Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS AHEAD IN SURVEY

[02] SHIPS COLLIDE OFF CROATIAN SHORES

[03] REPPAS ON WOMEN'S RETIREMENT

[04] DENKTASH - CLIRIDIS MEETING ON SATURDAY

[01] SIMITIS AHEAD IN SURVEY

The Kapa Research survey published in the Christmas edition of the Vima newspaper revealed that Kostas Simitis' percentage on the question of who is a more appropriate Prime Minister has increased, while the main Opposition party is still ahead in the preference of the people.

The survey took place from December 6 to December 12, and the results indicated that New Democracy is ahead of PASOK in vote intent, however the governing party has narrowed the distance from the main opposition party in probability to win the elections.

Specifically, Kostas Simitis concentrated 36.2% against Kostas Karamanlis' 34.3%, while in September the difference was smaller with the Prime Minister receiving 34.3% against 33.6% of the President of New Democracy.

To the question, if elections were to be held next Sunday, who would you vote for, the main opposition party is ahead with 36.6% against 31.3% of the governing party. The difference is 5.3% in contrast to 5.4% recorded in September, during which survey, the two parties received 36.1% and 30.7% respectively as far as other parties are concerned, KEP concentrated 5.5%, KKE 5.1%, the Coalition of the Left 2.5%, and DIKKI 1.7%.

In contrast, the governing party is improving its percentage in victory probability. New Democracy received 44.7% against 47.8% it concentrated in the previous survey, while the governing party got 38.4% in contrast to 33.5% concentrated last time.

[02] SHIPS COLLIDE OFF CROATIAN SHORES

The Greek passenger ship Lefka Ori and the Turkish Karadeniz collided this morning off the shore of Croatia. There were only slight damages to the Greek ship, property of Anek Lines, which had left from Patra going to Triest, Italy.

The Greek ship continued its journey normally, while the 187 passengers and the 98 crew members are all well.

[03] REPPAS ON WOMEN'S RETIREMENT

The Supreme Court ruled that the legislature allowing employers to fire women who have reached the age ensuring them full retirement was unconstitutional. After this decision, women who have reached the age necessary for full retirement can continue working in order to secure a higher pension.

Minister of Labor Dimitris Reppas, in an interview to NET (TV channel), characterized the Supreme Court ruling as important and logical, and pointed out that women should have special terms in their pension issues.

[04] DENKTASH - CLIRIDIS MEETING ON SATURDAY

The President of the Cypriot Republic Glafkos Cliridis will hold a dinner for the Turkish -Cypriot Leader, Rauf Denktash, in return to that held for him by Mr. Denktash on December 4 in his residence.

The dinner will take place in Mr. Cliridis' residence, and it is the first time that the Leader of the Turkish - Cypriots will cross over to the other side of Cyprus. The President of the Cypriot Republic stated that during the dinner he will raise the issue of the missing persons.

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