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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-09

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] GREEKS SHOW SMALL INTEREST IN CONTRACEPTION
  • [02] N. KONSTANTOPOULOS: GREEKS ABROAD ARE NOT «ASYMMETRIC THREATS»
  • [03] KKE CRITICISM OF SAE
  • [04] GREEK INTERVENTIONS ON THE TERRORIST LAW
  • [05] STEFANOPOULOS: SAE SHOULD APPROACH NON-AFFILIATED GREEKS ABROAD
  • [06] KARAMANLIS: ND WILL WIN THE ELECTIONS
  • [07] EXCLUSIVE PUTIN INTERVIEW WITH MPA
  • [08] GREETINGS AT THE 4TH WORLD SAE
  • [09] PANEGYRIC OPENING OF THE 4TH WORLD SAE
  • [10] «OBSERVER» ON THE «PLANE-SPOTTERS»

  • [01] GREEKS SHOW SMALL INTEREST IN CONTRACEPTION

    Athens, 9 December 2001 (20:42 UTC+2)

    According to the information gathered by a panhellenic survey, about 6 out of 10 men and 5 out of 10 women believe that it is in the sexual obligations of the "powerful" sex to decide on the use of contraception during sex.

    The numbers become even larger for both sexes in younger ages, as 7 out of 10 men and women, aged 16 to 24, share that opinion.

    The same holds true for couples residing far from urban centers.

    An opposite view was expressed, by a percentage of about 45%, by women living with their companion or living alone, since they have more sexual experience.

    The results of the survey show that contraception is used by the majority of couples only in the beginning of the sexual relationship.

    The answers, especially those of the women, reveal the insecurity and lack of trust between the two companions, who only use contraception to protect themselves in case of an "illicit" relationship.

    According to the survey, after some period of time, most couples use no form of contraception, mainly because the men don't want to.

    The evidence of the survey, which was carried out by Metron Analysis for the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, confirms the preference of men for free sex, as only half of those asked use condoms at this time.

    The percentages are relatively low for women as well, since 1 out of 4 uses no form of contraception whatsoever.

    The most popular method of contraception for men, apart from the condom (50%), is interrupted contact (about 22%).

    6 out of 10 women depend on the method chosen by their companion, and only 1 out of 10 uses contraception themselves - contraceptive pill 4.8% or spiral 3.6%.

    The majority is mainly informed on the subject by the media or friends, and a much lower percentage is informed by a gynecologist.

    In fact, most Greek women have nothing to do with gynecologists, and pay him their first visit after the age of 25. It should be noted that most of the women who participated in the survey, stated that they only visit him when there is some cause for alarm, and never for preventive reasons.

    [02] N. KONSTANTOPOULOS: GREEKS ABROAD ARE NOT «ASYMMETRIC THREATS»

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (20:07 UTC+2)

    Greeks living abroad are not an "asymmetric threat", they have problems which the Greek government must deal with effectively, stressed the President of the Coalition of the Left, during his speech at the 4th World SAE.

    The Convention is taking place at a crucial period, the beginning of the 21st century, and we need to acquire a human face and not masks of the past, he said. Commenting on the developments after the September 11 attacks, he underlined that no ideology, no religion has the opinion that terrorism can blackmail history, nor that war can conform the world. He called the world alliance which consolidated for the war against terrorism to show decisiveness not only for the broadening or declarations of war, but also for the resolution of the pending problems in Cyprus, the Balkans, and the Middle East, and dealing with poverty.

    Mr. Kostantopoulos expressed the support of his party to Greeks living abroad.

    [03] KKE CRITICISM OF SAE

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (19:49 UTC+2)

    Greeks living abroad should stop being used for political agendas, stated MP of the Greek Communist Party Nikos Gajis, who represented the Secretary General of the Party, Aleka Papariga, at the 4th World SAE.

    He exerted harsh criticism on the course of SAE so far, stating that it has not dealt with any of the real problems Greeks living abroad face, only with charities. The appointment of the Greeks living abroad to participate in the World SAE did not take place under democratic procedures and he asked for the amendment of the Presidential Ordinance on the founding and functioning of SAE, so that it can be transformed into a real representative of Greeks living abroad with no exclusions.

    Drawing on the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US, he noted that the imperialists have unleashed an attack against democratic liberties and human rights, and accused the Greek government of following them.

    [04] GREEK INTERVENTIONS ON THE TERRORIST LAW

    Athens, 9 December 2001 (19:22 UTC+2)

    Eight essential interventions of Greece changed the scenery of the terrorist law and significantly improved the terms of the European arrest warrant.

    At the same time they also opened the way for marginal, as the Minister of Justice supported in an interview to the "Sunday Eleftherotypia", changes in the Greek terrorist law.

    Minister of Justice Philippos Petsalnikos stated that he was satisfied by what was achieved at the negotiations table, because the definition of terrorism and of terrorist actions, as well as the terms of the European arrest warrant do not trample on any fundamental constitutional or individual rights of citizens.

    The 8 interventions:

    According to what Greece asked for and achieved:

    1. The extradition of citizens when a crime has been committed in the country of citizenship has been retracted. According to the amendment supported mainly by Greece, the Netherlands, and another 9 countries, member-countries will be able to refuse the execution of the warrant and the turning over of the their citizen to another country, if the crime was committed in part, or in whole in the country of citizenship.

    2. Extradition due to racial, religious or language reasons was explicitly forbidden.

    3. The principle of specialty was retained, so those individuals extradited to a country may not be prosecuted on crimes other than those for which they were extradited.

    4. A "positive list" was adopted, which will include all serious offenses for which the European warrant can be issued (terrorism, organized crime, weapons smuggling, and others).

    5. The minimum time served for convictions of such crimes is three years.

    6. A serious terrorizing of civilian population is necessary to characterize a criminal activity as terrorism.

    7. Three key words have been added to the definition: "serious" destabilization or destruction of "fundamental" policies, "constitutional", financial and social structures of a country or an international organization.

    8. It is specified that the new regulations do not affect popular mobilization, while the occupation of public buildings, public means of transportation or private buildings serving public needs of the state, are no longer considered terrorist activities.

    [05] STEFANOPOULOS: SAE SHOULD APPROACH NON-AFFILIATED GREEKS ABROAD

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (19:21 UTC+2)

    "On the course of the Greek people I am optimistic, but on the course of the Greek nation I am optimistic and worried", specified President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos in his speech to the 4th World SAE.

    He reminded all present of the 1st Article of the Constitution which states that "all authority emanates from the people and is practiced for the people and the nation", and made the distinction between the notions of people and nation. On the second he stated that it is hard for one to describe and one can search for 4th or 5th generation Greeks living abroad, who prove that even a single distant root, an emotional tie suffices to connect one to the Greek nation.

    Under this lens he stressed the great importance of conserving Hellenism, of conserving the nation, because latest generation of Greeks abroad may be severed from it. He also noted that the more successful they become in the countries of residence, the more they are distanced form their homeland, Greece.

    Addressing the President of SAE, Mr. A. Athens, he noted that SAE has done a lot, but must do a lot more. It must approach all those Greeks living abroad not represented by SAE, those not participating in councils , those who often turn away Greeks living abroad instead of consolidating them. Thus, today SAE only represents a small percentage of Greeks living abroad. It is SAE's duty to approach the rest and remind them of their obligations to their homeland. The was of approach must be found by SAE. Also, new individuals must be found, either in SAE circles, or outside them.

    As far as he himself was concerned, he noted his presence in the 4 conventions. He said that he will be present with status of the President of the Republic for one more, and then he will be in the side of Greeks living abroad one way or another.

    [06] KARAMANLIS: ND WILL WIN THE ELECTIONS

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (18:53 UTC+2)

    His certainty that New Democracy will win the parliamentary elections was expressed by the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis, in an interview to the "Sunday Vima"

    He underlined that he was not asking for early elections, because that is a constitutional privilege of the Prime Minister, and he would not ask for things that he cannot achieve, while on the "hard rock" tactics, he noted: "The tactics chosen by Mr. Simitis - because nobody can hide behind his staff members - this so called "hard rock", this polarization, these dividing lines, this discord, is an issue harmful to Greece. And if it does not harm the country it is because our citizens are too mature to fall into the trap of divisional lines. Neither will New Democracy fall into that trap".

    Mr. Karamanlis stressed that he will accept no changes in the electoral law, and the municipal elections and their candidates are chapter which has not yet opened for him. On the Municipality of Athens he noted that an independent individual cannot fight that battle. " But there is the possibility - I am not speaking about specific individuals - of individuals who do not have political accession, but they have a clear political profile. It is a political confrontation with political characteristics, political criteria and political conclusions. It will be a political battle, not a party battel".

    He pointed out that cooperation between ND and Dimitris Avramopoulos' KEP is not a possibility, which party, he stressed, is not a potential threat to the opposition party.

    [07] EXCLUSIVE PUTIN INTERVIEW WITH MPA

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (17:56 UTC+2)

    Thessaloniki and Northern Greece will be a juncture in the development of Greek-Russian relations, underlined Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an exclusive interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, a few hours before leaving Thessaloniki.

    In reference to the results of his visit to Greece, and especially the discussions he had with the political leadership, Mr. Putin paid special attention to the role of Northern Greece, which may be the basic reference point in Greco-Russian relations. He added that his agenda included discussions on international events and the situation in the Balkans.

    The Russian President spoke about his impressions of his visit to the Royal Graves in Vergina, and stated that "Vergina testifies to the greatness of Greek culture", while, as he said, he found connections between Greek and Russian culture.

    Addressing Greeks fromthe foremer Soviet Union and Russian citizens living in Greece, he wished them Merry Christmas, health and happiness and "that they may be prosperous in Greece, but that they do not forget Russia".

    [08] GREETINGS AT THE 4TH WORLD SAE

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (17:35 UTC+2)

    A heartfelt greeting speech was addressed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the conventioneers at the 4th World SAE Convention, who coordinate the pulse of their hearts with that of the whole nation.

    Pointing out the great joint participation of the Patriarch of Alexandria, Archbishops, Metropolites and priests, he stressed that their presence conveys the acceptance of the important role which the Orthodox church has played in the formation and preservation of Hellenism for so many years.

    "I honestly greet the fact that the Nation's consciousness has allowed this step of consolidation , which has been attempted through the creation of SAE. This step has of course been made in order to bring about even greater unity in Hellenism worldwide, and of course nobody disagrees with this prospect", stressed his Holiness among other issues.

    Greetings were addressed by the Patriarch of Alexandria and all of Africa, Peter VII, who confirmed his support to the noble cause of SAE.

    He also stressed that Greek communities all over the world have existed from ancient times until today, functioning as cradles of conservation for Greek traditions, the language, the Church's customs and the nation.

    "Greeks living abroad are pioneers in the preservation and establishing of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Greeks. Greeks all over the world have been eternal sentinels of Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Let us not forget that this valuable part of Hellenism is that which establishes, supports, conserves and spreads out the Greek spirit, bringing its culture to more than half the world".

    The President of the Special Standing Committee of Hellenes Living Abroad of the Greek Parliament, Grigoris Niotis, characterized the 4th World SAE as a historic event in his welcoming speech to the conventioneers.

    "The joint presence of the President of the Republic who always honored and supported us, his Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, who is the soul and spiritual guide of Hellenism Abroad, the presence of the whole state, political and religious leadership of the country, as well as the leadership of all Greeks living abroad in this room, points out the size, prestige, range and special importance of this historic meeting to the Greek nation as the highest event of worldwide and humanistic values which we have been serving for centuries", he mentioned characteristically.

    President of the Parliement Apostolos Kaklamanis, in his welcoming speech at the 4th World SAE, stressed: "All of you, who have come here from the 4 corners of the world, have brought the message of worldwide Hellenism to the 4th World SAE: the message that Hellenism abroad is always a bastion for the promotion of Greece's national justices, always on the front for the upholding of Freedom, Democracy, Peace and human dignity. In your faces we greet Hellenism. And we thank it for all it has offered and will offer in the future".

    Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giannis Magriotis in his greeting speech stated that "We are now ready to support Hellenism Abroad through the creation of networks and all the initiatives will commence from Thessaloniki, which is the home of the Council of Hellenes Living Abroad". He added that "Greeks Abroad are no longer the scared immigrants of the past", and noted that "with the 4th World SAE, Hellenism Abroad will take its first steps into the 21st century".

    In his speech at the opening of the 4th World SAE, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Giorgos Paschalidis underlined that "Hellenism, in a time of globalization, is always a steady force, a shining light. The soul of all joint actions, state and Hellenism Abroad has been the Greek language. It is our duty to support programs for the spreading and learning of the Greek language. We must speak Greek always and everywhere".

    The President of New Democracy and Head of the Opposition, Kostas Karamanlis, assured, in his Greeting speech, that all Greeks, regardless of parties and politics, are on the side of Greeks living abroad, and support their struggles.

    The coming period is crucial to our national issues, it is necessary for all of us to be vigilant, he said and stressed that "we must all promote our country more. All together we must make the whole word speak of Greece with better words".

    [09] PANEGYRIC OPENING OF THE 4TH WORLD SAE

    Thessaloniki, 9 December 2001 (17:34 UTC+2)

    In the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew, the Patriarch of Alexandria, Peter VII, the President of the Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, the President of the Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Papandreou, many ministers, archbishops and hierarchs, MPs, the Thessaloniki Prefect, Mr. Papageorgopoulos, and representatives of the Armed Forces, the opening of 4th World SAE works took place this morning at the "Ioannis Vellidis" Convention Center of Thessaloniki.

    In his greeting speech, Prefect of Thessaloniki Mr. K. Papadopoulos stressed that Hellenism Abroad, is the most alive part of Hellenism, since with the coordination and actions of SAE, its principles and visions are spread to every corner of the world. At the same time he focused on the modern role of Thessaloniki as a Metropolis of development and cooperation in the broader region, and its establishing as a strategic reference point of Hellenism Worldwide.

    The Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Papageorgopoulos, pointed out that the city is celebrating the values, ideals and morals that distinguish and add brilliance to Hellenism, strengthening its worldwide importance. "Thessaloniki, our city, creates a new image decisively and with plans, its new image in the pulse and heart of Greeks all over the world, and I believe it will be fertile ground for the fruition of the proposals and plans of Hellenism Abroad", pointed out Mr. Papageorgopoulos.

    President of SAE Andrew Athens expressed his love and deep faith in Hellenism and Orthodoxy and stated he was deeply moved, in his greeting to the conventioneers of the 4th World SAE.

    "It is my honor to welcome you the the 4th World SAE, speaking for the Presidency, the representatives and the 7 million Greeks Living Abroad."

    [10] «OBSERVER» ON THE «PLANE-SPOTTERS»

    London, 9 December 2001 (17:55 UTC+2)

    An article of the "Observer" mentions that the issue of the plane-spotters being held in Greece under the charges of espionage, is close to becoming a diplomatic incident, since Greek authorities, as the newspaper reports, asked the Turkish government to explain what their relation is to the head of the group, Paul Copin, is, after he admitted that he was a guest of the Turkish Armed Forces in Turkey.

    The advisor of Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alex Rodos, stated to the "Observer" that "it is now clear that this is something more than a misunderstanding", and that "all parties involved should account for their positions".


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