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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-09-07

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

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


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 7, 1999

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] STEPHANOPOULOS AND SIMITIS ARE OPTIMISTIC ON THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY
  • [02] THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE
  • [03] THESSALONIKI'S 64TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR CONTINUES SUCCESSFULLY
  • [04] FAVORABLE CLIMATE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY
  • [05] FURTHER DROP OF INFLATION
  • [06] IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS
  • [07] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HIT ATHENS
  • [08] PANIC FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN ATHENS
  • [09] PAPAZACHOS: A STRONGER EARTHQUAKE IS UNLIKELY
  • [10] FIVE PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE EARTHQUAKE THAT HIT ATHENS
  • [11] STATEMENTS BY THE ATHENS OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR
  • [12] AT LEAST 6 PEOPLE DIED IN THE EARTHQUAKE
  • [13] EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CABINET TO ASSESS THE SITUATION
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS


    NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] STEPHANOPOULOS AND SIMITIS ARE OPTIMISTIC ON THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY

    President of the republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and prime minister Kostas Simitis appeared optimistic on the course of the economy in the meeting they had today.

    Mr. Simitis said to Mr. Stephanopoulos that the course of the economy is good and that there will be a new round of development. "There is no doubt about it" responded the president.

    The prime minister characterized the period of time that will follow as especially important, pointing out that it will be crucial for Greece's accession into the EMU at an equal footing with the rest EU member-states. He also added that the economic policy of the government will continue its steady course.

    [02] THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE

    There is potential for a serious initiative concerning the solution of the Cyprus problem, stated Greek deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis after his meeting with the new US coordinator to the Cyprus problem, Tom Weston.

    From his side, the US diplomat underlined that there are positive elements at an international level for the solution of the Cyprus problem and characterized as useful the contacts he had both with Mr. Kranidiotis and Cypriot Republic president Glafkos Clerides as well as with Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides.

    Mr. Kranidiotis wished that the efforts will bring results and that Mr. Weston will be the last mediator to the problem.

    [03] THESSALONIKI'S 64TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR CONTINUES SUCCESSFULLY

    Thousands of people from all over Greece and from Balkan and European Union states have already visited Thessaloniki's 64th International Trade Fair which covers even a biggest space compared to the past 63 exhibitions.

    Meanwhile, the results of the two-day summit meeting of the Balkan energy ministers, that will be held on September 9 and 10, are expected with great interest.

    [04] FAVORABLE CLIMATE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou characterized as favorable the climate that has been created between Greece and Turkey after yesterday's governmental meeting that was presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis.

    Mr. Papandreou admitted that there are problems between the two countries on specific issues but he stressed that Greece's goal is to work toward the improvement of bilateral relations under conditions. On October 12 and 13 the Greek- Turkish Business Cooperation Council will convene in Athens.

    Meanwhile, right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy accuses the government of hurting the country's interests in order to win the praises of third parties.

    [05] FURTHER DROP OF INFLATION

    The ministry of national economy and finance is expected to announce today that inflation in Greece has dropped further.

    According to information, inflation in the month of August was 2% compared to 2.1% in the month of July. Meanwhile, the government's plan for the reconstruction of the Balkans will be presented today by the minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou.

    The draft law proposed by the ministry of finance which concerns the changes in taxation will be announced on Thursday.

    [06] IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS

    An opinion poll conducted on behalf of the newspaper "Angelioforos" in Thessaloniki recorded a change in the voters' stance in favor of the government.

    The governing socialist party of PASOK comes first in the preference of those questioned with 29.6%, followed by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy with 27.8%, while 65.3% want the government to serve its full four year term. Also, 43.3% believes that the Simitis government is the most fit solution, while 40.4% responded that there is a more fit alternative solution.

    The opinion poll was conducted after the announcement of the package of economic benefits by the prime minister and the percentage for each political party is PASOK 29.6%, New Democracy 27.8%, Communist Party 5.7%, Social Democratic Movement 4.8%, Coalition of the Left 4.1%, Political Spring 1.3%, Liberals 0.7%, while the floating vote is 15.1%.

    [07] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HIT ATHENS

    An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit the Greek capital of Athens at 14:56pm today. According to Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory, the epicenter was located 20 kilometers north-east of Athens in the region of Parnitha.

    The earthquake that is being followed by strong aftershocks caused panic to the people and electricity was cut off in many regions.

    The Fire Department received calls according to which, a house has collapsed and an apartment building in the region of Metamorfosi suffered serious damages. Also, damages were caused to a two-storey building and an old house in the region of Pangrati at the center of Athens.

    There are unconfirmed reports of one person dead possibly from a heart attack, while a number of people are reported being under the rubble.

    [08] PANIC FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN ATHENS

    Panic and traffic jams were caused by the 5.9 on the Richter scale earthquake in Athens.

    The residents of the capital abandoned their homes fearing for their safety while the radio and television stations are calling on the people to maintain their calm. Two old houses collapsed and the Fire Department receives telephone calls to free people who have been in elevators at the time of the earthquake.

    [09] PAPAZACHOS: A STRONGER EARTHQUAKE IS UNLIKELY

    Aristotle University Seismology professor Vasilis Papazachos stated to MPA that the earthquake that hit Athens at 14:56pm today and measured 5.9 on the Richter scale has no relation whatsoever with the earthquake that hit north- western Turkey on August 17. He underlined that the fault which gave today's earthquake had given only small earthquakes in the last two centuries.

    Mr. Papazachos stated that the earthquake was felt with great intensity in the region of Athens because the specific fault has vertical direction to the city and the tremor came from a depth of 10 kilometers very close to the earth's surface.

    Mr. Papazachos stressed that a stronger earthquake is unlikely and that he bases his assessment to the fact that the aftershocks have a gradually smaller intensity.

    There are only unconfirmed reports of one person who died from a heart attack, while a number of people were trapped inside elevators when the electricity was cut off.

    [10] FIVE PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE EARTHQUAKE THAT HIT ATHENS

    Five people lost their lives in the earthquake of 5.9 on the Richter scale that hit Athens at 14:56pm today, while a large number of people have been injured.

    According to police information, two people died from heart attacks and three were killed when a building collapsed.

    The seismologists are studying the earthquake but they can not make any predictions, according to Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory seismologist Mr. Skordilis. He said that there is an intense aftershock activity, adding that an increased seismic activity is recorded in the region of eastern Mediterranean.

    [11] STATEMENTS BY THE ATHENS OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR

    Athens Observatory director Mr. Stavrakakis stated that the earthquake of 5.9 on the Richter scale that hit Athens at 14:56pm today is possibly the main earthquake adding that it was followed by a number of aftershocks.

    He said that the intense aftershock activity is expected to last a few hours and suggested to the residents of Athens to be careful and stay calm.

    [12] AT LEAST 6 PEOPLE DIED IN THE EARTHQUAKE

    At least 6 people died in the earthquake that hit Athens early this afternoon and measured 5.9 on the Richter scale.

    Two of the victims died from heart attack and four were killed when they were buried under the rubble of two collapsed buildings. A number of people are trapped under the building housing the industry plant of "Fourlis" in Kato Kifisia which has collapsed, while a four-storey apartment building has also collapsed in Metamorfosi and under the rubble have been buried alive at least 20 people, according to the existing information. Also, it is believed that at least 15 people are under another apartment building that has collapsed at Agia Sofia street. According to information, a total of 50 buildings have collapsed and many people have been injured.

    [13] EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CABINET TO ASSESS THE SITUATION

    An emergency cabinet meeting was held in Athens to assess the situation created by the strong earthquake that hit the region of the Greek capital at 14:56pm today and measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. In the meeting that was presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis participated the ministers of interior, health, defense, press, environment land planning and public works, development and public order.

    After the end of the meeting, minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that military units are on their way to the regions mostly hit by the earthquake.

    Minister of press and government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed regret for the victims and their families and called on the people to maintain their calm, while he suggested that they should keep the streets open for the emergency services. He stated that the state mechanism was mobilized immediately and effectively and expressed the hope that the effects of the earthquake will be dealt with quickly.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS


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