Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-19
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 19, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] WORLD WAR II BATTLE OF CRETE COMMEMORATED
[02] ECB PRESIDENT POSITIVE ON GREEK ECONOMY'S COURSE
[03] AIR FORCE TRAINING, SAFETY PRACTICES UP FOR REVIEW
[04] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS
[05] GREEKS LIVE THE LONGEST AMONG ALL EUROPEANS
[06] TURKISH AIRCRAFT LANDED AT NEA ANCHIALOS
[07] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES IN ATHENS
[08] MANY GREEKS WILL NOT TRAVEL THIS YEAR
[09] OECD: FULL LIBERALIZATION OF THE GREEK COASTAL SHIPPING
[10] GAINS OF 1.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] THE NATO EXERCISE "DYNAMIC MIX" STARTS TOMORROW
[12] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITED ALEXANDROUPOLIS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] CLINTON EXPRESSES OPTIMISM OVER CYPRUS ISSUE
[14] US CONGRESSMEN ADDRESS PSEKA CONFERENCE
[15] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS TO RESUME ON JULY 5
[16] C of E MINISTERS COMMITTEE TO REVIEW LOIZIDOU CASE
[17] PSEKA, SAE HOLD CYPRUS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON
[18] GREEK CULTURE CELEBRATIONS HELD IN BUCHAREST
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] WORLD WAR II BATTLE OF CRETE COMMEMORATED
Commemorative events for the 59th anniversary of the World
War II Battle of Crete are presently held on the island, featuring
the participation of 50 veterans and their families from the
United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
The ambassadors of these three countries will attend wreath-
laying ceremonies, along with Greek armed forces and government
representatives, and visiting, serving personnel from RAF units
that fought in the battle. The commemorations will last until
Sunday.
[02] ECB PRESIDENT POSITIVE ON GREEK ECONOMY'S COURSE
The performance of Greece's economy in the past five years
"was impressive and admirable," according to the European Central
Bank president Wim Duisenberg who also stated that views according
to which Greece's EMU entry should be delayed to avoid negative
effects on the single currency are "ridiculous."
He explained that small countries, like Greece or Ireland are
not in a position to influence economic developments in the euro
zone.
Mr. Duizenberg further added that the fiscal policy Greece is
to follow after its entry into the euro zone should be a tight
one, in order to balance out monetary relaxation and continue
reducing public debt.
[03] AIR FORCE TRAINING, SAFETY PRACTICES UP FOR REVIEW
Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has called for a review
of air force safety and training practices, after a military
aircraft crashed into a house in Antikira yessterday, killing
both pilots and two young women in the building.
Five airmen have been killed in flying accidents this year; a
few hours prior to yesterday's horrendous accident, a 26-year-old
pilot, First Lieutenant Dimitris Agiasofitis, died of burns
suffered when his aircraft crashed during take off in on Tuesday.
"Today is a black day for the air force, the armed forces and
the entire Greek people," Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated in a press
conference.
"There will be an in-depth inquest into the causes of these
accidents," he stressed, adding "this will review current
procedures on flight safety rules, as well as the terms of our
training programs so that we can be absolutely certain that the
armed forces personnel who labor daily to carry out their duty do
so under the best possible conditions."
[04] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Ecumenical patriarch Vartholomeos is presently paying a two-
day visit to Alexandroupolis, where he will inaugurate the
conference of the International Association of Policemen.
On Sunday, Patriarch Vartholomeos will inaugurate the
Ecclesiastic Museum of Alexandroupolis Cathedral.
[05] GREEKS LIVE THE LONGEST AMONG ALL EUROPEANS
Those Greeks who have passed the 65th year of age are more
likely to live longer into their eighties than the other
Europeans, according to an EU annual statistical study.
Specifically, the study shows that Greek men over the age of
65 are expected to live 81.5 years on an average; the same average
for other European men of the same age group is 80.6 years.
Greek women fare even better then the men, as their life
expectancy past the age of 65 is 83.9 years, although French women
hold the record in life expectancy within the EU, with 85.7 years
on average.
[06] TURKISH AIRCRAFT LANDED AT NEA ANCHIALOS
Three Turkish military transport planes, which will take part
in the NATO exercise "Dynamic Mix" that starts tomorrow, landed at
the Air Force Base of Nea Anchialos, in Volos central Greece after
submitting a flight plan.
A total of 12 Turkish F16 fighter jets arrived at the Air
Base this afternoon.
[07] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES IN ATHENS
An international conference on the Parthenon Marbles will be
held in Athens on May 22-24 under the auspices of the ministries
of culture and press and the Greek committee of UNESCO.
The conference will be attended by distinguished scientists
and researchers from 16 countries that have dealt with the issue
of the return of the Parthenon Marbles among them "Melina
Mercouri" Institute chairman Jules Dassen.
The goal of the conference is the complete presentation of
the historic, cultural and legal framework of the issue.
[08] MANY GREEKS WILL NOT TRAVEL THIS YEAR
According to facts that were presented today by the
Consumers' Institute, 38% of the Greeks are not planning to travel
this year and the same goes for 30% of the Europeans, while at the
same time, the vacation period becomes smaller and the main cause
for this is the high vacation cost. Specifically, a 15day vacation
for a four-member family it is estimated to cost an average of
700.000 drachmas.
The Consumer's Institute also announced that 66 reception
centers and two mobile information units will be in operation this
summer to give information among others on the traveler's rights
charter.
[09] OECD: FULL LIBERALIZATION OF THE GREEK COASTAL SHIPPING
The Organization for the Economic Cooperation and
Development, OECD, suggested the full liberalization of the Greek
coastal shipping in a recent report. Furthermore, it suggested
subsidies for the so-called non profitable shipping lines,
connecting islands that are not preferred by the tourists, by
charging a special fee on all ferry tickets.
Among the proposals included in the report is the essential
representation of the islands' social institutions in the merchant
marine ministry decision making procedures.
It is also stressed that the liberalization of the Greek
coastal shipping will open the way for ticket price cuts and the
use of modern ships like in the case of the shipping lines in the
Adriatic Sea.
[10] GAINS OF 1.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange recorded gains of 1.30% today,
while the general index was at 4.802,61 points.
The volume of transactions was very impressive reaching 371
billion drachmas.
[11] THE NATO EXERCISE "DYNAMIC MIX" STARTS TOMORROW
The NATO exercise "Dynamic Mix" starts tomorrow and will last
until June 10. Already, most of the troops participating in the
exercise, estimated to be 6.500 men, have been deployed in the
prefectures of Thessaloniki, Imathia, Kavala and Pieria. Even the
port of Kavala that initially was not included in the exercise
will be used and already NATO forces have arrived there.
In addition it was decided that apart from the military
airport of Thessaloniki the airport of Chrisoupolis in Kavala will
also be used in the exercise.
The goal of the exercise, in which will take part a total of
15.000 men, 65 warships and 290 aircraft, is the cooperation in
humanitarian rescue missions in the Mediterranean.
[12] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITED ALEXANDROUPOLIS
The people of Alexandroupolis in northern Greece welcomed
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos with honors reserved for heads
of state. Earlier, the Patriarch was welcomed by 15 Metropolites
at the border outpost of Kipi in Evros.
The head of the Orthodox Church is on a three-day visit to
Alexandroupolis at the invitation of the Holy Metropolis of
Alexandroupolis and the Greek Police Officers' Association while
he will formally open the proceedings of the 16th Conference of
the International Association of Police Officers.
This morning he officiated at the patriarchal Holy Liturgy in
the Agios Nikolaos Church and addressing the faithful wished them
health and longevity.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] CLINTON EXPRESSES OPTIMISM OVER CYPRUS ISSUE
United States President Bill Clinton expressed his optimism
over the resolution of the Cyprus issue, during yesterday's
meeting with leading members of the Greek Diaspora at the White
House.
President Clinton stressed that this is the first time during
the course of his term that he sees the possibility of a
resolution.
When urged by his guests to become more actively involved in
the Cyprus issue, Mr. Clinton stated that his aim is to achieve
substantial progress in the matter prior to his departure from
office, albeit adding that Turkey's recent presidential elections
could be a suspending factor.
Furthermore, the US President stated that everyone knows what
the solution would be and added that what is being sought is the
start of the process.
He reiterated the US support for the solution of a bi-
zonal, bi-communal federation, although he also made it clear that
the island would consist of two autonomous states.
Meanwhile, the Turkish side has informed the United States
that it is preparing the submission of its positions on the Cyprus
issue. The US response was that, if these positions are not
approximate to the Greek ones, then it would be better that they
are not tabled since they could hinder the talks.
[14] US CONGRESSMEN ADDRESS PSEKA CONFERENCE
US Congressmen have fully backed UN-led efforts for a just
and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, describing the
present status quo on the island as unacceptable and expressing
the view that improved Greek-Turkish relations create an
atmosphere of optimism in regards to Cyprus as well.
Speaking at the 11th annual International Coordinating
Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the Council of Greeks
Abroad (SAE) Conference in Washington, Congressman Benjamin Gilman
pointed to Turkey's obligations as a candidate for accession to
the European Union.
The Executive Board of SAE also participated in the annual
conference, which was addressed by SAE World President Andrew A.
Athens.
The Cyprus Conference took place between May 16 -18 and is
being followed by a special, two-day meeting of SAE's executive
board which consists of 11 elected officials who reside in the
Americas, Europe, Africa/Asia and Oceania.
"This is a very crucial period in the discussions on Cyprus
and tit is very important for SAE to show the international
concern as expressed by the worldwide constituency that SAE
represents," Mr. Athens stated.
During the conference, participants met with members of the
U.S. Congress and Senate and also with highly placed officials of
the executive branch of the US government.
[15] CYPRUS PROXIMITY TALKS TO RESUME ON JULY 5
A new round of proximity talks on Cyprus between Cypriot
President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash will begin in Geneva on July 5, according to an
announcement by the Spokesman for the UN Secretary- General Mr.
Fred Eckhart.
The talks will be opened by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan,
while the UN announcement made no reference as to the duration of
the talks.
In the statement, read by Mr. Eckhart, the UN Secretary
General says he is pleased to announce "that the proximity talks
on Cyprus between H.E. Mr. Clerides and H.E. Mr. Denktash will
resume in Geneva on 5 July."
[16] C of E MINISTERS COMMITTEE TO REVIEW LOIZIDOU CASE
The execution of a European Court judgment passed on a case
of human rights violation in Cyprus by Turkey will be brought up
for discussion again in early June, the Committee of Ministers of
the Council has decided.
Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe
Christoforos Yiangou stressed that Turkey's continuous refusal to
comply with the Court's decision and to implement the European
Court of Human Rights judgment on the Loizidou case jeopardizes
stake the whole system for the protection of Human Rights within
the Council of Europe as well as the credibility of the
organization.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem sent a letter to the
Chairman in Office of the Committee, Irish Foreign Minister Mr.
Brian Cowen, wherein the former claimed that the matter is a
political one and the issue of property should be dealt with
through a UN process of exchange of property between the Greek and
Turkish Cypriots and the payment of compensation.
[17] PSEKA, SAE HOLD CYPRUS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON
Two hundred Greek and Cypriot delegates called on the United
States to keep its promise on the Cyprus issue, during the 11th
annual Cyprus conference organized by the World Coordinating
Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the Council of Greeks
Abroad (SAE) in the U.S. capital.
The US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Tom
Weston represented the U.S. administration and reassured Greek-
and Cypriot-Americans of the U.S. government's willingness to
continue its efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the
Cyprus problem.
Mr. Weston was addressing an audience of Greek and Cypriot
lobbyists at a luncheon given by the Cypriot Ambassador to
Washington, Erato Markouli, during the Cyprus conference.
Ms. Markouli noted the importance of the Helsinki decision by
the European Union to grant Turkey the status of a candidate
country, which, she said, aided in further improving Greek-Turkish
ties and promoting a solution to the Cyprus problem.
In a message read during the opening session of the
conference, Greece's deputy Foreign Minister Angeliki Laiou stated
that "the situation which was created by the Turkish invasion of
Cyprus in 1974 continues to pose a threat to security and
stability to the sensitive area of the eastern Mediterranean."
She further referred to the inability of the international
community (UN, U.S., EU) to achieve a comprehensive and viable
solution for the Cyprus issue, and she expressed the belief that
Cyprus's EU accession should proceed independently of any future
solution.
Ms. Laiou stressed that in addition to Cyprus's accession ,
there should be substantive talks based on UN Security Council
resolutions and taking into account the proclamation by the G8
countries.
She also expressed her hope that the United States would use
its influence with Turkey so that Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash will be less reluctant to explore alternative views when
discussing the four elements of the problem (territory,
constitution, security and return of property to refugees).
Also addressing the conference, Congressman John Menenendez
(D-New Jersey) warned that the present euphoric climate, propelled
by the recent contacts between the Greek and Turkish foreign
ministers (George Papandreou and Ismael Cem, respectively) could
lead some members of congress to inaction.
"Many of my colleagues in Congress simply believe that the
Cyprus issue will be resolved through the development of Greek-
Turkish relations," he said and urged the Greek and Cypriot
diaspora to present a clear picture of the situation to all the
congress members with whom they will meet.
He characteristically stated that the present period is one
of "vast opportunity and great risk."
[18] GREEK CULTURE CELEBRATIONS HELD IN BUCHAREST
Celebrations in honor of the 10-year anniversary since the
founding of the Greeks in Romania Association, are to conclude in
Bucharest tomorrow.
The ten-day events where inaugurated by Greece's Ambassador
to Romania Stylianos Malliakouris, and a score of Romanian
officials.
The events also included a symposium on "The Greek language -
the Language of International culture" and a presentation of
George Seferis' collected poems translated by Aurel Rau.
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