Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-06-27
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 27, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ONE IN THREE GREEKS DRINKS AND DRIVES
[02] INFLATION RISES AGAIN
[03] FORMER US PRESIDENT BUSH IS IN SAMOS
[04] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE
[05] SKANDALIDIS-ARAFAT MEETING IN RAMALLAH
[06] REPPAS ON THE MILOSEVIC ISSUE
[07] NO COMMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE "17N" LEAFLET
[08] THE FYROM CRISIS IS NO REASON FOR CONCERN IN GREECE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] US REACTION TO "17 NOVEMBER"
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] ONE IN THREE GREEKS DRINKS AND DRIVES
One in three Greeks drives under the influence, according to
a research conducted by the Greek traffic police concerning the
attitude of drivers regarding speed, driving under the influence
and the use of seat-belts.
According to the research, published today on the Athens
newspaper "VIMA", about 29% of those questioned admitted that once
or twice a week consume alcohol, 9% three to four times a week,
18% less than once a week, and 31% never.
Based on the research, most drivers between the ages of 18
and 34 do not observe the speed limits and 72% of the drivers do
not wear a seat-belt when driving in the city.
[02] INFLATION RISES AGAIN
Inflation is expected to rise again in the month of June and
according to temporary data collected by the government's economic
staff, it will exceed the 3.6% of last May.
The basic reasons leading inflation skyward is the increase
in the cigarette prices by 50 drachmas a pack. However, inflation
in June will depend mostly on the fruit and vegetable prices.
For the record, inflation in the Euro-zone is expected to
drop considerably in June based on the temporary figures that come
from Germany showing that inflation will drop to 3.1% in June
compared to 3.6% in May.
Based on those figures, and the prediction that inflation
will drop in Italy as well, it is estimated that the average
(harmonized) inflation in the Euro-zone will drop to 3% in June.
[03] FORMER US PRESIDENT BUSH IS IN SAMOS
Former US president George Bush continues his tour of the
Aegean islands and today is visiting Samos within the framework of
his cruise on board the yacht "Alexandros".
Meanwhile, during his visit to Plomari in the island of
Lesvos yesterday, Mr. Bush stated that the Olympic Games that will
be held in Athens in 2004 are a big opportunity for Greece and a
big event, while he made a special reference to the effort that
was launched with former Greek prime minister Konstantinos
Mitsotakis for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
[04] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE
Today's session in the Athens Stock Exchange was very
encouraging. The general index benefited from the favorable effect
of the purchasing interest that was expressed for every stock
trading in the ASE.
The general index rose to +2.27% at 2.698,19 points, while
the volume of transactions was 165.06 million Euro or 56.245
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 323 recorded gains and 21 had
losses, while the value of 37 stocks remained stable.
[05] SKANDALIDIS-ARAFAT MEETING IN RAMALLAH
In the meeting with Greek governing socialist party of PASOK
secretary Kostas Skandalidis in the Palestinian headquarters in
Ramallah yesterday, Palestinian president Yasser Arafat suggested
the Middle East peace talks to be held in Athens when they will
resume.
In statements made after the meeting, Mr. Arafat stated that
he is deeply moved by the support expressed to the Palestinians by
the Greek people and referred to the friendly relations he had
with Andreas Papandreou as well as to his visit to Athens as soon
as he left Beirut.
When he was asked if the visit by US Secretary of State Colin
Powell will bring meaningful developments, especially in the issue
of the settlers, the Palestinian leader stated that this is the
Palestinian side's wish too.
Mr. Arafat stated that the Palestinians remember the contents
of the joint declaration issued by US President Bush and the
European leaders which emphasized the Mitchell report and the
Egypt initiative with Jordan, an initiative based on the "land for
peace" principle and the UN Security Council resolutions 224 and
338. When asked about the Simon Peres proposal that was conveyed
by Mr. Skandalidis to establish a five-member committee for the
economic support of the Palestinians, Mr. Arafat responded that he
is not against the proposal but certain issues concerning customs
levies must be settled first based on the relevant agreement that
was reached between himself and Mr. Rabin.
PASOK secretary Mr. Skandalidis also referred to the ties
linking PASOK and the Greek people with Arafat, adding that Greece
regards as its obligation, supreme honor and duty to fight for a
just peace in the region.
Mr. Skandalidis also stated that the Palestinian president
appealed to the Greek side to make a greater effort by exerting
pressures on the European institutions for the precise
implementation of the Mitchell plan. Before the meeting with the
Palestinian president, the Greek delegation visited a refugee camp
in the Palestinian territories.
[06] REPPAS ON THE MILOSEVIC ISSUE
The Yugoslav government handles in a responsible manner the
issue of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic concerning
his transfer to the International Court of Justice in The Hague,
stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Responding to a relevant question, he added that the Greek
government follows this development but the principle and most
decisive role is played by the Yugoslav government.
Mr. Reppas concluded by saying that the rules based on which
the International Court operates must be respected.
[07] NO COMMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE "17N" LEAFLET
"We have no reason to comment on the content of the "17
November" propaganda leaflet because we condemn its existence and
we are struggling to eradicate it", stated government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas made this statement when he was asked to comment
on whether the Greek government is in a position to refute certain
points in the "17 November" leaflet as the US State Department
did.
[08] THE FYROM CRISIS IS NO REASON FOR CONCERN IN GREECE
The crisis in FYROM has not defused but there is no reason
for concern in Greece, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
and added that the international factor expects from the country's
political forces to ask for the assistance of foreign
organizations, especially NATO. The Greek government will
participate in such a mission if a decision is made.
Mr. Reppas said that the Greek armed forces have not been
placed in a state of alert and there is no refugee wave at the
borders seeking to enter Greece.
He said that the Greek diplomatic services remain in the
neighboring country and everything runs smoothly as far as the
operation of the Greek diplomatic services in FYROM is concerned.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] US REACTION TO "17 NOVEMBER"
The US State Department spokesman Richard Bautcher
characterized as absolutely absurd the allegations made by
terrorist organization "17 November" according to which, the
failed assassination attempt targeting right-wing main opposition
party of New Democracy parliament deputy Vasilis Michaloliakos was
the work of American secret services.
The US State Department spokesman stated that the allegations
based on which, the United States in a way were involved in a
terrorist attempt against a member of the Greek parliament are
absolutely absurd. He said that the US government will not enter
any kind of a dialogue with a terrorist organization and added
that the US cooperates with the Greek authorities to bring to
justice those responsible for such actions.
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