Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-01-26
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 26, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY HOLDS RALLY IN ATHENS
[02] GREECE'S ALTERNATE FM HOLDS TALKS IN MOSCOW
[03] PRESIDENT VISITS ITALY'S GREEK-SPEAKING VILLAGES
[04] HAND GRENADE EXPLOSION INJURES TWO IN ATHENS
[05] SIX US CONGRESSMEN ON WORKING VISIT TO ATHENS
[06] MILD QUAKE IN PATRAS IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN
[07] PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALY'S GREEK COMMUNITIES
[08] GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA MAXED OUT IN 2000
[09] POLICE ARREST IRAQI FOR TRAFFICKING HUMANS
[10] INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF PHONE CARDS IN THESSALONIKI
[11] A WINDOW TO CRETE OPENS IN GERMANY
[12] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] PAPANTONIOU: NO STATEMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS IN THE ATHENS
STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] IN MAY THE FINAL DECISION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BALKAN
COMMITTEE FOR THE COOPERATION OF COASTAL REGIONS
[15] GREECE NEVER HAD AND WILL NEVER HAVE ATOMIC OR NUCLEAR BOMBS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] ABOUT 3.000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED IN BULGARIA
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER GREEK TERRITORY
[17] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN ST. PETERSBURG
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY HOLDS RALLY IN ATHENS
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) organized a rally in
central Athens yesterday evening, calling for the return of Greek
soldiers stationed in Kosovo and the transfer of Greek students to
respective faculties in Greece.
The demonstrators stopped in front of the U.S. embassy where
they burned dummies of missiles and NATO flags and called on the
government to remove bases and rid the armed forces of all nuclear
weapons in their possession.
Speakers addressing the rally referred to the depleted
uranium issue and said that these bombs were scattered in the
lives of hundreds of thousands of farmers and workers in
Yugoslavia.
[02] GREECE'S ALTERNATE FM HOLDS TALKS IN MOSCOW
Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi,
presently on a visit to Moscow, met with her Russian counterpart
Alexander Avdeyiev and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgenii
Gourasov with whom she discussed the situation in Kosovo, the
Cyprus issue and the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis
oil pipeline project.
The said Greek-Bulgarian project will allow for Caspian Sea
petrol to reach western markets without passing through the
already heavily burdened Bosphorus straights.
Ms. Papazoi thanked Mr. Avdeyiev for Russia's support in the
Cyprus problem and said that pressures on Turkey should continue
in light of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
Discussions also included the European Union's common
security and defense policies and cooperation in the energy
sector, which began during the recent oil crisis.
Ms. Papazoi also met with Russian Culture Minister Nikolai
Svidkoi and discussed the drafted agreements on the operation of
cultural centers in Athens and Moscow. Discussions included
Greece's proposals for the inclusion of St. Petersburg's 300th
anniversary in the Cultural Olympiad organized by Athens in
conjunction with the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Finally, the Greek
alternate foreign minister met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch
Alexii.
[03] PRESIDENT VISITS ITALY'S GREEK-SPEAKING VILLAGES
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
presently on an official visit to Italy, met with Greek speaking
residents of Italy's Apulia region yesterday.
During his stay in the region Mr. Stephanopoulos met with
mayors of 10 Greek speaking municipalities and accepted a
commemorative plaque from the mayor of the town Kalimera, whose
name means "have a good day" in Greek.
The Greek President was given a warm reception, while a local
Greek folklore music group performed Greek songs.
[04] HAND GRENADE EXPLOSION INJURES TWO IN ATHENS
Two persons were slightly injured from a hand grenade tied to
a motorcycle parked in an Athens suburb last night.
According to the police report, the hand grenade was wired to
the back tire of a motorcycle owned by 23-year-old Ioannis
Marlantis. It exploded when Marlantis' brother, Stasinos, 27,
tried to move the motorcycle to park his car.
Stasinos Marlantis' friends, George Kouromichelakis and
Georgia Karanika, who had just gotten out of the car, were wounded
lightly in the hands and legs. They were taken to Evangelismos
Hospital in central Athens for treatment. The explosion also
damaged a car parked nearby.
An investigation is presently underway.
[05] SIX US CONGRESSMEN ON WORKING VISIT TO ATHENS
A six-member delegation of the U.S. Congress, led by Benjamin
A. Gilman of New York, is presently on a three-day working visit
to Athens, where they will hold talks with government officials.
During their visit, the delegation is due to meet with the
President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Public
Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoides, senior foreign ministry
officials, and main opposition New Democracy leader Costas
Karamanlis.
According to US Ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns, this
visit "signals the importance of this region to the (new US
President George W.) Bush administration and the US Congress. Just
this month, the US State Department recognized Congressman
Gilman's long-standing and deep commitment to international
affairs by naming a new study abroad program in his honor."
The said program offers up to 5,000 dollars to allow students
of limited financial means to study abroad for up to one year at
an educational institution outside the United States, and aims to
"broaden the student population studying abroad by focusing on
students who might not otherwise be able to do so."
The other members of the Congressional delegation are Wes
Watkins (R-Oklahoma), Constance Morella (R-Maryland), Michael
McNulty (D-New York), Bernard Sanders (Ind.-Vermont), and Steve
Horn (R-California).
[06] MILD QUAKE IN PATRAS IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Seismologists are reassuring over the mild earthquake
measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale that shook the city of Patras
early today.
The quake, which struck at 5:35 a.m. with its epicenter in
the sea region between Rio and Antirio, jolted the city of Patras
and its northern suburbs, and was also felt in the Nafpaktias
region.
No damages have been reported.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Seismic Protection Organization (OASP)
said an earthquake drill scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Sunday in the
wider region of Martino, in Atalandi, is a "routine exercise".
[07] PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALY'S GREEK COMMUNITIES
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
presently on an official visit to Italy, met with leading members
of Italy's Greek Communities and Fraternities Federation
yesterday, shortly prior to his departure for Greece.
The Federation's president George Mathioudakis briefed the
President on the lifestyle led by Italy's Greeks, as well as on
the various problems they are faced with.
According to Mr. Mathioudakis, Italy's Greek community is not
hurdled by severe problems, largely because of their financial
status and also due to the fact that they are enjoying equal
status in the local community.
However, Mr. Mathioudakis stated that there are distance-
related difficulties in organizing various events that could
strengthen the identity of Italy's Greeks and, concurrently
promote Greece in Italy.
Alos, in cooperation to Greece's Education Ministry, the
Federation's 14 communities provide Greek language lessons, along
with lessons in Greece's history and geography.
The President thanked the Federation's representatives,
stating that "we are proud you are representing us in a friendly
country, such as Italy."
[08] GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA MAXED OUT IN 2000
Greek investments in Bulgaria topped all previous records
during the course of the year 2000, amounting to USD241.1 million,
placing Greece in the fourth rank of the neighboring country's top
foreign investors.
Specifically, last year's overall investment volume surpassed
the total capital that poured into the neighboring country during
the eight-year course between 1992-2000, when it reached
USD328million.
Last year's investment frenzy followed the lull that
characterized 1999, when Greek capital in Bulgaria amounted to a
mere USD14.9 million.
According to Bulgaria's Foreign Investment Agency (BFIA),
Greece's eight-year raking is preceded by Germany (USD498.2
million), Belgium (USD412.9 million) and Italy (USD374.1 million).
[09] POLICE ARREST IRAQI FOR TRAFFICKING HUMANS
Border patrol officials arrested a 32-year-old Iraqi man
found leading a group of 31 illegal immigrants whom he had
smuggled into Greece on foot.
The human convoy, spotted a few kilometers outside the city
of Alexandroupolis, had entered Greece by boat. The group was to
board a truck waiting on the national highway and be transported
to Athens.
Eighteen of them managed to flee the border patrol, while
those arrested will appear before the Alexandroupolis prosecutor.
[10] INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF PHONE CARDS IN THESSALONIKI
The 6th international exhibition of phone cards "Card
Collect" will be held in Thessaloniki this weekend.
The "Card Collect" exhibition is one of the oldest of its
kind and this time is expected to attract the interest of
thousands of phone card collectors as well as tens of collectors'
items distributors from Greece, Cyprus, Belgium, Poland and
Germany.
The visitors of the exhibition will have the opportunity to
admire thousands of phone cards, old post cards, stamps, paper
bills and collectors' toys.
[11] A WINDOW TO CRETE OPENS IN GERMANY
A window to the southern Aegean island of Crete and the glory
of the Minoan Civilization opens in Karlsruhe, Germany today where
a relevant exhibition will be inaugurated under the auspices of
Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos and the prime minister of
the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
In the exhibition, which will last until April 29, will be
presented artifacts dated back to the Minoan Civilization that
came from different countries and cities such as Greece,
Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Massachussets and Jerusalem.
Federation of Cretan Associations president, Yiannis
Epitropakis stated to MPA that the specific exhibition is the
first Greek cultural event held in Europe after the country joined
the Economic and Monetary Union.
[12] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today. The general index increased by 0.12% at 3.071,83 points,
while the volume of transactions was relatively satisfactory
compared to the past sessions reaching 136.37 million Euro or 46.4
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 187 recorded gains and 144 had
losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained unchanged.
[13] PAPANTONIOU: NO STATEMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS IN THE ATHENS
STOCK EXCHANGE
There must be no statements and interventions in the Athens
Stock Exchange, underlined minister of national economy Yiannos
Papantoniou.
In an interview with Flash.gr, the head of the government's
economic staff also mentioned that he is certain that in the next
four years Greece will be able to meet the challenges ahead
namely, to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of the
economy and at the same time, create the pre-conditions for the
Greek people to enjoy the fruits economic success, increased
wages, new jobs and better quality of life.
[14] IN MAY THE FINAL DECISION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BALKAN
COMMITTEE FOR THE COOPERATION OF COASTAL REGIONS
The final decision on the establishment of a Balkan
Cooperation Committee will be reached in May within the framework
of the conference of European Coastal Regions (CRTM). The
foundations for its establishment were laid in the first technical
meeting of regions of eastern Balkan countries that was held in
Komotini today at the initiative of eastern Macedonia-Thrace
region general secretary Aris Papadopoulos and CRTM director
Philip Sikovlac.
A second technical conference, with the participation of
western Balkan countries will be held in Thessaloniki on February
9, while the general assembly meeting, during which a final
decision will be reached, will be held in May at a place that
will be announced in the future.
This decision will be approved by the CRTM general assembly
in the fall. In CRTM participate European coastal regions and its
goal is to promote the interests and cooperation of the
participating countries and the exchange of experience.
[15] GREECE NEVER HAD AND WILL NEVER HAVE ATOMIC OR NUCLEAR BOMBS
Greece never had and will never have atomic or nuclear bombs,
stated Greek defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos speaking in
parliament in response to a question by Communist Party deputies
concerning the so-called "Balkan Syndrome", while he reiterated
the efforts made by Greece both in NATO and in other international
organizations that were aimed at averting the war in Yugoslavia.
He said that Greece was the first to call for an
investigation concerning the materials used by NATO and the
effects on the environment, while it took all necessary
precautionary measures for the protection of the Greek soldiers
participating in the international peacekeeping force. He also
gave the assurance that no Greek soldier will stay in Kosovo
unless they want to.
He finally stressed that Greece's participation in the
peacekeeping force during the war was requested by the Serbs and
that its presence in the region of Yugoslavia is necessary because
it safeguards its role in the Balkans for peace and cooperation.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] ABOUT 3.000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED IN BULGARIA
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER GREEK TERRITORY
Bulgarian border guards arrested about 3.000 illegal
immigrants, who attempted to enter Greek territory during the past
year.
In a press conference in Sofia, border police director
colonel Valeri Grigorov said that a total of 2.850 would-be
illegal immigrants were arrested, while they were attempting to
cross the borders with Greece. Mr. Grigorov stated that most of
them were coming from former soviet republics and Romania.
The director of the Bulgarian border police also referred to
a network that deals with the illegal trafficking of young women
from the former soviet republics via Bulgaria and Romania.
[17] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN ST. PETERSBURG
The Modern Greek Studies Department in the University of St.
Petersburg will be visited today by Greek deputy foreign minister
Ms. Elisavet Papazoi who continues her visit to Russia.
Ms. Papazoi will also attend the presentation of a book with
a collection of works by Konstantinos Kavafis that were published
for the first time in the Russian language, and she will meet with
members of the Greek community.
Yesterday, Ms. Papazoi met in Moscow with her Russian
counterpart Alexander Avdeyev, undersecretary of foreign affairs
Gevgeni Gusarov, responsible for European Union issues as well as,
federal culture minister Nikolai Svidkoi with whom she discussed
the practical details on the development of bilateral cultural
relations and especially issues concerning Greek participation in
the events on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the
founding of St. Petersburg.
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