Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] DEVELOPMENTS ARE EXPECTED IN THE PRIVATIZATION FRONT

[02] ONE THOUSAND ALBANIAN PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN GREECE

[03] THE HUMAN ORGAN DONORS IN GREECE REACHED SIXTY THOUSAND

[04] MEETING OF 13 COMMUNIST PARTIES IN ATHENS

[05] GREEK, ITALIAN AND AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY GENERAL SECRETARIES

[06] CHRISANTHAKOPOULOS WAS REMOVED FROM THE PASOK PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

[01] DEVELOPMENTS ARE EXPECTED IN THE PRIVATIZATION FRONT

Significant developments are expected next week in the privatization front as there will be progress on the issues of the Skaramanga Shipyards and the Parnitha Casino.

A meeting is expected to be held at the Finance Ministry today on the sale of the Skaramanga Shipyards to the German joint venture HDW-Ferrostaal. However, this meeting takes place at a very crucial time as the specific privatization is associated with a second one concerning the final transfer of the Hellenic Bank of Industrial Development (ETBA) to the Bank of Piraeus.

The transfer is expected to be completed in the next few days. However, stumbling-blocks in the process could be created by the 10 billion drachmas scandal that was uncovered yesterday in ETBA Finance, an ETBA subsidiary. According to the revelations, a network of senior company executives made illegal investments of ETBA Finance capital, damaging both the bank and the Greek state. The company's managing director and senior executives have been suspended from their duties for an investigation on the scandal to get underway.

Meanwhile, the privatization of the Parnitha Casino proceeds rapidly in expectation of the Skaramanga Shipyards and ETBA developments. The committee for the assessment of offers is expected to reach final conclusions next week.

[02] ONE THOUSAND ALBANIAN PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN GREECE

The private enterprises of foreigners in Greece that were established in 2000 alone, are 2.873 according to official figures. These enterprises are not large organized businesses by private enterprises that belong to private individuals from 90 countries who chose to come to Greece to live and work.

The Albanians play the leading role as 35% of the privately owned enterprises were established by Albanians. This means that of the 2.873 businesses that were established in 2000, 1.003 belong to Albanian nationals, followed by the British 151, the Germans 148, the Syrians 136 and the Cypriots 106. The Bulgarians, Italians and Poles are far behind with less than 100 businesses. People from far away countries such as Bangladesh, Ukraine, Pakistan and Russia are also active while on the same list are 58 Americans corresponding to 2% of the total number.

[03] THE HUMAN ORGAN DONORS IN GREECE REACHED SIXTY THOUSAND

About 30.000 Greeks expressed interest in becoming organ donors in the recent population census, while applications arrive on a daily basis at the offices of the National Organization of Transplants (EOM). The total number of organ donors has reached 60.000, according to Undersecretary of Health Ektoras Nasiokas and EOM President professor Yiannis Vlachodimitropoulos. The statements were made on the occasion of the two-year anniversary since the establishment of the organization.

Mr. Vlachodimitropoulos stressed that there is a positive change of attitude in the Greek population concerning organ donations.

[04] MEETING OF 13 COMMUNIST PARTIES IN ATHENS

A meeting of 13 Communist and Labor Parties from eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea and Persian Gulf is being held today and tomorrow in Athens.

The initiative belongs to the Greek Communist Party.

[05] GREEK, ITALIAN AND AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY GENERAL SECRETARIES MEETING

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou will attend the general secretaries meeting of the Foreign Ministries of Greece, Italy and Austria that will be held in Thessaloniki on January 27-28 to discuss developments in the Balkans.

The ambassadors of the three countries to Balkan capitals, their representatives in Montenegro and Kosovo, the Balkan affairs directors and the Stability Pact National Coordinators of the three Foreign Ministries will also attend tomorrow's meeting.

The consultations of the three EU member-states are being held for the first time and their goal is to exchange views on the situation in the region.

[06] CHRISANTHAKOPOULOS WAS REMOVED FROM THE PASOK PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis removed governing Socialist Party of PASOK parliament deputy Alekos Chrisanthakopoulos from the party parliamentary group. Mr. Simitis reached the decision after the briefing he had by Parliamentary Group Secretary Kosmas Sphiriou on the issue.

The PASOK parliament deputy, who is elected in the prefecture of Achaia in southern Greece, was the president of the parliament committee on illegal gambling and was captured on video while gambling himself. The incriminating video was shown on television.

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