Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-06-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 12, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM: STATE NO SOCIAL POLICY HAVEN, BUT IT'S TRYING
[02] ND HONORARY PRESIDENT: PRIME MINISTER IS PITIFUL
[03] GLIGOROV CLAIMS GREECE OFFERED BRIBE FOR NAME
[04] GLIGOROV: ATHENS DASHED NAME RECOGNITION HOPE
[05] BALKAN REGIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN N. GREECE
[06] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL ALARMED FOR FYROM
[07] EU SHOULD TELL TURKEY: NO "A LA CARTE" EUROPE
[08] ATHENS WON'T DISCUSS NICE AGREEMENT REVISION
[09] THE GOALS OF THE GREEK-CANADIAN CONGRESS
[10] NO UNILATERAL GREEK INITIATIVE IN FYROM
[11] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] SIMITIS WILL BE IN BRUSSELS TODAY
[13] EXTENSIVE POWER CUTS IN NORTHERN GREECE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] GREECE LAST IN COMPUTERS, LEADER IN CELL PHONES
[15] TURKEY VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS
[16] GIORGOS DALARAS: CONCERT IN ALBANIA
[17] SPYROS SIMITIS: ETHICS NATIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN IN GERMANY
[18] THE US SERB LAWYERS ASSOCIATION HONORED SAE'S PRESIDENT
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM: STATE NO SOCIAL POLICY HAVEN, BUT IT'S TRYING
Greece may not be a social policy haven, but at least the
government is achieving considerable progress in the sector, Prime
Minister Costas Simitis retorted in Parliament yesterday, in a
riposte to lashing criticism delivered by the leader of the main
opposition party of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis.
According to Mr. Simitis, Greece is presently approximating
the EU average in social expenditures, a result of the ruling
PASOK party's "social state" policy.
"The solution to the social security issue will be one found
within the framework of a solid society, with security and
prospects," Mr. Simitis stated.
"We are a government of social peace, one that secures the
people's interests and instills confidence in the workers."
Furthermore, the Premier added that the government's social
policy targets are being approached step-by-step, which has so far
led to considerable progress.
"From 1989 to 1993 (during ND's reign in government),
liberalism dealt a serious blow to the social state," Mr. Simitis
stated, adding that thanks to PASOK's policies Greece joined the
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) without denting the social
structure.
[02] ND HONORARY PRESIDENT: PRIME MINISTER IS PITIFUL
The Prime Minister (Costas Simitis) is pitiful, the honorary
president of the main opposition party of New Democracy
Constantine Mitsotakis stated yesterday, commenting on the
Premier's House speech on social policy and health, further
stating that Mr. Simitis failed to actually propose specific
measures concerning the issue of social security.
In a parliamentary discussion on social security and health,
initiated by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the president of
ND Costas Karamanlis also lashed out against the Premier, accusing
him of trying to enforce an unreliable and cruel program.
"You are not a prime minister of reforms," Mr. Karamanlis
said, "you are the prime minister of taxes, unemployment, poverty
and inequalities and the citizens are aware of this.
"You divide the Greeks, while we unite them. This is our
difference," he added.
KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga accused the ruling PASOK
of enforcing a policy which aggravates poverty and deepens class
contrasts and which comes afterwards to give crumbs as charity.
[03] GLIGOROV CLAIMS GREECE OFFERED BRIBE FOR NAME
The recently published memoirs of FYROM's former president
Kiro Gligorov, the Greek edition of which he presented in Athens
yesterday, contain claims that in May 1992 a Greek intelligence
agent made persistent financial offers in an effort to make him
agree to forsake the term "Macedonia" from his country's name.
The response of Greece's premier at the time, presently
honorary president of the main opposition party of New Democracy,
Constantine Mitsotakis, was immediate and to the point last night:
"The specific reference lacks any seriousness", he said, adding
that the allegation is "irrational and crude."
At the same, Greece's then-foreign minister Michalis
Papaconstantinou stated that Greece's policy on the FYROM issue
has been justified.
"We helped in the existence of this state, north of Greece,
at a time when everyone wanted to destroy it. Now we all
understand that it must exist," he said.
[04] GLIGOROV: ATHENS DASHED NAME RECOGNITION HOPE
After presenting the Greek edition of his published memoirs
in Athens last night, former president of FYROM Kiro Gligorov,
stated that, during his term, he believed Greece would be the
first country to recognize his state.
In an interview with "Flash" radio station, Mr. Gligorov said
that "I believed that (Athens) would understand that, through the
creation of our state, Greece's security zone would automatically
be expanded by 250 kilometers, I thought Greece would understand
its strategic interests. Unfortunately, this did not happen and,
instead, a problem was created regarding the name of our country,
the ‘Republic of Macedonia', " he said.
"It was maintained that the only ones who have a right to
this name are the Greeks. It was maintained that through this
means we wanted to usurp a section of their history and culture,"
he said, adding "of course, I argued that this is wrong, since we
have our one culture and language. We have added into our
Constitution that we have no designs on any neighboring country,
nor do we wish to get involved in the neighboring countries'
domestic issues. In vain; this didn't help either."
Mr. Gligorov further added that the shift in climate took
place when Greece realized that the economic embargo it has
imposed on FYROM was detrimental to both countries and agreed to
re-establish economic ties with FYROM.
Greece presently ranks third in economic trade with FYROM,
while it tops the country's foreign investors list.
"We have to continue on this path" he said, adding that "I
believe logic will prevail and the problem will be resolved
through mutual respect."
As for the name issue, Mr. Gligorov refuted reports that the
name "Upper Macedonia" is to be the key to the pending problem,
stating instead that he has a solution of his own, i.e. a dual
name:
"Greece should agree in the United Nations talks that we are
called ‘Republic of Macedonia' in our international relations. As
far as the name Greece would use, we know that we can't convince
you."
Athens has been at odds with Skopje for years over the issue
of FYROM's name, insisting that the word ‘Macedonia' should not be
included in the name of the former Yugoslav republic since it
implies expansionist designs against Greece's own large northern
province known by that same name (Macedonia) since antiquity, as
well as being a historical misrepresentation.
However, relations between Greece and FYROM have improved
dramatically since the two countries signed an interim agreement
in New York in September 1995, under the UN's auspices. Under the
terms of that agreement, which expires in September 2002, Athens
and Skopje are to proceed with discussions to find a mutually
acceptable solution for the name issue.
In his memoirs, Mr. Gligorov claims that in May 1992 a Greek
intelligence agent made persistent financial offers in an effort
to make him agree to forsake the term "Macedonia" from his
country's name.
The contentious claim, noted in page 293 of the book, asserts
that Greek Intelligence Services attempted to exert pressure on
Mr. Gligorov to forsake the term "Macedonia" from his country's
name.
He also alleges that the intelligence officers offered him
one million dollars, to be deposited in any bank in the world.
The response of Greece's premier at the time, presently
honorary president of the main opposition party of New Democracy,
Constantine Mitsotakis, was immediate and to the point last night:
"The specific reference lacks any seriousness", he said, adding
that the allegation is "irrational and crude."
[05] BALKAN REGIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN N. GREECE
The first day of a general assembly of Balkan regions began
in Northern Greece's port city of Kavala, yesterday, where the
participants are expected to decide on the creation of a Balkan
Committee, in the framework of the union of Europe's coastal
regions, with the purpose of achieving the best possible
cooperation between Balkan regions.
The two-day meeting is attended by about 100 representatives
from 33 regions. Also participating are representatives from
various EU institutional agencies, as well as agencies dealing
with Balkan issues. Countries participating include Italy,
Albania, Turkey, Croatia, Greece and Romania.
[06] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL ALARMED FOR FYROM
The European Union's General Affairs Council, which convened
in Luxembourg yesterday, expressed its rising concern over the
escalating crisis in FYROM, while strongly condemning the action
of Albanian extremists in the Balkan state.
Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that domestic
negotiatins are to soon get underway among the representatives of
the Slav community and those of the Albanian minority
participating in the FYROM government.
The council supported the tension-reducing plan submitted by
FYROM President Boris Trajkovski, while Greece's proposal of a
specific timetable for the completion of negotiations was also
accepted.
The ministers also adopted a Greek proposal on inviting FYROM
Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski to visit Luxembourg in two
weeks, when the EU's council of ministers will meet again, to
brief them on the results of negotiations in his country to
resolve the issue. At the same time, the Council is concerned
over the implementation of a post-negotiations agreement, while
there are reports that the Albanian extremists may be funded by
money collected by Albanian expatriates.
The Council adopted Mr. Papandreou's proposal that a list of
those people should be made by the European Union to bar their
entry into EU countries, as they may be involved in illegal
activities such as arms sales, money laundering and drug
trafficking.
[07] EU SHOULD TELL TURKEY: NO "A LA CARTE" EUROPE
The European Union should tell Turkey there's no a la carte
Europe, and that is has to eat the food there is, outspoken (and
often veracious) former foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos stated
in reference to the said country's status of candidate status for
EU accession.
Implying that Turkey wants to pick and choose among the EU's
principles, i.e. no to human rights and yes to loans, Mr. Pangalos
also added that Ankara is not really interested in gaining
accession to the EU, but, rather, merely wants to have the scepter
of "candidacy" and use it at will.
In an interview with the Athens radio station "Flash", Mr.
Pangalos characterized Turkey as the "spoiled child" within the
new order of things.
[08] ATHENS WON'T DISCUSS NICE AGREEMENT REVISION
Greece will not discuss solutions that revise the Nice
agreement and infringe on its sovereign rights, Foreign Minister
George Papandreou told his EU counterparts at the General Affairs
Council in Luxembourg yesterday.
Referring to Turkey's demands to participate in the EU's
security and defense decision-making process, which demands have
caused a lockjam in EU-NATO cooperation, Mr. Papandreou said that
Greece would accept a solution, provided that it does not infringe
on its national sovereign rights, or those of a candidate EU-
member, such as Cyprus.
Turkey has been blocking the automatic access of EU's
security and defense system to NATO's infrastructures, demanding
equal access to the Union's decision making process on military
issues.
Mr. Papandreou further stressed that the issue is not a
bilateral one between Greece and Turkey, but it would evolve into
one, should the Greece interests be infringed upon.
[09] THE GOALS OF THE GREEK-CANADIAN CONGRESS
The renewal and full development of the Greek-Canadian
Congress to become a real representation umbrella for the Greeks
in Canada is the top priority set by the organization's new
presiding board.
The above were stated to MPA by Greek-Canadian Congress
president Dimitris Sidiropoulos clarifying that the Congress
should become an established and widely respected institution in
Canada.
Mr. Sidiropoulos also pointed out the notable action
undertaken by the Greek communities in Toronto, Montreal and
Vancouver that should enjoy greater support to stand out in
Canada's multi-cultural society.
[10] NO UNILATERAL GREEK INITIATIVE IN FYROM
The Greek government will not undertake any unilateral
initiative concerning the deployment of a military force in FYROM,
stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and added that
Greece will decide on its stance in case an international
initiative is undertaken in the country.
Mr. Reppas pointed out that the likelihood of a deployment of
a multi-national military force in FYROM is only being considered
as a thought in international organizations and therefore, it
would be premature to say anything else.
Called to comment on the allegations made by former FYROM
president Kiro Gligorov concerning the alleged money offer made to
him by the then Greek prime minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis in
order to accept another name for his country, Mr. Reppas referred
to the statement made by Mr. Mitsotakis saying that the former
prime minister's response is more than sufficient.
Mr. Reppas also stated that the crisis in FYROM and the
overall situation in the Balkans will dominate in the NATO summit
meeting in Brussels and the EU summit meeting in Gothenburg,
Sweden.
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy honorary
president Konstantinos Mitsotakis characterized as unacceptable
the allegations made by Mr. Gligorov in his book, concerning the
alleged attempt made in May 1992 by the Greek secret services to
buy him out by offering to him the sum of $1 million aimed at
persuading him to remove the term "Macedonia" from his country's
name.
[11] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Small gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today.
The general index rose to +0.39% at 2.887,92 points, while the
volume of transactions was 145.27 million Euro or 49.5 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 94 recorded gains and 233 had
losses, while the value of 54 stocks remained stable.
[12] SIMITIS WILL BE IN BRUSSELS TODAY
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis will leave for Brussels
today to attend the NATO Summit meeting. A meeting was held in
Athens this morning, presided over by prime minister Kostas
Simitis, to prepare the Greek positions in the Brussels NATO
summit and the EU summit meeting that will take place in
Gothenburg, Sweden.
In statements he made after the meeting, foreign minister
Giorgos Papandreou referred to the developments in FYROM and
stated that if diplomatic consultations do not move ahead the
international community is possible to be called to contribute
even militarily in order to preserve the integrity of FYROM.
[13] EXTENSIVE POWER CUTS IN NORTHERN GREECE
Extensive power cuts were recorded in Thessaloniki and a big
part of northern Greece in the early afternoon hours today. The
power cuts were the result of an explosion in a transformer at the
Public Power Company sub-station in the region of Oreokastro, near
Thessaloniki.
A large fire broke out causing damages and the fire-fighters
had a hard time in their effort to approach the scene because of
the high temperatures and the smoke. According to PPC officials,
the explosion was the result of overheating attributed to the
heatwave recorded in Greece.
Power cuts were recorded in different parts of Thessaloniki
and in the north and northeastern cities of Serres, Kavala and
Kilkis, as well as in the regions of Chalkidiki and Thrace.
For the record, the same sub-station was responsible for the
black-out recorded in Thessaloniki and in other regions of
northern Greece a few months ago.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] GREECE LAST IN COMPUTERS, LEADER IN CELL PHONES
Greece continues to rank last among the European Union member-
states in terms of information technology use, since a mere six
out ten Greeks owned a computer in 1999, but the use of cell
phones is growing at galloping rates throughout the country,
presenting an almost eighty-percent increase within the span of a
decade.
According to EU data, the EU's average growth of cell phone
use amounted to 60.5% between 1990-2000, a rate that Greece easily
surpasses with its 79.8 percent.
Although computer ownership within the EU is rising at an
annual rate of ten percent, only 1.5% of Greeks had a computer at
home last year, at a time when the EU average in 3.5 percent.
Probably as a consequence, a mere 1.2 percent of Greeks over
the age of 15 have access to the Internet, while the EU average is
slightly double at 2.8 percent.
[15] TURKEY VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS
Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Euro-
deputy Christos Zacharakis with a question to the European Union
Council of Ministers condemned the Turkish foreign ministry
decision to forbid European citizens of Assyrian and Syrian origin
to visit the homes of their ancestors and their relatives in
southern Turkey.
Mr. Zacharakis pointed out that Ankara is violating
fundamental human rights with a legislative regulation it
implements, while at the same time, it continues the systematic
destruction of the Assyrian and Syrian cultural heritage by
destroying monasteries and churches turning them into mosques and
stables.
[16] GIORGOS DALARAS: CONCERT IN ALBANIA
Greek singer Giorgos Dalaras will give a free concert for the
ethnic Greeks in Albania and the Albanian people in general, in
the city of Ghirokastra on June 16 at the invitation of the Greek
consulate.
The concert will be held in the city's Medieval Castle which
has a panoramic view of the "Stone City" and the valley of
Dropolis.
It is the first visit to Albania by Giorgos Dalaras and his
arrival to the country can be interpreted as a move of support and
solidarity by the Greek people toward the ethnic Greeks in
Albania.
[17] SPYROS SIMITIS: ETHICS NATIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN IN GERMANY
.......Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis' brother, Spyros,
who is a Frankfurt University professor, and was authorized in the
past by the state of Hessen to be responsible for personal data
issues in Germany, while he was also a member of the European
Ethics Committee, was elected president of Germany's Ethics
National Council.
The founding meeting of the 25member council, made up of
personalities from science, politics and society, was held in
Berlin on June 8 in the presence of German chancellor Gerhard
Schroder.
The German chancellor stated that the main responsibility of
the Ethics National Council is the well-informed public opinion
because a sufficiently informed society that can openly discuss
the future options is in a position to make mature decisions on
future issues such as, the use of biotechnology and genetics.
[18] THE US SERB LAWYERS ASSOCIATION HONORED SAE'S PRESIDENT
The Serb Lawyers Association in the United States honored
World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, president Andrew Athens
with the Felman 2001 prize which is awarded by the association to
individuals with outstanding world contribution.
The newly elected president of the association Mr. Louis
Milicich honored Mr. Athens for his international charity
programs, like the medical program for the Greeks in the former
Soviet Union and for his great friendship with the Serb people. He
also recognized Mr. Athens' role as an important adviser of the
Serb community within the framework of its effort to understand
and cooperate with the political system in Washington.
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