Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-06-08

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] TENSION OVER SHOOTING OUTSIDE PM RESIDENCE

[02] KARAMANLIS: GREEKS ARE ALWAYS UNITED ON MAJOR NATIONAL ISSUES

[03] ARMED INCIDENT IN FRONT OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S RESIDENCE

[04] SMALL DROP OF INFLATION IN GREECE

[05] THE 7TH INTER-BALKAN JOURNALIST CONFERENCE CONTINUES

[06] TWO YEARS SINCE THE SAUNDERS ASSASSINATION

[07] THE PRIME MINISTER RETURNS TODAY

[08] CRETA PLASTICS SUBSIDIARY IN SHANGHAI

[01] TENSION OVER SHOOTING OUTSIDE PM RESIDENCE

Orders for an emergency investigation in order to find whether the police hold responsibilities in the incident with the armed drug addict outside the Prime Minister's residence, were issued by Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis.

In a statement concerning this violent incident, the Minister of Public Order stressed that after the offender was apprehended, his motives and whatever aims he may have had are being investigated.

At the same time he stated that he has ordered the Chief of Greek Police to carry out an emergency investigation, in order to ascertain whether any officers are to blame for the events, namely, the time of response and the way in which they responded, in all the stages of the perpetrator's criminal behavior.

"It is the Greek Police's debt to provide security to all Greek citizens", underlined Mr. Chrysochoidis, adding that the application of this democratic policy by the responsible authorities is improving every year.

"Isolated events such as this, although they are quite unpleasant, do not discredit the substantial effort being made, or the effects it is having", he stressed.

Parliamentary representative of New Democracy Prokopis Pavlopoulos made mention of wretchedness and peculiar phenomena, in reference to the same events, and asked for elections to be held.

"If they cannot do anything else, one service they can provide the country with, is to take us to elections. Let the country no longer crawl behind the Simitis government. Mr. Simitis cannot identify the future of our country with his own political course, with his uncertain future in PASOK with disputes between him and his dolphins", underlined Mr. Pavlopoulos in statements he made in Lamia.

[02] KARAMANLIS: GREEKS ARE ALWAYS UNITED ON MAJOR NATIONAL ISSUES

President of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis, spoke at a Greek community meeting in Astoria, New York, last night, in the framework of his 7-day visit to the US and Canada.

Mr. Karamanlis referred to our national issues, the problem of international terrorism and the 2004 Olympics, while he underlined the need to take advantage of the enormous potential of the Greek communities abroad.

"Our national issues are at a decisive turning point today. Because in the immediate future, crucial decisions that will follow us for years ahead, will be made. Decisions that will designate our homeland's positions in Europe and the world", he pointed out and sent out a message of unity and the defense of our national issues.

"We are living in times of responsibility and national vigilance. We, the party that has always placed the best interest of our home and the Greek people, above all else, support our national positions and fight for the rights of the country. Thanks to us, to our responsible position, to the unity at heart of the Greek people on major national issues is today a standard fact", he stressed.

"We are here to strengthen the voice and positions of Greece. We are here to raise issues concerning all Greeks. To defend our national positions. The security of our country. For Cyprus, that deserves to be accepted in the European family at last, with no blackmails", he underlined.

Referring to Greek Turkish relations, he stressed that "we are aiming at relations of friendship and cooperation and are supporting long term European orientation of our neighboring country". He pointed out, however, that it should be Turkey's priority to act as a European country, i.e. respect human rights and International Law, that does not threaten and does not use violence.

"In simple terms: we want good relations, but not at the expense of our national interests. We want stabilization, but not gained through one sided concessions. In a sense of mutuality, respect of sovereign rights, and International Law", he said.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed the need to eradicate world terrorism and stated that he was ready to cooperate with the international community and all allies, as he underlined, to that effect.

The President of New Democracy underlined that the 2004 Olympics are Greece's great wager, and he expressed Greece's certainty that, along with the support of Greeks abroad, they will be the best organized Olympics ever.

The Head of New Democracy praised the important role of the Archdiocese which has been the strongest link of Hellenism for years.

Finally, he stated that he deeply believed in the endless powers of Hellenism, its creativity, its inventiveness, and its adaptability.

[03] ARMED INCIDENT IN FRONT OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S RESIDENCE

We have a very serious incident caused by an individual involved in extreme anti-social behavior, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, commenting on the incident with an armed man outside the Prime Minister's residence in Athens.

The investigation on the causes of these actions will go deep, stressed Mr. Protopapas and added that a briefing will be made by the responsible authorities on the nature of the incident and its details.

Meanwhile, 38yearold drug addict Dimitris Aivatzidis will be brought to the prosecutor's office later this afternoon. Dimitris Aivatzidis was arrested when he started firing a shotgun, while passing with his car in front of the Prime Minister's residence.

The Prime Minister's security opened fire and a few minutes later the culprit was arrested after a police chase. A revolver was also found in his possession.

As it was made known, earlier he was removed from a methadone program because he had relapsed into drugs.

When the incident took place Prime Minister Simitis was ready to leave for the weekend.

[04] SMALL DROP OF INFLATION IN GREECE

The Greek National Statistics Agency is expected to announce on Monday a small decline of inflation. The drop in the fuel and fresh fruit and vegetable prices led the cost-of-living index to 3.5%-3.6% in May compared to 3.8% in April.

However, the analysts point out that we should not hide behind our finger as the favorable developments in the fuel and fresh fruit and vegetable sector cannot hide the alarming reality namely, the existence of a cost-of-living index hardcore that remains steadily over the 3% limit.

[05] THE 7TH INTER-BALKAN JOURNALIST CONFERENCE CONTINUES

The 7th Inter-Balkan Journalist Conference on The Balkan Mass Media in the Digital Age The Challenge of Olympic Games continues in Thessaloniki for a second day with the participation of tens of directors representing some of the most important mass media in Greece and the Balkans.

The conference deals today with the Balkan Press in the Service of Pluralism and Peace and the Contribution of the Balkan Mass Media to Inter-Balkan Cooperation.

The conference proceedings will end today with the presentation of its main conclusions.

[06] TWO YEARS SINCE THE SAUNDERS ASSASSINATION

Two years have passed today since the assassination of British military attache Stephen Saunders by terrorist organization 17 November in Athens.

Wreaths were laid and a memorial service was held at the place of the assassination in the Athens suburb of Filothei. A memorial service will also be held at the Anglican Church of St. Paul.

[07] THE PRIME MINISTER RETURNS TODAY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has wrapped up his visit to China and returns to Athens today.

Mr. Simitis will spend the weekend at his summer house where he will deal with the pending issues he has to face. The first one, concerns Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos after his statement according to which, he intends to leave politics. Mr. Simitis refused to make any comments to reporters on the specific issue while he was in China, stating that when he is abroad he does not make comments on domestic policy issues.

Other issues on his agenda will be the visit to Athens of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Asnar, the preparation of the EU Summit meeting in Seville, Spain and PASOK's organizing conference in early July, as well as the course toward municipal elections in October.

[08] CRETA PLASTICS SUBSIDIARY IN SHANGHAI

The inauguration of the Shanghai HiTec Plastics company, a subsidiary of Creta Plastics Ltd., will take place today.

It is a 10 million Euro investment with a 65% participation by Creta Plastics. It will manufacture plastic sheets for greenhouses and special waterproof membranes.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article