Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNED THE VIOLENT INCIDENTS AGAINST THE

[02] CONDOLENCES BY THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT FOR THE DEATHS OF THE SEVEN

[03] TWO MORE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE CASES WERE SENT TO THE PROSECUTOR

[04] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] THE GREEK DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER VISITED HUNGARY

[06] THE PRIME MINISTER HONORED THE PARALYMPIC GAMES WINNERS

[07] MESSAGE BY THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT

[08] THE TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS MINISTER ON OTE AND OA

[01] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNED THE VIOLENT INCIDENTS AGAINST THE GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos in the scheduled press briefing today condemned the acts of violence against the Greek minority in Albania, expressing the hope that such acts of violent intolerance will not be repeated and the Albanian authorities will take all necessary actions to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

He expressed the belief that the Albanian government will condemn those actions and reminded that the protection of minority and religious rights constitutes necessary condition for the course, the process of Stabilization and Association of Albania with the European Union. In general, this protection constitutes an element of - and is linked to - the European perspective and course of Albania, stated Mr. Koumoutsakos.

He also stated that no demarche has been made to the Albanian authorities in protest to the violent actions against the Greek minority.

For the record, the Albanian press has mentioned that the Christian Orthodox Church of Albania has called on the Albanian state to intervene to stop the violence targeting religious symbols on the occasion of the violence against a group of Christian Orthodox young people in a camping site near the St. Georgios Holy Monastery at the village of Tsuka, and the attack against the church in the village of Vouliarati.

[02] CONDOLENCES BY THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT FOR THE DEATHS OF THE SEVEN SCHOOLCHILDREN

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolences to Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos expressing the deep regret of the Russian people for the tragedy with the schoolchildren killed in a bus accident near Kamena Vourla, central Greece.

He stressed in his telegram that there is nothing more painful than losing children and extended his condolences to the families of the victims and all the Greeks.

[03] TWO MORE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE CASES WERE SENT TO THE PROSECUTOR

Two more defense supplies cases concerning the Ministry of Defense were sent to the prosecutor's office in Athens.

Ministry of Defense general secretary Giorgos Zorbas sent to the prosecutor the documents necessary to investigate the legal basis in the purchase of 2 Russian speedboats in the year 2000 used to carry military personnel and the contract for their docking at Amfiali estimated at over 177 million euros.

The second contract concerns the purchase of personnel carrier helicopters from NHL Industry in 2003.

[04] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

Significant losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.38% at 2328.24 points, while the volume of transactions was at 170,9 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 75 had gains and 189 had losses, while the value of 139 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] THE GREEK DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER VISITED HUNGARY

Greek Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Vasilis Michaloliakos completed his three-day visit to Hungary today.

Mr. Michaloliakos met with Hungarian Minister of Defense Ference Juhasz and Deputy Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs, Imre Ivancsik and Andras Barsony respectively.

Among the issues discussed were the participation in peacekeeping missions, the efforts against international terrorism, the EU enlargement and operation and the role of NATO.

Mr. Michaloliakos also briefed the Hungarian Minister of Defense on the Greek-Turkish relations and it was established that bilateral relations are at a good level, which can be further improved.

Mr. Michaloliakos visited the offices of the Greek community in Budapest and was briefed on the problems it faces, while he also visited Beloyiannis village.

[06] THE PRIME MINISTER HONORED THE PARALYMPIC GAMES WINNERS

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis honored the athletes who tried hard and were distinguished in the 12th Paralympic Games in Athens in a ceremony held at Zappeion Megaron Building today. In the ceremony were also present Deputy Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia and Undersecretary of Sports Giorgos Orphanos.

The Prime Minister talked with each one of the athletes personally and asked them about their experience of the games and the joy of winning a medal.

Mr. Karamanlis thanked the athletes for meeting the challenge of the Paralympic Games and congratulated them for their victories and successes.

[07] MESSAGE BY THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis in a message to Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos on the occasion of the national holiday in Cyprus underlined the Greek government's support to the efforts made by the government and the people of the Cypriot Republic aimed at a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Prime Minister points out that a new chapter in the history of Cyprus has opened with the accession of the Cypriot Republic into the European Union expressing the hope that this new course will contribute to the solution of the lingering political problem in Cyprus.

[08] THE TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS MINISTER ON OTE AND OA

Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Michalis Liapis stated that Olympic Airlines is in search of a buyer, while dialogue on the Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) will continue aimed at reforming the company and making it profitable. The statement was made after the meeting Mr. Liapis had today with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

Mr. Liapis stated to reporters after the meeting that he briefed the Prime Minister on his trip to Canada where he attended the ICAO General Assembly.

He stated that Civil Aviation is being upgraded which means that the Greek airlines and airports will enjoy a preferential status internationally regarding their security. Mr. Liapis stated that this is a big success for the Greek government and the Greek state.

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