Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PRIVATIZATION GOT AN EXTENSION UNTIL JANUARY 10

[02] HITIRIS' RESPONSE TO KARAMANLIS ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT

[03] AT 2.8% THE COST-OF-LIVING INDEX IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

[04] PAPANTONIOU: THE PROBLEMS WITH TURKEY REMAIN

[05] PANAGIOTIS ZAVOS: THE CLONING TECHNOLOGY WILL BE SAFE SOON

[06] CHRISTMAS WITH SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES

[07] A CYPRUS-FLAG CARGO SHIP IS MISSING IN PORTUGAL

[01] THE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PRIVATIZATION GOT AN EXTENSION UNTIL JANUARY 10

The Greek government will have a decision ready by January 10 on whether it will proceed with the signing of an agreement with the Australian joint venture Integrated Airlines Solutions, IAS, for the sale of the Greek state-run airline Olympic Airways, OA.

The extension given to the negotiations with the IAS was decided after a proposal made by Credit Suisse First Boston, the adviser company for the privatization of Olympic Airways, which according to information, suggested that negotiations should continue until January 31.

In this period of time, the adviser and IAS will have to solve three crucial issues that are still open namely, the operational plan, the fleet and the personnel that will continue to be employed in the new Olympic Airways.

[02] HITIRIS' RESPONSE TO KARAMANLIS ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT

Undersecretary of Press Tilemachos Hitiris responded to right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, who launched an attack on the government in an interview yesterday with the Thessaloniki newspaper "Macedonia".

For the record, Mr. Karamanlis, on the occasion of the revelations made by retired general Grillakis, accused the government and the Prime Minister of trying to divide Greece in an attempt to gain political conclusions from cases of the past.

Mr. Hitiris stated that those who are still in the past are Mr. Karamanlis and his party and added that PASOK in government with Mr. Simitis as the Prime Minister has proven in action how much it cares for the present and the future of the Greek people.

[03] AT 2.8% THE COST-OF-LIVING INDEX IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

According to the weekly bulletin on the economic developments issued by Alpha Bank, the cost-of-living index in Greece for the month of December is estimated to close at 2.8% due to the high fresh fruit and vegetable prices.

Meanwhile, the EFG Eurobank estimates that the cost-of-living index is expected to be at 2.7%.

If these predictions are confirmed then the average cost-of-living index for 2001 will be at 3.3% namely, very close to the government's estimates.

[04] PAPANTONIOU: THE PROBLEMS WITH TURKEY REMAIN

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou met this morning with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

After the meeting, Mr. Papantoniou stressed that there has been improvement in the Greek-Turkish relations but the problems remain.

The Defense Minister stated that we return to high tension, referring to the massive wave of violations of the Greek airspace committed in the past few days by Turkish fighter jets.

[05] PANAGIOTIS ZAVOS: THE CLONING TECHNOLOGY WILL BE SAFE SOON

Reproductive Physiology and Andrology Professor Panagiotis Zavos, a pioneer in human reproduction, who continues the research and experiments on human cloning in spite of the noise that has been caused, admitted that cloning technology exists but it is not absolutely safe.

In an interview with "Primus" magazine, Professor Zavos stated that he will continue his research until the cloning technology is perfected and safe.

He also admitted that he is actively experimenting in an undisclosed place and mentioned that very soon he will be in a position to announce the results of his research on the safe cloning technology.

[06] CHRISTMAS WITH SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES

The National Weather Bureau predicts that Christmas in Greece will be celebrated with snow and freezing temperatures.

Twenty mountain villages are still inaccessible due to the snow, while cars need non-skid chains to be able to move in the mountain road network of central and northern Greece.

The weather in Thessaloniki today is rainy and temperature is at 7 degrees Celsius.

[07] A CYPRUS-FLAG CARGO SHIP IS MISSING IN PORTUGAL

The Portuguese authorities announced that a Cyprus-flag cargo ship is missing and fears are expressed that it has sunk near the Azores Islands in heavy seas.

The cargo ship "Christopher" had a 27-member crew and it was carrying coal.

The Portuguese news agency reported that the ship-owner company informed the Portuguese authorities on the situation after receiving an SOS signal from the ship.

The rescue crews continue the search in the region in the effort to locate survivors.

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