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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-09-10

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 10, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS CONTINUES
  • [02] THE EARTHQUAKE WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING
  • [03] MPA RAISES MONEY FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS VIA INTERNET
  • [04] THE TURKISH JOURNALISTS EXPRESS SOLIDARITY TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
  • [05] THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE STRICKEN AREAS
  • [06] GERMAN ASSISTANCE TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
  • [07] THE GREEK PRESIDENT THANKED THE TURKISH RESCUE TEAM
  • [08] CYPRUS SENDS 200 TENTS AND 1.000 BLANKETS FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
  • [09] MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GREEK AND ALBANIAN STATE ELECTRICITY COMPANIES
  • [10] SIMITIS MEETS WITH POLITICAL LEADERS
  • [11] THE TOLL OF THE EARTHQUAKE RAISES TO 97
  • [12] FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE VICTIMS

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS CONTINUES

    The special rescue teams continue their efforts for the location of the 25 people who are still buried under the collapsed "Ricomex" factory plant, while rescue efforts continue in other 6 areas.

    Fire Department deputy chief Panagiotis Fourlas stated that the search for survivors will continue for five more days, while the health undersecretary stated that he is optimistic that more survivors will be found. Three people are still buried under the rubble of "Fourlis" factory plant and four under the collapsed "Faran" pharmaceutical plant, while there are many people still unaccounted for and believed to be buried under other collapsed buildings.

    Ninety eight people are confirmed dead and the number of those who lost their lives is expected to rise, while 375 people are hospitalized and 17 of them are in a critical condition. A total of 34 people are still unaccounted for.

    The inspection of buildings in the regions hit by the earthquake continues and already have been inspected 12.000 buildings. Of them, 1.700 were found to be unsafe and must be demolished, while 4.500 can be repaired. In general, 35% of the buildings housing businesses were found to be unsafe.

    Meanwhile, the rent subsidy offered by the state will be 80.000-110.000 drachmas depending on the members of each family, according to environment undersecretary Christos Verelis.

    [02] THE EARTHQUAKE WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING

    The interventions of the government aimed at dealing with the disaster that was caused by the earthquake was the main issue discussed in the cabinet meeting that was presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis.

    Minister of environment, land planning and public works Kostas Laliotis stated that a group of specialists has been formed to investigate the causes that led to the collapse of the buildings.

    The belief that the European Union will contribute to covering the cost of the damages caused by the earthquake was expressed by minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou, who stressed that the Greek side is making the necessary moves toward this direction. However, Mr. Papantoniou confirmed that the Greek economy is strong and underlined that there is no problem in the course of the economy.

    [03] MPA RAISES MONEY FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS VIA INTERNET

    The Macedonian Press Agency launched a campaign today aimed at raising money for the economic support of the earthquake stricken population in Athens via its site on the Internet (www.mpa.gr).

    The MPA, in its effort to contribute to the efforts aimed at dealing with the effects of the devastating earthquake that hit Athens on September 7, created this homepage through which all those who want to offer money for the relief of the earthquake victims can do so by using their credit cards. A special bank account has been opened for this purpose in the Egnatia Bank and the sum that will be collected will be sent to the responsible state authorities in order to be used in the best possible way.

    Anyone who wants to donate money for this purpose can contact MPA's site on the Internet and then transfer to the relevant homepage.

    [04] THE TURKISH JOURNALISTS EXPRESS SOLIDARITY TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

    The Turkish Association of Journalists has sent a letter to the Athens Association of Daily Newspapers' Journalists expressing solidarity to the earthquake victims.

    In their letter the Turkish journalists express their regret for the disaster that hit Athens and underline that they are ready to help in every way.

    Meanwhile, a Turkish man offers one of his kidneys to a Greek earthquake victim. He was one of the many Turks who telephoned the Greek embassy in Ankara offering assistance.

    The Turkish volunteer rescue team AKUT was the first to contact the Greek ambassador to Ankara immediately after the earthquake in Athens and offered to help in the rescue efforts.

    [05] THE PRESIDENT AND THE PRIME MINISTER VISITED THE EARTHQUAKE STRICKEN AREAS

    President of the republic Kostis Stephanopoulos visited the tent city in the region of Ano Liosia, mostly hit by the earthquake, where hundreds of people who were left homeless found refuge.

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis, who also visited a camp in Ano Liosia gave the assurance that the coordination of the government's efforts for the relief of the earthquake stricken population will be quick and effective to avoid any delays.

    [06] GERMAN ASSISTANCE TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

    The federal parliament in Germany opened its session with a moment of silence for the victims of the earthquakes in Greece and Turkey. The German parliament president has already sent a message of solidarity to his Greek counterpart, while similar messages have been sent by chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and foreign minister Joshka Fischer.

    Also, the German government has decided to assist Greece in the efforts to deal with the problems caused by the devastating earthquake. About 300 tents, 1.500 beds and 3.000 blankets are expected to arrive in Athens today, while a German 14-member rescue team and 11 specially trained dogs are already in Athens participating in the rescue efforts.

    [07] THE GREEK PRESIDENT THANKED THE TURKISH RESCUE TEAM

    The members of the Turkish rescue team AKUT that was first to arrive in Athens a few hours after the devastating earthquake of 5.9 on the Richter scale that hit Athens last Tuesday were received by Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos at the presidential building.

    The members of the Turkish team worked tirelessly to save the people who were buried alive under the rubble of the collapsed buildings and in a symbolic gesture they offered him a cap like the ones they are wearing in their rescue operations.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos thanked them for the assistance they have offered and wished that the two countries should not be needing disasters to bring them closer together. Mr. Stephanopoulos offered the Greek national emblem to the head of the Turkish rescue team.

    [08] CYPRUS SENDS 200 TENTS AND 1.000 BLANKETS FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

    Cyprus sends today 200 tents and 1.000 blankets for the earthquake victims in Athens. The Cypriot people were mobilized immediately after the devastating earthquake that hit Athens last Tuesday and offered their support to the people hit by the disaster.

    The Cypriot government offered the sum of 1 million dollars for the relief of the earthquake victims, while economic assistance is also being donated by the Church, the political parties, businesses and thousands of private citizens.

    [09] MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GREEK AND ALBANIAN STATE ELECTRICITY COMPANIES

    A memorandum of cooperation between the Greek State Electricity Company and the Albanian Electricity Company will be signed today by Greek minister of development Evangelos Venizelos and Albanian public economy minister Ili Bufi.

    Mr. Venizelos, speaking in the ministerial conference on energy that is being held in Thessaloniki today within the framework of the 64th International Trade Fair, stated that this memorandum is expected to give new dimensions to the cooperation between the two countries in the sector of energy.

    As it was made known, the Greek State Electricity Company will very soon sign an agreement with the Turkish Electricity Company linking the Greek and Turkish electricity systems.

    [10] SIMITIS MEETS WITH POLITICAL LEADERS

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis starts tomorrow having meetings with political leaders in order to inform them about the situation that is created after the powerful earthquake. Saturday Mr. Simitis will meet with Aleka Papariga, G.S. of KKE, president of "Sinaspismos" Niko Konstantopoulo and president of "Diki" Dimitri Tsovola. On Monday the prime minister will have contacts with the president of "Nea Dimocratia" Kosta Karamanli. Meanwhile, today the consequences of the earthquake is the subject of discussion of the Council of ministers.

    [11] THE TOLL OF THE EARTHQUAKE RAISES TO 97

    According to official information, ninety seven people have lots their lives up to now after the devastating earthquake of 5.9 on the Richter scale that hit Athens, while 24 are still missing and 375 people are treated in hospitals. Rescue teams continue their efforts to locate survivors under the debris of the buildings that collapsed during earthquake. Four people have been pulled out dead from the factory "Ricomex". raising the toll to twelve people while another nine were pulled alive. Three people are still trapped in the debris of "Fourlis" while at "Faran" four people remain under the ruins.

    [12] FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE VICTIMS

    Government started today paying the first financial assistance to those suffering the consequences of earthquake. An immediate 200.000 drachmas financial assistance is given to those who's house is not habitable permanently or temporarily. Meanwhile thousands of earthquake victims live under difficult conditions. According to minister of Interior Affairs, Vaso Papandreou, up to now 7.500 tents have been distributed and another 5.000 will be distributed today, while the army is going to create two camps for the victims of the earthquake.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS


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