Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] IOC's Oswald: 'Now it's time for Athens to shine'

[02] Returning Greek MPs express 'shock' at tragic events in Mideast

[03] Danish PM: Cyprus solution not a precondition for EU entry

[04] Parliament president, Russian defense minister focus on Cyprus, Mideast

[05] Gov't to create convergence for all Greeks, premier says

[06] PM Simitis to give televised press conference on Monday night

[07] PM responds to MP's allegations of public-sector corruption

[08] Macedonia-Thrace minister meets FYROM president

[09] President receives new ambassadors' credentials

[10] Bill on party funding tabled in Parliament

[11] Labor minister says social security bill viable and fair

[12] Gov't says Greece has adequate fuel stocks

[13] EBO-Intracom deal for army radio units

[14] Banks to stage 24-hour strike on April 19

[15] Tractor rally by protesting farmers in central Greece

[16] ASE rally reverses week-long slide

[17] Ecology, cultural heritage a unifying point for EU, symposium concurs

[18] Imbros mayor and Turkish delegation visiting Samothraki

[19] Cambodia-flag motor ship carrying contraband cigarettes seized

[20] Bomb at bank ATM

[21] Rally condemns Israeli tactics in the Middle East

[22] Parliamentary delegation to visit Arafat

[23] Verheugen appears less optimistic about a settlement

[24] British MP says nobody can stop Cyprus' accession to the EU

[01] IOC's Oswald: 'Now it's time for Athens to shine'

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

"I am very happy to report that the situation has improved tremendously since our last visit ... I am confident things will be delivered on time,'' Oswald, the International Olympic Committee�s �point-man� in monitoring Greek organizers� progress, told reporters during a wide-ranging press conference.

The Swiss IOC executive returned to the Greek capital for the Lausanne-based organization�s eight inspection of Athens, flanked by smiling 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC) executives at the end of the three-day inspection. In another pointed remark, Oswald personally praised Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis for his personal involvement in jump-starting progress.

Concerns over delays and obstacles at a handful of venue projects, transports and related traffic management, as well as accommodations had fuelled speculation over the past two months that the IOC would publicly express its criticism before a Greek audience, something that, however, was disproved on Friday. The latest IOC commission inspection came also two years to the day since former IOC head Juan Antonio Samaranch issues a stinging �yellow card� to ATHOC, resulting in a wholesale leadership reshuffle in the subsequent months.

Oswald, who replaced Jacques Rogge as the head of the IOC commission supervising the Athens Games after the latter assumed the organization�s helm, nevertheless, emphasized that venues must be ready even before August 2004 for test events, warning again that new roads are essential.

Both Oswald and high-profile ATHOC president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki agreed that preparations have now moved from the planning stage to the implementation phase.

Additionally, while a �rooms gap� to accommodate the extended �Olympic Family� has apparently narrowed, the issue of where to host tens of thousands of expected spectators for the Games has moved into the forefront.

Oswald merely noted that organizers briefed the IOC over plans to upgrade lower-class hotels not participating in the 2004 hospitality program for the greater Athens area. Other ideas include employing regional hotels in resorts outside Athens and even allowing private individuals to lease their homes and apartments during the Games.

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki mentioned the use of cruise ships at nearby ports and holiday packages combining accommodation, travel, transports and tickets for would-be Olympic aficionados.

�We�re sincere in our commitment to organize a truly unique Olympic Games,� Angelopoulos-Daskalaki stressed.

"There is still no reserve for unexpected situation, but more comfortable than a few months ago," Oswald said, before praising the IOC�s cooperation with ATHOC and the Greek government.

In terms of the all-important security issue, Oswald noted that along with transports, it is a �concern until the end of the Games ... even more so after Sept. 11.�

He said the IOC was confident that ATHOC and Greek government were paying the necessary attention to security matters, while the IOC�s experts were also involved in planning.

Security concerns also propped up vis-a-vis the accreditation process, as Greece will be the first Schengen Pact country to host an Olympiad. Oswald said that under the IOC-Athens host-city agreement individuals accredited for the Games must be allowed entry into the country, which automatically means unimpeded travel access to other Schengen member-states in the European Union.

The IOC vice-president added, �Greece is working with the EU to find a solution� before saying Turin in 2006 will face the same problem.

Another �thorn� apparently removed by Oswald himself during Friday�s press briefing centered on organizers� controversial decision to construct a kayak and canoeing facility at the Schinias site, east of Athens, on land adjacent to the ancient battlefield of Marathon. The former rowing champion said the IOC�s experts have praised ongoing work at Schinias as a �model� for other countries and cities on how to improve environmentally sensitive areas.

Finally, responding to a question over what Athens could learn from Salt Lake City�s experience during the recent Winter Games in February, Oswald heaped praised on the Utah Olympiad, saying it was �very successful, very well-organized and smooth-running�. He particularly emphasized the important role played in Salt Lake City by some 26,000 �very well-trained volunteers�.

PM Simitis meets IOC Coordinating Committee President Oswald: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordinating Committee President Denis Oswald briefed Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Parliament on Friday on the results of the three-day inspections he made with an IOC delegation of installations in preparation for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Oswald, who was accompanied by ''Athens 2004'' Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, made no statements on his departure from Parliament.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who took part in the discussion, said on leaving Parliament that Oswald had ex-pressed his satisfaction over the course of progress in the projects. Venizelos said the discussion focused on Oswald's concern regarding, hospitality, transport, traffic and the functioning of the city during the Olympic Games.

The culture minister said Prime Minister Simitis assured Oswald that all the projects would be ready in time for the Games.

President Stephanopoulos receives ATHOC president : Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki visited President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Friday to brief him on results of the three-day inspection of Olympic projects by a delegation of the International Olympic Committee's Coordinating Committee.

The meeting, according to ATHOC sources, is part of the president's regular briefing on the progress of the Olympiad's preparation, while Daskalaki conveyed to President Stephanopoulos the overall views and queries of Coordinating Committee President Denis Oswald.

She also presented the president with the Olympiad's official mascot, ''Athena'' and ''Phoebus'', and briefed him on the volunteer program which he is particularly interested in.

[02] Returning Greek MPs express 'shock' at tragic events in Mideast

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

In a press conference in Athens, six members of the delegation said the government of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had ''blatantly trampled on all values and ideals'' in its attack on the Palestinian people, while claiming that many ordinary Israelis were greatly unhappy with the violence being perpetrated by their government.

The six represented all the parties in the Greek Parliament, as well as the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI). The 35-member Greek delegation, sent to the region by Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis in a show of support for the Palestinians and to raise awareness in Europe regarding their plight, also contained deputies from all parties in Parliament and representatives of several Greek organizations.

During the visit, the Greek delegation met a number of Palestinian and Israeli officials and reported seeing many Israeli citizens taking part in a protest march for peace on Wednesday. Meanwhile, they said, strong protests against Sharon's policies were being voiced in the Israeli Knesset and by political parties, while Sharon's popularity had dropped from 70 per cent four months ago to 35 per cent at present.

They also said that Israeli authorities had denied them permission to visit Ramallah, which they sought through diplomatic channels, and that they had been turned away at gunpoint by Israeli soldiers when they attempted to enter the city.

Spokesman says U.S. Mideast intervention might be beneficial : Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Friday ''the intervention by the U.S. might prove to be particularly beneficial regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.''

Referring to the proposal made to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat by U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday, the spokesman said the Palestinian leader has already accepted it.

Protopapas categorically denied that Greece's positions towards the Palestinians have changed.

''It is clear from the statements of the prime minister, the foreign minister and myself that our positions are the same. At every opportunity we have stressed the need for the creation of an independent Palestinian state and we have also noted the right of the Israeli people to live in security. In any case, we have contributed with our positions to the international community's pres-sing climate towards the side of the Israelis,'' he said.

ND leader critical of Tel Aviv in meeting with Israeli, Palestinian envoys: Israel's refusal to accept European Union mediators was utterly unjustifiable, New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis told Israel's Ambassador to Athens David Sasson on Friday, during a meeting with Sasson and Palestinian Authority Ambassador Abdullah Abdullah at ND headquarters.

The main opposition leader said he had also asked Sasson that Israel protect the Christian monuments in the region, which were a major part of the world's cultural heritage.

In his talks with the two sides, Karamanlis stressed the need to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East, which could threaten the peace and stability of the entire region if it continued.

He called for an immediate ceasefire and the implementation of the latest decisions of the United Nations Security Council.

Karamanlis also said that peace could not exist in the Middle East without the foundation of a Palestinian state and this could not happen unless the Israelis felt that their borders were secure.

The international community appeared to have been stirred into action on this issue after a long period of inactivity, Karamanlis noted, while he stressed the potential role of the EU.

After the meeting, Abdullah thanked Karamanlis for the positions he expressed and called for measures and pressure to stop the siege on Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat so that dialogue on a peace settlement to begin again.

Sasson said only that he had briefed Karamanlis in detail on the ''sensitive'' situation in the region as requested.

Asked whether Israel was satisfied with the statements made by United States President George Bush on the Middle East crisis, Sasson said it was ''not a question of satisfaction but of hope.''

Coalition holds event in Athens in solidarity with Palestinian people : The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) held an event at the Athens district of Kaisariani on Friday in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Present at the event, held at the Firing Range, were Coalition leader Nikos Constantopoulos, the head of the diplomatic representation in Athens of the Palestinian Authority, Abdullah Abdullah, Palestinians and local residents.

In his address, Constantopoulos called on the European leaders to take drastic initiatives in order for the bloodshed to stop, for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who is under siege by Israeli troops to be freed, and for there to be peace.

On his part, Abdullah Abdullah spoke about the present dramatic situation in Palestine and thanked the Greeks for their solidarity towards the Palestinian people.

[03] Danish PM: Cyprus solution not a precondition for EU entry

ISTANBUL 06/04/2002 (ANA-E. Aretaios)

He also said a political settlement is not a precondition for ac-cession and pointed out that Cyprus does not have a right to ''automatic EU membership.''

Rasmussen was speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish premier Bulent Ecevit in Ankara.

The Danish premier said his country, which assumes the six-monthly rotating EU presidency in July this year, bases its stance on the EU decision of December 1999 in Helsinki which said a solution is desirable but not a precondition for accession.

He said when it is time for the EU to decide on enlargement, all relevant factors will be taken into consideration with regard to Cyprus' accession.

Cyprus, he said, does not have a right to automatic membership.

Accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU are set to conclude later this year and in December the EU is set to announce the candidates it will invite to join.

[04] Parliament president, Russian defense minister focus on Cyprus, Mideast

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

Their talks also included the Cyprus issue and the Middle East problem, while the two men stressed the need for an end to fighting and Israeli forces to withdraw from occupied territories, negotiations to get underway and peace to be established in the region.

According to a press release issued by Parliament, Kaklamanis underlined that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is the legal leader of the Palestinian people and noted that in the clear condemnation of terrorism, acts of violence should be differentiated between acts of violence that stem from the desperation of the people and events that stem from planning, which often takes place in foreign headquarters and serves economic ends and strategic expediencies.

On his part, and speaking on the Cyprus problem, Ivanov said that his country supports a just solution to the Cyprus issue, based on international law and the decisions of the UN Security Council, while Kaklamanis said that Cyprus will soon, during the Greek European Union presidency at the latest, become a full member of the EU.

[05] Gov't to create convergence for all Greeks, premier says

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The premier is on the island as part of a tour of the Ionian Sea isles of Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

''Convergence with Europe means continual redistribution of income, the participation of all in receiving the fruits of progress, conquest of the European social and economic level for the worker, the farmer, the employee, the small businessman, young people,'' Simitis said.

''It means that the working family will have for the first time the opportunities of education, the quality of health care and the standard of living that exists in other European countries. It means increased protection for the weak, lifting disenfranchising and providing opportunities for reintroduction to society,'' he added.

He accused the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party of not serving the cause of convergence but, on the contrary, that it is always against the government without, however, having any concrete proposals.

''There is no plan, there is no responsibility. These people are acting irresponsibly toward the people. Whoever does not take a stance is an opportunist. He feels the weaknesses and tries to cover them up in any way possible,'' Simitis said, adding ''New Democracy is the party of divergence, is the party of back-tracking''.

Upon his arrival on the island, the premier visited the local port authority offices and the church of St. Dionissios, while later he visited the Educational Center of the Zakynthos Municipality.

Simitis also held a meeting with local party cadres and in statements he lauded the efforts of the people on the island for their hospitality to a boat load of some 800 refugees that washed ashore.

ND response: ''The anxiety of Mr. Simitis is justified. Two years after the elections and while he has completed six years as prime minister, he attempts to convince the Greek people that all this that he did not do to this day, he will complete in the future,'' ND spokesman Theodoros Rousopoulos said.

[06] PM Simitis to give televised press conference on Monday night

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The press conference will be broadcast simultaneously by several TV channels.

The spokesman noted that journalists will be chosen from channels with the highest viewing rate.

[07] PM responds to MP's allegations of public-sector corruption

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

"Is the prime minister unaware that the public sector is now so rife with corruption that almost no transaction with the state can be carried out without paying out," ND MP Miltiades Evert said in Parliament during Prime Minister's Question Time.

At another point during the session, Evert also alleged that the state-owned Public Securities Company had created an offshore company and had borrowed money against this from abroad.

The prime minister replied that Evert was obviously either unaware of the measures recently announced by the government to combat corruption or deliberately pretending ignorance. He urged the main opposition to present its own counter-proposals or express its disagreement with the measures announced.

These included plans for upgrading internal monitoring agencies, such as the police Internal Affairs department, new laws for financial crime with particular emphasis on the operation of illegal offshore companies, higher priority to cases of corruption in the courts and others.

Simitis also pointed to the creation of independent regulatory bodies by the government, such as the Citizens' Ombudsman, or the National Radio and Television Council, and the introduction legislation relating to government tenders, funds for political parties and on ministerial responsibility.

[08] Macedonia-Thrace minister meets FYROM president

SKOPJE 06/04/2002 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

Paschalidis concluded his two-day visit here with this meeting, stressing that the common goal is a peaceful future.

Toward this goal, Paschalidis proposed the creation of a common book for schools of all Balkan countries that will include texts written by intellectuals from all Balkan nations and Trajkovski accepted the proposal.

''The future of peace is in schools and this book could go to all Balkan children so that they might work for peace, stability and development,'' Paschalidis said.

[09] President receives new ambassadors' credentials

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The credentials presentation ceremony was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis.

[10] Bill on party funding tabled in Parliament

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The new bill introduces free airtime on radio and television for party political broadcasts in pre-election periods, counteracted by a drop in the state support given to parties, and measures regulating the amount of additional airtime that parties are allowed to buy.

It also abolishes pre-election campaign centers for individual candidates, replacing them with campaign centers for parties, and mandates that 60 per cent of funds to political candidates be paid through bank accounts to increase transparency.

The vast chunk of state support to parties will be distributed among those already represented in Parliament, while 10 per cent will be divided among parties that have seats in the European Parliament and the remaining 10 per cent will be divided equally among all parties with candidates in at least 70 per cent of electoral districts during the last elections and at least 1.5 per cent of the overall vote.

The bill also creates a cross-party body for every prefecture to monitor that parties are adhering to the rules, while MPs that flout rules on media coverage, private campaign centers and campaign funding could risk losing their seats.

A last-minute article relating to the foundation of political parties was added to the bill shortly before it was tabled.

[11] Labor minister says social security bill viable and fair

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

Reppas, who was speaking in Parliament, added that the government's proposals have been accepted by the overwhelming majority of working people and criticized those who are not participating in the relevant dialogue of ''either not wanting a solution or of lacking views.''

He said the government's policy is moving in the direction of all working people joining the social security system and the incorporation and covering of the state's commitments to social security funds.

Reppas further said settlements anticipated constitute ''substantiated approaches which are acceptable by international organizations, adding that ''in Greece today labor is more protected than in other EU countries.''

[12] Gov't says Greece has adequate fuel stocks

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

Earlier this week, Tsohatzopoulos' ministry announced that retail liquid fuel prices would rise again in April following a surge in March due to the crisis and a resulting hike in global oil prices.

Under indicative retail prices released by the ministry, super petrol is to sell at about 0.724 euros a liter and unleaded at around 0.675 euros, up about half a cent from March 29 and seven cents from March 1.

Industry officials said the increase was also partly due to a rise in profit margins for domestic refiners, traders and gas stations pending legal changes in costing.

The ministry has said a bill to deregulate the market will be ready for parliament in the near future.

[13] EBO-Intracom deal for army radio units

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The program also envisions the purchase of 54 �Stinger� anti-aircraft missile units mounted on vehicles.

Intracom, a listed company on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), has manufactured the communications equipment over the last four years as part of a contract to supply the army with 3,800 such units.

New orders are expected to fill the inter-face needs of the armed forces� other anti-aircraft systems, including the long-range �Patriot� missile batteries, the short-range �Crotale� system and the PzH 2000 mobile anti-aircraft guns.

Intracom�s domestic subcontractors include Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), Germanos, Miltech, Mikron and Axon Machine Parts.

[14] Banks to stage 24-hour strike on April 19

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

In addition, employees have yet to take a stand on the government's proposals for an overhaul of the social insurance system, the OTOE banking trade union umbrella group said in a statement on Friday.

Union representatives and Labor and Social Security Minister Dimitris Reppas are due to meet for talks on the reform plan on Monday, the statement said.

[15] Tractor rally by protesting farmers in central Greece

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The farmers' rally enjoyed great support among other sections of the community, many of whom joined the rally, while shops in Tyrnavos remained closed in a show of solidarity.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the protests and road blocks by farmers in the area will continue. A meeting of farming unions is to take place on Friday afternoon at Platykambos in order to decide what their next steps will be, in consultation with farmers in Malgara.

[16] ASE rally reverses week-long slide

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

Turnover reached the 89.56-million-euro mark, a day after the bourse's turnover recorded its lowest levels of the year.

Only the Insurance sector posted losses on the day, 0.40 percent. Gains, meanwhile, were recorded in Wholesale Trade sector (up 2.50 percent), IT Solutions (2.24 percent), Telecoms (2.12 percent) and Textiles (2.11 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks increased by 0.87 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index jumped 1.38 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index increased by 1.41 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 270 to 57, with another 37 issues unchanged.

On a weekly basis, the general index dropped by 2.28 percent.

The most heavily traded shares were Panafon, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank, Iktinos, EYDAP, and National Bank of Greece.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange were mixed in scant, volatile trade on Friday with blue chip paper regaining a premium and mid-cap contracts holding a discount, traders said.

Turnover was 61.4 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.87 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 1.38 percent.

Bond Market Close: Prices rise in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished higher in moderate trade focusing on 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.48 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 31 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 1.7 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[17] Ecology, cultural heritage a unifying point for EU, symposium concurs

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The symposium focused on the cultural and ecological common places of Europe and more so of the Balkan countries over the centuries, while historical references were made on the importance of the river Histros-Danube from antiquity, through the Middle Ages to today's European Union Intereg and Phare programs.

Dragomir, noting the danger of distancing humanity from nature, called for the establishment of a ''club for the continued protection of the region's cultural'' heritage and natural wonders.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who was not able to at-tend the event, sent a message in support, noting that ''the rational management of the natural environment and the danger which threaten our cultural heritage are issues of particular concern to our own country (Greece) and I must express my satisfaction that the same concerns are now being felt in Romania''.

''We had the opportunity to examine relevant issues at the conference of ministers of culture and sport from countries of S.E. Europe, where we decided, inter alia, to initiate active, bilateral and multilateral cooperation and exchange expertise in the restoration and conservation of monuments damaged in military operations,'' Venizelos added in his message.

University of Lavern Athens Professor Scarlat Arion focused his address on the Parthenon's value as part of the world's heritage, calling attention on the damages that were caused to the monument, through the centuries, by ''barbarism'' in removing parts of the ancient temple and by air pollution.

AUT Pro-rector Yiannis Antonopoulos who said that ''it is hypocritical to theoretically defend human rights and at the same time destroy the environment in cities,'' while he stressed the importance establishing a cultural and ecology polity with a human face, thus covering thus the needs of the people in parallel with the protection of the monuments and the environment.

On his part, Markopouliotis outlined all the European Union programs for the environment and for the preservation of cultural heritage throughout the continent, the latest of which is called ''Our future, our choice'' funded with 400 million euros.

The symposium's panel included European Commission Representation office director George Markopouliotis, BDM Strategic Affairs managing director Klearchos Protopapas, AUT professors Zoi Karamanou, Eleni Gavra, Nikos Rodolakis and Hristos Nikas. Also Romanian Prodormus Institute Chairwoman Catalina Preda, writer Victor Ivanovici, Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) Nikos Linadratos and researcher of the Neohellenic Institute Florin Marinescu addressed the event.

[18] Imbros mayor and Turkish delegation visiting Samothraki

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The visit was the result of personal contacts between Samothraki Mayor George Hanos with the mayor of Imbros, while the Turkish delegation members will leave the island on Saturday after being given a guided tour of the traditional settlement of Hora and the archaeological site at Palaiapolis.

[19] Cambodia-flag motor ship carrying contraband cigarettes seized

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

Customs officials told ANA that the freighter "Santa Elena", which had set sail March 22 from Cyprus and was headed for Slovenia -- according to the ship's documents -- was forced by port authorities to dock at Porto Heli port, where it remained under police guard.

Port authorities, citing information, said the crew had intended to unload the contraband cigarettes on a Greek beach for sale on the local market.

The crew was due to appear before a public prosecutor later in the day.

[20] Bomb at bank ATM

Athens, 06/04/2002 (ANA)

The bomb, comprising two small propane canisters, exploded at 2:30 a.m. under the ATM of an Ergobank branch.

An hour later, an anonymous caller phoned TA NEA and ELEFTHEROTYPIA newspapers claiming the bomb attack was an "act of support of the Palestinians", but did not name any organization as being behind it.

Arafat: We will win the war against the Israelis NICOSIA 06/04/2002 (CNA)

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has sent a defiant message for victory against the Israelis, through a personal emissary who is participating in an International Conference of Left Parties ''Solidarity with the Palestinian People'', which started here on Friday in Nicosia.

In the message, conveyed by Hani Al Hasan, Arafat told the Israelis that they cannot have both security and occupation and said that the resistance of the Palestinians is in response to state terrorism.

Hasan said Arafat is proud of the left parties and the solidarity they show and added: ''Peace is our strategy and we will keep to this strategy not because we have no other choices but because peace is a real and right strategy to help our people, to stop the killings of children and coexist all in one land with two states.''

Hasan criticized the US stance on the Middle East, noting that ''America is no longer an honest mediator'' and called on US Secretary of State Colin Powell to ''be fair and honest'' and ''distinguish between the terror of the oppressor and the resistance of the oppressed.''

He wondered why the US agreed to send an international force to Kosovo and FYROM but vetoed the dispatch of an international peacekeeping force to Palestine.

Hasan noted ''the Cypriot people's principled stance in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation.''

[21] Rally condemns Israeli tactics in the Middle East

NICOSIA 06/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The demonstrators, participants to a two-day international meeting of left-wing parties, demanded freedom for Palestine and said Cyprus and Palestine shared a common struggle against occupation.

The march was led by AKEL General Secretary Demetris Christofias, who was accompanied by Yasser Arafat's special emissary to the conference Hani Al Hasan and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party Mehmet Ali Talat.

[22] Parliamentary delegation to visit Arafat

NICOSIA 06/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The delegation leaves Sunday night and is expected back on Monday night.

It is made up of representatives from the main opposition party AKEL, the ruling Democratic Rally (DISI), the Democratic Party (DIKO), the Social Democrats Movement (KISOS), the United Democrats and the Environmentalists. The deputies will be accompanied by journalists.

[23] Verheugen appears less optimistic about a settlement

BRUSSELS 06/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Verheugen also said that Cyprus, with or without a settlement, will join the Union.

Speaking here on Friday, he said the chances of a solution this year are 50-50 and this is because of the stance the Turkish Cypriot side has adopted at the direct talks, which began in mid January this year under UN auspices.

[24] British MP says nobody can stop Cyprus' accession to the EU

NICOSIA 06/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after an hour long meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Lord Robin Corbett, who heads a delegation of the group on a visit to the island, welcomed the restart of peace talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash and said Cyprus' bid to join the EU helps the climate of the talks.

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