Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE GOVERNMENT WILL PRESENT ITS POSITION ON THE ANNAN PLAN TOMORROW

[02] PAPANDREOU: WE DEFEND OUR NATIONAL STRATEGY ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

[03] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

[04] FEVERISH CONSULTATIONS IN ATHENS AND NICOSIA

[05] KARAMANLIS-MILLER MEETING

[06] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY ON ANNAN'S STATEMENT

[07] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER VISITED TIRANA

[01] THE GOVERNMENT WILL PRESENT ITS POSITION ON THE ANNAN PLAN TOMORROW

The Greek government's position on the Annan Plan for the solution of the Cyprus issue will be announced tomorrow by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis during the Political Party Leaders Council meeting.

Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos made the statement today after the meeting of the governmental committee that discussed the issue of Cyprus, as well as the draft bill promoted by the government on the state-citizen relations and issues concerning the society of information.

In today's meeting, Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis made a short briefing on the Cyprus issue, while Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis stated that in the meeting of the Political Party Leaders Council tomorrow he will listen to every view that will be expressed and reach his decision based on the national interest.

Regarding the other issues examined by the governmental committee, a special emphasis was given to the draft bill promoted by the Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization, which concerns the structure of government, measures against bureaucracy and state-citizen relations.

[02] PAPANDREOU: WE DEFEND OUR NATIONAL STRATEGY ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

Socialist Party of PASOK president Giorgos Papandreou defended his party's stance on the Cyprus issue in a statement he made this afternoon after the meetings he had with leading members of the party in view of the Political Party Leaders Council meeting tomorrow.

In the statement it is stressed that PASOK has served with responsibility and firmness the national strategy formed by Greek and Cypriot governments since 1974. He said that this is the strategy the party defends today in view of the crucial and historic decisions for the solution of the Cyprus issue.

[03] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

Significant losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.41% at 2440.64 points, while the volume of transactions was at 96.0 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, just 39 had gains and 262 had losses, while the value of 98 stocks remained unchanged.

[04] FEVERISH CONSULTATIONS IN ATHENS AND NICOSIA

Feverish consultations are underway in Greece and Cyprus in view of the April 24 referenda in Cyprus on the Annan Plan.

The Governmental Committee meets in Athens today to discuss the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and the government's stance in the Political Party Leaders Council meeting to take place tomorrow under Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos. The governing party of New Democracy has not presented its position on the Annan Plan yet, while the party's honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis is in favor of the plan.

Opposition party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou had meetings with leading party members in view of the Political Party Leaders Council meeting. Mr. Papandreou has said yes to the Annan Plan but a different opinion was expressed by party Executive Bureau member Giorgos Pangiotakopoulos, former Central Committee secretary Kostas Laliotis, former minister Gerasimos Arsenis and about 150 senior party members with a letter to the Central Committee secretary Michalis Chrisochoidis, a fact which was confirmed by Pantelis Economou saying that there is a movement inside PASOK named Free Socialists.

The Coalition of the Radical Left Party Political Secretariat met yesterday and the party Central Political Committee meets today to define the party position, which will adopt party president Nikos Konstantopoulos in the Political Party Leaders Council meeting. An important role in the Coalition of the Radical Left decision is expected to play the position adopted by the Greek Cypriot party of AKEL and the leftist Turkish Cypriot political parties.

Meanwhile, AKEL's party congress meets in Nicosia today to take the final decision on the party position regarding the Annan Plan, as inside the party there are voices of both in favor and against the Annan Plan.

The Democratic Alarm party congress will take place tomorrow and views are also split between a yes or a no to the Annan Plan. Lately, the voices against the Annan Plan have increased and party president Nikos Anastasiadis was jeered by party followers yesterday.

[05] KARAMANLIS-MILLER MEETING

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met with US ambassador Thomas Miller today.

After the meeting, Mr. Miller expressed satisfaction to reporters for the invitation extended to him by Mr. Karamanlis and stated that they discussed the issue of Cyprus and the trip of the Greek Prime Minister to the United States on May 20 where he will meet with US President George Bush.

On the issue of Cyprus, the US ambassador just stated that the Annan Plan is a very good plan.

[06] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY ON ANNAN'S STATEMENT

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos commented on the statement made yesterday by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan according to which, he would consider a proposal for the postponement of the referenda if a request came from all parties involved.

Mr. Koumoutsakos stated in response to Mr. Annan's statement that Greece will agree to a postponement if all sides agree to it.

[07] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER VISITED TIRANA

A delegation of the Greek Ministry of Public Order headed by minister Giorgos Voulgarakis visited Tirana where he met with Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, Albanian Public Order Minister Igli Toska and Prime Minister Fatos Nano.

The issues examined during the visit concerned the promotion of bilateral cooperation against crime and illegal activities, as well as issues concerning cooperation between the two countries for the safety of the Olympic Games in Athens.

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