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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-06Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>September 6, 2002CONTENTS
[01] Most wanted fugitive, top 'N17' suspect Koufodinas, surrendersAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)The most prominent suspect evading capture in the more than two-month-long investigation to eradicate the �November 17� terrorist group surrendered to police early Thursday afternoon, apparently ending the largest manhunt in modern Greek history.Public order ministry officials confirmed that Dimitris Koufodinas turned himself in just after 3:30 p.m. (local time). The 44-year-old beekeeper and self-described math tutor faces 70 felony and misdemeanor counts, practically all stemming from pre-trial testimony provided by more than a dozen �N17� suspects arrested and charged since late June. According to initial reports, Koufodinas has denied involvement with the deadly and elusive ultra-leftist terrorist group � responsible for 23 high-profile killings and numerous bombings since December 1975 � as attributed to him in many of the other suspects� depositions. He was wanted since July 4 after being identified as the individual who had leased an east Athens �safe house� used by �N17� to store weapons, documents and cash. On Thursday, he reportedly phoned the attorney of his long-time companion and said he was surrendering. That call is believed to have come from the Piraeus area, according to other reports. Koufodinas turned himself in at the main police headquarters off Alexandras Avenue in central Athens, where 15 �N17� suspects were held during their first weeks of incarceration. 'N17' alleged operations chief claims ''political responsibility'': Greece�s most wanted fugitive, the alleged �operations chief� of the �November 17� terrorist group Dimitris Koufodinas, who surrendered to authorities earlier on Thursday, made a statement via his lawyer claiming the ''political'' responsibility for the action of the murderous terrorist group. He, however, repudiated actions as were described in the case made against him by the state, claiming his innocence. In a statement read by his lawyer Yianna Kourtovik, Koufodinas noted that ''he claims the political responsibility for all actions undertaken by 'November 17'. He refuses his guilt for actions that are attributed to him, according to the way they are described in the case file''. ''The principle which determined his personal course was the faith in building a revolutionary movement and his vision for a socialist society. He expresses his solidarity with all those that are held in custody for this case justly or unjustly. He reminds that, in any case, the fundamental value of each fighter in such difficult times is dignity,'' Kourtovik read on. In statements to the press, following the reading of the prepared statement, Kourtovik said that Koufodinas surrendered of his own free will at 2:45 p.m. and that there was no deal or prior understanding with the authorities. She also said that Koufodinas telephoned her and briefed her that he will surrender a half an hour before appearing at the Athens police headquarters, adding that she did not know whether he resided in Piraeus or not during the past period. She concluded stressing that Dimitris Koufodinas will not cooperate with the authorities, "at least in the manner that was reported in the press". In statements to the press, main opposition New Democracy (ND) spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos welcomed the surrender of Dimitris Koufodinas to the authorities, stressing the continued support of his party for the work of the police and judicial authorities. ''The surrender of wanted by police Dimitris Koufodinas, no matter the circumstances, is a significant step in the grand issue of terrorism,'' Roussopoulos stressed, adding that ''the combatting of terrorism is an issue, in which petty party politics have no place''. On his part, Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) spokesman Nikos Voutsis said ''we are not making any special statement concerning the surrender of Koufodinas. We will repeat what we have been saying for the past two months, that ample light should be shed on this case''. Public order minister briefs PM on progress in the N17 case: Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis had a one-hour meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Thursday to brief him on the ongoing investigation of the terrorist group "November 17", in what sources said was one of the most crucial briefings in the counter-terrorism effort to date. The meeting ended at 14:00 and Chrysohoidis made no statements as he emerged from the prime minister's office. Sources said the meeting focused on separate aspects of the case. One was the results of the investigation so far, the arrests and the evidence turned up by police regarding the terrorist movement as a whole. A second concerned the information in the hands of police regarding terrorist organizations and people that had not been arrested so far. The same sources claim that the police investigation has now reached a crucial juncture and the public order minister's briefing could well usher in the second stage of the counter-terrorism operation. KKE leader says surrender of Koufodinas result of a deal: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga said on Thursday evening that the surrender of alleged ''N17'' terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas earlier in the day was the result of a deal. ''From up to date evidence it arises that without doubt Koufodinas was surrounded...he was seemingly surrounded by police, services and definitely by foreign agencies...these led to a surrender after a deal,'' Papariga told party supporters in Piraeus. ''According to us the surrender was the result of a deal because it contributes to the cover-up of the real character and role of the N17, or probably to the creation of conditions for persons like Koufodinas to help towards the cover-up and transfer of responsibilities to the Left,'' she added. ''Koufodinas' declaration that he was fighting for socialism is an effort to slander the real popular revolutionary struggle in which a murderer in no case can participate, a murderer who according to various reports is connected with secret services of imperialism,'' Papariga concluded. On its part, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) in an announcement said that the time and the manner in which Koufodinas surrendered himself to police ''multiplies the doubts surrounding the 'process' of the cracking down of terrorism in Greece.'' [02] US ambassador opens event; comments on terrorism issueAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)The first event in Greece commemorating the tragic Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was inaugurated here on Thursday at the new Athens metro�s main display hall, with a photographic exhibition detailing the massive destruction and subsequent rescue and salvage efforts at the World Trade Center towers.The exhibit, featuring 27 photographs of noted American photographer Joel Meyerowitz, was opened by Attiko Metro S.A. managing director Vassilis Economopoulos and US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller during a brief ceremony at the Syntagma square station, the new underground metro network�s showcase hub. �The images you see on the walls here today express the outrage that Americans, and all the world in fact, felt afterwards,� Miller said, while also emphasizing what he stressed was the American people�s resilience in the aftermath of the dastardly Sept. 11 strikes as well as a resolve to quash terrorism by Washington and its allies. �This exhibition also serves as a testament to the 3,000 people who suddenly died one morning, just like this one here today, a year ago in September,� Miller said. In response to press questions, the US ambassador again praised Athens for its participation in the international campaign against terrorism and fielded queries related to an ongoing local investigation to eradicate the �November 17� urban terrorist group, as 15 suspected �N17� members have been arrested so far. Miller said he has met with several family members of American victims, "they want to see justice done; they want to see the system work. I explained to them a little about the (legal) process". Asked if Washington has any information on past or present �al-Qaida� activities in Greece, Miller said: �We�re looking at that closely, and will continue to look at that very closely. In terms of specifics, I don�t have anything I can give you right now.� In opening the exhibition, Attiko Metro�s Economopoulos said: �Today, and during the days when this exhibition will continue, gives us an opportunity to express our deep sorrow and solidarity to the relatives of the thousands of innocent victims and to the American people, in general; a tragic reminder of the heinous attack of one ago.� The US embassy in Athens and the Attiko Metro are sponsoring the exhibition, entitled �Images From Ground Zero.� It lasts from Sept. 5 to Sept. 13. Meyerowitz received special access to the WTC site in Manhattan in order to document the efforts of emergency personnel and construction workers. The exhibition is touring cities around the world over the next few months and after Athens it will move to Thessaloniki, where it will be displayed at the Casa Bianca exhibition hall. Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis and former New Democracy minister Fani Palli-Petralia. [03] Alternate FM meets with Croatian European Integration ministerAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Thursday afternoon met with the Croatian Minister for European Integration Neven Mimica.Mimica underlined Croatia's wish to speed up its integration course with the European Union, during Greece's European Union presidency and with Greece's aid. On his part, Yiannitsis reassured Mimica that Greece places high importance and supports the European course of Croatia, as well as that of the other countries of the region. The two ministers agreed for the necessity for the further strengthening of the contacts and mutual briefing during the upcoming period and during the Greek EU presidency. [04] Alternate FM refrains from taking stand on role of EU national parliamentsAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Thursday refrained from taking a stand on the proposal-decision of Parliament's European Affairs Committee concerning the role of European Union national parliaments, despite strong pressure exerted on him by deputies from the political parties and particular by chairman Nikos Vrettos during the relevant debate at the committee.The European Affairs Committee's position (31/52002) recommends ''the upgrading of the consultative and checking role of the national parliaments to their governments, with the adoption of a model of operation on European issues.'' [05] Greece-Turkey 'migrant re-admittance' protocol implementedAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)A crucial �migrant re-admittance� protocol between Greece and Turkey was effectively set in force on Thursday following its ratification and the issuance to relative circulars by the respective ministries.Along those lines, the merchant marine ministry and the Greek Coast Guard have issued orders activating provisions in the protocol. According to the ministry�s figures, 31 migrant-laden vessels have been intercepted and turned back towards the Turkish coast over the past 10 months. The protocol, signed in Athens last November between Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and former Turkish FM Ismail Cem, gives law enforcement authorities in both Greece and Turkey a 14-day period to inform their counterparts on the exact number of people to be re-admitted following their detention, including citizens from third countries. [06] PM Simitis to inaugurate new wing of modern art museumAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Saturday will inaugurate a new wing of the Macedonian Museum of Modern Art in Thessaloniki. It covers an area of 2,450 sq.m.With the addition of the new wing, the museum, which was founded in 1979, will cover a total area of 4,000 sq.m. [07] Main opposition attacks government's economic policiesAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday launched a stinging attack on the government over its economic policies after a meeting of ND policy coordinators.Giving a taste of what was to come at the Thessaloniki International Fair, Karamanlis accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of brushing aside the economy's serious problems and insisting that the target was true convergence when even nominal convergence was at risk due to unfavorable developments, such as high inflation. The main opposition leader noted that the Greek economy ranked last for competitiveness and had the greatest regional and social inequalities, while unemployment continued to be a huge social problem. High prices were shrinking the size of worker incomes, he added, while 2.5 million Greeks were living below the poverty line. He also noted that Greeks gave a lot to the state, which did not even provide the basics in return or else provided services of low quality. He pointed to the recent floods in Athens as an example of the malfunctioning state machine, which he said was putting citizens' lives at risk. Regarding the tax overhaul announced by the government, the ND leader described this as weak and said it would not bring lasting benefits as long as economic policy remained the same. ''What little has been given will soon be demanded back with interest,'' he stressed. He called for new economic policies that emphasized growth, stability and social justice and called for structural reforms with ''vision, daring, consistency and reliability''. ND coordinator George Alogoskoufis stressed that the government had no plan for the economy after Greece joined the euro-zone and confined itself to generating short-term political benefits at the expense of the future. According to ND's George Souflias, meanwhile, Greece had a worse economy than even some EU candidate-countries, while he accused the government of not pushing through reforms. The meeting also criticized the government plan for privatizing Olympic Airways. [08] Drama prefecture farmers to participate in TIF protests, in large numbersAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Farmers from Drama prefecture with their tractors and other farming equipment flooded the central plaza of the city declaring their support for the rallies in Thessaloniki, planned for Friday and Saturday.The leaders of the region's farmers' unions announced their decision to participate in the protest rallies in Thessaloniki and called on all farmers to participate. [09] Citizen groups call for protest rallies in Thessaloniki in light of TIFAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Farmers, employees, members of movements against globalization, even soccer club fans announced they would hold rallies on Friday and on Saturday in Thessaloniki, in light of Prime Minister Costas Simitis' arrival for the inauguration of the annual Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.The protests will begin at about 5 p.m. on Friday. [10] Eurogroup, ECOFIN to convene in Copenhagen to examine economic developmentsAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)The Eurogroup will convene in Copenhagen on Friday under the chairmanship of Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis to discuss international economic developments and the implementation of the Stability and Development Pact and also the economic repercussions from the recent floods in Germany and Austria.The Council of Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) will also meet in the Danish capital on Saturday to discuss the coordination of the general orientations of the EU's 15-member states and enlargement. ECOFIN will also discuss issues concerning international economic developments and the EU preparations for the creation of common positions in view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conference on September 28. [11] Greece plans to rebuild bombed Sarajevo parliament buildingAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Greece plans to rebuild a bombed parliament building in Sarajevo as part of the country's five-year Balkan reconstruction plan, worth 550 million euros, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos said on Thursday.The project has a symbolic meaning for Greece, which is why the government is seeking to undertake construction of the building single-handed, Loverdos told a monitoring committee for the national Balkan plan. The first project under the program is likely to be launched this year, and that project may be the Sarajevo parliament building, Loverdos said. He called on Greek engineering contractors to show interest in the country's Balkan scheme, complaining that they had so far shown little interest. [12] Gov't revenue from bourse drops in August yr/yrAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Government revenue from a tax on stock market transactions dropped sharply to 4.8 million euros in August 2002 from 8.4 million euros in the same month a year ago.The finance ministry said in a statement that the decline was due to a weak performance by the Athens Stock Exchange, leading to a drop in transactions. [13] OTE telecom, exporters to sound out Balkan satellite projectAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and the Association of Northern Greek Exporters are to set up a working group to look into a satellite link that would help Greek firms to do business in the Balkans.The decision was taken during a meeting of OTE's chairman and managing director Lefteris Antonakopoulos with business trade groups in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, the base for operations of many Greek firms active in southeastern Europe. [14] Development minister to hold talks with Bulgarian energy ministerAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will hold talks with Bulgarian Energy Minister Milko Kovachev in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Friday morning.The ministers are expected to discuss progress in the course for the completion of the energy networks in the Balkans as well as prospects for further cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. [15] Interim winner for power plant projectAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Mechaniki SA, an Athens-quoted engineering contractor, said on Thursday that it was named the lowest bidder in a project to build a water supply pipeline for two power plants in northern Greece.The project ordered by the Public Power Corporation is budgeted at 23.2 million euros. It also includes the installation of electrical equipment. [16] Greek social alignment with EU seen in 23 years-analystAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Greece is expected to show social alignment with the European Union average in 23 years if current growth rates and policy choices are maintained, the Labor Institute of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece said on Thursday.In a preview of its annual report due for release shortly, the research institute warned that if the wide-ranging black economy were to be incorporated into growth, then social alignment could be achieved at the end of the coming decade. The report added that labor costs had dropped by 27 percent between 1981 and 2001; and wages fallen by 6.67 percent from 1990 to 2001, with productivity rising to 85 percent of the EU average. [17] Parliament votes through fuel market overhaulAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Parliament on Thursday voted through a wide-ranging government fuel bill that aims to ensure fair prices and good quality, adequate stocks, a drop in transport costs and protection of the environment.Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, the architect of the bill, has said the overhaul will allow vertical integration the fuel market, allowing refineries to trade and undertake retail sales, as well as use suppliers abroad. In addition, gas stations will be able to buy fuel directly from refineries through cooperatives; and the bill introduces the principle of collective responsibility for adulterated products. [18] Athens News Agency, Macedonian Press Agency at trade fairAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)The country's two cooperating national news agencies, the Athens News Agency and the Macedonian Press Agency, will jointly take part in the 67th Thessaloniki International Fair (pavilion 16, stand 23).They will present their common activities, such as the site ''www.elections2002'', which they created for the local government elections, and the special bulletin titled ''Greece-EU'' which has started test transitions in view of Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2003. Press and Mass Media Minister Christos Protopapas will inaugurate their pavilion at noon on Saturday. [19] Greek bond market turnover soars to record in AugustAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)International bond markets improved in August helped by an increasing uncertainty over developments in the global economy and fears of a new military strike against Iraq, the Bank of Greece said on Thursday.In its monthly report on the bond market, the central bank also noted that both the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve left their interest rates unchanged in view of the announcement of negative economic figures in both sides of the Atlantic. In the domestic electronic secondary state bond market, turnover rose to a new record high of 57.23 billion euros in August (the previous record was in November 2001 with 56.69 billion euros), from 46.24 billion euros in July and 22.92 billion euros in the same month in 2001. Buying interest focused on state bonds with duration of up to five years, with turnover totalling 26.8 billion euros, or 47 percent of total, and between seven to 10 years with 13.7 billion euros, or 24 percent of total turnover. The five-year bond, maturing on April 19, 2007, was the most heavily traded bond in the market. Bond prices, particularly long-term, recorded the biggest monthly rise of the year in August, with the three-year bond ending at 102.18, 69 basis points higher from July, and the 20-year bond ending at 107.43 points, up 317 basis points. The 10-year benchmark bond price ended at 102.70 (yielding 4.89 percent) its highest level since its issuance, from 100.60 (5.17 percent) in July. The new fall in bond yields led to a steeper yield curve, with the spread between three- and 20-year bonds widening by three basis points to 148 bps in end August. The yield spread between the 10-year Greek/Bund bonds widened slightly to 35 basis points in August from 34 bps in July. [20] Greek stocks end at 30-day lows on ThursdayAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Renewed pressures in European stocks markets undermined sentiment in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday pushing Greek stocks to their lowest levels in the last 30 days.The general index dropped 1.10 percent to end at 2,063.88 points, reflecting heavy losses in blue chip stocks like Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), off 3.0 percent. Turnover was a low 83.4 million euros. All sector indices ended lower with the Publication, IT Solution and Investment sectors suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.43 percent, 2.39 percent and 2.31 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 1.42 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.78 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.36 percent down. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 261 to 51 with another 42 issues unchanged. The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Hellenic Technodomiki, Hitech, Aktor, and Informatics. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 117.4 mln euros Thursday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 117.4 mln euros Bond Market Close: Spread over German bund at 35 bps Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [21] Hyundai presents automobiles for Athens 2004 OlympicsAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)Hyundai Hellas on Thursday formally presented national organizers of the Athens 2004 Olympics with automobiles as part of its sponsorship offering for the event.Among the vehicles was a Hyundai Centennial for use by the organizers' president, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, for Olympic hospitality, along with new XG 30 and Getz models that were presented as the official model for the 2004 Games. The company is to provide services, cash and vehicles totalling 16.3 million euros under the sponsorship arrangement. [22] ATHOC, Girl Guides sign memorandum of cooperationAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)A memorandum of cooperation between the Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC) and the Girl Guides (SEO) was signed on Thursday morning between ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and SEO President Alexandra Kalogera.[23] Greek universities close as academics step up labor disputeAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)University departments throughout Greece have been closing one after the other this week as academics opt for walkouts to press pay demands.University teachers want an immediate start of talks with the Education ministry that also includes pay issues. Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, however, has repeatedly stated that dialogue on pay issues can only begin after 2003. At the latest count on Thursday, 28 out of 29 departments at Athens University were participating in the strike action, with decisions about whether to join the strike still pending only from the Primary School Education Department and the Harokopio University. In all other higher educational institutes in the capital, teachers have decided to abstain from all classes and exams, save final-year graduation examinations. Similar decisions have been taken by teachers associations at the universities of Patras, Ioannina, Aegean, and Crete with a decision pending on Friday from Thessaloniki's Aristotelian University. As the dispute escalates, there is hope that an emergency meeting of university deans in Athens on Monday that Efthymiou has been invited to attend might lead to a way out of the impasse, while on September 11 there will be a meeting of the Executive Secretariat of the university teachers' union, the Panhellenic Federation of Teaching and Research Staff (POSDEP). [24] International conference of writers held in RhodesAthens, 06/09/2002 (ANA)An international conference of writers was organized by the Society of Writers and the International Center of Writers and translators, in Rhodes from September 2-3 on the theme ''Prose in Southeastern Europe today''.The interest of the conference centered on the answers given by the 30 writers from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania on ''how they comprehend their visions as writers in the present world.'' [25] UN chief prepares ground for Friday's Cyprus meetingsPARIS 06/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)As President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are putting the final touches on what they have to say at today's meeting here with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UN chief too is putting together his own thoughts about what to tell the two leaders with one objective in mind to find ways to make headway in this stalled peace process.According to diplomatic sources, the Secretary General is expected to give the two leaders ''specific but different'' messages to emphasize that they ''have to engage in some serious negotiations and get down to real business'' at the negotiating table in the weeks ahead. Annan is expected to stress the imperative need to reach a settlement at this juncture when a real window of opportunity exists and is set to underscore the negative repercussions that failure to do so would entail. He will also reiterate to Clerides and Denktash that they should at least crack the four main issues under discussion (governance, security, territory and property), bearing always in mind the timeframe of Cyprus' accession course and the December EU decision on enlargement, which, barring a miracle, will include Cyprus too. The same sources have told CNA that the Secretary General is expected to express once again to Denktash his concern about the lack of progress and is set to remind him that the issue of sovereignty, as the Turkish Cypriot leader understands and interprets it, although part of the discussions it cannot prejudge the conclusion of the negotiations. Sovereignty, or as Denktash puts it the definition of his status, has been a major stumbling block in the effort to achieve progress in the eight-month long period of direct talks Annan's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto has been conducting on the island. Bearing this in mind, the Secretary General might try to circumvent this specific issue by attempting to clarify it and separate the powers of the component states from the sovereignty of the state of Cyprus. As one senior diplomat has explained to CNA, the competency for the exercise of authority on a regional level by various bodies does not mean and cannot be interpreted as infringement on the sovereignty of the state, a notion that Denktash does not seem to understand. The same diplomatic sources have said that the vast gap that separates the positions of the two sides on the issue of sovereignty could be narrowed by applying EU norms, something that could give Annan a way out of this maze. Foreign policy, defense matters as well as monetary and fiscal policies will rest with the central government, which will take its cue from Brussels whereas other areas such as education, health, agriculture, fisheries will be decided, with respect to EU rules, by the authorities of the two component states. This, political analysts believe, does not in any way entail the right to separate sovereignty for the two component states. Once the Secretary General gets this sorted out with the two leaders, he can concentrate on the task at hand, namely to urge strongly the two leaders for a compromise agreement. On Thursday Annan conferred with Alvaro de Soto, who is accompanied by his legal aide Robert Dann at the Paris meetings, which will take place at the Bristol hotel. Washington sends messages to Ankara over Cyprus: The US has communicated to Turkey crystal clear messages with regard to Cyprus as to what Ankara needs to do and stressed that the problem of this divided island has to be settled. According to reliable sources, US diplomats dealing with the Cyprus question have expressed concern to their interlocutors about the situation in Turkey, saying they consider the timing of this latest crisis that has hit the country ''problematic'', bearing in mind that the timeframe the European Union has set out with regard to enlargement affects both Cyprus and Turkey. During his recent visit to Ankara, US Under-secretary of State for political affairs Mark Grossman told the Turkish establishment ''all the right things'' with regard to Cyprus, the same sources told CNA. Grossman made it clear to his interlocutors, including Turkey's Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, that there is now a unique window of opportunity, which should be seized in order to solve the question of Cyprus, they added. US State Department special coordinator for Cyprus, Ambassador Thomas Weston, is also said to have conveyed the same message to Ankara during his recent contacts there. Gurel's response, however, leaves little room for optimism since he maintained the long-standing positions about the need to create two separate states on the island and is said to have expressed disagreement with the US positions, as these were outlined by US administration officials. Washington, the sources believe, considers the current situation in Turkey ''fluid'' but continues to nurture hopes that Ankara will change its outlook on Cyprus and contribute towards a settlement in the not too distant future. The UN-led direct talks should continue, American diplomats point out, with a view at finding a comprehensive settlement, noting at the same time that Washington cannot impose a solution. Washington also tells the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides, as well as other interested parties, that whatever framework agreement is reached by the two sides, the US would put its seal of approval to it. [26] Verheugen: Cyprus problem can be solved prior to December EU SummitBRUSSELS 06/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen appeared on Thursday optimistic that a solution to the Cyprus question could be reached prior to the EU Copenhagen Summit, in December, that will decide about EU candidate countries accession to the EU.Verheugen's spokesman Jean-Christophe Filori also reiterated that a settlement in Cyprus is not a precondition for the island's accession to the EU. Verheugen met here on Thursday with Turkish Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel with whom he discussed among others developments in the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Filori said Verheugen was optimistic that a solution to the Cyprus issue could be reached before the Copenhagen EU Summit and added that although the EU would like to see a solution prior to accession, this was not a precondition for Cyprus accession. Referring to the reforms in Turkey, Filori said that the Enlargement Commissioner welcomed the reforms, but focused on the need for their implementation. Filori added that at this point, the Commission is examining whether these reforms are being applied. Invited to comment Ankara's assessment that Turkey fulfilled the Maastricht political criteria once it had adopted these reforms Filori underlined that is up to the EU to decide about that. [27] Commission assures Cyprus report will be positiveBRUSSELS 06/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)The last progress report on Cyprus' accession to the European Union, to be submitted by the European Commission in October, is expected to be positive.The message was conveyed on Wednesday to Cyprus' EU Chief Negotiator, George Vassiliou, after meetings he had in Brussels with German Enlargement Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen, and Director General of the Enlargement Directorate, Eneko Landaburu. Both Commission officials assured Vassiliou that the contents of the report, being prepared by the Commission, would be very positive on Cyprus. Vassiliou told CNA that the Commission's report would also be positive on the substance of the negotiations and the political problem. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third. It is expected to take into consideration the successful accession course from its start in 1998 until today and the hard work done by the Cyprus government and the House of Representatives in speeding up the implementation of the acquis communautaire. Vassiliou told the Commission that the House of Representatives would hold an extraordinary session on September 13 to complete harmonization. Regarding Cyprus, the Commission's position is based on the decisions of the UN Security Council and the conclusions of the Seville European Council in June. The EU said in its conclusions that a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus should be consistent with relevant UN resolutions. Present at the meetings were former head of the European Commission Delegation to Cyprus, Donator Chiarini and his successor, Adrian van der Meer. Vassiliou also met Greek Commissioner for Employment and Social Policy, Anna Diamantopoulou, and Michael Lee, in charge of relations with Cyprus, Turkey, Romania, Malta and Bulgaria. [28] Russian diplomats call for continuation of UN-led direct talksMOSCOW 06/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)Russia has stressed that it is ''absolutely crucial'' to maintain UN-led direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the basic path, that is the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.The position was outlined to CNA by Director of the 3rd European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Alekseyev while Russian Federation special envoy on Cyprus, Vladimir Prygin, emphasized his country supports a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Prygin said he would be visiting Cyprus between October and December because ''this period would be the most crucial on Cyprus''. Alekseyev called on the international community to create ''the right climate in the talks''. Invited to comment on Friday's meeting in Paris between UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, the Russian diplomat said that any possibility to bring Clerides and Denktash together with Annan ''is very important. Any dialogue is better than confrontation,'' he added. Commenting on information that some countries, in an effort to maintain the direct talks, are trying to appease Denktash, Alekseyev said, ''it is not our aim to maintain the dialogue for the dialogue''. ''The outcome is more important than the dialogue itself'', Alekseyev said, adding that Russia ''supports the dialogue as a tool'' to settle the Cyprus problem. Invited to comment on Cyprus' EU accession course in relation with the UN-led peace talks, Alekseyev expressed the view that Cyprus' accession ''could stabilize the situation'' on the island. ''Cyprus as a member of the European family would be more sure of its safety'' the Russian official pointed out. Russia, he added, supports the European enlargement and Cyprus' accession to the EU. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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