Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] ILLEGAL ENTRY IN THE MAIN OLYMPIC STADIUM IN ATHENS

[02] KARAMANLIS-AHERN MEETING

[03] GREECE QUALIFIES FOR THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ARREST OF BRITISH JOURNALISTS

[05] THE GREEK POLICE ON THE ILLEGAL ENTRY OF JOURNALISTS IN OLYMPIC VENUES

[06] THE "ATHENS 2004" STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF BRITISH JOURNALISTS

[07] GAINS IN THE ASE

[08] THE PATRIARCH OF GEORGIA SUPPORTS THE ARCHBISHOP

[09] VOULGARAKIS ON THE ILLEGAL ENTRY OF JOURNALISTS IN ATHENS' MAIN OLYMPIC

[01] ILLEGAL ENTRY IN THE MAIN OLYMPIC STADIUM IN ATHENS

A journalist and a photographer of a British newspaper were arrested a little before midnight last night by a special guard of the Greek Police for illegal entry in Athens' main Olympic Stadium, while earlier they were not allowed to enter the site because they did not have the necessary permit.

The extremist group Revolutionary Struggle claimed responsibility for the three explosions outside a police station in Kallithea, Athens on May 5 confirming that the attack was not linked with the Olympic Games. In a leaflet issued by the extremists it is mentioned that the triple attack was in response to the Greek state's participation in Iraq and the new anti-terrorist law.

The certainty that Athens will be the safest place on the planet during the Olympic Games was expressed by Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE, vice-president and Oceania Region Coordinator Kostas Vertzagias in a letter to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer sent in protest to the travel warning issued by Canberra.

[02] KARAMANLIS-AHERN MEETING

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis expressed Greece's will for a positive conclusion of the negotiations on the European Constitution before the Euro-elections in the meeting he had today with Irish Prime Minister and EU Council President Bertie Ahern.

The two Prime Ministers discussed the further EU enlargement with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia and Mr. Ahern thanked Mr. Karamanlis and the Greek government for their support to the Irish EU Presidency.

[03] GREECE QUALIFIES FOR THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

Greece qualified for the Eurovision song contest that will be held on Saturday night in Istanbul. Sakis Rouvas sang the song Shake it and his excellent performance secured him a place among the winners of yesterday's semi-final.

Greece and other 9 countries won their participation in the Eurovision song contest after competing with a total of 22 countries at Istanbul's Abdi Ipekci Stadium.

The other winners are Serbia-Montenegro, Malta, Holland, Albania, Ukraine, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYROM and Cyprus.

The 10 countries that won in yesterday's semi-final will compete for the Eurovision prize with other 14, which have already qualified for the final.

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ARREST OF BRITISH JOURNALISTS

Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos reiterated the statements issued by Athens 2004 Organizing Committee and the Greek Police when asked to comment on the arrest of two British journalists last night who attempted to enter the main Olympic Stadium in Athens without permission.

Responding to relevant questions, he said that such behaviors aim at hurting the picture of the Olympic Games, are unethical and do not contribute to the overall effort. However, he said that based on this incident it is proven that the sites are being guarded effectively even though the relevant security plan is yet not fully implemented and will be in effect next month.

Asked if there are any political motives hidden behind, he said that based on his experience as a journalist he cannot say that there were political motives, while regarding the statement issued by the extremist group Revolutionary Struggle, which claimed responsibility for the triple bomb attack in Kallithea on May 5, he reiterated that it was an isolated incident that could happen anywhere in the world and is not linked with the Olympic Games.

The Greek authorities treat the security system that guarantees the full safety of the Olympic Games with the necessary seriousness, sense of responsibility and determination, concluded the government spokesman.

[05] THE GREEK POLICE ON THE ILLEGAL ENTRY OF JOURNALISTS IN OLYMPIC VENUES

Greek Police press spokesman Lefteris Economou referred to the foreign journalists who attempted to enter Olympic venues without a permission in statements he made today to NET state-run television station.

Mr. Economou stated that the discreet implementation of security measures in view of the Olympic Games has begun in certain Olympic venues and such actions hide risks for serious accidents given the fact that police officers are under strict orders concerning the guarding of these sites. He also stated that there is likelihood for dynamic reaction in case somebody attempts to enter the sites illegally.

[06] THE "ATHENS 2004" STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF BRITISH JOURNALISTS

A journalist and a photographer from a British newspaper were stopped by a special Greek Police guard inside the Athens Main Olympic Stadium last night just before midnight. The two individuals had entered, without permission, in order to "test the implementation of the security measures", as they stated soon afterwards. They were apprehended and brought in for further questioning at the Maroussi Police Station.

Once their personal identification was verified by the Police (passport and journalist id), they were released.

The two British newspaper representatives had earlier attempted to enter the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, through the Olympic Aquatics Centre entrance, but a member of a private security company prohibited them from doing so.

A similar incident took place yesterday at the Helliniko Olympic Complex, when three representatives from a German TV station were stopped and brought in for questioning at the Helliniko Police Station. Disregarding the relevant rules, they attempted to film the Canoe/Kayak sport areas. Once their personal identification was verified they, too were released.

On the occasion of the above incidents the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games would like to state the following:

1. ATHENS 2004 absolutely respects the freedom of the Press and the work carried out by journalists. For this purpose, ATHENS 2004 organises venue tours for Mass Media representatives on an almost daily basis, where they are thoroughly updated on the progress of Olympic preparations. In addition, ATHENS 2004 has repeatedly informed all Mass Media in Greece and abroad about the accreditation procedure for entering and photographing Olympic Venues. The British newspaper and German TV station representatives in question never informed ATHENS 2004 or any of the State's agencies, nor did they request permission to enter the grounds of the Olympic Stadium.

2. It must be noted that in the sport venues, security measures are in effect (as was proven in the case in question and in other cases as well), but not on an Olympic level; this will be the case in July after the completion of the construction works, the "lock down" and the "security sweep".

Following the security sweep, only those possessing an Olympic accreditation or a ticket will be allowed to enter Olympic Venues.

3.It is obvious that similar behavior which could be interpreted as guided by an intention to harm the image of the Athens Games and Greece, - goes against journalist ethics and does not contribute to the strengthening of the trust and security of this great celebration of peace and sport.

[07] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.08% at 2500.58 points, while the volume of transactions was at 157,3 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 169 had gains and 118 had losses, while the value of 96 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] THE PATRIARCH OF GEORGIA SUPPORTS THE ARCHBISHOP

The Patriarch of Georgia, who is on a visit to Greece, gave his support to Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece.

During the holy liturgy at Athens' Cathedral today, the Patriarch of Georgia characterized the Archbishop as a great patron of Orthodoxy, pointing out that his visit reflects the strengthening of bilateral relations that exist between the two peoples since ancient times.

Archbishop Christodoulos greeting the Patriarch of Georgia stressed that his presence in Greece highlights the common struggle and the obligation to work jointly to defend and promote the Holy Orthodoxy and the Orthodox Spirituality.

[09] VOULGARAKIS ON THE ILLEGAL ENTRY OF JOURNALISTS IN ATHENS' MAIN OLYMPIC STADIUM

Greek Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis issued a clear warning to foreign journalists in an interview with the Athens radio station Flash.

Mr. Voulgarakis stated, after the arrest of two London Times' journalists for trespassing on Athens' main Olympic Stadium, that given the high level of security in effect in view of the Olympic Games any irregular or illegal moves in the Olympic venues could lead to irreversible situations of a very high cost.

The Minister of Public Order also said that he briefed the British ambassador to Athens cautioning him that the Olympic venues are very strictly guarded.

For the record, just before midnight yesterday a London Times journalist and a photographer were arrested for trespassing on the main Olympic Stadium in Athens. Police released them after establishing their identity. They stated that they trespassed to test the security measures in effect. A similar incident involved German journalists at the old Athens airport.

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