Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-10-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] State services meeting at health ministry on dealing with anthrax

[02] Fight against terrorism dominates Simitis' talks with US envoy

[03] Gov't reshuffle seen by Oct. 25, PM briefs President on domestic, int'l issues

[04] PM Simitis chairs meeting ahead of extraordinary EU summit

[05] Greek FM meets IOC chief for talks on Olympic Truce Center

[06] 'Eurobarometer' says Greeks support common EU foreign policy

[07] Armenian deputy defense minister in Athens

[08] Karamanlis meets with EU ambassadors

[09] Outgoing PASOK secretary gives farewell press conference

[10] Greece vows to maintain fiscal discipline as part of EU plan

[11] EU transport ministers discuss economic support measures for airlines

[12] IOSCO sets up panel to combat financial crime

[13] Piraeus Bank expected to up bid for ETBAbank

[14] Consumers group takes banks to court over loan profits

[15] Increased security measures may raise food prices, consumers' institute says

[16] ASE weakness hurts banks' profits

[17] Greek stocks end sharply up on ASE

[18] PM, ATHOC chief meet

[19] Laliotis and ATHOC head sign memorandum for greener Athens

[20] Italian publisher says Frankfurt Book Fair was very important to Greece

[21] Conference on torture begins in Athens

[22] Cyprus ambassador opens painting and sculpture exhibition

[23] Accidents main cause of death among children in Greece

[24] Australian PM believes time for lasting peace on Cyprus is long overdue

[25] National Guard annual "Nikiforos 2001" military exercises start

[26] President Clerides congratulates Annan and UN for being awarded Nobel Peace Prize

[01] State services meeting at health ministry on dealing with anthrax

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

"We're more worried about practical jokers," the minister added, implying that the panic and disruption to state services that might be caused by a thoughtless hoax was most likely the biggest threat that anthrax posed for the country.

Represented at the three-hour meeting, which focused on ways of dealing with incidents of anthrax if they should arise, were the armed forces, the police, the fire department, the ambulance service, the Control of Special Diseases Center, the Atomic Energy Committee and the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC).

The main decision taken was to set up a center to coordinate the handling of anthrax cases by the various services involved.

The meeting also stressed the need to assuage the public's fears and rein in mass media hype over the issue.

"Panic is the worst counselor," the minister added, while pointing out that Greece was taking every possible precaution for dealing with biological and chemical warfare, a relatively new phenomenon in the world.

Commenting on the meeting during the regular press briefing on Tuesday, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that it had been scheduled beforehand.

Regarding international concern over the recent incidents of anthrax, Reppas stressed that there was no cause for panic and that no case had so far turned up in either Europe or Greece.

The government, he concluded, is taking all appropriate measures.

[02] Fight against terrorism dominates Simitis' talks with US envoy

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

Miller later said his meeting with the premier was useful and significant, whereas he confirmed that talks centered on the issue of combating terrorism and suspected terror mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Washington's new envoy also reiterated to reporters that US military forces are attempting to minimize any losses among the poverty-stricken population of Afghanistan.

"This is not a war against the Afghan people," he said, expanding his statement to rule out any notion of a "war amongst religions or civilizations ... (this is) a war against terrorism."

Miller also praised what he called excellent security measures implemented by the Greek government for the diplomatic mission.

[03] Gov't reshuffle seen by Oct. 25, PM briefs President on domestic, int'l issues

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

Simitis had stated Sunday after the conclusion of PASOK's 6th Congress -- at which he was re-elected to the party presidency and a new Central Committee was elected -- that the reshuffle would take place after his return from the EU interim summit in Ghent (on Friday) marking the halfway mark through the Belgian EU presidency, and after the first meeting of PASOK's new Central Committee, which is scheduled for Monday.

At the same time, President Stephanopoulos, who will swear in the new government, is due to leave Athens on the afternoon of October 25 for Thessaloniki to attend the October 28 OCHI Day celebrations.

Greeting the premier, Stephanopoulos congratulated him on his re-election to the PASOK leadership by the Congress, which Simitis described as a "positive event" and "a process that created the conditions for us to move ahead more rapidly and efficiently".

After their one-hour meeting, Simitis said that particularly attention had naturally been placed on the international developments.

"There is always a great uncertainty surrounding the international developments and this uncertainty affects all sectors, including the economic sector," Simitis said, reiterating that calm and cool-headedness was necessary.

He said the repercussions on Greece were "controllable", adding that the country was "making an effort to contain the potential dangers that may arise", and cited foreign minister George Papandreou's visit to Syria earlier in the week.

He said those issues would be discussed on Friday at the EU summit in Ghent where "we will examine the course of things, but also the policy we must follow, precisely so as to be able to restore smooth development to the international frame-work".

Reppas rules out re-shuffle before EU summit in Ghent: The cabinet re-shuffle would take place after next week and the informal EU summit in Ghent, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters on Tuesday.

Asked whether the new cabinet would be announced on Monday, Reppas replied that only Prime Minister Costas Simitis knew the precise day that the new government would be chosen, who would be in it and when it would be announced.

He added that the announcement would be preceded by an assembly of PASOK's central committee, which was scheduled to take place on October 22.

[04] PM Simitis chairs meeting ahead of extraordinary EU summit

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

The agenda of the summit will include issues related to the establishment of the euro in the EU, as well as institutional reforms which will precede the EU's next enlargement.

Taking part in Tuesday's meeting were Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Alternate Foreign Minister Elisabeth Papazoi and the prime minister's economic adviser G. Hardouvelis.

According to reports, Greece's preparations for the circulation of the unified currency from January 1, 2002 are deemed satisfactory.

With regard to the institutional reforms, as has been repeatedly underlined by Simitis, Greece is in favor of the evolution of the EU into a federal form which will provide the member states the chance to choose the speed with which they will move.

Also discussed at the meeting were international developments, in light of the military operations being conducted by the United States in Afghanistan. It was stressed that due to these developments, it was necessary for speeding up the procedures for the completion of Europe's political union.

[05] Greek FM meets IOC chief for talks on Olympic Truce Center

LAUSANNE, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

The Olympic Truce Center�s board is to convene in Lausanne on November 26 to discuss its activities and prospects.

After the 90-minute meeting, Rogge praised the idea of the Olympic Truce and expressed certainty that Olympic activities would not be curtailed but further intensified.

Papandreou, who is a co-chairman of the Truce Center�s board and was accompanied by its managing director Stavros Lambrinidis, thanked Rogge for his efforts to help Greece organize the 2004 Olympics in Athens and said his talks with Rogge had been very useful.

At a time when all humanity was concerned about maintaining peace, he added, the idea of a pause in military conflict during the Olympic Games was both relevant and important.

The Greek minister expressed his satisfaction that Greece was a front-runner in this effort, the next of steps of which he had discussed with Rogge to make them even more effective.

Following the meeting, Papandreou left Lausanne for Luxembourg.

[06] 'Eurobarometer' says Greeks support common EU foreign policy

BRUSSELS, 17/10/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

According to the poll, 83 percent of Greeks consider the shaping of a common EU foreign policy necessary, compared to an EU average of 65 percent. The most hesitant are the British and Finns with less than 50 percent.

In addition, 87 percent of Greeks support the idea of a common European defense. The EU average is 73 percent, while the most hesitant are again the Finns and the British where only 51 percent is in favor.

An estimated 70 percent of Greeks are supporters of EU enlargement, but only 43 percent of EU citizens appear to favor it. The Austrians are extremely reserved with only 33 percent supporting it, followed by the Germans, French and British with 35 percent.

Responding to the question of how they consider their country's participation in the EU, 57 percent of Greeks said it is a "good thing", compared to the EU average of 48 percent.

Moreover, 69 percent of Greeks believe EU accession was beneficial for the country as against an EU average of 45 percent. A further 72 percent of Greeks support the euro compared to an EU average of 59 percent.

The Greeks and Portuguese are the most dissatisfied with their lives. In the EU, 21 percent of European citizens say they are very satisfied with their lives, 62 percent say they are "more or less satisfied" and 16 percent "not at all satisfied." On the other hand, only 9 percent of Greeks and 7 percent of Portuguese say they are "very satisfied" and 48 percent of Greeks and 62 percent of Portuguese "more or less satisfied", while 43 percent of Greeks and 31 percent of Portuguese declare themselves "dissatisfied."

Another question put to European citizens concerned their trust in their respective countries' institutions. According to them only 18 percent of Greeks express trust in political parties, while 78 percent say they do not trust them. The EU averages are 17 percent and 73 percent respectively.

As regards other institutions, the Greeks prefer the military with an 86 percent positive vote, followed by the church with 78, humanitarian organizations with 64 and the police with 63.

In the EU, 65 percent declare trust in the police, followed by the military with 63, humanitarian organizations with 57 and the church with 50.

[07] Armenian deputy defense minister in Athens

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

According to a defense ministry press release, the two men exchanged views regarding the two countries' relations. They also agreed to work towards improved bilateral cooperation, as both countries are connected through centuries-old bonds, a traditional friendship and common threats, the press release stated.

[08] Karamanlis meets with EU ambassadors

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

In statements afterwards, Karamanlis reiterated his party's positions on the international problem of terrorism, calling for solidarity amongst states in the free and civilized world to tackle such phenomena, while stressing that "there is no justification or ideological and religious pretenses for the activity of paranoid terrorists and criminals."

He also noted that the challenge for the 15-nation bloc was to formulate a common foreign and security/security policy, some-thing that would offer security, justice and freedom to all of the EU's citizens.

ND leader to depart on Thurs. for EPP summit: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis departs on Thursday for Brussels in order to attend a Europe-an Peoples Party (EPP) summit meeting the next day in the city of Courtrai.

Topics expected to be discussed at the EPP summit include: preparation for an EU summit in Gent; an exchange of views regarding the European Council meeting in Laeken (December 2001); the Union's internal security and terrorism, as well as a proposed charter for European political parties.

Several European heads of government are set to attend the EPP session.

[09] Outgoing PASOK secretary gives farewell press conference

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

He wished to Laliotis that he may "accomplish all that I was not able to and did not catch up to do that is to restructure the movement is such a way as to be in step with the rhythms and the needs of the era and to be able to get a new home. Something PASOK was not able to do yet: a new building".

[10] Greece vows to maintain fiscal discipline as part of EU plan

LUXEMBOURG, 17/10/2001 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

"If this doesn't happen, then in the medium term we will see a rise in interest rates and a further decline in economic activity (in the EU)," National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said.

He was speaking to reporters after a meeting of the EU's finance ministers that decided to maintain fiscal discipline in the 15-member bloc.

"Greece is not in recession and growth will be 4.5 percent in 2001 instead of 5.0 percent as originally forecast. At the same time, we have a high public debt that does not allow any fiscal relaxation," Papantoniou added.

[11] EU transport ministers discuss economic support measures for airlines

LUXEMBOURG, 17/10/2001 (ANA - M. Spintourakis)

The ministers were leaning toward limited support measures, as was proposed by the European Commission, despite the fact that many countries, including Greece, supported the widening of those support measures.

The Commission proposed that airlines should be supported in recovering economic losses they suffered between Sept. 11 and 14, while those wanting to widen the scope of support proposed that the losses suffered between Sept. 11 and 19 should be covered.

Greek Transport Minister Christos Verelis noted, during the meeting, that Greece is a tourist country, thus the economic impact is felt much more and in a wider scope within its economy.

He stressed that there were 40 airports in Greece's islands alone, adding that the cost for upgrading their security should be considered. He also said that the closure of the U.S. and Israeli airspace damaged the air-transports of Greece.

He added that Greece would use all the deviations allowed by Union directives to support its air-transport sector, noting that the sector is an important one for the country's national defense and security, as the Union is examining the unification and integration of the airspace of all its members into a single one.

[12] IOSCO sets up panel to combat financial crime

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

The decision was taken during IOSCO's recent annual meeting, attended by the Greek Capital Markets' Commission chairman, Stavros Thomadakis.

Michael Prada, chairman of the French market authority COB, will head the working group.

IOSCO members said that a swift and proper coordinated response by financial authorities, markets and participants to the terrorist attacks on the US was proof of the significance in having the right emergency plan and cooperation between market participants and authorities.

David Brown, chairman of IOSCO's technical commission said: "IOSCO's members, using existing communications networks, were ready to respond to September 11th events. IOSCO has set up this new group to build on our experience. Regardless of the result of this investigation, we are doubling our efforts to ensure readiness of the stock market community and regulatory authorities' ability to combat financial crime in capital markets."

[13] Piraeus Bank expected to up bid for ETBAbank

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

Sources said that the improved bid was likely to be submitted by Thursday. Piraeus originally bid 126.8 billion drachmas for 50.1 percent of the target bank.

The other bidder for a majority stake in ETBAbank is Agricultural Bank of Greece, which offered 144.9 billion drachmas for 65.56 percent of ETBAbank.

The two banks had sent their original bids to JP Morgan, the government's consultant in the sale.

JP Morgan is to submit its recommendation on the two offers to the government with a final decision expected by the end of the week.

Agricultural Bank already holds 10 percent of ETBAbank.

[14] Consumers group takes banks to court over loan profits

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

The petition against the banks' governors and branch managers operating in Greece was filed with the Supreme Court's public prosecutor by the president of the Union of Consumers and Borrowers, Takis Christodoulopoulos.

The Athens Supreme Court earlier this year rejected a request by a Greek bank, which had sought reversal of an appeals court ruling in a case between the bank and another consumer group.

The court had accepted the suit brought against the bank by the Union of Consumers for Quality of Life (EKPOIZO) and awarded the group 30 million drachmas compensation.

The Supreme Court also found that nine terms set by banks in credit card contracts and transactions were illegal, and should be scrapped. While ruling that the compensation should be awarded to EKPOIZO, the court sent the case back to the Athens Appeal Court.

The ruling also raises the prospect of retroactive action by customers against banks on grounds of illegitimate profits.

[15] Increased security measures may raise food prices, consumers' institute says

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

He said that the Greek system of food quality control was nearing collapse, thus creating a danger for public health and the competitiveness of Greek products, Greek jobs and the social fabric.

He also spoke of pricing policies that led some products to be sold 55 per cent to 87 per cent more expensively in some areas in contrast to others.

Kouris stressed that many Greek households limited their expenditures in several areas, thus there was a 17 per cent decrease in their budget for food, a 21 per cent decrease in their budget for clothing, 19 per cent in their budget for home appliances and 33 per cent in entertainment and tourism.

Kouris also noted that meat consumption rose by 155 per cent over the past 25 years, dairy products consumption rose by 55 per cent and sugar consumption rose by 118 per cent, while there was a 17 per cent drop in cereal consumption and a 36 per cent drop in legume consumption.

He added that the institute recorded a total of 85,818 complaints about products and services in the first nine months of the year, compared to about 100,000 complaints it recorded for the whole of 2000.

He noted that the complaints about food products ranked first, with the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) coming second in the list with complaints concerning its services to customers.

[16] ASE weakness hurts banks' profits

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

Greek banks' revenues from securities transactions and commissions are steadily falling in the last two years undermining the groups' profitability and leading many banks to redesigning their strategies.

Bank executives note that revenues from securities transactions and commissions are down 25 percent this year with no sign of a substantial change in this course.

Private investors refrain from taking new positions in the Athens bourse despite the fact that several share prices look very attractive at current low levels, while institutional investors failed to materialize predictions of a strong presence in the Greek market in the wake of its upgrading to a mature market.

Current record-low turnover is also a factor discouraging hopes of a quick turnaround in the market.

Greek banks are focusing in raising revenues from more traditional banking operations and mainly to increase revenues from interest rates.

National Bank of Greece reported that interest rate revenues accounted for almost 60 percent of total revenues in the first six months of 2001, up from 40 percent in the same period last year.

[17] Greek stocks end sharply up on ASE

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

The general index ended 1.83 percent to 2,303.71 points, with turnover a low 29.6 billion drachmas or 86.8 million euros.

The Wholesale, IT solutions and Publications indices scored the biggest percentage gains (2.69%, 2.58% and 2.56%, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.83 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 1.71 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 1.70 percent.

Broadly, advancing issues led declining ones by 290 to 41 with another 31 issues unchanged.

Bond Market Close: Prices mixed in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished mixed in heavy trade focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.11 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 45 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.1 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for around half of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures pick up steam: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Tues-day gained momentum in higher volume, spurred by better sentiment on the main market, Acropolis Portfolio Investment said.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 1.83 percent; and underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks increased by 1.71 percent.

Futures on the FTSE/ASE-20 showed a discount of up to 1.0 percent. Contracts on the FTSE/ASE-40 rose sharply, making up a discount over recent sessions.

[18] PM, ATHOC chief meet

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

According to reports from ATHOC, the premier's reason for calling the meeting weren't announced, as Simitis and Angelopoulos-Daskalaki had met a few days ago to discuss all-important Olympic preparations.

However, Tuesday's meeting comes in view of a pending government reshuffle next week and follows the weekend conclusion of ruling PASOK's congress.

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki made no statements to journalists upon her departure from the Maximos Mansion.

[19] Laliotis and ATHOC head sign memorandum for greener Athens

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis said his last act as environment minister, before he moves to PASOK party headquarters as the new central committee secretary, would be to arrange for 100 million plants to be planted on 60 sites around Athens linked to the Games, covering a total of 4000 hectares.

Laliotis estimated the total cost of the program to be 84 billion drachmas.

Commenting on the signing of the memorandum so soon before Laliotis was due to depart from the ministry, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said ATHOC considered the city's aesthetic image to be very important, and wanted the minister's commitment that he would continue to support this effort from his new post.

[20] Italian publisher says Frankfurt Book Fair was very important to Greece

FRANKFURT, 17/10/2001 (ANA - S. Aravopoulou)

"And not only because Greece found itself in the limelight of all of Europe and, why not, of the entire world, which is taking place for the first time with such a magnitude and constitutes something extremely positive. But I also reach 'Italian' conclusions since I saw many Italian publishing firms focusing their interest on Greece at last," he said.

"Contacts have already been scheduled for the participation of Greece, as a theme country, in the Turin "Book Salon" in 2004, the year of the (Athens) Olympic Games," he added.

Crocetti said the Turin Book Exhibition, taking place every year in mid-May, has been the most important book exhibition in Italy over the past 15 years and, in contrast to the Frankfurt Fair, it is open to the purchasing public.

[21] Conference on torture begins in Athens

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, inaugurating the conference, said the conference's title includes the tragedy of human existence in its entirety.

The President of the National Human Rights Committee Aliki Yiotopoulou-Marangopoulou referred in her address to the ill treatment of women and prison inmates as one kind of torture and made an account of the past from the time torture was a legal punishment and a popular spectacle to the present day when it has become a punishable act.

The President of Amnesty International's Greek sector Kostis Papaioannou expressed the wish that the conference will become a means for better protection against ill treatment and torture, adding that the present-day violations of human rights are the wars of tomorrow.

[22] Cyprus ambassador opens painting and sculpture exhibition

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

A total of 53 works by artists went on display at the "Parnassos" literary society in Athens with the purpose of auctioning them off in support of the radio marathon fund which has been organized over the past 11 years by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation in cooperation with the Laiki Bank Group.

According to the Laiki Bank's managing director Marios Lanitis about 6.5 billion drachmas have been collected through donations in past years and given to children with special needs.

[23] Accidents main cause of death among children in Greece

Athens, 17/10/2001 (ANA)

This was stated in an announcement on Tuesday by the non-profit organization "Confrontation of Children's Trauma" which was founded by a group of doctors and parents in 1995.

The "Day for the Prevention of Children's Accidents" will be celebrated on Sunday.

[24] Australian PM believes time for lasting peace on Cyprus is long overdue

NICOSIA, 17/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Canberra also believes that peace can only be achieved through dialogue and the building of confidence and trust between communities.

"The time for a lasting peace on Cyprus is long overdue. The Australian government strongly supports UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's efforts to find a solution to the conflict on Cyprus," Australian Premier John Howard said in a reply letter to the mayor of the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, Andreas Pouyiouros.

Pouyiouros had addressed himself to various heads of state protesting the continuing Turkish occupation of Famagusta and Cyprus' northern part, pointing to the need to see UN resolutions implemented.

Howard, replying through his assistant secretary Patrick Cole, referred to the appointment and work of his special envoy for Cyprus Jim Short, who intends to present his report on the situation in Cyprus to all interested parties.

The report identifies ways in which Australia might be able to assist further in resolving the Cyprus dispute.

Howard refers to the participation of Australian police serving with the UN peacekeeping force.

The UN holds the government of Turkey responsible for the maintenance of the status quo in Famagusta and considers "inadmissible" any attempt to settle the city by people other than its inhabitants.

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

[25] National Guard annual "Nikiforos 2001" military exercises start

NICOSIA, 17/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"This is the culmination of our exercises, the non-participation of the Greek air force and navy will not affect either the scenario of the exercises or their training designs," Cyprus Defense Minister

Socratis Hasikos said on Tuesday morning as he watched the men and women call for duty.

An official press release said that participating units went to the training locations where reservists and others were briefed about the scenario of the exercises.

Subsequently, "defense" positions were manned to confront a "hostile" offensive, according to the scenario of the exercises.

On Tuesday night commando units and marines, acting as the enemy, were due to attack targets behind National Guard lines.

The Commander of the National Guard Lieutenant General Evangelos Florakis said proper organization and preparation for battle is very important and does not stop after the start of operations.

"Every one of our activities and especially our annual military maneuvers needs to be properly prepared, this is most important," Florakis said.

On the absence of the Greek military, he said it is not that great to lead us to consider cancellation or postponement of Nikiforos or to expect any lesser results from such a large scale operation as the annual exercises.

"The Cyprus and the Greek governments took a joint decision on this issue taking into consideration the prevailing circum-stances," Hasikos said.

Greek air and naval forces have participated in the past few years in joint annual military maneuvers code-named "Nikiforos-Toxotis".

The minister said he hoped the exercise will provide the opportunity for training and help those participating acquire additional expertise.

[26] President Clerides congratulates Annan and UN for being awarded Nobel Peace Prize

NICOSIA, 17/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In a letter to Annan, the president notes that this highest accolade is a recognition of the central role the UN plays and of its strife to achieve world peace and security, a noble goal to which Cyprus is committed.

Expressing "greatest satisfaction" at the news of the award, the president says the Nobel Peace Prize "recognizes the central role of the UN, its achievements and the hope that we all place in it for a world where peace, security, the rule of law, human rights and prosperity will be shared by all."

"In fulfilling these goals, Cyprus is committed to playing its part," the president pledges.

Addressing Annan personally, he says that "this highest accolade is testimony and recognition of your personal devotion and commitment to a better and more just world, evidenced through-out your many years of service at the UN."

"You have led by example in the pursuit of the goals and objectives of the UN Charter, no matter what position you have held," the president adds.

Referring to the work of the organization, the Cypriot president notes that at the turn of the new millennium it has become more central to the lives of a greater number of people than ever before as it is committed through development, peacekeeping, health or the environment to building a better and more prosperous future.

President Clerides notes that traditional challenges are now being supplemented by additional challenges that have to be addressed by the international community.

"Terrorism, globalization or HIV/AIDS are some of the issues which the UN is being called upon to lead the international community to take effective action," the letter notes.

"On behalf of the people of Cyprus who have placed their faith and trust in the UN and in all that it symbolizes, I salute and congratulate you and the men and women of the UN whose service to peace and a better world we recognize and applaud today," the president said.

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