Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-03-01

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] RESPONSIBILITY AND CRISIS

[02] THE PRIME MINISTER ON A TWO-DAY BALKAN TOUR

[03] ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES LAUNCH INVESTIGATION ON BABY TRADE

[04] NEW ALLEGATIONS TARGETING JUSTICE SERVANTS

[05] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE HOLY LIGHT CEREMONY IN JERUSALEM

[06] KYSEA DISCUSSED THE NATIONAL DEFENSE POLICY

[07] MARCH CAME WITH SNOW

[01] RESPONSIBILITY AND CRISIS

Metropolite Theoklitos of Thessaliotida tendered his resignation to the Church of Greece Holy Synod today assuming responsibility for proposing to the Church to use Iakovos Giosakis, while he is also scheduled to testify to the prosecutor and state everything he knows about the activities of Giosakis.

The Metropolite of Piraeus reacted strongly to the allegations made by Theoklitos against the ecclesiastical organization Chrisopigi.

Meanwhile, Metropolite Panteleimon of Attiki and Metropolite Dionisios of Chios will give explanations for the huge personnel assets they allegedly have.

Metropolite Germanos blames for the crisis the Archbishop and suggested his replacement by Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania.

A climate of consensus was observed in the meeting the Archbishop had yesterday with 10 Metropolites.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the polling company Kappa Research, 55% of the people who responded to the questionnaire believe that the Archbishop has responsibility for the crisis.

Athens daily Apogevmatini published a letter by Iakovos Giosakis addressed to the Archbishop on the election of the Metropolite of Kythera.

[02] THE PRIME MINISTER ON A TWO-DAY BALKAN TOUR

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will be on a two-day tour of Balkan cities on March 2 and 3.

During his visit to Zagreb, Belgrade and Pristina he will discuss bilateral relations and developments in the region in the light of the talks held recently in NATO and the EU.

In Brussels, Mr. Karamanlis had referred to the need for stability in the Balkans, stressing the need for necessary preconditions that will lead to the region's economic development. He had characterized the situation in Kosovo as temporary and had pointed out that a situation that could lead again to destabilization cannot be tolerated.

First stop of the Prime Minister's Balkan tour will be Zagreb tomorrow and later on the same day he will depart for Belgrade. On March 3, he will leave for Pristina and later in the afternoon he will return to Athens.

[03] ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES LAUNCH INVESTIGATION ON BABY TRADE

The Tirana prosecutor has filed a request for assistance to the Greek court authorities within the framework of the court investigation held on the occasion of the allegations concerning an international baby-trade ring.

The case came to light when a Greek embassy to Tirana report was made public referring to a baby-trade ring active in Greece, Albania, Italy and other Balkan states.

On the occasion of the above-mentioned allegations, the Giannitsa prosecutor has ordered a preliminary investigation currently in progress.

According to a news report on the Thessaloniki daily Angelioforos, the Albanian authorities have allegedly gathered evidence concerning the snatching of a newly born baby-boy from his young mother who gave birth in a private clinic in northern Greece.

[04] NEW ALLEGATIONS TARGETING JUSTICE SERVANTS

Allegations have reached the Supreme Court according to which, a court judge has bank accounts of over 7 million euros in Switzerland. Other two justice servants, one in a small city and another one in Athens, live like tycoons while their wages alone could not support their luxury living.

Meanwhile, the list with the names of judges and prosecutors to appear before the Supreme Court plenary session facing dismissal, either accused of corruption or for being incompetent, becomes longer by the day.

By the end of the week, an estimated four or five more judges are likely to be called to appear before the Supreme Court plenary session.

[05] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE HOLY LIGHT CEREMONY IN JERUSALEM

Acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros was asked to comment on the information according to which, the Orthodox Armenians want to be the ones to get the Holy Light from the Holy Sepulchre.

Mr. Antonaros stated that he has no information on the issue and stressed that he is certain that what was observed for many years will continue to be observed.

[06] KYSEA DISCUSSED THE NATIONAL DEFENSE POLICY

The Governmental Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense, KYSEA, met today under Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and discussed the national defense policy. Acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros stated that the policy for the protection and shielding of the country moves around three axes.

He stated that all necessary measures are being taken in the north to face asymmetrical threats such as terrorism, arms trafficking, international crime and instability.

There is an improvement in the Greek-Turkish relations and Greece supports Turkey's European prospect. However, Turkey has not changed its policy of disputing the Greek sovereign rights. Therefore, Greece has the obligation to keep a sufficient, deterrent and reliable force.

Cyprus' accession into the EU creates a new situation in Cyprus and the efforts for a stable and viable solution for the reunification of the island within the UN framework. Until the situation normalizes, Cyprus will have Greece's undivided and multi-level support and Greece will participate actively in Cyprus' security issues.

[07] MARCH CAME WITH SNOW

A wave of bad weather, with snow and very strong north winds, hit northern Greece since the early morning hours today. Snow has covered even regions close to the sea level while temperature has dropped below zero.

Heavy snow is falling in the city of Thessaloniki causing no problems to commuters. Snowfall is recorded in all four prefectures of western Macedonia, while in the prefecture of Kozani schools are closed today.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article