Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-11-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRYSOCHOIDIS' INTENSE REACTIONS ON NILES' TERRORIST REPORT

[02] CEM IN ATHENS

[03] 1200 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SUFFERING IN ZACHYNTHOS

[04] "15" SATISFIED BY GREEK ECONOMY'S PERFORMANCE

[05] STATEMENTS BY PROTOPAPAS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE NILES STATEMENTS ARE NOT WORTHY OF A COMMENT

[07] EU WAGES ARE HIGHER BY UP TO 165% COMPARED TO GREECE

[08] SIMITIS - CHRISTODOULAKIS MEETING

[09] SIMITIS-ARCHBISHOP OF ALBANIA MEETING

[10] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[11] PAPANDREOU-CEM DISCUSS THE NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING-MEASURES

[12] GREEK CULTURAL MONTH IN CHICAGO

[13] "MEMORY EXCERCISES"

[14] ANTIWAR RALLIES IN GREECE

[01] CHRYSOCHOIDIS' INTENSE REACTIONS ON NILES' TERRORIST REPORT

An intense reaction came from Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis, towards statements of former US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles, about evidence US authorities had passed on to Greek Authorities, on the November 17 terrorists.

Mr. Niles spoke on The Files television program on Mega Channel, and said that US services had given a list of suspects to the Greek Authorities, and that he himself had pointed out a specific suspect in the writing of the November 17 propaganda sheets. This suspect, according to Mr. Niles, was connected to the state, not at the time that Mr. Niles pointed him out (1995-'97), but earlier. He noted that he had visited Prime Minister Simitis, and had informed him of his appreciation that the organizers of November 17 were distinguished members of Greek society, and claimed that Mr. Simitis had agreed with him. He had also pointed out that neither were the terrorists intelligent enough nor the police that incompetent, but that there was something in the system in the way of discovering and breaking up the 17 N organization.

Mr. Niles statements are not serious and they are not worth commenting on, stated Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis, who participated in the program. He placed him among retired US diplomats (such as J. Wesley) who attack Greece on the issue of terrorism. The Minister wondered why Mr. Niles had suddenly become so loquacious. He assured that there are no suspect lists and that Greece does not accept lists from anyone. On the Greek Police he stressed that it does its job correctly and systematically against terrorism.

[02] CEM IN ATHENS

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishmael Cem is beginning his two-day visit to Athens today. At noon he will have discussions with Giorgos Papandreou, in the afternoon he will meet with the President of the Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, and at 7pm he will meet with the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis. Tomorrow Mr. Cem will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, while he will visit a photography exhibit in the Municipal Art Gallery, organized by the Benaki Museum and the Athens and Istanbul Stock Exchange. The climate in Greek-Turkish discussions has become heavier due to the threats of the Turkish leadership to annex Northern Cyprus, if Cyprus is incorporated to the European Union.

[03] 1200 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SUFFERING IN ZACHYNTHOS

The huge wave of illegal immigrants flooding into Greece over the past few months presents a serious problem for the Greek government. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is expected to raise the issue of illegal immigration before the European Union.

Meanwhile, the 1200 illegal immigrants spotted on Sunday on the rudderless Brelner in bad weather conditions, have found temporary refuge in Zachynthos. The women and the approximately 230 children will be housed in hotels and the men will remain in the island's indoor athletics court.

In fact, after a meeting of the Minister of Shipping, Giorgos Anomeritis, and local bodies, it was decided that the stay of the illegal immigrants in Zachyntho would be extended by 2 weeks, the time deemed necessary to make a record of them and for them to regain their strength. Then they will be deported.

The residents and local authorities of Zachynthos (Prefecture and Local Government, the Church, Coast Guard) are making every possible attemptto help, providing food and clothing to the illegal immigrants. From the very first moment, a group of the Doctors Without Borders has been with them, in order to assist in estimating medical needs. All cases were dealt with in cooperation with the island's hospital and medical staff.

The boat sailing rudderless off the shore of Zachynthos was towed in by Coast Guard powerboats. The refugees, although suffering from lack of food and water, as well as the exhaustion of the journey, are waiting for the completion of the authorities' recording procedures.

As far as the 7 Turkish traffickers, who tried to escape pretending they were illegal immigrants, are concerned, they will be taken to the District Attorney today.

Meanwhile the issue has also occupied the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Turkey, Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Cem, who discussed the issue over the phone yesterday.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) and the Doctors Without Borders are against the deporting of the refugees.

[04] "15" SATISFIED BY GREEK ECONOMY'S PERFORMANCE

The Financial Ministers of the European Union, expressed their satisfaction to their Greek counterpart at the Ecofin Council in Brussels.

In their statements the 15 stressed that the financial situation in Greece is positive, pointing out at the same time the need for achieving a surplus of primary products in the national budget.

Financial Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, underlined that the target of the Greek economy is still the convergence with the rest of the European conomies.

[05] STATEMENTS BY PROTOPAPAS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Greece is a country where the word "humanism" has its true meaning and dimension. Greece is among a few countries that have embraced all economic immigrants, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas clarifying, however, that Greece is not a country with "open borders".

Responding to questions on the issue of illegal immigrants, he said that it needs to be clarified what is the policy of the EU on the issue and reminded that the Prime Minister has raised the problem at the Gent EU Summit where it was agreed that it will be discussed in the Euro-parliament meeting in mid-December.

Mr. Protopapas stated that no political refugees will be extradited to their countries adding, however, that not all those who come to Greece are political refugees.

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE NILES STATEMENTS ARE NOT WORTHY OF A COMMENT

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that the statements made by former US ambassador Thomas Niles on terrorism are not worthy of a comment, adding that everything maintained by the former US diplomat on the contents of a discussion he had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in 1997 are groundless and false allegations.

Mr. Protopapas stated that there is no pressure exerted on behalf of the current US ambassador Thomas Miller on the issue of possible arrests linked with terrorist acts and reiterated that anyone with evidence on terrorist cases at their disposal must present them to the Greek justice immediately.

When called to comment on whether the Greek government has indications that the US government is displeased with Greece's stance on the issue of terrorism, he responded that there is no such indication. He also predicted that even if Mr. Niles is called by the Greek justice to testify he will not do it, adding that the same stance was adopted by other US officials as well who had been called to testify in the past.

[07] EU WAGES ARE HIGHER BY UP TO 165% COMPARED TO GREECE

The Greek consumers will have to work double than the German citizens to be able to purchase 100 kinds of food and drinks according to a research conducted by the Consumer Institute, INKA.

The gap between the Greeks and the rest European consumers (Germans, Britons, Italians and French) is at 102% regarding the number of hours they have to work to be able to afford certain consumer goods, while the gap in the wages earned is at 165%.

For example, the Greek consumer in order to afford 100 kinds of food and drinks has to work over 96 hours, while the Germans need just 48, the French 57, the Italians 69 and the Britons 57 hours and 10 minutes.

To be able to afford 10 kinds of electric appliances the average Greek consumer must work 226 days at the office or the building site, whereas the Germans need just 102 days, the British 108, the French 126 and the Italians 170.

The Germans are at a better position compared to the rest Europeans as they have to work 179 days in order to be able to afford a total of 185 consumer goods, followed by the Britons (200), the French (218), the Italians (301) and the Greeks (360).

[08] SIMITIS - CHRISTODOULAKIS MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis had a meeting today with Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Christodoulakis.

Mr. Christodoulakis briefed the Prime Minister on the talks held yesterday in the ECOFIN and the Euro Group meetings where the course of the Greek economy was presented. According to this year's predictions, the Greek economy will have an important growth rate of 4-4.1%, while next year it will continue to have a high growth rate compared to the European Union.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that Greece will have a high growth rate as a result of the strong development procedures due to the 3rd Community Framework of Support, the liberalization of the markets and the structural changes.

However, he referred to the fact that the growth rates have slowed down at an international level and stated that the situation is expected to change no sooner than the second half of 2002.

[09] SIMITIS-ARCHBISHOP OF ALBANIA MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All of Albania in Athens today in the presence of Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece. The meeting was held in a warm atmosphere.

Mr. Simitis was briefed on the state of the Christian Orthodox Church of Albania and stressed that the Greek state offers assistance in a discreet way. Archbishop Christodoulos pointed out that Archbishop Anastasios has kept the tones down and was able to lift the distrust that existed initially among the Albanian people.

This morning the Archbishop of Albania visited the Athens School of Theology and met with the students who gave him a warm reception. The Archbishop of Albania had studied in the Athens School of Theology.

[10] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.54% at 2.633,24 points, while the volume of transactions was at 193 million Euro or 66 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 257 recorded gains, and 67 had losses, while the value of 36 stocks remained unchanged.

[11] PAPANDREOU-CEM DISCUSS THE NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING-MEASURES

Three new confidence-building-measures will be discussed by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Giorgos Papandreou and Ismail Cem, in their meeting in the Foreign Ministry in Athens tomorrow. The statement was made by the Turkish Foreign Minister upon his arrival at Athens' Eftherios Venizelos Airport without offering further clarifications.

Mr. Cem, who is on a working visit in Greece and is accompanied by his wife, was welcome by Mr. Papandreou. The two will have the opportunity tomorrow to review the Greek-Turkish relations on the basis of the implementation of the agreements signed by the two countries, while the Cyprus issue will be again at the center of the talks. Also, they will exchange views on the latest developments in the Balkans, the Middle East and the wider region in general in the light of the new situation created after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. They are also expected to sign a protocol for the creation of a joint Greek-Turkish unit to face natural disasters. The agreement will be submitted to the UN general assembly that meets on November 9.

Mr. Cem, in his brief statements to journalists, expressed the belief that his visit to Athens will contribute to the further development of bilateral relations. In the contacts he will have with the state and political leadership in Athens he will outline his government's positions on the developments in Afghanistan and in the wider Mediterranean region.

The Turkish Foreign Minister will be received by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos this afternoon and afterwards he will meet with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis. Later this evening, Mr. Cem and Mr. Papandreou will attend a Greek-Turkish Business Council event.

After the meeting with his counterpart tomorrow, Mr. Cem will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and before leaving for Ankara he will inaugurate his photography exhibition in the Municipal Gallery.

[12] GREEK CULTURAL MONTH IN CHICAGO

After the completion of the 1st Trade Exhibit of SAE in Chicago, and while the exhibit of Minoan and Mycenean Tastes and The History of the Olympic Games from ancient times until 2004 continues in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, SAE of N&S America has started the presentation of 19 distinguished Greek-American artists from the Midwestern States, in the Pallette & Chisel Gallery, until November 20.

The exhibit is part of the Greek Cutlural Month of SAE and was presented with great success at the Michigan University at Ann Harbor, where more than 1000 people visited the exhibit and the film festival.

From November 1-14, the Modern Greek Film festival has been organized to take pace in Chicago, another initiative of SAE, in cooperation with the Gene Siskel Film Center.

The final stop of the Greek Cultural Month will be the city of St. Louis, where the exhibit will last from November 25 to December 7 and the Film Festival will last from November 29 until December 9 2001.

[13] "MEMORY EXCERCISES"

The government is inviting New Democracy to memory exercises, on the shadier aspects of the MAYO Liberian company, and the old party accounts during the Mitsotakis term. At the same time, the main opposition party and its honorary President, mention the government is chewing the fat and referred the issue to Justice, in their, lately, stereotypical manner, while former President of the Party, Mr. M. Evert, in a controversial intervention, stated he had no knowledge of any fault when he took up leadership of the party.

PASOK's secretary, Mr. Laliotis, in a statement on Sky TV yesterday, reminded viewers that to this day, New Democracy spokespersons said they had no connection to the Liberian company, and no bank accounts abroad, and then asked: Who do they think they are fooling? Who are they misleading? I hope New Democracy regains its memory and its sensitivity. Laliotis again? was the reaction of New Democracy's honorary President, when he was asked to comment on the former Minister's new accusations. Mr. Mitsotakis stated that the situation with Mr. Laliotis will be cleared up through Justice, which will take care of all pending issues.

Earlier, Mr. H Protopapas made mention of three great lies told by New Democracy in relation to the hidden accounts, and gave full cover to the new Laliotis attack.

[14] ANTIWAR RALLIES IN GREECE

Antiwar rallies have fired up with the latest wave of illegal immigrants coming into Greece. The 1200 refugees staying in Zachynthos, waiting until authorities take records of them to be deported again, are now cause for an antiwar rally in Zacynthos. It has been organized for Tuesday November 13 by the Zacynthian Antiwar Committee, protesting against US operations in Afghanistan, and demanding Greece's disengagement, the protection of citizens' democratic rights and the opening of the borders for the reception of refugees, mainly from regions at war.

The Coalition of the Left has organized an event for Sunday morning on War, terrorism and the Coalition's positions. The event will take place in Kavala in one of the Coast Guard facilities.

Genoa Initiative 2001 has organized an antiwar event for tomorrow at 7pm in Thessaloniki, at the Thessaloniki Workers' Center. A rally has also been organized for tomorrow in Thessaloniki, by the Worker's Fighting Front. It is scheduled to take place in Aristotelous Square at 7pm. Bodies and residents will unite their voices to stop the bombing of Afghanistan. The organizers have planned a march, the direction of whichhas not been decided upon yet.

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