Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-08-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES' PROJECTS WILL BE READY BASED ON THE

[02] KARAMANLIS VISITED THE ISLAND OF LEFKADA

[03] THE 17N TRIAL WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY

[04] PROTEST BY THE GREEK FEDERATION OF CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF VLACHS

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] SIMITIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES' INFRASTRUCTURES WILL BE OFFERED FOR PUBLIC

[07] THE PRESS REPORTS ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE REHEATED FOOD

[08] GREECE IS READY AND SAFE TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES

[09] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS IS IN POLAND

[01] SIMITIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES' PROJECTS WILL BE READY BASED ON THE TIMETABLE

The Olympic Games' projects will be completed within the framework of the timetable and Greece will be ready and safe for the 2004 Olympic Games, assured Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today sending a message that the government will not allow anyone to behave irresponsibly.

The Prime Minister visited the construction sites at Agios Kosmas and Faliron Delta and characterized the reconstruction of the seaside highway as the major Olympic Games project.

Mr. Simitis was accompanied by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Minister of Environment, Land Planning and Public Works Mrs. Vaso Papandreou, Undersecretary responsible for Olympic Projects Nasos Alevras, Olympic Games General Secretary Kostas Kartalis and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Mrs. Yianna Angelopoulou.

After the visit, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos pointed out that Greece has invested in the Olympic Games' security, and Mrs. Papandreou stressed that Athens will become an easily accessible capital city through the huge project of the reconstruction of the seaside highway.

[02] KARAMANLIS VISITED THE ISLAND OF LEFKADA

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis stressed that the immediate restoration of damages, the effective support of the population affected by the earthquake and the adoption of measures aimed at settling the financial damages suffered by the tourist industry on the island of Lefkada are the priorities today.

Mr. Karamanlis visited the Ionian Sea island of Lefkada, which was hit by a strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale on August 14, and expressed his solidarity to the people affected. He also pledged that his party will help in the restoration of damages. Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the island of Lefkada remains a safe and wonderful tourist destination.

[03] THE 17N TRIAL WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY

The 17 November terrorist group trial will resume on Wednesday, August 20 after a ten-day summer recess with the testimony of Dionisis Georgiadis.

Theologos Psaradelis will testify after the so-called Benjamin of the terrorist group. Psaradelis admitted participation in only one robbery, which he maintains it took place in 1983 and not in 1988 as it is mentioned in the indictment. It is also expected to maintain that he did not know that he acted on behalf of 17N.

After Psaradelis will testify the defendants Kostas Karatsolis, Iraklis Kostaris and Thomas Serifis, followed by Konstantinos Telios and Pavlos Serifis.

[04] PROTEST BY THE GREEK FEDERATION OF CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF VLACHS

The Greek Federation of Cultural Associations of Vlachs issued a strong protest on the occasion of the direct or indirect characterization of the Vlach-speaking Greeks as an ethnic, linguistic or other type of minority, a position expressed in the latest report issued by the American organization Freedom House.

Speaking to MPA, Federation President Konstantinos Adam stated that the Vlach-speaking Greeks never asked to be recognized as a minority by the Greek state as both historically and culturally they were, and still are, an integral part of Hellenism.

He characterized the allegations as ridiculous and attributed them to the efforts made by the above mentioned organization to create impressions. He also added that its president is an anti-Greek former CIA official.

In a resolution issued by the Greek Federation of Cultural Associations of Vlachs they condemn any exploitation, for political or other purposes, of a purely cultural element and its promotion to an element used to differentiate the Vlach-speaking Greeks from the rest on ethnic or other grounds.

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +2.41% at 2.243,67 points, while the volume of transactions was at 175.2 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 310 recorded gains and 34 had losses, while the value of 37 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] SIMITIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES' INFRASTRUCTURES WILL BE OFFERED FOR PUBLIC USE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis admitted the existence of problems in the Olympic projects today, stressing that the government has no illusions that everything is perfect. He pointed out, however, that the test events are being held to spot and correct any shortcomings and weaknesses.

The government's intention, according to the Prime Minister, is to proceed with the Olympic projects based on a plan and with determination, while he gave a special emphasis to the post-Olympic use of the infrastructures that are being created. He also expressed the belief that the Olympic Games infrastructures will be appreciated more mainly after the Olympic Games.

[07] THE PRESS REPORTS ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE REHEATED FOOD

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas characterized as bad quality reheated food the press reports on the British newspaper The Guardian, according to which there is a risk for terrorist attacks in Greece during the 2004 Olympic Games.

The propaganda coming from certain circles is known, stated Mr. Protopapas in a radio interview and expressed the belief that there are hidden interests behind these reports. He added, however, that newspaper views do not reflect government views.

[08] GREECE IS READY AND SAFE TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Greece will be ready and safe for the 2004 Olympic Games and will not be allowed to anyone to act irresponsibly, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis who is visiting Olympic Games projects today, like the beach volley facilities and the sailing center at Agios Kosmas. He made the visit accompanied by Minister of Environment, Land Planning and Public Works Mrs. Vaso Papandreou, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Mrs. Yianna Angelopoulou.

The statement was made in response to the numerous foreign press reports raising security and preparation issues regarding the Olympic Games. At noon, Mr. Simitis will hold a meeting with the responsible ministers, Mrs. Angelopoulou and International Olympic Committee President Dennis Oswald.

[09] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS IS IN POLAND

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece arrived in Poland yesterday to visit the country's autocephalus Orthodox Church.

Archbishop Christodoulos will meet with Metropolite Savva of Warsaw and All of Poland, the Polish President and the Roman-Catholic Church Primate.

Based on his schedule, the Archbishop of Greece will visit monasteries and churches in Warsaw and other cities.

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