Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPANTONIOU-MILLER ΟΝ DEFENSE

[02] EU MESSAGE TO IRAN-PAKISTAN VIA G. PAPANDREOU

[03] LIBYA-KALAMATA COASTAL CONNECTION

[04] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WAVE CONTINUES

[05] INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON TERRORISM IN ATHENS

[06] EU CONCERNED OVER STABILITY PACT

[07] E-COMMERCE IN THE BALKANS

[08] COMMENTS ON THE NEW GOVERNMENT

[09] DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF SERBIA

[10] SIMITIS PRESIDES OVER OLYMPIC MEETING

[01] PAPANTONIOU-MILLER ΟΝ DEFENSE

Issues concerning Greek-American cooperation in the defense sector, as well as developments in the Afghanistan war, were examined in the meeting of the new Minister of National Defense, Giannos Papantoniou, and the new US Ambassador in Athens, Thomas Miller.

After mentioning that US companies are interested in participating in the tenders organized by the Armed Forces on their operational upgrading, he pointed out that in all such tenders of the Armed Forces, rules for clarity are abided by, so that there may be the best possible outcome. At the same time he repeated that the decisions of the Governmental Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defense, will be materialized in a fast, efficient and clear way.

On this issue, Mr. Miller mentioned that ensuring the participation of US companies in Armed Forces equipment tender, is one of his main interests.

The US Ambassador informed Mr. Papantoniou of the developments in the war against international terrorism, stressing that no decision has been made on whether or not the bombings will continue during the Ramadan, although he noted that Muslims do not stop wars between them during this celebration.

Mr. Papantoniou noted that there is no US demand for Greek participation in the war, pointing out however that Greece is participating on the US side, along with all the countries of the world, in the framework of the broad political decision to confront international terrorism, as it was adopted recently by the European Council in Belgium.

[02] EU MESSAGE TO IRAN-PAKISTAN VIA G. PAPANDREOU

Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou will inform Prime Minister Kostas Simitis on Wednesday about developments on foreign affairs as well as on his three-day trip he will take to Pakistan and Afghanistan beginning on Thursday, where he will meet with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

In the meantime the issue of military operations in Afghanistan will occupy the General Affairs Committee in Luxembuorg today.

As the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panos Beglitis, stated, Greece expresses its sadness on civilian deaths. An issue as he said which will be discussed in the EU, since the position of EU member-states is clear: Military operations in Afghanistan must be definite and carefully selected so that there are no victims among civilians, creating a climate of serious concern.

Concerning developments in Afghanistan, he stressed that the struggles of the EU are towards the shaping of a new political situation, after the Taliban era, with a policy that will lead to peace and stability in the region. Greece places great emphasis on supporting the role of the UN in creating a new government in Afghanistan, Mr. Beglitis stressed characteristically. At the same time he pointed out that there is no differentiation among the members of the community concerning the goals of the EU in Afghanistan, which is the strengthening of relations with Iran and Pakistan. This is the basic goal of the constant deliberations, contacts and discussions on an EU level, noted Mr. Beglitis, and added that this message will be transferred by Mr Papandreou to the two countries, in the contacts he will have in Islamabad and Tehran.

[03] LIBYA-KALAMATA COASTAL CONNECTION

The possibility of a coastal connection between Tobruk harbor in Libya and Kalamata was examined during meetings Libyan officials had in the Messinian capital last week, as guests of the Chamber. The Libyan had meetings with Prefect Dimitris Drakos, as well as the Consulting Director of the Anonymous South Coastal Company, Dimitris Agorastakis. As stressed in a press conference, which took place on Saturday, the function of a sea route between Greece and Libya may be viable and beneficial to both countries.

[04] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WAVE CONTINUES

Kurdish illegal immigrants were found in a trailer-house on Saturday afternoon in the Patras harbor. The car towing the trailer was being driven by a 34-year-old Bulgarian, Marian Radionov Neshkov, and was about to board Prometheus, a ship leaving for Agona harbor, Italy. The driver and the 7 illegal immigrants were taken to the Patras District Attorney on Saturday, who rescheduled their hearing for today.

An extension on the stay of the illegal immigrants in the PIKPA camps of Neapoli, was asked for by the Prefect of Lesvos, Dimitris Vounatsos. At the same time, the prefecture is still trying to acquire containers, for the housing of the illegal immigrants who have no reached 141 men, women and children.

[05] INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON TERRORISM IN ATHENS

An international seminar on terrorism will take place behind closed doors in Athens, on "the phenomenon of terrorism and the evaluation of modern day threats" will take place tomorrow morning in the amphitheater of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The seminar is being organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Public Order and the two Ministers, Giorgos Papandreou and Michalis Chrysochoidis, will address a greeting. Experts from the 7 countries cooperating with the Ministry of Public Order on the security of the 2004 Olympics will participate. These are: France, Germany, Spain, Israel, USA, Britain, and Australia.

[06] EU CONCERNED OVER STABILITY PACT

Developments in Yugoslavia are especially important to Greece, for peace and security in the region with the creation of an multinational community in Kossovo, according to Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council, stated the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panos Beglitis, when asked to comment on the upcoming elections of November 17.

As Mr. Beglitis said, Greece is very concerned about the safe return of Serbs to their homes, an issue turned in to both the EU and the US as well as the Albanian government.

Meanwhile the effectiveness of interventions and goals of the Stability Agreement,the results of which are disheartening, are creating problems and questions in the EU.

A broad discussion is expected to take place today in the General Affairs Committee meeting in Luxembourg, on the common report by Mr. Solana and Mr. Paten.

Greece has submitted proposals and ideas aiming at assuming initiatives for the activation of procedures for the funding of infrastructure projects in Yugoslavia.

[07] E-COMMERCE IN THE BALKANS

A meeting on Tele-education in E-commerce: Perspectives in the Balkans, is being organized for tomorrow by the Computer Science Department of the Exact Sciences School of the AUTh.

The meeting will be held at 6pm in room A on the first floor of Biological School of the AUTh, and its goal is to present the Educational hub for the training in the sector of E-commerce, which took place in the INTERREG II, METRO 6.2, Action Delta communal initiative, and was co-funded by the European Communal Fund and the Greek civil service.

[08] COMMENTS ON THE NEW GOVERNMENT

The PASOK congress marked the dynamics, unity and renewal potential of the party, supported Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou, in an interview published in the Eleftherotypia newspaper yesterday.

Mr. Papandreou supported that the will for a radical break in the way the party functioned was expressed and that the government has remarkable staff members and a specific goal.

Referring to the September 11 terrorist attack on the US, he pointed out that it has created a very fluid international scene, on which thoughts and principles are being turned in, and he mentioned Greek initiatives in the framework of the EU and the UN. On his relationship to the Secretary of the Central Committee, Kostas Laliotis, he supports that it is a relationship based on years of common struggle.

European Commissioner of Greece Anna Diamantopoulou, stated she was optimistic on the course the new government of the country will follow, in an interview in the Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, although some of her comments cannot be overlooked.

On the multitude of individuals in the new structure of the government, she meaningfully mentioned that quantity does not guarantee quality.

On the hard rock confrontation between Mr. Laliotis and New Democracy she understands it as a position on one issue, and disagrees with that on the overall political approach of PASOK.

Commenting on the low position Mr. Papandreou received in the elections of the Executive Office, she mentioned that Mr. Simitis also came in at low positions in the elections of the EO.

The preparation of Greece for the 2004 Olympics, was characterized as a large developmental attempt and a goal to be attained over the next few years by Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, in an interview to the Ethnos tis Kyriakis newspaper.

Mr. Venizelos supported that Deputy Ministers should have substantial responsibilities, according to the Prime Minister's instructions, and that they should act on behalf of the relevant Ministry under the supervision of the Minister.

On the new government, he supports that Mr. Simitis wanted to give more individuals the chance to show their capabilities in the field of governmental practice.

[09] DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF SERBIA

On Wednesday October 31, at 7:30pm, in room 209 of Panteion University, Professor Bozidar Jaksic of Belgrade University Institute of Philosophy, will speak in a conference on: Serbia: Democratic shortfall in the political transition phase.

The speaker will also refer to the reactions and consequences of the September 11 attacks. A discussion will then be held.

[10] SIMITIS PRESIDES OVER OLYMPIC MEETING

The meeting of Ministers and Deputy Ministers in charge of the 2004 Olympics, will take place at 1pm and will be presided over by Prime Minister Simitis at the Maximos Mansion. Issues of responsibilities, more effective coordination, and preparation in view of the upcoming check of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a few weeks, were discussed.

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