Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-09-25

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] SETTLEMENTS FOR THE FORESTS

[02] CAT KILLS OWNER

[03] FUEL PRICE MAXIMUM

[04] LOCKED IN SCHOOL

[05] CLARIFICATIONS ON AND REACTIONS TO FOREST BILL

[01] SETTLEMENTS FOR THE FORESTS

A final, modern settlement to the problem of forest areas, based on present circumstances, is being attempted by the government, according to its statements, while the Cabinet will explore the related proposals of Minister of Agriculture Mr. Drys today. Government Spokesperson Christos Protopapas denied that there is intent to legalize some or incorporate other lands, while he gave his assurance that the recording of the lands is being carried out based on older aerial photographs.

[02] CAT KILLS OWNER

A 76-year-old woman in Thessaloniki paid for her love for animals with her life, when she was attacked in her apartment by her cat, and died of blood loss.

The woman was found dead by her apartment entrance by other building residents, who then called the police. As coroner Dimitris Psaroulis announced, the extremely unusual event took place in the apartment bedroom while the 76-year-old was feeding the cat raw meat.

At some point the cat was startled and attacked its owner, digging its claws into her thigh. However, the 76-year-old had a previous injury on the same part of her body, a fact that caused the excessive blood loss.

The unfortunate woman tried to exit her apartment and ask for help, but lost consciousness and was later found dead.

According to neighbors the cat had caused her minor injuries in the past, while the 76-year-old usually fed it raw meat.

[03] FUEL PRICE MAXIMUM

A maximum price for petrol fuels will come into effect on October 1 in 9 prefectures, according to the new decision of Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos, which was sent to Prefects' offices. These prefectures are Arta, Ioannina, the Dodecanese, Kilkis, the Cyclades, and Crete's 4 prefectures.

[04] LOCKED IN SCHOOL

The indefinite continuation of their strike was decided by university professors, after their discussions with the government broke down. Both sides are insisting on their initial position, the government on the one hand on the 7% increases, university professors on the 20% increases in the agreement in two payments. Professors at universities and technical higher education foundations (TEI) are promoting the coordination of their actions, although TEI professors will meet with the government on Monday. Strikes in primary and secondary schools.

[05] CLARIFICATIONS ON AND REACTIONS TO FOREST BILL

All these rumors regarding construction associations and the alleged plotting of forest areas is completely unfounded, said the Minister, who added: there will be no changes. The Constitution is extremely strict. We put forward and voted the Greece's Constitution and we are obliged to respect it, and respect it we will, stated Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos on the new forest draft discussed by the Cabinet today, presided over by the Prime Minister. The draft will be published in the next few days, and further clarifications were made by Minister of Agriculture Giorgos Drys.

As the Minister said, the bill further strengthens the protection and development of forest ecosystems, obligates the administration to form a list of forests within a set deadline, does not foresee concessions of forest land for other uses, it does not legalize forest area violations, it does not legalize the construction of unauthorized buildings in forest areas, it does not deal with the problems of construction associations and does not foresee regulations for areas that were considered forests and the use of which changed prior to 1975.

As was announced, construction associations that bought lands, characterized as forests, will have the opportunity to exchange that land with public non forest areas.

According to information, in his introductory speech, Prime Minister Costas Simitis noted that there should be rules and procedures for the protection of forests as well as for the solution of long standing problems aiming at serving citizens. However, he stressed that the forest regulations are not pre-electoral bonuses.

A third world pandemonium as far as forest lands in Greece are concerned was mentioned by Agriculture Sector Head of New Democracy Evaggelos Basiakos.

Commenting on the governmental announcements on the forest draft, he pointed out that they were madeduring the present pre-electoral period and after the submission of the draft of the Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works on unauthorized buildings, hunting for votes, without in fact recording forests on the National Forest and Cadastre.

At the same time Mr. Basiakos stressed that regulation of the situations that have taken form is demanded so that there is effective and systematic protection and development of Greece's forest wealth.

Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka Papariga stated that such a crime cannot be permitted, while there was also harsh criticism from President of the Coalition of the Left Nikos Constantopoulos and environmental organizations.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article