Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-05-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPANTONIOU: UNIFIED DEFENSE DOGMA ACTIVE

[02] NEW VIOLATION OF THE GREEK AIRSPACE BY TURKISH JETS

[03] MEASURES AGAINST SMOKING

[04] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN: MR. PAPANTONIOU DID NOT USE THE "CASUS BELLI"

[05] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM ISSUE

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO COMBAT TERRORISM

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

[08] CHAIN REACTION IN THE KORIDALLOS PRISON AFTER SENTOM'S ESCAPE

[09] NIKOS GARGANAS IS THE NEW GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF GREECE

[10] EVROS IS FIRST CHOICE FOR TRAFFICING

[11] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WELCOMES THE NEW NATO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

[01] PAPANTONIOU: UNIFIED DEFENSE DOGMA ACTIVE

Our unified defense space, our unified defense dogma, based on which Greece will consider any attack on Cyprus an attack on its own soil, is active, underlined the Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou.

In statements made after his meeting with the Pancypriot Reserve Rangers Association, Mr. Papantoniou pointed out that the defensive relationship between Greece and Cyprus is very strong, and the reorganization of the Greek Armed Forces is following the track of the unified defense dogma.

The unified defense dogma, based on which any attack on Cyprus will be considered an attack on Greek soil, is active, he said, adding I hope it is not necessary.

The Minister of National Defense stressed that the Greek government considers Cyprus' accession to the EU a standard fact, regardless of solving the political problem. In any case, we are ready for all eventualities, he pointed out.

[02] NEW VIOLATION OF THE GREEK AIRSPACE BY TURKISH JETS

The Greek airspace between the Aegean islands of Chios and Rhodes was violated by 25 Turkish jets when Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou was flying from Athens to the southern Aegean island of Crete on board a C-130 transport plane.

Greek F-16 fighter jets took off from Anchialos in Volos, central Greece and Kasteli in Crete and intercepted the Turkish jets.

The two F-16 pilots, who returned to Crete, were congratulated by Mr. Papantoniou, who stated that there is constant provocation on behalf of Turkey.

[03] MEASURES AGAINST SMOKING

The Greek Ministry of Health will take measures against smoking aimed at the protection of non smokers and the best and more effective information of smokers on the unhealthy effects of their habit.

The new measures are expected to be announced on Friday on the occasion of the World Day Against Smoking, dedicated this year to sports without smoking.

Based on the proposals made by a committee of specialists and the intentions of the Ministry of Health, special smoking and non smoking areas will have to be created in restaurants, cafeterias and other crowded spaces, while the giant posters advertising cigarettes will be banned by law. The law banning smoking in all public health buildings will be implemented, while special information programs will be developed which in cooperation with the Ministry of Education will be implemented in elementary schools and high schools.

[04] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN: MR. PAPANTONIOU DID NOT USE THE "CASUS BELLI" EXPRESSION AS A THREAT

The casus belli expression that was used by Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou was not a threat, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, pointing out that we know very well what a threat means both verbally and in practice.

Mr. Protopapas stated that Greece is focused on the major national issues namely, the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' EU accession. The successful outcome of those two issues will give the right responses to all directions, concluded Mr. Protopapas.

[05] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM ISSUE

The government seeks a fair and viable solution to the social security reform issue, reiterated today Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. Protopapas stated that the reactions of union leaders and workers are respected. However, the reaction of the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy was characterized as negative, and Mr. Protopapas pointed out that ND does not want the social security issue to be resolved.

Meanwhile, the dialogue on the social security system reform will be completed on Thursday with the final meeting Greek General Confederation of Labor President Christos Polizogopoulos will have with Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas.

[06] PROTOPAPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO COMBAT TERRORISM

The Greek government cooperates with foreign agencies and uses every relevant experience in the battle against terrorism, stated government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

The goal is to deliver a decisive blow on terrorism in Greece, he stated characteristically, adding that the country is the big loser as a result of the existence and activities of terrorism organizations.

He stressed that the government is also determined to do its duty regarding terrorist organization 17 November and special scientists are working systematically and with determination in order to strike a blow on terrorism.

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.19% at 2.302,83 points, while the volume of transactions was at 84.1 million Euro or 28.6 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 169 recorded gains and 128 had losses, while the value of 76 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] CHAIN REACTION IN THE KORIDALLOS PRISON AFTER SENTOM'S ESCAPE

The escape of 31yearold American criminal Peter Sentom caused a chain reaction in the Koridallos Prison in Athens as Minister of Justice Philippos Petsalnikos decided to put on suspension prison director Giorgos Marinaros, chief warden Antonios Aravantinos and six more prison guards.

He also decided the suspension of prison psychologist Olga Atzamoglou, who helped Sentom to escape. Mr. Petsalnikos announced his decisions today in a press conference.

The 45yarold psychologist helped him escape presenting him to the guards at the prison gate as her colleague. He was wearing a wig and civilian cloths and she persuaded the guards that he was a fellow-doctor. The escape took place yesterday afternoon and the prisoner was found missing much later in the evening.

The dangerous American criminal was serving a life sentence for the murder of a young student in Athens. The apartment of student Stephania Sardi was used by Sentom to push cocaine. He killed the young girl at the orders of another criminal, Vasilis Grigorakos, because the girl knew about the cocaine trade.

The escapee is wanted in the United States for a number of serious crimes he has committed.

[09] NIKOS GARGANAS IS THE NEW GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF GREECE

Mr. Nikos Garganas is the new Bank of Greece Governor taking over the post from Loukas Papadimos, while Mr. Thomopoulos will keep the post of Deputy Governor.

Mr. Garganas was Bank of Greece Deputy Governor and Deputy Governor of the International Monetary Fund. He studied in the Economic School of Athens and in the London School of Economics. He worked as an economist, head of the Agricultural Bank research team, received an OECD scholarship and got a doctorate from the University College London.

He worked as an economist with the British National Institute Economic and Social Studies in London and since his return to Greece he is a Bank of Greece executive. In 1996 he was appointed for the first time Deputy Governor. In 1998 he was appointed again Deputy Governor and member of the Bank of Greece Monetary Policy Council with a six-year term. In the period 1985-1987 he served as Ministry of Finance Economic Adviser.

He is the writer of many books and articles mainly on issues of macro-economic analysis, international trade, monetary policy and European economic and monetary unification.

[10] EVROS IS FIRST CHOICE FOR TRAFFICING

Evros is the first choice of traffickers, according to information of the Ministry of Public Order , for the first quarter of 2002, as 22.3% of illegal immigrants crossed over through said prefecture.

Following are Lesvos with 21.7%, Magnisia with 13.3%, Chios with 9.71% and Evia with 8.9%. The Cyclades Isles are still outside the options of the traffickers, due to the many Port Authority substations on the islands.

In the meanwhile, according to the same information of the Ministry, requests for asylum have increased by 300% in the first quarter of 2002 in comparison to 2001, since from 470 they reached 1530. The applicants for political asylum come from Iraq (630), Afghanistan (522), Pakistan (114), Iran (78), Turkey (29), Indonesia (28) and Sierra Leone (17).

Finally, apart from the applications, there has also been an increase in the denials of political asylum, which have increased six fold, reaching 1320 from 240 last year, while this year political asylum was granted only in 10 cases when it was considered necessary.

[11] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WELCOMES THE NEW NATO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

The new relations between NATO and Russia, marked by their historical association agreement that was signed in Rome today, were welcomed by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in the summit meeting that is taking place in the Italian capital. Mr. Simitis stated characteristically that with this agreement the cold war is officially over, while hope is reborn.

The Greek Prime Minister also stressed that a big effort must be made for the fragile Balkan region to become a place of peace and stability. He said that a political will is necessary, while the principles and values of a modern world of understanding that condemns violence must be respected.

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