Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-18
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 18, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] BEACH VOLLEY: GREEKS LOSE TO GERMANS AFTER WIN
[02] GREEK SAILING CHAMPION ADVANCES IN MISTRAL
[03] GREECE, TURKEY TO CONDUCT DIALOGUE ON CBMs
[04] FYROM NAME ISSUE COULD BE SOLVED BY END OF 2000
[05] THESSALONIKI'S OWN WINS MIDDLEWEIGHT ROUND
[06] LINE UP OF GREEK ATHLETES IN DAY FOUR OF GAMES
[07] YOUNG GREEK SWIMMER BREAKS NATIONAL RECORD
[08] ATHENS TO HOST FIRST G/T SYMPOSIUM THIS MONTH
[09] ROMANIAN WEIGHTLIFTERS THREATEN HUNGER STRIKE
[10] THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IS CLOSE TO BE RESOLVED, ACCORDING TO
ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS
[11] THE DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARY OF ISRAEL WILL VISIT GREECE IN
OCTOBER
[12] LOSSES OF 1.38% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] REPPAS: TURKEY MUST MAKE STEPS FOR A RAPPROCHEMENT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] THE GREEK SPORTS UNDERSECRETARY CALLED FOR THE CONTRIBUTION
OF THE GREEK-AUSTRALIANS IN THE 2004 OLYMPICS
[15] THE ITALIAN MEN'S TEAM WON THE GOLD MEDAL IN FENCING
[16] FERNANDEZ OF SPAIN WINS THE GOLD IN THE 57KG CATEGORY IN JUDO
[17] MEXICAN JIMENEZ WON THE GOLD IN THE 58KG CATEGORY IN
WEIGHTLIFTING
[18] ITALY WON THE GOLD IN THE MEN'S 73KG CATEGORY IN JUDO
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] BEACH VOLLEY: GREEKS LOSE TO GERMANS AFTER WIN
After an easy victory over the Czech Republic (15-6),
Greece's Vasiliki Karadassiou and Effrosyni Sfyri were beaten 7-15
by Germany's Maike Friedrichsen and Danja Musch in women's Beach
Volleyball today.
The defeat is attributed to fatigue and a knee injury carried
by Sfyri.
In their victory of the Czech Republic's Martina Hudcoca and
Tereza Tobiasova, Karadassiou, the captain, scored seven points,
including two of their three aces.
[02] GREEK SAILING CHAMPION ADVANCES IN MISTRAL
Greek sailing champion Nikos Kaklamanakis, gold medalist in
the Atlanta-held 1996 Games in the Men's Mistral, advanced to the
fifth rank in the third race yesterday, edging up to the 11th
position of the overall ranking, which is led by Austria's
Christoph Sieber.
Aggeliki Skarlatou kept up her pace in the third race of the
women's mistral fleet, ending 15th and ranking 20th overall.
Germany's Amelie Lux remained the leader after two races.
Olympic sailing is a grueling competition that features at
least 10 races per class. It will be held until September 24.
[03] GREECE, TURKEY TO CONDUCT DIALOGUE ON CBMs
Foreign Minister George Papandreou held a second meeting with
his Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem in New York yesterday, where
they agreed to proceed with confidence-building- measures (CBMs)
regarding the Aegean Sea.
In an interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr.
Papandreou stated that the agreement is the successful result of
lengthy negotiations between the two sides.
"Military matters will be discussed in NATO on the basis of
the Papoulias-Yilmaz accord, whereas measures pertaining to
neighborly issues shall be discussed by the general directors of
the respective countries' foreign ministries," Mr. Papandreou
stated, adding that many ideas (submitted) by both sides can be
adopted.
Meanwhile, public statements given by the two Ministers,
after a working lunch at a Greek restaurant in New York on
Saturday, indicate that the Cyprus question was not on their
agenda.
[04] FYROM NAME ISSUE COULD BE SOLVED BY END OF 2000
The name issue pending between Athens and Skopje, where both
sides are involved in discussions over a permanent name for FYROM,
could be resolved by the end of the year, according to United
Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz.
In an interview with the Skopje daily "Nova Macedonia", Mr.
Nimetz expressed the conviction that a solution would soon be
found to satisfy both sides.
"I believe the time has come to find the golden means that
will put full closure on the name issue.
"Both sides want to resolve this matter and, for the first
time, I can say that I honestly believe a solution will be found
this year."
Mr. Nimetz also said that he has submitted his own proposals
during the UN-mediated talks between the two countries.
Nevertheless, he added, "the best way to resolve an issue pending
between two peoples is to allow the two sides involved to work out
their differences on their own, as an imposition by a third side
could result in displeasure.
Furthermore, the UN mediator stated that five years after the
Greece-FYROM interim accord signed in New York, the two countries
have made great strides in the political sector, as well as in the
areas of trade and immigration.
"We have to remember where we were five years ago, and where
we are at now," he said.
[05] THESSALONIKI'S OWN WINS MIDDLEWEIGHT ROUND
Thessaloniki-born Antonis Yiannoulas, beat 17-10 Italy's
Ottavio Barone in Round One of the Men's Boxing Middleweight
(75kg) competition, and is now ready to go up against Cuba's gold
medalist Ariel Hernandez.
"It was my first appearance in Olympic Games, and my first
victory," an exuberant Yiannoulas stated, while he expressed his
gratitude to his coach.
The boxing competition is divided into 12 weight classes that
range from light flyweight (48 kg) to super heavyweight (over 91
kg).
For the first time, all bouts will consist of four two-minute
rounds. For the third consecutive Olympics, matches will be scored
by computer. Judges will be required to press a button when
punches land. If three of the five judges press a button within
the allotted period of time, a point is awarded to the fighter.
This policy was implemented at Barcelona to eliminate the
controversial decisions that plagued past Olympic competitions.
Competitors that reach the quarterfinals but lose are listed
as tied for fifth place. Defeated semifinalists are both awarded
bronze medals, a practice first instituted in 1952 at Helsinki.
[06] LINE UP OF GREEK ATHLETES IN DAY FOUR OF GAMES
Greece's rhythmic gymnastics team, swimmers and female
weightlifters are to vie for a medal during tomorrow's
competitions, the fourth day of the Sydney Olympic Games.
To begin with, the rhythmic gymnastics team, comprising
eight female athletes, is confident of a victory in tomorrow's
final, by mixing strength and agility with style and grace.
As for tomorrow's swimming trials in the 4x200 meter relay,
Greece will be represented by Dimitris Maganas, Sakis Economou,
Spyros Yiannotis and Spyros Bitsakis.
Also among the hopeful are Yiannis Kokkodes (200m-individual
medley), Zabia Melachrinou (200m-butterfly) and Spyros Bitsakis
(100m-individual medley).
In Weightlifitng, Yianna Hatziioannou will compete in the
63kg women's finals, while Maria Tatsi will strive for a medal in
the 69kg category.
[07] YOUNG GREEK SWIMMER BREAKS NATIONAL RECORD
Even though he failed to qualify for the finals in the men's
200m butterfly (ending 25th in the overall rank) Greece's 16-year-
old Yiannis Drymonakos broke a third consecutive national record
with 2.00.75 in the semifinals heat, topping his best of 2:01.13.
Drymonakos had finished third in the third heat, with
2:00.75.
U.S. champion Tom Malchow finished first with 1:56.25,
setting a new Olympic record.
[08] ATHENS TO HOST FIRST G/T SYMPOSIUM THIS MONTH
A Greek-Turkish symposium, the first of its kind, is to be
held in Athens this month, to examine "the Course and Outlook of
Greek-Turkish Relations after Helsinki."
To be held at the Zappeio Megaro between September 21-23, the
event will be addressed by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos,
while Foreign Minister George Papandreou will be the keynote
speaker.
Among those also expected to address the symposium are:
Turkish Ambassador Ali Tinaz Tuygan, main opposition deputy
Marietta Yannakou (New Democracy), European Parliament deputy
Michalis Papayannakis (Coalition of the Left and Progress, Greece)
minor party leader Stephanos Manos (Liberals), the chairman of
Petrola Nikos Grigoriades, and others.
Former foreign minister Michalis Papakonstantinou will chair
the symposium, while discussion are expected to center around the
opportunities for Greek-Turkish rapprochement and collaboration in
the business sector, as well as Greece's contribution to Turkey's
European course.
[09] ROMANIAN WEIGHTLIFTERS THREATEN HUNGER STRIKE
Two of Romania's banned weightlifters who had been suspended
from the Games after testing positive in a doping test, threaten
to go on hunger strike if they were not allowed to have more drug
tests.
Traian Ciharean and Andrei Mateias demand that they be tested
again after having been suspended under the International
Weightlifting Federation's "three strikes and out" rule which
sanctions any team recording three positive tests in a calendar
year. In addition to the pair who tested positive in Sydney,
another lifter failed a test earlier in the year.
The Romanian team's remaining four members were freed to
compete in the Games.
[10] THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IS CLOSE TO BE RESOLVED, ACCORDING TO
ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS
Israel's ambassador to Athens, Ran Curiel appeared optimistic
regarding the Palestinian issue and in an interview with MPA
expressed the belief that the next four weeks will be crucial. At
the same time, he underlined the role Greece could play as an EU
member after the signing of a peace agreement namely, in its
implementation and the consolidation of peace in the Middle East.
He said that it is a historic crossroads and this is not an
exaggeration, adding that the Camp David talks, even though there
was no agreement reached, they showed that both sides are very
close to a peace deal. Responding to a question on the prospects
for the solution of the Palestinian issue, Mr. Curiel stated that
after Camp David the Palestinians are very close to fulfilling
most of their dreams.
The Israeli ambassador stated that the Israeli government and
prime minister Barak did the best they could to achieve an
agreement "even by risking their own political life". He said that
the talks must be held now and the next four weeks will be
crucial, adding that there is an understanding at an international
level that Israel did a lot to compromise and reach a deal. Now it
is up to Mr. Arafat to prove his leading role and make himself
certain decisions, said Mr. Curiel, adding that the decision to
postpone the unilateral declaration of an independent Palestinian
state was a decision made to the right direction.
On the issue of Jerusalem, which is a "thorn" in the
negotiations, he stated categorically that Jerusalem is the
capital of Israel and it was never the capital city of another
country, adding that in any solution the ties the different
religions have with Jerusalem must be taken under consideration.
He said that in a peace agreement the situation must improve. The
status quo in the city regarding the different religions must be
preserved, while the situation for all its residents and all the
religions there must be improved. If all sides take under
consideration the sensitivities of the others there can be an
agreement.
Responding to the question if Greece could undertake an
initiative on the Middle East by hosting a meeting between Barak
and Arafat, Mr. Curiel stated that Greece can do much more than
being just a place where a meeting of the two men will be held.
Mr. Curiel stated that the Greek foreign ministry, at the
very successful initiative of Yiannos Kranidiotis, had hosted
certain meetings between Palestinian and Israeli parliamentarians
in the past. He said that this is the end of a phase for the
completion of the peace process, adding that there are certain
phases in the peace process namely, the signing of agreements,
their implementation and the consolidation of peace. The Israeli
ambassador to Athens said that Greece is the only country in the
Eastern Mediterranean region which is an EU member and after a
peace agreement is achieved there could be certain regional
initiatives for the consolidation of peace in sectors such as
tourism, transportation, environment etc. He also stated that
Greece can be a real partner in the region and can contribute
significantly in those issues.
Mr. Curiel said that it is clear that at this phase of
mediation aimed at reaching an agreement the United States play a
leading role but in the next two phases namely, the implementation
and the consolidation of peace, the EU and through it Greece, can
play a bigger role.
[11] THE DEFENSE UNDERSECRETARY OF ISRAEL WILL VISIT GREECE IN
OCTOBER
Israel's undersecretary of defense Ephraim Sneh will visit
Greece in October heading a large delegation on the occasion of
Israel's dynamic participation in the defense supply exhibition
"Defendory". Israel's ambassador to Athens Ran Curiel stated to
MPA that Mr. Sneh will have contacts with the leadership of the
Greek ministry of defense.
Greece and Israel are at a very good path regarding their
bilateral relations, said Mr. Curiel, who added that they can
become even better. He also said that a bilateral agreement in
telecommunications will be signed this week.
Mr. Curiel stated that there are prospects for further
cooperation between Greece and Israel in the defense sector and
confirmed that the Israeli company "Elisra" is interested in
taking over the self-protection systems of the new F-16 fighter
jets with which Greece will be supplied. He also said that there
can be better cooperation between the Air Force, the Navy etc of
the two countries for peace purposes.
The Israeli ambassador regards as bright the future of the
Greek-Israeli trade relations and characterized the 2004 Olympics
as a golden opportunity for the further strengthening of bilateral
cooperation. For example, he said that Israel could assist in the
transportation of visitors by providing the necessary busses,
while it could also assist in catering and irrigation as it has
the technology of the Olympic Village, while it could help in the
security sector and high tech regarding the access smart cards.
He said that there is an increased interest on behalf of
Israeli investors in Greece regarding the Olympic Games projects
and investments in hotels and trade centers.
Mr. Curiel stressed that Greece has infiltrated the Balkans,
which are a new market for the Israeli companies, adding that
cooperation will not be limited to bilateral level in sectors such
as, high tech and services but it can be tripartite with the
participation of countries from the Balkans, the eastern
Mediterranean and the Arab world. He said that the Greek-Israeli
trade relations are on a good basis stating that Israel is the
leading market for the Greek exports in the Middle East, while
Greece occupies a fairly important place among the 15 EU member-
states regarding the Israeli exports to the EU ranking 8th after
big countries such as Britain, Germany, France.
[12] LOSSES OF 1.38% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The week opened for the Athens Stock Exchange with losses of
1.38% and the general index was at 4.146,38 points, while the
volume of transactions was small at 73.576 billion drachmas.
Analysts attribute the small turnover to the fact that the
purchase and sale orders were notably fewer compared to the last
sessions.
The construction companies' stocks had a leading role in
today's session as they attracted the interest of investors and
their index recorded gains of 1.75%.
Of the stocks trading today, 288 had losses, 62 recorded
gains and 34 remained unchanged.
[13] REPPAS: TURKEY MUST MAKE STEPS FOR A RAPPROCHEMENT
The meeting of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou with
his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in New York included positive
elements for a constructive rapprochement between Greece and
Turkey, commented Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
He stated that Turkey must make steps for a rapprochement and
it has not responded yet but this does not mean that the
communication channels must be closed.
On Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit's statement for
direct talks between Athens and Ankara on the differences between
the two countries, Mr. Reppas stated that the only problem between
them is that of the continental shelf and the Helsinki decision
refers the issue to the International Court of Justice in The
Hague. Therefore, said Mr. Reppas, this statement by Mr. Ecevit
has no receiver, while all those issues have been clarified.
Regarding the Cyprus problem and the provocative actions by
the Turkish occupation forces he said that Greece is not next to
Cyprus but with Cyprus. The Cyprus problem must be resolved based
on the UN resolutions and the international organization's
credibility is judged by its effectiveness, said Mr. Reppas.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] THE GREEK SPORTS UNDERSECRETARY CALLED FOR THE CONTRIBUTION
OF THE GREEK-AUSTRALIANS IN THE 2004 OLYMPICS
Greek undersecretary of sports Giorgos Floridis appealed to
the Greek-Australians to contribute to the organizing of the 2004
Olympic Games in Athens, speaking in an open reception given in
Sydney's University Great Hall in honor of the Greeks living in
Australia.
Mr. Floridis praised the progress achieved by the Greeks
living in Australia and underlined that their participation in the
organizing of the Sydney Olympic Games constitute a very positive
fact.
The Greek sports undersecretary said that Greece needs
experienced and specialized manpower in the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens that will bring with them the necessary know-how for the
perfect organizing of the Olympiad.
[15] THE ITALIAN MEN'S TEAM WON THE GOLD MEDAL IN FENCING
The Italian men's team beat France and won the gold medal in
fencing. The Italian team with Alfredo Rota and veteran world
champion Angelo Mazzoni in its ranks dominated over the French
team with a 39-38 score.
The French team was regarded as the favorite to win the gold
but it finally compromised with the silver, while the bronze was
won by the Cuban team.
[16] FERNANDEZ OF SPAIN WINS THE GOLD IN THE 57KG CATEGORY IN JUDO
Isabel Fernandez of Spain won the gold medal in the women's
57kg category in judo. The silver was won by Driulys Gonzales of
Cuba, while the bronze was shared by Japanese Kie Kusabe and
Australian Maria Pekli.
[17] MEXICAN JIMENEZ WON THE GOLD IN THE 58KG CATEGORY IN
WEIGHTLIFTING
Soraya Jimenez of Mexico won the gold medal today in the
women's 58kg category in weightlifting with 222.5kg.
The silver went to North Korean Ri Song Hui after lifting
220kg, the hot favorite to win the gold, while the bronze was won
by Suta Khassaraporn from Thailand who lifted 210kg.
[18] ITALY WON THE GOLD IN THE MEN'S 73KG CATEGORY IN JUDO
Italian Giuseppe Madaloni is the gold medalist in the men's
73kg category in judo after defeating in the finals Brazilian
Tiago Camilo who won the silver.
The bronze went to Latvian Vsevolods Zelonijs after defeating
Korean Choi Yong-Sin.
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