Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-10-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE MARKET IS UNDER CONTROL

[02] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS: THERE IS NO "TSAMOURIA" ISSUE

[03] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION

[05] ROUSOPOULOS: THE ISSUE OF THE GREEK PRESIDENT IS PREMATURE

[06] GREECE WAS ELECTED NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

[07] PROSECUTORS PROPOSED THE INDICTMENT OF KENTERIS AND THANOU

[08] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS IS ON A VISIT TO TIRANA

[01] THE MARKET IS UNDER CONTROL

The extreme weather conditions cannot spoil the picture of the market, stated Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas today calling on consumers to stay calm while he also announced that measures will be taken against profiteering.

The heating oil price is higher than 46 cents per litre in spite of the fact that starting today it will be sold with a reduced consumer tax. According to market specialists, the price of heating oil could, in certain cases, be higher than 50 cents per litre.

Those prices compared to last year's are increased by at least 40% because of the oil price hikes recorded in international markets reaching 55 US dollars a barrel.

The commitment that self-restraint will be sought to avoid placing an excessive burden on consumers was undertaken by market representatives in response to the continuous calls by the Ministry of Development.

[02] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS: THERE IS NO "TSAMOURIA" ISSUE

Albanian President Alfred Moisiu raised the issue of the alleged property of ethnic Albanians or Tsamides in Greece during the talks he had today with Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopulos who is on a formal visit to Albania.

Mr. Stephanopoulos stated that he believes that such an issue does not exist and pointed out that there is no reason to stir up the climate of suspiciousness that existed in the past.

He cited the friendship and cooperation treaty signed by Greece and Albania in 1996 which, in essence, leaves in the past the issue in question. He also pointed out that if such an issue, which was raised back in 1944, is stirred up then the claims raised by Greece back then will also have to be considered and that, he said, cannot be done.

Mr. Stephanopoulos and Mr. Moisiu expressed the wish that bilateral relations will improve further and problems will be overcome, while the Greek President expressed Greece's support to the prospect of Albania's EU and NATO membership. However, he called on the neighboring country to contribute to the improvement of the human rights situation and face the challenges of the times.

On the occasion of the violent incidents in football games, the two Presidents issued an appeal according to which, the climate of suspiciousness between the two peoples should be limited, while Mr. Stephanopoulos called on the journalists to contribute to this effort and serve the mutual interest of the two countries.

The day after tomorrow, President Stephanopoulos will visit regions of the Greek minority in Albania.

[03] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.52% at 2409.51 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 168,8 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 91 had gains and 190 had losses, while the value of 123 stocks remained unchanged.

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION

Minister of State and government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos refused to comment on the statements made last Saturday by former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis concerning the issue of corruption.

He stressed that the problem of corruption is not a problem concerning certain individuals but rather it is a matter of institutional interventions, which have already gotten underway by the government of New Democracy.

Responding to a question on the insinuations made by a press report on the wife of a government minister who works for a major businessman, Mr. Rousopoulos wondered whether everybody's job will be penalized.

[05] ROUSOPOULOS: THE ISSUE OF THE GREEK PRESIDENT IS PREMATURE

The issue of the election of the new Hellenic Republic President is premature, stated Minister of State and government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to questions by reporters on whether certain meetings or bargains have taken place based on insinuations made by former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

Mr. Rousopoulos stated that no discussion has been made on the issue and no consultations have taken place like the one mentioned by the press.

[06] GREECE WAS ELECTED NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Greece was elected as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2005-2006 by the UN General Assembly last Friday, October 15, 2004.

Greece's election was almost unanimous given the fact that it received 187 votes out of 189.

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis stated that this happened for the first time in the past 52 years and is a special honor for the country.

The Greek Foreign Minister's statement has as follows:

Today, the United Nations General Assembly elected - almost unanimously - Greece as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2005-2006.

This is the first time this has happened in 52 years, and is a particular honor for our country. It confirms the stature and credibility that Greece enjoys in the international community.

Our endeavor to be elected was initiated by the previous government and was brought to completion by the current one.

It is in the interest of our country for its foreign policy to be implemented with consensus and consistency.

During our two-year term in the Security Council, we will be guided by the basic principles of our foreign policy: dedication to peace, respect for international law, democracy and human rights, and the strengthening of international cooperation among all the peoples of the world.

The major issues on the Security Council agenda concern, inter alia, timely handling of and response to crises, the confronting of international terrorism, and the strengthening of stability and peace throughout the world.

Within this framework, in close cooperation with the other members of the Security Council, and with respect for international justice and legality, we will focus our attention and efforts on unstable regions, as well as on our wider region, our country's interest in which is self-evident.

We are committed to contributing with all our powers to further strengthening the role of the UN as the guardian of international law and peaceful coexistence and cooperation amongst peoples.

[07] PROSECUTORS PROPOSED THE INDICTMENT OF KENTERIS AND THANOU

The two prosecutors investigating the case of Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou accused of missing an anti-doping test during the Athens Olympic Games proposed that they should be indicted as well as their coach Christos Tzekos, who is accused of selling illegal nutrition supplements for athletes.

According to Athens radio station Flash, the two prosecutors also proposed the indictment of KAT Hospital doctors and the two eyewitnesses of the alleged motorcycle accident of August 13.

The findings of the two prosecutors have been submitted to prosecutor Papangelopoulos who will decide whether indictments will be launched.

[08] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS IS ON A VISIT TO TIRANA

Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos is on a three-day formal visit to Tirana at the invitation of his Albanian counterpart Alfred Moisiu.

Minister of Education Marietta Giannakou and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis accompany the Greek President.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will have private talks with his counterpart today and afterwards, he will meet with Greek and Albanian embassies officials. The two Presidents will give a press conference after the meeting.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet with the presiding board of the Greek minority political party Human Rights Union and afterwards, with the Omonia Presiding Board.

He will visit the Archbishopric of Tirana where he will meet with Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania.

Later in the evening, the Albanian President will give a formal dinner in honor of his Greek counterpart.

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