Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-19

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE WILL ORGANIZE EXCELLENT GAMES IN 2004

[02] LUCOIL&YUKOS READY TO PAY PREMIUM FOR ELPE

[03] PAPANDREOU MEETS WITH GEORGIEVSKI IN THESSALONIKI

[04] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ASE

[05] REPPAS ON THE FIVE BRITISH AIRCRAFT

[06] REPPAS: THE FORMER CIA DIRECTOR IS A STORYTELLER

[07] STATEMENTS ON TERRORISM BY THE PRIME MINISTER

[08] ESTABLISHMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL

[09] THE "BIG BROTHER" TRIAL SET FOR NOVEMBER 5

[10] GREECE RANKS 59TH ON FIFA'S LIST

[11] INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE IN OLYMPIC AIRWAYS

[12] STATEMANTS OF NEW ELOMME PRESIDENT OF OCENIA

[13] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLI OIL PIPELINE

[01] GREECE WILL ORGANIZE EXCELLENT GAMES IN 2004

Under the shadow of the effects of the terrorist attack on the US, began, in the 3rd summer section of the Parliament, the discussion on Olympic Hospitality and infrastructure works in view of the 2004 Olympics.

Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos stressed that there is a complete security plan for the Olympic Games and he emphatically assured that "Greece will organize flawless and safe Olympic Games, cooperating with all other countries and relevant organizations, and the measures which it shall apply will be in the framework of the Constitution of the European Agreement without insulting any personal freedoms.

More specifically, Mr. Venizelos stressed that "the tragic events of September 11 in the US, was an incision in the history of humanity, it changed political standards of the international system and had catalytic international effects.

It affected he added Greece both in itself, as a member of the EU and as an organizing country.

The Minister of Culture stressed that the strategic safety plan of our country is complete, adequate and I hope it will be effective.

"Greece has not discovered gunpowder, it is not improvising, it is not alone. We are open to cooperation with other countries that can offer us the know-how and we are already cooperating with 7 countries and their corresponding agencies that have worked on such issues. This is happening systematically, quietly and, I would like to believe, effectively", pointed out Mr. Venizelos characteristically.

At this point the Minister of Culture reminded that the Winter Olympics in the US proceed the Athens Olympics. He added that Greece will observe all this know-how, and apply it to the Constitution of the European Agreement, assuring that no personal freedoms would be injured.

As Mr. Venizelos stressed, Democracy must beat Terrorism, and an ideological confrontation of cultures must not take place.

We must he said put our culture up against our notion of culture and he added that the civilized world is not just the Western world, where there are also samples of terrorism. In fact he brought the examples of England and the Irish, Spain and ETA, and France and Corsica.

"Greece will organize flawless, safe Olympic Games, cooperating with all the countries of the world and all relevant organizations", he said, ending his position on the safety of the Athens Olympic.

At the same time he expressed the hope that this national issue, will not fall in the path of party claims or petty party interests, and that the parties rise to the occasion.

Earlier the spokesmen of the opposition stated that they voted against it in the first vote, while New Democracy and the Coalition stressed the need for the government to place more weight on the issue of security of the Olympics which will take place in our country and that message will spread.

[02] LUCOIL&YUKOS READY TO PAY PREMIUM FOR ELPE

The Russian LUKOIL and YUKOS companies are ready to pay a premium for the procurement of just 30% in Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE SA), due to their great interest in expanding their activities to Greece.

This judgement was expressed by Alexandros Boulougouris, analyst for P&K Stock Exchange company, in statements made in the Wall Street Journal, which were republished today in the Naftemporiki newspaper.

The Russian Groups are under pressure in the Greek market, as movements of stabilization in the oil sector in Eastern Europe are becoming more intense. Already the Austrian OMV and the Hungarian MOL have made an offer for 17,6% of the Polish PKN.

OMV has also expressed an interest for 15%-30% in Hellenic Petroleum. A representative of MOL in Poland pointed out that the company is exploring various plans for privatization in several countries of Southeast Europe, including Greece.

Hellenic Petroleum is looking for a foreign partner, aiming at gaining access to new, multinational markets, broadening its activities, as the Directing Consultant of Hellenic Petroleum, Eleftherios Tzellas, stressed in statements.

[03] PAPANDREOU MEETS WITH GEORGIEVSKI IN THESSALONIKI

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet in Thessaloniki tomorrow with FYROM prime minister Ljupco Georgievski. The meeting is scheduled to take place at a Thessaloniki restaurant at 8.30pm.

The meeting is placed within the framework of the efforts made by Greece for peace and the solution of the problems in the neighboring country.

[04] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.87% at 2.247,57 points, while the volume of transactions was at 178.1 million Euro.

The signs of stabilization seen in the international stock markets had a positive effect on the Athens Stock Exchange that reacted dynamically and the interest of the Greek and foreign investors was attracted by the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE.

Of the stocks trading today, 265 recorded gains and 75 had losses, while the value of 38 remained stable.

[05] REPPAS ON THE FIVE BRITISH AIRCRAFT

The announcement concerning the arrival of the five British aircraft that landed and stayed for a night at the "Eleftherios Venizelos" Athens Airport had been made to the Greek civil aviation authorities on September 7, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, adding that after the inspection made on them it was established that they did not carry any illegal material, such as weapons, other materials or substances.

Their flight, stressed Mr. Reppas, was totally legitimate and the Greek authorities made their inspections as usual.

Mr. Reppas stated that the five British aircraft belong to a private company that has a contract of cooperation with the British ministry of defense, adding they came from Italy, stayed for one night at "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport and departed for Egypt.

[06] REPPAS: THE FORMER CIA DIRECTOR IS A STORYTELLER

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, characterized former CIA director James Woolsey as a storyteller, responding to a question by reporters concerning the statements the US official has made on Cyprus' involvement in the issue of terrorism.

Mr. Reppas, when asked to comment on the statements made by Mr. Woolsey and general Clark, referred to the response that was given by the Cypriot government and added that it is not the first time for Mr. Woolsey to return to issues that have been answered many times in the past.

Mr. Reppas stated that maybe Mr. Woolsey serves the plans of third parties that want to hurt Cyprus and its course toward the European Union, adding that this will not happen because the accusations made are unfounded.

On Greece's stance concerning the US military operations, the government spokesman stated that a discussion is underway with the EU partners, while those issues will also be discussed in the extraordinary EU summit meeting that will be held on Friday.

[07] STATEMENTS ON TERRORISM BY THE PRIME MINISTER

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis stressed that "we have not a shred of tolerance and understanding for the terrorists", in statements he made after the meeting he had today with the president of Iceland, who is on a visit to Greece.

Mr. Simitis pointed out that the terrorist attack on the United States cannot be unanswered, adding that every response will lead to tension. He said that there should be no compromise and transaction with the terrorists. The prime minister also stressed that Greece will participate in the initiatives that will be undertaken because it is a member of the NATO alliance.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, when asked to comment on the issue of the Greek participation in a likely NATO response to the terrorist strikes, said that the activation of NATO's article 5 is not a carte-blanche. Mr. Reppas added that Greece is present to discuss the issues that need to be faced.

[08] ESTABLISHMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL

Foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou announced the establishment of the foreign policy council after a request made by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy. Mr. Papandreou briefed today ND leader Kostas Karamanlis on the developments after the terrorist attack on the United States.

Mr. Papandreou reiterated Greece's proposal for an Arafat-Sharon meeting in Greece. On Greece's cooperation with the NATO allies in case of an attack against the terrorists, the foreign minister stressed that Greece is ready to cooperate with all the members of the alliance, adding that at the moment no concrete request has been made, while no plan has been discussed within the framework of NATO or the European Union.

Mr. Papandreou stated that military reactions are only a part of reactions that can take place but not necessarily the heaviest or more meaningful when dealing with such organizations.

From his side, Mr. Karamanlis reiterated his demand concerning the establishment of the political party leaders council presided over by president Kostis Stephanopoulos. ND spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos pointed out that the times are crucial and national consensus is necessary to define the country's strategy in the new scene that is being created.

[09] THE "BIG BROTHER" TRIAL SET FOR NOVEMBER 5

The case of the television show "Big Brother" was rescheduled to be discussed in an Athens court on November 5. Two lawyers are the plaintiffs in the case, calling for measures against the television station "Antenna" in order to be forced to stop the broadcast of the "Big Brother" TV show.

According to the plaintiffs, the TV show in question hurts the rights of television viewers, insults their personality and trashes every sense of morality.

[10] GREECE RANKS 59TH ON FIFA'S LIST

Greece's national football team dropped four places on FIFA's list after its defeat in Helsinki by the national football team of Finland.

The announcement came from FIFA and the Greek national football team is now at 59th place with 548 points, while the opponents of Greece in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers rank much higher.

Germany dropped to the 12th place with 708 points, while England is 9th with 712 points. Finland is 52nd with 576 points, while Albania is 88th with 472 points.

According to FIFA's September 2001 list, the 10 leading football teams in the world are: France (810), Brazil (799), Argentina (794), Italy (737), Portugal (732), Spain (730), Colombia (719), Holland (717), England (712), Mexico (711).

[11] INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE IN OLYMPIC AIRWAYS

Six computers and all the files on the maintenance of aircrafts were stolen from technical base of Olympic Airways which is still at Elliniko.

According to today's publication of Kathimerini newspaper, the computers information on all the company's aircrafts both for their utilization and their maintenance.

The theft was noticed by the employees of the company on Monday, but it was not announced. At OA it is being speculated that the theft may have taken place due to the interest of the potential buyers of the company, in case it was not common thieves.

The administration of OA reported the event to the District Attorney who will look into the matter.

[12] STATEMANTS OF NEW ELOMME PRESIDENT OF OCENIA

"An organization must be alive, or it has no reason of existence. It is a matter of self respect of each person and that is our role in participating in Greek living abroad organizations".

This is what the new President of the Association of Officials Of Greek Living Abroad Mass Media (ELOMME) of Ocenia, Vivian Morris, who is the first woman to assume this position.

Mrs. Morris puts the closer and more substantial contact between the organization members in her immediate responsibilities, as well as the deepening of cooperation with Greek living abroad colleagues outside the ELOME, something not done today.

"I would like to build on what we have already founded and to materialize findings of our conference in July 2000", pointed out Mrs. Morris.

"At the same time we must be in contact with the changes which take place in the community, with the new generations coming, with the changing facts. The Greek living abroad media must readjust in this direction, so that they can assume a more important role. We cannot but be more sensitive to these issues. We must encourage discussion with Greeks living abroad through our meetings and seminars, to play a part in the cultural events of the community".

Mrs. Morris expressed her satisfaction on the composition of the new board of directors of ELOMME, noting that its principle is for each member to have its own discreet part, so that there is positive disposition for work. On Thursday, September 20, the positions of the elected Greek living abroad journalists on the board of directors will be decided.

[13] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLI OIL PIPELINE

The Greek Minister of Development, Nikos Christodoulakis, made a one-day visit to Sofia yesterday, where he met with the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Simeon Saxkoburgotski. He also met with the Minister of Peripheral Development and Public Works, Konstantin Paskalev and the Minister of Economics, Nikolai Vasilev.

During their meetings, the issues of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline and issues of cooperation in the fields of tourism, information, power and industry, were discussed.

Special attention was paid to the project of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline. Mr. Christodoulakis referred to the upcoming meeting of delegations from Bulgaria, Greece and Russia, which will take place two weeks from now in Sofia, at which the "Interbalkan Oil Pipeline" trilateral company is expected to be founded, which will carry out the project.

Referring to recent developments, after the terrorist attacks in the US, the Greek Minister said that it completely normal and expected for projects which guarantee the safe transfer of oil, to be favored during periods like these. Greece, Bulgaria and Russia, fulfill these requirements.

Besides, in a common press conference held by Mr. Christodoulakis and the Bulgarian Minister of Peripheral Development and Public Works of Bulgaria, Mr. Paskalef, apart from the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline, mention was made of the privatization of the Bulgarian Electricity Company and the interest of DEH (Greek Electricity Company) to participate in this procedure was stressed.

Mr. Christodoulakis also referred to the initiative of the Greek government for the support of the "Information Park" in Greece, which will be open to scientists and companies from other countries. The Bulgarian side showed interest in participating in the Park.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article