Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-16

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis: PASOK gov�t unable to achieve real convergence

[02] Papandreou calls on Turkey to respect UN resolutions on Cyprus in UN address

[03] Prospects for Cyprus solution dominate Papandreou-Grossman talks

[04] Russia, Greece to boost cooperation in energy sector

[05] Chrysohoidis: Illegal migration issue should be tabled at next EU summit

[06] Patriarch receives Greek DM at Fanar; visits to Athens, Brussels set

[07] First woman arrested in 'N17' case temporarily freed; final decision pending

[08] Karamanlis tours Thessaloniki trade fair hours before his address

[09] Consumer groups call for fruit, vegetables boycott this week

[10] Culture minister arrives in Istanbul for UNESCO conference

[11] Court rejects motion to block classical Marathon route widening

[12] Onassis Foundation chief Papadimitriou honored by AFGLC

[13] Vartholomeos to receive NYC mayor next week

[14] 12 Italy-bound illegals intercepted at port of Patra

[15] Moderate quake recorded in SW Greece

[16] Kasoulides: EU cannot wait for Turkey to decide on Cyprus

[17] US officials skeptical about new Turkish Cypriot document

[18] House President airs concerns about UN document

[01] Karamanlis: PASOK gov�t unable to achieve real convergence

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

Speaking Saturday evening during the 67th Thessaloniki International Fair�s (TIF) second weekend of operation and one week after Costas Simitis delivered the customary prime minister�s state-of-the-nation address, Karamanlis focused on his rival�s statement a week ago, namely, that Greece sports the highest GDP growth amongst the EU member-states. While agreeing that the statement is true, Karamanlis nevertheless wondered whether this growth is primarily due to Community funds funneled to Greece in unison with lower interest rates worldwide.

Along those same lines, he also asked a TIF convention hall audience what will happen when such EU supports end, as well as how this annual GDP growth is allocated within Greek society?

�With the current rates of growth, how many years are needed for real convergence (with the EU),� he asked rhetorically.

Moreover, he repeated ND�s allegation that the government was using �creative accounting� practices to portray more robust economic indexes, before charging that it was also creating �hidden debts�. He added that if �hidden debt� is included, then the country�s public debt would balloon to 110 percent of GDP, something he said would be the highest in the �euro zone�.

Conversely, he said New Democracy�s economic philosophy revolves around tax reform, deregulation of markets and healthy competition as well as a reduction of the state�s involvement in the economy along with curbing bureaucracy.

�To achieve real convergence in a decade, the rates of growth must exceed the Union�s average GDP by 4 percentage points. And this is impossible for PASOK�s governments; for us it is a certain byproduct of our policies. Let me just remind you that the OECD underlined recently that the rate of growth in our country would be accelerated by 11 to 12 percent if we had true privatizations and the deregulation of monopolistic sectors,� Karamanlis said.

Finally, he also directly blamed the government for the latest surge in the inflation rate, pointing to increases above the EU average for road taxes (11 percent), power rates (4 percent) and the flat rate paid to the phone utility (21 percent), as he claimed.

Karamanlis continues attack on gov't economic policies: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Sunday continued his direct attack on the government�s economic policies, during an expanded press conference here on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), while he also criticized what he called the prime minister�s handling of the ongoing terrorism investigation.

Among others, he cited a �major impropriety� on the part of Premier Costas Simitis, charging that the latter has �opened a dialogue with the terrorists.� He also said he was saddened by the fact that the prime minister continuously �digs up the past� in order to back up his policy, �one that is collapsing on all fronts,� Karamanlis added.

Moreover, the ND leader said his party�s position on the issue of terrorism cannot be disputed by anyone, stressing that New Democracy does not place blame on any particular political faction, and that ND does not place the terrorists within a specific political wing either.

Conversely, he said that if the entire process to eradicate local terrorist cells is successfully completed, he would be the first to give kudos to the government.

Asked about early elections, he said that if it was up to him he would �declare elections tomorrow, but I do not ask for them because I cannot force (early elections).�

Besides terrorism and the economy, Karamanlis said he most certainly attaches political significance to the upcoming local government elections, adding that he certainly desires Dora Bakoyianni�s election as Athens mayor in the first round.

Finally, he said ND�s standing position on the issues of corruption and a lack of transparency in public life remains unchanged.

Criticism on the economy: Karamanlis repeatedly referred throughout the press conference to his disagreement with the PASOK government�s economic models, reiterating that his party expresses a completely different outlook for economic growth � one based on privatizations of state-controlled enterprises, the deregulation of markets and the development of an attractive framework to lure investment.

In response to a question inaugurating his press conference, the ND leader disputed the statement that he has said the �Greek economy is collapsing�, clarifying:

�I said the Greek economy, despite whatever positive developments were recorded, still has not answered the questions of �if the things that had to be done were done?� If Greece is growing with the rates it should? If it (economy) is approaching the European average? If we are truly converging or if with the current rates it will take us decades until real convergence,� he asked.

Criticism over Thessaloniki-area projects: Turning to the greater Thessaloniki region, a usual focus of national attention during TIF every September, Karamanlis called the government�s efforts at pushing through infrastructure projects and upgrading Thessaloniki�s role �miserly�.

He charged that nary a project is recording satisfactory progress, while the ambitious Egnatia Motorway running across the breadth of northern Greece is proceeding at a �snail�s pace�, as he noted.

Additionally, he said prospects for Thessaloniki�s elevation into a metropolitan center of the SE European region over the past 15 years have not been fulfilled due to PASOK �miserly� attitude.

Gov't spokesman: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas later replied to Karamanlis� charges by accusing the ND leader of advocating a �two-faced policy�.

The spokesman charged that Karamanlis did not back the country�s course towards Economic and Monetary Union, as he claimed, because in Parliament he (Karamanlis) referred to �bogus convergence�.

He also criticized the ND president for not upholding a responsible stance vis-a-vis the issue of terrorism, but instead shields top ND cadres that blame PASOK and the left.

In statements following Karamanlis� high-profile address at TIF on Saturday evening, Protopapas said �the conclusion from Mr. Karamanlis� speech is one: Greeks will never trust a politician that keeps �radio silence� about his party�s policies...�

[02] Papandreou calls on Turkey to respect UN resolutions on Cyprus in UN address

UNITED NATIONS 16/09/2002 (ANA - S. Sideris)

Addressing the 57th session of the UN General Assembly on Sunday, Papandreou underlined that, according to the international organization�s resolutions, a Cyprus settlement passes through the establishment of a federal state on the island with a single sovereignty; a single international personality; one nationality, without the presence of foreign troops and with the rights of the two communities guaranteed.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Since then, Turkey refuses to comply with numerous UN resolutions that call for the withdrawal of its occupation forces.

Papandreou also noted that the rights of the Turkish Cypriot minority would be fully secured through the island republic's accession to the European Union. ''Consequently,'' he added, ''Turkey must respect UN decisions and realize where its own interests, and those of the Turkish Cypriots, lie.''

The island republic opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998 and is considered a frontrunner amongst EU candidate countries.

Cyprus will soon become member of the EU, Papandreou noted, ''but until December, the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey should make every effort in order to achieve a political solution''.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have been engaged in UN-led direct talks since mid January with a view to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Earlier this month, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan met with Clerides and Denktash in Paris and asked them to return to Cyprus and work on the issues that he highlighted, with all three again expected to meet in New York on Oct. 3 and 4.

Turning to the European Union, the foreign minister underlined the Union's stabilizing role in the wider region, adding that the forthcoming Greek EU presidency will assume concrete initiatives for bringing even closer to the EU the Balkan states and Turkey, something which will contribute to the development of the region and security.

Greece is set to assume the six-month EU rotating presidency next January.

Referring to Greek Turkish relations, Papandreou said Greece made a strategic choice in 1999 to support Turkey's European prospects. Turkey, he added, has a European prospect, but on the condition that it will respect the EU's principles and values.

Papandreou expressed his satisfaction regarding the two neighboring countries' rapprochement over the past three years, while underlining the Greek government's will to go ahead with this policy, one aimed at establishing relations of cooperation and averting tensions and crises.

Turning to the problem of international terrorism, Papandreou pointed to the need for international cooperation in the fight against such phenomena. Within this context, he stressed that it was imperative for the international community to analyze the reasons for existing regional and international problems, as well as to address the problem of poverty, because ''international terrorism is nourished in societies that have no future, no hope, where wars and injustice prevail.''

''We should all join in this fight because one cannot demonize peoples and religions,'' Papandreou said. ''I believe that the fight against terrorism necessitates a dialogue between cultures for the mutual understanding of peoples, and that this dialogue can become a strong deterrent against terrorism.''

Papandreou also referred to the 'N17' urban terrorist group's eradication in Greece, stressing that Athens, by its resolve and in cooperation with US authorities and its European Union partners, succeeded in cracking down on terrorism.

Turning to the Iraq crisis, he said that ''we have the responsibility to exhaust all margins for a peaceful solution to the problem,� underlining the need for strengthening international institutions, especially the UN. ''For us, respect of UN decisions is a necessary condition in securing peace''.

In an indirect reference to Turkey and its stance on the Cyprus problem, Papandreou noted that there should be no selective invocation of UN decisions, which, as he said, should have a paramount implementation.

He said Iraq must respect these resolutions and proceed with democratization while preserving its territorial integrity.

Regarding the Middle East, Papandreou said the international community should give a clear perspective to the Palestinians for the creation of their own state, while at the same time providing guarantees for Israel's existence and safety.

He also stressed the need for a ''democratic reconstruction'' of the Middle East so as to eradicate all roots of violence.

Concluding, Papandreou spoke of yet another aim of Greece�s upcoming EU presidency, saying that further development of US-EU relations will have a stabilizing effect on the world stage.

Finally, the Greek foreign minister referred to the idea of �Olympic Truce�, promoted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Greek government and himself personally, saying that the initiative could shape a new culture for �peace in the world.�

[03] Prospects for Cyprus solution dominate Papandreou-Grossman talks

NEW YORK 16/09/2002 (ANA-S.Sideris/CNA)

Following talks with the Greek FM in the American metropolis on Saturday, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman told reporters that the next few weeks will be particularly significant as far as the Cyprus issue is concerned.

Other matters discussed included the Iraq crisis, Greek-Turkish relations and developments vis-a-vis the anti-terrorism campaign. US State Department Cyprus special coordinator Thomas Weston also participated in the meeting.

In other comments, Grossman said he would do all he can to back the UN peace effort for a negotiated settlement on the divided island republic.

�We promised to do our very best to continue to support the Secretary General on his efforts, especially in Cyprus,� he said.

Asked if he predicts a solution of the question of Cyprus as the EU December deadline approaches, he said, ''the Minister and I agree that the next few weeks are extremely important''.

The EU is expected at its December summit to invite Cyprus and other applicant countries to join, irrespective of a political settlement on the island.

''When the UN Secretary General invites President (Glafcos) Clerides and Mr. (Rauf) Denktash, here in New York, in October, that's an important effort and we want to support it. We think there is a lot of progress that can be made,'' he added.

Noting that the Cyprus problem has been pending for years, he said there is an opportunity to make some progress.

UN Chief Kofi Annan has invited President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash to New York in early October to review progress in the peace talks they are engaged in, after he met with both leaders in Paris early September.

In other remarks, Papandreou said this was ''a very critical period'' and said every effort has to be made to use this opportunity.

''This is a great opportunity to solve a problem that has historically divided Greece and Turkey, although it is not directly a Greek-Turkish issue, it is an international issue,'' he added. Cyprus, he pointed out, should be seen as ''a show case of cooperation between Greece and Turkey'' and Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together, under the same roof within the European Union.

Grossman, commenting on the minister's remarks, stressed: ''I think that's very well said''.

Turning to another timely issue, Grossman praised Athens� recent efforts against terrorism in the wake of several arrests of �November 17� suspects.

[04] Russia, Greece to boost cooperation in energy sector

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

According to an Itar-Tass dispatch from New York, during the meeting of the two ministers, particular attention was given to cooperation between the two countries during the Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2003.

Ivanov pointed to the need for using Russian-Greek cooperation as a basis to build on the partnership between Russia and the EU. Discussing international problems, both FMs touched on the situation concerning Iraq, the Middle East and the Balkans.

[05] Chrysohoidis: Illegal migration issue should be tabled at next EU summit

COPENHAGEN 16/09/2002 (ANA)

Greece was represented by Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis and Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, with the former agreeing with a United Nations official over the need to ensure the protection of foreign nationals truly in need, people earning the right to enjoy refugee status.

The Greek minister, however, added that Greece is facing an increasing problem with groups of economic migrants illegally entering the country and then requesting asylum status.

�It has been proven that such people abuse the right to asylum, in essence, we�re talking about illegal immigrants,� he said.

�Greece, as a European Union member-state with extensive external borders, is obliged to protect, on the one hand, third country citizens that are truly being persecuted, while on the other hand, protecting its territory and its local societies from the illegal trafficking of people,� he stressed.

He added that a common EU policy to guard the Union�s external borders is paramount, along with initiatives to ensure the re-admission of would-be migrants back to the country from which they entered EU territory.

Finally, Chrysohoidis called for the tabling of the illegal immigration issue at the next EU Summit in order to find practical solutions to the nagging problem arising from a refusal of certain African and Asian states to meet their obligations in terms of accepting back illegal migrants.

[06] Patriarch receives Greek DM at Fanar; visits to Athens, Brussels set

ISTANBUL 16/09/2002 (ANA � A. Kourkoulas)

In brief comments afterwards, the Greek defense minister reiterated that Athens has approached Turkey over the past few years, with improved bilateral relations the result.

However, he added that �a substantive improvement in Greek-Turkish relations depends on the resolution of basic problems dividing Greece and Turkey, and as everyone knows, these are the Cyprus issue and the unilateral demands Turkey makes against our national sovereign rights in the Aegean.�

Referring to his contacts with Vartholomeos, the Greek minister said they discussed matters dealing with the venerable Patriarchate�s role in Turkey as well as in the international community as a whole, along with the support Athens affords the renowned religious institution.

�The Patriarchate is a bridge between Christianity and Islam,� Papantoniou stressed.

Vartholomeos to travel to Athens, Brussels: In a related development, the Patriarch is scheduled to arrive in the Greek capital later this month to receive an honorary doctorate from the Athens School of Agronomy, as well as to participate in a conference held at an Athens-area monastery.

In early October Vartholomeos will travel to the Belgian capital for a meeting with EU Commission President Romano Prodi, as talks are expected to revolve around envisioned cooperation amongst the world�s major religions, an initiative that began last December.

Within the framework of that initiative, the Patriarch will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan on Oct. 10-11.

[07] First woman arrested in 'N17' case temporarily freed; final decision pending

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

Angeliki Sotiropoulou, 40, the long-time companion of one �N17� suspect and the ex-wife of another, Dimitris Koufodinas and Savvas Xiros, respectively, was freed two days after her arrest on three felony terrorism-related counts due to conflicting recommendations by an appellate level prosecutor and the investigating magistrate in the case. The former recommended that she be remanded to custody, while the latter favored her temporary release with restrictions.

On Sunday evening it was announced that a specially convened council of appellate judges will make a final decision on whether Sotiropoulou is jailed or remains free pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

Sotiropoulou has reportedly denied all the charges against her. The self-described homemaker and mother of one was indicted after authorities announced last week that her fingerprints were lifted from inside one of the elusive terror gang�s central Athens hideouts.

Koufodinas has been charged with dozens of felonies, including intentional homicide, for his alleged role as the terror band�s chief recruiter and treasurer, among others. Savvas Xiros, meanwhile, proved to be the linchpin in decades-long efforts to finally track down members of the group after an apparent botched bomb attempt in late June left him badly injured at the port of Piraeus.

[08] Karamanlis tours Thessaloniki trade fair hours before his address

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis is expected to open his address by focusing on national issues, especially Cyprus� crucial EU accession course in light of Greece�s presidency in the European Union during the first half of 2003, before reportedly launching into an attack of the government�s economic policies.

During his TIF tour, the ND leader praised the fact that the annual exhibition, Greece�s largest trade and commercial fair along with its organizing body, state-controlled Helexpo, are tied inextricably to Thessaloniki.

Among the pavilions he visited were those of the Thessaloniki municipality, the fire brigade and Greek Police (EL.AS), the Athens 2004 Olympics organizing committee�s stand, Cyprus� pavilion and France�s participation, as that country is the �honored nation� at this year�s TIF.

Karamanlis was toasted with champagne at the French pavilion in honor of his 46th birthday, which falls on Sept. 14.

His address is expected to begin at 8 p.m. at TIF�s main events hall.

Visit to ND prefectural race candidate: On Saturday, Karamanlis also visited the campaign headquarters of well-known ND deputy Panagiotis Psomiadis, a northern Greece deputy vying for the post of Thessaloniki prefecture in next month�s local government elections.

�If we assume that we�ve lost time; that the greatest problem in Greece today lies in regional inequities; that Thessaloniki�s and the greater region�s role should be more significant in our time and in the years to come � then I am certain we will agree that local government will play a decisive role for development and progress in a Greece of the future,� Karamanlis said adding:

�If we agree with these assumptions, and I am certain the majority of Greeks agree, then both conclusions we can easily derive from this argument is that we must strengthen local government.�

[09] Consumer groups call for fruit, vegetables boycott this week

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

The Consumers Institute (IN.KA) and the General Federation of Greek Consumers are promoting the new action in the wake of a successful Sept. 3 nationwide boycott of stores and markets. People were also asked to symbolically turn off their home�s main power switch for a couple of minutes in the evening and refrain from making calls, actions aimed at the state-affiliated power and telephone utilities.

In a press release, IN.KA called on consumers to �exert, with their absence from the fruit and vegetable markets, the necessary pressure for a rationalization of prices in the food sector.�

The consumer group has long charged that fruit and vegetable merchants � retailers, wholesalers and open market vendors � have increased prices since the introduction of the euro on Jan. 1 at a higher rate than any other category of foodstuffs, including processed items.

IN.KA also decried what it calls the great disparity between prices paid to local producers and the final price consumers pay at the supermarket counter or at the green grocer.

[10] Culture minister arrives in Istanbul for UNESCO conference

ISTANBUL 16/09/2002 (ANA - A.Kourkoulas)

Venizelos will address the conference on the theme of "Humanity's Spiritual and Cultural Inheritance and the Search for a Culture of Cultures". On Tuesday he will be received by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and hold separate talks with Turkish soccer federation officials.

[11] Court rejects motion to block classical Marathon route widening

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

The decision rejects a motion by residents of several east Attica townships and organizations -- the area where the Marathon site is located -- to prevent the expropriation of lands adjacent to the Athens-Marathon roadway on which the popular long-distance footrace will be run during the 2004 Olympics.

The review board also rejected a motion against a relevant environmental impact study for the project.

The CoS is Greece�s highest administrative court. No immediate word on whether the petitioners will appeal to the CoS plenum was given.

[12] Onassis Foundation chief Papadimitriou honored by AFGLC

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

AFGLC president and noted Greek-American academic Prof. Chris Tsokos praised Papadimitriou for his leadership of the well-respected Onassis Foundation � established in the name of his son, Alexander, by the will of late shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. Praise of the Foundation and Papadimitriou focused especially on its scholarship programs, along with its support of Greek language and culture study courses and seminars world-wide.

More than 3,000 students have been awarded scholarships by the Onassis Foundation over the years, while more than 15,000 college students at some 100 universities around the world have taken Hellenic studies classes supported by the Foundation.

The brief award ceremony came on the sidelines of the first-ever AFGLC conference in Greece, in cooperation with its Athens-based subsidiary, entitled �The Significance of Greek Education and Culture in the Era of Globalization�.

[13] Vartholomeos to receive NYC mayor next week

ISTANBUL 16/09/2002 (ANA)

[14] 12 Italy-bound illegals intercepted at port of Patra

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

Besides the illegal immigrants, another four people were charged with migrant smuggling, including a German citizen of Turkish descent, Ali Hassan; a Lithuanian national, Asta Lycakiene; and two Italian nationals, Salvator Termini and his traveling companion Anna Mastrolembo.

Four of the Kurds were hidden in a vehicle driven by the first couple, while the other eight were loaded into a camper van driven by the two Italians, harbor authorities said.

Ancona, Italy was destination of the Greek-flagged ferryboat the illegals were attempting to board.

[15] Moderate quake recorded in SW Greece

Athens, 16/09/2002 (ANA)

The quake was recorded at 10:50 p.m., while its epicenter was pinpointed in Ileia prefecture along the Peloponnesian�s western shores.

No damages or injuries were reported.

[16] Kasoulides: EU cannot wait for Turkey to decide on Cyprus

UNITED NATIONS 16/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Kasoulides said the Turkish threats leveled at Brussels are not helping the ongoing UN-led peace effort and are far from meeting the recommendations of the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan to the Turkish side to be more constructive at the talks to facilitate a negotiated agreement.

''The European Union cannot wait until Turkey decides when it is time to solve the Cyprus question. If the problem is not settled by 12 December, Brussels will go ahead with our accession, as planned,'' Kasoulides said in response to Soukru Sina Gurel's speech before the UN General Assembly.

The EU is expected in December to invite Cyprus and another nine candidate countries to join the Union. The EU has repeatedly said it would prefer to see a reunited Cyprus becoming a member but also said that a political settlement is not a precondition for accession.

Gurel claimed that the EU decision to accept Cyprus without a solution ''has made an agreed settlement even more elusive'' and warned that such a development would lead to tensions in the island and the eastern Mediterranean, reiterating his long standing view that the application for accession by the Republic of Cyprus was ''illegitimate.''

Dismissing these claims, Kasoulides said Britain (one of the three guarantor powers of Cyprus' independence - Greece and Turkey are the other two) is categorical about the legitimacy of the application for accession, as it has said so in a recent document distributed among Assembly members. The minister said the Turkish threats are not helping the peace effort nor are they to going to force the EU to change its views on Cyprus' membership.

Kasoulides discusses developments in peace process: The continuing intransigent positions the Turkish Cypriot leader puts forward at the UN-led peace talks were the focus of discussions Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has had here with British envoy for Cyprus Lord David Hannay.

The minister referred specifically to the offensive his Turkish counterpart launched against Cyprus and the European Union, should Brussels accept the Republic in its ranks, prior to a political settlement.

Kasoulides and Hannay had a working dinner on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during which they reviewed the latest developments in the peace effort, following a meeting in Paris between President Glafcos Clerides, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan earlier in September.

Kasoulides made special reference to a new document Denktash put forward at the negotiating table, which is widely considered to be unhelpful for the peace process.

Kasoulides discussed Cyprus, bilateral relations, the situation in Iraq and other issues of mutual interest with Elizabeth Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, at a meeting here Saturday.

The minister attended a meeting of Commonwealth ministers, which took place for the first time in the margins of the UN Assembly.

He also met Romanian foreign minister Mircea Geona and his Spanish counterpart Ana Palacio. At lunchtime Saturday, he attended a working lunch hosted by German foreign minister Joschka Fischer.

[17] US officials skeptical about new Turkish Cypriot document

NEW YORK 16/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The same sources have said that the US officials pledged to continue their efforts in the direction of Ankara and Denktash with a view to persuading them to change their positions on the basis of recommendations Denktash got at last week's meeting in Paris with UN Secretary General Kofi Anan.

In Paris, Anan has asked Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides, both of whom have been engaged in direct talks since January, to intensify their efforts and report back to him on the progress they make towards a negotiated settlement in early October.

New York, where the UN General Assembly is underway, has been the focus of various meetings with regard to Cyprus in the past week.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, representing President Clerides at the Assembly, said he reviewed the latest developments in Cyprus with US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston during a working lunch, in the wake of the Paris meetings and the first two meetings in Cyprus in the context of the direct talks.

''It is obvious that the Turkish side is not moving, nor is it responding to the recommendations of the UN Secretary General, at least until now,'' Kasoulides said after the lunch, adding that ''this much is crystal clear to all those who follow the Cyprus question and know what is going on.''

[18] House President airs concerns about UN document

NICOSIA 16/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)

He said such a move on the part of the UN is likely to take place after the November elections in Turkey and before the European Union summit in December and its timing could cause Turkey to create a crisis.

The House President warned at the same time of the possibility to see Cyprus falling victim again to attempts to serve the strategic interests of the big powers.

''It is becoming increasingly likely to see the UN submitting a framework solution for a comprehensive settlement after the November 3 elections and before the 12-13 EU summit in Copenhagen,'' Christofias said on Sunday, speaking at the funeral of a Greek Cypriot soldier killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion, whose remains were recently unearthed and identified.

He said it is possible that such a document may not be in line with UN resolutions on Cyprus, which provide for one state, with a single sovereignty and a single citizenship.

Christofias said the timing of a UN move of this kind could spell out problems for Cyprus because time is running out and Turkey, which links its own accession with that of Cyprus, may try to cause a crisis.

Ankara has repeatedly warned the EU not to accept a divided Cyprus in its ranks, as this will create problems in the region. The EU said a solution in Cyprus would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition for it.

On reaction to the Turkish warnings, Christofias had this to say ''essentially there is no reaction because Turkey's role in implementing the designs of the big powers is important.''

''Cyprus may very well find itself again a victim be

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article