Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-10-08
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, October 8, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SEPTEMBER'S INFLATION RATE TO BE OFFICIALLY
UNVEILED TODAY
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER IN
THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
[03] SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SHIP IN AEGEAN, NO ONE
DECLARED MISSING
[04] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT ISRAEL
NEXT WEEK
[05] GREEK FM MEETS WITH OSCE'S ETHNIC
MINORITIES COMMISSIONER
[06] DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT ON THE PROBLEMS
CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE
[07] GREECE AND TURKEY HAVE MADE A CONSCIOUS
CHOICE TO LIMIT TENSION
[08] KARAMANLIS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI DURING
THE WEEKEND
[09] KOUKIADIS IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE EURO-
PARLIAMENT DELEGATION ON THE CAUCUSES STATES
[10] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4 ON THE RICHTER SCALE
IN RIO, CENTRAL GREECE
[11] INTERVENTION BY THE PROSECUTOR ON THE
BURNING OF THE GREEK FLAG BY ALBANIANS IN A
FOOTBALL MATCH
[12] INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICS CONFERENCE IN
SANTORINI
[13] REPPAS: THE EURO-PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON
TURKEY SAFEGUARDS THE GREEK NATIONAL INTERESTS
[14] INTERVENTION BY THE PROSECUTOR IN THE
NARROWLY ESCAPED AIR COLLISION OF TWO PASSENGER
PLANES
[15] INFLATION WAS 2% IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
[16] THE SYNAGOGUE ETS HAIM OPENED AGAIN IN
CRETE
[17] ALARMING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS
WHO SMOKE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] COMMISSION OKs TURKEY'S BID AS AN EU
CANDICATE STATE
[19] GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER EMBARKS ON
VISIT TO CYPRUS
[20] NATIONAL ECONOMY MINISTER TO ATTEND ECOFIN
MEETING
[21] SOUTHAFRICAN GREEKS PROVIDE AID TO QUAKE-
STRICKEN ATHENS
[22] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER MEETS WITH FBI
DIRECTOR IN WASHINGTON
[23] COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HOLDS HUMAN RIGHTS
SEMINAR IN CYPRUS
[24] POLICE AGAIN BLOCK OPPOSITION MARCH IN
BELGRADE
[25] GREECE TO RECEIVE MONIES FROM NORWAY'S
"PETROLEUM FUND"
[26] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO VISIT ROMANIA ON
OCTOBER 24
[27] WHITE HOUSE PLEDGES UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR
CYPRUS ISSUE
[28] NANO TO MPA: COOPERATION WITH MAJKO WOULD
BE PROBLEMATIC
[29] ANKARA DRAFTS SEVEN INITIATIVES FOR GREEK-
TURKISH ACCORDS
[30] THE GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA WANT THE
GREEK ECONOMIC AID TO BE USED
[31] THE C-130 WITH THE GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF
DEFENSE RETURNED TO CYPRUS BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE
FAILURE
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NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SEPTEMBER'S INFLATION RATE TO BE OFFICIALLY
UNVEILED TODAY
The Greek economy's inflation rate remained
at a constant level during the month of
September, reportedly closing at two percent,
with its official announcement expected today.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Greece is reviewing
the prospect of lowering interest rates. Bank of
Greece governor Lukas Papademos stated that the
Monetary Policy Council is expected to convene
in the following days in order to draw pertinent
decisions.
[02] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER IN
THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
The leader of the country's main opposition
party, New Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, is to
arrive in Thessaloniki tomorrow for a two-day
stay, where he will visit the "Infosystem ‘99"
international exhibition currently underway in
the city.
Mr. Karamanlis will meet with students
tomorrow, in an event organized by the "City of
Thessaloniki - Dialogue Club".
[03] SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SHIP IN AEGEAN, NO ONE
DECLARED MISSING
Coast Guard crews are continuing their
efforts to locate a shipwreck in the Aegean Sea,
near the Falconera islet, between the islands
of Milos and Crete.
In an SOS call transmitted on Wednesday
night, a woman pled for help, saying that on the
ship's radio that the boat had caught on fife
and it was sinking.
The Ministry of Merchant Marine has yet to
locate the boat named "Katerina". No missing
person reports have been filed for the boat's
passengers, while port authorities are not
ruling out the possibility that the persons on
board could have been saved and have chosen to
remain silent.
[04] GREECE'S DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT ISRAEL
NEXT WEEK
Greece's Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos will conduct an official visit
to Israel on October 13-15, where he will hold
talks with the country's top leadership, and
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is expected to be
received by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak,
who also holds the defense portfolio.The Defense
Minister will also visit Israel's defense
industries .
[05] GREEK FM MEETS WITH OSCE'S ETHNIC
MINORITIES COMMISSIONER
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou
met with the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) High Commissioner
for ethnic minorities Max van der Stoel, in
Athens today.
The two men discussed human rights
issues and the safeguarding of the rights of
the minorities in the Balkans.
Mr. Papandreou briefed the OSCE official on
matters concerning the Greek minority in Turkey,
the Greeks' education in Istanbul and the
Theological School at Chalki.
Moreover, the Greek FM briefed Mr. Van der
Stoel on the steps taken by the Greek government
in regards to the Muslim minority in Thrace.
[06] DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT ON THE PROBLEMS
CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE
The Greek parliament deputies observed a
moment of silence in memory of the victims of
the earthquake that hit Athens on September 7,
in the opening of today's discussion in
parliament held at political party leaders
level. The topic of the discussion was the ways
in which the problems could be dealt with in the
devastated regions.
The prime minister made an extensive
assessment of the measures taken by the state
and pointed out that the state mechanism was
mobilized immediately and effectively. Mr.
Simitis stressed that the immediate goal is to
move the homeless from the tents either to
rented apartments by making use of the rent
subsidy offered by the government or to trailers
and prefabricated houses.
Right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy leader Mr. Kostas Karamanlis accused
the government of avoiding dialogue with the
opposition parties, stressing that the dialogue
could yield useful proposals. He also accused
the government of making mistakes and arbitrary
assessments of damages as well as of being in
disagreement with local administration
authorities.
[07] GREECE AND TURKEY HAVE MADE A CONSCIOUS
CHOICE TO LIMIT TENSION
Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos,
referring to today's level of the Greek-Turkish
relations, stated that Greece and Turkey have
made a conscious choice to decrease the tension
in the region and emphasized the issue of
Cyprus' EU accession into the European Union.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that there is a
need to support the peace efforts in the region
so that no one will be able to block Cyprus'
accession.
[08] KARAMANLIS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI DURING
THE WEEKEND
Right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis will be in
Thessaloniki during the weekend.
Mr. Karamanlis will have a dialogue with
school students tomorrow in an event organized
by a debate club in Thessaloniki. The main
opposition party leader will visit the 13th
International Fair "Infosystem" on Sunday
morning.
[09] KOUKIADIS IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE EURO-
PARLIAMENT DELEGATION ON THE CAUCUSES STATES
Greek governing socialist party of PASOK
Euro-deputy Yiannis Koukiadis was appointed vice-
president of the Euro-parliament delegation on
the Caucuses states.
The delegation deals with the former soviet
republics of Kazakstan, Uzbekistan, Kirgizia,
Turkmenistan and Mongolia which now want closer
economic and political cooperation with the
European Union.
[10] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4 ON THE RICHTER SCALE
IN RIO, CENTRAL GREECE
An earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter
scale was recorded at 12:16pm today and its
epicenter was located in the sea region between
Rio and Antirio in central Greece.
The tremor was felt in Patras, Nafpaktos
and the surrounding regions. No damages were
reported to police.
[11] INTERVENTION BY THE PROSECUTOR ON THE
BURNING OF THE GREEK FLAG BY ALBANIANS IN A
FOOTBALL MATCH
The responsible prosecutor ordered a
preliminary investigation concerning the burning
of the Greek flag by Albanian football fans
during the match between the national teams of
Greece and Albania held within the framework of
Euro 2000 Cup.
The inquiry will determine if there are
responsibilities among the police officers who
remained apathetic to the Albanian provocation.
About 3.000 Albanian football fans, who were
watching the game, jeered while the Greek
national anthem was played, destroyed seats and
chanted insulting slogans.
[12] INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICS CONFERENCE IN
SANTORINI
The applications of the latest experiments
in space, the prevention of natural disasters
and the benefits for the earth environment will
be among the topics that will examined in the
International Academy of Astronautics conference
"The man in space" that will be held in the
Aegean island of Santorini on May 20-26, 2000.
The conference is organized by the Greek
Society of Aerospace Medicine and Space Research
which is based in Thessaloniki with the
participation of special scientists of
international reputation and distinguished
astronauts who will share their experience in
space.
[13] REPPAS: THE EURO-PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION ON
TURKEY SAFEGUARDS THE GREEK NATIONAL INTERESTS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
launched an attack against the right-wing
opposition party of New Democracy in response to
its reactions to the Euro-parliament resolution
on the European orientation of Turkey.
Mr. Reppas mentioned that the resolution
safeguards the Greek national interests and
called on New Democracy to show good sense,
adding that in case it can not do that it should
be silent.
[14] INTERVENTION BY THE PROSECUTOR IN THE
NARROWLY ESCAPED AIR COLLISION OF TWO PASSENGER
PLANES
The narrowly escaped air collision of two
planes, carrying a total of over 200 passengers,
that took place near Macedonia Airport
yesterday, caused the intervention of the
prosecutor's office in Thessaloniki.
The prosecutor ordered an emergency
preliminary inquiry to determine if penal
offenses were committed and specifically, if the
pilots of the two planes and the air traffic
controllers disturbed flight safety and violated
flight regulations.
According to the report submitted to the
Macedonia Airport authorities by the Olympic
Airways pilot Mr. Yakoumatos, who was piloting
the Boeing 737 making the flight from Athens to
Thessaloniki yesterday afternoon, when his plane
was at an altitude of 6.000 feet it came very
close to an Air Greece plane which had departed
earlier from the airport of Thessaloniki.
An air tragedy was avoided at the last
minute thanks to the prompt reaction of the
Olympic Airways pilot, who later submitted the
report on the incident.
[15] INFLATION WAS 2% IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
The National Statistics Agency announced
today that inflation was 2% in the month of
September and showed no change compared to
August. The stabilization of inflation is
attributed to the price increases in vegetables,
cigarettes and tuition.
Meanwhile, the general index of the Athens
Stock Exchange closed with a slight increase in
today's session. Specifically, the index closed
at 5.926,08 showing an improvement of 0.25% and
the volume of transactions reached 420 billion
drachmas.
[16] THE SYNAGOGUE ETS HAIM OPENED AGAIN IN
CRETE
The historic synagogue Ets Haim reopened in
Chania today. The synagogue was reflecting for
2.300 years the Jewish presence in Crete and its
operation was interrupted in June 1944 during
WWII with the arrest and deportation to
concentration camps of the 265 Jews who were
living in the island.
In 1996, the Central Jewish Council in
Greece and former Jewish Museum director Nikos
Stavroulakis launched a campaign for the
restoration of the synagogue and to their calls
responded the Greek culture ministry, the World
Monuments Fund, the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation,
the Rothchild Foundation and many private
individuals from abroad. The restoration works
began in 1997 and were completed this year.
The formal inauguration of the synagogue
will be held on Sunday and the events will be
attended by Greek and foreign dignitaries, as
well as by representatives of international
Jewish and other organizations from the United
States, Europe and Israel.
[17] ALARMING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS
WHO SMOKE
One in five high school students smokes on
a regular basis, while the first contact with a
cigarette takes place in the first high school
grade, according to a research conducted by the
Greek Society against Smoking and presented
within the framework of the European Week
against Cancer.
An important role to this negative choice
is played by the stance of the teachers, as 9
out of 10 are smokers and do not hesitate to
smoke in the presence of their students.
However, doctors as well have a similar
behavior as 4 out of 7 smoke during their
appointments with their patients and probably
when they suggest to them that they should quit
smoking because it is bad for their health.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[18] COMMISSION OKs TURKEY'S BID AS AN EU
CANDICATE STATE
The European Commission is in favor of
Turkey's declaration as a candidate member of
the European Union, according to its annual
report which is expected to be adopted on
Wednesday.
The Commission is expected to propose a
timeline for the phases and adjustment process
to be followed by Turkey in the political and
economic standards of the European Union.
[19] GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER EMBARKS ON
VISIT TO CYPRUS
Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister
Christos Rokofyllos, who is handling issues
regarding Cyprus' EU accession course, is
embarking on an official visit to Cyprus today.
The agenda of the talks will include the
latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the
line the Greek side will adopt following the
meeting US President Bill Clinton had with
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit at the
White House.
Mr. Rokofyllos will also discuss matters
concerning cooperation and coordination between
the two countries' foreign ministries.
[20] NATIONAL ECONOMY MINISTER TO ATTEND ECOFIN
MEETING
National Economy and Finance Minister
Yannos Papantoniou will be representing Greece
at the ECOFIN Council in Luxembourg today.
The meeting is expected to deal with issues
related to employment, economic and structural
reforms of member-states, the prospect of
reducing VAT on certain goods and combating
fraud.
Also on the agenda is the subject of
financing for Turkey in the wake of the
devastating August 17 earthquake.
[21] SOUTHAFRICAN GREEKS PROVIDE AID TO QUAKE-
STRICKEN ATHENS
The Greek communities of South Africa are
donating four million drachmas to quake-
stricken residents of Attica, a result of
fundraising efforts.
The president of the Hellenic Communities
of South Africa, Harry Gouvelis, presented a
representative of Greece's Red Cross with the
check.
"Our offer may be small but it is with love
from us," he said, adding that a delegation from
South Africa, accompanied by the Red Cross,
toured the districts hardest hit by the
September 7 tremor.
[22] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER MEETS WITH FBI
DIRECTOR IN WASHINGTON
Public Order Minister Michalis
Chrysochoides, presently on an official visit to
the United States, met with FBI Director Louis
Freeh and other US federal law enforcement
officials in Washington.
"We described to our interlocutors all the
initiatives which we have made for the dealing
with terrorism and crime, in general," Mr.
Chrysohoidis said, adding that the US officials
acknowledged that the Greek side is attempting
to restructure its law enforcement services.
Mr. Chrysochoides stated that an FBI team
is already in Athens and working closely with
the Greek anti-terrorist squad.
The Public Order Minister is leading a
delegation of officials, comprising the head of
the Greek police, Lt.-Gen. Ioannis
Georgakopoulos and Public Prosecutor Ioannis
Diotis.
[23] COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO HOLDS HUMAN RIGHTS
SEMINAR IN CYPRUS
Distinguished personalities in the field of
human rights will be in Cyprus next week to
attend a seminar to mark 50 years since the
establishment of the Council of Europe, which
will focus on achievements and Prospects in the
field of human rights.
As the Cyprus News Agency reported,
President Glafcos Clerides is scheduled to open
the one-day meeting on October 16, which is
organized by the International Association for
the Protection of Human Rights of the Council of
Europe and the Directorate of Human Rights of
the Council.
[24] POLICE AGAIN BLOCK OPPOSITION MARCH IN
BELGRADE
Riot police blocked around 5,000 opposition
protesters yesterday, preventing them from
marching to Belgrade's historic center, in a
17th day of demonstrations against Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic.
According to the French news agency AFP,
approximately 20 anti-riot policemen blocked the
march, ordering demonstrators to take the side
streets and return to the central Republic
square, the focal point for the anti-Milosevic
protesters.
[25] GREECE TO RECEIVE MONIES FROM NORWAY'S
"PETROLEUM FUND"
Norway plans to invest a part of its cash
surpluses from petroleum sales in the Athens
Stock Exchange according to the Scandinavian
country's 2000 budget report, thus marking the
first time a foreign country selects the Greek
market to invest its revenue.
As such, Greece is now included in the list
of 21 countries whose markets receive monies
from the revenues of Norway's "Petroleum Fund".
In addition to Greece, the new countries to
join the investment list are Brazil, Mexico,
South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.
On the contrary, Norwegian investments to
Turkey are not as free-handed. According to the
Oslo daily "Dagens Naeringsliv" Norway's Central
Bank has relayed its severe reservations over
capital investment in Turkey's markets to the
Ministry of Economy, arguing that the macro-
economic risks of such move are presently great,
further rejecting Turkey over "political and
humanitarian reasons".
[26] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO VISIT ROMANIA ON
OCTOBER 24
The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is to
conduct a visit to Romania between October 24-
28.
Mr. Vartholomeos will meet with the head of
the Romanian Orthodox church Father Theoktistos
and the President of Romania Emil
Constantinescu and will speak before the Holy
Synod on the role of the Orthodox Church in
Europe.
[27] WHITE HOUSE PLEDGES UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR
CYPRUS ISSUE
United States presidential emissary for
Cyprus Alfred Moses unequivocally assured
leaders of the Greek-American community of
President Clinton's intention to resolve the
protracted Cyprus issue during his term in
office.
In a meeting between prominent Greek-
American community leaders and White House
staff, Mr. Moses stated that the following 30
days will essentially prove the degree to which
the US President's new initiative for resolving
the Cyprus issue has borne results.
The said initiative, according to Mr.
Moses, calls for New York-held direct talks
between the island's two sides, without pre-
conditions, aiming at the creation of a bi-
zonal, bi-communal federated state.
Accompanied by US State Department Special
Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, Mr. Moses
will visit Athens, Ankara and Nicosia next week
with an aim to resume a Cyprus dialogue for a
solution to the Cyprus problem.
The US emissary stressed that, as far as
the US are concerned, the side which will refuse
to partake in the talks will be held
responsible.
Echoing Mr. Moses, the White House Chief of
Staff John Podesta, who is of Greek descent, and
the US Security Council official Toni Bilken
stressed that President Clinton has become
personally involved in the Cyprus issue.
Furthermore, Mr. Bilken assessed that Cyprus
will be a full-fledged member of the European
Union within the following five years.
Moreover, the White House officials
underlined the significance of President
Clinton's imminent visit to Greece, which will
be conducted on November 22-24, as part of a
tour that includes Turkey, Bulgaria and Italy,
following the Istanbul-held OSCE summit.
Regarding the Balkans, Mr. Podesta opined
that all of Southeastern Europe will have to be
constructed and reconstructed in the 21st
century, stressing that Greece constitutes a
significant part of this process.
[28] NANO TO MPA: COOPERATION WITH MAJKO WOULD
BE PROBLEMATIC
The on-going dispute between the two
contenders of Albania's Socialist Party
presidency, Fatos Nano and Pandeli Majko, has
affected the two men's relations, and will
continue to do so even beyond the party congress
and election.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency,
Mr. Nano - openly and for the first time -
admitted that, in case he wins the presidency,
a coexistence with Pandeli Majko would be
problematic, accusing the Albanian Premier of
having failed to respond to his repeated calls
for cooperation.
Furthermore, Mr. Nano stated that even if
he is not elected, he will continue to strive
for the Socialist Party's line.
[29] ANKARA DRAFTS SEVEN INITIATIVES FOR GREEK-
TURKISH ACCORDS
Turkey has reportedly prepared seven
initiatives that will be reviewed during the
third round of Greek-Turkish talks, to be held
- in two phases - in Athens on October 21-23 and
Ankara on 25-26 of the same month.
According to the Turkish private television
station NTV, the draft initiatives - which will
imminently be forwarded to Athens - concern the
sectors of tourism, environment, avoidance of
double taxation, promotion of joint investments
and economic, trade and technical cooperation.
NTV reported that progress is delayed in
the sector of terrorism combat, with no
agreement being planned so far.
In addition to Foreign Ministry officials,
the third round of G/T talks will include
representatives from the aforementioned
sectors.
[30] THE GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA WANT THE
GREEK ECONOMIC AID TO BE USED
The representatives of the Greek minority
in Albania presented to the regional authority
of the city of Gjirokastra their proposals
concerning the 500 thousand dollar economic aid
offered by the Greek government for the
construction of infrastructure projects in the
regions where the Greek minority lives.
According to the newspaper "Gazeta
Skiptare", the representatives of the Greek
minority presented as a priority the
construction of water supply projects in their
regions and the local authorities pledged that
both the Greek economic aid and the aid offered
by other donors will be used for the
implementation of programs in the specific
regions.
[31] THE C-130 WITH THE GREEK UNDERSECRETARY OF
DEFENSE RETURNED TO CYPRUS BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE
FAILURE
The C-130 military transport plane on board
which was Greek undersecretary of defense
Dimitris Apostolakis returned to Cyprus today
shortly after its departure for Greece when its
pilot received an indication of a mechanical
failure in one of its engines.
A technical inspection is being conducted
to the C-130 transport plane and later will be
decided if Mr. Apostolakis will return to Greece
with the same aircraft.
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