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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-11-07Macedonian 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 Thessaloniki, November 7, 2001 SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] NATIONAL NEWS[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS[A] NATIONAL NEWSHis body was taken to Kymi harbor at 4.10pm by a coast guard boat. Mr. Roussopoulos continued and said that the Prime Minister "is completely responsible for one case: the tragic delays of the works, a complete lack of programming and coordination, constant overstepping of the budget, for which the Greek people will be called to pay", he added. In their statements the 15 stressed that the financial situation in Greece is positive, pointing out at the same time the need for achieving a surplus of primary products in the national budget. Financial Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, underlined that the target of the Greek economy is still the convergence with the rest of the European conomies. Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that a chance for fertile discussion on today's global reality, and informing on the situation of the Orthodox population of Greece's neighboring friend, many of the citizens of which are Greek in descent, was given today. Archbishop Anastasios referred to the great progress that has been made in the past 10 years, and the democratic development of Albania, as well as to the religious freedom attained. At the end of their meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis presented the Archbishop wi th the Parliamentary gold medal, which is presented to State Leaders and distinguished individuals. Mr. Anastasios also met with the Minister of Education, Petros Efthymiou, with whom they discussed issues related with education. He asked for the Minister's assistance in the better functioning of the Institute for Vocational Training in Albania, and Mr . Efthymiou committed complete assistance. Archbishop Anastasios also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou, with who he exchanged views on developments in Albania, and in the Balkans in general, and on the inter-religious discussion. Mr. Papandreou stressed that Mr. Anastasios' role has been one of offer to discussion and understanding bwetween religions, a fact proven every day. The last meeting of the Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania, was with the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Avramopoulos, who presented him with the Golden Medal of Honor of Athens. The Mayor stressed that the Archbishop contributed greatly in the relieving of tensi ons between Greece and Albania. Meanwhile, the 1200 illegal immigrants spotted on Sunday on the rudderless "Brelner" in bad weather conditions, have found temporary refuge in Zachynthos. The women and approximately 230 children will be housed in hotels and the men will remain in the is land's indoor athletics court. In fact, after a meeting of the Minister of Shipping, Giorgos Anomeritis, and local bodies, it was decided that the stay of the illegal immigrants in Zachyntho would be extended by 2 weeks, the time deemed necessary to make a record of them and for them to regain their strength. Then they will be deported. The residents and local authorities of Zachynthos (Prefecture and Local Government, the Church, Coast Guard) are making every attempt possible, providing food and clothing to the illegal immigrants. From the very first moment, a group of the "Doctors Wit hout Borders" has been with them, in order to assist in estimating medical needs. All cases were dealt with in cooperation with the island's hospital and medical staff. The boat sailing rudderless off the shore of Zachynthos was towed in by Coast Guard powerboats. The refugees, although suffering from lack of food and water, as well as the difficulties of the journey, are waiting for the completion of the authorities' r ecording procedures. As far as the 7 Turkish traffickers are concerned, who tried to escape pretending they were illegal immigrants, they will be taken to the District Attorney today. Meanwhile the issue has also occupied the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Turkey, Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Cem, who discussed the issue over the phone yesterday. The Greek Communist Party (KKE) and the "Doctors Without Borders" are against the deporting of the refugees. Mr. Niles spoke on "The Files" television program on "Mega Channel", and said that US services had given a list of suspects to the Greek Authorities, and that he himself had pointed out a suspect in the writing of the "November 17" propaganda sheets. Thi s "suspect", according to Mr. Niles, was connected to the state, not at the time that Mr. Niles pointed him out (1995-'97), but earlier. He noted that he had visited Prime Minister Simitis, and had informed him of his appreciation that the organizers of " November 17" were distinguished members of Greek society, and claimed that Mr. Simitis agreed with him. He also pointed out that neither are the terrorists intelligent enough nor the police that incompetent, but that there is something in the system in th e way of discovering and breaking up the "17 N" organization. Mr. Niles statements are not serious and they are not worth commenting on, stated Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis, who participated in the program. He placed him among retired US diplomats (such as J. Wesley) who attack Greece on the issu e of terrorism. The Minister wondered why Mr. Niles had suddenly become so loquacious. He assured that there are no "suspect lists" and that Greece does not accept "lists" from anyone. On the Greek Police he stressed that it does its job correctly and sys tematically against terrorism. PASOK's secretary, Mr. Laliotis, in a statement on "Sky" TV yesterday, said reminded the viewers that "to this day, New Democracy spokespersons said they had no connection to the Liberian company, and no bank accounts abroad", and then asked: "Who do the y think they are fooling? Who are they misleading? I hope New Democracy regains its memory and its sensitivity". "Laliotis again?" was the reaction of New Democracy's honorary President, when he was asked to comment on the former Minister's new accusation s. Mr. Mitsotakis stated that "the situation with Mr. Laliotis will be cleared up through Justice, which will take care of all pending issues". Earlier, Mr. H Protopapas made mention of "three great lies told by New Democracy" in relation to the "hidden accounts", and gave full cover to the new Laliotis attack. refugees mainly from regions at war. The Coalition of the Left has organized an event for Sunday morning on "War, terrorism and the Coalition's positions". The event will take place in Kavala in one of the Coast Guard facilities. Genoa Initiative 2001 has organized an antiwar event for tomorrow at 7pm in Thessaloniki, at the Thessaloniki Workers' Center. A rally has also been organized for tomorrow in Thessaloniki, by the Worker's Fighting Front. It is scheduled to take place in Aristotelous Square at 7pm. Bodies and residents will unite their voices to stop the bombing of Afghanistan. The organizers have planned a march, the direction of whichhas not been decided upon yet. upon his arrival at Athens' Eftherios Venizelos Airport without offering further clarifications. Mr. Cem, who is on a working visit in Greece and is accompanied by his wife, was welcome by Mr. Papandreou. The two will have the opportunity tomorrow to review the Greek-Turkish relations on the basis of the implementation of the agreements signed by th e two countries, while the Cyprus issue will be again at the center of the talks. Also, they will exchange views on the latest developments in the Balkans, the Middle East and the wider region in general in the light of the new situation created after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. They are also expected to sign a protocol for the creation of a joint Greek-Turkish unit to face natural disasters. The agreement will be submitted to the UN general assembly that meets on November 9. Mr. Cem, in his brief statements to journalists, expressed the belief that his visit to Athens will contribute to the further development of bilateral relations. In the contacts he will have with the state and political leadership in Athens he will outli ne his government's positions on the developments in Afghanistan and in the wider Mediterranean region. The Turkish Foreign Minister will be received by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos this afternoon and afterwards he will meet with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis. Later this evening, Mr. Cem and Mr. Papandr eou will attend a Greek-Turkish Business Council event. After the meeting with his counterpart tomorrow, Mr. Cem will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and before leaving for Ankara he will inaugurate his photography exhibition in the Municipal Gallery. Of the stocks trading today, 257 recorded gains, and 67 had losses, while the value of 36 stocks remained unchanged. Mr. Simitis was briefed on the state of the Christian Orthodox Church of Albania and stressed that the Greek state offers assistance in a discreet way. Archbishop Christodoulos pointed out that Archbishop Anastasios has kept the tones down and was able t o lift the distrust that existed initially among the Albanian people. This morning the Archbishop of Albania visited the Athens School of Theology and met with the students who gave him a warm reception. The Archbishop of Albania had studied in the Athens School of Theology. Mr. Christodoulakis briefed the Prime Minister on the talks held yesterday in the ECOFIN and the Euro Group meetings where the course of the Greek economy was presented. According to this year's predictions, the Greek economy will have an important growt h rate of 4-4.1%, while next year it will continue to have a high growth rate compared to the European Union. Mr. Christodoulakis stated that Greece will have a high growth rate as a result of the strong development procedures due to the 3rd Community Framework of Support, the liberalization of the markets and the structural changes. However, he referred to the fact that the growth rates have slowed down at an international level and stated that the situation is expected to change no sooner than the second half of 2002. The gap between the Greeks and the rest European consumers (Germans, Britons, Italians and French) is at 102% regarding the number of hours they have to work to be able to afford certain consumer goods, while the gap in the wages earned is at 165%. For example, the Greek consumer in order to afford 100 kinds of food and drinks has to work over 96 hours, while the Germans need just 48, the French 57, the Italians 69 and the Britons 57 hours and 10 minutes. To be able to afford 10 kinds of electric appliances the average Greek consumer must work 226 days at the office or the building site, whereas the Germans need just 102 days, the British 108, the French 126 and the Italians 170. The Germans are at a better position compared to the rest Europeans as they have to work 179 days in order to be able to afford a total of 185 consumer goods, followed by the Britons (200), the French (218), the Italians (301) and the Greeks (360). with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in 1997 are groundless and false allegations. Mr. Protopapas stated that there is no pressure exerted on behalf of the current US ambassador Thomas Miller on the issue of possible arrests linked with terrorist acts and reiterated that anyone with evidence on terrorist cases at their disposal must pr esent them to the Greek justice immediately. When called to comment on whether the Greek government has indications that the US government is displeased with Greece's stance on the issue of terrorism, he responded that there is no such indication. He also predicted that even if Mr. Niles is called by the Greek justice to testify he will not do it, adding that the same stance was adopted by other US officials as well who had been called to testify in the past. Responding to questions on the issue of illegal immigrants, he said that it needs to be clarified what is the policy of the EU on the issue and reminded that the Prime Minister has raised the problem at the Gent EU Summit where it was agreed that it will be discussed in the Euro-parliament meeting in mid-December. Mr. Protopapas stated that no political refugees will be extradited to their countries adding, however, that not all those who come to Greece are political refugees. [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWSMacedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |