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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-06-01

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, June 1, 2001

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS TITLES
  • [Á] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [01] EU PRESIDENT DISCUSSES UPCOMING SUMMIT WITH PM
  • [02] MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS IN ATHENS
  • [03] QUAKE RATTLES EGIO, NO INJURIES REPORTED
  • [04] HOUSE C/TEE OKs ORGANIZED CRIME, TERRORISM BILL
  • [05] DEPUTY DM RECEIVES HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART
  • [06] FAMILY, ARMY VALUED MOST, CAPITALISM DETESTED
  • [07] GREECE IN LINE WITH EU POLICY OVER GM PRODUCTS
  • [08] EXPERT FINDS SAMINA CREW LIABLE FOR DISASTER
  • [09] ASE SHEDS EMERGING IMAGE, NOW MATURE MARKET
  • [10] PM SIMITIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON ND
  • [11] LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
  • [12] ALLEGED TIES OF POLITICIANS WITH TERRORISM
  • [13] PAPANDREOU-CEM WILL BE IN SAMOS IN JUNE
  • [14] THE RADIO-TV COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON THE "BIG BROTHER"
  • [15] GREECE-FYROM COOPERATION PILOT PROGRAM
  • [16] THE SOLBES FIGURES DO NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
  • [17] US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES WANT CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] EU PRESIDENT DISCUSSES UPCOMING SUMMIT WITH PM

    Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, whose country presently holds the European Union's rotating presidency, was received by Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens yesterday, with whom he discussed the imminent EU Summit in Goteborg on June 15-16.

    Addressing a joint press conference after their talks, Mr. Persson underlined the importance of the EU's enlargement, expressing the hope that the June 15-16 Summit will provide this process with a greater impetus and will send a positive message to candidate countries.

    In turn, Mr. Simitis said the Greek government agrees with the agenda presented by his Swedish counterpart, who is presently on a tour of European capitals.

    Regarding the free movement of people, goods and services, the Swedish premier said that if an agreement is reached on this "we shall be in a position to state that accession negotiations with countries included in the first wave will be completed before 2002."

    In reference to climatic changes, Mr. Persson said the issue will also be examined at the EU-U.S. summit during which "we shall also discuss the different views we have regarding the Kyoto Protocol." The EU-US Summit will also feature discussions on the Middle East issue and the situation in the Balkans.

    "The dominant issue might be the Balkans, it might be the Middle East issue, it might be climatic changes or something else which will arise by then," he said.

    On his part, Mr. Simitis said that Greece considers the issue of enlargement very important and desires acceleration in the relevant process "so that relevant protocols will have been signed at the end of 2002 and later, during the Greek presidency, to have the official signing take place."

    Moreover, Mr. Simitis said the position announced by Spain on Wednesday, which dissociates the issue of structural funds' prospects from the issues of the free movement of people and goods, was a "pleasant development."

    Asked whether the European Council in Goteborg will reconfirm the decision taken at the EU Helsinki summit on the completion of Cyprus's accession course regardless of a solution being found to its political problem, Mr. Persson responded that "we have already decided this at Helsinki", adding that "given that accession negotiations are developing successfully, we shall adhere to our decisions and there is no danger of us moving away from them."

    Commenting on the same issue, Mr. Simitis said that "it is unnecessary for us to seek confirmation of previous decisions at every summit" because "it is as if we ourselves are sowing doubts on these decisions."

    Replying to a question on whether the European Council will set a specific date for the start of new countries joining the EU, the Swedish Premier said various proposals on the issue are being discussed, reminding that the European Council in Nice has already decided that the best prepared countries will be able to participate in Euroelections in 2004.

    "For this to happen, accession negotiations should be completed before 2002," he said. He further said the issue remains open, but both the Swedish presidency and Athens would be positive to 2002 being set as the date for the start to enlargement.

    [02] MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE MINISTERS IN ATHENS

    The third Conference of Agriculture Ministers from Mediterranean Countries is presently being held in Athens, where the 13 national delegations participating are to review cooperation aimed at sustainable farming and the development of the Mediterranean diet.

    Presided by Greece's Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis, the conference features the participation of agriculture ministers from Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Algiers, Tunisia, Morocco, Malta, Lebanon and Albania.

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to receive the ministers this afternoon.

    [03] QUAKE RATTLES EGIO, NO INJURIES REPORTED

    An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale shook the region of Egio this morning, but there were no reports of damage or injury.

    The tremor occurred at 6:21 a.m., with its epicenter located 12 kilometers southwest of Egio, in the Kouninon region.

    It was the second quake to take place in less than 24 hours at the prefecture of Achaia.

    [04] HOUSE C/TEE OKs ORGANIZED CRIME, TERRORISM BILL

    A bill tabled by the government on organized crime and terrorism was approved yesterday by a parliamentary committee, supported by both the ruling PASOK and the main opposition party of New Democracy.

    Commenting on the bill's passage, Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos stated that "this is one of the few cases - of the past few years- of support for a bill by such a wide majority of the two major parties of Parliament.

    "This bill aims to combat criminal organizations, both those who aim at profit with their activities and terrorist criminal organizations," he said, adding "during discussions in the Parliament's plenum further improvements may occur, as it did happen in the committee." The bill will now be tabled in the plenum for ratification.

    At the same time, a rally was held in Thessaloniki yesterday evening, in protest to the so-called "terror law".

    [05] DEPUTY DM RECEIVES HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART

    Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis met with his Hungarian counterpart Janos Homoki in Athens yesterday, with whom he reviewed security conditions in the Balkans, Greek-Turkish relations, bilateral cooperation and political controls of the armed forces.

    In reference to Greek-Turkish relations, he stated that "the key to relations is the respect for existing Treaties and Agreements and not challenging anyone's national sovereignty".

    Regarding the Balkans, Mr. Apostolakis stressed that the Balkan Stability Pact provides the means for a final response to the demands for stability of the Balkans both political and economic.

    [06] FAMILY, ARMY VALUED MOST, CAPITALISM DETESTED

    The overwhelming majority of Greeks (92.7%) espouse family as their highest value, followed by the armed forces that enjoy the support of 82.1 percent of the respondents to a recent survey.

    Conducted by Kappa Research on behalf of the Athens daily "To Vima", the survey attempted to tap the current tendencies of Greek society. It also found that volunteerism is valued by 79.9%, followed by church/religion with 89.7%, a rate that increases to 81.6% among the supporters of the conservative main opposition party of New Democracy.

    Conversely, capitalism, at least as an ideal is detested by 14.4 percent.

    [07] GREECE IN LINE WITH EU POLICY OVER GM PRODUCTS

    Greece is in line with the European Union's policy regarding genetically modified products, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated during his talks with visiting Agriculture Ministers from Mediterranean countries.

    Concurrently, Mr. Simitis stated that any products whose origin cannot be ascertained are not welcomed in Greece.

    The third Conference of Agriculture Ministers from Mediterranean Countries is presently being held in Athens, attended by the agriculture ministers of Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Algiers, Tunisia, Morocco, Malta, Lebanon and Albania.

    [08] EXPERT FINDS SAMINA CREW LIABLE FOR DISASTER

    The Minoan Flying Dolphin ferry Express Samina disaster occurred largely due to human error, according to an expert report that was submitted by an independent diver to appeals court judge Nikos Karadimitriou, who is in charge of the investigation.

    According to the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", the diver, N. Labrakos, stated that the ferry had veered off course by 30 to 40 squadrons, while he also found that the doors of the bulkhead were not operating, which resulted in the ship's quick sinking.

    Labrakos also stated that the ship's crew made no effort to avoid the colission with a rock formation, as attested by the impact-borne gash, which is straight and not jagged as it would have been if efforts to steer the ship into line were made.

    Eighty people lost their lives when Samina Express sank on September 26, 2000, shortly after hitting the Portes rock formation.

    [09] ASE SHEDS EMERGING IMAGE, NOW MATURE MARKET

    Equity prices rose this morning on the Athens Stock Exchange, which entered its first day as a "mature market", having been upgraded by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI).

    New volatility rates also went into effect today, with the upper and lower at +18 percent and -18 percent, respectively.

    Also entering into effect as of today are revised high and medium capitalisation indices, and the new small capitalisation index.

    Greece will be the 15th largest country out of 16 in MSCI Europe's index with a pro forma market capitalization weight of 0.52 percent, larger than Austria but smaller than Norway or Portugal, according to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (MSDW).

    [10] PM SIMITIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON ND

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis launched an attack on the right- wing main opposition party of New Democracy speaking today in the governing socialist party of PASOK central committee meeting.

    He accused ND of adopting a policy of insults, slander, populism and costless promises and stressed that PASOK will not follow it to this path. He referred to the period 1990-1993 when ND was in power and pointed out that the effects of its term in government were negative for the Greek economy and the Greek people.

    Mr. Simitis stated that the decision of the Greek people is given namely, the people want the country to move forward and not return to the past. The prime minister also presented the government's vision for a "strong Greece" in the post-EMU era.

    He referred extensively to the achievements made in the economic policy, the social security system, the government's social face and in the sectors of education, health, etc.

    On PASOK, he pointed out that the central committee meeting is the starting point for a new beginning and issued an appeal to the forces of the Left to rally together with his party.

    The prime minister also gave a personal tone to his speech by saying that everyone in this country has followed their own course in life and referring to himself he said that there are many who recognize that Greece's EMU accession was his achievement but this is not enough for him. He said that his ambition is for PASOK to materialize the new national strategy for a Greece of social justice and progress.

    [11] LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

    The losses continued today in the Athens Stock Exchange which is now included in the mature markets. The general index had big losses and dropped to -2.54% at 3.010,29 points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 294.4 million Euro or 100.3 billion drachmas.

    Of the stocks trading today, 59 recorded gains and 268 had losses, while the value of 54 stocks remained stable.

    [12] ALLEGED TIES OF POLITICIANS WITH TERRORISM

    Greek Communist Party parliament deputy Liana Kaneli submitted documents to the public administration parliamentary committee chairman which, according to her, are being distributed lately by the US embassy in Athens to political personalities and link governing socialist party of PASOK members with the terrorist organization "17 November".

    The documents have the date November 4, 1989 (just after the assassination of Pavlos Bakoyiannis) and their origin cannot be certified. Based on them, former public order minister and PASOK parliament deputy Sifis Valirakis, former National Information Service chief and PASOK parliament deputy Konstantinos Tsimas and PASOK's public relations committee member Vasilis Konstantineas have ties with international terrorism.

    [13] PAPANDREOU-CEM WILL BE IN SAMOS IN JUNE

    The 3rd Economic Conference of the Aegean Islands' Chambers and the Turkish Coasts' Chambers will be held in the southeastern Aegean island of Samos on June 22-23.

    The conference will be held with the participation of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

    [14] THE RADIO-TV COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON THE "BIG BROTHER"

    It is the responsibility of the Radio-Television Council to decide on whether the "Big Brother" TV show will be broadcast on the Greek television, but the people too have a share of the responsibility because they should take a stance when it comes to shows that insult their dignity. The specific television show is an example of how the new technologies can vulgarize and be used for low purposes.

    The above were stated by undersecretary of press Tilemachos Hitiris responding to a timely question made in parliament by independent parliament deputy Giorgos Karatzaferis on the TV show "Big Brother" that will be broadcast by ANT1 in Greece starting in September.

    [15] GREECE-FYROM COOPERATION PILOT PROGRAM

    The completed pilot program of cross-border cooperation between Greece and FYROM for the restoration and rebirth of the Vlach-speaking community of Milovista was displayed in the presence of local authorities and a large audience in the city of Bitola, FYROM last Wednesday.

    The project has as a model and main partner the Greek community of Nimpheon in northwestern Greece on behalf of the EU, within the framework of the PHARE European program.

    [16] THE SOLBES FIGURES DO NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY

    The figures provided by Spanish European Commissioner Pedro Solbes, responsible for economic and monetary affairs, do not correspond to reality concerning the state of the social groups in Greece when compared to the poverty line, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas. He said that those figures refer to the 1994-1996 period and therefore, reflect the policy followed in the period of 1990-1993, pointing out that the government policy has as a main goal the strengthening of the social state.

    Mr. Reppas stated that gradually after 1996 social spending has increased by 2 trillion drachmas, corresponding to 2% of the GDP. He also referred to the policies followed by the government during that period such as, the adoption of the Social Solidarity benefit, the policies against unemployment, measures for the elderly and pensioners, tax changes for wage-earners and other citizens with low income and the Social Solidarity Network.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [17] US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES WANT CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION

    The clear statement that the United States back Cyprus' accession into the European Union with or without the earlier solution of the Cyprus problem, is being requested by 45 US House Representatives in a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

    The initiative for this move belongs to US House Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Robert Menendez and was undertaken after a meeting foreign minister of Cyprus Yiannis Kasoulidis had with a group of US House Representatives, members of the International Relations parliament committee, during his recent visit to Washington.


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