Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-10-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Public order minister refers to close Greek-U.S. cooperation on security matters

[02] Cyprus on course for EU entry, Greek foreign minister says

[03] FM and UN Cyprus envoy discuss Cyprus issue

[04] DM to attend simulation exercise

[05] Greek Navy ship in the Gulf foils possible terror attack

[06] 'Message returned to sender', interior minister says on local gov't elections

[07] Government on cooperation with center-left

[08] Main opposition leader meets new prefects-elect backed by ND

[09] Greece's Ambassador to Washington reviews Greek foreign policy

[10] Health minister presents new mental health policy

[11] Deputy FM receives courtesy call from Japanese ambassador

[12] ''N17'' suspects testify on additional charges

[13] Protest against planned Iraq war to be held in Athens

[14] Government likely to review downwards 2003 growth forecast

[15] Greece is Bulgaria's largest foreign investor

[16] EU official confirms pipeline feasibility study in November

[17] National Bank governor optimistic over local banking system

[18] EU Commission approves state action in favor of PPC

[19] Blue chips press ASE below 1,800 level on Tuesday

[20] PM chairs Olympic Games cabinet meeting, calls for speeding preparations

[21] Main opposition complains of ''black hole'' in Olympics budget

[22] U.S. Ambassador to Turkey calls for Halki's reopening

[23] 'Are we all Americans?', book by Le Monde director Colombani, presented in Greek

[24] Young Greeks rate last in drug use EU-wide

[25] SAE president begins round of visits this month

[26] Real Madrid draws 2-2 with AEK Athens in Champions League match

[27] President Clerides to attend meeting with EU candidate countries in Copenhagen

[28] US optimistic that a solution will be reached in the near future

[29] US Ambassador says there is still enough time for settlement

[01] Public order minister refers to close Greek-U.S. cooperation on security matters

WASHINGTON 23/10/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The Greek minister also emphasized Greece's role in the Balkans, saying ''it was a very important meeting. The United States looks forward to our country's role in the stability of the Balkans, that of Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean''.

''They are also looking forward to initiatives Greece will be taking during its EU presidency, on issues of illegal immigration, as well as Balkan reconstruction,'' he said, adding ''it was a very useful exchange of views and of course it was dominated by the issue of the preparations of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games for which, as I have said, the United States is showing great interest in us holding successful and secure Games.''

''We detailed the aims we have set, in relation to security, the preparation that exists at a bilateral level and on the level of the counseling team with the U.S. and I think that what should take place from now on is to make this cooperation even closer and effective,'' he said.

Speaking about his meeting with Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet, Chrysohoidis said ''we had a long meeting in the CIA (offices) with Mr. Tenet and his associates''.

''In essence the subject was the Olympic Games and their preparation. The Americans are showing great interest. We believe that the Olympic Games are an especially great event and they want to contribute as well to their success in the sectors of security, which is my responsibility,'' he said.

Earlier, Chrysohoidis and his associates attended a dinner where they discussed the same issues with U.S. State Department anti-terrorist agency director Francis Taylor.

Chrysohoidis meets CIA's Tenet in Washington: Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis met with Central Intelligence Agency Chairman George Tenet and discussed the continuation and deepening of the bilateral, as well as the multilateral cooperation in the secure organizing of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Tenet held a dinner for the Greek minister and U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller, where they discussed in detail the problems presented by such a large event as the Olympic Games.

They discussed the confrontation of international terrorism in light of the Games in Athens and stressed the necessity for continuing and extending the training program of Greek police officers, among them the officers of anti-terrorist squad and those of the coast guard.

Tenet and his associates appeared totally satisfied by the dismantling of the "November 17" terrorist group and congratulated Chrysohoidis on the recent successes of the Greek police force. On his part, Chrysohoidis tabled the leading role Greece wants to play in the Balkans.

U.S. State Department spokesman comments on Chrysohoidis-Armitage meeting: Asked to comment on the meeting between Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage here on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher expressed the intention of the United States to continue cooperating with Greece for the best preparation in the sector of security for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The spokesman said Armitage expressed to the Greek public order minister the U.S.'s appreciation of Greece's contribution ''in the war against terrorism and the need for the international alliance to remain firm against the continuing terrorist threats.''

Boucher added that Chrysohoidis and Armitage also discussed ''a series of issues of regional and world security, including that of the Olympic Games.''

The spokesman further said that Armitage praised the Greek minister on Greece's successful efforts concerning the unravel-ling of the ''November 17'' terrorist group.

[02] Cyprus on course for EU entry, Greek foreign minister says

LUXEMBOURG 23/10/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The meeting focused largely on preparing the agenda for the EU Summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, with Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis representing Greece.

According to the Greek minister, the meeting had largely approved the European Commission's recommendations for the accession of 10 candidate-countries.

Regarding Cyprus, he said that the preferred solution for the Greek side would be the accession of the whole island to the EU, provided the Cypriot state were functional and based on UN resolutions.

Papandreou said Greece was awaiting the results of UN efforts for a final solution to the Cyprus problem, on which he would be briefed by UN envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto later on Tuesday.

He also noted that no EU member-state had so far given signs that it intended to link Cyprus' accession with the political problem on the island republic. At the same time, he said that this could not be ruled out and that Greek diplomacy was prepared for all eventualities.

If a solution failed to be achieved before the EU Summit in Copenhagen, the negotiations would continue, Papandreou said.

In this case, the Cyprus Republic would join the EU but Community rules would not be implemented in the occupied territories, he added.

Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria: Turning to the candidate-states who would not be joining the EU in the next wave of enlargement, Papandreou said that the Greek side had noted Turkey's substantial efforts to adapt to EU practice during the ministers' meeting but also the continuing political shortcomings that required still further efforts. Athens had recommended that the Copenhagen Summit give Turkey a positive message about its European prospects that would boost the impetus for democratic reform and its adjustment to European norms, he added.

With respect to Bulgaria and Romania, the Greek foreign minister said that they should also receive political and financial support for their efforts to join the EU within a specific timeframe. At the same time, he stressed that any financial assistance they received from Europe should be compatible with the decisions of the Berlin Summit and EU financial prospects until 2006.

The cost of expansion, especially spending on agriculture, is a point of contention among the '15' and the Brussels Summit will have to reach final decisions so that the Danish presidency can conclude accession negotiations with the 10 candidate-states to join during the next wave of enlargement before December.

Another issue that occupied the meeting was the planned European military force and EU-NATO relations, where much would depend on domestic developments in Turkey after general elections in that country, Papandreou said.

Gov't spokesman on activity regarding Cyprus' EU accession: The meetings with foreign leaders and officials planned by Prime Minister Costas Simitis over Cyprus' EU accession were largely precautionary and sought to pre-empt any problems that might arise, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Tuesday.

Concern about possible negative developments continued to exist even when things were going well, he added.

"We believe that the government's constant presence and participation is necessary so that all the factors within an EU framework have a positive expression," Protopapas noted.

Asked about a visit by UN envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto to Athens, the spokesman said he did not know what de Soto's intentions were.

He reiterated that Athens steadfastly supports any just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem that lies within the framework of UN resolutions.

Regarding the ailing health of Turkish-Cypriot Rauf Denktash, the spokesman said that this was "a sensitive problem that does not make us optimistic."

According to the ANA correspondent in Nicosia, meanwhile, doctors described Denktash's condition as stable after an operation on Sunday, though the Turkish-Cypriot press reported that it would be another eight weeks before he could return to his duties.

[03] FM and UN Cyprus envoy discuss Cyprus issue

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Papandreou said developments over the Cyprus issue are currently going through an important phase and, in particular, the end of the Republic of Cyprus' accession course to the EU.

He expressed hope that the small window providing the opportunity until the EU's Copenhagen summit (in December) will allow for cooperation on a solution.

Papandreou reminded of the conclusions reached at the EU's Helsinki summit which dissociate Cyprus' accession to the EU from a solution to the political problem.

De Soto also agreed that an opportunity and a possibility of resolving the Cyprus problem does exist and expressed hope for the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU, adding that the UN secretary general will make efforts to have talks continue until a solution is found.

Papandreou said he told de Soto that a solution should honor UN principles and that now that Cyprus will be an EU member the solution should be a viable one and be in accordance with the acquis communautaire.

Papandreou further said ''I wish and hope we shall welcome together the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots at the European Council in Copenhagen.''

On his part, de Soto said he came to ''consult'' Athens which is playing an important role in settling the Cyprus issue, adding that he visited Turkey recently and is expecting to visit it again soon.

Referring to the health of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, de Soto expressed the hope he will recover because, as he said, both leaders are needed. Papandreou expressed a similar wish.

The Peruvian diplomat further said the week is crucial and little time is left for a solution, adding that it is attainable if there is good intent on both sides.

Commenting on the possibility of talks continuing after the Copenhagen summit, de Soto said one should concentrate on the target of a solution to the problem and not make guesswork that one solution or another will be had afterwards.

On the question of Denktash being replaced in talks, de Soto said it depends on the Turkish Cypriot side.

The meeting was held at a hotel at Athens airport. A power failure occurred during the talks, lasting over half an hour, and auxiliary lighting was used during the power failure.

[04] DM to attend simulation exercise

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

The Greek National Defense general Staff, in cooperation with the civil protection General Secretariat, is responsible for developing and managing SEESIM-02 (South Eastern Europe Simulation).

The exercise has been planned to be carried out with the real time required for the implementation of individual missions.

Its scenario concerns the provision of help to sufferers following almost simultaneous earthquakes in the region of southeastern Europe.

SEESIM-02 includes such activities as providing humanitarian aid for the seriously injured and homeless victims, searching for missing persons and the speedy repair of destroyed communications, electric power and water supply facilities and of dams and dikes.

The exercise will be carried out with the participation of the 10 SEDM member-states. That is Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Greece, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, the United States and Italy with observer status.

SEESIM-02 was planned with the purpose of strengthening national and regional cooperation in handling natural disasters.

[05] Greek Navy ship in the Gulf foils possible terror attack

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Sources at the Greek defense ministry, however, confirmed the incident but did not describe it as a terrorist attempt on the Greek vessel.

The Japanese defense ministry said the crew on board the Greek ship, which it did not name, sighted an unidentified speedboat approaching it at high speed in the Straits of Hormuz on Sunday night. It said that the oncoming vessel turned and sped away after the Greek vessel fired warning shots in the air.

The Japanese official attributed the information to the head of the Japanese Navy, Admiral Toru Ishikawa. Japan is providing logistical support to the US military campaign against terrorism and there are five Japanese ships stationed some 30 kilometers from the Greek ship.

The Greek defense ministry said the incident had involved the Greek frigate ''Adrias'', which was patrolling a region of the Arabian Sea. It confirmed the existence of a speedboat sailing a short distance from the Greek ship, which moved away when warning shots were fired against it with Browning guns.

The 'Adrias' departed from a naval base at Salamina to join the US anti-terrorism operation on August 23 and is to remain in the area for four months.

[06] 'Message returned to sender', interior minister says on local gov't elections

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

The statement was made by interior minister Costas Skandalidis after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis for a review and assessment of the Oct. 13 and 20 local government elections.

''New Democracy did not succeed in using the polls to send a message...that it has the absolute prevalence at political level in the country'', Skandalidis said.

''The message was returned to the sender,'' the minister added, referring to ND's central campaign slogan of 'Send a Message'.

PASOK, Skandalidis said, had no need of bragging and big words, but work and targets.

''This was the first time that the municipal vote was so local government-oriented, and that the candidates and platforms played a primary role,'' he added.

[07] Government on cooperation with center-left

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

For the time being, he noted in response to questions, ruling PASOK viewed its collaboration with the Coalition of the Left and Progress as "particularly positive," and desired to set a common course with respect to positions, programs and values.

Coalition leader dismisses eventuality of 'political alliance' with PASOK: Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Tuesday dismissed the eventuality of broader cooperation in the future between his party and the ruling PASOK party.

There is no issue of ''political alliances'', said Constantopoulos following a meeting of the party's Political Secretariat at which initial assessments were made on the results of the local government elections.

The Coalition leader said that his party had cooperated on a local government level but ''did not make any alliances,'' stressing that ''it is one thing to cooperate on issues of regional decentralization and local government'' and another to form political alliances.

Constantopoulos expressed his party's satisfaction on the results of the local government elections, at the same time criticizing government policy.

He said the government's policy greatly displeased the majority of the Greek people, in particular farmers, the middle class, households and young people.

Constantopoulos added that ''bipartisan alternation'' benefited main opposition New Democracy (ND) party's aim ''to appear as the only alternative solution despite the fact that it represents authentic neo-liberal policy.''

Consequently, he said, certain political issues are raised in the aftermath of the local government elections, such as a change in the policy being implemented by the government and a change in the electoral law.

Constantopoulos reiterated that his party's aim was for cooperation of the left and the forces of the ecological and social movements.

[08] Main opposition leader meets new prefects-elect backed by ND

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Sixteen of the 17 new prefects-elect attended the meeting, while the new prefect-elect for Kilkis was absent due to ill health.

Karamanlis stressed that the voters had justified the main opposition's strategic choices and it�s opening toward society and all citizens.

He said his party expressed a new social culture and was working toward a cohesive society in which all participated, while noting that Greece's future could not be built with the citizens and local government sitting on the sidelines.

According to analysts, however, the main opposition leader may well face intense criticism for some of the party's choices in the local polls when ND's political council convenes on Wednesday.

Top party officials, including Vaggelis Meimarakis, have noted that ND must learn from the mistakes that were made in order to wage its battle on better terms in the national elections.

Honorary ND president and former premier Constantine Mitsotakis, in statements to ANT1 TV on Tuesday morning, noted that the party could have done better in the elections, perhaps even precipitating the sort of changes that had toppled the Guterres government in Poland the previous year.

He also dismissed the concerns about the far right raised by PASOK as a propaganda trick, saying that democracy in Greece was not in danger from ultra-right-wing elements, and claimed that the ruling party had control of the media through vested interests.

Finally, he called for early elections after the end of the Greek EU presidency so that the changeover could take place before the Athens 2004 Olympics.

[09] Greece's Ambassador to Washington reviews Greek foreign policy

WASHINGTON 23/10/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Present at the luncheon were Congress members, State Department officials and ambassadors.

In his address, Savvaidis referred to the ''excellent level'' of Greek-U.S. relations, Greece's presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003, the country's participation in the Eurozone, the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Greece's constructive role in the political and economic stability of the Balkans, developments in the Middle East, Cyprus' EU accession course and the recent successes of the Greek police in unraveling the ''November 17'' terrorist group.

[10] Health minister presents new mental health policy

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Stefanis said the substitute helps addicts to rid themselves of their addiction since it limits their desire for the use of other drugs.

He added that the substitute will be provided strictly for drug addicts joining special programs and with very careful procedures by certain public hospitals.

[11] Deputy FM receives courtesy call from Japanese ambassador

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Talks focused on economic issues, primarily Japanese investments in Greece, while Nakamoto called for Greece's contribution to facilitate Japanese investments in the Balkans.

Possibilities of increasing Japanese tourism to Greece were discussed, also in light of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, as well as Japan's desire for the establishment of a direct Athens-Tokyo air route.

Magriotis referred to the further strengthening of cultural relations between the two countries, as well as of the technology sector through the creation of technology parks in the country.

[12] ''N17'' suspects testify on additional charges

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Telios reportedly admitted before the public investigator that he played a secondary role in the attempt against former minister Ioannis Paleokrassas and that he participated in the surveillance of the Sikourio army depot but claimed that he was not present when the rockets were stolen from there in 1989.

Georgiadis reportedly denied any involvement with �N17� and retracted his previous testimony.

According to sources, he requested that former Intelligence Service Director Yiannis Alexakis testify as a witness, claiming that the bomb planted at an ALPHA Bank branch in June 1998 was placed there by men of the Intelligence Service with the knowledge of their supervisor.

Appeals court justice Leonidas Zervobeakos, who is assigned to the case, will once again visit Athens� Korydallos penitentiary where 17 individuals are held for alleged involvement in �N17�, to get testimonies on additional charges from three of them.

Sources said that top �N17� suspect Savvas Xiros, the first alleged member of the terrorist group to fall into police hands, intends to deliver a statement to Zervobeakos in which he will reportedly claim that his previous testimony was the product of mind-altering drugs allegedly administered to him by Greek and foreign agents.

Xiros, who was caught last June after he was severely injured in a botched bombing attempt at the port of Piraeus, has already issued a statement retracting everything he previously said to the authorities under cross-examination.

[13] Protest against planned Iraq war to be held in Athens

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

The rally will be held in Syntagma Square, followed by a march to the US Embassy in Athens.

October 31 has been proclaimed an international day of action against the Iraq war by anti-globalization organizations and movements in Europe. Anti-war demonstrations in the US will be held on October 26.

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos called on everyone to fight in order to prevent a war on Iraq and asked for an end to the embargo on that country.

[14] Government likely to review downwards 2003 growth forecast

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

Mr. Christodoulakis is expected to meet with other government ministers to finalize their ministries' budgets for next year, ahead of submitting its draft budget plan to parliament in mid-November.

The government has already submitted a pre-text of the budget to parliament which envisages growth rates of 4.1 percent in 2003.

The government's economic staff, however, is expected to review slightly downwards its initial forecasts for the country's economic growth rate in 2003 in view of a global economic slowdown and a possibility of a war in Iraq.

The budget's final forecast for economic growth rate in 2003 will be announced after the publication of IMF and OECD's forecasts over the course of the Greek economy next year.

[15] Greece is Bulgaria's largest foreign investor

SOFIA 23/10/2002 (ANA/B.Borisov)

Bulgarian Finance Minister Nikolai Vasilev was addressing a meeting of Greek companies active in the neighboring country.

Greece's ambassador in Bulgaria, Michael Christidis, said that Greek investments in Bulgaria were growing.

He added that trade between the two countries would also total more than one billion dollars by the end of the year.

[16] EU official confirms pipeline feasibility study in November

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

According to the ''Financial Times'', the European official who desires to remain anonymous, pointed out that the EU will finance the creation of the feasibility study with 10 million dollars.

The official said he is not aware of any pressures by the United States both on Greece and the EU to block the plan.

''The embargo of the U.S. (on Iran) does not apply to the European Union. Talks are continuing,'' he clarified.

[17] National Bank governor optimistic over local banking system

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

''We are seeing the competitive potential of Greek-interest banks improving in an environment of deregulation. Foreign banks no longer have particular comparative advantages in the extremely competitive market of big enterprises. Our accession to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has deprived them of the considerable treasury revenues they enjoyed in the past,'' he said.

Karatzas also referred at length to the convergence between the local banking system and that of Europe, saying ''there is, therefore, a substantive convergence on the part of providing bank products and services, as well as on the part of their recipient.''

[18] EU Commission approves state action in favor of PPC

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

The Commission decision, offering a significant breathe to PPC, is part of an effort by the EU's executive to facilitate a course towards liberalizing Europe's energy market and at the same time supporting former national utilities in their effort to adjust to a new pan-European market.

The "excessive cost" refers to long-term investments or liabilities taken by electricity sector companies in a period when energy markets were "closed" and they are no longer viable following the deregulation of the sector. The Commission has already approved counterbalancing measures for Germany, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, and the UK, while it is currently examining similar demands by Belgium, Italy and Denmark.

[19] Blue chips press ASE below 1,800 level on Tuesday

Athens, 23/10/2002 (ANA)

The general index fell 1.14 percent to end at 1,798.71 points, with turnover a low 78.1 million euros.

The Insurance, Holding and Telecommunication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.81 percent, 2.66 percent and 2.46 percent, respectively), while the Retail, Cement and Textile sectors scored the biggest gains (2.39 percent, 1.65 percent and 0.53 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.45 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.31 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.04 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 174 to 121 with another 60 issues unchanged.

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

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 64.9 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: