Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-07-14
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 14, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EXTENSIVE DESTRUCTION FROM THE FIRES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
[02] CHRISTODOULAKIS: NO CANCELLATIONS OF TOURIST RESERVATIONS IN
GREECE
[03] AGREEMENTS ON THE BLACK SEA BANK
[04] LIVESTOCK WITH FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE ARE BEING DESTROYED
[05] SIMITIS: EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO STOP
THE INFERNO
[06] GAINS OF 2.03% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[07] INCREASE OF 15.4% IN THE NEW CAR SALES IN GREECE
[08] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REGARDING THE
FIRES IN THE COUNTRY
[09] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS OPPOSED TO THE OPENING OF A
NUCLEAR PLANT IN AKKUYIU
[10] PAPANDREOU SAYS FIRE SITUATION HAS IMPROVED
[11] EUROPEAN BRANCH OF IHA TO BE CONFIRMED IN 2001
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] THE GREEK SOLIDARITY CARAVAN FOR THE CHILDREN OF YUGOSLAVIA
[13] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV AT THE NEW GREEK-BULGARIAN BORDER CROSSING
[14] HILFE REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EXTENSIVE DESTRUCTION FROM THE FIRES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The fires burning across Greece have destroyed over 12.000
hectars of forest and farm land as well as, hundreds of houses.
Greece has appealed for help abroad and Russia, the Czech
Republic and Israel have responded to its calls for assistance.
The big fire in the prefecture of Grevena, north-western
Greece, in the region of Samarina continues and it is estimated
that over 800 hectars of black pine-trees have been destroyed.
A fire is burning on the island of Thasos, in northern Aegean
which has been put in a state of emergency. Minister of Macedonia-
Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis visited the island heading a
delegation.
The fires in Eges and the monastery of Akrata, in southern
Greece are in progress and already 20 houses have been burned
down, while thousands of hectars of forest land have been
destroyed.
In Xilokastro, the efforts of the fire-fighters are focusing
on two big fronts, while the fires on the island of Chios, in
Alfio southern Greece, in Metsovo and Konitsa in north-western
Greece continue to burn out of control and have already destroyed
over 2.000 hectars of forest land.
[02] CHRISTODOULAKIS: NO CANCELLATIONS OF TOURIST RESERVATIONS IN
GREECE
The foreign tourist agencies have not canceled any
reservations in the regions of Greece that were hit by the inferno
and no foreign government has called on its nationals to cancel
their trips or return to their countries.
The statements were made today by minister of development
Nikos Christodoulakis.
[03] AGREEMENTS ON THE BLACK SEA BANK
The agreements on two very important plans of the Black Sea
Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) will be signed in a special
ceremony that will be held in Thessaloniki on July 20.
Specifically, signatures will be put on the Inter-Balkan
Share Capital and the Memorandum of Understanding between the
BSTDB and the Black Sea Studies International Center.
The Share Capital is founded by IFC, BSTDB, Norfund, SECO,
Finfund, SEAF with the assistance of USAID and the invested
capital is US$ 24 million.
The Inter-Balkan Share Capital will supply with share capital
small private companies in Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and other
neighboring countries.
[04] LIVESTOCK WITH FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE ARE BEING DESTROYED
The destruction of livestock with foot-and-mouth disease is
underway in Ferres, Evros in north-eastern Greece and it is
estimated that over 1.000 animals will have to be killed, while
efforts are being made so that the disease will not spread to
livestock in other parts of Thrace.
Deputy prefect of Evros Mr. Michalis Kougioumtsis stated that
the region is in quarantine and the movement of animals and dairy
products has been banned. Mr. Kougioumtsis stated that the region
of the Evros River Delta has been put off limits for everyone and
all necessary measures have been taken in order to deal with the
epidemic stressing, however, that the economic consequences will
be serious as over 1.000 animals will have to be destroyed.
The Farmers' Associations in the prefecture of Evros in a
letter to minister of agriculture Giorgos Anomeritis accuse Turkey
for the new cases of foot-and-mouth disease and suggest that the
vaccination of livestock should be done in Greece as Turkey
appears to be unreliable.
[05] SIMITIS: EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO STOP
THE INFERNO
Prime minister Kostas Simitis, who visited the fire
department coordination center in Athens accompanied by minister
of interior Ms. Vaso Papandreou and minister of public order Mr.
Michalis Chrisochoidis, stated to reporters that everything
humanly possible is being done to stop the inferno.
Mr. Simitis stated that the state mechanism has been
mobilized in the effort to put out the fires across the country,
adding however that the climate conditions have not changed and
new problems could be created.
The prime minister also said that the fire department
investigates whether the fires were the work of arsonists. He
stressed that the country was better organized and prepared to
face the summer fires than ever before but the weather conditions
were unprecedented for Greece, saying characteristically that
never before the weather was so hot, windy and dry.
[06] GAINS OF 2.03% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 2.03% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index was at 4.006,41 points.
The volume of transactions was 77.2 billion drachmas, while
316 stocks recorded gains, 19 had losses and 29 remained
unchanged.
[07] INCREASE OF 15.4% IN THE NEW CAR SALES IN GREECE
The new car sales in Greece rose by 15.4% in the first half
of the current year and this development puts the country in the
third place in Europe regarding car sales. According to the ACEA,
the first place is occupied by France with 75.4%, followed by
Ireland with 36.7%.
In the car companies front the leader is Peugeot which had an
increase of 12.2% in its sales, followed by Toyota and Nissan with
11.7% and 11.1% respectively.
It should be reminded that in the first trimester of the
current year the new passenger cars on the Greek roads were
83.754. In the month of March alone the new car sales reached
27.460 showing a 6% increase compared to February.
[08] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REGARDING THE
FIRES IN THE COUNTRY
The state mechanism is at a general state of alert in order
to face possible new fire fronts that can be created by the winds
that will become stronger later in the afternoon, according to
meteorologists.
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the
whole state mechanism has been mobilized. Thirty fires are in
progress today and no populated areas are in danger.
Mr. Reppas stated that the government has requested
assistance from abroad and the Czech Republic responded by sending
4 fire fighting aircraft, while Israel will send 2 helicopters.
Assistance is also expected from the Scandinavian countries.
The Greek fire fighting force numbers 9.500 fire fighters and
4.000 seasonal personnel, while 1.500 people be hired soon.
The Greek government spokesman stated that there were no
coordination problems and the responsible ministers made the
necessary moves in order to face the situation but the extreme
weather conditions did not allow the use all the fire fighting
means for the efforts to be effective. He also added that Greece
is the third country after the United States and Canada in terms
of the fire fighting means at its disposal.
Mr. Reppas stressed that the tourist facilities are in no
danger and the tourist programs can continue without further
problems, while the movement of tourists can take place as usual.
[09] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS OPPOSED TO THE OPENING OF A
NUCLEAR PLANT IN AKKUYIU
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responding to a
question by a reporter stated that the Greek government is opposed
to the opening of a nuclear plant in Akkuyiu, Turkey that will
produce electric power.
Mr. Reppas stated that Greece was opposed to the use of
atomic energy from the beginning and has appealed to international
organizations citing among others the risks behind the opening of
such a plant in a region with intense seismic activity.
The government spokesman stated that Greece will continue to
make representations and reports both to the countries involved in
the construction of the plant and to international organizations.
[10] PAPANDREOU SAYS FIRE SITUATION HAS IMPROVED
Today saw an improvement in the intensity of the fires which
have been raging through Greece for the past ten days, according
to a statement issued by Vasso Papandreou, Interior minister,
following a meeting at the fire brigade headquarters.
During a speech aired by the radio station "Flash", Ms
Papandreou stressed that all forces, not only the fire brigade,
have been mobilized to deal with the problem, further adding that
the Armed Forces, local governments and hospitals have also been
mobilized.
"The situation is better today as far as weather conditions
are concerned, but tomorrow's change in temperature will create
extreme conditions" maintained the Interior minister, noting that
the expected change of wind direction is expected to make the
extinguishing project more difficult.
The Interior minister also mentioned that although "some of the
fires were caused deliberately, we can't talk of an organized
plan. Some of the fires were caused by the weather conditions,
some by negligence on the part of the citizens".
Finally, Ms Papandreou stressed that this years action plan
for the extinguishing of the fires was much better than last
year's.
[11] EUROPEAN BRANCH OF IHA TO BE CONFIRMED IN 2001
The building used by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad
(SAE) is considered to be the most appropriate for the European
Branch of the Inter-Parliamentary Hellenism Association for
foreign ministers with Greek roots to be based in. However, the
final decision relating to the creation of this office and of the
central office will be made during the Global Association's next
General Meeting, due to be held in Greece in 2001. The memorandum
of articles for this branch will also be discussed, as well as
issued concerning immigrant policy, drugs and Athens 2004
publicity.
Nikos Papadopoulos, Dimitrios Yiannaros, Alexander Sarondev and
Yiannis Kesisoglou, all members of the Association, are currently
holding a conference with Grigoris Niotis, Mr Kyrko and Mr Pappa,
all representatives of the Greek government's inter-parliamentary
committee for emigrated Greeks and with the president of the SAE
Europe Angelos Aslanides.
During a press interview held after the conference, Nikos
Papadopoulos, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Association of
Hellenism and Swedish Social Democrat Party MP, stated that the
cooperation of the Association with the Greek Parliament and with
SAE was discussed. He further mentioned that it was decided to
name the objectives for the next General Meeting and to publish
the memorandum of articles that would be agreed upon during the
Meeting.
Grigoris Niotis, President of the Greek government's inter-
parliamentary committee for emigrated Greeks, mentioned that the
matter of voting for Greeks living abroad was also discussed,
adding that the fact that these Greeks cannot vote by post pushes
them further away from the country. He also stated that this
matter would be discussed in Parliament. Mr Niotis maintained that
Greek ministers with foreign roots suggested introducing voting by
letter following the example shown by the governments by which
they themselves were elected.
Furthermore, Mr Niotis mentioned that the issue of activating
friendship groups in countries where Hellenes are elected was also
discussed, to bridge countries together.
Angelos Aslanides, President of SAE Europe, invited ministers
abroad with Greek roots to contribute to discussions concerning
unemployment and health in Greece experienced by immigrants and
how they can be solved.
Finally, Alexander Sarontev, a Ukrainian MP with Greek roots,
stated that there are seven members of parliament with Greek roots
in his country and that he himself has already started trying to
promote the Olympic Games.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] THE GREEK SOLIDARITY CARAVAN FOR THE CHILDREN OF YUGOSLAVIA
Extensive coverage was given by Belgrade's mass media to the
delivery of economic assistance by representatives of the
humanitarian organization Greek Solidarity Caravan to orphan
children of the war in Yugoslavia, who lost their parents in the
NATO bombings.
The program of this organization concerns 500 children from
Serbia, who will receive
DM 50 on a monthly basis from Greek families-donors with which the
children will be able to communicate.
Greek ambassador to Belgrade, Mr. Vlassopoulos, who attended
the ceremony for the delivery of the assistance, referred to the
cooperation existing between the two traditionally friendly
countries and stressed that this initiative is an indication of
love and solidarity on behalf of the Greek people toward the
people of Yugoslavia.
[13] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV AT THE NEW GREEK-BULGARIAN BORDER CROSSING
Prime ministers of Greece and Bulgaria Kostas Simitis and
Ivan Kostov will inaugurate the construction works at the "Iliden"
border crossing, linking Gotse Deltsev with Dramas, possibly on
Tuesday, according to a report on the Sofia newspaper "Standard".
The newspaper cited Bulgarian ministry of regional
development and land planning sources according to which, the new
border crossing at the Greek-Bulgarian borders will be constructed
by the Greek company "Proodeftiki", it will cost 8.940 million
Euro and will be financed by the EU program "PHARE".
The newspaper also mentions that the Greek prime minister is
possible to raise the issue of the buyout of the Bulgarian
Telecommunications Organization (BTK) by the Greek-Dutch joint
venture of OTE-KPN.
[14] HILFE REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN GREECE
The report of the London based HILFE Studies and Predictions
company includes positive opinions on the political and economic
situation in Greece.
The report underlines, among others, that Greece's accession
into the EMU constitutes a formal recognition of the efforts made
by the Greek government to improve the Greek economy.
On the 2004 Olympic Games, it mentions that they offer to
Greece the chance to project a positive image internationally,
while the report also mentions that prime minister Kostas Simitis
relies on experienced associates like minister of national economy
Yiannos Papantoniou and foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou.
The report mentions that the government will have to
accelerate the structural changes program following a more
aggressive policy on the privatization of state companies, while
at the same time, the social character of its economic policy will
be strengthened through significant investments in sectors such
as, health and education.
Prime minister Simitis' experience and sense of
responsibility secured a victory for PASOK in the last
parliamentary elections with a marginal lead and this was a
personal victory of Mr. Simitis himself. The new government
secured a continuation in the sectors of economy and foreign
policy, while at the same time it was reinforced with new
technocrats, points out the report,
HILFE also mentions that the rapprochement between Greece and
Turkey is expected to continue taking under consideration the
economic benefits the two sides will enjoy.
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