Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-07-05

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALARMING FACTS ON THE PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION IN GREECE

[02] MOST OF THE ARMY RECRUITS NEED DENTAL CARE

[03] THE GREEK STUDENTS DRINK AND SMOKE MORE

[04] THE PERSONALITY OF THE CANDIDATE AFFECTS THE VOTERS

[05] THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WILL VISIT LATVIA

[06] THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

[08] INFLATION DROPPED IN JUNE

[09] CAREFUL STANCE IN THE CASE OF "17 NOVEMBER"

[10] SIMITIS: THE EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM CONTINUE

[01] ALARMING FACTS ON THE PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION IN GREECE

The figures on the trade and forceful prostitution of women in Greece, presented within the framework of the 3rd International Symposium on Human Rights taking place in the Aegean island of Leros, are very alarming.

According to figures presented by sociologist Katerina Yiannetou, over 80.000 women from Eastern European countries were added to the domestic prostitution market in the period 1990-2000. She stressed, among others, that these women live in an inhumane regime of violence and in essence there are no free foreign prostitutes.

Based on the available information, after 4 months in Greece, an average of 12% of these women do not know in which part of a city they are, while 50% do not know in which geographic area of the city is the neighborhood they live in. A shocking 5% do not know in which city they are and 3% do not know the country.

These women also appear to have no sense time, as 33% do not know the day, 50% do not know the date, 10% the month and 4% the year. Some of them appeared uncertain even about their age and could not remember details from the past.

It is estimated that the profits from the organized crime of human trafficking in 2000 were 7 billion Euro worldwide.

[02] MOST OF THE ARMY RECRUITS NEED DENTAL CARE

The majority of the army recruits, 59.87%, who joined the Greek armed forces in 2001 need dental care, while many of them have never been to a dentist, according to information that was made public by the Army General Staff.

Specifically, 6.92% need emergency dental surgery, 37.17% need simple dental care and 14.78% need certain additional dental work.

[03] THE GREEK STUDENTS DRINK AND SMOKE MORE

The Greek students occupy the top place in Europe in the consumption of alcohol drinks and cigarette smoking, according to a research conducted by the Consumers' Institute in 2002.

Specifically, the research revealed that the consumption of alcohol drinks and cigarette smoking have taken up alarming dimensions among children between the ages of 10 and 12, while the problem becomes more serious among teenagers ages 13-18.

Based on the research, the 12yearolds spend 11% of their allowance for drinks and cigarettes, the 15yearolds 32% and the 18yearolds 47% of their allowance.

[04] THE PERSONALITY OF THE CANDIDATE AFFECTS THE VOTERS

The personality of the election candidate and not his political identity will affect the Greek voters by 50% in the imminent municipal elections, according to a research that was presented in an event organized by the Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy.

Specifically, 42% of the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy voters decide whom to vote based on personal criteria and 49% based on political party criteria, while 52% of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK voters choose candidates based on personal criteria and 39% based on political party criteria.

Also, 41.2% of the Greek voters will decide, who will be the recipient of their vote when they will reach the ballot-box and 36.9% will come to a decision about two months before the elections.

[05] THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WILL VISIT LATVIA

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis will be in Latvia today to attend the Summit Meeting of the NATO candidate-states that will be held in Riga.

Mr. Magriotis will represent Prime Minister Kostas Simitis to the Summit.

[06] THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

The friendly and close ties between Greece and Australia, which are strengthened by the presence of the Greek-Australian community, were confirmed in the meeting Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis had today with Australian Prime Minister John Howard within the framework of his visit to Greece.

Mr. Kaklamanis thanked the Australian Prime Minister for the support offered by his country to the efforts for a fair solution to the Cyprus problem and for the know-how offered by Australia to the Olympic Games preparations.

Mr. Howard thanked the Parliament President for the warm welcome he had in Greece and stated that he is impressed with the progress made in the Olympic Games projects.

Yesterday, the Australian Prime Minister met with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and discussed issues concerning bilateral relations, while an agreement was signed in their presence for mutual assistance in penal law issues. Both underlined the valuable contribution of the thousands of Greek-Australians to the efforts for the creation of a prosperous Australia.

Referring to the bilateral economic relations, Mr. Simitis pointed out that they are very good but they can develop even further. From his side, Mr. Howard pointed out that the request made by Australian businessmen to improve their access to the Greek market is close to materialization.

[07] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

Small gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.19% at 2.197,87 points, while the volume of transactions was at 57.2 million Euro or 19.5 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 136 recorded gains and 167 had losses, while the value of 70 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] INFLATION DROPPED IN JUNE

Inflation in the month of June was at 3.3% compared to 3.4% in May, according to a statement by the Greek National Statistics Agency. Inflation in the Euro-zone dropped last month to 1.7% from 1.9% in May.

The downward course followed by inflation for a third month in a row is mainly due to the drop in the fuel and food prices, as well as to the strengthening of the Euro to the US dollar.

Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis predicted in the biannual report on the Greek economy that inflation in Greece in 2002 will be at 3.3% instead of 3% as it was initially predicted.

[09] CAREFUL STANCE IN THE CASE OF "17 NOVEMBER"

The Greek government and the police leadership have adopted a careful and responsible stance regarding the efforts to break up the 17 November terrorist organization.

According to information yesterday, it was made known that another arrest was made that of a Sudanese, named Amin Duran, a friend and associate of Savvas Xiros, who was arrested when a time-bomb exploded in his hands in the port of Piraeus on Saturday night. Xiros and Duran owned an ice production plant in Sudan. Meanwhile, Xiros' ex-wife Angeliki Sotiropoulou was also arrested and is questioned by police. According to information, the organization's typewriter was found in a house in Sounio, near Athens, as well as two 45-calibre pistols, while a search was conducted in the regions of Aegina and Angistri.

The bank accounts, the income sources and assets of at least 15 individuals involved in the financing of terrorists are also being examined. According to information, a raid was conducted in a house in the Athens suburb of Ekali.

According to the same information, 6 people are being held by police (5 men and one woman), while the information on arrests of well-known individuals as well as journalists allegedly involved in 17 November have been denied.

[10] SIMITIS: THE EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM CONTINUE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis opened the proceedings of the Organizing Conference of PASOK with references to the battle against terrorism, the visions of PASOK, the major national goals, Andreas Papandreou and the introversion recorded in the governing Socialist Party of PASOK.

Mr. Simitis characterized as important the latest developments in the efforts against terrorism and underlined that this outcome was not accidental but the result of serious and systematic work during the past years. The Prime Minister stated that the contribution of all is necessary to avoid rumors and speculations in order to allow police to do its job.

He launched an attack on the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy accusing it of lack of a proposals, and nihilism.

Mr. Simitis stated that the major goals for PASOK are the successful Olympic Games in 2004, Cyprus's accession into the European Union, the settlement of issues of national importance in accordance with the Helsinki decisions and the materialization of bold policies for the solution of the major social problems.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article