involved all interested countries in it", supported Mr. Shifter, speaking from the podium of the international symposium, organized by "Macedonia" newspaper.

He stressed hat the attraction of foreign capital is the great challenge in the coming years for the strengthening of stability in the region. The Commission and the Stability Agreement must both be drafted in this attempt, as well as US programs and international funding organizations.

[04] PAGALOS: FOREIGN SECRETARY NOT FIT FOR POSITION OF PRIME MINISTER

Giorgos Papandreou is not appropriate for the position of Prime Minister of Greece, stated former Minister Theodoros Pagalos in an interview on "Mega" television station, and explained that he has this opinion because he has worked with him and knows the abilities and potential of the present Foreign Secretary.

In another interview WITH the "Vima tis Kyriakis" newspaper, he noted that a blank vote has no point in the vote for Kostas Simitis' reelection at the 6th PASOK congress. "Lowering the percentage of the only candidate is undermining the power of the party and its perspective as government", and added "I don't see why anyone would do that. If they so wish, they may propose another candidate".

[05] G. PAPANDREOU VISIT TO US EFFECTIVE

Foreign Secretary Giorgos Papandreou returned from his meetings and talks in Washington with Collin Powel satisfied and impressed, while strengthening his good relation with the Bush Administration.

The Papandreou-Powel meeting, as well as that with Condoleezza Rice, was the first official bilateral contact of the Simitis government with the Bush government. the goal of the Greek side, as an article in "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia" newspaper mentions, was not to "lose" the voice and whatever weight it may carry in the broader framework of redefining international policies and relations, which is now being attempted by the US.

To be exact, Athens has focused its attention to the revocation of the unacceptable Bremer report on terrorism in Greece, as well as erasing the country's name from the first positions of the list with countries harboring terrorism.

Both issues, greatly important for the country, were satisfactorily, so far, dealt with by the US government, which could not at the time deal with secondary, for its own interests, issues. The Greek side did not hide its admiration on the way issues have been handled by the Bush Administration and, especially, by Mr. Powel, as he has shown restraint and calmness, and did not resort to easy and spectacular actions, such as immediate bombing and destruction.

The frame of mind of full service of American interests on the planet and the preserving of the leading position it holds in the globalization system, which must not be undermined by the September 11 strike, prevailed in the US government, which is now working on a global alliance - under its aegis - in the fight against terrorism.

The US government is not turning down any offers of help in its international struggle, including that of Greece, which has traditionally had good relations with Arab states of the area, and of course Iran.

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