Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus into EU regardless of political problem, Greece says

[02] Greek FM addresses Cypriot unions on island's EU prospects

[03] Greek FM meets with abducted Greek Cypriot's wife

[04] Cypriot party leader sees no progress in Cyprus issue until 2003

[05] Turkish foreign minister criticizes Washington over Cyprus issue

[06] PASOK conference ends, central committee to meet Friday

[07] Tsohatzopoulos calls for more social solidarity in post-EMU era

[08] Former minister steps up criticism of gov't, premier

[09] Main opposition says gov't suffering from fatigue

[10] US ambassador to visit Kavala over investments

[11] New center-left group launches campaign to rally support

[12] New Athens airport expected to get license Monday

[13] Bank workers to stage nationwide strike March 12-13

[14] Greece seeks briefing from UK on theft of Greek artwork

[15] Memorial service for deceased Greek deputies held

[16] Noted Athens-based correspondent honored in Germany

[17] Greek groups in Russia hold congress in Moscow

[18] Thessaloniki festival awards for film documentaries

[19] Cyprus economy ranks first among the 13 EU candidate countries

[01] Cyprus into EU regardless of political problem, Greece says

NICOSIA, 12/03/2001 (ANA / I. Afendouli, G. Leonidas)

"Enlargement is becoming a top priority for the EU and negotiations have been intensified," Papandreou told a news conference after a two-hour meeting with his counterpart, Ioannis Kasoulides.

The Greek minister reported that the EU's executive Commission was concerned about the mechanics of Cyprus' entry into the 15-nation bloc, which required work on a membership formula as the island republic would join regardless of a solution - or not - to the political problem.

The formula would aim to declare the whole of Cyprus an EU member under its legitimate government, which, however, was unable to exercise sovereignty in the Turkish-occupied sector.

Papandreou recalled that Cyprus already had forged agreements with the EU, such as customs union, thereby setting a precedent.

"This pre-history has created an acquired right for Cyprus and its ties with the EU," he said.

Kasoulides told the same news conference that he hoped Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash would show prudence and return to talks on the Cyprus issue.

"In any case, Cyprus will join the EU one way or another," he added.

In addition to the Cyprus problem, Papandreou is visiting Cyprus for talks on the 2004 Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens.

Three medallists for Greece in the Games accompany the minister, who plans to publicize the concept of the Olympic Truce during his visit.

Earlier, both ministers told reporters that they hoped the Cypriot team for the 2004 Olympics would represent the entire island.

"In Athens, we hope to see both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot athletes marching together in the parade," Papandreou said.

Kasoulides told reporters at Nicosia airport where he received Papandreou that the Greek minister would also tour the island republic in order to meet local organizations and members of the public.

Papandreou is scheduled to meet trade unions during his stay in Nicosia. Turkish Cypriot representatives have also been invited to the session.

Also at the airport, Papandreou said that his US counterpart, Colin Powell, had assured him of Washington's continuing interest in a solution to the Cyprus issue.

"If the Cyprus problem is resolved, a new security system can be established in the eastern Mediterranean," the minister said.

He added that Cyprus would not be held hostage to the political dispute with Turkey in the island republic's European Union entry bid; it would gain membership, regardless of resolution.

Later in the day, Papandreou met the speaker of the Cypriot House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, also a former president of the republic.

Kyprianou said in a statement after the meeting that nothing new was on the horizon concerning the Cyprus problem. If a lack of progress continued, then the UN secretary general should take the matter to the UN security council following Denktash's refusal to talk.

[02] Greek FM addresses Cypriot unions on island's EU prospects

NICOSIA, 12/03/2001 (ANA - I. Afendouli)

Papandreou expressed his regret that several representatives of Turkish Cypriot unions had not been allowed to attend the gathering at a Nicosia hotel by the Denktash regime running the pseudo-state.

Papandreou called the development "anti-democratic, one that denotes fear before the people's and society's will."

He also said it was ironic that at a time of growing rapprochement between Athens and Ankara as well as upgraded economic ties, it was sad that Greek and Turkish Cypriots "cannot, on their own island, shape a common future sans external interventions as free and creative individuals."

Referring to Cyprus' EU accession course, the Greek FM said the current situation was positive, with heightened international attention paid to a possible resolution because of the prospect of Union membership.

[03] Greek FM meets with abducted Greek Cypriot's wife

NICOSIA, 12/03/2001 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Niki Tziakourmas has asked for a coordination of efforts at the international level in order to gain her husband's release.

Papandreou conveyed Athens' solidarity to the Tziakourmas family and expressed a hope that initiatives, especially by the British side, with which Greece is in close contact over the matter, will lead to his immediate release.

Britain retains two sovereign bases on Cyprus since the island became an independent state in 1960.

[04] Cypriot party leader sees no progress in Cyprus issue until 2003

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

"I do not foresee that by 2003 Turkey will allow a solution to the Cyprus problem, given Turkey's intransigence and the fact that the US is unlikely in the current phase to exert substantive pressure, and that the EU lacks an effective lever for pressure," Vassos Lyssarides told the Athens News Agency in an interview.

"Europe will have then to apply the decisions under which a solution to the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' entry into the EU are not linked. It will also have to ask Turkey to comply with the obligations that derive from its bid to join the EU," the party leader said.

According to Lyssarides, Cyprus' entry into the 15-nation bloc would act as a catalyst to shift Turkey's position.

On Friday, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said in an interview to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation that Turkey was aware its line would be an obstacle to membership of the EU.

Papandreou on Sunday begins a three-day official visit to Cyprus for talks with the Cypriot government and political party leaders.

[05] Turkish foreign minister criticizes Washington over Cyprus issue

ISTANBUL, 12/03/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"I do not like US policy on Cyprus, I am waiting for a more objective stance ... American policy should not insist on persuading Turkey to accept the Greek and Greek-Cypriot positions," Cem said in a televised interview.

Referring to the situation in the Balkans and tension prevailing in the NATO-governed Yugoslav province of Kosovo as well as the adjacent Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Cem spoke of "mistakes committed by western countries in their handling of the Kosovo crisis".

[06] PASOK conference ends, central committee to meet Friday

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the close of two-day PASOK conference on development on Saturday, Skandalidis said the committee would discuss internal party matters.

He rapped some party officials for a failure to communicate effectively enough with the public.

Ruling PASOK would be unable to make overtures to the public if senior officials failed to head a communications drive with social agencies in order to familiarize themselves with the issues and debate them, Skandalidis told delegates.

[07] Tsohatzopoulos calls for more social solidarity in post-EMU era

BERLIN, 12/03/2001 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Tsohatzopoulos lauded the government's efforts at meeting "euro-zone" criteria, but also called for "social changes and cohesion..."

"We must erase geographical and social inequities with our developmental policies. It's not enough to say we want development and simply imply that we will lower inflation and increase GDP, in general".

In citing the latest round of internal PASOK deliberations and posturing by several top cadres, Tsohatzopoulos - elected from Thessaloniki - said:

"There's been a lot of discussion lately about (the party's) renewal. Unfortunately, however, many understand renewal differently. There are some in our political sphere that when we talk about renewal think that we should change people; that we should change symbols or should change our name and banners.

"Alas, we say that they are wrong. Some give the impression that they're campaigning as later-day 'Don Quixote' against imaginary windmills".

[08] Former minister steps up criticism of gov't, premier

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

In stepping up his criticism, Pangalos goes beyond the prime minister's so-called circle of advisers to personally blame Prime Minister Costas Simitis for ruling PASOK's poor standing, as he says, adding that the party is slowly becoming "marginalized" and falling near the 20 percent mark in terms of voter opinion polls.

Pangalos' building criticism over the last few weeks comes only a few months after Simitis sacked him from the culture minister portfolio.

Another interview with an Athens daily in November led to the dismissal. At that time he had chided the government's policies over rapprochement with Turkey and contentious labor market reforms.

November's ouster was the second time Pangalos had been fired by Simitis from a top government post. The veteran west Attica deputy was asked to resign as foreign minister two years ago in the aftermath of the Abdullah Ocalan affair.

In other comments published by Sunday's "Eleftheros Typos" the one-time close supporter of Simitis' candidacy for the premiership said the only way to reverse the ruling party's downward course, as he noted, was for the prime minister to "assume his responsibilities ... and take the initiatives that the party's charter and the Constitution allow him".

"If that doesn't happen then, obviously, PASOK's Parliament group and the party's (forthcoming) congress will make their evaluations," he said.

In referring to the ruling party's congress, Pangalos warned that anyone calling for a postponement of the congress should reconsider, "otherwise, such a development will serve as a major reason for an intra-party conflict."

Among others, Pangalos also called for the replacement of ministers Simitis deems "ineffective"; refers to Simitis' tenure as nearing an end with the current four-year term; derides what he termed the prime minister's close circle of advisers and once again expressed his opposition to the government's policy vis-a-vis Turkey.

Along those lines, Pangalos cited "dangers" with the foreign ministry's course, which he said has Simitis' approval.

[09] Main opposition says gov't suffering from fatigue

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

"The fatigue shown by senior government officials, which the prime minister has criticized, is affecting the premier himself," Karamanlis told a preparatory meeting for the party's main congress.

He charged that the government with moving "at a snail's pace and seeing as much as an ostrich burying its head in the sand," while unemployment was steadily rising with funds earmarked to combat joblessness only representing a quarter of the European Union average.

In addition, EU funds were being squandered in non-existent programs, Karamanlis claimed.

[10] US ambassador to visit Kavala over investments

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

Senior embassy and consular staff will accompany Burns, who is scheduled to have talks with local government and business representatives.

He may expand his visit to other areas in eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

[11] New center-left group launches campaign to rally support

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

The Forum may provide a reply to a right-right party recently established by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, commentators said.

Among the Forum's coordinators named on Sunday who will carry out the campaign to garner support is Rihardos Someritis, a journalist.

Announcing the group's creation on Saturday Nikos Bistis, a founder, told a news conference that the party supports reforms by Prime Minister Costas Simitis' government, but the ruling party now needs an "overall vision of change" to remove voter disillusion and halt stagnation.

The forum was set up by two small left-wing movements - the Left Movement for Modernization and Renewal and Citizens' Initiative for Left Renewal and the Environment.

Founders of the movement said the forum aimed to rally the left-left, incorporating groups with different identities and backgrounds.

"Within this framework, it is necessary for the wind of modernization to blow also within the (ruling) PASOK party," the forum's founding declaration said.

"PASOK should evolve into a contemporary socialist party that is able to play a leading role in the alignment of broad forces, exercising more fully its central role in the effort to modernize," the declaration added.

[12] New Athens airport expected to get license Monday

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

The airport at Spata, east of Athens, will open on March 27, replacing the existing Hellenikon facility on the southern Attica coast.

Access roads to the new airport are due to open to traffic on March 19, ministry sources said on Saturday.

[13] Bank workers to stage nationwide strike March 12-13

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

The decision to go ahead with the stoppage was taken after a failure to make progress in establishment of the fund, the OTOE bank workers union said.

A skeleton staff will be in place during the walkout, in line with the law, the union said.

[14] Greece seeks briefing from UK on theft of Greek artwork

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos told a news conference in the northern city of Thessaloniki that a letter had been sent to his British counterpart requesting details of the theft of the frieze segment from the temple to Epicurean Apollo, built in 420-400 BC.

He said the theft demolished one of the basic arguments used by officials of the British Museum to support their case that the Elgin Marbles should remain there for reasons of security.

"Perhaps this is an opportunity for everyone in Britain to rethink, very cool-headedly, what their position should be in relation to the return of the Marbles to the Parthenon," Venizelos said.

"I believe that this incident is only one indication of the problem, of its depth and acuteness. I hope the investigation will soon lead to the return of the stolen frieze," he added.

The Greek Embassy in London informed Venizelos late on Friday about the theft.

"What happened to the equally significant frieze from the temple of Apollo could also happen, as things would seem to indicate, to the Parthenon frieze," the minister cautioned.

[15] Memorial service for deceased Greek deputies held

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and many deputies also attended the service, which was organized by the Association of Retired Deputies. Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos led the service at the Athens Cathedral.

[16] Noted Athens-based correspondent honored in Germany

BERLIN, 12/03/2001 (ANA-P. Stangos)

Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who was present at the event, introduced veteran journalist Kostas Tsatsaronis at the ceremony. Also present were Berlin's envoy to Athens, Karl-Heinz Kuhna, and the Greek ambassador in Germany, Dimitrios Nezeritis.

[17] Greek groups in Russia hold congress in Moscow

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

"The Association, which is some sort of a bridge between Russia and Greece, plays a considerable role in maintaining these relations," a Greek embassy counselor in Moscow, Georgios Markadonatos, told the news agency.

The groups are seeking to revive the Greek language in Russia, preserve cultural traditions and promote inter-ethnic relations, Itar-Tass reported from Moscow.

The congress, which began on Saturday, coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Greek Society, which is based in the Russian capital.

There are 100,000 Greeks in Russia, including about 7,500 in the Moscow area, Itar-Tass said.

[18] Thessaloniki festival awards for film documentaries

Athens, 12/03/2001 (ANA)

A seven-member panel awarded the best foreign documentary prize to Viktor Kosakovski for his "I Loved You" entry.

The Greek-language prize went to filmmaker Marianna Economou's "The School", while the public's choice was the documentary "Screaming Jay Hawkins, I Put a Spell on Me", by local director Nikos Triantafyllidis.

[19] Cyprus economy ranks first among the 13 EU candidate countries

NICOSIA, 12/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

A survey by the European Commission for 1999 and the years prior to that has concluded that the gross domestic product in Cyprus, expressed in purchase power units, stands at 82 per cent of the average figure within EU member states.

Slovenia takes second place with 71 per cent and Hungary third with 51 per cent.

The survey said that Cypriots are in a better position than the citizens of some member states, such as Portugal, Spain and Greece.

�he Republic of Cyprus, which applied for EU membership in July 1990, has already closed 17 chapters of the 29 chapters it needs to negotiate with the EU.

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