Subject: BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (15/6/1995) Topic: mpa From: Macedonian Press Agency BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY Thessaloniki, June 15 1995 EARTHQUAKE OF 6,1 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN SOUTHERN GREECE. Fourteen people were killed and about eighteen are missing after the powerful earthquake measuring 6,1 on the Richter scale which hit the region of the town of Egion in Peloponese, southern Greece at 3:16 am this morning. An five-floor block of flats and a four-floor hotel which mainly hosted French tourists collapsed and rescue crews continue the efforts to locate people who are buried alive. According to seismologists, the earthquake's epicentre was located 200 kilometers west of Athens in the Bay of Patras. After the powerful earthquake of 6,1 on the Richter scale there was another strong tremor measuring 5,4 on the Richter scale recorded at 3:31 am. Geophysics professor in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki mr Vasilis Papazachos appeared very cautious and stated that this powerful earthquake came from an active seismic region and is very early to make any predictions as the phenomenon is in full progress. Mr Papazahos said that wider Greek area has entered a period of increased seismic authority which will last four or five years and asked for measures which should be taken towards the antiseismic protection. The professor said that based on all indications the earthquake of 6,1 on the Richter scale was the main earthquake and stressed that the region has given strong earthquakes in the past and the first earthquake in the area was recorder in 373 bC and most powerful measuring 7 on the Richter scale in the year 1402 . A group of swiss specialists arrived at the Airport of =81raxos this evening. The swiss experts, who are specializing in the rescue of people trapped under the rubble, brought with them specially trained dogs and the necessary equipment for the location of earthquake survivors. The Socialist Group in the European Parliament called the European Commission to send emergency economic aid and any kind of aid needed to the quake striken region of Egion. Commissioner Bangeman answered that money is being looked for so that it is given to Greece. President of the Republic Mr Constantinos Stephanpopoulos visited the area which happens to be his homeland and expressed his concern for the eventuality that there are no survivors while Prime Minister, also with string fimaly ties with the area announced that he will visit Egion within the next forty eight hours. THE HELLENISM WORLD ASSEMBLY IN THESSALONIKI Vice Foreign Minister, responsible for the Greek emigration all over the world mr Grigoris Niotis announced in Thessaloniki that the World Assembly of Hellenism will soon function in Thessaloniki alongside the "council of the Greek Emigration". Mr Niotis said that the organizing committee of the council will arrange that the council meet in 1995. . The council, consisting of 218 representatives of Greeks of all continents will meet once a year. . 86 of the representatives will from North America, 46 form Western Europe, 32 form Australia and New Zealand, 28 from Eastern Europe, while South America, Africa and Asia will be represented with 13 members each. . Mayor of the municipality of Kalamaria, in Thessaloniki, Mr Thrassivoulos Lazaridis and Mr Niotis examined today the facilities of an ex-military camp which Mr Lazaridis suggests that it be used for the headquarters of the assembly and the council. BALKAN INITIATIVES IN THESSALONIKI Four balkan initiatives take place in Thessaloniki.Today the meeting of the federations of Bank Clerks of alla balkan countries started while next week three meetings are to follow. The first is the meeting of the Agriculturers organizations, the second the meeting of the Lawyers asociations which will sign the creation of a data bank and the third the meeting of the Association of the Balkan News Agencies. SUDDEN DEATH OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF BULGARIAN NEWS General Director of Bulgarian News Agency BTA Stefan Gospodinov died suddenly at his office when he suffered a heart attack. He was born in 1936 in the town of Sumen in northern Bulgaria and studied Literature in the state University of Sofia. He was working in BTA since 1971 and on June 30, 1993 was elected by the bulgarian Parliament to the position of the General Director of BTA. -------------------------MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY--------------------------- The Macedonian Press Agency is a non-governmental press organization which aims: - To transfer and make use of news and information about the situation in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries mostly upon matters which are of vital interest for the Greek business, scientific and cultural activities. - To become a "bridge" between the Greeks who live abroad and their home countryby contributing to a more essential connection and above all to inform them about the investment opportunities as well as the intellectual and artistic movements in Greece, the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. - To show the achievements and the abilities of the business, scientific and intellectual world of Greece all over the world. 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