Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] ERROR CORRECTED BY CNN

[02] AIMING AT N17'S COFOUNDER - OPERATION IN MYTILINI

[03] PATROKLOS TSELENTIS APPEARED BEFORE A COURT OF APPEALS PROSECUTOR

[04] NIKOLAOS PAPANASTASIOU IS BELIEVED TO BE THE "RIGHT HAND" OF

[05] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID TO FYROM

[06] NEW "17 NOVEMBER" ARREST

[07] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] PROTOPAPAS DENIES ANY ASSOCIATION BETWEEN 17N AND TURKISH ORGANIZATIONS

[09] PROTEST RALLY BY TURKISH POLITICAL REFUGEES

[10] SAVVAS XIROS WILL APPEAR BEFORE A COURT OF APPEALS EXAMINING JUDGE

[11] PAVLOS SERIFIS CONFESSED

[01] ERROR CORRECTED BY CNN

The international television network CNN changed its reference to Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, using its correct name, while it also mentioned that its capital city is Skopje. The correction was made after strong reactions, as for the past few days, CNN presented FYROM as Macedonia with the Greek city of Pella as its capital.

In a letter to the MPA General Director, the CNN representatives mentioned that the error in CNN.com (http://www.cnn/WORLD/europe/sites.html) was restored through a coordinated effort by ChooseGreece (www.choosegreece.info) and CNN's official representative in Greece.

[02] AIMING AT N17'S COFOUNDER - OPERATION IN MYTILINI

The counter-terrorism service is trying to concentrate the information necessary to arrest the cofounder of "November 17", however, it is appreciated that this will be one of the most difficult targets, while in order to achieve their goal, the authorities are using the information from the computer files found in the two hideouts on Patmos and Damareos streets.

he cofounder, who seems to have the code name "Sardanapalus", is estimated to be 60 years old, known to the authorities and that by having close relations with Pavlos Serifis, was the link between the high ranking organization members. "Sardanapalus" is speculated to have participated in the murder of CIA Station Chief Richard Wells and that he was involved with the "ELA" and "May 1" organizations.

ccording to today's press, the counter-terrorism service has begun an operation in Mytilini for the arrest of Dimitris Koufontinas or a couple connected to N17.

Meanwhile, the police found photographs, various documents and a computer in Patroklos Tselentis' apartment in Elliniko.

The police searched his car, while a motorcycle was found covered up behind the building, which is also being searched.

The 42-year-old was arrested this morning in Elliniko and is being questioned in the offices of the counter-terrorism service.

Information mentions that Patroklos Tselentis, who is referred to as "Alekos" or the "Film" by the other arrested suspected members, was negative during the first few hours of his preliminary examination, while he then accepted his participation in "November 17" and in specific organization actions and he identified individuals who also participated in the organization.

[03] PATROKLOS TSELENTIS APPEARED BEFORE A COURT OF APPEALS PROSECUTOR

Patroklos Tselentis, another member of the terrorist group 17 November, appeared before the Court of Appeals prosecutor today.

Based on the new legislation on organized crime, he is accused of a number of felonies. Specifically, he is accused of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery with murder. He requested and received more time until Sunday to prepare his testimony.

Meanwhile, authorities do not make any comments on the information according to which, a police operation was launched in Mitilini, in the northeastern Aegean island of Lesvos last night, aimed at the arrest of Dimitris Koufodinas or another 17N member under the code-name Aris.

[04] NIKOLAOS PAPANASTASIOU IS BELIEVED TO BE THE "RIGHT HAND" OF GIOTOPOULOS

Nikolaos Papanastasiou, age 50, is allegedly a founding member of terrorist group 17 November and the right hand of Alexandros Giotopoulos. He was arrested earlier in the afternoon at his house in Nea Liosia, Athens.

Papanastasiou is regarded to be the 17N member who used first the code-name Nikitas and has played an important role in the course of the terrorist group. He is originally from the village of Houmniko near Nigrita in Serres, northern Greece and was the owner of a pottery shop in Athens. He is the father of a 3yearold son.

Pavlos Serifis referred to him during his testimony in the early morning hours today.

According to information, Christodoulos Xiros had also referred to Nikitas in his testimony. He had testified that Nikitas participated in the assassination of US officer Robert Judd (1984), in the assassination of Athens newspaper Apogevmatini publisher, Nikos Momferatos and his driver, Giorgos Roussetis (1985) and in the robbery of the National Bank of Greece branch at Petralona, in Athens (1984). Police officer Christos Matis was killed during that robbery.

[05] GREEK HUMANITARIAN AID TO FYROM

The first part of the Greek humanitarian aid has arrived to FYROM's Gevgeli Medical Center. The specific medical center consists of the local General Hospital, a Psychiatric Clinic and a Rehabilitation Center.

The aid was sent after a decision by the Ministry of Health with the active participation of Greek Psychiatric Hospitals and includes medicines, food and clothing items.

The overall budget of the 3year aid program is at 734.000 Euro.

[06] NEW "17 NOVEMBER" ARREST

A new 17 November terrorist group member, allegedly its co-founder and number two in hierarchy after Alexandros Giotopoulos, was arrested today in his house at Liosia in Athens.

Fifty-year-old Nikolaos Papanastasiou, is originally from Serres, northern Greece and he was the first one who used the code-name Nikitas. He is being questioned by the police and according to information, he denies all charges against him.

[07] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.65% at 2.058,94 points , while the volume of transactions was at 80.4 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 76 recorded gains and 232 had losses, while the value of 76 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] PROTOPAPAS DENIES ANY ASSOCIATION BETWEEN 17N AND TURKISH ORGANIZATIONS

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas denied any association of terrorist group 17 November with Turkish organizations, responding to a statement issued by the Turkish police and clarified that if there is new evidence the Turkish authorities will be briefed.

Mr. Protopapas also stated that the issue of terrorism is not up for political party exploitation, while the mass media should avoid involving people in terrorism in an arbitrary way.

[09] PROTEST RALLY BY TURKISH POLITICAL REFUGEES

Turkish political refugees, DHKC (former DEVRIMCI SOL) supporters, held a protest rally outside the building where the newspapers TO VIMA and TA NEA are housed in Athens.

The two newspapers had published the Turkish authorities' views according to which, the organization Revolutionary People's Liberation Front (former Revolutionary Left) was cooperating with terrorist group 17 November. The protesters accused the Turkish secret service MIT and the CIA of organizing a provocation against DHKC (former DEVRIMCI SOL).

Referring to their presence in Greece, the protesters stressed that they requested political asylum in Greece and it was granted to them. They also underlined that throughout its history DHKC was openly and actively involved in the Turkish society.

[10] SAVVAS XIROS WILL APPEAR BEFORE A COURT OF APPEALS EXAMINING JUDGE

Savvas Xiros, a member of "17 November" terrorist group, will appear before a Court of Appeals examining judge by Tuesday. His health condition appears to be improving, however, he is still at Evangelismos Hospital and continues to be heavily guarded.

According to statements by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Loverdos the court trials of the "17 November" terrorists will start in 10 months.

[11] PAVLOS SERIFIS CONFESSED

Pavlos Serifis or Nikitas accused Alexandros Giotopoulos, the alleged leader of terrorist group 17 November, of committing the assassinations of CIA Station Chief in Greece Richard Welsh in 1975 and special police forces deputy commander Pantelis Petrou in 1980.

Pavlos Serifis admitted during questioning by the examining judge last night that he participated in the terrorist group in the period 1975-1980. He also admitted that he took part in the assassinations of Richard Welsh, Pantelis Petrou and his driver Sotiris Stamoulis. He stated that in both cases the executioner was Alexandros Giotopoulos or Lambros identifying him as the leader of 17N.

Pavlos Serifis maintained that he left the terrorist group after an accident he had in 1981. According to law experts, the assassination of CIA Station Chief has been erased based on the statute of Limitations because it was committed more than 20 years ago.

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