Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-09-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] WHERE IS THE MONEY?

[02] KARAMANLIS ATTACK ON SIMITIS

[03] OUTSIDE BASKETBALL AND VOLLEY BALL FINALS

[04] THE CYPRIOT REPUBLIC PRESIDENT WILL VISIT ATHENS

[05] MIKIS THEODORAKIS IS HOSPITALIZED

[06] HITIRIS ON THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE

[07] GREEK EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4.7% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 2003

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[09] HITIRIS ON THE SECURITY ESCORT OF FOREIGN ATHLETES IN THE 2004 OLYMPICS

[10] PAPANDREOU: ISRAEL'S DECISION TO DEPORT ARAFAT IS WRONG

[01] WHERE IS THE MONEY?

There was tension at the 17N trial when the assistant DA made insinuations that the money accumulated from the robberies carried out by the terrorist organization is being used to pay for their defense. Where is this money and who is handling it? In my mind I have the notion that it is possibly helping the support of a multi-membered and luxurious defense. I am not speaking about everyone, said Mr. Markis, causing the intense reaction of the defense attorney, who made mention of a direct slur and insult towards them.

[02] KARAMANLIS ATTACK ON SIMITIS

The list of the Prime Minister's unfulfilled promises regarding Thessaloniki and Northern Greece is the Charta of his failure, the charta of deviation from his goals pointed out President of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, during his speech at the open meeting of the Thessaloniki prefecture council.

Mr. Karamanlis went into detail regarding the many promises made by the Prime Minister on the tube, the underwater tunnel, the airport, the EGNATIA ODOS highway, and other works, which are still nothing more than drafts on paper, and he underlined: These are practices that underestimate the people of Northern Greece and insult all Greeks.

Especially regarding EGNATIA ODOS, he said now they discovered the 'functional' EGNATIA. And they think they are addressing lotus eaters, because they break the work into pieces and cut a ribbon every 20 kilometers. To set up pre-electoral games for cheap impressions.

[03] OUTSIDE BASKETBALL AND VOLLEY BALL FINALS

Greece's national basketball team was left out of the final four after its defeat from the Italian team with 62-59, in the game held in Sweden. The Greek national team is the second favorite the Italian team disqualified. The Greek team will now play Israel for positions 5-8, while Italy will play Spain in the finals. The Greek volleyball team has also been disqualified after losing to Russia 3-2.

[04] THE CYPRIOT REPUBLIC PRESIDENT WILL VISIT ATHENS

Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos will be on a two-day visit to Athens on September 15-16.

Mr. Papadopoulos will arrive in Athens on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning, he will meet with Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos and then with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

At noon, he will have talks with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis followed by statements to the press and a working lunch.

In the afternoon, he will meet with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

Mr. Papadopoulos will be accompanied by Cypriot Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou, government spokesman Kirpros Chrisostomidis, Undersecretary to the President Christodoulos Pasiardis and his diplomatic office director Tasos Tzionis.

[05] MIKIS THEODORAKIS IS HOSPITALIZED

Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis, 78, is hospitalized at the Onasion Cardiology Center in Athens since yesterday morning. He was rushed to the hospital when he suffered strong chest pains.

He underwent a series of specialized heart and blood vessel tests and according to his doctors, his condition is not serious and the tests were ordered for precautionary reasons.

[06] HITIRIS ON THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE

Undersecretary of Press Tilemachos Hitiris cited the statements made earlier by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou when asked to comment on the likelihood of the deportation of Yasser Arafat, stressing that the Greek government condemns such a decision.

Mr. Hitiris stated that such a move will not help at all in the efforts for the solution of the Middle East issue.

Everybody should contribute to the efforts for a solution to the Palestinian issue, while wisdom and prudence must be displayed by all parties involved, said Mr. Hitiris.

[07] GREEK EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4.7% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 2003

The overall value of the Greek exports increased by 4.7% in the first five months of the current year compared to the same period last year. However, an even greater upward course was recorded by the trade balance, which became broader by 24.7% to Greece's disadvantage.

Specifically, according to the Greek National Statistics Agency, the value of the Greek exports was at 4.947,9 million euros in the five-month period of January-May 2003, compared to 4.723,6 million euros in the same period last year.

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.58% at 2.082,78 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 113.4 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 75 recorded gains and the majority of 249 had losses, while the value of 59 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] HITIRIS ON THE SECURITY ESCORT OF FOREIGN ATHLETES IN THE 2004 OLYMPICS

Acting government spokesman and Undersecretary of Press Tilemachos Hitiris clarified today, responding to questions made by reporters, that the foreign athletes participating in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games will be allowed to be escorted by security personnel from their own countries if this is declared in advance.

Mr. Hitiris stated characteristically that the Olympic teams, that will participate in the Athens Olympic Games, will be allowed to be escorted only by accredited officials.

He pointed out, however, that everybody should respect the Greek laws.

[10] PAPANDREOU: ISRAEL'S DECISION TO DEPORT ARAFAT IS WRONG

The atmosphere of the very close and very good cooperation he ascertained during his recent visit to Cyprus, was transferred to Prime Minister Costas Simitis by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, during their meeting at the Maximos Mansion tonight.

We all know that Turkey's course towards the European Union has the resolution of the Cyprus issue in its way, stressed Mr. Papandreou in statements immediately after the meeting, while he underlined that the next few months will be very important for the developments on the Cyprus issue. It should be noted that the President of the Cypriot Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos, will be visiting Athens next week to have discussions with Mr. Simitis.

At the same time, Mr. Papandreou mentioned the recent developments in the Middle East, characterizing the Israeli Cabinet's decision to deport Arafat as a mistake, while he added that such a decision, if materialized, will create new tensions and possibly new adventures in the Middle East and the broader region.

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