Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-08-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] REPPAS: THE DEFICIT OF DEMOCRACY IN TURKEY IS EVIDENT

[02] THOUSANDS OF FARM ANIMALS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN EVROS

[03] NEW US ALLEGATIONS ON TERRORISM IN GREECE

[04] LOSSES OF 1.59% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[05] STRONG REACTION TO THE CEM STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY

[06] THE ISLAND OF RHODES IN BEING "INVADED" BY TURKISH TOURISTS

[07] THE SPOT WHERE ACHILLES KILLED HECTOR WAS LOCATED IN THE SITE OF

[01] REPPAS: THE DEFICIT OF DEMOCRACY IN TURKEY IS EVIDENT

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas spoke of a deficit of democracy in Turkey on the occasion of the allegations made by Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem on Greece's policy toward the minorities in an interview to the Italian newspaper "La Stampa".

Mr. Reppas stated that Turkey must be reconciled with the idea that it is not alone in this world, adding that it must harmonize with the international legal order and respect the rules of law and international treaties that determine behaviors and relations. He said that the evident deficit in democracy in Turkey must be dealt with by making brave changes and decisions.

Mr. Reppas pointed out that a historic account of the minority policies followed by the two countries would have been overwhelming for Turkey as such an account is sad for the neighboring country, it exposes it and makes it the target of international criticism.

On the Cyprus, he said that Turkey's stance is opposed to that of the United Nations and it is inconsistent with the international efforts for the solution of the problem. He said that Turkey is responsible for the invasion of Cyprus and it is absolutely responsible for the fact that Nicosia is the last divided capital in Europe. He concluded by saying that for as long as Turkey is attached to its past and lives in its fantasies it will distance itself from the European values and will hurt its own interests.

[02] THOUSANDS OF FARM ANIMALS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IN EVROS

Over 7.000 farm animals were destroyed in Evros, north-eastern Greece within the framework of the measures against the foot-and-mouth disease which appears to be on the decline.

According to figures provided by the veterinary agencies in Evros, a total of 3.700 cattle, 1.300 sheep and 1.900 goats have been destroyed.

The inspections made yesterday in the areas where the disease had been spotted showed that the animals were clean but the restrictive measures set by the responsible EU committee and the Greek agencies are still in effect for precautionary reasons.

[03] NEW US ALLEGATIONS ON TERRORISM IN GREECE

The belief that Greece turns a blind eye to terrorism is expressed to the Athens newspaper "TO PONTIKI" by Neal Livingston, who specializes in terrorist issues and is a candidate for the post of the CIA chief in case George Bush Junior is elected to the US presidency.

He said in the interview to the Greek newspaper that Greece turns a blind eye to different foreign terrorists and to local ones as well who organize terrorist acts on Greek territory, adding that this is a belief shared by most European countries.

He also pointed out that there is a risk for Greece to lose the Olympic Games if terrorism is not countered, and categorically stated that if no arrests of terrorists are made soon the effects on the issue of the Olympic Games will be enormous for Greece.

In addition, he said that Greece must give assurances to the United States, Britain and the rest European countries that the 2004 Olympic Games will be safe.

Finally, he characterizes Greece as the "Mexico of Europe" and a "phenomenon of failure" worldwide because for so many years the Greek authorities were unable to break up a small terrorist organization like "17 November".

[04] LOSSES OF 1.59% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses of 1.59% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange and the general index was 3.918,37 points, while the volume of transactions was 110 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today 73 recorded gains, 264 had losses and 35 remained stable.

[05] STRONG REACTION TO THE CEM STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY

The decision by Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem to raise in an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Stampa" both the issue of alleged discrimination against the Muslim minority in Thrace, north-eastern Greece and a general minority issue in the country caused the decisive reaction of the Greek foreign ministry.

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Mr. Beglitis reminded the aggressive Turkish policy toward the Greek minority in Istanbul, rejected the Turkish allegations on oppression in Thrace and characterized as unacceptable the references to other non-existent minorities in Greece.

Mr. Beglitis spoke of a serious democratic deficit in the Turkish policy toward all the minorities that live in Turkey that will be taken under consideration in the country's course toward the EU.

The Greek foreign ministry pointed out that Turkey follows a dead-end approach in Cyprus that it is at least inconsistent with the international interest for the solution of the problem.

[06] THE ISLAND OF RHODES IN BEING "INVADED" BY TURKISH TOURISTS

The Turks have "occupied" Rhodes not armed with guns but with photographic cameras and tourist guides, according to the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet", referring to the wave of Turkish tourists visiting the south-eastern Aegean island. The newspaper citing an Associated Press report writes that the "invasion" of Rhodes and other Greek resorts by Turkish tourists is the result of the Greek-Turkish rapprochement.

The press report mentions that 70.000 of the 12 million tourists, who visited Greece last year, were Turks. According to the newspaper, Association of Hotel Owners in Rhodes representative Giorgos Georgiadis stated that the Turks are among the best customers and feel very comfortable in Rhodes.

[07] THE SPOT WHERE ACHILLES KILLED HECTOR WAS LOCATED IN THE SITE OF ANCIENT TROY

The spot where Homer's hero, Achilles, killed Hector has been traced by Tubingen University professor Manfred Korfmann, in charge of the excavations in Troy. In an announcement made in an international conference on Homer that was held in Genova, Italy prof. Korfmann pointed out that there is a striking similarity between the description made by Homer in Iliad and the topography of Troy.

Prof. Korfmann mentioned characteristically that in Iliad, Achilles follows Hector outside the walls of Troy, both men stop near a fountain and at this spot Achilles kills Hector in front of the eyes of the Trojans, who are watching the scene from the city walls.

The excavations made in Troy, said prof. Korfmann, revealed an underground fountain under the walls of Troy that was in use in 1.200BC, which was visible from the city walls discovered by archaeologists. Based on those facts, prof. Korfmann maintains that Homer either saw Troy himself or in case he was blind someone had described the region to him.

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