Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-16
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 16, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] AMC TO GO PRIVATE, COSMOTE, TELENOR POST HIGH BID
[02] ECONOMIC FORUM TO BE HELD IN BUCHAREST
[03] UNEMPLOYMENT SOARS IN GREECE DESPITE MEASURES
[04] A7 CORSAIR CRASHES AT TAKE-OFF, PILOT INJURED
[05] THE CHAMBER OF KAVALA WILL OPEN OFFICES IN ISTANBUL
[06] THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH WILL APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE
ON THE ID ISSUE
[07] GAINS OF 0.49% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[08] THE YOUNG GREEK HELD AS HOSTAGE BY THE CHECHENS WILL COME TO
GREECE FOR SURGERY
[09] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESPOND SOON TO THE PALESTINIAN
DEMARCHE
[10] REPPAS ON THE LOIZIDOU CASE
[11] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] ARCHBISHOP DIMITRIOS VISITS MPA'S PAVILION AT HERMES EXPO
[13] HERMES EXPO 2000 CONTINUES WITH GROWTH, SERVICE
[14] HILLARY CLINTON PRESENTS AWARD TO ARCHBISHOP
[15] GREEK PRESIDENT CONTINUES VISIT TO ISRAEL
[16] GREEK BUSINESS DELEGATION IS ON A VISIT TO BUCHAREST
[17] TURKEY: THE MEMORANDUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
IS IN EFFECT
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] AMC TO GO PRIVATE, COSMOTE, TELENOR POST HIGH BID
Tenders are in for an 85-percent stake of Albania's Mobile
Communications (AMC), with Greece's COSMOTE and Norway's TELENOR
rumored as the highest bidders.
According to reliable sources in Albania, the COSMOTE, a
subsidiary of Greece's Telecommunications Organization (OTE) has
posted a bid of $85.6 million, edging by far offers made by
PANAFON and TURKCELL which amounted to $40 and $39 million
respectively.
According to a COSMOTE official, should the AMC buyout prove
successful, the Greek company hopes to expand its activities
throughout the neighboring country, in a joint venture with the
Norwegian TENELOR.
AMC net profits marked a 123% increase last year, surpassing
the seven-million-dollar mark.
[02] ECONOMIC FORUM TO BE HELD IN BUCHAREST
The Balkan and Black Sea Business Center is holding an
economic forum in Bucharest, between May 16-18.
The event is jointly organized by the Northern Greece
Exporters Association, the Commerce and Industry Chamber of
Thessaloniki, the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce,
Bucharest's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Romania's Exporters-
Importers Association and the Association of Greek Businessmen.
The forum will offer information on investment opportunities
presented in Romania.
[03] UNEMPLOYMENT SOARS IN GREECE DESPITE MEASURES
Greece's unemployment rate reached dramatic proportions last
year, in spite of lowering tendencies throughout the remaining
European countries.
According to statistical reports, over 552,000 Greeks were in
search of employment during 1999, pushing the joblessness rate to
11.7 percent, whereas in 1998 the same rate was at 11.1%.
The Labor Ministry, which presented its national action plan
yesterday, pledged that 75,000 new job positions will be found
this year and vowed to reform the state's Labor Force Employment
Organization (OAED).
Meanwhile, the chairman of the General Confederation of Greek
Laborers (GSEE) stated that unemployment is not expected to
eclipse in Greece and opined that, as a result, the phenomenon
could lead to conservatism and racism.
[04] A7 CORSAIR CRASHES AT TAKE-OFF, PILOT INJURED
An A7 Corsair aircraft crashed immediately after taking off
from Crete's Souda military base this afternoon. The pilot, who
suffered massive burns, has been transported to the base's naval
hospital.
No further details have been released over his health
condition.
[05] THE CHAMBER OF KAVALA WILL OPEN OFFICES IN ISTANBUL
The Chamber of of the north-eastern city of Kavala will open
offices in Istanbul that will be housed in a building provided by
the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce in the Eminonu region.
According to statements made to Macedonian Press Agency by
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce president Mehmet Gildirim, the space
that will be offered to house the Chamber of Kavala is made up of
two halls and is located in the building that houses the trade
delegations of Russia and Cuba.
A 20member Turkish business delegation visited yesterday the
Chamber of Kavala and today they visited Thessaloniki's Commerce
and Industry Chamber. Later today, they met with the Black Sea
Bank president Ersoi Volkan who briefed them on the operations of
the bank.
Mr. Gildirim stated that the offices of the Chamber of Kavala
will contribute to the development of trade relations and will
offer assistance not only to the Greek businessmen but to the
Greek tourists visiting Turkey as well.
[06] THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH WILL APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE
ON THE ID ISSUE
Metropolite Theoklitos of Thessaliotida stated in an
interview with the Athens radio station "Flash" that the Greek
Orthodox Church will appeal to the Council of State on the issue
of the identity cards and the information they should include
expressing the belief that the Church will win the case.
Metropolite Theoklitos stated that Authority for the
Protection of Personal Data president professor Konstantinos
Dafermos has no jurisdiction to decide on the constitutionality of
the specific law.
Meanwhile, governing socialist party of PASOK parliament
deputy Evangelos Venizelos stated after the meeting he had with
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece that the
government and the parliament must decide on whether religion must
be written on the identity cards.
[07] GAINS OF 0.49% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange recorded gains of 0.49% today and
the general index closed at 4.709,82 points. Investors and
analysts believe that the gains recorded show that there is
dynamism in the stock market and predict positive developments in
the next sessions.
Very satisfactory was the volume of transactions that was
over 207 billion drachmas.
[08] THE YOUNG GREEK HELD AS HOSTAGE BY THE CHECHENS WILL COME TO
GREECE FOR SURGERY
A Greek doctor in Athens, who wants to remain anonymous, has
offered to perform plastic surgery on Giorgos Askalov, the
9yearold Greek boy who was held as hostage for 6 months by the
Chechens. The Chechen armed men, who had abducted him, were
requesting ransom to free him and allow him to return to his home
and in order to intimidate his father had cut off his ear.
The boy was informed of the Greek doctor's offer through the
phone and his first reaction was to ask if he will be able to wear
glasses again.
The story that concerned the only Greek family in Russia with
three of its members to experience the nightmare of captivity in
the hands of the Chechens came to light by Macedonian Press
Agency.
Speaking about the conditions of his captivity, the boy said
that when he refused to answer to his captors who were calling him
using a Islamic name, they were beating him on the head with their
hands or anything they could find. He also said that when he was
asked to read the Koran and he told them that he was a Christian
they again started beating him and when he asked them if the Koran
writes that it is not bad to abduct, hit and torture children they
gave him no response and forbid him to speak or make questions.
He was allowed to say only three words namely, sleep, food
and bathroom. The Chechens were afraid that he would escape when
they were under the influence of drugs and he was given food only
once a day and sometimes they forgot all about him. He was forced
to watch bloody scenes of executions of Russians and his abductors
were telling him that it was for his own good in order to be
fearless of death. He also said that he was allowed to take a bath
only once in the six months he was in captivity when his abductors
got the money they had demanded in order to free him and were
preparing him to return to his father.
[09] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESPOND SOON TO THE PALESTINIAN
DEMARCHE
The Greek government will respond within the next few days to
the Palestinian demarche regarding the schedule of president
Kostis Stephanopoulos' visit to Israel, underlined today Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas stated that the president's schedule in Israel was
decided after an agreement with the responsible authorities of the
country. He said that Greece wants good relations with the
Palestinians and added that a response will be issued to the
demarche in the spirit of the friendly attitude of Greece toward
the Palestinian people.
Meanwhile, deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi speaking
today with reporters after the meeting she had with Israeli
foreign affairs undersecretary Nuar Masalha commented on the
demarche made by the Palestinians, who reacted because there was
no meeting scheduled with the representatives of the Palestinian
authority in Jerusalem even though there was a meeting scheduled
with Israeli mayor Ehud Olmert, stating that the Greek side was
annoyed by the sharp nature of the demarche which does not
correspond to the existing bilateral relations.
In spite all these the Greek deputy foreign minister
expressed optimism that in tomorrow's meeting of president
Stephanopoulos with Palestinian president Yasser Arafat in
Bethlehem all misunderstandings will be lifted.
Ms. Papazoi also said that Greece wants balanced relations
with all the countries in the Mediterranean.
[10] REPPAS ON THE LOIZIDOU CASE
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commenting on
Ankara's refusal to pay compensation to a Greek-Cypriot woman,
stated that Turkey must comply with the Human Rights Court
decision on the Titina Loizidou case.
Ankara's refusal to pay compensation to the woman was
expressed through Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem with a
letter addressed to the Council of Europe.
[11] TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN
Traffic accidents are at the top of the children accidents'
list as 50% of the deaths among children are caused by traffic
accidents, according to a research published today on the Athens
newspaper "TO VIMA".
According to the research, about 3.500 children under the age
of 17 are injured each year in traffic accidents, while the
injured aged between 18 and 20 are estimated to be 3.700 annually.
Many of them suffer for the rest of their lives from permanent
disabilities caused by those accidents.
Based on the research, of the 25 children who are killed in
traffic accidents annually, 18 could have been saved if their
seatbelts on in the special children's seats were fastened.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] ARCHBISHOP DIMITRIOS VISITS MPA'S PAVILION AT HERMES EXPO
"The Macedonian Press Agency constitutes a very significant
national and cultural project", according to the Archbishop of
America Dimitrios who visited the MPA's pavilion at the Eighth
Hermes Expo, presently underway in New York.
His Eminence also congratulated the MPA for its work,
stating that it promotes Greece and disseminates information that
are related to the outstanding activities of the Greek community
abroad, especially in the United States.
"As such, the Macedonian Press Agency constitutes a very
significant national and cultural project, over which we sincerely
thank and congratulate you," he said.
[13] HERMES EXPO 2000 CONTINUES WITH GROWTH, SERVICE
The Hermes Expo '2000, a trade show now in its eighth
consecutive year, has attracted more than 200 exhibitors, many of
whom traveled from Greece, Cyprus and Eastern European countries
to display their products and services, while numerous US
manufacturers are also exhibiting their products.
Presently being held at New York's Jacob Javits Center, the
exhibition also features simultaneous presentations of current
films from Greece's entertainment industry, wellness seminars and
other similar events.
A blessing ceremony was officiated by the Archbishop of
America Dimitrios.
[14] HILLARY CLINTON PRESENTS AWARD TO ARCHBISHOP
The First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton, who is
also a candidate for the U.S. Senate, attended the gala dinner at
the Hermes Expo International last night, where she personally
presented an award to former Greek Orthodox Archbishop of North
and South America, Iakovos in honor of his role in shaping the
destiny of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas.
The event was held under the auspices of the Hellenic
American National Council's Outreach Committee and its proceeds
will be distributed equally between the Sloan Kettering Memorial
Center's Breast Cancer Research center and the Cretan Brotherhood
Fund, which aids cancer-stricken children of Hellenic heritage
currently being treated in area hospitals.
[15] GREEK PRESIDENT CONTINUES VISIT TO ISRAEL
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is presently on a historic visit to Israel where he met with his
Israeli counterpart Ezer Weizman in Jerusalem yesterday.
In receiving his Greek counterpart, President Weizman
emphasized that Greece and Israel are "two democratic countries
with similar economies," while he expressed the conviction that
the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations.
On his part, President Stephanopoulos said his visit was the
result of steadily improving relations between the two countries,
while pointing out Athens' interest in the Middle East peace
process and his hopes that this would yield positive results. The
President also traveled to Tel Aviv, where he addressed a Greek-
Israeli trade and economic forum.
The President will meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in
Bethlehem tomorrow.
Mr. Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Alternate Foreign
Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, Deputy National Economy Minister
Yiannis Zafiropoulos and a delegation of Greek businessmen.
[16] GREEK BUSINESS DELEGATION IS ON A VISIT TO BUCHAREST
The representatives of 18 Greek businesses arrived in
Bucharest today within the framework of a business mission
organized in the Romanian capital by the Inter-Balkan and Black
Sea Business Center in cooperation with Association of Greek
Industries in northern Greece and the US-Hellenic Chamber.
In the two-day mission, the Greek businessmen will have
contacts with those in charge of the Romanian customs authorities
and with senior officials in the industry and commerce ministry,
the State Property Organization (FPS) and the Romanian
Organization of Development (ARD).
Also, they will meet with representatives of Greek banks
active in the country, while the circle of contacts will be
completed with talks between Greek and Romanian businesses aimed
at bilateral cooperation.
[17] TURKEY: THE MEMORANDUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
IS IN EFFECT
A memorandum of understanding for the protection of the
environment was put into effect after its publication on the
Turkish Government Newspaper.
The agreement which aims at the improvement of the quality of
life in both countries was signed on January 10, 2000 and provides
for the technical cooperation between Greece and Turkey aimed at
the protection of the environment.
Based on the contents of the agreement, the cooperation of
the two countries should not be limited at a government level but
it must expand to non governmental organizations, academic
institutions and private companies.
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