Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-08-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS: WE PLACE OUR HOPES IN JOHANNESBURG

[02] THE GENETIC MATERIAL OF TWO INDIVIDUALS LINKED WITH 17N HAS BEEN

[03] PROTOPAPAS: THE EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM IS A GREEK AFFAIR

[04] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING HELD UNDER SIMITIS

[06] COMMENTS BY THE US AMBASSADOR ON THE PAPANDREOU STATEMENTS

[07] POLICE IS TARGETING THE WOMEN OF "17 NOVEMBER"

[08] MILLER-PAPANDREOU MEETING

[09] CHRYSOCHOIDIS: N17 HAS BEEN ERADICATED

[10] THESSALONIKI: MAJOR RALLY OUTSIDE TIF

[11] PAPANDREOU: A DEMOCRATIC GLOBAL GOVERNMENT

[12] MAGRIOTIS: NOTHING CAN STOP CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE

[13] CLOSER TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE PENSIONS OF THE GREEK-AUSTRALIANS

[01] SIMITIS: WE PLACE OUR HOPES IN JOHANNESBURG

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with Minister of the Environment, Planning and Public Works, Vasso Papandreou, and Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou , who will represent Greece at the Environment World Summit in Johannesburg.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister stated to the press that the climate changes demand special attention and protection of the environment, while he appealed to all developed countries to offer assistance to developing countries in order to battle poverty and promote development on a global scale. We have committed to a series of issues such as official developmental aid. To help those poorer than ourselves. Developed countries must increase their aid to developing countries. At the same time however, they must move on a series of institutional reforms based on human rights and the rule of Law, as well as the rules of the free market, so that the money can be used effectively, and lead to the proper result, he stressed characteristically.

We belong to those countries that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol on climate changes and we are determined to carry out the international commitments. We also want the EU, of which Greece will soon hold the Presidency, to contribute to viable development on a global level. That is why we have placed our hopes in the Johannesburg summit, a meeting that is an important step in saving our planet, our common home, added the Prime Minister.

[02] THE GENETIC MATERIAL OF TWO INDIVIDUALS LINKED WITH 17N HAS BEEN DECODED

The genetic material that belongs to two individuals associated with terrorist group 17 November has been decoded. The decoding was possible after the discovery of genetic material samples in the 17N hideouts at Patmos and Damareos Streets. Now, the prosecutor must authorize police to take blood samples from all those arrested to make the necessary comparisons.

Meanwhile, a shop-owner near the Damareos Street hideout has stated that Savvas Xiros' companion Alicia Romero Cortez and his ex-wife Angeliki Sotiropoulou, together with Dimitris Koufodinas who is wanted by the police, had been seen in the region.

Also, police continue to examine evidence based on which, there are links between the terrorist groups 17 November and ELA.

[03] PROTOPAPAS: THE EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM IS A GREEK AFFAIR

The efforts against terrorism is a Greek affair, stated government spokesman Christos Protopapas after the recommendations made today to US ambassador Thomas Miller by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou. Mr. Papandreou had called on Mr. Miller to be more careful when he comments on the issue of the 17 November terrorist group.

The efforts for the arrest of the 17N members and the eventual break up of all the terrorist groups operating from time to time in Greece is a Greek affair, stated Mr. Protopapas. The Greek government spokesman expressed the view that Mr. Miller himself has acknowledged this in the meeting he had today with Mr. Papandreou.

[04] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.68% at 2.176,19 points, while the volume of transactions was 104.6 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 159 recorded gains and 131 had losses, while the value of 116 stocks remained stable.

[05] FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING HELD UNDER SIMITIS

Foreign policy issues were examined in the meeting of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Yiannitsis. They discussed issues concerning the Greek-Turkish affairs, the Cyprus issue, the preparations made for the Greek EU Presidency and the unhindered EU accession of Cyprus.

In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou pointed out that the government will continue the policy of rapprochement and dialogue with Turkey based on the Helsinki Summit meeting decisions. He stated that Greece supports Turkey's European course based on the preconditions set by the EU and watches closely the developments in the neighboring country. In today's meeting were also examined the positions that Greece will present in the assembly on the future of Europe aimed at creating a single European Constitution plan.

Referring to the meeting he had this morning with US ambassador Thomas Miller, Mr. Papandreou stated that they discussed issues concerning terrorism, the Cyprus issue, the Euro-Turkish relations and his imminent visit to the United States. On the issue of terrorism, Mr. Papandreou pointed out that the Greek-US cooperation is excellent and added that everybody should contribute to the creation of a positive climate in order to deal with the problem.

[06] COMMENTS BY THE US AMBASSADOR ON THE PAPANDREOU STATEMENTS

US ambassador to Athens, Thomas Miller expressed puzzlement in response to the reaction of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, who urged the US diplomat, in the meeting they had this morning, to be more careful when he comments on the issue of the 17 November terrorist group. Mr. Papandreou had stated that the use of plural by Mr. Miller, when referring to the efforts to fight terrorism, must be avoided because it creates impressions.

According to US embassy circles in Athens, Mr. Miller expressed puzzlement regarding the reaction of the Greek side as himself has stated that he shares Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' views on the issue of terrorism.

[07] POLICE IS TARGETING THE WOMEN OF "17 NOVEMBER"

The Greek police have launched a thorough investigation on the role of the female members of terrorist group 17 November. In the testimony of terrorist Savvas Xiros the presence of the mysterious Anna, who took part in the assassinations of CIA Station Chief Richard Welsh and police officer Evangelos Malios, is being confirmed.

Also, the investigation is targeting four individuals, first generation terrorists, who have not been identified yet. Photographs of three men have been found in the hard disk Alexandros Giotopoulos had removed from the computer at his house. The specific hard disk was discovered in the 17N hideout at Patmos Street and police believe that the pictures belong to leading members of the terrorist group.

Meanwhile, according to Savvas Xiros' testimony, Pavlos Serifis is the old Nikitas, while the code-name Parkinson was used by Theologos Psaradelis because his hand was shacking as a result of the heart disease he is suffering from.

On Monday, Savvas Xiros is expected to undergo ear surgery and by mid next week he will be transferred to Koridallos Prison.

[08] MILLER-PAPANDREOU MEETING

Developments on the terrorism front were referred to by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller, during their meeting this morning.

Drawing on Mr. Miller's recent statements to the press on terrorism, which caused various reactions, Mr. Papandreou urged the Ambassador to be more careful with where his statements, underlining that the case is being handled by the Greek Police and Greek Justice.

Mr. Papandreou allegedly told Mr. Miller that "the use of plural when referring to the efforts to fight terrorism causes impressions".

[09] CHRYSOCHOIDIS: N17 HAS BEEN ERADICATED

Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis expressed his belief that "November 17" has been eradicated, during the Cabinet meeting.

"Today we are all in a position to tell the Greek people that N17, Greece's most infamous terrorist organization, has been eradicated, because its leadership and most of its members have been arrested, most of its arms have been confiscated, all the cases it has taken responsibility for, as well as some they did not officially take responsibility for, have been solved", he pointed out.

Furthermore, he noted that terrorism in Greece is not finished, but it is finished in the way it has been known since the period of the political changeover. "But it would be naive to believe that terrorism will never trouble our country again, just as it will trouble all other countries of the world in the future. The past has not cleared up. The volume of evidence, the individuals still at large, other organizations that were active all these years, are aspects of the past with which we will deal systematically in the immediate future, with the same strategy and method we have done so far", he added.

"Since there is a lot of talking about a new round of operations, I must point out that we will not operate under the pressure of announcements of arrests made by various responsible-irresponsible parties. On the contrary, we are working according to an internal time table enforced by the order of the investigations", he underlined.

Mr. Chrysochoidis, who was congratulate by his colleagues, positioned himself concerning the political aspect of the terrorism investigation and informed them on the next steps to be taken.

The events of June 29 were not pure coincidence, but based on work that was in full development, and was the result of pressure we had already put on. It was just a matter of time before things started happening, stressed the Minister of Public Order

[10] THESSALONIKI: MAJOR RALLY OUTSIDE TIF

A major rally against government policy is being organized for the opening day of the Thessaloniki International Fair, September 7, at the YMCA square by Thessaloniki bodies.

In an announcement it made, the "Thessaloniki Action 2003", pointed out that despite government announcements during the Prime Minister's visit to the TIF, unemployment in Thessaloniki is running wild, and necessary basic infrastructure projects (tube, underwater tunnel) are not being materialized.

The "Thessaloniki Action 2003" underlined that the rally will be a preparation step for the "welcome" of the 2003 Summit Meeting in Thessaloniki, and added that in his announcements the Prime Minister wants to cover the political barbarity of the EU.

On its side, the United Workers Fighting Front, stressed that it is necessary for "employees to go to the TIF with their own set of demands and that the TIF becomes a forum for people's intervention, where employees will demand increased salaries and pensions".

[11] PAPANDREOU: A DEMOCRATIC GLOBAL GOVERNMENT

During an interview to "Flash" radio, Greek foreign minister G. Papandreou referred to the Johannesburg Summit on the viable development of the planet, beginning this Monday, in which he will participate as Head of the Greek delegation.

Mr. Papandreou stressed that viable development must contribute to the improvement of quality of life for the next generations, pointing out the necessity of making serious decisions to face the planet's problems, problems which have no borders and in some cases cause wars.

He referred to the prospect of a global government, which will democratically handle the Earth's problems.

[12] MAGRIOTIS: NOTHING CAN STOP CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE

The belief that nothing can stop Cyprus' EU accession course was expressed by Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis, responsible for issues concerning the Greeks living abroad, during the contacts he had in Cyprus within the framework of his four-day visit.

In the separate meetings he had today with Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulidis, Interior Minister Andreas Panagiotou, Labor Minister Andreas Mousioutas, Democratic Party President Tassos Papadopoulos, and Social-democratic Movement President Yiannakis Omirou, he reached the conclusion that there was a coincidence of views in all the issues under discussion.

After the meeting with Mr. Kasoulidis, both men stated that the immediate solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the UN resolutions, is imperative.

With Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos and Mr. Yiannakis Omirou, he discussed issues concerning Cyprus' EU accession course.

The issue of the 10 thousand Greeks from the former Soviet Union, who live in Cyprus, was discussed in the meeting of Mr. Magriotis with the Cypriot Ministers of Interior and Labor.

[13] CLOSER TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE PENSIONS OF THE GREEK-AUSTRALIANS

The procedures for the signing of a bilateral pension agreement between Greece and Australia are being accelerated after the recent visit of Australian Prime Minister John Howard to Greece and the talks he had with his Greek counterpart Kostas Simitis.

Australia's Social Security Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Ross Cameron will visit Greece next month to complete the bilateral pension agreement.

According to statements by World Council for Hellenes Living Abroad, SAE-Oceania coordinator Kostas Vertzagias light can be seen now at the end of the tunnel.

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