Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-04-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] INABILITY TO COMPROMISE DIVIDED TURKEY

[02] TO EASTER' RHYTHM

[03] MEMORY AGAINST OBLIVION

[04] GREEK HEALTH MINISTER: MEASURES AGAINST SARS

[05] CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION DRAFT PLAN

[06] GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS VISITS GEORGIA

[07] GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON TRANSPARENCY AND LEGALITY

[08] PROTOPAPAS: DEMOCRACY HAS STRONG FOUNDATIONS

[09] SIMITIS' COMMENTS UPON HIS DEPARTURE FOR A THREE-DAY TOUR

[10] GREEK-TURKISH MEETING IN LESVOS

[11] WITNESS ACCUSED OF PERJURY IN 17N TRIAL

[01] INABILITY TO COMPROMISE DIVIDED TURKEY

Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash appears to be fully isolated now, after the agreement to resolve the Cyprus issue based on the Annan model expressed by Turkish Cypriot parties to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who visited the island in the framework of his tour as President of the European Council. Turkey refuted the scenario wanting the annexing of N. Cyprus through Prime Minister Erdogan, but the meeting between Prime Minister Simitis and Turkish Cypriot party leader, caused the rage of nationalist politicians in Ankara, who are now talking of treason.

[02] TO EASTER' RHYTHM

The market will shift into special working hours today, for the holidays, due to which a bonus is paid to taxis and hairdressers. Consumers should not buy meat from producers who cannot guarantee the safety of the meat product, warned the Center for Consumer Protection. There are sufficient products with increased checks on the market

[03] MEMORY AGAINST OBLIVION

Thirty-six years after the after democracy in Greece suffered a defeat due to the coup by a group of disloyal officers, the people and the Armed Forces walk together, united, on the path of peace and progress, mentioned the daily order of the Minister of Defense, G. Papantoniou, in reference to the 36th anniversary of the April 21st 1967 coup. The founding of a museum and the construction of a monument was proposed by the "Association of Imprisoned Exiled Resistance Members".

[04] GREEK HEALTH MINISTER: MEASURES AGAINST SARS

An appeal to the Greek citizens to avoid travelling to countries where SARS virus infections have been reported, was issued by Health Minister Kostas Stefanis, stressing that if anyone has symptoms of the disease should inform the authorities immediately.

Responding to questions by reporters on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, he said that all necessary measures have been taken in Greece and if anything suspicious is reported all necessary means are available for the isolation and examination of the case.

He said that there is no doubt that it is a serious threat as already there are cases of the disease reported in 25 countries and it is likely to continue to spread.

[05] CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION DRAFT PLAN

The need to avoid the shrinking of Europe's social profile and the concern for the contents of the EU Constitutional Treaty draft plan, to be submitted to the European Council in Thessaloniki on June 20, was expressed by the European Association of Women Jurists Vice-President Sofia Spiliotopoulou.

Mrs. Spiliotopoulou, also a member of the Women's Association of South Europe, presented the conclusions of a conference held in Athens in a press conference today.

In the conference participated members of the European Assembly, scientists and politicians, as well as representatives of non governmental organizations from Greece and other European countries.

[06] GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS VISITS GEORGIA

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis met in Tblisi today with Georgian Foreign Minister Mr. Menagarishvili and Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Aptsiauri.

The Georgian Foreign Minister thanked Greece for the assistance it offers to his country, adding that Greece makes every effort for the appointment of an EU Representative to the Caucasus as soon as possible. He also characterized Cyprus' EU accession as a very positive development.

Mr. Magriotis announced that a program will get underway to help the Greek community in the region. The program provides for the creation of new Health Centers and the support of the already existing ones, Greek language and Greek culture lessons and the strengthening of the small-sized Greek businesses in the region.

Mr. Magriotis visited the Health Center in Tblisi with World Council for Greeks Living Abroad, SAE, President Mr. Andrew Athens. The Health Center was created by SAE four years ago and during that time it has served over 1 million people.

Mr. Magriotis visited Vatum yesterday, in the autonomous region of Ajaria, and met with Ajaria President Aslan Abashidze and members of the Greek community living in the region. Tomorrow, he will visit Stavropol, south Russia, to deliver humanitarian aid to the Greek community in the region hit by devastating floods last year.

[07] GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON TRANSPARENCY AND LEGALITY

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas underlined the government's and the Prime Minister's dedication to the need for transparency and legality in the country. The comments were made in response to questions by reporters on the political climate created in the past few days as a result of the accusations concerning business interests and politicians.

Mr. Protopapas stated that many parliament deputies from all political parties had invested in the stock market and reminded that the Prime Minister had undertaken the initiative to bring a draft bill in parliament making such investments illegal for the government ministers. The law is observed strictly, stated Mr. Protopapas, and stressed that the issue has closed.

He underlined that there is absolutely no issue that constitutes a threat for the government and reiterated a statement made today by the Prime Minister saying that we have nothing to hide from anybody.

[08] PROTOPAPAS: DEMOCRACY HAS STRONG FOUNDATIONS

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas referred to the April 21st anniversary and pointed out that the Greek people through their resistance, efforts and heroic uprising at the Athens Polytechnic School, expressed their opposition to the junta in every way and managed to bring its downfall opening the door for the return of Democracy to Greece.

Democracy in Greece is not in any danger. It has strong foundations. It faces quality problems but all necessary moves are being made and the institutional framework is being improved, said Mr. Protopapas.

He stated that, in any case, the Greek people should remember how the seven-year-long tyranny became a reality and who were responsible. Historical memory is useful to be able to recognize similar times and stand united further strengthening the course of Democracy.

[09] SIMITIS' COMMENTS UPON HIS DEPARTURE FOR A THREE-DAY TOUR

The significance of the Athens Summit, given Cyprus' EU accession and the strengthening of Greece's prestige in the European and international political scene, was underlined by Greek Prime Minister and European Council President Kostas Simitis in statements he made at noon today upon his departure for a three-day tour of Finland, Sweden and Denmark.

Mr. Simitis has already visited Nicosia, Cyprus. Today, he will visit Helsinki, tomorrow, Stockholm and on Wednesday, he will be in Copenhagen to discuss with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Sweden and Denmark the issues of the June 19-20 Summit meeting to take place in Chalkidiki, northern Greece. The summit issues will be the European Conference, immigration and the issue of Iraq.

The Greek EU Presidency in this difficult period has managed to promote the targets set, overcome divisions and plan its prospects. The Athens Summit was very successful due to Cyprus' EU accession. What was impossible for many became a reality through hard work and delicate moves, said the Greek Prime Minister.

Mr. Simitis also referred to the climate created inside the country as a result of the accusations concerning business interests in which political personalities are involved one way or the other. The Prime Minister made it clear that the government defends legality and transparency.

[10] GREEK-TURKISH MEETING IN LESVOS

A Greek-Turkish meeting on The citizens of the Aegean. Greeks and Turks discuss on today and tomorrow will take place at the municipal theater of Mitilini in the northeastern Aegean island of Lesvos on May 3-4.

The meeting will be open to the public, while an invitation to participate was extended to 150 distinguished diplomats, parliament deputies, prefects and mayors, businessmen and people of the Press and culture from Greece and Turkey.

[11] WITNESS ACCUSED OF PERJURY IN 17N TRIAL

Defense attorney for Vassilis Jorjatos, Ippocrates Mylonas, submitted a request that witness Giorgos Voutzalis, who testified in the case of the attack on ND MP Lefteris Papadimitriou in December 1992, be held, during today's proceedings in the trial for the crimes committed by 17N.

Mr. Mylonas supported that there are reasons to believe that he may have committed perjury. Earlier, Mr. Voutzalis had identified, with utter certainty, Dimitris Koufontinas and Vassilis Jorjatos, as the two of the three perpetrators against Mr. Papadimitriou.

As far as the third person involved in the attack is concerned, Mr. Voutzalis stated that he was 70% certain that it was Savvas Xeros.

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