Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-11-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS' PESSISMISM ON EU ENLARGEMENT

[02] SIMITIS' BALKAN TOUR

[03] VENIZELOS: THE ISSUES OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE HANDLED SUCCESSFULLY

[04] PROTOPAPAS ON KABUL'S LIBERATION UNDER THE SOUNDS OF MIKIS THEODORAKIS'

[05] GREEK SATISFACTION FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT ON CYPRUS

[06] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[07] THE DEFENSE MINISTRY PRIORITIES

[08] THE GREEK AGRICULTURE MINISTER MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR

[09] EXTREME SECURITY MEASURES FOR NOVEMBER 17

[10] CYPRIOT STUDENTS ON HUNGER STRIKE

[11] NEW MILITARY LEADERSHIP TOMORROW

[12] 1 MILLION GREEKS SUFFER FROM DIABETES

[13] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT GREEK LANGUAGE

[14] VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR GREEK IMMIGRANTS IN GERMANY

[15] PAPANDREOU: NEED TO FORGE A NEW MORAL ORDER

[16] ON THE TRAIL OF AN ANCIENT SHIPWRECK

[01] SIMITIS' PESSISMISM ON EU ENLARGEMENT

In discussions Mr. Simitis had with reporters who accompanied him on his trip to Slovakia, Mr. Simitis expressed some pessimism on the perspective broadening of the European Union, within the given time frame.

The greater problem of the enlargement is not Cyprus, he said characteristically. He stressed that the great existing problems are the reformation of the Common Agricultural Policy in relation to the accession of Poland and the Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund.

In fact, he directly stated that after September 11 the steady time frame and the until then view of events, is no longer in effect, hinting that there are pressures for different types of developments. One of these developments he mentioned is the Blair, Chirac, Schreder meeting, before the Summit Meeting in Gent and the meeting of the 7 Prime Ministers organized by the British Prime Minister in London, a little later, a meeting, as he said, which was generally disapproved of.

[02] SIMITIS' BALKAN TOUR

A Balkan tour will be undertaken by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis at the beginning of the new year, due to his concern on the situation in the region, especially after the incidents in FYROM.

Mr. Simitis repeated that Greece does not want any change in the borders or modification of the map, and that is why everyone must contribute in the direction of cooperation, from Slovakia where he was on an official meeting. The Greek Prime Minister is for the intervention of the EU and NATO, so that the responsible parties for the latest episodes in FYROM are reminded that there are agreements and that they must be upheld. He himself, as he said, will begin a cycle of meetings with Balkan leaders on the region's issues (so that there is a common undertaking) and he will go to Sofia and Bucharest in February, while during the same period he will either go to Tirana or the Albanian Prime Minister, I. Meta, will visit Athens, which is more likely.

Mr. Simitis, in reference to the issue of the FYROM naming, stressed that a move on the side of Skopje is imperative, since Athens has done a lot for the neighboring country.

[03] VENIZELOS: THE ISSUES OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE HANDLED SUCCESSFULLY

The problems are not ignored and we are not overly optimistic. We have a sense of time and of the problems that arise, while we also have the certainty that we have acquired a know-how and a method that allows us to handle in an effective way the problems that will constantly appear, stated Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos after the meeting of the Ministerial Committee on the Olympic Games.

Mr. Venizelos maintained that the Olympic Games preparations are complex, stressing that the problems that arise are being handled successfully.

On the likelihood of criticism on behalf of International Olympic Committee Coordinating Commission president Denis Oswald, Mr. Venizelos stated that he is not a inspector or judge but a partner who comes to Greece to convey the experience of the International Olympic Committee.

[04] PROTOPAPAS ON KABUL'S LIBERATION UNDER THE SOUNDS OF MIKIS THEODORAKIS' MUSIC

The wish for the tears to end soon for the Afghan people was expressed by government spokesman Christos Protopapas referring to the news that Kabul was liberated under the sounds of Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis.

The music of Mikis Theodorakis is universal, stated the Greek government spokesman and added that it touches everyone and of course it is used by everyone. It is a music that has left the Greek borders and touches the whole world, said Mr. Protopapas.

[05] GREEK SATISFACTION FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT ON CYPRUS

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas expressed the full satisfaction of the Greek government for the European Commission report on the Cyprus' EU accession course.

Mr. Protopapas reiterated the statements made by the Prime Minister yesterday on the issue of Turkey and added that Greece works for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He also said that the EU accession of Cyprus will take place in accordance with the European Union positions that are based on the Helsinki decisions and are being confirmed constantly.

[06] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +2.23% at 2.690,14 points, while the volume of transactions was at 216 million Euro or 73 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 324 had gains and only 27 recorded losses, while the value of 14 stocks remained unchanged.

[07] THE DEFENSE MINISTRY PRIORITIES

The reevaluation of each armament program that is still incomplete, the establishment of an Economic Planning general secretariat aimed at boosting inspection and openness in the supply procedures of the armed forces as well as, the stabilization of defense spending at 4% of the GDP are among the priorities set by Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, who appeared before the responsible parliament committee.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that defense spending will drop from 5% of the GDP to 4% by 2005, while by 2010 it will be stabilized at this level. Army camps will be moved away from urban centers, and a total of 25.000 new professional soldiers will be appointed in the next three years.

Mr. Papantoniou also referred to the unacceptable claims by Turkey and confirmed that they will not be accepted by Greece which will use every legal means and exercise its veto power to avert any unfavorable developments. He also said that Turkey wants to bring its problems to the EU via the Euro-army.

The Greek Defense Minister stated that the Governmental Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense will decide tomorrow on the widening of the military facilitation that will be offered to the allied forces in their military operations in Afghanistan, ruling out the deployment of Greek soldiers in the region.

[08] THE GREEK AGRICULTURE MINISTER MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR

Minister of Agriculture Giorgos Dris met today with US ambassador Thomas Miller at the US diplomat's request.

In the meeting that took place in the ministry of Agriculture were discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and agriculture policy, while it was established that trade transactions between the two countries in the sector of agriculture are developing positively.

They agreed that regular meetings should be held for the exchange of views within the framework of the EU Joint Agriculture Policy.

[09] EXTREME SECURITY MEASURES FOR NOVEMBER 17

The three-day events for the 28th anniversary of the Polytechnic School student rise, commence tomorrow under extreme security measures. Attica's General Police Direction is on standby, especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

After discussions it was decided that a force of over 5.000 police officers will be used to guard the Polytechnic School, the march and the American Embassy.

[10] CYPRIOT STUDENTS ON HUNGER STRIKE

The national student league of Cypriot (University) Students of Thessaloniki, started a hunger strike yesterday. Yesterday, was the 17 year anniversary since the northeast part of Cyprus was occupied by Turkish troops.

Today from 7pm until 9pm, the students will form a human chain, along the seafront avenue from the White Tower, while tomorrow, when the strike ends, the students will march, starting from the Chemistry School square and ending outside the Turkish Consulate, where a resolution will be submitted to the Turkish Consul General.

[11] NEW MILITARY LEADERSHIP TOMORROW

The Governmental Council of National Defense will come into session tomorrow to appoint new leadership for the Armed Forces. According to the latest information, published by the Eleftherotypia newspaper, the governmental body will not discuss any other issues, unless an issue of updating arises on one of the running armament programs or the Greek military mission in the Balkans.

On armament issues, sources from the Defense Ministry say that final decisions will be made at the end of the year. This move also serves the diplomatic strategy of the Greek side in December's meeting of the European Council, where issues of great importance to Greece will be discussed, such as the protection of Europe's borders against illegal immigration, while there will be work on the accession of the Cypriot Republic.

So a commission of 750 billion drs. is a good card to have, which the Greek government intends to put to good use.

[12] 1 MILLION GREEKS SUFFER FROM DIABETES

Today is the world day for diabetes, and according to experts, more than 1 million Greeks 1 in 10 are afflicted with the illness. Those above the age of 55 or who smoke, who are overweight, who have high blood pressure of cholesterol and all individuals who have relatives suffering from diabetes, are in the high risk group.

The three basic elements that are the body's shield against diabetes are balanced nutrition, physical exercise, and seeking medical assistance. In Greece there are 73 Centers for Diabetes, where people can have free tests and prevent possible effects.

[13] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT GREEK LANGUAGE

The European Commission suggested that the ancient Greek language should be taught in every EU country, after a very interesting discussion in the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. The discussion was opened on the occasion of a question tabled by Irish Euro-deputy Gerald Collins on the EU's linguistic wealth and the actions undertaken by the European Commission to back the teaching of as many European languages as possible.

Greek Euro-deputy Yiannis Marinos, elected with the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, entered the discussion and reminded that a short time ago the European Parliament had approved a report drawn up by a Portuguese Euro-deputy. In the report it was clearly mentioned that the ancient Greek and the Latin languages are regarded as the "mother tongues" for every European language and therefore, they should be taught in the EU schools as they will be helpful for the students learning the contemporary European languages.

[14] VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR GREEK IMMIGRANTS IN GERMANY

Having the vocational retraining of unemployed Greeks in Germany, who can then reemploy themselves in Germany or even take advantage of their skills in Greece, as its target, the Ministry of Labor is moving to the materialization of a relative program in January 2002.

As Deputy Minister of Labor Lefteris Tziolas told the Macedonian Press Agency, through this program, the ministry of Labor will bring the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) and the Federal Foundation for Employment of Germany together, in an attempt to support unskilled young Greeks. It will begin in Nuremberg.

At the same time, the labor attaché of Greece at the Munich Conslate, will have direct cooperation at the offices of the of the Greek Community of Nuremberg with Greek immigrants working in the sector of industry.

[15] PAPANDREOU: NEED TO FORGE A NEW MORAL ORDER

The peculiarities of the current international situation were underlined by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, who addressed the UN 56th General Assembly meeting.

Mr. Papandreou referred to the issue of terrorism, the need to forge a new moral order characterized by common values and responsibilities such as, the fight against terrorism, the promotion of justice, environmental protection, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, economic development and social equality.

Mr. Papandreou elaborated on Greece's ability to play an important role in meeting the goals mentioned above.

Referring to the Greek-Turkish relations, he spoke about the rapprochement of the two countries and the efforts to build mutual trust through a number of measures and initiatives, the co-signing of international agreements, the cooperation in dealing with natural disasters and the fight against organized crime.

On the Cyprus issue, Mr. Papandreou underlined the European prospect and Cyprus' EU accession course, stressing that the solution of the Cyprus problem can be mutually beneficial. He also added that it has to be in accordance with the UN decisions on the basis of a two-zone, two-community Federation the establishment of which can be guaranteed by the UN.

He referred to the Middle East and the need to continue the peace initiatives, while he also mentioned the need for the incorporation of the Iraqi people into the international community and the significance of the establishment of a representative government in Afghanistan.

[16] ON THE TRAIL OF AN ANCIENT SHIPWRECK

An ancient shipwreck was found by the Greek Archeological Sea Mission, in the Hassan reef, east of the harbor of Alexandria. The depth at the specific point is 11 meters and it is 800 meters from the shore of the Greek square, Chatby. According to the press release of Africa SAE, it is still too early to determine the age of the find, but at that depth, rows of great amphorae are visible.

The leader of the archeological mission, Mr. Haris Tzalas, stressed that the 8th mission of May-June 2002, will focus on that point. With this important find, the 7th excavational period of Mr. Tzalas' team in Alexandria ends on November 20.

It should be noted that the Greek Community of Alexandria is one of the main sponsors of the archeological mission.

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