Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] GEORGIEVSKI IN THESSALONIKI

[02] SOBER AND SERIOUS DECISIONS WILL UPGRADE GREECE'S ROLE

[03] PAPANTONIOU: THE ECONOMIC PROSPECTS ARE POSITIVE

[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] THE 1ST HELLENIAD WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI IN 2002

[06] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION ON FISHERIES ISSUES

[07] GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MEETING

[08] PAPAZOI-MATSUURA: NO TO THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS

[09] ND WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT IN THE EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM

[10] BULGARIAN PROSECUTOR TO FACE THE GREEK JUSTICE

[11] THE GERMAN WAR REPARATIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE SPECIAL SUPREME

[12] SECURITY MEASURES HAVE TIGHTENED AT AIRPORTS

[13] THE STOLEN GREEK PASSPORT CAME TO THE US VIA SYRIA

[01] GEORGIEVSKI IN THESSALONIKI

A message of the High Representative for Common Foreign Policy and Civil Safety of the European Union, Javier Solana, on the expedition of peace making procedures in FYROM, is expected to be sent via Foreign Secretary Giorgos Papandreou to the FYROM Prime Minister Liouptso Georgievski, tonight in Thessaloniki.

G. Papandreou and L. Georgievski will meet tonight at 20:30 at the fish tavern, and according to information, the meeting was set up by the European Union, shortly before the beginning of the Summit Meeting of the "15"

[02] SOBER AND SERIOUS DECISIONS WILL UPGRADE GREECE'S ROLE

1.000.000 Afghans are on the Iranian-Turkish borders and are bound for countries of the EU and, of course, Greece.

This was disclosed by Foreign Secretary Giorgos Papandreou to the Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Parliament yesterday, during talks on the last developments after the terrorist attack on the US.

As Mr. Papandreou stated, this information comes from Turkish officials in the framework of regular cooperation which exists between the two countries on issues of lower politics.

In fact, as he stated, there is close cooperation with Turkey on the issue of illegal emigration, noting that there is an attempt to specify policy on readmission of illegal emigrants.

He agreed with New Democracy MP Dora Bakoyanni, who stressed the need for a change in emigration policy, who brought Germany as an example, where they changed their law within a few days, before the events in the US.

But there is a need - he stressed for an organized, adjustable and legal emigration policy, which will prevent illegal emigration, will incorporate political refugees in Greek society and will strike organized crime in our country at its root.

There must not be prejudices due to religious differences and decent, because such a frame of mind would have the opposite result from what we would want, he characteristically mentioned.

Mr. Papandreou refuted the information that found its way into the media, that bin Laden had relations with UCK, saying that these are scenarios and there is no confirmed information on such an issue or on the information reporting camps in Albania where Afghan terrorists are trained by UCK soldiers.

However, he commented that in Kossovo there is an organized criminal source which is arms and drug related, which must be dealt with. In fact, as he said, Greece will propose the closer cooperation of Balkan countries so that organized crime can be dealt with.

To MP questions on whether the role of Turkey has been upgraded after the recent events in the US, Mr. Papandreou answered negatively, pointing out that Turkey itself is in a difficult position, it has interior problems, which concern Muslims within it and in neighboring countries, and besides that it has major economic problems.

Its implication or upgrading of its role or lead in the situation, will have consequences within its society, he stressed.

To a question of whether the country is examining a new defensive policy, the Foreign Secretary noted that Greece, within the framework of a new defense policy, must seriously evaluate what this new threat of terrorism means and to include security and defense measures into its broader policies.

On the activation of NATO's article 5, he underlined that it means that we overlook neither international law and our conventional obligations nor legal order and democratic institutions.

Referring to strategic role and the implication of Greece in the new page of international rearrangements and correlation, Mr. Papandreou pointed out that our implication and our participation will be our only guarantee that we contribute and lead events in our favor.

However, he hastened to add that our role will be upgraded, if we contribute sober and serious propositions on the confrontation of this crisis.

Referring to the identity of the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on the US, he said that without having specific evidence it seems to be related to the organizations of Osama bin Laden, which have no relation to people's rights.

Finally, on the position of our country on the dealing with the attacks against the US, he said that we must not stand neutral as the MP of the Greek Communist Party, Liana Kaneli, proposed, but rather have active participation, so that we face no consequences and isolation. Finally, Mr. Papandreou stressed that terrorism demands long-term strategy.

[03] PAPANTONIOU: THE ECONOMIC PROSPECTS ARE POSITIVE

The prospects for the Greek economy are positive for the year 2002, stated Greek national economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou in spite of the insecurity in the international economic developments. He stressed that the Greek economy has dynamism and the necessary elements to overcome the likelihood of a recession.

Mr. Papantoniou said that Greece can now undertake actions that looked unfeasible a few years ago because its economy is strong and is an equal member in the Euro-zone.

[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -5.08% at 2.133,46 points, while the volume of transactions was 133.6 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, just 11 recorded gains and the majority, 348, had losses, while the value of 19 remained stable.

According to analysts, the market appears weak to disengage itself from international developments and the downward trends could continue for a number of days.

[05] THE 1ST HELLENIAD WILL BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI IN 2002

The 1st Helleniad will be held in Thessaloniki in the summer of 2002 and will include the world games of the Greek athletes living abroad, as well as the Festival of Hellenism. The event will be held every two years and will always take place in Thessaloniki, as it was announced today in a press conference by culture minister Evangelos Venizelos.

The Helleniad National Committee that was formed after a joint decision by Mr. Venizelos, undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis and undersecretary of culture Giorgos Floridis, responsible for sports issues, will undertake to organize the events.

Mr. Venizelos characterized the Helleniad as a celebration of the Greeks of the Diaspora, who will make their ties with Greece stronger through sports and cultural activities and promote every aspect of Greek creativity.

[06] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION ON FISHERIES ISSUES

Greece and Turkey will discuss ways of cooperation on fisheries issues in the Aegean and the Mediterranean in general, as well as the protection of the sea environment.

In a meeting agriculture minister Giorgos Anomeritis had in Istanbul last week with his Turkish counterpart a decision was reached to form a joint Greek-Turkish committee of specialists to examine issues concerning fishing in the Aegean and the Mediterranean and the protection of the sea environment.

Mr. Anomeritis stressed that issues concerning the law of the sea will not be discussed as the two countries have different views.

[07] GOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE MEETING

The Governmental Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense met in Athens today presided over by prime minister Kostas Simitis. In statements he made after the meeting minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos stressed that a new situation is being created and Greece needs a new national defense policy that will guarantee safety, stability, and peace for all the Greek citizens.

Prime minister Simitis underlined that Greece will offer its support to the United States and the American people but it will respect the collective decisions reached by NATO, the EU and the UN.

In the following days, the Governmental Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense will hold another meeting that will focus on the issue of terrorism. For the record, prime minister Simitis will attend the extraordinary EU summit meeting in Brussels tomorrow. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also be in Brussels to attend the extraordinary summit meeting of the European Socialist Party.

[08] PAPAZOI-MATSUURA: NO TO THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS

Deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi met with UNESCO director general Koichiro Matsuura within the framework of the efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation between Greece and UNESCO and discussed the effects of the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Ms. Papazoi stressed that the meeting was held in a difficult time for humanity when an effort for cooperation is being made so that different cultures will be respected and the situation will not develop into a clash of civilizations.

Mr. Matsuura stated that Greece can play a strategic role in this effort. He said that the goal of the meeting is to strengthen cooperation between Greece and UNESCO, especially on cultural issues for the protection of monuments and cultural treasures. He also referred to the Parthenon Marbles, stressing that in spite of the negative stance adopted by the British, UNESCO wants to play the role of the mediator for the return of the marbles to Athens.

[09] ND WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT IN THE EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM

The right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy will help the government in its efforts against terrorism, as it was stressed in the party's Political Council meeting that was held under the presidency of party leader Kostas Karamanlis, who pointed out that his party will exercise strong criticism on the government.

As it was made known, the New Democracy president received a telephone call from the FYROM prime minister Ljupco Georgievski, who briefed him that he has evidence in his possession on the activities of Muslim extremists in his country and requested that the measures Europe will adopt against terrorism will include his country as well.

[10] BULGARIAN PROSECUTOR TO FACE THE GREEK JUSTICE

A senior Bulgarian prosecutor in a south Bulgarian region is accused of money laundering and could face the Greek justice. As it was revealed, the justice servant from the neighboring country and his wife maintained a common bank account with a Greek businessman who is accused of smuggling.

As it was made known, Thessaloniki prosecutor Mr. Kallidis suggested that his Bulgarian colleague Rosen Dimov and his wife Ilinka Karadorova as well as, other five individuals, among them the businessmen-brothers Giorgos and Iraklis Anthemidis, should be brought to justice.

The two brothers are also accused of involvement in an explosion on July 19, 1995 targeting the car of a customs officer which caused only material damage.

[11] THE GERMAN WAR REPARATIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE SPECIAL SUPREME COURT

The case of the German war reparations was postponed to be discussed in the Special Supreme Court on November 21 when it will be decided if the Greek courts can try cases against the German state.

Meanwhile, the legal representatives of the families of the victims of the Nazi atrocities in WWII insist that the Supreme Court judge Mr. Matthias be excluded from the case. In yesterday's procedures the Supreme Court judge did not preside invoking previous engagements.

[12] SECURITY MEASURES HAVE TIGHTENED AT AIRPORTS

The strengthening of security measures in all flights and at every Greek airport was decided in the meeting that was held today at the ministry of transportation and communications in Athens.

Minister Christos Verelis stated that all passengers will be allowed to bring only one handbag with them in the passengers' cabin and that it will be of specific dimensions.

The domestic flights' passengers will be subjected to a second selective search before boarding the plane, while police will make identity checks in different parts of the airports and all airport employees will also be checked. Stricter measures will be adopted when guarding the planes during the night. A Civil Aviation delegation has already inspected the airports in Thessaloniki, Iraklion, Phodes and Corfu.

Greece will propose the strengthening of security measures and the creation of a special police force that will inspect airports and airplanes in the general assembly meeting of the Civil Aviation Agencies World Organization that will take place in Canada at the end of the month.

[13] THE STOLEN GREEK PASSPORT CAME TO THE US VIA SYRIA

The case of the stolen passport of Greek singer Nikolaos Makrakis, that was found in the possession of one of the individuals arrested in the town of Elizabeth in New Jersey in connection with the recent terrorist attacks on the United States, has been solved by the US authorities.

According to information the FBI gave to the Greek embassy in Washington, the individual in question stated that he had bought the passport in Syria for US$ 700, while the passport did not have a US entry stamp.

For the record, Mr. Makrakis, who is Athens, had declared his passport stolen on July 13.

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