Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-02-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] OPPOSING VIEWS BY CHRISTODOULOS AND IRENAEUS

[02] TURKISH VETO IN EIGHT ORGANIZATIONS

[03] VAVILIS TO SURRENDER TO POLICE

[04] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE CHURCH DEVELOPMENTS

[05] AN ESTIMATED 135,000 PEOPLE ARE INJURED EVERY YEAR IN GREECE

[06] STEPHANOPOULOS - MBEKI MEETING

[07] THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT ON A FORMAL VISIT TO GREECE

[08] VALINAKIS ON THE VISIT OF A BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THE OCCUPIED

[01] OPPOSING VIEWS BY CHRISTODOULOS AND IRENAEUS

The Archbishopric in Athens and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed opposing views regarding the presence of Apostolos Vavilis in Jerusalem.

Late last night, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece reiterated that he never sent anybody to Jerusalem as his official or unofficial representative to allegedly play a role in the election of Irenaeus to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Earlier, Patriarch Irenaeus had stated that Apostolos Vavilis who is wanted by the police and major-general Triantafillakis went to Jerusalem following orders by Archbishop Christodoulos.

The Archbishopric had admitted earlier with a written statement that Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis was present in meetings Archbishop Christodoulos had with justice servants attributing his presence to the Archbishop's graciousness who did not ask him to leave.

Meanwhile, Metropolite Chrisostomos of Zakynthos expressed the view that the Archbishop should resign.

[02] TURKISH VETO IN EIGHT ORGANIZATIONS

Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos stated upon his arrival at Larnaca International Airport from Brussels that Cyprus has not requested and not received any information when asked to comment on the meeting of the Prime Ministers of Britain and Turkey.

Mr. Papadopoulos stated that Turkey exercises its veto power in a total of 8 organizations blocking Cyprus' participation while he confirmed that armaments from Turkey have entered the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus in the past few days in spite of the fact that Mehmet Ali Talat denies that.

[03] VAVILIS TO SURRENDER TO POLICE

Apostolos Vavilis' lawyer stated that his client will come to his country to stand trial and will not ask to receive witness protection status, while investigation intensifies reaching his family.

Police disputes the statement made by his ex-wife who maintained that she had no relation whatsoever with him after their separation in 2001 given the fact that her fingerprints were found in the apartment in Holargos where Vavilis was staying.

Vavilis' mother, who lives in the city of Volos, will also be called to testify, while his brother Dionisis has already given a statement to police given the fact that the motorcycle used by Apostolos Vavilis was in his name.

In his statement to police he maintained that he has not seen his brother since before Christmas of 2004.

[04] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE CHURCH DEVELOPMENTS

The government expects from the Greek Orthodox Church to adopt bold moves for its cleanup and supports the measures it has announced, stated acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros.

Responding to the question if the Church can promote its cleanup given the fact that its head appears to be part of the problem, he stated that the government has already commented on the issue.

On the information that Israel has blocked the bank accounts of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Mr. Antonaros pointed out that this is a court decision, adding that the Greek state embraces all Patriarchates with love and interest. Every time there is a need for certain moves they are being made in a discreet manner, said Mr. Antonaros.

Asked to comment if the government intends to ask the Archbishop to resign, Mr. Antonaros responded that the Archbishop is elected by the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece and the government cannot interfere with decisions that are not its own.

[05] AN ESTIMATED 135,000 PEOPLE ARE INJURED EVERY YEAR IN GREECE

An estimated 35,000 people are injured every year in traffic accidents in Greece, while another 100,000 are injured in workplace accidents. About 3,000 of them die, while 8,000 remain handicap for the rest of their lives and the overwhelming majority is unable to work again.

Based on figures provided by the Greek Trauma Society and Emergency Medicine, the 3,000 who finally die are mostly young people with an average age of 30-40 years old. An estimated 1,500 of them die within the first 5 minutes after the accident, while about 900 of the remaining 1,500 die within the next 2 hours after the accident mostly on their way to hospital.

According to surgery professor Androulakis the annual cost of the hospitalization and subsequent retirement of the injured is estimated at 30 million euros, a sum enough to staff at least 10 trauma centers across the country. Surgery professor Katsaragakis also stated that even though Greece tops the list in the EU in terms of deaths and injuries it ranks last in trauma treatment services.

[06] STEPHANOPOULOS - MBEKI MEETING

Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos stated after the meeting he had today with South African President Thabo Mbeki that Europe must help Africa develop and keep its people from emigrating in Europe.

He pointed out that Europe has a legal and moral obligation to help Africa because of its long presence in this continent and the fact that it has profited from that while Africa has not.

The two presidents also talked about the need to further strengthen bilateral relations in the sectors of economy and trade.

[07] THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT ON A FORMAL VISIT TO GREECE

South African President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Greece today for a formal visit until February 26.

Mr. Mbeki will meet with his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos, Communist Party General Secretary Aleka Papariga and Coalition President Alekos Alavanos.

Later this evening, he will address an event organized by the embassy of South Africa and foreign policy foundation ELIAMEP.

Afterwards, he will attend a formal dinner given in his honor by President Stephanopoulos at the Presidential Building.

Tomorrow, President Mbeki will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, he will also have contacts with businessmen and address a business seminar at Athens' Commerce and Industry Chamber.

Tomorrow afternoon, he will attend a formal reception given by the South African ambassador to Athens.

On Saturday, Mr. Mbeki will have a brief meeting with President Stephanopoulos before departing for his country.

[08] VALINAKIS ON THE VISIT OF A BUSINESS DELEGATION TO THE OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS

Actions that are not in accordance with the principles and decisions of the United Nations for a permanent and viable solution, like the recent visit to the occupied northern Cyprus, do not help toward the reunification of Cyprus. The Greek government moves calmly and with prudence to avoid a repetition of such phenomena and attempts to upgrade the Turkish Cypriots.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis made the statement in Parliament in response to a question by Communist Party Parliament deputy Orestis Kolozov on the occasion of a US business delegation visit to the occupied part of Cyprus through the illegal airport of Timpos.

Mr. Valinakis stated that the US commercial attaché participated in the delegation which was made up of Turkish businessmen reiterating that the Greek government believes that actions like that do not contribute to the fair and viable solution of the Cyprus problem.

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