Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece worried over developments in Middle East, calls for int'l intercession

[02] FM Papandreou postpones Jerusalem visit in Mideast tour

[03] Greek, Cypriot FMs to meet on Thursday in Athens

[04] Turkish intransigence undermining Cyprus dialogue, EDEK former leader says

[05] Protests mar commemoration of 1910 farmers' uprising

[06] Karamanlis: Cultural heritage a potential boon for Greek economy

[07] US ambassador on anti-terrorism cooperation

[08] Metropolitan Stephanos of Trifyllia calls for election of priests to parliament

[09] 1.4 trillion dr. in energy investments slated for Macedonia-Thrace to 2010

[10] V. Papandreou tours public works sites in Patra, W. Greece

[11] ATHOC chief calls on political parties for 'Olympic moratorium'

[12] Greek expatriates from S. Africa to visit ATHOC on Monday

[13] Balkan Information Center being set up by Macedonia-Thrace and Bulgarian press

[14] SAE reiterates demand for Halki school's reopening

[15] Two-day conference on children's rights ends on Saturday in Athens

[16] Statue of Venizelos unveiled on Lesvos

[17] Cyprus government extremely concerned about Middle East

[18] Kofi Annan asks for 43 million dollars for UNFICYP funding

[19] Consultations on UN Cyprus statement begin Monday

[20] The road to Europe passes through strong defense, says minister

[01] Greece worried over developments in Middle East, calls for int'l intercession

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

''The Greek government is following with particular worry the latest dramatic developments which place peace and stability in the wider region of the Middle East in direct danger,'' Prime Minister Costas Simitis said.

''The military blockade and operations of the Israeli army against (Palestinian) President Arafat in Ramallah, coupled by the terrorist actions against innocent citizens in Israel, widen the cycle of violence and blood and breed the impasse into which the entire region has entered,'' Simitis said.

He issued an appeal, ''in these difficult hours'', to the Israeli government to respect the decision of the UN Security Council for the withdrawal of the Israeli military forces from Ramallah, to guarantee the life and safety of the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people, and to lift the blockade.

The Greek premier further underscored that the international community, the UN, the European Union, and chiefly the United States had a ''historic duty to react immediately''.

''Greece has close ties with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, and is prepared to offer its services to put an end to the conflict and give a new opportunity to the peace process. There are plans that can comprise the goads of dialogue, such as the Saudi Arabian one,'' he continued.

Greece, he added, was in close contact with its EU counterparts ''for a collective reaction on the part of the EU that will guarantee directly the safety of President Arafat and avert expansion of the conflict''.

Meanwhile, parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and main opposition New Democracy (ND) MP and honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, in Hania, Crete, also called on the international community to intercede so as to put an end to the bloodshed. Kaklamanis said that the entire Hellenism, the Greek government, political parties and parliament, ''condemn the genocide taking place today in Palestine''.

''We believe that we express today the sentiments of not only the Greek people but of all the peoples of Europe and the world''.

He said that the international community must, as soon as possible, put an end to the ''barbarous attack against a defenseless people who ask only to continue living in the land of their fathers''.

Mitsotakis said that the drama in the Middle East was reaching a climax.

''It is imperative now that the international community intercedes to give a definitive solution. Otherwise, both sides will be led to an unbelievable tragedy and everyone will come out losers. Above all, the losers will be international peace and the credibility of the international organizations and major powers,'' Mitsotakis said.

Late Saturday night, foreign minister George Papandreou, on the island of Mytilene, said that the Greek government, political powers and people were watching with concern the developments ''related to the blockade and besieging of President Arafat and his officials in Ramallah by the military forces of Israel''.

Papandreou said that

Greece has stood by the side of Israeli people in very difficult moments, and that the Greek people share the pain of the families of the victims of terrorism, particularly in recent days, adding that he had personally stated this to Shimon Peres earlier in the day.

At the same time, however, ''we are making a last-minute appeal to (Israeli) prime minister Ariel Sharon and foreign minister Shimon Peres to not go ahead with the attack we are hearing about and to personally ensure and guarantee the safety and life of President Arafat''.

''We also want all the sides, including the government of Israel, to respect the decisions of the UN Security Council for the withdrawal of its troops from Ramallah and the other Palestinian areas,'' Papandreou continued.

''At this moment, the responsibility for the Israeli government is indeed historic,'' he said.

''We also call on the international community, particularly the United States, to move in a dynamic manner so as to avert any negative developments. Developments that could have incalculable repercussions not only on the Middle East but also on peace in the wider region,'' the foreign minister added.

Coalition of Left leader calls on EU leaders to intervene in M. East: Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Saturday called on the European Union to intervene in the Middle East toward in putting an end to the bloodshed in the troubled region.

''The international community cannot be hypocritical. It cannot be inactive ... the importance of this situation demands of the European governors to intervene immediately in stopping the bloodshed, so as to recognize the Palestinian state immediately,'' Constantopoulos said.

[02] FM Papandreou postpones Jerusalem visit in Mideast tour

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

According to foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, Papandreou will depart on Monday evening for a one-day visit to Cairo.

The Greek FM's previously scheduled visit to Israel and the Palestinian self-rule areas was postponed due to the dramatic escalation in fighting in the region, as well as an inability by the Greek side to approach the besieged headquarters of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.

Israeli envoy on postponement of Greek FM's visit: Israel's ambassador to Athens on Sunday evening issued a statement regarding the postponement of a visit by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to Jerusalem and the Palestinian self-rule areas originally scheduled for Monday.

"The Greek foreign minister is always welcome in Israel," ambassador David Sasson stressed, adding:

"We never said that we could not guarantee his safety in Israel. Quite simply, we explained that we could not guarantee the Greek delegation's safety in the Palestinian territories due to the state of war that exists there. Let us stress that any visit by an official from a friendly country and any positive mediation is welcome."

[03] Greek, Cypriot FMs to meet on Thursday in Athens

NICOSIA, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

The two ministers will meet following a relevant decision Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Clerides, during their meeting in Spain on the sidelines of the European Union informal summit.

According to press reports, here in Nicosia, the agenda of the meeting will include the strategy of the Greek Cypriot side for the third round of talks, which is scheduled to begin in April 9 and the coordination of moves in light of the backstage activity taking place in New York this period.

[04] Turkish intransigence undermining Cyprus dialogue, EDEK former leader says

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at an event marking Cyprus' national liberation struggle of 1955-59, the veteran Cypriot politician stressed the need for forging a pan-national strategy on the Cyprus issue and on the national issues in general.

He said an "ideological color-blindness" was necessary on the national issues, warning that Turkish expansionism not only threatened Cyprus but also the Aegean and Thrace.

On the developments in the Cyprus issue, Lyssarides said that difficulties existed, and attributed them to the fact that "the US considers Turkey a regional super-factor".

"The Turkish side undermines the dialogue," he said point-blank.

[05] Protests mar commemoration of 1910 farmers' uprising

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

Hundreds of farmers from Larissa prefecture, Greece's "bread basket", as well as from northern Greece, reached the site with buses in order wait for the agriculture ministry's leadership, weeks after the most recent showdown with the government over crop subsidies and other demands.

Protests were also directed against at representatives of the country's largest farmers' unions -- PASEGES, GESASE and SYDASE.

In a stern reaction from Athens, Agriculture Minister George Drys referred to the "natural and political offspring of large land-owners that squashed the malcontents of Kileler", in condemning the protests. He also said the government had prior information that opposition farm factions were readying "incidents to disorientate and defame".

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), meanwhile, held a separate rally to commemorate the Kileler uprising in Larissa's main town square.

[06] Karamanlis: Cultural heritage a potential boon for Greek economy

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

In his speech, the ND leader stressed an innovative policy of using Greece's abundant and timeless cultural legacy as a veritable "engine" for strategic economic growth.

"Just think of how many things we could accomplish if we depended (on this sector), due to the quality, the abundance and the international demand for Greece's cultural product, especially archaeology," he said, before offering examples of two neighboring countries, namely, Italy and Turkey.

"Our neighbors to the west, I'm referring, of course, to Italy, manage their cultural heritage in a manner that should serve an example for us. Their management is admirable ... Moreover, our neighbors to the east (Turkey) - I won't make other references, they're being made at other fora - if nothing else, have adopted an extremely aggressive manner of advertising (the country's) cultural heritage, because this heritage is often not, at any rate, one related to their ethnic ancestors, but to others -- often of Greek descent," Karamanlis said.

The ND leader added that Aetoloakarnania, Greeces largest prefecture, is a treasure chest of archaeological sites and monuments, with 66 ancient cities recorded, five ancient theatres and more than 350 Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments.

[07] US ambassador on anti-terrorism cooperation

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

Commenting directly on efforts to eradicate the notorious "November 17" terrorist group in Greece, Miller said the collection of evidence leading to a trial and conviction of the guilty is the objective, as is the squashing of the deadly group's leadership.

The Sunday edition of the Athens daily Eleftheros Typos carried Millers interview.

[08] Metropolitan Stephanos of Trifyllia calls for election of priests to parliament

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

In an interview appearing in Sunday's issue of Makedonia local newspaper, the Metropolitan said that given the current status of church-state relations, the presence of clerics in parliament was imperative "because there are issues that directly concern the Church and on which the Greek parliament will be eventually called on to take decisions, such as cremation, cloning, euthanasia, etc.".

Asked on how this could be effected, Stephanos said that a specific overall proposal for cooperation must be formulated containing the firm positions of the Church, which would be sent to all the political parties.

The proposal would include acceptance on the part of the parties to offer an electable position on their State Deputy ballot to a cleric, Metropolitan or even married priest to be proposed by the Church.

After their election, the clerics would serve as Independents in parliament and remain outside the political party mechanisms.

The cooperation would be open to all the political parties, he said, adding that the Church did not intend to set up its own party.

[09] 1.4 trillion dr. in energy investments slated for Macedonia-Thrace to 2010

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at an event where he outlined the government's strategy for viable development, Tsohatzopoulos added that those investments would create 14,500 jobs and 17,000 indirect employment positions.

"Greece will become a hub of energy networks in SE Europe, and Thessaloniki the energy hub of Greece," the minister said.

Referring to the viable development strategy, Tsohatzopoulos said its implementation required the cooperation of a large majority alliance of social and political forces, with 2010 as the horizon.

[10] V. Papandreou tours public works sites in Patra, W. Greece

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

She visited the site of the construction of the Rio-Antirio bridge, the ring road project of Patra and several sites of the Patra-Athens highway.

[11] ATHOC chief calls on political parties for 'Olympic moratorium'

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

In an interview appearing in Sunday's edition of ELEFTHEROTYPIA daily, Angelopoulos appealed for "a national agreement among the political parties" for an "Olympic moratorium" so that "the political developments will not undermine the smooth course to the 2004 Games" in Athens.

Two years after her assumption of the ATHOC helm and just two days before a critical inspection in Athens by the IOC Coordinating Committee, Angelopoulos stated that she will defend the "national plan" and was determined to "even clash with individuals, mentalities and situations that are not consistent with the national cause of the Olympic Games".

The ATHOC chief conceded that she had received proposals to vie for the Athens mayorship, but stressed that it "never went through my mind to even contemplate" such a prospect.

She also revealed that during her two years at the ATHOC helm she had considered resigning when the 2004 preparations appeared to be at an impasse.

As for the issue of volunteers, she said that this could not become the object of political bargaining, adding that "if such a disposition comes to my attention, I will be obliged not only to condemn it, but also to put a stop to it".

Angelopoulos said she was satisfied with the progress in the Olympics preparations, noting however that the timetables were marginal and that some risk still existed.

She added that if all sides continued to work at the same tough pace, then Greece would be ready on time.

Asked whether she would re-enter politics after the 2004 Games, Angelopoulos, a former main opposition New Democracy MP and high-powered lawyer, said that she had not given any thought to that prospect as the organization of the Athens Games was the only issue on her mind.

She added, however, that she would like to take a rest and spend more time with her family after the Games.

Angelopoulos continued that it was worthwhile to spend as much money as was necessary to organized successful Games, adding that the Olympics projects would acceleration the advancement of the infrastructures in Greece.

"Greece and the Greeks will come out of the organization of the Games with multiple benefits," she added.

[12] Greek expatriates from S. Africa to visit ATHOC on Monday

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

[13] Balkan Information Center being set up by Macedonia-Thrace and Bulgarian press

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

The announcement was made Saturday by Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Regional secretary general Aris Papadopoulos during a day-seminar on "Mass Media in Eastern Macedonia-Thrace - Crossroads in the Balkans", attended by journalists from all over northern Greece.

The Network would be directly linked with the Athens News Agency (ANA) and Macedonian Press Agency (MPA), and would contribute to the multi-faceted development of the region and cultivation of the intellectual ties and communication among the peoples of the region.

ANA general director Andreas Christodoulides proposed the establishment of a Network web site on the Internet that would serve as a reference point for the media of the region both in Greece and abroad.

MPA general director Spyros Kouzinopoulos gave a short history of the Balkan environs, noting that cooperation among the region's media could contribute to restoring tranquility to the region, peaceful co-existence among the peoples, and growth.

[14] SAE reiterates demand for Halki school's reopening

CHICAGO, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

SAE's leadership also called on supporters of the Istanbul-based Patriarchate to sign a petition found at the website of the Hellenic Electronic Center (HEC): www.greece.org/themis/halki

"It is time for the government of Turkey to show that Turkey is indeed a modern democracy, which subscribes to the international standards for religious freedom," Chris Tomaras, a SAE vice-president, was quoted in a press release issued by the organization.

[15] Two-day conference on children's rights ends on Saturday in Athens

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

The conference, also sponsored by the Athens News Agency, entitled ''Protection of children's rights: Absolute obligation - Unique prospect'', focused on the exploitation of children throughout the world.

Speaking on the Greek realities, the participants noted their concern over the rise of drug use by minors, as well as the increase of mortality among minors due to drug use, while they also focused on the trafficking of children in sexual slavery conditions or for plain exploitation as street light children of children reaching Greece as refugees.

Sociologist of the therapeutic community ''Strofi'' Ziouvas stressed that ''the data we have show a worsening of the problem of psychotropic drug use by individuals under the age of 18''.

He noted that there was a European Union wide increase of drug use among students between the ages of 15 and 16 in all member-states with the exception of Britain and Ireland.

To make his point Ziouvas underlined that deaths of minors attributed to drug use accounted for 13 per cent of the total in 1998, up from 4 per cent in 1995.

Speakers also focused on poverty and the resulting problems for children noting that the overwhelming majority of children living in poverty, reside in urban areas, despite the fact that most families living near or under the poverty line reside in rural areas.

All speakers called for the protection of children from exploitation, stressing that if our society is ready to protect endangered species of animals, such as caretta-caretta, it should also expend effort to save the children.

[16] Statue of Venizelos unveiled on Lesvos

Athens, 01/04/2002 (ANA)

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Aegean Minister Nikos Sifounakis represented the government at the unveiling ceremony.

"As a progressive and democratic individual he (Venizelos) had the boldness to understand the country's real interests: To fight for the liberation of

a major portion of Hellenism, and with the same manner, the same boldness, the same courage, to iron-out a friendship with neighboring Turkey when this was necessary," Papandreou said.

[17] Cyprus government extremely concerned about Middle East

NICOSIA, 01/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The government expressed sympathy with Yasser Arafat and urged the Israeli army to withdraw immediately from Ramallah and the Palestinian territories.

It also called for dialogue to save the Middle East peace process and the prospect of peace and security in the region.

''The government of Cyprus expresses its intense concern and sorrow about the worsening situation in the Middle East and condemns the use of force and any action which causes innocent citizens, Israelis and Palestinians, to become victims,'' a foreign office statement said here Saturday.

The government, the statement said, ''expresses its full sympathy with President Yasser Arafat and urges the Israeli troops to withdraw immediately from Ramallah and the Palestinian territories.''

''It also calls for the strict observance of the agreed ceasefire and the immediate start of a dialogue to save the peace process and to maintain the prospects of peace and security in the region, which are at risk,'' the statement concluded.

[18] Kofi Annan asks for 43 million dollars for UNFICYP funding

NEW YORK, 01/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The recommendation is contained in his report to the General Assembly, released Friday at the UN. The amount of 20,505,500 dollars is to be funded through voluntary contributions from the governments of Cyprus and Greece.

Referring to UNFICYP's political mandate, the UN chief states that ''since the hostilities of 1974, the Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions, requiring UNFICYP to perform additional functions relating, in particular, to the maintenance of a buffer zone between the lines of the Cyprus National Guard and the Turkish forces as well as a de facto ceasefire, which came into effect on 16 August 1974.''

''In the absence of a formal ceasefire agreement, the military status quo remains the standard by which the Force judges whether changes constitute violations of the ceasefire,'' Annan said.

With regard to the humanitarian and economic role of UNFICYP, Annan says that the Force encourages and facilitates the resumption of farming in the UN buffer zone. It also sponsors bi-communal contacts and encourages cooperation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots in restoring normal conditions, the report says.

Referring to the enclaved Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots residing in the government controlled areas, the UN chief says that UNFICYP continues to monitor their living conditions and to assess them in the light of recommendations contained in its 1995 humanitarian review.

''The Force undertakes frequent and routine visits to deliver humanitarian aid to over 425 Greek Cypriots and more than a 150 Maronites living in the northern part of the island and to the 300 Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part'', the report adds.

The current authorized strength of UNFICYP stands at 1,230 troops, 35 civilian police monitors, 44 international staff and 147 local staff.

For the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003, a net reduction of 42 local posts is proposed to reflect efficiency gains, gained from the outsourcing of catering services.

[19] Consultations on UN Cyprus statement begin Monday

UNITED NATIONS, 01/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

First indications are that UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will seek a statement along the same lines as the previous one, but with an emphasis on the need to intensify the ongoing peace talks he is conducting on the island since mid January.

In its previous statement in late February the Council called on the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to approach the talks in a spirit of compromise and with a sense of urgency and political determination to narrow differences.

De Soto will brief Kofi Annan, the five permanent members of the Council and on Thursday he will have informal consultations with the 15 members of the Security Council.

Council president, Russian permanent representative Ambassador Sergey Lavrov is expected to make a statement after the meeting.

Alvaro de Soto has completed 22 meetings in Cyprus with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and this past week he had consultations in Athens and Ankara.

He appeared optimistic that a comprehensive settlement could still be reached by the target date of June.

[20] The road to Europe passes through strong defense, says minister

NICOSIA, 01/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

He said the time between now and EU membership ''is probably the most important period since the 1974 Turkish invasion'' adding that the Turkish side has not convinced anyone about its good intentions in the ongoing UN-led peace effort to settle the Cyprus question and reunite the island, bearing in mind that it continues to strengthen its occupation forces in Turkish occupied Cyprus.

''We are proceeding firmly with our plans, in the context of the joint defense pact with Greece, to boost our forces as a deterrent because it has become clear that the road to Europe goes through strong defenses which will secure peace and stability on the island and will deter Turkey from executing its threats,'' Hasikos said in a speech to commemorate Monday's anniversary marking the anti-colonial struggle in the mid 1950s against Britain.

He said Turkish threats against the security and the integrity of the Republic are also targeting Europe and neither is going to give in to such threats.

Ankara has repeatedly said that Cyprus' accession to the EU, without a political settlement, would result in the annexation of the areas of the Republic it occupies since 1974.

Peace talks, under UN auspices, began here in mid January with a view to find a comprehensive settlement. The Greek Cypriot side appears disappointed with the outcome so far and President Glafcos Clerides said there has been no breakthrough to pave the way for an agreement.

The minister said that increased defenses would complement the diplomatic moves Nicosia is making on the path to peace.

Talks, interrupted for consultations at the UN seat, are set to resume on 9 April.

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