Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] CONFERENCE OF WOMEN DEPUTIES FROM BALKAN PARLIAMENTS

[02] THE "SAMINA EXPRESS" SHIPWRECK WAS A MATTER OF TIME

[03] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SIMITIS AND CLERIDES

[04] MORE THAN HALF OF GREECE'S FUEL STATIONS ARE EMPTY

[05] KOSTUNICA ASKED FOR GREECE'S HELP

[06] FIVE CHURCHES IN KERASUNDA HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO BARNS

[07] GREEK PRESS AWARD TO A TURKISH JOURNALIST

[08] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION CALLS FOR CLARIFICATIONS ON THE SEA TRAGEDY IN

[09] AVRAMOPOULOS WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE IN THE 2002 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN

[10] A GREAT DAY FOR GREECE TODAY - ONE SILVER AND TWO BRONZE MEDALS IN

[01] CONFERENCE OF WOMEN DEPUTIES FROM BALKAN PARLIAMENTS

The three-day proceedings of the Conference of Women Deputies from Parliaments of South-Eastern Europe continued in Athens for a second day today. The conference on the consolidation of democracy, stability and peace in the Balkans and the decisive role of women is held under the auspices of the Stability Pact.

In her speech yesterday minister of interior, public administration and decentralization, Vaso Papandreou pointed out that Greece through its participation in international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the UN and the UNESCO as well as through European Union initiatives and its bilateral relations contributes to the promotion of democracy and the development and the consolidation of peace and stability in the region of the Balkans.

Ms. Papandreou state that the Greek government believes that there can be no true equality or freedom for the weak and the socially and financially dependent groups of citizens such as women if special measures are not taken to partially limit their disadvantageous position.

[02] THE "SAMINA EXPRESS" SHIPWRECK WAS A MATTER OF TIME

Based on statements made by a "Samina Express" crew member published today by the Athens newspaper "Rizospastis", the shipwreck of the specific ship was only a matter of time as the circumference of its right propeller was reduced by 1 centimeter during repairs made on the ship in November 1987 after a crash at the port of the island of Rhodes. As a result the ship's behavior during manoeuvering had changed.

In addition based on the statements of the crew member, who is kept anonymous, since then the ship's engine-room had problems that were revealed recently by the ship's mechanic Anastasios Sorokos as well as problems with its water-tight doors.

However, both its previous owner and today's owner MFD have showed no interest in making extensive repairs in the engine-room, or buying spare-parts and the engine-room crews had to improvise in order to make the ship move.

The same crew member stated characteristically that the "Samina Express" faced no problems in the open sea but the situation was totally different when it was approaching ports as it faced serious manoeuvering problems and in over 6 force winds it was very difficult to control.

[03] TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SIMITIS AND CLERIDES

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis had a telephone communication with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides today, according to a statement made by Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

The two leaders discussed the outcome of the 4th round of the Cyprus talks that ended without any results. The prime minister assured Mr. Clerides that Greece is on Cyprus' side for a fair and viable solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN decisions.

[04] MORE THAN HALF OF GREECE'S FUEL STATIONS ARE EMPTY

Serious fuel shortages are being recorded across Greece as according to the federation of fuel station owners about 50-55% of the fuel stations are empty.

The tank-truck owners who have entered the 6th day of their strike will meet today with minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou. Yesterday, undersecretary of finance Apostolos Fotiadis had stated that the special consumer tax on fuel will not be reduced.

[05] KOSTUNICA ASKED FOR GREECE'S HELP

The Greek foreign ministry stated that is ready to undertake initiatives again with all the interested parties in Yugoslavia and the European Union, after a request made by Serb opposition leader Vijislav Kostunica.

He appealed to Greece to contribute to the efforts aimed at securing a new vote count in the presidential elections.

[06] FIVE CHURCHES IN KERASUNDA HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO BARNS

The residents of the village of Tsakrak in Kerasunda, Turkey have turned five Christian churches into barns. The Turkish newspaper "Cumhurriyet" writes that the churches were destroyed by treasure hunters because they are not protected.

Head of the tourism agency in the specific region Mehmet Giuktsel stated to the newspaper that as in all the rural regions in the country the historic monuments were not protected. However, he added that within the framework of a special program under preparation the historic monuments that need protection will be promoted.

[07] GREEK PRESS AWARD TO A TURKISH JOURNALIST

One of the most prestigious Greek press awards that of "Konstantinos Kalligas and European Orientation" will be received this year by Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" correspondent in Brussels Zeinel Lule.

The Turkish newspaper writes that he is the first Turkish journalist ever to be honored with this award.

[08] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION CALLS FOR CLARIFICATIONS ON THE SEA TRAGEDY IN THE AEGEAN

The European Commission asked formally for clarifications by the Greek government on the "Samina Express" sea tragedy, while it also asked for proofs that all the clauses included in the relevant community directives regarding the safety of domestic sea transportation have been strictly observed.

The French European Commission transportation general director at the orders of the responsible European Commissioner sent a letter addressed to Greece's permanent representative in the European Union ambassador Agathoklis dated September 28. In the letter it is clarified that even though no one wants to prejudge the causes of the accident the EU wants to be certain that all the clauses of the relevant European Community legislation have been observed.

Meanwhile, 14 more people are still missing after the sinking of the "Samina Express" last Tuesday night, just 2 nautical miles from the port of the Aegean island of Paros. Those people were not on the ship's passenger lists but their names were reported by their relatives. Among them are 11 Greeks, 1 Spaniard, 1 Russian and an Albanian. The total number of those who were rescued is 456, while the death toll has risen to 74.

[09] AVRAMOPOULOS WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE IN THE 2002 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN ATHENS

Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos in a press conference he gave in Sydney today stated that he will not be a candidate in the 2002 municipal elections in Athens.

Referring to the "Athens 2004" committee and the fact that he does not participate in it, Mr. Avramopoulos explained that he reached this decision because he respects the government's decision, pointing out that the committee's members can be successful and effective. Suggesting, however, that there must be unity and coordination.

He also stated that he has sent a letter to the prime minister suggesting that all festivities scheduled to take place in honor of the Greek Olympic champions must be postponed and be replaced by a humble ceremony out of respect for the "Samina Express" victims and their families.

[10] A GREAT DAY FOR GREECE TODAY - ONE SILVER AND TWO BRONZE MEDALS IN SYDNEY

Another great day dawned for Greece in the Sydney Olympics today where the Greek champions won one silver and two bronze medals.

World champion in the women's javelin Mirela Tzelili breaking the Greek record twice won the silver medal with a throw of 67.51meters.

The gold went to Norway's Trine Hattestad with a throw of 68.91meters and the bronze was won by Cuba's Osleidys Menendez with a throw of 66.18meters.

Earlier, Greece had celebrated two more bronze medals. The first came from the wrestling event in the men's 54kg category won by Amiral Kartanov, while the second was won in the women's group competition in gymnastics.

Kartanov won the bronze just 2 seconds before the end of the game. His opponent was Belorus' Kodoev. The last Olympic bronze medal in wrestling was won by Greece 12 years ago by Babis Holidis.

In Women's Group-All Around Final Greece won the bronze medal with 39.283 total points. The gold went to Russia with 39.500 points and the silver was won by the Belarus team also with 39.500 points.

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