Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE TELEPHONE NUMBER "112" AT THE SERVICE OF TOURISTS

[02] RESPONSE TO NICHOLAS BURNS BY "ELEFTHEROTYPIA" AND "RIZOSPASTIS"

[03] BURNS: GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS BECAME STRONGER

[04] RIVER PARTY AT NESTORIO ON AUGUST 2

[05] "MELINA MERCOURI" AWARDS TO ALGERIA AND NORWAY

[06] RESIDENCE PERMITS TO THE ELDERLY AND UNDER-AGED IMMIGRANTS

[07] MPA WILL BROADCAST VASILIS KARRAS' CHARITY CONCERT

[01] THE TELEPHONE NUMBER "112" AT THE SERVICE OF TOURISTS

A new three digit telephone line, "112", will be in operation next week at the service of the Europeans who visit Greece. This phone line which is common in all European countries and serves emergency situations is already in operation in most of the European countries. In Greece will operate at the initiative of the Civil Protection General Secretariat with the technical support of the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE.

Eight operators will be on call on a 24hour basis and will be ready to offer solutions to foreign callers in case of an emergency, in two languages, English, and French.

[02] RESPONSE TO NICHOLAS BURNS BY "ELEFTHEROTYPIA" AND "RIZOSPASTIS"

"Eleftherotypia" always had a clear stance against any form of illegal violence. It condemned every murderous attack by terrorist organization "17 November", and the rest terrorist organizations, as well as those committed by the United States, only those were comparatively larger in extend and number of victims. The above are mentioned in a statement issued by newspaper "Eleftherotypia" in response to the accusations expressed by US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns in an interview with Greek journalists.

Mr. Burns reminds of Graham Green's quiet American. He did not understand anything about this land, and with good intentions the quiet American caused destruction, adds the newspaper.

It also underlines that the political target of the criticism was and is the ostensible use of fabricated enemies to limit the rights of the people and spread the global power and violent attacks of the United States.

It adds that publicizing the manifestos of "17 November" and other terrorist organizations does not constitute support to them, but it is an exercise of the freedom of the press and serves the public's right to information. It appears, continues the newspaper, that for Mr. Burns freedoms are only for the Americans. The rest , those who disagree with the official US policy, need to be censored.

"Rizospastis" editor-in-chief, Mr. Tsingas pointed out that the statements made by Mr. Burns regarding his newspaper do not need any comment, but regarding the Greek people Mr. Burns is wrong.

He said that the Greek people have bitter experiences from the American imperialist policy, and the majority of the Greeks have negative and even hostile feelings toward the US policy, adding that this was proven by the demonstrations against the American bombing of Kosovo.

[03] BURNS: GREECE'S ROLE IN THE BALKANS BECAME STRONGER

The strengthening of Greece's role in the Balkans, sees as the most important development during his term in Athens, outgoing US ambassador Nicholas Burns.

In an interview with Greek journalists, he characterized as dark spots of his career the Clinton visit to Greece, NATO's intervention in Kosovo and the Communist Party demonstrations he was met with during his vacation. However, he said that he will forget the unpleasant moments and focus on the good things.

He stated that he is thrilled with the contact he had with the Greek people and wished that the number of American tourists in Greece will increase because Greece is a beautiful country.

Mr. Burns stated that he is certain of the 2004 Olympic Games' success, and added that he leaves with a feeling of optimism regarding the Greek-US relations.

He accused part of the Greek press of anti-Americanism, using as an example the newspaper "Rizospastis" which accused of ideological fixations, and "Eleftherotypia" which, according to Mr. Burns, publishes articles on terrorism that are not objective. He said that he cannot understand why newspapers like "Eleftherotypia" do not speak out against the terrorists and publish their manifestos when the average Greek is against terrorism.

On terrorism, he said that Greece has made impressive steps in the past year, and that he believes that both governments share the same views on the problem.

He added that his country has the right to have a say on the issue, as five Americans have been murdered by terrorists in Greece, and the killers are still at large.

Mr. Burns gave a special emphasis on cooperation for safe Olympic Games, but he admitted that as far as he knows, the FBI has been unable to solve the bomb attack case in the Atlanta Olympic Games.

He mentioned that Greece's participation in the anti-missile shield, promoted by President Bush, is being considered but he did not enter into further details.

The US ambassador to Athens also spoke about the Greek politicians with praising words. He praised the work of Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, pointing out that he managed to improve Greece's picture internationally because the international community regards him as being clever, he has right judgment, and defends Greece's interests strongly.

He said that the same is in effect for Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, and Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis, while he added that he has good personal relations with Theodoros Pangalos.

[04] RIVER PARTY AT NESTORIO ON AUGUST 2

The River Party at Nestorio, near Kastoria in northwestern Greece, will begin on August 2 and celebrate 23 years since the first time it was held with the participation of famous Greek singers like, Giorgos Gakis and Petros Theotokatos (2/8), Eleftheria Arvanitaki and Alkinoos Ioannidis (3/8), Antonis and Yiannis Vardis and Stella Konitopoulou (4/8), Kostas Makedonas and Dimitris Basis (5/8).

The events were an initiative that was undertaken 23 years ago by a group of young people from Nestorio together with young Greeks living abroad, who used to visit Greece in the summer. They decided to hold their own party at the banks of Aliakmon river and since then the party takes place every year.

[05] "MELINA MERCOURI" AWARDS TO ALGERIA AND NORWAY

Algeria (Oman region) and Norway (Lygra island) will be the recipients of the "Melina Mercouri" (UNESCO-GREECE) international award this year. The award honors regions for the measures they take aimed at preserving and managing cultural landscapes.

The prize is awarded every two years and rewards model actions undertaken for the preservation and promotion of important cultural landscapes in the world.

The US$ 30.000 award will be delivered on October 25 within the framework of the UNESCO general assembly meeting.

[06] RESIDENCE PERMITS TO THE ELDERLY AND UNDER-AGED IMMIGRANTS

Just 4 days before the expiration of the deadline concerning the residence permits applications, the Greek government decided to allow more immigrant categories to file documents requesting a residence permit.

Specifically, it was decided that the elderly and the under-aged immigrants, who live in Greece alone, will be allowed to file applications for a residence permit as well.

[07] MPA WILL BROADCAST VASILIS KARRAS' CHARITY CONCERT

Macedonian Press Agency responding to an invitation extended by the Lehovo high school in Florina, northwestern Greece, and popular singer Vasilis Karras, will broadcast the charity music concert of the latter on the Internet in an appeal to the sensitivity of the Greeks living abroad. The broadcast will take place on July 30 and will start at 9pm.

The Lehovo high-school students in Florina, northwestern Greece and singer Vasilis Karras, have embraced fifteen-year-old Panagiotis Kantsis, who was seriously injured in an accident and is now bound to a wheel-chair.

Panagiotis Kantsis was seriously injured when he fell off his bicycle in September 1999 and was in a coma for a year. Now, the boy has communication problems, cannot stand up, and his treatment costs 700.000-800.000 drachmas a month. His father, who is a construction worker, and has other three children, cannot afford the expensive treatment.

The fifteen-year-old boy has to go to a hospital abroad in order to get well and the students in Lehovo have already managed to raise 6 million drachmas from a theater performance by the National Theater of Karditsa.

Now, popular singer Vasilis Karras will also offer his help to Panagiotis Kantsis with a concert in Lehovo on July 30 as he decided to offer all proceeds for his treatment.

Those who want to offer economic assistance to the young boy can make their deposits to the National Bank of Greece branch in Aminteo, account number 310/608491-50.

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