Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-10-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] ROLE FOR GREECE IN CENTRAL ASIA

[02] MANAGERS IN ATTICA HOSPITALS

[03] NEW EUROPEAN LEFT CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

[04] LIFEIMPROVEMENT FOR GREEK MUSLIMS

[05] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE ECONOMIC POLICY WILL NOT CHANGE

[07] PROTOPAPAS: GREECE IS A SAFE COUNTRY

[08] VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL VISIT GREECE IN DECEMBER

[09] THE PRIME MINISTER VISITED THE STATE MINT

[10] FIVE WERE INJURED IN A TRAIN ACCIDENT

[11] BIG GAINS IN THE ASE

[12] A GREEK FISHERMAN WAS DETAINED BY LIBYAN AUTHORITIES

[13] IMPORTANT DISCOVERY AGAINST MISCARRIAGES

[14] COCAINE HAUL SEIZED

[15] THE DOCTORS OF THE WORLD VISIT AFGHAN REFUGEE CAMPS

[01] ROLE FOR GREECE IN CENTRAL ASIA

There is a role for Greece to play in the crisis that has broken out since the terrorist strike in the US and the bombings of Afghanistan, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Papandreou, who is due to leave for Pakistan tomorrow, and then India and Iran, for discussions with the leadership of the three countries.

Even a small country can contribute with its positions and propositions, and Greece and do even more, since it has always been steadfastly in favor of peace and regional cooperation, and experience from its activity in the Balkans and the Middle East.

In an interview to Flash Radio Station, he mentioned Greece's initiatives for the discussions between different cultures and religions, and pointed out that our country is on the border of the Christian and the Muslim world, and that that is why our initiative will have effects for a long time.

This initiative and cooperation between different cultures and religions, in the form of a representative multinational government, is what the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musaraf, proposes as a visible and viable solution, in an interview to "Ta Nea" newspaper. He stated that his country will continue cooperating with the international community in the war against terrorism, he does not believe that thew West is terrorizing the Muslim world, he is in favor of discussions with India on the resolving of the Kashmir issue, and expressed his wish to visit Greece, which he passed through briefly in April 2000.

On Iran, Mr. Papandreou stated that there is strong interest in the development of its relations with western countries, especially the EU, and his talks will mainly be on that issue. Besides, starting January 1, Greece will be in two sectors (Euro, security) in the EU "Troika", a fact signifying its immediate implication in terrorism issues and the developments in Afghanistan.

[02] MANAGERS IN ATTICA HOSPITALS

The Ministry of Health is aiming at improving the image of hospitals, by appointing 33 administrators-managers for the area of Attica, who will sign a productivity contract, and will be evaluated every 18 months by the heads of PESY (Regional Health Systems), while they will be fired if they are unproductive.

Their responsibility is to organize emergency rooms, activate the patient reception area, and in general improve the neuralgic points of the hospitals.

Their names will be announced by the end of the year, while from the 33 administrators, 8 are doctors and the rest are economics and administration experts.

In relation to the afternoon shifts in hospitals, Minister Alekos Papadopoulos made it clear that they will be applied, while for those reacting he said that an attempt to guide citizens is being made, and stressed that some people don't want the system to change because they've made themselves comfortable.

[03] NEW EUROPEAN LEFT CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

An international meeting will be held at the Zappeion on Friday and Saturday, by the Forum of the European New Left and the corresponding eurogroup, after a proposal by the Coalition of the Left. Basic topics of the discussions to take place, which will commence with speeches by the President of the Coalition, Mr. Konstantopoulos, and the President of its eurogroup, Francine Vourge, are: The development of Europe, the new security challenges after the terrorist strike in the US and the war in Afghanistan.

[04] LIFEIMPROVEMENT FOR GREEK MUSLIMS

Two great interventions aiming at relieving and improving the lifestyle of sensitive social groups of the Muslim minority living in Alexandroupoli, and their essential incorporation into the city's social web, are soon to be made by the Municipality of Alexandroupoli. In the last meeting of the city council, they accepted a 340 million drs. grant from the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Region, which the Municipality of Alexandroupoli will use for water supply, sewage, and road building works, in areas where Muslims live.

The Municipality of Alexandroupoli submitted a complete budget proposal of 1.850 billion drs, to the Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Region and the Ministry of the Interior. It is not yet known if all or part of the proposal will be materialized, but it is part of the framework in the philosophy and specifications given by the Ministry. The aforementioned amounts will be gradually saved up, and the actions will be gradually materialized, over a period of 6-8 years, as foreseen by the programming for the 2002-2008 period.

There is no exact data on the number of Muslims living in Alexadroupoli. According to a rough count, there are about 3000 people, or 600 families. The Muslims living in Alexandroupoli are registered voters of the Municipality, with very few exceptions, and have the same rights and obligations Christian citizens have. They live in ground level, low quality housing, of a 50-60 square meter area, in housing projects which have no electricity, sewage, plumbing, etc. As far as their economic situation is concerned, there are many problems. 705 of the men work in construction sites, 20% are land workers and 10% are workers in factories or small industries.

[05] GREECE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas denied categorically that an attempt is made at a military camp in the central Greek city of Volos to form a unit that will be placed under NATO's orders to be used in the military operations in Afghanistan.

The Minister of Press and Mass Media stressed that Greece will not participate in the military operations in Afghanistan.

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE ECONOMIC POLICY WILL NOT CHANGE

The government's economic policy will not change, stated government spokesman Christos Protopapas when asked to comment on yesterday's statements by Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Christodoulakis.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the government will give an emphasis to the competitiveness of the Greek economy to be able to face competition in international markets.

He said that a special emphasis will be given to competitiveness through the five points outlined by Mr. Christodoulakis. Namely, tax reform, market liberalization, privatization and mergers, exploitation of the 3rd Community Framework of Support funds, development law review and strengthening of the investment climate.

[07] PROTOPAPAS: GREECE IS A SAFE COUNTRY

Greece is a democratic and safe country with a specific constitutional and legal framework that safeguards law and order, while measures are being taken against terrorism and organized crime, stated government spokesman Christos Protopapas, when asked to comment on the statements made by the US ambassador on the issue of terrorism after the meeting he had with the Minister of Finance.

The Minister of Press and Mass Media also stated that the measures taken by the Greek government are the result of close cooperation with responsible agencies from other countries and the United States.

[08] VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL VISIT GREECE IN DECEMBER

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be on a formal visit to Greece in the first ten days of December. It will be the first visit ever of a Russian President to Greece. Mr. Putin will be accompanied by his wife.

The Russian head of state will also make a one-day visit to Thessaloniki and the monastic community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, northern Greece.

[09] THE PRIME MINISTER VISITED THE STATE MINT

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis visited the state Mint in Athens today in view of the Euro's circulation on January 1, 2002 as legal tender in Greece and the rest EMU countries.

Mr. Simitis stated that Greece promotes its European prospect and social goals in a decisive manner, while he underlined the decisive importance of the involvement of citizens, businessmen and bank officials in the efforts for a smooth transition to the new single EU currency.

He said that the single European currency expresses the firm will of the European peoples to unite their forces, bridge their differences and build together a society of development and progress, justice and security, cohesion and solidarity.

Mr. Simitis also said that the Euro expresses the will of the Greek people and the socialist government of PASOK to promote the country's modernization.

[10] FIVE WERE INJURED IN A TRAIN ACCIDENT

The Enoi-Thiva railway line in central Greece remains closed since 6am this morning as a result of a train collision at the Enoi train station.

As it was made known, five passengers were injured when the Thessaloniki-Athens cargo train violated a stop signal and crashed into the Chalkida-Athens passenger train.

[11] BIG GAINS IN THE ASE

Big gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +3.59% at 2.468,26 points, while the volume of transactions was 159.59 million Euro or 54.38 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 316 had gains and 23 recorded losses, while the value of 40 stocks remained unchanged.

[12] A GREEK FISHERMAN WAS DETAINED BY LIBYAN AUTHORITIES

A fisherman from Chania, Crete in south Aegean has been arrested by the Libyan authorities.

According to the local newspaper "Chaniotiki Eleftherotipia", his name is Yiannis Katsigarakis. He and two Egyptians were fishing in a sea region between the Greek and Libyan territorial waters last Sunday.

Due to heavy seas in the region, he turned his fishing boat toward the port of Terna where he was arrested.

The Greek embassy in Tripoli, Libya has confirmed the news.

[13] IMPORTANT DISCOVERY AGAINST MISCARRIAGES

A very important achievement by researchers in the University of Crete, in south Aegean, will help millions of women, who suffer miscarriages during pregnancy.

The scientists located one of the fundamental mechanisms that control the implantation of the egg cell in the uterus during the initial stages of pregnancy. It is a mechanism that allows the egg cell to enter the uterus and at the same time, creates the preconditions for its survival until the pregnancy is completed.

The presence or absence of a specific hormone determines whether the embryo will survive in the uterus since the first stages of a pregnancy.

According to University of Crete Medical School professors Achilleas Gravanis and Antonis Makrigiannakis, the antagonist of the specific hormone opens the way for the creation of a more harmless contraceptive in the future and for drug induced abortions.

The scientific research had started in the University of Crete in 1994 and in a few days its conclusions will be published on an international status scientific magazine.

[14] COCAINE HAUL SEIZED

Greek Merchant Marine officers seized a total of 206 kilos of cocaine hidden in the Greek-ownership cargo ship "Saktun" that was anchored at a remote beach outside Preveza, in northwestern Greece.

The ship, under Tonga flag, belongs to the shipping company "Karma Shipping" and had come to Greece from Colombia via Portugal on October 8. According to information, five crew members have been arrested.

[15] THE DOCTORS OF THE WORLD VISIT AFGHAN REFUGEE CAMPS

Greek Doctors of the World visited Afghan refugee camps on Afghan territory yesterday to distribute humanitarian aid under very difficult access conditions.

Living conditions for the 7.000 people, who sought refuge in the "Maikiki" camp, have deteriorated further as a result of the sharp temperature drop and the wind storms in the region. The "Maikiki" refugee camp is under Taliban control and is situated in Afghan territory, 30 kilometers away from Afghanistan's borders with Iran.

The Greek Doctors of the World arrived at the refugee camp with the cooperation of the Red Crescent. They escorted their truck with 60 square meters of humanitarian aid that will be distributed to the refugees in the following days.

A precondition for the aid distribution was for the Taliban to give guarantees that the humanitarian aid will reach the refugees and not armed groups.

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