Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-06-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CULTURE MINISTRY AND THE ECUMENICAL

[02] MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE STATEMENT ON THE PESTICIDE DEPOSITS

[03] THE "LOST LEADER" OF 17N

[04] THE GREEKS GOT USED TO THE EURO

[05] CHRISOCHOIDIS: "17 NOVEMBER" IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES

[06] PAPANDREOU: ANYONE WHO DISAGREES CAN GO HOME

[01] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CULTURE MINISTRY AND THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos reached an agreement on the framework of a cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The agreement provides for the full support of the Ministry of Culture to the Adriatic Conference on the environment which is organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while it also concerns the prospects of religious dialogue conferences that will take place by 2004.

Mr. Venizelos stated after the meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch that the goal is to promote the main slogan of the Cultural Olympiad namely, the culture of peace. He also said that the allegations concerning a war of religions are geopolitical scenarios that are aimed at maintaining the existing situation.

The cooperation agreement provides for the assistance of the Culture Ministry to the restoration of Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments that have been damaged by the war in Balkan countries. Very important is regarded the assistance the Culture Ministry will offer to all the Ecumenical Patriarchate institutions both in Greece and Switzerland.

[02] MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE STATEMENT ON THE PESTICIDE DEPOSITS

Constant and meticulous controls take place in Greece regarding the pesticide deposits on fresh and processed fruits and vegetables that end up on the consumer table. Also, the responsible Ministry of Agriculture agencies have taken all necessary measures against the farmers who violated the regulations.

The above were stressed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on the occasion of the European Commission report concerning the pesticide deposits traced on fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.

[03] THE "LOST LEADER" OF 17N

The special investigation underway by Greek and foreign anti-terrorist agencies on the terrorist organization 17 November has focused on its leader. According to a news report published on the Athens newspaper TA NEA, the 17N leader is a male, around or over the age of 60, who is originally from Thessaloniki.

The problem with the specific individual is that he cannot be traced for many decades.

The key to the investigation for the lost leader of 17N is a trip to Cuba that took place in the late 60s. In the specific trip participated a total of 10 people and according to reliable sources, the Cuban secret services trained the Greek visitors in illegal activities and mainly, on urban guerilla warfare methodology and operational autonomy.

[04] THE GREEKS GOT USED TO THE EURO

According to a new opinion poll published yesterday by the European Commission, the European citizens appear satisfied with the adoption of the Euro.

In Greece, 86.1% stated that the replacement of the drachma by the Euro took place smoothly, while 65.5% of the Greeks stated that they are pleased with the adoption of the Euro.

The Greeks had the least practical problems among the Europeans when they started using the Euro. Only 14.2% stated that they faced practical problems when using the Euro, while the European average is 19.9%. Also, 30.3% of the Greeks stated that they find it difficult to remember the new prices in Euro, while the European average is 41.2%.

Most of the Greeks, 78.3%, do not use a calculator to change the prices from Euro into drachmas, and 47% do not need to see the prices written both in Euro and drachmas, while the European average is 35.7%.

[05] CHRISOCHOIDIS: "17 NOVEMBER" IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES

The terrorist organization 17 November is not a threat for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games but this does not mean that there should be no concern. The remark was made by Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrisochoidis in an interview with the Athens newspaper Ependitis.

Mr. Chrisochoidis stated that he worries about the safety of the Greek citizens and the insecurity felt by the governing Socialist Party of PASOK and the government.

The Greek National Information Agency participates in the efforts against terrorism, stated Mr. Chrisochoidis, who stressed that the Greeks can use without fear the mobile and fixed line phone networks.

[06] PAPANDREOU: ANYONE WHO DISAGREES CAN GO HOME

Anyone who disagrees can go home, stated Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou in an interview with the Athens newspaper Imerisia, while he referred to those who attempted to create a problem between him and the Prime Minister taking advantage of his absence from the governmental committee meeting.

Mr. Papandreou said characteristically, that there were many, and still are, who wanted to create an internal rift, adding that this is in contrast to his own logic.

He reminded that the policy he follows has won the unanimous approval of all the government and party bodies and stated that he is open to a discussion on tactic issues.

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