Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-04-10

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 10, 1998

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS SERAPHIM DIED LAST NIGHT

The Archbishop of Athens and primate of the Greek orthodox church Seraphim died last night at Athens’ Laiko hospital after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old.

His Holiness was born in 1913 in the city of Karditsa, central Greece. He became a priest in 1942 after having studied theology at the University of Athens.

He led the country’s church since 1974, when he took over from Mr. Hieronymos. Mr. Seraphim was a veteran of the Greek resistance against the Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II, and always defended the Greek national identity and the orthodox religion.

He entered the hospital in February for kidney problems.

[02] ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM TO BE BURIED ON MONDAY

The news of the death of Archbishop Seraphim has been met with “deep grief” from all of the country’s political leaders who described the archbishop as a "strong personality whose term of duty at the helm of the Church of Greece was "fruitful".

His death was announced at 3 am. by the president of the Laiko hospital, who stated that: "The Archbishop slept in peace".

The Archbishop will be buried with head-of-state honors, on the first day of the Holy Week, on Monday, at the First Cemetery of Athens.

[03] PRESIDENT, PREMIER EXPRESS GRIEF OVER ARCHBISHOP’S DEATH

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos has expressed his grief over the death of the Archbishop of Athens Seraphim.

President Stephanopoulos stated that Archbishop Seraphim was “a patriot, a fighter for democracy, with unaffected manners and straightforward behavior, who was an honest Christian and true Greek. We mourn the loss of our Church’s primate.”

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis made the following statement: “I express my grief for the death of the primate of the Church of Greece. A fighter throughout his life, a veteran of the Greek resistance during the years of the Occupation, his holiness unselfishly served the church and contributed to the further approach between orthodoxy and modern society.”

[04] YOUNG GREEKS LIVING ABROAD TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI

The representatives of Greek community organizations participating in the Council of Hellenes Abroad will meet in Thessaloniki today for a three-day conference which is organized by the Council of Hellenes Abroad- Region of Europe.

The conference will feature the participation of young people aged 18-28, who are members of the organizations of Greeks living in European countries.

The conference will be under the auspices of minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos and its title will be "Thrace, the Aegean, Cyprus - The borders of the united Europe".

Among the topics that will be examined during the conference will be the Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish relations, the issue of the Aegean island of Imvros and the Greek minority in Albania as well as, issues concerning human rights.

[05] GREEK, BULGARIAN, ROMANIAN FMs MEET IN SANTORINI TODAY

The Foreign ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, Mr. Theodoros Pangalos, Ms. Nadejda Mihailova and Mr. Andrei Plesou, respectively, are to meet at the Greek island of Santorini today.

The three officials are to discuss issues concerning regional security and are expected to grant heightened emphasis on the Kossovo issue.

Moreover, they will discuss Bulgaria’s and Romania’s candidacies for accession to the European Union. The spokesperson of Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry R. Blaikov stated that “this is a matter for which Greece’s support bears decisive significance.”

[06] EU COMMISSIONER PRAISES GREECE’S PROGRESS TOWARDS EMU

The President of the European Commission Jacques Santer, who arrived in Greece yesterday, stated that Greece has made considerable efforts towards convergence with other European Union economies and expressed his satisfaction over Greece's incorporation into the European Monetary System's Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). Speaking to reporters, Mr. Santer said that Greece has made great progress in the past few years.

In regards to Cyprus, the Chief Commissioner said "we support all the envoys of the UN. We believe that the start to bilateral negotiations with the Republic of Cyprus might be able to cause some kind of a rapprochement of views in connection with the issue of Cyprus, which always continues to be a delicate matter.

"For the time being, I can say no more. We have the mandate to continue these negotiations and we will do this. Every solution which could put an end to this division of the island would satisfy us, because we are working for a political solution to be found," he said.

Referring to Greece's veto against a financial protocol between the EU and Turkey, he said that "in the long run we must find a solution so that the financial protocol will be able to be released.

Mr. Santer was received yesterday by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, and the two men discussed European policy issues.

[07] PRESIDENTIAL DECREES ON MT. ATHOS, ACROPOLIS

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos has announced two presidential decrees concerning the Mount Athos monastic community and major projects on the Acropolis.

Specifically, Mr. Venizelos announced that the presidential decree for the Mt. Athos all-male monastic community will set conservation workers' wages, while funds allocated for monasteries on Mount Athos will be funneled through relevant archaeological services.

The second decree will create a new service - the Acropolis Monuments Conservation Service (YSMA) - which will include the Acropolis Conservation Projects Committee (ESMA), where the ministry's antiquities conservation directorate will be represented for the first time.

[08] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC REPUBLIC TO VISIT CYPRUS IN JUNE

Greece’s President Kostis Stephanopoulos is to conduct an official visit to Cyprus from June 25-28 at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Glafcos Clerides.

Yesterday, the leaders of the foreign ministries of Greece and Cyprus discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, following US envoy Richard Holbrooke's recent visit to Cyprus, and the course of the island’s accession to the European Union. .

The meeting was attended by Greece’s Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Cypriot government spokesman Christos Stylianides.

[09] THESSALONIKI PROFESSORS TO BE GIVEN CANADIAN HONORS

The International Council for Canadian Studies is to present awards to two professors of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, according tot he Canadian embassy in Athens.

Specifically, hydraulics and environmental engineering Prof. Ioannis Mylopoulos and English and theatrical studies Prof. Savas Patsalides will receive the Canadian Studies Award which will give both men the opportunity to conduct research in Canada for five weeks this year.

The research has to focus on a Canadian subject - history, art, politics or society - followed by a lecture whose results will be published.

Last year the Council awarded two Greek professors of the University of Athens.

[10] DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARY RESPONDS TO STATE DEPARTMENT

The undersecretary of the National Defense Ministry Dimitris Apostolakis has expressed the wish that the United States re- consider their stance, responding to the latest comment made by State Department James Rubin regarding the rocket attack against Citibank’s branch in Athens on Tuesday and its correlation with the views expressed by US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns.

Mr. Rubin had said that "the suggestion that this attack is a response to claims made by Ambassador Burns about the danger to American companies creating a dangerous business climate that needed to be addressed - not that it is a dangerous business climate, but that this points it in that direction - is twisted and outrageous logic which cannot possibly reflect the views of decent people.

At the same time, the State Department spokesperson stressed that Greece’s Foreign Minister handled the matter well.

[11] ARCHBISHOP SERAPHIM WILL BE BURIED ON HOLY MONDAY WITH HONORS RESERVED FOR HEADS OF STATE

Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece, Seraphim will be buried on Holy Monday with honors reserved for heads of state. The Archbishop died in the early morning hours today at the age of 85 after being hospitalized for 45 days in the Laikon Hospital in Athens. He will be lied in state for three days at the Metropolis of Athens.

The new Archbishop will be elected on April 28, according to a decision made by the Holy Synod that met today and in the procedure will participate the 77 Greek Metropolites in the presence of minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis.

Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos stated that the Archbishop was a personality with a long and many-sided contribution to the Church and society in general, while prime minister Kostas Simitis characterized him as a fighter.

Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis expressed his deep sorrow for the death of the Archbishop, stressing that it happened at a very crucial time for Orthodoxy and Greece.

[12] CABINET MEETING IN ATHENS

The changes in work relations were at the center of the cabinet meeting that was held in Athens under prime minister Kostas Simitis. A special emphasis was given to issues of part- time employment and working hours.

However, minister of labor Miltiadis Papaioannou pointed out that the 8hour work day will continue to be the core of employment and added that the regulations promoted by the government are placed within the framework of the convergence with the European practice.

In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Simitis stressed that the main point of the government policy is the employment and the creation of more job positions for the Greek people. He said that new actions and measures were examined aimed at increasing the number of job positions.

Regarding unemployment he said that the phenomenon is not as intense as in Europe but nevertheless, the government’s intention is to limit it further.

[13] THE STATE OF HEALTH OF K. KARAMANLIS IS IMPROVING

The state of health of former president Konstantinos Karamanlis improves steadily, according to the medical bulletin issued today. His doctors have traced the virus that is responsible for the infection in his respiratory system and he undergoes a treatment with antibiotics.

His personal physician denied press reports according to which, his patient was admitted to intensive care and pointed out that if his temperature remains at normal levels for 24 hours without the help of antibiotics he will be allowed to return to his home.

[14] THE 1ST CONFERENCE OF THE SAE YOUTH OPENS TODAY

The 1st Youth Conference of the Council of Hellenes Abroad in Europe opens in Thessaloniki this afternoon. Its procedures will last until April 12 and will cover a number of issues such as the Cyprus problem, the Greek-Turkish relations and human rights.

The conference will be completed with the election of a 7- member presiding board.

[15] EVERT STATEMENTS ON THE “17 NOVEMBER” ATTACK

Former leader of the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Miltiadis Evert referred to the rocket attack launched by the terrorist organization “17 November”.

Mr. Evert stated that the organization’s latest actions, targeting American interests, were incited by a foreign factor and were aimed at defaming Greece before the US society so that when the “right” time comes the country will be weakened.

[16] THE TRADE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND HOLLAND ARE 1,5 BILLION ECU

The value of the trade transactions between Greece and Holland is estimated at 1,5 billion ECU. The Greek presence in the country is limited, at least for the moment, and corresponds to just 0,7% of Holland’s overall trade transactions with the rest EU partners.

Specifically, the Greek exports to Holland are 216 million ECU, while imports are over 1,3 billion ECU. The largest part of the Greek exports is covered by knitwear, fresh fruit and canned fruits and vegetables, tobacco and cigarettes.

The data presented above was published by the Exporters’ Association in Northern Greece Institute of Export Research and Studies.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[17] US CONDEMN ROCKET ATTACK ON CITIBANK BRANCH IN ATHENS

The United States have condemned a rocket attack committed by the notorious November 17 terrorist group against a Citibank branch in Athens on Tuesday evening.

"Let me say that the United States condemns in the strongest possible term the rocket attack against Citibank offices in Athens," US State Department spokesman James Rubin stated.

"This is the seventh such attack on an American firm since November. Our embassy is working closely with the Greek authorities in the hope that the perpetrators of this attack will be apprehended," he added.

"The suggestion that this attack is a response to claims made by Ambassador Burns about the danger to American companies creating a dangerous business climate that needed to be addressed - not that it is a dangerous business climate, but that this points it in that direction - is twisted and outrageous logic which cannot possibly reflect the views of decent people," Mr. Rubin said.

The State Department spokesperson was referring to a speech given by US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns during a business forum in Thessaloniki late last month, in which he said that bomb attacks against foreign firms were discouraging US investments in Greece.

[18] STATEMENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CYPRUS ON THE DEATH OF SERAPHIM

Archbishop of Cyprus Chrisostomos in a statement to MPA expressed his regret for the death of the Archbishop of Athens.

Archbishop Chrisostomos stated that Seraphim was a distinguished personality of the Church and underlined his notable contribution to national issues. He said that he was distinguished not only as a head of the Church but for his struggle to promote national issues as well.

[19] ALBANIA WILL RESPOND TO A SERB ATTACK ON KOSOVO

A Serb attack on Kosovo will cause not only the response of Albania but of the Albanian people as a whole, stated Albanian ministry of defense spokesman Albert Mulai in an interview with the Serb news agency BETA.

Mr. Mulai stated that in case the clashes in Kosovo escalate, Albania will open its borders and will allow the free passage of ethnic Albanians.

Commenting on the situation at the north of his country, Mr. Mulai pointed out that there is great tension even though the first impression someone gets is that there are no problems in the region.

[20] RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT REJECTS KIRIYENKO AS PRIME MINISTER

The Russian Parliament rejected today President Boris Yeltsin’s candidate for prime minister Sergei Kiriyenko but the margin of his defeat was smaller than expected.

Deputies in the State Duma lower house voted by 186 votes against to143 votes in favour, with 5 abstentions

Mr Kiriyenko needed to secure 226 votes in the 450-seat chamber so as to be confirmed as prime minister. After the first round vote, mr Kiriyenko said that he expected fewer votes and expressed his intention to continue his work and consultations with the Duma. Despite the vote results, President Yeltsin will propose Sergei Kiriyenko again, in the second round, as candidate for premier.

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