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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-02-16

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 16, 2001

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS TITLES
  • [01] ROGGE MEETS WITH GREEK PM, CONCLUDES VISIT
  • [02] PREMIER: NEW AIRPORT WILL OPEN ON MARCH 28
  • [03] GREEK EXPORTS TO INDIA RISING, DOUBLED IN 1999
  • [04] 2000 CRIME RATE SHARPLY DECLINED, DATA ATTESTS
  • [05] U.K. PHILHELLENE C.M. WOODHOUSE PASSED AWAY
  • [06] DATE OF NEW AIRPORT'S OPENING ANNOUNCED TODAY
  • [07] AUTHORITY OKs DNA TESTS SANS SUSPECT'S CONSENT
  • [08] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF FYROM'S NAME
  • [09] STABLE COURSE FOR THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
  • [10] REPPAS: THE ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE PERFECT
  • [11] JACQUES ROGGE: THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE HELD IN ATHENS
  • [12] THE MPA GENERAL DIRECTOR MET WITH THE ROMANIAN MINISTER OF PRESS
  • [13] A GREEK WOMAN WROTE THE SCREENPLAY FOR A FILM NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
  • [14] C OF E URGES TURKEY TO COMPLY ON LOIZIDOU CASE
  • [15] THE US-CANADA PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION ON THE FYROM NAME
  • [16] THE GREEK RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR THE BALKANS IS IMPLEMENTED IN ROMANIA

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] ROGGE MEETS WITH GREEK PM, CONCLUDES VISIT

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordinating Committee President Jacques Rogge met with Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday evening, accompanied by Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

    According to press reports, Mr. Simitis reassured Mr. Rogge that everything will be ready in time to enable the best Olympic Games to take place in Greece in 2004.

    Mr. Rogge characterized as "ludicrous" the recent foreign press reports that the president of IOC would like the 2004 Games moved to Seoul.

    "The IOC is counting on the fact that the projects will get started on time," he noted.

    Following his earlier talks with the Minister of Environment, Urban Planning and Public Works Costas Laliotis, Mr. Rogge said that "the prospects of the course of all projects undertaken by the ministry are positive."

    [02] PREMIER: NEW AIRPORT WILL OPEN ON MARCH 28

    The new Athens International Airport at Spata is to be inaugurated on March 28, 2001, Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced today in Parliament.

    In response to a question tabled by the leader of the main opposition party New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, Mr. Simitis also stated that during its early phase of operation, the airport facilities will need a slight adjustment.

    "There is no airport anywhere in the world that operates impeccably from the very start," he noted, while he blasted ND for its negative stance, which he said "damages the country."

    [03] GREEK EXPORTS TO INDIA RISING, DOUBLED IN 1999

    Greek exports to India marked a sharp increase during the course of 1999 with a remarkable 264 percent rise, thus reflecting the onward course of bilateral trade.

    Specifically, the value of Greek goods exported to India during 1999 amounted to 32.4 million euro, as opposed to 8.9 million euro in '98.

    However, during the same time span, Indian exports to Greece dropped by six percent, albeit not affecting the trade balance between the two countries where India has a clear edge. In 1999, Indian goods exported to Greece surpassed the 93.44 million-euro- mark, a slight decrease from 1998's 99.8 million euro.

    Nevertheless, bilateral trade between the two countries continues to grow, according to a study conducted by the Institute for Exporting Research and Studies (which operates under the auspices of Northern Greece's Exporters Association). Specifically, during the course of 1995-99 bilateral trade between Greece and India grew by 39%, growing at an annual rate of 8.5 percent. Concurrently, trade grew by 16 percent during 1999, reaching $125.9 million, as opposed to $108.7 million in 1998.

    Greek exports to India mostly comprise chemical and plastic goods, as well as textiles, machinery and packaging.

    Indian exports to Greece are mostly composed of textiles and attire, chemical and plastic goods, as well as foodstuffs.

    At the same time, the Greek entrepreneurs have yet to realize the opportunity that stem from India's one-billion-consumer market, the fifth largest worldwide, according to the study.

    [04] 2000 CRIME RATE SHARPLY DECLINED, DATA ATTESTS

    Greece's annual crime rate marked a significant drop between the year 1999-2000, according to Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoides who provided official statistical data to illustrate the report.

    In response to a question tabled in Parliament by a ruling PASOK party deputy, Mr. Chrysochoides stated that 2000's murder rate was 26.8 percent lower than 1999's, while the rate of resolved cases rose to 83.1 percent.

    Moreover, he added that thefts and burglaries were reduced by 3.5%, with their resolution rate rising to 11.5%/, while auto theft was contained by 16.8 percent, with 42.94 of the vehicles having been traced. Also, robberies were reduced by 13.9 percent, with 28.15% of the cases solved.

    [05] U.K. PHILHELLENE C.M. WOODHOUSE PASSED AWAY

    One of the most prominent of 20th-century British philhellenes, Christopher Woodhouse, died on Tuesday at his home in Oxford. He was 83.

    Woodhouse served with the Greek Resistance against Germany in World War II, after which he became a noted scholar and author of numerous books on modern Greece, among them "The Rise and Fall of the Greek Colonels," "Karamanlis: The Restorer of Greek Democracy," and "Modern Greece: A Short History," which became one of the standard works on modern Greece in English.

    He also served for years as a Conservative member for Oxford in the House of Commons, where he taught.

    Woodhouse, who last visited Greece in the summer of 2000, is survived by a daughter and two sons as his wife, Lady Davina, died in 1995.

    [06] DATE OF NEW AIRPORT'S OPENING ANNOUNCED TODAY

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to announce the exact date of opening for the new Athens airport in Parliament today, according Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis.

    As Mr. Verelis stated in a press conference yesterday, he has been assured by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority that all technical problems regarding flight management have been resolved, including the PALLAS systems, which will be ready for use in five to six weeks.

    As for the privatization course of Greece's national air carrier Olympic Airways, a formal announcement of the four finalists contending to purchase the company is expected today.

    The four finalists are Cyprus Airlines, Axon consortium, Australia-based Venture Capital Integrated Airline Solutions and Restis consortium.

    Chrysler Aviation and Sanwa Bank of Japan failed to enter the final list of contention, as the first wanted to purchase only one section of the airline and the second wanted to undertake the management and not the ownership of the company.

    According to Mr. Verelis, the process for OA's privatization is expected to conclude by the end of April 2001.

    [07] AUTHORITY OKs DNA TESTS SANS SUSPECT'S CONSENT

    The Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) has given the "go ahead" for DNA checks to be conducted on crime suspects, regardless of whether they are suspects for terrorist or other crimes, without their consent.

    Having forwarded the opinion Justice Minister Mihalis Stathopoulos, PDPA stressed the opinion that the use of DNA is permissible, even without the suspect's consent, in order to ascertain the identity of offenders.

    However, the opinion also adds, a legislative settlement is necessary beforehand, which will explicitly state which crimes are considered serious; also, the question of judgment on who is considered a suspect in a crime will be assigned to a relevant judicial authority, thereby guaranteeing independence and democratic legality.

    Also, the PDPA stressed that the destruction of the DNA sample, following detection of the offender, should be safeguarded and that the specific biological sample will not be used for any other purpose or by a third party.

    [08] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF FYROM'S NAME

    The efforts made by the Greek and the FYROM side for the settlement of the issue concerning the name that will be used by FYROM are aimed at reaching a final solution -if it will be ever reached- that will not create new problems or new issues that will need to be resolved. The above were stated by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in response to the question made in parliament by governing socialist party of PASOK deputy Stelios Papathemelis. He also denied that there is any serious development on the issue of the name of FYROM, pointing out that the rumors heard on the opposite are just guesses.

    Mr. Papandreou stated that the efforts made are aimed at reaching a solution that will serve the mutual interest without using blackmail but through the willingness to cooperate. He also said that it is to the interest of both countries to realize that this chapter must close for the creation of a new Balkan reality.

    [09] STABLE COURSE FOR THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

    Stable course is followed by the Athens Stock Exchange. The general index recorded marginal gains of 0.52% at 3.221,37 points, while the volume of transactions was 241.3 million Euro or 82.2 billion drachmas.

    Of the stocks trading today, 321 recorded gains and 23 had losses, while the value of 24 stocks remained stable.

    [10] REPPAS: THE ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE PERFECT

    The government has a total sense of its duty and responsibility and the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 will be perfect from every aspect reiterated today Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responding to a relevant question.

    He said that the Greek government will meet the Athens Olympic Games challenge in a way that will create an unprecedented achievement.

    Mr. Reppas concluded that the government regards the communication with the International Olympic Committee as useful and constructive as its knowledge and experience in the organizational sector is great.

    [11] JACQUES ROGGE: THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE HELD IN ATHENS

    In a press conference he gave in Athens today, International Olympic Committee, IOC, vice-president Jacques Rogge, who completed his two-day visit to Greece, expressed satisfaction regarding the Athens Olympic Games master plan delivered to him by the "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee.

    Mr. Rogge, who gave a joint press conference with "Athens 2004" president Ms. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis, referred to the issue of security during the games and stated that he received the necessary assurances from the Greek government. He made it clear that Athens is a safe city and that the Greek government does everything possible to tackle terrorism.

    The IOC vice-president stated that there are delays in certain projects and in administrative issues as well and stressed that the Olympic projects should move faster, stressing that the next six months are very critical. He also underlined that the timetables must be respected and there must be no deviation from them. Mr. Rogge made it clear that the 2004 Olympic Games will take place in Athens, adding that the press reports referring to a change in the host country are totally untrue.

    He said that preparations move in a positive way in the sectors of radio-television and transportation as well as in the sector of marketing. The IOC delegation expressed satisfaction for the volunteer program in "Athens 2004" and the Olympic Village project.

    Mr. Rogge stated that after prime minister Simitis became in charge of the whole effort things go much better.

    [12] THE MPA GENERAL DIRECTOR MET WITH THE ROMANIAN MINISTER OF PRESS

    Macedonian Press Agency general director Spiros Kouzinopoulos, who was on a two-day visit to Romania, met with Romanian minister of press Vasile Dincu and congratulated him for his duties in the newly created ministry. The Romanian minister stated that the idea for the creation of a press ministry in his country came from Greece which has a tradition in this area.

    In the meeting with Mr. Dincu, the MPA general director briefed him on the activities of the Association of Balkan News Agencies, ABNA, giving an emphasis on the long cooperation between MPA and the Romanian news agency Rompress.

    Mr. Kouzinopoulos pointed out that he had a very interesting meeting yesterday with Rompress new director Ioan Roska and among others they discussed ways to strengthen the cooperation between them within the framework of ABNA.

    From his side, Mr. Dincu stated that the ministry of press and the Romanian Association of Journalists plan to organize a European Journalists Meeting in the next few months and invited ABNA to be one of the organizers of the event.

    Also, present in the meeting was head of Greek embassy in Romania press office Dimitris Koustas, who congratulated Mr. Dincu for his duties on behalf of Greek minister of press Dimitris Reppas.

    [13] A GREEK WOMAN WROTE THE SCREENPLAY FOR A FILM NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR

    A Greek woman from the city of Thessaloniki is the writer of the screenplay for the movie "One day crossing" nominated for an Oscar in the documentary category.

    Christina Lazaridis was born in 1970 and after finishing high- school went to the United States to study screenplay writing in the University of Princeton. The stage-designs and the costumes used in the film were made by her mother stage-design professor at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University Ioanna Manoledakis.

    Speaking to MPA, Ms. Manoledakis stressed that it is a great honor and a joy for her the fact that the film was nominated for an Oscar, stressing that it has received prizes in different festivals and it was also a success in the United States.

    The story refers to a young Jewish woman who lives in Budapest during WWII and faces the dilemma to save her child or the child of another woman.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [14] C OF E URGES TURKEY TO COMPLY ON LOIZIDOU CASE

    The Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Council of Europe (CofE) has drafted a third interim resolution against Ankara for its failure to comply with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the Loizidou vs. Turkey case.

    The Court issued a decision calling for the financial restitution of Cypriot Titika Liozidou, who won a case against Turkey over the military occupation of her personal property in northern Cyprus. The Committee will reconvene on April 3 and 4 to re-examine the case.

    Ms. Loizidou challenged Turkey's continuing occupation of Cyprus' northern part since 1974 prohibiting her from peacefully enjoying and using her property there, which contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights.

    The Court ruled in December 1996 that Turkey, through the large presence of its troops effectively exercises overall control in occupied Cyprus, something which entails responsibility for the policies and actions of the Turkish Cypriot regime in those areas.

    The Court also said Loizidou is and must be regarded the legal owner of her property and ordered Ankara to pay over 900,000 dollars in compensation.

    [15] THE US-CANADA PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION ON THE FYROM NAME

    The US-Canada Pan-Macedonian Association in a statement it has issued expressed its firm position that FYROM must not take the name "Macedonia" referring to the latest press reports in Athens and Skopje.

    Pan-Macedonian Association president Nina Petropoulou pointed out that the Macedonian conscience and identity, the history of Macedonia and especially, its name constitute historical and cultural heritage that can not be disputed.

    She also pointed out that the name that will be accepted by Greece it is imperative to distinguish the state of FYROM and its people from Macedonia and the authentic Macedonian hellenism.

    Ms. Petropoulou stressed that FYROM faces serious internal political and social problems, adding that Greece is the only neighboring country that does not claim parts of its territory and can back it financially. She said that this is a unique opportunity for pressures to be exerted on behalf of the Greek side for Greece to be historically vindicated, stop FYROM's irredentism and bring calm to the region.

    [16] THE GREEK RECONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR THE BALKANS IS IMPLEMENTED IN ROMANIA

    Greek undersecretary of national economy Yiannis Zafiropoulos, who was on a formal visit to Bucharest, discussed with the new Romanian government the promotion and implementation in Romania of the Greek plan for the reconstruction of the Balkans as well as, the speedier absorption of the economic assistance offered by Greece to this country.

    Mr. Zafiropoulos met with Romanian prime minister Adrian Nastaze, the ministers of foreign affairs and finance and the government general secretary.

    The Greek undersecretary of national economy stated to MPA that an agreement was reached for the creation of a joint committee of specialists to register the selected projects and renew the US$100 million credit offered to Romania by Greece. Also, Mr. Zafiropoulos stated that there was an agreement to draw up a training program for public administration officials.

    Romanian prime minister Nastaze called for Greece's assistance for the training of officials, who will undertake to manage EU programs and prepare Romania's accession course into the European Union. He also called for Greece's assistance in the drawing-up of a new legislation on private investments in Romania.


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