Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-14
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 14, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM TO CHAIR CABINET MEETING TODAY
[02] "ATHENS 2004" PRESIDENT RUNS OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
[03] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS TO BE PRIVATIZED NEXT YEAR
[04] TIF TO HOLD GREEK PRODUCTS EXHIBITION IN ISTANBUL
[05] TURKISH MAYOR IN FAVOR OF THEODORAKIS' CANDIDATURE FOR THE
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
[06] POLICE ARRESTED 162 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
[07] NEW BANK BY ATE, BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA AND GREEK SHIPOWNERS
[08] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PLASTIC SURGERY
[09] EVENTS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
GENOCIDE IN ASIA MINOR
[10] IMPRESSIVE GAINS OF 6.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] THE HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER IS 2.5 TIMES THE SIZE OF EUROPE
[12] NEW POLITICAL PARTY IN GREECE
[13] THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF VLACH-SPEAKING GREEKS IN
THESSALONIKI
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] CLERIDES DEMANDS CLARIFICATION FROM ANNAN
[15] GREECE AND ITALY: ALBANIA'S LEADING TRADE ALLIES
[16] ECONOMIC GROWTH OF 3.8% IN THE EURO-ZONE
[17] THE GREEK TRIPLE JUMP CHAMPION WILL COMPETE IN SYDNEY
[18] SOLANA WANTS A MEETING WITH PAPANDREOU
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM TO CHAIR CABINET MEETING TODAY
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to chair a Cabinet meeting
today, where the participants will focus on the 3rd Community
Support Framework.
The Premier met with National Economy and Finance Minister
Yiannos Papantoniou and Deputy National Economy Minister Christos
Pachtas yesterday, with whom he discussed the 3rd CSF, its
regional aspects and the formation of new implementation
mechanisms which are expected to mainly promote mainly quality
changes in the public sector.
Mr. Papantoniou stated that the government will soon submit a
draft bill in parliament and noted that EU funds, totaling 17.5
trillion drachmas by 2006, have been secured and that the new
mechanisms would be designed to timely absorb these funds.
[02] "ATHENS 2004" PRESIDENT RUNS OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
The President of the "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee
Yianna Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki ran a 400-meter portion of the
Olympic torch relay in Sydney yesterday, supported by hundreds of
cheering Greek-Australians.
"The expatriates' love gives us courage in organizing the
2004 Olympic Games (which will be held in Athens)," she said after
her run, adding that "the message is that we must all be untied in
light of the Olympics."
Meanwhile, in an effort to put a damper on the welter of
rumors surrounding the last minute cancellation of Culture
Minister Theodoros Pangalos' trip to Sydney, a move widely
attributed to speculations of friction between the Minister and
Ms. Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki, Mr. Pangalos reportedly called the
"Athens 2004" president in Australia yesterday and both agreed to
discuss any existing issues after the Sydney Olympics.
The Premier Costas Simitis also stated that the organizing
committee's leadership has his full support.
[03] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS TO BE PRIVATIZED NEXT YEAR
The privatization of Greece's beleaguered air carrier Olympic
Airways, which was scheduled to take place by the end of the
month, has been postponed until next year, according to the
ministers of transportation and national economy, Christos Verelis
and Yiannos Papantoniou respectively.
The delay was necessitated by the need for additional time in
presenting a credible image of the air carrier to the new
strategic partner. Specifically, one of the hurdles presented
after talks held by Messrs. Verelis and Papantoniou with financial
adviser Credit Swiss First Boston is the division of liabilities
between the strategic partner and the State.
Olympic Airways is in dire financial straits and is expected
to present a 25-million-drachma deficit in the oncoming quarter.
[04] TIF TO HOLD GREEK PRODUCTS EXHIBITION IN ISTANBUL
The Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) is to hold the
first exhibition of Greek products in Istanbul in November, an
event coinciding with the favorable climate existing between the
two neighbors, both at a political and an economic level.
To be held between November 16-19, the exhibition will be
hosted at the Hannover Messe International, in the Maslak area of
Istanbul, where over half of the country's 500 strongest firms are
based.
The featured products will represent the sectors of tourism,
transportation, food and beverage, juices, dairy products, olive
oil, agro-chemicals, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, etc.
[05] TURKISH MAYOR IN FAVOR OF THEODORAKIS' CANDIDATURE FOR THE
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Mayor of the Turkish city of Eregli, Halil Posbiyik backs the
candidature of Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis for this
year's Nobel Peace Prize.
In a message he sent to the secretariat of the Ipektsi Award
the Turkish mayor points out among others that Theodorakis should
be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his great contribution
to peace and democracy and for his efforts for friendship and
brotherhood among the peoples. He added that he has worked for the
Greek-Turkish friendship and cooperation and has undertaken
significant initiatives for the dialogue between Turkey and
Greece.
[06] POLICE ARRESTED 162 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Thessaloniki's Police Department launched an operation for
the arrest of illegal immigrants in the city. According to police,
a total of 162 illegal immigrants were arrested (114 Albanians, 30
Russians, 12 Bulgarians, 3 Georgians and 3 Armenians).
All of them will be deported.
[07] NEW BANK BY ATE, BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA AND GREEK SHIPOWNERS
A new bank of a considerable size is expected to be formed in
Greece after a deal signed by the Agricultural Bank of Greece
(ATE), the Canadian Bank of Nova Scotia and 8 big names from the
shipping sector.
The initiative undertaken by ATE is placed within the
framework of the efforts to find a way to privatization and adopt
a change of attitude in view of its trading in the Athens Stock
Exchange by the end of the year, while it is expected that this
move will strengthen its position even more.
The new bank will have an initial share capital of 30 billion
drachmas. ATE will own 44%, while the Bank of Nova Scotia and the
Greek shipowners will own 56%.
[08] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PLASTIC SURGERY
The transplant of skin to the face from other parts of the
body for the restoration of deformities due to injuries, birth
defects or tumor removal is the latest achievement in the face
plastic surgery, according to a statement issued by the Face
Plastic Surgery European Academy on the occasion of its annual
international conference that will open in Thessaloniki tomorrow
and will last until Sunday.
The conference will be attended by 330 delegates from
different countries who will present new surgery techniques.
[09] EVENTS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
GENOCIDE IN ASIA MINOR
Events on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the
genocide of the Greeks in Asia Minor will be organized in
Thessaloniki on September 17 by the Greek Federation of
Associations of Greeks from Asia Minor.
In a statement issued by the federation on the occasion of
the Memory Day for the Genocide which is commemorated today it is
mentioned that the struggle for vindication by the refugees from
the East continues. In the statement it is also stressed that the
Turkish state must recognize the genocide of the Greeks in Asia
Minor and the persecutions of the Greeks in Istanbul, Imvros,
Tenedos and Cyprus as only this way the Greek-Turkish dialogue
will have results.
[10] IMPRESSIVE GAINS OF 6.30% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Impressive gains of 6.30% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today and the general index reached 4.247,12 points,
while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 158.3 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 336 recorded gains, 18 had losses
and 21 remained unchanged.
[11] THE HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER IS 2.5 TIMES THE SIZE OF EUROPE
The hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctica is 29 million
square kilometers namely, 2.5 times the size of Europe, according
to formal calculations made 2 days ago.
A recent report issued by UN environmental program
specialists, both on the ground and in space, shows that the ozone
layer over the populated areas of the planet becomes thinner at a
rate of 3-10% per decade. Based on the UN report, the ozone layer
will start recovering by the year 2050.
International Ozone Committee secretary and Thessaloniki's
Aristotle University professor Christos Zerefos stated that at an
altitude of 14-15 kilometers over the Earth's surface in
Antarctica the ozone layer depletion has reached 95%.
Mr. Zerefos stressed that if the hole observed in the ozone
layer over the Antarctica was instead over Europe its population
would have been bombarded with 30% more ultraviolet radiation
increasing the frequency of negative consequences such as skin
cancer and cataract.
In Greece, stated Mr. Zerefos, the ozone depletion is 3-4%
during the summer and the radiation received by the Greeks is not
over 9%.
[12] NEW POLITICAL PARTY IN GREECE
Independent parliament deputy Giorgos Karatzaferis, who was
expelled from the right-wing main opposition party of New
Democracy when he made insulting comments on the then party
spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos announced the founding of a new
political party named "Popular Orthodox Alarm".
Presenting the basic principles of the new political party in
Athens today, Mr. Karatzaferis stated that he will carry on the
ideology principles of New Democracy founder Konstantinos
Karamanlis, while he said that the party of New Democracy and its
current president Kostas Karamanlis have the same policy with the
governing socialist party of PASOK. He also blamed the two big
political parties in Greece for the dead end observed mainly in
the national issues.
On the Cyprus problem, he suggested the unification of the
two parts of Cyprus with Greece and Turkey respectively based on
the population ratio of the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish
Cypriots. He underlined that his priorities are the national
issues, free health care and education, while he stated that he is
a supporter of the Church of Greece.
[13] THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF VLACH-SPEAKING GREEKS IN
THESSALONIKI
The Thessaloniki based Association of Vlach Scientists
organizes the 1st International Conference of Vlach-speaking
Greeks on "The Greek-Vlachs: Historical and Cultural Approach"
with the participation of the Greek Union of Vlach Cultural
Associations.
The conference will take place in Thessaloniki on December 9-
10 under the auspices of the ministry of defense. The topics that
will be discussed concern history, culture, economy and language
issues.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] CLERIDES DEMANDS CLARIFICATION FROM ANNAN
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides has reportedly demanded a
clarification from the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
regarding the latter's comment that, in any settlement involving
the divided island's two communities, the "equal status of the
parties must and should be recognized".
President Clerides did not attend yesterday's session of the
fourth round of the UN-mediated talks with Turkish-Cypriot leader
Rauf Denktash after Mr. Annan read his statement separately to
both men.
The Greek-Cypriots' consternation is attributed to the view
that Mr. Annan's statement recognizes the Turkish-Cypriots'
proposals for negotiation, which, according to Nicosia, run
contrary to the UN resolutions that call for a bi-zonal, bi-
communal federation.
Cypriot government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou refused to
say if there were prospects for Mr. Clerides' return to the
negotiations table.
President Clerides also scheduled an emergency meeting with
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is also presently in
New York.
At a press conference after Mr. Annan read his statement to
both Messrs. Clerides and Denktash, the Secretary-General's
special adviser Alfred de Soto stated that Mr. Annan "didn't ask
for approval of his statement by the parties. It is his statement.
"This is his assessment, what he feels must happen, and this
is the guideline that he will follow," he said.
[15] GREECE AND ITALY: ALBANIA'S LEADING TRADE ALLIES
Greece and Italy continue to hold first rank among Albania's
trade allies, according to local press reports.
As the "24ore" daily reported, 70 percent of Albanian trade
during the first half of 2000 was conducted with Greece and Italy,
with Germany ranking third and Turkey following as fourth.
[16] ECONOMIC GROWTH OF 3.8% IN THE EURO-ZONE
Economic growth of 3.8% was recorded in the Euro-zone in the
second trimester of the current year compared to the same period
last year, according to figures provided by the European Union
statistics agency, Eurostat.
Compared to the first trimester of 2000, the growth rate was
0.9% as for all the EU member-states.
According to Eurostat, the balance of payments in the Euro-
zone has a deficit of 3.9 billion Euros compared to a surplus of
8.6 billion Euros that was recorded in the second trimester of
1999.
[17] THE GREEK TRIPLE JUMP CHAMPION WILL COMPETE IN SYDNEY
The Australian authorities decided that Greek triple jump
athlete Stamatis Lenis will be allowed to compete in the Olympic
Games as he committed no violation by having with him a natural
substance that was found in his luggage.
As it was made known, he had filled out the necessary
application in order to be allowed to have the substance with him
and therefore, he will be able to compete in order to qualify for
the finals.
[18] SOLANA WANTS A MEETING WITH PAPANDREOU
Javier Solana, in charge of the EU's common foreign and
defense policy, requested today a meeting with Greek foreign
minister Giorgos Papandreou and according to MPA information, he
attempts some kind of mediation in the Cyprus problem.
However, the Greek Cypriot side decided not to attend the
talks held in New York today under the auspices of UN secretary-
general Kofi Annan. Based on the latest available information, the
Cypriot side wants a new statement by Mr. Annan to replace an
earlier one on "the equal status of the two sides in Cyprus" in
order to return to the talks.
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