Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] NEW FUEL TO SOON OUST SUPER GASOLINE IN GREECE

[02] PONTIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBERED IN THESSALONIKI

[03] PM, OPPOSITION CHIEF SWAP VITUPERATIVE ATTACKS

[04] BATTLE OF CRETE: STOIC SOLDIERS, HONORED HEROES

[05] BRITISH PM TONY BLAIR SALUTES BATTLE OF CRETE

[06] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE

[07] MAN ATTEMPTS TO HIT ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS

[08] SPORTS FAIR OPENS IN THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY

[09] GREEK PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO CROATIA WEDNESDAY

[10] LOCAL BUSINESSMEN LOOK TO JAPAN FOR TRADE

[11] BLACK SEA BANK HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING IN TBILISI

[12] AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR GREEKS

[01] NEW FUEL TO SOON OUST SUPER GASOLINE IN GREECE

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has called for the adaptation of the country's refineries to new gasoline specifications that will be effective at the end of the year, proposing the use of a substitute fuel for super gasoline, presently used by about two million cars in Greece.

The new fuel will comply with stricter specifications than the current unleaded, modeled on similar steps already taken in Italy and Spain, and is to be available on the Greek market most likely in August.

The Transportation and Communications Ministry has submitted its proposal to the ministries of national economy/finance, development, and environment, calling for the prompt issue of joint ministerial decisions to enable adaptation of refineries to the new specifications.

Leaded gasoline will cease to be available beginning on January 1, 2002.

A.F.

[02] PONTIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBERED IN THESSALONIKI

Addressing a public rally commemorating the Pontian Genocide Day (a national holiday by act of parliament) Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that the uprooting of over 2.5 million Pontians from Turkey should not be forgotten.

However, he stated that the uprooting of Pontians, who were moved out of Smyrna in an exchange of populations agreed after Greece lost the 1920-22 Asia Minor war to Turkey, was a calamity that benefited Greece in the long term since these proud people became a great asset to the overall Greek population.

According to Pontian organizations in Greece, over 350,000 people were murdered between 1916 and 1923, part of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's plan to systematically wipe out their 2500-year-old civilization, along with the Armenians and other potentially-hostile minority groups in the new secular Turkish state.

The ruthless clearances saw the Pontian population, which once numbered almost one million people, made refugees - forced to take refuge wherever they could find it, elsewhere in Turkey, in Greece or among other Black Sea peoples.

A.F.

[03] PM, OPPOSITION CHIEF SWAP VITUPERATIVE ATTACKS

Prime Minister Costas Simitis sharply retorted to the verbal attack he received from the leader of the main opposition party of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, who had earlier accused the former of political degradation.

ND cannot express the future since it carries the stigma of the past, Mr. Simitis stated.

A.F.

[04] BATTLE OF CRETE: STOIC SOLDIERS, HONORED HEROES

Events commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the Battle of Crete concluded in Hania today, with the participation of the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, WWII veterans and a score of officials from New Zealand, Britain and Australia.

President Stephanopoulos arrived at the Battle of Crete monument site at Sikolia yesterday, where he presided over events attended by the Duke of Kent representing Britain, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Australian and Greek government officials, former Greek premier Constantine Mitsotakis, Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and the armed forces chiefs of the allied countries.

Ms. Clark is accompanied by a large delegation of New Zealand businessmen and New Zealand veterans who fought in the Battle of Crete during World War II.

Mr. Scott is accompanied by Australian officials and 22 veterans, aged 78-85, who fought in the Battle of Crete, in Cyprus and elsewhere in Greece during WWII.

Yesterday, the Australian delegation unveiled a new memorial at Rethymnon, featuring a polished black granite pillar, representing Australian forces, and two rough sandstone pillars in honor of Greek soldiers and civilians who fought alongside.

Today, the Duke of Kent and the British delegation will hold a service of commemoration at Souda Bay's Commonwealth War Cemetery, while a British navy frigate will also be in the bay.

Tonight, the Battle of Crete will be re-enacted at the historical Maleme airport.

Yesterday, after laying a wreath at the family grave of renowned Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, President Stephanopoulos stated of course the Cretans have the privilege and the fact of having fought the battle, but the triumph of the victory and the defeat belong to Greece.

I am here with sincerely deep emotions to express as much as I can the respect and honor that belongs to those who struggled and fell and to those who struggled and survived this terrible battle, he added.

The commemorative events got underway last week with the presentation of certificates of honor to some 8,000 resistance fighters, and a message from British prime minister Tony Blair.

The 11-day Battle of Crete took place in May 1941 when Australian, New Zealand, British and Greek forces which had retreated to the island of Crete fought alongside the local population against the invading Nazi forces.

On 20 May 1941, Germany dropped droves of parachutists over the island, which it wanted to use as an airbase in the Mediterranean. The fierce hand-to-hand fighting that followed for ten days proved to be one of the bloodiest battles of WWÉÉ. Cretans and allied forces from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Greece successfully fought back during the first two days until German troops overran the Maleme airfield, near Chania. Allied forces eventually managed to evacuate 18,000 of their 32,000 troops trapped on the island.

The German occupation of the island, the last part of Greece to come under German control, lasted until the end of WWÉÉ and led to an active resistance movement that resulted in the bombing and temporary destruction of many mountain villages whose residents were executed.

The Souda Bay war cemetery is the resting place of the 862 British, 446 New Zealanders, 197 Australians, nine South Africans, five Canadians and an Indian who died on Crete, while 4,465 young German paratroopers are buried at the Maleme war cemetery.

A.F.

[05] BRITISH PM TONY BLAIR SALUTES BATTLE OF CRETE

British Prime Minister Tony Blair sent the following message on the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, considered as the greatest act of defiance against Nazi aggressors.

It is now 60 years since the people of Crete stood alongside Allied forces from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to face attack by German aircraft and airborne forces, Mr. Blair said in his message.

The courageous and stoic resistance by the defenders of Crete during those days in May 1941 did much to lift the spirit of the Allies. In commemorating the Battle of Crete we also remember the Royal Navy's attempts to defend Crete and, when the Allies were defeated, their evacuation of Allied troops to Egypt.

After the Battle, thousands of Allied troops who were not captured by the Germans hid in the mountains and villages. The people of Crete, in spite of reprisals, gave refuge to these troops, fed and clothed them and helped them escape to their countries.

The Allies will always owe a debt of thanks to the Cretan people for their bravery and support. As the passage of time reduces the number of veterans who return to Crete to commemorate the Battle, and particularly in the last year of official commemoration, it is important that we of following generations remember your sacrifices and bravery.

I have the greatest pleasure in sending my warmest greetings to all of the veterans who make the pilgrimage and to the courageous Cretan people who steadfastly supported the Allies. The principles of peace and justice for which we fought in 1941 are still relevant today. I salute you for your selfless dedication to that cause.

A.F.

[06] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE

Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington tomorrow, during an official visit to the United States.

Messrs. Powell and Papandreou will discuss Greek-US relations, bilateral and regional matters, the promotion of American investments in Greece, matters concerning political and economic cooperation, and boosting cooperation between the Greek and American police forces in the framework of the comprehensive technical agreement between the two countries.

The Greek FM will also meet with vice-president Dick Cheney, US President George Bush's national security advisor Condoleeza Rice, CIA chief George Tenet, and the US representatives on the Cyprus issue.

Moreover, Mr. Papandreou is to hold talks with several members of the US Senate and the Senate foreign relations committee.

On Wednesday, May 23, Mr. Papandreou is to give an address at the Woodrow Wilson international foundation and at the US Center for Strategic Studies.

A.F.

[07] MAN ATTEMPTS TO HIT ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS

Police have arrested a man for attempting to slap Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, as the latter was exiting with visiting Archbishop Petros of Africa from the Athens Cathedral following a Holy Liturgy this morning.

Immediately afterwards, Mr. Christodoulos said the incident was "of no importance".  Archbishop Petros of Alexandria and All Africa is on an official visit here at the invitation of the Orthodox Church of Greece.

A.F.

[08] SPORTS FAIR OPENS IN THESSALONIKI ON THURSDAY

The second international Sports and Re-creation Equipment and Facilities trade fair "Sportexpo" is to be held in Thessaloniki's International Trade Center on May 24-27.

The theme of this year's Sportexpo, organized by Helexpo, will be the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, with focus granted on several special events not widely popular to the public, such as triathlon, hockey, softball, baseball, canoe-kayak, pentathlon, archery, body building, mountain biking, martial arts and aerobics.

A.F.

[09] GREEK PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO CROATIA WEDNESDAY

The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos is to conduct an official visit to Croatia on May 23-24, escorted by the undersecretary of National Economy Yiannis Zafiropoulos, responsible for international economic affairs.

Coinciding with the President's visit, the ministry is also organizing a business mission to Croatia, whose members are to hold meetings with Croatian entrepreneurs and state officials.

Greek exports to Croatia amount to .26 percent of the latter's overall import volume, while Croatian exports to Greece correspond to .13% of total imports.

A.F.

[10] LOCAL BUSINESSMEN LOOK TO JAPAN FOR TRADE

Representatives of northern Greek businesses will embark on a visit to Japan tomorrow, in an effort to boost business ties between the two countries.

The visit, to conclude on May 27, is organized by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jetro, Japan's trade promotion group. It falls under the Greek national economy ministry's Hermes action plan for the two countries.

In 1999, Greek exports to Japan totaled 12.6 billion yen, up 29.7 percent from a year earlier. The value of imports from Japan fell by 3.8 percent in 1999 to total 118 billion yen, according to the Greek embassy in Tokyo.

A.F.

[11] BLACK SEA BANK HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING IN TBILISI

The Black Sea Bank is holding its third annual meeting of its members in Tbilisi, Georgia, today, the first international economic meeting to be hosted in that country.

According to a bank announcement, Georgia is one of the most important countries in which the Black Sea Bank is scheduling investments.

The "Black Sea's Business Days" will also be organized in the framework of this international meeting.

Georgian prime minister will inaugurate the event, while speakers will include Greek European Union Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou. 

A.F.

[12] AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR GREEKS

The Australian federal government is reportedly considering legislation allowing Australian citizens to hold dual nationality, according to recent press reports.

The government is disposed to support a repeal of the relevant section of the Australian Citizenship Act of 1948 so that people no longer lose citizenship in these circumstances, Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Philip Ruddock stated, albeit adding that it is important that the community has a further opportunity to express its opinion.

If taken, this measure is expected to encourage tens of thousands of Australians of Greek origin to obtain a Greek passport.

A.F.

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