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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-04Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>January 4, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Gov�t has similar goals for European, Greek economy, Tsohatzopoulos saysAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The Greek EU presidency will work hard to ensure the competitiveness of European economy through supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and deregulating markets, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Friday.Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr Tsohatzopoulos stressed that the government's main goals were: -supporting small and medium-sized enterprises based on a ''Green Paper'' and a SMEs Charter, -deregulating internal markets and supporting consumers, and -deregulating Europe's energy and financial markets through inter-European networks. ''Our effort, in European level, is similar with that of national level: improving productivity and market performance, boosting competitiveness and consumer safety,'' Mr Tsohatzopoulos said. The Greek minister said that the meeting with Prime Minister focused on the country's course in view of an escalating crisis in the Middle East and in the midst of a global economic slow-down, a combination creating problems to economic growth. ''The government seeks a high-rate growth with a long-term horizon to combat unemployment, increase employment and support progress,'' Mr Tsohatzopoulos said. He sounded optimistic over the prospects of the Greek economy, despite a negative international environment, citing stable fiscal conditions in the country, increased investments ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and Third Community Support Framework's funds. ''We seek competitiveness and productivity, but not as an end to itself. Competitiveness and productivity are the tools to achieve growth and progress. A tool to expand the ability of Greek products to gain market shares in an expanded European Union,'' Mr Tsohatzopoulos said. The Greek minister reiterated his call for consumers and citizens to help in this effort. ''This year, 2003, Greek consumers and citizens have new obligations and new rights. He now must play his role,'' he noted. Mr Tsohatzopoulos said that the Greek government will discuss with EU Commission President, Romano Prodi, the six-month agenda, January 9-10. [02] President Clerides informs Simitis he will seek re-electionNICOSIA 04/01/2003 (ANA/G. Leonidas)Undersecretary to the President Pantelis Kouros stated on Friday that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides in a telephone conversation he had with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, had informed him beforehand of his intention to seek a new mandate which will give him enough time to complete negotiations for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and complete the island's accession to the European Union.In a state address earlier in the day, Clerides said he is seeking a 16-month term in office with the sole aim to handle the national problem, together with the National Council. He also pledged to achieve national unity and called upon all political forces for the creation of a broadly accepted government. Kouros said that President Clerides felt it his duty to inform the Greek prime minister that he was due to announce his candidacy for the presidency. Presidential elections were proclaimed here Friday for February 16, 2003, with a run-off, if necessary, a week later. Asked whether Simitis was satisfied with Clerides' decision, Kouros replied that this will become apparent by the premier's statements. The undersecretary to the president said that if Clerides loses in the February elections, he will return to his home in the knowledge that he made a last effort in offering whatever he could for a settlement of the Cyprus issue. [03] European Socialist Party Eurodeputies' delegation to arrive in Athens on MondayAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Europarliament Socialist Party group President Baron Crespo, heading a delegation of Eurodeputies, will start a two-day visit to Athens on Monday, in light of the Greek EU presidency.On Monday Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will hold a dinner for the delegation in his capacity as Vice-President of the European Socialist Party (ESP). On Tuesday the delegation will hold a joint press conference with Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, also headed by Crespo and the leader of the PASOK Eurodeputies George Katiforis on the Greek EU presidency. Later in the day, the delegation will meet with Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Yiannitsis at a central Athens hotel and will hold a discussion on the European Union's enlargement and the future of Europe. During their stay in Athens the delegation will also meet with National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou and Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and they will discuss the spring summit as it is related to the Lisbon Strategy. Discussions will also take place, concerning stability and security, with Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis and Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis. Before concluding the visit, the delegation will also be received by Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the Maximos Mansion. [04] Health Minister Stefanis denies resignation speculationAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The health ministry�s policies and priorities during the coming year dominated a meeting on Friday between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Health Minister Costas Stefanis, with the latter categorically denying afterwards that he is considering a resignation.�I did not have, do not have and will not have any such intention,� Stefanis told reporters, although he mentioned that he did want more funding for the public health sector in the recently passed 2003 budget. �Every health minister wants more resources,� he added. [05] Greek EU presidency condemns death sentences in SudanAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The Greek EU presidency on Friday issued a declaration condemning the death sentences and "barbarous practices" imposed on five persons in Sudan, which are in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights and against international law and human rights.''The European Union reiterates its concern about the respect of human rights in Sudan. It condemns the death sentences and barbarous practices imposed on five individuals, which are due to be carried out on 5 January 2003 and are inconsistent with the international law of human rights, Sudan's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Sudan has ratified, and the UN Convention Against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,� the declaration stressed. ''The EU urges the government of Sudan to commute these sentences by presidential pardon and avoid the executions by hanging or the cross-amputations,'' the declaration concluded. [06] ND MPs table questions to economy minister regarding EU presidencyAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Twenty-two main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputies have tabled questions to the national economy minister regarding his ministry�s preparations for the current Greek EU presidency as well as its positions vis-a-vis support for SMEs and efforts to lessen regional inequities, according to press release by the party on Friday.�We�re saddened to observe that if the ministry�s preparations remain at the same level as revealed by the minister�s relevant answer, then the conclusion drawn is disappointing� Specifically, documents tabled in Parliament show a lack of operational and organizational preparations, something that must be done as soon as possible,� according to the ND press release. The main opposition deputies also claimed that �solid political positions, intentions and effective initiatives� are lacking, while noting that better support for small-to-medium-sized enterprises and lessening regional inequities should ranks as the basic axes of action for the current Greek EU presidency. In prefacing their tabled question, the ND deputies cited the significance of the current EU presidency, saying the next six months will witness the biggest enlargement to date, an expansion that also includes Cyprus. Furthermore, they said the EU�s agenda includes several crucial economic and social issues of particular interest to Greece. [07] Greek tourism faces difficult year aheadAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The world and Greece along with it are caught in a dangerous whirl in the maelstrom of an economic crisis threatening to upset existing balances and bring chaos to global markets.The growing prospect of a war in Iraq, an oil crisis underway in western markets, new hot-spots rapidly developing world-wide, the collapse of global stock markets and the ensuing loss of investors' confidence, over-indebted households and a bent in consumer ability are key issues in urgent need of immediate solutions. Greece welcomed the New Year with a significant advantage at hand: the mandate of the EU presidency for the first semester in 2003, which, despite various scenarios about a conflict in the Persian Gulf breathing down its neck, can still transform a small country like Greece into a key player in the international political chessboard. When a small country is turned into a considerable international player, its economy is afforded an opportunity within the undoubtedly adverse global conjuncture. Dominated by the tourist services, the Greek services sector constitutes the major pillar of Greece's fragile national economy, while the Greek industry sector is equally fragile and sensitive to the tremors of the international economic environment. Restructures in tourist destinations in the 90's generated the first tourist crisis to Greece's tourist market that had been shiftless and relaxed up to that time, only to be succeeded by the ''September 11'' events and the ensued ''war against terrorism''. In combination with an already latent crisis in capital markets, this led to an immediate shrinkage in consumer ability and willingness, discrediting the very same tourist industry that had just started to believe it had found its lost momentum. The new crisis was naturally manifested on a global level, striking a simultaneous blow to all tourist industries, felt at a varied degree by global economies, depending on the degree of participation of the tourist industry in the individual economies. Having always been closely tied to the course of tourist services, the Greek economy was obviously among those that were hit the hardest by the still lingering economic uncertainty that immediately followed the ''September 11'' events. The forecasts by Greek hoteliers and tourist agents for 2003 are gloomy, amplified by the negative turnover of the preceding year that just ended. Despite exceptionally unpromising conjectures and ominous forecasts, Greek hoteliers and tourist agents feel that in 2003 Greece will possibly have fewer than anticipated losses thanks to its six-month incumbency at the EU presidency, which is expected to function positively, to a certain degree, for the country's tourist industry for a variety of clearly non-political reasons. Greek hoteliers and tourist agents are not in a position at this point to say with certainty to which degree the Greek EU presidency will assist in recouping anticipated losses this year. The balance of assessments is currently leaning heavily on the losses of high-income tourist, which are anticipated to intensify this year. The first concrete signs on the actual course of tourism in late March will make forecasting for the rest of the year much easier. [08] 15 refitted vessels enter service with Greek coast guardAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis on Friday attended a ceremony inducting 15 new vessels to the coast guard, donated by the economic crime squad.Speaking during the ceremony, the minister stressed that the vessels that were refitted and fully manned ''increase the guarding and rescue forces of the Greek marine space, a wide space, in which daily events threatening life and property are confronted''. According to the minister, in 2002 the coast guard intercepted some 51 vessels smuggling illegal immigrants and forcing them to return to the port of origin, adding that some 3,945 illegal immigrants entered Greece as compared to 6,864 in 2001, while 84 smugglers were arrested and 67 vessels were confiscated. Anomeritis also stressed that the Greek coast guard was internationally recognized for its efficiency. [09] Free cross border zone to be created near Bulgarian borderAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Procedures for the creation of a free cross border zone in the region of Trigono in the Evros prefecture, near the border with Bulgaria, are moving ahead.Deputy Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiadis said on Friday ''the region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace has secured credits amounting to one billion drachmas for infrastructure works in the free cross border zone of industrial and financial transactions.'' Fotiadis added that the interministerial committee and the finance ministry will be giving their approval for the industrial zone within the month. [10] Ministers & Parliament deputies discuss Thessaloniki's bid to organize EXPOAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Friday met with Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis and Deputy Education Minister Nikos Gesoulis and discussed Thessaloniki's bid to organize the 2008 international EXPO.Parliament deputies of the wider Thessaloniki area also participated in the meeting, during which Venizelos stressed that should the city's bid be successful it would mean some 30.000 new jobs for the region. On his part, Paschalidis said that the official submittal of the Thessaloniki bid will be made by Prime Minister Costas Simitis in April or May. [11] Greek stocks end week 0.76 percent higherAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks reversed Thursday's rally to end slightly lower on the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday, as buying interest faded ahead of the weekend and with market sentiment undermined by geopolitical worries.The general index ended 0.05 percent lower at 1,776.16 points, with turnover a low 54.5 million euros. The Food-Beverage, Textile, Insurance, IT Solution and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.53 percent, 3.89 percent, 3.60 percent, 2.03 percent and 1.86 percent, respectively), while the Bank, Cement and Telecommunication sectors scored gains (0.83 percent, 0.45 percent and 0.23 percent). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.35 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.98 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 2.23 percent and the FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.16 percent lower. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 254 to 58 with another 39 issues unchanged. The general index ended the shortened week with a net gain of 0.76 percent. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 27.7 mln euros Friday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 27.7 mln euros Bond Market Close: Sellers outmatch buyers on Friday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [12] London event shows Parthenon before removal of MarblesLONDON 04/01/2003 (ANA)A �virtual� exhibition organized in the British House of Commons will demonstrate until Jan. 27 what the Parthenon looked like before Lord Elgin sliced off several of the Classical temple�s friezes in the early 19th century.The demonstration was organized by the British Committee for the Repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles, while computer-generated images also showed what the new Acropolis Museum in Athens will look like when completed in roughly two years. On his part, British MP Richard Allan, an archaeologist by training and one of the committee leaders, told the BBC that the group wanted to press its demand that the sculptures be housed in the new museum. Conversely, the director of the British Museum said the friezes should remain at the London museum because they will not actually be re-attached to the Parthenon itself � the most recognizable and prominent structure on the Acropolis. [13] Minister criticizes British Museum director on Marbles issueAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, commenting in Thessaloniki on Friday on statements by the British Museum's manager that the Parthenon Marbles should remain in Britain, said the manager was underestimating the Parthenon monument.''The manager of the British Museum appeared with his words to be underestimating the Parthenon monument. I think that in the next few days he will have the opportunity of rethinking what he said and retract, because I am certain that he would not wish to offend the Parthenon and its monumental and aesthetic value,'' Venizelos said. The culture minister went on to say that ''I am certain that Mr. McGregor will reconsider all that he has said if he wishes to safeguard both his prestige and the prestige of the museum he is managing.'' ''This issue will not be decided with public statements. The Greek proposals have a very great momentum. The British proposals are also finding a very great response in Britain and on the international scene as well and this, of course, is creating an understandable worry for those who are managing the British Museum,'' the minister concluded. [14] Ceremony to unveil renovated Zappeion on TuesdayAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The culture ministry�s leadership will unveil the newly renovated interior of Athens� Zappeion Hall during a relevant ceremony on Tuesday morning, as the neo-Classical building located a stone�s throw from Parliament will be temporarily turned over to the Hellenic Olympic Committee (EOE) and the Greek foreign ministry for the latter�s use during the current Greek EU presidency.Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis are expected to attend the ceremony. [15] Culture Minister announces abolition of ''Organismos Thessalonikis S.A.''Athens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Friday announced the official abolition of the ''Organismos Thessalonikis S.A.'' which was responsible for the cultural activities of the city since 1998.The non-profit company succeeded the ''Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe'' and organized cultural events, including festivals in the second largest city of the country. Its abolition was decided by both the minister and the city's re-elected Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos. Venizelos justified the action saying that the activities of the organization were covered by other existing institutions in the city and so its funding and archives will be divided up and given to those institutions, according to their relevance. [16] Greek-Russian astronaut honored in event in ThessalonikiAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Greek-Russian astronaut Theodoros Yurtsihin, 42, was honored on Friday during a ceremony in Thessaloniki. Deputy Foreign Minister George Magriotis was present in the ceremony.Yurtsihin arrived in Thessaloniki about a week ago to spend the holidays with his family for the first time since 1996. Following in the steps of Yuri Gagarin, he succeeded in entering the Russian space program and taking part in the construction of the international space station. In fact his last mission was precisely that and he participated in a joint American-Russian mission to the space station that began on October 7 and lasted for 11 days. Speaking during the event Magriotis said that ''the 11 days that he was in space are not many, but they are enough to write history with and write his name and that of Hellenism in history''. [17] Turkish freighter traced to bilge water slickAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The coast guard detained the skipper of a Turkish-flagged freighter on Friday while his vessel was ordered to a small Greek harbor after authorities spotted pollution in the central Aegean attributed to the latter.A coast guard aircraft spotted the 30-nautical mile slick of suspected bilge water pollution off the southeast coast of Evia island early Friday morning, pollution later traced to the vessel �Ayberk Kalkavan�. The skipper was identified as Ridvan Alan, while the vessel was led to the harbor of Karystos, the southernmost town on Evia. The ship�s captain is expected to appear before a local prosecutor. The freighter had departed the port of Marmara in Turkey for Piraeus. Authorities said the bilge water slick, possibly containing minute quantities of fuel, is being dispersed by a patrol boats sent from Karystos and the port of Lavrio. [18] Women's wing warden resigns following drug overdose deathsAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The head of the women�s wing at the main Korydallos prison tendered her resignation on Friday following three related drug overdose deaths last week, all attributed to heroin and prescription pills that were smuggled into the facility.Warden Ekaterini Sarisavvas� (incorrectly identified as Elizabeth Sarilava on Thursday) resignation was accepted by the justice minister, while the shift supervisor at the time the incident suspended. An investigation is continuing. The unprecedented incident led to felony charges being filed by a local prosecutor against two individuals this past week, along with misdemeanor counts against Sarisavva. Felony drug possession and smuggling narcotics into a correctional facility charges, among others, were filed against Argentine national Dora-Carmen Villaba, as well as against a man identified only as Dimitris Pena. The two are accused of supplying an unknown quantity of heroin to inmate Sofia Bakea, 39. The latter, along with another two female inmates, were also charged with involuntary manslaughter. Conversely, Sarisavvas was charged with misdemeanor dereliction of duty in the case. The three women died when they mixed alcohol, prescription drugs and heroin pills allegedly supplied by Bakea. A total of five inmates consumed the drug/alcohol �cocktail�, with two surviving � as one of the two vomited the concoction while the other fell into a coma before recovering at a local hospital. A guard found the bodies of the trio in their group cell early Tuesday morning. [19] Three Albanian drug trafficking rings disbanded in AthensAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)Three Albanian drug trafficking rings working in the greater Athens region have been disbanded in recent days, police said on Friday.In the first incident, five people were arrested on Tuesday in central Athens, charged with smuggling and selling cocaine and cannabis in collaboration with Greek accomplices. Acting on a tip-off that a ring of Albanians were smuggling substantial quantities of cocaine from Albania to Greece and selling them with the collaboration of Greek drug dealers, and after several days of surveillance, police drug squad members arrested 44-year-old private security guard Ioannis Kolyvas, 20-year old Dezar Mimanaz, 19-year-old Julnet Mimanaz, and 19-year-old Juna Anastasiadi, all unemployed, and 19-year-old private employee Enea Strepi. Police found in the ring's hideout and confiscated 126 grams of cocaine, 10 grams cannabis, 3,580 euros, 900 US dollars, 35 Cyprus pounds, three bankbooks, three walkie-talkies, one machine gun, one submachine gun, ammunition, a hunting knife, a forged police identity card, a forged passport, and seven cell phones. The five detainees were taken before a prosecutor, who referred them to an examining magistrate. In a second incident, two Albanian nationals and a Greek taxi driver were arrested in the Kallithea residential district of Athens on a tip-off that an Albanian man in the area, collaborating with other Albanians and Greeks, was trafficking large quantities of cannabis. Following an investigation and surveillance, drug squad police arrested 24-year old Emili Noni, 30-year-old Kasmit Bekari, and 33-year-old taxi driver Dimitris Dimitropoulos, and confiscated 20.16 kilos of cannabis, 4,870 euros, five cell phones, and a taxicab. The detainees were taken before a public prosecutor. In a third incident, three Albanian nationals were arrested in the Zographou residential district of Athens on charges of trafficking in large quantities of cannabis and cocaine. Police arrested 24-year-old Bledar Vassili and 26-year-old Mario Vassili, both unemployed, and 20-year-old laborer Dimiter Bena, and confiscated 39.41 kilos of cannabis, 27 grams of cocaine, 3,665 euros, and three cell phones after a drug squad police officer, posing as a buyer, clinched a deal to purchase 40 kilos of cannabis from Bena, who was seeking buyers on behalf of the Vassili brothers. After the deal was made, the two Vassili brothers arrived on the scene with the cannabis hidden in the trunk of a rented car. The cocaine and money were found during a search of Bledar Vassili's apartment. The three were taken before a public prosecutor. [20] 'Information Society' initiative the focus of ministry discussionAthens, 04/01/2003 (ANA)The foreign ministry is organizing a public debate at its premises on Thursday on the issue of its operational and action plans focusing on the so-called �Information Society� initiative.Foreign Minister George Papandreou will briefly address the event. [21] President Clerides seeks 16-month mandateNICOSIA 04/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides announced here Friday he will seek a new mandate which will give him enough time to complete negotiations for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and complete the island's accession to the European Union.In a state address, Clerides said he is seeking a 16-month term in office with the sole aim to handle the national problem, together with the National Council. He also pledged to achieve national unity and called upon all political forces for the creation of a broadly accepted government. The president's statement is as follows: ''Everybody is aware of my intention to retire from politics at the end of my second term in office. In any case, I would have concluded a complete political career, especially after the historic decision of Copenhagen for Cyprus' accession to the European Union. This was for me, an easy decision. The hard decision is the one that I am now asked to take, because this decision is not determined by my personal wishes but by my historic duty. A duty, which I have never turned down. Developments are fast and historic. These will judge the future of Cyprus. In the next months, we will be asked to take great decisions. We have a duty to seek, with determination and prudence a functional solution to the Cyprus problem. My historic duty obliges me to rise to this great challenge. I do not have the luxury to put forward personal choices. It is the time for national duty which leaves no one outside. The time left until my term in office expires is limited, and to negotiate a just and viable solution, I need sufficient time and a new, clear mandate. A mandate, which will come through democratic procedures. That is why I feel that my historic duty imposes on me to seek this mandate during the forthcoming presidential elections. A mandate of limited duration. For this reason, I am committed on two things: First, the mandate I am seeking will be limited to 16 months, with a sole aim to handle the national issue together with the National Council and to complete the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. Secondly, to avoid any conflict and to achieve the aim of national unity, I will call upon all political forces for the creation of a broadly accepted government. Therefore the handling of internal administration will be carried out with the broadest possible consent. It is not my intention to organize a pre-election campaign and to argue with any possible candidate. It is for me a time of responsibility, a time for unity. I ask everyone's trust, the support of the left, centre, socialist and right (forces). Armed with your strength, I will be able to continue to negotiate towards finding a solution, which will be to the benefit of the entire people of Cyprus. I am asking you to give me a strong mandate so that everyone united, we can handle the greatest historical challenge of Cyprus. A challenge which will determine the future of all, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians and Latins,'' the president concluded. [22] National Council examines resumption of Cyprus peace processNICOSIA 04/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)Issues which concern the Cyprus problem and the resumption of the UN-led process for a Cyprus settlement were examined during a meeting of the National Council here Friday, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou announced afterwards.''The National Council dealt with the latest developments in Cyprus, the expected return to the island of UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, and the resumption of the process for a Cyprus settlement,'' the spokesman said. The top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem also dealt with letters UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had sent to President Glafcos Clerides, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Greece and Turkey, as well as President Clerides' reply sent on December 30. According to Papapetrou, President Clerides reconfirmed in his reply letter the position of the Greek Cypriot side to contribute constructively in efforts to find a Cyprus settlement. The spokesman said the Council further examined recent statements made on Cyprus by Turkey's Justice and Development Party leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. An analysis of the general situation in Turkey and the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus was also studied by the National Council, which has decided the next steps to be taken. Invited to say how the new effort to solve the Cyprus problem will begin, the spokesman avoided replying, saying that ''we should expect the return on January 13 of de Soto, who will probably meet Clerides on the following day and ascertain the way we will proceed.'' Papapetrou said the UN diplomat had informed the Greek Cypriot side that before his return to Cyprus he would visit New York and on January 8 Athens and later on Ankara. The ''spokesman said there is an ''international determination to promote a solution to the Cyprus problem within the timeframe which has been set'' by the UN chief. ''This is the position of the European Union, the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General in his letter, and the position of Greece and from what it seems, of Turkey too,'' reminding that the Greek Cypriot side committed in Copenhagen to work towards a solution until the end of February. ''At this phase, the only voice of discord is Mr. Denktash,'' he noted. The spokesman added there had been no contact between President Clerides and Denktash, following statements by the latter that he would request a meeting with Clerides on his return from Ankara to the occupied part of Cyprus. [23] Boucher says opportunity to reach solutionNICOSIA 04/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)The United States believe that there is an opportunity to reach an agreement by February 28, 2003.State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, invited to comment on the demonstrations in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus said he ''did not have any comment on those particular developments.'' However Boucher stressed, ''I would say that we view this as an opportunity for Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, an opportunity to reach an agreement by the new deadline of February 28, and we hope that all the parties will work towards that end.'' UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is making efforts to bring about a settlement of the Cyprus problem by the end of February 2003, on the basis of his revised proposals presented to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides on December 10, 2002. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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