Browse through our Interesting Nodes of International Mass Media Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2003-02-27

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 Thessaloniki, February 27, 2003

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] HULL FOUND
  • [02] REACTIONS ON THE "MOTHER OF ALL TRIALS"
  • [03] AKIS' REASSURANCE ON PRICES
  • [04] REACTIONS TO N17 TRIAL CONDITIONS
  • [05] PAPANDREOU IN THE US TODAY
  • [06] MAGRIOTIS MEETING WITH HIS CHINESE COUNTERPART
  • [07] POLITICAL YOUTHS: TURN OFF YOUR TVS FOR 2 HOURS
  • [08] EU EDUCATION MINISTERS ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN EDUCATION
  • [09] 5TH THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW
  • [10] REPRESENTATIVE OF UN HIGH COMMISSION ON REFUGEES IN THESSALONIKI
  • [11] CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST GR. MICHALOPOULOS
  • [12] THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT WILL BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW
  • [13] THE FIRST 16 ARTICLES OF THE EU CONSTITUTION
  • [14] THE CABINET FOCUSED ON IRAQ AND CYPRUS
  • [15] THE LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ASE
  • [16] THE BODY OF A CREW MEMBER WAS RECOVERED FROM THE SEA
  • [17] EVENT FOR THE SPONSORS OF THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY
  • [18] SIMITIS ON THE TALKS WITH ANNAN ON IRAQ
  • [19] MEETING OF NUTRITION COUNTERPARTS IN THE WHO EUROPEAN REGION
  • [20] SIMITIS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS
  • [21] EU-US JOINT STATEMENT ON SANCTIONS AGAINST THE TRANSNISTRIAN LEADERSHIP
  • [22] OLYMPIC TRUCE TEXT SIGNED BY ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS AND THE CEC CHAIRMAN
  • [23] US DIPLOMAT SERVING IN ATHENS RESIGNS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [24] ANSWERS TODAY NEWS IN DETAILS

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] HULL FOUND Procedures to salvage the hull of the EKAV helicopter that crashed off the shore of Ikaria three weeks ago began this morning. It was located approximately one mile off the Faros community, at depth of 75 meters. There were 4 crewmembers on the helicopter

    that are missing and this was the third such accident with an EKAV helicopter.

  • [02] REACTIONS ON THE "MOTHER OF ALL TRIALS" Their opposition to the regulations on the coverage of the N17 trial was expressed by the Athens Bar Association and the Journalists' Union, which has not ruled out a protest event. Publicity is a bad consultant for the development of the N17 trial, state d the court's President, M. Margaritis.
  • [03] AKIS' REASSURANCE ON PRICES His appreciation that there is no reason to be so worried about price increases due to a possible war in Iraq, was expressed by Minister of Development, Akis Tsochatzopoulos, during his speech at a meeting of the National Bank and the Association of Greek

    Industries. Referring to the increasing concern about the new prices in oil, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos repeated that they would remain high for a long period of time.

  • [04] REACTIONS TO N17 TRIAL CONDITIONS The refusal of radio and television coverage and the conditions under which the "mother of all trials" will be carried out, has sparked reaction in the legal, journalistic and political world of Greece. The television and radio coverage of the alleged members of terrorist group "17 November" trial is banned by the new law and it will be allowed only if the court rules in favor with the agreement of all parties involved in the trial, stressed Greek govern ment spokesman Christos Protopapas. Publicity is a bad consultant in the development of the "November 17" trial according to the President of the Court, Michalis Margaritis. Speaking at a conference for young attorneys, he stressed that the great publicity given is a very bad thing, and he added that before going to court he neither reads nor listens to anything that may be related to cases he is going to try. "I go without any emotional charge and the token of innocence in my hands", he noted. In reaction, a letter of protest was sent to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, Ioannis Gavrilis, by the President of the Athens Bar Association, in which the Bar is protesting the lack of necessary conditions to practice law inside and out side of the courtroom in the specific case, due to the inappropriateness of the facilities that have been constructed in the women's wing of the Corydallos penitentiary. He expressed his reaction to the inability expressed by Mr. Gavrilis for a Bar delegation to visit the courtroom in order to ascertain if all conditions for an unhindered trial to be carried out by the defense and prosecution attorneys, have been met. The Bar President also pointed out that: "We have been informed that communication between attorneys and their clerks during the trial is impossible due to a glass barrier, the tables are unsteady due to their small width, the attorneys' chamber is consec utive to that of the journalists, with no interior circuitry and 40 card-phones are available for both attorneys and journalists". At the same time the Athens Journalists' Association Presiding Board rotested strongly to the government over the issue concerning the coverage of the trial of the alleged "17 November" terrorist group members. In a meeting with Minister of Press and Mass Media and government spokesman Christos Protopapas, the association's Presiding Board raised the issue of the meaningful, and in accordance with the constitution, coverage of the trial. The association wants the journalists covering the trial to be allowed to have continuous visual contact with all the parties of the trial present in the courtroom. The Athens Journalists' Association stressed that the fact that the journalists are not allowed to use tape-recorders and mobile phones (except in certain areas of the courthouse) deprives the journalists of their basic tools. It is underlined that the jo urnalists will be forced to agree to inadequate information, given to the public in small dosages, which is absolutely unacceptable. Meanwhile, political parties of the Left in Greece, have also expressed their dismay at the prohibition of television and radio coverage of the N17 trial. The Greek Communist Party (KKE) asked for the trial to be covered by state television. KKE member responsible for press issues, Makis Mailis, stated that "what the government has stated regarding the conditions of the (...) trial, has fairly met with vari ous reactions." "The government is obliged to secure the necessary conditions of essential publicity, as well as to facilitate journalists in the televised coverage of the case", he stressed. "This can be secured with the responsibility of state television, the constant coverage of the proceedings with one or two steady cameras, feeding the image to all television stations", he added. The President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress stressed that "the basic principle of democracy is transparency and publicity. Democracy and justice have nothing to fear from publicity and transparency, which gives every citizen the ability to hav e full knowledge of everything that happens, and check on the way state and government institutions are run, the way the government functions each time", he pointed out, stressing that when governments choose regulations for secrecy and the limitation of information in place of transparency and publicity, they are exposed.
  • [05] PAPANDREOU IN THE US TODAY Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou will travel to the US today, heading the EU troika. The Greek Foreign Minister will be accompanied by the High Representative on Foreign and Defense Policy, Javier Solana, and European Commissioner on Foreign Affairs Chris Patten. The diplomatic agenda of the visit includes meetings with US Secretary of State Collin Powel and President Bush's consultant on National Security issues, Contoleezza Rice, and discussions will be on developments in Iraq and the Middle East.
  • [06] MAGRIOTIS MEETING WITH HIS CHINESE COUNTERPART Developments in Iraq, the issue of North Korea and the Cyprus issue, were among the topics discussed in yesterday's meeting between alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Magriotis and his Chinese counterpart, Zao Zinju. Mr. Magriotis referred to developments in Iraq and briefed his Chinese counterpart on the positions of the European Union on the issue. As far as the issue of North Korea is concerned, the alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs asked Mr. Zinju to use his county's influence in order to diffuse the situation. In reference to the Cyprus issue, he pointed out the good will displayed by the Greek and Greek Cypriot sides and the lack of cooperation, mainly from the side of Rauf Denktash. At the same time, he thanked the Chinese deputy Minister for his country's su pport in resolving the Cyprus issue. Mr. Magriotis referred to the 2004 Olympics, stressing that Greece is attempting to send a powerful message of peace through them, to the whole world, resupplying the Olympic movement with values born in Greece. He also informed his Chinese counterpart that Thessaloniki is contending the 2008 EXPO, and asked for China's support, as it is going to host the 2010 EXPO. Mr. Magriotis was in favor of expanding the two countries' cooperation in the sectors of tourism, economy, technology and culture. On his side, the Chinese deputy Foreign Minister noted that his country agrees with Greece on its positions concerning Iraq, that the peaceful resolving of the Cyprus issue is a standing position of China and that it will continue in that direction, while

    he wished that Mr. Annan's trip to the island is successful. Mr. Zinju also conveyed China's appreciation for Greece's efforts to promote values such as peace, democracy, and volunteerism through the 2004 Olympics, stressing that his country would be organizing the next Olympics, and can learn a lot from Greece's e xperience. At the same time, he noted that Greece and China should take advantage of every opportunity presented to them to further promote the development of their relations, he said that China would support Greece's candidacy for the 2008 EXPO, and thanked Greece for its efforts to promote Euro-Chinese relations, as well as for its positive remarks on the large financial openings carried out by China in the last few years. Finally, Mr. Zao Zinju gave his assurance that China will continue its openings and reforms in its interior, as well as the good relations it has with Greece, and invited Mr. Magriotis to visit China.

  • [07] POLITICAL YOUTHS: TURN OFF YOUR TVS FOR 2 HOURS Four political youths have proposed that Greek citizens turn their televisions off for 2 hours, between 19:00 and 21:00 on Wednesday, March 5, while at the same time tha they send faxes and emails to television stations, in protest of the transformation, as they said, of information into a commercial show. The youths of PASOK, ONNED (New Democracy), the Coalition, and DIKKI, in a joint interview, expressed their resentment regarding the "commercialization of the news and the devaluation of political events", by the media, while the reason behind this common

    initiative was the way in which television stations covered the antiwar events of February 15. It should be noted that most television stations had opted for in depth coverage of the visit of the former king of Greece to his parents' graves, instead of the massive protests held in major Greek cities.

  • [08] EU EDUCATION MINISTERS ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN EDUCATION The future of European education will be discussed by the Ministers of Education of the European Union, at the informal Meeting to be held on March 1-2 in Vouliagmeni. With a basic axis of how education is dealt with as a public good throughout Europe, the Greek Presidency will attempt to promote more programs and more funding in the direction of adopting joint European policies in education by 2010. As was pointed out by Minister of Education Petros Efthymiou during the presentation of the informal Meeting's agenda, the basic goal of the Greek Presidency is the reforming of educational systems. The Meeting's works will begin on Saturday, with the meeting of the 15 Ministers of Education, who will discuss the framework of practicing educational policies after Lisbon. On Sunday, March 2, the Ministers of Education of the 10 candidate countries will also participate in the works, where the issue of the "electronic enlightenment" will be discussed. Mr. Efthymiou stressed that the basic priority is the promotion of New Communication and Information Technologies and life long education as the basic lever for the improvement of the educational system, adding that the goal of the Greek Presidency is to reform educational systems, so that they decisively contribute to the progress of societies and the prosperity of peoples. He also stress that education is a self-sufficient value, which is connected to economy and employment, but that they are not a burden to it. He also mentioned that "the Greek Presidency is aiming at a decision being made for the realization of a special Summit Meeting, similar to that of Lisbon, which will deal exclusively with Educations issues". With a central slogan in favor of free education and against the degrading of education, university staff members, educators, university, high school and primary school students will gather at Syntagma Square on Friday, one day before the opening of the M eeting's works. Educational bodies are organizing an anti-meeting for Education at Pantio University on Saturday and Sunday. The "Thessaloniki Action 2003" organization and the Social Forum, are also organizing protest marches in the area of the Meeting in Vouliagmeni. Regarding the protests, Mr. Efthymiou stressed that the beauty of Europe is its democratic character, while he pointed out that it is completely natural for there to be other voices and other opinions.
  • [09] 5TH THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW The screening of "The Kitchen of Dreams" by Li Ying (Japan) at Olympion cinema, will open the 5th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival - Images of the 21st Century, which will last 10 days. The 5th Documentary Festival has been institutionally upgraded in re lation to last year, as apart from the extension of its duration, it has also increased the number of films and guests, and at the same time it has instituted a Greek documentary program with a competition and a panorama. The units of this year's Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, are: Views of the world: Modern social, political issues The Recording of Memeory: Living pieces of history Portraits: Human Journeys: The human element dominates the narration Stories to Tell: Short personal stories about the glory of the everyday Habitat: The environment, its problems and its social extensions This year's program also includes the "Music through the lens" and "Night Shadows" units, as well as tributes to Michael Moore, Nicholas Philibert and Margaret Smilow.
  • [10] REPRESENTATIVE OF UN HIGH COMMISSION ON REFUGEES IN THESSALONIKI The total of refugee applications for political asylum came to a total 5,500 in 2002, and of those on 36, less than 1%, were approved, according to information presented by the new Representative of the UN High Commission on Refugees in Athens, Robert Whi te. That percentage is considered extremely small and the High Commission is holding discussions with the Greek government on the issue. According to Mr. White, the 5500 applications do not represent the exact total of political refugees that reached Greece a nd who have need of international protection, as a number of them did not apply for political asylum, while others passed through the country with other European countries as their destinations. Mr. White is on his first visit to Thessaloniki today and will continue tomorrow, in order to get a picture of the situation on the issue of hosting political refugees. This morning he visited the offices of the Macedonian Employment Institute (MAKINE) of

    the Workers'/Employees' Center of Thessaloniki, where a seminar was held for officers of the Police and Coast Guard, regarding the handling of political refugees. He then met with Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis, with whom he discussed Thessaloniki's infrastructures and the role of local government in hosting refugees. They also discussed the issue of the expected 600,000 refugees to leave Iraq in case of a war. Mr. Psomiadis stressed that Thessaloniki, "the mother of refugees", will be glad to receive refugees from Iraq, but he raised the issue of infrastructure and asked for the help of the Greek government, the European Union and the international community. E xisting facilities in Thessaloniki can host approximately 1500 refugees and that number can be increased with the help of the government. There are 10 Welcoming Centers for refugees throughout Greece, and they can accommodate 1500 people in total. That number is small, said Mr. White, and he noted that the government is planning to establish more. Refugees reaching our country are mainly fr om Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • [11] CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST GR. MICHALOPOULOS Chief of the court of First Instance DA ordered DA Dimitris Papaggelopoulos, who investigated the blackmail in the name of N17 case, to press criminal charges against publisher Grigoris Michalopoulos. The felony charges will concern blackmail, attempted blackmail, and attempted fraud. The blackmail and attempted blackmail charges concern the cases of Theodoros Aggelopoulos, Giannis Latsis, the Metropolite of Zachynthos Chrysostomos, Argyris Saliarelis and one other person that does not wish his/her identity revealed. The attempted fraud charge concern two other persons who do not wish their identity revealed. It should be noted that the statute of limitations for these crimes ends in the beginning of 2 003. In light of this, Mr. Michalopoulos is expected to testify before the DA.
  • [12] THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT WILL BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW Romanian President Ion Iliescu will be in Greece tomorrow for formal talks in Athens. During his visit he will meet with President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Athens Mayor Mrs. Dora B akoyianni. The visit of the Romanian President is held within the framework of the efforts made by his country for its accession into the EU, and given the fact that Greece is holding the EU Presidency for the first half of 2003. On the occasion of his visit, Mr. Ion Iliescu will present his new book.
  • [13] THE FIRST 16 ARTICLES OF THE EU CONSTITUTION The draft plan presented in the February 6 meeting on the 16 articles of the Constitution Treaty which is currently under formation will be discussed by the Convention on the Future of Europe taking place in Brussels today and tomorrow. Specifically, on the first day of the meeting the plenary session will discuss articles 1 to 7 which provide for the character of the EU, the powers of the member states and the respect of national identities; the clarification and wording of the EU value s and goals; the issue of the incorporation of the European Map of Fundamental Rights into the Constitution and the content of the final text of the Map; the meaning of the term "non discrimination"; the clarification of the European nationality and the r ights it creates. On the second day, they will discuss the contents of articles 8 to 16 concerning the EU powers and the power categories; the content and the special cases of the EU economic policy; the common foreign and security policy; the research and development poli cy and the development aid policy; the principles defining the separation of powers. The presiding board will also present to the plenary session the draft plan of articles 17 to 24 to be discussed in the next meeting to be held on March 17-18.
  • [14] THE CABINET FOCUSED ON IRAQ AND CYPRUS The issue of Iraq and the developments in Cyprus were examined in today's cabinet meeting in Athens. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis reiterated the position of the Greek EU Presidency, which is in favor of the implementation of UN resolution 1441, while any decisions should be reached in accordance with the UN decisions. He also underlined that war should be the final option after all other efforts have failed. On his part, Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated that Greece will not send "Patriot" missiles to Turkey within the framework of the NATO decision for the strengthening of the neighboring country's defense toward Iraq. On the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister pointed out that Athens and Nicosia have examined the third Annan Plan and prepared a common proposal to be presented to the UN secretary general by newly elected Cypriot President Tasos Papadopoulos.
  • [15] THE LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ASE Small losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.23% at 1.613,58 points, while the volume of transactions was at 94 million euros. Of the stocks trading today, 169 recorded gains and 108 had losses, while the value of 103 stocks remained unchanged.
  • [16] THE BODY OF A CREW MEMBER WAS RECOVERED FROM THE SEA The body of "flying" medical doctor Maked Safadi was recovered today by divers from the oceanographic ship "Aegean". A search was underway since February 11 aimed at locating the remains of the four crew members on board the doomed medical helicopter that

    crashed in the Aegean Sea near the island of Ikaria. The helicopter cabin was located at the bottom of the sea late last night, about 1.5 nautical mile southeast of the Ikaria airport at a depth of 70 meters. The tail part of the helicopter was located about 50 meters away from the cabin. The body of doctor Safedi has been taken to the Ikaria Hospital. The crane that will be used to lift the cabin from the bottom of the sea is expected to arrive in Ikaria this afternoon. Still missing are helicopter pilot Efstratios Fotiadis, co-pilot Elias Lentis and medical nurse Ioannis Kourolis, who are believed to be inside the helicopter cabin.

  • [17] EVENT FOR THE SPONSORS OF THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis and top ministry officials attended a special event held at Athens Zappeion Hall today to present the Greek companies that currently sponsor the Greek EU Presidency. Addressing the event, the Alternate Foreign Minister thanked the participating companies and said that the sponsorship process was an expression of the ''social responsibility'' of the business world. He also said that sponsorship contributes to a reducti on of costs, all to the benefit of Greek taxpayers.
  • [18] SIMITIS ON THE TALKS WITH ANNAN ON IRAQ Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, speaking in the cabinet meeting today, referred to the talks he had with UN secretary general Kofi Annan on the issue of Iraq. Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that the Prime Minister stated to the cabinet members that the UN secretary general does not want a solution not accepted and supported by the UN. Therefore, he is opposed to any effort aimed at avoiding

    to implement everything agreed in the United Nations. The Prime Minister also stated that Iraq has not given a clear response yet to the UN weapons inspectors' demand calling it to destroy its missiles, adding that the following period will be crucial characterized by many consultations. Greece's stance is b ased on three points: the initiative for developments will belong to the UN, Iraq will have to implement resolution 1441 and war should be the last option when all other solutions have failed.

  • [19] MEETING OF NUTRITION COUNTERPARTS IN THE WHO EUROPEAN REGION Nutrition counterparts from the 51 countries in the WHO European Region will evaluate on February 28-March 2 the progress and discuss future priorities on the development and implementation of their Food and Nutrition Action Plans. On March 2, the work of the European Commission in the field of Nutrition will be presented, followed by discussion on whether there are any particular problems/challenges faced by the Candidate Countries in the field of Nutrition.
  • [20] SIMITIS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis referred to the developments in the Cyprus issue speaking in the cabinet meeting today. UN secretary general Kofi Annan delivered to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash his third plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The plan was also delivered to the ambassadors of Greece and Turkey. The thi rd plan includes the changes made in the second plan that were announced last Sunday. This proposal added the Prime Minister is a basis for negotiation and it was examined yesterday by the Greek and the Greek Cypriot side. He said that there are some remarks on the plan which will be presented to Mr. Annan by Mr. Papadopoulos. The plan also includes a statement on two referendums that will be held by the two Cypriot communities. Mr. Simitis said that he pointed out to Mr. Annan that it is impossible for one side to state that it agrees with the plan when it does not know what stance has been adopted by the other side. Therefore, an agreement will be possible only if both sides st ate at the same moment that they accept the plan and if both sides are persuaded that there is no more room for negotiations. According to the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Annan will conclude that there can be no immediate signing of this third plan and therefore, he will call on the two sides to sign a statement that they will hold a referendum on the plan on March 30. Mr. Annan w ill also invite the two sides to visit New York before March 14.
  • [21] EU-US JOINT STATEMENT ON SANCTIONS AGAINST THE TRANSNISTRIAN LEADERSHIP The European Union and the United States have agreed to issue the following statement: We express our continued concern over the Transnistrian conflict in Moldova, which constitutes a serious risk for stability and security in this part of Europe. We stress our support for the efforts of mediators within the framework of the OSCE to reach a n early political settlement to the conflict. We call on both parties in the conflict to engage intensively in negotiations with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in full respect of Moldova's territorial integrity. The leadership of the secessionist Transnistrian region has contin ually demonstrated obstructionism and unwillingness to change the status quo, thereby impeding meaningful negotiations. Under these conditions, we declare our intention to adopt, following our respective internal procedures, targeted sanctions in the form of travel restrictions on a list of members of the Transnistrian leadership considered to be primarily responsible for the lack of cooperation into promoting a political settlement of the conflict. This joint declaration underscores our unity of purpose in bringing the Transnistrian leadership to result-oriented negotiations. We will continue to work closely with the OSCE and other international partners to move the negotiation process forward. A pr ompt resolution of the Transnistrian conflict will not only result in a unified Moldova but also in a more stable and secure Europe. We call on other partners to join our common efforts and to consider the adoption of similar measures.
  • [22] OLYMPIC TRUCE TEXT SIGNED BY ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS AND THE CEC CHAIRMAN The Olympic Truce text for the 2004 Olympic Games was signed in a special ceremony in Athens today by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece and Metropolite Jeremiah of Switzerland, who chairs the Council of European Churches. Archbishop Christodoulos expressed the wish for the truce to be observed in practice and avoid any war conflict during the Olympic Games. He also wished that it will be observed after the Olympic Games as well and have lasting effects. He expressed the wish that the CEC General Assembly in June will also sign the Olympic Truce text. The Athens Archbishopric hosts the meeting of the CEC Presiding Board within the framework of the preparations for the Council's General Assembly meeting to

    take place in Norway in June.

  • [23] US DIPLOMAT SERVING IN ATHENS RESIGNS A veteran US diplomat, who was serving in the US Embassy in Athens, resigned in protest over the policy followed by his country on the issue of Iraq. According to the Greek state-run television, the US diplomat states in the resignation letter addressed to US Secretary of State Colin Powell that the policy followed by the US government on the issue of Iraq hurts the greatest weapon the US has since the

    time of Woodrow Wilson namely, international legality.

  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [24] ANSWERS TODAY The initial responses of rejection or acceptance of the final plan for the resolving of Cyprus' political problem are expected today by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, from the island's two communities. Mr. Annan gave a week's extension for the final con clusion of the peacemaking procedure. A new trilateral Annan-Papadopoulos-Denktash meeting will be held today, while Turkish Cypriots are organizing a new rally.
    Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
  • Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    mpegr2html v1.01a run on Thursday, 27 February 2003 - 20:03:59 UTC