Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

[02] THE FLAME OF PEACE IS LIT

[03] PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROCLAMATION ON THE GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

[04] "THE GREEKS CAN DO IT"

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE ON SPORTS AND PEACE

[07] PALEOKRASSAS RESIGNS TO TAKE OVER AS DEH PRESIDENT

[08] ROUSSOPOULOS REPLY TO PAPANDREOU CRITICISM ON CYPRUS ISSUE

[09] KARAMANLIS-SOLANA DISCUSS BALKANS AND KOSSOVO

[10] "REUNIFIED CYPRUS"

[11] NEW ANNAN PROPOSAL

[12] MARCH 25 A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN THE US

[01] KARAMANLIS: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis presented two positive developments on Cyprus in a press conference he gave in Brussels on the conclusions of the EU Summit meeting.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that after an intervention by Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis the Cyprus issue was discussed in the Summit meeting, while a paragraph was added to the text of conclusions with a clear reference to the European standards and the framework of principles on which the EU is founded.

It was made known that European Commissioner Mr. Gunter Verheugen, responsible for EU enlargement issues, will represent the European Commission in the Lucerne negotiations on Cyprus, characterized by Mr. Karamanlis as positive development.

The Prime Minister made it clear that Greece will not accept diversions from the European standards, while he left open the likelihood of diversions during a transition period.

The Greek Prime Minister with an intervention in the Summit meeting stressed the need to face the serious insufficiencies in the implementation of the Lisbon agenda program in order to meet the viable development target.

The EU leaders discussed the developments in Kosovo and Mr. Karamanlis stated that Mr. Solana briefed them on the issue, while a relevant reference was made in the text of conclusions.

Mr. Karamanlis raised the issue of the EU Common Farm Policy reform, mainly on the Mediterranean products that interest the Greek farmers, in spite of the fact that the issue was not on the EU Summit meeting agenda. He stressed that the reform must take place under the same terms, which were in effect for the products of the northern states.

Responding to a question on his meeting yesterday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he stated that it was a meeting of a social nature held within the framework of a dinner and he could not say that they had a political discussion. He pointed out, however, that he and Mr. Erdogan have formed a good and honest relation and stated that the atmosphere was good, commenting that there is a will to preserve this atmosphere.

[02] THE FLAME OF PEACE IS LIT

Its long journey over the 5 continents began for the Olympic Torch of the Athens Olympics on Thursday afternoon. The flame of peace was lit at 12:38, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Mr. Costis Stefanopoulos, Prime Ministser Costas Karamanlis and many spectators. The holy flame unites us all, the torch race brings us closer to the games, closer to society, with respect towards the example of the Olympic Truce, stressed the President of the IOC Jacques Rogge.

[03] PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROCLAMATION ON THE GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

US President George W. Bush issued a proclamation on the Greek Independence Day calling it a National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.

The love of liberty that helped shape our Constitution has deep roots in the spirit of ancient Greece. As we observe Greek Independence Day, we celebrate the timeless democratic principles that all freedom-loving people cherish.

To continue to strengthen and spread liberty around the world, the values and traditions of democracy must be passed on to each new generation. In 1821, our Nation supported the cause of Greek independence when the brave men and women of Greece began their long struggle for liberty. This struggle continued through the end of World War II. On the anniversary of the Greek Declaration of Independence, we honor the courage of these proud patriots and celebrate our nations' shared commitment to democracy.

Today, Greece and America are strong allies and strategic partners in the great struggles for liberty and the global war on terror. We are working together to bring a fair and lasting settlement to Cyprus. We look forward to a future of continued friendship and collaboration between our two great nations as we advance peace and democracy in the world.

In celebrating Greek Independence Day, we are also grateful for the many ways Greek Americans have enriched our communities and strengthened our country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2004, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

[04] "THE GREEKS CAN DO IT"

The Greeks can do it, stressed President Coordinating Committee of the IOC Dennis Oswald, in an interview to the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper, regarding the progress of the Olympic works. Mr. Oswald appeared especially optimistic, characteristically saying that there may still be work to be done, but in the end everything will go well. Meanwhile, the Olympic Torch is continuing on its glorious course, which began on Thursday afternoon from ancient Olympia in order to travel across the planet, before arriving in August for the Olympics.

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.61% at 2332.21 points, while the volume of transactions was at 138.60 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 290 had gains and 38 had losses, while the value of 54 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE ON SPORTS AND PEACE

The need to back Olympic Truce and the spirit of peace and sports not just during the Olympic Games was underlined in the 6th Mediterranean Conference on Sports and Peace held in Athens.

The participants representing Mediterranean countries issued a declaration strongly condemning the use of violence and war, while calling on efforts for better solutions through political means and based on international law.

Addressing the participants, Deputy Minister of Sports Giorgos Orphanos gave assurances that the Olympic Games in Greece will be successful and underlined that the Olympic Games projects' timetables are under control.

[07] PALEOKRASSAS RESIGNS TO TAKE OVER AS DEH PRESIDENT

New Democracy Parliament deputy Yiannis Paleokrassas, elected in the district of Cyclades, resigned from his Parliament seat to take over as Board of Directors President of the Public Electricity Company, DEH.

His seat in Parliament will go to Ariadni Manousou-Binopoulou, also elected in the district of Cyclades.

[08] ROUSSOPOULOS REPLY TO PAPANDREOU CRITICISM ON CYPRUS ISSUE

Government Spokesperson Thodoris Roussopoulos replied to the criticisms of PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou that the government is just observing the developments in the Cyprus issue as if there was an automatic pilot, while they should be actively supporting the President of the Cypriot Republic Tassos Papadopoulos.

At these crucial moments for the Cyprus issue, one would expect Mr. Papandreou to hold a more cautious and constructive position, instead of letting out pointless opposition cries, said the Government Spokesperson.

[09] KARAMANLIS-SOLANA DISCUSS BALKANS AND KOSSOVO

Recent developments in Kossovo and the situation forming in the broader Balkan region were discussed by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Javier Solana, during their meeting in Brussels today.

As Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Solana stressed, such acts of violence like the recent events in Kosovo do not contribute to the region's stability, and they condemned every action that does not respect cultural heritage.

In fact, in the meeting Mr. Karamanlis had earlier with EU Commissioner in large of the enlargement, Mr. Guenther Verheugen, the EU official referred to the Cyprus issues and the digressions from Community Acquis, saying that the EU is always ready to help in finding a solution accepted by the sides, and which will be consistent with the fundamental principles supported by the EU.

[10] "REUNIFIED CYPRUS"

Our objective in the Cyprus issue is still reaching a viable, functional solution, based on the Annan proposal, with respect towards community acquis, without permanent and significant digressions, stated Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, in a briefing on the progress of discussions at the EU Summit, which began in Brussels on Thursday. He added that the inflexible positions promoted lately will not help the development of the committing procedure agreed on 1.5 months ago in New York. The Prime Minister also referred to terrorism and employment issues, which will be discussed by the European leaders, stressing that the battle against unemployment will be carried out with competitiveness policies.

[11] NEW ANNAN PROPOSAL

A new plan for the resolving of the Cyprus issue is to be submitted to the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides in the next few days by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, while discussions at Lucerne have reached a dead end before even beginning. However, Mr. Annan's representative Alvaro de Soto stated, we are closer to a solution than ever before. The new plan will emphasize the issues of sovereignty and of the two zones.

[12] MARCH 25 A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN THE US

US President George W. Bush proclaimed the anniversary of Greek Rebirth of March 25 1821, a National Day of Celebration for Greek and American Democracy, and urged US citizens to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Specifically, the Presidential proclamation stated: The love of liberty that helped shape our Constitution has deep roots in the spirit of ancient Greece.  As we observe Greek Independence Day, we celebrate the timeless democratic principles that all freedom-loving people cherish.

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