Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-01-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHRISTODOULOS: GREEKS ARE NOT ANTIAMERICANS

[02] PATRIARCH ASKS FOR MARBLES' REPATRIATION

[03] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DOWN BY 14%

[04] NEW DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SWORN IN

[05] PROTOPAPAS ON THE MOBILIZATION OF THE FARMERS

[06] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[07] YIANNITSIS-BOTSARNIKOV MEETING

[08] GREEK-BULGARIAN MILITARY COOPERATION PROGRAM

[09] THE GOVERNMENT INCOMES POLICY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

[10] THE FOREIGN MINISTER BRIEFED POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

[11] GREEK AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS BY TURKISH FIGHTER JETS

[12] BRITON SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

[13] SAE-OCEANIA ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES

[01] CHRISTODOULOS: GREEKS ARE NOT ANTIAMERICANS

The impression that there is anti-American sentiment in the Greece is wrong, stated Archbishop Christodoulos, during an event organized by the Federation of Greek Associations of Greater New York, held the Athens Music Hall.

Mr. Christodoulos, responding to the surveys that placed Greece in 2nd position of countries with anti-American sentiment worldwide, stressed that this is not the case, but there are complaints regarding the position of the US on the Cyprus tragedy and the repeated provocations of neighboring Turkey towards Greece.

In the presence of the Greek Ambassador in Athens, Thomas Miller, the President of the Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giannis Magriotis, the Mayor of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and other politicians, the head of the church recognized that the important contribution of the governments and people of the USA in the efforts to restructure Greece after the tragedies of WWII and used the Marshal plan as an example.

As far as Greek-Trukish differences, he stated that he hopes and prays to see them resolved soon, while referring to the issue of terrorism, he explicitly condemned all such actions.

[02] PATRIARCH ASKS FOR MARBLES' REPATRIATION

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke of the repatriation of the Parthenon sculptures last night, during a dinner held in his honor by the Consule General of Greece to Geneva, Ekaterini Loupa, underlining that the split viewing of this work of art, pierces my heart like a knife.

Mr. Bartholomew referred to the demand to return the violently exacted sculptures of Parthenon and placing them back where they were taken from and added that it is natural for the holders of the pieces not to want to forfeit, even this fragmented viewing and pleasure, but this intellectual creation is now a part of worldwide heritage, and the whole world has the legitimate demand to see the entire work at the place of its creation, in the light that inspired the artist and at the top of that hill, which is a symbol of a spiritual ascent to the divine.

[03] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DOWN BY 14%

Traffic accidents decreased by 14.4% in 2001 compared to 2000. The number of deaths due to them decreased by 9.1%, serious injuries by 23% and the slight injuries by 14.3%.

The Minister of Public Order attributed this decrease to the Kath' Odon(on the road) 2001-2005, which was put into effect last summer.

After a decision of the Prime Minister, the ministerial committee of road safety was formed, which then compiled the road safety plan for the 2001-2005 period, he stressed, and added that this strategic plan is a complete and scientifically substantiated program, which includes combined action from all relevant ministries and specific percentage goals for each year.

[04] NEW DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SWORN IN

In front of President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos and in the presence of Prime Minister Kostas Simits, PASOK MP Andreas Loverdos is being sworn in today, as the new Deputy Foreign Minister, after the resignation of Giannis Zafiropoulos. After the swearing, the regular turning over and receiving of duties will take place.

[05] PROTOPAPAS ON THE MOBILIZATION OF THE FARMERS

The government is interested in a close relation with the farmers and wants to solve their problems, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas when he was asked to comment on the mobilizations prepared by the farmers.

He said that the farmers have two basic problems, the collection of the cotton crop and their compensation for the damages they suffered due to the recent extreme weather conditions that hit Greece.

Mr. Protopapas reminded that Minister of Agriculture Giorgos Dris has already raised the issue to the European Union.

[06] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.33% at 2.597,38 points, while the volume of transactions was at 155 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 197 recorded gains and 115 had losses, while the value of 82 stocks remained unchanged.

[07] YIANNITSIS-BOTSARNIKOV MEETING

The strengthening of bilateral relations, the priorities of the Greek EU presidency in 2003 and the upgrading of relations between the EU and Russia dominated the talks deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Yiannitsis had today with Russian ambassador to Athens Michail Botsarnikov.

Mr. Yiannitsis also briefed the Russian ambassador on the outcome of the Greek Prime Minister's recent visit to Sofia and the developments in the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

According to information, the Russian ambassador underlined Russia's special interest in the solution of the Cyprus problem, while he also referred to the significant role played by Greece in the Balkans.

[08] GREEK-BULGARIAN MILITARY COOPERATION PROGRAM

The annual military cooperation program of the armed forces of Greece and Bulgaria was signed in Thessaloniki today by the National Defense General Staff Chiefs of the two countries, Greek Army General Manousos Paragioudakis and Bulgarian Air Force Lieutenant General Miho Miho.

In the signing ceremony both expressed satisfaction for the steps made in the military cooperation sector. They said that cooperation between the two armed forces keeps step with cooperation between the two governments and strengthens cooperation and understanding between the peoples of Greece and Bulgaria.

The armed forces cooperation program includes bilateral military exercises, training exchanges of officers, and visits to resorts in Greece and Bulgaria respectively.

Mr. Miho underlined especially the training of Bulgarian officers in Greece and Greece's experience as a NATO member-state. He also thanked Greece for the radar station it has donated to the Bulgarian Air Force, which allows the NATO airplanes to use Bulgarian airports.

[09] THE GOVERNMENT INCOMES POLICY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Undersecretary of Finance Giorgos Floridis presented the government incomes policy in the public sector and an amendment will be presented in parliament soon.

The average wage increase for the public sector employees will be 3.2% and the average pension increase will be at 4%.

Meanwhile, the family allowance will be paid to both spouses starting on July 1.

[10] THE FOREIGN MINISTER BRIEFED POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou briefed Political Spring Party leader Antonis Samaras and Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas on the outcome of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' visit to the United States and his meeting with US President George Bush.

Mr. Samaras in statements he made after the meeting, he raised questions on the price Greece is called to pay to secure Turkey's compliance with the rules followed by the civilized states in their inter-state contacts. He stressed that the Turkish claims in the sea and the airspace over the Aegean are still open, while on the Cyprus issue he pointed out that Turkey is being praised for its alleged moderation, while at the same time, it raises new demands with the toleration of third parties.

[11] GREEK AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS BY TURKISH FIGHTER JETS

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas referred to the issue of the Athens FIR and the Greek airspace violations by Turkish fighter jets, pointing out that the government reacts to them in the appropriate way.

This particular period is especially sensitive because the Greek government chose to promote the issues of national importance, said Mr. Protopapas, adding that Turkey will not be allowed to change Greece's priorities.

The Press Minister pointed out that it is obvious that the Turkish side will seek to shift the interest away from the hot issues through disorientation moves. However, he gave the assurance that Greece will not make the mistake to follow Turkey's policy.

[12] BRITON SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

A sentence of 15 years and two months was passed by the three-member criminal court of appeals, on the British man trying to smuggle 1 pound of heroin into Greece from FYROM, while his accomplice, a US citizen, was also condemned by the same court.

Kenneth Bilnig placed 525 gr. of the narcotic substance into small plastic balls, which he then swallowed, in an attempt to get them through customs at the border station of Idomeni, on the Greek-FYROM border.

However, the Central Macedonia SDOE (Corps for the Pursuit of Economic Crime) men grew suspicious, and a few hours after his arrival in Greece by train from Skopje, they arrested him and seized the drugs.

The court also condemned Mark Nevin, an American, to 15 years and 4 months since he seems to have procured the heroin in Bulgaria, and then turned it over to his British co-defendant. The two foreigners were fined a total of 15,000 euro.

[13] SAE-OCEANIA ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES

The issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece will be promoted in every way by the World Council for Greeks Abroad, SAE-Oceania before and during the Summit Meeting of the Commonwealth member-states that will take place in Brisbane, Australia in early March.

The SAE-Oceania has collected over 30.000 signatures that were presented to Australian Prime Minister John Howard and he pledged to raise the issue to the British Prime Minister.

During the Summit meeting of the Commonwealth, the SAE-Oceania will have its own special pavilion at a central Brisbane park to promote the Cyprus issue and Greece's demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

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