Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-09-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] SCHEDULE IN THE TERRORISM CASE WILL BE KEPT

[02] SIMITIS: DEVELOPMENT EVERYWHERE

[03] NEW DEMOCRACY ON THE ATTACKS TARGETING JOURNALISTS

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] THE GOV'T CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE GOV'T WATCHES CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ

[07] PASOK'S MESSAGE FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS "YOU HAVE POWER-TAKE A STAND"

[08] UNSCHEDULED VISIT TO KORYDALLOS PRISON BY PROSECUTOR DIOTIS

[09] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER IN SLOVENIA

[10] GREECE-BULGARIA-TURKEY JOINT ACTION ON BLOODRIVES

[11] PAPANDREOU AGAINST ONE-SIDED ATTACK ON IRAQ

[12] THE G7 MEETS TODAY ON THE WORLD RECESSION THREAT

[01] SCHEDULE IN THE TERRORISM CASE WILL BE KEPT

His firm belief that the relevant prosecution and judiciary officials are fully aware of the time limits and that the November 17 case will move at the required speed, was expressed by Minister of Justice Philippos Petsalnikos, who commented on publications concerning whether the case will be tried within the 18 month time limit, so that the suspects are not released from prison.

Mr. Petsalnikos had a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, whom he briefed on the progress of the N17 case, the bill concerning ministerial responsibilities, and the development of programmes on the modernization of legislation, the expedition of Justice procedures and the modernization of the correctional system.

[02] SIMITIS: DEVELOPMENT EVERYWHERE

The goal of the PASOK government is for there to be development everywhere, pointed out Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in a speech he made in the village of Avlaki, in the prefecture of Etolokarnania.

Mr. Simitis stressed that almost 3 billion euro will be expended in the framework of the Information Society program, in order for every citizen to feel that he or she has the care of the state, with all its services.

Because our motto is the citizen comes first. Because our motto is that the government works for the citizens. The citizens are not subjects. Things no longer work as they did for many years in Greece, when each of us had to know an MP to help us, when we needed party support to get appointed to a job, when we needed an authority figure, for example here in the rural areas of Greece, in order to construct a road or build a school, he underlined.

[03] NEW DEMOCRACY ON THE ATTACKS TARGETING JOURNALISTS

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos characterized as sad the incidents against journalists caused yesterday by unidentified individuals.

Mr. Rousopoulos stressed that the state should protect the citizens and those working in the mass media from the strange and antidemocratic acts of individuals who are wearing hoods over their heads. Mr. Rousopoulos added that the state has to protect the freedom of the press and the right of the citizens to responsible information.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.18% at 1.882,93 points, while the volume of transactions was at 117.4 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 158 recorded gains and 132 had losses, while the value of 84 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] THE GOV'T CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS

The government condemns the attacks on journalists and television crews that were reported yesterday, stated government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He added that police authorities have a duty to protect the citizens and the journalists in order to be able to do their work. Mr. Protopapas concluded that the Associations of Journalists should cooperate with the authorities and stressed that the law is clear and condemns all those who attempt violent acts like the incidents recorded yesterday.

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE GOV'T WATCHES CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ

This is a very fragile phase, the Greek government watches closely the developments in Iraq, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

Mr. Protopapas added that the Prime Minister will discuss the issue with the Prime Minister of Denmark, who is presiding over the European Council, in the meeting they will have in Athens on Friday.

[07] PASOK'S MESSAGE FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS "YOU HAVE POWER-TAKE A STAND"

The governing Socialist party of PASOK defined its tactic in view of the municipal and prefectural elections in Greece with the slogan You have power Take a stand for your municipality and prefecture.

PASOK Central Committee Secretary Kostas Laliotis in a press conference he gave today pointed out that the battle of the imminent local administration elections is crucial and has a political content but it does not constitute a referendum for the government policy.

Mr. Laliotis launched an attack on the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy for its tactics in view of the elections accusing it of creating a climate of polarization. He said that New Democracy is trying to overcome the mistakes of its choices and its problems through constant transformations.

[08] UNSCHEDULED VISIT TO KORYDALLOS PRISON BY PROSECUTOR DIOTIS

Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis, in charge of the investigations on terrorism, made an unscheduled visit to Korydallos Prison today.

According to information, Mr. Diotis held a meeting with the prison management and then he met with Patroklos Tselentis, one of those arrested in connection to terrorist group 17 November.

Based on the available information, the meeting is placed within the framework of the investigation concerning the activities of other terrorist groups in Greece besides 17 November.

[09] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER IN SLOVENIA

Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrisochoidis is on a formal visit to Slovenia today to meet with the country's Foreign Minister Rado Bokinc.

The two ministers will sign a Police Cooperation Agreement for the further strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the sector in an effort to combat crime and especially, organized crime.

Specifically, the agreement concerns efforts against terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, trafficking of stolen cars, smuggling of weapons and radioactive materials and economic crime.

[10] GREECE-BULGARIA-TURKEY JOINT ACTION ON BLOODRIVES

A bridge of communication between the Greek, Turkish and Bulgarian people was formed by the actions taken up by the three countries, for the spreading of the idea of blood donation, the value of human life and human friendship.

In this framework, joint information material will be created and posters will be printed in all three languages, and will be signed by the three relevant bodies, while an Internet site will be constructed, titled The blood donors of the Evros valley.

The above was decided during the 4th Regional Meeting for Bloodvigilance, which was held in Alexandroupoli, with the participation of scientists from Bulgaria and Turkey.

[11] PAPANDREOU AGAINST ONE-SIDED ATTACK ON IRAQ

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou stated he was against a one-sided US attack on Iraq, from Istanbul, where he is participating in the 5th Financial Summit of EU countries and Asia.

Greece will cooperate with all the region's countries in order to contribute to the procedure initiated by the UN and to help in keeping the stability of the region, he pointed out.

He also added that Turkey agreed that the initiative on the Iraq issue belongs to the UN.

Mr. Papandreou underlined that the role of Greece in the region has been upgraded, through its increasing cooperation with Turkey. He made special reference to the consequences a destabilization in the region would have on Greece, if it were to turn into an energy sector competition ground for major powers, and in general in the case of political and cultural conflicts.

As far as the Cyprus issue is concerned, Mr. Papandreou stressed that we have a great chance before us, which must not be lost.

[12] THE G7 MEETS TODAY ON THE WORLD RECESSION THREAT

The international economic developments under the threat of world recession will be discussed in the G7 meeting that will take place in Washington today.

In the meeting of the seven most developed countries in the world that will be held on the sidelines of the annual summit meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will participate Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and the United States. Greek Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis will also participate as the president of the Eurogroup.

The main issue that will be discussed in the summit will be the prospects of the world economy and the Greek Ministry of Finance believes that the participation of Mr. Christodoulakis will be very useful in reaching conclusions regarding the course of the international economic indexes.

Already, the biannual report issued by the IMF, which will act as a guide for the discussions in the summit, has warned of a recession extension and the main issue will be the likelihood of interest rate cuts in an effort to boost growth.

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