Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-08-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU SUMMIT IN CHALKIDIKI

[02] GREEK JEWS MEET WITH PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

[03] CARD PHONES FOR N17 SUSPECTS

[04] GREEKS SPEND MORE WITH THE EURO

[05] PAPANTONIOU-MILLER MEETING

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE DELAYS AT THE GREEK-ALBANIAN BORDERS

[07] GAINS IN THE ASE

[08] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU: THIS FALL WILL BE CRUCIAL

[09] ACTRESS NATASA GERASIMIDOU DIED TODAY

[10] GIOTOPOULOS' LETTER TO THE NEWSPAPER "TO VIMA"

[11] CULTURAL FESTIVAL OF GREEKS ABROAD

[12] 2ND FESTIVAL AGAINST XENOPHOBIA

[13] THE CANDIDATE FOR THE SERB PRESIDENCY IS IN ATHENS

[14] THE SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE IN THE CLERIDES-DENKTASH TALKS

[01] EU SUMMIT IN CHALKIDIKI

The works of the 2003 European Union Summit Meeting will be held in Chalkidiki, and the Foreign Ministry is studying which hotel complexes will host the Summit, since the hotel must accommodate 5,000 people.

Chalkidiki was chosen for security reasons, when it was decided that the city of Thessaloniki, and especially the facilities of the TIF, does not offer complete security conditions, due to the proximity of the TIF to the Aristotle University and the Macedonia University. At the same time the government does not wish for conditions which would result in deadening the city of Thessaloniki.

Relevant services of the Foreign Ministry are in constant communication with the Chalkidiki Hotel Owner's Association and according to information, the European People's Party has decided to hold its Summit Meeting at Sani Beach, in Sani, Chalkidiki.

The June 2003 Summit is still the Thessaloniki Summit, this is not revoked by the fact that the works will take place in Chalkidiki, stressed Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis. Summit events will take place in Thessaloniki, the leaders of the EU countries will arrive there, he explained. The reformation works on the TIF kiosks will continue and beautification works will be performed on the city to welcome the EU leaders and other visitors. Specifically concerning the visitors, the Minister is interested in the keeping of the hospitality rules, and called them to show Thessaloniki and the environment the necessary respect.

Within the Foreign Ministry, alternate Minister Tassos Giannitsis is responsible for issues concerning the organizing of the Summit, while as far as final decisions to be taken by the Prime Minister are concerned, they will be greatly affected by the proposals of the Minister of Public Order, Michalis Chrysochoidis, regarding security measures.

Movements and organizations preparing for rallies during the Summit, estimate that more than 50,000 protestors (from Greece and abroad) will attend. The estimations of the police bring them closer to 80,000, but the number will depend on the climate of the period and the size of the European Social Forum's mobilization.

[02] GREEK JEWS MEET WITH PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

A Greek Jewish delegation, participating in an international solidarity mission of the American Jewish Committee which visited Israel on a initiative for solidarity to the Israeli people and a condemnation of terrorism, met with the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Irineos.

During their meeting with Patriarch Irineos, the President of the Central Jewish Council of Greece, Moses Constantinis, the President of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki, David Saltiel, and the Presidents of Jewish communities of Greece, expressed their support of the Greek Jewish community to the difficult task he is carrying out in the Holy Lands. The Patriarch of Jerusalem thanked the Greek Jewish delegation for its efforts to bring peace to the troubled region. Later, the American Jewish Committee, escorted by the Greek mission, was accepted by the Patriarch and they expressed the full support of American Jews to his work.

[03] CARD PHONES FOR N17 SUSPECTS

Within a few days the request of the special prisoners at the Corydallos Penitentiary for the installation of card phones will be granted.

Since yesterday morning OTE technicians have been working on installing the first card phones, less than 8 in number, in public use areas of the men's and women's wing.

In any case, the discussions of the 14 suspects in the November 17 case over these phones will be under surveillance, and any considered suspicious will be recorded.

[04] GREEKS SPEND MORE WITH THE EURO

The belief that they spend more to buy basic consumer goods and services since the circulation of the euro, was expressed by Greek citizens, according to a survey carried out by the Association of Greek Retail Sales Businesses (SELPE).

89% of consumers believe that prices of basic consumer goods and services in euro have been rounded up, while according to the survey results, 14% of Greek consumers use a calculator in every purchase.

At the same time, 18% prefer to use credit cards, while 79% trust large department and chain stores, as they believe that their prices have remained the same throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ministry of Development has begun meetings with representatives of the business world, aiming at keeping prices at the same level. Deputy Minister Christos Theodorou will meet with representatives of the foods industry and super markets concerning price increases in products.

Price decreases have already been observed in super markets and ten gas stations in Attica have been fined for profiteering.

Financial Crime officers are continuing their strict checks on the market in order to deal with the mark up on basic goods.

[05] PAPANTONIOU-MILLER MEETING

Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou and US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller discussed the security priorities of the Greek EU Presidency in 2003 in the meeting they had in Athens today.

On the issue of terrorism, Mr. Miller stated after the meeting that he is on the same side with the Greek government and they share a close cooperation.

On the issue of the European security, Mr. Papantoniou pointed out to the US ambassador that the main goal of the Greek EU Presidency in the defense sector is to make the EU rapid intervention force operational. On the issue of the Euro-army and the balance of powers of NATO and the EU, he stressed that the efforts will continue to reach a mutually acceptable solution with Turkey.

Also, Mr. Papantoniou and Mr. Miller agreed that bilateral cooperation in the defense sector will continue.

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE DELAYS AT THE GREEK-ALBANIAN BORDERS

Greece had made and continues to make a great effort for the solution of the problem created at the Greek-Albanian borders because of the huge wave of Albanian citizens who return to Greece to work after the end of their summer vacation, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He said that a problem was created around August 15 when tens of thousands of Albanians wanted to cross the borders with Greece and added that after consultations between the responsible authorities every possible effort was made for them to cross the borders with the smaller delay possible.

The government spokesman stated that to cross the Greek borders a special procedure has to be followed, the travel documents must be checked while Greece's international obligations must be observed.

[07] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.22% at 2.178,65 points, while the volume of transactions was at 73.9 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 155 recorded gains and 129 had losses, while the value of 122 remained unchanged.

[08] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU: THIS FALL WILL BE CRUCIAL

Greek European Commissioner Ms. Anna Diamantopoulou characterized the coming fall as crucial in statements she made after the meeting she had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. They discussed issues concerning the economy, the EU enlargement, Cyprus and terrorism.

It will be a crucial fall for the whole Europe because there are significant developments on the issue of the EU enlargement which concerns all EU countries, while for Greece it has a special importance due to Cyprus, stated Ms. Diamantopoulou. She also said that there will be problems with the economy and specifically, with the growth rate and the price increases and therefore, Europe will have to make important decisions during the coming months.

[09] ACTRESS NATASA GERASIMIDOU DIED TODAY

Actress Natasa Gerasimidou died in the early morning hours today after a long battle with cancer at the age of 50. In the past few days she was hospitalized in a critical condition.

Her funeral ceremony will take place at the church of St. Georgios in Panorama, Thessaloniki this afternoon.

[10] GIOTOPOULOS' LETTER TO THE NEWSPAPER "TO VIMA"

Terrorist group 17 November alleged leader Alexandros Giotopoulos, with a letter he sent to the Athens newspaper TO VIMA through his lawyer, denied any meeting with the individual under the code-name Lakis and any participation in an incident that took place in the region of Exarchia in Athens.

Giotopoulos responded to earlier newspaper reports according to which, he was involved in a scuffle with an individual using the code-name Lakis that took place in a popular music club in Exarchia in the 80s. He maintains that such press reports are aimed at creating incriminating evidence and negative impressions to the public in view of the judicial procedure underway.

Regarding Kostantinos Peratikos, he stated that he never met him, adding that he was not an Internet user, did not have a satellite television in his house, neither kept files for the cases he was allegedly interested in.

He also maintained that the conditions under which he is held in prison do not allow him to defend himself in a satisfactory way.

[11] CULTURAL FESTIVAL OF GREEKS ABROAD

In December 2002, the first pilot cultural festival of Greeks living abroad will be held in Thessaloniki, titled "Greeks of the World". This pilot programme is being organized in the framework of the Helleniad, which will give both non professionals and professionals the opportunity to promote their work in Greece, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the General Secretariat of Greeks Living Abroad and the Cultural Olympics Organization. Organizing has been undertaken by the Cultural Olympics Bureau of Thessaloniki, in cooperation with the Cultural Network of SAE.

In statements to the MPA, Mr. Dimitris Salpistis, who is responsible for the Cultural Olympics Bureau in Thessaloniki, expressed his hope that this enterprise will respond to the standing request of Greek artists of the Diaspora, to form the necessary conditions to present their work to the metropolitan audience.

[12] 2ND FESTIVAL AGAINST XENOPHOBIA

The second "Greece, your children" Festival against xenophobia and racism will be held on September 1st, organized by the Association of Greek Refugees from the Former USSR, "Fyliriotes", in cooperation with the Greek Culture Development Center of the Black Sea.

Racism and xenophobia are still an important challenge for Greek society. Research information published by the media has shown that 33% of those asked clearly stated that they are racists, while 51.7% of Greek parents stated that they are bothered by the presence of immigrants in Greek society.

On September 1, at 6pm in the Filyro Woods, music, dances and tastes from Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Ucraine and Albania will "meet". In the large concert to follow, music of refugees and immigrants from Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Kazakstan will be heard, while Marina Marantidou's "Katioussa" folklore band, the "ARGO" Georgian dance group and the "MAK" band will perform. Performers and artists from all these countries, as well as Greece will entertain children and adults, while there will be a painting exhibition - competition.

The Festival's Communications Sponsors are the Macedonian Press Agency, ERT3, Pontian Radio 101.3, and weekly newspapers published in Russian, Albanian, Bulgarian and French.

[13] THE CANDIDATE FOR THE SERB PRESIDENCY IS IN ATHENS

Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister and candidate for the Serb Presidency Mirolijub Labus is on a two-day visit to Greece accompanied by Yugoslav Central Bank Governor Bladjan Dinkic.

The two will have a meeting with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, while later in the afternoon they will be received by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Upon his arrival at the airport in Athens, Mr. Labus stated to journalists that the goal of his visit is the promotion of bilateral relations in all sectors, and especially in the economy.

Tomorrow, the two Yugoslav officials will visit the monastic community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, northern Greece.

[14] THE SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE IN THE CLERIDES-DENKTASH TALKS

The sovereignty issue was discussed in today's meeting of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. The meeting was held within the framework of the direct talks on Cyprus that resumed today after the summer recess, according to the Cypriot news agency CNA.

In today's meeting each side presented its positions on the sovereignty issue. However, Mr. Denktash submitted neither a plan, nor proposals on the issue.

The meeting that lasted just over an hour took place in the presence of UN secretary-general special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

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