Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] VIOLATIONS OR EUROPE

[02] CRIMINALS IN DIKATSA

[03] DOUBLE CITIZENSHIP FOR GREEKS OF ALBANIA

[04] DIMITRIS PEROIKOS INSTEAD OF HANS BLIX

[05] THE EU PRESIDENCY CONDEMNS TODAY'S SUICIDE BOMBING IN JERUSALEM

[06] WARNINGS FOR LIKELY VIOLENT CLASHES DURING THE PROTESTS IN THESSALONIKI

[07] PROTOPAPAS ON THE DUAL NATIONALITY OF THE ETHNIC GREEKS IN SOUTH

[08] THE NATO HEADQUARTERS AT TIRNAVOS IS SHUT DOWN

[09] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[10] THE EU PRESIDENCY CONDEMNS THE ISRAELI ROCKET ATTACKS IN GAZA

[11] INTERVENTION BY ND EURO-DEPUTY ZACHARAKIS ON THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS

[12] VERELIS ON VIOLATIONS OVER THE AEGEAN

[13] PAPANDREOU-VERHEUGEN MEETING

[01] VIOLATIONS OR EUROPE

Prime Minster Costas Simitis moved to the immediate disconnection of the confirmation of Turkey's European course with the application of international law, while he told Ankara to stop playing dangerous games. Commissioner for the Enlargement G. Verheugen called Ankara to take initiative to restore an atmosphere of calmness in bilateral relations. Earlier, the Turkish Air Force Staff refuted violating Greek Air Space. The government repeated that it is concentrated on Turkey's European prospects. There is concern due to the possible instability due to the tension between the Turkish political and military world.

[02] CRIMINALS IN DIKATSA

A charging report was submitted to the Athens DA, and an immediate suspension of duties for severe disciplinary offenses was ordered by Minister of Education Petros Efthymiou, against the DIKATSA (Interuniversity Center for the Recognition of Degrees for Studies Abroad) director of administrative services, Ioulia Efstathiou. Mr. Efthymiou made mention of phenomena of corruption specifically concerning Medical school examinations, while reporting stamp forgery on official papers and loss of exams. It is obvious that a circuit of criminals, which received a heavy blow with the legislative intervention and change in the examinations in June 2002, is trying to infiltrate the new system for personal gains, mentioned the Ministry's announcement.

[03] DOUBLE CITIZENSHIP FOR GREEKS OF ALBANIA

Negotiations for the provision giving a double citizenship to Greek Albanians living in S. Albania, are taking place between Tirana and Athens. The government characterized it as a very sensitive issue and asked for discretion, while the Opposition warned that it cannot change the electoral body. Exaggerated estimations of 300,000 to benefit by the provision.

[04] DIMITRIS PEROIKOS INSTEAD OF HANS BLIX

The UN have appointed Dimitris Perrikos as the temporary replacement of UN Weapons Inspectors Head Hans Blix, who is leaving his post in late June. Dimitris Peroikos, who is of Greek descent, has served as head of the UN inspectors' planning and operations direction (UNMOVIC). Before holding this position he had served as an inspector at the International Atomic Energy Agency. Mr. Peroikos also led inspections for the location of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

[05] THE EU PRESIDENCY CONDEMNS TODAY'S SUICIDE BOMBING IN JERUSALEM

The EU Presidency condemns in the strongest possible terms today's suicide bombing in Jerusalem, which has taken the lives of at least 17 people and injured scores of others. It offers its deepest condolences to the government of Israel and to the families of the victims.

The EU Presidency reiterates that no cause, however just, can be served by terrorism and that the rejectionist forces must not be allowed to derail the quest for a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict. Whatever the pretexts the terrorists may invoke, these will never justify the killing of innocent civilians.

The EU Presidency expresses its gravest concern at the latest outburst of violence, which clearly aims at the window of opportunity that has been recently created. It calls on all those involved to make every possible effort so that the vicious circle of hatred and confrontation be turned into a virtuous one of dialogue and peace.

[06] WARNINGS FOR LIKELY VIOLENT CLASHES DURING THE PROTESTS IN THESSALONIKI

The messages coming from abroad regarding the intentions of groups of demonstrators, who will protest on the sidelines of the EU Summit Meeting in Thessaloniki next week, have alarmed the Greek authorities.

According to information published on the Athens newspaper Kathimerini, information from foreign secret services mention that certain groups of protesters plan to hold violent demonstrations.

Based on the available information, an additional concern has been caused by the fact that Greek extreme groups of demonstrators are in constant contact with other similar groups in at least two countries coordinating their actions.

Specifically, great alarm is caused by the preparation moves made by groups of hardcore anarchists, estimated to be around 1,000 people.

The newspaper writes that according to an official source, a total of 12,000 police officers and a force of 8,000, made up of Coast Guard, armed forces and Fire Department officers, will be used in the huge security operation in effect in the region of Neos Marmaras, Chalkidiki where the EU Summit will take place.

[07] PROTOPAPAS ON THE DUAL NATIONALITY OF THE ETHNIC GREEKS IN SOUTH ALBANIA

If an agreement is reached with the Albanian government ethnic Greeks in south Albania will get dual nationality, reiterated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He made the statement in response to a relevant question and stressed that the government is acting taking national interest under consideration.

[08] THE NATO HEADQUARTERS AT TIRNAVOS IS SHUT DOWN

The United States and NATO appear determined not to satisfy the Greek demands for even a symbolic upgrading of the few alliance facilities left on Greek soil within the framework of the decision for NATO's military structure reform expected to be reached in the NATO Defense Ministers' spring meeting in Brussels tomorrow.

According to reliable sources, cited by the Athens newspaper Imerisia, this decision will shut down the NATO headquarters in Tirnavos and only the Combined Air Operations Center, CAOC, in Larisa will be left in Greece. However, it will be downgraded and under the authority of the Ismir NATO headquarters in Turkey.

The NATO Defense Ministers Council is expected to satisfy one Greek request for the establishment of two centers for operations against international terrorism and biological warfare.

[09] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to 1.78% at 1.896,58 points, while the volume of transactions skyrocketed to 388,7 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 240 recorded gains and 76 had losses, while the value of 62 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] THE EU PRESIDENCY CONDEMNS THE ISRAELI ROCKET ATTACKS IN GAZA

The EU Presidency strongly condemns yesterday's (10/6/03) rocket attacks by Israeli defense forces in Gaza, which resulted in killing at least 5 Palestinians and wounding many others. This kind of retaliation and extra judicial killings perpetuate the cycle of violence and further deteriorate the security environment.

These attacks, that coincide with the first steps of the implementation of the Roadmap following the pledges taken by both sides in Aqaba, undermine the peace efforts and complicate further Prime Minister Abbas' attempts to halt violence and terrorism by Palestinian factions.

In this crucial period, we call upon both parties to abstain from acts of violence and to remain committed to the path of negotiations, which is the only way to satisfy the people's need for peace and security.

[11] INTERVENTION BY ND EURO-DEPUTY ZACHARAKIS ON THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS

Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Euro-deputy Christos Zacharakis called for the immediate adoption of measures by the European Union in a question directed to the European Council and the European Commission. The question was posed immediately after the harassment of an Olympic Airways passenger plane by two Turkish fighter jets over the Aegean Sea.

Mr. Zacharakis stated, referring to the risk for the passengers' lives, that the Turkish action constitutes a clear violation of the international law regulations, a violation of the airspace and therefore, of the EU territorial integrity. He also pointed out that the safety of the EU citizens is put at risk, while the fundamental principles of international behavior are being violated.

The Greek Euro-deputy stated that this is the policy systematically followed by Turkey that causes tension to the Greek-Turkish relations and puts peace and security in the region at risk.

[12] VERELIS ON VIOLATIONS OVER THE AEGEAN

Minister of Transportation Christos Verelis characterized the violations and harassment carried out by Turkish aircrafts in Greek airspace as an unpleasant event, while he appreciated that an end will be put to our neighbor's practice very soon.

Meanwhile, Mr. Verelis took the initiative and has already sent his Turkish counterpart a letter pointing out the problem being created, while noting that it has been announced to the European Commission.

We are at the end of this era, flight security and protection is important to peace and prosperity, underlined Mr. Verelis, in statements he made at Macedonia airport, in Thessaloniki.

[13] PAPANDREOU-VERHEUGEN MEETING

Turkish provocations in the Aegean and EU-Turkish relations were the main points of discussion at the meeting held in Brussels between Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Commissioner on the enlargement Gunter Verheugen.

Mr. Verheugen stressed that the responsibility for the tension in the Aegean does not rest with the EU or with Greece.

We expect a candidate country such as Turkey to make every possible effort in acting as a good neighbor, a requirement to becoming an EU member-state.

Mr. Papandroeu noted that issues such as violations by Turkish aircrafts are also calculated into how good a neighbor a country is, a characteristic required for a country's accession to the EU.

He also stressed that the government will brief the European Commission on a monthly basis, on the course of Greek-Turkish relations.

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