Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-11

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis-Prodi indicate common EU stance on Iraq

[02] Simitis hosts official luncheon for visiting EU Commission

[03] Prodi tells Stephanopoulos everything going very well

[04] PM Simitis: EU presidency will boost Greece's prestige

[05] Bulgaria's EU accession minister hails Greek EU presidency

[06] UN special adviser in Ankara for Cyprus talks

[07] Deputy FM Loverdos meets Palestinian attache to Athens

[08] Greek EU Presidency - strategy for the promotion of competitiveness

[09] Development minister Tsohatzopoulos confers with EU commissioners

[10] Merchant Marine Min. meets with EU Commissioners

[11] Agriculture Min. Drys confers with EU Commissioners

[12] Cosmote says customer base up 19 pct in December yr/yr

[13] Cosmote to invest 230 million euros in 2003

[14] KKE leader visits Nikea hospital, urges action to save state health sector

[15] Greek industrial production, building activity up

[16] Latest N17 suspect to appear before magistrate on Monday

[17] Greek participation in Sofia street renovation cited

[18] Eurostat population figures for EU, Greece

[19] U.S. embassy to honor Eugene O'Neill

[20] UN envoy de Soto says Cyprus talks must resume in earnest

[21] Government adopts a 'wait and see' approach towards Turkey

[22] Opposition growing in occupied areas against Denktash

[23] Government issues 1,200 passports for Turkish Cypriots

[24] London Greek and Turkish Cypriots rally together

[01] Simitis-Prodi indicate common EU stance on Iraq

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

In a joint conference in Athens with visiting EU Commission President Romano Prodi, Simitis said that ''today nobody can prejudge whether there is going to be a war'', adding that ''nevertheless, it is our wish that there will be no war''.

The prime minister reiterated that there was a procedure which had to be completed, that the UN Security Council had put forth some conditions, that a special mission had been dispatched to Iraq and that decisions on the issue would be made after its conclusions were released.

''We are going to follow this procedure and the Security Council will decide when it has the facts'', Simitis said.

UN Security Council and also with the Council's permanent members.

''There should be coordination with everyone'', the prime minister said.

On the same issue, Prodi said that there were funds available for humanitarian aid to Iraq, as well as for any humanitarian needs created by a war.

''There are alternative scenarios in the event of a war in Iraq'', he said.

Referring to the priorities of the Greek EU presidency, Simitis outlined the following five axes: completion of EU enlargement and signature of the Accession Treaty, the continuation of the strategy adopted at the Lisbon Summit to boost competitiveness and combat unemployment, the completion of the Convention on the Future of Europe process, and EU defense, foreign policy and foreign affairs.

On his part, Prodi said that the Commission's next meeting with the Greek EU presidency was set for 16 April in Athens (at the ceremony for the signature of the Accession Treaty), adding that EU enlargement would not end in Athens since the ''doors of the EU are open and in the long run, the entire Balkan region belongs with the EU''.

The Commission president also encouraged the Greek EU presidency, as well as its successor Italian presidency, to place emphasis on EU policies for the Mediterranean, since, as he said, with two Mediterranean countries holding the EU presidency, 2003 presents a a unique opportunity for enhancing the Mediterranean dimension of the EU .

[02] Simitis hosts official luncheon for visiting EU Commission

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

After the luncheon, the ministers of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou, Defense Yiannos Papantoniou, Agriculture George Drys and Public Order Mihalis Chrysohoidis briefed the foreign press, while Mass Media and Press Minister Christos Protopapas briefed the European Mass Media.

The EU Commission, headed by Prodi on a two-day visit in Athens to confer with the Greek EU presidency, are scheduled to depart for Brussels late Friday evening.

[03] Prodi tells Stephanopoulos everything going very well

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

To Stephanopoulos' inquiry whether everything was going well, Prodi replied ''not just well, but very well''.

Stephanopoulos warmly greeted the Commission President upon his arrival at the Presidential Mansion on Friday morning.

The twenty-member EU Commission headed Prodi arrived in Athens Thursday for a two-day visit and consultations with the Greek EU presidency.

[04] PM Simitis: EU presidency will boost Greece's prestige

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Simitis avoided linking the Greek EU presidency with domestic policy, however it is a common secret that the prime minister is ''counting'' on it for a recovery of the ruling PASOK party, the article said.

In the interview, Simitis outlined in detail the four priorities of the Greek EU presidency, which are completion of EU enlargement with the signing of the Acts of Accession in April in Athens, combatting the current recession in the EU countries, dealing with the problems associated with the migration inflow and border control, and forging a common EU stance on the prospective military conflict in Iraq.

Main opposition leader hails official start of EU presidency Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday hailed the official beginning of Greece's EU presidency and expressed hope that it would be beneficial for both Greece and the EU.

Karamanlis also stressed that his party would steadfastly support every major national goal and effort with the sole intention of making the maximum contribution.

Over the coming six months, ND would closely monitor the presidency in order to present proposals and organize parallel events that would enhance Greece's voice and its efforts to promote its own interests and the common European vision, he said.

He noted that the Greek presidency was an opportunity to show that smaller states could also present original ideas and implement constructive policies at a time when the rotating EU presidency was being questioned as an institution.

The main opposition leader had earlier chaired a two-hour meeting with MEPs affiliated to his party, with whom he discussed possible initiatives ND could undertake.

According to sources, the MEPs asked to be more involved in these initiatives and had also disagreed with the phrase "parallel presidency" adopted by ND to describe them. The term did not appear in statements made by Karamanlis after the meeting.

[05] Bulgaria's EU accession minister hails Greek EU presidency

SOFIA, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Kouneva was addressing an event at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry where government officials and European diplomats briefed leading representatives of the domestic business world on the opportunities and challenges facing Bulgaria's economy in its EU accession course.

''Bulgaria shares the hope of the Greek presidency for a final, fair and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue, before the signature of the accession treaty '', Kouneva said, also expressing Bulgaria's willingness to contribute to the attestation of the EU as an important factor for peace, stability and growth in Europe and in the rest of the world.

The EU has set the April 2003 Athens Summit as the date on which the Accession Treaty with 10 new members will be signed.

FM discusses development, humanitarian aid with EU's Nielson Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA Foreign Minister George Papandreou met on Friday with visiting EU Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Poul Nielsen, in the framework of a series of bilateral meetings the EU Commission held in Athens with government ministers to mark the official inauguration of Greece's EU Presidency.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos.

The implementation of decisions taken during the UN Monterrey International Conference was one of the issues examined, with both the EU and the Greek Presidency agreeing on an increase in developmental aid to countries in need. Loverdos said a common position on the issue would be achieved by May's General Affairs and External Relations Council.

Another matter looked into during the Nielson-Papandreou-Loverdos meeting was the ''independent'' aspect of humanitarian assistance, meaning than such aid should relate to the interests of the receiver rather than those of the provider.

If the task undertaken by a special working team on the specific issue is completed on time, Greece was committed to present a draft of conclusions at May's General Affairs and External Relations Council, Loverdos said in a statement after the meeting. Discussion also centered on immigration and development, as a long-term policy aspect which involves the illegal immigration phenomenon. According to Loverdos, humanitarian aid must be given to countries exporting illegal immigration to tackle the problem at its roots.

[06] UN special adviser in Ankara for Cyprus talks

ISTANBUL, 11/02/2003 (ANA � A. Kourkoulas)

�We can reach a solution even in the last minute. Unfortunately, we could not reach a solution until now. The (Annan peace) plan has been presented to all sides and I hope they will soon respond,� de Soto told reporters at the Turkish capital�s airport. Asked in �whose court the ball� was in?, de Soto answered: �Not in the UN�s�.

The UN diplomat is expected to meet with Turkish Foreign Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal on Friday.

Deputy FM discusses Romanian PM's visit with ambassador

Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and Romanian Ambassador to Greece Caius Traian Dragomir on Friday discussed preparations for the official visit Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase will be making to Athens on January 21.

Talks focused on all issues concerning bilateral economic relations which had preoccupied both sides during the Greek prime minister's last visit to Bucharest in February 2002.

It was ascertained that all issues pending at the time were promoted and solved, as well as specific issues regarding Greece's Balkan program and problems arising in two major Greek investments in Romania.

Consequently, from the point of view of economic relations, the meeting between the two prime ministers is expected to take place in a favorable framework facilitating their further promotion.

[07] Deputy FM Loverdos meets Palestinian attache to Athens

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

They examined in particular the possibility of support for the university of Nablus and Palestinian television, as well as scholarship issues.

Loverdos committed himself on the positive and immediate response of the Greek side.

[08] Greek EU Presidency - strategy for the promotion of competitiveness

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

The conclusions of the Barcelona Summit signaling that the economic and social convergence should advance with specializations, goals and time-frames, are of great importance.

Within that framework, the Greek EU presidency places priority on the creation of a more advantageous environment for entrepreneurship and competitiveness, as well as on the need to support and assess progress in the small-medium-businesses sector.

For the achievement of its strategic goals, the Greek EU presidency will seek dialogue with the Council, as well as guidelines from this Spring's European Council on specialization of measures and policies to increase investments in Research and Technological Development, the promotion of the European Research Area, the incorporation of innovation in economic activities, the dissemination and development of the Information Society, an industrial policy and the promotion of those policies that combine growth with environmental protection.

The Greek EU presidency will also place priority on the promotion of the European Space Strategy and it will seek to introduce the idea of Research and Technological Development for cooperation in the Defense and Security sectors.

[09] Development minister Tsohatzopoulos confers with EU commissioners

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Upon completion of the successive meetings Tsohatzopoulos made the following statement, according to the release:

''With the vice-president of the EU Commission we discussed the Greek EU presidency's proposals that will be able to ensure us greater ease crisis management regarding the energy reserves. This, as you understand, is of great importance due to the prospective military operation in Iraq, so that Europe can have a collective response.

''In addition to measures for emergency handling of crises, it is also important to promote deregulation of the energy, electrical power and natural gas markets, as well as to promote trans-European networks and ensure their funding as a basic requirement for the success of this market.

''Furthermore, we rely on and support Renewable Energy Sources (RES), which will give new prospects also to the qualitative aspect of growth, since growth requires inexpensive, adequate and clean power. On the other hand, the RES, in compliance with Johannesburg guidelines, will contribute toward a comprehensive positive intervention. Therefore, we defined our program in a way as to achieve efficiency in that sector too during the Greek EU presidency.

''The second meeting was with the Commissioner for Competition and the Competitiveness Council. We were afforded the opportunity to have a clear picture of the internal market. Here, also, we are advancing a package of policies, which we are adding as a continuation of all the policies promoted by preceding Presidencies.

''In the internal market, we need to promote the need for providing support to the consumers. It is greatly important that, on a European level, the consumer organizations find support and have a steady role in dialogue. We are also interested in truly opening the markets, so that we may be able to tackle the issues, using also the Competition Control Commission, a powerful tool that will support the market realization conditions.

''On the other hand, we are interested on businesses, which constitute the basic factor for creating new growth in Europe. They are supported by the Greek presidency. As you know, we are organizing a Ministerial Conference in Thessaloniki, which will promote the role of all types of businesses, very small, small, medium and large, in the European economy. On this issue, the Green Book defines the new features of the businesses in the European market and economy in general.

''There is also a Charter of the businesses on a European level, which will supplement the Green Book, towards a comprehensive support policy for the businesses in the EU''.

According to the press release, the following were the agenda items put forward by Athens as priorities of the Greek EU presidency:

At the meeting with Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin, Tsohatzopoulos put forward the following agenda items: A 3% increase of funds for Research, cooperation with the countries in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, materialization of the European area of Research and Innovation, and the development of a European Space Strategy.

Issues associated with the promotion of sales and the Internal Market, the European Patent and guidelines on public sales commission were the items at the meeting between the development minister and Internal Market Taxation and Customs Union Commissioner Frits Bolkestein, while industrial policy and the issue of the small-medium-size businesses, the Green Book for businesses, the Thessaloniki Summit and issues associated with the promotion of innovation-biotechnology and tourism were on the Greek priority list at the meeting with Commissioner Erkki Liikanen.

At the meeting with Competition Commissioner Mario Monti, the development minister discussed the revision of the regulation on mergers and a reduction in state funding, while stressing the need for supporting consumers in the Internal Market.

[10] Merchant Marine Min. meets with EU Commissioners

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Anomeritis outlined his ministry's policies on issues relating to illegal immigration; such policies focus primarily on preventing the entry of boats carrying illegal immigrants in Greece's territorial waters, rescuing illegal immigrants at danger while traveling at sea and taking care of and eventually handing them over to the competent authorities.

The Greek minister said that such policies, supported by Port Police, brought positive results in 2002, with illegal immigrant entries in Greece by sea dropping 45% in the same year. He requested that budget allocations be made available to keep such policies going.

Anomeritis also noted that countries where illegal immigrants originate from, such as Turkey, should be given funding to help prevent the phenomenon. A discussion between Anomeritis and Commissioner de Palacio focused on current sea transport affairs and the amendment of directive 417/2002.

[11] Agriculture Min. Drys confers with EU Commissioners

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Drys' talk with Commissioner Fischler focused on the Greek Presidency's priorities on the areas of agriculture and fisheries. Specific emphasis was given to the recommendations the EU Commission is expected to make on the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy and the review process so that decisions can be taken before the end of the Greek EU Presidency.

Discussion between Drys and Byrne centered on priorities regarding animal welfare and food safety. According to Drys, the issue of Quality Agriculture will be discussed in detail during the informal Ministers Council, to be held on Corfu 12-14 May.

[12] Cosmote says customer base up 19 pct in December yr/yr

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

The company said its fourth quarter was the second best quarter ever (measured by new connections), with a total of 137,569 net new connections, of which 121,179 (or 88.1 percent) were pre-paid subscribers and 16,390 (or 11.9 percent) were contract-based subscribers.

Cosmote said it attracted a total of 562,806 new customers in 2002 and estimated that it maintained its leading position in the Greek market of net new connections for the third year.

Active contract subscribers totalled 1,551,441 in December 2002, up 6.1 percent from the previous year, while active pre-paid subscribers totalled 1,954,897, up 31.9 percent over the same period.

The disconnection rate for 2002 was 21.5 percent, with the majority of disconnections (around 70 percent) being internal transfers of customers to other Cosmote's services.

Cosmote said its subsidiary in Albania, AMC, reported a total of 78,265 new connections in the fourth quarter of 2002, a record number of the company. AMC's total customer base was 501,147, up 18.5 percent from the previous quarter, of which 486,682 (or 97.1 percent) were pre-paid subscribers and 14,465 were contract-based subscribers.

AMC said its customer base jumped 83.5 percent in 2002 compared with the previous year.

Greek bond prices up significantly in December Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA

Greek bond prices rose significantly in the Electronic Secondary Bond Market in December, the Bank of Greece said on Friday.

In its monthly report, the central bank said that turnover in the secondary bond market totalled 32.59 billion euros in December, down from 46.89 billion in November but up from 31.44 billion euros in December 2001. Turnover totalled 566 billion euros in 2002, significantly up from 314 billion euros in 2001, with the daily average turnover at 2.28 billion euros, from 1.26 billion euros over the same period.

The 20-year bond, maturing on October 21, 2022, recorded the biggest increase (up 397 basis points), while the three-year bond (maturing on June 21, 2005) the smallest rise, up 88 bps. The 10-year benchmark bond (ending on May 18, 2012) ended at 106.08 from 103.69 in November and 99.795 in January 2002.

A positive performance by Greek state securities was reflected on a further reduction of the yield spread with German Bunds. The average spread of 10-year benchmark bonds fell to a historic low of 23 bps in December from 26 bps in November and 38 bps in December 2001.

A decision by the European Central Bank to cut its base interest rates by 50 basis points in December led to a decline in short-term bond returns and to a steeper yield curve, with the spread between three- and 20-year bonds widening to 199 bps in December from 188 bps in November.

Short- and medium-term bonds accounted for 77.11 percent of total turnover in December, with the 10-year benchmark bond's turnover totalling 4.49 billion euros, followed by the five-year bonds with 3.43 billion euros.

Greek inflation eases to 3.4 percent in December Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA

Greek annual inflation, measured by the consumer price index, fell to 3.4 percent in December from 3.6 percent the previous month despite facing significant pressures from high fuel prices, National Statistics Service said on Friday.

NSS said that average inflation rose to 3.6 percent in the January-December 2002 period, from 3.4 percent the previous year.

December's decline reflects mainly lower price increases in vegetable prices.

More analytically, December's consumer price index figures reflected an 1.0 percent increase in food and non-alcohol drinks' prices, an 1.5 percent increase in housing prices, a 0.5 percent rise in healthcare prices, an 1.0 percent increase in transport prices, an 1.9 percent rise in food and tourism prices, a 0.6 percent increase in other goods and services' prices and a 2.7 percent drop to telephone services.

NSS said that Greece's average harmonized inflation index was running at 3.9 percent in December, up from 3.7 percent in the same month in 2001.

[13] Cosmote to invest 230 million euros in 2003

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, in a news conference in Thessaloniki, Mr Martigopoulos said that Cosmote was interested in taking full control this year of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization's mobile telephony subsidiaries in Bulgaria (Globul) and FYROM (MTS).

He said that Cosmote's investment program would total 230 million euros in 2003, of which 30 million euros would be spend in Albania and another 30 million euros in investments related with the Athens 2004 Olympic games.

Martigopoulos said that Cosmote has earmarked to invest 60 million euros to expand to third generation mobile services and stressed that these investments would depend on market conditions.

[14] KKE leader visits Nikea hospital, urges action to save state health sector

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Describing the situation in Nikea health services as "explosive", she challenged Prime Minister Costas Simitis to visit Nikea and see the problems for himself in an area where residents also faced immense financial and social problems.

Papariga expressed pessimism about the future of state-sector health, saying that it was constantly being downgraded in favor of private interests. She claimed that this was being deliberately engineered, and foresaw a dismal future in which the majority of state hospitals would be rundown and rife with exploitation.

[15] Greek industrial production, building activity up

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

NSS said that the manufacturing production index rose 0.1 percent in the January-November period compared with the same period in the previous year.

The statistics service also announced that private building activity jumped 35.3 percent in September from the same period in 2001, for an increase of 6.6 percent in the January-September period.

ASE approves Agricultural General Ins capital increase plan Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA

An Athens Stock Exchange regular board meeting on Friday approved a plan by Agricultural General Insurance envisaging a share capital increase following a merger with Agricultural Life and Health Insurance.

Under the plan, Agricultural General Insurance will issue 12,379,733 new nominal shares of a nominal value of 2.38 euros each to be offered to Agricultural Life and Health Insurance's shareholders at a swap rate of one for 0.45549762 new shares. Agricultural General will absorb Agricultural Life and Health.

ASE also approved the listing of 6,962,000 common shares by Newsphone Hellas SA Audiotex to the parallel market of smaller capitalization stocks.

[16] Latest N17 suspect to appear before magistrate on Monday

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Earlier on Friday, Papanastasiou had appeared before Appeals Public Prosecutor Constantinos Vompiris to hear the charges against him.

Vompiris replaced appeals prosecutor Kyriakos Karoutsos who had handled previous N17 arrests after three of the accused challenged his involvement, citing the European human rights charter and a previous decision of the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg.

Under the ruling, judicial officials who had handled or given their opinion on a case could not later handle related cases. Iraklis Kostaris, Costas Karatsolis and Pavlos Serifis raised an issue of bias because Karoutsos had in the past written and submitted a report on terrorism to his Supreme Court counterpart.

Papanastasiou's counsel claimed that his client was the victim of coincidence and that his political beliefs were totally opposed to terrorism, which he considered militarist and conservative.

Anestis Papanastasiou is a cousin of Nikos Papanastasiou, who is currently jailed in Korydallos prison awaiting trial as one of the founding members of November 17.

Police said the new suspect's fingerprints had been found on movable objects within the N17 safe-houses, including two rockets and a diagram.

Two more N17 arrests to follow, police source says

Two more arrests in connection with the urban guerrilla group November 17 would be made in the Athens are over the next two days, a high-ranking anti-terrorist squad officer revealed to the ANA on Friday.

The same source said that the authorities now had strong evidence of links between N17 and earlier terrorist organizations such as ELA, ''May 1'' and ''Revolutionary Cells'' and estimated that uncovering these groups was simply a matter of time.

He said there would be another 10 arrests related to ELA and similar groups in February, while authorities had evidence that some of these individuals acted as contacts with N17.

Regarding the latest N17-linked arrest by the anti-terrorist squad, that of 41-year-old Anestis Papanastasiou, the source said that the suspect denied all involvement with the terrorist group under interrogation and claimed that his cousin Nikos

Papanastasiou - allegedly one of N17's founder members - was the only suspected member of the group that he knew.

Papanastasiou admitted authorship of a diagram of the Strymonikos army camp and a note found by police, something proven by hand-writing analysis in police labs, but claimed that his cousin Nikos had stolen them from his home. He claims to have made the diagram while serving as a cadet officer in the camp at the orders of his superiors.

Police say they can prove the diagram was made long after Papanastasiou stopped serving at the base and dismiss his claims that it was stolen as laughable.

They are also looking into the possibility that the suspect was involved in the theft of rockets from the Sykourio army camp in Larisa but have refused to confirm or deny any progress on this front, nor on whether Papanastasiou had stored the stolen rockets at a Thessaloniki safe-house afterwards.

Other sources said the arrest was the result of close cooperation between the anti-terrorist squad and the Army General Staff, which released the files of those serving at the Strimoniko army camp in Serres. The trail led to Papanastasiou, who was initially placed under surveillance, while the decision to detain and arrest him was made on Thursday morning.

On Friday, Papanastasiou appeared before an appeals public prosecutor and special appeals magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos, who gave him until Monday to prepare his response to the charges against him. Until that time, he will be held at the anti-terrorist squad detention centre, where he will receive visits from his lawyer and members of his family.

Papanastasiou's counsel claimed that his client was the victim of coincidence and that his political beliefs were totally opposed to terrorism, which he considered militarist and conservative.

[17] Greek participation in Sofia street renovation cited

SOFIA, 11/1/2003 (ANA)

A ceremony attended by Sofia Mayor Stefan Sofianski and Greek ambassador in Bulgaria Prokopios Mantzouranis inaugurated the four-month-long San Stefano Street roadwork project, complete with improvements to sideways, light posts etc. The initiative come after renovation work on the Greek embassy itself, a 19th century architectural gem in the Bulgarian capital.

Sofianski also cited Greece�s contribution to the �Beautiful Bulgaria� program to the tune of 65,000 euros.

[18] Eurostat population figures for EU, Greece

BRUSSELS, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

According to Eurostat, 9.0 births per 1,000 residents were recorded in Greece for 2002, as opposed to 9.4 deaths per every 1,000 residents � a figure that translates into a �0.4 percent decrease in the population rate.

Conversely, Cyprus has amongst the highest birth rates, at 10.9 per 1,000 live births.

[19] U.S. embassy to honor Eugene O'Neill

Athens, 11/01/2003 (ANA)

Noted Greek director Yannis Iordanidis, whose production of O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night is now running at the National Theater, has assembled an exhibition of costumes, set designs and manuscripts that will run from January 13-February 22, it was added.

In cooperation with the Greek Film Archive, the HAU will also screen four films based on O'Neill's work. The films will be shown over the weekends of January 18-19 and February 1-2 at the HAU auditorium. The films are Anna Christie, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Desire Under the Elms, and Mourning Becomes Electra. Each showing will be preceded by a short talk explaining the work's background and importance.

[20] UN envoy de Soto says Cyprus talks must resume in earnest

ISTANBUL, 11/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

De Soto also said that a UN proposal on a comprehensive settlement could be amended if the overall balance is maintained.

''In our view, the (UN) plan represents a balanced approach to the problem, fair to everyone. If the two sides agree on changes and preserve the overall balance, changes can be made,'' de Soto said.

He said the plan is still on the table, adding that if the two sides focus on the plan with a sense of urgency, it is still possible to reach an agreement before the end of February, as indicated in the plan.

The UN official said that he would be in Cyprus next week and negotiations can resume.

According to Turkish TV network NTV, de Soto said he was not bringing any proposals on changes to the UN revised plan, put forward by the Secretary General to the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides in December.

The UN has said it wants the two sides to conclude an agreement by February 28, to allow enough time for a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union and sign the Accession Treaty in mid April.

[21] Government adopts a 'wait and see' approach towards Turkey

NICOSIA, 11/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman did not rule out the possibility of seeing some good coming out of such remarks.

''Let us wait and see, it will be very interesting to hear what Ankara has to say. The fact that they have already announced a change in their long standing policy on Cyprus appears to be a hopeful sign and I hope our expectations are met,'' Papapetrou said, when invited to comment on a statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry that its policy on Cyprus should be changed.

He described as ''totally incomprehensible'' attempts to exclude a priori any possibility of a change in Turkey.

''Let us wait a few days. Something good may come out of all this,'' he said.

Turkey, which occupies one third of Cyprus' territory since its troops invaded in 1974, is a candidate for European Union accession and has been told by the EU to put its house in order, respect democratic values and contribute to a political settlement in Cyprus.

[22] Opposition growing in occupied areas against Denktash

NICOSIA, 11/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The Platform ''This Country is Ours'' and the organizations ''Joint

Vision'' announced they will hold a new rally on January 14 for ''Peace and EU'' in the occupied part of Nicosia at 1100 local time.

Some 40,000 Turkish Cypriots attended the December 26, 2002 rally in the occupied area, and organizers called for double the number of people attending.

The Patriotic Unity Movement called on Denktash to ''sign the Annan plan or leave,'' according to Friday's edition of the weekly ''Yeni Cag'' newspaper, the movement's mouthpiece.

The newspaper, dedicating its front page to the rally, which will be held on Tuesday, January 14, said ''Come on! Everyone at the rally.''

Meanwhile, Head of the Communal Liberation Party, Husseyin Angolemli, called on Denktash to ''either resign or implement the policy which complies with the majority's desire'' and announce a policy for a solution to the Cyprus problem and his intentions regarding the EU.

Daily ''Halkin Sesi'' quoted Angolemli as saying that there is lack of will by Denktash to reach an agreement on Cyprus until February 28 and stated that either Denktash or his policies should change.

Meanwhile, the Platform ''This Country is Ours'', in a letter to Denktash, said ''Turkish Cypriots no longer trust him.''

The letter was presented to a Denktash representative during a rally on Thursday outside the so-called ''presidential palace'' where demonstrators called on the Turkish Cypriot leader to resign.

According to Friday's Turkish Cypriot press, strict security measures were taken around the building preventing demonstrators from approaching.

One of ''Africa's'' journalists, Memduh Ener, strongly criticized the Denktash policy, prompting a so-called ''policeman'' of the regime to ask him to stop. Ener stopped, but one of Denktash's advisers, Sabahatin Ismail, claimed the illegal police should have arrested

Ener because he ''insulted'' Denktash, as Ismail claimed.

Ener, together with Africa's chief editor, Sener Levent, were released from prison last October. An illegal court in the occupied areas had found them ''guilty'' of ''libel'' against Denktash, the Turkish occupation army and ''motherland'' Turkey, and gave them a six-month ''jail sentence''.

[23] Government issues 1,200 passports for Turkish Cypriots

NICOSIA, 11/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Panagiotou said on Friday an increase of applications by Turkish Cypriots to obtain a Cypriot passport had been expected after the decision by EU leaders in Copenhagen in December to accept Cyprus and nine other countries as full members in May 2004.

He said the government maintains a complete archive on Turkish Cypriots and can find out very easily whether an applicant is a Turkish Cypriot or not.

''As far as we are concerned, these people are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and are being treated as such,'' he added.

Most of the Turkish Cypriots live in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus since 1974.

Some hundreds Turkish Cypriots remained in the free areas of the Republic or have been moved from the occupied part.

Thousands of native Turkish Cypriots have left the occupied areas for Turkey, Britain, Australia and elsewhere, because of the unbearable conditions created by the occupation regime and the presence of thousands of Turkish colonist settlers and Turkish soldiers.

Some 80,000 Turkish settlers in addition to 35,000 Turkish troops have outnumbered the Turkish Cypriots in the occupied territory.

Some 120,000 Turkish Cypriots, making 18 per cent of the island's population, lived in this east Mediterranean island before the 1974

Turkish invasion. Their number decreased to some 60,000 according to Turkish Cypriot estimations.

[24] London Greek and Turkish Cypriots rally together

LONDON, 11/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

A seven-member bicommunal committee, comprising Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, was set up after a meeting of Greek Cypriots, members of the National Federation of Cyprus, and representatives of Turkish Cypriot organizations in Britain to develop further this cooperation.

The representatives met over a working dinner in London on Thursday and stressed the need to contribute to moves and activities that promote the peace effort.

Haris Sophoclides, president of the National Federation of Cypriots and committee member, has told CNA that Cypriots in Britain will not take the decision on a political settlement nor will they pretend to be doing so.

''However, when the Turkish Cypriots in occupied Cyprus have the courage to express their opposition to the views of the leader of their community (Rauf Denktash) and ask for support, we ought to think of ways to respond since we want a united Cyprus and a solution that works,'' he said.

Hasan Raif, president of the Turkish Cypriot progressive association and committee member, said that the meeting was ''important and successful''.

''Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have proved once more that they can work together for the good of their country and to support their compatriots in Cyprus,'' he added.

More than 25,000 Turkish Cypriots staged at the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, a mass rally in late December, demanding Denktash's resignation and a settlement on the basis of a UN proposal. A similar rally is planned for next week.

The rallies took place after the European Union decided to accept Cyprus as a full member in its ranks, with or without a political settlement, in May 2004. The Accession Treaty for Cyprus and the other nine acceding countries is to be signed in mi

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