Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-09-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] NEW ARMED FORCES DEFENSE STRATEGY FOR THE

[02] EVENTFUL ANTI-WAR RALLIES

[03] FULL GREECE-IOC AGREEMENT ON 2004 OLYMPICS

[04] ANTI-FASCIST WELCOME FOR HEIDER

[05] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] SAE-EUROPE MEETING IN THESSALONIKI

[07] BALKAN MINISTERS DISCUSS INVESTMENT INFRASTRUCTURES IN THESSALONIKI

[08] PAPANDREOU WILL VISIT RUSSIA, GERMANY AND THE US

[09] REPPAS COMMENTED ON TERRORISM

[10] RALLIS: KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS HAD THREATENED WITH RESIGNATION

[11] THE ADVISER TO THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI

[12] OSWALD: DELAYS SHOULD BE AVOIDED

[13] CONCENTRATION OF N. FONTAIN'S CONTACTS IN ATHENS

[14] J. SEMPRUN: ATTACK ON US NEW TYPE OF FASCISM

[15] THE POPE CONDEMNED THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

[01] NEW ARMED FORCES DEFENSE STRATEGY FOR THE

The new facts on the defensive world map oblige Greece to readjust its Armed Forces Defensive Strategy Revision.

Improportionate threats have been included in the Defensive Strategy Revision for the first time, but, underlined Minister of Defense Akis Tsohatzopoulos, no country has effective enough defenses to deal with them.

No one can guarantee the security of citizens and peoples all over the world, since the necessary security policy has never been processed or applied, he said characteristically at a press conference.

The use of nuclear or biochemical weapons by countries renegades or terrorist groups is not out of the question, mentions the text of the Defensive Strategy Revision, in which terrorist actions are defined as threats to national security, while improportionate threats (attempts to undermine an opponent which are based on taking advantage of the opponent's weaknesses, and by using means which are greatly different from the usual way of conducting operations) also include organized crime, uncontrollable illegal immigration, dispersal of weapons of mass destruction and information war.

In any case, Greek Armed Forces are preparing for all contingencies. A Special Department of Threat Confrontation and a Special Corps for Nuclear and Biochemical Warfare will be founded. Also the Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, will create the National System for Preventing and Dealing With Crises, which will be supplementary to the Governmental Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense, for the prompt estimation and dealing with crises on a political and military level. From now on all Greeks participating in the Special Forces on missions abroad, will be equipped with chemical warfare equipment. No internal enemy is suspected, and the threat is thought to come solely from outside the country.

[02] EVENTFUL ANTI-WAR RALLIES

The protest organized by the Greek Communist Party and Genoa Initiative 2001, at Propylea in Athens last night, ended eventfully.

Groups of protestors engaged other protestors and there was tension for a significant period of time.

Earlier, the speakers condemned terrorism, but also any kind of retaliation, while a march to the Parliament and the American Embassy.

All central roads were blocked, causing a traffic jam in downtown Athens and all roads leading there.

[03] FULL GREECE-IOC AGREEMENT ON 2004 OLYMPICS

There is complete agreement between the greek government and the IOC on security issues for the Olympics, stated Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, after his meeting with the President of the IOC Coordination Committee, Dennis Oswald. "We have already moved the preparations along, the problems are international, and we will deal with them in the spirit of international cooperation. What must happen will happen. Whatever extra measures need to be taken, will be taken. The cost will be divided properly between the organizing country and other countries, because security measures are not just about buildings or special machinery, they are also about measures which can be taken by all countries participating.

The Minister of Culture expressed the belief that Greece will be absolutely consistent with the schedule for completing the works for the Olympics, and added that our country has both the technical ability to complete the projects and has acquired the necessary funds.

"I am convinced of the success of the Athens Olympics. Besides, I know that these games are especially important to you, due to your heritage and history, but that is exactly the reason why we insist on the keeping within the deadlines so much, because of the importance of the organization", noted Mr. Oswald.

He also stressed that the technical part, which includes housing, transportation, sports facilities, must be ready as soon as possible.

[04] ANTI-FASCIST WELCOME FOR HEIDER

The President of the Right Wing extremist party of Austria, Georg Heider and his Freedom Party, were welcomed' to Thessaloniki by PAOK fans, when he arrived as President of the Kerden football team.

In Touba stadium, where the team played, PAOK fans, and members of the Genoa Initiative 2001, raised banners which read PAOK destroy fascism in English, and against fascism in German.

Kerden President entered the stadium under heavy police protection.

Earlier, upon his arrival at Thessaloniki's Macedonia airport, he pointed out that he was in town not as a politician, but as the President of Kerden, and when asked about his various statements, which caused reactions on a Pan-European level, he said he does not regret a thing about them.

[05] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +2.47% at 2.226,05 points, while the volume of transactions was at 168.20 million Euro or 57.31 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority, 341, recorded gains and 13 had losses, while the value of 24 remained stable.

[06] SAE-EUROPE MEETING IN THESSALONIKI

The coordinating council of the regional World Council for Hellenes Abroad, SAE-Europe will meet in Thessaloniki tomorrow in the presence of undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis, responsible for issues concerning the Greeks living abroad.

In the meeting will be discussed issues concerning the National Fund for Greeks living abroad, the youth movement and the appointment of teachers in the Black Sea countries. A briefing will be made on the Greeks in Russia and the activities undertaken in those regions, while the women's conference in Italy will also be among the issues that will be discussed.

The coordinating council will also deal with education, economic, labor and communication problems faced by the Greeks living abroad. In addition, plans will be presented aimed at bringing the Greeks living in Europe closer together, through the development of their relations and economic activities.

[07] BALKAN MINISTERS DISCUSS INVESTMENT INFRASTRUCTURES IN THESSALONIKI

The need for regulation reforms in investment infrastructures in southeastern Europe will be discussed in a two-day seminar that will be held in Thessaloniki on October 2-3.

Government representatives from all countries in the region and international organizations officials, the European Commission and the Stability Pact, will present their positions within the framework of the seminar, organized by the Greek government and the Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD.

The goal of the seminar is the development of dialogue among the southeastern European countries and the international organizations involved in the creation of reform policies.

In the seminar will participate representatives, at ministers and undersecretaries level, from Albania, Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Montenegro, Turkey, Romania, FYROM, Latvia, Croatia, and Holland. Also, there will be representatives from the OECD, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, the European Commission and the Stability Pact.

[08] PAPANDREOU WILL VISIT RUSSIA, GERMANY AND THE US

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will visit Moscow on Monday for talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.

Then he will visit Berlin for talks with German foreign minister Joshka Fischer, while in the evening of the same day he will depart for the United States where he will stay until Thursday night.

In Washington, he will meet with US secretary of state Colin Powell, other US government officials, and leading members of the US House of Representatives and the Senate.

Also, Mr. Papandreou will visit New York where he will meet with Archbishop Dimitrios of North and South America and leading members of the Greek-American community.

[09] REPPAS COMMENTED ON TERRORISM

There is a flow of information, and the evidence exchanged among the responsible government ministries must be evaluated, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to comment on the report published on the Athens newspaper "TA NEA" according to which, 10 individuals of Arab origin, linked with the terrorist attack on the United States, are being watched in Greece.

Mr. Reppas added that those issues are not available for a public discussion, adding that a safe conclusion cannot be reached yet in order to be able to express a final position.

He stressed that the responsible agencies play a key-role and their operation must be safeguarded. The Greek government spokesman also reiterated that the Greek government is against terrorism.

[10] RALLIS: KONSTANTINOS KARAMANLIS HAD THREATENED WITH RESIGNATION

Konstantinos Karamanlis as president of the Hellenic Republic had made it clear to Andreas Papandreou and PASOK that he would dissolve parliament and resign from the Greek presidency to lead the fight in favor of the then EEC in case Greece's European course was jeopardized.

The above were revealed by former prime minister Georgios Rallis speaking yesterday in the "Konstantinos Karamanlis" Democracy Institute event that took place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Greece's EU membership.

Among the speakers in the event were also right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy president Kostas Karamanlis, Greek European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and Euro-Parliament president Nicole Fontaine.

[11] THE ADVISER TO THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI

Dr. Motoshige Itoh, special adviser to the Japanese prime minister, will visit Thessaloniki in a crucial period for the course of the world economy.

His lecture scheduled to take place at Thessaloniki's Commerce and Industry Chamber on October 5 is expected with great interest.

He will make a detailed presentation of the course of the Japanese economy, its problems and prospects and refer to the effects the terrorist attack on the United States will have on international markets.

[12] OSWALD: DELAYS SHOULD BE AVOIDED

A press conference on the course of the 2004 Olympic Games projects that are underway was given in Athens today by International Olympic Committee, IOC, Coordinating Committee president Dennis Oswald and "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee president Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis. Mr. Oswald and IOC officials expressed satisfaction concerning the course of the Greek preparations and suggested that delays should be avoided.

The Coordinating Committee president mentioned that marketing, the press services and the "Athens 2004" relations with sports federations are very positive elements in the Greek preparations.

On the timetable concerning the Olympic projects, he said that there are certain delays and expressed IOC concerns regarding the road access to certain major Olympic projects. He said, however, that prime minister Kostas Simitis and culture minister Evangelos Venizelos assured him that the delays are caused by certain obstacles in legal procedures that are being settled.

[13] CONCENTRATION OF N. FONTAIN'S CONTACTS IN ATHENS

The issue of policies after the terrorist attack on the US and the new standards that are being created on an international level, were at the center of discussions of the President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontain, with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos.

In statements Mrs. Fontain made, she stressed that terrorism must not be identified with Islam, while she expressed the proposal of the European Union to act in a supplementary manner to the US, with battling terrorism as its goal.

Mrs. Fontain also discussed the perspective of the European Union as well as the upcoming assumption of the European Presidency by Greece, in January 2002. Specifically, she said that Greece is assuming the Presidency at a very crucial point for the European Union, while in relation with the broadening of the community she expressed the wish of Europe for Cyprus to be in the first group of countries to accede to the European Union.

[14] J. SEMPRUN: ATTACK ON US NEW TYPE OF FASCISM

The attack on the US was characterized as a new type of fascism by the famous Spanish writer, Jorge Semprun, who stressed that it is a phenomenon of violence, which has taken on a new dimension today, while at the same time he stated that we must not confuse religious fanaticism with terrorism. Jorge Semprun had a friendly meeting with reporters in view of the publication of his book, Farewell Light of Youth, in Greek, and he referred to the issue of terrorism, the relationship of Islam with democracy, he characterized the Basque movement as national totalitarianism, he spoke about his feelings on those who expelled him from the Spanish Communist Party and he stated he preferred to live than to write.

[15] THE POPE CONDEMNED THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

The genocide of the Armenians by the Turks in 1915 was condemned by Pope John-Paul B' and Armenian Catholic Patriarch Karekin B' in a joint statement they issued after the Pope's visit to Armenia was completed.

Pope John-Paul B' for the first time recognized the slaughter of the Armenians as a genocide in a joint statement issued during the visit of the Armenian religious leader to the Vatican last November.

In the joint statement that was issued today it is mentioned that the innocent people, who were killed, were not canonized but many of them were certainly martyrs in the name of Christ. In the statement is also pointed out that especially today, the difficulties and challenges at an international level make imperative the choice between bad and good, light and darkness, humanism and barbarity, truth and lies.

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