Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-08-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] "VENIZELOS" AIRPORT 1ST IN DELAYS

[02] CLAIMS OF SOLDIERS ASSAULTED IN KOS INVESTIGATIONS

[03] BUSH CONGRATULATES SIMITIS

[04] KENTERIS BRINGS ANOTHER GOLD HOME

[01] "VENIZELOS" AIRPORT 1ST IN DELAYS

The recent annual awards of the International Air Transports Organization may have placed the Eleftherios Venizelos airport in third position internationally and 2nd position in Europe among 52 major airports, but according to data of the European Airline Companies, it also holds the 1st position in flight delays for 2002.

According to a press release of the European Airline Companies, on May 24 2002, Spata airport came 1st in delays with an average of 69 minutes per flight, surpassing the Istanbul airport and its record for 2001.

The data of EUROCONTROL in Brussels, on airports in 37 countries, presented the Spata airport with an average of 46 minutes delay per flight for July 2001 and 52 minutes per flight for August 2001.

As the Eleftherotypia newspaper mentioned, this information only concerns flights abroad. If the 50% drop in air traffic and flights following September 11 is taken into account, then the delays at the Spata airport are continually increasing, a fact that raises serious doubts concerning the airport's ability to handle the increased needs of the Olympics. Specifically, the airport can handle 40 aircraft per hour, and during the Olympics it will need to take in 80.

The issue is concerning the relevant services and the German constructors, who have started contemplating further expanding the airport's facilities, so as to cover the needs of the Olympic Games.

[02] CLAIMS OF SOLDIERS ASSAULTED IN KOS INVESTIGATIONS

The claims that soldiers serving at the Kos military base, where investigations are continuing, were assaulted, are a major issue of illegal and undemocratic treatment of Greek citizens, who are fulfilling their duty to their Constitution and Country, stated shadow defense minister of ND Spilios Spiliotopoulos.

Mr. Spiliotopoulos underlined that the Minister of National Defense is obligated to order an immediate investigation into the issue, in order for the claims to be verified and responsibility to be taken.

Once more we call the government to restore the atmosphere of tranquility, which, by its own responsibility, was disturbed in the Armed Forces, which it must support, so that its members can concentrate exclusively on completing their high mission, he pointed out.

[03] BUSH CONGRATULATES SIMITIS

US President George Bush sent a congratulatory letter to Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, concerning Greece's recent successes on the November 17 issue.

According to the To Vima newspaper, among other things, the US President stated the following: What you are doing now is an indication of our broader cooperation in the war against terrorism, while he made mention of the positive effect the case will have on organizing safe Olympics in 2004.

The publication mentioned that Mr. Bush, who is in his ranch in Crawford at this time, had had the letter on his desk since last week, but only signed it on Thursday.

Meanwhile, it appears that Greece was not the one to start the hunt for Dimitris Koufontinas. The US had been searching for Greece's most wanted for 17 years, and had in fact formed a special detachment to locate and arrest him, however, with no results.

The above was supported by today's Ta Nea newspaper, stressing that what triggered the investigations to locate N17's Lucas, was the bombing of the Panormou st. bank in Ampelokipi, when local residents had written down the license place of a car, which turned out to belong to Koufontinas' father.

Continuing investigations have yielded rich photographic material of the victims and potential victims of the organization as well as information from surveillance of their residences and offices, which were found on discs in Patroklos Tselentis' apartment in Elliniko ten days ago.

Today's Eleftherotypia claims that the authorities are not willing to confirm this information so that the contents are not connected to the proclamation sent to the newspaper a few days ago. The proclamation mentioned that the authorities were withholding photographic material concerning K. Peratikos.

According to the newspaper, apart from the photographs, the discs also include parts of texts used in older organization proclamations.

At the same time all the bank accounts and assets of N17 suspects have been frozen after the orders of Special Examiner Leonidas Zevobeakos, who used the new terrorist law to his advantage. The Special Examiner will also see Savvas Xeros, who is facing 80 charges for participation in terrorist strikes, at the Evaggelismos hospital tomorrow.

[04] KENTERIS BRINGS ANOTHER GOLD HOME

A congratulatory telegram was sent by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis to Kostas Kenteris, who won the gold medal in the men's 200m finals at the 18th European Athletics Championship in Munich.

All the things we would like to say about your new triumph cannot be expressed in a telegram. We thank you for making us smile and moving us with national pride.

Kostas Kenteris won Greece's fourth gold medal at the meet, with 19.85 seconds.

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