MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (22/07/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, July 22, 1996

TITLES

[01] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER DENOUNCES DEFAMATION OF HELLENIKON AIRPORT

[02] EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO DECIDE TODAY ON MEAT EXPORTS BAN

[03] GREEK ATHLETE WINS OLYMPIC GAMES SILVER MEDAL IN WEIGHTLIFTING

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER DENOUNCES DEFAMATION OF HELLENIKON AIRPORT

Thessaloniki, July 22(M.P.A.)

"Greece will react strongly against this libelous campaign," stated the Minister and added that "foreign media have proceeded to shamelessly defame the Greek airport and its security, thereby developing a 'black propaganda.' Today, the Greek government will simply express its sadness, but later will proceed to specific intiatives."

According to Mr. Kastanides, Greece's Civil Aviation Authority -following the relevant investigations by the United States - will file criminal and civil claims against the defaming media in their countries.

Yesterday US Vice-President Al Gore, during a television interview, admitted that security measures in the American airports are not always up to par, while two French journalists revealed that two days after the fall of TWA's Boeing 747 on Wednesday, they were able to sneak into New York's Kennedy International Airport and pass through 25 doors prior to arriving at TWA's boarding area without being checked.

Moreover, US magazine Newsweek, in this week's issue, writes that according to a confidential report, security measures at many US airports are lax. Specifically, it reports that in 1993 and 1995 secret control units where able to sneak into supposedly high- security areas.

[02] EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO DECIDE TODAY ON MEAT EXPORTS BAN

Brussels, July 22 (M.P.A.)

The Committee will examine the dangers of the disease's spread, as well as the current status, following the preventive measures drawn by the Greek Agriculture Ministry and the report submitted by the EU veterinarians who visited the area and examined the stricken animals.

On July 12, the Committee had enforced upon Greece an eight- day ban on all meat exports as well as on unprocessed dairy products.

[03] GREEK ATHLETE WINS OLYMPIC GAMES SILVER MEDAL IN WEIGHTLIFTING

Atlanta, July 22 (M.P.A.)

The silver medalist competed in the 59-kilos category and came second to Chinese gold medalist Tang Ving Seng who picked up 307,5 kilos, thereby instituting a new world record.

Swimmer Tonia Mahaira broke twice the panhellenic record in freestyle 200m and came 14th in the final countdown.

Rowing athlete Tonia Svier made it to the preliminaries of tomorrow's simple skiffing, while the national gymnastics team is currently in the 11th position. The national water polo team was defeated yesterday by the US with a 9-7 score.

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