Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] TURKISH AIR SPACE VIOLATIONS INCREASE FIVE-FOLD

[02] HOSPITALS ON STANDBY DUE TO BUG

[03] HOLY WEEK SERVICES FROM THE PATRIARCHY

[04] THE CABINET APPROVED THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON EMPLOYMENT

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] OECD: THE GROWTH RATE IN GREECE WILL BE AT 3.5%

[07] THE GREEK RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR THE BALKANS

[08] THEODORAKIS ÇÏÍÏURS KARAMANLIS

[09] THEODORAKIS: THE BEAST OF FASCISM RISES ONCE MORE

[10] EXPLOSION AT PAGRATI KFC

[11] GREEK INITIATIVE FOR THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM

[12] THE GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IS IN LUXEMBOURG

[13] GREEK-TURKISH INITIATIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

[01] TURKISH AIR SPACE VIOLATIONS INCREASE FIVE-FOLD

Turkish violations of air space over the Aegean have increased five-fold during the 3 first months of 2002 in relation to the same period of time last year, according to the records of the General Airforce Staff. Specifically, the violations of flight regulations reached 710 in number and the violations of national air space reached 759.

[02] HOSPITALS ON STANDBY DUE TO BUG

Greece's health services and hospitals throughout the country are on stand by after the recording of 7 more cases with symptoms myocarditis. The virus struck in N. Greece, in Thessaloniki and Kavala. However scientists at the control center for special contagious diseases (KEEL) appear reassuring and stated that if the number of new cases stays at the same level in the next few days, it will mark a remission to this dangerous virus.

Citizens are arriving at hospitals in great numbers with the slightest symptoms of the flu, while the number of hospitals on emergency call has been increased. The Prefect of Drama, Kostas Emiridis, decided that all school facilities in the Drama Prefecture are to be sterilized, although he stressed that there is no need to be worried.

In any case, Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos made mention of a remission of the epidemic, and refuted the rumors that the World Health Organization has warned of an upcoming flu this autumn.

In the meanwhile the biological samples taken from the 7 patients have been sent to labs to be analyzed, while a case in Thessaloniki is being investigated so as to find if it is connected to virus. In fact, KEEL specialists continue their observation of cases all over Greece, while a recording of all myocarditis cases on special forms sent to all hospitals started yesterday.

The virus has had side effects on Greece's tourism, since due to the virus, many group trips to Greece were cancelled along with the 5-day school trips from Cyprus, with detrimental consequences to Greek hotel owners.

In fact the Hotel Owners' Union of the Heracleon Prefecture has filed a lawsuit against all responsible parties on the effects the virus has had on tourism.

The President of the Hotel Owners' Union of Chalkidiki, Makis Athanasopoulos, supported that the situation must be handled delicately so that the virus does not cause Greek tourism problems.

[03] HOLY WEEK SERVICES FROM THE PATRIARCHY

The Macedonian Press Agency will transmit all the Holy Services of the Holy Week, the Resurrection and Holy Easter, live through the Internet, from the Church of St. Georgios in the Ecumenical Patriarchy of Istanbul.

The Macedonian Press Agency, in cooperation with the Ecumenical Patriarchy and with the kind sponsorship of the Themeliodomi Group, will also transmit Holy Mass and other services of the Ecumenical Patriarchy and His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, live via the Internet.

[04] THE CABINET APPROVED THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON EMPLOYMENT

The Greek cabinet met under Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today and approved the 2002 National Action Plan on employment.

Mr. Simitis stated that the number of unemployed in 2001 dropped considerably compared to the previous year and at the same time, the quality of the workforce has improved. He reiterated that the solution of the unemployment problem is one of the main goals of the government policy summed up in five main axes. Namely, these five points are, active policy on employment, modernization of the work market structures, vocational training policy improvement, social infrastructures network and mobilization of the forces of society.

The Prime Minister stated that in 2001 more than 91.000 young unemployed found jobs and there is optimism that the goal set by the government in the beginning of its four-year term for the creation of 300.000 new job positions will be met.

Mr. Simitis stated that the positive developments recorded in 2001 were the result of a new approach adopted by the government. He added that it is a proof that the model followed, which is based on the European social model of the parallel and simultaneous promotion of development, employment and social cohesion, is effective.

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.47% at 2.206,42 points, while the volume of transactions was at 94.4 million Euro or 32.1 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 212 had gains and 102 had losses, while the value of 59 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] OECD: THE GROWTH RATE IN GREECE WILL BE AT 3.5%

The Greek economy growth rate will be at 3.5% this year, according to an OECD report.

Also, the OECD predicted that the Greek economy will accelerate its growth rate in 2003 to reach 4.2%.

In 2002, inflation will be at 3.4% and in 2003 it is expected to drop to 2.9%. The international organization also calls on the Greek government to accelerate the social security system reforms.

[07] THE GREEK RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR THE BALKANS

The bilateral agreement between Greece and Yugoslavia within the framework of the Greek reconstruction program will be signed during the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis to Belgrade on May 8-9, stated Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Andreas Loverdos in Thessaloniki. The text of the specific agreement provides for economic assistance of 180 million Euro for infrastructure, energy and democratic institutions projects.

A similar agreement will be initialed with Albania by the end of June providing for an economic assistance of 50 million Euro. The signing will take place probably during the visit of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou to the neighboring country.

The Greek reconstruction plan for the Balkans provides for economic assistance of millions of Euro. Specifically, Albania will receive 50 million Euro, Bulgaria 54 million Euro, Yugoslavia 180 million Euro, Kosovo 73 million Euro, FYROM 75 million Euro, Romania 70 million Euro and Bosnia-Herzegovina 30 million Euro.

[08] THEODORAKIS ÇÏÍÏURS KARAMANLIS

Mikis Theodorakis and French academician Morris Drion were the main speakers at last night's event at the Karamanlis Institute, for the four-year anniversary in memory of the Former President of the Republic.

Morris Drion mentioned the decisive contribution of the Former President of the Republic to the construction of a new Greece.

Mikis Theodorakis stressed that the dictatorship was what brought down the wall separating Greeks and brought the left and the right closer, while he criticized Konstantinos Karamanlis' political adversaries because, as he said, they refused to communicate in order to achieve national goals for electoral reasons.

In other words, we were left behind history for more than 20 years, just because certain individuals weren't aware of the major and deep historical changes. This lack of communication caused great damage to Greece in the crucial post-political changeover era, communication that Konstantinos Karamanlis searched for so steadfastly. We lost valuable time and unique opportunities, he mentioned.

Mikis Theodorakis praised Konstantinos Karamanlis' political foresight, which, as he said, has been recorded in history with Greece's accession to the EU.

[09] THEODORAKIS: THE BEAST OF FASCISM RISES ONCE MORE

The results of the French elections were commented on in a caustic manner by composer Mikis Theodorakis, who expressed his deep concern at the electoral success of Jean-Marie Lepen.

In the old Parliament building, during the presentation of Evaggelos Maheras' book, Because he did not conform to the recommendations, from one of the composer's songs, Mikis Theodorakis did not hide his pessimism concerning the rise of fascism.

And here is Lepen to remind us once more that fascism is not dead yet. I can see humanity shiver once more, all the democrats, and the right wing, and the center, and the socialists shiver, and I want to see the powers that will be able to stand up to it if that day ever comes, to confront the beast called fascism, he stressed.

During his speech he repeatedly set the question of who will stop fascism and he wondered how it is possible for us to talk about socialism, about rights, in an era when the survival of the fittest is the law ruling the market, when society and citizens are unprotected.

The Soviet Union collapsed. All America thinks about is how to wage war. Blair is Bush's butler and the rest of Europe holds its peace, he mentioned characteristically, explaining the reason for which one out of five French citizens voted for the Head of the far right, Jean-Marie Lepen.

80% of his voters are farmers, workers, everyday people who suddenly felt unprotected against the wind of globalization, he noted.

Mr. Theodorakis characterized Mr. Maheras book as timely, stressing that it is one of the books of glory and tears speaking of different times.

[10] EXPLOSION AT PAGRATI KFC

An incendiary device went off in the early morning hours at the entrance of a KFC restaurant in Pagrati, Athens. The explosion caused significant material damages to the restaurant, while no one has taken responsibility for the act.

[11] GREEK INITIATIVE FOR THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM

Initiative Genoa 2001 moved to the formation of the "Initiative for the European Social Forum in Greece", after a meeting that took place last Friday.

The European Social Forum, which will take place in Italy in the beginning of November, is a step of progress, after the success of the Genoa and Porto Alegre Social Forums.

During the meeting the principle framework of Porto Alegre, "resistance to neoliberalism and war", was adopted.

The initiative is open to all who agree with its platform, while the next meeting was set for tomorrow at 6pm in the offices of ESIEA.

[12] THE GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IS IN LUXEMBOURG

Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis arrived in Luxembourg yesterday to attend the meeting of the EU Internal Affairs Ministers. They will discuss issues concerning asylum, illegal immigration, and human smuggling.

Also, talks will be held with the Russian Federation Ministers of Justice and Interior on the problem of organized crime.

[13] GREEK-TURKISH INITIATIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Greece and Turkey are two countries which had problems in the past but now they are trying to solve them, stressed Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou in the joint press conference he gave with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem upon their return from Jerusalem. We want a safe Israel, we condemn the killings of innocent civilians. A safe Israel means a safe and viable Palestinian state, underlined Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

Mr. Cem stated that they support all peace initiatives and believe that terrorism has no excuse, a fact which was stressed in the talks they had with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Mr. Cem also referred to the implementation of the UN decisions calling for freedom of movement for Mr. Arafat and the adoption of a decisive stance against terrorism. The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that in the talks with the two sides in the Middle East they examined the likelihood to deploy an international force, either a peacekeeping force or a team of observers, which will also deal with terrorism.

Views were exchanged on the situation in Ramallah and Bethlehem and Mr. Cem stated that the Church of the Nativity can become a place of a terrible tragedy, adding that the two sides must make certain moves forward.

After the talks with Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Cem, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon allowed Palestinian negotiator Mr. Erekat to go to Tel Aviv escorted by Israeli soldiers for further talks on the Church of the Nativity issue with the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. Papandreou stressed that there is a need to implement the UN decisions, including troop withdrawal. The Greek Foreign Minister thanked his Turkish counterpart for the cooperation, underlining that the outline of the final solution for the solution of the Palestinian problem is clear.

Later, the two Foreign Ministers will meet in Tel Aviv with their Israeli counterpart Simon Peres.

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