Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-24

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] ROGGE & OSWALD IN ATHENS TOMORROW

[02] A CLEAR GREEK POSITION ON TERRORISM

[03] LOWERED INTEREST RATES IN EFFECT

[04] NATIONAL CENTER FOR ISSUING PASSPORTS

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] ANTONAKOPOULOS IN ALBANIA TOMORROW

[07] REPPAS: NO REQUEST FOR GREEK GROUND FORCES

[08] GREECE RECEIVED TWO SPY PLANES

[09] ROUSOPOULOS: MS. PAPAZOI SHOULD RESIGN

[10] THE EURO-PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IN GREECE

[11] THE CERTIFICATION OF THE GREEK OLIVE OIL IS NECESSARY

[12] PAPANTONIOU: THERE IS NO NEED FOR A STABILITY PACT REVIEW

[13] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE PROTECTION OF GREECE'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS IS THE

[14] PARTICIPATION OF ISLANDS IN THE 2004 OLYMPICS

[15] OTE IS CLOSER TO THE FYROM MOBILE PHONE MARKET

[16] US GRATITUDE TO GREECE

[01] ROGGE & OSWALD IN ATHENS TOMORROW

The safety of the Olympics will be at the center of the meeting in Athens tomorrow, of the coordination committee of the IOC. Jacques Rogge and Dennis Oswald, will be briefed on the time charts and the development of the projects, and will discuss anew extra security measures.

In the meanwhile, two days before his visit to Athens, the new President of the coordination committee of the IOC, Dennis Oswald, made it clear that our country would not lift the weight and the cost of the increased security measures which will be taken in view of the Olympics, and after the terrorist attacks in NY, alone. Specifically, Mr. Oswald mentioned international funding, pointing in the direction of the topics which will be discussed during the visit of the IOC and its staff to our country.

[02] A CLEAR GREEK POSITION ON TERRORISM

The added cost for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, will be very small in the face of the profit, stated the Minister of Culture, Evaggelos Venizelos, in an interview to the "Ethnos" daily.

The Minister noted that Greece has two special problems to face: the organizing of the 2004 Olympics and the possibility of Cyprus' accession to the European Union. This is why it must have a clear position on terrorism and be in complete harmony with the measures decided by the European Union.

To a question on the possibility of a new President being elected in PASOK, Mr. Venizelos stated that the ones who initiated the discussion on a direct replacement of Mr. Simitis, made a political mistake.

[03] LOWERED INTEREST RATES IN EFFECT

The new lowered interest rates of Piraeus Bank come into effect today, with the basic deposit rate at 2%, while in certain accounts it can reach 3,25%.

In loans, the bank has moved to cuts in the interest rates that can reach 1%, with the basic short-term loan interest rate at 7,75% and the interest rate for the acquisition of business premises at 7,5%.

At the same time, a drop of 0,5% was announced by EFG Eurobank Ergasias in certain deposit accounts and loans.

Specifically, the steady deposit interest rate is 3% and the new basic interest rate for loans is 7,25%. The new interest rates came into effect today.

[04] NATIONAL CENTER FOR ISSUING PASSPORTS

There is no issue of covering the new law on terrorism because it covers practices that will be applied with the new pan-European measures, stated the Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis in an interview to Eleftherotypia newspaper.

The Minister noted that procedures are moving swiftly and that by Spring 2002 the founding and functioning of the National Center for Issuing Passports will be a reality, so that there is a new and safe public document.

Answering a question, he stressed that nothing important has come to light from the Greek Police investigations based on the information on 300 Arabs passed on by the US government.

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +2.07% at 2.149,12 points, while the volume of transactions was at 147.8 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 325 recorded gains and 20 had losses, while the value of 33 stocks remained stable.

[06] ANTONAKOPOULOS IN ALBANIA TOMORROW

Chief of the Greek General Army Staff Georgios Antonakopoulos will visit the Greek force in Albania on September 25-26.

Within the framework of his visit he will have contacts with the military leadership of the Albanian defense ministry and he will be briefed on the living conditions of the Greek military personnel in the country.

[07] REPPAS: NO REQUEST FOR GREEK GROUND FORCES

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, when asked to comment on how Greece will participate in the alliance against terrorism, stated that the country is a member of an Alliance and therefore, it is only natural for it to give its approval for the use of space or means that would be necessary to combat international terrorism.

Mr. Reppas stressed, however, that none has raised an issue for Greece to participate in military or ground forces operations in a military action of any kind.

Responding to the question if Greece has taken any additional measures or if it knows anything about a new terrorist attack, Mr. Reppas stated that there should be no concern about Greece, adding that there is no evidence leading to the conclusion that a new terrorist attack is imminent.

[08] GREECE RECEIVED TWO SPY PLANES

Two Swedish-made spy aircraft that will patrol over the Aegean Sea were received by Greece today. Their presentation was made in Elefsina by defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

In statements he made, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that the way in which the European Union and NATO states will cooperate with the United States to respond to the recent terrorist attacks on US soil can not be determined yet.

[09] ROUSOPOULOS: MS. PAPAZOI SHOULD RESIGN

Deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi should resign and if she will not then the prime minister will have to remove her from the government, stated right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Thodoros Rousopoulos on the occasion of the information included in an ombudsman report on the way Ms. Papazoi built her summer house in Ia, on the Aegean island of Santorini.

Mr. Rousopoulos stated that a number of irregularities were committed when her summer house was built and added that the ombudsman calls for her building permit to be revoked, while a number of measures must be taken on the case.

The issue has taken up great dimensions by the fact that Ms. Papazoi was an undersecretary of environment, public works and land planning when the irregularities took place.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas pointed out that the responsible agencies, like the town-planning agency and the ministry of environment, land planning and public works will give their response on the issue.

From her side, Ms. Papazoi stated that the issue is still pending as the responsible authorities are expected to evaluate the ombudsman's findings.

[10] THE EURO-PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IN GREECE

Euro-parliament president Nicole Fontaine will be on a formal visit to Greece on September 26-28 at the invitation of Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis.

During her visit, Ms. Fontaine will have a number of meetings with the state and political leadership to discuss current Greek, European and international issues. She will also address the European Affairs Parliamentary Committee and the Greek Euro-deputies to exchange views on the current European issues.

On the sidelines of her visit, Ms. Fontaine will open an international conference, on the 20th anniversary of Greece's EU membership and the future of Europe, organized by the "Konstantinos Karamanlis" Institute for Democracy.

Ms. Fontaine will end her visit to Greece with a meeting she will have with president Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[11] THE CERTIFICATION OF THE GREEK OLIVE OIL IS NECESSARY

The need to proceed with the certification and protection of the Greek olive oil and the edible olive, aimed at turning their quality superiority into economic profit, was the main conclusion in the two-day conference organized in Athens by the "Olive and Olive Oil" magazine.

The conference was held with the support of the European Commission under the auspices of the Greek agriculture ministry.

[12] PAPANTONIOU: THERE IS NO NEED FOR A STABILITY PACT REVIEW

Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou expressed the belief that there is no need for a Stability Pact review as the effects of the crisis in the US will end soon for the European economy.

In a press conference on the conclusions of the ECOFIN informal meeting in Liege, Belgium, Mr. Papantoniou stated that the fundamental elements of the European economy remain strong and therefore, the terrorist attack on the United States will not have a long-term effect on its prospects.

However, he said that no one can deny that the crisis in the United States will have short-term negative effects both on the world and the US economy and especially, on the European economy.

[13] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE PROTECTION OF GREECE'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS IS THE GOVERNMENT'S GOAL

The overall governmental policy has as a goal to defend the country's sovereign rights, guarantee the security of the Greek people and observe the commitments Greece has undertaken in international organizations, stated defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

Commenting on the results of a recent opinion poll that were published yesterday, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stressed that the governing socialist party of PASOK follows a course of improvement.

During his visit to Chania, at the island of Crete yesterday, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos announced that procedures are underway aimed at opening the islet of Souda to tourists.

[14] PARTICIPATION OF ISLANDS IN THE 2004 OLYMPICS

A strategic participation plan for the Aegean islands in the 2004 Olympics, is being processed by the Ministry of the Aegean. The target of this plan is funds gained from the holding of the 2004 Olympics, to be used in the island District, and the highest possible degree of participation of the islands in the greatest international cultural event, which our country will host

[15] OTE IS CLOSER TO THE FYROM MOBILE PHONE MARKET

There is no obstacle between the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, and the second mobile phone operation permit in FYROM as the government of the neighboring country rejected another bid as it lacked the necessary guarantees.

Specifically, the responsible ministry of transportation and communications in FYROM rejected the offer by the FYROM company LINK TELECOM because it did not present proof that it can provide the guarantees necessary to make the investment.

[16] US GRATITUDE TO GREECE

The US expressed their gratitude towards Greece for its support during this tragic period, through the statements of Secretary General Collin Powel. The first official statements on the position of Greece and its role in the fight against terrorism, were made by Mr. Powel at the swearing of Tom Miller as new Ambassador to Greece.

Consequently, Mr. Powel talked about Greece's role and the relationship of the two countries.

Mr. Powel also referred to Greek Turkish relationships repeating Washington's satisfaction to the approach being made.

In his own speech Mr. Miller underlined his love for Greece, and that his return was, as he said, the fulfillment of a dream. He continued, stressing: "Greek American relations are based on sturdy foundations, regardless of the differences we've had at times, which is normal and to be expected of a mature and powerful bilateral relationship. The priorities of my tenure in Greece, are, the promotion of American exports, the reduction in peripheral tensions, the Cyprus issue, terrorism and the safety of US citizens now abroad, cooperation with Greece in constructing a broad coalition against terrorism, putting a stop to the illegal transportation of individuals, organized crime, and the preparations of the 2004 Olympics".

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