Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-09-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS' SPEECH IN THESSALONIKI'S 67TH ITF FORMAL DINNER

[02] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT

[03] BOLDNESS AND INNOVATION IN THE SAE ACTIVITIES

[04] KARAMANLIS: THESSALONIKI MUST PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN SE EUROPE

[05] PROTOPAPAS: THE ND PRESIDENT IS LEADING IN STATEMENTS OF PETTINESS

[06] KARAMANLIS: ND HONORS JOURNALISM

[07] SOTIROPOULOU TESTIFIES TODAY

[08] MR. KARAMANLIS' SCHEDULE TODAY

[09] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ON CYPRUS AND GREECE

[10] US DIRECTION QUESTIONED

[11] EU JUSTICE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTERS INFORMAL MEETING

[01] KARAMANLIS' SPEECH IN THESSALONIKI'S 67TH ITF FORMAL DINNER

The truth is that the country is moving without a compass and specific destination, stressed right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis in his speech before production sector representatives during the formal dinner given on the occasion of Thessaloniki's 67th International Trade Fair.

Mr. Karamanlis launched a strong attack against the government regarding the course of the economy and accused it that in spite of the European Union funds it received, about 100 trillion drachmas, did not rise to the occasion. He stressed characteristically, that it kept Greece in a circle of lost opportunities and persisted in nominal convergence.

The New Democracy leader expressed the belief that based on today's growth rate Greece will need 80 years to achieve true convergence with the European Union average.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that public debt reached 110% of the GDP, the highest in the Euro-zone, while it is expected to be increased even more due to the skyrocketing Olympic Games debt, the new Olympic Airways and hospital debts and the problematic state-run companies. At the same time, inflation is double the EU average, while the basic consumer items are very expensive bringing the economically weak to the verge of despair.

He said that the New Democracy positions are for genuine privatization, greater market competitiveness through liberalization and the creation of a state that is able to impose healthy competitiveness. Also, greater flexibility in work relations and adoption of measures against the job black market, subsidized new job positions in high unemployment regions and improvement of vocational training programs.

[02] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis launched an attack on the Prime Minister and the government, speaking before leading party members in Thessaloniki yesterday.

He stated, among others, that the Prime Minister decided to open a public dialogue with the terrorists of 17 November and this is dangerous.

Speaking yesterday evening before members of his party in Thessaloniki he referred to the issue of terrorism and underlined that New Democracy backed and will continue to back the efforts of the Greek Police and the Greek Justice as well as any effort against the phenomenon of terrorism.

However, he stressed that it is dangerous that the Prime Minister decided to open a public dialogue with the terrorists. He said that it is obvious that he attempts to lure political dialogue away from the problems faced by the country, the economy, the society and the people in their everyday life.

Referring to the municipal elections in October, he said that the victory of the mayors and prefects backed by New Democracy will be the forerunner of the party's victory in the next parliamentary elections.

[03] BOLDNESS AND INNOVATION IN THE SAE ACTIVITIES

The national issues and the World Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE, programs like the medical program, the National Fund for the Greeks Abroad, the church adoption program, the micro-businesses program, etc, were among the issues discussed in the SAE Presiding Board meeting held in its central offices in Thessaloniki today.

SAE President Andrew Athens stressed that boldness and innovation are the two words that characterize the SAE activities in 2002 in the best possible way.

The main goal is the activation of the Greeks abroad and the creation of new bonds that will link together the Greeks all over the world. Regarding the national issues, continuous and persistent efforts are being made to maintain the US government interest in a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

In 2003, the strategic goal of SAE will be the completion and operation of all Medical Centers, the visiting nurses programs and the humanitarian aid to the Greek communities in Albania and the former Soviet countries.

[04] KARAMANLIS: THESSALONIKI MUST PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN SE EUROPE

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis spoke of a tragic delay in the development growth rate and competitiveness in Greece compared to the European partners in the meeting he had today with the management of Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and HELEXPO.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that Thessaloniki must play a leading role in Greece and the wider region of Southeastern Europe as a financial, economic, commercial and cultural metropolitan center with the decisive contribution of ITF and HELEXPO.

However, he warned that this opportunity could be lost if the pace in the preparation of the big infrastructure projects does not improve, and the economy's competitiveness and national revenue growth rate are not increased. He also said that a serious reform in the way the state and public sector function is necessary, adding that these are necessary preconditions to become the host of the EXPO 2008 International Exhibition.

[05] PROTOPAPAS: THE ND PRESIDENT IS LEADING IN STATEMENTS OF PETTINESS

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas commenting on the statements made on terrorism by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis in Thessaloniki last night, stated that the government did not expect Mr. Karamanlis to recognize its success against terrorism like the international community has done. Mr. Protopapas added that Mr. Karamanlis does not have the courage or the frankness to do so.

Mr. Protopapas stated that what is dangerous for the country and society is that Mr. Karamanlis does not only tolerate but he plays a leading role in statements of pettiness and misery aimed at downgrading the national success. Mr. Protopapas added that unfortunately the work done speaks for itself.

[06] KARAMANLIS: ND HONORS JOURNALISM

New Democracy is aware of the problems ERT-3 and regional ERA stations journalists face with work agreements contradicting constitutional injunctions and relative EU directions. It is committed to promote a solution through the Parliament as well as with representations to the government. With that phrase, the Head of the Opposition, Kostas Karamanlis, answered the address made by the President of the Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers (ESIEM-Th), Dimitris Gousidis, during his visit to the Union's offices today, and after a discussion of issues raised by the Union.

ERT's 3rd channel, seated in Thessaloniki, stated Mr. Karamanlis, is greatly needed because it serves a national purpose, especially now that N. Greece is aiming at playing a major role in the Balkans. Only those ignorant of history cannot or will not comprehend its importance. We will preserve it and develop it so that it can play its historic role.

The President of New Democracy added that he himself and his party honor the profession of the journalist and recognize the immense role it has on forming public opinion. The pay special attention on the role of regional journalism, which they believe should be preserved and reinforced.

[07] SOTIROPOULOU TESTIFIES TODAY

Aggeliki Sotiropoulou, accused of participating in November 17, will testify before Special Examiner Leonidas Zervobeakos at 6pm today.

The 40-year-old woman has been charged with participation in a criminal organization, supply and possession of explosives by complicity and possession of arms by complicity. All of the charges are felonies.

Aggeliki Sotiropoulou, Dimitris Koufontinas companion and Savvas Xeros' ex-wife, denied all the charges against her. Officers of the counter terrorism service mentioned that the warrant for her arrest was issued after one of her fingerprints was found in the Damareos st. hideout, on the interior of a wardrobe, while two more of her prints were found on a book and a magazine in the Patmos st. hideout.

Meanwhile, Savvas Xeros is prepared to submit a memo with additional information to his testimony, on the Luizy Riancour case to Special Examiner Zervobeakos, within the next few days.

According to information, the 40-year-old will testify that there was no woman to inform the counter terrorism service on N17's presence and that the whole story had been set up officers of the service in order to make some money.

At the same time, the counter terrorism service's research is concentrated on analyzing fingerprints and decoding the genetic material of four individuals, three men and a woman, that has arisen after the analysis of hairs, so that there are arrests of new possible members of N17.

Also, after the approval of the Judicial Committee, blood samples will be taken from the 16 N17 suspects held in the Corydallos penitentiary, in order to be analyzed and compared to the aforementioned DNA evidence.

Meanwhile, the Ta Nea newspaper mentions that officials of the counter terrorism service are continuing their research into the organization's account books and personal address books, from which crucial information has been supplied on until recently unknown individuals, who helped N17.

From the encoded names in the payment notebook , a woman's name has been cracked, and it is believed she is the companion of one of the organization's leading members.

[08] MR. KARAMANLIS' SCHEDULE TODAY

President of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis is continuing his meetings in Thessaloniki. At 10:30 he visited the offices of the Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers (ESIEM-Th), at 11:00 the 67th TIF, and at 12:30 the campaign center of candidate Prefect, Panagiotis Psomiadis.

At 20:00, he will speak at the official dinner held at the I. Vellidis conference center.

On Sunday, at 13:00, he will hold a press conference at the Macedonia Palace Hotel.

[09] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ON CYPRUS AND GREECE

Greek-Turkish relations have improved and the dialogue between the two countries is continuing in a constructive manner, stressed Turkish Foreign Minister Sukru Gurel, during his speech at the UN General Assembly.

Referring to the Aegean, the Turkish official pointed out that the two sides have reached a point of maturity which can allow for related issues to be resolved on a bilateral basis.

On the Cyprus issue he repeated the well known position on two peoples and two states, pointing out that a solution must be based on national equality of the two participating states.

He also warned the European Union of the consequences there would be if Cyprus were to be incorporated before the Cyprus issue being resolved.

[10] US DIRECTION QUESTIONED

A question concerning the issuing of an American Direction to the employees of the US Department of Defense not to use Greek airlines, was submitted to the Ministers of National Defense, Foreign Affairs and Transportation and Communication by New Democracy Achaia MP, Spilios Spiliotopoulos.

Mr. Spiliotopoulos stressed that the Headquarters of US European Command (USEUCOM) in Waihingen Germany issued a direction, in May 2001, to all its formations and services functioning in Europe, forbidding US Department of Defense personnel, travelling due to their job, to use any Greek airlines. The direction specifically concerns the following airlines: AEGEAN AIRLINES, AIRGREECE, AVIONIC, AXON AIRLINES, CRETAN AIRLINES, CRONUS AIRLINES, ELECTRA AIRLINES, GALAXY AIRWAYS, HELLENIC STAR AIRWAYS, INTERJET HELLENIC, KAL AVIATION, MACEDONIAN AIRLINES, OLYMPIC AIRWAYS, OLYMPIC AVIATION, SAPO INTERNATIONAL, SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN AIRLINES, TRANS EUROPEAN AIRLINES.

The ND MP asked the relevant Ministers if the Greek government knows the reasons for which the above order was issued, and if it does, what those orders are and what were its actions, and asked that the related documents be submitted.

[11] EU JUSTICE AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTERS INFORMAL MEETING

The definition of the refugee and other individuals in need of international protection, the drawing up of a Joint Return Program based on the European Commission proposals, the incorporation of third country nationals, the EU enlargement and Schengen, as well as the problems of drugs and terrorism, were the issues discussed in the EU Justice and Internal Affairs ministers informal meeting held in Copenhagen yesterday and today.

Greece was represented by Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis.

The Greek Justice Minister pointed out that the battle against drugs has a cross-border character and stressed the need for a greater harmonization of the EU member-states' legislation taking under consideration the national peculiarities.

Mr. Petsalnikos stated that the EU should export its policy against drugs not only to the EU candidate states, as it has already done, but to third countries as well and especially, to key-countries (drug production and trafficking countries).

Specifically, the Greek side pointed out the need to expand the actions taken to the Balkan region.

The Justice Minister referring to the gravity of the drug problem for Greece, he announced that two international training seminars on the drug problem will be held during the Greek EU Presidency in the first half of 2003.

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