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

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS' MARK ON PASOK

[02] CONFIRMATION EVEN AFTER THE PRESIDENCY

[03] LIGHT HEAT WAVE, FORECASTS FOR 41o C

[04] US DISPUTE CHANGE ON FYROM NAME ISSUE

[05] PASOK'S NEW EXECUTIVE BUREAU

[06] MESSAGE OF CHANGE BY M. CHRISOCHOIDIS

[07] LALIOTIS' SPEECH IN PASOK'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING

[08] MICHALIS CHRISOCHOIDIS IS THE NEW PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE SECRETARY

[09] GAINS IN THE ASE

[10] SIMITIS: VICTORY IS UP TO US

[11] 2008 IN THE HORIZON

[12] BALLOTS IN CENTRAL COMMITTEE

[13] BARNIER ON THE MINORITIES IN ALBANIA

[14] TURKISH VIOLATIONS AT EUROPARLIAMENT

[15] THE PROBLEMS OF MACEDONIA WERE DISCUSSED IN THE PAN-MACEDONIAN

[16] 57TH CONFERENCE OF THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

[01] SIMITIS' MARK ON PASOK

A new Secretary and new Executive Office will be elected this afternoon by PASOK's Central Committee, after the body adopted the incompatibility between the functions of member of the Executive Office and of the government and the resignation of C. Laliotis, who did not accept the Prime Minister's proposal to leave his position and return to the government. These changes are part of the Prime Minister's effort to respond to the electoral expectations of his followers in Spring 2004. The only candidate for the position of Secretary, seems to be Minister of Public Order, Michalis Chrysochoidis.

[02] CONFIRMATION EVEN AFTER THE PRESIDENCY

A lead of 8 points was given to ND against PASOK in the poll held by Metron Forum, of Metron Analysis, carried out in June, in contrast to the 6.5% lead it had in March. In suitability for the position of Prime Minister, Mr. Simitis is ahead of Mr. Karamanlis by 1.8%.

[03] LIGHT HEAT WAVE, FORECASTS FOR 41o C

Temperatures so far have been lower than predicted during the first heat wave of July, although there are forecasts for temperatures of 41o C tomorrow. The state mechanism is on standby all over the country, in order to deal with any problems that may arise due to the heat. Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos gave his assurance that there is no risk of blackouts due to the increased use of air condition units.

[04] US DISPUTE CHANGE ON FYROM NAME ISSUE

The use of the name "Macedonia" in an agreement signed by FYROM and the US, an agreement exempting US citizens from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, is informal according to Washington , while its use does not constitute a change in the US position on the issue of what name FYROM will be recognized under.". The government was inactive, commented ND. Two pro- government MP brought the issue to in Parliament.

[05] PASOK'S NEW EXECUTIVE BUREAU

The new members of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK Executive Bureau were announced this afternoon, based on the results of the election held with the participation of PASOK's Central Committee members.

Panos Koukoulopoulos got most of the votes (111), while Giorgos Daskalakis got 43 votes and was left outside the Executive Bureau. The new Executive Bureau is made up of Apostolos Kaklamanis, Chrisa Arapoglou, Kostas Gitonas, Fofi Genimata, Dimitris Thanos, Yiannis Koutsoukos, Milena Apostolaki, Antonis Kotsakas, Tonia Antoniou and Giorgos Panagiotakopoulos.

[06] MESSAGE OF CHANGE BY M. CHRISOCHOIDIS

New Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee Michalis Chrisochoidis issued a message of change today a little after his election to the post with 118 votes.

He made special references to his predecessors Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Kostas Skandalidis and Kostas Laliotis and thanked the members of the Central Committee for their trust in him, pledging to work tirelessly to meet the expectations expressed by PASOK.

Mr. Chrisochoidis made extensive references to the work of the governments of PASOK and spoke about the contribution of Andreas Papandreou and Kostas Simitis, both to the party of PASOK and Greece.

Referring to the presence of the right in Greece, he said that it wants people to forget and at that point, he stressed that PASOK's role is to face this threat.

[07] LALIOTIS' SPEECH IN PASOK'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING

Kostas Laliotis announced his resignation from the post of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK Central Committee Secretary, pointing out that he disagrees with the decisions of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and went ahead with his resignation to make the situation easier and avoid becoming an obstacle to the course of PASOK. However, he stressed that he is willing and ready to offer any support to the party.

He stated that he will remain a parliament deputy until the 2004 elections but he will not run in the next parliamentary elections.

Mr. Laliotis stated that he will not be the one to ignite conflicts and create dead ends within PASOK and expressed the hope that his resignation will be the cause for fair wind to blow for PASOK on its way to a new victory. He also stressed that he will be always present in the frontline because he wants to serve values and not posts.

He made a detailed assessment of his presence in the party and the government, pointing out that during his personal course he had always tried to offer a new faith and self-confidence concerning PASOK's capability for victory.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' close associates stated that a government reshuffle is expected to take place on Monday. However, such announcements are likely to be made earlier as a result of Mr. Chrisochoidis' resignation from Minister of Public Order after his election to the post of PASOK's Central Committee Secretary.

[08] MICHALIS CHRISOCHOIDIS IS THE NEW PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE SECRETARY

Michalis Chrisochoidis was elected to the post of PASOK's Central Committee Secretary with 118 votes in the elections held this afternoon within the framework of the extraordinary meeting of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK Central Committee.

A total of 177 Central Committee members cast their ballots, among them, 50 blank and 9 spoilt. Kostas Laliotis did not vote because he had resigned earlier from the Central Committee.

[09] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.32% at 1.952,13 points, while the volume of transactions was at 185.3 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 134 recorded gains and 187 had losses, while the value of 55 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] SIMITIS: VICTORY IS UP TO US

Sweeping incisions will be made in the interior of PASOK, in people and directions, announced Prime Minister Simitis, speaking at the meeting of the party's Central Committee. Mr. Simitis declared the beginning of a new period for the governing party, a period of preparation for the electoral victory of the party in Spring 2004. He thus ended all scenarios concerning early elections, while he made clear the need for radical change and incisions in order to overturn the corruption, as he said, brought on by being in power for a long period of time.

In that framework, the Prime Minister announced the candidacy of Michalis Chrysochoidis for the position of Secretary of the Central Committee. He appreciated that Mr. Chrysochoidis will respond to his new mission and will mobilize all the powers of PASOK so that he sends the message of hard work. Regarding Costas Laliotis he said that it was his own decision not to participate in the government, and stressed that he has always had a friendly relationship with him and appreciated that this relationship will continue in the future.

He attributed the scandal-mongering and the para-politics that have developed lately to an attack on PASOK due to the good impression created by its work, as he said, and to the inability of the opposition parties to make their voices heard. Giving PASOK's mark he stressed that no background direction is allowed and he underlined that the government is not afraid and will not accept dependence and guidance.

Mr. Simitis launched a harsh attack against New Democracy and accused it of public cynicism and exploiting issues concerning the morals of the political world in order to hurt the government. He made mention of a party directed by families, with individuals that were tried and disapproved by the Greek people during the 1990-1993 period, to which he attributed the country's dead ends. However, he made it clear that the government will not stand for shady dealings, corruption and scorning of political morality.

Mr. Simitis made insinuations against certain individuals within PASOK, expressing his sorrow, because, as he said, they were quick and easy in ascertaining that the Greek Presidency failed. However, he stressed that the Presidency was recorded as especially successful and made it clear that foreign policy has nothing to do with matters for interior consumption and populism.

As far as changes of individuals within PASOK are concerned, he noted that renewal is necessary and that the time has come for courageous decisions to be made with no hesitation, as citizens get used to seeing the same people. In that framework he appealed for the consolidation, cooperation, unity and hard work of each one from his position in order to achieve the goal of a new victory for PASOK in the elections.

Designating PASOK's four basic orientations on the immediate future, he stressed that they are the promotion of the government's work to the citizens, the party's program, strengthening the officials in the party and arranging the party's forces in guiding this struggle.

At that point he announced that in September the PASOK charter on Greece's real social cohesion with EU countries, mainly on the social level, will be presented. This charter's goal is to increase income and decrease living costs. At the same time he stressed that 2004 will be a decisive time for Greek national issues and especially on resolving of the Cyprus issue and the continental reef issue.

Costas Laliotis referred to unity, consolidation and PASOK's prospects so in holding a winning battle in the elections of Spring 2004, which will open a new historic cycle.

[11] 2008 IN THE HORIZON

2008 is the horizon set by Prime Minister Simitis in PASOK's planning and the changes he has begun both in the party and in the government, as he stressed in his speech at today's meeting of the Central Committee, which will elect a new Secretary as Costas Laliotis, the departing Secretary, resigned after declining a proposal to return to the Executive Office, which will no longer have government members. M. Chrysochoidis was nominated by the Prime Minister for the position of Secretary. United, PASOK will go through this battle of hope for victory in the elections, said Mr. Laliotis at the commencement of the meeting.

[12] BALLOTS IN CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Ballots will be filled out following the speeches of Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the departing Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, so that the Central Committee members elect a new Secretary and Executive Office for the party.

Michalis Chrysochoidis is expected to be the only candidate for the position of Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, and will therefore be running against blank and null votes.

[13] BARNIER ON THE MINORITIES IN ALBANIA

Albania by the end of 2003 will have to forward to the European Commission the exact figures concerning the size of the minorities living on its territory to avoid unfavorable consequences to the EU association agreement negotiations and its effort to become an EU member.

The above were mentioned by European Commissioner Michel Barnier, responsible for regional policy issues, responding to a question filed by Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Euro-deputies Yiannis Marinos and Stavros Xarhakos.

[14] TURKISH VIOLATIONS AT EUROPARLIAMENT

The issue of Turkish violations of Greek airspace and the danger of causing a crisis against peace and stability in the region, was discussed by the plenary session of European Parliament, after a question raised by ND EuroMP, Christos Zacharakis.

As far as the European Commission is concerned, Mr. Lamy pointed out the obligation undertaken by Turkey to peacefully resolve any differences it may have with Greece, in the framework its EU candidacy, and he underlined that the Commission is carefully observing the situation, on which it is reserved in expressing a clear appreciation in its reports for 2003 and 2004, concerning the general progress of Turkey regarding its commitments.

On the side of the Council of Ministers, Presiding Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Fratini, appreciated that these incidents contradict the general improvement in Greek-Turkish relations after 1999, and that Turkey should make every effort possible in order to resolve these differences peacefully, in accordance with the Helsinki findings, based on which the European Council will assess the situation in the region and its consequences on Turkey's accessional progress before the end of 2004.

[15] THE PROBLEMS OF MACEDONIA WERE DISCUSSED IN THE PAN-MACEDONIAN CONFERENCE

The Supreme Council of the Pan-Macedonian Association of America held a meeting with the formal guests from Greece invited to attend the proceedings of the 57th Conference of the Pan-Macedonian Association of America taking place in Boston, Massachusetts.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the conference to discuss the prospects for development in Macedonia and the region's problems and needs.

Apart from the Supreme Council members, in the meeting were also present the prefects of Thessaloniki and Kavala, Panagiotis Psomiadis and Thodoros Kalliontzis respectively, Thessaloniki City Council President Theodoros Aspasidis representing the Thessaloniki Mayor and distinguished Greek-American professors, Koufoudakis and Lomis.

In the meeting it was stressed that there is a need for the twinning of more Greek cities with US municipalities, while more efforts should be made for the attraction of US capital for investments in Greece. A special reference was made to the Greek language which slowly disappears in the United States.

[16] 57TH CONFERENCE OF THE PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The 57th Conference of the Pan-Macedonian Association of America opened in Boston, Massachusetts today until July 6 with the participation of about 200 representatives of the 120 associations, members of the organization.

Messages were sent wishing success to the conference by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis, right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spokesman of US President George Bush, Archbishop Dimitrios of America, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, Greece's ambassador to Washington Mr. Savvaidis, President of SAE-America Christos Tomaras and others.

Hellenism has voice and power, stressed Thessaloniki's Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis addressing the conference.

In the conference will be presented, among others, interesting facts on the history of the Pan-Macedonian Association which constitutes one of the largest Greek-American organizations in the US putting under its umbrella more than 60.000 Greeks from Macedonia, northern Greece, living in the United States.

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