Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-12-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK PRESIDENCY WILL BE A SUCCESS

[02] ROGUE CERTAIN OF 2004 OLYMPICS' SUCCESS

[03] INTERNET CAFES VS THE POLICE

[04] GIOTOPOULOS CLAIMS INNOCENCE IN LETTER TO PRESS

[01] GREEK PRESIDENCY WILL BE A SUCCESS

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis expressed his optimism that Greece will succeed in its goals for the EU Presidency of the first half of 2003, while he stressed that it will be a difficult presidency, since there are many developments expected on the international front, with the possible US attack on Iraq at the tip of the spear.

In statements to Flash radio, Mr. Giannitsis supported that the government is technically and organizationally ready to undertake the EU Presidency beginning on January 1.

The Greek Presidency will be formally opened on January 10, with the whole European Committee present in Athens, headed by Romano Prodi, and will participate in a special event at the Zappion, along with the Prime Minister and the whole government.

Regarding the Iraq issue and a potential US military campaign, Mr. Giannitsis pointed out that such a development would have unforeseen consequences.

In fact the extreme opposite views of the French-German axis and the British on the Iraq issue will present an additional thorn for the Greek Presidency. The role of the Greek Presidency will be to make every possible effort for a specific composition. If this composition is not achieved, the Presidency will not be held responsible. We must make an effort to promote a functional and effective image of the EU on an international level.

The Cyprus issue

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Giannitsis noted that it is an issue that is mainly being handled by the UN and we do not intend to transfer the weight of the matter to any place other than the UN. We are obliged to promote the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue and that is what we will do with all the tools we have at our disposal as a presidency.

Immigration Illegal immigration

Lastly, as far as the issue of joint management of the EU's borders is concerned, Mr. Giannitsis stressed that all EU countries understand it and wish to deal with it. The joint management of the borders will take some time. Regardless of the understanding shown by many or all of the countries. It is a very sensitive subject, with many legal and political aspects. We believe that a joint effort must be made to deal with this problem, which has to do with inhuman social situations, organized crime and human trafficking. What we want is during these six months, to contribute so that many issues that are related to immigration and illegal immigration can move on. Not just by controlling the borders, but as regards the social and labor aspects of the lives of immigrants living in the EU, he underlined

Greek Presidency Website

It should be noted that information and updates concerning meetings and news of the new Presidency, Greece, the Olympics, as well as special pages for journalists, can be found at the website of the Greek Presidency, which is being piloted at www.eu2003.gr.

[02] ROGUE CERTAIN OF 2004 OLYMPICS' SUCCESS

President of the International Olympic Committee Jaqcues Rogues appeared certain of the success of the 2004 Olympics, in statements from Belgium, while he stressed that he is convinced that the Athens Olympics will be excellent.

He did however point out that caution is still necessary as far as time is concerned and he stressed that the preparations must keep going at the same pace so that there are no delays. Dr. Rogue made it clear that there is absolutely no possibility for a change in the venue of the games.

[03] INTERNET CAFES VS THE POLICE

The new law banning all forms of electronic games has sparked further confrontation between Internet Café owners and the Police, after 91 computers and 8 slot machines were confiscated and 9 individuals were arrested for breaking law 3037 (banning all electronic games).

Café owners are threatening with appeals to European Courts, expressing their opposition to law "3037", supporting that illegal gambling has in fact increased by using the Internet as a cover.

In any case, the ruling of the Appeals court of Thessaloniki in the case of two Internet Café owners who had been acquitted in the court of first instance because law "3037" was found unconstitutional, will be decisive. The case is being retried after an appeal by the DA, while a magistrate's court in Serres acquitted four other owners for the same reason.

[04] GIOTOPOULOS CLAIMS INNOCENCE IN LETTER TO PRESS

Alleged leader of the November 17 terrorist group Alexandros Giotopoulos sent a letter to the Eleftherotypia newspaper, which was published today. Among other things, he proclaimed his innocence, he characterized his holding conditions as nightmarish, and he supported that he fought against the dictatorship.

I also fought against the dictatorship. But I never imagined that the day would come, decades later, when I would have to struggle for my own personal freedom with political terms. On the land of a country for the freedom of which I, at least, have fought, mentioned Giotopoulos.

My only crime is that I, as have thousands of others, remained a friend outside the Left, since the present left wing expresses no deep social vision. I belong to an area which is by definition susceptible and unorganized, and for that reason it is easy to find victims here.

As far as his holding conditions are concerned, he characterized them as nightmarish: We, I, the others, those of us who have found ourselves here in truly nightmarish conditions, can we not even have a grippy voice? Should we have no voice at all?

Meanwhile, suspected N17 member Savvas Xeros is expected to return to the Corydallos Penitentiary today, after being released from the Athens General State Hospital where he stayed for three days for an operation on his left eye.

At the same time, Aggeliki Sotiropoulou refused to eat the prison food for the 17th consecutive day, in protest of her holding conditions.

However, it was made known that the DA proposed she be let into the courtyard for 5 hours per day, along with other imprisoned mothers.

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