Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] 4.4 R EARTHQUAKE NEAR ZACYNTHOS

[02] INFLATION LEVELS ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY

[03] SUSPICIONS OF SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY

[04] GREEK POLICE ACQUIRES DNA ANALYZER

[05] KARAMANLIS: NO EU ENLARGEMENT WITHOUT CYPRUS

[06] PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING ON TUESDAY

[07] PAPANDREOU MEETS ANNAN AND POWEL

[01] 4.4 R EARTHQUAKE NEAR ZACYNTHOS

An earthquake of 4.4 points on the Richter scale was recorded today at 12.11pm. The earthquake's epicenter was traced to an underwater area 3 km south of Zacynthos. No damages have been reported.

[02] INFLATION LEVELS ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY

The National Statistical Service of Greece is expected to announce the inflation rate for January, on Friday, February 15. Inflation is estimated to have risen to 4%, from 3% in December 2001.

This increase, according to Alpha Bank analysts, is mainly due to the high prices of fresh fruit and vegetables, the calculation of the sales' consequences on the previous year (sales started on January 15 this year), and to the very low comparison rate of January 2001.

Based on the estimations of this bank's analysts, inflation is expected to drop in February to 3.4%, and back to 3% in April. In fact, if there are no unexpected events (such as a large increase in petrol prices), then it is possible for inflation to drop to 2% in January 2003.

[03] SUSPICIONS OF SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY

A 70-year-old woman is being treated at the G.Papanikolaou hospital in Thessaloniki, and special tests are being run on her, in order to ascertain if she has spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), as the doctors suspect.

The 70-year-old from Pieria, was transported to the hospital a week ago with intense kinetic and psychological disturbances, a fact that suggested to the medical staff that she may be presenting symptoms of spongiform encephalopathy. The woman has undergone an encephalogram and will undergo further tests.

[04] GREEK POLICE ACQUIRES DNA ANALYZER

The Criminological Investigations' Department of the Police Force will soon acquire a new DNA analysis instrument and relocate to facilities of its own.

The total cost of the investment in technological and relocation infrastructure, according to information published in the Eleftherotypia, is estimated to reach 30 million euro.

Criminological services are considered fundamental for the effective functioning of modern police forces. As is natural, in a country such as Greece, holding the Olympics in two years with a pending terrorism issue, must have a fully organized and equipped criminological service.

[05] KARAMANLIS: NO EU ENLARGEMENT WITHOUT CYPRUS

It is inconceivable that any of the Greek Parliaments' 300 members would accept voting for an enlargement agreement, with Cyprus outside the first member-state group, stressed the President of ND, Kostas Karamanlis, in an interview with TtK, and called the government to make a commitment to disagree with an EU enlargement not including Cyprus.

In the same interview, Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that Turkey is trying to subvert the status quo in the Aegean and that a discussion between Greece and Turkey in the framework of International Law, International Agreements and Maritime Law is necessary. He also ruled out any concessions and yielding to pressures, and noted that he does not feel he has to apologize or be the 'yes man' or that he should bow before recommended courses of action.

At the same time the President of New Democracy asked for a re-examination under the complete strictness of Copenhagen, thus showing Turkey that it's attitude in the region may well affect its European prospects. A country threatening with the use of force, cannot be considered a country with European prospects.

[06] PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING ON TUESDAY

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Ismael Cem, on Tuesday, in the margin of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Convention and the European Union, in Istanbul.

It is assumed that the scouting meetings with political directors of Foreign Ministries will be the issue to be decided on. The Foreign Ministers of Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania will also meet in Istanbul, to promote the two Balkan countries' NATO prospects.

[07] PAPANDREOU MEETS ANNAN AND POWEL

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou had meetings with US Foreign Minister and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in the margin of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

The main point of interest during these meetings, were developments in the Middle East and EU initiative on the issue. Mr. Papandreou also raised the issue of the Olympic truce.

The Foreign Minister also discussed the developments in Cyprus with Mr. Annan, and the results, thus far, of the direct discussions between Cypriot President Glafkos Cleridis and Turkish Cypriot Leader, Rauf Denktash.

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