Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] TOP BRITISH POLICE OFFICIAL IN GREECE TODAY

[02] GREECE TO TAKE INITIATIVES IN EU FOR MIDDLE EAST

[03] REAL ESTATE OBJECTIVE VALUE UP AS OF TODAY

[04] REPPAS ON THE FORMER KING'S INTERVIEW TO AN ITALIAN NEWSPAPER

[05] THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT IS IN ATHENS

[06] OECD REPORT ON THE GREEK ECONOMY

[07] THE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS THE ACTIONS OF ALBANIANS IN FYROM

[08] STATEMENTS BY REPPAS ON THE DESTRUCTION OF MONUMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN

[09] SMALL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[10] GREEK GOVERNMENT CONCERN FOR THE CLASHES AT THE FYROM-KOSOVO BORDERS

[11] ARCHBISHOP WANTS TO ISSUE CHRISTIAN ID CARDS

[12] GREECE'S BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION STARTS IN 2001

[13] SPEAKER RECEIVES YOUNG GYPSIES IN PARLIAMENT

[14] THE AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE HONORED THE US AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

[01] TOP BRITISH POLICE OFFICIAL IN GREECE TODAY

A senior British police official will embark on a two-day official visit to Athens today, where he will hold talks with the Greek authorities on security matters regarding the Athens 2004 Olympics and on joint efforts to discover the notorious terrorist group known as 17 November.

Sir John Stevens, the commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police - formerly known as Scotland Yard - will meet Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoides, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou and Police Chief Ioannis Georgakopoulos.

According to a British embassy statement, Stevens stated that over the past few months, we have developed a close and fruitful cooperation with our Greek colleagues, particularly in the crucial sector of confronting terrorism."

British police officers have worked together with the Greek counter-terrorism squad in the months that followed the assassination last June of the UK military attaché in Athens, Brigadier Stephen Saunders, by the November 17 group.

"We regard as an honor the fact that, building on that cooperation, the Greek Ministry of Public Order has sought our advice - as well as that of several other countries - regarding preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games," Stevens said.

"Major sports events such as the Olympic Games or international football championships bring the police forces of host countries face-to-face with totally unusual demands, and it is in the interest of all of us to work together on tried and tested action plans."

A.F.

[02] GREECE TO TAKE INITIATIVES IN EU FOR MIDDLE EAST

Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos pledged that Greece would proceed to a series of initiatives within the European Union in an effort to resolve the Middle East issues, during his meeting with Syrian president Bashar al-Asad in Damascus.

During their talks, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stessed the need to stop the bloodshed in the region. In turn, the Syrian president referred to the traditional ties of friendship that bind the two countries, while he also underlined the trust felt by Damascus towards Athens.

President Bashar al-Asad extended an official invitation to his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

During his stay in Damascus, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos was also received by Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro, and also had contacts with Patriarch Ignatios and leading members of Syria's Greek community.

A.F.

[03] REAL ESTATE OBJECTIVE VALUE UP AS OF TODAY

New taxable real estate values -in some cases up to 85 percent higher- will be in force as of today, as part of a state program to boost revenues.

While the finance ministry plans to offset higher prices on real estate with tax breaks on real estate transactions such as ownership transfers, donations and legacies, real estate market analysts say that the move will affect the sector and the stock exchange activity as well.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the increase in the real estate values on which taxes on transactions, inheritance and large property are calculated "is no higher than 20 percent for the largest part of the country."

"The increase is completely reasonable," he added. "The rise in objective property values is relatively small or non-existent in certain cases."

A.F.

[04] REPPAS ON THE FORMER KING'S INTERVIEW TO AN ITALIAN NEWSPAPER

The Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" published an interview with former King of Greece Konstantinos in which he mentions that for 30 years he lives in exile and calls for the assistance of Europe to be able to return to Greece. He also states that he recognizes the Greek Constitution and underlines that he would never try to change it. Regarding the 1994 law concerning his name, passport and property, he stated that he is ready to enter negotiations with the Greek government.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated today Greece's position against the return of the former King to the country.

[05] THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT IS IN ATHENS

Council of Europe parliamentary assembly president Lord Russell Johnston arrived in Greece yesterday. He is on his first visit to the country at the invitation of Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Lord Johnston had separate meetings with prime minister Kostas Simitis, parliament president Kaklamanis and deputy foreign minister Ms. Elisavet Papazoi.

Their talks focused on the developments in the Balkans and Greece's role in the efforts for peace and stability in the region.

This evening, Lord Johnston is scheduled to meet with president Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[06] OECD REPORT ON THE GREEK ECONOMY

The Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a report on the Greek economy.

The report suggests that all obstacles blocking privatization must be removed, free competition must be allowed even in the energy sector, while the last remaining state-run banks must be privatized as well.

At the same time, the international organization expressed its concern for the strong reactions in Greece that were caused by the government attempts aimed at the reconstruction of the social security system and labor relations.

[07] THE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS THE ACTIONS OF ALBANIANS IN FYROM

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the terrorist action of Albanians in the northern part of FYROM is condemned, pointing out that the Greek government will contribute in every way to the de-escalation of the crisis that will lead to the consolidation of peace and stability in the region.

Mr. Reppas stated that the Greek government backs the inviolability of the borders, adding that it will take action for this principle to be respected and will contribute to the efforts for the protection of territorial integrity.

He referred to the contacts made by the foreign ministry, pointing out that the issue has been raised to the EU rotating presidency, the Swedish foreign minister, EU common foreign policy and defense policy representative Javier Solana and NATO secretary-general George Robertson in order to take part in the international community actions aimed at facing the situation through diplomatic and political means.

Responding to the question if the use of force is being considered, he said that the issue must be discussed and decisions must be made. He also referred to the contacts of foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, underlining that he is in constant communication with his FYROM counterpart.

[08] STATEMENTS BY REPPAS ON THE DESTRUCTION OF MONUMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN

None can be indifferent toward the blind rage of fanatics, who destroy world cultural heritage monuments, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, when he was called to comment on the destruction of Buddhist monuments by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Mr. Reppas also added that the Greek government has expressed interest for the purchase of those monuments by Greece because they have characteristics of the Hellenistic period.

[09] SMALL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Small gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to 0.56% at 3.172,35 points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 323.04 million Euro or 110.07 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 242 recorded gains and 102 had losses, while the value of 26 stocks remained stable.

[10] GREEK GOVERNMENT CONCERN FOR THE CLASHES AT THE FYROM-KOSOVO BORDERS

The Greek government watches closely the continuing action of the Albanian terrorists inside the FYROM territory and it is determined to protect the country's national interests. Already, Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou is in a constant communication with the involved parties.

The Greek foreign ministry reacted strongly to the selective stance and the policy of equal distances adopted by KFOR in the region and called for the immediate implementation of UN resolution 1244 which provides for the disarmament of every paramilitary organization in the region.

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed that the international community must deal seriously with the issue both within the framework of NATO and the European Union and send a clear message to terrorist organizations that it will not allow out-of-control situations to create serious problems in the region.

Mr. Beglitis stated that Greece backs the territorial integrity of FYROM and announced that the Greek foreign minister, who is currently in Vienna, is in constant communication both with the FYROM government and his European counterparts in order to undertake coordinated action and give a specific answer to the developments within the following days.

[11] ARCHBISHOP WANTS TO ISSUE CHRISTIAN ID CARDS

Apparently not wanting to let old dogs lie, the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece Christodoulos expressed his intention to issue Christian identification cards (which would also serve as a census of the country's Orthodox), a move in defiance to the government's decision not to list one's religious affiliation on state-issued IDs.

In his monthly radio broadcast, Mr. Christodoulos also referred to the prospect of Pope John Paul II visiting Greece in the near future, by stating that he is not opposed to the idea as long as the Pope would arrive as a government guest, i.e. a state leader, and not a religious figure.

However, and this was a first, the Archbishop also clarified that should the Pope wish to meet with him at the Archbishopry then he will be accepted.

"If he comes, I won't close the door on him", he said. "Even if he was the mufti from Teheran I would meet him.

A.F.

[12] GREECE'S BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION STARTS IN 2001

The first projects from Greece's Balkan Reconstruction Plan are to get underway by the end of the present year, deputy Minister of National Economy Yiannis Zafeiropoulos stated in an interview with the Sunday edition of Kathimerini.

According to the deputy minister, Greece will allocate 180 billion drachmas over the period 2001-2005 on infrastructure projects in health, education, housing, transport, communication and energy, as well as private investments in industry and trade. Several committees are presently selecting the projects that will receive state funding and calls for tenders will follow.

Joint committees composed of Greek officials and representatives from each of the targeted countries have also been formed to discuss the recipients' most pressing needs.

To date, over 2,500 Greek firms are active in the Balkan markets.

A.F.

[13] SPEAKER RECEIVES YOUNG GYPSIES IN PARLIAMENT

A group of 50 young gypsies were given the royal treatment from their host Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis during their visit to the Hellenic Parliament yesterday.

Addressing the youngsters, whose ages ranged from 12-15, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that in our democratic society, everyone can maintain his traditions and customs and Thrace is a part of our country where (these customs) can constitute a center of culture for all of the wider region's countries.

The young boys and girls, all residing at the Family care Center of Drosero, Thrace, are presently in Athens through the Parliament's educational program aimed at children living in remote areas of Greece.

A.F.

[14] THE AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE HONORED THE US AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

Greece's important role in the wider region of southeastern Europe was pointed out by US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns, who was honored by the Washington based American Hellenic Institute (AHI) together with Greek-Americans Angene Fafterty, Stephen Yeonnas, Nicholas Bouras and Republican House Representative Connie Morella, for their contribution to the American nation and the Greek-American community in the United States.

Mr. Burns will leave Athens in July and stated that he was proud because he served for three and a half years in Greece, adding that he loved the country and its people, who have welcome him warmly, in spite of certain differences in politics.

Responding to questions by members of the audience, Mr. Burns stated that the United Stated do not follow a policy of double standards toward its two allies, Greece and Turkey.

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