Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-03-22
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, March 22, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 25
[02] THESSALONIKI TO HOST COPEAM's 8TH CONFERENCE
[03] DEPUTY FM IN NEW YORK FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
[04] INDEPENDENCE DAY TO BE CELEBRATED THIS SUNDAY
[05] ANTI-NATO PROTEST RALLY TOMORROW IN N. GREECE
[06] GREECE-SYRIA TRANSPORT AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
[07] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT TRAVELS TO US
[08] GREEK DM TO TURKEY: LET'S COOPERATE IN BALKANS
[09] 2001 BROUGHT GREECE WORST DROUGHT OF CENTURY
[10] NEGATIVE RECORD IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND THE UNITED
STATES
[12] KARAMANLIS CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES IN
FYROM
[13] THE BALKAN CITIES FEDERATION CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN
EDESSA ON APRIL 6
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] THE UNITED STATES CORRECTED THE GROSSMAN STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS
[15] GREEK ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS WILL BE PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN OXFORD
[16] IN APRIL THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GREEK PLAN FOR THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
[17] APPEAL BY MOUSCHOURI FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES
[18] UNDERSECRETARY NIOTIS' SPEECH IN WASHINGTON
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 25
Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 25, when
clocks should be moved forward one hour from 3.00 a.m. to 4.00
a.m. in line with other European Union countries.
The daylight saving time ends on October 31, according to the
ministry of transport and communications.
[02] THESSALONIKI TO HOST COPEAM's 8TH CONFERENCE
The eight annual conference of Copeam (the Permanent
Conference of the operators of the Mediterranean Audiovisual) is
to be held in Thessaloniki on March 28-31, themed after
"Mediterranean identities: Crisis issues and the mass media's
responsibility".
The conference is organized by Greece's state-owned ERT-3, in
cooperation with COPEAM and the Mediterranean Association of
Television Stations.
COPEAM was established in 1996 in Cairo, where it became a
non-profit International Association with a Chairmanship, three
vice presidents, an office, a committee and a general secretariat.
COPEAM numbers 80 founding members, five inter-government
institutions, two international agencies, five international
associations, 31 radiotelevision bodies, 12 professional
independent agencies and 10 operators.
The cooperation among the European, African and Mediterranean
television station aims at designating – through audio-visual
means- a "renewed Mediterranean policy".
[03] DEPUTY FM IN NEW YORK FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis is to arrive in New
York tomorrow, where he will attend celebrations marking the 180th
anniversary of the March 25 Greek Independence Day.
Mr. Niotis, who is also in charge of the Greeks Living Abroad
portfolio, will represent the Greek government at the customary
March 25 parade on Fifth Avenue.
The deputy FM will be the guest speaker at the Federation of
Greek Associations of Greater New York, while he will also meet
with Archbishop Dimitrios of America and attend a reception by the
Greek General Consulate.
Greek Independence Day will also be celebrated in Australia,
with the a parade in Melbourne attended by local and state
government officials, including the Greek foreign ministry's
secretary general for Greeks living abroad Dimitris Dollis, and
several Greek MPs.
[04] INDEPENDENCE DAY TO BE CELEBRATED THIS SUNDAY
The anniversary of the beginning of Greece's revolution
against Ottoman rule on March 25, 1821, will be celebrated this
Sunday, coinciding with the Feast of the Annunciation.
The celebrations will begin with a Te Deum at the Athens
Cathedral attended by President Costis Stephanopoulos, members of
the cabinet, the leaders of political parties, the leadership of
the armed forces and Greek and foreign dignitaries, and will
culminate in a military parade through central Athens.
Greece, the birthplace of democracy, was subject for
centuries to foreign domination, culminating in almost four
hundred years of political suppression by the Ottoman Empire.
The roots of the modern state of Greece date back to March
25, 1821, which marked the beginning of the end of Ottoman rule
and led to eight years of war before victory and freedom were
achieved.
The first Greek government was established in the city of
Nafplio, eastern Peloponnese, in 1829, and Ioannnis Capodistrias
was sworn in as the first governor of Greece.
[05] ANTI-NATO PROTEST RALLY TOMORROW IN N. GREECE
A protest rally against NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999
is to be held at the central square of northern Greece's city of
Komotene tomorrow.
The Anti-NATO Balkan Center is also organizing a protest
rally at Thessaloniki's White Tower on Sunday at noon. Communist
and other leftist parties from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania,
Turkey and Yugoslavia are part of the said center.
[06] GREECE-SYRIA TRANSPORT AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
Transport Minister Christos Verelis is presently on an
official visit to Damascus at the invitation of his Syrian
counterpart, Makram Obeid, where he will sign an agreement on
deregulating bilateral road transportation permits.
The transport permits pact was initialed in Damascus last
month by Greek and Syrian officials, who also discussed the
possibility of commissioning a viability study on making ports in
the two countries compatible through the creation of facilities
for Ra-Ra and Ro-Ro ferries, container traffic and rail links.
[07] PRESIDENT OF HELLENIC PARLIAMENT TRAVELS TO US
The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis
is to travel to the United States tomorrow where he will attend
events held in celebration of Greece's Independence Day.
On Saturday, Mr. Kaklamanis will be received by the Mayor of
Boston and will meet with a delegation of Greek-American senators
and congressmen, as well as with the Metropolite Methodius. On
Sunday, he will attend celebrations organized by the Federation of
Greek Associations of Greater New York.
On Monday, March 26, the Speaker of the House will meet with
Archbishop Dimitrios of America and attend a reception by the
Greek General Consulate.
[08] GREEK DM TO TURKEY: LET'S COOPERATE IN BALKANS
Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has invited
Ankara to cooperate with Athens so that both countries, as the
region's largest NATO allies, can jointly guarantee security in
the Balkan region.
In an interview with CNN-Turk, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed
that accession to expanded unions, such as the new "Magna Europe"
which will extend from the Atlantic to the Urals, is the only road
to recovery from economic crises, such as the one faced by Turkey.
He also called on Turkey to clean up its minefields at the
Greek-Turkish borders, as a good will gesture.
Referring to the present situation in the Balkans, the Greek
defense minister stated that new dangers are lurking behind the
recent outbreaks of violence by Albanian extremists in FYROM and
South Serbia.
While acknowledging the assistance provided to the region by
the international community, KFOR and NATO, the Greek Defense
Minister stressed that Turkey and Greece constitute the largest
countries in the region and have certain responsibilities.
"We had agreed on this and formed an international,
multinational cooperation for security in Southeastern Europe," he
stated, adding "Turkey and Greece have the greatest responsibility
for regional security. We ought to cooperate on this basis; it's
time for cooperation, not antagonism."
Referring to the earthquakes that devastated both countries,
Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that they served as a catalyst for
bringing the two neighboring peoples closer, since they had to
fight the same battle, and poignantly likened the Balkan crisis to
another form of "earthquake".
The Defense Minister stressed that the European Union
constitutes a positive prospect for all of the continent's
countries, "which is why Greece supported Turkey's bid for
candidacy. We are aiming at joint Greek-Turkish cooperation, as
countries of the European region."
He also added that Turkey has brought certain claims against
Greece, such as over the Aegean, which cannot be accepted.
The Treaty of Lausanne is quite explicit on all of these
(issues)," he stated, adding that the only road to resolving
disputes is the European Court.
[09] 2001 BROUGHT GREECE WORST DROUGHT OF CENTURY
The lack of rainfall, coupled with a dwindling water supply,
has rendered 2001 as the century's driest year and forecasters
warn of prospective water shortages as early as this summer.
According to the Meteorology Department of the Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki, water reserves in Central Macedonia
alone were reduced up to half during the past five years, while
the Thessaloniki water company EYATH has stated that it may have
to resort to constricting consumption and increasing rates.
According to EYATH officials, drilling at Gallikos River
normally provided the area with 40,000 cubic meters of water,
whereas the present capacity amounts to 9,000 cubic meters.
Thessaloniki's daily average water consumption amounts to
250,000 cubic meters, although the rate can rise to 350,000 during
times of increased demand.
[10] NEGATIVE RECORD IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
A negative record was set in the Athens Stock Exchange today.
The general index dropped to -1.51% at 3.027,12 points, while the
volume of transactions was small at 186.2 million Euro or 63.44
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 101 recorded gains and 234 had
losses, while the value of 36 stocks remained stable.
[11] MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND THE UNITED
STATES
Acting Greek government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris
confirmed today that foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet
with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington on May 21.
Mr. Hitiris stated that it will be a formal meeting and will
include a working lunch.
[12] KARAMANLIS CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES IN
FYROM
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis briefed president Kostis Stephanopoulos on the
outcome of the talks he had in Skopje yesterday with the FYROM
political leadership.
In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Karamanlis
stated that his party is firm on the principle of the
inviolability of the borders and stressed that it is inconceivable
to allow a group of extremists to set the Balkans on fire.
Mr. Karamanlis stated that the Greek government must
undertake initiatives aimed at the decisive intervention of the
international community mainly, NATO and the European Union, for
the settlement of the crisis.
[13] THE BALKAN CITIES FEDERATION CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN
EDESSA ON APRIL 6
The three-day conference of the Balkan Cities Federation will
be held in the northwestern Greek city of Edessa on April 6.
Among the cities that will take part in the conference after
the decision to enlarge the federation are Skopje, Kavardastci and
Konopice (FYROM), Korce, Durres and Skodra (Albania) as well as
Nis (Serbia), while more Balkan cities are expected to express
interest in the conference.
Among the Balkan Cities Federation members are Edessa
(Greece), Pleven (Bulgaria), Vrajla (Romania), Bursa (Turkey),
Gorni Milanovac (Serbia) and Bitola (FYROM).
The main issues that will be discussed will be EU financing,
the protection of the environment, the safety of the citizens and
the program of events in which the federation member-states will
participate.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] THE UNITED STATES CORRECTED THE GROSSMAN STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS
The US State Department spokesman reiterated yesterday the
strong support of the United States to the Helsinki decision
according to which, the solution of the Cyprus problem would
facilitate that country's accession into the European Union adding
however, that this is not a precondition.
He also stated that the statements made by US assistant
secretary of state Marc Grossman should not be misinterpreted and
called on reporters to read his statements again.
[15] GREEK ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS WILL BE PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN OXFORD
Twenty five Greek and foreign archaeologists, who are
responsible for archaeological excavations in Greece, will present
the findings they have unearthed in a four-day conference that
will open in Oxford tomorrow under the title "Recent
Archaeological discoveries in Greece" organized by the Greek
Civilization Institute, the Greek embassy in London and
Kostopoulos Institute.
The goal of the conference is, according to Oxford
University, to give the opportunity to archaeologists and
archaeology students to be briefed on the latest great
archaeological discoveries in Greece by the archaeologists
themselves, who made the excavations.
The archaeological findings that will be presented in the
conference are being displayed for the first time abroad after an
invitation by the Somerville College history and classical
archaeology department.
[16] IN APRIL THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GREEK PLAN FOR THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
The implementation of the Greek plan for the reconstruction
of the Balkans will start by the end of April.
Yugoslavia will receive an assistance of 278.8 million Euro
in the next 5 years, while Kosovo will receive a total of 78
million Euro, stated Liliana Trigovsevic, head of the economic
cooperation with developed countries department, according to a
report published on the Belgrade newspaper "Danas".
Ms. Trigovsevic also stated that apart from the Greek state
private businessmen from Greece as well will be able to
participate in the financing of the programs they are interested
in.
[17] APPEAL BY MOUSCHOURI FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES
Famous Greek singer and former Euro-deputy Nana Mouschouri
will give a press conference in Sydney tomorrow within the
framework of her tour of Australia during which she is expected to
issue an appeal to the Australian people to back the international
campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.
The press conference in the Opera of Sydney is organized by
the Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles Committee
in which participate distinguished Australians from the arts,
politics, literature and sciences as well as many Greek-
Australians.
[18] UNDERSECRETARY NIOTIS' SPEECH IN WASHINGTON
Greek undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis,
responsible for issues concerning the Greeks living abroad,
speaking in Washington during a formal dinner that was given by
World Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE, president Andrew Athens in
the presence of Greek parliament deputies Geranidis and Daskalakis
and US House Representatives Gillman, Palone and Engel, referred
to the developments in the Balkans and Greece's positions as well
as, to the Greek-Turkish relations, the prospects for the solution
of the Cyprus problem and the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Mr. Niotis stated that the territorial integrity of FYROM is
of vital importance and the attacks at its borders create a
dangerous climate in the region.
Referring to the Greek-Turkish relations stated that Greece
has unsettled political differences with Turkey but at the same
time, the two countries share mutual interests and new cooperation
options must be found.
On Turkey's European prospect, he said that it is to the
interest of Greece. He said that Turkey has a lot to gain by
approaching the EU, but first it will have to respect certain
principles that have been determined by the Helsinki summit
meeting such as, political and religious freedoms, independent
justice system, freedom of press, protection of minority rights,
respect of international law and settlement of disputes through
peaceful means.
The foreign affairs undersecretary expressed the Greek
government's concern regarding the violations of the Greek air
space by Turkey and the restrictions imposed by the Turks on the
Ecumenical Patriarchate.
On the Cyprus problem, he reiterated that Greece is opposed
to the division of the island and the occupation of 38% of its
territory by the Turkish armed forces. He also stressed that the
proximity talks under the UN auspices must continue.
Referring to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, he expressed the
certainty that they will be absolutely successful and unique and
underlined the contribution of the Greeks living abroad through
their participation in the Olympic Games preparations.
Mr. Niotis also referred on the excellent level of bilateral
relations between Greece and the United States in different
sectors.
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