Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-01-08
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 8, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STUDENTS DECIDE TODAY ON MOBILIZATIONS, STATE HARDENS STANCE
[02] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES CUTBACKS IN FLIGHT SCHEDULE
[03] NORTHERN GREEK EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION OPENS INTERNET PAGE
[04] GREECE'S DEPUTY FM TO HEAD PARTY DELEGATION ON ISRAEL VISIT
[05] AUSTRIAN AIRLINES BANS SMOKING ON ALL EUROPEAN FLIGHTS
[06] MORGAN STANLEY, GOLDMAN SACHS GIVE GREEK BONDS "THUMBS UP"
[07] GREEK PM: PASOK WILL PLACE GREECE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY
[08] JOURNALISTS PROMOTE PEACE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY
[09] THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF PASOK IS UNDERWAY
[10] THE PRIME MINISTER COMMENTED ON THE MOBILIZATIONS OF THE OA
PILOTS
[11] INFLATION IN GREECE WAS 3.9% IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
[12] NEW RECORD HIGH IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: SCHOOLS ARE OPEN
[14] KOSTAS KARAMANLIS WILL VISIT SARANTE TODAY
[15] REPPAS COMMENTED ON FYROM'S REQUEST TO USE THE NAME "REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA" IN TRADE TRANSACTIONS
[16] REPPAS: TURKISH INACCURACIES ON THE ATHENS FIR
[17] THE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER MET WITH THE NATO MILITARY
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] TURKISH GOVERNMENT SET FOR APPROVAL ON MONDAY
[19] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD IS A WINDOW TO GREECE'S ECONOMY
[20] GREECE BUYS 10 WATERBOMBERS FROM CANADA'S BOMBARDIER
[21] POST GRADUATE GREEK STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH INTERNET
[22] TWO NEW GREEK MAGAZINES PUBLISHED IN CANADA
[23] ALBANIAN SMUGGLERS THROW HUMAN CARGO IN THE ADRIATIC
[24] CONSULTATIONS CONTINUE IN THE US SENATE FOR THE CLINTON
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
[25] DUTCH NEWSPAPER PRESENTATION ON THE REBETIKA, THE GREEK
UNDERGROUND POPULAR SONGS
[26] THE MOUNT ATHOS MONASTERY OF HILANDARIOU RELIGIOUS PAINTINGS
EXHIBITION IN THE HAGUE
[27] FINNISH PREMIER TO OFFICIALLY VISIT GREECE THIS MONTH
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STUDENTS DECIDE TODAY ON MOBILIZATIONS, STATE HARDENS STANCE
High school students throughout the country are conducting
general assemblies today in order to decide on the fate of their
mobilizations which have been held in protest to educational
reforms.
Meanwhile, the state is hardening its stance by resorting to
legal action in order to put an end to school occupations by the
disgruntled students.
The state prosecutor has given an order that any student
caught blocking a road be taken into custody immediately.
Also, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that from
now on any students who continue to occupy schools will be marked
truant and inexcusably absent from class.
[02] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES CUTBACKS IN FLIGHT SCHEDULE
The administration of the national air carrier Olympic
Airways is to announce today a 15% reduction in the flight
schedule while, as of this morning, new flight cancellations have
taken place.
Specifically, the flights from the Athens airport to
Thessaloniki, Chania, Rhodes and the flight from Tel Aviv to
Athens have been canceled.
The Athens district attorney has ordered an investigation in
order to ascertain whether or not ex officio offenses took place
over the said cancellations.
[03] NORTHERN GREEK EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION OPENS INTERNET PAGE
The Association of Northern Greek Exporters (SEVE) has
established its own page on the Internet, in an effort to promote
the business activities of its affiliates.
The association's address is http://www.seve.gr, and the page
displays export-related services and data in the English
language.
The page also outlines European Union programs aimed at the
sector, trade
missions abroad, and links with the trade group's associates in 70
countries.
[04] GREECE'S DEPUTY FM TO HEAD PARTY DELEGATION ON ISRAEL VISIT
Greece's deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis is to
head a delegation of PASOK party officials at an official visit to
Israel on Sunday, January 10.
The delegates, among them PASOK central committee member
Theodoros Tsoukatos, is to also visit the Palestine self-rule
areas as they have been invited to Israel by both the Israeli
Labor Party and the Organization for the Liberation of
Palestine (PLO).
The delegates will meet with Labor Party leader Ehud Barak,
Israel's Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon, Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat and Jerusalem Patriarch Diodoros.
[05] AUSTRIAN AIRLINES BANS SMOKING ON ALL EUROPEAN FLIGHTS
Austrian Airlines has enforced a non-smoking policy on all of
its European flights and North Africa routes, as of January 1,
1999.
The air carrier decided to increase its non-smoking flights
after mounting passenger requests.
Austrian Airlines already features non-smoking flights to the
United States and Israel and plans to extend the said policy to
all flights, domestic and international, as of March 28, 1999.
This policy will also apply to its affiliate company "Austrian Air
Transport. "
Nevertheless, there is a provision for hopeless smokers as
the company will provide them with "nicotine inhalators."
[06] MORGAN STANLEY, GOLDMAN SACHS GIVE GREEK BONDS "THUMBS UP"
Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have given positive
assessments to the Greek market, advocating the state bonds in
spite of the recent "rally" in their prices.
The two financial institutions, hail the state bonds with
yielding credentials, stressing that their price increase also
attests to the apparent improvement in Greece's economy.
CNN also spoke in glowing terms for the state bonds,
featuring comments from Salomon Brothers officials in last night's
broadcast.
[07] GREEK PM: PASOK WILL PLACE GREECE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY
Greece's ruling PASOK party wants to and can ensure Greece's
passage from the economic and social fringes of Europe to a
position of dynamic welfare, social cohesion and credible
presence, stated the Prime minister Kostas Simitis during the
party's central committee meeting held this morning, where the
participants discussed the party's ideology and policy.
Referring to the party's upcoming fifth congress, Mr. Simitis
stated that the event should not become an introverted process
but, instead, should concern the society.
The congress will tackle three sectors: the original
September 4, 1974, declaration founding the party, the text of the
party's charter and a document outlining political programming
positions.
[08] JOURNALISTS PROMOTE PEACE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY
The image of the national and cultural differences through
the mass media of Greece and Turkey is the theme of the third
meeting to be held by the "Journalists in the Aegean and Thrace
for Peace" in the city of Komotene on February 5, 6, and 7.
The meeting will feature two units of discussion, one being
SMemorials of intolerance in Greece and Turkey. Finally, from
small type to front page" and "Nationally others in national
states. White pages in the mass media."
The meeting will feature 250 journalists, academics and
intellectuals from both countries.
[09] THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF PASOK IS UNDERWAY
The Central Committee meeting of the governing socialist
party of PASOK is underway in Athens.
In his speech prime minister Kostas Simitis stressed that
Greece's participation in the EMU will not solve all the problems
but the effort for the prosperity of the Greek society will
continue.
Mr. Simitis announced tax exemptions and the revision of the
objective criteria taxation system for 1999. He made an assessment
of PASOK's work in the past few years and launched an attack
against the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy.
The subjects of PASOK's Central Committee meeting are the
texts of the pre-party congress dialogue and the registration of
new party members.
[10] THE PRIME MINISTER COMMENTED ON THE MOBILIZATIONS OF THE OA
PILOTS
Prime minister Kostas Simitis referred to the mobilizations
of the pilots of the state-run airline Olympic Airways saying that
they do not take under consideration neither the social cost of
their mobilizations nor the wave of social reaction they can
cause.
Speaking in PASOK's Central Committee meeting, Mr. Simitis
stressed among others that this stance is the outcome of a failed
perception of a state of benefits as certain groups of employees
do not want to make the necessary compromise not only for the sake
of the airline and the preservation of their jobs but for the
prosperity of society as a whole.
[11] INFLATION IN GREECE WAS 3.9% IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Inflation in Greece dropped to 3.9% in the month of December,
compared to 4.2% in November.
Minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou
expressed the government's satisfaction over this development and
pointed out that the drop of inflation and the increase of tax
revenues exceeded the government's expectations especially taking
under consideration the recent crisis in the international
financial markets.
On the climate of euphoria observed in the Greek money market
in combination with the developments concerning the EURO, Mr.
Papantoniou suggested caution to all the factors of the Greek
economy and said that it would be a waste if the marathon, that
started in 1993 for Greece to join the EMU, will not end
successfully.
On the interest rates, he predicted a small cut in the first
half of 1999, a bigger cut in the second half of the current year
and an even bigger de-escalation in the year 2000.
On the new tax bill, Mr. Papantoniou pointed out that the
dialogue on the changes in the direct taxation aimed at making
things easier for wage-earners and pensioners will soon be
underway.
[12] NEW RECORD HIGH IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
New record high was recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index reached 3.003,54 increasing by 0.09%,
while the value of transactions was 108.8 billion drachmas.
In the banking sector, the National Bank of Greece share
closed at 70.400 drachmas, the Ionian Bank share at 16.200
drachmas, the Commercial Bank at 31.300 drachmas, the Ergo Bank
share at 35.900 drachmas and the Credit Bank share at 32.700
drachmas.
In the industry sector, the share of DELTA dairy industry
closed at 4.200 drachmas, the Greek Sugar Industry share at 2.530
drachmas, the state-run Telecommunications Organization, OTE,
share at 8.500 drachmas and the Intracom share at 15.080 drachmas.
[13] MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: SCHOOLS ARE OPEN
The schools have opened according to the ministry of
education with the exception of just a few of them in which the
damages caused during the students' protests have not been
restored yet.
However, according to the teachers' union 50% of the schools
in the region of Athens will continue to be under student
occupation.
In Thessaloniki, only 2 of the 153 secondary education school
buildings are still under occupation, while all the schools in the
region around Thessaloniki have opened for classes.
[14] KOSTAS KARAMANLIS WILL VISIT SARANTE TODAY
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis will visit the Albanian city of Sarante today as
well as the villages of Livadia, Dermisi and Aliko.
Mr. Karamanlis will meet with representatives of the Albanian
government and local administration, while at the village of
Dermisi he will lay the foundations of the water reservoir that
will be built with the financial support of the young party
members organization of New Democracy.
[15] REPPAS COMMENTED ON FYROM'S REQUEST TO USE THE NAME "REPUBLIC
OF MACEDONIA" IN TRADE TRANSACTIONS
The Greek government will not accept fait accompli and
treachery, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
yesterday commenting on the FYROM proposal made to foreign
minister Theodoros Pangalos to use the name "Republic of
Macedonia" in trade transactions.
Mr. Reppas stated that the position of Greece on that issue
has been totally clarified.
[16] REPPAS: TURKISH INACCURACIES ON THE ATHENS FIR
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas in statements he
made yesterday characterized as inaccuracies Turkey's allegations
over the Athens FIR and pointed out that the new radar systems
that will cover completely the existing needs will be ready to
operate by mid February.
On the contrary, said Mr. Reppas, Turkey's radar systems are
obsolete and not adequate even for the needs of the Istanbul FIR.
Turkey, said Mr. Reppas, does not have the right to speak about
the issue, while the percentage of flight delays it mentions is
not true as the percentage of flight delays recorded in Greece in
1998 was 17%, whereas in Britain was 21%.
Mr. Reppas expressed his regret because Ankara always invents
problems in order to create tension in bilateral relations.
[17] THE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER MET WITH THE NATO MILITARY
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos met in Athens
with the visiting NATO military committee chairman, general Klaus
Naumann.
The NATO high official visited Greece in view of the fact
that next April he will be replaced by head of Italian armed
forces, general Toburoni.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] TURKISH GOVERNMENT SET FOR APPROVAL ON MONDAY
Bulent Ecevit, who has been given the mandate to form a
government in turkey, has vowed to put an end to the political
crisis plaguing the country for over a month now.
Mr. Ecevit has stated that he will present his cabinet for
approval on Monday and is confident that he will be granted the
Parliament's support.
[19] COUNCIL OF GREEKS ABROAD IS A WINDOW TO GREECE'S ECONOMY
The Council of Greeks Abroad's Committee on Investment and
Venture Matters is to hold a seminar in Chicago on January 23,
presenting trade opportunities with Greece.
The issues will cover the span of imports, exports and
investments between the US and Greece.
The seminar has bend divided into four sections each
addressing the following sectors: 1) Distribution of Greek
Products in the United States, presented by the Athanasios
Makrandreou, trade attache of the Greek Embassy in Chicago 2)
Exports to Greece, presented by Charlie Reed, official of the
State of Illinois Trade Department 3) Investment Opportunities in
Greece, presented by Leonidas Ananiadis, the economic and trade
attache of the Greek Embassy in Washington 4) Funding Imports and
Exports, presented by Konstantinos Alisandratos of Broadway
Bank's Chicago branch.
[20] GREECE BUYS 10 WATERBOMBERS FROM CANADA'S BOMBARDIER
The Greek Defense Ministry has purchased 10 Canadair
waterbomber from Canada's Bombardier Aerospace at $380 million.
The contract includes spare parts, training and ground support
equipment.
The Greek Defense Ministry has also taken out an option for
five more of the Canadair 415 amphibious aircraft.
Greece has been a customer of Canada's Bombardier since 1972
and is the world's largest operator of the CL-215, the
predecessor to the CL-415, with 15 aircraft in operation. The
newer model is powered by turbo engines, rather than piston.
The 415s for Greece are being configured to conduct
search and rescue
missions as well. Deliveries will begin soon and extend through
2001.
[21] POST GRADUATE GREEK STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA THROUGH INTERNET
Australia's RMIT University in Melbourne is to feature a post-
graduate program in Greek Studies through the Internet as of the
following academic year (1999).
Those who want to specialize in the teaching of Greek as a
second language can obtain a post-graduate degree in Educational
Studies from RMIT's School of Language Cultures and Social
Sciences Department
For more information, the interested persons can contact the
Greek Center, RMIT University, P.O. Box 2476V. Melbourne 3001,
Victoria, Australia. ิel: 03 96392153, fax 03 96633325 or through
electronic mail at mimis@mars.eu.rmit.edu.au
[22] TWO NEW GREEK MAGAZINES PUBLISHED IN CANADA
Two new Greek magazines have began circulating in Canada, the
"Symposium" in Montreal and "Nostos" in Toronto, both in the
English language.
Their targeted readership is mainly the second and third
generations of Canada-born Greeks.
[23] ALBANIAN SMUGGLERS THROW HUMAN CARGO IN THE ADRIATIC
The Albanian captains of two dinghies carrying fifty persons
seeking illegal entry into Italy threw their human cargo overboard
into the cold waters of the Adriatic sea in order to avoid
apprehension by the Italian coast guard.
The dinghies set sail for Italy from Vlore and were
transporting Kurdish and Albanian illegal aliens.
A few miles off the shore of Printezi they were detected by
the Italian coast guard and forced the passengers, among them
women and children, to jump ship.
They ill-fated travelers were rescued by the Italian coast
guard, although six of them are presently hospitalized in Italy.
This event prompted Albanian Premier Panteli Majko to cal
Parliament into session on Monday, January 11, in order to
discuss legislation on curbing illegal emigration to Italy via
sea.
The President of the Albanian Parliament Skender Gianushi
told the Macedonian Press Agency that the House's plenary session
will discuss the Premier's request today, and it appears that it
will be approved.
[24] CONSULTATIONS CONTINUE IN THE US SENATE FOR THE CLINTON
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
In Washington, the US Senate continues the consultations on
the procedure that will be followed in the impeachment trial of US
president Bill Clinton.
The US Senate is deeply divided on the length of the
procedure. The Republicans maintain that witnesses should be
called to testify while the Democrats are opposed to this option.
It is not certain if Mr. Clinton will attend the hearing
procedure.
[25] DUTCH NEWSPAPER PRESENTATION ON THE REBETIKA, THE GREEK
UNDERGROUND POPULAR SONGS
A presentation on the history of the Greek underground
popular songs, called rebetika, that were sung by society outcasts
as well as, a special reference to Greek-Jewish singer of
rebetika, Roza Eskenazi were included in the cultural centerfold
of the Dutch newspaper "Het Parool".
The presentation also referred to the tragic consequences of
the Asia Minor disaster and the living conditions, mainly of the
refugees from the city of Ismir, who made their new homes in
ghetto-style neighborhoods at the edges of the big cities in
Greece.
[26] THE MOUNT ATHOS MONASTERY OF HILANDARIOU RELIGIOUS PAINTINGS
EXHIBITION IN THE HAGUE
The comments of the Dutch newspapers on the exhibition of
religious paintings that come from the Mount Athos Monastery of
Hilandariou were very positive.
Specifically, the largest Dutch newspaper "De Telegraf" and
the newspaper "Haagsche Courant" included very positive comments
in their culture sections concerning the quality of the exhibition
that is being held in The Hague. At the same time, they refer to
the history of the Monastery of Hilandariou and the way of life of
the monks in the monastic community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki,
northern Greece.
[27] FINNISH PREMIER TO OFFICIALLY VISIT GREECE THIS MONTH
The Prime Minster of Finland Paavo Liponen is to conduct an
official visit to Greece between January 17-19, in order to
discuss matters related to his country's undertaking of the
European Union's rotating presidency as of July 1, 1999.
Mr. Liponen will be received by the President of the Hellenic
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos , his Greek counterpart Kostas
Simitis and the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos
Kaklamanis.
According to reports, the talks will center on Cyprus's
accession to the EU.
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