Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-23
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 23, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SPORTS FAIR OPENS IN THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY
[02] PM TO CHAIR DEFENSE, FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL
[03] FM MEETS CIA CHIEF, TALKS TOUCH UPON TERRORISM
[04] GREEK PRESIDENT ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO CROATIA
[05] BALKANS AT HEART OF GREEK FM's TALKS IN US
[06] PATRIARCH PETROS IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
[07] POSTAL VOTES FOR EXPATRIATE GREEKS CONSIDERED
[08] STATE REPORT SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON ECONOMY
[09] THOUSANDS WILL VOLUNTEER TO CLEAN UP THE MED
[10] LIMITED INCIDENTS IN THE STUDENT PROTEST MARCH IN ATHENS
[11] JUSTICE MINISTER STATEMENTS ON THE STATE ISSUED ID CARDS AND
CIVIL MARRIAGE
[12] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] RESOLUTIONS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY TURKEY
[14] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON TERRORISM
[15] IN 10 YEARS THE VACCINE AGAINST THE CANCER OF THE CERVIX
[16] A TURKISH FAMILY LOOKS FOR ITS ROOTS IN GREECE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN A LONDON WINE EXHIBITION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SPORTS FAIR OPENS IN THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY
The second international Sports and Recreation Equipment and
Facilities trade fair "Sportexpo 2001" is to be inaugurated in
Thessaloniki tomorrow by the Minister of Culture Evangelos
Venizelos.
The theme of this year's Sportexpo, organized by Helexpo, will be
the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, with focus granted on several
special events not widely popular to the public, such as
triathlon, hockey, softball, baseball, canoe-kayak, pentathlon,
archery, body building, mountain biking, martial arts and
aerobics.
Sportexpo 2001, which will conclude on May 27, is aimed at
both businesses in the sector and the general public.
Among exhibitors are the General Secretariat for the Olympic
Games, the General Sports Secretariat, the Confederation of
Athletics Unions of Greece and federations representing individual
sports.
[02] PM TO CHAIR DEFENSE, FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to chair the Defense and
Foreign Policy Council (KYSEA) tomorrow, where the participants
will discuss the issue of postponing several arms procurement
programs.
According to Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, the session
will examine which armaments programs are priorities for the 2001-
2006 period, as well as which programs will be delayed in order to
funnel funds allocated for the defense sector into social
spending.
The Prime Minister, who is to depart for Malta after the
KYSEA meeting, will hold successive meetings today with ministers
of interior, justice, defense and national economy.
[03] FM MEETS CIA CHIEF, TALKS TOUCH UPON TERRORISM
Greece has stepped up its efforts to combat terrorism,
according to CIA Director George Tenet who met with visiting
Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Washington yesterday.
Messrs. Tenet and Papandreou discussed the progress made
achieved by an international advisory committee comprising
officials from Greece, Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Spain,
the United Kingdom and the United States, set up to consult Athens
on security matters for the 2004 Athens Games. Last year, these
countries ratified a mutual legal assistance treaty and signed a
police cooperation memorandum to enhance cooperation on law
enforcement, including terrorism.
During the State Department's daily press briefing yesterday,
spokesman Richard Boucher referred to the meeting held earlier
between Secretary of State Colin Powell and the Greek FM, stating
that their talks also touched upon the need to keep up cooperation
over Athens 2004 security issues.
"Clearly, we think there is more that can be done in terms of
the cooperation between Greece and its international partners. And
Foreign Minister Papandreou was also of the view that this
cooperation and what they do together is very important.
"There is a lot of cooperation going on. In the end we're
also going to be looking -- all looking for results in terms of
the fight against terrorism," Mr. Boucher said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Athens daily "To Vima",
Mr. Powell stressed that he is satisfied with the noted progress
made by the Greek government over its counter-terrorism measures,
albeit adding that he would like to see these measures culminate
into arrests.
"The Simitis government shares our disappointment over the
fact that no one has been brought to justice over these attacks,"
Mr. Powell stated.
In its annual report on terrorism, entitled "Patterns of
Global Terrorism 2000", the State Department noted that Greece has
undertaken a series of more stringent counter-terrorism measures
during the past year.
Specifically, the report notes that the Greek government
strengthened its police counter-terrorism unit, implemented a
multimillion-dollar reward program, and began drafting legislation
to provide a legal basis for more vigorous counter-terrorism
efforts.
During his stay in Washington, Mr. Papandreou also concluded
a series of contacts with high-ranking congressional leaders,
including Greek-American senators Paul Sarbanes and Oympia Snowe.
The Greek FM also met with vice-president Dick Cheney and US
President George Bush's national security advisor Condoleeza Rice.
[04] GREEK PRESIDENT ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO CROATIA
The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos
is presently conducting an official three-day visit to Croatia, at
the invitation of his Croatian counterpart Stipe Mesic.
During his stay in Zagreb, President Stephanopoulos will hold
separate meetings with Mr. Mesic and Croatian Prime Minister Ivica
Racan, with whom he will discuss the entire range of bilateral
relations, with emphasis on the economic sector, as well as on the
situation in the wider Balkans.
The President is escorted by the undersecretary of National
Economy Yiannis Zafiropoulos, responsible for international
economic affairs, and a delegation of Greek businessmen who are to
are to hold meetings with Croatian entrepreneurs and state
officials.
Greek exports to Croatia amount to .26 percent of the
latter's overall import volume, while Croatian exports to Greece
correspond to .13% of total imports.
Other contacts will include representatives of the political
parties of the country, while the President will also visit the
University of Zagreb and the Croatian parliament.
Prior to his return to Athens on Friday, Mr. Stephanopoulos
will be given a tour of the city of Dubrovnik.
[05] BALKANS AT HEART OF GREEK FM's TALKS IN US
Emphasis was clearly given on the Balkan region during talks
held yesterday in Washington between Greece's visiting Foreign
Minister George Papandreou, his US counterpart Colin Powell, Vice
President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza
Rice.
According to Mr. Papandreou, democratic institutions should
be developed and Balkan countries should be given economic backing
in order to enable the U.S.' gradual withdrawal, with Greece
willing to carry out a leading role in such a development.
Moreover, Mr. Papandreou requested Washington's support in
averting the further dismembering of Balkan states, while the need
to avoid any change in borders in the region was also discussed.
Overall, the talks ascertained the coincidence of views
shared by Greece and the US on a variety of issues concerning the
Balkan region.
During a press briefing later, State Department spokesperson
Richard Boucher confirmed that Messrs. Papandreou and Powell
discussed the situation in FYROM at length.
"I would say there is very much an agreement on the support
for the (Skopje) government and the direction they are going, in
terms of a unity government."
In regards to Kosovo, Mr. Boucher said the two men "talked
quite a bit about the longer term prospects and what we had to do
over the longer term to support and help build multi-ethnic
democracies in the region, which is what is going to give us the
long term stability that we all look for, and the chance to
withdraw troops, as a matter of fact."
Following his White House meeting with the US Vice President,
Mr. Papandreou stated that he and Mr. Cheney discussed all
individual issues in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, the action of extremist
groups in FYROM, as well as Cyprus' accession to Europe with or
without a prior solution to the political problem.
"We all hope for a solution before accession, but this does
not constitute a precondition for the accession of Cyprus to the
EU. Steadfast insistence on decisions taken at Helsinki is the
main conception governing the policy of all of us," the Greek FM
said.
Moreover, he stated that "we have requested the contribution
of the U.S. to the effort to have Turkey adopt European principles
which will contribute substantively to the country's stability and
which have particular importance for the progress of Turkish
society."
[06] PATRIARCH PETROS IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
Patriarch of Alexandria Petros, presently on an official
visit to Greece, stressed that the Patriarchate of Alexandria and
the Church of Greece enjoy excellent relations.
Thanking the Greek Church and the Greek government for their
support to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, Patriarch Petros stated
that the eight bishoprics of his see became 12 during his term,
while a theology school for training priests for English-speaking
countries in Africa has been established in Kenya.
The Patriarch of Alexandria is to visit Thessaloniki tomorrow
where Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos will bestow upon him the
city's Golden Key.
[07] POSTAL VOTES FOR EXPATRIATE GREEKS CONSIDERED
Deputy Foreign Minister (responsible for expatriate Greek
affairs) Grigoris Niotis has asked for cross-party cooperation in
order to expedite the introduction of postal votes to Greek
citizens living abroad.
Addressing a Parliamentary committee for expatriate Greeks,
Mr. Niotis stated that the right to vote by post, which is
provided for under the newly-revised Constitution, should be at
first implemented for those Greeks who reside in the
European Union.
Moreover, he stated that, within the next six years the
parties should arrive at specific proposals regarding the degree
and form of representation that expatriates in other countries
should have in Greek political processes.
"I am not a psychopath so that I would want fourth-generation
Greek-Americans to elect the government in Greece, but the
expatriate Greek community must be represented," Mr. Niotis said.
[08] STATE REPORT SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ON ECONOMY
Breaking a 25-year record, Greece's GDP growth is to jump to
4.5 per cent in 2001, while inflation is to stand at 2.7 per cent
by the end of the year, according to a report published by the
ministry of national economy.
Released yesterday and entitled "Truths and Lies About the
Greek Economy", the report essentially presents the key points
recently outlined in Parliament by Minister of National Economy
and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou.
According to the report, the government's budget remains on
target, thanks to a 10.7 per cent increase in revenue during the
first four months of the year, compared to the same period of
2000, thus surpassing the eight percent increase forecast by the
budget.
The report also notes that spending for the same four-month
period was increased by 3.9 per cent, while it stresses that the
current budget contains no "black holes", as claimed by the main
opposition party of New Democracy.
[09] THOUSANDS WILL VOLUNTEER TO CLEAN UP THE MED
Eleven thousand volunteers are expected to put on their
gloves and turn up at the country's coastline and lakes this
weekend, in order to haul away garbage in a nationwide beach clean
up.
Held for the seventh year in a row, the "Clean Up the Med"
project is held concurrently in 20 Mediterranean countries between
May 25-27.
The Greek project is coordinated by the Arctouros Society.
[10] LIMITED INCIDENTS IN THE STUDENT PROTEST MARCH IN ATHENS
Limited incidents were recorded at noon today as soon as the
university student march got underway in Athens in protest to the
draft bill upgrading the Technological Education Institutes to
become part of higher education.
The incidents started a few meters past the Polytechnic
School when a group of students attempted to move toward the head
of the march.
Finally, the tension defused and the march to the education
ministry building continued without further incidents.
[11] JUSTICE MINISTER STATEMENTS ON THE STATE ISSUED ID CARDS AND
CIVIL MARRIAGE
Justice minister Michalis Stathopoulos in statements he made
today, after one of the regular meetings he had with prime
minister Kostas Simitis, referred to the state-issued identity
cards and civil marriage.
Mr. Stathopoulos pointed out that the state has the authority
on the issue of the identities and this cannot be denied by
anyone, adding that the government was the one that opened the
issue and the one to close it in the best possible way.
On civil marriage, the justice minister stated that the issue
was settled in 1983 and therefore, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas was right when he said that there is no civil marriage
issue.
[12] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The
general index rose to +0.58% at 3.165,52 points, while the volume
of transactions was relatively increased at 175.71 million Euro or
59.87 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 69 recorded gains and 260 had
losses, while the value of 49 stocks remained stable.
[13] RESOLUTIONS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY TURKEY
The members of the Greek Parliamentary Committee on Foreign
Affairs and Defense with a unanimous resolution call on the
Council of Europe to demand from Turkey to implement immediately
the European Court for Human Rights decision that found Ankara
guilty of human rights violations in Cyprus. In the resolution it
is also mentioned that Turkey should be informed on the sanctions
that will suffer in case it does not meet its obligations.
Former government minister Theodoros Pangalos speaking before
the committee stated that in case Ankara does not comply then
based on international treaties it will cease to be a Council of
Europe member and a candidate for accession.
In addition, 182 deputies from every political party
represented in the Greek parliament addressed a letter to Euro-
parliament and the European state parliaments calling for their
immediate and decisive intervention in the Turkish government to
put an end to the inhumane behavior targeting the political
prisoners, who are on a hunger strike and their relatives.
[14] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON TERRORISM
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that no
demand has been tabled by the United States on the issue of
terrorism, pointing out however, that the issue was included in
the agenda of the talks between Greek foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Mr. Reppas, when asked to comment on the statements made by
Mr. Powell in an interview with the Athens newspaper "Vima",
stated that the outcome of the efforts made to counter terrorism
were not as effective as expected because terrorism is an
international plague.
Mr. Reppas stated that the government has the will to
continue the effort against terrorism, adding that the effort made
is continuous and systematic and there is constant cooperation
with responsible foreign agencies. He also gave the assurance that
the Athens 2004 Olympic Games will be safe.
[15] IN 10 YEARS THE VACCINE AGAINST THE CANCER OF THE CERVIX
A vaccine against the Human Papillomavirus, HPV, which is the
basic cause of the cancer of the cervix of the uterus, has been
created by scientists but it will take a decade before it is
tested on humans.
This vaccine has a proven record of success in the prevention
or remission of lesions linked with HPV in lab animals. This
success has led to attempts for the production of a vaccine
against HPV which could prevent the virus associated diseases that
appear in humans.
The developments concerning the vaccine in question and
issues concerning the precautionary examination using the HPV-test
in combination with the Pap Test will be presented in the 5th
Scientific Meeting on the prevention and timely diagnosis of
gynecological cancer that will be held in Thessaloniki on May 25-
27.
In a press conference today on the occasion of the meeting it
was stressed that HPV is transmitted through sexual intercourse.
For men, things are easier as the virus can disappear by itself
after 2-3 years, while in women the infection can cause cancer of
the cervix of the uterus.
[16] A TURKISH FAMILY LOOKS FOR ITS ROOTS IN GREECE
Twenty five members of a historic Turkish family are in
Greece looking for their roots in Grevena, northwestern Greece.
It is the Mollaogulari or Molaleyler family which numbers
5.000 members has a history that goes back to four centuries and
its starting point is Grevena.
The family's ancestor Molla Ali was born in Grevena in 1657
and was the town mufti. The family lived in Grevena until 1924
when it was forced to go to Turkey because of the population
exchange that took place between Greece and Turkey.
Today, the family's 5.000 members are scattered in the
Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Eskisehir, Prusa, Nigde,
Aydin, Denizli, Burdur and Isparta and countries like the United
States, France and Germany.
The 25 members of this family, who have arrived in Greece
today, will spend the night in the city of Kavala, in the northern
part of the country and tomorrow will be in Thessaloniki. On
Friday, they will be in Grevena where a welcoming event will be
held in their honor in the prefecture building and the City Hall.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREEK PARTICIPATION IN A LONDON WINE EXHIBITION
The 20th International Wine-Beverages Fair in London, in
which Greece is one of the participants, ends tomorrow. The fair
is an annual event and one of the biggest wine exhibitions in the
world. This year there are over 1.000 exhibitors, producers and
distributors, from 30 countries.
The Greek wine imports to Britain follow an upward trend in
the past few years. Britain is a significant market for wine
imports with promising future prospects as the British consumer,
who was mainly a beer consumer, now shows a preference for wine.
For this reason, there is a big competitiveness among the wine
producing countries to increase their share in this new market, as
both the price and ad campaign affect the consumer's decision to a
great degree.
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