Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] A DELEGATION OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM "IRAKLIS" TO BELGRADE FOR GOJKOVIC'S

[02] CRISTODOULOS: THE ID CARDS ISSUE IS STILL OPEN

[03] FOOTBALL PLAYER GOJKOVIC WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

[04] THE GREEKS IN ARGENTINA SPEAK TO MPA

[05] THE GREEK OIL MARKET CHANGES HANDS

[06] PAPANDREOU: A FEEL AWKWARD TOWARD THE PRIME MINISTER

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS' NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE FOR THE GREEKS LIVING

[08] THE GREEK POLICE IS CLOSE TO "17 NOVEMBER"

[01] A DELEGATION OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM "IRAKLIS" TO BELGRADE FOR GOJKOVIC'S FUNERAL

Thessaloniki's football team "Iraklis" is shocked by the news of the tragic death of one of its player's, Yugoslav Jovan Gojkovic. The 27yearold player was killed in a car accident in Belgrade in the early morning hours yesterday, leaving behind his wife, who is in the seventh month of her pregnancy and his four-year-old daughter.

The president of the football team "Iraklis", Evangelos Mitilineos has chartered a plane to bring a football team delegation to Belgrade for Gojkovic's funeral on Christmas Day.

[02] CRISTODOULOS: THE ID CARDS ISSUE IS STILL OPEN

The assurance that the identity cards issue is still open was given by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece speaking in his monthly communication with the listeners of the Church of Greece radio station.

Archbishop Christodoulos pointed out that the state-issued identity cards issue was not discussed in the meeting he had with Education Minister Petros Efthimiou adding, however, that the disagreement with the government was never able to cut the communication bridges between the two sides during the controversy.

The Archbishop stated that the issue of the identity cards is still open for the Church which has an obligation toward the three million Greeks, who have signed in the signature collection campaign held in support of its position in this very serious problem.

He also expressed satisfaction for the meeting he had with the Minister of Education, stressing that Mr. Efthimiou showed an considerable understanding toward the Church issues and the role the Church is called to play today both for the nation and the state.

[03] FOOTBALL PLAYER GOJKOVIC WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

The tragic death of Yugoslav football player Jovan Gojkovic has shocked Thessaloniki's "Iraklis" football team.

Gojkovic, who was a member of "Iraklis" football team, was killed in a car accident in Belgrade, when he lost control of his vehicle.

The team stood by his family as soon as the tragic incident was made known.

[04] THE GREEKS IN ARGENTINA SPEAK TO MPA

"We live an "undeclared war". The economic crisis we were experiencing for some time broke out in the worst possible way. The country appears to be ungoverned and the situation is out of control. There are killings, looting of stores and insecurity. We stay inside and we are afraid to go out on the streets. There are armed people everywhere and our lives are in danger".

These were the words used by a Greek living in Buenos Aires, who asked to remain anonymous, to describe the dramatic moments experienced by the people of Argentina. According to him, there is no information if there are Greeks among the dead or the injured.

[05] THE GREEK OIL MARKET CHANGES HANDS

The big multinational oil companies namely, BP, Shell, Mobil and Texaco, have lost the control of the Greek oil market.

In the first half of 1997 they controlled 53.1% of the domestic fuel market, while in the same period this year the two remaining multinationals, BP and Shell, which merged with Mobil and Texaco respectively, control 42.86% of the market.

In the scene which is being formed, the new BP controls a share of the market that is smaller by 4% compared to the part controlled by BP and Mobil four years ago.

[06] PAPANDREOU: A FEEL AWKWARD TOWARD THE PRIME MINISTER

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou explained that it is understandable for him to feel awkward toward the Prime Minister after the opinion polls that present him as the most popular politician and the favorite for the leadership of the governing socialist party of PASOK. Mr. Papandreou also stated that they have an honest and open relationship with Kostas Simitis.

On the allegations made by retired general Nikos Grillakis concerning the involvement of US secret agencies in the political developments in Greece, Mr. Papandreou stated that he does not know what was the involvement of the US agencies, adding that it appears that Mr. Grillakis has his own contacts and information.

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS' NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE FOR THE GREEKS LIVING ABROAD

President Kostis Stephanopoulos extended his warm wishes and feelings of love to the Greeks living abroad on the occasion of the Christmas Holidays and the New Year.

Mr. Stephanopoulos stated that in a competitive international environment the global challenges make imperative the need for unity and cooperation among the Greeks living abroad.

President Stephanopoulos also stated that this is the message sent by the successful completion of the 4th World Assembly of the Greeks Living Abroad that was held in Thessaloniki in early December.

[08] THE GREEK POLICE IS CLOSE TO "17 NOVEMBER"

The British newspaper "The Observer" in an article published today mentions that the Greek authorities are very close to the terrorist organization "17 November" and the revelation of its members, but first they want to be sure that the evidence they have against them will hold in court.

The police officers conducting the investigations believe according to the article, that the "17 November" members are around the age of 60 and one of them has a distinctive voice as the first among equals.

Among the suspects, according to "The Observer" correspondent to Athens Elena Smith, is a distinguished cultural personality as well as, individuals that held public positions in government's of the party of PASOK.

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