Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-10-27

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] PANGALOS: THE COMING WINTER WILL BE HEAVY FOR THE GOV'TAL MAJORITY

[02] OPINION POLL ON THE GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE

[03] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS' VISIT TO PELLA

[04] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION

[05] NEW EARTHQUAKE IN CORINTH

[06] WINTER TIME RETURNS ON SUNDAY

[07] STUDENT PARADE IN THESSALONIKI

[01] PANGALOS: THE COMING WINTER WILL BE HEAVY FOR THE GOV'TAL MAJORITY

Theodoros Pangalos warned that the coming winter will be heavy for the governmental majority announcing that he is determined to exercise criticism to the government at every chance he gets, adding that the same stance will be adopted by others as well, who are not fit for the role of the applauder.

The former government minister surprised with his statement according to which, Giorgos Papandreou is fit for the post of the Prime Minister. In his interview with the Athens newspaper "TA NEA", Mr. Pangalos stated regarding Mr. Papandreou that contrary to what most people think they have satisfactory relations at a personal level.

On the way Mr. Simitis treated him, he said that he used him as an example for a "lesson of discipline". He wondered how can the people trust PASOK when they see that a stratocratic attitude is expressed within the party. Namely, one leader, one order, absolute discipline.

He launched an attack on the "shady centers of misinformation" that spread rumors according to which, he refused to take over a ministerial post that was offered to him, saying that certain individuals are trying to push him toward the exit.

He stated that with things the way they are, Mr. Simitis will lead the party in the next elections adding, however, that in case of catastrophic opinion polls PASOK will be facing a crisis.

Mr. Pangalos characterized as a "recipe for chaos" the fact that seven undersecretaries in different ministries will be responsible to organize the Olympic Games as they will have a serious problem of coordination.

[02] OPINION POLL ON THE GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE

Half of the people stated in an opinion poll that they are not satisfied with the government reshuffle, while 22.4% maintained that the reshuffle will improve the government's course. The opinion poll was conducted by the polling company V-PRC and was published by the Athens newspaper "Imerisia".

Based on the opinion poll results, the economy (31.3%) is the leading problem the government will have to face, followed by education (23%), unemployment (20.3%), pensions (10.7%), and health (6.2%). The preparations for the Olympic Games is a concern only for 2.7% of those who responded to the questionnaire, while Greece's relations with the EU concern 1.8% of the people.

[03] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS' VISIT TO PELLA

Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos visited the prefecture of Pella accompanied by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis.

Mr. Stephanopoulos characterized Pella as one of the centers of the world and made a special reference to the progress observed in the region.

In the contacts he had with the municipal and prefectural authorities, President Stephanopoulos referred to Greece's economic achievements underlining that the single European currency consolidates the economic stability, offers new opportunities and places Greece among the richest countries in the world.

Mr. Stephanopoulos pointed out that not a single drachma or Euro should be lost from the 3rd Community Framework of Support funds allocated for regional development.

[04] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will open tomorrow the International Conference on The Course to the European Constitution and the Recent revision of the Greek Constitution. The conference will be completed on October 29 and it is organized by the International and European Economic Law Center.

Distinguished Greek and foreign law experts will discuss the challenges presented by the European Unification and the prospects of a common European Constitution. The Economic and Monetary Union and its social effects within the framework of the globalized economy, as well as, the liberalization of utility services, the Internet and the new role of the electronic mass media in the democratic societies will also be discussed.

The conference will start with a round table discussion on the course toward a European Constitution. In the discussion will participate European Constitutional Law Center president professor Mr. Dimitrios Tsatsos, European Community Court prosecutor Mr. F. Jacobs, French Council of State professor D. Maus and Greek judge in the European Community Court professor Skouris.

[05] NEW EARTHQUAKE IN CORINTH

A second weaker earthquake of 3.9 on the Richter scale shook the eastern Corinth Bay at midnight. Yesterday, in the afternoon, a stronger earthquake of 4.7 Richter had shaken the area coming from the same epicenter.

Both tremors were felt in the region of Athens.

[06] WINTER TIME RETURNS ON SUNDAY

Winter time returns in Greece in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 28.

The clocks will turn backwards one hour at 4am on Sunday to show 3am.

[07] STUDENT PARADE IN THESSALONIKI

The student parade, on the occasion of the October 28 anniversary commemorating Greece's entry to WWII, was held in Thessaloniki today in the presence of Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis, Education undersecretary Nikos Gesoulis, Thessaloniki's Prefect Kostas Papadopoulos, Thessaloniki Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and other local authorities.

Mr. Venizelos, in the comments he made after the parade, referred to the everyday effort made by the students and their worries regarding their future as professionals as well as, the global insecurity as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States.

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