Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-11-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT NEUTRALITY, PASOK IN FAVOR OF KERRY

[02] NEW TURKISH PROVOCATION IN THE AEGEAN

[03] THE ETE GOVERNOR ON THE GREEK ECONOMY

[04] IMPRESSIVE GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] THE GREEK NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF DENIED THAT A TURKISH

[06] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS

[07] OPINION POLL ON CORRUPTION

[08] GREEK AMERICANS IN THE US ELECTION BATTLE

[09] AMERICA OPTS FOR VISION

[01] GOVERNMENT NEUTRALITY, PASOK IN FAVOR OF KERRY

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis expressed the view that there will be no huge differences if George Bush or John Kerry wins in the US Presidential election today, stressing that relations with the US should be managed in the best possible way for the benefit of the Greek people.

Asked to comment on the US-EU relations, Mr. Valinakis stated that the US should listen more to the European positions adding that the EU is a voice of moderation and such a voice is good for the international scene.

Opposition party of PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou stated that after the polls are closed it will be seen if the people of the only superpower today will be guided by fear or by hope for a better future.

[02] NEW TURKISH PROVOCATION IN THE AEGEAN

New Turkish provocation was recorded in the Aegean today. A little after 11:30 this morning a Greek military helicopter was flying from the island of Kastelorizo en route to Rhodes in southeastern Aegean when two Turkish fighter jets flew very close to it.

According to the Greek Air Force General Staff, the Turkish fighter jets came as close as 500 feet to the Greek helicopter at an altitude of 1,000 feet and harassed it.

[03] THE ETE GOVERNOR ON THE GREEK ECONOMY

National Bank of Greece, ETE, Governor Mr. Takis Arapoglou expressed the view that the social security issue should be settled soon and the job market must be liberated in spite of the fact that these reforms could bring a short-term increase of unemployment.

He said that the challenges faced by the Greek economy are the oversized public sector, the anachronistic public administration, the inadequate measures aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, education, the liberalization of the job market and the extraversion of businesses.

The ETE Governor stated that the Greek attitude should change in its entirety underlining that we should stop blaming for our own mistakes either the state or the foreigners.

[04] IMPRESSIVE GAINS IN THE ASE

Impressive gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.99% at 2548.75 points, while the volume of transactions was at 237,7 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 189 had gains and 90 had losses, while the value of 127 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] THE GREEK NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF DENIED THAT A TURKISH HELICOPTER APPROACHED IMIA

The Greek National Defense General Staff denied press information according to which, a Turkish military helicopter flew over the rocky islets of Imia in southeastern Aegean without being spotted by the Greek armed forces.

In a statement issued by the Greek National Defense General Staff it is mentioned that no Turkish armed forces helicopter approached the rocky islets of Imia. It mentions, however, that it is a fact that at 15:20 yesterday an unidentified helicopter, possibly a Turkish Coastguard helicopter, flew over eastern Imia at an altitude of 300 feet. The flight over Greek territorial waters lasted 30 seconds and the helicopter appeared on the radar screens, while the flight was also confirmed by an observation post, which gave a relevant description.

The Greek Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defense proceeded to undertake all necessary action, the statement concludes.

[06] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS

The government briefs NATO and the EU Presidency every time the Greek national airspace is violated, stressed Minister of State and government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to the question on the harassment of a Greek military helicopter by two Turkish fighter jets today while flying from the island of Kastelorizo to Rhodes in southeastern Aegean.

Mr. Rousopoulos also denied an Athens newspaper report on the likelihood to have the defense dogma revised.

[07] OPINION POLL ON CORRUPTION

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and the government of New Democracy want to face corruption, replied 50.5% of the people who responded to an opinion poll conducted by Kapa Research polling company on behalf of the Athens television station ANT1. Meanwhile, 43.2% responded that ND wants to benefit its own people.

Mr. Karamanlis is regarded as more fit to face corruption (45.2%) compared to PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou (17%), while 32% of those who responded to the questionnaire maintained that neither of them is capable to combat corruption.

Corruption is associated only with PASOK according to 24.7% of those asked, while 2.1% believe that it is associated with the government of New Democracy, 26.1% with both major political parties and 46.2% with the whole political system. Meanwhile, an 82% believes that early elections will not help to face corruption.

Responding to the question who has greater power in the country, 48.3% replied the United States, 46.5% the television stations, 37.8% the Prime Minister, 33.7% the major businessmen, followed by the cabinet, the Church, the newspapers, the European Union, the Association of Greek Industries, public employees and the General Confederation of Labor Unions.

[08] GREEK AMERICANS IN THE US ELECTION BATTLE

The Greek American community has two new candidates battling for a seat in the US Congress.

According to the Greek American newspaper GreekNews, lawyer and businessman Kostas Alexakis is a Democratic candidate from Maryland who runs for a seat in the US House of Representatives.

Another Greek American US House of Representatives candidate is Harry Scolinos, who runs with the Republican Party in Pasadena, California.

Both are regarded as strong candidates and if elected will be colleagues with Greek American Michael Bilirakis from Florida, who runs for re-election in the US House of Representatives.

[09] AMERICA OPTS FOR VISION

Polls have opened in the United States where the American people vote today to elect a new President. According to opinion polls, the result of this presidential election is very hard to predict given that neither incumbent President Bush nor Senator Kerry have a clear lead.

The last opinion polls have showed that the election of the new President in essence will depend on the outcome in 10 US states where the two rivals appear to be close, while it is unclear if the election campaign tours made in the past few days by both presidential candidates have affected the electorate and to what extent.

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