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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2002-01-18

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 Thessaloniki, January 18, 2001

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] SIMITIS ON GREEK FOREIGN POLICY UNTIL 2004
  • [02] BORDER GUARD SHOT IN DRUG GUN FIGHT
  • [03] PAPANDREOU-KONSTANTOPOULOS MEETING
  • [04] NEW MEAT MARKET IN 18 MONTHS
  • [05] ELINIKO AIRPORT PERMANENTLY CLOSED
  • [06] PROSECUTION DISMISSAL OF THE "PAPER HOUSES"
  • [07] SMALL LOSSES FOR THE BANKS IF THE DEAL FAILS
  • [08] COALITION PRESIDENT IN THESSALONIKI
  • [09] CUTBACKS IN 4500 TOURIST AGENCIES
  • [10] PLAN FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS ON GREECE
  • [11] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL MOVE AHEAD WITHOUT COMPROMISES
  • [12] PAPANDREOU ON ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS
  • [13] NO DEAD ENDS IN THE FREE MARKET
  • [14] THREE BILLION DOLLARS, THE NEW TARGET FOR THE GREEK-TURKISH TRADE
  • [15] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE
  • [16] PROTOPAPAS: TURKEY ATTEMPTS A DIVERSION
  • [17] THE MAYORS OF THE ADRIATIC AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
  • [18] PAPANTONIOU: TURKEY SYSTEMATICALLY DISPUTES THE GREEK SOVEREIGN RIGHTS IN THE AEGEAN
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    NEWS IN DETAILS

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] SIMITIS ON GREEK FOREIGN POLICY UNTIL 2004 The axes and goals of Greek foreign policy until 2004, were examined at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, presided over by Kostas Simitis, who immediately following it, commented: "The time has come for our requests to be granted".

    The Prime Minister pointed out that the new year has found our country's international position strengthened, a development, as he said, established during his trip to Washington.

    At the same time, he set the EU enlargement and Cyprus' incorporation as his priorities, saying that Greece has the political will, as well as the institutional potential to promote it, while he pointed out that any positive developments in the Cyprus is sue, will contribute to the atmosphere of trust between Greece and Turkey.

  • [02] BORDER GUARD SHOT IN DRUG GUN FIGHT 30-year-old border guard Dimitris Kouros, is in the Ioannina University Hospital and in stable condition, after being wounded by gunfire from Albanian drug smugglers.

    The incident took place at 5pm, when a group of 5 border guards had set up an ambush in the Drymades region of Ioannina, for the location of Albanian illegal immigrants and drug smugglers.

    The officers saw two individuals and called them to surrender, but they opened fire with AK-47 assault rifles. This resulted in the wounding of the 30-year-old in the right knee. The two Albanians managed to escape, but were forced to leave two sacks con taining 300 pounds of cannabis at the scene.

  • [03] PAPANDREOU-KONSTANTOPOULOS MEETING The President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos, met with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou this morning, in order for Mr. Konstantopoulos to be briefed on the Prime Minister's visit to the US, and his meeting with US President George

    Bush Jr. Also, Greece's position on international terrorism was discussed.

    On Monday, Mr. Papandreou will inform the Presidents of DIKKI, Dimitris Tsovolas, and Politiki Anixi, Antonis Samaras.

  • [04] NEW MEAT MARKET IN 18 MONTHS Consumers will have to be patient for at least 18 months, since that is how long it will take to construct the new Athens Central Meat Market, which is part of the 3rd Communal Support Framework (funds of 13.2 million euro have been authorized). In the m eantime, there will be temporary improvements, so that a minimum level of hygienic fuinctioning may be kept in the Redi Market. The above was announced at a broad meeting called by deputy Minister of Development, Ch. Theodorou.
  • [05] ELINIKO AIRPORT PERMANENTLY CLOSED The functioning of Elliniko airport will be permanently stopped on January 31. The issue was discussed during yesterday's meeting, which took place at the airport, with the participation of all bodies that are based at the Elliniko (EKAB, Greek Police, F ire Department, Air Clubs and private parties).
  • [06] PROSECUTION DISMISSAL OF THE "PAPER HOUSES" Another criminal prosecution concerning the deaths of tenants during the collapse of the "paper houses" in the 7/9/99 earthquake was dismissed, due to statutory limitations. The Magistrates' Court of Athens Council (5606/01), ruled that the murder with i ntent and possible malice etc. that the owners, civil engineer and contractor of the collapsed building, in which 16 people died, had been charged with, are dismissed.
  • [07] SMALL LOSSES FOR THE BANKS IF THE DEAL FAILS The appreciation that a possible fall through in the Ethiniki-Alpha merger would not only not be the end of the world for the two banks, but that it might even rekindle investors' interest in the two banks, which will then be dealt with separately, is be ing expressed by foreign analysts.

    This appreciation may in fact have be true for many foreign investment firms, since at yesterday's session of the ASE, the stocks of both banks noted important gains and a large bulk of sales, as well as many buys from abroad took place.

    In the meantime, certain foreign analysts propose an Alpha Bank shares for a quick profit, since the scenarios of another deal are expected to boost the stock's price, which is undervalued anyway.

    It should be noted that in last July, the scenarios of an alliance with the French BNP resulted in profits of 18% for Alpha stocks, according to analysts.

    However, Alpha Bank's head economist, G. Provopoulos, stated that the rumors of a discussions with other banks at this point in time are false. "At this time we have no "parallel negotiations" with anyone", he stated.

  • [08] COALITION PRESIDENT IN THESSALONIKI The President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos, will be in Thessaloniki tomorrow. In the morning he will visit his godson, Manolis, at the "St. Sophia" gypsy compound in Diavata, while in the afternoon he will cut a new year's pie in t he Thessaloniki party offices.

    On Sunday morning an event-discussion will take place on: "The Left today: Problems and prospects", which is organized by the Renewing Consolidation of the Coalition. Among the speakers will be Mihalis Papagiannakis and Petros Kounalakis.

  • [09] CUTBACKS IN 4500 TOURIST AGENCIES 4500 tourist agencies all over Greece will move to cut backs, firing personnel, since they have not received the necessary support. At the same time, they stated that they will be forced to move to seasonal hiring, after the serious, crucial and urgent p roblems the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US have caused, threatening the future of the entire field.

    Many businesses, based on this announcement, have already pulled down the rolls, while there are also many in danger of having to suspend their work. Under these circumstances, the need to give motives in order for the employees not to be fired, with sup port subsidies, is immediate.

    The Greek Tourist Agencies, having exhausted all their patience, appeal to the government to realize the true dimensions of the field's problem, as well as the consequences any inactivity may have, and to take measures immediately.

  • [10] PLAN FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS ON GREECE The existence of a plan for terrorist attacks on Greece, was revealed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou citing information given to Athens by foreign secret services which have interrogated members of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda. The possibl e targets are not identified.

    Meanwhile, a video found in Afghanistan, with incriminating evidence for al-Qaeda, was given to publicity by the US authorities late yesterday evening. Members of al-Qaeda appear on the video and admit that they were trained to attack foreign leaders, in

    a camp of the specific terrorist organization in Afghanistan.

  • [11] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL MOVE AHEAD WITHOUT COMPROMISES The government's determination to move forward without any compromises when facing market blackmail or other interests, was expressed by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in the governing Socialist Party of PASOK Central Committee meeting.

    Mr. Simitis stressed that the course will be forward to safeguard not only the country's present but its future as well.

    He referred to the results of his visit to the United States while on the local elections he said that they are a political showdown and PASOK is opening up to society aiming at the mobilization of the majority of the Greek people to support a policy of modernization.

    Mr. Simitis attacked the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy accusing it of lies, mud slinging and hypocrisy.

  • [12] PAPANDREOU ON ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou denied the statements made yesterday by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on allegedly secret talks he had with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem aimed at finding a formula on the Aegean that will satisfy bot h sides.

    Mr. Papandreou stated that a Greek-Turkish dialogue is underway for the past two years, stressing that Greece's positions are publicized, while he also underlined that all political parties, the parliament and the Greek people have been briefed on them.

    Meanwhile, Turkish aircraft have violated again the Greek airspace. Yesterday, 25 Turkish fighter jets violated the Greek airspace at the northern and southeastern Aegean.

    Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou pointed out that Turkey systematically disputes the Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean and underlined that the Greek positions are clear and firm, adding that the Greek armed forces are in a state of readiness.

  • [13] NO DEAD ENDS IN THE FREE MARKET The issue of the merger of the National Bank of Greece, ETE, with Alpha Bank concerns exclusively the managements of the two banks, stated Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, adding that the specific issue was not discussed in his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

    The two banks have expressed their intention to merge and soon they will reach a decision, said Mr. Christodoulakis, adding that there are no dead ends in the free market.

    ETE and Alpha Bank governors, Theodoros Karatzas and Yiannis Kostopoulos, met at noon today at the ETE offices, followed by the meeting of the ETE Board of Directors which, according to information, will authorize Mr. Karatzas to handle the issue of the

    merger taking under consideration the bank's interests.

    In the meeting of the Prime Minister with the Minister of Finance were discussed issues that concern the country's overall economic policy. Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that 2002 will be a year during which the adoption of the Euro will coincide with the

    true convergence of the Greek economy.

    Referring to inflation, he pointed out that the inflationary pressures will continue mainly as a result of the extreme weather conditions, the price hikes in fresh fruits and vegetables and the increased fuel prices compared to last year. However, he sta ted that the average inflation in 2002 will be much lower compared to last year.

    Referring to the structural changes, Mr. Christodoulakis stated that they will be accelerated in 2002, adding that the major reforms on the social security system and taxation will move ahead.

  • [14] THREE BILLION DOLLARS, THE NEW TARGET FOR THE GREEK-TURKISH TRADE About 60 Greek businesses are expected to be in operation in Turkey by this summer taking advantage of the economic crisis in the neighboring country and the devaluation of the Turkish currency to create a business infrastructure basis in order to be abl e to establish business branches in the country. The above were stated by Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce president Panagiotis Koutsikos in the opening of the 2nd Ready-to-wear Clothing and Leather Exhibition "Turkish Fashion" in Thessaloniki.

    Mr. Koutsikos also stated that the Greek banks were the only ones to back Turkey in its economic crisis. He said characteristically that when the foreign banks were closing their branches in Turkey, the National Bank of Greece funded the Turkish banks wi th the sum of US$500 million.

    The year 2000 was the best concerning the trade balance between Greece and Turkey as the volume of the trade transactions between the two countries approached the US$1 billion mark recording an increase of 300% compared to 1999. Mr. Koutsikos stressed th at the goal set is for the trade transactions volume to reach US$3 billion in the following years.

  • [15] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Sock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.07% at 2.559,94 points, while the volume of transactions was 127.8 million Euro or 43.5 billion drachmas.

    Of the stocks trading today, 103 recorded gains and 209 had losses, while the value of 48 stocks remained unchanged.

  • [16] PROTOPAPAS: TURKEY ATTEMPTS A DIVERSION Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that Turkey attempts to make a diversion in its effort to deal with the dead ends created by its intransigence. He made the statements when he was called to comment on Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ec evit's statements made yesterday regarding allegedly equal rights in the Aegean and the rejection of The Hague court procedure.

    Mr. Protopapas stated that the Greek policy is firm on major issues and the initiatives undertaken will lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem and other major national issues.

  • [17] THE MAYORS OF THE ADRIATIC AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION The mayors of the Adriatic Sea cities issued a resolution on the problem of illegal immigration in their meeting in the southern Greek city of Patras.

    The mayors call for the immediate legislative intervention of the European Union concerning the economic refugees issue and the financial support for their temporary accommodation.

    The meeting attended the mayor of Patras Evangelos Floratos, Igumenitsa Andreas Dais and Ankona, Italy Fabius Turani.

  • [18] PAPANTONIOU: TURKEY SYSTEMATICALLY DISPUTES THE GREEK SOVEREIGN RIGHTS IN THE AEGEAN Turkey systematically disputes the Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean, stated Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou when he was called to comment on the Turkish demarche concerning the landing of Greek fighter jets on the northeastern Greek island of

    Limnos which is regarded by Ankara as demilitarized region.

    Mr. Papantoniou stated that Greece's positions are firm and the Greek armed forces are in a state of readiness. He said that this message must be sent to every direction and should be the basis for the right policy of rapprochement and cooperation with T urkey, reiterating that the Greek sovereign rights must be totally respected.

  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS


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