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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-02-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 12, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON APPEALS FOR RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES
[02] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SPYRIDON MEETS WITH FM PANGALOS
[03] PREMIER TO EMBARK ON THREE-DAY TOUR OF NORTHERN GREECE
[04] PREMIER MEETS WITH DEFENSE MINISTER, DISCUSS ARMAMENTS
PROGRAM
[05] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER SEES FRENCH, BRITISH DIPLOMATS
[06] THESSALONIKI'S METRO WILL BE READY BY YEAR 2004, SAYS
MINISTER
[07] PROBLEMS CONTINUE AT STATE HOSPITALS AS DOCTORS STRIKE
[08] INTERPRISE BRINGS TOGETHER 65 BUSINESSMEN FROM 4 COUNTRIES
[09] S.E. EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTER TO BE FOUNDED AT TODAY'S
CONFERENCE
[10] ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON BALKAN CRISIS TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
[11] SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE TO GIVE PROPOSALS ON MAKING UP LOST TIME
[12] DEADLINE FOR EXPRESSED INTEREST IN O.A. MANAGEMENT IS TODAY
[13] REPPAS: THE DECISION ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW FIGHTER JETS WILL
BE MADE IN THE NEXT GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING
[14] THE GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING HAS ENDED
[15] PAPADIMAS-DOCTORS MEETING
[16] BALKAN AND BLACK SEA BANK ASSOCIATIONS MEETING
[17] 29 COUNTRIES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE
CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI
[18] 600 MILLION DRACHMAS INVESTMENT IN KASTORIA FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A FEED PLANT FOR FUR-COATED ANIMALS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT IN MOSCOW FOR NATURAL GAS TALKS
[20] BELGRADE IS READY TO COMPROMISE, SAYS DRASCOVIC
[21] SENATE VOTES ON PRESIDENT CLINTON TODAY, ACQUITTAL ASSURED
[22] US CONGRESSMEN TO VISIT GREECE NEXT WEEK
[23] GJIROKASTRA-THESSALONIKI COOPERATION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
[24] THE TALKS ON KOSOVO CONTINUE
[25] THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY CHAMBERS OF NORTHERN GREECE WILL BE
REPRESENTED IN SOFIA AND BLAGOEVGRAD
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON APPEALS FOR RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES
Archbishop Spyridon of America, who is presently on a visit
to Greece, has appealed for the return of the Parthenon Marbles
to Athens.
"The legal heritage must be returned to the Parthenon," Mr.
Spyridon said after a visit to the Acropolis yesterday, adding
that the Greek community in the United States sees the Acropolis
as "the symbol of all that is ours, an inalienable heritage and
legacy for the future".
[02] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA SPYRIDON MEETS WITH FM PANGALOS
Archbishop Spyridon of America, who is on a visit to Greece,
met yesterday with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos with whom
he discussed a variety of issues concerning Greeks living abroad,
the country's foreign policy and the events to take place at the
onset of the next millennium.
Mr. Spyridon stated that "any problems we face, we should
solve them as a Greek family."
The Greek government has greeted His Eminence with honors
normally accorded to a head of state.
[03] PREMIER TO EMBARK ON THREE-DAY TOUR OF NORTHERN GREECE
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is to embark on a three-day
tour of Northern Greece tomorrow, escorted by the Ministers of
National Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Development Vaso
Papandreou, Environment Kostas Laliotis, Health Labros Papademas,
Agriculture George Anomeritis, Culture, Evangelos Venizelos,
Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis, and various undersecretaries.
His tour will include a visit at Thessaloniki's
"Papanikolaou" hospital. Main opposition leader, New Democracy's
Kostas Karamanlis, is to also conduct a visit to the Halkidiki
peninsula where he will meet with local government officials.
[04] PREMIER MEETS WITH DEFENSE MINISTER, DISCUSS ARMAMENTS
PROGRAM
Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos yesterday in order to discuss the country's
armaments program and prepare for today's meeting of the
Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA).
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that the main topic on today's
agenda will be the procurement of new combat aircraft within the
framework of long-term planning to boost the strength of the
Hellenic Air Force.
[05] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER SEES FRENCH, BRITISH DIPLOMATS
The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis met with
the British Embassy's charges d'affaires Peter Miller and the
French Ambassador to Greece Bernard Kessedjian in Thessaloniki
yesterday.
Messrs. Magriotis and Miller discussed matters related to
bilateral cooperation between Greece and the United Kingdom, the
targets set forth by Britain's economic presence in Greece and
British ventures in Thessaloniki, especially in the sectors of
tourism and energy.
The Minister pointed out that Northern Greece's rate of
development is quite accelerated and stressed that the role of
Thessaloniki, and the overall region, is significant to the
economic development and stability of southeastern Europe.
He urged the further advancement of Britain's economic,
cultural and intellectual presence in the region.
In his talks with Mr. Kessedjian, the Minister discussed the
Thessaloniki metro project, as well as other maters related to
furthering France's economic presence in the region.
Furthermore, Mr. Magriotis referred to France's stance
towards Greek-Turkish relations and appealed to the French
diplomat that France should be closer to the values of European
culture, closer to the common European interests and, as a result,
closer to Cyprus and Greece.
In turn, Kessedjian stressed that while France exercises
solidarity towards Greece, "there are differences in tactics.
"Europe's door to Turkey should always be open since there is
a wider problem in the region surrounding that country," the
French Ambassador stated.
Mr. Magriotis responded that while this tactic is wise, "it
should not sacrifice the documented truth, human rights and the
basic values of our culture."
[06] THESSALONIKI'S METRO WILL BE READY BY YEAR 2004, SAYS
MINISTER
Construction on Thessaloniki's metro will begin immediately
following the ratification of the relevant contract by the
Hellenic Parliament, likely to occur in March, according to the
Minister of Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas
Laliotis, who also reiterated that the project will be ready by
the year 2004.
Mr. Laliotis presented the project in Thessaloniki yesterday
evening and stated that "it is an honor to present a contract
which consolidates healthy competition, is credible and reliable
and also constitutes a guarantee for the project's viability and
funding."
He further stressed that the numerous other infrastructure
projects planned for the city will not be obstructed by the
metro's construction, nor will the new form of transportation
impose any form of restructure on the city's public transit
system, other than changes that are advantageous to the bus lines.
The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis also
attended the presentation and expressed his conviction that the
project will begin within the year and will be completed on time,
as it is bound to do by contract.
The metro amounts to 220 billion drachmas and has been
undertaken by the Thessaloniki Metro consortium, led by Bouygues
of France.
Bouygues, the major shareholder, will operate the
subway for 20 years before ownership reverts to the state.
The subway will have a length of nine kilometers and
789 meters, with 14 stations. It will have a capacity of 18, 500
passengers in each direction during rush hour.
The Greek state will participate with approximately 67
billion drachmas and an annual ticket subsidy of GRD 50 billion.
[07] PROBLEMS CONTINUE AT STATE HOSPITALS AS DOCTORS STRIKE
Problems, as well as patients, continue to mount at state
hospitals where physicians are presently on strike demanding due
pay for their on-call duty. The Ministries of Health and Finance
have announced that they will increase funds allocated for the
payment of on-call duties by 11% although most of the disgruntled
strikers have said that the increase does not cover the hospital
needs.
An emergency preliminary investigation has been ordered by
the Athens's District Attorney's office which will look into
whether or not the public's health care is jeopardized by these
mobilizations and if the necessary number of physicians is
actually working.
[08] INTERPRISE BRINGS TOGETHER 65 BUSINESSMEN FROM 4 COUNTRIES
An opportunity to embark on a series of contacts among 65
businessmen from Greece, France, Spain and Italy was provided by
the INTERPRISE of Marble and Stone which begin yesterday
Thessaloniki.
According to the chairman of the Athens Chamber of Industry
George Kyropoulos, Greece features vast supplies of marble and
provides a number of advantages, especially in its exports to Asia
and China since, following the war in the Gulf, many markets from
Saudi Arabia were eradicated.
The event was inaugurated by the representative of the
European Commission's 23rd Directorate Nasos Christoyiannopoulos
and co-organized by the Business Confederation of Saragosa
(Spain), the Regional Chamber of Pyrenees Toulouse (France) and
the Trade and Industry chamber of Udine (Italy).
[09] S.E. EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTER TO BE FOUNDED AT TODAY'S
CONFERENCE
The founding of a Southeastern European Youth Center is
expected to be ratified during the course of the Third Conference
of S.E. Europe's College Students, which will begin in Athens
today.
Minster of National Education Gerasimos Arsenis, alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou and the secretary-general of
the New Generation Petros Sfikakis are to salute the conference
which will feature the participation of college student unions
from Greece, Romania, Turkey, Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria, F.R.
Yugoslavia and Cyprus.
The organization will aim to promote policies of stability
and cooperation in the region, with Greece as its headquarters.
[10] ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON BALKAN CRISIS TO BE HELD IN ATHENS
A round table discussion on "conflict avoidance and
management" is to be held tomorrow, February 13, in Athens,
featuring the participation of representatives from socialist and
social-democratic parties from Central and Eastern Europe.
The discussion is organized by the Institute of Strategic and
Developmental Studies (ISTAME) of Andreas Papandreou (ISTAME) and
will be held at the St. George Lycabettus Hotel.
[11] SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE TO GIVE PROPOSALS ON MAKING UP LOST TIME
The Education Ministry has asked school boards throughout the
country to provide proposals on ways to make up teaching hours
lost as a result of the three-month-long student protests.
As the deadline to submit the proposals has been extended to
next week, the Mister of Education Gerasimos Arsenis will announce
thereafter the measures he will adopt.
[12] DEADLINE FOR EXPRESSED INTEREST IN O.A. MANAGEMENT IS TODAY
The deadline for the expression of interest in taking over
the Olympic Airways management ends today and, according to
reports, British Airways, Lufthansa and a US operator have already
expressed interest in taking over the management.
Meanwhile, the state has accepted the resignation of the
managing director of Theodoros Tsakiridis, who said that he is
vacating the post in order to facilitate the Transportation
Ministry's efforts to find a new manager for the airline.
[13] REPPAS: THE DECISION ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW FIGHTER JETS WILL
BE MADE IN THE NEXT GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING
The final decision of the government on the purchase of the
new type fighter jets will be made in the next governmental
council of foreign affairs and defense meeting stated, Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, adding that it will be a big
defense investment, stressing that Greece needs armed forces with
the best possible defense system that will not be a burden for the
Greek economy.
Finally, the governmental council of foreign affairs and
defense finalized Greece's participation in the consortium for the
construction of the "EuroFighter" fighter plane and the ministry
of defense was authorized to start negotiations with the rest of
the participants in order for Greece to participate in the venture
on an equal basis.
[14] THE GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING HAS ENDED
The meeting of the governmental council of foreign affairs
and defense has been completed. In the meeting prevailed the issue
of the purchase of new fighter planes and systems of anti-aircraft
defense.
Minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the
governmental council decided that Greece should participate in the
consortium for the co-production of the new fighter jet
"Eurofighter".
A joint meeting of the government committee and the political
secretariat of the governing socialist party of PASOK, chaired by
prime minister Kostas Simitis, is already underway.
[15] PAPADIMAS-DOCTORS MEETING
Minister of health Lambros Papadimas will meet this afternoon
with the board of directors of the union of the hospital doctors
of Athens and Pireaus.
Meanwhile, the joint decision of the ministers of national
economy and finance and health for an increase of 11% in 1999 in
the sum of money allocated for the payments of the doctors'
overtime work is expected to defuse the crisis in the public
health sector. The problems as a result of the mobilizations of
the doctors continue today in hospitals. On Monday, the doctors of
the Social Security Organization, IKA, will start a five-day
strike across Greece.
[16] BALKAN AND BLACK SEA BANK ASSOCIATIONS MEETING
The heart of the banking system of the Balkan and Black Sea
countries will beat in Athens for three days starting on Sunday.
At the initiative of the Greek Banks Association, the
representatives of 13 similar institutions from an equal number of
Balkan, Mediterranean and Black Sea countries will gather at the
Greek capital.
Specifically, in the meeting will participate representatives
of bank associations from Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, FYROM,
Romania, Cyprus, Turkey, Armenia, Ukraine, Slovenia, Palestine,
Israel and Lebanon.
The meeting will give a special emphasis to the expansion of
the prospects opened for the development of cooperation among the
banks in the region of the Balkans, Mediterranean and the Black
Sea. It should be noted that such a meeting is being held for the
first time in Europe.
[17] 29 COUNTRIES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE
CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI
An international conference on tourist infrastructure and
development will be held in Thessaloniki on April 29-30 organized
by the US embassy. The purpose of the conference is to determine
the investment opportunities for tourist infrastructure projects
in the 29 participating countries of Europe, the Black Sea, the
Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean.
Furthermore, it is expected that there will be separate
meetings of businessmen from the wider region with representatives
of US companies.
The conference proceedings will be attended by over 350
delegates, among them many high ranking government officials from
the 29 participating countries.
[18] 600 MILLION DRACHMAS INVESTMENT IN KASTORIA FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A FEED PLANT FOR FUR-COATED ANIMALS
A plant that will produce feed for animals bred for their fur
will soon be constructed in north-western Greece and its budget is
estimated at the sum of 600 million drachmas.
The plant will be able to produce about 20.000 tons of animal
feed annually a quantity enough to feed 400.000 - 800.000 fur-
coated animals a year. The investment has a great significance
given the fact that the fur production is an activity that brings
foreign currency to north-western Greece despite of the crisis
observed recently in the sector.
In the financing of the project participate the prefectures
of Kozani and Kastoria, businessmen Papageorgiou and Vlachakis as
well as furry animal breeders from the north-western Greek cities
of Siatista and Kastoria.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT IN MOSCOW FOR NATURAL GAS TALKS
Greece's Minister of Development Vaso Papandreou is presently
in Moscow, where she will have a series of meetings with Russian
government officials concerning the glitches in natural gas
deliveries from Russia via Bulgaria to Greece.
Ms. Papandreou will attempt to secure the terms of the
agreement signed by Gaz Prom and DEPA.
[20] BELGRADE IS READY TO COMPROMISE, SAYS DRASCOVIC
"Belgrade is ready to proceed to any whatsoever compromise,
even the most difficult one, in order to resolve the crisis in
Kosovo," stated the vice-president of Yugoslavia Vuk Drascovic.
During a press interview given in Paris, Mr. Drascovic stated
that the Serb delegation is ready to endorse the ten points for
resolving the Kosovo crisis, as set forth by the Contact Group.
[21] SENATE VOTES ON PRESIDENT CLINTON TODAY, ACQUITTAL ASSURED
The United States Senate is to vote today on President Bill
Clinton's impeachment trial, after closed-door deliberations ended
yesterday.
Four republican senators have so far declared their intention
to vote for acquittal on the charges of perjury and obstruction of
justice brought before the U.S. Head of State. A two-thirds vote
is required to convict the president and remove him from office,
and the chance of that happening appears dim.
[22] US CONGRESSMEN TO VISIT GREECE NEXT WEEK
A 12-member delegation of U.S. Congressmen will visit Greece
next week, February 18, in order to meet with Greek government
officials on political and economic affairs and defense and
security issues.
The delegation, led by Nebraska Republican Douglas Bereuter,
is on a six-day tour of the region and, in addition to Greece,
will also visit Belgium, France, Cyprus and Turkey.
The Athens talks are expected to focus on the security
situation in the eastern Mediterranean, relations between Greece
and Turkey and prospects for a resolution of the Cyprus issue.
[23] GJIROKASTRA-THESSALONIKI COOPERATION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
The municipality of Gjirokatra will have a cooperation with
the municipality of Thessaloniki aimed at the financing of a
project for the protection of Gjirokastra's cultural heritage.
The project will be completed in three phases and will be
financed by Greek businessmen and the European Union, according to
the Albanian newspaper "Gazeta Skiptare".
[24] THE TALKS ON KOSOVO CONTINUE
The talks between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanians for the
solution of the problem of Kosovo continue in Rambouillet, France.
The Serb delegation has accepted the 10 basic points included
in the Contact Group proposal but at the same time it wants the
signing of a document that will recognize the existing borders.
However, the ethnic Albanian delegation refuses to sign this
document.
[25] THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY CHAMBERS OF NORTHERN GREECE WILL BE
REPRESENTED IN SOFIA AND BLAGOEVGRAD
The Commerce and Industry Chambers of northern Greece will
open offices in Sofia and Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and the Bulgarian
Commerce and Industry Chamber will contribute in the initiative.
The above was announced in the meeting of a delegation of the
northern Greek city of Serres Commerce and Industry Chamber in
Sofia with representatives of the Bulgarian Commerce and Industry
Chamber, that pledged to inform the Greek businessmen on the
changes made to the economic legislation of Bulgaria and their
capability to participate in the privatization process taking
place in the country.
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