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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-08-28

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, August 28, 2000

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] "CULTURE: STARTING POINT OF BALKAN COOPERATION"
  • [02] 7 GREEKS NABBED IN VENEZUELA'S HUGE DRUG BUST
  • [03] CYPRIOT FM IN ATHENS TOMORROW FOR TALKS
  • [04] GREEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN N.Y. FOR UN SUMMIT
  • [05] 400,000 ACRES OF FOREST LAND TURN TO ASHES
  • [06] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN WARSAW
  • [07] VETERAN SPRINTERS IN THESSALONIKI'S OLYMPICS TRIAL
  • [08] STATE SPOKESMAN: ALL FIRES ARE NOW UNDER CONTROL
  • [09] A US NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE IS IN CRETE
  • [10] THE SEARCH CONTINUES IN THE SEA REGION OF KOS FOR THE RESCUE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
  • [11] THE 7 GREEKS INVOLVED IN THE INTERNATIONAL COCAINE RING WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR TOMORROW
  • [12] TARMAC AMERICA INC BUYOUT BY TITAN LTD
  • [13] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE IN THE US ON SEPTEMBER 7-8
  • [14] THE SEARCH FOR A MISSING DANISH TOURIST CONTINUES IN ELOUNDA, CRETE
  • [15] THE "PRESPES 2000" EVENTS WERE A BIG SUCCESS
  • [16] LOSSES OF 1.98% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
  • [17] MEETING UNDER THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IN THE REGIONS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE IN IOANNINA
  • [18] REPPAS: DENKTASH DOES EVERYTHING HE CAN TO AFFECT THE CYPRUS TALKS NEGATIVELY
  • [19] INTERNATIONAL FAIR OFFERS CULTURAL EVENTS
  • [20] GREEK POLITICAL LEADERS LINE UP VISITS TO US
  • [21] BULGARIAN-GREEK AGREEMENT SIGNED IN RODOPI
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [22] UN HOPES FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE STATUS QUO IN STROVILIA, CYPRUS

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] "CULTURE: STARTING POINT OF BALKAN COOPERATION"

    Inaugurating the Prespes 2000 festival at the island of Agios Achileios yesterday, Macedonia and Thrace Minister George Paschalidis stated that culture is the common starting point of inter-Balkan cooperation, while he also stressed that his ministry supports all the initiatives that support the mutual vision of viable peace and democracy in the Balkan region.

    Moreover, the Macedonia-Thrace Minister stated that the reconstruction of the Balkans "is primarily a contribution and then an opportunity, primarily solidarity and then politics."

    Referring to the fires that have savaged Greece and other Balkan countries this summer. Mr. Paschalides also stressed the need to strengthen the supra-national and international character of dealing with these problems.

    "The Balkans are Europe. The future of Europe begins from peace in the Balkans, peace emanates from culture, culture meets and reconciles with politics here at Prespes," he characteristically stated.

    Within the framework of the Prespes 2000 festival, a memorandum calling for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games flame passage through the neighboring Balkan countries was signed yesterday by the Ministers of Culture and Athletics of Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM and Greece.

    Culture Minister and Deputy Sports Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Giorgos Floridis, respectively, held separate meetings with their counterparts from Balkan states, while, later in the day, Mr. Pangalos inaugurated the "Prespa Library" at Agios Germanos.

    Mr. Pangalos stated that this marks a significant moment for the region's peoples, those who fervently wish for peace and cooperation. He further stated that the memorandum for the Olympic flame represents this very spirit.

    Moreover, the Balkan Culture ministers agreed to meet one year from now, very likely in northern Greece.

    The "Prespes" festival featured concerts by Socratis Malamas, Dimitris Mitropanos, Maria Farantouri, Elli Paspalia, Savina Giannatou, the Florina-born tenor Sotos Papoulkas and gypsy Ferush Mustamov, and a Bulgarian poetry night held tonight.

    [02] 7 GREEKS NABBED IN VENEZUELA'S HUGE DRUG BUST

    Seven Greeks, among them shipowners and businessmen, have been arrested in connection with a Venezuelan drug bust, the largest in the South American nation's history, all of whom will appear before an Athens prosecutor today.

    The Greeks have been identified as shipowner Philippos Makris, 42, businessmen Ioannis Lemos, 52, and Angelos Kanakis, 52, shipping agents Theodoros Fatsis and Nikos Mavridoglou, 54, and merchant marine captain Constantine Athanasios. Shipowner Ilias Lemos, 53, was arrested and detained in France.

    Six of the Greek suspects were employees or associates of the Kalisti Maritime shipping company based in the port of Piraeus.

    The eight-months-long international operation, which resulted in the seizing of a record ten tons of cocaine, resulted in 16 arrests in Venezuela, France, Italy and Greece.

    The operation began as separate investigations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration office in Athens, Greece, the Customs office in Houston and other agencies. The investigations were eventually united and coordinated by the U.S. Justice Department.

    The US Drug Enforcement Administration helped finance the raids, and Colombia, France, Britain, Italy, Greece and Panama also collaborated.

    [03] CYPRIOT FM IN ATHENS TOMORROW FOR TALKS

    The Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus, George Papandreou and Ioannis Kasoulides respectively, will meet in Athens tomorrow, August 29, in order to coordinate efforts so that the UN-led talks for a settlement in Cyprus will go into the substance of the problem.

    During the meeting, the two ministers will also discuss issues relating to Turkey's European Union accession partnership, expected to be decided in November, as well as relations between Greece and Turkey.

    According to the Cyprus News Agency, Mr. Kasoulides stated that "the meeting in Athens aims at coordinating our actions on various levels in order to achieve our main aim which is for the Cyprus talks to become substantive".

    [04] GREEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IN N.Y. FOR UN SUMMIT

    The Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis will depart for New York today in order to attend the first world summit of Parliament presidents, which will be held in New York from August 30 through September 1.

    The summit will be themed as the Parliamentary Vision for World-Wide Cooperation at the Dawn of the Third Millennium.

    UN Secretary General Koffi Annan and various Parliament presidents will address the worldwide conference, which is held under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Association.

    In his address, Mr. Kaklamanis is expected to refer to issues pertaining to world peace, security, democracy and respect for human rights.

    This is the first time a conference for parliamentary presidents has been held on a global level.

    [05] 400,000 ACRES OF FOREST LAND TURN TO ASHES

    Most of the major fires that have ravaged 400,000 acres of forested and cultivated land throughout Greece this summer, are presently under control, as strong winds have abated and temperatures have dropped.

    As the whole of the country's fire-fighting force battled day and night to contain the blazes that claimed seven lives, Greece issued an international appeal for help and, according to reports, Israel agreed to send a fire-fighting team. Neighboring countries are battling major fires of their own and could not send help.

    Officials have repeatedly voiced suspicion that many of the fires are the work of arsonists and this year 31 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting fires.

    [06] MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER IN WARSAW

    The leader of the main opposition party of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis is presently on an official, two-day visit to Warsaw, where he will participate in the European People's Party conference and the festivities in honor of the twentieth anniversary of "Solidarity".

    Mr. Karamanlis will be accompanied by his party's newly- appointed spokesperson Thodoris Rousopoulos and international relations secretary Yiannis Valinakis.

    [07] VETERAN SPRINTERS IN THESSALONIKI'S OLYMPICS TRIAL

    Veteran sprinters from around the world are to gather in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, to participate in a race held in honor of Balkan champion Grigoris Labrakis.

    Among those to take place in the trial runs are Jamaica's Merlene Ottey, 100-meter race, Niurka Modalvo in women's long- jump, Kasparova and Marinova in triple jump, Donovan Bailey and Bruni Sourin in the 100-meter run.

    Greece will be represented, among others, by Niki Xanthou in long-jump and Olga Vasdeki in triple jump.

    [08] STATE SPOKESMAN: ALL FIRES ARE NOW UNDER CONTROL

    The fires that devastated massive expanses of Greece's forested land have been contained government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas said, albeit adding that all land and air fire-fighting forces continue to be in a state of alert, as there risk of some of the fires may be rekindled from adverse weather conditions, especially in the Peloponnese and central Greece.

    Mr. Reppas also thanked Israel for having responded to Greece's call for help by sending two fire-fighting helicopters.

    Countering criticism that the state was slow to act in battling the blazes, Mr. Reppas said that the country's fire- fighting forces were present from the on-start of the blazes, but were battling with a volatile combination of hot weather and strong winds.

    Lastly, the government spokesperson stressed that the state is looking into reports of Albanian gang involvement in fires at the Greek-Albanian borders.

    [09] A US NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE IS IN CRETE

    The US nuclear-powered submarine "Albany" arrived last Thursday afternoon at the installations of the US base in Marathi, Chania in the island of Crete in southern Greece.

    According to information, the FAST ATTACK type submarine has a 135member crew. Based on the a report on the local daily "Chaniotika Nea", the reason for its arrival is the recreation of its crew. The US submarine will be in Chania for a few days and the date of its departure is not known.

    [10] THE SEARCH CONTINUES IN THE SEA REGION OF KOS FOR THE RESCUE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

    Hopes fade away for the rescue of more illegal immigrants who ended up in the sea when their slave-trading ship, that sailed from Alikarnasos at the Turkish coasts with destination the Greek coasts, overturned at the sea region of the south-eastern Aegean island of Kos.

    The Coast Guard continues the search for survivors. Six foreigners have been rescued while 6 bodies have been pick up from the sea. On board the small boat were 32 people from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

    [11] THE 7 GREEKS INVOLVED IN THE INTERNATIONAL COCAINE RING WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE PROSECUTOR TOMORROW

    The seven Greek businessmen, who were members of an international drug-trafficking ring, will appear before the prosecutor tomorrow.

    The huge police operation lasted 2 years and in it participated drug enforcement agencies from 12 countries. A total of 45 people have been arrested while the value of the five ships and the drugs confiscated is estimated at US$ 1 billion.

    According to information, a Greek police officer, who served at the Athens airport passport department, was also involved in the drug-trafficking ring.

    [12] TARMAC AMERICA INC BUYOUT BY TITAN LTD

    The Greek cement industry TITAN Ltd. will buyout the construction materials company TARMAC AMERICA Inc., an Anglo American subsidiary, for the sum of US$ 636 million, the estimated working capital included.

    The buyout contract has already been signed, while the whole procedure is expected to be completed in the next two months after the responsible US federal authorities give their necessary approval.

    In addition, TITAN Ltd. has reached a deal to sell TARMAC's mining activities and their working capital to the US Vulcan Materials company for the sum of US$ 227 million.

    The funding of TARMAC's buyout by the Bank of America, the National Bank of Greece and Alpha Bank has been secured.

    [13] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE IN THE US ON SEPTEMBER 7-8

    Greek minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis will visit the United States on September 7 and 8, announced government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    During his stay in the United States, Mr. Chrisochoidis will sign a memorandum of better police cooperation with the US justice minister. Mr. Reppas clarified that this memorandum does not constitute a state agreement and for this reason it does not have to be approved by the parliament.

    [14] THE SEARCH FOR A MISSING DANISH TOURIST CONTINUES IN ELOUNDA, CRETE

    The search for a 56yearold tourist from Denmark, who disappeared at the Kolokitha island region last Thursday at noon, continues without results in Crete southern Greece.

    Carl Andersen, who suffers from epilepsy, went to the region from Kanaliou Beach in Elounda, Crete.

    [15] THE "PRESPES 2000" EVENTS WERE A BIG SUCCESS

    This year's "Prespes 2000" cultural events, that were held in the presence of significant political personalities from Greece and the rest Balkan countries, were very successful. The events will be completed today with a Bulgarian poetry night and a music concert.

    The strengthening of cooperation on issues of security in the specific region and in all border regions in general, the migration for economic reasons and the movement of people and goods were discussed in the meeting minister of interior Vaso Papandreou had with her counterparts from Albania and FYROM.

    Ms. Papandreou characterized the meeting as constructive and stressed the need to hold such meetings on an annual basis and with a specific agenda. On the issue of the legalization of the Albanians in Greece, the minister stated that a draft bill on immigration has been submitted in parliament and it is expected to be voted through soon.

    An agreement on the inter-border route that will be followed by the Olympic Flame in 2004 was also reached in the meeting of culture minister Theodoros Pangalos and undersecretary Giorgos Floridis with their counterparts from Cyprus, Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria.

    There was also a significant economic meeting of undersecretary of national economy Yiannis Zafiropoulos with his counterparts from Albania and FYROM. They discussed the preconditions and procedures based on which the Greek plan for the reconstruction of the Balkans will begin to materialize. It was also decided that Albania and FYROM will have until September 20 to submit their proposals to the Greek ministry of national economy on the projects and activities they want to be included in the Greek plan for the reconstruction of the Balkans.

    [16] LOSSES OF 1.98% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

    Big losses of 1.98% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today, the first day of the trading week. The general index dropped to 3.558,99 points while the volume of transactions was at 44.6 billion drachmas.

    Of the stocks trading today only 37 recorded gains, while 312 had losses and 21 remained stable.

    [17] MEETING UNDER THE PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IN THE REGIONS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE IN IOANNINA

    Minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis visited the village of Kastani in Ioannina, north-western Greece where he had a meeting with undersecretary of agriculture Evangelos Argiris, Fire Department chief Panagiotis Fourlas and local authorities.

    The next moves of the fire-fighting forces were discussed in the meeting, while the problem of the fires that approach Greece from the Albanian side of the borders was also examined.

    It should be noted that Greek fire-fighting aircraft and helicopters participate in the efforts to put those fires under control and stop their course toward the Greek borders.

    [18] REPPAS: DENKTASH DOES EVERYTHING HE CAN TO AFFECT THE CYPRUS TALKS NEGATIVELY

    Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash does everything he can to affect the Cyprus talks in a negative way, commented Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    Mr. Reppas also expressed the Greek government's regret because the issue has not been dealt with by the United Nations and expressed the hope that the international organization will undertake the necessary initiatives.

    [19] INTERNATIONAL FAIR OFFERS CULTURAL EVENTS

    The countdown to the 65th International Fair of Thessaloniki has begun and the second capital of Greece is preparing for the diverse cultural events being organised during the Fair. These events are due to begin on Sunday September 3rd, with a recital by Greek singer Alkistis Protopsalti at the Palais Des Sports.

    The 9th DJ Mixing Worldwide Championship will take place on Tuesday September 5th, and a joint concert by Greek singer Niko Papakosta and Italian singer Franco Simone will take place on the following evening, accompanied by violinist Nicholas Chatzopoulos.

    Finally, Maria Farandouris will give a performance on Sunday September 10th.

    [20] GREEK POLITICAL LEADERS LINE UP VISITS TO US

    Greek political leaders have lined up several important meetings in the United States, the most important of these being the participation of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the dinner being held by Bill Clinton and the meeting planned between Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou and Ismail Cem, his Turkish counterpart, on Greek-Turkish relations.

    Mr Simitis will arrive in New York on September 5th to take part in the UN ceremony being held for the Millennium, accompanied by Greek government representative Dimitris Reppas and other close associates, such as the manager of his diplomatic office, D. Sotiropoulos and the head of press Dimitris Pandayias, amongst others.

    During his visit to the US, the Greek Prime Minister will have meetings with leaders of other countries such as Albania, FYROM etc and will most likely hold a meeting with President Clirides, as the fourth round of talks for the Cyprus issue is due to begin in New York on September 11th.

    George Papandreou will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem and hopes to meet with his counterparts from other countries, such as Madeleine Albright, of the US. The talks with Mr Cem are expected to play an important role in Turkey's route to the European Union. Mr Papandreou will also talk at the UN General Assembly.

    Greek Civil Order minister, Michalis Chrysochoides will also visit the US on September 7th, to sign a memorandum for the fight against terrorism between the two countries. Janet Reno, minister of Justice, will sign the memorandum on behalf of the US. Mr Chrysochoides will also meet with the head of the CIA, FBI and other executives to discuss the issue of terrorism.

    Finally, Apostolos Kaklamanis, President of the Greek Parliament, arrived in the US today to take part in the Worldwide Inter-Parliamentary Conference, organised by the UN. Mr Kaklamanis will face the President of the Cypriot Parliament, Spyros Kyprianou, for the first time.

    [21] BULGARIAN-GREEK AGREEMENT SIGNED IN RODOPI

    An agreement was signed today between the Bulgarian Union of the Rodopi municipality and the Greek Union of the neighbouring "Delta-Rodopi" area, in Smolian, northern Bulgaria, by the Presidents of both Unions, Dantso Kyriakov and Konstantino Tatsi.

    One of the main aims of the agreement is the realisation of joint projects relating to border cooperation between the two countries.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [22] UN HOPES FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE STATUS QUO IN STROVILIA, CYPRUS

    The Turkish side continues to ignore the representations made by the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus calling for the lifting of the restrictions imposed on the movement of the UN force by the Turkish Cypriot occupation regime in the northern part of the island.

    From their side, the United Nations still hope that the return to the previous situation will be allowed. Referring to the issue that arose with the change in the status quo in Strovilia, the UN confirms the facts seeking to reach conclusions, stated UN secretary general deputy special representative in Cyprus Zbigniu Vlosovic after the meeting he had with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides.


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