Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-11-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Iran calls for a "sans Taliban" transitional gov't in Afghanistan

[02] Greek foreign ministry protests over delay in being briefed of suspicious letter

[03] Greek gov't to aid Greek-American children to learn Greek, deputy FM says

[04] PASOK secretary insists on report against former ND leader

[05] Albanian Orthodox Church prelate arrives in Athens, meets with Greek counterpart

[06] Message of peace to mankind from Acropolis

[07] National Bank governor says no question of dismissals after merger

[08] Macedonia-Thrace minister examines TIF facilities for EU 2003 Summit in Greece

[09] Former Soviet aircraft carrier "Varyag" adrift in the Aegean

[10] Ecumenical patriarch arrives in Armenia

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch to make address on environment

[12] Kenyan Noah Bor wins Athens Marathon Run, Nikos Polias first among Greeks

[13] Foreign Minister: Turkey has time to act wisely on Cyprus

[14] Cyprus protests violation of air space

[01] Iran calls for a "sans Taliban" transitional gov't in Afghanistan

TEHRAN, 05/11/2001 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos - M. Savva)

The same sources said that Tehran is opposed to the American military mission in Afghanistan, stresses the need to resolve the Middle Eastern problem, while it refuses the move to include under the term "terrorist organizations" movements struggling for national liberation.

Speaking to journalists, after his meeting with Papandreou and during a joint press conference, Kharrazi said that Tehran considers Athens' role and cooperation very important.

He lauded Greece's "realistic" approach to the Middle Eastern issue and spoke of its ability to play a "very important role" in the European Union-Iran relations.

"The military solution is not always the right response (to the problem that came up after Sept. 11) � To combat terrorism we must go to the roots and one of the most important roots is the atrocities against the Palestinian people or the refusal of its basic rights, the return of the refugees, the occupation of the Palestinian territories," Kharrazi said.

On his part, Papandreou recognized the importance of the non-resolution of the Middle Eastern issue, supported the re-initiation of talks for the Palestinian problem, without terms and preconditions and stressed the need for confrontation of the "root causes" of terrorism.

He stressed, however, that all that, does not mean to "justify in any way terrorist actions".

Meanwhile, the Greek non-governmental organization Hellenic Aid signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Red Crescent of Iran for the distribution of humanitarian aid from Greece to Iranian refugees.

Papandreou will meet with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, before departing for Athens on Saturday evening.

[02] Greek foreign ministry protests over delay in being briefed of suspicious letter

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

"The political director of the foreign ministry met today with the U.S. Ambassador Mr. (Thomas) Miller. Ambassador Skopelitis noted on the part of the (Greek) government the delay in briefing the Greek authorities, regarding the suspicions of the embassy surrounding the mail, which arrived via diplomatic ways, from the United States of America," the press release said.

No anthrax found in U.S. embassy mail in Athens, gov't spokesman says

Test for anthrax in two samples that were given from the U.S. embassy in Athens to the Greek Center for the Control of Special Diseases and to the laboratory of the Athens University micro-biology department came up negative, Press and Media Minister and government spokesman Christos Protopappas said on Sunday.

U.S. embassy press release: Bacteria found in a United States embassy mailbag that arrived on Oct. 31 was not anthrax, and U.S. embassy press release issued on Sunday late afternoon stressed.

The press release noted that the Greek government was briefed of the lab results, which confirmed that the bacteria were benign and not associated with disease, adding that these bacteria were a typical surface contaminant.

In addition, the press release said that the embassy was informed of a suspicious letter received last week at the Souda Bay naval station of the United States, which also tested negative for anthrax.

Tests of suspicious letter received at U.S. Souda came up negative: Microbiological testing of the contents of a letter addressed to the naval command of the U.S. base in Souda, Crete, came up negative for disease causing organisms, according to a statement made by the base's spokesman Paul Farley, on Saturday.

The letter was received on Friday, was considered suspicious and was been sent to a laboratory for examination without having been opened

"We received the results today and they were negative. The letter was for the commander of the base. It is simple letter, in the envelope of which nothing dangerous was found. The envelope was sent, yesterday, to a lab in Europe and this morning we received the results. The eight people that were undergoing antibiotics treatment will stop taking it," Farley said.

Staff handling correspondence became suspicious of the letter after noting spelling mistakes in the handwritten address. The letter had arrived through the U.S. military post.

[03] Greek gov't to aid Greek-American children to learn Greek, deputy FM says

CHICAGO, 05/11/2001 (ANA - M. Psyllos)

Magriotis, who is in Chicago, the United States of America, met with Dimitrios and discussed issues concerning expatriate Greeks in the New World and reassured the Greek Orthodox prelate that the government will undertake programs to teach the Greek language to youths of the Greek-American community.

He also relayed the commitment of the Greek government to support with a donation of $500,000 the rebuilding of the St. Nikolaos Church of Manhattan, which was destroyed during the terrorist attack of Sept. 7, in New York.

Magriotis requested of Dimitrios to assist in promoting programs for the integration of Greek expatriates who are returning to Greece from the former Soviet Union regions.

The Greek deputy minister, during his stay in Chicago, addresses a conference of Greek-Americans that was organized by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

"We wept and we are still wiping for the victims, among which are Greek-Americans also and we demand that everything possible happens, so as the world and the next generations may live in conditions of security and peace," Magriotis said to the audience that included SAE President Andrew Athens and Senator Paul Sarbanes.

Magriotis is expected to inaugurate the first trade and cultural exhibition organized by SAE in Chicago.

[04] PASOK secretary insists on report against former ND leader

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

In a written statement, Laliotis accuses ND and Mitsotakis of "falsely denying in past days their relation with the company in question" and attaches specific evidence to back his accusations.

Laliotis once again invokes a testimony by businessman Aristidis Alafouzos to an investigator concerning ND's funding on his part with 600,000 dollars through the Liberian company and a written indication by former ND minister Nikos Linardatos to the businessman to deliver the amount in question to the Mayo Corporation.

Laliotis said that the Mayo Investments Corporation exists and is headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia, and has used a specific bank in London to handle its accounts, the Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Responding to Laliotis statements, ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said Laliotis "has been left nude, while stunning revelations he spoke of proved to be soup warmed up again".

"The documents he is supposedly revealing, as he himself is obliged to reiterate four times in his announcement, is evidence which ND itself, through its general director at the time, Costas Pylarinos, had publicized (8/10/'93)," Roussopoulos said.

"Because he thinks the Greek people have a weak memory, we ask him: Why did PASOK's parliamentary majority in 1994 not send the issue to justice? Why did they close the issue?" he added.

[05] Albanian Orthodox Church prelate arrives in Athens, meets with Greek counterpart

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

Anastasios arrived in Athens on Friday evening and was welcomed at the Athens airport by Christodoulos and a delegation of the Greek Orthodox Church Holy Synod.

Orthodox prelates of Greece, Albania officiate joint mass services in Athens: Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos on Sunday announced that he will propose that the Orthodox Church of Greece build an elementary school in Albania.

The announcement came at the end of a mass officiated by him and Albanian Orthodox Church Archbishop Anastasios, who offered part of St. Kosmas Aetolos' relics to Greece's Church.

Christodoulos spoke in length of the work accomplished by Albania's prelate Anastasios over the past decade and after the previous state regime that had most churches in the country closed or damaged.

In that decade, Christodoulos said that Anastasios planned and aided the construction of 74 churches, the renovation of 130 churches and the renovation of five monasteries and 65 monuments. He added that Anastasios oversaw the renovation of the country's Theological Academy.

The two religious leaders attended a luncheon at the Penteli Monastery in central Athens and Anastasios is expected to visit with Albanian ambassador to Athens this same evening.

[06] Message of peace to mankind from Acropolis

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

The event, organized by the Coalition of the Left and Progress party on November 2-4, was addressed, among others, by the party's leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

The message of peace, read in both Greek and English, expresses the anxiety of all parties and organizations of the left, ecology and women's and youth social movements on what is taking place on the planet earth.

"We call for an immediate end to bombings and the handling of the refugees' problems. At the same time, a solution to major tension problems, such as the Palestinian issue, is necessary," the message said.

"War, just like terrorism, is manifestations of the same perception of barbarism. Humanity only has one path: the path of peace, democracy and solidarity," it added.

[07] National Bank governor says no question of dismissals after merger

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

"In the merger program between the National Bank and Alpha Bank there is no question of staff dismissals. We have proved this in the past with the merger with the Mortgage Bank and Alpha's merger with the Ionian Bank. Voluntary departures took place in the past and will take place in the future. They will be examined at the appropriate moment," he said.

Karatzas was speaking in Ioannina, northern Greece, after the unveiling ceremony of the bust of ETE's founder George Stavrou that took place at the bank's main building.

"It is my profound conviction that in the new conditions we are experiencing Greek businesses should expand and obtain extroversion and acquire a new modern professional action culture. The preconditions of the Greek economy are huge in the framework of EMU," Karatzas added.

Karatzas further said that ETE set the example and expressed the hope that others will follow suit. He added that all ventures face difficulties, while ways and methods have been planned to enable them to be overcome and allow for an excellent final out-come.

[08] Macedonia-Thrace minister examines TIF facilities for EU 2003 Summit in Greece

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

Paschalidis, in cooperation with Alternate Foreign Minister Anastasios Yiannitsis, will examine ways to fund projects within the trade fair grounds from the European Union third community support framework fund, as well as funds from the foreign ministry.

[09] Former Soviet aircraft carrier "Varyag" adrift in the Aegean

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

"Varyag" which recently received permission to pass through the Bosporus, Turkey after two years of negotiations, was being towed through the Aegean Sea when lines connecting it to tag boats were cut due to the gale force winds.

A Greek frigate sped to the area, 17 nautical miles off the island of Skyros, near the 307 meter long naval vessel.

A Greek coast guard rescue helicopter landed on Varyag and picked up the personnel of seven from the ship, while every effort to reconnect the lines to the tag boat failed to this moment.

[10] Ecumenical patriarch arrives in Armenia

ISTANBUL, 05/11/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

During his stay in Armenia Vartholomeos will meet with religious and political leaders of the country.

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch to make address on environment

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

The conference will be taking place on the island of Kastellorizo on November 10-12, where mayors from all over the Dodecannese will gather to discuss issues concerning the islands.

It will be attended by Interior and Public Administration Minister Costas Skandalidis, Minister to the Aegean Nikos Sifounakis, party representatives and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Issues to be examined during the conference are, among others, the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF), cooperation between the islands and local administration finances.

[12] Kenyan Noah Bor wins Athens Marathon Run, Nikos Polias first among Greeks

Athens, 05/11/2001 (ANA)

The 7th to reach the end of the 40 kilometer run was Greek Nikos Polias who was once again the first among the Greek runners to reach the finish line at the Athens Kalimarmaron Stadium in 2:23.57 hours. This was the 6th time in his carrier that Polias won the Athens Marathon

The first woman to finish this most difficult of endurance runs was German Sonya Krolic-Uberem in 2:36.14 hours, while best among Greek women runners was Georgia Abatzidou with a run of 2:48.36 hours, and fourth among all women who entered the race.

[13] Foreign Minister: Turkey has time to act wisely on Cyprus

LARNACA, 05/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The minister, reacting to statements by his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem with regard to Cyprus' accession to the European Union, suggested that Ankara's policy on Cyprus has failed and its options are narrowed down, unless it acts in time to help find a solution.

"Cem's remarks before the Turkish parliament indicate that Ankara's foreign policy with regard to Cyprus has failed and this puts Turkey's political leadership in front of a dilemma, whose two alternatives are bad," Kasoulides said here Sunday on his way to Brussels to participate in the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial meeting.

Cem had said that Turkey may soon be compelled to take "costly decisions" on Cyprus and that developments on the Cyprus issue

"unfortunately are not promising".

On Cyprus' accession to the EU, Cem said Turkey will either have to give up the Cyprus question or not recognize the EU decision to accept Cyprus as a member and act upon it, hinting that further incorporation of the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus with mainland Turkey is one available option.

Kasoulides told journalists that Turkey either has to accept Cyprus' accession into the EU without a prior political solution or make such moves, because accession will take place even without a settlement, which will inevitably be negative moves for Ankara.

"Under the circumstances, Turkey has no option. If it wants to avoid this dilemma, it has to send back to the negotiating table Rauf Denktash with the political will to negotiate with a view to finding a settlement," the minister pointed out.

Turkey, he added, should have no reason to complain at the end of the road about having to decide on this dilemma.

"Now Ankara has time to act in a wise and correct manner," Kasoulides said.

Denktash, backed by Ankara, withdrew from the UN-led peace talks last November and in early September declined an invitation from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to resume the search for a comprehensive settlement, claiming the ground was not prepared.

Cyprus is set to conclude its EU membership talks at the end of next year and expects to join the Union shortly after that, in time for the European Parliament elections in 2004.

On Friday Annan's Special Cyprus Adviser Alvaro de Soto was on the island for meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash in furtherance of Annan's good offices on Cyprus.

Invited to comment on de Soto's very brief visit, less than 24 hours, Kasoulides said he had nothing much to remark but noted that "he came, he saw and he left, consultations will continue in New York."

Replying to questions, the minister said should Denktash carry on with his current policy on Cyprus, the time will come when responsibility for the lack of progress will have to be laid.

From Brussels, Kasoulides will go to London for a meeting with his British counterpart Jack Straw and then fly to New York to meet up with President Glafcos Clerides, who is scheduled to address the UN

General Assembly on Sunday, 11 and have a meeting with Annan on Friday 9. He returns on 21 November.

[14] Cyprus protests violation of air space

NICOSIA, 05/11/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Two Turkish fighters RF-4, escorted by two F-4, entered Nicosia FIR (Flight Information Region) from the north in violation of civil aviation regulations.

They flew at a distance of 20 miles from the coast, on the west and the south, and then entered the Republic's sovereign air space from the east.

The aircraft followed a path along the island's Turkish occupied coast, in the north, and left in a northern direction.

The violations come as the UN is trying to revitalize the stalled peace talks at a meeting here on Friday between UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and the Turkish Cypriot side, which abandoned the dialogue last year.

De Soto also met President Glafcos Clerides who has often stated his readiness to return to the negotiating table to resume negotiations.

De Soto is due to have talks in Ankara on Monday and in Athens on Tuesday before returning to the UN where President Clerides is scheduled to meet Kofi Annan on Friday and address the UN General Assembly.

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