Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-02-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] 5000 BC WRITINGS AND 8000 YEAR OLD "MIXER" FOUND

[02] TOKYO STRING QUARTET IN ATHENS

[03] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA DEFENSE MINISTERS IN THESSALONIKI

[04] GREEK FORCE LEFT FOR AFGHANISTAN

[05] PASOK AND ND POLITICAL OPENINGS

[06] PAGALOS: MILOSEVIC TRIAL GLORIFICATION OF CYNICISM

[07] KAKLAMANIS PALESTINIAN INTERVENTION

[08] NOVEMBER17 SWORN AFFIDAVIT

[01] 5000 BC WRITINGS AND 8000 YEAR OLD "MIXER" FOUND

One of the oldest samples of writing in the world, dating back to 5000 BC, as well as an 8000 mixer, were found in an archeological dig in Giannitsa. The writings were found on a long stone seal, 2.5 by 5.5 cm, which was presented by Archeologist Panikos Chrysostomou, during the 15th conference on archeology in Macedonia and Thrace.

This seal seems to have been a sort of mould, a fact corroborated by the concave on one side and the clear reverse releafe inscriptions.

[02] TOKYO STRING QUARTET IN ATHENS

If the Tokyo string quartet is not the greatest chamber room music ensemble in the world, it is very difficult to imagine which is, noted the Washington Post, referring to the renowned Japanese quartet, with which the Chamber Music Festival of the Athens Music Hall will be concluded.

The Tokyo Quartet with Michael Copelman (1st violin), Kikoui Ikeda (2nd violin), Kzouhide Izomoura (viola)and Clive Greensmith (cello), will perform three quartets of Johannen Brahms in tomorrow's recital.

The Athenian public will have the opportunity to enjoy the excellent technique as well as elegant playing style, which distinguish the famous quartet, which has received lavish praise in its 30-year course.

It should also be noted that since 1995 the pieces are played with the Paganini Quartet instruments, the famous Stradivarius made by the legendary master workman Nicolo Paganini in the 19th century, lent by the Japanese Music Foundation.

[03] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA DEFENSE MINISTERS IN THESSALONIKI

After the invitation of deputy Minister of Defense Lucas Apostolidis, the Defense Ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina have began an official visit today, lasting until Wednesday, with the opportunity of the joint training of their armed forces at the Multinational Operational Training Center for the Support of Peace (PKEEYE), in Kilkis.

The Minister of Defense of the Croatian-Muslim Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mijo Anic, Head of the delegation consisting of, Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant-General Atif Dudakovic, and high ranking officials, is already in Thessaloniki for this reason.

A similar delegation of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina is also expected in Thessaloniki this afternoon, under Defense Minister Slobodan Bilic, the participation of the General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Novica Simic, and other officials.

Tomorrow, Mr. Apostolidis will hold private meetings with each of the delegations and an official dinner will be held that evening. The following day, the deputy Minister of National Defense will brief the two Ministers and will show them the facilities of the PKEEYE.

[04] GREEK FORCE LEFT FOR AFGHANISTAN

This afternoon, the first part of the Greek force to participate in the international support and security force of Afghanistan, to be stationed in Kabul, departed from Thessaloniki's airport.

The 49 men, accompanied by 4 members of the Defense Ministry, boarded a C-130 military aircraft, and departed at 4:30pm. The second part of the force, which consists of approximately 90 men as well as vehicles and equipment, will leave within the next few days.

The Greek force will land under strict security measures in Kabul, in the early morning hours of February 19 (tonight the plane will land in Dubai and will continue tomorrow night for Kabul).

Upon reaching the Afghan capital, the Greek force will be deployed 9 km outside the city, to keep the peace and secure Afghan citizens' safe.

Tomorrow, two of the largest, Antonof type, aircraft will leave Thessaloniki, carrying equipment and vehicles for the Greek force.

[05] PASOK AND ND POLITICAL OPENINGS

The collaboration openings of PASOK and New Democracy in different directions, have given a different air to Greece's political setting. PASOK Secretary Kostas Laliotis made propositions to the Left, even of cooperation in the government, while New Democracy President Kostas Karamanlis stated that his party does not adopt categorizing everything according to a party.

In an interview with the Sunday Eleftherotypia, Kostas Laliotis was in favor of collaboration governments with parties of the Left, characteristically stating: I believe that situations in Greece have matured enough for the center-left to walk on a common path at the same pace.

PASOK's Secretary believes that the era following the political changeover, which was characterized by the interchange of ND and PASOK in government, has ended, and that a new era should begin, one of a more bipolar character than torn between two specific parties. He appreciated that the majority of the people prefer collaboration governments, and added that collaboration governments of progressive powers are a redemptive solution.

Discussions between bodies of the Center-Left may result in a multiparty government, he stressed characteristically, and he added that progressive powers can even cooperate in municipal elections.

However, Mr. Laliotis pointed out that his proposal for a modern, majority, and multiparty Center-Left, with a common sense of responsibility and expression, in the model of European countries, is interweaved with open discussion and is not connected to any specific steps. However, the Coalition of the Left seems to distance itself from PASOK's political openings. Dimitris Dimoulis proposed proportional representation, measures to ensure transparency and social justice, and turning a governmental corner are more preferable, and the President of the Coalition clarified that his party does not intend to cooperate with any other party in the Municipal elections, in Greece's three major electoral districts.

On his side, President of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis, upon closing the works of the 2-day meetings of ND's Central Committee on Saturday, made proposals to other parties.

Drawing on the criticisms ND received after not supporting the party candidate in the Athens Bar Association, ND's President characteristically stated: We will not adopt the habit categorizing everyone and everything by political party, we are open minded, we do not adhere to the claim that all honest and good individuals come from our party, we say no to the frame of mind that says: 'we don't care how good it is, just as long as it's ours'.

In our future government there is no room for such ways of thinking, party identity will not be a criterion; the criterion will be competence. We want honest and able individuals from all political areas, stressed Mr. Karamanlis.

In fact, ND spokesperson Thodoris Roussopoulos, commenting on Mr. Laliotis' statements, said that in its panic, in view of its upcoming election defeat, PASOK is trying to salvage anything it can, digging trenches of the past and searching, in its final hour, for a 'redemptive solution'.

[06] PAGALOS: MILOSEVIC TRIAL GLORIFICATION OF CYNICISM

Slobodan Milosevic's decisive responsibility for his country being broken into pieces and his people's isolation, and the Greek Foreign Ministry's untimely recognition of Slovenia's and Croatia's independence, were mentioned by former Minister Theodoros Pagalos, in an article in today's Vima.

In the same article, Mr. Pagalos characterized the Milosevic trial as a glorification of cynicism, because, as he supports, it is a carefully preplanned trial. Those succeeding in the conviction of Mr. Milosevic, will not answer a world demand for justice, but will merely create future conditions for greater discipline and more substantial submission in this untamed corner of Europe which are the Balkans.

[07] KAKLAMANIS PALESTINIAN INTERVENTION

The initiative of Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis for a joint meeting between him and Spanish Parliament President, Luisa Fernada Rudi, Vice-President of the Swedish Parliament Anders Bjork, President of the Israeli Knesset Avraham Burg and Palestinian National Council spokesperson, Salim al Zanoon, in order to explore the possibility of intervention of European Parliaments in the Middle Eastern issue was a complete success.

The meeting took place in the margin of the 3rd Euromediterranean Convention of EU Parliament Presidents, and Mr. Avraham Burg and Salim al Zanoon each agreed to visit Ramala and Jerusalem, along with the Presidents of the National Parliaments of the European Union and the President of the European Parliament, in an attempt to end violence and restore peace to the region.

An effort has to be made, not just a symbolic one, but one with results. I propose that a delegation of EU Parliament Presidents visits the region in an attempt to restore peace, stressed Mr. Kaklamanis, applauding the willingness of both sides to meet in the margin of the convention.

We greatly appreciate the initiative of the EU to put an end to the violence. If it succeeds it will go down in history, stressed Palestinian National Council spokesperson Salim al Zanoon.

Extremists are dominant in this era, and every effort possible must be made to restore peace. We must put the red line in the past. Trust between us has been lost. Both us Presidents must send a message of peace, and the EU must take up financial and diplomatic initiative, stated the President of the Knesset, Avraham Burg, in complete agreement with the proposal. We must encourage both governments for peace in the region, he added.

[08] NOVEMBER17 SWORN AFFIDAVIT

The sworn affidavit of an inactive former member of the November 17 terrorist organization, is in the possession of the Counter-terrorist Branch of the police, according to information published in today's Vima, information not confirmed by legal authorities.

This development is considered of extreme importance since the information came from an individual, who was suspected in the past of great involvement in terrorist attacks and activity, but who, at some point, cleaned up and walked away.

According to the article, authorities intend, in this early stage, to use all the information in this key-testimony, so as to avert any new terrorist action of N17, without however arresting terrorist organization members even though this latest information gives them this option waiting for legally binding terrorist activity, so that briefs able to stand up in court may be formed.

The case in question has been exclusively assigned to Scotland Yard agents, who, for this reason, have sent important pieces of evidence, to forensic labs in London.

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