Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-02-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] METROPOLITE PANTELEIMON ON SIX-MONTH SUSPENSION

[02] BAD WEATHER CONTINUES IN GREECE

[03] INTERNET CHILD PORNOGRAPHY NETWORK

[04] ANOTHER JUDGE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] MEETING OF GREEK AMBASSADORS IN THE BALKANS AND TURKEY

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ADDRESSED GREEK EMIGRANTS IN BELGIUM

[08] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE CHURCH

[09] THE FUNERAL OF ALEKOS KARAMANLIS WAS HELD TODAY

[01] METROPOLITE PANTELEIMON ON SIX-MONTH SUSPENSION

Metropolite Panteleimon of Attiki was put on a six-month suspension after accusations of having talks with former members of the judiciary who participated in corrupt networks.

Metropolite Panteleimon testified before the Holy Synod today and according to information, he maintained that the incriminating tapes used against him are fake and the product of voice editing. In the next six months, Metropolite Panteleimon will try to prove his innocence and if he fails he will be removed from the throne of the Metropolite.

According to information, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece will assume the post of the Attiki Metropolis vicar.

[02] BAD WEATHER CONTINUES IN GREECE

Bad weather continues in Greece with main characteristics the heavy snowfall, the gusty north winds and the very low temperatures, while an improvement is expected tomorrow.

Northern Greece faces the most serious problems, while cars need non-skid chains in the provincial road network.

Because of the snow schools will remain closed in the prefectures of Grevena, Florina, Evritania and Evros with the exception of the city of Alexandroupolis.

Also, schools will be closed in the Thessaloniki suburbs.

[03] INTERNET CHILD PORNOGRAPHY NETWORK

A 72-year-old, former international company employee was arrested in Kifisia, Athens yesterday accused of being a member of an international network engaging in the trafficking of pornographic material on the Internet.

Police stated that it was one of the most hardcore web sides ever seen on the Internet with video and photos of children 2-7 years old.

An American is regarded as the mastermind of the network. The investigation continues because a large number of photographs and videotapes were not seen on the global Internet web side.

An estimated 5,000 visitors of the web side watched simultaneously the child porn photographs and videotapes, some showing the raping of children.

Police investigates whether the material found in the house of the 72-year-old had been videotaped or photographed in Greece.

[04] ANOTHER JUDGE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

First Instance Court judge Fotini Keladidou is expected to appear before the Supreme Court plenary session facing the likelihood to be permanently expelled from the judiciary.

According to the state-run NET television channel, she allegedly did not exclude herself from trying a smuggling case in spite of the fact that she was closely related with one of the defendants.

For the record, she has received a total of four disciplinary penalties because of her passion for gambling.

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.43% at 2911.22 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 178,8 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 218 had gains and 80 had losses, while the value of 123 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] MEETING OF GREEK AMBASSADORS IN THE BALKANS AND TURKEY

All Greek ambassadors to the Balkans and Turkey met in the Foreign Ministry building in Athens yesterday with Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis, deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Valinakis and senior officials.

They reviewed in depth and assessed developments in the Balkan region in the light of the December 17, 2004 European Council results as well as, Greece's participation in the UN Security Council as a non permanent member and in view of Greece's Presidency of the SE Europe Cooperation Procedure next May.

A special emphasis was given to the European perspective of the countries in the region and its effect both on current developments and the prospects of SE Europe.

Mr. Moliviatis pointed out the catalyst role the closer association of the region's countries with Europe could have to the solution of all pending issues for greater stability, prosperity and cooperation in more sectors.

Mr. Valinakis focused on the developments inside the EU and the potential they offer to Greece to further strengthen its role in the region.

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS ADDRESSED GREEK EMIGRANTS IN BELGIUM

Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos addressed Greek emigrants during the last day of his visit to Belgium.

Mr. Stephanopoulos was deeply moved when he referred to his origin saying that he comes from the Peloponese, Northern Epirus in south Albania and Cyprus and pointed out that he comes from two still occupied parts of Greece. He added that Europe is a new united motherland in which no nationality is lost.

He called on the Greeks to welcome the immigrants arriving in Greece like the hospitable Belgium did, stressing that there are an estimated 800,000 foreigners and the Greeks should welcome them with the same love the Belgians welcomed the Greeks when they emigrated there.

Upon his arrival at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport after completing his visit to Belgium the Olympic Airlines employees held a special reception ceremony on the occasion of the fact that this was his last trip abroad as the President of the Hellenic Republic.

[08] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE CHURCH

The government expects to receive formally the specific Church proposals concerning the amendment of the ecclesiastical justice law, which will be studied by the responsible Ministries of Education-Religion and Justice, stated acting government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.

He stressed that the government supports the efforts made by the Church for reform.

Responding to a relevant question, he said that the government has no objections to form a law preparatory committee with the participation of the Church and the Ministries of Education-Religion and Justice chaired by a specialist either an academician or a member of the judiciary.

[09] THE FUNERAL OF ALEKOS KARAMANLIS WAS HELD TODAY

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said the last goodbye to his father Alekos at noon today.

The funeral was held in the presence of family, friends and local people in the snow-covered village of Proti in the prefecture of Serres, northern Greece.

Alekos Karamanlis died yesterday at the age of 91 in an Athens hospital.

Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos and all political party leaders extended their condolences to the Prime Minister.

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