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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-07-16
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 16, 1998
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD CONVENES IN THESSALONIKI
[02] FINANCE MINISTER: GREECE WILL BE READY TO ACCEDE THE EMU IN
1999
[03] DEFENSE MINSTER IN THESSALONIKI TO OBSERVE MILITARY EXERCISE
[04] EU EMPLOYMENT COMMISSIONER ARRIVES IN GREECE TODAY
[05] STATE RAILWAY EMPLOYEES DECLARE 24-HOUR STRIKE TODAY
[06] SINGER GRIGORIS BITHIKOTSIS UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL SURGERY
[07] INTR/NAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT SAMARANCH IN ATHENS
TODAY
[08] PREMIER TO MEET WITH MINISTERS OF PUBLIC ORDER AND INTERIOR
[09] POETESS JOE KARELLI DIES AT THE AGE OF 96
[10] SAE'S MEETING IN THESSALONIKI CONTINUES
[11] THE FUNERAL OF THE GREAT POETESS ZOI KARELLI WILL BE HELD
TOMORROW
[12] ND DEPUTY GERASIMOS GIAKOUMATOS APOLOGIZED FOR HIS BEHAVIOR
[13] ND DEPUTY VARSAMIS GIOVANOUDAS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE ND
PARLIAMENTARY GROUP SECRETARY
[14] DRAFT LAW ON IMPROVEMENT OF POLICE
[15] HALF THESSALONIKI REMAINS WITHOUT WATER
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TO VISIT FYROM NEXT WEEK
[17] YILMAZ DOES NOT RULE OUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ARMED CONFLICT
IN THE AEGEAN
[18] RADIATION LEAK IN KOZLODUI
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD CONVENES IN THESSALONIKI
The members of the World Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) are
to meet in Thessaloniki today and tomorrow in order to discuss the
action plan concerning the support program for the Greeks from the
former Soviet Union, as well as problems concerning the teaching
of the Greek language abroad.
The meeting will be attended by general secretary for Greeks
living abroad Stavros Labrinides.
[02] FINANCE MINISTER: GREECE WILL BE READY TO ACCEDE THE EMU IN
1999
The Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos
Papantoniou has stated that the course of privatizations is
impressive and pointed out that it will result in a whooping 1.5
trillion drachmas for the state's coffers.
Moreover, the Minster expressed his confidence that the
country will meet all the accession criteria for the Economic and
Monetary Union by the end of the year 1999.
[03] DEFENSE MINSTER IN THESSALONIKI TO OBSERVE MILITARY EXERCISE
The Minister of National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos will
arrive in Thessaloniki today in order to observe a major military
exercise, code-named 'Sarisa '98', at the Askos Profiti region.
The exercise is designed to test the operational capabilities
of the Second Army Corps after its conversion into a rapid
reaction force.
The exercise will involve a mechanized brigade, 34 UH-1H and
OH-58 helicopters, Apache helicopters, commando and paratrooper
units, as well as F-16, F-4 and Mirage fighters, along with
artillery units.
[04] EU EMPLOYMENT COMMISSIONER ARRIVES IN GREECE TODAY
The European Union's Commissioner for Employment and Social
Affairs Padraig Flynn is to arrive in Athens today for a two-day
visit where he will discuss issues concerning the EU's Social
Fund.
The Commissioner will be received by the Prime Minister
Costas Simitis, Labor Minister Miltiades Papaioannou and Health
and Welfare Minister Costas Geitonas.
According to Commission officials , Mr. Flynn will discuss EU
programs for the support of employment, proposed by Athens and
based on the Luxembourg summit decisions.
He is also expected to raise the issue of low EU fund
absorption rates by Greece, especially in regards to educational
and training programs.
[05] STATE RAILWAY EMPLOYEES DECLARE 24-HOUR STRIKE TODAY
Only those trains serving social needs are to run on the Athens-
Thessaloniki railway route, after the 24-hour strike declared by
the state-owned railway organization (OSE) workers.
Today's strike, declared by the railway employees federation,
is in protest against the government's plan to streamline their
company as part of a wider restructuring in the public sector.
Skeleton staff will provide one train per route in order to
lessen inconvenience to passengers whose journeys are urgent.
On July 23, coinciding with the state-wide strike declared by
the General Confederation of Greek Laborers, no trains will run
throughout the country.
[06] SINGER GRIGORIS BITHIKOTSIS UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL SURGERY
The bard of contemporary Greek music, singer Grigoris
Bithikotsis, underwent successful surgery in Athens yesterday,
having suffered aortic aneurism.
According to his physicians, the six-and-a-half hours
operation was successful and, if all goes well, Mr. Bithikotsis
will be able to go home in ten days.
Rightfully called "Sir", Mr. Âéthikotsis has sung the
stanzas written by some of Greece most famous and beloved poets,
such as Elitis, Gatsos, Ritsos, Seferis, and Varnalis.
He's also worked with some of Greece's greatest composers:
Manos Hatzidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, and Stavros Xarchakos.
[07] INTR/NAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT SAMARANCH IN ATHENS
TODAY
The president of the International Olympic Committee Juan
Antonio Samaranch is to arrive in Athens today in order to attend
the opening ceremony of the International Olympic Academy's annual
session this afternoon.
Mr. Samaranch will be arriving from Moscow, where he attended
the first World Youth Games. The 38th session of the International
Olympic Academy, which runs through July 30, will bring together
202 delegates from 97 countries, who will hear 16 speakers
addressing the theme "Olympism - Aspects of the Olympic Games".
[08] PREMIER TO MEET WITH MINISTERS OF PUBLIC ORDER AND INTERIOR
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to meet with the Ministers
of Public Order and Interior, George Romeos and Alekos
Papadopoulos respectively, at the Maximos Mansion today.
Meanwhile, the resigned supervisor of the Amarousi
Immigration office Andreas Soultatos has turned over additional
files containing incriminating evidence to the district attorney.
According to Mr. Soultatos , the DA now has in his possession
approximately 500 orders for illicit permits for foreigners.
[09] POETESS JOE KARELLI DIES AT THE AGE OF 96
Thessaloniki poetess Zoe Karelli died during the early
morning hours at the age of 96.
In her works, Ms. Karelli eloquently wove the ancient Greek spirit
with Christianity.
Since 1935, the poetess published 12 poem anthologies and
often collaborated with the literary periodical "Kochlias".
Ms. Karelli was also a corresponding member of the Athens
Academy and was also a candidate for the Nobel in Literature. A
frequent translator of T.S. Eliot's works, in 1956 she was
bestowed with the state award for her "Kassandra" anthology, while
in 1974 she was granted the State's Poetry Award. In 1978 she was
awarded by the Athens Academy while in 1988 she was named honorary
professor by the Aristotle University's School of Philosophy.
Three years ago, the president of the Hellenic Republic honored
her with the Palm Commander Award.
[10] SAE'S MEETING IN THESSALONIKI CONTINUES
The Helleniad (named after the Olympiad) of the young Greeks
living abroad which will take place in Thessaloniki in 1999 and
the legal identity of the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) are two
of the important issues discussed this morning in the meeting of
SAE's presiding board held in Thessaloniki.
In the meeting participate the Parliament deputies and
members of the Permanent All-Party Committee of the Greeks Abroad
(Niotis, Papas, Kounalakis, Intzes), general secretary of sports
Mr. Sgouros and special secretary of sports Mr. Stelios
Angeloudis.
[11] THE FUNERAL OF THE GREAT POETESS ZOI KARELLI WILL BE HELD
TOMORROW
The funeral of the great poetess Zoi Karelli, sister of
author Nikos-Gabriel Pentzikis, will be held in Thessaloniki
tomorrow morning. Zoi Karelli, who was honored for her poems with
many state prizes and also by the Athens Academy, died at the age
of 97.
In 1982 she was honored by the president of the Hellenic
Republic. She also wrote a number of theater plays performed by
the State Theater of Northern Greece.
[12] ND DEPUTY GERASIMOS GIAKOUMATOS APOLOGIZED FOR HIS BEHAVIOR
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Parliament
deputy Gerasimos Giakoumatos appeared before New Democracy
Parliamentary Group secretary Mr. Dimas and apologized for his
behavior saying that his statements were misinterpreted. He also
added that his statements were aimed at sensitizing the ministry
of public order to the big problem of the increased crime in the
country.
With this statement the whole issue ended without any further
repercussions for the Parliament deputy. Commenting on the issue,
honorary president of New Democracy Konstantinos Mitsotakis stated
that the behavior of the party deputies is unacceptable and
stressed that the party and its leadership should deal with the
problem.
Giakoumatos outraged by the fact that his house was
burglarized appeared on television brandishing a hand gun and
threatening that he will kill minister of public order Mr. Romeos
if his family and home are again in any danger.
Mr. Mitsotakis also accused the leadership of the socialist
governing party of PASOK and Parliament president Apostolos
Kaklamanis of hypocricy, pointing out that they refused a New
Democracy proposal to change the parliamentary immunity article.
[13] ND DEPUTY VARSAMIS GIOVANOUDAS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE ND
PARLIAMENTARY GROUP SECRETARY
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Parliament
deputy Varsamis Giovanoudas, elected in the prefecture of
Chalkidiki in northern Greece, will be called to appear before the
New Democracy Parliamentary Group secretary to present his side of
the story over the law suit filed against him by his 25yearold
former girlfriend, who accused him of beating her up.
According to the law suit filed against him, the 25yearold
Law student, with whom the Parliament deputy had an extramarital
affair, maintains that the Parliament deputy beat her up when she
told him that she wants to end their relationship.
The incident is being denied by the friends and family of Mr.
Giovanoudas, who is married and has two children.
[14] DRAFT LAW ON IMPROVEMENT OF POLICE
A draft law on the improvement of the police system at all
levels will be submitted to the Greek parliament in August. This
was announced today after the meeting prime minister Kostas
Simitis had with the minister of National Order Giorgos Romeos,
who briefed mr Simitis on the developments concerning his ministry
and the incidents of corruption in the police.
Mr Romeos, in statements he made, took full responsibility
for the 2000 and more visas he approved in order to legalize the
stay of foreigners in Greece and stressed that his action was
motivated by sensitivity, transparency and objectivity.
[15] HALF THESSALONIKI REMAINS WITHOUT WATER
The biggest part of Thessaloniki remained without water since
this morning due to damage caused to one of the main water pipes
of the city. According to a statement issued by the Water Supply
Organization of Thessaloniki, one of the three main water pipes,
which supplies a big part of the town with water, broke, while the
reason of the damage remains unknown. Based on the same statement,
the restoration of the damage will be completed tomorrow and thus
problems in water supply are expected to continue.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TO VISIT FYROM NEXT WEEK
NATO's secretary-general Javier Solana is to visit FYROM on
July 22-23 in order to discuss the latest developments in Kossovo
as well as the allied forces exercises to be conducted in Krivolac
between September12-18. Mr. Solana will be received by FYROM's
political leaders.
The Albanian exercises, agreed to in principle by NATO
foreign ministers in May, are being advanced to reflect growing
concern at the crisis in Kossovo, which the West fears could
destabilize the volatile Balkans region.
The ``Cooperative Assembly'' peace support exercises are
expected to involve troops from the United States, Britain,
Germany, Greece, Spain, France and Italy, along with Albanians.
The exercises will also provide an opportunity for Albanians
to have their teeth done as U.S. soldiers will bring a special
dental unit to treat the local population.
[17] YILMAZ DOES NOT RULE OUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ARMED CONFLICT
IN THE AEGEAN
Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz does not rule out the
likelihood of an armed conflict in the Aegean.
In an interview with the French political review "Politique
Internationale", part of which was broadcast by the BBC radio, the
Turkish prime minister accuses Greece of having aspirations to
make the Aegean a Greek sea and Cyprus a Greek island.
[18] RADIATION LEAK IN KOZLODUI
Radiation leak was caused today in the room where the
inactive- for the time being-nuclear reactor "2" of the nuclear
plant in Kozlodui is installed. This was announced by a statement
issued by the Committee for the peaceful use of atomic energy and
the Energy Committee of Bulgaria, which, also, noted that the leak
is limited.
Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available
on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at
http://www.hri.org/MPA/
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