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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-16Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>October 16, 2002CONTENTS
[01] ATHOC president briefs French president on Olympic GamesPARIS 16/10/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)French President Jacques Chirac met Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday night, who briefed him on preparations for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.On her departure from the Presidential Palace, Daskalaki said she also referred to educational programs focusing on sports promoted by the European Union and which have a particular value in light of the Athens Olympic Games. She also said she briefed President Chirac on the course the Olympic Flame will be following, as well as through Europe, and extended a double invitation to him: on the one hand to welcome the Olympic Flame himself when it arrives in Paris and on the other to attend the Olympic Games' opening ceremony in Athens. According to circles close to Daskalaki, President Chirac assured her that he will respond positively to both invitations. Well-informed sources also said the French president appeared to be very satisfied by the importance the French language will be having during the 2004 Olympic Games. Daskalaki further mentioned the fact that in August 2003 Paris will be organizing the World Athletics Championships which is the last major athletics event before the Athens Olympic Games. ''It was a great honor for ATHOC and myself personally to be given the opportunity of meeting the President of the French Republic Mr. Jacques Chirac today and briefing him on the progress of our preparation in light of the 2004 Olympic Games. We told President Chirac that in 2004 Athens will welcome humanity at Games to be characterized by technical perfection and security. President Chirac showed particular interest in the organization, since the 2004 Olympic Games will be the first to be hosted by an Economic and Monetary Union member-state,'' Daskalaki said. According to reports, shortly after the official meeting between the French and ATHOC delegations, President Chirac had a private discussion with Daskalaki on issues concerning the preparation and role of the Greek EU presidency, as well as on issues regarding the involvement of the EU in relation to the overall course towards the 2004 Olympic Games. President Chirac also showed great interest in the 2004 Paralympic Games, since for many years he has been showing keen interest in promoting sports for handicapped people. Daskalaki was accompanied on both occasions by managing director Marton Simicek and diplomatic adviser ambassador Spyros Lambridis. Daskalaki was due to meet French Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour on Tuesday night, who is a former athlete and two-time Olympic Games gold medallist in fencing, to brief him on conditions concerning preparations for the French Olympic team's stay in Athens. [02] Greek, Turkish officials to examine re-admission protocol activitiesAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)A team of senior officials from Greece's foreign, interior, public order and merchant marine ministries would be in Ankara on Wednesday and Thursday for a regular meeting with Turkish counterparts, as set out in a re-admission signed between the two countries last November, a foreign ministry announcement said Tuesday.The purpose of the meeting is to examine the function of the protocol to date, and to ensure its efficient operation in combatting the phenomenon of illegal migration. In November 2001, Greece and Turkey signed a re-admission agreement, or protocol, under which the two countries would take back illegal migrants, including those from third countries. The protocol does not apply to political refugees. [03] FM briefs 12 Arab ambassadors on Greek EU presidency's prioritiesAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday briefed the 12 ambassadors of the Arab countries in Athens on the priorities of the Greek EU presidency, the developments in the Middle East, Iraq's issue and the planning of the Greek presidency to hold a ceremony in Athens for the accession of the 10 new member-states in Spring 2003.Papandreou also stressed that the Greek EU presidency placed as its priority the strengthening of the cooperation between the Union and the Mediterranean countries and especially those of the Arab world. He informed the ambassadors that the Greek presidency would organize a conference of the EU foreign ministers with the foreign ministers of the Arab countries in May 2003, probably in Crete. Concerning the Middle East, Papandreou said that Athens supports, in every way possible, the efforts of the European Union to reintroduce interest for the ''road map'' it has drafted for this issue. On Iraq, the Greek minister reiterated Greece's position, noting that there is a necessity to respect international law and the United Nations processes, while the cooperation between the European Union and the Arab countries should be continual and intense, especially in the event that a military scenario does manifest itself. [04] Antonakopoulos says Greece and Cyprus safeguarding their defenseNICOSIA 16/10/2002 (ANA/CNA)If any gaps are determined in the implementation of the Joint Defense Pact between Cyprus and Greece, these will be filled so that the two countries are able to respond to the demands of the times and safeguard their security and defense, Greece's Chief of Staff, General Georgios Antonakopoulos, said on Tuesday.Speaking to officials of the National Guard General Staff before a briefing on the operation capabilities of the National Guard, Antonakopoulos, who is on an official visit to the island, said Tuesday's briefing aims at upgrading operational capabilities, thus sending a decisive message that a solution to the Cyprus problem is not subject to threats or blackmail. Earlier in the day, Antonakopoulos met Cypriot Defense Minister Socrates Hasikos and National Guard Commander, Lieutenant General Athanassios Nikolodemos, who said the Greek Commander's visit and briefing was held at a crucial time for Cyprus and the National Guard, in view of the negotiations underway for Cyprus' accession to the EU. Nikolodemos said that, when this procedure is finalized, ''it will give a new dimension to the future of the Republic of Cyprus''. On Wednesday Antonakopoulos will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and meet President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias and Greece's Ambassador in Nicosia Christos Panagopoulos. He leaves on Thursday after a visit at Kykkos Monastery where he will lay a wreath at the tomb of the late President, Archbishop Makarios III. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third. The governments of Cyprus and Greece agreed in November 1993 to adopt a joint defense pact. [05] PASOK to support 'progressive' candidates in run-off: gov't spokesmanAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)The ruling PASOK party will openly support what he called progressive candidates in the local government run-off election this Sunday wherever no PASOK-backed candidate is running, the government spokesman said Tuesday.''We will not hesitate to openly and clearly back the progressive candidates in the second round,'' spokesman Christos Protopapas said in reply to press questions. As for ''messages'' of last Sunday's first round, Protopapas said that after the run-off is concluded, all conclusions will be examined and assessed so as ''to make the necessary adaptations in our policy''. For the time being, he said, ''we are working so that the best (candidates) will prevail in the municipalities and prefectures''. PM receives PASOK secretary: Following a subsequent meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and PASOK secretary Costas Laliotis, the latter reiterated the government spokesman's comments. Laliotis also said the messages from the first round were many, and that they would be assessed in due course in order to gain correct conclusions. [06] PM meets with health ministerAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday received the health minister at his office, for a briefing on various issues involving the public health care sector and the ministry�s priorities.In speaking to reporters afterwards, Minister Costas Stefanis cited a few statistics he said countered the view that Greece�s health care system was lagging. Among others, he said life expectancy has increased over the last few years by 17 percent; the average life expectancy for women has reached 85 years of age, while infant mortality rates have dramatically fallen in the country. [07] Alternate FM meets Ukrainian counterpart in Athens on TuesdayAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on Tuesday met with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksandr Chalyi and discussed a series of issues concerning the European Union's relations with the Ukraine, as well as the prospects of the Greek EU presidency.Following the meeting Yiannitsis said that discussions focused on how the Greek EU presidency may contribute in establishing closer ties between the Union and the Ukraine, as well as the bilateral cooperation between Greece and the Ukraine toward that same purpose. Yiannitsis also stressed Greece's interest in promoting a new strategic relation between the EU and the Ukraine. On his part, Chalyi said it would be very important that his country's relations with the EU be promoted during the Greek presidency and the Ukraine's incorporation in the European Union. Greek-Ukrainian ties discussed in Athens: Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis on Tuesday received the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's State Secretary for European Integration Oleksandr Chalyi, with talks focusing on the course of Greek-Ukrainian relations as well as prospects for expanded EU-Ukraine ties during Athens� upcoming EU presidency in the first half of 2003. On his part, Chalyi expressed the Kiev government�s heightened interest in further improving Ukraine�s ties with both the EU and NATO, while calling for Athens� support towards this end. He also referred to the need for measures by Greece regarding Ukrainian workers in the east Mediterranean country, while citing a bilateral agreement recently worked out by Portugal with his country over the matter. [08] ND condemns terrorist attack in BaliAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)The main opposition New Democracy party on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attack in Bali on Saturday which cost the lives of about 200 people.''New Democracy unequivocally condemns the hideous terrorist attack in Bali, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of innocent people. We express our sympathy to our fellow countryman who was injured and our undivided support to the family of the missing Greek,'' ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said in a statement. ''Once again, we stress that international terrorism, although receiving a serious blow, has not stopped being a major danger and threat to all of mankind,'' he added. [09] New charges brought against ''N 17'' terrorist group membersAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Alleged ''November 17'' terrorist group member Angeliki Sotiropoulou on Tuesday was charged with additional crimes, concerning the 27-year activities of the murderous group in Greece.Appellate court prosecutor Leonidas Zervobeakos brought additional charges against Sotiropoulou, more specifically he charged her with en situ participation in the murder of British Brigadier Gen. Steven Saunders in June 2000 and with the murder of Thanos Axarlian, a university student who was passing by the point where the 1992 attack against Yiannis Paleocrassas, a minister of the government at that time, took place. Also, according to sources, charges were brought forth against Sotiropoulou for involvement in the June 2002 bomb explosion, where Savvas Xiros, a ''N 17'' alleged member, was wounded unraveling the shadowy group that committed scores of murders in Greece. The same sources said that the prosecutor has the statements of two eyewitnesses that saw Sotiropoulou taking part in both murderous attacks, but no further details were known at press time. The prosecutor also announced charges against Nikos Papanastasiou, also an alleged ''N17'' member, in the case of the murder of the U.S. Navy Cpt. George Tsantes and his driver Nikos Veloutsos in 1983. Alleged N17 terrorists to make additional statements: Investigator Leonidas Zervombeakos is expected to obtain supplementary statements this week from alleged November 17 terrorist organization members Constantine Telios, Patroklos Tselentis and Nikos Papanastasiou. Supplementary prosecution for two offences has been launched against Tselentis, who is expected to request a time limit until Saturday to make his statement. Supplementary prosecution for one offence has also been launched against Papanastasiou. Telios is expected to make his statement on Thursday, although it is yet unclear whether additional prosecution has taken place in his case. Supplementary prosecution, reportedly concerning two homicides and one explosion, has also been launched against Angeliki Sotiropoulou, while it is unknown when she will be making her statement. Meanwhile, according to the results of a handwriting check, complete identity has been ascertained between the handwriting of Alexandros Giotopoulos and handwriting on documents found in the organization�s two safe houses. Alleged ''N 17'' member will not undergo eye surgery: Alleged ''November 17'' terrorist group member Theologos Psaradelis was transported to the Athens General Hospital on Tuesday to undergo eye surgery, but doctors there decided against it. Psaradelis, 62, who has been jailed for his alleged participation in the murderous group, was examined by prison doctors and found to have problems with his cornea. He underwent medical treatment for the detachment of the "glass like" part of the cornea and was returned to the Korydallos prison. [10] Finance minister meets PM to discuss 2003 budgetAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis on Tuesday met the prime minister to discuss the budget for 2003.The final version of the budget will be formally sent to parliament next month, Christodoulakis told reporters. The house currently has a draft containing a worst-case scenario should Iraq come under attack, bringing a rise in global oil prices. Parliament is to examine the draft next week, and feedback would be taken into account for the final version, the minister added. [11] Greek dairy producers welcome EU decision on feta cheeseAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)The Union of Greek Dairy Products on Tuesday welcomed a European Commission's decision to finally consolidate the name of feta cheese as a product of a "Protected Name Origin."A Union statement said that the decision was the result of a systematic and coordinated effort by the European Commission the Greek Agriculture ministry and the union. According to an announcement, the European Commission ratified, with a written process, a European Union regulation by which feta cheese is finally consolidated as a product of a ''Protected Name Origin.'' The regulation notes that feta can only be produced in certain regions of Greece with strict observance of the product's specifications. Producers from other member-states or producers failing to observe specifications have a time limit of five years either to change name or stop production. [12] Bank of Greece dismiss talk of bank solvency problemsAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)The Bank of Greece on Tuesday dismissed speculation over solvency problems facing the domestic banking system.Nikos Garganas, the central bank's governor, speaking to reporters after a meeting with Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis to discuss the course and prospects of the Greek economy ahead of submission of the bank's intermediary monetary policy report in November, said that such speculation were groundless and ill-intentioned. The Greek banker said that the annual growth rate of consumer loans by domestic banks has fallen to 32 percent from 42 percent recently, although he noted that the rate of growth remained at high levels. Mr. Garganas said that the central bank would have a more clear view of credit conditions in the market after the publication of an ICAP survey on household debt, expected by the end of the year. Greek bankers downplay UBS Warburg's report: Greek bankers on Tuesday expressed their optimism over the course of the domestic banking system, downplaying a report by UBS Warburg that downgrades the European banking sector by saying it was riskier than other market sectors and cutting share price targets for Greece's five biggest banks. Bank of Greece Governor Nikos Garganas said speculation over solvency problems in the domestic banking system was groundless and ill intentioned, while National Bank's governor Theodore Karatzas in a recent interview stressed that the Greek banking system was healthy, strong and was steadily restructuring. Karatzas noted that current low profitability in the sector did not mean that Greek banks were facing problems. Other bankers said that foreign investment firms' reports were sometimes based on rough estimates, with no fundamental background and without the use of proper financial figures, adding that the market should not pay too much attention to them. Greek banking executives also stressed that the domestic banking system has significantly strengthened following completion of a first phage of merger and takeover activity and was currently on a dynamic course of boosting activities in all banking sectors, while facing no fundamental problems. [13] Deputy FM meets with Greek Industries FederationAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos on Tuesday met with the presidium of the Greek Industries Federation (SEV) to discuss the Greek Plan for the Reconstruction of the Balkans (ESOAV) and other financial diplomacy issues.Loverdos told the leadership of SEV that the submission of 12 requests by an equal number of businesses within the framework of ESOAV was a good indication so far, with the expectation that the total number of proposals to be submitted will be completed within a year. ESOAV began operating last July, while Parliamentary ratification of the bilateral agreements that have already been signed is expected in November. [14] Hellas On Line developing site for Greece's EU presidencyAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Hellas On Line said on Monday that it was developing a website on Greece's rotating presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003.The site at www.eu2003.gr will begin trial operations at the end of October with full operation expected early in December. The site will remain in place until the end of June 2003, Hellas said in a statement. The company hopes the site will become the main source of information at home and abroad for the presidency's activities. [15] Tax squad finds evidence of fraud in newly elected prefect's firmAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)The government's financial crimes squad has found evidence of fraud in Interfarm SA, owned by Thessaloniki's newly elected prefect, Panayiotis Psomiadis.Deputy Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiadis told reporters on Tuesday that the inspection was part of a wide-ranging swoop on tens of northern companies in connection with fraudulent Value Added Tax rebates. The investigation had so far uncovered fake invoices totalling more than 200 billion drachmas. Criminal charges had been brought against 50 tax office and customs staff, Fotiadis said. [16] Greek stocks end up, banks sufferAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Greek stocks ended Tuesday's session off their days highs as a negative report by UBS Warburg on the Greek banking sector pushed bank stocks lower reducing earlier bigger gains in the Athens Stock Exchange.The Swiss investment bank said it was cutting significantly its share price targets for National Bank, Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank and Commercial Bank, creating a wave of selling in the sector. The general index rose 1.27 percent to end at 1,828.87 points, with turnover an improved 96.1 million euros. The Bank sector was the only one to end lower (-0.49 percent), while the Publication, Insurance and Base Metal sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (4.54 percent, 4.52 percent and 4.02 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.66 percent, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 indexes rose 2.02 percent, respectively. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 303 to 31 with another 28 issues unchanged. The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Sex Form, Informatics, Klonatex and National Bank of Greece. Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Tuesday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond Derivatives trade rises in September: The total value of contracts traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange rose by 44.11 percent in September with trades on individual stocks up 13.38 percent, market authorities said on Tuesday. The average daily number of trades rose to 22,445, up 57.4 percent from August, authorities said in a statement. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 102.3 mln euros Tuesday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 102.3 mln euros [17] Majority of Britons favor return of Parthenon Marbles, poll showsAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)In the event of a referendum on whether or not the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece or remain at the British Museum, the British public would vote for their return by a margin of more than two to one, a MORI poll said on Tuesday.Announced simultaneously in both countries, in Greece by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and in Great Britain in the British Parliament, the results of the poll that was carried out for the British Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles, showed a positive turn on the issue of the return of the friezes to the new Acropolis Museum in 2004. Out of a sample of 2009 respondents interviewed from 19 through 24 September on whether they were aware of the issue, 54 percent said �yes�, while asked about the possibility of a referendum on the return or not of the Marbles, 40 percent said they supported the return of the Marbles to Greece and 16 percent were against; the rest either said they did not know or declined to respond. �The return of the Marbles is not an issue of Greek-British disagreement�, Venizelos said. �In British society there are many supporters of the request to incorporate the Marbles in the new Museum; this is particularly honorable of the British people�, he said. The minister extended his warm appreciation to the Committee for the survey and its efforts, adding that a lot is being done on the issue without being publicized. �We are only announcing a very small portion of everything that we are doing�, he said characteristically. [18] EU ministers approve conclusions on illegal immigrationBRUSSELS 16/10/2002 (ANA - V. Demiris)The European Union's Council of Justice and Internal Affairs Ministers on Tuesday approved a draft of conclusions regarding the necessity for the immediate implementation of measures for the deterrence and combatting of illegal immigration and human trafficking.Greece was represented by Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis. The ministers discussed the completion of the operational plans that have been approved for the external borders of the European Union. They stressed the need for additional funding, both by the EU's budget and the national government budgets for the funding of the transportation of illegal immigrants to the countries from which they entered the EU. The additional funding would also be needed for the management of the external borders and the implementation of cooperation plans regarding asylum provisions and immigration with third countries. During his address, Chrysohoidis called for the shielding of the EU's external borders and the operational preparation and gaining of know-how between member-states, stressing that in line with the combatting of illegal immigration the EU's social and political reality forces the European policies to become more effective and realistic. He noted that for effectiveness to increase the EU should sign agreements with the countries of origin of illegal immigrants, as well as with the countries which they used to enter the EU, to enable them to be sent back. Chrysohoidis also said that a mandatory supplement of this policy and a basic priority would be the allocation of expenses among member-states and solidarity towards member-states that are on the EU's external borders and bear the weight of the security of all. [19] Unrest in Korydallos prison dies downAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Calm returned to the Korydallos prison on Tuesday evening, following unrest created by about 20 foreign inmates, with the intervention of the prison's prosecutor Aristides Frangiadakis.The inmates were demanding better prison conditions and not to be deported from the country after serving their sentences but to be set free. According to reports, the attorney promised them that a legislative settlement will be made soon by which foreigners who have served their prison sentences will not be deported but will be freed on conditions. [20] Ecumenical Patriarch on official visit to QatarAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was set to arrive in the Persian Gulf Emirate of Qatar on Tuesday, marking the third time that the �Primus inter pares� of the world�s Eastern Orthodox faithful officially visits a predominately Muslim country.Vartholomeos was invited to Qatar by the country�s foreign minister, Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani. Qatar�s ruler, or Amir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has long expressed an interest in promoting inter-religious and cross-cultural dialogue. A similar initiative by Patriarch brought the issue to the international forefront during his recent contacts in Brussels and high-level talks with EU Commissioner Romano Prodi. The Patriarch�s first official visit to a predominately Muslim country came in September 2000, when he arrived in the Persian Gulf state of Bahrain. A visit to Iran and talks with the country�s leadership followed in March 2001. [21] European Court attorney rules on Social Insurance Foundation's caseBRUSSELS 16/10/2002 (ANA - V. Demiris)The national legislation of a member-state cannot depend payment of a pensioner's medical expenses, who was visiting another member-state, on their approval afterwards.This conclusion was reached by the European Court's attorney general Damaso Ruiz Harabo during the examination of a case brought by the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA) against Greek citizen Vassilios Ioannidis. The case was raised when Ioannidis, who is suffering from a heart condition and is a pensioner and resident of Greece, had to be hospitalized during his temporary stay in Germany. [22] Quake preparedness exercise by SEDM initiativeAthens, 16/10/2002 (ANA)Greece�s national defense general staff on Tuesday inaugurated an earthquake preparedness exercise covering the entire SE European region, all part of the SEDM initiative.Code-named Southeastern Europe Simulation Demo (SEESISM-Demo 02), the exercise includes SEDM member-states Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, United States, Italy, FYROM, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey, as well as the Plovdiv-based SE European Brigade (SEEBRIG). The exercise, conducted using computer simulations, includes participation by military and civil protection officials from member-states. [23] Kasoulides: Stability is necessary in our part of the worldNICOSIA 16/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)Turkey's aspirations to join the European Union and Cyprus' ambition to see the island united, are two desires which could become real at the same time and before the EU European Council in December in Copenhagen, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has said.Addressing here Tuesday a seminar entitled 'Spain and Cyprus: Facing the challenge of an enlarged EU', Kasoulides said that this would 'bring stability, peace and prosperity to our citizens', adding that Cyprus aspires with its accession to the EU to fulfill what the founding members of the EU have dreamed regarding the European continent. Stability, he added, ''is necessary in our part of the world, and I am talking about Greece, Turkey and Cyprus''. He said Cyprus enjoys excellent relations with all its neighbors and particular the Arab countries and Israel, playing a political role as a friend of both in this particular part of the world, and using its geographical position. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Kasoulides said the Greek Cypriot side has demonstrated ''during the past 28 years that we are trying to see our country united and what we are doing is a compromise and a reconciliation'' for the reunification of Cyprus. He remarked that there was never a single report of the Secretary General of the UN who is in charge of the efforts for a settlement in Cyprus, ''in which the Greek Cypriot side is being blamed for the impasse and for the non-resolution of the problem so far''. ''The efforts for a solution will continue up to the last day of Copenhagen and we will be positive and constructive as we have been, hoping that our desire to see our country united'' is achieved, he added. On his part, Chief Negotiator for Cyprus Accession to the EU, George Vassiliou said Cyprus' accession to the EU would contribute to a settlement of the Cyprus problem, pointing out however that no progress has been achieved so far at the direct talks on Cyprus. He expressed the conviction the EU will deal with Turkey more positively if it contributes to a solution and if the UN submits a draft plan on Cyprus after the elections in Turkey next month. ''We fully support Turkey's accession to the EU. It is to our advantage that Turkey becomes a democratic country because this will lead to a Cyprus settlement'', he added. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third. The European Commission decided that Cyprus, among with other states, can finalize accession negotiations by the end of the year. [24] Spanish journalists thrown out of the Turkish occupied northNICOSIA 16/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)Fourteen Spanish journalists and two academics who are on the island participating at a seminar, were shocked when the Turkish Cypriot regime in the occupied north told them on Monday to leave as they were talking with their Turkish Cypriot colleagues.The Spanish journalists, who are attending the seminar entitled 'Spain and Cyprus: facing the challenge of an enlarged EU', taking place with the support of the Cyprus Press and Information Office, the European Commission delegation to Cyprus and the Union of Cyprus Journalists, crossed to the occupied areas Monday to meet ''non-governmental'' organizations and Turkish Cypriot journalists. ''El Pais'' Chief Editor, Xavier Vidal Folch said as they were meeting their T/C colleagues they were told to leave, ''abandon the territory, either voluntary or we would be thrown out with the use of force. So we decided not to create problems to the people who invited us and came back to Nicosia''. Asked if they were told the reason, Folch said ''we were told we did not ask for an 'official' permit to meet all these people''. He said this reminded them of the regime in the Franco era in Spain. He also said they informed their colleagues in Spain about the incident. About the meeting, Folch said their discussion was of a ''very high level'' and was very interesting. Commenting on the incident, Cyprus' Chief Negotiator at the EU accession talks, George Vassiliou said the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is ''acting under the illusion that what he does strengthens the entity of his illegal regime''. ''He achieves exactly the opposite because he manages to persuade everyone that it is a regime which is based on force and wants to survive with the use of force'', he concluded. The Union of Cyprus Journalists, in a statement strongly condemned the ''brutal and provocative attitude of the Ankara-Denktash occupation regime against the 15-member delegation of Spanish journalists, forcing them with threats to leave the occupied part of Nicosia.'' It said, ''we condemn and stigmatize this brutal behavior as a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law, the rights of the journalists, human rights and press freedoms'', and called it a hostile action, a provocation and an insult to the EU, which had the initiative and responsibility to organize the seminar of the Spanish journalists in Nicosia. It said the Union would condemn the incident to international and European human rights organizations, the UN, the Council of Europe and all other organizations calling for an international reaction and condemnation of the incident. Meanwhile, the incident became the first news item in the Turkish Cypriot press which notes the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party strongly opposed the Denktash regime's move, describing the illegal regime's attitude towards journalists of an EU member state as ''unacceptable''. Well known Turkish Cypriot journalist Basaran Duzgun in a TV report entitled 'Deportation' said the Spanish journalists were shocked over the decision of the ''relevant department'' to throw them out of the occupied north. Turkish Cypriot newspaper 'Yeni Duzen' dedicates its front page to the incident with the headline ''Shame'' and notes ironically that the Spanish journalists ''crossed to the occupied north as tourists, therefore they cannot deal with journalism''. The newspaper's writer, Cenk Multluyakeli is wondering how the so-called ''officials'' of the regime interpret democracy and is surprised at their hatred towards the EU. He also wonders whether it is Turkey, which is doing everything to enter the EU or the Turkish Cypriots, ''who want a solution and peace on the island'', who are being served by this attitude. Turkish Cypriot newspaper 'Ortam' said ''They ridiculed us'' and strongly criticizes the illegal police and the so called ''officials'' of the illegal ''foreign ministry'' who kicked the Spanish journalists out of the occupied areas. [25] President - Top UN envoy discuss ''state of play'' in peace talksNICOSIA 16/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)President Glafcos Clerides and UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto discussed here on Tuesday the state of play in the ongoing peace talks, plans for the future as well as the functioning of two ad hoc technical committees the two sides will set up with a view to tackle various matters, mostly legal issues, that could be in force once a settlement is reached.Speaking after the hour-long meeting, de Soto acknowledged that time is running out for the effort to find a negotiated settlement but stressed that ''all is not lost.'' He said it was unlikely that the two committees will start working this week and noted that to some extent both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides are making the necessary preparations to start work at the committees. Alvaro de Soto was tight lipped about possible UN plans to put forward an overall solution plan to the two sides in the context of the direct talks and said he had no wish to add to current speculation about such a likelihood. ''I do not think I should be talking about my intentions in public, we are of course ready to assist the parties in whatever way we can and we are conscious of the fact that time is running out, all is not lost,'' he said. Replying to questions, he said that something ''interesting'' came up during the meeting with the president but would not disclose anything more than that. ''We discussed the functioning of the committees, the state of play and plans for the future, I am also in touch with Mr. Denktash�s (Turkish Cypriot leader) staff in New York and hope he recovers very soon,'' de Soto said. Denktash is recovering in a New York hospital from open-heart surgery. He said there is no schedule about the start of work for the two committees. Asked if the Turkish Cypriot side has responded to the UN call to nominate its representatives to the two committees, the UN diplomat replied ''we hope that both sides will be in a position to appoint their members as soon as possible.'' ''We need both sides to appoint the members of the committees and we hope that preparations are on the way on both sides and I think to some extent they are, I will let you know as soon as there is a decision on the start of the work of the committee, it is probably not going to be this week,'' he added. Asked if the two sides have any specific issues on which they should be working at, he said they should be preparing for the work of the committees. On the future of the direct meetings between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, suspended because of the latter's ill health at present, de Soto said ''as I understand he is still in hospital, he should be coming out soon, he will rest this matter. De Soto, heading a team of experts, has been conducting the direct talks since January this year. [26] Spokesman: there are safety limits at the peace talksNICOSIA 16/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)The Greek Cypriot side is not prepared to accept absolutely anything that is put forward at the negotiating table, because it has certain safety limits beyond which it cannot go, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou stressed here on Tuesday.The spokesman said that if and when the UN present the two sides to the negotiations with a proposal for a solution, the Greek Cypriot side will examine it thoroughly and taking everything into consideration, will then express an opinion on it. ''Let us see first of all if such a plan will be forthcoming or not, let us see what its contents is and on the basis of what we have before us, we shall take a stance,'' the spokesman said, replying to press questions about the likelihood that the UN might put forward a solution plan to facilitate the negotiating process. Papapetrou stressed that the Greek Cypriot side has ''safety limits'' with regard to this issue, and these are defined by the need to see the future state of Cyprus function effectively as a member of the European Union and the need to see the solution be consistent with UN resolutions. His comments come in the wake of scores of press reports and public statements from various circles that the UN intend to present the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides with a plan for an overall solution after the Turkish elections and before the EU summit in mid December. ''The government will take into consideration all factors, including our accession course, but this does not mean that our reply will be a positive one, for the sake of any solution plan,'' the spokesman said. Papapetrou urged those who are expected to put forward such a plan to work within the framework set out by UN resolutions and the need to have one state of Cyprus, with an effective administration. Direct talks between the island's two communities began in January this year but so far no progress has been achieved towards a negotiated settlement. The Turkish Cypriot side insists on the creation of two separate states and the Greek Cypriot side is working for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in line with UN decisions. [27] President to assess situation with Greek PremierNICOSIA 16/10/2002 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Greek Premier Costas Simitis will evaluate developments in the Cyprus question and the Republic's accession course during their talks on Friday in Athens, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou announced here on Tuesday.''The purpose of the visit is to have a general assessment of the situation with regard to the two central goals of our policy - to settle the Cyprus problem and to conclude successfully our accession course,'' the spokesman said. Papapetrou said President Clerides will brief Simitis about his talks in New York earlier this month and they will discuss the accession course and the work that need to be done by mid December, when the EU summit is expected to invite Cyprus to join the Union. He said the president leaves for Athens on Thursday afternoon and on Friday at noon he will have talks with Simitis, after which they will sit at a working lunch. During his three-day visit, Clerides will see Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos and the leaders of the parliamentary parties. The president returns home on Saturday night. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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