Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-05
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 5, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK, TURKISH FORCES TO TAKE PART IN DYNAMIC MIX
[02] VENIZELOS DISMISSES BERISHA'S DIATRIBE
[03] THESSALONIKI'S GRAPHIS 2000" OPENS TODAY
[04] "EUROPE DAY" TO BE CELEBRATED IN THESSALONIKI
[05] GREEK FILM DIRECTOR HONORED IN INSTANBUL
[06] SALONICA'S JEWISH COMMUNITY HONORS SHOA VICTIMS
[07] CULTURE MINISTER RALLIES TO GET GAMES ON TRACK
[08] GERMANY GETS THE JITTERS FROM GREECE'S EMU ENTRY
[09] LANDMARK RULING ON REPARATIONS ISSUED
[10] KAKLAMANIS WILL ATTEND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENT
PRESIDENTS' CONFERENCE
[11] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
[12] THE BULGARIAN FINANCE MINISTER WILL ATTEND THE THESSALONIKI
FORUM
[13] CIGARETTE SMOKING KILLS 15.000 GREEKS EACH YEAR
[14] GAINS OF 1.34% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[15] ARTHRITIS IS THE MOST COMMON DISEASE
[16] A KEY-INSTITUTION FOR THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE
AND SWITZERLAND
[17] 158 KURDISH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN RESCUED
[18] TONY BEN: BLAIR WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF LIVINGSTON'S
VICTORY IN LONDON
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] GREEK COMMISSIONER SPEAKS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
[20] GREEK FM ADDRESSES EAST-WEST INSTITUTE
[21] DEFENSE MINISTER AT SOCIALIST CONFERENCE IN SOFIA
[22] MARGARITA PAPANDREOU AT ANKARA'S FLYING BROOM
[23] THE GREEK-FYROM CONSULTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF
MAY
[24] NAPOLEON THE GREAT WAS POISONED WITH ARSENIC
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK, TURKISH FORCES TO TAKE PART IN DYNAMIC MIX
Both Greek and Turkish forces will be participating in NATO's
"Dynamic Mix" military exercise, which begins on May 20.
The exercise, led by Greece this year, is the first one
featuring the participation of both countries as in previous years
either Athens or Ankara would abstain due to controversy over
whether the Greek island of Limnos should be included.
Turkey will be contributing 55 fighter aircraft, seven ships
and one commando company.
[02] VENIZELOS DISMISSES BERISHA'S DIATRIBE
Greece's former development minister Evangelos Venizelos,
whom the leader of Albania's Democratic Party Sali Berisha blasted
as an "enemy" of Albania, shrugged the long string allegations off
by simply stating "its unnecessary, I imagine, to say that these
things are baseless."
While addressing his party's officials in Tirana on Tuesday,
Mr. Berisha's wrath was also extended to Foreign Minister George
Papandreou when he accused both Greek politicians of having
turned Albania into a "Mafia protectorate".
The Albanian opposition leader accused Mr. Papandreou of
being an intermediary between Albania and the European Union,
adding that "however, he's a foe of the Albanian opposition." As
for Mr. Venizelos, Mr. Berisha stated that he was in close
association with Albanian Finance Minister Anastas Aggeli whom he
accused of being a "go-between between the Albanian government and
the Greek Mafia, which are attempting to paralyze the country's
economy."
In a press release issued last night, Mr. Venizelos stated
that he hopes Mr. Berisha "has not said, or in fact, believe (such
claims)."
Mr. Venizelos further added that "the common goal of all
political forces, both in Greece and Albania, must be a constant
improvement in bilateral relations in all sectors, as well as the
safeguarding of peace and stability in the Balkans, along with the
paramount issue of respect of current borders. "
[03] THESSALONIKI'S GRAPHIS 2000" OPENS TODAY
Four thousand retailers are expected to visit the 8th
"Graphis 2000" exhibition of office supplies, books and toys, to
be held at the Thessaloniki Trade Fair between May 5-8.
About 100 companies will be taking part in the exhibition,
which will be held on a 3,000 sq. meter area, especially from the
Balkan region and Southeastern Europe.
The "Helexpo" organizers of the exhibition have received
requests for details from as far as Ukraine, India and Cameroon
while a delegation of Russian business agents is expected to
arrive, their visit organized by Greece's Bureau of Economic and
Trade Affairs in Moscow.
The exhibition will run between 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the
first day, 11 a.m. to 9p.m. during the weekend, and 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. on Monday.
The National Book Center will hold an event on the
modernization of bookstores on Sunday, within the framework of the
exhibition.
[04] "EUROPE DAY" TO BE CELEBRATED IN THESSALONIKI
Commemorating the 50th anniversary since the founding of the
European Union, the "Day of Europe" is to be celebrated in
Thessaloniki on Tuesday, May 9, by the Macedonia Carrefour of the
American Farm School and the European Center of Communication,
Information and Culture.
The day-long event is jointly organized by the European
commission's representatives in Greece and the office of the
European Parliament.
The festivities will include performances by the Philharmonic
Orchestra of Thessaloniki's Municipality, as well as the dance
troupe of the American Farm School.
[05] GREEK FILM DIRECTOR HONORED IN INSTANBUL
Greek film director Theodoros Aggelopoulos was honored by the
International Cinema Festival in Istanbul during an official
ceremony held this week.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Aggelopoulos stated that
"praise to love and poetry are what are left for me to do as a
film director", adding that his next film will be about the
feelings of a 14-year-old boy who falls in love for the first time
and thinks that this love will last forever.
Mr. Aggelopoulos said he was moved by the reception of his
films by the Turkish public and said he would be willing to make a
film with Turkish colleagues.
[06] SALONICA'S JEWISH COMMUNITY HONORS SHOA VICTIMS
Thessaloniki's Jewish Community will honor the memory of the
city's 50,000 Jews who were murdered by the Nazis 57 years ago,
with a memorial service to be held at the Monastirlis Synagogue on
Sunday, May 7.
The events will culminate with the laying of wreaths at the
Jewish Holocaust Monument.
In an announcement commemorating the Shoa, the Community
yesterday issued an anti-racism and anti-war message.
A thriving Jewish community before the Holocaust,
Thessaloniki was known throughout the Balkans as the "Mother of
Israel".
Today, less than ten percent of its members live in the
city.
[07] CULTURE MINISTER RALLIES TO GET GAMES ON TRACK
Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos met with Jacques Rogge,
the head of the International Olympic Committee, in Brussels
yesterday, with whom he discussed the course preparations for the
2004 Summer Games which will be held in Athens.
Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Pangalos stated that "things
are going as fast as possible. This is why we have close
cooperation with the IOC."
In turn, Mr. Rogge stated that "I can clearly see he has a
vigorous approach."
In regards to the city's infrastructure, Mr. Pangalos said
many of the major venues were already in place even though some
need a thorough overhaul.
[08] GERMANY GETS THE JITTERS FROM GREECE'S EMU ENTRY
A mere 24 hours after Greece received the European
Commission's "go ahead" for accession to the Economic and Monetary
Union, Germany's two top business lobbies said that Greece's entry
is "gratuitous" and that the country should be refused entry to
the euro zone until it satisfied all the economic criteria, while
ignoring the fact that Greece has satisfied all the entry
criteria, as the European Commission and the European Central Bank
together found.
Hans-Olaf Henkel, head of the Federation of German Industry,
said that if Greece were to bend the rules to enter the zone, it
would badly damage an already weak euro. The German Chambers of
Industry and Commerce said Greece's public debt would take years
to rein in sufficiently.
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou responded that
"such views are unfounded", and that there was no relation
between the euro's weakness and the prospect of Greece's entry.
[09] LANDMARK RULING ON REPARATIONS ISSUED
In a landmark ruling, Greece's Supreme Court (Areios Pagos)
has paved the way for war reparations to be paid by the German
state to descendants of 214 Greeks brutally executed in the Viotia
town of Distomo by German occupation troops in WWII.
In its ruling, passed by 16 votes to four, the Court ratified
the recommendation of Supreme Court Justice N. Georgiles and ruled
that the First Instance Court of Livadia rightfully granted
compensation amounting to 9.5 billion drachmas to the relatives of
the Distomo massacre's victims.
In its 18-page ruling, the court's majority found that in the
case of Distomo there was no armed clash but an act of vengeance,
in other words, the murder of non-combatants and crimes against
their persons and property, which are not related to the occupying
forces.
When the suit was initially filed in a Livadia lower court in
1995 on behalf of the descendants the German state refused to
recognize the competence of the local court and thus the case was
not considered legally represented.
The Supreme Court admitted the case and ruled to award the
victims' families 8 billion drachmas, with interest accrued for
the delay from the time the decision was announced to the German
government.
Germany then proceeded to appeal the case directly to the
Greek supreme court, whose competence it thus proceeded to
recognize, arguing that German court had the right to adjudicate
the case extraterritorially.
The scenes of unspeakable violence at the Distomo massacre
were recounted in the Court's ruling.
"The Germans, realizing that the successes of the allied
troops would only lead to the intensification of the Greek
liberation forces, embarked on a systematic form of terrorism,
with mass killings and executions of innocent men, in order to
intimidate.
The massacre took place on June 10, 1944 when Gestapo and SS
troops opened fire against every Greek they met on their way to
Distomo. They were ambushed by Greek freedom fighters who killed
18 of the Germans.
With their ire provoked, the German troops then marched into
Distomo and embarked on the systematic execution of the
villagers.
If the German state does not to comply with the content of
the ruling, the interested parties intend to hasten the necessary
execution of a writ against it.
That means either seizure by the European Commission, which
will proceed to withhold the amount from funds to which Germany is
entitled.
The Treaty of Rome says that with the permission of the Court
of the European Communities, seizure can be enforced, with the
European Commission collecting the funds, in order to satisfy a
claim based on a court ruling against a member-state.
[10] KAKLAMANIS WILL ATTEND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENT
PRESIDENTS' CONFERENCE
Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis will be in
Strasbourg today to attend the Council of Europe parliament
presidents' conference.
The main topic under discussion will be the role of
parliaments and European parliamentary assemblies in the creation
of a wider Europe as well as the tackling of corruption and
organized crime. Mr. Kaklamanis will have contacts with his
counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting.
[11] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
A cooperation agreement for the development of common plans
in the sector of energy was signed yesterday by the Greek company
Rokas and the Turkish Gucbirligi Holding Corp.
Christos Rokas, chairman of the Greek company and Turgul
Yemistzi of the Turkish company signed yesterday an agreement
providing for joint investments in the energy sector.
The president of the Ismir Chamber of Commerce, who was
present in the signing ceremony, stated that the Turkish and the
Greek people have common points in all sectors and this has a
positive effect on the economic relations between Greece and
Turkey.
The agreement covers plans on the construction of energy
production plants using the power of the wind, technical
cooperation and future joint investments in the energy sector.
[12] THE BULGARIAN FINANCE MINISTER WILL ATTEND THE THESSALONIKI
FORUM
Bulgarian finance minister Muravei Rantev will attend the 7th
annual forum that will be held in Thessaloniki on May 8-9.
It was announced that Mr. Rantev will deliver a speech under
the title "The Balkans-Prospects of Development".
The forum will also be attended by Bulgarian regional
development and land planning minister Evgeni Tsatsev.
[13] CIGARETTE SMOKING KILLS 15.000 GREEKS EACH YEAR
Cigarette smoking kills 15.000 Greeks each year, while the
number of people killed around the world every year by this fatal
habit is 3 million.
The psychological and behavioral addiction is associated with
repeated moves that are made by smokers 5.000-15.000 times a year
and at one point they are made automatically, while many times are
associated subconsciously with certain special situations, such as
the first cigarette in the morning, smoking and drinking coffee,
smoking with friends, or smoking while watching TV.
The pharmacological addiction concerns the nicotine levels in
the blood which create the deprivation syndrome and the
uncontrollable urge to light a cigarette in order to maintain
specific nicotine levels in the blood.
[14] GAINS OF 1.34% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange had gains of 1.34% and the general
index was at 4.416,60 points in today's session, while the volume
of transactions were over 120 billion drachmas.
All secondary indexes recorded gains. The parallel market
recorded the biggest gains followed by commercial enterprises,
leasing and constructions.
[15] ARTHRITIS IS THE MOST COMMON DISEASE
The deterioration or the total damage of joints is the most
common disease and is involved in other health problems that
correspond to 25% of the overall health problems, while it appears
in 76% of the people over the age of 65. It causes pain in the
joints, limits the ability to function and is the main cause of
slow movement and handicap.
The first recommendations given by the doctors to the
patients in order to relief the painful symptoms are to lose
weight, heat the damaged joint and limit activities.
The new technology and the new methods used make possible the
early diagnosis that allows for better treatment planning and
therefore, better results.
[16] A KEY-INSTITUTION FOR THE ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE
AND SWITZERLAND
The Switzerland-Greece Economic Chamber opened a contact
office in Thessaloniki aimed at strengthening cooperation between
northern Greek and Swiss businesses.
Head of the office was appointed Rubicon Group president
Panagiotis Baltatzis who pointed out that the goal of the new
institution is to widen the field of bilateral trade transactions
adding that there is room for further development, especially for
the Greek exports.
Most of the imports from Switzerland concern pharmaceutical
and chemical products, equipment, tools, instruments and watches,
while the main Greek exports to Switzerland concern textiles, farm
and chemical products metals and metal devices.
About 50 large Swiss multi-national companies are active in
Greece and the invested Swiss capital in the country is over 290
million Euros, while in Switzerland, about 25 Greek businesses are
active in the sectors of commerce and services. Finally, in the
tourist sector about 60.000 Greeks visit Switzerland each year,
while about 250.000 Swiss visit Greece.
[17] 158 KURDISH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN RESCUED
One hundred fifty eight Kurdish illegal immigrants, who had
been cut off on the rocky island of Kavalii in Crete because of
the bad weather in the area, have been rescued by the Greek Coast
Guard.
Extensive search is underway for the location of more illegal
immigrants as boat parts have been found near the islet.
[18] TONY BEN: BLAIR WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF LIVINGSTON'S
VICTORY IN LONDON
The view that British prime minister Tony Blair will suffer
the consequences after the victory in London's municipal elections
of independent candidate Ken Livingston who was not backed by the
Labor Party, was expressed by historical leader of the British
Labor Party left wing, Tony Ben, in an interview with the Athens
radio station "Flash".
Mr. Ben stated characteristically that Blair's chances for a
victory in the next general elections have been limited.
He said that Ken Livingston was backed by the majority of the
Labor Party parliament deputies in London but the system selected
by Blair excluded him from the list of candidates. Livingston's
victory shows that more people back the real Labor Party and not
Blair's new Labor Party as he described it in 1994 when he was
elected to the party leadership, said Mr. Ben.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] GREEK COMMISSIONER SPEAKS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Addressing an international conference on "Violence Against
Women: Zero Tolerance", the European Commissioner for Employment
and Social Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou stated that "globally,
men's violence against women causes more deaths and disability
among females aged 15-44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents
or war."
Moreover, she added that "the United Nations estimate that
200 million females are missing in the world; women who should
have been born or grown up, but were killed by infanticide or
selective abortion."
A Dutch study reports that domestic violence alone costs the
state more than euro 150 million a year, measuring health costs
and loss of working time on account of domestic violence. 22% of
women in Finland have suffered violence by their partners.
In Portugal, 52,9% of women have been the victims of
violence inflicted by their partners. In Ireland in 1998, over
half of all women murdered were killed by their partners or
husbands. In Austria 50% of divorces are filed on the grounds of
violence against women. South Africa reports the highest incidence
of rape in the world, a woman is raped every 20 seconds and only
one in 35 reports it to the authorities.
The conference was organized by the European Union's
Portuguese presidency in Lisbon.
[20] GREEK FM ADDRESSES EAST-WEST INSTITUTE
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou addressed the
East-West Institute's third session of a conference on "The New
Geopolitics of Southeastern Europe: Building a Secure Investment
Climate for the 21st Century",
where he underlined Greece's significant contribution to
stability, security and peace in the Balkans, as well as the
importance of economic development and cooperation.
Mr. Papandrou said that for the first time for centuries,
political leaders from all over southeastern Europe appeared
united, showing they had realized the need to overcome the
negative past and move speedily ahead to a prosperous and peaceful
future.
"It's my belief we are on the verge of a radical change and I
believe this because there are many fundamental steps that have
taken place in recent years.
"First and foremost, democracy is being established in the
region and seems sustainable.
"Secondly, we are seeing regional cooperation. Irredentism is
fading out and a new desire for close cooperation is becoming more
and more apparent.
"Thirdly, the international community stands united in a
total strategy for the region, the Stability Pact. Hard work in
long-term investments and infrastructure will produce large and
sustainable results," he said.
Mr Papandreou, who along with his Turkish counterpart Ismael
Cem were honored by the Institute as "Personalities of the Year",
also stated that rapprochement between Greece and Turkey is the
cornerstone of security in the Balkans and a guarantee for
investments.
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright praised the two
ministers for the rapid warming of relations between their two
countries.
"In less than a year, my friends George Papandreou and Ismael
"em have done more to bring about reconciliation between Greece
and Turkey than any comparable duo in living memory," she said.
"And today, both Greece and Turkey are central to winning the
peace - aiding development, promoting investment, and helping to
turn the Balkans problem into the southeast European opportunity."
The forum was chaired by former Finnish president Martti
Ahtisaari. Other speakers were Ukrainian Foreign Minister Boris
Tarasyuk and the director of the U.S. National Security Council's
department for southeastern Europe, Christopher Hill.
[21] DEFENSE MINISTER AT SOCIALIST CONFERENCE IN SOFIA
Addressing an international conference on Balkan security,
held in Sofia under the auspices of Bulgaria's Socialist Party,
Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos referred to Turkey's
candidacy for accession to the European Union and stated that
Greece welcomes this prospect.
"We support the prospect of Turkey's candidacy to the
European Union, and based on this prospect the talks conducted
between the EU and Turkey are forming a very favorable framework
of discussion and bilateral issues, as this country's European
course will be also determined by Greek-Turkish relations and
their outcome," he stated.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, as the vice-president of the European
Socialist Party, submitted proposals for the establishment of a
regional system of cohesive security in the Balkans.
[22] MARGARITA PAPANDREOU AT ANKARA'S FLYING BROOM
The President of the Greek Women's Association (EGE)
Margarita Papandreou is presently in Ankara where she will attend
the Third Film Festival organized by Ankara's women's group
"Flying Broom".
Speaking to reporters upon her arrival, the mother of Foreign
Minister George Papandreou and former wife of the late Andreas
Papandreou referred to Greek-Turkish relations and stated that she
is proud of her son's contribution to the improving ties between
the two neighboring nations.
Heading a delegation of 13 Greek women, Ms. Papandreou will
speak tomorrow on "Women and Peace".
[23] THE GREEK-FYROM CONSULTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF
MAY
The new round of consultations between representatives of
Greece and FYROM for the settlement of the name issue will be held
by the end of the month or during the first week of June at the
latest.
Citing a statement made by FYROM representative Ivan
Tosewski, who attends the consultations, the Skopje newspaper
"Dnevnik" mentions in a report that special UN mediator Matthew
Nimits is expected to contact Greece's representative to set a
date for the resumption of the talks.
The newspaper mentions that the consultations will resume
after a one-year break because of the appointment of a new Greek
representative to replace Christos Zacharakis and the recent
parliamentary elections in Greece.
[24] NAPOLEON THE GREAT WAS POISONED WITH ARSENIC
New toxicological tests showed that Napoleon the Great did
not die from stomach cancer as it was believed until now but he
was poisoned.
According to the Spanish newspaper "El Pais", a British
scientist who analyzed hairs taken from Napoleon concluded that
his death was the result of arsenic poisoning and not of stomach
cancer.
The presence of arsenic in Napoleon's hair explains why the
French emperor's remains were so well preserved.
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