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Macedonian Press of Agency: News in English, 99-09-29

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 29, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] NEW MEASURES TO BE DRAWN IN ATHENS BOURSE
  • [02] GREECE'S OLYMPIAKOS BEATS NORWAY'S MOLDE 3- 1
  • [03] GREECE'S PER CAPITA GDP IS LOWEST AMONG EU MEMBERS
  • [04] JAPANESE BUSINESS DELEGATION TO VISIT THRACE NEXT WEEK
  • [05] PRESIDENT OF UGANDA CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO GREECE
  • [06] ECONOMY MINISTER TO MEET WITH ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA
  • [07] COMMUNIST PARTY MPS INQUIRE OVER EPISODE WITH BRITISH TROOPS
  • [08] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER TRAVELS TO BRUSSELS FOR EPP
  • [09] REPPAS: THE US AND THE G8 UNDERTOOK INITIATIVES ON CYPRUS
  • [10] THE POLICE PATROLS WILL BE INCREASED IN URBAN AREAS
  • [11] THE DRAFT BILL ON THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE STATE-RUN ATHENS-PIRAEUS WATER SUPPLY COMPANY WAS VOTED THROUGH
  • [12] STABILIZATION TRENDS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
  • [13] 67.9% IN FAVOR OF THE RE-ELECTION OF KOSTIS STEPHANOPOULOS TO THE PRESIDENCY
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [14] GREECE IS READY FOR EMU ACCESSION, ECONOMY MINISTER SAYS
  • [15] TURKEY'S PM DISCUSSES G/T RELATIONS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON
  • [16] US PRESIDENT CLINTON OPTIMISTIC OVER BREAKTHROUGH IN CYPRUS
  • [17] UNITED STATES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO VISIT GREECE IN NOVEMBER
  • [18] GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER TO CONDUCT VISIT TO ATHENS
  • [19] ATHENS-SKOPJE TWICE A WEEK WITH OLYMPIC AIRWAYS FLIGHT
  • [20] UKRAINE WILL PAY DAMAGES TO NEXT OF KIN OF YAKOVLEV CRASH
  • [21] BELGRADE-THESSALONIKI RAILWAY ROUTE TO OPERATE AGAIN
  • [22] GIORGOS PAPANDREOU WILL GIVE LECTURES IN ISTANBUL
  • [23] 2.400.000 CHILDREN DIE EACH YEAR FROM LACK OF DRINKING WATER
  • [24] THE GREEK AND TURKISH RESCUE TEAMS, EMAK AND AKUT, WERE HONORED BY BUSINESSMEN ACTIVE IN THE SECTOR OF TOURISM
  • [25] NEW STRONG EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY
  • [26] STOYANOV: GREECE AND TURKEY ARE THE MOST ACTIVE SUPPORTERS OF BULGARIA'S BID FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] NEW MEASURES TO BE DRAWN IN ATHENS BOURSE

    In an effort to ensure transparency in bourse transactions, the Bank of Greece and the capital markets committee are to permit direct loans from the stock companies to the private investors.

    Moreover, the Bank of Greece is planning to drop interest rates in the first half of October, a development which is expected to lead the way for other banks as well and, hence, significantly boost the bourse's investing sectors.

    The Bank of Greece will proceed to lowering interest rates, fuelled by the belief that inflation will be reduced and maintained at below the coveted two-percent level, thus facilitating the country's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union.

    [02] GREECE'S OLYMPIAKOS BEATS NORWAY'S MOLDE 3- 1

    Greece's Olympiakos last night beat Norway's Molde FK 3-1 at Athens' Olympic Stadium, in a match for Group E of the European Champions League.

    Scorers: Olympiakos: Giovanni 15, 69, Luciano 77 Molde: Lund 58.

    [03] GREECE'S PER CAPITA GDP IS LOWEST AMONG EU MEMBERS

    Greece's per capita income as a proportion of gross domestic product is the lowest in the European Union, representing 68 percent of the 15-nation bloc's average, according to an EU survey recently released.

    Per capita GDP in Greece is approximately equal to that of Slovenia, at 67 percent of the EU average, and the Czech Republic, at 65 percent of the average, said the Eurostat's survey, which includes the 10 eastern and central European countries being considered for EU entry.

    The region in the EU's member states with the lowest per capita GDP is Epirus at 44 percent of the EU average.

    [04] JAPANESE BUSINESS DELEGATION TO VISIT THRACE NEXT WEEK

    A delegation of Japanese businessmen is to visit Thrace, in Northern Greece, next month, in order to look into the opportunities for economic and trade liaisons with local ventures.

    The Japanese guests, comprising officials from the embassy of Japan and their country's Foreign Trade Organization, are to visit Thrace on October 4-5 upon the invitation of the Rodopi- Evros local administration, the Bureaus of Industrial Change and the European Information Center.

    During their two-day stay, the visitors will become acquainted with the region's economic profile and the investment opportunities.

    The event will also feature the participation of officials from the Northern Greece Industries Association and the "Hermes" European program for strengthening ties between the European Union and Japan.

    [05] PRESIDENT OF UGANDA CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO GREECE

    The president of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Keguta Museveni, is embarking on an official visit to Greece today upon the invitation of the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos.

    During his stay, the Ugandan President will meet with his Greek counterpart, Premier Costas Simitis and the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos.

    Greek and Ugandan defence officials signed an agreement yesterday that opens the way for Ugandan cadets to train at military schools here. The deal was signed by Greek Deputy Defence Minister Dimitris Apostolakis and his Ugandan counterpart, Steven Ê. Kavuma.

    [06] ECONOMY MINISTER TO MEET WITH ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, presently in Washington, will be received by the Archbishop of America Demetrios tomorrow morning.

    Today he is to address the delegates at the first-ever meeting between the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

    [07] COMMUNIST PARTY MPS INQUIRE OVER EPISODE WITH BRITISH TROOPS

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputies have made an inquiry over the development of the recent episodes caused by four British troops in Thessaloniki, who were arrested on charges of public intoxication and harassment on September 25.

    The KKE deputies, Orestis Kolozov, Babis Agourakis and Stavros Panayiotou tabled the inquiry with the ministers of public order, justice and national defense, wanting to find out why the foreign troops, serving in KFOR's army unit stationed at Thessaloniki's port, were released upon the district attorney's order, "even though they had behaved as common criminals", and who instructed the D.A. to do so.

    The four soldiers, aged 19-27, were arrested on Saturday night after reportedly shouting obscenities at passers-by in front of the phone company's headquarters in Thessaloniki.

    Apparently undaunted by the arrest and its repercussions, the servicemen continued to shout obscenities, this time against Greece, its citizens and the policemen while, when they were taken to the police station, they began doing callisthenics on the floor. One of the four, 24- year-old Lee Stephen Burrows, reportedly punched one of the police officers, while 27-year-old Peter James Barker was slightly wounded in the arm while being handcuffed.

    [08] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER TRAVELS TO BRUSSELS FOR EPP

    The leader of Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis, will travel to Brussels today in order to participate in the European People's Parry session.

    Meanwhile, following Mr. Karamanlis' recent remark that it expects Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos to enlist in New Democracy, the latter announced yesterday that he will not run for mayor again.

    [09] REPPAS: THE US AND THE G8 UNDERTOOK INITIATIVES ON CYPRUS

    Initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem have been undertaken both by the United States and the G8, stressed Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and added that this is the right period for Turkey to contribute to the solution of the problem with direct talks without pre-conditions and commitments.

    Mr. Reppas also underlined that such a development is to the interest of Turkey itself as well.

    [10] THE POLICE PATROLS WILL BE INCREASED IN URBAN AREAS

    Minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis stated that police patrols will be implemented to all urban areas in the country in order to achieve a further decline of the crime rate.

    Mr. Chrisochoidis stated that since the measure was put into effect in Athens the thefts and break-ins have dropped by 20%. He also pointed out that the number of illegal immigrants has also dropped as a result of the more effective guarding of the borders.

    [11] THE DRAFT BILL ON THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE STATE-RUN ATHENS-PIRAEUS WATER SUPPLY COMPANY WAS VOTED THROUGH

    The draft bill for the privatization of the state-run Athens-Piraeus Water Supply Company was voted through in principle with 51 votes in favor and 41 against.

    Absent from the voting were governing socialist party of PASOK parliament deputies Anastasios Peponis, Lefteris Verivakis, Pantelis Economou and Nora Katseli who had expressed their opposition to the government decisions. Similar disagreement had been expressed by PASOK parliament deputies Kimon Koulouris, Dimitris Piperias and Thanasis Tsouras. In favor of the draft bill voted independent parliament deputy Vasilis Kontoyianopoulos.

    The draft bill provides that 49% of the company will be given to private individuals and it will be traded in the Athens Stock Exchange.

    [12] STABILIZATION TRENDS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

    Stabilization trends prevailed in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index closed at 5.596,84 increased by 0.10%.

    The volume of transactions reached 385.7 billion drachmas and the market showed a dynamic increase which initially reached 2.57% but later it dropped and closed with a slight change. It should be noted that the purchase interest today for shares which until yesterday were locked to limit-down contributed positively to the improvement of the psychology of investors.

    [13] 67.9% IN FAVOR OF THE RE-ELECTION OF KOSTIS STEPHANOPOULOS TO THE PRESIDENCY

    The majority, of those who replied to a questionnaire presented by the Martel polling company, are in favor of the re-election of Kostis Stephanopoulos to the Greek presidency and against the likelihood of early elections in March. The results of the opinion poll were published today in the magazine "Money and Life".

    According to the opinion poll results, 67.9% of those questioned want Mr. Stephanopoulos to renew his term to the Greek presidency, while in the second place is Konstantinos Mitsotakis with 5%, followed by Leonidas Kirkos 1.9%, Dimitris Avramopoulos 1.6% and Mikis Theodorakis with 1%.

    Among the followers of the governing socialist party of PASOK, Mr. Stephanopoulos has the approval of 87.2%, while among the New Democracy party faithful Mr. Stephanopoulos has the approval of 58.7% compared to Konstantinos Mitsotakis with 12.4%.

    To the question of early elections in March, 28.7% responded in favor of such likelihood, while 63.3% were against.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [14] GREECE IS READY FOR EMU ACCESSION, ECONOMY MINISTER SAYS

    The Greek government will follow a tight fiscal policy during the two-year period of 2000- 01, stated the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou during an interview with CNN yesterday.

    Mr. Papantoniou further stated that Greece is ready to accede the Economic and Monetary Union, stressing that the long-term interest rates are to be lowered next year in order to align them with the average EU rate.

    [15] TURKEY'S PM DISCUSSES G/T RELATIONS WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON

    Greek-Turkish relations have apparently began to improve, stated the Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Ecevit following his meeting yesterday with United States President Bill Clinton at the White House.

    While Mr. Ecevit stated that the dialogue between the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, George Papandreou and Ismael Cem respectively, is very promising, he did add that Ankara's position on the Cyprus issue remains the same, i.e. there are two independent, sovereign states on the island.

    [16] US PRESIDENT CLINTON OPTIMISTIC OVER BREAKTHROUGH IN CYPRUS

    United States President Bill Clinton, following his meeting at the White House with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, expressed his optimism that the discussion would hopefully contribute to a resumption of inter-communal talks on the Cyprus issue.

    "What we've been working for all along is the resumption of UN-sponsored talks (on Cyprus) without preconditions, and we hope that somehow we can find a way to get there," he told reporters during the reception of Mr. Ecevit at the Oval Office.

    The US president also said he was satisfied with the progress recorded in recent weeks in relations between Greece and Turkey.

    Regarding Turkey's relations with the EU, Mr. Clinton noted a certain progress, with a change of attitudes in some European capitals. He expressed a view that "the moves which have been made for an improvement of Greek-Turkish relations have helped, and I believe greater mobility in these directions will eventually get to the result that Turkey wants".

    [17] UNITED STATES PRESIDENT CLINTON TO VISIT GREECE IN NOVEMBER

    United States President Bill Clinton will conduct an official visit to Greece between November 22-24, as part of a tour that includes Turkey, Bulgaria and Italy.

    Mr. Clinton's first stop will be Sofia, followed by Ankara, where he will conduct bilateral contacts with the Turkish government, and afterwards Istanbul where he will attend an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe summit.

    The US president will make his next stop in Italy to attend the conference of the "third path" group, organised by Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema on November 21-22.

    Finally, Mr. Clinton will conclude his tour of the region with a visit to Greece.

    [18] GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER TO CONDUCT VISIT TO ATHENS

    German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will conduct a working visit to Athens on October 4 and 5, where he will meet with the President of the Hellenic Repuiblic Kostis Stephanopoulos and other officials.

    Mr. Schroeder will have talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on a wide range of European issues while in the evening of the same day the two leaders will attend an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Greek- German Chamber of Commerce.

    [19] ATHENS-SKOPJE TWICE A WEEK WITH OLYMPIC AIRWAYS FLIGHT

    Greece's Transportation and Communications Minister Tasos Mantelis yesterday inaugurated the Olympic Airways flight to FYROM, during a ceremony held in Skopje.

    OA will now have regular flights from Athens to Skopje twice a week, every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and every Saturday at 9 a.m.

    The flights will become more frequent as of October 30, to be held three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m.

    [20] UKRAINE WILL PAY DAMAGES TO NEXT OF KIN OF YAKOVLEV CRASH

    The Ukrainian government will award limited compensation to the relatives of the passengers of Yakovlev plane that crashed in a ravine near Mt. Olympus in December of 1997, in offset to the pecuniary damages sought by the plaintiffs in court.

    Greece's Minister of Transportation and Communications Tasos Mantelis and his Ukrainian counterpart further agreed that extensive checks be performed on the flight security system of Aerosweet (the airline which used the fateful Yakovlev-47 passenger plane) in Kiev.

    If these controls bear satisfactory results, then Greece will reconsider permitting the Ukrainian airline to conduct flights to Greece.

    [21] BELGRADE-THESSALONIKI RAILWAY ROUTE TO OPERATE AGAIN

    The "Hellas Express" railway route connecting Belgrade with Thessaloniki is to begin operating again as of tomorrow, following an agreement signed between the railway organizations of Greece and Yugoslavia.

    According to press reports, a meeting of Greek and Yugoslav railway officials is to be held in Athens next week, in order to review bilateral cooperation and ways to expand it.

    The directors of Balkan railway organizations, as well as S.E. Europe's railway officials, are to meet in Belgrade on October 14- 15.

    [22] GIORGOS PAPANDREOU WILL GIVE LECTURES IN ISTANBUL

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will give a lecture in the University of Istanbul in early October.

    According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, Mr. Papandreou will go to Istanbul to give two lectures one will be given in October 3 within the framework of the "Meetings in Taksim" events and will refer to the Greek-Turkish relations and another one will be given in the University of Istanbul on October 4 in the formal ceremony for the opening of the new academic year.

    Greek foreign ministry sources confirmed that Mr. Papandreou will give a lecture in Istanbul saying that the exact date will be announced shortly.

    [23] 2.400.000 CHILDREN DIE EACH YEAR FROM LACK OF DRINKING WATER

    The poor of the earth have increased by 100.000.000 in the past decade, while 2.400.000 children die each year from lack of drinking water and in addition life expectancy has dropped by 17 years in the African countries because of AIDS.

    The above facts, concerning the developing countries, were presented by the World Bank president in the summit meeting of the International Monetary Fund that is being held in Washington warning that if no immediate measures are taken the goals set by the international organizations will not be achieved.

    The World Bank president also warned that the lack of drinking water could lead even to armed conflicts in the next years.

    [24] THE GREEK AND TURKISH RESCUE TEAMS, EMAK AND AKUT, WERE HONORED BY BUSINESSMEN ACTIVE IN THE SECTOR OF TOURISM

    The SKAL organization of businessmen active in the sector of tourism honored the Greek and Turkish rescue teams of EMAK and AKUT for the efforts they made to save tens of people who were buried alive under the collapsed buildings that were left behind by the two devastating earthquakes that hit the two countries.

    SKAL is a club of international cooperation and solidarity that seeks the cooperation in the sector of tourism and the solution of existing problems. The award ceremony was held within the framework of an event organized by SKAL with the participation of young Greeks and Turks.

    [25] NEW STRONG EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY

    A new strong earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale rocked north-west Turkey at 3:12am this morning and its epicenter was located in the region of the city of Yalova, according to Kantili Seismology Institute in Istanbul.

    The earthquake was felt in Istanbul, Ankara and the Black Sea coasts causing panic among the people according to Turkish radio reports. The Turkish mass media have reported that a woman was killed when she jumped out of a second-floor window.

    The region has not stopped shacking after the devastating earthquake of August 17 that killed 15.550 people and leveled many regions in north-western Turkey.

    [26] STOYANOV: GREECE AND TURKEY ARE THE MOST ACTIVE SUPPORTERS OF BULGARIA'S BID FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP

    Greece and Turkey are the most active supporters of Bulgaria's bid for NATO membership, stressed Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov in a formal dinner given in his honor in Washington by the United Jewish Communities Conference in the United States.

    Mr. Stoyanov stated that the cornerstone of Bulgaria's foreign policy is the development of friendly relations with the neighboring countries, adding that Sofia has excellent relations with Romania and has settled its differences with FYROM.

    The Bulgarian president, who is in the United States on the occasion of the 54th UN General Assembly, also said that Bulgaria is one of the Balkan countries where democracy is the winner.

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