Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-05-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] COOPERATION AND VIGILANCE

[02] DEVELOPMENT OVER 3.8% DESPITE THE WAR

[03] ND ASKS FOR RESIGNATIONS IN STOCK MARKET

[04] ASKITIS CHOOSES MEDICINE OVER POLITICS

[05] PAPADIMAS: THE DUAL NATIONALITY ISSUE CONCERNING THE ETHNIC GREEKS IN

[06] CHRISTODOULAKIS: THE CAPITAL MARKET COMMITTEE IS BEING STRENGTHENED

[07] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON MURDERS OF KIDNAPPED PERSONALITIES IN

[08] GAINS IN THE ASE

[09] SPACE TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF EUROPEAN SECURITY

[10] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WORK ISSUES

[11] UNAWARE ATHLETES ARE BEING DOPED

[12] MOTHER AND SON DROWN IN CAR

[13] PAPANDREOU: SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE BASED ON EU PRINCIPLES

[14] EU JUSTICE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTERS SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS

[15] HEALTH MINISTER ON SARS

[16] PANCYPRIOT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AWARDS GEORGE TENET

[01] COOPERATION AND VIGILANCE

The first SARS case in the EU was noted in Finland, whose Health Ministry decided on closer cooperation and coordinated action for the prevention and confrontation of any possible cases of the illness, which they characterize as a significant threat to public health. But certain countries appeared to be reserved towards the increased boarder checks, which other countries, including Greece, have already adopted. Secretary General of the World Health Organization and former Prime Minister of Norway, Gro Harlem Brutland, who informed the Council, did not comment on whether the epidemic has yet reached its peak. The virus has so far claimed 480 people globally.

[02] DEVELOPMENT OVER 3.8% DESPITE THE WAR

Minister of Economy and Finance Nikos Christodoulakis appeared optimistic regarding the growth of the Greek GDP, which may surpass the government goal of 3.8%, while the Minister repeated that the economy is the government's strong suit. Mr. Christodoulakis asked for vigilance and readiness, in order to make up for the losses caused by the war in Iraq in certain sectors of the economy, such as tourism. The June paycheck will make up for owed paychecks and raises to civil servants.

[03] ND ASKS FOR RESIGNATIONS IN STOCK MARKET

ND MPs asked for the resignation of the President of the Capital Market Committee Stavros Thomadakis, during the discussion for the renewal of his tenure in the specific parliamentary committee. President of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis was critical of the lack of measures for the protection of investors. The Financial Crime Squad is auditing 77 participating companies. Former ND President M. Evert spoke of two codes that have moved a lot of money.

[04] ASKITIS CHOOSES MEDICINE OVER POLITICS

His resignation from the position of MP, due to the constitutional provision on incompatibility (of MPs holding other professions), was submitted by PASOK MP Th. Askitis, who was replaced in Parliament by the Chairman of the Greek Unicef Committee, Lambros Kanelopoulos. ND MP Al. Lykourezos is determined to defend the unconstitutionality of incompatibility in the Supreme Court.

[05] PAPADIMAS: THE DUAL NATIONALITY ISSUE CONCERNING THE ETHNIC GREEKS IN S. ALBANIA IS CLOSE TO BEING SETTLED

The dual nationality issue concerning the members of the ethnic Greek minority in south Albania will be settled by the end of summer with a bilateral agreement that will be signed by Greece and Albania and will be ratified by the two state Parliaments.

This view was expressed by Undersecretary of the Interior Lambros Papadimas addressing the Parliamentary Committee on Equality on the issue of the simplification of the procedures for the registration and legalization of immigrants.

Mr. Papadimas stated that already the Greek government is in consultations on the issue with the Albanian Interior Ministry.

[06] CHRISTODOULAKIS: THE CAPITAL MARKET COMMITTEE IS BEING STRENGTHENED

The goal of the draft law concerning the strengthening of the Capital Market Committee is to make the stock market a lever of development and not an issue of controversy. The above were stated by Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis addressing the Greek Parliament's Permanent Committee on Finance during the debate on the draft bill in question.

On their part, the opposition Parliament deputies stated that they will vote against the draft bill accusing the government of making no effort to strengthen the Capital Market Committee and restore the prestige and credibility of the stock market through institutional means.

[07] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON MURDERS OF KIDNAPPED PERSONALITIES IN COLOMBIA

The EU member states extend their deep condolences to the families of the Governor of Antioquia, Dr. Guillermo Gaviria Correa, of the Peace Adviser and Former Minister of Defence, Dr. Gilberto Echeverri Mejia and all the victims of the May 5 murders committed in the department of Antioquia.

The EU member states condemn with distress these atrocious murders and express their hope that all possible efforts will be carried on at safeguarding the persons still kidnapped, in respect of the supreme value of human life. In this respect the EU underlines that hostage taking is a crime recognised as an act of terrorism and calls on the liberation of all hostages without preconditions.

The EU strongly believes that, above all in these moments, it is necessary to avoid the further escalation of violence and every effort should be made to start up again as soon as possible the concrete research of a humanitarian agreement and a negotiated political solution to the conflict.

The EU reiterates its full support to democracy in Colombia and to the active engagement of the government of President Uribe to establish the rule of law throughout the country, including the fight against terrorism.

[08] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.77% at 1.781,95 points, while the volume of transactions was at 153.2 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 170 recorded gains and 135 had losses, while the value of 70 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] SPACE TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF EUROPEAN SECURITY

The adoption of a support strategy for the European policy for security and defense through space technology and its relevant applications will be the issues under discussion in a meeting on the Dimensions of Space Security and Defense: the Challenges for the EU.

The meeting will take place in Athens on May 8-9 and is co-organized by the Greek EU Presidency and the European Commission. It will be formally opened by Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou.

The European Commission has already launched the review of the existing EU policy on space ( the Green Paper on Space procedure).

In the meeting will be present a total of about 100 Greek and foreign representatives of EU Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, as well as delegates from the new EU members and representatives of the European Aerospace industry.

[10] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WORK ISSUES

An international conference on Better Work and Life: toward a cohesive and competitive enlarged Europe is organized by the Ministry of Labor and the European Institute for the Improvement of the Work and Living Conditions to take place in Alexandroupolis on May 12-13.

In the conference, that will be held within the framework of the Greek EU Presidency, will participate about 180 delegates from EU candidate states as well as government officials. The conference will offer an opportunity to exchange experiences and views aimed at strengthening the implementation of quality in policies concerning work and employment issues as well as, life and labor relations.

[11] UNAWARE ATHLETES ARE BEING DOPED

The uncontrollable use and constantly increasing rate of use of forbidden substances by athletes, such as anabolic steroids and hormones, so as to better their performance, has taken on explosive proportions, while there is a great number of athletes who use forbidden substances without knowing about it, through nutritional supplements. However, many of these substances prove to be destructive to their health in the long or short term, due to their side effects, such as sudden cardiac death, heart attacks, liver cancer, hypertension, impotence, etc. Unfortunately, in our age, the commercialization of everything has struck also sports. With the tolerance of society, the victory of a team, a country or an athlete, has become the primary goal with large financial and moral consequences. All the modern means available from science and the pharmaceutical industry were brought in towards that goal.

This was pointed out during an interview by Professor of Sports Medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, cardiologist Asterios Deligiannis, drawing on the 2nd Panhellenic Conference Medicine of Sports in the 21st century, organized by the Sports Medical Department of the Department of the Science of Physical Education and Sports (TEFAA) of AUTh, which will be held in Thessaloniki in the amphitheater of the University of Macedonia from May 9 to May 11, 2003. Prevention, information, periodic checks, locating forbidden substances and proposals on instituting measures to deal with these issues by relevant bodies are some of the main goals of sports medicine at the dawn of the new millennium, added Mr. Deligiannis, Chairman of the conference's organizing committee.

However, there is a large portion of athletes that takes forbidden substances without knowing about it, because they are included in many nutritional supplements, without being recorded in the label, according to Professor at the University of Kologne M. K. Parr, one of the speakers at the conference. The German scientist stressed that in two recent studies, high doses of the metandienone anabolic steroid were found in nutritional supplements, without any indication on the label. This substance, which can only be bought with a doctor's prescription, is highly toxic and is connected to liver cancer. The nutritional supplements found containing doping substances in Germany, had been purchased from the Netherlands (25.8%), Austria (22.7%), Britain (18.8%), and the US (18.8%).

[12] MOTHER AND SON DROWN IN CAR

A mother and her son were the victims of the tragedy noted during the early morning hours in the sea region of the Thermaikos gulf of Thessaloniki, when a car drove off the seafront and into the water, under conditions yet to be determined.

According to the announcement of the Thessaloniki port authorities, the deceased are the driver Aggelos Nanoussos, aged 30, and his 65-year-old mother, Georgia, both Thessaloniki residents.

Their vehicle went off course and fell into the sea in the Nea Paralia area, but the cause of the accident has yet to be determined. However, according to information, the driver may have lost control when one of the tires burst. Investigations are under way to discern the exact cause of the accident.

[13] PAPANDREOU: SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE BASED ON EU PRINCIPLES

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou stated that the solution of the problem in Cyprus will include the operation methods of the EU and this way the dividing elements that might exist in the Annan Plan will be gradually overcome through the European solution way.

The above were stated by Mr. Papandreou in his lecture at Oxford University last night.

Responding to the question, to what extent Cyprus' EU accession into the EU could play a more important role in the effort to find a solution, Mr. Papandreou stated with Cyprus' EU accession the Cyprus issue becomes more and more a European affair.

[14] EU JUSTICE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTERS SUMMIT IN BRUSSELS

The international protection of refugees and the directive issued by the Council on the status of third country nationals with a long residence in the EU will be the issues under discussion in the EU Justice and Internal Affairs Ministers Summit. The Summit will be held in Brussels tomorrow and it will be presided over by Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis.

In the meeting they will discuss the adoption of the conclusions reached in Seville and Thessaloniki on the complete management of external borders, measures against illegal immigration, repatriation, asylum and cooperation with third countries. Also, they will hold a debate on the continuation of the Schengen negotiations with Switzerland, the EU-US agreement on extradition issues and mutual judicial assistance, as well as the framework decision on the implementation of the mutual recognition principle in the case of financial penalties.

[15] HEALTH MINISTER ON SARS

Greece has applied much stricter measures than those adopted by the Council of Health Ministers, on locating cases connected to SARS, stressed Minister of Health Costas Stefanis, who presided over the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Health Ministers in Brussels.

As Mr. Stefanis said, the group of people checking travelers into Greece includes medical and nursing staff. In contrast, other countries only consist of administrative personnel that hands out a questionnaire, asks certain questions, nothing more, said the Minister.

Mr. Stefanis underlined that there is no diagnostic test to ascertain if someone has been infected by SARS. So far the diagnosis is mainly based on the combination of the epidemiological history with clinical symptoms.

He also pointed out that EU Health Ministers commonly ascertained that we are dealing with a virus which is unknown to us. We do not know when we will be in a position to develop an effective therapeutic means, we are not in a position to know when we will have a vaccine.

On his side, the President of the Center for the Control of Special Contagious Diseases, Giorgos Saroglou, stressed that those who end up with SARS are not more than 5% to 8% of those who initially show the clinical symptoms.

[16] PANCYPRIOT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AWARDS GEORGE TENET

Greek American Director of the CIA George Tenet will be awarded for his struggle for the freedom of the people and his distinguished position in politics and society, with the annual Liberty Award, by the Pancypriot Association of America. The award will be presented to him on June 7 in a downtown Manhattan hotel. The Liberty Award is presented to individuals who contributed to the freedom of Cyprus.

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