Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-04-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS: I WILL LEAD PASOK TO THE ELECTIONS

[02] T. MILLER: ANTIAMERICANISM IN GREECE DECREASED

[03] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADS PASOK WITH 7.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS

[04] JOINT INITIATIVE BY GREECE AND TURKEY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

[05] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] THE GREEK EXPORTS RETURNED TO THE 1996 LEVELS LAST YEAR

[07] PROTOPAPAS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

[08] THE CZAR OF THE TURKISH ECONOMY WILL BE IN GREECE

[09] CANCER DEATHS INCREASED BY 50%

[10] INFLATION WAS AT 4% IN MARCH

[11] KAKLAMANIS' PROTEST LETTER TO THE ISRAELI PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

[12] SUPPORT AND CONTEST RALLY FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

[13] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ON THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE

[14] THE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER MET WITH HIS US COUNTERPART

[01] SIMITIS: I WILL LEAD PASOK TO THE ELECTIONS

PASOK will be led to the 2004 elections by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, as he pointed out in his nationally transmitted interview last night.

After the municipal elections there will not be elections. It is not foreseen by the Constitution, it is not foreseen by the procedures of the Constitution protecting Greece's stability, elections are held every four years, and will continue to do so, and thus will be held in 2004, he pointed out.

He also made it clear that he will be leading PASOK to the 2004 elections, even if there is doubt after the municipal elections, while he pointed out that he is not addicted to power, and that if the PASOK staff decides that it wants a different leadership, he will depart from his position. If after the municipal elections there is someone who disagrees with my leadership, it is their right to express their opinion. I have been elected President of the party twice, I have won two elections, and I will lead PASOK to the 2004 elections, he underlined.

He also stressed that developments should not be provoked due to opinion polls or municipal elections. Municipal elections produce local government figures, not MPs. He was open to cooperation, and noted that PASOK will seek such cooperation in the upcoming municipal elections, from the very first round, and if it is not possible then, they will attempt it in the second round.

When asked about the different opinions expressed at various times within PASOK, Mr. Simitis pointed out that sometimes more unity and peace is necessary, but he added that the government and the party proved that they have the power to move forward. Some look out for their personal future, their personal agenda, some feel that their path is justified, but that does not mean that we will not use this party, this vehicle, with renewal, with new faces, with efforts, for reforms and change, he noted.

When I became Prime Minister in 1996, the prediction was that the government would collapse within four months, that a new government would come, there would be disagreements and fights, and then from four months we went on to four more and four more. I have read Simitis facing Golgothas many times. I am here, and I am here with PASOK. And I am here because even though this team has shortcomings it also has good points, he added.

Referring to the differences between PASOK and New Democracy, he explained that apart from ideological differences, there are also differences in positions, and he stressed that New Democracy has no positions.

Regarding the so called illegal hellenizations (giving of Greek citizenship), he pointed out that the issue has been discussed in the Parliament repeatedly, and although New Democracy claimed the election results had been tampered with, they did not go the relevant judicial authorities. We cannot criticize the government with things that were not verified by the facts, he underlined and added that the hellenizations began when New Democracy was in office.

Mr. Simitis stressed that in the two years the government has been in power, there has been a constant effort to incorporate Greece to the EMU, economy became stable and growth was boosted, while within the next two years a new historic cycle will open, aiming at real financial and social convergence with our European partners and the improvement of Europeans citizens' daily life.

To a question concerning the farmers' mobilizations, he stated that there will be chaos if the Union's Regulation on subsidies is violated and funds are granted to the farmers from the State budget.

As far as the securities issue is concerned, he pointed out that the government guarantees the funding of the system by 2030, and he added that PASOK is increasing minimum pensions by 380 euro, not including the benefits for low pensioners. Furthermore he appreciated that he was mistaken to insist on holding a social dialogue on the proposals for the securities issue submitted by former Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis.

Finally, in reference to the Olympics, he said that the government is working very attentively and will fulfill its obligations on time.

[02] T. MILLER: ANTIAMERICANISM IN GREECE DECREASED

US Ambassador to Athens, Thomas Miller, speaking at the commencing of the first annual Greek American Heritage Council Meeting, aiming at the tightening of Greek American relations, expressed his appreciation that anti-American sentiment in Greece has decreased importantly, and that cooperation between the two countries is excellent.

Mr. Miller stressed that many of the problems that have been standing in the way of Greek American friendship have been resolved, while Greek Turkish relations have presented significant progress, so much indeed that American intervention is no longer necessary. In this framework he limited himself to stating that if and when these two countries need our help we will still be ready offer our help. Referring to the Cyprus issue he said that Cleridis-Denktash negotiations are substantial, and, we hope, efficient.

[03] NEW DEMOCRACY LEADS PASOK WITH 7.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS

The distance separating the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy from the governing Socialist Party of PASOK increased by 7.5 percentage points. ND leader Kostas Karamanlis was voted as the most fit for the post of the Prime Minister and leads Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in popularity by 1.8 percentage points. However, Kostas Simitis is still regarded as the indisputable leader, who can lead PASOK to a new election victory.

When it comes to victory performance PASOK is gaining ground by reducing the distance separating it from ND from 28.1 points last January to 19.1 points. Also, it appears that the influence of the political party that was founded by Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos is diminishing.

The above are the conclusions of a research conducted by ALCO polling company presented by Alpha television channel.

[04] JOINT INITIATIVE BY GREECE AND TURKEY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Greece and Turkey will undertake a joint initiative for the solution of the problem in the Middle East. Next week, the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Giorgos Papandreou and Ismail Cem, will visit Israel, while they will also visit Ramalah to meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

Mr. Papandreou stated that the initiative was undertaken because the two countries have vital interests in the region and also in order to send a symbolic message showing that the two traditional rivals cooperate and back dialogue procedures and political solutions.

However, he underlined that this initiative will depend on the outcome of the trip of US Secretary of State Colin Powell to the Middle East.

[05] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.62% at 2.222,71 points, while the volume of transactions was at 73.6 million Euro or 25 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 281 recorded gains and 51 had losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] THE GREEK EXPORTS RETURNED TO THE 1996 LEVELS LAST YEAR

The Greek exports returned to the 1996 levels last year at 8.9 billion Euro recording a drop of 23.9% compared to 2000. These discouraging conclusions are based on the most recent figures that were provided by the EUROSTAT and were processed by the Association of Exporters in Northern Greece Export Research Institute.

Meanwhile, the imports of foreign goods remained at the same levels and as a result the overall foreign trade in Greece decreased by 5.0% and the deficit in the trade balance reached 18.9%.

Concerning the overall exports, Greece occupies the last place among the EU member-states following Luxembourg which has a population of 440.000 people. Ireland, with a population three times smaller than Greece's, has ten times more exports compared to Greece.

[07] PROTOPAPAS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The international community should intensify its efforts to stop the cycle of violence and blood in the Middle East, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

There is mobility on the withdrawal of the Israeli troops but no one can say if it will be effective, stated Mr. Protopapas. He reiterated that the Israeli forces must withdraw from the Palestinian cities and the political procedure for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state should start. In addition, the necessary guarantees should be given for the Israeli citizens to live in safety and have no fear of terrorist actions.

[08] THE CZAR OF THE TURKISH ECONOMY WILL BE IN GREECE

The one-day conference on the prospects for the development of business activities in the Black Sea organized by the Black Sea Bank will be held in Thessaloniki on April 15 in the presence of the Czar of the Turkish economy Mr. Kemal Dervis.

The annual general assembly of the Black Sea Bank, the first to take place in Thessaloniki, will be held on the same date with the conference.

The presence of the Turkish Finance Minister in the one-day conference of the Black Sea Bank has a greater significance after the Greek-Turkish agreements signed during the recent visit of Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos to the neighboring country.

Mr. Dervis and Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will have the opportunity to discuss again the agenda of the Greek-Turkish cooperation as the Greek Minister will also be present in the event.

[09] CANCER DEATHS INCREASED BY 50%

The cancer-caused deaths increased about 50% in the past few years.

In Greece, about 25.000 new cancer cases are recorded on an annual basis, while 25.000 die from cancer every year.

The figures were presented by Macedonia-Thrace Greek Cancer Society Branch president Mr. Faroglou in a press conference organized on the occasion of a money collection campaign against cancer that opened yesterday and will be completed on April 19.

The money that will be collected will be used for the adoption of prevention measures, scientific research and the purchase of new technology for the effective treatment of cancer.

[10] INFLATION WAS AT 4% IN MARCH

Inflation was at 4% in March compared to 3.4% in February and 4.4% in January, according to figures provided by the Greek National Statistics Agency.

Inflation increased because of the return of the consumer goods prices to the pre-sales level, the fuel price increases and the rises in the fruit and vegetable prices.

A smaller effect on the consumer-price-index had a number of increases on basic consumer goods, the newspapers, cigarettes and services.

[11] KAKLAMANIS' PROTEST LETTER TO THE ISRAELI PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis sent a protest letter to Israeli Parliament President Abraham Burgh.

Mr. Kaklamanis referred to the fact that the Greek Parliamentary Committee and Euro-deputy Alekos Alavanos were not allowed to reach Ramalah, while he also mentioned the inappropriate behavior of the Israeli authorities toward Greek doctors and a Cypriot Parliament delegation.

[12] SUPPORT AND CONTEST RALLY FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

The organizing of a major solidarity rally and concert for the Palestinian people at Aristotelous Square, was decided on by Thessaloniki bodies participating in the meeting for coordination of actions in support of the Palestinians, which took place at the Thessaloniki Workers' Center. During the concert, an attempt will be made to contact Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat.

The bodies decided to gather clothes, medicine, and anything else that might be necessary, and the delegation will take it to Palestine. Bank accounts will also be opened for the relief of the Palestinian people.

A protest text condemning the genocide being attempted by the Israeli forces, the holding hostage of Yasser Arafat and the equal distance policy of the major powers, and supports the creation of an independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital, will be turned in to the representatives of consul authorities.

[13] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ON THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUE

The need for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the Palestinian territories, was underlined by Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, who is in Bratislava within the framework of his visit to Slovakia.

Mr. Stephanopoulos speaking in the formal dinner that was given in his honor by the Slovak President stressed that the country's interests are closely linked with peace and stability in the region.

He stated that Greece condemns violence and terrorism and calls for the respect of the UN decisions.

[14] THE GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER MET WITH HIS US COUNTERPART

The Greek-US relations, the Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish relations and the situation in the Balkans and the Middle East dominated in the meeting of Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou with his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld in Washington. Mr. Papantoniou stated that the meeting was very meaningful.

Mr. Papantoniou expressed Greece's opposition to the text approved by the United States, Britain and Turkey on the operation of the Euro-army.

He stated characteristically that Greece seeks an agreement with NATO for the exploitation of the European rapid intervention force.

On Greece's relations with Turkey, Mr. Papantoniou stated that their improvement is feasible and underlined that there are preconditions such as, the meaningful change of the Turkish stance, the respect of international law, democracy and human rights.

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