Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-10-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] PETSALNIKOS: NOVEMBER 17 TRIAL IN FEBRUARY

[02] EU DEFENSE MINISTER MEETING IN CRETE

[03] 8000 DRUG INDUCED DEATHS IN THE EU

[04] THE EU ADOPTS DIFFERENT POSITION FROM THE US ON THE ISSUE OF IRAQ

[05] PAPANTONIOU: EUROPE CANNOT BE LEFT BEHIND IN TERMS OF SECURITY

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE STATEMENTS BY THE FINANCE MINISTER

[07] PROTOPAPAS ON THE PROVOCATIVE DENKTASH STATEMENTS

[08] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[09] SOLANA: THE EU IS WAITING FOR THE UN DECISION ON IRAQ

[10] CHRISTODOULAKIS ON THE DOWNWARD COURSE OF THE ASE

[11] PAPARIGA IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

[12] FLIGHT PROBLEMS TOMORROW

[01] PETSALNIKOS: NOVEMBER 17 TRIAL IN FEBRUARY

The trial of the November 17 suspects will begin in February 2003, stated Minister of Justice Philippos Petsalnikos.

Referring to the issue of television coverage of the trial, Mr. Petsalnikos underlined: In my opinion, all parties involved in a trial, and this concerns all trials, are under increased pressure when they know they are being taped, recorded or transmitted at that moment by television. That is why in no EU countries is the presence of television or radio media allowed in the courtroom during the trial.

But there are further legal problems rising for the N17 suspect members, according to the Vima newspaper. The Greek Postal Service (ELTA) is asking for the amount of 2.5 million euro to be confiscated from the suspects in the N17 case, or any relation they may have to them (relatives or companies), for the two armed robberies in ELTA branches in December 1991 and January 1997, during which 1,127,000 euro were stolen.

[02] EU DEFENSE MINISTER MEETING IN CRETE

Presided over by Greek Defense Minister Giannos Papantoniou and under extreme security measures, the two-day informal EU Defense Minister Summit began this morning in CRETA PALACE hotel in Rethymno. The Summit is crucial, since important issues to be discussed during its works include the imminent US attack on Iraq, the Euroarmy issue and relations with Turkey.

Greece took the Presidency over EU Defense issues prematurely, after Denmark's withdrawal from the EU Presidency's military sector.

The issues of US preparations for an attack on Iraq and the Euroarmy will dominate discussions. Greek pressures on fellow EU and NATO member-states on resolving the Euroarmy issue by the end of the year so that EU rapid response forces can be sent to Skopje to replace NATO forces there, are well known.

The Turkish government has agreed to a US-UK text, accepted by our partners, which gives Ankara the privileges of an EU member-state, since it will be allowed to bar Euroarmy activity in regions it considers vital to its national security. For example it will be able to exclude the Aegean or even Cyprus.

The Greek government refuses to accept the text, and this has resulted in a blocking of cooperation between NATO and the EU, and more specifically, the use of NATO infrastructure by the Community's rapid response force.

The Greek Presidency at the informal EU Defense Minister Summit in Rethymno, as well as at the NATO Summit in Prague (November 24-25), aims at resolving the Euroarmy issue, since Turkish elections, to be held on November 3, disallow a solution being found at an earlier date.

[03] 8000 DRUG INDUCED DEATHS IN THE EU

Seven to eight thousand sudden drug induced deaths are recorded in Europe annually, while there is a worrying increase in cocaine use, according to information from the annual report of the EU's drug Organization. However, the number of deaths is appreciated to be much higher. In most cases, death is due to overdose or unclean substances use. The increasing number of deaths due to heroin, while it is decreasing in the rest of the EU, is a dark spot for Greece. In Greece, 321 people died as a direct result of drug use (99.1% from heroin), while in 2000 the number of deaths was 304 and in 1999 it was 265.

[04] THE EU ADOPTS DIFFERENT POSITION FROM THE US ON THE ISSUE OF IRAQ

EU High Representative on Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana adopted a totally different position on the issue of Iraq from that of the United States. The statements were made on the sidelines of the EU Defence Ministers informal Summit meeting taking place in Rethymno, Crete in southern Greece.

Mr. Solana stated characteristically that the position of the European Union will be heard in the following days. Namely, that the UN Security Council should continue its work, continue to be in charge of the subject, in charge of the dossier. Mr. Solana stressed that this will have an effect.

When he was called to clarify what will be Europe's voice at this point, he stressed that at this point a debate is taking place in the Security Council. What the European Union has decided is that this is the place where this has to be resolved, in the Security Council, for the members of the Security Council to come to an agreement. And they hope very much they will come to an agreement.

Responding to another question he expressed the belief that the UN Security Council will find the way in which the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will be achieved.

To the question if the United States could act unilaterally, Mr. Solana responded that as I said before, I think that the United Nations should be able to go ahead and find a resolution that will allow the inspector to return.

In conclusion, Mr. Solana stated that our control is over the weapons of mass destruction and how the weapons of mass destruction can be controlled and do the utmost for non proliferation. But it is not in our objectives at this point.É would not like to tell you things that I will not be able to untell later on, but it is my impression that we have never been as close as we are today.

[05] PAPANTONIOU: EUROPE CANNOT BE LEFT BEHIND IN TERMS OF SECURITY

Speaking to reporters Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou referred to the content of the talks held within the framework of the EU Defense Ministers informal Summit meeting in Rethymno, Crete in southern Greece.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that the EU Defense Ministers Summit meeting is very important "because this is the first event of the Greek presidency. Now, for us it is very important because the conjuncture is very challenging. The question of Iraq is quite critical, and we may have discussions at the margins of this conference regarding the Iraq question. And so far as the essence of our work is concerned, the basic points are two: The first is the creation, the operational capability and readiness of the European Rapid Reaction Force as soon as possible within 2003. Within this context we should address the question of capabilities which must be covered in an effective way in terms of the armaments and staff required to make this force operational within 2003. To this end I will exert some gentle pressure on my colleagues and partners to cover the deficits within 2003 in the most complete and comprehensive way as possible.

And the second major question we shall address is the question of financing European defence expenditure, because, as is well known, Europe spends little on defence, with the exception of Greece, of course, as a result of the special security threats we face from the East. This gap is widening and it must be covered, especially in view of the fact that the United States spends a lot on defence. The gap may become unbridgeable in a few years time. So we should think of ways to cover this gap, either by increasing, to the extent which is feasible of course, national defence expenditures, and also by applying new methods and procedures, in order to finance these expenditures, such as leasing or the creation of special funds, or other financial instruments which might facilitate us in this very significant task.

These will be the main subjects of our discussions here, and I would simply stress that the outcome of these discussions will be quite important for the future of European defence, because European defence and security without a fully operational European Rapid Reaction Force as soon as possible will not be a very credible proposition."

On the issue of Iraq, Mr. Papantoniou commented that "the wish of any presidency is to achieve the widest possible consensus in all matters of international interest. One such aspect is Iraq. Of course, it is not a formal objective, but I think it is quite useful for the European Union to have a greater influence over the way our action is conducted vis-a-vis Iraq."

The Greek Minister of Defense also stated that "all members of the international alliance which has the important duty to fight against global terrorism have one common objective: to achieve disarmament of Iraq or any other country which may possess weapons of mass destruction. And the way to achieve this, of course, is through the United Nations. We shall work for the success of these discussions in all possible ways. And of course the members of the European Union which happen to be permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have a major responsibility of addressing these issues."

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE STATEMENTS BY THE FINANCE MINISTER

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis referred to unjustified depreciation tendencies in the Athens Stock Exchange meaning that the drop recorded does not reflect the true value of the trading companies, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

Mr. Protopapas pointed out that the Finance Minister's intention is to take all necessary measures for the protection of investments.

[07] PROTOPAPAS ON THE PROVOCATIVE DENKTASH STATEMENTS

The familiar threatening statements launched from time to time by Turkish Cypriot or Turkish officials lead Turkey to isolation and put in doubt its European course, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas. The statements were made by Mr. Protopapas when he was called to comment on the statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the division on Cyprus in case it becomes an EU member.

The government spokesman stated regarding Cyprus' EU accession that the procedure moves ahead smoothly and reiterated that the Cypriot Republic meets all necessary criteria and must be the first to become a European Union member.

[08] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

The Athens Stock Exchange followed a different course from the big European markets and recorded significant gains today.

The general index rose to +1.17 % at 1.792,45 points, while the volume of transactions was at 60.6 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 181 recorded gains and 111 had losses, while the value of 82 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] SOLANA: THE EU IS WAITING FOR THE UN DECISION ON IRAQ

The European Union is waiting for the UN Security Council decision on the return of the weapons inspectors to Iraq, stressed EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), Javier Solana.

Mr. Solana arrived in Rethymno, Crete today to attend the informal Summit meeting of the EU Defense Ministers held under the Presidency of Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou. Responding to a question on whether Saddam Hussein's overthrow is being considered, Mr. Solana stated that the interest regarding Iraq is focused on the inspection of its armaments.

NATO secretary-general George Robertson made similar statements stressing that the case is in the hands of the UN.

[10] CHRISTODOULAKIS ON THE DOWNWARD COURSE OF THE ASE

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis admitted that the government's economic staff is worried about the effects the continuous decline recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange could have.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that the market does an injustice to the economy and investors should take this into account and react.

In the meeting Prime Minister Kostas Simitis had today with Mr. Christodoulakis they discussed the prospects of the Greek and international economy. Within this framework, the Finance Minister pointed out that the international economy is expected to improve notably in 2003 and the draft plan of the state budget, that will be submitted to Parliament on Monday, will be based on this speculation.

The Greek economy is an oasis of strong development and maintains increasing growth rates, stated Mr. Christodoulakis.

Mr. Christodoulakis briefed the Prime Minister on the budget's draft plan that will be submitted to Parliament on Monday and will include an unfavorable scenario predicting a growth rate of 3%-3.1% instead of 4.1% predicted in the regular scenario.

[11] PAPARIGA IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW

Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party (KKE) Aleka Papariga, will be in Thessaloniki tomorrow in order to meet with candidates in the municipal and prefecture elections that the Party supports.

At 10:00 Mr. Papariga will meet with candidate Thessaloniki Prefect, Giorgos Rokos, at 11:30 with candidate Thessaloniki mayor Agapios Sachinis, and at 12:30pm she will hold a press conference in the Small Industries Chamber of Commerce.

In the afternoon she will meet with KKE supported candidates in Ampelokipi.

[12] FLIGHT PROBLEMS TOMORROW

There will be cancellations and delays of many flights within Greece and abroad, due to the 4-hour strike declared air traffic control employees. The strike will begin at 12 noon and end at 4pm, and will result in problems at airports and discomfort for passengers.

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