Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-09-07
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 7, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STEPHANOPOULOS AND SIMITIS ARE OPTIMISTIC ON THE COURSE
OF THE ECONOMY
[02] THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE
[03] THESSALONIKI'S 64TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR CONTINUES
SUCCESSFULLY
[04] FAVORABLE CLIMATE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY
[05] FURTHER DROP OF INFLATION
[06] IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS
[07] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HIT
ATHENS
[08] PANIC FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN ATHENS
[09] PAPAZACHOS: A STRONGER EARTHQUAKE IS UNLIKELY
[10] FIVE PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE EARTHQUAKE
THAT HIT ATHENS
[11] STATEMENTS BY THE ATHENS OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR
[12] AT LEAST 6 PEOPLE DIED IN THE EARTHQUAKE
[13] EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CABINET TO ASSESS THE
SITUATION
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] STEPHANOPOULOS AND SIMITIS ARE OPTIMISTIC ON THE COURSE
OF THE ECONOMY
President of the republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and
prime minister Kostas Simitis appeared optimistic on the
course of the economy in the meeting they had today.
Mr. Simitis said to Mr. Stephanopoulos that the course
of the economy is good and that there will be a new round of
development. "There is no doubt about it" responded the
president.
The prime minister characterized the period of time
that will follow as especially important, pointing out that
it will be crucial for Greece's accession into the EMU at an
equal footing with the rest EU member-states. He also added
that the economic policy of the government will continue its
steady course.
[02] THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE
There is potential for a serious initiative concerning
the solution of the Cyprus problem, stated Greek deputy
foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis after his meeting with
the new US coordinator to the Cyprus problem, Tom Weston.
From his side, the US diplomat underlined that there
are positive elements at an international level for the
solution of the Cyprus problem and characterized as useful
the contacts he had both with Mr. Kranidiotis and Cypriot
Republic president Glafkos Clerides as well as with Cypriot
foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides.
Mr. Kranidiotis wished that the efforts will bring
results and that Mr. Weston will be the last mediator to the
problem.
[03] THESSALONIKI'S 64TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR CONTINUES
SUCCESSFULLY
Thousands of people from all over Greece and from
Balkan and European Union states have already visited
Thessaloniki's 64th International Trade Fair which covers
even a biggest space compared to the past 63 exhibitions.
Meanwhile, the results of the two-day summit meeting of
the Balkan energy ministers, that will be held on September
9 and 10, are expected with great interest.
[04] FAVORABLE CLIMATE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou characterized
as favorable the climate that has been created between
Greece and Turkey after yesterday's governmental meeting
that was presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis.
Mr. Papandreou admitted that there are problems between
the two countries on specific issues but he stressed that
Greece's goal is to work toward the improvement of bilateral
relations under conditions. On October 12 and 13 the Greek-
Turkish Business Cooperation Council will convene in Athens.
Meanwhile, right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy accuses the government of hurting the country's
interests in order to win the praises of third parties.
[05] FURTHER DROP OF INFLATION
The ministry of national economy and finance is
expected to announce today that inflation in Greece has
dropped further.
According to information, inflation in the month of
August was 2% compared to 2.1% in the month of July.
Meanwhile, the government's plan for the reconstruction of
the Balkans will be presented today by the minister of
national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou.
The draft law proposed by the ministry of finance which
concerns the changes in taxation will be announced on
Thursday.
[06] IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS
An opinion poll conducted on behalf of the newspaper
"Angelioforos" in Thessaloniki recorded a change in the
voters' stance in favor of the government.
The governing socialist party of PASOK comes first in
the preference of those questioned with 29.6%, followed by
right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy with
27.8%, while 65.3% want the government to serve its full
four year term. Also, 43.3% believes that the Simitis
government is the most fit solution, while 40.4% responded
that there is a more fit alternative solution.
The opinion poll was conducted after the announcement
of the package of economic benefits by the prime minister
and the percentage for each political party is PASOK 29.6%,
New Democracy 27.8%, Communist Party 5.7%, Social Democratic
Movement 4.8%, Coalition of the Left 4.1%, Political Spring
1.3%, Liberals 0.7%, while the floating vote is 15.1%.
[07] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HIT
ATHENS
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit
the Greek capital of Athens at 14:56pm today. According to
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory,
the epicenter was located 20 kilometers north-east of Athens
in the region of Parnitha.
The earthquake that is being followed by strong
aftershocks caused panic to the people and electricity was
cut off in many regions.
The Fire Department received calls according to which,
a house has collapsed and an apartment building in the
region of Metamorfosi suffered serious damages. Also,
damages were caused to a two-storey building and an old
house in the region of Pangrati at the center of Athens.
There are unconfirmed reports of one person dead
possibly from a heart attack, while a number of people are
reported being under the rubble.
[08] PANIC FROM THE EARTHQUAKE IN ATHENS
Panic and traffic jams were caused by the 5.9 on the
Richter scale earthquake in Athens.
The residents of the capital abandoned their homes
fearing for their safety while the radio and television
stations are calling on the people to maintain their calm.
Two old houses collapsed and the Fire Department receives
telephone calls to free people who have been in elevators at
the time of the earthquake.
[09] PAPAZACHOS: A STRONGER EARTHQUAKE IS UNLIKELY
Aristotle University Seismology professor Vasilis
Papazachos stated to MPA that the earthquake that hit Athens
at 14:56pm today and measured 5.9 on the Richter scale has
no relation whatsoever with the earthquake that hit north-
western Turkey on August 17. He underlined that the fault
which gave today's earthquake had given only small
earthquakes in the last two centuries.
Mr. Papazachos stated that the earthquake was felt with
great intensity in the region of Athens because the specific
fault has vertical direction to the city and the tremor came
from a depth of 10 kilometers very close to the earth's
surface.
Mr. Papazachos stressed that a stronger earthquake is
unlikely and that he bases his assessment to the fact that
the aftershocks have a gradually smaller intensity.
There are only unconfirmed reports of one person who
died from a heart attack, while a number of people were
trapped inside elevators when the electricity was cut off.
[10] FIVE PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE EARTHQUAKE
THAT HIT ATHENS
Five people lost their lives in the earthquake of 5.9
on the Richter scale that hit Athens at 14:56pm today, while
a large number of people have been injured.
According to police information, two people died from
heart attacks and three were killed when a building
collapsed.
The seismologists are studying the earthquake but they
can not make any predictions, according to Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory
seismologist Mr. Skordilis. He said that there is an intense
aftershock activity, adding that an increased seismic
activity is recorded in the region of eastern Mediterranean.
[11] STATEMENTS BY THE ATHENS OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR
Athens Observatory director Mr. Stavrakakis stated that
the earthquake of 5.9 on the Richter scale that hit Athens
at 14:56pm today is possibly the main earthquake adding that
it was followed by a number of aftershocks.
He said that the intense aftershock activity is
expected to last a few hours and suggested to the residents
of Athens to be careful and stay calm.
[12] AT LEAST 6 PEOPLE DIED IN THE EARTHQUAKE
At least 6 people died in the earthquake that hit
Athens early this afternoon and measured 5.9 on the Richter
scale.
Two of the victims died from heart attack and four were
killed when they were buried under the rubble of two
collapsed buildings. A number of people are trapped under
the building housing the industry plant of "Fourlis" in Kato
Kifisia which has collapsed, while a four-storey apartment
building has also collapsed in Metamorfosi and under the
rubble have been buried alive at least 20 people, according
to the existing information. Also, it is believed that at
least 15 people are under another apartment building that
has collapsed at Agia Sofia street. According to
information, a total of 50 buildings have collapsed and many
people have been injured.
[13] EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CABINET TO ASSESS THE
SITUATION
An emergency cabinet meeting was held in Athens to
assess the situation created by the strong earthquake that
hit the region of the Greek capital at 14:56pm today and
measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. In the meeting that was
presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis participated
the ministers of interior, health, defense, press,
environment land planning and public works, development and
public order.
After the end of the meeting, minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos stated that military units are on their way
to the regions mostly hit by the earthquake.
Minister of press and government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas expressed regret for the victims and their families
and called on the people to maintain their calm, while he
suggested that they should keep the streets open for the
emergency services. He stated that the state mechanism was
mobilized immediately and effectively and expressed the hope
that the effects of the earthquake will be dealt with
quickly.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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