Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-14

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis in Skopje for talks with FYROM leadership

[02] Papandreou: World Bank should include policing, security in long-term projections

[03] Latest opinion poll records slide for ruling PASOK

[04] Three-day PASOK youth conference addressed by several top speakers

[05] Defence ministry tables bill envisioning professional corps

[06] Greece takes over Mediterranean Forum's one-year presidency

[07] Kaklamanis stresses equality before law speaking in Pomak village

[08] Christodoulos conducts joint service with Moscow Patriarch

[09] Tunisian president's visit to Greece postponed

[10] Employment Commissioner points to 3% joblessness target by 2010

[11] Investments announced by Cosmote's Albanian subsidiary

[12] Woman killed when lightning strikes hikers near Kalavryta

[13] President attends ceremony commemorating 1822 massacre on Chios

[14] Culture Minister inaugurates Jewish Museum in Thessaloniki

[15] 'Thessaloniki Festival' becomes 'Thessaloniki Cultural Organisation'

[01] Karamanlis in Skopje for talks with FYROM leadership

SKOPJE, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, on a tour of the western Balkans as part of a European Peoples Party (EPP) initiative, met with FYROM Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski and Albanian Democratic Party leader Arben Xhaferi. The meetings came only hours after an army spokesman denied a wire service story claiming that 30 ethnic Albanian insurgents had been killed during clashes in two rebel-held villages northwest of Skopje.

On Friday, most of the country’s top political leaders concluded an agreement to form a broad government coalition that will include ethnic Albanian parties.

“I’m visiting Skopje for a second time in such a short period because developments in this country have troubled us… and because we have been assigned an EPP initiative for democratization in the western Balkans” the ND leader said. “I hope and trust that the formation of a national unity government with the participation of all political parties, including the Albanian parties, of course, will meet its goals.”

Karamanlis added that he conveyed to both Georgievski and Xhaferi three positions, namely, the condemnation of all acts of violence or threat to use violence; the standing principle of the inviolability of the region’s borders, and finally, respect for human and minority rights as well as reforms in this direction.

The Greek political leader also called for an increased presence by the international community and the European Union, saying the NATO force in Kosovo (KFOR) must take steps to better guard the Kosovo-FYROM frontier and to disarm rebels in the area.

On Friday, Karamanlis was received by Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade for talks that expectedly touched on the latest troubling developments in the Balkans.

Karamanlis arrived in the Yugoslav capital to attend a European Democratic Union (EDU) meeting sponsored by the European Peoples Party, part of the conservative and centre-right political grouping's efforts to promote democratisation in the region.

The main opposition New Democracy leader later told reporters that he outlined ND's positions regarding Yugoslavia's efforts to participate in several pan-European organisations, including a reference to allowing Kostunica's party - the Democratic Party of Serbia -- to participate in European political groupings where New Democracy is a member.

Along those lines, Karamanlis conveyed an invitation to the Yugoslav president to participate in an upcoming EPP summit meeting in Goteborg, Sweden.

[02] Papandreou: World Bank should include policing, security in long-term projections

Amman, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou spoke at a meeting of the Human Security Network, hosted in the ancient city of Petra, an event that was attended by delegations from 13 countries.

He also proposed stepped up policing in areas plagued by conflict instead of simply a peacekeeping intervention now common worldwide. Additionally, the Greek FM said the World Bank should be persuaded to included issues of policing and security in its macro-economic strategy.

The Human Security Network has been active for the last three years, with the first meeting held last year in Lucerne, Switzerland. Next year's gathering will take place in Chile.

Representatives from Austria, Canada, Greece, Jordan, Mali, Chile, Norway, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand, South Africa and Ireland participated at the Petra meeting.

[03] Latest opinion poll records slide for ruling PASOK

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Additionally, a new party founded by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos in March garnered 10.5 percent of the respondents' support.

According to a poll published in the Sunday edition of the "Ethnos" newspaper, PASOK was favoured by 25.8 percent of respondents, whereas 34.9 gave the nod to ND.

Approximately 5.9 percent of respondents chose the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 3.2 opted for the Coalition of the Left and 2 percent voiced support for the out-of-Parliament Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

In response to the question over who is better suited to govern the country, 26.6 percent chose Prime Minister Costas Simitis and 25.8 percent picked ND leader Costas Karamanlis.

In terms of the most pressing problem facing the country, 34.2 percent of respondents said unemployment. The economy followed with 21.5 percent, social security at 17.6, and finally, crime and foreigners at 4.7 percent. The poll was conducted by the Metron Analysis firm.

Reaction

In referring to the results of the poll at a PASOK youth conference in Athens on Sunday, former minister Theodoros Pangalos noted that "it's obvious we're in a difficult position ... However, nothing has been decided, initiatives are necessary not only within the party, but especially in restoring our relations with the social strata that have traditionally backed us."

On her part, EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, who in the past served as a minister under a Simitis government, called the poll's results a "warning bell that should be taken notice of."

[04] Three-day PASOK youth conference addressed by several top speakers

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos' address mostly revolved around the notion of a truly democratic society amid rampant globalisation in the cyber age, emphasising that "equality, justice and solidarity" are what's being sought for a united Europe today".

"In Greece today we're vying for more democracy in Europe and for neighbouring peoples, including the Turkish people, with whom we have nothing to divide, unlike the Turkish leaderships that demolish democracy and human rights. We know we must provide a response to the 'white cells', Europe no longer tolera-tes such instances," he said in reference to Ankara's plans to move hundreds of political prisoners into isolated and tiny one- and two-person jail cells.

Conversely, in reference to social security, GSEE labour leader Christos Polyzogopoulos said a dialogue between the unions and the government over reform has, in effect, begun after the prime minister's commitment to guarantee state funding for the system.

Polyzogopoulos, the head of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, made the statement just prior to entering the conference hall.

Near the event's conclusion on Sunday, PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis based his address on what he called two key words: "revelation and uncertainty".

"Revelation, because we are living on the edge of our universally commercial and industrial civilisation: Chernobyl, "mad cows", electronic globalisation ... all issues related to questions of democracy and the protection of human rights," he said.

Opposition speakers

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) president Nikos Constanto-poulos on Saturday also touched on the heated verbal sparring in Parliament a few days earlier between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and ND president Costas Karamanlis, saying "what is needed today isn't anti-conservative rhetoric. What's needed to-day is an anti-conservative policy, namely, a liberal policy. Talking about the past isn't a liberal modernisation of the country".

In citing what he called the significant privilege of a free democratic state enjoyed by Greeks since 1974, Constantopoulos stressed that the country must now solve a "serious social problem of fiscal uncertainty and economic stagnation, despite an improvement in growth and investment indices..."

Top ND deputy and former party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopou-los cited four dangers for the quality of democracy in the present age, including the formation of centres of power outside the public view, decision-making centres intertwined within a nebulous web of economic power and mass communication.

He also mentioned citizens' apathy for politics, a 'leveling' of social values and, finally, a lack of continuity.

[05] Defence ministry tables bill envisioning professional corps

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

The bill will come into effect after being published in the gover-nment gazette, and is expected to fulfill certain long-range pro-jections by the ministry allowing for the gradual reduction in time served by conscripts.

Greece is a NATO member and the only European Union country in the Balkans.

[06] Greece takes over Mediterranean Forum's one-year presidency

Greece took over the 12-month rotating presidency of the Mediterranean Forum at the end of its 8th informal ministers' council in Morocco, where Greece was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister for Expatriate Greek affairs Grigoris Niotis.

As he accepted the presidency on Greece's behalf at the end of the Forum on Friday, Niotis dwelt at length on the issue of cultural heritage and said this could be used as a basis for cooperation between Mediterranean countries.

Represented at the conference were Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece from southern Europe and Malta, Egypt, Tunisia, Algiers, Morocco and Turkey from the southern Mediterranean.

One of the main topics of discussion during the meeting was the latest violence in the Middle East, brought sharply into focus by a poignant letter from Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, who appealed for international intervention.

The 11 ministers attending expressed grave concern over the tragic events in the Middle East and the escalating tension and asked all parties involved to resume negotiations on all issues, including the Syrian and Lebanese, in order to restore just and secure peace in the region.

They also expressed conviction that continued violence and the use of military force against Palestinian civilians does not allow any prospect of peace-making and called on Israel to stop its policy of isolation and settlement.

[07] Kaklamanis stresses equality before law speaking in Pomak village

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Addressing an audience predominantly made up of Pomaks from Echinos, a small minority native to Greece that is predominantly Moslem and speaks its own dialect, Kaklamanis was warmly applauded as he stressed that this equality should apply regardless of where one lived, or one's class, religion and cultural traditions.

Commenting on the 80 years since Thrace had been part of Greece, the Parliament speaker noted that these had been marked by difficult times but that there had been full democracy since the end of the colonels' junta in 1974.

Addressing those who, he said, "used local and foreign propaganda to prevent a democratic course and exploit problems that also occur elsewhere in Greece," he stressed that the Greek State did not discriminate between citizens.

Earlier, Kaklamanis had visited another Pomak village called Sminthi, where he was briefed by local mayor Mustafa Aga on the problems faced by the community, which were mainly focused on EU quotas for tobacco.

[08] Christodoulos conducts joint service with Moscow Patriarch

MOSCOW, 14/05/2001 (ANA - M. Papoutsaki)

After the service, Christodoulos addressed the opening of a congress of Russia's Orthodox youth.

Alexiy II presented the Archbishop with some of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov to take to Greece.

The Archbishop returns to Athens on Sunday night.

A few days after Christodoulos returns to Greece, meanwhile, Alexandria Patriarch Petros is due in Athens on an official visit.

[09] Tunisian president's visit to Greece postponed

TUNIS, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

The postponement was decided "after consultations between the two governments", the announcement said, adding that "a new date for the visit will be jointly fixed as soon as possible".

The Tunisian president was due to visit Athens at the invitation of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[10] Employment Commissioner points to 3% joblessness target by 2010

Retymno, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Diamantopoulou was speaking from the Cretan city of Rethymno, where she also said some three trillion drachmas in funding to combat joblessness was earmarked for Greece. (One euro equals 340.75 drachmas)

Finally, she predicted unemployment in the Union as a whole, and in Greece specifically, would significantly decline if the EU's guidelines "are followed to the letter."

Greece's unemployment rate stood at 10.9 percent of the country's workforce in the third quarter of 2000, down from 11.6 percent in the same period in 1999 and 10.7 percent in 1998, the country's National Statistics Service announced in late April.

The state agency also said the number of unemployed people fell to 485,900, from 518,900 and 478,700 in the corresponding quarters in 1999 and 1998, respectively.

Western Macedonia (13.5 percent) and the greater Athens area (12.8 percent) recorded the highest unemployment percentage rates, while Ionian islands and Crete showed the lowest rates.

[11] Investments announced by Cosmote's Albanian subsidiary

TIRANA, 14/05/2001 (ANA - M. Tsivgeli)

The announcement came during a press conference held in light of a two-day visit to Albania by Greek Transport Minister Christos Verelis.

During a tour of AMC's facilities, Verelis noted that "Greek businesses are now enjoying an environment of trust by the Albanian government", while executives for the Albanian firm, of which 85 percent is owned by Cosmote, said investments this year will reach the $40-45 million range.

Another MSC centre and HLRM centre will constructed this year in Albania by AMC, along with 100 transmitters and a new high-volume cellular network.

[12] Woman killed when lightning strikes hikers near Kalavryta

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Meanwhile, the search is continuing for another member of the party, a young man, who is still missing.

The seriously injured woman was immediately transported to the hospital in Rio, near the port city of Patras, by a Super Puma rescue helicopter, while four members of the party with less serious injuries are following.

The 19 hikers had been trapped on the highest point of the 2,300m peak since Sunday morning, after they were reportedly struck by two bolts of lightning.

They were all Eurobank employees who arrived in Kalavryta on Saturday.

Mist that still surrounds Mount Erymanthos is hampering efforts to locate the missing hiker.

[13] President attends ceremony commemorating 1822 massacre on Chios

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA )

[14] Culture Minister inaugurates Jewish Museum in Thessaloniki

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA)

Thessaloniki's Jewish community was decimated by Nazi persecution during World War II, reduced from 55,000 strong to 1,500 today.

Venizelos described the museum as an "Ark of memory and source of learning," and said that its foundation was yet another step toward fulfilling the State's obligations toward the memory of the Jews.

The Jewish Museum is located on Aghios Minas Street in one of the few buildings that survived a fire in 1917, a shopping arcade that was renovated by the Thessaloniki Cultural Capital Organi-sation in 1997.

[15] 'Thessaloniki Festival' becomes 'Thessaloniki Cultural Organisation'

Thessaloniki, 14/05/2001 (ANA )

The "offspring" of the Thessaloniki Cultural Capital Organisa-tion of 1997, which was founded after the city completed its term as Cultural Capital of Europe, the renamed body will continue to receive a 150-million-drachma grant from the culture ministry to organise major cultural events and activities involving new technology in Greece's second-largest city. In addition to the above, as Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos announced on Saturday, it has now also been charged with acting as a "vehicle" for inducting the city into the Cultural Olympiad.

The ministry said the change in name was to avoid confusion with the Thessaloniki Film Festival and other cultural organisations.

Activists march from Marathon to Athens for peace

Athens, 14/05/2001 (ANA

A "peace marathon" was carried out in Athens on Sunday, with dozens of activists braving heavy morning rain to gather in historic Marathon and walk for more than 12 hours to Athens' central Syntagma Square in order to deliver their pacifist message. The march was dedicated to the memory of peace activist Grigoris Lambrakis and protested against the "imperia-list" new world order. Upon reaching Parliament, the marchers delivered a resolution, in which they asked for NATO's with-drawal from the Balkans, the return of Greek soldiers stationed abroad, for Greece to stop facilitating NATO troops in Greece and other demands.

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