Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-04-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS: THE COMMON EFFORT WITH THE GREEK LEADERSHIP DOES NOT END

[02] STRONG REACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND "ATHENS 2004" TO A LONDON TIMES

[03] EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF JOURNALISTS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING IN

[04] THE US AMBASSADOR MET WITH THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IN THE DONORS CONFERENCE FOR CYPRUS

[07] THE NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF CHIEF WILL VISIT THE US

[08] THE NATO SOUTH WING COMMANDER IS IN ATHENS

[01] PAPADOPOULOS: THE COMMON EFFORT WITH THE GREEK LEADERSHIP DOES NOT END WITH THE REFERENDUM

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos thanked yesterday Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and the political party leaders in Greece as well as the Greek people for their active support to the decisions of the Cypriot people.

President Papadopoulos stated yesterday afternoon that the respect and the active and total support Greece has expressed toward the decisions of the Cypriot people, as it was categorically stated after the Political Party Leaders Council meeting, is especially important to Cyprus.

The Cypriot President pointed out that the Cypriot people freely and democratically will reach a decision on April 24 when the referendum on the Annan Plan will take place. He also reiterated the statement made by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis that the final responsibility lays with the Cypriot people and their decision will be fully respected and supported, while the common effort will not end with the referendum regardless of its outcome.

[02] STRONG REACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND "ATHENS 2004" TO A LONDON TIMES ARTICLE

The London Times article according to which, Scotland Yard is considering sending to Athens armed police to safeguard the protection of the British Olympic team during the Olympics caused the strong reaction of the Greek government and the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee.

According to the British newspaper, the British specialists are not convinced with the security guarantees the Greek authorities offer and are thinking of using select sharpshooters in the Olympic Village for the protection of the British athletes.

The presence of armed foreign security agents for the protection of athletes is strictly prohibited, pointed out Ministry of Public Order spokesman Eleftherios Economou who made it clear that no armed foreign police officers will be allowed to enter the country.

On its part, Athens 2004 Organizing Committee issued a statement in which it is pointed out that the Greek government has given a complete and categorical answer to the Olympic Games security issue, adding that everything mentioned in the article create a negative climate and have no relation whatsoever with reality.

[03] EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF JOURNALISTS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING IN THESSALONIKI

The European Federation of Journalists General Assembly meeting opened in Thessaloniki today with the participation of representatives of journalist associations from 23 countries.

Reports by committees of specialists on the protection of copyright, the rights of journalists working as freelancers, as well as the working rights of state-run radio and television journalists will be presented tomorrow. The general assembly proceedings will be completed tomorrow with the election of the new presiding board of the federation.

Outgoing chairman of the European Federation of Journalists Gustl Glattfelber addressing the general assembly referred to the problems faced by journalists today, stressing that the biggest of all is the mass media gigantism and their concentration in the hands of a few who create empires in the sector of press and seek to keep cost at low levels.

The gigantism of the mass media kills the traditional newspapers, added Mr. Glattfelber, underlining that the only way to protect journalists is to safeguard social security.

[04] THE US AMBASSADOR MET WITH THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR

US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller cited a statement made by US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called to comment on yesterday's statement on Cyprus by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

In statements he made after the meeting with Minister of the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Mr. Miller avoided to comment on the statement made by the Greek Prime Minister on Cyprus and cited the statements made by Mr. Boucher on the specific issue.

Called to comment on the London Times article on the security in the Olympic Games in Athens, he stated that he is not worrying and pointed out that the government works very hard on all these issues, adding that it is a lot more productive to focus on the work ahead and not comment on every new scenario.

Responding to the question if the US will send armed police for the protection of the US Olympic team, the US ambassador stated that the responsibility for security belongs to the Greeks and cooperation with the US is close. Mr. Miller also said that, this is Greece's Olympics. We have had our Olympics before, and we have every confidence that the Greek authorities have their focus and their interest on making this a safe and secure Olympics.

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.90% at 2467.14 points, while the volume of transactions was at 150.9 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 213 had gains and 86 had losses, while the value of 100 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IN THE DONORS CONFERENCE FOR CYPRUS

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis speaking in the preparatory conference of donors for Cyprus presented Greece's positions on issues of security, guarantees and compatibility between the Annan Plan and the European standards.

The Deputy Foreign Minister gave a special emphasis to the points of major interest and significance for the Greek Cypriot public opinion, which is very cautious toward the Annan Plan.

Mr. Stilianidis stressed the importance of the meeting organized by European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, responsible for EU enlargement issues and assured that Greece will contribute to the efforts of the international community for the implementation of the plan if it is approved.

He also stated that the Greek government studies very carefully the economic aspects of a future settlement in Cyprus.

[07] THE NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF CHIEF WILL VISIT THE US

National Defense General Staff Chief General Georgios Antonakopoulos will be on a formal visit to the United States on April 17-25.

During his visit he will have meetings in the US Pentagon and talks with Gen. Richard B. Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff on issues of mutual military interest. They will discuss issues concerning the efforts against terrorism, the contribution of the Greek armed forces to the security of the Olympic Games and the peacekeeping missions in the Balkans.

General Antonakopoulos will also have meetings with leading members of the Greek-American community among them, US Senator Paul Sarbanes.

[08] THE NATO SOUTH WING COMMANDER IS IN ATHENS

Commander in Chief of Allied Forces Southern Europe Admiral Gregory G. Johnson had a round of consultations today with National Defense General Staff Chief General Georgios Antonakopoulos within the framework of his visit to Greece.

NATO's contribution to the safety of the Olympic Games will dominate in the agenda of the talks.

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