Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-08-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] SCOTLAND YARD SECRET REPORT SHEDS LIGHT ON TERRORISM IN GREECE

[02] ŤARISť BEFORE THE EXAMINING JUDGE TOMORROW

[03] ARMS STOLEN FROM KOS MILITARY CAMP

[04] BRONZE METAL FOR GREEK SWIMMING TEAM

[01] SCOTLAND YARD SECRET REPORT SHEDS LIGHT ON TERRORISM IN GREECE

Light on the background of the investigation that led to the capture of suspected members "November 17" was shed by a secret report of the Scotland Yard and the Greek Police, which was published in today's "Ta Nea-Weekend Edition" newspaper.

This official document describes how the authorities moved since the summer of 2000, when Prime Minister Kostas Simitis made the decision that "we have to finish with terrorism".

As the report concluded, three of the arrested suspects had been under surveillance for several months, while the Greek Police was offered assistance from the US, who recalled experts from Afghanistan.

The large confidential Scotland Yard report, which bears the word "secret" on each of the pages in red lettering, includes an exhaustive review of the organization's activities, as well as propositions for necessary actions, in order to trace the culprits who carried out the terrorist actions.

The report, that mentions that a Scotland Yard detachment arrived in Greece on the day Brigadier Saunders was killed, records the new police methods adopted to track down N17 through its activities. From mobile telephone surveillance to DNA samples, the report sheds light on the investigations that led to capturing the organization's suspected members, after 27 years.

[02] ŤARISť BEFORE THE EXAMINING JUDGE TOMORROW

Sotiris Kondylis is due to appear before the Special Examining Judge tomorrow. Kondylis, who was arrested on Thursday, has been charged with by the Appeal's Court DA.

He has been charged with participating in a criminal organization, manufacture, supply, and possession of explosives by complicity, illegal possession of firearms by complicity, 1st degree murder, robbery and bombing.

According to the Greek Police spokesperson, Kondylis, who was using the code name "Aris", confessed to participating in the Labor Bank branch robbery in Peristeri in 1990, the Speloia clash with the police in 1991, the murder of Sipachioglou in 1994, and the launching of a rocket against the US Embassy in 1996.

[03] ARMS STOLEN FROM KOS MILITARY CAMP

Intensive investigations are under way by the military and police authorities in order to find the arms that were stolen last night, shortly before midnight, from a Kos unit, and in order to conclude the motive and circumstances under which the theft took place.

The investigations are being carried out by the unit and an Army detachment, as a coordinator of the investigations, and a Security detachment.

It was made known that Greek Police and Coast Guard detachments have cut off all ways of leaving, in case the culprits are still on the island.

The arms stolen from the military unit, according to information, by means of tunneling through a wall in the garment warehouse, consisted of a crate with 17 45mm side-arms, 3 HK-11 submachine guns, and three G-3 machine guns, one of which was located in the unit.

Referring to the incident, deputy Minister of the Press and Media stated that a thorough in depth investigation is being carried out in order to shed light on the case.

"Such isolated incidents have been recorded before, and after solving the case it was proven that the theft took place in order to sell the weapons", underlined Mr. Chytiris.

When asked if the case is connected to "November 17", he stressed "we must not chase terror and connect everything to terrorism". "Most members of N17 are in Corydallos, and those who are not there will have the same fortune", he pointed out.

The loss of arms from Kos is a major political issue and that is why solving the case, arresting the culprits and informing the Greek people as quickly as possible is imperative.

This estimation was expressed by ND's shadow Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos, who stressed that "during a crucial period, when the security of Greece and its citizens is our primary concern and first priority, the Government did not do the self evident, take emergency security measures

[04] BRONZE METAL FOR GREEK SWIMMING TEAM

Greece won its first medal in a European swimming meet.

The Greek 4x200 meters swimming team, won the bronze medal in the European Championship in Berlin, Greece's first medal in the organization.

Thanassis Economou, Nikos Xylouris, Giannis Kokkodis and Spyros Gianniotis won 3rd place in the finals, with a time of 7.20.67, which is a new panhellenic record. Italy won first place, and Germany came second.

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