Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-11-04

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE POSITIVE TO POST-ELECTION TURKEY

[02] MILLER: SADDAM REGIME EMANATES DANGER

[03] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH ELECTION RESULTS

[04] RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN WILL VISIT GREECE

[05] BIG GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] CLARIFICATIONS BY BEGLITIS ON THE ISSUE OF THE ROCKY ISLET IN SE AEGEAN

[07] THE JUSTICE MINISTER AND THE SUPREME COURT PROSECUTOR ON THE 17N TRIAL

[08] REACTIONS IN GREECE ON THE TURKISH ELECTION RESULTS

[09] BEGLITIS ON THE DRAFT PLAN FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

[10] SAE PRESSES FOR IRINEOS RECOGNITION

[11] NEW N17 SUSPECT TO TESTIFY ON WEDNESDAY

[12] PHILOXENIA EXHIBITION COMPLETED

[13] STYLIANOS AGAINST AUSTRALIA'S SUBMISSION

[01] GREECE POSITIVE TO POST-ELECTION TURKEY

A new chapter has started for Turkey and what we are interested in is to continue on a course of cooperation, stability in the region with mutual benefits, commented Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis, referring to the electoral result in the neighboring country and the victory of the Pro-Islamic Justice and Development (AK) Party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

As far as the consequences the new situation in Turkey will have on Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Giannitsis was reserved while speaking to Flash radio: I would like to be cautious. Statements and what has proceeded has led us to believe that the new government will follow a real approach, and it has not given any signs of tension or for any worries about deep changes in the relations we have built to this day, with so much pain and effort on the side both countries. I would like to be optimistic, but I cannot but be reserved because that is something for reality to show.

The Alternate Foreign Minister characterized Mr. Erdogan's statements on continuing Turkey's approach to the EU as important. He expressed the appreciation that it is important for Greece to have a powerful speaker in Turkey. The basic issue is that we have a new governmental formation which is politically stable, it does not depend on understandings which may take weeks or more than a month, for Turkey to have a stable government. That they do not have to deal with the issues most coalition governments have to. Thus it can make decisions and negotiate, he said.

It is obvious that a powerful government can make decisions more easily, but if it will do so in the Cyprus issue, is something about which we will have to wait and see, pointed out Mr. Giannitsis.

[02] MILLER: SADDAM REGIME EMANATES DANGER

"President Bush does not want a war with Iraq, that is not what we want. What we want is for a danger that we all agree exists, be removed", stated US Ambassador Thomas Miller, in an interview to the "Sunday Aggelioforos".

As he pointed out, "there is no disagreement in Greece or anywhere else, on the danger emanating from the Saddam Hussein regime, from the weapons of mass destruction it holds, or which it can create. The different views on Iraq are concerning the procedure, not the essence. The message being sent to us by our European friends is strong. They are saying, go through international institutions, through the UN and we are with you. If not, some will follow, others will not. We have got the message and that is why we have been anxious for 6 weeks to find a resolution that will satisfy everyone at the UN".

Concerning the eradication of terrorism in Greece, he stressed that the effort is continuing and underlined: "During Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis' trip to the US, the US side congratulated the Greek mission on its excellent work, while we had serious discussions concerning what must happen in the future. You have succeeded in a wonderful strike, a great success for which you deserve congratulations. But I will say what the Minister of Public Order himself said: That the case is not closed, and investigations must be expanded to other terrorist groups, and all key people must be arrested. The effort continues."

[03] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH ELECTION RESULTS

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas responded to questions by reporters on the Turkish election results. He characterized as positive the statement made by election winner Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the need to continue Turkey's European course and expressed the wish that problems will be resolved within the framework of UN resolutions and the EU rules of operation.

Greece, added the government spokesman, is interested in the promotion of Turkey's European course and its contribution to the solution of the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that Greece wants to continue the policy of close cooperation, friendship, good neighborly relations and solidarity with the Turkish people.

[04] RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN WILL VISIT GREECE

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the big winner of yesterday's elections in the country, will visit Greece within the following ten days.

According to the Turkish news agency ANADOLU, the AKP leader will visit Greece at the invitation of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

[05] BIG GAINS IN THE ASE

Big gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today following the upward course of the major European markets.

The general index rose to +3.29% at 1.834,19 points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 122.3 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority of 337 recorded gains and only 14 had losses, while the value of 24 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] CLARIFICATIONS BY BEGLITIS ON THE ISSUE OF THE ROCKY ISLET IN SE AEGEAN

Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis gave clarifications today on the issue that arose with a press report on the Athens newspaper Ethnos yesterday according to which, a Greek rocky islet in the region of the island of Kalymnos in southeastern Aegean has come under Turkish sovereignty. The press report mentioned that the islet in question is the rocky islet of Zouka or Tsouka, located across the Turkish coasts south of Imia and between the islands of Kalymnos and Pserimos.

In a written statement Mr. Beglitis points out that the issues concerning the sea borders between Greece and Turkey have been resolved based on the existing international treaties. He also clarified that the relevant press report referred in essence to the islet of Atsaki which, according to the 1932 Italian-Turkish Treaty, belongs to Turkey as well as the reef, named Tsouka, located southeast of Atsaki.

[07] THE JUSTICE MINISTER AND THE SUPREME COURT PROSECUTOR ON THE 17N TRIAL

In the next few weeks the government will submit a draft law to Parliament on the media and mostly, the televised coverage of court trials. The trial of those accused of being members of the terrorist group 17 November will be held in accordance with the new law, stated Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos.

The minister stated that the draft law should not be associated with the trial of the 17N members because it was drawn up to deal with the side-effects of the unregulated presence of television cameras in the Greek courts. Mr. Petsalnikos stated that this does not mean that the court trials from now on will be held behind closed doors.

Supreme Court Prosecutor Evangelos Kroustallakis, who visited with Mr. Petsalnikos the National School for Judges in Thessaloniki today, refused to comment on the presence of television cameras in court trials and stated that the Parliament will decide on the issue.

[08] REACTIONS IN GREECE ON THE TURKISH ELECTION RESULTS

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou expressed Greece's intention to continue the rapprochement with Turkey in statements he made after the meeting he had with US assistant Secretary of State Mark Grossman. Commenting on the election results in Turkey, he congratulated Mr. Erdogan for his victory and stressed that the Greek government looks forward to a close cooperation with the new Turkish government.

Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos pointed out that Greece has nothing to fear of because the environment under creation is a most favorable one. The political system in Turkey is being upgraded, stated Mr. Tsochatzopoulos as only one or two political parties will now dominate in the country's political scene.

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Political Planning Secretary Giorgos Souflias pointed out that ND does not interfere with the domestic affairs of a foreign country. However, he wished that the new Turkish government will adopt European orientation and a policy aimed at reaching solutions within the framework of International Law and the EU and UN decisions.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos wished that the new Turkish government will open the door to development, democratization and European prospect for Turkey, while at the same time strengthen the efforts for the creation of a positive climate of understanding between the two peoples.

[09] BEGLITIS ON THE DRAFT PLAN FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

The Greek government will express its position when the draft plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem, which appears to be considered by the UN, is presented. The above were stated by Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis pointing out that many texts have been submitted lately but they do not constitute the specific plan which, according to information, will be presented soon.

Mr. Beglitis stated that according to the Greek side, the draft plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem must be based on the UN Security Council resolutions. It will also have to be compatible with the European standards and the European Court for Human Rights terminology, while it will have to provide for a viable and operational system for Cyprus.

[10] SAE PRESSES FOR IRINEOS RECOGNITION

I will return and keep returning, again and again, until this injustice toward Partriach Ireneos, which is injurious to peace and to all people of the Middle East, is corrected, said Andrew A. Athens following his visit to Israel last week. Athens is President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and Chairman of CEH, the Hellenic group that initiated a letter about the Patriarch of Jerusalem signed by 156 members of the United States House of Representatives and sent to President Bush.

Following consultation with Andrew E. Manatos, the President of CEH located in Washington D.C., Athens said, and I am told that it is rare in that so many members of Congress would sign such a letter. It signals the importance of this issue to them. I am told further that the major American foreign policy-makers who signed the letter the recognition of Orthodox Patriarch Ireneos will be quite concerned by the lack of a solution.

U.S. diplomats in Israel participated in the discussions for the recognition of Patriarch Ireneos with whom Mr. Athens met during his two-day visit. He also held meetings with top policy officials from the offices of the President and the Prime Minister of Israel, officers of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Greek Ambassador Panayotis Zografos.

I will report to the concerned Hellenes in the U.S. and around the world that I received, during this trip, a commitment that our government, the American government, plans to increase its efforts to secure recognition of Patriarch Ireneos. I will also report the work being done on this issue by some members of the Government of Israel, with whom I met, and most particularly the commitment to this cause by the American Jewish Committee leaders, both in the U.S. and Israel. Their constructive work on this issue is consistent with the relationship of many decades I have enjoyed with AJC. Mr. Athens noted that he has received strong indications that recognition will be granted in a few weeks, probably by the end of this year.

All parties realize that there is no legitimate reason for Israel not to recognize Patriarch Ireneos. If those responsible for this problem realized how much valuable support in America Israel has lost because of this issue, they would end it tomorrow. If Patriarch Ireneos is not recognized before the new year, those causing this problem will bring negatives to Israel that are even more significant. The people of Israel do not need this, particularly now, said Athens.

[11] NEW N17 SUSPECT TO TESTIFY ON WEDNESDAY

An extension until Wednesday has been given to Avgoustinos Xeros, the 19th suspect in the November 17 case, by the Special Examiner, in order to prepare his testimony concerning the charges he is facing on participation in the organization. In a short statement to the press, Avgoustinos Xeros pointed out that he had nothing to do with the organization.

Meanwhile, Savvas Xeros, the first suspect to be arrested, had pointed out that his brother Avgoustinos had nothing to do with N17, in a supplementary testimony he submitted, and that the fingerprints the authorities found were there because his brother had helped him move. He furthermore supported that what is being said about his brother is an attempt to pressure him into changing his testimony.

[12] PHILOXENIA EXHIBITION COMPLETED

The 18th International Tourism Exhibition Philoxenia 2002, organized by Helexpo under the aegis of the Greek Tourism Organization, was completed yesterday afternoon.

The 18th Philoxenia was recorded as another success in the history of the institution, which, at the same time with the other events, contributed once more to the support, development, and promotion of national tourist policy, the strengthening of tourist bodies and businesses, and success in achieving partnerships, while it gave answers to the modern forms of organizing and upgrading tourism.

This year's organization received more commercial guests than the previous year, while during the last weekend, thousands of visitors came in order to be informed on vacation packages available.

Meanwhile, ND Coordinator of Commerce Giorgos Salagoudis stated that the government has no strategy or planning, during his visit to the Exhibition with a delegation of ND officials.

Both he as well as Tourism Sector Chief Anastasios Liaskos spoke of a prolonged crisis in the tourism sector, and the degrading of Philoxenia, while recently elected Thessaloniki prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis characterized the specific sector report as blind.

[13] STYLIANOS AGAINST AUSTRALIA'S SUBMISSION

Archbishop of Australia Stylianos criticized Australian policy towards the US intensely, at the funeral of Greek living in Australia Louisa Zervou, one of the victims of the Bali terrorist attack.

According to The Australian, in the church of St. Constantine and Helen in Newtown, the Head of the Australian Orthodox Church condemned terrorism, characterized the position of Australia towards the US as servile, and reminded the Australian Prime Minister of his obligation to treat the people he is supposed to represent properly.

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