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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2002-09-19Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY Thessaloniki, September 19, 2002 SECTIONS
NEWS HEADLINES[A] NATIONAL NEWS[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS[A] NATIONAL NEWSThey will inspect construction projects, Olympic functions and the hospitality program. The regular visit of the IOC's Coordination Committee, headed by Dennis Oswald, is scheduled to take place in early November. During that visit, Olympic progress in all sectors will be inspected. Meanwhile, works for the Olympics continue, and yesterday the Olympic Boxing Center was officially presented, with Ministers of the Environment, Planning and Public Works and Culture, Vasso Papandreou and Evaggelos Venizelos, present. In statements to the press, the Minister of Culture expressed his belief that the Olympic Boxing Center will be an excellent site and will welcome approximately 8,500 people, while he added that a post Olympic use for the site has been secured. "The Olympics are a real modernization plan for the entire country, they concern all municipalities of Attica and Greece. Everything we say is put into practice in cooperation with local government, when there is a local government that knows how to make specific and applicable proposals", stressed Mr. Venizelos. On her side, Mrs. Papandreou underlined that the Olympic works in Peristeri will contribute to the area's sports infrastructure. Last week, the Thessaloniki three-member Magistrate's Court acquitted two Internet Cafe owners, considering the new law "banning entertainment games on the Internet" unconstitutional. The appeal provoked the reaction of the Union of "Northern Greece Internet Cafe Owners", who announced that they will press charges against public services that own computers with entertainment programs as part of their software package. When other Europeans state that the problems they are most concerned with are unemployment and crime, Greeks are worried - at least it is at the top of their list - about the ESY. This impressive result points out the dissatisfaction of Greeks with the ESY's effectiveness, and is a result of European research carried out by the Eurobarometer in cooperation with the London School of Economics. It should be noted that the research w as completed recently, in fact when terrorism, specifically "November 17", was the main issue in the news. Unemployment and crime are still the two most important problems for Europeans, while Greece's number one problem is its Health System. Specifically, Greeks are worried about Greece's National Health System at 13.2%, in contrast to the European average, which is 9.6%. It is characteristic that 4 out of 10 Greeks support that the health system should be the first priority of the government's budget, when the average in Europe is 3 out of 10. Meanwhile, police investigations aiming at locating more N17 member suspects have yielded no results. The evidence from the hideouts has been analyzed, however nothing of importance that could form charges against new suspects has been found. According to information, the members of the Executive Office characterized the Iraq issue crucial, and pointed out that the US are preparing a one sided intervention, something Greece, as well as other EU countries, disagrees with, seeking a solution in UN frameworks. The result of the Swedish elections, where the Social Democrats won, was also considered important. As far as the German elections are concerned, they mentioned that outcome of the battle between the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats is still uncertain. During the meeting it was stressed that the situation in Turkey is fluid and it was pointed out that Greece would continue its efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue. Furthermore, it was underlined that the effort to eradicate terrorism will continue all the way, and the tactics followed by N17 suspects, trying to give their actions a political role, were castigated. Inflation was characterized as serious problem, since it is 1.5% higher than the EU average. It was noted however that there would be a gradual decrease of inflation, as long as there are no surprises, such as an attack on Iraq, which would have signific ant effects on oil prices. Finally, it was stressed that state mechanisms must be mobilized to retain price levels. be replaced with the number 6 starting on January 19, 2003. There will be no change in the three digit emergency phone numbers. Also, there will be no adjustment period and those who make calls by using the old system will listen to a taped message that will inform them of the change. Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stated that this meeting is being held in a very important period for the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that it is placed within the framework of the intense consultations between UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and his adviser in view of the new meeting Mr. Annan will have with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York on October 3-4. According to the Athens Observatory and the University of Patras Seismology Laboratory the epicenter of the earthquake was at a sea region, 5 kilometers south of Vartholomio between Kilini and Zakynthos at a depth of 22 kilometers. The earthquake was felt in the prefecture of Ilia and the Ionian Sea islands. No damages were reported. predicted that the situation will deteriorate as the United States most likely will invade Iraq. However, he underlined that the Greek economy will withstand the shock waves. Statements on the decisions reached by the government aimed at dealing with the price hikes will be made by Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos. The cabinet also discussed the suggestion concerning the issuing of 1 and 2 Euro bank notes. The general index recorded significant losses today and dropped to -1.57% at 1.868,74 points, while the volume of transactions was at 117 million Euro. Of the stocks trading today, the majority of 227 recorded losses and 81 had gains, while the value of 67 stocks remained unchanged. The cabinet approved the issuing of invoices by producers, while there will be suggested prices for water and other 40 consumer goods and the Competitiveness Committee will become more active. Among the goods that will have a suggested price will be oliv e oil, cheeses, dairy products and pasta. There will be stricter controls in the distribution of farm products, the economic crime police will intensify its inspections and a Price Watch for about 190 products and services will be established. Also, it was decided that the prices of products and services will be publicized at a local level. The European Commission approval, which is expected to be issued in the first 10 days of October, is a necessary precondition to implement the suggested price measure. [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS"It is well known that we warmly support the enlargement prospect, as a major step for the final reunification of Europe. And of course the accession of 10 new member-states, including the Republic of Cyprus, is a decisive step in the direction towards E uropean completion. An accession which must take place according to agreements, without exclusions, footnotes, and last minute exceptions", stated Mr. Karamanlis. "It is, also, certain, that as the European family enlarges, there will be problems which must be faced. I would like to note that the issues of funds and decision making must be dealt with in thoroughly. In any case, we believe that the goal for the EU is real convergence. We believe that the citizens of Greece and Cyprus are allowed and must have the prosperity and security that other EU citizens enjoy", he added. According to information by the Cypriot News Agency, CNA, the territorial issue will be discussed in the two remaining meetings before the new meeting UN secretary-general Kofi Annan will have with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot l eader Rauf Denktash in New York on October 3-4. Meanwhile, UN secretary-general special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will visit Athens and Ankara to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey. Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |