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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-09-06
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 6, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] DENKTASH REFUSES ANAN'S INVITATION
[02] "GREEKS ARE OUR BEST FRIENDS IN HE WORLD", SAYS THE NEW US
AMBASSADOR
[03] GREEKS LIVING ABROAD KIOSK IN 66TH TIF
[04] SEARCHES FOR THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONTINUE
[05] 2 YEARS AFTER THE QUAKE
[06] COMMON RALLY BY "GENOA INITIATIVE 2001"-WCT AT THE TIF
OPENING
[07] "ACHILLOPOULIA" THIS NOVEMBER IN CAIRO
[08] REACTIONS OF THE GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE ON FORECLOSURES
[09] 4% MORE TOURISTS IN RHODES THIS YEAR
[10] SIMITIS-FISCHLER MEETING IN THESSALONIKI
[11] MPA HAS ITS OWN PAVILION IN THESSALONIKI'S INTERNATIONAL
TRADE FAIR
[12] THE LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ASE
[13] THE PRIME MINISTER COMES TO THESSALONIKI WITH IMPORTANT
AMMUNITION
[14] REPPAS: ND WANTS AN ALIBI FOR ITS ELECTION DEFEAT
[15] THESSALONIKI'S 66TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR OPENS TOMORROW
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] DENKTASH REFUSES ANAN'S INVITATION
The negative response of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf
Denktash, to the invitation of the UN Secretary General, Kofi
Anan, for reinitiating talks on the Cyprus matter will be judged
not only by history, but by the international community, the UN,
and the EU, stressed Foreign Secretary Giorgos Papandreou, noting
that all our moves have the solution of the Cyprus matter as their
target.
In statements at the airport of Larnaka, before his departure
from Cyprus after his two day visit, Mr. Papandreou also said that
during his meetings there he found "very widespread consent in
political powers, just as in Greece" in what concerns strategies
for the solution of the Cyprus problem and entrance of Cyprus in
the EU, while when asked to comment on yesterday's European
Parliament statute on the course of Cyprus towards entry to the
EU, he pointed out that "the European Parliament has a long
tradition of objectivity and dedication to international law and
the fair solution of the Cyprus matter".
In the framework of his meetings in Nicosia, Mr. Papandreou
met with the President of the United Republics, Giorgos Vasiliou,
whom he assured that Greece will stand by Cyprus' crucial struggle
to enter the European Union.
After the talks Mr. Papandreou stated that he and Mr.
Vasiliou discussed the negotiations for the entrance of Cyprus to
the EU, which "are going very well", but also the recent
developments in the Cyprus issue and attempts by the Secretary
General of the UN, Kofi Anan for reinitiating talks for its
solution.
One united strategy between Greece and Cyprus for the
utilization of Cyprus' course to the EU, but also for the
procedures in solving the Cyprus issue is still what is needed,
stated the President of New Horizons, Nikos Koutsos, after his
meeting with the Foreign Secretary, who stated that the entry
course of Cyprus to the EU, "is of strategic importance and will
determine the course of the Cyprus problem".
[02] "GREEKS ARE OUR BEST FRIENDS IN HE WORLD", SAYS THE NEW US
AMBASSADOR
In an interview with the "To Vima" newspaper, the new
ambassador of the US to Greece, Tom Miller, expressed his pleasure
in returning to Greece and stated that he is ready to cooperate
with the Greek government in all sectors, while he stressed that
terrorism is not the only issue he will deal with.
As Mr. Miller characteristically stated: "Terrorism will be a
very important issue to me and to my country, but it will not be
the only issue I work on. I will most definitely be there to
represent the interests of the US". At the same time adding, "in
most cases the interests of the US and of Greece are the same".
The new US ambassador, in reference to the safety of the 2004
Olympics, stressed that it is a very important issue, on which he
will cooperate with the Greek government. "I want to emphasize the
word cooperation, that's what we want to stress, cooperation, not
competitiveness", he said.
Other issues the new US ambassador intends to deal with in
Greece, is the fair solution of the Cyprus matter, the lowering of
tension in Greek-Turkish relationships - which will be achieved
with the direct contact of the two Foreign Secretaries -, but also
US exports. "I will do everything I can to promote US exports"
mentioned Tom Miller.
Ending his interview, he characteristically mentioned: "The
Greeks Bonnie (his wife) and I have known and loved for the past
16 years, are people with a rich and deep tradition, who will give
you their shirt if you need it, something which has happened a lot
of times. They are the best friends in the world and if I do
something to deepen this cooperation and friendship, I will have
accomplished my mission".
[03] GREEKS LIVING ABROAD KIOSK IN 66TH TIF
The economy of Greeks Living Abroad will be promoted for the
first time in the 66th TIF with a separate kiosk, which will be
inaugurated on Saturday September 6 in the presence of the Deputy
Foreign Secretary, Grigoris Niotis, the Secretary General of
Greeks Living Abroad, Dimitiris Dollis, the President of SAE,
Andreas Athens, as well as the Presidents of Central Association
of Municipalities, Paris Koukoulopoulos, and of the Exporter's
Association of Northern Greece (SEVE), Thomas Algianakoglou.
As the Deputy Foreign Secretary told the MPA, the main goal
of the organization of this kiosk is the presentation of the
economic network of Greeks Living Abroad.
"Greeks living abroad (GLA.) have developed in the sectors of
commerce, businesses and investments, and thus may function as a
strong arm in the international foreign economic policy of Greece
under the circumstances of economy globalization", stressed Mr.
Niotis. Via the kiosk visitors will meet the face of GLA economy
up close. At the same time, through the cooperation of the Foreign
Office, the General Secretariat of Greeks Living Abroad (GGAE) and
SAE with various organizations and SEVE, there is a presentation
of the Trade-Culture Fair of Chicago on November 5-6, 2001. This
is an important initiative, in which 400 US companies and at least
200 Greek companies will participate".
In the GLA Kiosk applications for participation in the
Chicago Fair will be accepted. There will also be information on
separate programs of the Foreign Office, GGAE, and SAE, which are
relevant to economy and investment, such as villages of GLA, which
bring in investments in amounts larger than 50 billion drs in
dollars.
At the same time the activities of the GGAE and its programs
for the hospitality of young people, children, elderly GsLA,
repatriated Greeks, Greeks of the former USSR, etc. will also be
promoted.
[04] SEARCHES FOR THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONTINUE
The searches continue, for the illegal immigrants that have
scattered all over the Prefecture of Evia - according to their
traveling companions, who are staying at the facilities of the
Unemployment Agency, in Mantoudi.
In the meantime, the three Turkish slavers who brought the
230 illegal immigrants, among whom 12 children, from the shores of
Turkey to Greece, have been arrested.
39-year-old Mohamed Demertzi, captain of the ship, 34-year-
old Suleiman Sarigap, first mate, and the 50-year-old Veli Isly,
mechanic, who confessed that they were the crew which brought the
illegal immigrants. In fact the 50-year-old mechanic had in the
past been incarcerated for 8 years, for transporting illegal
immigrants to Mytilini in 1992.
[05] 2 YEARS AFTER THE QUAKE
Tomorrow, exactly 2 years will have passed from the
disastrous earthquake of Parnitha, and the state is still trying
to heal the wounds opened by 5,9 points on the Richter scale on
September 7, 1999.
Up till now, more than 309 billion drs, according to facts
presented by the Minister of Environment, Physical Planning and
Public Works, Kostas Laliotis, has been used and the amount is
foreseen to reach 500-600 billion drs for all the people struck by
the earthquake to resettle.
"We consider it a duty of the State to be close to the people
who faced problems in the beginning, but also to the people who
have been having problems these past two years. To be close to the
families of our fellow people, our fellow citizens who are no
longer with us", stressed Mr. Laliotis.
The earthquake hit more than 60 areas of the Capital. In most
of them new neighborhoods are being built, for example in Ano
Liosia.
In the review of the Ministry, Mr. Laliotis presented the 3
basic unities:
1. Responsibilities for the casualties
The Ministry of Environment Physical Planning and Public
Works created a 15 member committee for the verification of the
reasons the 27 houses in which there were casualties collapsed.
The Committee (scientists and University Professors) began turning
in its results to the authorities from July 2000. It completed its
work in the beginning of the year. The authorities, which are now
responsible for the cases, are called to lay the blame on those
whose actions or lack thereof, contributed to the loss of human
life.
2. Rent support fund
For the transitional housing of the earthquake victims,
during these two years, a rent support fund was created. During
the first two trimesters the support fund was given to people who
rented houses as well as owners, while for the rest of the
trimesters, owners of apartments were the only ones that received
the fund. In total 30.000 families received this support fund
during this transitional phase, and used it in procuring housing
of their choice. The total cost of the program was around 40
billion drs.
3. Housing reinstatement
From the checks made by the MEPPPW after the earthquake,
4.682 buildings had been condemned (red) and 8.165 buildings were
repairable (yellow). From the 4.682 condemned (red) buildings the
MEPPPW received 3.910 applications to rebuild (3.200 applications
have been approved�84%), 400 buildings are being rebuilt through
the organized programs of the Workers' Housing Organization and
Municipalities (Ano Liosia and Philadelphia), 200 buildings were
insured. About 150 buildings are left (3,5%) which are not yet
part of the reconstruction process. The total cost of
reconstruction comes to 49 billion drs.
From the 38.165 that are repairable (yellow), applications
for the repair of 12.058 buildings have been turned in (9.525 have
been approved, 80%), 2.607 buildings with small damages were
repaired at the expense of their owners and applications for their
declassification have been turned in to the Ministry, 700
buildings are being repaired with the provision of the Workers'
Housing Organization (cost 11 billion drs), about 12.000 houses
have small damages on the outer part of the wall and no damage to
the sinner structure itself and are being repaired by their
owners, while 2.000 were insured. 8.900 houses are left (22%)
which have not yet been repaired and their owner stated that they
will file applications within the next few months (according to a
survey) either because there is no hurry to live in them or
because problems of ownership have not been resolved in houses
owned by more than one person.
The total cost of repairs up to today is 50 billion drs.
Total cost, more than 500 billion.
The total public cost for the repair of the damages from
earthquakes since 7/9/99 up to today comes to 309 billion drs.
That expenditure, which is estimated to increase to more than 500
billion drs, can be thus analyzed so far:
Checking and examinations: 3,3 billion
Organization and functioning of settlements: 40 billion
Rent Support Fund: 40 billion
Rebuilding: 49 billion
Repairs: 50 billion
Demolition - Support works: 11 billion
Technical and administrative support: 20 billion
Housing reformation: 20 billion
Earthquake victim support measures: 50 billion
Workers' Housing Organization repairs: 11 billion
Replacement of schools/hospitals/monuments:14 billion
[06] COMMON RALLY BY "GENOA INITIATIVE 2001"-WCT AT THE TIF
OPENING
A common rally will take place on Saturday, in view of the
TIF opening, organized by the Workers' Center of Thessaloniki and
the "Genoa Initiative 2001". As it is pointed out in an
announcement of the "Initiative", the meeting will take place at
6:00 p.m. on Saturday, at Kamara and will proceed towards the TIF
where it will join with the rally of the WCT which will take place
on the same day, at 8:30 p.m. outside the YMCA.
"Genoa Initiative 2001" greets the decision of the
administration of the WCT to have a rally on Saturday, pointing
out that it expresses hundreds of thousands of workers who
supported the whole work-force strikes for the insurance issue and
the people who supported the mobilizations at Genoa against the
"capitalist globalization of the G-8".
[07] "ACHILLOPOULIA" THIS NOVEMBER IN CAIRO
The Mitropolite of Dimitriada, Mr. Ignatios Georgakopoulos,
the Prefect, Mr. Panos Skotiniotis, the Mayor of Volos, Mr.
Kyriakos Mitros, will honor the "Achillopoulia" events with their
presence, which will take place in Cairo, from November 22 to
November 30.
According to the "Neo Fos" newspaper, on November 24,
spokespersons of the prefectural and local governments will arrive
in Alexandria, where they will be present in the in the ceremony
for naming the new Patriarch of Alexandria and all of Africa,
Petros the 7th.
It is noted that with a unanimous decision of the Prefect
Council of Magnisia, the Greek Community of Cairo will soon have
an office in Volos and its functioning is expected to strengthen
the ties of the Prefectures' local government with the Greek
Community of Cairo, which will be represented by Mr. Ioannis
Kanaris, one of the founding members of "Achillopoulia", who has
in the past served as Communal Delegate. The office of the Greek
Community of Cairo will be housed in the Greek-Italian Chamber of
Commerce in Volos.
[08] REACTIONS OF THE GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE ON FORECLOSURES
The German Foreign Office reacted intensely to the decision
of the Athens court to reject the suspension of the foreclosure
procedures of the Goethe Institute and the German Archeological
School.
"If this procedure leads to the seizure of property of the
German State, it could set a very dangerous �bad precedent' and
could be the beginning of intense confrontations", stated a
spokesperson of the Foreign Office. Also, the spokesperson holds
the position of exterritoriality between countries, but also
refers to older arguments of the German side, according to which
based on the 1961 agreement, Germany paid 115.000.000 DM to make
amends for the nazi victims. "It is unreal to ask for indemnities"
he added and concluded: We have repeatedly expressed our deepest
grief for the war crimes committed by the German occupation forces
in Greece.
[09] 4% MORE TOURISTS IN RHODES THIS YEAR
There was an increase of 4% in tourism in the island Rhodes
this year according to the estimates of the Air Force. In
September the increase in arrivals of tourists to the island is
expected to increase by 3,4%, in relation with the same period
last year, as today alone, 18.000 tourists are expected to arrive
on chartered flights.
[10] SIMITIS-FISCHLER MEETING IN THESSALONIKI
European commissioner Franz Fischler, responsible for
agriculture and fisheries issues, will meet with prime minister
Kostas Simitis in Thessaloniki on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Fischler
will visit the city at the invitation of agriculture minister
Giorgos Anomeritis on the occasion of the opening of
Thessaloniki's 66th International Trade Fair.
On Sunday, Mr. Fischler will be on a private visit to the
monastic community of Mount Athos, while on Monday he will have
meetings with the Greek parliamentary committee on European
affairs, national economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou and
undersecretary Christos Pachtas, while he will also attend a
working lunch with agriculture minister Giorgos Anomeritis.
Meanwhile, European commissioner David Byrne, responsible for
consumer protection issues, will be in Athens on Monday to meet
with the minister of agriculture, while he will also have a
working lunch with health, welfare and social security minister
Alekos Papadopoulos.
The goal of the visits to Athens by the two European
commissioners is to attend a round-table discussion organized at
their initiative to take place in all EU member-states within the
framework of the European Commission efforts to respond to the
concerns of the European citizens on the quality, nutritional
value and sanitation of the food they consume.
[11] MPA HAS ITS OWN PAVILION IN THESSALONIKI'S INTERNATIONAL
TRADE FAIR
Macedonian Press Agency will participate for the first time
this year in Thessaloniki's 66th International Trade Fair with its
own pavilion to present its new activities in the field of new
technologies, the Internet, the Balkans and the Greeks abroad.
MPA will present its daily electronic newspaper "Hellas.gr"
which is the first Greek political newspaper aimed mainly at
informing the Greeks abroad.
Also, MPA will display its ability for live television
broadcast of events, conferences, interviews and other activities
on the Internet.
Taking advantage of its know-how in the area, MPA will
broadcast live on the Internet the opening of the 66th
Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and all the engagements of
the prime minister and the rest political leaders.
[12] THE LOSSES CONTINUE IN THE ASE
The losses continue in the Athens Stock Exchange. The general
index dropped to -0.42% at 2.669,70 points in today's session,
while the volume of transactions was 135.52 million Euro or 46.177
billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 73 recorded gains and 249 had
losses, while the value of 55 stocks remained stable.
[13] THE PRIME MINISTER COMES TO THESSALONIKI WITH IMPORTANT
AMMUNITION
The government is not concerned about the likely protests in
Thessaloniki during prime minister Kostas Simitis' presence in the
city on the occasion of the opening of the 66th International
Trade Fair, stated government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas said that prime minister Kostas Simitis comes to
Thessaloniki with significant ammunition, like the government's
policy on Thessaloniki and northern Greece or the overall policy
regarding the social protection of the citizens who need the
state's support.
Referring to the mobilizations and protests planned to take
place in the formal opening of the trade fair in the presence of
the prime minister, Mr. Reppas stated that they were decided by a
heterogeneous alliance and the only thing its members have in
common is their wish to oppose the government.
[14] REPPAS: ND WANTS AN ALIBI FOR ITS ELECTION DEFEAT
New Democracy looks for an alibi for its election defeat and
has to come to terms with the idea that it has lost the last
elections in order to diagnose the causes of this defeat and
prepare for the next elections, stated government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas, when he was asked to comment on the issue of the
thousands of people who allegedly got the Greek nationality
illegally.
The minister of press reiterated that a total of 104.000
people got the Greek nationality and 56.000 of them got it when
the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy was in
power.
[15] THESSALONIKI'S 66TH INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR OPENS TOMORROW
Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair aspires to become a
great trade, economic, and cultural event again this year entering
the 21st century with "hi-tech" innovations and significant
parallel events. A total of 1.210 exhibitors will participate in
the exhibition, 581 of them will be direct exhibitors and 629
indirect.
Thessaloniki's 66th International Trade Fair will be
inaugurated tomorrow evening by prime minister Kostas Simitis and
will last until September 16 with the participation of 18 states,
while this year there will be no honored country like China in
1999 and the United States in 2000.
The formal state participations are those of Albania,
Hungary, Russia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey,
Libya, Tunisia, Iran, France, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Indonesia,
United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and the United States. The
exhibition will be held on a space of 42.800 square meters.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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