Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-11-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] ''Smooth course'' for Cyprus and Greek EU presidency, Simitis predicts

[02] FM and French counterpart discuss EU enlargement, Cyprus

[03] Greek and British FMs discuss Cyprus issue and developments

[04] Greece lodges demarches over Turkey's harassment of civilian planes

[05] Merchant marine minister arrives in Cyprus for three-day visit

[06] ND leader Karamanlis visits flooded Kifissos River area

[07] Michel Rocard meets Education Minister Efthymiou in Athens

[08] EU parliamentary conference to be held in Athens

[09] Patriarch to officially visit London next week

[10] Magistrates' investigation into 'N17' case completed, sources say

[11] OTE-Rom Telecom deal will benefit both parties

[12] Greece shows good progress in R&D, EU says

[13] Greek inflation rises to 3.7 percent in October

[14] Greek stocks end week 3.41 percent higher

[15] ATHOC, IOC promise Olympics that 'leave a legacy'

[16] Culture minister opens conference on 'Cultural policies for the cities'

[17] Greek ambassador to Canada answers editorial on Parthenon marbles

[18] One-day Athens seminar to focus on terrorism, mass media

[19] Hellenic Environmental Law Society organizes conference

[20] Youth issues on the agenda of CoE conference in Thessaloniki

[21] Judges from southeastern Europe to meet in Thessaloniki

[22] Solution plan on Cyprus to be handed over on Monday, reliable sources say

[23] Commission in touch with UN Chief on Cyprus solution plan

[24] FM Kasoulides calls on Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leadership to respect UN resolutions

[01] ''Smooth course'' for Cyprus and Greek EU presidency, Simitis predicts

BERLIN 09/11/2002 (ANA - P. Stangos)

With his visit here, Simitis concluded a tour of Berlin, Paris and London.

Speaking of the expected submittal of a plan for the solution of the Cyprus issue by United Nations' Secretary General Kofi Annan, Simitis insisted that the issue of Cyprus' accession to the European Union and the resolution of the Cyprus problem were two different issues.

He underlined that the solution should be viable, should secure the functionality of the state and should be compatible with the Union's acquis communautaire.

According to sources, Annan's plan is expected on Monday.

''We are not going to accept just any solution,'' Simitis said.

In statements to the press following their meeting, Simitis and Schroeder announced that the foreign ministers of the two countries Joschka Fischer and George Papandreou, will meet soon and will cooperate in evaluating the plan that will be submitted by Annan, so as to confront ''possible problems''.

Schroeder, responding to questions on what possible problems may occur with Cyprus' accession as a result of Annan's plan, said that he could not evaluate the plan without having seen it before.

He said that this will be dealt with between the Greek and German foreign ministers, having stated that Germany wishes to see the Union's enlargement completed and that it does all it can so that the final decision on the issue is taken in Copenhagen.

The Greek premier reiterated that based on the Helsinki decision was clear, stating that the accession of Cyprus was not depended on the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Simitis, speaking later to the Greek press, said that the aforementioned position was held by his interlocutors, including Chancellor Schroeder.

During their exit from their meeting, Schroeder said that Germany will support Greece during its presidency with all its power, adding that he agreed with the time table for the accession of the candidate member-states.

Simitis also talked of the EU prospect for Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 and said that Turkey needs ''a positive message'', concerning the initiation of accession negotiations.

He added that this ''positive message'' should be given in Copenhagen, noting that the Greek position will crystallize, after his meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan's Justice and Development party won last Sunday's general elections in Turkey.

PM discusses German war reparations with German chancellor: Prime Minister Costas Simitis, speaking to Greek reporters, said there is no problem in bilateral relations between Greece and Germany but referred to the issue of reparations for victims of the Nazi occupation era, in his talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday.

''The German side continues to deny that such an issue exists. However, we shall raise the issue again because we have to look upon it at some time,'' Simitis said.

The reparations issue had also been raised by the Greek side at a meeting between the Greek prime minister and the German chancellor in June 2001.

The European army and the final name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) were two more issues raised in the form of questions at the joint press conference between the Greek prime minister and the German chancellor.

On the question of whether the European Union's intention to replace NATO's military force in FYROM, whose mandate expires on December 15, with European army units can be implemented, Schroeder appeared optimistic that Javier Solana ''will succeed'' in achieving the relevant agreement pending with NATO.

Referring to the issue of FYROM's name, Simitis avoided going into details, saying that ''this issue has been pending for many years and for this reason it can still wait.''

[02] FM and French counterpart discuss EU enlargement, Cyprus

PARIS 09/11/2002 (ANA)

In statements after the meeting, Papandreou pointed out that EU enlargement presented a great opportunity to arrive at a solution to the Cyprus issue and that the focus was now on ways to coordinate action before the Copenhagen summit in order to maximize the chances of this happening.

He said his talks with Villepin had also covered the changes on the political scene in Turkey and the issue of setting a date for the start of accession negotiations with that country, while noting that all of these were linked to the efforts to find a solution for the Cyprus issue.

Regarding France's position on the Cyprus problem, the Greek minister said this lay broadly within the framework set by the United Nations and the EU.

''France agrees completely with the decisions made at Helsinki and wants, as we do, to make use the historic conjunction that is being created at this time for the Cyprus issue. I believe the next few weeks will be crucial and that Europe can play a very important role, provided it decides to raise its profile and help in a solution to the Cyprus problem,'' Papandreou said.

He also stressed that when Cyprus became a member of the EU it would have to have a single international entity, a single nationality and be functional within the EU, for the future of both Cyprus and the EU.

The talks between the two ministers also covered bilateral issues and major international developments, such as Turkey and Iraq.

Papandreou briefed Villepin on Greek assessments of the situation in Turkey and of the talks set between Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the charismatic leader of Turkey's Islamist-leaning Justice and Development Party (AKP), Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is barred from becoming prime minister because of a technicality, even though his party won a landslide victory in Turkish elections.

Regarding Iraq, Papandreou congratulated Villepin on finding a formula for a solution now being discussed by the UN Security Council, where a resolution did not give an automatic go-ahead to the use of military force against Iraq but nevertheless gave a strong message to Saddam Hussein to comply with UN requests.

According to the Greek minister, this formula opened the way for a diplomatic solution to the problem with Iraq.

''If there is a positive response from Saddam Hussein, then we can safely say that diplomacy has won,'' Papandreou noted.

The meeting also discussed promoting research in the defense and armed forces sector under the Greek EU presidency. According to Papandreou, this was an area of great interest to France and also an area where Europe lagged behind.

''This will greatly expand the prospects for future developments in Europe,'' Papandreou concluded.

[03] Greek and British FMs discuss Cyprus issue and developments

LONDON 09/11/2002 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

''I think that we are all aware that a historic opportunity is coming, a historic opportunity which one can rarely have for such major issues and we should all contribute to this issue to achieve a favorable end. And a favorable end means a solution to the Cyprus issue in accordance with UN resolutions. A solution to the Cyprus issue which will be compatible with European acquis communautaire. The day after tomorrow Cyprus will be a member of the European Union and, of course, these European acquis communautaire should apply,'' Papandreou said, summing up the outcome of his talks.

Papandreou said Britain plays an important role in the Cyprus issue with its institutional position and historic involvement in the issue and termed the exchange of views with his British counterpart ''very useful'' in light of the possible tabling of a plan by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to solve the Cyprus issue.

''We also discussed recent developments in Turkey. How they affect its course to the EU. How this course affects possibilities for a solution to the Cyprus issue and how the climate in Turkey can help in its solution,'' he added.

Papandreou further said the target is to have a solution before the EU's Copenhagen summit, adding that it was clarified at the Helsinki summit that a solution to the Cyprus issue is not a precondition for the accession of Cyprus.

He also said Greece supports all efforts being made by the Greek Cypriot side and by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides himself.

On the question of dissatisfaction expressed by President Clerides over the plan by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the belief that it should be submitted after February, after presidential elections are held in Cyprus, Papandreou said ''this is not a position of President Clerides made yesterday. We are aware of it since direct talks with (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash began under UN auspices.''

He also referred to the issue of Iraq, saying ''we congratulate the UN for its unanimous decision on the issue of Iraq, which paves the way for a diplomatic solution to the problem and we hope Iraq will also respond positively.''

[04] Greece lodges demarches over Turkey's harassment of civilian planes

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

Protopapas noted that relations with Turkey were now going through a ''very delicate phase'' in view of the peace plan for Cyprus due to be submitted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan within the next few weeks and the EU summit in Copenhagen.

He said it was likely that circles in Turkey would make efforts to shift dialogue to secondary issues.

''The Greek government will remain firmly focused on the primary issues, meaning Cyprus' EU accession and a solution to the Cyprus problem, and reserves the right to pick its own time and place to wage its battles,'' he said.

Turkish war-planes on Thursday harassed two civilian aircraft in the air corridor connecting Greece with Cyprus, at the border of the Larnaca and Athens Fight Information Region (FIR).

Specifically, two Turkish F 16 war-jets, harassed an Olympic Airways flight from Larnaca to Athens and a Cyprus Airways flight from Athens to Larnaca was harassed by Turkish fighter jets, possibly the same pair, in roughly the same region 10 minutes later.

Asked to comment on a statement by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, who said on Thursday that it might be wiser for Annan to present his Cyprus plan in February 2003 when general elections in Cyprus were over, Protopapas said that this simply noted that it would be preferable not to involve a major foreign policy issue in the pre-election campaign.

Regarding a visit by the leader of Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP) Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the occupied territories in northern Cyprus in mid-November, the spokesman said that Turkey's leadership habitually visited the occupied territories around this time of year and the Cyprus Republic very rightly objected.

Erdogan's party won the general elections in Turkey last weekend but he is barred from becoming prime minister for at least six months due to a prior conviction for reading ''seditious'' poetry in public.

Turkish warplanes violate Greek airspace: Ten formations of Turkish warplanes infringed air traffic regulations in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) on Friday, while in certain cases they developed into national airspace violations in the region of the northern and central Aegean, press reports said.

In all cases Greek aircraft recognized and intercepted the Turkish warplanes immediately and in three cases the interception process developed into an engagement.

Speaking in the evening at an event held at the War Museum on the presentation of the Greek Air Force's CD, Deputy Defense Minister Loukas Apostolidis said nobody can threaten or provoke Greece because it is a powerful country.

[05] Merchant marine minister arrives in Cyprus for three-day visit

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

Cyprus' Transport and Public Works Minister Averof Neofytou welcomed the Greek minister in the island republic.

Anomeritis stressed that his visit aims to develop further the merchant marine relations of the two countries.

[06] ND leader Karamanlis visits flooded Kifissos River area

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis said that the Kifissos river had overflowed ''for the fourth time in two months'' during Thursday's torrential rains -- causing the flooding of nearby basements and ground floor apartments -- and ''swept away with it the government's credibility and its empty words that the problem has been solved''.

Karamanlis, who postponed a scheduled trip to Lesvos Island in order to visit the flood-stricken area, further accused the government of wasting time and money without any result to show for it, adding that ''no one has the courage to shoulder his responsibilities...and resign''.

He said the government was unable to conceal its ''extreme inadequacy'' by citing ''extreme weather conditions'', and blamed it for ''the insecurity felt by the citizens at the first strong rainfall and the Third World-like pictures that shame the country internationally''.

Main opposition tables question in Parliament over Kifissos floods: Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday tabled a question in Parliament regarding yet another bout of flooding at the Kifissos River during the previous day's rain, which once again showed up the inadequacy of government anti-flooding measures.

Speaking during 'Prime Minister's Question Time', ND's leader asked the premier to name those responsible for the poor planning and execution of anti-flooding works in greater Athens and what measures, if any, had been taken against them.

He also asked what measures the government proposed to take to avoid a repetition of the problems over the coming winter.

According to Karamanlis, the Kifissos River floods had now become a routine phenomenon that posed a constant hazard for the lives and property of people in the surrounding areas.

The heavy but not exceptional rains had not only shown up the city's faulty anti-flooding planning but also the government's ineptitude and its inability to operate in any conditions that departed even slightly from normal, the main opposition leader said.

He stressed that the repeated floods had not only embarrassed the government over the way it had planned and supervised the Kifissos River works and for allowing contractors to reduce the size of the water course, but were also a great embarrassment for the city that would host the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Earlier in the day, Karamanlis had visited flood-stricken residential districts neighboring the river and had strongly criticized the government for failing to take effective action, pointing out that this was the fourth time in two months that the river had flooded and caused damage to surrounding homes and businesses.

The area also received a visit from Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, whose ministry is mainly in charge of coordinating efforts against emergencies caused by natural phenomena, who said that it was obvious who was to blame for the problems.

After going around the flood-stricken district, Skandalidis said that everything humanly possible would be done to avoid further damage to people and property.

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, meanwhile, the anti-flooding measures taken by the government had been "generally recognized as serious and effective work'', while he referred reporters to a phone call placed by Piraeus Mayor Christos Agrapidis to Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou to express his satisfaction.

The most recent floods were due to poor workmanship at a specific point and the contractor responsible - as well as the environment ministry engineers in charge of the project - would be held fully accountable, he added.

Protopapas pointed out that work was continuing on the Kifissos River anti-flooding works, where 400 people were occupied daily, while noting that more than 550 kilometers of gullies and watercourses had been filled in throughout Athens, making the flow of rainwater problematic in many areas. A comprehensive plan for the entire Athens area required a large amount of funds and for this reason its implementation was proceeding gradually, he added.

Responding to Karamanlis, meanwhile, the spokesman said the main opposition leader's stance compromised the country.

Public works ministry's inspectors to face disciplinary action, Papandreou says: Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou on Friday filed charges at the administrative body of the state against the ministry's engineers that oversee the public projects on Kifissos river.

She also filed charges against the construction firms that have undertaken the project to cover the river and build a highway above it.

During her visit to the site and in statements to the press, Papandreou said that the aforementioned engineers were responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the project, while the construction firm did not take the appropriate measures as had been agreed.

Papandreou also announced that the government would list those that have suffered damages, adding that their number is not that great in the region close to Kifissos river and most of those that suffered damages were in other areas.

[07] Michel Rocard meets Education Minister Efthymiou in Athens

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

The two men discussed the targets of the Greek EU presidency for education, which is the effort to promote common values and prospects in the educational system.

Rocard said the Europarliament's priorities coincide with those of the Greek presidency.

[08] EU parliamentary conference to be held in Athens

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

The conference will be held in the Old Parliament building, while Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis will address its opening at 10.30 a.m. on November 11.

Issues to be examined are ''Targets and Priorities of the Greek Presidency in the European Security and Defense Policy: European possibilities'' and ''The Mediterranean Dimension of the European Security and Defense Policy.''

[09] Patriarch to officially visit London next week

ISTANBUL 09/11/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Vartholomeos is expected to attend a dinner given by Elizabeth for many of the world�s top religious leaders at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening. Earlier, the group religious leaders are expected to meet with Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, for discussions on environmental protection issues, as the latter served as World Wildlife Fund (WWF) president for many years.

In fact, on Wednesday, the Patriarch will attend an event in London entitled �Our Place in Creation�.

[10] Magistrates' investigation into 'N17' case completed, sources say

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

The same sources estimated that the Appeals Justices' Council will have issued its decision around Christmas and that a date for the trial would be set in the first months of 2003.

[11] OTE-Rom Telecom deal will benefit both parties

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to ANA, Mr Antonakopoulos said the deal was a positive development "that satisfied both parties, OTE and Rom Telecom."

"OTE benefits from implementing its strategy for expanding its activities within and beyond Greek borders and particularly in a large market such as the Romanian, with a population of 22

million. OTE's penetration into this market is very significant for the group as it happens in period of rapid developments in the telecommunications sector and ahead of Romania's accession in the European Union, expected by 2007," Mr Antonakopoulos said.

He stressed that the Romanian side would also benefit largely from the deal with the creation of a powerful telecommunications company that would contribute effectively in the development of the country's industry, and attracting foreign investments.

"The Romanian market has reacted positively to the deal," Mr Antonakopoulos said.

OTE's chief, however, acknowledged that hard work was needed for Rom Telecom to enter a dynamic growth course and praised the group that handled the negotiations.

"I am a person that doesn't like obstruction. We implemented rapidly a decision taken by OTE's board with positive results," Mr Antonakopoulos told ANA.

The Romanian cabinet on Thursday gave the green light to a share capital increase plan by Rom Telecom, worth 243 million US dollars, accepting OTE's proposals. Following completion of the plan, OTE will have a 54 percent equity stake in the Romanian company.

Mr Antonakopoulos said a final signing of the deal envisaging a share capital increase plan in Rom Telecom was expected next week.

[12] Greece shows good progress in R&D, EU says

BRUSSELS 09/11/2002 (ANA)

In a report on R&D throughout the 15-nation EU, the Commission said that Greece ranked second in public sector spending (48.7 percent) in the sector, and second-to-last in private sector spending (24.2 percent).

In addition, Greece has highest proportion of foreign R&D investments (24.7 percent), the report said.

[13] Greek inflation rises to 3.7 percent in October

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

NSS said that the harmonized consumer price index was unchanged at 3.8 percent in October.

October's monthly CPI rate reflected a 1.9 percent rise in clothing and footwear prices, and 1.0 percent increase in food and non-alcohol drink prices, a 0.3 percent rise in health and transport prices and a 0.2 percent increase in housing prices.

The annual October figures reflected a 4.1 percent rise in food and non-alcohol drink prices, a 6.0 percent rise in alcohol and tobacco, a 4.9 percent increase in health prices, a 7.3 percent rise in hotel, coffee and restaurant prices and a 3.6 percent rise in housing prices.

The communication price index was the only one to record a decline in October compared with the same month last year (-4.4 percent).

[14] Greek stocks end week 3.41 percent higher

Athens, 09/11/2002 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.39 percent to end at 1,836.32 points, with turnover a low 78.2 million euros.

The general index ended the week with a net gain of 3.41 percent.

The Insurance, Publication and Holding sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (4.30 percent, 1.22 percent and 0.99 percent, respectively), while the Wholesale, Textile and Investment sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.80 percent, 0.77 percent and 0.67 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.40 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.01 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.02 percent higher.

Broadly, decliners matched advancers (156 each), with another 38 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Panafon, Egnatia Bank, Lantec, and National Bank of Greece.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 72.1 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: