Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-06-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 27, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE DELIVERS RUSSIAN REGIMENTAL STANDARDS
[02] GREEK PRESIDENT MEETS WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART
[03] BRITISH MD TO SWIM THE DISTANCE FOR SCULPTURES
[04] US AMBASSADOR IN KASTORIA: I FEEL SAFE IN GREECE
[05] GREEK, TURKISH, BULGARIAN RADIO COOPERATION
[06] TVX HELLAS EIR APPROVED BY LOCAL COUNCIL
[07] PUTIN: GREECE PLAYS LEADING ROLE IN BALKANS
[08] GREEK PRESIDENT ADDRESSES ECONOMIC FORUM
[09] SERBS RUN "PEACE MARATHON" TO THESSALONIKI
[10] ORTHODOX YOUTH CONFERENCE ENDS IN ISTANBUL
[11] UK'S GREEK SHIPOWNERS SAY NO TO NEW TANKERS
[12] HOUSE SPEAKER RECEIVES GREEK-AUSTRALIANS
[13] HUMAN GENETIC CODE UNRAVELED, NEW AGE DAWNS
[14] WEAK TREMOR IN THESSALONIKI
[15] 202 ATHLETES IN THE EUROPEAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP
[16] THE HOLY SYNOD IS EXPECTED TO REACH DECISIONS ON THE ID CARDS
ISSUE TOMORROW
[17] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON THE ISSUE OF THE IDENTITY CARDS
[18] THE GREEK EXPORTS TO TURKEY INCREASED BY 210.9%
[19] GAINS OF 3.27% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[20] STANFORD WAS RELEASED FROM THE EVANGELISMOS HOSPITAL
[21] THE COURT TRIAL OF A GREEK POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOT AND KILLED
A SERB STUDENT OPENED IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
[22] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED A STRONG ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[23] US PRESIDENTIAL EMISSARY MOSES IN CYPRUS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE DELIVERS RUSSIAN REGIMENTAL STANDARDS
The Greek delegation accompanying President Kostis
Stephanopoulos on his visit to Russia, delivered three Russian
regimental standards found in the Orthodox chapel of the Greek
embassy in Algiers.
They had ended up there when the flagship of Russia's Black
Sea and Mediterranean fleet, the St. George, along with other
ships of the White Russian fleet, took refuge in the French port
of Bizerta, following the Russian revolution.
Seven years ago, the chapel was left to the Greek state by
the last member of the Orthodox community in Algiers, Marika
Apostolaki, a Greek citizen. The Greek government decided to
return the standards, one of which was partly destroyed and has
been restored by the Benaki Museum, in recognition of their
historic, cultural and national value for Russia.
[02] GREEK PRESIDENT MEETS WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
presently on a five-day visit to Russia, met with his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin yesterday, with whom he held talks
covering the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and
international issues.
Addressing a press conference following the talks, Mr. Putin
expressed his support for the solution of all problems in the
Mediterranean on the basis of international law, and welcomed
Greece's proposal for the examination of all arising issues by
international judicial bodies.
Specifically, he stated that any resolution whatsoever in the
Balkans should be based on the UN Security Council's resolution
1244. Namely, the Russian President called for the removal of
troops from Kosovo and the isolation of UCK.
He characterized Greece's views on Balkan issues as
particularly significant and expressed support for a solution of
the Cyprus issue on the basis of UN resolutions.
Mr. Stephanopoulos stated that Greece and Russia backed
efforts to maintain stability and develop cooperation in
southeastern Europe as part of a stability pact for the region. He
also stated that there are positive prospects for expanding
economic ties between the two countries.
Messrs. Stephanopoulos and Putin, who signed an agreement for
the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries, also
examined the potential for further cooperation in the sectors of
energy, military and technical cooperation, natural gas and the
construction of electrical power plants in Greece.
The Greek President will meet with Russia's Prime Minister
Mikhail Kasianov, other political leaders, Moscow Mayor Yuri
Luzhkov, and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexios II.
Additionally, he will address a Greek-Russian business forum
in the Russian capital and inaugurate an art exhibition at the
famed Pushkin Museum, entitled "The Greek World in Russian Art",
before travelling to St. Petersburg.
The President will also meet with leading members of the
Greek diaspora in Russia and will be declared honorary professor
of Moscow's state university of Lomonosov.
He will return to Athens on June 29.
[03] BRITISH MD TO SWIM THE DISTANCE FOR SCULPTURES
British pathologist Christopher Stockdale will attempt a long-
distance swim between two Aegean islands on Saturday, July 1, as
part of a campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to
Athens.
Dr. Stockdale, who has swum marathon distances for various
causes in the past, will attempt to swim 26 nautical miles (35
kilometers) between the islands of Delos and Paros in a course of
15 hours.
"What I hope to achieve is to point out on the part of art
the situation concerning the Marbles," Dr. Stockdale stated,
adding "I think that the Acropolis and the Parthenon are the
symbols of the start to western civilization."
According to the Melina Mercouri Foundation, which is
organizing the swim, one of the event's objectives is to gather
sponsorship funds for the construction of a new Acropolis Museum
in Athens to house the Marbles.
[04] US AMBASSADOR IN KASTORIA: I FEEL SAFE IN GREECE
US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns, who conducted a visit
to the city of Kastoria yesterday, referred to the issue of
terrorism, stating that it is a serious problem in Greece, albeit
adding that a tantamount one exists in the United States as well.
Stressing that the phenomenon can be eradicated through the
cooperation of Greek and US authorities, Mr. Burns added that he
personally feels safe in Greece. He further stated that he has
always had friendly sentiments towards his host country, although
he pointed out that he can never forget that there have been
Americans who fell victim to terrorist attacks in Greece.
The US diplomat met with the Prefect of Kastoria George
Kapaktsis and Mayor Dimitris Papoulides, as well as with local
furriers.
Among the issues discussed were the fur sector (this being
the region's main industry) and the establishment of a free trade
zone at the Greek-Albanian border.
This was the first time Mr. Burns visited Kastoria, a city
with a 3,000-strong expatriate community in the United States. In
protest to Mr. Burns' visit to Kastoria, the Communist Party of
Greece marched in front of City Hall and shouted anti-American
slogans. No episodes erupted as the local police had taken strict
security measures.
[05] GREEK, TURKISH, BULGARIAN RADIO COOPERATION
The Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish state radios, at a meeting
held recently in the northern Greek prefecture of Evros, have
signed a memorandum of cooperation for the promotion of peace,
stability and good relations in the region.
Officially beginning on July 1, the initiative will start off
with an exchange of news items over the Internet between the state
radio stations of eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Plovdiv and Istanbul
and each will introduce a "neighbors song" broadcast, playing one
song from each of the other two parties a day.
The Greek side has also agreed to allow young reporters from
each radio station to take part in the Arda Festival on July 26-30
in Evros.
[06] TVX HELLAS EIR APPROVED BY LOCAL COUNCIL
TVX Gold Incorporated has announced that the environmental
impact report for its Olympiada polymetallic gold project in
Greece has received the approval of the local prefectural council.
The Halkidiki council voted in favor of the project, with 18
in favor, two against and one abstention. Following the session,
the council called on TVX to provide guarantees on specific
matters related to environmental protection.
The council's approval is a major step forward for TVX, as it
clears the way for the issuance of the outstanding permits from
the Ministry of Public Works, Urban Planning and Environment.
[07] PUTIN: GREECE PLAYS LEADING ROLE IN BALKANS
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who received his Greek
counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday, saluted Greece's
leading role in the Balkan region, stating that other countries in
southeastern Europe should work more closely together to solve
problems in the Balkans.
Messrs. Putin and Stephanopoulos also discussed Russia's
proposed anti-missile defense system, which is a response to
American proposals to amend the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
so it can build a limited national missile defense system. Opposed
to such amendment, the Russian President has counter-offered a
system he says could be built without changing the accord.
According to Russian press reports, the Greek President said
that Greece "takes most seriously Russia's proposal for creating a
pan-European anti-missile system."
In regards to Yugoslavia, Mr. Putin said that any resolution
of problems in the Balkans had to involve the Yugoslav leadership,
and that any settlement of the Balkan crisis could only proceed on
the basis of UN Security Council resolution 1244 stressing that
Kosovo remained an integral part of Yugoslavia.
"We must uphold Yugoslavia's territorial integrity," he
stated, adding that "I believe it is vital for Yugoslav
authorities to be included in the peace process. This does not
mean that the international community has to agree with everything
that is happening in the region."
[08] GREEK PRESIDENT ADDRESSES ECONOMIC FORUM
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
presently on a five-day visit to Russia, addressed a Greek-Russian
business forum in Moscow last night where he stressed that private
initiative is the "driving force of all countries today".
Stressing that Russia has a stable political life, a
prerequisite for economic development, Mr. Stephanopoulos stated
that the country's enormous economic power is in search of
outlets.
"It cannot be contained within the Commonwealth and it is
forced to expand beyond,' he said.
In reference to Greece's economy, Mr. Stephanopoulos stated
that it is undergoing unprecedented growth, and added that the
country's recent accession to the Economic and Monetary Union
"attests to the stability and economic rates of development
achieved by Greece."
Furthermore, the Greek President stated that Greece and
Russia have common interests in the Balkans, Caucasus and Europe,
while adding that the two countries are bound by mutual feelings
of trust.
"We have the ability to develop our ties and there is nothing
left to do but to search for common opportunities," he said.
[09] SERBS RUN "PEACE MARATHON" TO THESSALONIKI
Serb marathon runners are to embark from Novisaad tomorrow,
as part of the "Peace Run" that will bring them to Thessaloniki's
Zeidelik Serb cemetery.
The run is being held within the humanitarian effort "Peace
Marathon - A Year Later", which is organized by New Belgrade's
sports club "Peacce Marathon - Vidovdan 99".
According to Serb press reports, the runners will cross
through bombed areas and restored bridges.
[10] ORTHODOX YOUTH CONFERENCE ENDS IN ISTANBUL
The significance of the Orthodox Church's unity was stressed
by the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos who officiated a liturgy
at St. George, in honor of the Orthodox Youth Conference in
Istanbul.
The Third World Conference of Orthodox Youth, held under the
auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarch, reviewed matters of concern
to the youth, such as drug abuse, unemployment, relations between
the opposite sexes.
[11] UK'S GREEK SHIPOWNERS SAY NO TO NEW TANKERS
Following France's proposal for the speedy withdrawal from
service of a large number of single-hull oil tankers, the
president of the Greek Shipowners Association of London
Epaminondas Empirikos has seconded the stance of Greek Premier
Costas Simitis, who objected to the plan fearing adverse economic
and social repercussions on Greece's merchant shipping interests.
Specifically, Mr. Empirikos stated that there is no need to
replace Greece's old oil tankers with new, double-hull ones, as a
tanker's safety does not necessarily run in accordance with its
age.
According to the BBC, French President Jacques Chirac brought
up the proposal at the recent EU summit in Feira, envisaging the
introduction of double-hull tankers in order to increase safety
and reduce the extent of environmental pollution caused by
accidents at sea.
As the BBC reported, the French government, which assumes the
six-month rotating EU presidency on July 1, has been under strong
pressure from the country's public opinion to adopt a tough stand
on the matter since an accident involving the Maltese-flagged
tanker Erika in the Atlantic in December, which caused extensive
pollution on the country's coastline.
[12] HOUSE SPEAKER RECEIVES GREEK-AUSTRALIANS
The Greek community is highly esteemed in Australia due to
its creative input and actions in the economic, social and
political life, the President of the Hellenic Republic Apostolos
Kaklamanis stated during his meeting students and academics from
Sydney's Greek Orthodox Colleges.
Mr. Kaklamanis stated that the Greek communities throughout
the world are the connecting links that bond the Greeks with other
peoples throughout the world.
In his meeting with the young Greek-Australians, Mr.
Kaklamanis asked them to convey their impressions of Greece and
Cyprus to their friends and relatives, and to inform them on the
island's occupation by Turkish forces.
[13] HUMAN GENETIC CODE UNRAVELED, NEW AGE DAWNS
The unraveling of the human genetic code marks the start of
a new, better period for humanity, according to Genetic Medicine
Professor Konstantinos Pangalos, who also cautioned that the
revolutionary development should be used in a sound manner.
The Human Genome Project announced yesterday that scientists
have decoded the 3.1 billion sub-units of DNA, the chemical
"letters" that comprise the recipe of human life.
Within the DNA there are an estimated 50,000 or more genes
which determine what a person inherits from parents and how well
the cells function through out a lifetime.
Outlining the benefits, Dr. Pangalos stressed that life
expectancy is to increase to 120 years, while he also added that
the mapping of human genes, through the recognition of flawed or
missing genes, could lead to prognoses of future ailments.
In an interview with the Athens radio station "Flash", the
chairman of the Bioethic committee professor George Koumantos
pointed out that the development could lead to a number of legal
and ethical problems and called for legislative regulations.
[14] WEAK TREMOR IN THESSALONIKI
A weak tremor measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale was recorded
at 1:10pm today and its epicenter was located in the region of Nea
Efkarpia in Thessaloniki.
The tremor shook the city of Thessaloniki alarming many
people. According to statements made to MPA by the seismologists
in Thessaloniki's Aristotle University, the region of Nea Efkarpia
has not given strong earthquakes in the past 50 years and based on
the existing indications it was a local, isolated tremor.
Similar weak tremors measuring 3.3 and 3.8 on the Richter
scale had been recorded in the same region about a year ago.
[15] 202 ATHLETES IN THE EUROPEAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP
The heart of the European boxing beats in Athens, where the
5th European Children's Championship will be held on July 12-17.
In the event participate 27 countries with 201 athletes.
Specifically, Croatia 4, Israel 12, Bulgaria 11, Hungary 12,
Romania 10, Sweden 2, Germany 12, Russia 13, Latvia 2, Poland 3,
Finland 2, Estonia 6, Moldavia 10, Lithuania 4, Yugoslavia 5,
Ukraine 13, Georgia 13, Portugal 5, Ireland 5, Slovenia 6,
Slovakia 4, Belarus 5, Italy 7, Turkey 12, Czech Republic 3,
Armenia 8 and Greece 13.
[16] THE HOLY SYNOD IS EXPECTED TO REACH DECISIONS ON THE ID CARDS
ISSUE TOMORROW
The Lasting Holy Synod of the Church of Greece continues its
meeting at the Monastery of Petraki in Athens, while decisions on
the issue of the identity cards will be reached tomorrow.
Metropolite Kallinikos of Piraeus stated that the Church
continues to back the voluntary listing of religion on the state-
issued identity cards and repeated the proposal for dialogue with
the government exclusively on the issue of the identity cards. He
also stated that the Church's stance reflects the faith and the
stance of the overwhelming majority of the Greek people.
[17] GOVERNMENT MEETING ON THE ISSUE OF THE IDENTITY CARDS
Prime minister Kostas Simitis had a meeting today with
education minister Petros Efthimiou, minister of press Dimitris
Reppas and undersecretary of press Tilemachos Hitiris.
Mr. Reppas stated that the issue of the listing of religion
on identity cards is under the exclusive authority of the state
and therefore, the state does not have any reason to raise the
issue to the Church.
He also said that the Church is the one that raises the issue
of the dialogue therefore, it must make a request for a meeting
with the prime minister, while he reiterated that the government
has already made its decision against the listing of religion on
the identity cards.
[18] THE GREEK EXPORTS TO TURKEY INCREASED BY 210.9%
Greece's exports to Turkey increased by 210.9% in the first
trimester of the current year reaching US$ 133.4 million, while
Turkey's exports to Greece increased only by 1.9%, according to
the Turkish newspaper "Sabah".
Cotton dominates in the Greek exports as in the period of
January-March 2000 the exported cotton had a total value of US$ 76
million compared to US$ 10 million the previous year. In contrast
to the Greek exports, Turkey's exports to Greece increased only by
1.9% at US$ 95 million.
[19] GAINS OF 3.27% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Impressive gains of 3.27% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today and the general index was at 4.173,35 points, while
the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 158.6 billion
drachmas.
Market analysts characterized today's upward trend as
expected, while the increase in the volume of transactions was
regarded as a very positive fact.
Of the stocks trading today, 342 recorded gains, only two had
losses and 16 remained stable.
[20] STANFORD WAS RELEASED FROM THE EVANGELISMOS HOSPITAL
The 60yearold British embassy employee, who attempted to
commit suicide, was released from the Evangelismos Hospital in
Athens today.
Anthony Stanford has stated that he had not informed
brigadier Saunders over the suspicious moves made by two
individuals on a motorcycle outside the embassy a few days before
his assassination.
[21] THE COURT TRIAL OF A GREEK POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOT AND KILLED
A SERB STUDENT OPENED IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
The trial of police officer Kiriakos Vantoulis, who is
accused of manslaughter for the death of a young Serb student,
opened in Thessaloniki today with the testimony of the victim's
father.
As soon as the court session started, the prosecutor asked
for the officer's service handgun to be presented to the court as
evidence.
According to the bill of indictment, the handgun that shot
the 17yearold Serb student had jammed and the court approved the
request made by his parents to launch an investigation. Police
officer Kiraikos Vantoulis apologized to the parents of the young
Serb.
[22] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED A STRONG ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
Right wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis accused the government and the prime minister of
an effort to divide society and create a climate of tension and
conflict speaking after the party central committee meeting today.
Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that the government opened a
conflict with the Church without a reason and called for
understanding, cooperation and consensus. On the in-party
politics, Mr. Karamanlis called on all the ND members to be in a
state of readiness, while he predicted speedy political
developments linked with the course of the issues of national
interest and the pressures exerted by different interests.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[23] US PRESIDENTIAL EMISSARY MOSES IN CYPRUS
United States Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Alfred Moses,
presently in Cyprus for contacts with the Greek and Turkish
Cypriot sides, is to be received by the President of the Republic
of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides today.
Mr. Moses who will also have a meeting with Turkish Cypriot
leader Rauf Denktash in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.
The visit comes only a week after UN Special Adviser for
Cyprus Alvaro de Soto ended four days of meetings on the island in
preparation of the July UN-sponsored peace talks and amid
increasing speculation as to the duration and the content of these
talks.
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