Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-01-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 12, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON THE NEW ARMAMENTS PROGRAM
[02] LIMITED NUMBER OF FLU CASES IN GREECE
[03] A 6.000 KILOMETER MARCH FOR THE PARTHENON MARBLES
[04] LOSSES OF 0.05% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[05] DEAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF TURKEY WITH GREEK ELECTRICITY
[06] THE FINAL DECISION ON GREECE'S EMU MEMBERSHIP ON JUNE 19-20
[07] ANCIENT GREEK TREASURES IN AN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[08] PAPANDREOU'S CONTACTS IN CYPRUS
[09] DECISION ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IMPOSED ON
OCALAN
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON THE NEW ARMAMENTS PROGRAM
The new armaments program of the Greek armed forces for the
five-year period of 2001-2005 was the subject of discussion in the
meeting that was held in Athens under prime minister Kostas
Simitis.
The meeting took place with the participation of minister of
national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou, minister of
defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos and undersecretary of defense
Dimitris Apostolakis.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the issue under discussion
was the purchase of 60-90 Eurofighter fighter jets, as well as the
agreements for the negotiations concerning the purchase of F-16s,
Mirages and transport planes. A special reference was made to the
issue of the sums of money allocated for the new armaments program
and the program for the new professional army.
The government council of foreign affairs and defense will
meet next week to take the final decisions on the programs for the
reinforcement of the armed forces.
[02] LIMITED NUMBER OF FLU CASES IN GREECE
The cases of type B flu traced in Greece are only a few,
while there is no case of type A flu. According to the
specialists, the best protection against the flu virus is for the
people to avoid crowded places, while patients must stay at home
and antibiotics must be prescribed only by doctors.
The flu virus infects mainly children and over 300 people
with flu-like symptoms have been examined by hospital doctors in
Thessaloniki however, most of them left the hospitals without
receiving special treatment.
[03] A 6.000 KILOMETER MARCH FOR THE PARTHENON MARBLES
Determined to walk a distance of 6.000 kilometers calling for
the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece is Andreas
Andreopoulos who left from Ormenio, Evros last Wednesday and in
two days is expected to be in Thessaloniki.
Andreas Andreopoulos, who collects signatures for the same
purpose, chose this way to promote his demand which is the demand
of all Greeks. The first part of his march began last month when
he covered on foot the distance from Athens to Thessaloniki.
[04] LOSSES OF 0.05% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The general index in the Athens Stock Exchange closed with
losses of 0.05% managing to limit the big losses recorded in the
beginning of the session today.
The index closed at 5.187,33 points while the volume of
transactions was at 261 billion drachmas.
[05] DEAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF TURKEY WITH GREEK ELECTRICITY
Kopelouzos Group representatives and representatives of four
large energy companies from Russia, Italy, the United States and
Turkey signed a deal for the supply of Turkey with electricity
produced in Greece. The deal provides for the construction of an
electricity supply plant at the Greek-Turkish borders and
specifically in the region of Evros, in north-eastern Greece. The
electricity production plant will be in operation in 3 to 4 years
and it will export electricity mainly to Turkey.
The business initiative was welcomed by the Greek government
and minister of development Evangelos Venizelos stressed that such
initiatives show that the new conditions formed in the region can
be used in a constructive way.
Mr. Kopelouzos stated that the people can cooperate in long-
term activities and develop strong ties that will not be affected
by the different political developments.
[06] THE FINAL DECISION ON GREECE'S EMU MEMBERSHIP ON JUNE 19-20
The final decision on Greece's EMU membership will be made in
the EU Summit meeting in Portugal on June 19-20, stated Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stressing that it is not
feasible neither the government's political will to raise the
issue earlier in the informal summit meeting in Lisbon.
Mr. Reppas stated that the wish of the Greek government is to
complete its work successfully and meet all the necessary criteria
based on which the country's bid for EMU membership will be judged
without needing to hold political discussions on the issue.
[07] ANCIENT GREEK TREASURES IN AN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM
Ancient Greek findings with an estimated value of over US$
730 million will be exhibited in Sidney's Powerhouse Museum on
July 15 - November 15 within the framework of the agreement signed
between the Museum's director and the responsible department of
the Greek culture ministry.
The exhibition "A Thousand years of Olympic Games - The
treasures of Ancient Greece" is made up of 54 artifacts which are
related with the ancient Olympic Games and the track and field
sports events.
The Greek culture ministry general secretary, who visited
Sidney recently, stated that a major role in holding the
exhibition was played by the Greek-Australian community and added
that the Greek culture ministry leadership will be present in the
formal opening of the exhibition.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[08] PAPANDREOU'S CONTACTS IN CYPRUS
The developments formed after the publicizing of Turkish
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's objective for the Turkish occupied
northern part of Cyprus to have separate talks with the European
Union were discussed in Cyprus by Greek foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou and Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides.
Mr. Papandreou pointed out that the European Union has
already decided how it will deal with the Turkish Cypriot
community in its Luxembourg Summit. He pointed out that the
Cypriot Republic has suggested the participation of the Turkish
Cypriots in its delegation taking part in the consultations with
the European Union and has expressed the hope that the Turkish
Cypriot side will respond to this invitation.
Foreign minister Papandreou also met with the political party
leaders in Cyprus, the UN representative in Nicosia and Archbishop
Chrisostomos of Cyprus, while he also visited the Greek forces
army camp.
[09] DECISION ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IMPOSED ON
OCALAN
The political party leaders forming the coalition government
in Turkey meet today to decide whether they will proceed with the
ratification of the execution of the death penalty imposed on PKK
leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Such a likelihood could put at risk Turkey's European Union
membership given the fact that the European Court of Human Rights
has asked Turkey to suspend the death penalty.
According to information, the Turkish political parties will
respond positively to the request made by the European Court of
Human Rights.
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