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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-10-01Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH Thessaloniki, October 1, 2001 SECTIONS
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas pointed out that what need to be checked, are the relations of terrorists with the occupied territories of Cyprus. "In Cyprus there is one terrorist. He is Attila, they are the occupational powers". The Minister of Defense, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, pointed out that the Ecevit statements are unacceptable and they expose Turkey's weakness to stop political developments in our region, which is swiftly leading the Cypriot Republic to the European Union. [02] ANTI-WAR EVENTS OF GENOA INITIATIVE 2001With "No to the Bush war" as its main slogan, the Genoa Initiative 2001is organizing an anti-capitalist festival from October 5 to 7, in Athens "Pantion" University.A teacher of the COBAS syndicates, Piero Soreli, from the Genoa Social Forum, and Lucy Ellison from Great Britain's Globalize Resistance, will also be present and will talk about the anti-war movement. Also, Evaggelos Maheras, Honorary President of the World Peace Council, former MPs of the Coalition, Giannis Dragasakis, Stella Alifieri, Panos Garganas and Maria Styllou. In the framework of the events, 22 discussions will take place on the situation in developing countries, peace in the Middle East, globalization and the environment, as well as anti-war concerts with Lakis Papadopoulos kke ta Psila Rever, Nikos Touliatos and Ihodrasi, Mode Plagal, Babylona, Iris Mavraki, and others. [03] INTERNAL PASOK DISAGREEMENTSPASOK members cannot agree on the results of yesterday's elections which took place in all PASOK organizations to appoint the approximately 5000 spokespersons who will participate in the 6th congress of the party, to be held in the Olympic Stadium on October 11- 14.The modernization supporters on one side and the associates of Akis Tsohatzopoulos on the other, give a different appreciation of the figures, both in internal party correlation as well as on the percentage of participation in the elections. In certain electoral districts of Athens there were tensions during the elections and there were irregularities, but on the whole, the elections took place calmly. [04] SIMITIS-SKANDALIDIS MEETINGThe Secretary of the Central Committee of PASOK, Kostas Skandalidis, will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, today at 2 at the Maximos Mansion. They will discuss the course of the Movement to the 6th congress, and Mr. Skandalidis will inform the Prime Minister on yesterdays internal party elections for the appointing of the participants in the congress.[05] MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE MEETINGThe issues of the economy and the budget are being discussed in today's meeting of the Ministerial Committee, presided over by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. The consequences of the international crisis on Greek economy, after the terrorist attacks on the US, will be examined, and the appropriate adjustments will be made to the budget.[06] 3,6 RICHTER EARTHQUAKEA weak vibration of 3,6 points on the Richter scale was recorded at 3:17am, its epicentre 30 kilometers southwest of Anabyssos, Attica.[07] GREEKS SAY NO TO PARTICIPATION IN WARThe vast majority of Greeks say "no" to war and the participation of Greek forces in military operations, according to the results of the V.PRC company survey, published by "Ta Nea" newspaper.86,2% of the people asked are opposed to military retaliation of the US to the terrorist attack it underwent and only 7,8% was for military action. Also, 72,1% believes that Greece should not participate in military operations, even if NATO makes such a decision. 21,3% was for Greece to participate. [08] NEW DEMOCRACY AHEAD-SIMITIS RECOVERYA recovery for PASOK and for Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, but a clear lead for New Democracy was shown by the V.PRC Company survey, published in "Ta Nea" newspaper.Kostas Simitis and Kostas Karamanlis concentrate about the same percentage on the question of who is more appropriate for the position of Prime Minister of Greece. Mr. Simitis has 35,3% and Mr. Karamanlis concentrates 35%. In vote intent, New Democracy is ahead with 34,3% against 27,9% of PASOK (a difference of 6,4 units) and other parties received: Greek Communist Party 4,9%, Coalition of the Left 3,5%, DIKKI 2,2%, Movement of Free Citizens 7%. New Democracy is ahead in expected electoral victory (which party would win if elections were held today) with 42,1% (lower than previous surveys) against 32,4% of PASOK. The survey took place from September 11 to 28. [09] SIMITIS WILL LEAVE THE CONGRESS STRONGERHis appreciation that Kostas Simitis will leave the 6th PASOK congress stronger, was expressed by the Secretary of the Central Committee of PASOK, Kostas Skandalidis, who characterized the Prime Minister as "steadily trustworthy", and stated thatwith Mr. Simitis leading, the party will win the next elections.In an interview given to "Ta Nea" newspaper, he stressed that the congress must take place despite international developments, after the terrorist attack on the US, and noted that now more eyes will be turned to him. He pointed out that the model of government should change. [10] 20% OF GREEKS ELDERLY2 million Greeks are celebrating today. They are the elderly, who with people their age all over the world are celebrating the Global Day for the Elderly. But Greece should not be "glad", because according to a Report of the World Health Organization it has been placed in the first positions of countries with the oldest population. According to statistics, in 2020 the percentage of Greeks over 65, which is today 20%, will be 27,5%, while in 2050 it will be even higher.As mentioned in the report of the World Health Organization, in 2020 Japan will be the country with the oldest population worldwide, as its percentage of people over 60 will reach 31% of their population. In second position Greece, Italy, and Switzerland will follow. In fact, Greece will have more people over 80 than any other country. This phenomenon is due to the rise in life expectancy and the drop in birth rate. The birth rate index is one of the lowest in Europe, with 1,3 children per each woman, while in Turkey the correlation is 2,38 children per woman, while for the renewal of the generation, 2,1 children must correspond per woman. [11] TSOHATZOPOULOS BOOK"The Society of Solidarity" is the title of the first book by Akis Tsohatzopoulos, which will be available on Wednesday from "Ianos" Publications, and will on Friday be presented by the Minister of National Defense in Thessaloniki.This publication is a transcription of a collection of positions and opinions of Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, as he expressed them over the last two years in public appearances with reporters and University Professors. An extract was previewed today in "Eleftherotypia", and in the foreword the Minister noted: "The target is balance between society and economy. This is how the road will be opened. With citizens active, with policies that serve people and instead of the prosperity of figures, a society of solidarity and prosperity of figures appears". [12] ANTI-WAR RALLY TOMORROW IN ARISTOTELOUS SQUAREAn anti-war rally has been organized for tomorrow in Thessaloniki by the Committee of bodies against war. The rally will take place at 8pm in "Aristotelous" Square, with it central slogan being: "No to war-no involvement of our country in the new suppression measures".[13] TRAGIC DEATH OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTAn illegal immigrant, of unknown, so far, nationality, found tragic death in a minefield in the Evros area, while trying to pass into Greece from Turkey illegally .The unknown male – age 30-35 – was found dead in fields outside Gemisti, Evros. According to police reports, the unfortunate man probably passed the fencing of the minefield last night, and was lethally wounded by a mine. The police has begun preliminary investigations. [14] TURK TRANSPORTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTSA 40-year-old Turk was arrested on the 12th klm of the Kipos, Evros-Alexandroupoli road, for trying to illegally transport 31 Iraqis to Greece by truck.The man is Sen Metin, who – according to the police – had agreed to transport the immigrants to Athens, collecting $2.500 from each of them. As the immigrants told the police, another man of the same nationality as the 40-year-old, illegally transported them across Evros river on a plastic boat, from where they boarded the truck. [15] INTERPOL FUGITIVE CAUGHT BY GREEK POLICEA French national, wanted for the past 8 years by Interpol for rape and child molesting, was captured in the border station of Promahonas, Serres and was taken to the Thessaloniki District Attorney.38-year-old Arnand Dhaynaut from Lille, who tried to enter Greece through Bulgaria. During the identity check performed by the Greek police officers through the Sengen system, they found out that he was wanted by "Interpol" [16] GREEK AND LEBANON PRESIDENTS CONDEMN TERRORISMThe issue of terrorism dominated this morning's meeting between the President of the Greek Republic and the President of Lebanon in Athens. Mr. Kostis Stefanopoulos and Mr. Emil Lahoud condemned the terrorist attacks on the US, while they confirmed their warm bilateral relations.Mr. Stefanopoulos stressed that Greece's respect for all religions is the same, since all religions are fighting for peace, respect and love between people. Mr. Lahoud characterized the attacks on the US as a dark spot in the history of humanity, and pointed out that there must be a division between terrorism and a people's fight for independence. The Presidents of Greece and Lebanon signed an agreement on educational issues and a protocol of cooperation between the Foreign Ministries two countries. [17] INVESTMENT INFRASTRUCTURES IN SE EUROPEBalkan ministers, European Union officials, and representatives of international organizations will be in Thessaloniki on October 2-3 to discuss the regulatory reforms necessary to investment infrastructures in southeastern Europe.Government representatives from all the countries in the region and international organizations officials, the European Commission and Stability Pact will present their positions within the framework of the two-day seminar organized by the Greek government and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD. The goal of the seminar is to develop dialogue between the southeastern European countries and international organizations involved in the creation of reform policies. In the seminar will be represented, at a ministers and undersecretaries level, Albania, Germany, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Montenegro, Turkey, Romania, FYROM, Latvia, Croatia, and Holland as well as, representatives of OECD, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, the European Commission and the Stability Pact. [18] APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC POWER COMPANY STOCKS TRADING IN THE ASEThe application for the trading of Public Power Company stocks in the Athens Stock Exchange will be submitted in the following days. The percentage of the stocks that will be distributed to investors in Greece and abroad is expected to be determined by the end of October, according to a statement made by minister of development Nikos Christodoulakis on the occasion of the inauguration of a new power plant in Komotini, northeastern Greece.For the record, the company expects big profits, much higher than predicted in its operational program. Among its immediate investment plans, apart from its expansion to new sectors, (for example, its recent agreement with the Wind company on telecommunications), is its international expansion to the Balkans (Bulgaria) and Europe. [19] CABINET MEETING ON ECONOMY AND BUDGETThe issue of the economy and the state budget was discussed in the cabinet meting today that was presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis.Mr. Simitis pointed out that this is a period of uncertainty and its duration and intensity cannot be predicted. He suggested calm and stressed that the Greek economy will withstand the pressure because it has good growth rates and the backing of the 3rd Community Framework of Support. Two plans on next year's budget were presented in the cabinet meeting, while it was made clear that there will be no social spending cuts. After the cabinet meeting, Mr. Simitis met with governing socialist party of PASOK central committee secretary Kostas Skandalidis. [20] VENIZELOS ON THE IOC VISITCulture minister Evangelos Venizelos presented the results of last week's visit to Athens by an International Olympic Committee, IOC, delegation.Mr. Venizelos pointed out that the positions of the Greek government and the IOC on the issue of security coincide, while he also stated that the Greek government and the "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee share common goals. [21] PAPANDREOU'S CONTACTS AGAINST TERRORISMGreek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou launched a series of visits today to Russia, Germany and the United States within the framework of an initiative against terrorism.This morning, Mr. Papandreou met in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov and both sides expressed their readiness for closer cooperation within the framework of the efforts to combat terrorism. In the meeting were also discussed issues concerning the preparations for the visit of Russian president Vladimir Putin to Athens in December. Mr. Papandreou is in Berlin, Germany, to meet with his German counterpart Joshka Fischer, before departing for the United States later today. [22] THE MAJORITY OF MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THESSALONIKI SMOKEAccording to a study on cigarette smoking and medical students, 41% of medical students in Thessaloniki's Aristotle University smoke occasionally or systematically.Based on the study, 17% of the 783 medical students, who responded to the questionnaire, smoke occasionally, 24% systematically, while 59% do not smoke. A 72.7% of the smokers stated that they smoke out of habit, 64.2% are manic smokers, 47.5% responded that smoking helps them get away from their problems, 66.3% smoke to showoff, 66% mimic other people, and 70% stated that they smoke because they feel uncomfortable. Also, 19.8% of those questioned responded that they started smoking at the age of 13-18. [23] REPPAS: THE TURKISH OCCUPATION FORCE IS THE ONLY TERRORIST IN CYPRUSIn Cyprus there is only one terrorist namely, "Attila", the Turkish occupation forces, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when asked to comment on the statements made by Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit, who accused the Cypriot Republic of money laundering and harboring terrorists.Mr. Reppas stated that the international community must give a final and effective response to this terrorist, stressing that the information on links between terrorist organizations and forces in the Turkish occupied territories of northern Cyprus must be examined, to be determined if they are true, and evaluated. The government spokesman reiterated that Cyprus meets all necessary criteria to become an EU member. He said that its EU accession will be to the benefit of all Cypriots, the EU and finally, Turkey itself, as Cyprus' EU accession will offer a significant assistance to the Turkey-EU rapprochement. Mr. Reppas stated that the latest developments make the need for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem even more pressing. [24] LOSSES IN THE ASELosses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.18% at 2.199,70 points, while the volume of transactions was 38.9 billion drachmas or 114.2 million Euro.Of the stocks trading today, 92 recorded gains and 235 had losses, while the value of 51 remained stable. [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS[25] CYPRUS CELEBRATES LIBERATION DAYThe Cypriot Republic celebrates the 41st anniversary of its liberation from the British today and a military parade was held in Nicosia this morning.In statements he made, president Glafkos Clerides once again was in favor of a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem pointing out, however, that Cyprus reinforces its defense taking under consideration the Turkish threats. Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos attended the Liberation Day celebrations representing the Greek government and stressed in his statements that the goal of a united democratic Cyprus within the framework of the European Union and the UN still has not materialized. [26] THE PAPANDREOU-IVANOV MEETING WAS HELD IN A POSITIVE ATMOSPHEREThe issue of terrorism dominated in the meeting Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou had in Moscow today with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov. Both sides expressed readiness for closer cooperation in the global struggle against terrorism, stressing that they will back the efforts made by the UN.Mr. Papandreou stressed that other regional problems like those in the Balkans, the Middle East and Cyprus should not be forgotten and a new momentum should be exploited to promote solutions in those regions. However, he expressed Athens' satisfaction for the efforts made by Moscow toward the solution of the Cyprus problem. From his side, Mr. Ivanov warned that developments in Kosovo should be monitored to avoid creating a new Afghanistan in the Balkans. He stated characteristically that obstacles should be raised to block the activities of different extremist groups. The Russian side also expressed the will to promote the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project. In the meeting the two foreign ministers discussed issues concerning the preparations for the visit of Russian president Vladimir Putin to Athens in December. They agreed to meet again in Athens or New York in November. Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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