Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM invites unions, political parties to unconditional dialogue for reform of social security sector

[02] Gov't prepared to start dialogue based on trade union proposals

[03] GSEE calls new strike despite Gov�t freeze of proposed social security reforms

[04] ND leader attacks government policies on social lnsurance

[05] Greek PM, President receive visiting Austrian parliament president

[06] Simitis calls for upgrades in country's all-important local Gov�t sector

[07] Rally in Athens to protest deaths of political prisoners in Turkey

[08] Greek Church's Holy Synod covers final details of pope's pilgrimage

[09] Justice minister to present anti-terrorism bill on Monday

[10] Cyprus, Balkans, Greek-Turkish affairs discussed in seminar in Washington D.C.

[11] Social security battle dominates news

[12] Bank of Greece urges for growth measures to solve social security

[13] National Bank's shareholders approve share capital increase plan

[14] Greece's pharmaceutical sector flourishes

[15] Hellenic Railways in cargo deal with Skopje

[16] Greece supports Turkey's efforts to improve economy, Greek minister says

[17] Athens bourse revises indexes, adds FTSE Small Cap

[18] Athens bourse flirts with 3,300 level

[19] Equity futures end up, tracking Athens bourse

[20] Bond prices drop in heavy trade

[21] New Stock Market opens to trade on Monday

[22] Explosive device detonates, damages Greek-Bulgarian maritime firm offices

[23] Greenpeace activists end takeover of fertilizer plant in 4th day

[24] Air pollution, "ozone hole" cause for concern, Greek scientists say

[25] Oil spill off Elefsis, unidentified freighter sought

[26] 'Living Castles' conference begins in Ioannina on Friday

[27] CoE pledges support for East Med Youth Parliament conference on Rhodes

[28] Sarajevo girl airlifted to Thessaloniki for treatment

[29] Alleged killer of Greek-American woman remanded in custody

[30] Sierra Leone and Nigerian nationals caught for selling pirate CDs

[31] Greek Nat�l team captain cleared in doping case

[32] France's Vedrine says Cyprus solution not a prerequisite for EU accession

[01] PM invites unions, political parties to unconditional dialogue for reform of social security sector

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Speaking at a nationwide meeting of his ruling PASOK party on local government issues, Simitis said that the government had "neither prejudices nor dogmas".

He conceded that the reforms initially proposed by the government had "obstructed dialogue", as the reactions to the proposals indicated, and therefore the government intended to re-examine its positions from scratch before submitting new proposals.

Simitis stressed, however, that it was imperative that all sides concerned take part in the dialogue "because everyone is responsible for a solution to the social security system issue and no one can just and watch from the sidelines".

He said the government wanted a "pragmatic solution" and not one that would merely be a "covert postponement of the problem", adding it was open to any solution "that provides security for the working people".

The premier explained that the greater the consensus, the more enduring and efficient the resulting social security system would be.

Simitis added that he had rejected suggestions that, since the repercussions on the working people were not expected to manifest themselves for about 15 years, the government should not tackle the problem of the social security system at this time, which would have meant smooth sailing for PASOK in the next general elections.

"It is necessary for the government to deal with the problem now, because postponing it for later would have been unacceptable since any delay in taking measures could result in the necessity for more painful solutions," Simitis said.

[02] Gov't prepared to start dialogue based on trade union proposals

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The government, he added, which had received the mandate to handle the country's problems, wanted dialogue on all aspects of social insurance reform and without prior conditions.

He called on all parties to submit their proposals in the context of an organized and orderly social dialogue.

"We are a government and a party that is not interested in fleeting impressions, nor in having an unclouded term in power, and in order to remove all procedural pretexts we are proceeding with the above position," Reppas added.

The spokesman also categorically denied that Labor Minister Tassos Yiannitsis might resign.

"He has the confidence of the prime minister and all of us, and he has neither offered his resignation nor has it been asked for," Reppas said.

[03] GSEE calls new strike despite Gov�t freeze of proposed social security reforms

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) has called a new 24-hour strike for May 17, saying the 'freeze' on the reforms announced by labor minister Tassos Yiannitsis late Wednesday night did not meet the demands of the unions, which adamantly refuse to negotiate a proposed increase in the retirement age and reduction of pensions.

Thursday's crippling strike, according to GSEE and the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) -- who jointly called the industrial action -- had an "unprecedented turnout" while a mass workers' rally in central Athens was "the biggest labor demonstration and march in the post-war period".

Prime minister Costas Simitis left a Cabinet meeting to personally receive a delegation of union officials in order to stress that the government was open to dialogue.

During the Cabinet meeting, the premier told his ministers that the problem in the social security system was real, and ruled out a postponement of decision-taking on reforms to after 2005.

He said the workers' concern was "understood" by the government, which would tackle reform of the system "without prejudice" and was prepared to adopt "every solution that will provide genuine security for the working people", government sources told ANA.

GSEE, capitalizing on the mass turnout of support during Thursday's strike and rally, remains firm in its positions and has called a follow-up strike next month, calling the government's freeze on the reforms "a product of the workers' struggle, which is a success of the trade unions".

GSEE said that the freeze on the Yiannitsis reforms "does not respond to the strike demands, and chiefly to the demand that new resources be sought to finance the social security system".

Union leaders told ANA that "even in the freezer, proposals are maintained which the unions will not negotiate, such as the increase in the retirement age and reduction of pensions".

GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos, speaking on several radio stations Friday, explained that the unions were not, in principle, opposed to social dialogue, but a condition for their participation in discussions on changing the social security system was that the "workers' acquired rights" should not be disputed.

He also demanded that the government shoulder its responsibility in the framework of the trilateral financing of the system and proceed with the institution of a special tax on the high-income brackets that would ease the social security/pension Funds' finances.

[04] ND leader attacks government policies on social lnsurance

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Karamanlis was speaking during a meeting of his party's Central Committee to elect a new secretary and the members of a new political council.

The main opposition leader said PASOK governments over the years were solely responsible for the present financial woes of the state insurance funds and had dismantled reforms made by ND for ultransparent and party political ends.

He also accused the government of breaking the law by not making state contributions to the funds and said that its proposals to increase the age of retirement and lower pensions were not a solution to the problems.

Karamanlis said the government was trying to make workers carry the cost of its own failures and inadequacy and called for a return to the reforms instituted by the New Democracy government of 1990-1993.

He also attacked the government's policy in other areas, accusing it of "paralysis," and saying that it provoked Greek society with its inconsistency, arrogance and cynicism. Society, he added, was also becoming demoralized by reports from international organizations that constantly exposed weaknesses and inflexibility in the Greek economy and called for faster privatization, tax reform and stricter measures to combat bureaucracy and corruption.

[05] Greek PM, President receive visiting Austrian parliament president

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

According to diplomatic sources the two men discussed the European Union integration course, the Union's enlargement and the Cyprus issue.

Earlier in the day Fischer was received by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Meeting with Foreign Minister

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Friday received Austria's Provisional and Constituent Assemblies President Dr. Heinz Fischer in Athens, with talks centering on European affairs, the latest developments in the Balkans as well as Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

[06] Simitis calls for upgrades in country's all-important local Gov�t sector

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Simitis was the keynote speaker at a ruling PASOK party conference in Athens focusing on the subject of local government, although the furor related to proposed changes in the social security sector - with subsequent opposition from trade unions -- also strung up in the prime minister's address.

In his speech, Simitis noted that local governments must quickly "cover the ground" separating them from similar entities in other European Union countries, while calling for a more democratic, transparent and effective operation of local governments.

"The model of a client-like and conventional operation by local governments is something of the past ... today, local governments need to restructure their administrative framework and policies in order to develop their human resources..." he said.

On her part, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Vasso Papandreou tabled what she termed a "National Decentralization Plan to reinvigorate local governments in the 21st century," something she said is necessary in order to allow the country to enter the EU core of nations.

"Despite the major democratic conquest in implementing the two first phases of local government, problems have arisen that have essentially shrunk the developmental and programming role of local governments, as (responsibilities) have to a great extent been transferred to regional councils �. this new situation creates a democratic deficit for social participation and control," she added.

Greek FM questioned regarding stance on Turkish hunger-strikers Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA) Athens' reactions on the issue of hunger-striking political prisoners in Turkey will form part of a wider European effort, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Friday in Parliament, in response to questions from Communist Party (KKE) deputy Liana Kanelli.

He stressed, however, that the right to freedom of speech was a fundamental policy for Greece.

Similar questions regarding the "series of deaths among hunger strikers within and outside prison in Turkey" were also put to Papandreou by three PASOK deputies.

Under the partnership agreement with the EU, Papandreou said in his response, Turkey had an obligation to permit freedom of speech and association, protect human rights, act against torture, improve prison conditions and abolish the death penalty. Two years ago, prior to the partnership agreement, he added, Greece's efforts were like "a voice crying in the wilderness" and had little effect.

Kanelli was critical of Papandreou, however, for failing to take a stance on a personal level, while contending that the "excellent relations" between Athens and Ankara and the frequent contact between Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem warranted a more active involvement on his part.

"Your only reaction to the hunger strike, from which many women have died in Turkish prisons," she said, "was on Wednesday during your visit to Morocco."

Papandreou replied by saying that Greece has different priorities to its other European partners, such as the Cyprus problem and respect for International Law, but that these did not preclude involvement in Turkish society, since a democratic Turkey would also have better relations with its neighbors.

He also mentioned a meeting on Thursday between political office directors of the 15 EU member states and their counterpart in Turkey, during which all those issues were raised and said that the EU's efforts toward democratization had been welcomed by the Turkish human rights union.

[07] Rally in Athens to protest deaths of political prisoners in Turkey

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Chanting the slogan "silence is complicity", they marched to the Turkish embassy to protest, as they said, the death of 28 political prisoners at the hand of the Turkish authorities and the death of 14 prisoners who were on a hunger strike as well as the deaths of three relatives of prisoners who were on solidarity hunger strike.

[08] Greek Church's Holy Synod covers final details of pope's pilgrimage

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The unscheduled meeting on Friday by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece's Holy Synod was convened to focus directly on the pontiff's visit to Athens late next week, the first ever by a Roman Catholic leader to the modern Greek state.

Church officials said Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos will greet John Paul II "by bringing to his attention -- with frankness, clarity as well as with theological and historical documentation -- all of those dogmatic, ecclesiastical and historical issues that provoke sadness, bitterness and intense concern among the Orthodox world, with particular emphasis on the problem of the Uniate."

According to reports, Christodoulos is also expected to issue a nationwide message early next week reiterating that Orthodox Christian Greeks "have nothing to fear from the pope", conceivably part of the Greek Church's efforts over the past few weeks to blunt expected opposition from Orthodox zealots and ultra-conservative followers of the Julian calendar.

Along those lines, a rally at a downtown Athens hotel was scheduled only a few hours after the Holy Synod meeting, organized by a pair of high-profile university Orthodox theologians to protest the pontiff's pilgrimage in Athens.

The Holy Synod again reiterated that the Greek Church would be represented on three occasions during the pope's historic two-day stay in Athens. Those include a visit by the pope to the Athens Archbishopric, where he will be received by Christodoulos, as well as during a pilgrimage ceremony at the foot of the Acropolis, and finally, during a reciprocal visit by the Greek Church Primate to John Paul II at a Vatican-owned residence in the Greek capital. A joint prayer service was, however, ruled out.

The Polish-born pope will arrive in Athens on the morning of May 4 aboard an Alitalia flight from Rome, with a small welcoming ceremony to be held at the airport. Afterwards, he will be officially received at the presidential mansion.

The pope was invited to the predominately Greek Orthodox country by President Kostis Stephanopoulos after the Vatican had publicly aired the pontiff's long-standing desire to visit the Greek capital as part of a retracing of the Apostle Paul's journeys in Europe.

The Orthodox and Catholic churches split in 1056 after centuries of often contentious relations, whereas the latest point of friction relates to what Orthodox church leaders claim are unfair attempts by the Vatican to proselytize in traditionally Orthodox lands, primarily in the Ukraine, through the Uniate Church.

The Uniate church, with congregation of approximately one million faithful, uses the rites of the Orthodox Church but owes allegiance to the Vatican.

Main opposition holds in-party elections for secretary, political council Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party elected on Friday Vangelis Meimarakis to the newly created post of party secretary with 320 votes, out of a total of 476 ballots cast.

This new post was created during the party's last congress, which took place at the end of March, and requires increased majority vote.

The party also held elections for the five elected posts of its newly established political council, those elected are: George Orphanos, Dora Bakoyianni, Vassilis Michaloliakos, Panos Panagiotopoulos and Mariana Yiannakou.

[09] Justice minister to present anti-terrorism bill on Monday

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Stathopoulos, who made the announcement in Parliament on Friday, also fielded questions on the escape of convicted murderer Spyros Papadopoulos - the mastermind of a so-called "company of assassins" - from Corfu prison. Papadopoulos failed to return to the prison after being granted a five-day leave.

According to the Justice Minister, a report by the Supreme Court Prosecutor had essentially cleared the prison committee prosecutor who granted Papadopoulos leave in the first place, saying that judicial officials could not be held to account when they state their opinions.

Stathopoulos made it clear, however, that the matter was far from closed and questioned whether the prosecutor in question had read Papadopoulos' case file. "If he hasn't read the case file, would that not be dereliction of duty?" he queried.

Asked why dangerous criminals such as Papadopoulos even qualified for leave, the justice minister said that the relevant bill had been passed with a large majority in 1999 and called for individual case by case consideration.

"Anyone would have agreed that the leader of the 'assassins' company' should not be given leave," he added, returning once more to the issue of individual responsibility on the part of those implementing the penal code.

[10] Cyprus, Balkans, Greek-Turkish affairs discussed in seminar in Washington D.C.

It is time for the Cyprus issue to be resolved and the division of the island republic to end, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs James Swigert said during his address to a seminar on Greece's regional role, here.

The seminar, which focused on Greek-Turkish relations, Balkan problems and Greece's role, was organized by the "Western Policy Center".

Swigert noted the "huge" progress in Greek-Turkish relations and Greece's commitment to fund Balkan reconstruction, having pledged 500 million dollars over the next five years. He added that Greek businesses have already invested two billion dollars in the region.

On his part, Gary Dempsey, of Washington's CATO institute, said that Greece developed from being a Balkan country in the European Union to a European Union country in the Balkans.

[11] Social security battle dominates news

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The general index on the Athens Stock Exchange ended the week 0.2 percent lower in thin trading conditions, reflecting investors' reluctance to open new positions in the market ahead of a formal decision to upgrade the Greek bourse into a mature one next month. Analysts expect this development to spark a recovery in the market after 20 consecutive months of decline.

Bank of Greece's governor, Lucas Papademos, surprised the market saying that Greece would achieve real convergence with other EU countries in at least 20 years, double the time the government had initially forecast.

National Economy and Finance Minister, Yiannos Papantoniou, however, reiterated his optimism over the course of the economy and stressed that this year's budget was progressing smoothly to show a surplus in December.

[12] Bank of Greece urges for growth measures to solve social security

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Lucas Papademos, the central bank's governor, presenting his report to an annual general shareholders' meeting, also said that reforming the social security system would pave the way for a fiscal restructuring in the country and urged for efforts to boost competitiveness to achieve a speedier real convergence with other euro zone countries.

Papademos recommended the implementation of measures to encourage employment and to boost productivity, to combat social security contribution evasion and to reform the system to achieve a more efficient use of social security funds' reserves.

"The problem is big and complex and needs fundamental interventions to be implemented gradually in order the transition into a new system to be smooth," Papademos said. The central banker stressed that any final decisions should be taken following a dialogue between the government, employers and trade unions. "We need solutions to be efficient and more socially accepted," he said.

Papademos said the government should promote measures aiming to increase the number of people entering the country's social security system, like measures to boost employment and a more fair tax policy, with the new system's main revenue source to be its members' contributions.

The Bank of Greece, said in its annual report, that in such a system any extra state funding would be limited because of an increased need or capital to repay the country's public debt. Papademos urged for measures to improve competitiveness, through an increase in productivity from its current low levels, and cutting production costs.

He said that a constant and significant increase in business investments and efforts to fully liberalize the country's telecommunication and energy markets would helping in this drive.

The central bank stressed that except for measures to boost competitiveness the government needed to promote employment measures through structural reforms.

Papademos said that Greece's real convergence with other euro zone economies would take more time than initial government forecasts. "With EU's gross domestic product rising steadily at an annual growth rate of 3.0 percent and Greece's GDP at 5.0 percent, then the country's economy will converge with the EU average at around 20 years," he said.

Papademos said the country needed to achieve higher growth rates in the coming years, through increased productivity, deregulated domestic markets, fiscal restructuring and solving the social security system.

[13] National Bank's shareholders approve share capital increase plan

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

[14] Greece's pharmaceutical sector flourishes

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Total spending on prescription and over-the-counter drugs rose 20.3 percent in 1999. Imported products accounted for 53.9 percent of the market, with 31.2 percent produced in Greece and 14.9 percent packaged in the country.

The report said that the pharmaceuticals sector accounted for 1.3 percent the country's total gross domestic product.

Greek pharmaceuticals' exports totaled 166.1 million euros in the first nine months of 1999 to reach 175.5 million euros in the same period in 2000.

Greek exports jumped 28.4 percent last year, from an increase of 37.4 percent in 1999. The report said that the average annual growth rate of Greek exports in the last five years was significantly higher compared with an EU average. The report sounded an optimistic tone over the market's outlook and particularly Greek exports.

[15] Hellenic Railways in cargo deal with Skopje

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The container train deal was signed between Hellenic Railways and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with the help of Thessaloniki Harbor Organization.

Hellenic Railways' freight manager director, Ludovicos Kourtidis and FYROM Railways chief Vladimir Sokolofski, speaking to reporters during a press conference said that the new train line would greatly facilitate Greek transporters.

Kourtidis said that Hellenic Railways would discuss with railway authorities in other Balkan states a plan to agree on a common freight transport price policy.

[16] Greece supports Turkey's efforts to improve economy, Greek minister says

ISTANBUL 28/04/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"We want a strong Turkish economy, we want a strong Turkish society, because we want a strong dialogue," Venizelos said, adding that the Greek government is following "closely and with sincere interest the economic conditions in Turkey".

The Greek culture minister arrived here on Thursday and inaugurated the 3rd Conference on Greek-Turkish Business Cooperation jointly with his Turkish counterpart Istemihan Talay.

[17] Athens bourse revises indexes, adds FTSE Small Cap

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Joining the FTSE-20 will be Agricultural Bank of Greece, Athens and Piraeus Water Board, Hellenic Industrial Development Bank and Interamerican, the bourse said in a statement.

Leaving the index to join the FTSE-40 index are Egnatia Bank, Mytilineos, Minoan Lines and Altec.

In addition, the Athens bourse and Financial Times will launch a new FTSE index for smaller capitalization shares, whose 80 firms include Pouliadis, Inform Lykos, Astir Palace, Chipita, Frigoglass, Mechaniki, Forthnet, Petzetakis and Kathimerini, the statement said.

[18] Athens bourse flirts with 3,300 level

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Traders said the market has established a strong base at the 3,200 level and was currently trying to break the 3,300 level, which it was unable break on Friday because of low turnover.

The general index ended 0.51 percent higher, at 3,264.55 points, off the day's highs of 3,295.74 points. Turnover was a low 186.55 million euros, or 63.57 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.46 percent higher at 1,906.67 points, with the FTSE/ASE 40 index ending 0.22 percent lower at 378.77 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 328.61 points, up 0.17 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 218 to 107 with another 30 issues unchanged.

Vardas, Texapret, Allatini Ceramics, Fitco, Crete Building, Boutaris, Folli-Follie, Agricultural Bank and Mosholios Chemicals scored the biggest percentage gains, while Athens Medical, Mouriadis, Electra, Stabilton, Intersat, Paperpack, Alpha Trust, Multirama, Doudos and Petzetakis suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank, Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Coca Cola HBC and Folli Follie were the most heavily traded stocks.

[19] Equity futures end up, tracking Athens bourse

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.46 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.22 percent lower.

Traded were 5,930 contracts on turnover of 50.5 million euros.

[20] Bond prices drop in heavy trade

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 1.2 billion euros (432 billion drachmas).

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[21] New Stock Market opens to trade on Monday

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The capital markets commission hopes that the newly created market will help to boost liquidity and expand the options available to investors.

[22] Explosive device detonates, damages Greek-Bulgarian maritime firm offices

SOFIA, 28/04/2001(ANA - B. Borishov)

The firm was established in 1989 by Greek businessman Elephtherios Panagiotou and Bulgarian businessman Nicolai Christov. Police is conducting an investigation.

[23] Greenpeace activists end takeover of fertilizer plant in 4th day

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The takeover was aimed at protesting the production of ozone-depleting chemical substances and greenhouse gases, by the specific plant.

Earlier in the day and despite a leak of toxic ammonia that caused respiration difficulties to the protestors, the 20 Greenpeace activists from Greece, Germany and Slovakia remained chained to vantage points blocking accesses to the Thessaloniki-based Phosphoric Fertilizers Industry's (BFL) units where chemical substances responsible for destabilization of the climate and the hole in ozone layer are produced, a Greenpeace Greece announcement said.

Machi Sideridou, a spokeswoman for Greenpeace, Greece, told ANA that there was a leak in toxic ammonia during the night, most probably from the fertilizer production unit, causing symptoms such as irritation to the eyes and nose and breathing difficulties -- which are common in cases of exposure to high levels of ammonia -- among some of the activists.

She said that despite the difficulties, the activists were determined to continue their takeover until their demands were met.

Greenpeace is demanding the closure of those units at the plant that produce the chlorine-containing chemical substances that deplete ozone, and greenhouse gases that are destructive to the climate

The organization pledged to undertake action again if measures to end pollution are not taken immediately.

[24] Air pollution, "ozone hole" cause for concern, Greek scientists say

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

They noted that air pollution is responsible for a 0.6 per cent of the total mortality rate of the population, while it is responsible for 0.8 per cent of the mortality rate for those who suffer of respiratory problems and 0.4 per cent for people who suffer of heart problems.

They stressed that the "ozone hole" caused an increase in skin cancers, adding that due to the increased ultraviolet light reaching the lower parts of the atmosphere, there will be a further increase in skin cancers.

[25] Oil spill off Elefsis, unidentified freighter sought

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

They said the extent of the oil spill, comprising an iridescent oil believed to be diesel, had not been calculated by 10:00 a.m. as it was discovered only an hour earlier.

Harbor Corps and private clean-up vessels were on stand-by to begin the clean-up operation.

Ministry officials believe the pollution was caused either by a ship passing through or during refueling.

[26] 'Living Castles' conference begins in Ioannina on Friday

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

The conference will discuss the ways in the role and function of castles has altered from the 11th century to the present day, as they adapted and evolved alongside the local communities.

The program focuses on three areas that are of great interest and whose castles show great diversity. These include the castle in the city of Ioannina itself, where the conference is taking place, as well as an Italian castle in Apulia and two castles in Spain.

[27] CoE pledges support for East Med Youth Parliament conference on Rhodes STRASBOURG 28/04/2001(ANA)

The resolution was contained in a report on the Middle East crisis drafted by Greek parliamentarian Aristotelis Pavlidis, which was passed by the CoE on Thursday afternoon. The report acknowledged the need for CoE involvement, in addition to that of the US, in the strife-torn region and the acute problems faced by the Palestinians in particular.

[28] Sarajevo girl airlifted to Thessaloniki for treatment

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Natasha Manouilovic, who recently lost her eyesight and mobility, was transported to Greece aboard an air force transport plane for treatment at Thessaloniki's Hippocrateion Hospital, all at the expense of the Greek health ministry.

A local priest serving at the northern Greece bishopric of Kilkis, who studied in Manouilovic's hometown, alerted Greek authorities to the teenager's serious health problems and intervened for her treatment in Thessaloniki.

[29] Alleged killer of Greek-American woman remanded in custody

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Rigou, the owner of a roadside snack food stand, was reportedly having an affair with Pizo, whose body was found on April 19 in the trunk of her car on a beach in Anavyssos.

He voluntarily came forward to testify to police four days after the body was discovered, but police say he gave a conflicting account under questioning. Rigou himself denies the charge.

[30] Sierra Leone and Nigerian nationals caught for selling pirate CDs

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Peter Mombo Shankah, 31, and Francis Onyecachi, 31, had sold 1,290 pirate CDs and were both temporary residents of Athens, police reported.

[31] Greek Nat�l team captain cleared in doping case

Athens, 28/04/2001 (ANA)

Judge Dimitris Orfanidis ruled that increased levels of testosterone detected last month in two separate urine samples taken from the AEK Athens midfielder, formerly of Leicester, are the product of "natural causes", including recurring acne.

If found guilty Zagorakis could have been banned for up to two years from league play. He missed two championship matches and a friendly with Croatia in the wake of testing positive for suspected steroid use after a game with relegation candidate Kalamata in March.

[32] France's Vedrine says Cyprus solution not a prerequisite for EU accession

NICOSIA, 28/04/2001(CNA/ANA)

Speaking at a press conference with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides after completing a two-day official visit here, Vedrine said his country supports efforts for a settlement to the protracted Cyprus problem and expressed regret over Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's withdrawal from the UN talks aimed at reaching a settlement on the island.

Invited to comment on statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, that there will be no limits to Turkey's reaction if Cyprus enters the EU, Vedrine said he is not here to "give a lecture on Turkey" but is here because Cyprus is an EU candidate and because France attaches great significance to the island's accession course.

"We want to see the EU's enlargement", he said, speaking through an interpreter, adding that the accession negotiations are taking place between the Union and the candidate states and no other country.

Invited to comment on the Helsinki European Council decision on Cyprus that a solution is not a prerequisite but all relevant factors will be taken into consideration, Vedrine replied that this was the "position of the 15" who wanted to be positive and to encourage the Republic's accession course.

"They considered it wise when negotiations are completed to review their position on the issue," he added.

Vedrine clarified that this does not mean there is a hidden formula nor that there is a bad intention on the part of the EU, but on the contrary it reflects the special significance of the issue. "Everyone hopes that when we reach accession all necessary factors will be there to facilitate a solution of the Cyprus problem," the minister added.

The French minister said his country always supported a settlement of the Cyprus problem under the UN auspices and has backed the UN

Secretary General's efforts, including the latest round of the proximity talks.

He said he was saddened by Denktash's withdrawal from the UN-sponsored proximity talks that opened in December 1999 and his persistence on recognition of the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 and expressed hope that the Turkish Cypriot leader's position is not final or permanent so that the peace effort can resume.

On his part the Cypriot minister welcomed his French counterpart, pointing out that it is the first visit of a French FM since the birth of the Cyprus Republic in 1960 and referred to the strong historic and geographical bonds between the two countries.

Kasoulides said they discussed efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the island's EU accession course, bilateral issues, which he said are on an "excellent level" regarding culture and commerce, and other issues of mutual interest. They also discussed international issues such as the situation in Balkans and the Middle East.

Vedrine described his call upon President Glafcos Clerides earlier in the morning as very friendly and said the president briefed him on the efforts for a Cyprus settlement as well as the difficulties to reach a solution.

The French minister was scheduled to fly from here to Lebanon and then head on to Syria.

Foreign minister comments on Greek Cypriot's release

NICOSIA, 28/04/2001 (CNA)

"My position is that Tziakourmas was freed from being a hostage of a regime, which has no scruples," Kasoulides said, adding that "this regime accepted to see an innocent man abducted, even after strong evidence the authorities of the British Bases supplied, to be used in exchange for Turkish Cypriot Omer Tekogul."

Tziakourmas was abducted on 13 December last year by agents of the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus and was "charged" with drug possession. On Thursday a self-styled court in occupied Famagusta "sentenced" him to six months imprisonment but set him free, having taken into consideration his health (he is a diabetic) and his family circumstances (his mother suffered a stroke last week and died early Thursday morning).

Tziakourmas was abducted within the territory of one of two British �ases Britain has retained since Cyprus gained its independence in 1960. The British High Commission here and the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus have welcomed Tziakourmas' release but expressed regret that he was unable to see his dying mother.

His abduction was widely believed to have taken place in retaliation for the arrest by the Cyprus police of Turkish Cypriot Tekogul, who was later convicted of drug possession and supply.

"This ruthless occupation regime in occupied Cyprus has not succeeded in exchanging Tziakourmas with Tekogul," he said.

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