Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-02-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] SECURITIES IN THE ECONOMY

[02] BUSH -ANNAN ANNOUNCE NEW DISCUSSIONS

[03] PAPANDREOU ASKS FOR MASS APPROVAL

[04] ANOTHER "NEW COUNTRY" METROPOLIS EMPTY

[05] PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE SIGNATURES UNDER THE PACHTAS AMENDMENT

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES SECURITY PROJECT

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

[08] SIMITIS: COMPETITIVENESS IS THE NEW GOAL OF THE GREEK ECONOMY

[09] PAPANDREOU-PAPADOPOULOS TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN

[10] LEFT SUPPORT FOR PAPANDREOU

[11] ND CALLS STELIOS PAPATHEMELIS

[12] NEW LAW

[13] MOBILITY FROM ALL SIDES ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

[14] OLYMPIC GAMES SECURE FROM ANY THREAT

[01] SECURITIES IN THE ECONOMY

The electoral confrontation has been concentrated on ND's proposals on the economy, the program on which was announced yesterday by party President Costas Karamanlis. ND's program foresees the return of the Mitsotakis governments' amendments, also known as the Sioufas law on securities, which makes it the main point of PASOK's criticism. Parties of the Left support that it is a continuation of PASOK government policies. President of the GSEE Christos Polyzogopoulos accused the ND of retrogression.

[02] BUSH -ANNAN ANNOUNCE NEW DISCUSSIONS

Everyone seems to be ready to recommence discussions, stated UN Secretary General Kofi Annan after his meeting with US President George Bush, pointing out however that he has not yet talked with Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash. The US urged Cyprus, Turkey and Greece to come to an agreement and finalize a solution for the Cyprus issue, to allow the UN Secretary General to resolve pending matters and to submit the solution to referendums on a set date, according to White House Spokesperson Scot Maclellan.

[03] PAPANDREOU ASKS FOR MASS APPROVAL

An invitation to citizens to participate en masse in his election as PASOK President, is expected to be addressed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou during his television interview on NET state television. Associates of his pointed out that the participial procedure for the election of a new president, by the members and friends of PASOK, has become an immediate priority (for PASOK), because with the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of voters, maximum rallying is expected a month before to the elections.

[04] ANOTHER "NEW COUNTRY" METROPOLIS EMPTY

His resignation for health reasons was submitted to the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos, by the Metropolite of Servia and Kozani Ambrosios. The hierarch had made the decision to resign in the summer of 2003, however his resignation was accepted yesterday, thus increasing the number of new country metropolises that need a new Metropolite, after the solution of the problems between the Church of Greece and the Ecumenical Patriarch, to three. The Standing Holy Synod of the Church of Greece will meet today and tomorrow in the Petraki Convent. Two Metropolites are in the Fanari.

[05] PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE SIGNATURES UNDER THE PACHTAS AMENDMENT

A preliminary investigation on the issue of the signatures under the Pachtas amendment was ordered by an Athens prosecutor to be established whether punishable crimes have been committed.

The preliminary investigation was ordered after Parliament deputy Giorgos Kirkos brought his case to the Greek justice maintaining that he does not know who put his signature under the amendment.

For the record, a deputy minister and 9 parliament deputies, who signed the amendment on the region of Porto Carras Hotel, have been expelled from the governing Socialist Party of PASOK.

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES SECURITY PROJECT

The Olympic Games security project proceeds as planed, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He stated that tests are being made and there is close cooperation with international agencies, adding that everything will go very well. Mr. Protopapas made the statement in response to a relevant question by a reporter.

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.10% at 2416.56 points, while the volume of transactions was at 146.9 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 94 had gains and 212 had losses, while the value of 77 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] SIMITIS: COMPETITIVENESS IS THE NEW GOAL OF THE GREEK ECONOMY

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, speaking in the Ministry of Development today, during the presentation of the report measuring competitiveness, stated that the new goal of the Greek economy is competitiveness.

Mr. Simitis stated that the goal of the Greek economy is competitiveness and stressed that this is more complex than the EU convergence, underlining the need for social dialogue. He also mentioned that the competitiveness of the Greek economy many times is presented at opposite ends with social cohesion and underlined the need for dialogue and the realization of any adjustment with the participation of the social partners.

He underlined the importance of a more effective, less bureaucratic state, greater transparency and more effectiveness in the operation of businesses, as well as the need to restructure public expenses, increase public investments and boost the workers' rights.

Presenting the role of the National Council of Competitiveness, he pointed out that it secures dialogue and promotes social consensus, forms competitiveness strategy and secures the implementation of specific policies for quantitative and qualitative results.

He also referred to the role of the Greek businesses and the benefits they will have from the increased competitiveness of the Greek economy.

[09] PAPANDREOU-PAPADOPOULOS TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS

Greek Foreign Minister and governing Socialist Party of PASOK future President Giorgos Papandreou had a long telephone conversation with Cyprus Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos during which they discussed the latest developments in Cyprus after yesterday's meeting of US President George Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in the White House.

After meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, the Foreign Minister had a telephone communication with Mr. Papadopoulos in an attempt to jointly assess the latest developments in Cyprus after the recent telephone communication between Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Annan, the meeting of the UN Secretary General with the US President and the meeting of the foreign envoys to Cyprus in the UN headquarters under Alvaro de Soto.

Mr. Papadopoulos and Mr. Papandreou confirmed again the readiness of the Greek and the Greek Cypriot side for the immediate opening of negotiations on Cyprus based on the UN Secretary General Plan.

[10] LEFT SUPPORT FOR PAPANDREOU

Maria Damanaki addressed an invitation to citizens to contribute so that the great Democratic Front may be reconstructed. The former MP, speaking at an event titled Present at the victory of the Democratic Front in front of a broad audience, supported Giorgos Papandreou and his proposals for a change in the political setting. The meeting was greeted by Mr. Ch. Pamboukis, a close associate of Mr. Papandreou, while deputy Minister of the Interior N. Bistis and Coalition officials also attended.

[11] ND CALLS STELIOS PAPATHEMELIS

New Democracy, according to today's publications, wants to approach former PASOK MP and Minister Stelios Papathemelis, proposing a cooperation, as had occurred in the previous elections with Stefanos Manos' party of the Liberals. At the same time however, the return of Andreas Andreanopoulos to Rigillis and the reaccession of Stefanos Manos to ND seem to be failing.

[12] NEW LAW

With a marginal majority and the positive vote of Mr. Manos and Mr. Psacharopoulos after a public vote the new electoral vote was approved in Parliament. The new law will be voted in the elections to follow those of March 7, as it was not voted with the necessary majority for it to be applied in the coming elections.

[13] MOBILITY FROM ALL SIDES ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

Everyone seems to be ready to recommence discussions, stated UN Secretary General Kofi Annan after his meeting with US President George Bush, pointing out however that he has not yet talked with Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash. The US urged Cyprus, Turkey and Greece to come to an agreement and finalize a solution for the Cyprus issue, to allow the UN Secretary General to resolve pending matters and to submit the solution to referendums on a set date, according to White House Spokesperson Scot Maclellan.

Washington recognized the role of the UN Secretary General's special consultant Alvaro de Soto, despite the demands of the Turkish side for the appointment of a different high official and objective moderator. Specific mention of Mr. De Soto was made by White House Spokesperson Scot Maclellan, after the meeting President Bush had with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday.

To the question of whether Mr. Bush had had a new communication with the interested parties on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Maclellan stated that he had no new statements, stressing however that Secretary of State Colin Powell actively deals with the issue on a daily basis, in support to the efforts of UN Secretary Generla Kofi Annan and his moderator Mr. De Soto, in order to achieve a fair and viable solution based on the Annan plan.

Meanwhile, Vice President of the European Commission Neil Kinnock will be arriving in Cyprus today for his formal two-day visit. Tomorrow, Mr. Kinnock will meet with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, and an hour later he will meet with Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou. At 11am he will meet with Minister of Finance Markos Kyprianou and in the afternoon with the President of the Parliament Dimitris Christofias.

At the same time, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, pseudo-Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and the so-called Foreign Minister of the pseudo-state of northern Cyprus Serdar Denktash will travel to Ankara today, where they will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, while they are expected to return to the occupied territories of the island tomorrow.

[14] OLYMPIC GAMES SECURE FROM ANY THREAT

The return of the Olympics to their birthplace, to a safe environment and with the authentic Olympic spirit of fair play and peace, is the topic of the article of Minister of Public Order Giorgos Floridis, published in the Washington Times.

The article pointed out the contribution of 7 countries to the Greek security plan, with an emphasis on American know how. Regarding his recent visit to Washington, the Greek Minister stated that he ascertained that the effort is joint and the level of Olympic preparation is excellent.

Mr. Floridis believes that international cooperation significantly supports Greece's intensive efforts for the training and education of its human resources, since the Athens Olympics security plan is different from Olympics of previous years, both in its range and its conception, in order to respond to the dangers lurking in our modern unstable international environment. To that end, stressed Mr. Floridis, Greece has processed various scenarios and methods, securing the effective confrontation of every possible threat during the peaceful holding of the games, with the investment of in the creation of infrastructure and the purchasing of means of the latest technology, at an expense of 650 million euro, which may come to 800 million euro, at least three times what was spent on the Sidney Olympics' security.

The security program is surrounded by an information and communication network which will provide continuous round-the-clock data about the Games for the benefit of any interested person or organization throughout the world whose citizens we, in Greece, await with pride and the promise of an unforgettable experience, he added.

Our dedication to security is compatible with the full enjoyment of the occasion. Our security shield will not create a police environment. Rather, it will ensure the unspoiled recollection of the history and message of the Olympics in a demonstration that a small country like Greece can provide meaning and glamour to the values of athletic contest and fraternity, continued the Minister of Public Order.

Intelligence confirms Greece is not a terrorist target, said Mr. Floridis. It is a structured and uniquely stable democracy in the Balkans and Southeastern Mediterranean region. Greece also is centrally involved in the effort for peaceful globalization, as symbolized by the ever-growing response to the U.N.- supported Olympic Truce campaign. The Games provide an opportunity for Greek society and the Greek economy to show their dynamism and commitment to success, he stressed.

The major public works designed for the Olympics will change not only the present but the future profile of our country. The new Athens airport is the most technologically advanced in the region (and has just been named "Airport of the Year" by the British Transport Management Institute). There are also new national motor highways, modernized seaports and many other responses to the country's long-term needs.

With 45,000 police and all the Armed Forces on the alert, Greece next August will, of course, be the hot place to visit. We will be ready and anxious to be generous hosts and to provide our visitors, surrounded as they will be by the evidence of Greece's glorious past, with a living and brotherly experience they will not soon forget, he concluded.

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