Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-10-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PARTIES ASSESS ELECTION RESULT

[02] GREEK TERRORISTS TRAINED BY PALESTINIANS?

[03] MR. SIMITIS' CONTACTS IN VIEW OF THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION ELECTIONS

[05] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] THE ND SPOKESMAN ON THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION ELECTION RESULTS

[07] THE HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GREECE REACHED HALF A MILLION

[08] 36% ABSTENTION FROM ELECTIONS

[09] SIMITIS TO TOUR EUROPE

[10] LACK OF EVIDENCE HALTS TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS

[11] THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING WILL FOCUS ON ENLARGEMENT

[12] CHRYSOCHOIDIS MEETS WITH FBI-CIA OFFICIALS

[01] PARTIES ASSESS ELECTION RESULT

Greece's political parties will move to assess the results of the local government elections that were completed yesterday, in order to decipher the messages of the people, to count their profits and losses, come to their conclusions, and define their strategies until the 2004 parliamentary elections.

In PASOK there is satisfaction because it retained the same number of prefectures as in 1998. It is also satisfied with the victory of Fofi Gennimata in the Athens-Piraeus Prefecture. The first conclusion within the governing party is that there is no political problem for the government, which will continue its course and policies without distractions. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis said that New Democracy's efforts to turn the local government elections into a referendum against government policy failed, while he noted that there are no winners and no losers in these elections.

However, there are also concerns within PASOK, due to the loss of municipalities and prefectures in Macedonia and Thessaly, the election of an ND supported Mayor and Prefect in Thessaloniki from the first round, and losing the municipality of Athens, which traditionally elects PASOK supported candidates.

The main opposition party is also satisfied, according its President's statement. Kostas Karamanlis stated that ND is the greatest political power in Greece, while supreme ND officials pointed out that the Greek map, concerning prefectures, has turned blue. Their satisfaction is due to their candidates' victories in three major municipalities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraeus). The loss of their candidate, Giannis Tzannetakos, in the Athens-Piraeus Prefecture is expected to cause intense discussions within the party in the next few days.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) was not satisfied with the results of the elections, as shown by KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga's statement, tha not breach was made against the two major parties.

The President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Constantopoulos, characterized the messages of the elections as hopeful, and pointed out the independence of the people, who do not surrender their political conscience. He asked for a change in the electoral law and the abolishment of repeat elections.

President of DIKKI Dimitris Tsovolas stressed that the masks of the two major parties have fallen, and he called the leadership of PASOK to get the message and change its policies.

[02] GREEK TERRORISTS TRAINED BY PALESTINIANS?

Israeli services have in their possession information on Greek terrorist organizations suspect members being trained by Palestinian organizations, according to Israeli Ambassador to Athens David Sasson's interview to the Kathimerini newspaper. Mr. Sasson insinuated that there was some level of collaboration between Greek and Israeli authorities, while he supported that November 17 was involved in an attack against an Israeli target in Greece.

The Israeli Ambassador could not reveal more information on his recent statements at a press conference, where he mentioned that ELA had connections to Palestinian organizations. We do, however have information that Greeks have been trained in Lebanon, Syria, Libya, and Sudan. Furthermore, there were ideological contacts between terrorist organizations, and we know that there is contact and collaboration between the various organizations.

Mr. Sasson stated that the Israeli security services quite possibly have information on specific individuals that were trained by Palestinians, while he added that there is official bilateral cooperation between the Israeli and Greek governments, which were not necessarily related to terrorism. He did however mention that Greek specialists have visited Israel behind the scenes.

When the Israeli Ambassador was asked why, in his opinion, N17 had not struck an Israeli target he stated: On the contrary, they have.

[03] MR. SIMITIS' CONTACTS IN VIEW OF THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will launch a circle of international talks on Monday, October 28 focused on the completion of the EU enlargement and the planning of the Greek EU Presidency.

The program of Mr. Simitis' international contacts was announced today by government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

On October 28, Mr. Simitis will visit London to meet with his British counterpart Tony Blair. On November 5-10, he will meet with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. On November 14-15, he will be in Warsaw for the European Socialist Party Summit Meeting. On November 20-23, he will visit Prague for the NATO Summit Meeting and on November 30, he will receive his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar in Athens.

On December 3, he will meet in Athens with Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Liponen and on December 6, he will meet in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. On December 9, he will meet in Athens with European Parliament President Pat Cox and on December 11, he will be in Copenhagen for the EU Summit Meeting.

On Cyprus' EU accession, Mr. Protopapas stated that the government is mobilized in order to be ready in case of problems.

Mr. Protopapas also expressed the Greek government's satisfaction on the outcome of the referendum in Ireland, pointing out that it is a positive step toward the completion of the EU enlargement.

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION ELECTIONS

The local administration election results will be studied by the government with sensitivity and a sense of responsibility, stated government spokesman Christos Protopapas characterizing them as various and interesting.

Mr. Protopapas stated that New Democracy was met with total failure in its effort to create a climate of political instability. The people want the government to finish its work and therefore, New Democracy's political message has failed, stated Mr. Protopapas.

He stressed that there are no winners or losers, adding that those elected deserve congratulations and the government will cooperate with them.

Mr. Protopapas also stated that the local administration election results have underlined that cooperation with the Left gives a positive outcome.

Commenting on the behavior of the farmers, the government spokesman stated that it should be studied by the government and the conclusions reached must be exploited.

[05] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.01% at 1.819,54 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 46.7 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 171 recorded gains and 117 had losses, while the value of 87 stocks remained unchanged.

The losses were marginal in today's session mainly due to the impressive gains recorded in securities and the selective investments in the telecommunications sector.

[06] THE ND SPOKESMAN ON THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION ELECTION RESULTS

The local administration election results declared two winners, the local administration and the party of New Democracy, stated right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos, stressing that the people have sent a message condemning the government policy.

Mr. Rousopoulos stated that New Democracy was the winner in 30 prefectures. The governing Socialist Party of PASOK in cooperation with the Coalition of Left party won 22 prefectures, while independent candidates were elected in 2 prefectures.

He added that the election results confirm that New Democracy is the dominant political power in the country.

[07] THE HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GREECE REACHED HALF A MILLION

Based on the Education Ministry statistics agency, the higher education students in Greece are expected to reach 500.000 by the end of the current academic year.

Based on figures provided by the Ministry of Education and published by the Athens newspaper TO VIMA, there has been an increase in the number of higher education students in the past 40 years. Specifically, in 1960 they were 20.000, in 1970 they were increased to 86.000, 120.000 in 1980, 200.000 in 1990 and 500.000 in 2002.

Most of them will become lawyers, professors or teachers even though the specific vocations are already satiated. On the contrary, only one in twenty is registered in new technology university schools in spite of the fact that they will have a guaranteed professional future.

[08] 36% ABSTENTION FROM ELECTIONS

The turnout of voters for the second round of the local government elections was reduced, according to information from the Ministry of the Interior. Citizen participation was recorded at 64% yesterday, in contrast to 72.6% of the first round.

Participation in 1998 was recorded at 70% in the first round and 68% in the second round.

[09] SIMITIS TO TOUR EUROPE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will visit France, Germany, and Italy, in order to prepare the ground for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

Mr. Simitis will depart for Brussels in order to participate in the emergency Summit Meeting of the 15.

[10] LACK OF EVIDENCE HALTS TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS

A lack of evidence seems to have halted the counter terrorism service's investigations on the terrorism front, on cases other than N17, according to an Eleftherotypia publication.

Despite the fact that counter terrorism officials claim to have a clear image concerning other terrorist organizations, such as ELA, May 1, Revolutionary Cores as well as other smaller ones, they do not have concrete evidence. Such evidence that would lead suspects before the DA.

The historical importance of the solving of the N17 case has set very high credibility standards for the investigations. Upon comparing the evidence in the N17 case to what it has on other organizations, the counter terrorism realized its great lack of information.

The additional testimonies of the N17 suspects will hopefully provide the grounds for warrants and indictments of other suspects in terrorism cases.

Meanwhile, additional felony charges are expected to be announced by Special Examiner Leonidas Zervobeakos against Vassislis Xeros, N17 suspect member.

Vassilis Xeros will face 6 more charges for complicity in two attempted murders, bombings, robberies and violation of the explosive materials law. In any case, according to information, Vassilis Xeros will deny all new charges.

At the same time, additional testimonies are expected from Patroklos Tselentis today, and Dionysis Georgiadis and Kostas Tellios tomorrow.

[11] THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING WILL FOCUS ON ENLARGEMENT

The preparations for the EU Summit Meeting in Brussels on October 24-25 and the decisions that are expected to be reached on enlargement, will be the major issues to be discussed in the EU Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Luxembourg today and tomorrow.

According to the agenda that was given to publicity by the Danish EU Presidency, the discussion on EU enlargement issues will take place tomorrow. The goal will be to adopt a common position on agriculture, funding issues and the operation of institutional bodies. At a political level, a discussion will be held on the European Commission progress reports and its recommendations concerning all candidate states.

[12] CHRYSOCHOIDIS MEETS WITH FBI-CIA OFFICIALS

Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis has been in Washington DC yesterday, beginning he three day visit, in order to meet with US government, FBI and CIA officials. The main points of discussion will be Greek terrorism case and Olympic security.

During his stay in Washington, Mr. Chrysochoidis will be received by the US National Security Council and will have a meeting with Advisor Steven Hatley, while there is a possibility of a meeting with Contoleezza Rice. His schedule also includes meetings with Undersecretary of State Richard Armitage, Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, FBI Chief Robert Mueller, CIA Director George Tenet, and the Head of the State Department's Group on Counterterrorism, Ambassador Francis Taylor, while he will also provide interviews to the US media.

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