Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-06-08
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 8, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] BUSH PROPOSES MILLER FOR ATHENS EMBASSY POST
[02] WHO CONFIRMS 20 BREAKOUTS OF CCHF IN KOSSOVO
[03] MINISTER DOESN'T WANT GREECE TO GO TO POT
[04] TURKISH BOAT CAUSES OIL SLICK IN THERMAICOS BAY
[05] SLOVENIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI
[06] US AMBASSADOR LAUDS GREECE FOR REGIONAL ROLE
[07] NATO DMs REACH NO AGREEMENT ON TURKEY
[08] MARC GROSSMAN ADDRESSES PSEKA CONFERENCE
[09] MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR SLAIN U.K. ATTACHE
[10] GREEK PREMIER WRAPS UP VISIT TO GERMANY TODAY
[11] TERRORISM, ORGANIZED CRIME DRAFT BILL PASSED
[12] EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO COMBAT TERRORISM
[13] PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS' MEETING
[14] THE GREEK PROPOSAL FOR THE CRISIS IN FYROM
[15] INCREASED INFLATION IN MAY
[16] AN INDICTMENT WAS ISSUED ON THE SAUNDERS CASE
[17] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[18] THE ELECTION RESULT IN BRITAIN IS POSITIVE
[19] THE TURKISH EXERCISE "SEA WOLF" IS HELD BASED ON A PLAN
[20] PAPANDREOU: A REVISION OF THE NICE AGREEMENT IS RULED OUT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[21] SIMITIS AND SCHRODER DISCUSSED THE EUROPEAN COURSE AND THE
CRISIS IN FYROM
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] BUSH PROPOSES MILLER FOR ATHENS EMBASSY POST
US President George Bush Jr. has proposed career diplomat
Thomas Miller to the ambassadorial post in Athens, replacing
Nicholas Burns.
According to a White House announcement, Mr. Miller's
appointment is subject to the approval of the Senate's Foreign
Affairs committee.
Presently serving as ambassador in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mr.
Miller would be replacing departing ambassador Nicholas Burns, who
will be assigned to Brussels where he will hold the US
ambassadorial post in NATO.
A protégé of Richard Holbrooke, who once referred to him as
"one of his closest colleagues", Mr. Miller is deemed an expert on
terrorism issues. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S.
Embassy in Athens from 1994 to 1997, while during an earlier
assignment to Greece (1985-87), he also served in the Embassy's
political section. Moreover, he served as Special Coordinator for
Cyprus (with the rank of Ambassador) from August 1997 until the
Bosnia assignment.
A member of the Senior Foreign Service at the rank of
Minister Counselor, Mr. Miller joined the State Department in
1976. During most of the 1980s and early 1990s, he concentrated on
the Middle East, serving twice on the Israeli Desk (once as
Director), heading the Office of Maghreb Affairs, and acting as
Director of the Counter-terrorism Office.
[02] WHO CONFIRMS 20 BREAKOUTS OF CCHF IN KOSSOVO
They World Health Organization has confirmed 20 cases of the
rare Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Kosovo, although
the number of breakouts has to climb to 50 before WHO intervenes.
At the same time, the Greek Foreign Ministry has issued
assurances that no Greek troops serving with the KFOR-peacekeeping
force have been inflicted with the disease, which, according to
experts from the School of Medicine at the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, is an annually recurring phenomenon in that area.
Moreover, government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas stressed
that every precautionary measure was being taken to protect Greeks
living in the area.
CCHF, whose name indicates the locale of the first
detections, is a viral disease that strikes both humans and
animals.
In humans, CCHF appears suddenly with symptoms similar to
those of influenza, followed by a rash. Hemorrhage, which does not
occur in all cases and can be more severe in some and less in
others, begins on or about the fourth day and continues for about
two weeks.
The fatality rate is from 2-50%.
In animals, the disease takes the form of mild fever and
viremia in sheep, cattle and small mammals such as hares. A
vaccine exists, but the most widespread form of control is the use
of anti-tick solutions into which animals are literally dipped – a
practice that causes extreme trauma and must be repeated regularly
to be effective.
Observed in western Crimea, Kersch Peninsula, Kazakstan and
Uzbekistan, Rostov and Astrakhan regions of Russia CCHF is also
found in Bosnia-Herzogovina, Albania, Bulgaria, Iraq, the Arabian
Peninsula, Pakistan, western China, tropical Africa and South
Africa, while those at high risk are animal husbandry workers and
medical personnel.
[03] MINISTER DOESN'T WANT GREECE TO GO TO POT
Obviously getting more than he bargained for, Minister of
Public Order Michalis Chrysochoides is opposed to an experts'
report, drawn at his request, that recommends the legalization of
marijuana when its use is designated for personal purposes.
"My view is that the dilemma of decriminalization or not is
not the critical issue," Mr. Chrysochoides stated, adding that "I
would even say that it's a false dilemma since many drug users
today are not punished by the courts, as according to the law."
Arguing that the drug problem needs to be handled through
other policies, the Minister said that the state has to embark on
a nationwide anti-drug campaign that would limit the demand for
drugs.
The report, authored by top echelons of the Greek police force,
along with criminology experts, also called for the establishment
of drug-use prevention programs targeting "high-risk" groups,
mobile units for emergency intervention and aid, as well as
providing police with on-line information services.
While the report did not advocate the blanket legalization of
drugs, arguing that it would increase drug addiction, it did
cautiously promote a "medicalization" model - allowing addicts to
receive treatment on demand and, in some cases, allotments of
drugs.
[04] TURKISH BOAT CAUSES OIL SLICK IN THERMAICOS BAY
Greek authorities have arrested the chief engineer of a
Turkish vessel that caused an oil slick at Thessaloniki's
Thermaicos Bay early yesterday morning.
The oil slick, measuring 550 square meters, was caused when
the Turkish vessel "CMA CGM Blida" was being refueled.
The Turkish chief engineer, who is to appear before a
Thessaloniki prosecutor today, has been fined with five million
drachmas, to be paid by the vessel's parent company.
[05] SLOVENIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION IN THESSALONIKI
Investment and trade opportunities in Slovenia are to be
showcased to Northern Greece's investors today during an event
jointly organized in Thessaloniki by the city's Chamber of
Industry and Commerce (EVETH) and the corresponding Slovenian
chamber.
The meeting will also be attended by Slovenian ambassador to
Athens Borut Mahnic who will give an address on his country's
economic situation.
A delegation of Slovenian entrepreneurs is to also attend the
meeting.
[06] US AMBASSADOR LAUDS GREECE FOR REGIONAL ROLE
U. S. Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns lauded Greece for
its role as a basic regional power, the only European Union and
NATO member-state in the region, characterizing the country as
"the only steady and prospering democracy" in the Balkans.
Addressing an event on Greece's cooperation with the U.S. in
the Balkans, organized by the "Constantine Karamanlis Institute of
Democracy", the U.S. Ambassador stressed the importance of the
joint presence of Greek and American troops in the SFOR and KFOR
forces, as well as the efforts made by the two countries
governments for democratic change in Serbia.
Moreover, he underlined that Greek foreign policy underwent a
substantive turn in past years, reaching a rapprochement with
Turkey on the one hand, while playing an important role in the
Balkans on the other.
[07] NATO DMs REACH NO AGREEMENT ON TURKEY
The NATO Defense Ministers Summit concluded yesterday without
an agreement on Turkey's participation in European security and
defense policy and the European army.
Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stressed that Greece
will remain steadfast to the decisions drawn at the Nice summit,
concerning EU-NATO cooperation, and denied reports that allow
Turkey to participate in the implementation of European security
and defense policy, even though it is not an EU member-state.
Referring to the situation in FYROM, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos
said that forces will be reinforced to optimally secure borders
between Kosovo and FYROM.
[08] MARC GROSSMAN ADDRESSES PSEKA CONFERENCE
Cyprus' accession to the European Union can serve as the
impetus for the resolution of the island's political problem, U.S.
assistant secretary of state Marc Grossman stated during his
address to the 12th annual conference of the International
Coordinating Committee for Cypriot Struggle (PSEKA), presently
held in Washington.
In his taped address, Mr. Grossman also expressed the Bush
Administration's support to Turkey's accession to the EU, since
this would provide the country with a strong motivation to proceed
to the necessary changes on matters related to human rights and
democracy.
The conference is jointly organized by the Council of
Hellenes (SAE) and other Greek and Cypriot expatriates
organizations, and features the attendance of approximately 100
representatives from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Greece and
Cyprus.
[09] MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR SLAIN U.K. ATTACHE
Exactly a year after his murder, a memorial service was held
in Athens this morning in honor of British Brigadier Stephen
Saunders who was assassinated by the November 17 terrorist group.
Earlier, his widow, Heather, laid a wreath near the spot
where her husband was gunned down on Kifissias Avenue in Filothei.
Held at the Athens Cathedral, the memorial service was
officiated by Bishop Manktclow of the Anglican Diocese of Europe
conducted the service, which was attended by Greek government and
state officials, and the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece
Christodoulos.
In an interview with the Greek service of BBC, Ms. Saunders
said she believes that there is a renewed and coordinated effort
to discover her late husband's assassins, albeit adding that if
the crime had occurred in England then the investigations would
have already borne results, given the experience of the British
police.
"Greece is still learning," she characteristically stated.
Meanwhile, a UK Foreign Office spokesman has confirmed that a
Scotland Yard report on November 17 has been handed to Greek
authorities.
[10] GREEK PREMIER WRAPS UP VISIT TO GERMANY TODAY
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to conclude his three-day
visit to Germany today, where he traveled on the invitation of
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
Messrs. Simitis and Schroeder last night discussed the FYROM
crisis, Cyprus' European course, as well as Greek demands for
Germany to pay reparations for atrocities carried out by German
occupation troops in World War II.
[11] TERRORISM, ORGANIZED CRIME DRAFT BILL PASSED
Closing three days of heated debate, a controversial draft
law on fighting organized crime and terrorism was passed by
Parliament last night, approved by both the ruling PASOK, albeit
with a few internal dissentions, and the main opposition party of
New Democracy.
Deputies from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) ad the
coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) abstained from
the vote, expressing their opposition to the bill.
Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, who drafted the bill,
stated that the proposed legislation enjoys the government's
support, as well as that of the majority of PASOK's deputies.
One of the most hard-line dissenters was PASOK MP Sifis
Valyrakis who stressed that not only did he vote against the draft
law, but views the policy and the procedures followed as being
contrary to the vote of confidence that he has cast.
[12] EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO COMBAT TERRORISM
Undersecretary of national defense Dimitris Apostolakis
expressed the Greek government's regret for the assassination of
British military attache Stephen Saunders in Athens a year ago
today.
Mr. Apostolakis gave the assurance that everything possible
is being done to combat terrorism in Greece, stressing that the
anti-terrorism law that was passed in parliament will strengthen
the existing institutional framework.
In the memorial service held in Athens today speeches were
delivered by the widow of Stephen Saunders, Heather, the British
ambassador and an Anglican bishop who performed the service.
Present in the memorial service were also Archbishop
Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece, foreign minister
Giorgos Papandreou, public order minister Michalis Chrisochoidis,
parliament deputies, representatives of religious dogmas,
ambassadors, civilian and military embassy personnel.
[13] PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATIONS' MEETING
The 55th National Conference of the US-Canada Pan-Macedonian
Association and the 8th World Conference of all Pan-Macedonian
Associations will take place in Litochoro on
July 12-16.
A meeting of the Supreme Council will be held on the first
day of the conference, while a presentation of the Kalas from
Pakistan and a Macedonian night will also take place.
The National Conference proceedings will open on July 13 and
will end on the next day with a music concert by singer Giorgos
Dalaras in the ancient theater of Dion.
The proceedings of the World Conference of All Pan-Macedonian
Associations will open on July 15 for the election of Pan-
Macedonian Association officials. The conference will end on the
next day with the election of the Alexander the Great Institute
Intermediary Committee members and the institute's general
secretary.
[14] THE GREEK PROPOSAL FOR THE CRISIS IN FYROM
A Greek proposal, complementary to the initiatives that were
undertaken recently by the international community aimed at
lifting the deadlock in FYROM and averting widespread armed
conflicts in the country, will be discussed in the EU General
Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday.
According to Greek foreign ministry spokesman, Panos Beglitis
the proposal in question, which has the approval of the parliament
political parties in FYROM wants to get a pledge from all involved
sides, and mainly the parliamentary political parties in FYROM,
that they will seek a mutually acceptable political solution
within a strict timetable of five days of continuous negotiations.
In the negotiations that will be chaired by the FYROM
president will participate the leaders of the four political
parties in the FYROM national unity government and a ten-member
secretariat that will process the texts under the chairmanship of
a local or foreign independent personality. A group of 10-12 legal
specialists will also be present in the negotiations. The leaders
of the Albanian rebels terrorist organizations will not be invited
to participate in the dialogue. A limited number of high ranking
EU and US officials will be invited to attend the first days of
the negotiations, while Javier Solana, head of the EU joint
foreign policy and policy of defense, will be present after the
fourth day of the negotiations.
[15] INCREASED INFLATION IN MAY
Inflation in Greece was 3.6% in the month of May, according
to a formal announcement by the National Statistics Agency. The
price hikes in fuel, fruits, vegetables and airplane tickets
contributed to the increase of inflation which continues to cause
headaches to the government's economic staff.
Specifically, last month's inflation was increased by 0.1%
compared to April (3.5%) imposing the adoption of measures aimed
at achieving the government's goal for a 2.7% price index by the
end of 2001.
[16] AN INDICTMENT WAS ISSUED ON THE SAUNDERS CASE
Athens prosecutor Giorgos Gerakis issued an indictment on the
case of the assassination of British military attache Stephen
Saunders who was killed in Athens one year ago today.
Specifically, an indictment was issued for manslaughter,
illegal possession and use of weapons, theft and the establishment
of a gang.
The prosecutor also asked for an official translation by the
foreign ministry of all English texts included in the legal papers
as the case is now assigned to a magistrate.
The indictment was issued by the prosecutor after a careful
study of the information gathered on the case by the anti-
terrorist agency.
[17] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The
general index dropped to -075% at 2.951,05 points, while the
volume of transactions was disappointing at 106.41 million Euro or
36.26 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, just 55 recorded gains and the
overwhelming majority namely, 277 had losses, while 49 stocks
remained stable.
[18] THE ELECTION RESULT IN BRITAIN IS POSITIVE
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as
positive the election result in Britain and the victory of the
Labor Party.
He said that the victory of prime minister Tony Blair and his
party creates the best preconditions for Britain and bilateral
relations and for Britain's presence in the European Union.
[19] THE TURKISH EXERCISE "SEA WOLF" IS HELD BASED ON A PLAN
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas referred to the
Turkish Navy missile-boat that was seen southeast of the Aegean
island of Astipalea and pointed to the statement made by the Greek
Navy General Staff according to which, the vessel was spotted 16
miles off the costs of the island and therefore, it was outside
the Greek territorial waters.
Responding to the question if there was a violation of the
Greek territorial waters, Mr. Reppas stated regarding the Turkish
Naval exercise "Sea Wolf 2001", which is underway, that everything
is being done based on the plan submitted by Ankara and there is
no problem.
The incident came to light when a fisherman from Astipalea
reported to the Coast Guard this morning that a Turkish missile-
boat was near the Greek islets in the specific region. Fisherman
Kiriakos Hatzidakis reported that the missile-boat was coming from
the west and was directed toward the southeastern Aegean island of
Rhodes. Earlier, the same fisherman had spotted a frigate of
unknown nationality that was patrolling 2 nautical miles south of
the islet of Sirna.
[20] PAPANDREOU: A REVISION OF THE NICE AGREEMENT IS RULED OUT
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in statements made
in parliament today, stated that any revision of the Nice
agreement, that specifically determines the framework of the
European Union member-states' relations with their partners in
NATO which are not EU members, is ruled out.
He said that the associated members cannot become equal with
the EU member-states in the European security and defense decision
making. Mr. Papandreou stated that this is not an issue that
concerns only the Greek-Turkish relations, stressing that it is an
issue between the European Union and NATO.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[21] SIMITIS AND SCHRODER DISCUSSED THE EUROPEAN COURSE AND THE
CRISIS IN FYROM
The European course and the situation in the Balkans with an
emphasis on the crisis in FYROM, were the issues that dominated in
yesterday's meeting of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis with
German chancellor Gerhard Schroder in Berlin.
Mr. Simitis stated that he delivered a memorandum on the
crisis in FYROM to Mr. Schroder which Greece has already submitted
to the European countries and includes the Greek initiative for
the settlement of crisis in the country.
On the European course, Mr. Simitis stressed that the
developments on the EU enlargement issue will be discussed in the
Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden next week. He said that they agreed
that enlargement should proceed in accordance with the timetables
set after settling certain issues that have arisen such as, the
continuation of the EU policy on regional convergence.
Responding to questions by reporters, Mr. Simitis stated that
they also discussed the Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish relations
and the issue of the war reparations for the Nazi victims.
On the WWII reparations, he said that the Greek government is
waiting for clarifications by the Greek courts before making any
proposals to Germany on how the issue can be faced.
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