Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-08-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece aims for 200 billion drachmas budget surplus this year

[02] First Greek troops leave for FYROM on Thursday

[03] Simitis briefed by transport, education ministers

[04] Political positions put forward in view of PASOK's congress in October

[05] Liberal Party leader claims PASOK congress would not bring about changes

[06] Parliament passes amendment for Skaramangas privatization

[07] EU vows to keep tobacco regions active

[08] Greek stocks move cautiously higher on ASE

[09] Sudanese court rules not guilty on case against Bishop Tito�s murder

[10] More migrant arrests reported off Kos

[11] Greek participation at Montreal film festival

[12] Athens 2004 officials brief members of Olympic Committees in Americas

[13] EU Commissioner to meet with Denktash in Zurich on Aug. 27

[14] Greek defense minister refers to Cyprus' bid to join the EU

[15] Cyprus, Greece to discuss plans aimed at launching telecommunications satellite by 2002

[01] Greece aims for 200 billion drachmas budget surplus this year

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and other government officials, Papantoniou forecast that economic growth would speed up in 2002 and that the budget surplus would also grow.

"We briefed the prime minister over economic developments, a process of drafting next year's budget, an updated stability and development program for the period 2002-2004, and a need to have a clearer view of economic developments in the next three years to determine the basic lines of our economic and social policies, to be announced by the prime minister at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair early next month," Papantoniou said.

"As you all know, the Greek economy is showing a remarkable good performance in 2001 despite a gloomy international environment. The country's growth rate this year is double compared with the EU and the eurozone average, a relatively low and checked inflation, and is expected to show a budget surplus for the first time in the last 35 years."

Papantoniou said that tax revenues were progressing according to plan, public spending were contained and said he was confident that the budget surplus of 200 billion drachmas would be achieved.

"Based on these macro-economic figures, our economic prospects for the next three years are positive. We shall have accelerating growth, contained inflation and widening budget surpluses, according to a stability and growth program," he said.

"At this point, I would like to note that economic stability is a basic achievement of our economic and particularly of our social policy because it ensures real incomes, creates growth potential and new jobs and combats unemployment. Our social policy also ensures long-term high economic and real incomes' growth rates."

"Greece should never return to its past of fiscal deficits, high inflation and economic stagnation," Papantoniou stressed.

[02] First Greek troops leave for FYROM on Thursday

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The 525th motorized battalion, comprised of 200 troops, will depart from its northern Kilkis prefecture base in the morning. The remainder of the Greek contingent will follow in two to three days.

According to reports, the entire Greek contingent will be stationed south of FYROM�s capital on an undisclosed point of the Gevgeli-Skopje roadway.

The development followed the mission�s approval by NATO�s 19 members in Brussels on Wednesday, as a total of 3,500 troops from a handful of alliance members are set to participate.

Britain is expected to lead operation �Essential Harvest� in FYROM, with up to 700 British paratroopers heading to the Balkan country at press time.

In a related development, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou will meet with his visiting FYROM counterpart Ilinka Mitreva on Thursday morning at the Greek foreign ministry in downtown Athens.

Statements to the press are expected after the meeting.

[03] Simitis briefed by transport, education ministers

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The course of state-run Olympic Airways� privatization and a relevant offer by local carrier Axon was the main topic of discussion between the prime minister and Transport Minister Christos Verelis.

Negotiations between the state and Axon Airlines, part of the Athens-based Axon group, are expected to resume later this month or early September.

Additionally, the transport minister briefed Simitis on progress to install a new � and oft-delayed -- ILLS radar system at Thessaloniki�s �Macedonia Airport�.

Finally, the issue of a new suburban railway for the greater Athens area and a new tram network � both mandated as Athens 2004-related infrastructure projects � was also discussed. Verelis said bids for the former are due by the end of the year, while bids for the provision of tram equipment are due by the end of September.

Education minister: During his meeting with Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, Simitis was briefed on issues concerning the upcoming school year and the ministry�s planning for the next three years.

However, discussion also expanded to the latest �ID card� flare-up between the government and the Church of Greece, following Tuesday�s statements by Archbishop Christodoulos.

On his part, Efthymiou reiterated the government position that the issue �is over for the government�.

��the road towards dialogue with the Church of Greece over all the issues that affect both these institutions is open when based on the respect of the separate roles of Church and state; and it�s here that cooperation and understanding can exist,� Efthymiou told reporters afterwards.

ND leader sharply criticizes gov't education policies: Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis sharply attacked the government�s education policy on Wednesday, following a meeting of the party�s sector heads.

Karamanlis accused the government of failing miserably in the education sector, saying this is verified each and every year, while he called recently announced reforms no more than a �stitching together of corrections through alchemy�.

The ND leader also charged that the government�s actions have ruined Greek education�s quality, placing the country�s future at risk.

[04] Political positions put forward in view of PASOK's congress in October

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The committee of the Central Committee on political positions was already discussing the proposal on Wednesday night. The committee will reconvene on Tuesday following which the Central Committee will put the proposal forward for consideration.

The twelve questions and answers regard a multitude of issues of concern to the ruling party, but also to the Greek society. The question, which remains open, is that of the image of PASOK as the committee on the charter and the organizational changes awaits a decision.

[05] Liberal Party leader claims PASOK congress would not bring about changes

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

In an interview with Flash Internet site, Manos said that recent events showed that PASOK was seeking a formula, which would allow it to overcome the congress "without victims and without essence."

Manos added that PASOK sought various means to overcome the "crisis" between the party and the electorate so as to make a substantial move ahead of elections.

[06] Parliament passes amendment for Skaramangas privatization

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

Ninety-nine MPs were present, with 53 voting for the bill and the opposition MPs all voted against.

In statements on Tuesday, ND had opposed the amendment and said that such sales lacked transparency.

[07] EU vows to keep tobacco regions active

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The EU's farm commissioner, who is to visit Greece on September 7-10, was responding to a question from Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis on a proposal by the Commission for cuts in tobacco subsidies.

[08] Greek stocks move cautiously higher on ASE

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The general index fell as much as 0.90 percent to 2,663.35 points early in the session but the announcement of positive economic news in Germany led to a recovery in other European bourses and encouraged buying in the Greek market.

The index finally ended at 2,691.12 points, up 0.13 percent, near its day's highs of 2,699.13. Turnover was an improved 104.51 million euros, or 35.61 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,493.53 points, off 0.18 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 0.16 percent to 310.87 points and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 899.84 points, off 0.01 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 266.15 points, up 0.40 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 156 to 149 with another 52 issues unchanged.

Prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in heavy trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.34 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 48 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.8 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Futures pick up in brisker trade: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange ended higher on Wednesday, with contracts on blue chips showing a premium after trading at discount in previous sessions. Trade was livelier.

Changing hands were 4,046 contracts on turnover of 28.3 million euros, traders said.

[09] Sudanese court rules not guilty on case against Bishop Tito�s murder

SUDAN 23/08/2001 (ANA - ANA/AFP)

The judge presiding over the case stated that the prosecution failed to present tangible evidence against the four men accused.

The 73-year-old Metropolitan - Demosthenes Karatzalis -- was stabbed to death when one or more burglars broke into his home in Khartoum on July 31st last year.

Egyptian press reports had said at the time that authorities had found the Metropolitan dead with his hands tied, lying in a pool of blood on the floor, while his telephone line had been cut.

Several days after the brutal murder, Sudanese authorities confirmed that arrests had been made in connection with the slaying of the elderly Greek Orthodox Bishop.

[10] More migrant arrests reported off Kos

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

In the latest incident, a Turkish-registered fishing boat loaded with 21 Iraqi migrants was intercepted one nautical mile off Kos� Aghia Irini beach just after midnight early Wednesday morning following a brief chase.

Besides the illegals, the 51-year-old Turkish skipper of the trawler �Hevesim Mercan� � identified as Mehmet Kadir Karatosun � was also arrested.

Another 15 illegals, all attempting to land on the island using inflatable craft, were detained a few hours later off another Kos shoreline.

Twenty-eight migrants, including Afghanis and Turks, were intercepted by coast guard patrols on Monday off the eastern Aegean island of Hios and Kos again.

In all instances, the migrants had reportedly set off from various points on the opposite Turkish coast.

[11] Greek participation at Montreal film festival

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The competitive event is the only film festival in North America and recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. It is held in the framework of promoting cinema trends between nations, as well as promotes the art of cinematography, and includes the participation of participants from the five continents.

Zafeiris� film has pleased film critics alike, and was received well by the motion picture community at both the Cannon Film Festival as well as the festival La Rochelle.

Following its screening at the Montreal festival�s �Cinema of Tomorrow: New Trends� unit, the Greek film will compete at the San Paulo film festival in Brazil, the Pousan festival in Korea and the Strasbourg film festival in Europe.

[12] Athens 2004 officials brief members of Olympic Committees in Americas

Athens, 23/08/2001 (ANA)

The meeting was held between August 16-18 in the city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

It gave the Greek delegation, which was headed by Advisor on International Issues Dionisis Yaggas and head of International Relations and Services Lazlo Vainta an opportunity to present the latest developments ahead of the 2004 Games.

The briefing, apparently pleased Mario Vaskez, member of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and President of the Union of Olympic Committees, who only had admirable things say about the Greek presentation.

[13] EU Commissioner to meet with Denktash in Zurich on Aug. 27

NICOSIA 23/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In statements in Nicosia on Wednesday, Cyprus government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou confirmed that the EU Commissioner will meet Denktash in Zurich (near the airport), next Monday, August 27.

The spokesman said Verheugen had a telephone conversation on Tuesday afternoon with Kasoulides, whom he assured that "in no way the EU will change its position."

According to Papapetrou, Verheugen told the Cypriot minister that there will be no upgrading of the Turkish Cypriot leader in a way that would encourage him to believe that his illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus would be recognized.

Replying to questions on what the Cyprus government expects to come out of the Verheugen-Denktash meeting, the spokesman said "we hope it will help towards the continuation of the UN-led talks on Cyprus from where they were interrupted and convince Denktash to return to the talks in a constructive spirit and negotiate seriously."

Earlier on Wednesday a spokesman for the European Commission Delegation in Nicosia, told CNA the Verheugen-Denktash meeting was an initiative of the European Commission, which had accordingly informed the governments of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey as well as the Belgian EU current presidency.

Denktash will stop over in Zurich on his way to Salzburg, Austria, where the following day (August 28) will meet UN Secretary-General Koffi Anan.

The UN has embarked on a fresh effort to convince the Turkish Cypriot leader to return to the negotiating table to solve the Cyprus problem, which he abandoned in November 2000 with Turkey's full backing.

The UN Chief's special adviser on the Cyprus problem Alvaro de Soto plans to visit Cyprus from August 29 to September 5 for consultations with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Rauf Denktash, to try to pave the way for the resumption of the UN-led Cyprus peace talks in New York.

[14] Greek defense minister refers to Cyprus' bid to join the EU

NICOSIA 23/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos, who was speaking at an international conference on military history in Athens, noted that this perspective could eventually serve as a bridge linking the EU and Turkey, "which unreasonably aspires to join the EU while at the same time it objects the accession of the Cyprus Republic and its northern part (occupied by Turkish troops since 1974) to the EU, thus creating a contradiction, an European citizen could hardly understand."

The Greek minister reiterated his country's firm support to Turkey's candidacy for EU membership, describing it "an historic opportunity for the evolution of our neighboring country on the basis of European standards, ideals and values."

He underlined it was the responsibility of Turkey's political, social, economic and military leadership to formulate conditions that would allow this evolution.

Tsohatzopoulos said Turkey's adjustment to European standards could contribute to the upgrading of Turkey's relations with its neighboring countries and put an end to tensions and crises with them, as in the cases pertaining Greece's sovereignty rights in the Aegean Sea and the Turkish occupation troops' presence in Cyprus' northern part.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[15] Cyprus, Greece to discuss plans aimed at launching telecommunications satellite by 2002

NICOSIA 23/08/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on Wednesday to the press, Neophytou said there are "no commitments" from Cyprus' side as regards the joint venture, adding that during his stay in Athens, no signing of any agreement will take place if the Cyprus Republic's demands were not met."

Local press reports suggest that the joint venture for launching a telecommunications satellite to be named "Hellas Sat" is ready to take off following the signing of the official agreement on Thursday in the Greek capital.

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