Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't annuls 2004 Olympics security tender

[02] Greece sees 'positive points' in Franco-German proposal for EU inst'l reforms

[03] Greek EU presidency on General Affairs Council agenda, Iraq

[04] Greek EU presidency consultations for common stance on Iraq crisis

[05] Papandreou-Ivanov meeting on Thursday

[06] Turkish FM: Ankara happy with cooperation from Greek EU presidency

[07] Minister denies use of depleted uranium shells by Greek army

[08] EU welcomes OAS establishment of Group of Friends of Venezuela

[09] Parliament ratifies US-Greece CTA despite strong criticism from MPs

[10] Premier meets with ruling PASOK party secretary

[11] Greek EU presidency to focus on sustainable development

[12] Greek inflation slows to 3.5 pct in December, Eurostat

[13] Agriculture minister outlines Greek presidency priorities

[14] Greece says savings' tax deal may lead to repatriation of capital

[15] FM briefs labor union leader on ministry's presidency issues

[16] OTE telecom's board okays acquisition deal with Romania

[17] Greek stocks end off lows on Wednesday

[18] Battle against doping can be won, Sebastian Coe says

[19] Greek aid to Mexico following devastating quake

[20] Greek Euro-MP's report on environmental blame approved

[21] WWF Hellas protests to EU Commission over hazardous chemicals use

[22] Evros prefect receives Turkish consul of Komotini

[23] Actor Daniel Day Lewis in Athens for 'Gangs of New York ' premiere

[24] Clerides and Denktash press on with talks

[25] Denktash cannot disorient us, government spokesman says

[26] Durduran says Annan plan only option for settlement

[01] Gov't annuls 2004 Olympics security tender

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

Spokesman Christos Protopapas added that conditions and prerequisites were not met during the tender�s final phase.

Moreover, he clarified that the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), the high-ranking committee that approves major defense contracts and top military promotions, among others, will consider the 2004 security contract only after a winner has been selected.

Two international consortia were in the bidding for multi-million dollar contract, the centerpiece of government�s and Athens 2004 organizers� (ATHOC) commitment to ensure absolutely secure Olympic Games in 2004.

Two offers were on the table coming into the week, by the �SAIC� and �TRS� groups.

Protopapas nevertheless dismissed concerns about pressing deadlines, promising that �we will be ready on time�.

Later statements: In later statements following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said a new tender will be issued immediately, and again under the defense ministry's auspices.

He also said that an �open and parallel� negotiation will commence with interested parties so that proposed expenditures are slashed back to the government�s initial estimates.

According to sources, the lowest offer touched on the 300-million-euro mark, whereas it should not have exceeded the 220-million-euro mark, they claimed.

Upwards of US$600 million are eyed for the entire security program during the Games.

Finally, a new evaluation committee -- one better suited to gauging the offers� technical aspects -- is expected to be established immediately, as pressing deadlines loom on the horizon � something reiterated by both Simitis and IOC President Jacques Rogge over the past week.

Premier affirms that budget for "Athens 2004" will not increase: Prime Minister Costas Simitis reaffirmed on Wednesday that the budget of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games would not increase, during a government meeting that focused on the Olympic overlays.

The meeting focused on this subject as there is a 120 million euro economic difference concerning overlays between the government and the Olympic Games organizing committee.

It was stressed, during the meeting, that the state budget of 4.6 billion euros for the Olympic preparations is fixed and adequate, while any additional needs concerning the Olympic infrastructures or purchasing that will remain in use after the Games, will be covered by the state budget within the limits of the 4.6 billion euros.

It was additionally stressed that any projects without use after the Olympic Games that will be constructed for the Games, will be funded exclusively by ATHOC.

During the meeting it was also mentioned that the budget of ATHOC is secured to the tune of 42 per cent stemming from television rights, 41 per cent stemming from sponsorships and 14 per cent stemming from state funds.

[02] Greece sees 'positive points' in Franco-German proposal for EU inst'l reforms

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

In exclusive statements to the Athens News Agency (ANA), Plaskovitis also said that the EU summit in Thessaloniki in June would play a fundamental role in developments in view of the Inter-Governmental conference, which he said would ''close'' under the Italian EU presidency.

Asked what the 'in principle' Greek positions were on the French-German proposal, Plaskovitis stressed first of all that these views, particularly with respect to the Convention on the Future of Europe, were ''national views'' and ''not the views of the (EU) presidency, because we are not presiding over the Convention''.

''We are participating in the Convention, and have an 'increased weight' because we are participating in the presidium due to our presidency of the EU, but in no way are we presiding (over the Convention),'' he said.

Greece, he said, ''finds elements in the French-German proposal that are very close to identical with positions that we, too, have stated in the past, such as, for example, reinforcement of the prestige of the European Commission through the election of the Commission president by the European Parliament, and also the need for a strong and uniform voice in external affairs so that the EU presence will be truly respected and to have continuity in foreign policy''.

In that respect, Plaskovitis continued, the proposal for a single EU ''foreign minister'' who would combine the positions of High Representative for common foreign and security policy and Commissioner for external relations in a single personal with a dual capacity "is within our views". The element added by the French-German proposal was that of election of the Council president, he said.

However, if that proposal also implied reinforcement of the role of the Council at the expense of the other two institutional bodies (Commission and Europarliament), that would mean an EU turn towards an intergovernmental character and naturally Greece would have objections, Plaskovitis warned.

[03] Greek EU presidency on General Affairs Council agenda, Iraq

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

The foreign ministry official made the comments in light of next week�s General Affairs Council meeting of the current Greek presidency, which began earlier this month.

Ministry secretary Elias Plaskovitis again backed the idea of requesting a second UN resolution prior to any military operation against the Middle East country, in case it is found in breach of Resolution 1441 concerning its disposal of weapons of mass destruction and other internationally slapped compliance provisions.

�No one in the European Union has said that they prefer war to a peaceful resolution,� he said.

In answer to a press question about what the Council agenda will include, Plaskovitis said substantive talks will focus on EU relations with western Balkan states, along with discussion on how to better promote innovative ideas for strengthening EU ties with those countries.

The Greek official also said EU-Africa relations will be on the agenda, especially the issue of Zimbabwe, a country on the Union�s sanctions list for human rights violations. He again cited an EU-Africa Summit on April 4 in Lisbon, chaired by the Greek presidency, and expected to be held at the prime ministerial level.

Finally, in returning to the ongoing Iraq crisis, Plaskovitis stressed that the General Affairs Council will convene at approximately the same time as UN weapons inspector Hans Blix is set to table his first report.

�I do not know in what degree we will be able to adapt this report�s conclusion in our discussions; there may though be time for this. However, based on the facts and discussions Foreign Minister George Papandreou had in Athens with Mr. Blix and Mr.El Baradei (the IAEA�s director general), I believe that we can have a substantive discussion over who the EU will react to various contingencies.�

[04] Greek EU presidency consultations for common stance on Iraq crisis

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

The spokesman, Panos Beglitis, said Papandreou had spoken with French, Portuguese and Austrian foreign ministers Dominique de Villepin, Antonio Martins da Cruz and Benita Ferrero-Waldner respectively, within the framework of consultations between the Greek EU presidency and EU member-states regarding developments in Iraq, ahead of a Council of Ministers General Affairs (Foreign Relations) meeting scheduled for Monday, January 27, aimed at formulating a uniform EU position on the issue.

''Mr. Papandreou also had telephone communications with his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, Ahmed Maher and Marwan Muasher, respectively, with whom he discussed developments in Iraq and the prospects for seeking a political solution to the crisis,'' Beglitis added.

Papandreou has telephone conversations with EU FMs on Iraq: Greek Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers President George Papandreou on Wednesday spoke by telephone with the Foreign Ministers of France Dominique de Villepin, Portugal Antonio Martins da Cruz and Austria Benita-Maria Ferrero-Waldner in the framework of talks between the EU presidency and member-states on developments in Iraq in light of the EU's General Affairs' Council meeting.

He also talked with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis in light of the regional conference organized by Turkey in Istanbul on conditions in Iraq.

The Greek minister also held telephone conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt Ahmed Maher and Jordan Marwan Muasher, focusing on developments in Iraq and efforts toward finding a political solution to the crisis.

Papandreou will also discuss the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov, who is in Greece on an official visit to participate in the EU troika meeting with Russia, during which the issues of the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, Moldova, the Caucasus and North Korea will be discussed.

''We are expecting with interest the results of the regional conference, in light of the General Affairs Council on foreign relations in Brussels on Monday, where we will discuss developments in Iraq and the formulation of a common position by the European Union,'' Papandreou said.

He added that ''it is our common target to utilize the possible diplomatic and political means to implement the UN decision to arrive at a peaceful solution''.

In a related development, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis met with Iraqi National Assembly Vice-President Hamid al Raui, who briefed him on his country's stance on the crisis and that of a possible war against Iraq.

FM Papandreou has telephone conversation

with UN chief Annan: Foreign Minister and EU Council of Ministers President George Papandreou on Wednesday evening spoke at length by telephone with UN Secretary Kofi Annan on developments in Iraq in light of the EU's General Affairs' Council meeting in Brussels on Monday.

Papandreou and Annan also discussed developments in the procedure for a settlement of the political problem of Cyprus.

The Greek foreign minister also talked with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis in light of the regional conference organized by Turkey in Istanbul on Thursday on conditions in Iraq.

Government rules out involvement of Greek troops in Iraq: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Wednesday ruled out the involvement of Greek troops in the case of a war in Iraq.

He said Greece would "gauge its position on the basis of the course of developments in the UN'' regarding the provision of facilitations to the US side if an operation against Iraq was decided.

Protopapas stressed that war was not inevitable and that there were peaceful ways of resolving the differences. He also noted initiatives that Greece had begun and said that the Greek government's aim was a convergence of positions among EU member-states at the UN.

''Europe must prove that it can have a common direction on this issue. In this affair, the EU's ability to develop joint initiatives is being judged,'' he stressed.

[05] Papandreou-Ivanov meeting on Thursday

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

Statements to the press will follow afterwards, according to a foreign ministry announcement on Wednesday.

[06] Turkish FM: Ankara happy with cooperation from Greek EU presidency

ISTANBUL, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

''So far Greece has not spared any effort for Turkey's adaptation to the EU'', Yakis told the paper, adding that the cooperation between the two counties in that field was going very well.

''We want Greece to continue on that policy, which will also have a positive contribution to our bilateral ties. I attach great importance to maintaining the dialogue channels opened during my predecessor Ismail Cem's term. He and Papandreou launched a good initiative and I do approve'', the Turkish minister said.

Yakis also told the Turkish daily that his Greek counterpart George Papandreou had telephoned him to ask information about Turkey's latest initiative on Iraq.

On the issue of Cyprus, Yakis said that ''there is a legitimately elected president in northern Cyprus who at the same time was appointed by the 'Republican Assembly' as chief negotiator''.

'' 'President' Denktash has come to office in the same fashion as such duties are assigned in a democratic country. For reasons stemming from his historical personality and personal ability, he has been fulfilling the requirements of the task excellently and continuing the talks very well. Turkey has no intention of touching this mechanism because it would be wrong to intervene in how a chief negotiator appointed in full compliance with established rules should continue his work'', Yakis told the newspaper.

In 1983, the Turkish-occupied area of northern Cyprus illegally declared itself the so-called ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'', a break-away state recognized only by Ankara.

Declining any comments regarding absence of an exchange of views between Ankara and Denktash, Yakis said ''some times it was very hard for him (Denktash), but every time he underlined that he would abide with the interests of Turkey. I believe he will continue on that line''.

The Turkish foreign minister said that February 28 was an artificial date and that the aim was to reach a settlement before April 16, adding that Rauf Denktash had clearly stated that whatever was the final date to make a decision, if at that date he was not of the opinion to sign a deal, the Turkish-Cypriot people would find someone else to sign the agreement. ''No one can insist that he should sign the U.N. plan'', Yakis said.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan aiming to solve the Cyprus problem stipulates that the talks would continue until February 28 and that the final agreement should be put on a referendum across Cyprus on March 30, 2003.

''Our cooperation (with Rauf Denktash) continues in an excellent fashion and I believe we should stand firm behind him'', he said.

''Neither of the two sides on Cyprus are prepared to accept the U.N. plan as it is'', Yakis told the daily. ''Denktash will tell Clerides you show me flexibility in this area and I will show you flexibility in that area'', he concluded.

[07] Minister denies use of depleted uranium shells by Greek army

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

Those spreading such rumors were only doing everyone a disservice, he stressed.

He also promised local mayors that the use of target ranges in their district and that the army's requirements for target practice would be cut down to a minimum and carried out in areas that did not interfere with the islands development or the demands of the tourist season.

[08] EU welcomes OAS establishment of Group of Friends of Venezuela

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

In a declaration issued in Athens by the Greek EU presidency, the EU endorsed the establishment of the Group of Friends, comprising Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the US, which was announced by the Organization of American States (OAS) in mid-January, and urged the people of Venezuela to work with the OAS and the Group of Friends to seek a solution to the crisis.

Below is the full text of the EU Declaration:

''The EU welcomes the establishment of the Group of Friends of Venezuela (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and USA) announced in Quito on 15 January by the Secretary General of the OAS.

''The EU expresses its full support for the contribution the Group of Friends can offer in fostering a viable solution to the crisis in Venezuela along the objectives set by the OAS resolution 833, in particular a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution to the crisis.

''The EU considers that the Secretary General of the OAS has - through the Group of Friends - an additional valuable instrument in his efforts to build the conditions for genuine dialogue and reconciliation.

''The EU urges the institutions and people of Venezuela to seek a solution to the crisis with the assistance of the Secretary General of the OAS and the Group of Friends and in the framework of full respect of democratic principles and the rule of law, including the respect of the freedom of the press.

''The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.''

[09] Parliament ratifies US-Greece CTA despite strong criticism from MPs

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

Responding to the criticism, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos described it as an improvement on the previous framework.

This was questioned by several speakers, however, such as Coalition MP Maria Damanaki and PASOK MP Theodoros Pangalos, who said the new agreement was worse in several places than the previous one. Pangalos also objected to the timing for the CTA's ratification, coming just before American soldiers were due to arrive in Greece on route to military operations in Iraq and because it was tantamount to facilitating the US war.

A roll-call vote was requested 16 MPs, including five rebels from ruling PASOK, but could not be carried out because two MPs were absent when it began.

The CTA was signed between US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on June 13, 2001.

It consolidates a number of provisions regarding the status of US forces in Greece, currently contained in numerous bilateral agreements supplementary to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed in 1951, and incorporates counterpart SOFA provisions that deal with the status of Greek forces in the United States. The Greek CTA was envisioned as the final piece of three major agreements regulating the defense relationship with Greece. The other two major agreements already in force are the NATO SOFA and the 1990 Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), which updated US basing arrangements in Greece and established the requirement to negotiate and sign the CTA. The counterpart SOFA provisions, incorporated in Part II of the agreement, deal with the status of Greek forces in the United States.

Loverdos outlines Greek position on Iraq: During the debate, meanwhile, the deputy foreign minister referred to Athens' position on Iraq. He stressed that Greece wanted full implementation of Security Council resolution 1441, that all means for achieving peace be first exhausted and, finally, a single expression of EU policy on this issue.

He also noted that the foreign ministry had been making preparations for a possible war in Iraq since November 2002, particularly as regards the wave of refugees that would flood Iraq's neighbors and the provision of aid, particularly food aid.

[10] Premier meets with ruling PASOK party secretary

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

According to sources, the planning for the next 15-month period sets the time of the Parliamentary elections, which, as it was stressed, will take place in April or May 2004.

The same sources said that over the next few weeks PASOK's planning will escalate and will include a series of activities in every prefecture and in every sector.

[11] Greek EU presidency to focus on sustainable development

BRUSSELS 23/01/2003 (ANA/G.Zitouniati)

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in the Belgian capital on Wednesday that sustainable development lay at the heart of the EU Lisbon's strategy.

The minister was outlining the Greek presidency's proposals on development to the European Parliament.

The components of sustainable development to be tackled were improving competitiveness coupled with a rise in productivity and investment in the information society; along with attaining social cohesion, protection of the environment and quality of life, he said.

In the industrial sector, the presidency would focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of the EU's economy.

As president of the bloc until June, Greece would also work to advance an agreement made to achieve full deregulation of the electricity and natural gas market by 2007, Tsohatzopoulos said.

[12] Greek inflation slows to 3.5 pct in December, Eurostat

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

In its monthly bulletin on the EU inflation, the EU executive's statistics agency said that Ireland (4.6 percent), Spain and Portugal (4.0 percent each), Greece and the Netherlands (3.5 percent each) recorded the highest inflation rates in the EU, while Germany (1.1 percent), Belgium (1.3 percent), and Austria, Finland, UK and Sweden (1.7 percent each) recorded the lowest annual inflation rates in December.

The annual inflation figure for the eurozone, however, rose to 2.3 percent in December from 2.2 percent the previous months, and it was up from 2.0 percent in December 2001. The inflation rate also rose in the EU-15 to 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent and 2.2 percent, over the same period.

Annual inflation rates rose in nine member-states, it fell in four and was unchanged in two.

The UK, Germany and Belgium recorded the lowest average inflation rates (1.3 percent, 1.3 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively), while Ireland (4.7 percent), the Netherlands (3.9 percent) and Greece (3.9 percent) the highest rates.

The annual inflation rate was unchanged in Switzerland (0.9 percent), and rose in the US (2.4 percent in December from 2.2 percent in November).

Christodoulakis calls for collective action to combat inflation: A government decision to change the way retail prices are publicly shown in shops did not justify any price increases in the domestic market, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Wednesday.

The Greek minister, responding to reactions by the commerce community, stressed that the decision - to be valid from February 10 - was taken in an effort to help Greek consumers in their daily use of the euro currency.

Mr Christodoulakis urged everyone in the commerce community to contribute in an anti-inflation policy followed by the government and forecast that the inflation rate would fall in January.

He said that the government was examining state enterprises' budgets and reiterated that the public sector would adhere to an anti-inflationary policy.

[13] Agriculture minister outlines Greek presidency priorities

BRUSSELS 23/01/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Drys, who was presenting Greece's targets during the first half of 2003 before the European Parliament's relevant committee, said the correct planning and implementation of CAP is the strongest means of guaranteeing the European agricultural model and underlined the Greek presidency's readiness for an in-depth processing of proposals presented by the European Commission on Wednesday on the interim revision of CAP.

The agriculture minister said relevant discussions will begin at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on January 27 and expressed the hope that the European Parliament, agreeing to the need of promoting this major issue, will give its opinion in time to enable a decision to be reached by the end of June.

[14] Greece says savings' tax deal may lead to repatriation of capital

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

The Greek minister was commenting on a political agreement reached on Tuesday during a regular meeting of EU economy and finance ministers on savings tax.

Under an agreed new system of exchanging information between member-states (with the exception of Luxembourg, Austria and Belgium), to be valid from January 1, 2004, Greek tax authorities will be informed over Greek citizens' deposits in other EU countries, thus imposing and receiving taxes on their savings.

The three exempted countries will be obliged to return a significant part of their income from savings tax to other member-states.

Mr Christodoulakis said that the Greek government would use this information in its regular tax inspections.

[15] FM briefs labor union leader on ministry's presidency issues

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

On his part, Polyzogopoulos briefed Papandreou on GSEE's positions and proposals on issues concerning the EU.

The foreign minister was also briefed, according to an announcement by GSEE, on GSEE's activities during the Greek presidency with the purpose of promoting European labor union claims, as well as on the initiative being undertaken by GSEE for a meeting with the labor confederations of Turkey and Cyprus (both Greek and Turkish Cypriot) on Turkey's European prospects, the finding of a solution to the Cyprus issue and safeguarding peace in the region.

[16] OTE telecom's board okays acquisition deal with Romania

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

Under the terms of the arrangement, OTE would fund a 243 million dollar share capital increase by RomTelecom, granting it the majority stake, the Greek firm said in a statement.

[17] Greek stocks end off lows on Wednesday

Athens, 23/01/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.15 percent to end at 1,669.69 points, with turnover a low 70.4 million euros.

The IT, Base Metals and Industrial sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.68 percent, 1.09 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively), while the Publication (1.53 percent), Investment (0.90 percent and Construction (0.83 percent) suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.18 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.01 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.23 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 187 to 103 with another 64 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 61.0 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: