[ALBSA-Info] Various News by MPA

[Agron Alibali]

Macedonian Press Agency

12 December 2001

[09] GREEKS LIVING ABROAD STAND BY "OMONIA" The speech of the representative of the youth organization "Omonia", Eleonora Kokavessi, at the 4th World SAE, was especially touching. With words that touched the hearts of all the participants she referred to the desire in the hearts of Greeks of North ern Ipiros, to salvage and turn over their Greek heritage to their children. 
On behalf of "Omonia" Mrs. Kokavessi appealed to Greeks living abroad to set up a committee and concentrate funds for the support of the suffering, so that they do not abandon their forefathers lands. She also asked for the support of the request to inst itute the position of an official SAE member, who will represent the Greeks of Albania. At the same time, a SAE association office in Ioannina, to deal with issues of the Greek National Minority in Albania, as well as research on the legal aspect of the I piros issue, so that proposals can be promoted to International Organizations. 
The response of the participants was direct. With the urging of the Coordinator of N&S America, Mr. Christos Tomaras, who has in the past personally supported Hellenism in the neighboring country, by financial means, concentrating $20,000. 

[10] GR. NIOTIS: NATIONAL HELLENISM ABROAD FUND IS A CHALLENGE The President of the Special Standing Interparty Committee for Greeks Living Abroad of the Greek Parliament, Grigoris Niotis, presented the newly founded National Fund for Hellenism Abroad (ETO), as a challenge to the survival of SAE itself, as an instit ution of authority, range and productive programmes, responding to the modern image and needs of Hellenism abroad. 
During the session on the ETO, in the framework of the 4th World SAE, Mr. Niotis stressed that as a non-profit and non-governmental organization, the ETO is the main lever to ensure the autonomy and financial self-reliance of SAE and the Greek living abr oad community worldwide. 
He also underlined that there will be support from the state, while when mentioning the "ingredients" that ensure the successful course of the ETO, he stated that these are the mobilization of Hellenism abroad, with their registering as aiding members, t he professional presentation, special marketing and special promotion network of the ETO, as well as the ability to attract sponsors in Greece and Cyprus, as well as from abroad. 

[11] BUSH-SIMITIS MEETING IN JANUARY Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is expected to travel to the United States in early January to meet with US President George Bush at the White House. 
The US side suggested the visit to take place on January 9-10 but the Greek government has not responded yet. 
Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that the date of Mr. Simitis' visit has not been finalized yet and it will be decided via the diplomatic route. He said that the agenda of the meeting will be decided via the diplomatic route as well, 
adding that it will cover all issues and mainly will be discussed issues that concern the international community and bilateral relations. 

[12] MOST OF THE WOMEN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ARE FOREIGNERS Most of the women trafficking victims (60%) are foreigners without a residence permit and often are young women 12-15 years old. During the past year, 300.000 women from eastern and central Europe were led to prostitution in western Europe. 
The above were stated by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis in a meeting-discussion on the Illegal Trafficking and Trade of Women that was held by the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace in cooperation with the US Consulate in Thessaloniki and the 
Center for Democracy in the Balkans, with the participation of European Parliament representatives and non governmental organizations from Pristina and Skopje. 
Mr. Paschalidis stated that the problem needs to be faced at an international level, while a coordination is necessary at police and legislation level. 
The US consul general in Thessaloniki stated that it is a global problem and needs the same mobilization that was necessary to deal with the illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs. 
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] KARAMANLIS-KOSTUNICA MEETING IN BELGRADE A meeting took place in Belgrade between the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis, and the President of Yugoslavia, Voislav Kostunica, in the framework of the European People's Party initiative for the democratization of the western Balkans whic h Mr. Karamanlis heads. 
The leader of the Opposition will then go to Kossovo where he will meet with Ibraim Rugova and the Head of UNMIK, Hans Heceroup, as well as representatives of the Serb community. Mr. Karamanlis, will also visit the Greek Brigade in stationed in Kossovo P olie. 
Yesterday, Mr. Karamanlis visited Skopje, where he had consecutive meetings with the President of FYROM, Boris Trajkovski, and the Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, the President of the Democratic Party of Albania (DPA), Arben Jaferi and the leader of t he Socialdemocrat Union (SDSM), Branco Chervenovski. 
Tomorrow Mr. Karamanlis will go to Brussels to participate in the enlarged summit meeting of the EPP, where he will inform the participants on the results of his meeting. 

[17] PAPANTONIOU-MAIKO SATISFIED WITH GREEK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS A bilateral military agreement, of a mainly technical character, was signed by Ministers of Defense of Albania and Greece, Panteli Maiko and Giannos Papantoniou, during the Greek Minister's visit to Tirana. 
The agreement foresees, among other things, the organization of seminars, the provision of military materials and the coordination of technical issues for the reconstruction of the military base of Durresi with funding from the Ministry of National Defen se. 
The agreement also foresees the healthcare of a larger number of patients in Greek military hospitals, which will reach 30 people a year. 
Mr. Papantoniou met with the Prime Minister, Ilir Meta, and the President of Albania, Rejep Mejdani. 
In a joint press conference, the two Ministers expresses their satisfaction with the good point Greek-Albanian relations have reached. 

[18] VIOLENCE TARGETING THE ETHNIC GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA Greek Euro-deputy Christos Zacharakis, elected with the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, accused the Albanian authorities of violent behavior targeting the ethnic Greek minority in Himara referring to the demolition of "unlicensed" hous es that belonged to members of the minority. 
Mr. Zacharakis stressed that the actions against the ethnic Greek minority were ordered by the Albanian mayor of Himara, adding that his election was not recognized as legal by the observers of the Council of Europe. He called on the Euro-Parliament to t ake under consideration these events in view of the preparations for the negotiations aimed at the signing of a Stability and Cooperation Pact between the EU and Albania. 

[20] APPEAL BY KARAMANLIS TO THE EU TO HELP YUGOSLAVIA Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, after the meeting he had with Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Vojslav Kostunica in Belgrade, issued an appeal to the European Union to assist Yugoslavia, while he called 
on the Greek government to undertake a more active policy in the Balkans. 
Mr. Karamanlis stated that in his meeting with Mr. Kostunica they agreed on the basic principles that promote peace and stability in the region namely, no border changes, no new states, and respect of human and minority rights. 
He said that it is clear that the reconstruction of the Balkans and the consolidation of stability in the region cannot take place without Yugoslavia. 

[21] KARAMANLIS: THE STABILITY IN THE REGION DEPENDS ON KOSOVO'S PRESENT AND FUTURE Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis visited the "Alexander the Great" army camp in Kosovo, where the Greek Brigade is based, underlining the important role it plays for peace and stability in the region, while at th e same time it also upgrades Greece's role. 
Mr. Karamanlis underlined that stability in the region depends on Kosovo's present and future, stressing that prudence and moderation must prevail. 
The New Democracy leader reiterated that there must be no changes in the borders, adding that living conditions must be at a satisfactory level for every citizen, while he stressed that the human and minority rights must be respected. He also said that t he moderate presence of Mr. Rugova will be a catalyst toward this direction. 



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