Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-13

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou tells Albright substantive Cyprus talks needed

[02] Greece's positions on EU treaty amendments presented

[03] Verheugen calls on Turkey to reopen Halki School of Theology

[04] Greece backs lifting of EU sanctions on Austria

[05] Papazoi to meet the head of Cyprus team negotiating EU accession

[06] Foreign ministry organizes conference on Cyprus, in memory of late FM Kranidiotis

[07] PM Simitis to meet Stephanopoulos, Nat. Economy minister and deputy, cabinet

[08] Reppas slams Karamanlis' statements on transparency

[09] Pangalos not going to Sydney due to work load

[10] Reppas comments on press reports regarding

[11] Papadopoulos to begin two-day visit to Albania on Wednesday

[12] Papazoi announces three-day visit to Thrace to discuss EU programs and CoE issues

[13] Civil Aviation workers call strike

[14] OME/OTE trade union organizes rally against amendment allowing majority package of OTE shares for private persons

[15] Papantoniou says the state will keep at least a third of OTE's share capital

[16] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[17] Mutual funds' assets fall by 602 billion drachmas in August

[18] Over 300,000 visitors to Thessaloniki trade fair

[19] Largest surviving section of Holy Cross brought to Athens from Jerusalem

[20] Samothraki journalism conference to take place on Friday

[21] PM sends message to Greek Olympic team in Sydney

[22] Athens Olympics are a unique dream, Daskalaki says

[23] EU negotiator on Cyprus accession talks arrives in Cyprus on Wednesday

[24] President Clerides meets British envoy for Cyprus

[25] Clerides calls for direct talks on Cyprus issue

[01] Papandreou tells Albright substantive Cyprus talks needed

NEW YORK, 13/09/2000 (ANA M. Georgiadou)

The first and foremost of our priorities, this week here at the United Nations, are the talks that began today for the resolution of the Cyprus problem. Greece believes that we should enter into substantive negotiations on the problem, an issue I had the opportunity to stress to my counterparts of the European Union during our meeting this morning, and of course, to Mrs. Albright, to whom I stressed the need for every effort, during the fourth round, to make the talks substantive, Papandreou said.

I must say that everyone has the best intentions and especially the US to do whatever they can for the two sides to enter into substantive talks, he added.

Discussing his latest tour of the Balkans, Papandreou said I had the opportunity to brief both the 15 (EU ministers) and Mrs. Albright on my trip to the Balkans (Skopje, Belgrade, Pristina, Podgorica). A trip, which I believe, was especially successful, promoting thoughts on overcoming the impasse and at the same time giving the message for the need of stability and democracy in the region.

We the 15 ministers discussed in detail on this subject, regarding the next moves of the European Union and the prospects. Of course, I discussed relevant details, on how exactly the trip faired, with Mrs. Albright, Papandreou added.

"We discussed Greek-Turkish affairs, with Mrs. Albright, the progress of our relations (with Turkey). I stressed that Greek-Turkish relations, regardless of how much they have really improved, they definitely depend to a great degree, I would say decisively so, on the resolution of the Cyprus problem," he said.

Discussing Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash's proposal for the creation of a confederation on the divided island, Papandreou said "I stressed, here as well, that discussions taking place under the auspices of the UN are conducted in accordance with the resolutions and decisions of the UN. Thus, this framework is crystal clear, in regards to the future form of the institutional structure, that it can be nothing else but federal."

Pressures from the US government toward substantive talks "is our hope. I can say that what was said to me, regarding the talks between (US President Bill) Clinton and (Turkish President Ahmed) Sezer, all that I heard from Moses, whom I met this morning at the UN was that this was their opinion and that they will continue toward the direction of applying efforts to make the talks substantive, and, through a give-and-take process between the two sides, we can at last see which are the prospects for a resolution of the Cyprus problem," Papandreou noted.

Responding to a question on whether the EU foreign ministers accepted the positions of Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, that Turkey's accession to the European Union should not be dependent on its stance on the Cyprus problem, the Greek foreign minister said that "this issue has been decided at Helsinki".

"We decided clearly, there, that during the course of the improvement of EU-Turkish relations, during the pre-accession course of Turkey, there are specific issues, which should be settled. And these issues are, the so-called Copenhagen criteria, which include issues regarding human rights, democratic processes, the improvement of Turkey's relations with its neighbors, the so-called good neighborliness, and also include the course toward the resolution of the Cyprus problem as well," Papandreou said.

[02] Greece's positions on EU treaty amendments presented

BRUSSELS, 13/09/2000 (ANA - M. Spynthourakis)

The proposed amendments of the Union's treaties is the focus of the Intergovernmental Conference of the Union's 15 member-states taking place under the French presidency, and is expected to conclude at the end of the year.

Ioakimidis said that Greece for the most part accepted the new orientation of the Union's institutional forms and has taken important steps regarding the acceptance of decision-making by a sizeable majority vote, on certain issues. Greece is among four member-states to accept that such decisions can be made on 28 cases, while the rest of the countries accept a lesser number.

He also said that Greece is against a complex way of decision-making that involves the Europarliament, which could under-mine the role of the legislative body.

Regarding the common foreign and defense policy, he said that Greece did not agree with the current practice, which provides for a separate Union function, rather it would prefer a more amalgamated decision making process within the Union's functions.

He added that Greece supported a European federal system that respects the "community method, character and institutions".

[03] Verheugen calls on Turkey to reopen Halki School of Theology

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Based on the letter, Greek main opposition New Democracy Eurodeputies Christos Zaharakis and Antonis Trakatellis requested of the Commission to intervene in support of Halki's reopening and for measures in protection of religious freedom rights in Turkey.

[04] Greece backs lifting of EU sanctions on Austria

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

In reply to questions during a press conference, Papazoi said that Greece's position was that the sanctions against Austria should be lifted, adding that the issue was due for discussion at the EU Council of Ministers' general affairs meeting to take place in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday.

To another question, she said Greece also endorsed the lifting of sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia.

[05] Papazoi to meet the head of Cyprus team negotiating EU accession

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

During a press conference on Tuesday, the minister said they would discuss Cyprus' EU accession course, which she said was progressing well and was ahead of that of the other candidate-countries.

Vassiliou will be coming to Athens to attend a seminar organized by the foreign ministry in memory of late alternate foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, who was killed in a freak airplane accident while on an official visit to Romania. The seminar will be on "Cyprus before its accession to the EU".

According to Papazoi, one aspect often forgotten in seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem is that any solution must be compatible with the country's membership of the EU and with EU laws.

For example, proposals that forbid people from settling on one side or another or from owning property are in complete conflict with the four freedoms that exist in the EU.

She also claimed that the majority of Turkish-Cypriots, 53 per cent according to a recent opinion poll, want to join the EU and to come to an agreement with the Greek-Cypriot side.

The alternate foreign minister next referred to her unlucky predecessor, Kranidiotis, who she said had played an important role in linking Cyprus' accession course with Turkey's European prospects, and had supported the view that Cyprus' joining the EU would act as a catalyst for a solution to the Cyprus problem. She then sent a message of support to the families of the other victims of the fatal "Falcon" crash.

[06] Foreign ministry organizes conference on Cyprus, in memory of late FM Kranidiotis

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

The conference, entitled "Cyprus before its accession to the European Union", is part of co-operative efforts of Greece and Cyprus for the unhindered accession of the island republic to the Union and the resolution of the Cyprus problem in a just and viable manner.

Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi will deliver the opening remarks of the conference, which also includes speakers from the academic and diplomatic communities.

Following the conference, Papazoi will meet with former Cyprus President George Vassiliou.

[07] PM Simitis to meet Stephanopoulos, Nat. Economy minister and deputy, cabinet

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Later on Wednesday, the prime minister will meet with National Economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou and deputy minister Christos Pachtas to prepare for a cabinet meeting on Thursday dealing with the Greek economy and absorption of the 3rd Community Support Framework.

[08] Reppas slams Karamanlis' statements on transparency

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

"His goal is clear," Reppas said, implying that they aimed to deal with ND's internal problems.

He also implied that the main opposition party was the last to be making statements of this sort, "since this party is synonymous with untransparency and dependency on economic elites."

Statements such as those of Karamanlis, he concluded, underestimate the intelligence of the Greek people.

[09] Pangalos not going to Sydney due to work load

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

The announcement said that an increased workload due to the ministry's programs and activities currently underway required the minister's presence in Athens.

It said the Greek delegation that included culture undersecretary for sports George Floridis, Athens 2004 Organizing Committee president Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, and other officials ensured Greeces representation at Fridays opening ceremony.

Spokesman said Pangalos stayed away from Sydney Olympics with the agreement of the PM: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, commenting on Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos' decision not to leave for Sydney and the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on Tuesday, told reporters that the minister had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who had agreed it was better he remain in Athens. Pangalos had earlier cited a heavy workload as the reason for his decision.

[10] Reppas comments on press reports regarding

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

"The only challenge that should concern us," he added, "is the Olympic Games."

He said that funds for the organization came from various sources, including the government budget, and that the leader-ship of the "Athens 2004" committee enjoyed the government's total confidence.

With regard to infrastructure projects that are being carried out in view of the Olympic Games, the spokesman said that these would partly be carried out with funds from the 3rd Community Support Framework and would be discussed by the cabinet. He stressed, however, that infrastructure did not solely concern the Olympic Games.

[11] Papadopoulos to begin two-day visit to Albania on Wednesday

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

During his stay in the Albanian capital, he will meet Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta, his Albanian counterpart Leonardo Solis and the Orthodox Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania Anastasios. The last visit will also be combined with a visit to the Archdiocese's diagnostic center.

On Thursday, Papadopoulos will visit Gjirokaster to attend a ceremony for the official donation of medical equipment from the Health and Social Security ministry to a Gjirokaster hospital.

[12] Papazoi announces three-day visit to Thrace to discuss EU programs and CoE issues

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Papazoi said she would be visiting all the prefectures in the region to discuss issues related to EU programs and issues concerning the Council of Europe.

[13] Civil Aviation workers call strike

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Dimitris Alevizopoulos, the head of the civil aviation workers' union Federation of Civil Aviation Service Associations (OSYPA) on Tuesday said that Athens airport was one of the most dangerous in the world because of staff shortages that prevented thorough safety checks.

He further claimed that the new airport being built at Spata would not go into operation by 2001 because the Civil Aviation Service (YPA) staff (in charge of flight control) had not yet moved to the new premises. He also gave low odds for the old "Ellinikon" airport closing by 2004, on the grounds that it would be hard to handle the increased flow of air-traffic because of the Olympic Games.

[14] OME/OTE trade union organizes rally against amendment allowing majority package of OTE shares for private persons

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Addressing the rally, General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos said that this was a message, which should be received by the government.

He said working people would continue their struggle consistently for labor rights, the insurance issue and a policy of continuous reallocation of income, which will put an end to the policy of austerity imposed during the preparation period for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Polyzogopoulos warned that asylum provided by working people to certain central apparatuses has ended and renewed the next "meeting" for the 24-hour nationwide strike GSEE has called on October 10.

OME/OTE President Panayiotis Kotronis said Tuesday's mobilization was the starting point for the common struggle of major public utilities against the policy of privatizations, adding that the claim for the amendment's withdrawal was a claim of society in its entirety.

[15] Papantoniou says the state will keep at least a third of OTE's share capital

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Addressing Parliament on a bill on the modernization of Stock Exchange transactions, Papantoniou referred to the relevant amendment on the floating of five public utilities, saying the government has gone ahead with 19 floatings and privatizations which were an absolute success and were conducted with transparency which was not disputed in any case by any potential buyer.

On the question of the bill on the Stock Exchange issue, he said that, despite fluctuations, it is a fact that the stock market has multiplied over the past three years, while the level of prices has quadrupled.

Papantoniou attributed the phenomenon to the Greek economy's improvement, to the decrease in inflation and accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). He added that the government has enacted a framework of operation for the Stock Exchange with the tabling and ratification of 11 bills.

Referring to the oil crisis on the international scene, Papantoniou said repercussions on Greece are negligible, saying that "the Greek economy is forging ahead positively despite the gales and despite the gale force winds shaking the international economy."

He also announced the creation of a Special Fund to allocate subsidies for amateur sport from soccer pools organization (OPAP) funds.

[16] Greek stocks continue moving lower

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Traders said the market has entered a phase of "violent" fluctuations and noted that although Tuesday's sharp fall was exaggerated it was consistent with technical analysis of the market.

Blue chip stocks, particularly banks, were heavily hit by waves of profit taking selling mainly from Greek small and institutional investors.

The general index ended 4.86 percent lower at 4,030.93 points, off the day's lows of 4,021.73 points. Turnover was a moderate 152 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 4.54 percent lower at 2,294.81 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 4.92 percent to end at 547.31 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,808.28

-4.55% Leasing: 712.18 -7.38% Insurance: 2,327.09

-3.72% Investment: 1,653.18 -5.64% Construction: 1,972.33 -5.03% Industrials: 2,439.29 -4.84% Miscellaneous: 4,308.69 -2.41% Holding: 4,982.29

-9.49%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 8.38 percent lower at 638.10 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 335 to 14 with another six issues unchanged.

Viohalco, Alpha Bank, Aspis, Commercial Bank, Doudos, National Bank and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 14,600 Titan Cement (c): 14,300 Alpha Bank: 14,100 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,835 Commercial Bank: 17,200 Panafon: 3,875 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,210 Eurobank: 9,900 Attica Enterprises: 3,010 Bank of Piraeus: 6,590 Intracom: 13,005 Lambrakis Press: 9,750 Minoan Lines: 3,700 Heracles Cement: 6,200

Hellenic Bottling: 4,505

Equity futures down, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Tuesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 4.54 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 4.92 percent lower.

Turnover was 28.7 billion drachmas.

A total of 6,308 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 22.2 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,878 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.42 billion drachmas.

Bond prices nose up in dull trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished higher in thin, lackluster trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.064 percent, the same as in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 80 basis points from 79 basis points a trading day earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 32 billion drachmas from 46.1 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, sell orders accounted for 12.0 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma flat vs. euro, up vs. dollar: The drachma on Tuesday ended flat against the euro and higher versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 338.220 drachmas, the same as in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 392.480 drachmas from 394.260 drachmas a trading day earlier.

[17] Mutual funds' assets fall by 602 billion drachmas in August

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

The monthly report said that the August drop reflected a 206 billion drachmas fell in Domestic Money Market funds and a 407 billion drachmas decline in Domestic Equity funds, due to a sharp fall in equity prices on the Athens Stock Exchange.

The number of mutual funds operating in Greece increased by two to a total of 237 in August.

More analytically: Domestic money market funds' assets totalled 5.17 trillion (off 3.83 percent). SOGEN Money Market tops the list of annual returns with 12.81 percent, sharply up from the sector's average yield of 4.71 percent. International money market funds' assets totalled 8.56 billion (off 0.67 percent). Interamerican MM USD tops the list of annual returns with 17.87 percent, up from an average return of 8.82 percent in the sector.

Domestic equity funds' assets totalled 2.95 trillion drachmas (off 12.12 percent). Marfin Maximum yields a negative 5.69 percent, compared with a negative 33.45 percent annual average return of the sector. International equity funds' assets totalled 48.61 billion (up 7.86 percent). HSBC International Equity tops the list of returns with 15.23 percent, up from the sector's annual average return of -0.34 percent.

Domestic bond mutual funds' assets totalled 1.417 trillion drachmas (off 0.31 percent). SOGEN Income yielded 16.28 percent, up from the sector's annual average return of 4.93 percent. International bond funds' assets totalled 31.19 billion drachmas (up 3.44 percent). Interamerican USD topped the list of returns with 18.85 percent, up from the sector's average 9.76 percent.

Domestic combined mutual funds' assets totalled 1.012 trillion drachmas (off 0.27 percent). ErgoInvestment topped the list with an annual return of 5.43 percent, sharply up from the sector's -17.10 percent. International combined funds' assets totalled 96.10 billion drachmas (off 3.43 percent). Marfin Int'l Focus yielded 7.66 percent, up from the sector's annual average return of -3.83 percent.

[18] Over 300,000 visitors to Thessaloniki trade fair

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Over 1,300 companies from 40 countries exhibited their wares at the roughly weeklong trade fair, which ended on Monday. Seventeen countries had their own pavilions.

For the first time, Turkey took part with official state participation.

[19] Largest surviving section of Holy Cross brought to Athens from Jerusalem

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Subsequently it was transported to the chapel of the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral where a special service was performed, before being carried to the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre in the central Athens district of Plaka.

At 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, there will be an official reception for the relic in the Metropolitan Cathedral's courtyard, carried out by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, and immediately afterward the Holy Cross will be put on public display for the faithful until September 25.

This is the first time the relic, which is usually kept in the ossuary at the Jerusalem Patriarchate, has come to Greece.

[20] Samothraki journalism conference to take place on Friday

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

The 2001 the Nationwide Journalism Conference will be the ninth such conference, which developed into an institution for the media and has become a focal point of dialogue for journalists from all over the country, aiming to develop into a Balkan and European event.

The Press and Mass Media Ministry supports the event, which will include representatives of Journalists' unions from around the country.

[21] PM sends message to Greek Olympic team in Sydney

Athens, 13/09/2000 (ANA)

Simitis recalled the successes of Greek sport in past years and, addressing athletes, said "in your persons Greek sport is following its difficult, upward and wonderful course, a course which we feel certain you will continue with even greater and more considerable performances."

He also referred to the role of the state in this effort, saying that "the state's care in securing suitable preconditions paved the way for the extended spring of Greek sport which we have been experiencing in past years."

Simitis further stressed that now in Sydney and in 2004 in Athens "we shall send the message of Greece of successes."

[22] Athens Olympics are a unique dream, Daskalaki says

MELBOURNE, 13/09/2000 (ANA - S. Hadzimanolis)

In an interview appearing in the Sydney Morning Herald titled "The strength behind the dream of Athens 2004", Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, in Sydney for the 2000 Olympic Games that open Friday, expressed hope that the Sydney Games would be a great success "so that Athens can learn correct lessons", noting the Greeks' great love for the Olympic Games, that originated in Ancient Olympia.

Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, the high-powered lawyer who also spearheaded Athens' successful bid for the 2004 Games, further said she was impressed with the volunteers working for the success of the Sydney Games.

The Sydney Morning Herald wrote that the Greeks consider Angelopoulou-Daskalaki as the woman who the Games for Athens and who saved them when the IOC president warned the Greek capital over delays in Games-related infrastructure projects.

The newspaper further reported that Angelopoulou-Daskalaki was heading a 130-strong delegation from Greece to the Sydney Games at the invitation of Australia's Olympics minister Michael Knight, and was being briefed first-hand on the Games' organization.

[23] EU negotiator on Cyprus accession talks arrives in Cyprus on Wednesday

NICOSIA, 13/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Republic's accession process that opened late 1998.

As part of the process, the delegation will sort out some technical details in the individual chapters, keep the pressure going and push the Parliament to speed things up in harmonizing laws and legislation with that of the EU, well informed sourced told CNA.

The chapters to be addressed include competition, transport (road and maritime), energy, taxation, environment, free movement of services and free movement of capital.

The European mission, some members of which are already on the island, will meet officials at the Foreign Affairs and other ministries, the Law Office, the Planning Bureau, as well as the House of Representatives' Committee for External and European Affairs.

They will also have talks with the Republic's chief negotiator, former president George Vassiliou and his team.

On Saturday, Maurer and members of his delegation, including environmental experts, will visit the Akamas peninsula in the western tip of the island, which is designated to become a national park as it is considered unique for its flora and fauna.

While in Akamas the EU officials will meet with members of local committees.

A discussion on Akamas' future has been going on for years, with the locals wanting to develop the area for tourist purposes and the environmentalist organizations expressing their opposition and concern.

Maurer leaves Cyprus on Sunday.

[24] President Clerides meets British envoy for Cyprus

NEW YORK, 13/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou said the president is scheduled to have a series of meetings in the framework and on Tuesday night, he was due to attend a dinner hosted by US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Alfred Moses.

Sir David said he had an interesting meeting, adding that all his meetings are interesting, some are more interesting than others. He also said he would meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, but did not say when.

"The discussion with Sir David centered on efforts to render the talks substantive so that the process of real negotiation can proceed," Papapetrou said, noting that President Clerides believes the statement by the UN Chief, that the preparatory phase of the talks has been concluded and that substantive negotiations must start, marks all efforts around these talks.

Invited to comment on a remark by UN press spokesman Fred Eckhard on Monday on the talks, Papapetrou expressed the view that certainly nobody can force somebody in the framework of these talks to discuss something they do not want to discuss.

Eckhard had said the parties cannot be forced to discuss some-thing they are not willing to discuss and the process thus far has been to try and bring them to a point where they feel they have agreed on the procedural issues and are now both ready to get down to substance.

"What is being sought is to get through the talks to a compromise solution and this presupposes political will from both sides and all efforts are moving in this direction," Papapetrou said.

Replying to questions, he said the matter is not one of procedure but to make those necessary moves, which would allow the political will to be created to be translated in the right manner.

"This is what is being sought and this is where everybody's effort turn," the Cypriot official added, stressing that the UN chief's remarks that the preparatory phase is over leaves no room for doubt on this matter.

Commenting on remarks by Denktash that the Security Council should take into account his own concerns, if it discusses Cyprus, the spokesman said "the Security Council has its own decisions which bind everybody, including Denktash, and the sooner he realizes this, the better for him and the Turkish Cypriots".

President Clerides had a meeting on Monday with Vladimir Tchizhov, who is here as Russia's envoy for these talks.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, who was present at the meeting with Hannay, met on Monday with his counterparts from Mexico, Austria and Cuba.

[25] Clerides calls for direct talks on Cyprus issue

ANKARA, 13/09/2000 (ANA - A. Ambatzis)

"Both I and (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Mr. Denktash have conveyed to Mr. De Soto all our views on main issues. It is evident that we think in a different way. We should now discuss whether we can do something and if we can satisfy each other. Otherwise, we shall not be led anywhere," Clerides said, referring to the issue of direct talks.

On the question of the Turkish side's demand for recognition of the self-styled "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", Clerides pondered "whether he (Denktash) will continue negotiations after recognition", adding that Denktash's demand "not only concerns recognition but the demand for acceptance of the solution of a confederation, which means that he wants our signature on a blank piece of paper before negotiations."

Clerides said "European Union accession will be a guarantee for the security of the island's communities", adding that "the EU would not accept as a member a country in which the armed forces have such a drastic role in political decisions."

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