Browse through our Collection of Greek Indexers for: FTP Servers, Libraries & WWW Sites Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-08-27

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, August 27, 2001

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] PASOK'S EXECUTIVE OFFICE MEETS AT NOON
  • [02] LIVANELI AND FARANTOURI SING FOR BALKAN BROTHERHOOD
  • [03] 1 IN 3 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DROPS OUT
  • [04] CHRISTODOULAKIS: GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUPS
  • [05] ZULFI LIVANELI STATEMENTS TO THE MPA
  • [06] WORLD CHAMPION FOR A THIRD TIME
  • [07] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASED BY 1.12% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 2001
  • [08] NIKOS KAKLAMANAKIS IS THE WORLD CHAMPION IN THE MISTRAL CATEGORY
  • [09] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE
  • [10] REPPAS: THE COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES IS DIVISIVE
  • [11] KARAMANLIS CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE REGULATION ON THE ID CARDS
  • [12] THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW
  • [13] REPPAS: NATO'S MISSION IN FYROM HAS A PEACEFUL CHARACTER
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [14] THE ENTHRONING OF THE JERUSALEM PATRIARCH
  • [15] MILO: RELATIONS WITH GREECE ARE OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR ALBANIA
  • [16] TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] PASOK'S EXECUTIVE OFFICE MEETS AT NOON

    The first session of PASOK's Executive Office after the summer holidays, will be conducted today at 12:30, presided over by Prime Minister Simitis. The E.C. will discuss preparations for the Central Committee's conference on August 31, Kostas Simitis' visit to Thessaloniki for the 66th TIF, PASOK's course towards its congress, as well as current political issues.

    [02] LIVANELI AND FARANTOURI SING FOR BALKAN BROTHERHOOD

    The voices of Maria Farantouri and Zulfi Livaneli were joined once again in Thsessaloniki last night, to send a message of Greek- Turkish friendship to the large crowd that had completely filled Aristotelous square, in order to attend the concert, which was the official opening of the "Balkan Square" events in Greece, organized by the Municipality of Neapoli.

    Maria Farantouri and Zulfi Livaneli, in their second concert together, after one in 1982 in Palais des Sports, performed well known songs by Mikis Theodorakis and Zulfi Livaneli, while the concert began with some of Livaneli's songs.

    In his speech before the concert, the Mayor of Neapoli, Grigoris Hatzisavvas, pointed out that it sent a message of peace, brotherhood, and cooperation between Balkan people, in times when, unfortunately, they are in the spotlight because religious and national differences cause confrontations. It should be noted that for the next organization of the "Balkan Square", Mr. Hatzisavvas and the Mayor of Kousantasi, Turkey, Fouat Akdogan, are organizing a concert in Kousantasi.

    The Ministers of Culture of Albania and Bosnia -Herzegovina, the mayors of Kousantasi, Pantsevo and Prigientor, spokespersons of the Ministries of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, consuls of all Balkan countries, the President of the Anadolu Press Agency as well as young spokespersons of countries participating in the Balkan Square, reached the concert area, after an impressive torchlight procession for peace.

    It is noted that present at the event were the Minister of Culture, Evaggelos Venizelos, whom held a reception before the concert for the Balkan Officials, the Minister of Macedonia- Thrace, Giorgos Paschalidis, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, Thessaloniki MPs for PASOK Giannis Magriotis and Haris Kastanidis, Thessaloniki MP for New Democracy, Giorgos Orfanos, and Thessaloniki MP for the Coalition of the Left, Asimina Xyrotiri.

    Awards for Greek Turkish friendship were given by the MPA and the Anadolu Press Agency.

    Before the beginning of the concert, the awards instituted by the Macedonian Press Agency and the Anadolu Press Agency for Greek- Turkish Friendship, in an attempt to demolish the walls between the two people, were presented. The awards are to be presented every year, and the first to receive the honor were Maria Farantouri and Zulfi Livaneli. The distinguished composer, Mikis Theodorakis, was also awarded, but was unable to attend and will receive his award in a future event. Honorary plaques were presented to the Mayor of Neapoli, Grigori Hatzisavva, and the mayor of Kousantasi, Fouat Aktogan. Awards were presented to Turks by the President of the Macedonian Press Agency, Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos, and to Greeks by the General Director of the Anadolu Press Agency, Mehmet Giouler.

    The Mayor of Neapoli honored Zulfi Livaneliand the Mayor of Kousantasi, Fouat Akntogan, while during the concert he announced that Mikis Theodorakis had been declared honorary citizen of the Municipality of Neapoli.

    [03] 1 IN 3 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DROPS OUT

    One in three university students in Higher or Technical Schools, drops out of his studies, according to information given by the Statistical Service of the Ministry of Education. As an article in "Ta Nea" newspaper reveals, the constantly rising unemployment in University Graduates as well as the uncertain employment future, are the most significant factors leading University students to dropping out of their studies.

    When examining the number of students admitted to Higher and Technical Schools, and the number of graduates, it is discerned that about 4.000 students drop out completely. If the average of admitted students for the 1995-97 period was 50.000, in the 1999- 2001 period, the number of graduates was 34.000. At the same time, while in 1987-1991 the number of students admitted was 43.000, the number of graduates during the 1991-1995 period, was no more than 28.000

    At the same time, only 1 in 2 students -about 142.000 students- can be characterized as "active", meaning that he attends semesters regularly, while another 143.000 students are "non-active", as they are beyond the normal time limit in which a student should complete his studies, whether that student has delayed his graduation or has completely dropped out of his studies.

    [04] CHRISTODOULAKIS: GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUPS

    The support of certain social groups with generous sums, so that a there is a substantial possibility of change in their lives, is considered more important by the Minister of Development, Nikos Chrostodoulakis, than small raises in allowances, as he stated today i n an interview with the "Ta Nea" newspaper.

    "We cannot have social policy by giving out breadcrumbs to many, without standards", noted the Minister of Development and underlined that the support of certain social groups should be achieved without "cutting down the EMU tree" which supports social policy.

    The Minister of Development, supports the continuation of privatizations and the promotion of new structural changes, such as the creation of a large wave of business mergers.

    Also, Mr. Christodoulakis pointed out that the PASOK congress will agree on the right analogy between developmental and social policy.

    [05] ZULFI LIVANELI STATEMENTS TO THE MPA

    After the great success of the concert for Greek-Turkish friendship and Balkan brotherhood that took place last night in Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki, the Turkish artist, Zulfi Livaneli, stated to the MPA that he and Maria Farantouri are thinking of recording a new album.

    Furthermore, he expressed great contentment that Greek artists such as Giorgos Dalaras and Alkistis Protopsalti perform his songs, while he stated he was happy to be back in Thessaloniki, 19 years after the last concert he had with Maria Farantouri in the "Palais des Sports".

    He stressed, that he strongly supports Greek-Turkish friendship with his long cooperation with Maria Farantouri and added that the message of the concert in Aristotelous Square is the fraternization of Balkan people.

    [06] WORLD CHAMPION FOR A THIRD TIME

    Nikos Kaklamanakis found himself at the top of the world once more this morning, after the penultimate race of the World Windsurfing Championship Mistral, which was held in the sea track of Varkiza. In fact, the Greek champion and world championship title holder didn't even have to go to the trouble of going to the last race, since he has already gained first place with a great difference between himself and the Polish Premek Miarzinski and the French Fabris Hassen.

    [07] INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASED BY 1.12% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 2001

    A drop of 0.5% was recorded in industrial production in the month of May 2001 compared to the same month in 2000, according to figures provided by the Greek National Statistics Agency.

    In the first five months of 2001, the industrial production index showed an increase of 1.12% compared to the same period last year, while the industrial production decline that started in March is due to the big slowdown in the Euro-zone economic activity.

    The biggest drop in the January-May period was recorded in the office equipment and computers' production (94%), the production of oil and coal products (10.3%) and chemical products (5.8%).

    [08] NIKOS KAKLAMANAKIS IS THE WORLD CHAMPION IN THE MISTRAL CATEGORY

    Greek wind-surf champion Nikos Kaklamanakis is at the top place of the world in the Mistral category. He won the gold medal in the Mistral World Championship that was held in Varkiza, Athens.

    Kaklamanakis did not bother to compete in the last race as he had already secured the title of the champion.

    [09] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

    Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to 1.58% at 2.787,38 points, while the volume of transactions was notably increased compared to the previous sessions at 154.5 million Euro or 52.64 billion drachmas.

    Of the stocks trading today, 289 recorded gains and 48 had losses, while the value of 38 stocks remained stable.

    [10] REPPAS: THE COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES IS DIVISIVE

    The government's stance that the issue of the state-issued identity cards has closed after the State Council decision on the matter, was reiterated by government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    Mr. Reppas stated that the stance adopted by certain heads of the Church is extreme and characterized the collection of signatures as a divisive action.

    He said that the Church-State relations cannot be monopolized by the identity cards issue and added that a request by the Archbishop for a meeting with the prime minister will be seen positively.

    [11] KARAMANLIS CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE REGULATION ON THE ID CARDS

    An appeal to the prime minister to accept the adoption of a legislative regulation on the optional listing of the bearer's religion on the state-issued identity cards, was made by right- wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

    In statements he made, Mr. Karamanlis accused the prime minister of using false dilemmas to attack the Church, adding that he does not hesitate to divide society.

    Mr. Karamanlis stated that the government is responsible for the identity cards issue because of its arrogant behavior and also because it has refused a dialogue with the Church in an arbitrary way and without a reason. Mr. Karamanlis also added that no identity card issue was raised by the European Union.

    The New Democracy leader stated that his party submitted a proposal for a draft law which however, was rejected by the government and expressed the stance that the legislative regulation of the matter is the only solution.

    [12] THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW

    Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece will announce tomorrow morning the exact number of signatures collected by the Church of Greece within the framework of its campaign calling for a referendum to be held on the optional listing of the bearer's religion on the state-issued identity cards.

    Meanwhile, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece met today to examine both the identity cards issue and the crisis in the Church-State relations.

    Holy Synod spokesman Metropolite Efstathios of Sparta wished for a good development on the identity cards issue.

    When asked to comment on the statements made by Archbishop Christodoulos that were regarded as a personal attack against the prime minister, he said that the Archbishop did not refer to the prime minister but to the qualities a leader should have.

    [13] REPPAS: NATO'S MISSION IN FYROM HAS A PEACEFUL CHARACTER

    The deployment of NATO forces in FYROM, in which participate and Greek soldiers as well, has a peaceful character stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who reminded that the decision for their deployment was made by the alliance at the request of FYROM president Boris Trajkovski.

    Mr. Reppas expressed the Greek government's wish that all parties will display consistency and a sense of responsibility for the implementation of the decisions and the return of calm to the neighboring state.

    The Greek soldiers are based at FYROM's Krivolak army camp where the weapons of the Albanian rebels will be gathered.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [14] THE ENTHRONING OF THE JERUSALEM PATRIARCH

    On Saturday September 15, at 12 noon, the ceremony for the enthronement of the Jerusalem Patriarch, Irineos, will take place in the Church of the Resurrection.

    The Patriarch has already received the royal referendum of his acknowledgment from the Prime Minister of Jordan - King Abdala was absent -, while in the next few days similar replies are expected from the Israel government and the Palestinian authorities.

    According to information, the intention of being present at the ceremony, has been expressed by the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece, Christodoulos, the Patriarch of Alexandria, Peter, and heads of all Balkans Orthodox churches.

    The Patriarchy is still waiting for the reply of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew, and the Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia, Alexios.

    [15] MILO: RELATIONS WITH GREECE ARE OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR ALBANIA

    Albanian foreign minister Paskal Milo, in statements he made to the Albanian state television in Tirana on the occasion of his recent meeting in the northwestern Greek city of Florina with his Balkan counterparts within the framework of the "Prespes 2001" events, underlined that his country sees as very important its relations with Greece.

    Albania's relations with Greece were and will be of strategic importance not because Greece is a neighboring country but because it is an EU member and plays a significant role in the Balkans, stated characteristically Mr. Milo.

    [16] TURKEY: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

    An increase in tortures and human rights violations was recorded in Turkey in the first half of 2001 compared to the same period in 1999 and 2000, according to a report by the Human Rights Union that was presented by its president Hosnu Odiul.

    Based on the figures included in the report, 435 people of the 21.812 in detention, reported that they suffered torture, while in the same period in 1999 were made 334 such reports and 263 in 2000.

    Also, Mr. Odiul stated that the prosecutors have called for prison sentences totaling 375 years in the first half of 1999, 813 years in the same period in 2000 and 3.125 years in 2001, to be imposed on individuals accused of offenses that are related with the freedom of expression.


    Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    mpegr2html v1.01a run on Thursday, 13 September 2001 - 13:12:04 UTC