Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-11-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, November 27, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] GREEK FM, US SECRETARY OF STATE MEET IN VIENNA
[02] WEEK OF PROTESTS, STRIKES AND ACTIONS IN STORE
[03] EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION IN THESSALONIKI
[04] GREECE, YUGOSLAVIA TO SIGN MILITARY AGREEMENT
[05] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE HOSTS CONVENTION
[06] FED UP WITH MAD COWS, BUTCHERS THREATEN ACTION
[07] DEFENSE MINISTER POSTPONES VISIT TO BELGRADE
[08] RECORD YEAR FOR GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA
[09] THE MOBILE PHONE SERVICE IN THE EFFORTS TO LOCATE "17
NOVEMBER" MEMBERS
[10] GLIKERIA WILL BE IN TIRANA FOR A CHARITY EVENT
[11] MEDIA PLUS WILL BE IN EFFECT IN JANUARY
[12] LOSSES OF 0.28% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] BEGLITIS: FYROM'S NAME IS THE LAST REMAINING PROBLEM IN THE
RELATIONS WITH GREECE
[14] REPPAS: HISTORICALLY AND MORALLY UNACCEPTABLE THE DEMANDS OF
THE FORMER KING
[15] THE BULGARIAN PRESIDENT WILL BE IN GREECE NEXT WEEK
[16] REPPAS: NEGATIVE AND PROVOCATIVE THE STANCE ADOPTED BY ANKARA
AND THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PSEUDOSTATE
[17] SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES BY THE GREEK BRANCH OF THE ASSOCIATION
OF EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS
[18] ARRESTS OF GREEK MINORITY MEMBERS IN ANO DROPOLIS
[19] STATE FUNDING FOR THE COOPERATION PROGRAM BETWEEN THE
HOSPITALS OF "PAPANIKOLAOU" AND "CYRILUS AND METHODIUS"
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] ECOFIN TO DISCUSS EU STOCK MARKETS UNIFICATION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK FM, US SECRETARY OF STATE MEET IN VIENNA
United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
reiterated her government's support to the United Nations
Secretary General's efforts towards the resolution of the Cyprus
issue, during a meeting she had with Greece's Foreign Minister
George Papandreou yesterday in Vienna, on the sidelines of the
Eighth Conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE).
Ms. Albright stated that the Cyprus issue must not "freeze"
and stressed that the efforts to resolve the problem have to
continue.
In turn, Mr. Papandreou outlined the Greek positions on the
Cyprus issue and analyzed the issues that have arisen in the
association ties between the European Union and Turkey, given
that Ankara's refusal to include the conclusions reached at the EU
Helsinki Summit in the final document concerning Turkey's EU
Association.
OSCE's two-day Eighth session, which gets underway today,
will feature the participation of the foreign ministers from the
organization's 55 member-states, as well as the attendance of more
than 800 senior representatives from associated and cooperating
countries and other international organizations to Vienna.
As a result of the latest OSCE summit, held in Istanbul in
November of 1999, structures and institutions have been amended,
supplemented and strengthened with new bodies and processes for
the prevention, handling and solution of differences in the entire
area of OSCE's jurisdiction, which remains a political framework
of a unique character.
[02] WEEK OF PROTESTS, STRIKES AND ACTIONS IN STORE
Greek farmers' unions are planning industrial action as of
tomorrow, November 28, the same day as the civil service union
ADEDY, by holding a protest rally in central Greece.
The head of the Unified Federation of Farming Associations
said that tractors and farm vehicles will be brought down to the
rally, which has been called to protest against a decision to
reduce cotton cultivation by 10 per cent.
Also, the Thessaloniki Labor Center has announced that it
will join the struggle against a labor market regulation bill
proposed by the government and opposed by trade unions.
The center has decided to participate in a 24-hour strike
called by Greece's main trade union GSEE on the day that the bill
is debated in Parliament.
[03] EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION IN THESSALONIKI
The European Journalists Association is to inaugurate its
38th General Assembly and International conference in Thessaloniki
today, themed after "The Future of Journalism, Democracy and
Culture in the 21st Century".
Held at the premises of the Thessaloniki International Fair,
the conference features the participation of more than 160
journalists from 23 European countries, among them Romania,
Poland, Albania, Hungary, FYROM, Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic
and Slovakia.
Among the keynote speakers are Commissioner Vivian Redding,
responsible for issues pertaining to culture, education and press,
and the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights Alvaro
Juan Robles.
Greece's alternate Foreign Minister Elisabeth Papazoi will
also address the delegates, while the Minister of Macedonia and
Thrace George Paschalides welcomed the participating journalists
yesterday evening
[04] GREECE, YUGOSLAVIA TO SIGN MILITARY AGREEMENT
A military cooperation agreement between Greece and
Yugoslavia will be signed in Belgrade today, covering bilateral
cooperation in the said sector, as well as regional security.
Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos will travel to
Belgrade today, where he will meet with Yugoslav government
officials regarding the development of cooperation between the two
countries in the defense sector.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will meet with his Yugoslav counterpart
Slobodan Krapovic and the Prime Minister of the Federal government
of Yugoslavia Zoran Zizic, among others, according to a press
release issued by the Yugoslav defense ministry.
[05] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE HOSTS CONVENTION
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is organizing
the first-ever convention of Orthodox clerics and laymen,
entitled "The Parish as a cell of Church life: Living reality,
modern orientations and challenges".
Starting in Istanbul today and held within the framework of
celebrations marking the 2000 yeas since the birth of Christ, the
convention will feature the attendance of clergymen throughout the
world. The Greek Church will send three metropolitans as
observers.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will inaugurate the
convention's opening.
[06] FED UP WITH MAD COWS, BUTCHERS THREATEN ACTION
Blaming the government for the low public confidence in local
beef consumption resulting from the "mad cow" disease scare, Greek
butchers are threatening to go on strike and close their shops
just in time for the holiday season.
Following marathon meetings held by the sector's leading
representatives last night, the butchers demand that the state
provide consumers with informed and responsible data concerning
meat consumption, while they are also asking for monetary
compensation for damages resulting from loss of profits; beef
consumption in Greece has dropped at least 30 percent in recent
weeks because of the scare.
The Greek butchers also demand the banning of pre-packaged
meat sold at supermarkets which, they claim, is not subject to any
controls.
Government inspectors have visited hundreds of Greek
butcher's shops, abattoirs and farms to check compliance with an
EU-wide ban on meat cuts with spinal bone, a number of French beef
categories, and most types of animal-based feed for livestock.
Penalties include fines of up to 10 million drachmas.
[07] DEFENSE MINISTER POSTPONES VISIT TO BELGRADE
Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has canceled a
scheduled visit to Belgrade today, where he were to sign a
military cooperation agreement with his Yugoslav counterpart,
Slobodan Krapovic, and the visit will instead take place in mid-
December.
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos postponed his trip because Yugoslavia's
President Vojislav Kostunica was unable to see him today.
The agreement between the two countries is to cover bilateral
cooperation between their armies, to strengthen regional peace,
stability and security.
[08] RECORD YEAR FOR GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA
A record number of Greek investments, amounting to an
unprecedented USD 226.5 million, were poured into Bulgaria between
January and October 2000, pumping Greece to the fourth rank of
the neighboring country's 26 largest foreign investors.
Direct Greek investments during 2000 have skyrocketed since
1999, when Greek capital inflows to Bulgaria amounted to a mere
USD 14.9 million. According to the Bulgarian Foreign Investment
Agency (BFIA), direct Greek investments totaled USD 313.39 between
1992 and October 2000, a noteworthy figure when considering that
Bulgarian officials assess this year's overall foreign investment
at USD one billion (as opposed to USD 805 million during the first
ten-month period of 2000 and 3.829 billion during 1992-2000).
Leading the list of Bulgaria's top foreign investors are
Germany, Belgium and Italy.
[09] THE MOBILE PHONE SERVICE IN THE EFFORTS TO LOCATE "17
NOVEMBER" MEMBERS
The anti-terrorist agency in Greece with the assistance of
Britain's Scotland Yard will record the mobile phone calls that
were made on the day of the assassination of British military
attache in Athens Stephen Saunders, according to the Athens
newspaper "To Vima".
The authorities believe that by comparing the telephone
communications that took place at the time of the last four
attacks that were launched by the "17 November" terrorist
organization it will be possible to come up with a small group of
suspects. It is estimated that 4.000-6.000 telephone calls took
place at the time of the Saunders assassination.
[10] GLIKERIA WILL BE IN TIRANA FOR A CHARITY EVENT
Famous Greek singer Glikeria will give a concert in Tirana on
December 12. The concert is organized by the Greek embassy press
office in Tirana and will be held within the framework of a
charity event.
The proceeds will be given to the ministry of public order
for the economic support of the families of the police officers
who lost their lives in the uprising that took place in Albania in
1997.
[11] MEDIA PLUS WILL BE IN EFFECT IN JANUARY
The community program Media Plus for the encouragement of
film creators, which has an estimated budget of 400 million Euros,
is expected to start materializing in January 2001.
The above were announced by European Commissioner Viviane
Redding, responsible for issues of culture and education, within
the framework of the 38th Conference of European Journalists
Association that is being held in Thessaloniki today.
Meanwhile, Ms. Redding characterized the year 2001 as the
European languages year underlining among others, the need to
create networks that will make communication easier. Referring to
the digital technology, she stated that it is an opportunity that
must be used by the young with caution and stressed that
journalists must operate as a "filter" underlining the need to
protect Europe's cultural diversity.
[12] LOSSES OF 0.28% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Small losses of 0.28% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today and the general index was at 3.312,08 points, while
the volume of transactions was small at 49.2 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 256 recorded losses, 84 had gains
and 24 remained unchanged.
[13] BEGLITIS: FYROM'S NAME IS THE LAST REMAINING PROBLEM IN THE
RELATIONS WITH GREECE
The developments in FYROM concern the country itself and
Greece does not want to comment on them or intervene, stated
foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, adding that Greece is
interested in the developments but does not believe that they will
affect the very good climate between the two countries.
On the issue of the name, Mr. Beglitis stressed that the
negotiations continue within the framework of the UN and referred
to the meeting prime minister Simitis and foreign minister
Papandreou had in Zagreb with FYROM prime minister Georgievski in
which the two sides reaffirmed their will for a mutually
acceptable solution.
He also pointed out that the issue of FYROM's name is the
last remaining problem in bilateral relations and its solution
will contribute greatly to their further development.
[14] REPPAS: HISTORICALLY AND MORALLY UNACCEPTABLE THE DEMANDS OF
THE FORMER KING
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as
unacceptable the demands of the former King, underlining that the
government will back its positions firmly until the end and will
support strongly the public interest.
Responding to questions on the issue of the royal property,
the Greek government spokesman stated that Greece will not discuss
the issue and will not negotiate with powers that are against
Greece's interests. Mr. Reppas concluded that the demands
expressed by the former King are historically and morally
unacceptable.
[15] THE BULGARIAN PRESIDENT WILL BE IN GREECE NEXT WEEK
Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov will be on a two-day visit
to Greece next week at the invitation of his counterpart Greek
president Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The visit, scheduled to take place on December 4-5, is
regarded as an important step in the consolidation of the present
level in bilateral relations.
The Bulgarian president had planned a formal visit to Greece
in July 1997, while in September 1999 he came to Greece for
vacation.
Mr. Stephanopoulos' last visit to Bulgaria was held in May
1999.
[16] REPPAS: NEGATIVE AND PROVOCATIVE THE STANCE ADOPTED BY ANKARA
AND THE TURKISH CYPRIOT PSEUDOSTATE
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as
negative and provocative the stance adopted by Ankara and Turkish
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash referring to their decision to
withdraw from the fifth round of the talks for the solution of the
Cyprus problem.
Mr. Reppas expressed the hope that they will change their
stance and underlined that the international community must take
under consideration Ankara's and Rauf Denktash's stance.
With their decision, stated Mr. Reppas, they show that they
are not interested in the progress of the procedure for the
solution of the Cyprus problem.
[17] SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES BY THE GREEK BRANCH OF THE ASSOCIATION
OF EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS
The activities of the Greek branch of the Association of
European Journalists were significant in the period 1999-2000,
according to its annual report.
Specifically, in the period of September 1999-September 2000
the Greek branch gave the Kalliga awards to David Haworth, Irene
Nikolopoulou and Nikos Kiriazidis. Also, in the same period of
time, the Citizens of Europe program materialized. The program was
financed by the EU by 50% and the rest 50% was covered by its own
funds.
At the same time, a research study was issued on the job
opportunities opened in the regions of Athens and northern Greece.
The specific study was conducted by the European program More
Color in the Media.
Finally, the two seminars that were organized in the central
Greek city of Lamia and the Aegean island of Chios on the adoption
of the Euro by the Greek economy were characterized as very
successful.
[18] ARRESTS OF GREEK MINORITY MEMBERS IN ANO DROPOLIS
Police forces in Ghirokastra yesterday attempted to
forcefully place an Albanian from Lazarati as the owner of the
private pasture land that belongs to Greek minority members in the
Zervatio community of Ano Dropolis in Albania.
The specific individual, who claims to be the owner of the
land, is facing legal procedures accused of having forged the
title-deeds he presents. After a strong protest by the community
residents, police arrested the village elder and three other
members of the Greek minority, who were later released.
Greek minority "Omonia" organization president Vangelis Dule
stated to MPA that these incidents come to confirm once again that
a strong attempt is being made to snatch the property of the Greek
minority with the direct involvement of the state structures.
Mr. Dule stressed that taking under consideration the recent
incidents in Himara and the international community outcry for the
violation of the Greek minority rights, the latest incident
strengthens the view that there is a well-orchestrated plan to
shrink the Greek minority in Albania both politically and in terms
of land ownership.
[19] STATE FUNDING FOR THE COOPERATION PROGRAM BETWEEN THE
HOSPITALS OF "PAPANIKOLAOU" AND "CYRILUS AND METHODIUS"
Favorable are the prospects for the materialization of the
cooperation program between the "Papanikolaou" Hospital
Hematological Clinic in Thessaloniki and the "Cyrilus and
Methodius" Hospital in Skopje after the pledge made by the
government to partially finance it.
Undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis pledged to
submit a 253 million drachmas proposal and according to the 2001
cooperation program, 10 patients from FYROM will undergo a bone
marrow transplant by Greek doctors in "Papanikolaou" Hospital,
while 3-5 doctors from the neighboring country will be trained in
the bone marrow transplants.
Already, 4 doctors and 3 nurses have been trained in Greece,
while the first 2 bone marrow transplants in the history of FYROM
have become a reality.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[20] ECOFIN TO DISCUSS EU STOCK MARKETS UNIFICATION
An interim report on the unification of European stock
markets is to be reviewed during a European Union Finance
Ministers' Council (ECOFIN) session in Brussels today, to be
attended by Greece's National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
and the chairman of the government's economic think tank, Vasilis
Rapanos.
The meeting's agenda also includes a presentation of the
Commission's annual progress report on the action plan for the
financial sector, a discussion of medium-term fiscal stability in
candidate member-states, and a review of progress in the
introduction of VAT in e-commerce as well as a presentation of the
Court of Auditors' annual report for 1999, discussion of the
French presidency's proposals regarding taxation on non-residents'
bank deposits, a code of ethics for businesses and interest
payments and the rights of affiliate companies.
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