Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-11-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] EARTHQUAKES IN JAPAN AND LIMNOS

[02] DECISION ON OLYMPIC AIRLINES

[03] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE ECONOMY

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE GREEK FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN

[05] FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN ALBANIA ARE IN GREEK BANKS

[06] MILITARY SERVICE FOR GREEKS ABROAD CUT TO THREE MONTHS

[07] EVENTS CONDEMNING THE TURKISH OCCUPATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

[08] INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF COMMUNIST PARTIES IN ATHENS

[09] EVENTS UNDER STRICT SECURITY MEASURES

[01] EARTHQUAKES IN JAPAN AND LIMNOS

An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 or 7.2, based on other calculations, was recorded in the early morning hours today in Japan. A 50-centimetre high tsunami warning was issued immediately. No victims or damages were recorded.

Four earthquakes, the strongest of which was 4.9 on the Richter scale, were recorded between 7.01 and 9.00 this morning in the sea region between the north Aegean islands of Limnos and Samothrace.

According to Thessaloniki Aristotle University Geophysics Laboratory seismologist Costas Papazachos, the region belongs to the north Aegean zone and is a continuation of the Anatolian fault in Greece. The region is very earthquake active and in the past has given strong earthquakes the strongest of which was recorded in 1981 and measured 7.2 on the Richter scale.

An earthquake measuring less than 4 on the Richter scale was recorded at 8.23 last night, while another tremor weaker than 3 on the Richter scale was recorded on November 12.

According to Mr. Papazachos, the earthquakes recorded are regarded as normal seismic activity and should not be a cause for concern.

[02] DECISION ON OLYMPIC AIRLINES

The governmental committee meets under Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to discuss the future of national airliner Olympic Airlines.

The Inter-ministerial Committee on Privatizations will also meet this afternoon on the same issue.

In statements he made last week, Prime Minister Karamanlis had announced a socially sensitive solution.

[03] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE ECONOMY

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos, responding to a barrage of questions on the country's economy and the withdrawal of securitization from the draft budget, stated that the further progress of the government's economic policy will be based mainly on measures of permanent nature that will focus on curbing public spending, and facing overspending and tax evasion without imposing additional taxes.

Mr. Rousopoulos observed that no other European country has managed to do so much in such a short period of time. Deficit was cut 2% of the GDP while, at the same time, the country has the highest growth rate in Eurozone (3.6%) having cut unemployment rate by 1%.

The European Commission recognizes the progress made in 2005 which is greater than 1.9% of the GDP surpassing its own predictions and was achieved through structural measures of a permanent nature. Deficit without securitization is 4.4% of the GDP. Therefore, the progress achieved is 2.2% of the GDP, stated Mr. Rousopoulos.

The government spokesman clarified that European Commissioner Almunia through public statements has given political approval to the process to proceed and now the technical processing conducted by the Greek government and Eurostat must continue expected to be completed by the end of 2005. Securitization was not included in the draft budget because it had to be submitted on November 21, added Mr. Rousopoulos.

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE GREEK FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos stated that there is no thought of withdrawing the Greek forces from Afghanistan.

Mr. Rousopoulos reminded that the Greek troops are on the outskirts of Kabul on a relevant UN mandate and that Greece has international obligations which will have to observe.

The government spokesman pointed out that Greece within the framework of the international force in Afghanistan has sent to the country a mechanized army company of 128 men to support the road construction networks and offer humanitarian work, while 45 individuals have manned the 291st mobile hospital since August 15, 2005. Also, after December 1, 2005 and for a period of four months a total of 44 Greek Air Force officers will take over the rotating command of the Kabul airport.

[05] FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN ALBANIA ARE IN GREEK BANKS

A total 15.05% of the Albanians deposit their savings in the four Greek banks with a presence in Albania, according to data provided by the Albanian Central Bank.

The four Greek banks, Alpha Bank, Tirana Bank (Piraeus Bank), the National Bank of Greece and Emporiki Bank, control a 39.82% share in the Albanian loan market and their profits correspond to 26.44% of the Albanian money and credit sector profits.

[06] MILITARY SERVICE FOR GREEKS ABROAD CUT TO THREE MONTHS

The compulsory military service for Greeks born abroad, who are also permanent residents abroad, was cut from 6 to 3 months.

This significant reform was made possible after consultations between Deputy Defense Minister Ioannis Lambropoulos and World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

According to the draft law on the military service of Greek nationals passed today by Parliament, military service is cut to three months while the Greeks living abroad can study in Greece without losing the permanent resident abroad status and the privileges entailed.

Alternate President of SAE Stefanos Tamvakis expressed full satisfaction and thanked Minister of National Defense Spilios Spiliotopoulos, Deputy Defense Minister Ioannis Lambropoulos and the Special Permanent cross-party Parliamentary Committee on Greeks abroad for the sensitivity they displayed and their decisive contribution.

[07] EVENTS CONDEMNING THE TURKISH OCCUPATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

A symbolic hunger strike was held by Cypriot students across the street from the Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki today condemning the continuing occupation of northern Cyprus on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Cypriot pseudostate.

The National Student Union of Cypriots in Thessaloniki organizes an event this afternoon with main speaker Cyprus' consul general Antonis Theocharous. A protest march to the Turkish consulate will follow after the end of the event.

In a press conference given at noon today in the presence of the Cypriot consul general, Macedonian Solidarity Movement for the Cypriot People vice-president Giorgos Christofidis and general secretary Theodoros Aspasidis called on the UN Secretary General and Security Council to take all necessary measures to safeguard the independence of the Cyprus Republic because it is grossly violated by the Turkish occupation and promote a fair, viable and functional solution based on the UN decisions and resolutions and the principles and rules on which the EU is founded.

[08] INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF COMMUNIST PARTIES IN ATHENS

An International Meeting of Communist and Labor Parties on the Contemporary Trends of capitalism and the economic, social and political consequences - The alternative way of the communists will take place in Athens on November 18-20.

A total of 72 political parties from 61 countries have signed up to attend the meeting.

Specifically, 42 political parties from Europe, 9 from the Middle East, 7 from Asia, 8 from Latin America, 2 from N. America, 3 from Africa and 1 from Australia will participate in the meeting.

[09] EVENTS UNDER STRICT SECURITY MEASURES

The three-day events commemorating the Athens Polytechnic School student uprising in 1973 have been launched across the country while strict security measures will be in effect until Friday.

In Athens, over 3,000 police officers will guard the area around Metsovio Polytechnic while they will also be deployed along the route to be followed by the march scheduled to take place.

In Thessaloniki, Thursday's great march to the US consulate will originate in the Polytechnic School at 4 in the afternoon. The march is co-organized by the Association of Jailed and Exiled Fighters and the Student Association of Aristotle University.

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