Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-12-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE CHANGES IN DEKO DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT

[02] PALEOKRASSAS' VERSION

[03] PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS ON THE BUFFER ZONE

[04] MORE THAN 16,000 HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN GREECE

[05] TRANSPARENCY EVERYWHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE

[06] GREEK INTERVENTION IN THE UNWTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[01] THE CHANGES IN DEKO DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT

The debate on the new draft bill concerning the radical reforms to be put in effect in the public utility companies, known as DEKO, is launched in parliament today.

According to the government, the first goal is to combat overspending and reform the DEKO in debt while the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) have declared a 24-hour strike on December 14 stating that the proposed changes in DEKO turn the workers rights up side down.

In spite of the objections raised by the labour unions and DAKE (a labour organization well-disposed toward ruling party New Democracy) the philosophy of article 14 will not change but if there are proposals that can improve it they will be welcomed. In any case, this is the reason the dialogue takes place, commented Minister of Finance and Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis.

[02] PALEOKRASSAS' VERSION

The reasons that led him to resign were presented in a press conference by former Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC S.A.) President Yiannis Paleokrassas.

In his resignation letter addressed to the Prime Minister he had referred to a dirty war launched against him when he was in PPC S.A. and to corruption phenomena.

Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas characterized as hot air the allegations made by main opposition Socialist Party PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou and leading party members on corruption involving government officials and businessmen.

[03] PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS ON THE BUFFER ZONE

Cyprus Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos revealed the existence of a plan by the Turkish army to occupy half of the buffer zone in Cyprus.

On the occasion of the continuing projects constructed by the occupation forces in the buffer zone area at Lydra Street in Nicosia, the Cyprus Republic President warned that the Lydra Street case will not be allowed to become a precedent to be used by the occupation forces to claim about half of the buffer zone. It appears that this is their plan for the whole Cyprus, stated Mr. Papadopoulos.

[04] MORE THAN 16,000 HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN GREECE

The victims of human trafficking in Greece are between 16,000 and 20,000, according to unofficial figures presented in the one-day conference on Immigrants, rights, legal framework, human trafficking and child pornography organized by the International Police Association - Greek section under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry.

According to Thessaloniki Police Director Stergios Apostolidis, the women who are victims of human trafficking face serious psychological problems and few of them can or want to bring those responsible to justice. A special police service, the anti-trafficking team, has been established for this purpose and since 2003 it has filed a total of 16 lawsuits and has proceeded with the arrests of 151 individuals.

During the past two years, 45 women, victims of human trafficking between the ages 17-33, have stayed at Thessaloniki hotels and in the shelter at the Rehabilitation Center for victims of torture and other forms of abuse. According to Stavros Boufidis, who is in charge of the Center, the problems are many due to lack of funds.

The participants from Albania, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro and Turkey outlined the situation in their countries, underlining that exact figures on the number of victims are impossible.

The trafficking cases concerning the removal and transplant of human organs in Moldova were shocking. According to Pavel Concear from the Moldova delegation, a total of 6 human organ removal cases were recorded in the first 9 months of 2005 concerning specifically, parts of liver and kidneys. In those cases, the victims consented to undergo surgical organ removal operations in private or public clinics for 5,000-10,000 euros.

Detailed information on the situation in Cyprus were given by police marshal Stavros Stavrou, stressing that most foreign women arrive on the island legally as tourists, estimated at 2,600, most of whom are victims of human trafficking.

[05] TRANSPARENCY EVERYWHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE

Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC S.A.) former president Yiannis Paleokrassas outlined the reasons that led to his resignation while in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister he spoke of a dirty war launched against him in PPC S.A. by corruption forces.

The government's position in favor of transparency is known stated Minister of State Thodoris Rousopoulos fully backing Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas who was the target of an attack launched by former PPC S.A. President.

The allegations made by main opposition Socialist Party PASOK on corruption involving government officials and businessmen were characterized as hot air by Mr. Sioufas.

[06] GREEK INTERVENTION IN THE UNWTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Greece made an intervention of international importance during the 16th Session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly held in Dakar, Senegal. Specifically, after a proposal by Deputy Minister of Tourism Anastasios Liaskos no tourist agencies from entities, that are self-styled states in violation of international law and are no UN members, will be accepted as associate UNWTO members.

The general assembly agreed that such candidatures can come only from UN member states and not from entities like the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

With another amendment proposed by the Cyprus Republic, actively supported by the Greek delegation, it was agreed that the General Assembly will not examine candidacies of agencies based on territory under dispute within the framework of the United Nations or with activities related to such a territory. An exception will be made in case no UNWTO full member objects to the candidacy of such an agency.

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