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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 96-11-20Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCYThessaloniki, November 20, 1996TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER CONTINUES TOUR OF CANADANovember 20 (M.P.A.)A significant initiative that will promote greek-canadian economic and trade relations was undertaken by Montreal's municipality through the establishment of "Montreal International", a project that aims to invigorate local economy and give an impetus to Canadian businessmen from various nationalities to proceed to investments in the countries of their origin.Montreal Mayor Pierre Bourquet announced the establishment of seven consulting offices, one of which will represent the Greek businessmen, during his meeting with the Minister of Macedonia- Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos. Heading the greek consulting office will be the president of the Greek-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Eleni Stavridou who already holds in her portfolio four multinational canadian companies that are interested in business ventures at northern Greece, mainly in the sectors of telecommunications, hydro-electric projects and transportation. Following her meeting with Mr. Petsalnikos, Ms. Stavridou told the Macedonian Press Agency that these companies are Teleglobe-Telesystem, Bell Canada, Hydro Quebec, all of which are active in telecommunications and hydro-electric projects, as well as Borbardier, a company that has displayed marked interest in participating at the construction of Thessaloniki's metro. According to Ms. Stavridou, a Treasury Fund will also be established in order to cover the Canada-based greek businesses, as well as also canadian businesses active in Greece. The Treasury's starting capital is estimated at being 50 milion dollars. On other matters, the Montreal Municipality will actively participate in the events to take place in Thessaloniki next year under the "Thessaloniki: Cultural Capital of Europe '97" manifestations. Mr. Bourquet, who visited Thessaloniki in May, expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of a collaboration between Montreal and Thessaloniki and announced that, specifically for this aim, a committee of Greek-Canadians has been formed in Montreal. Mr. Petsalnikos expressed his concerns to the Mayor over the cutbacks the Canadian state is rumored to proceed to, regarding schools that feature greek language lessons. Mr. Bourquet assured the Minister that he will support the greek interest in every possible way. [02] TURKISH POLICE TORTURE CHILDREN, ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL AMNESTYLondon, November 20 (M.P.A.)A report published today by the International Amnesty contains accounts of blatant violations of human rights and acts of torture performed on young children by the turkish police.According to the international organization's report, the number of young children who are incarcerated and tortured by the turkish police is steadily rising. The publication contains reports of young children who, during the last four years, died or disappeared while being held in jail. Also, there are reports of young children having been killed during bombing raids on kurdish camps by Turkey's Air Force. Among the torture methods reported to have been used on children are electrical shock, beating, sexual abuse and sousing with freezing-cold water. The report also mentions that 12-year-old children who were arrested for a minor offense were subjected to torture and abuse while they were held in custody. According to one account, two turkish policemen who were charged with abusing a minor were released after paying a fine of 2,000 drachmas (about $8). According to BBC, the report constitutes yet another record of Turkey's flagrant disregard for human rights and is expected to bring Necmettin Erbakan's government in a difficult position. Europe's doors will remain closed for Turkey as long as this country disrepects democratic principles and human rights, BBC opined. [03] FILM ON PARTHENON MARBLES SHOWN IN PARISParis, November 20 (M.P.A.)A film on the Parthenon Marbles, produced by British journalist W.J. Steward, was screened in Paris, under a joint initiative taken by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Greece's permanent representatives in UNESCO, in commemoration of the 55th Summit of the Advisory Committee of the Internaitonal Council of Museums.Prior to the screening the director of the Ministry's Antiquities Department relayed a message by the Greek Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos who stated that the return of the Parthenon Marbles is of utmost significance for Greece's culture. Mr. Venizelos also recognized the film as an important contribution in the efforts to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece from the British Museum where they are currently housed. Mr. Steward, present at the screening stated that he will be happy if his film aids in the return of the Marbles to Athens. [04] ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES BID COMMITTEE'S PRESIDENT IN NEW YORKNew York, November 20 (M.P.A.)The President of the Athens 2004 Bid Committee Yianna Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki showcased Greece's arguments and strategy for hosting the Olympic Games, during a press conference in New York."Presenting our historical ties with the Olympic spirit will not suffice," Ms. Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki stated, adding that today's Athens is a modern and dynamic city, currently featuring many restructure projects which are close to meeting their targets long before the year 2004. Moreover, the Committee's President stated that Athens has nothing to be jealous of when compared to the other ten cities coveting the Games, in regards to transportation and telecommunications, and added that, according to Interpol data, the city is considered to be among the safest since it has a low crime rate. Ms. Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki also pointed out that Athens' sports infrastructure is almost complete, as well as its training arenas, which meet the highest standards imposed by international athletic associations. [05] F.R.Y.: LOCAL ELECTIONS TO BE RE-HELD IN SOME CITIES, OPPOSITION CRIES FOULBelgrade, November 20 (M.P.A.)The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Central Returning Board has nullified the local elections results in quite a few of the country's electoral centers where the center-right coalition "Zayendno" (Together) gathered majority votes.A wave of juxtaposition has erupted, with "Zayendno" officials reacting strongly and contesting the fact that the elections will be re-held only in those municipalities it won. The Central Returning Board decided to re-hold the voting procedure after a number of objections were filed by citizens and political parties reporting a series of abnormalities in the election process. Among the cities to re-hold the elections are Nis, the secod largest city in F.R.Y., and Belgrade, the capital. Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |