Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM visits Olympics press center in Maroussi

[02] EU foreign ministers hold talks with Powell on Iraq, Turkey and Cyprus

[03] Greek and Cypriot FMs hold talks on sidelines of UN General Assembly

[04] Turkey wishes to develop good neighborly relations with Greece, Sezer says

[05] Deputy FM meets with Arafat in Ramala

[06] DM minister Papantoniou begins Turkey visit on Saturday

[07] Foreign ministry: preparations for Greek EU presidency in 'crucial phase'

[08] Another woman suspect linked to N17 will be arrested, sources say

[09] N17 victim's brother files civil suit against suspected terrorists

[10] National & Europarliament elections can't be held together, Tsohatzopoulos says

[11] ND leader begins N. Greece tour by visiting Lake Doirani

[12] German movements support Greek claims for war reparations

[13] Forum of the mayors of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas begins on Saturday

[14] Gov't says hike in utility rates fuelled inflation by 0.07%

[15] Gov't drafts labor decree on permanent staff to comply with EU

[16] Greek weekly economic review

[17] Greek stocks plunge to four-year lows

[18] Security coverage dominates briefing of top media pros by ATHOC

[19] Symbolic traffic restrictions Monday for European Transportation Week

[20] Lecture in Kranidiotis' memory on Monday in Athens

[21] Greek pro soccer league warns of lock-out

[22] President Bush wants Cyprus problem solved

[23] Greek Cypriot side will respond next week to Denktash's document

[24] Rasmussen: UN and EU work for Cyprus settlement

[01] PM visits Olympics press center in Maroussi

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the progress that had been made after his inspection and said that Greece would present the many thousands of visitors to the Games with a modern and organized infrastructure network, in addition to its historical edge.

Regarding the media centers, Simitis noted that journalists would have the latest technology at their disposal in order to send images of Greece to over 200 countries and four billion viewers around the world.

The legacy of the Games, he added, would be modern road networks, the metro system, the new tram, anti-flooding works, a suburban railroad and many other things that would make the everyday life of Greeks much easier. In addition, the modern infrastructure would be backed up by modernization in hospitals, educational programs, the police force, coast guard and the emergency services.

Another benefit of the Games, Simitis said, would be the 50,000 jobs created by Olympics projects and the huge benefits for Greek tourism over the next few years.

Closing his speech, the prime minister reiterated that all Greeks must be mobilized for the success of the Olympic Games and of Greece.

Simitis was received at the site by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose ministry had the overall responsibility for overseeing preparations for the Games.

Venizelos stressed that preparations for the Games had now progressed to a point capable of convincing even the most skeptical that Greece would organize successful Olympics.

Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris, who is responsible for Olympics communications strategy, stressed that the image of Greece that would be transmitted throughout the world by an estimated 40,000 journalists, 19,000 of them accredited, was an important investment and Greece would do its utmost to facilitate everyone.

Hytiris also referred to the modernization of state broadcaster ERT and the dynamic presence of the Athens News Agency at the Olympics, as well as other journalists from the press and electronic media and foreign correspondents.

Last to speak was Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who thanked all those working for the success of the Athens Olympics and once again stressed the need to maintain and accelerate the speed of Olympic preparations.

[02] EU foreign ministers hold talks with Powell on Iraq, Turkey and Cyprus

NEW YORK 14/09/2002 (ANA - S. Sideris)

The situation in Turkey and the Cyprus problem were among the issues discussed by the EU foreign ministers with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during a meeting they had on Friday within the framework of the UN General Assembly.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou expounded on the Greek positions and called on both the Europeans and the Americans to send a message to Turkey concerning its threats to annex the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus or to provoke a crisis in the region in case Cyprus accedes to the European Union.

Papandreou added that the Greek side is making every effort for a settlement of the political problem of Cyprus, noting however that a solution must naturally be functional, in accordance to the principles and rules of the European Union.

During the meeting, Powell congratulated the Greek government for its successes in the combatting of terrorism and in particular on the eradication of the ''November 17'' terrorist group.

Earlier in the day the Greek foreign minister met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones who stressed the need for Turkey not to be excluded from Europe. She said that a date should be set for the start of Turkey-EU accession talks and at the same time expressed her appreciation of Greece's stance.

In both his talks with Powell and Jones, Papandreou, as well as other EU foreign ministers, stressed that it is Turkey that must show mobility and utilize this chance until the EU summit in Copenhagen, in order for there to be positive developments in this issue.

The European foreign ministers in their talks with Powell did not seem particularly willing to satisfy the Turkish demand for the setting of a date for the start of EU-Turkey accession talks, reports said.

In his talks with the EU foreign ministers, Powell expounded on the contents of U.S. President George Bush's address at the UN General Assembly on Thursday and asked of the European Union to jointly work for a UN Security Council resolution which will legalize a military intervention in Iraq. The two sides agreed that there should be a time frame which will be utilized for discussions, beyond which the international community will take action. Powell said characteristically that ''we cannot talk indefinitely with Iraq and when the time frame ends, the international community must assume its responsibilities.''

The EU foreign ministers also agreed with this procedure and it is characteristic that Russia is also moving in this direction, as made known by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

During his talks with Jones, Papandreou expounded on Greece's priorities during its presidency of the EU in the first half of 2003, while the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State asked of the Greek side to pay particular attention to the regions of the Caucasus and the Black Sea.

The Greek delegation submitted to Jones an official document outlining the Greek presidency's priorities for this region, with emphasis on the strengthening of the EU's relations with Russia and the Ukraine and cooperation in the energy sector.

Papandreou and Jones also discussed the differences existing between Europe and the U.S. concerning the International Penal Court and the Greek foreign minister expounded on the EU's position for the safeguarding of the autonomy and functioning of the International Penal Court, without this leading to tensions with the U.S.

Spokesman says Greece not in favor of military operations against Iraq: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas, referring on Friday to the latest developments on the issue of Iraq, stated that Greece is not in favor of military operations against Iraq.

Speaking from Ioannina, northern Greece, Protopapas said that investigations whether there are terrorist organizations or dangerous chemical or other prohibited weapons in Iraq should be undertaken by the United Nations. ''This entire issue should be handled by the international community,'' he said.

The government spokesman said that the UN is the most suitable organization to deal with this problem, adding that military operations could create serious adverse repercussions on the Arab world.

Protopapas noted that the UN must play the leading and decisive role in this issue and the European Union must of course also play its own collective role.

He added that within the EU there are voices which wish autonomous moves and noted that it would be a pity for the EU, which has the capability of exerting its own foreign, political and defense policy to yet again appear lagging behind developments.

''I want to believe that the EU, within the framework always of the international community and in understanding with the other forces, and of course within the framework of the UN, will also play its own role,'' the spokesman concluded.

[03] Greek and Cypriot FMs hold talks on sidelines of UN General Assembly

NEW YORK 14/09/2002 (ANA - S. Sideris)

Papandreou stated that ''we are at the end of Cyprus' ten-year course towards the European Union, but we have in front of us important decisions.''

Kasoulides, replying to a question concerning the new document by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, said that ''it is not the first time that Mr. Denktash raises the issue of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, but on the other hand the positions of the EU and the UN are known.''

The Cypriot foreign minister observed that a first evaluation of the document reveals that it is a move on the part of Denktash to make an impression ''with decorative positions which do not correspond to issues of substance.''

Kasoulides added that ''it is apparent that the Turkish Cypriot leader is attempting to evade the essence of the problem.''

Kasoulides further said that Turkey is not budging from its present positions and is neither responding to the recommendations given by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during the meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash in Paris.

[04] Turkey wishes to develop good neighborly relations with Greece, Sezer says

ISTANBUL 14/09/2002 (ANA-E. Aretaios)

''We want to resolve our bilateral problems with Greece and we want to develop good neighborly relations,'' Sezer said, adding ''We want to take steps toward cooperation and peace''.

Speaking in a meeting of an association of historic cities in Edirne, the Turkish president stressed his belief that Turkey will enter the European Union while maintaining its historic and cultural values.

Sezer also spoke of the significance of cooperation between the states of southeastern Europe, adding that the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to NATO will have a special significance for the region's stability.

[05] Deputy FM meets with Arafat in Ramala

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Magriotis held a joint press conference with Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ahmad Soboh.

"I visited Jerusalem in light of the completion of a year from the election and enthronement of Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate His Eminence Irineos. I had the opportunity to meet with officials of the Israeli government and to discuss the major issue of the recognition of the Patriarch. I hope that over the next few days the Israeli government will forge forward with this necessary step," Magriotis said.

"Today here in Ramala, I had the special honor to meet with President Arafat. Greece recognizes the important role and the historic offer to the effort for peace in the region," the Greek minister said.

"Greece tries, as it did during the recent crisis, in every way possible, by itself, through the European Union and the international community, to help so as to stop the bloodshed � it does so today and that it will continue to do with greater intensity and persistence during Greek EU presidency," Magriotis said.

He also spoke of the Danish EU presidency's 'road map" to peace for both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

[06] DM minister Papantoniou begins Turkey visit on Saturday

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

in a meeting of the defense ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey.

Papantoniou is slated to hold a bilateral meeting with Bulgarian defense minister Nikolai Svinarov on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, which is to be held Monday in Istanbul.

On Sunday, Papantoniou will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at Phanar, were he will be received by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

[07] Foreign ministry: preparations for Greek EU presidency in 'crucial phase'

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

He said that the work had now 'peaked' on all levels but the final outcome was largely dependent on the highly changeable international situation, particularly with respect to the problems in Iraq and the Middle East.

Any unpleasant developments in these two regions could lead to ''uncontrolled situations'' with negative consequences for the wider region, he stressed.

He appeared optimistic that Greece would be well prepared for its presidency when the time came, however, noting that in no area was there a shortfall that could not easily be made up.

Plaskovitis also pointed out that Greece was already exercising two presidencies not covered by Denmark - that of the Eurogroup and Common European Security and Defense - and representing the Community in several countries not covered by Denmark's relatively small network of embassies.

According to Plaskovitis, several informal ministers' councils and meetings would take place during the Greek EU presidency, with six covered by the ministers' councils' secretariat.

He said that the Greek foreign ministry had trained a number of experts that would head the 150 EU working groups or represent Greece at these groups. It had also increased the number of staff at Greece's permanent representation in Brussels to 120 from 90, with an additional 10 to be stationed there by December.

[08] Another woman suspect linked to N17 will be arrested, sources say

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

The first woman charged as an active member of N17, Angeliki Sotiropoulou, was arrested on Thursday after police found her fingerprints in the terrorist group's safe house in Pagrati.

Apart from Sotiropoulou's prints, forensics experts have found another nine prints within the two Athens apartments used as safe houses by the group that do not belong to any of the suspects currently in custody. The prints are believed to belong to new members involved in the group's actions that have not yet been discovered.

The same sources said that arrests of people active in N17's predecessors ELA, 1st May and Revolutionary Cells prior to 1974 would not take place for a long time since no firm evidence against them had yet been found.

[09] N17 victim's brother files civil suit against suspected terrorists

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

These include the alleged mastermind of N17 Alexandros Giotopoulos, suspected operation's chief Dimitris Koufodinas, Christodoulos Xiros, Patroklos Tselentis and Pavlos Serifis.

Nikiforos Matis declared his intentions to sue to special examining magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakas, the appeals court justice assigned to the case.

[10] National & Europarliament elections can't be held together, Tsohatzopoulos says

BRUSSELS 14/09/2002 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Specifically, he said that the latest possible date for the national elections can be set within April, as mandated by the Constitution, while the Europarliament elections can not be held earlier as they must coincide in all 15 member-states of the European Union.

Tsohatzopoulos made the statements to journalists following a session of the European Socialist Party (ESP) conference taking place here, and to which he is a vice-president.

He also said that the ESP representatives discussed the relations of the Union with the United States, especially concerning the issue of Iraq.

They expressed their disagreement with the US policy concerning Iraq, stressing the necessity for the approval of every decision by the Security Council of the United Nations.

The Greek minister underlining the differences between Europe's strategic interests and those of the U.S., told the meeting that in Greece both the government and the main opposition are opposed to military operations in Iraq.

[11] ND leader begins N. Greece tour by visiting Lake Doirani

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis was briefed by local municipal authorities about problems concerning the decreasing water levels of the lake, which have been falling steadily for the past 15 years, causing economic hardship for local inhabitants and environmental degradation.

Doirani Mayor Theofilos Pertsinidis noted that three quarters of the lake actually fell within FYROM borders and that the neighboring country had recently decided on measures to increase water levels that had not been matched by Greece.

Addressing the town, Karamanlis was scathing in his criticism of the government's stance, saying that a crime against the environment was being committed that was the sole responsibility of the Simitis government.

He also noted that a large part of the Greek side of the lake had been deserted and, despite the pleas of local bodies and organizations, the government was responding with vague commitments and little action.

Later on in Kilkis, Karamanlis attacked the government's economic policy, saying the country needed a new, aggressive economic policy that could meet the demands and problems of the new era.

He accused the government of ''abandoning the provinces,'' and especially farmers and said that the collapse of the farming sector would bring major problems to the country.

Karamanlis stressed that the government's policies were increasing regional and social inequalities, with some areas plagued by unemployment rates greater than 25 per cent, decreased investment and declining farmer incomes.

He said his party's priority as a government would be to rebuild the state: ''If we do not create a state that is at the service of citizens and is the first to respect the law then we won't have achieved anything,'' he said.

Responding to Karamanlis' statements, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Friday that the main opposition leader was hunting for problems that existed for various reasons that he could highlight in order to promote his ''gray Greece'' tactics.

He said the ND president wanted to ''perform for the media'' rather than suggest solutions.

''The serious and long-term work required at Doirani cannot be substituted by visits of a sight-seeing nature,'' the spokesman added. ''Karamanlis will have forgotten about Doirani tomorrow, the government through its work and the environment ministry will solve the problems that objectively exist. That is the difference between us.''

ND leader accuses PM of ''disorientating'' citizens from their problems: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday evening lashed out against the government, stating that ''it is dangerous for the prime minister to open a public dialogue with the terrorists,'' attributing it to what he termed ''petty political expediencies to disorientate the citizens from their problems.''

Karamanlis, who was addressing party cadres in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, said that ''the time has come'' to completely crush terrorism and to expose all the associates of informers and moral instigators.

The ND leader gave a political character to the local government elections in October, noting that the victory of the ND ticket will be a signal for the next general elections.

He underlined that the ruling PASOK candidates, who will be ''apologetic'' for the government's policy, will not be able to express the local communities.

[12] German movements support Greek claims for war reparations

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

These statements were made following a meeting Thursday of the Greek national council for reparations from Germany with representatives of the above movements.

[13] Forum of the mayors of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas begins on Saturday

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

The forum will deal with the protection and development of the cultural heritage of the cities of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

The forum was established at the initiative of the Italian central association of municipalities in 1999 and includes some 43 cities from Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece.

[14] Gov't says hike in utility rates fuelled inflation by 0.07%

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

Speaking in parliament, Fotiadis criticized the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) for what he called a ''populist'' response to price rises and inflation.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the difference in Greece between prices of goods from producer to consumer carried a ratio of 1.0 to 3.5 against a European Union average of 1.0 to 2.0.

Fotiadis was replying to a parliamentary question to the government on price controls and tax policy that was tabled by the KKE.

Communist leader Aleka Papariga said the KKE wanted to see an increase in minimum wages and pensions, accompanied by stable, full employment with reasonable pay.

[15] Gov't drafts labor decree on permanent staff to comply with EU

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

Excluded from the Greek ruling, which comes into force in 2004, are the public sector, local government, radio and television, airlines, public works and banking.

The decree applies to staff on contracts that cover a specified period of time or specific project over 24 continuous months, or three successive contracts with no intervening gap greater than 20 days from the date of signature of each.

The head of the Confederation of Workers of Greece, Christos Polyzogopoulos, said later that the measure was helpful but had no retroactive effect, and contained too many exceptions.

A eurodeputy of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Alekos Alavanos, singled out exemption of the public sector from the ruling as a major flaw, along with other sectors.

He said he would soon bring the matter up at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, seeking redress.

[16] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

In other headline news this week:

Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with National Bank's governor Theodore Karatzas to discuss developments in the domestic banking system and the economy.

A Greek First Instance Court decided that a total of 15 terms and practices used by commercial banks in signing housing loans with consumers were illegal and abusive, justifying a collective suit filed by a Greek consumers' group against Commercial Bank.

Greece's gross domestic product rose by 4.0 percent in the second quarter of 2002, from 4.3 percent in the first quarter, but despite its slight slowdown remained sharply higher compared with the European Union average growth rate. Official figures showed that GDP rose 4.15 percent in the first six months of 2002. The inflation rate, however, rose to 3.5 percent in August, from 3.3 percent in July, reflecting price rises in vegetable and fuel prices. Inflation was running at an average rate of 3.4 percent in the August 2002-2001 period.

A total of eight investment projects, worth 15.3 million euros, demanding subsidies of 4.6 million euros, have been submitted so far by private investors in the framework of a Greek Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans, Economy and Finance Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas said. The five-year plan (2002-2006) envisages the funding of projects, actions and surveys for the economic reconstruction of Balkan states.

INKA, Greece's largest consumer organization, announced a four-day boycott in shopping of fresh fruit and vegetables next week, September 16-19, protesting against continuing price increases in the domestic market.

Ordinary budget revenues rose 7.5 percent in the first eight months of 2002, compared with the same period last year, exceeding a budget target for the year.

[17] Greek stocks plunge to four-year lows

Athens, 14/09/2002 (ANA)

The general index dropped 1.87 percent to end at 1,966.74 points, finally breaking the 2,000 psychological support level.

Turnover rose to 93.4 million euros, reflecting heavy trades in OTE stocks, which dropped 3.49 percent to end at 12.18 euros per share.

The Textile, Wholesale, Publication and Telecommunications sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (5.94 percent, 3.39 percent, 2.99 percent and 2.86 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 2.09 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.75 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.87 percent lower.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 314 to 24 with another 20 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net loss of 4.84 percent.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Football Pools Organization, Commercial Bank of Greece, Informatics, and Alpha Bank.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 126.2 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: