Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-06-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE CRISIS IN FYROM WILL BE DEFUSED

[02] THE NUMBER OF TEENAGE DRUG USERS INCREASES

[03] THE FYROM CRISIS IS NO REASON FOR CONCERN IN GREECE

[04] NO COMMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE "17N" LEAFLET

[05] REPPAS ON THE MILOSEVIC ISSUE

[06] SKANDALIDIS-ARAFAT MEETING IN RAMALLAH

[07] ONE IN THREE GREEKS DRINKS AND DRIVES

[08] INFLATION RISES AGAIN

[09] FORMER US PRESIDENT BUSH IS IN SAMOS

[10] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[11] US REACTION TO "17 NOVEMBER"

[01] THE CRISIS IN FYROM WILL BE DEFUSED

There is no reason for the Greek armed forces to be in a heightened state of preparedness, stressed government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commenting on the situation in the neighboring FYROM.

Mr. Reppas stated that the crisis does not affect Greece in such a degree to cause concern and added that the government believes that the crisis will be defused.

[02] THE NUMBER OF TEENAGE DRUG USERS INCREASES

The number of teenage drug users is on the rise, while the drug-related deaths are also on the increase.

Today, the World Day Against Drugs, there is a lot of concern over the fact that the number of drug-users between the ages of 13 and 15 is on the rise. A research conducted by the Addicted Individuals Treatment Center on a sample of 7.450 people showed that the number of teenage cannabis users has increased considerably. Specifically, five years ago 10.4% of the teenagers smoked cannabis but in the past year increased to 21.5%.

The only optimistic fact is that in the five-year period of 1995-2000 the number of young addicts seeking help in special centers increased by 655%, while the number of girls seeking help is more than double compared to boys.

Also, in the last five years the number of drug-related deaths in Greece increased by 81.5%. According to the annual report by the European Drug and Drug-addiction Watch Center, Greece together with Ireland and Portugal are among the EU states where there is a notable increase in the drug-related deaths, while in Spain, France, Italy and Germany the number of drug-deaths has decreased or stabilized.

According to official figures, one in seven Greek teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 has inhaled substances like gasoline and glue that can be found easily on the market.

The number of heroin users in Greece is on the decline and from 83% dropped to 73.7% in a period of five years, while the cocaine users are just 2.6% compared to other drug-users.

[03] THE FYROM CRISIS IS NO REASON FOR CONCERN IN GREECE

The crisis in FYROM has not defused but there is no reason for concern in Greece, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and added that the international factor expects from the country's political forces to ask for the assistance of foreign organizations, especially NATO. The Greek government will participate in such a mission if a decision is made.

Mr. Reppas said that the Greek armed forces have not been placed in a state of alert and there is no refugee wave at the borders seeking to enter Greece.

He said that the Greek diplomatic services remain in the neighboring country and everything runs smoothly as far as the operation of the Greek diplomatic services in FYROM is concerned.

[04] NO COMMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE "17N" LEAFLET

"We have no reason to comment on the content of the "17 November" propaganda leaflet because we condemn its existence and we are struggling to eradicate it", stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

Mr. Reppas made this statement when he was asked to comment on whether the Greek government is in a position to refute certain points in the "17 November" leaflet as the US State Department did.

[05] REPPAS ON THE MILOSEVIC ISSUE

The Yugoslav government handles in a responsible manner the issue of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic concerning his transfer to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

Responding to a relevant question, he added that the Greek government follows this development but the principle and most decisive role is played by the Yugoslav government.

Mr. Reppas concluded by saying that the rules based on which the International Court operates must be respected.

[06] SKANDALIDIS-ARAFAT MEETING IN RAMALLAH

In the meeting with Greek governing socialist party of PASOK secretary Kostas Skandalidis in the Palestinian headquarters in Ramallah yesterday, Palestinian president Yasser Arafat suggested the Middle East peace talks to be held in Athens when they will resume.

In statements made after the meeting, Mr. Arafat stated that he is deeply moved by the support expressed to the Palestinians by the Greek people and referred to the friendly relations he had with Andreas Papandreou as well as to his visit to Athens as soon as he left Beirut.

When he was asked if the visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell will bring meaningful developments, especially in the issue of the settlers, the Palestinian leader stated that this is the Palestinian side's wish too.

Mr. Arafat stated that the Palestinians remember the contents of the joint declaration issued by US President Bush and the European leaders which emphasized the Mitchell report and the Egypt initiative with Jordan, an initiative based on the "land for peace" principle and the UN Security Council resolutions 224 and 338. When asked about the Simon Peres proposal that was conveyed by Mr. Skandalidis to establish a five-member committee for the economic support of the Palestinians, Mr. Arafat responded that he is not against the proposal but certain issues concerning customs levies must be settled first based on the relevant agreement that was reached between himself and Mr. Rabin.

PASOK secretary Mr. Skandalidis also referred to the ties linking PASOK and the Greek people with Arafat, adding that Greece regards as its obligation, supreme honor and duty to fight for a just peace in the region.

Mr. Skandalidis also stated that the Palestinian president appealed to the Greek side to make a greater effort by exerting pressures on the European institutions for the precise implementation of the Mitchell plan. Before the meeting with the Palestinian president, the Greek delegation visited a refugee camp in the Palestinian territories.

[07] ONE IN THREE GREEKS DRINKS AND DRIVES

One in three Greeks drives under the influence, according to a research conducted by the Greek traffic police concerning the attitude of drivers regarding speed, driving under the influence and the use of seat-belts.

According to the research, published today on the Athens newspaper "VIMA", about 29% of those questioned admitted that once or twice a week consume alcohol, 9% three to four times a week, 18% less than once a week, and 31% never.

Based on the research, most drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 do not observe the speed limits and 72% of the drivers do not wear a seat-belt when driving in the city.

[08] INFLATION RISES AGAIN

Inflation is expected to rise again in the month of June and according to temporary data collected by the government's economic staff, it will exceed the 3.6% of last May.

The basic reasons leading inflation skyward is the increase in the cigarette prices by 50 drachmas a pack. However, inflation in June will depend mostly on the fruit and vegetable prices.

For the record, inflation in the Euro-zone is expected to drop considerably in June based on the temporary figures that come from Germany showing that inflation will drop to 3.1% in June compared to 3.6% in May.

Based on those figures, and the prediction that inflation will drop in Italy as well, it is estimated that the average (harmonized) inflation in the Euro-zone will drop to 3% in June.

[09] FORMER US PRESIDENT BUSH IS IN SAMOS

Former US president George Bush continues his tour of the Aegean islands and today is visiting Samos within the framework of his cruise on board the yacht "Alexandros".

Meanwhile, during his visit to Plomari in the island of Lesvos yesterday, Mr. Bush stated that the Olympic Games that will be held in Athens in 2004 are a big opportunity for Greece and a big event, while he made a special reference to the effort that was launched with former Greek prime minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[10] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Today's session in the Athens Stock Exchange was very encouraging. The general index benefited from the favorable effect of the purchasing interest that was expressed for every stock trading in the ASE.

The general index rose to +2.27% at 2.698,19 points, while the volume of transactions was 165.06 million Euro or 56.245 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 323 recorded gains and 21 had losses, while the value of 37 stocks remained stable.

[11] US REACTION TO "17 NOVEMBER"

The US State Department spokesman Richard Bautcher characterized as absolutely absurd the allegations made by terrorist organization "17 November" according to which, the failed assassination attempt targeting right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy parliament deputy Vasilis Michaloliakos was the work of American secret services.

The US State Department spokesman stated that the allegations based on which, the United States in a way were involved in a terrorist attempt against a member of the Greek parliament are absolutely absurd. He said that the US government will not enter any kind of a dialogue with a terrorist organization and added that the US cooperates with the Greek authorities to bring to justice those responsible for such actions.

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