Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-02-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] SNOW IN THE CITIES

[02] ARCHIMANDRITE GIOSAKIS RECEIVED MORE TIME TO PREPARE HIS TESTIMONY

[03] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STATE AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE SECTOR OF HEALTH

[04] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] LIAPIS: THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE OA IS A ONE-WAY STREET

[01] SNOW IN THE CITIES

Snow falls since the early morning hours today in most parts of northern Greece, even in the center of Thessaloniki, causing serious problems to traffic.

The National Weather Bureau, EMY, predicts that local snowfalls will gradually intensify in the afternoon. The state mechanism is ready to handle any problems that could arise as a result of the bad weather in northern Greece.

Cars using most of the road network in western Macedonia need non-skid chains.

The problems continue in the prefecture of Ioannina, northwestern Greece, as a result of the latest snowfall and a total of 11 villages remain cut off.

[02] ARCHIMANDRITE GIOSAKIS RECEIVED MORE TIME TO PREPARE HIS TESTIMONY

Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis asked and received another 48 hours to prepare his testimony before the Piraeus examiner on Friday. Father Giosakis is accused of being involved in an old case of illegal trade of antiquities in the island of Kithira.

Father Giosakis expressed certainty that his innocence will be proved soon and added that an irrevocable ruling on the case has already been issued.

The Church of Greece Holy Synod will hold a meeting tomorrow to deal with the network of corrupt judges in which Father Giosakis is allegedly involved. The meeting will be held within the framework of the Archbishop's pledge to reform the Church.

Meanwhile, Metropolite Pateleimon of Attiki has ordered an investigation on Father Giosakis' activities.

[03] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STATE AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE SECTOR OF HEALTH

The state has the main role in offering health services to the people but there is always room for private and volunteer initiatives, underlined Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis speaking in the inauguration ceremony of the Latsion Burn Injuries Center, donated by Latsis Foundation at the Thriasion Hospital in Athens.

The Prime Minister stated that it is a move of solidarity and social contribution, reiterating that the government's vision is to build a society-oriented state that will serve the people with upgraded health services, modern infrastructure and specialized personnel.

[04] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.14% at 2879.70 points, while the volume of transactions was smaller compared to yesterday's session and reached 218,7 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 51 had gains and 253 had losses, while the value of 117 remained unchanged.

[05] LIAPIS: THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE OA IS A ONE-WAY STREET

The privatization of the Olympic Airlines is a one-way street for Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Michalis Liapis and within this framework he expressed the hope that efforts toward this direction will be successful.

For the record, this is regarded as a last chance for Olympic Airlines because the EU has set a timetable and rules the Greek government has to observe.

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