Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-07-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] MILLER: NO EVIDENCE CONNECTING N17 TO PAK-PASOK STAFF MEMBERS

[02] INVESTIGATION CONCERNING N17 LEAKS

[03] SIMITIS ON THE 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

[04] GREEK-TURKISH TALKS IN ANKARA

[05] THE TRIAL ON THE "FALCON" ACCIDENT CONTINUES

[06] GREECE'S POSITION IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE WILL BE STRENGTHENED

[07] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BRIEF THE EU

[09] KOSTAS TELIOS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE EXAMINING JUDGE ON FRIDAY

[10] MORE ARRESTS OF 17N MEMBERS

[11] THE TURKISH DHKP-C IS NOT ACTIVE IN GREECE

[01] MILLER: NO EVIDENCE CONNECTING N17 TO PAK-PASOK STAFF MEMBERS

US Ambassador to Athens, Thomas Miller, stated that he does not have any evidence confirming a relation between N17 to PAK or PASOK, while he characterized the issue as secondary at this point and as long as investigations concerning the eradication of a terrorist organization continue, and he asked for no attention to be paid to statements by individuals who do not hold official positions.

The US Ambassador stressed that the Greek authorities dealt with the issue effectively and added that the US sill continue to assist in their efforts. Very serious work has been done in the last few years, there is a very competent Justice Minister, there is decisiveness.

[02] INVESTIGATION CONCERNING N17 LEAKS

The Head of the Athens Court of First Instance District Attorney's office, Sotiris Bayas, ordered a preliminary investigation to be carried out on the leaks, concerning the statements of November 17 members, to the media.

Court of First Instance DA Ioannis Karaiskos is in charge of the preliminary investigation, and has been asked to investigate if any criminal actions concerning the keeping of official duties and harboring a felon has taken place, since it was indirectly made known that there are other wanted in connection to N17.

According to other information, the authorities are thinking of prosecuting Savvas Xeros while he is still hospitalized, as soon as the counter-terrorism's investigation is over, so that the warrant for his arrest is officially issued. The charges against him include all the felonies and misdemeanors made known so far, since he is the first to admit his participation in the package of illegal activity, while giving the authorities the names of his accomplices.

Reminding the authorities of procedural principle, everyone one is considered innocent until proven guilty, Government Spokesperson Christos Protopapas condemned both the leaking of preliminary examination information as well as the television window trials, yesterday. In an announcement he had made earlier he characterized the leak as a very damaging action that cannot remain without consequences for those who are responsible, and he called the government to fortify the authority of the investigative procedure.

Mr. Protopapas attributed the leaking of preliminary investigation testimonies of the accused members of N17 to individuals that had legal access to the relative briefs. Such actions are completely unreasonable, he added, appealing to the authorities to do their jobs which they do well. In fact he criticized those performing television trials, noting that such phenomena are outside the principle of the rule of law. They does not fit our democracy.

Athens Bar Association: For whom the bell tolls?

The Athens Bar Association (DSA) is threatening with disciplinary action against members that appear on the media, due to the terrorism cases, rekindling the phenomenon of teletrials.

The DSA supports that every person has the right to choose an attorney by his own free will and whom he trusts, and the self-evident position that counsel and client are not the same person.

Finally, it condemns the leaking of briefs to the media, which is a violation of questioning confidentiality.

[03] SIMITIS ON THE 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

The 28th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece coincides with the culmination of the efforts against terrorism, underlined Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today during his visit to the site where the Oropos Prison used to be.

He stressed characteristically that terrorism is led to a defeat because the arrests reflect the strengthening of the democratic institutions.

Mr. Simitis stated that the restoration of democracy is the result of the struggle of the Greek people as a whole and underlined that the political forces of the Center and the Left had a leading role in the 7-year-long struggle against dictatorship. He said that the Prisons in Oropos, Yiaros, Makronisos and Leros are symbols of historical memory, adding that Oropos, 28 years after the restoration of democracy in Greece, symbolizes dignity and humanism.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, the Prime Minister stated that it is a dark legacy left to hellenism by the dictatorship and made it clear that Greece works ceaselessly for Cyprus' EU accession. He also underlined that the message of this year's anniversary is the strengthening of democracy in the country aimed at a better and stronger Greece.

[04] GREEK-TURKISH TALKS IN ANKARA

The regular biannual Greek-Turkish consultations on international and regional issues will be held in Ankara tomorrow. The talks will take place at political directors' level between ambassadors Giorgos Gennimatas and Baki Ilkin.

The relevant statement was made by Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis.

[05] THE TRIAL ON THE "FALCON" ACCIDENT CONTINUES

The freak accident on board the Prime Minister's Falcon aircraft on September 14, 1999 in which deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, his son Nicolas and five more people were killed, was the result of human error by the pilot Yiannis Androulakis, according to prosecutor Konstantina Kolia.

The trial concerning the conditions under which the accident happened continues and the prosecutor called for a guilty verdict to be issued on the pilot, while she suggested the acquittal of the co-pilot and other eight Olympic Airways technicians, responsible for the aircraft's maintenance.

[06] GREECE'S POSITION IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE WILL BE STRENGTHENED

The belief that the successes in the efforts against terrorism in Greece will strengthen the country's position internationally, was expressed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Minister of National Defense Yiannos Papantoniou after the meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis today. The meeting was held to discuss issues concerning the Greek EU presidency.

It was stressed that the priorities of the Greek side will be the EU-NATO relations based on the Seville texts and the right preconditions for the operation of the Euro-army. Also, according to Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou another major issue is the adoption of common European policy terms in the sector of armaments as the Greek defense industry has a strong interest in the field.

Referring to the efforts against terrorism, Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou underlined that the successes sent out the message that the country has the political will to deal with the issue in a tangible way.

[07] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange. The general index plunged to -2.80% at 2.027,43 points, while the volume of transactions was 114.5 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority of 326 recorded losses and only 13 managed to have gains, while the value of 40 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BRIEF THE EU AMBASSADORS

Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou and Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis will brief the EU ambassadors to Athens on the developments in the issue of terrorism. Mr. Papandreou stated that the government's political will to continue the efforts against terrorism will be confirmed in the contacts that will take place.

Mr. Papandreou stated that he will brief the Turkish ambassador on the issue, as Turkish diplomats were among the victims of the 17 November terrorist group. Mr. Papandreou stated that all the countries with victims of terrorism will be briefed by tomorrow.

[09] KOSTAS TELIOS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE EXAMINING JUDGE ON FRIDAY

The prosecutor filed criminal charges against 37-year-old Kostantinos Telios today. Telios surrendered to Thessaloniki police yesterday admitting participation in the terrorist group 17 November.

Telios is accused of participation in a criminal organization, supply and possession of explosives, gun possession, gun use, murder, attempted murder, and robbery.

He later appeared before the examining judge and received more time until Friday to prepare his testimony.

[10] MORE ARRESTS OF 17N MEMBERS

Another 17 November terrorist group member is expected to be arrested soon and according to press information, is a relative of Kostas Karatsolis, who is in police custody and has admitted participation in the terrorist group.

Based on the same sources, more people will be arrested today, tomorrow and the following day and a woman will be among them.

[11] THE TURKISH DHKP-C IS NOT ACTIVE IN GREECE

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated yesterday that Ankara has made no formal police assistance request on issues of terrorism even though certain questions have been posed to the Greek embassy.

Mr. Protopapas stated that Turkish nationals, who have requested and received political asylum and are regarded political refugees, are in Greece from time to time.

On the information concerning the alleged presence of the Turkish organization Revolutionary People's Liberation Party / Front (DHKP-C) in Greece, Mr. Protopapas stated that no such organization has or could have offices in Greece. He maintained that obviously there has been a mix-up with an association, in which participate Greeks as well, and operates legally.

According to Turkish news agency Anadolu, Ankara had requested to be briefed by Greece on any information it has on DHKP-C and its leader Dursun Karatash.

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