Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-03-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] DM OPPOSED TO MILITARY INTERVENTION IN SKOPJE

[02] GREEK, UK PREMIERS SHARE BYLINE IN ARTICLE

[03] NATIONWIDE CENSUS CONDUCTED SMOOTHLY

[04] EU HOLDS AGRICULTURE MINISTERS COUNCIL TODAY

[05] SIMITIS-BLAIR MEETING

[06] GREECE CALLS FOR GREATER EFFECTIVENESS BY KFOR

[07] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE ARREST OF TWO GREEK JOURNALISTS

[08] GREEK GOVERNMENT DISCONTENT OVER A BBC PROGRAM

[09] GREEK PROPOSAL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN FYROM

[10] KAKLAMANIS WILL BE IN SKOPJE TOMORROW

[11] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[12] SIMITIS ON IMMIGRATION AND XENOPHOBIA

[13] DEPUTY FM: NO ROOM FOR GAMES IN THE BALKANS

[14] THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE EU AGRICULTURE

[15] THE GREEK STUDIES INTER-UNIVERSITY CENTER WAS INAUGURATED IN MONTREAL

[01] DM OPPOSED TO MILITARY INTERVENTION IN SKOPJE

The government of FYROM has not requested military assistance from Greece, but, even if such request were to be made, Greece's position against military involvement in neighboring countries is clear, according to Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

In an interview with the Athens radio station Flash, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos added that Greece could dispatch its forces in FYROM through a United Nations order following an appeal on behalf of Skopje.

The Defense Minister stated that Greece upholds the military cooperation agreement it has with FYROM, as well as with Albania, while it supports the government of FYROM politically, aiming at establishing peace in the region.

Referring to the developments in FYROM, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that Albanian secessionist forces are trying to duplicate the case of Kosovo, while he stressed that the only solution is respect and consolidation of rights for all the citizens and the minorities.

A.F.

[02] GREEK, UK PREMIERS SHARE BYLINE IN ARTICLE

Greece and Great Britain have a mutual benefit from economic reforms, according to an article penned jointly by Greek Premier Costas Simitis and his British counterpart Tony Blair.

We both wish to combat unemployment, rendering Europe more competitive, and attract investment in new job positions, they wrote in the article published in the two Athens dailies Eleftherotypia and Ta Nea, adding that we both seek to secure opportunities for all citizens and we deem that employment is the most effective guarantee against social isolation.

The two premiers also refer to the upcoming European Union summit in Stockholm (March 23-24), where the issue of unemployment will top the agenda, and note that it will be a first opportunity to assess progress made on the target set during the Lisbon Summit, i.e. rendering Europe the world's most competitive and dynamic economy by the year 2010.

A.F.

[03] NATIONWIDE CENSUS CONDUCTED SMOOTHLY

A nationwide census of households and citizens was held in Greece yesterday, constituting the state's prime tool for measuring sociological and demographic trends in order to attain as accurate a picture as possible of the country.

Conducted by the National Statistical Service, the census included Greek citizens, foreigners, economic immigrants and travelers.

The 150,000 enumerators visited all houses and apartment buildings, as well as shacks, Gypsy settlements and prefabricated housing settlements accommodating quake-victims in western and northern Athens suburbs. They also approached the homeless at shelters and on the street.

The questions covered everything from the number of persons per household and marital status to place of residence one year and five years ago, nationality and education. Foreigners were asked to state when they arrived in Greece, their country of origin and the reasons why they reside here. The government believes it will take 10 months to review the data before publishing the conclusions.

The census is compulsory and people who failed to fill in a form are subject to fines similar to those imposed during general elections for abstaining from voting. 

People who were not counted for any reason are obliged to go to the police precinct in their area or to the offices of the municipality where they live or to prefectural offices today to fill in a census form.   The last census in Greece was held in 1991 when the country's population was found to be about 10.3 million.  

A.F.

[04] EU HOLDS AGRICULTURE MINISTERS COUNCIL TODAY

Greece's Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis is to join his European Union counterparts in Brussels today, during a ministers council that will review matters such as the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

Greece has taken a series of precautionary measures over the animal disease, such as subjecting NATO soldiers entering Greece, as well as tourists coming from high-risk countries for foot-and-mouth, to thorough checks.

According to the Ministry, travelers from high-risk countries (UK, France, Italy, Belgium and Germany) will have their luggage checked for products that might carry the disease, such as canned foods, milk, sausages, salami etc. In addition, the ministry has banned the sale and movement of animals through traders and requires that the Veterinary Service approve all animal movements.

Also, imported animals will be subjected to clinical and laboratory testing, while all animals imported from France are now being monitored.

A.F.

[05] SIMITIS-BLAIR MEETING

British prime minister Tony Blair and Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis, who is on a visit to Britain, will discuss issues of bilateral and wider European interest, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, while he did not rule out a discussion on the issue of terrorism as well.

The Greek government spokesman stated on that specific issue that it is being dealt with within the framework of the responsible agencies and both countries have expressed the will to counter terrorism, stressing that it is a phenomenon that concerns the whole world.

[06] GREECE CALLS FOR GREATER EFFECTIVENESS BY KFOR

The KFOR forces must display greater effectiveness, exercise their duties and implement UN resolution 1244, which has not been implemented yet and provides for the disarmament of the Albanian extremists, stressed Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to comment on the crisis in FYROM.

Mr. Reppas also underlined that the Skopje government must be backed politically, while the forces deployed by the international community in the region, within the framework of KFOR, should play their role in order to avert phenomena that lead to fluidity and instability.

He reiterated that Greece is present in every international consultation and added that, within the framework of an agreement signed by the Greek and FYROM defense ministries, Athens has sent material assistance and support to the neighboring country and will continue to do so if necessary.

When asked to comment if there is a wave of refugees toward Greece, the Greek government spokesman stated that there is no such issue underlining, however, that lately there is an increase in the number of entry visa applications received by the Greek consulate.

[07] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE ARREST OF TWO GREEK JOURNALISTS IN JORDAN

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responded to questions by reporters on the arrest of two Greek journalists, Nikos Yiannopoulos and Ioanna Sotirchou. Mr. Reppas stated that the Greek foreign ministry through the Greek embassy in Jordan made all necessary moves and representations that led to the release of the two Greek journalists.

Regarding the information on the two arrested journalists that was at the disposal of the secret services, the Greek government spokesman stated that the way in which this information was gathered is an issue of the Jordanian secret services.

[08] GREEK GOVERNMENT DISCONTENT OVER A BBC PROGRAM

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the Greek government's strong discontent over a BBC program on terrorism in Greece. Mr. Reppas stated that the BBC program was an arbitrary fabrication aimed at misinformation and disorientation.

The Greek government spokesman underlined that such actions must stop, stressing that Greece is a safe country.

[09] GREEK PROPOSAL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN FYROM

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stated today that the situation in FYROM remains crucial and alarming.

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou is in constant communication with the Skopje leadership, while this morning he met with EU representative on the common foreign policy and defense policy Mr. Javier Solana and FYROM foreign minister Sertzan Kerim on the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers council that is being held in Brussels.

Mr. Papandreou also had consultations with Stability Pact coordinator Mr. Hobach, who will attend the southeastern European parliament presidents' conference.

In the meetings he had, Mr. Papandreou presented the Greek proposal for an immediate ceasefire and the simultaneous opening of a political dialogue with the participation of all political forces represented in the FYROM parliament.

Mr. Papandreou stressed that Greece believes in the political solution of the problems in FYROM which can not be solved through the use of violence, the threat for the use of violence or accomplished facts.

When he was asked to comment on the statements made by Ibrahim Rugova, leader of Democratic Union (the main political party of the Kosovo ethnic-Albanians) according to which, the preservation of the independence of Kosovo will limit the violent incidents in FYROM, Mr. Beglitis pointed out that such statements are inflammatory. Mr. Beglitis stated that the international community has responded repeatedly that there is not an issue of a Kosovo independence.

The Greek foreign ministry also confirmed the information according to which, there is an increase in the number of applications for entry visas on behalf of the FYROM citizens adding, however, that for the time being there is no reason for concern.

Regarding the Greek military assistance, it will be within the framework of the country's obligations to EU and NATO based on the agreements it has signed. The latest developments in FYROM will be discussed at Greece's request, in the formal dinner of the EU leaders in the extraordinary summit meeting that will be held in Stockholm on March 23-24.

Finally, it should be noted that the date for the tripartite meeting of the foreign ministers of Greece, Albania and FYROM in Prespes, initially scheduled to take place on March 28-29, has not been set yet. Yugoslav foreign minister Mr. Svilatovic has been invited to attend the meeting.

[10] KAKLAMANIS WILL BE IN SKOPJE TOMORROW

Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis will be in Skopje, FYROM tomorrow to attend the 2nd conference of southeastern European parliament presidents.

The conference will be held while dramatic developments are underway in FYROM as the armed battles continue between Albanian extremists and FYROM security forces. The situation in the region is expected to dominate in the conference.

[11] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 1.70% at 3.072,66 points, while the volume of transactions was 196.29 million Euro or 66.9 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 308 recorded losses and 42 had gains, while the value of 24 stocks remained stable.

[12] SIMITIS ON IMMIGRATION AND XENOPHOBIA

A progressive government should have an anthropocentric attitude when dealing with immigration, underlined prime minister Kostas Simitis speaking before the members of working teams forming the network for the exchange of views on a progressive government.

The prime minister speaking in an event held in Athens stated that blaming the foreigners for the problems faced by society is an indication of xenophobia and sometimes racism, stressing that the reappearance of human slavery is unacceptable. He also pointed out that safeguarding diversity in a world that changes rapidly is the main goal for a progressive government.

Mr. Simitis stated that foreigners are the flag-bearers of values, who open new horizons and do not build new walls.

[13] DEPUTY FM: NO ROOM FOR GAMES IN THE BALKANS

There is no room for game-playing in the Balkan region where any challenge for border changes could awaken the most nightmarish domino-effect and lead to expanded regional instability, deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis stated in reference to the situation in FYROM.

In an address before Greek-Canadian community leaders in Toronto, Mr. Niotis stated the Greek government is pleased that its position over the inviolability of borders has been fully supported by both Europe and the United States.

This coincidence of views, he said, was ascertained during his meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley.

According to Mr. Niotis, he and Mr. Manley also discussed the prospect of NATO intervening to establish peace in the region and control the terrorists who seek regional instability.

Furthermore, Mr. Nioitis hailed Greece's Balkan Reconstruction Plan, budgeted at 180 billion drachmas, as the most complete proposal calling for development, stability and peace in the region.

In reference to Turkey, the deputy FM warned that, by its unwillingness to enforce the Security Council's resolution for Cyprus, it is opting for the road to isolation.

In no way will Cyprus be rendered Turkey's hostage in its European course, he stressed.

Lastly, concerning the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the role expatriates can play therein, Mr. Niotis stated that a volunteer program will target the Greek expatriates, aiming at the participation of 5,000 young volunteers of Greek decent.

A.F.

[14] THE FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE EU AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MEETING

The foot-and-mouth disease that tends to become an epidemic not only in Europe but in the Persian Gulf countries as well will be discussed in the EU agriculture ministers meeting that will be held in Brussels today.

The European Union ministers will be called to discuss the measures that will be adopted to deal with the disease and the measures already taken at a state level by each EU member country.

In Britain alone, the foot-and-mouth disease is expected to cost about 14 billion Euro, while the German government is pressured by the farmers to pay compensation.

[15] THE GREEK STUDIES INTER-UNIVERSITY CENTER WAS INAUGURATED IN MONTREAL

The Greek Studies Inter-University Center in Montreal University was inaugurated last Saturday in the presence among others of Greek ambassador to Ottawa Leonidas Chrisanthakopoulos and Greek consul general in Monreal Gabriel Papadopoulos.

The center will offer modern Greek language, literature and culture programs in three universities namely, the universities of MacGill, Montreal and Concordia.

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