Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-04-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK MPS IN ISRAEL

[02] KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE US AND SAUDI ARABIA AMBASSADORS

[03] THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR OF THE UN DECISIONS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TRAINS GREEK MANAGERS IN JAPAN

[06] ORPHANS FROM YUGOSLAVIA IN THESSALONIKI

[07] DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE CENTER OF THE PAPANTONIOU-MILLER

[08] THE OA OPERATIONAL PLAN WILL BE PRESENTED ON APRIL 10

[09] INFLATIONARY PRESSURES INCREASED IN THE EURO-ZONE

[10] KAKLAMANIS MET WITH HIS COUNTERPART FROM PHILIPPINES

[11] MAXIMIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN GREECE

[12] EU INTERVENTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

[01] GREEK MPS IN ISRAEL

MPs from all parties and party staff members, non-Parliament members, will travel to Israel tomorrow, to express their request for the cycle of blood and violence to end and to find a peaceful solution, while at the same time expressing their solidarity to the Palestinian people.

Their agenda includes visits to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while they will attempt to reach Ramala and meat with the Palestinian Leader, Yasser Arafat, who is under siege.

[02] KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE US AND SAUDI ARABIA AMBASSADORS

The developments in the Middle East were discussed in the meeting right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis had in Athens yesterday with the ambassadors of the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that Chairman Arafat must be protected being the recognized leader of the Palestinian Authority. He added that the international community and the EU are faced with a historic challenge to react in an effective manner, while he pointed out that there is a need for an immediate ceasefire.

US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller referred to the UN Security Council decision on the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the Palestinian territories.

[03] THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR OF THE UN DECISIONS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

The government insists there is a need for the implementation of the UN decisions, stressed Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas responding to questions on the crisis in the Middle East.

The Greek government spokesman reiterated that the Palestinians have the right to have their own independent state with their legitimate leader Chairman Arafat but on the other hand, the Israeli people also have the right to live in safety within the borders of their country.

[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -2.96% at 2.213,17 points, while the volume of transactions was at105.7 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, only 22 recorded gains and the overwhelming majority, 332, had losses, while the value of 22 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TRAINS GREEK MANAGERS IN JAPAN

Executives of companies that are members of Thessaloniki's Commerce and Industry Chamber and want to extend their businesses to Japan will have the opportunity to train in the Japanese language free of charge.

The European Commission offers a unique opportunity to the European companies to acquire an experience in the Japanese market.

The participants in the 18-month program will visit industrial production units, attend intensive Japanese language lessons and seminars and practice in two or more key Japanese companies.

[06] ORPHANS FROM YUGOSLAVIA IN THESSALONIKI

Orphan children from Yugoslavia will spend Easter Holidays with Greek families in Thessaloniki. The hospitality program is organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Greek Red Cross. The children will stay in the city from April 28 until May 11.

The families that will host the children will have to cover their transportation and living expenses during their stay in Greece.

[07] DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE CENTER OF THE PAPANTONIOU-MILLER MEETING

The developments in the Middle East and the trip of Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou to the US next week were the issues that dominated in the meeting he had with US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller.

In statements he made, Mr. Papantoniou underlined the need for a US and an EU intervention aimed at a ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the Palestinian territories. This is the only way, he said, for the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians to resume.

They also had a discussion on the contacts the Greek Defense Minister will have in Washington and New York with his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld and President Bush's security adviser, Contoleeza Rice.

In addition, they dealt with armaments programs issues, bilateral defense cooperation and the cooperation of Greece and the US in the effort to combat terrorism.

[08] THE OA OPERATIONAL PLAN WILL BE PRESENTED ON APRIL 10

The leadership of the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry is expected to present the Olympic Airways operational plan to the associates of European Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, responsible for transportation issues, on April 10.

According to the operational plan, the OA employees will be reduced by 1.000 by the end of December 2002 to limit expenses, while the personnel cuts are expected to reach 2.000 in the first trimester of 2003.

[09] INFLATIONARY PRESSURES INCREASED IN THE EURO-ZONE

The inflationary pressures increased in the Euro-zone in the month of March as a result of the high fuel prices.

The consumer price index in the 12 EMU countries rose to 2.5% compared to 2.4% in February, according to an announcement by the Eurostat.

The increase proved the analysts wrong as they predicted a slight de-escalation of inflation or at least they expected that inflation would be kept at last month's levels.

[10] KAKLAMANIS MET WITH HIS COUNTERPART FROM PHILIPPINES

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and his counterpart from Philippines Jose de Venecia agreed on the promotion of bilateral cooperation in their meeting in Athens today.

They agreed to form a Friendship Parliamentary Group and work for the cooperation of the two parliaments in the international fora to promote dialogue among cultures and contribute to the de-escalation of crises.

Mr. Kaklamanis also referred to the friendly feelings the Greek people have toward the people of the Philippines. About 60.000 Filipinos live and work in Greece, while 30.000 more work in the Greek merchant marine fleet.

From his side, the Filipino parliament president extended a formal invitation to the Greek parliament president to visit his country.

[11] MAXIMIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN GREECE

The maximization of the level of provided health care services, in combination to humane coping with the public, and the construction of a truly pubic health care system, is the standing goal of the government, underlined Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, during surprise visits to Athens hospitals (without reporters and photographers), that took place this morning.

[12] EU INTERVENTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Palestinian Authority International Cooperation Minister Nabir Saath issued an appeal to the European Union to help stop the bloodshed in the Middle East. He made the appeal during his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

The Greek Foreign Minister is in Cairo within the framework of the initiative he undertook for the promotion of the efforts aimed at easing the tension in the Middle East. He was briefed by Mr. Saath on the situation in the region. The Palestinian official pointed out that Greece is at the frontline of the community's efforts to stop the bloodshed in the region.

Earlier, the International Cooperation Minister had spoken on the phone with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. He stated that Chairman Arafat's morale is high and the only thing he is interested in is the end of the bloodshed.

According to information, after the meeting with Mr. Papandreou, Mr. Saath spoke on the phone with German Foreign Minister Yoshka Fischer, who referred to the likelihood of an EU intervention for the easing of the situation.

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