Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM says Europe can contribute to way out of Iraq issue

[02] Gov't spokesman says voices against war increasing in Europe

[03] Deputy FM addresses conference on regional media

[04] Athens mayor and ruling Turkish party leader discuss Cyprus

[05] Greek OECD representative organizes event in Paris

[06] Synaspismos leader in Brazil calls for alternative ''multidimensional security''

[07] Former minister Pangalos says PASOK party not functioning

[08] Archbishop of Athens refers to extortion issue

[09] ATHOC president discusses human dimension of Olympic Games

[10] Olympic Games housing issue underlined at conference

[11] EU Greek presidency inaugurates ''2003 European year of persons with handicaps''

[12] Torrential rain causes rough night in Athens

[13] German G. Consul lays wreath for Jewish Holocaust victims

[14] UN may produce new peace plan, says foreign minister

[15] President: all should gain from a settlement

[16] British envoy in occupied Cyprus for contacts

[01] FM says Europe can contribute to way out of Iraq issue

DAVOS 27/01/2003 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)

''Europe can contribute to yet another effort for a peaceful way out on condition that Saddam Hussein cooperates fully with the UN,'' the foreign minister told the Athens News Agency after his talks with Powell.

Papandreou and Powell had an extensive exchange of views on developments regarding Iraq, possible initiatives and on existing concern.

Papandreou, in statements made in past days and speaking at a press conference here, had repeatedly stressed the need for deepening dialogue between both sides of the Atlantic and avoiding ''clich�s'' which frequently dominated increasingly scathing remarks exchanged between European and U.S. officials in past days.

He also met with Tayyip Erdogan, leader of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, and Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul for talks on relations between the EU and Turkey.

The Turkish leaders conveyed Ankara's concern to Papandreou over the situation to follow a possible war and on developments which may occur in the Arab world, as well as the worries of Iraq's neighbors. The issue of Cyprus was also discussed.

Other meetings Papandreou had here were with King Abdallah of Jordan, the Polish president, Switzerland's prime minister and the Archbishop of Albania Anastasios.

Papandreou eventually departed from Davos for Brussels where the European Union's Council of General Affairs will be convening on Monday and which is expected to focus primarily on the crucial issue of Iraq.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, speaking at a press conference at the International Economic Forum here on Saturday, said basic principles already exist for a joint position by the European Union on the issue of Iraq, or at least for its framework.

The EU supports efforts by the UN to handle the issue of weapons of mass destruction, the UN Security Council's resolution 1441 and work being performed by the arms inspectors.

Papandreou said Europe sees and hopes that the issue of weapons of mass destruction can be handled with diplomatic means which, apart from governments, is also believed by European public opinion.

He added that the EU is also cooperating with the United States, believing that a unified international community is more effective on this issue.

The foreign minister also said that weapons inspectors in Iraq should be given necessary time if this is requested.

Referring to developments in relations between Europe and the United States regarding the issue of Iraq, Papandreou said he is also aware of opinion polls in the United States which are opposed to a war without a UN resolution being reached.

He said such issues should be raised for dialogue between the United States and Europe and should not divide and called for a constructive dialogue over the next few days and stressed how essential close cooperation between both sides of the Atlantic is.

Papandreou further said that war can be averted in cooperation with the Arab world with which there must be contact.

Papandreou also had a long telephone conversation with his U.S. counterpart Colin Powell on Friday night.

[02] Gov't spokesman says voices against war increasing in Europe

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

"I think that voices in Europe that are saying that war and force are not a one-way street but a dangerous deadlock are increasing all the more," he said.

Protopapas further said "the Greek presidency, through the prime minister and the foreign minister, will take all necessary initiatives aimed at Europe having its own unified voice and a determined intervention in developments."

PASOK secretary says party against war in Iraq

Ruling socialist PASOK party secretary Costas Laliotis, speaking at a press conference on Saturday, said the party is against war in Iraq and will participate in anti-war demonstrations scheduled to take place all over the world on February 15.

Laliotis said PASOK will participate actively in all the activities and initiatives promoted by the ''stop the war alliance'', adding that the slogans with which the party will take part in the events will be ''yes to peace, no to war, no blood for oil.''

The secretary said war is not unavoidable and opportunities can and should be given, as well as time to find peaceful solutions based on UN resolutions on disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, but which will not ignore the rights of the people of Iraq to life, democracy and freedom.

Laliotis said it is time for governments, peoples and citizens to wake up and activate themselves and termed the tactics of the United States an attitude of an empire which "lies outside every framework of law, outside international rules", adding that it is promoting its own imperium and its own interests.

Coalition party criticizes gov't for backing U.S. plans: The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party on Saturday said that at a time when mobilizations against war in Iraq are taking on gigantic dimensions the European Union's Greek presidency is "being sealed with pro-American and warlike colors."

Nikos Hountis, the party's official in charge of foreign policy, said the government's spirit of submission and subjugation is proved by support for the request of the United States for the shielding of Turkey due to the upcoming war, facilities provided in Souda and the hurried signing of the agreement on penal immunity for American soldiers.

[03] Deputy FM addresses conference on regional media

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

Loverdos, who was speaking at a conference in Patra, in the Peloponnese, on the role played by the regional mass media on the problem of Cyprus, underlined the very positive role played by the mass media during recent developments on the Cyprus issue and said the government of Cyprus has the first say now and must negotiate dynamically.

The event was addressed, among others, by Athens News Agency (ANA) director Andreas Christodoulides, the main opposition New Democracy party's spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos and the President of the Periodical Press Union Thanassis Papandropoulos.

Also present were delegations from the Athens Journalists Union, journalists unions from Thessaly, central Greece and Evia and the President of the Journalists Union of Cyprus, Andreas Kanaouros, who read a message from Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

Conference of journalists from regional Greece and Cyprus: Problems facing journalists in regional Greece and Cyprus were discussed at a conference held in Patra, in the Peloponnese, on Saturday by the boards of the journalists unions of the Peloponnese, Epirus, the islands, central Greece, Thessaly, Evia and Cyprus.

Andreas Kanaouros, President of the Journalists Association of Cyprus, made special reference to issues concerning ethics, the downgrading of the standard of journalism and the disruption of journalists' working relations as a result of collective labor agreements not being implemented.

He also expressed concern over the fact that with the attempted undermining of journalists' independence democratic institutions are jeopardized.

[04] Athens mayor and ruling Turkish party leader discuss Cyprus

DAVOS 27/01/2003 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)

The meeting was held in a cordial climate, in the framework of the International Economic Forum, and Erdogan recalled the time he was mayor of Istanbul.

[05] Greek OECD representative organizes event in Paris

PARIS 27/01/2003 (ANA)

The event was attended by diplomatic representatives of countries participating in the international organization, Greece's ambassador to France, diplomats and other personalities.

It was organized by Greece's permanent delegation at the OECD with the active support of the Commercial Bank and the Athenaeum cultural centre.

[06] Synaspismos leader in Brazil calls for alternative ''multidimensional security''

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

He also spoke of the ''agony of the international social movement to have peace everywhere accompanied by stability and security for all''. Commenting on what he called the ''dilemma Security or Democracy'' he said the answer was ''Security with Democracy''.

[07] Former minister Pangalos says PASOK party not functioning

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

''The party is not functioning and nobody does anything about it. Parliament is not functioning. The party's highest organs are an assembly of state officials. The Executive Bureau has nothing to offer to us. We are in danger of dismantling ourselves,'' he said.

Referring indirectly to the party's leadership, Pangalos said ''I am nobody's employee. Only the people can remove me from politics.''

He also said that for PASOK to win the next elections ''the prime minister himself must enter the battle.''

Pangalos further said there is arrogance in the government and, giving an example, said ministers almost never set foot in Parliament.

Commenting on the possible war in Iraq, Pangalos said ''the impression existing is that we are playing the game of the Americans and this impression was given due to the ill-advised position we took in favor of giving a date to Turkey concerning its accession to the EU.''

Pangalos, referring to relations between Europe and Turkey, said ''Turkey must not be given a date because it does not fulfill criteria set in Copenhagen.''

On the question of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Cyprus plan, Pangalos said ''Turkey's standing policy is to see the Cyprus issue together with the file of their own accession. Why should they lose this card? If I was a Turk I would never accept.''

[08] Archbishop of Athens refers to extortion issue

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

Christodoulos, who was speaking during a sermon at a church in the Athens district of Rizoupolis, focused on the ongoing issue of clergymen being blackmailed and outlined the position of the Church in this matter.

"In past years, and from time to time, the Church has found itself at the centre of certain alleged scandals, of idle talk which is supposedly aimed at correcting improprieties but which in reality is aimed at dashing people's confidence in the Church," he said.

Archbishop Christodoulos called on the faithful not to be misled by "slander and false accusations heard almost every day, either in the media or in private conversations" and not to believe even half of what they hear.

[09] ATHOC president discusses human dimension of Olympic Games

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

The talks were held in the framework of the annual World Economic Forum which is taking place with the participation of personalities from all over the world.

Oggy and Daskalaki, who participated in a discussion on "Sports, confidence and politics", agreed that, in the framework of UNESCO's activities for the Olympic Games, children from all over the world will take part in the torch race.

Moreover, children from all corners of the earth will be able to come to Greece in the summer of 2004 to enjoy the Games.

Daskalaki is also expected to address a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Oggy soon, outlining the initiatives program and, according to reports, Annan and Oggy will visit Athens to officially present the initiatives, which are under the auspices of the UN.

[10] Olympic Games housing issue underlined at conference

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

Vassilis Niadas, an official of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee, said "the two major targets are securing hospitality for the Olympic family and ordinary spectators."

He added that the 17,000 rooms which are necessary to house those involved in the Games have been secured.

"However, although the Organizing Committee had promised to find accommodation only for those involved in the Games, it will also help in finding accommodation for ordinary spectators," Niadas added.

[11] EU Greek presidency inaugurates ''2003 European year of persons with handicaps''

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

The official speakers list included Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Minister of Health and Welfare Kostas Stephanis, Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, Europarliament Vice President Quinto Podesta and European Forum for the Handicapped Persons president Yiannis Vardakastanis.

All speakers stressed the importance of the rights for full social acceptance of the 37 million European citizens that live with handicaps, while Diamantopoulou noted that this year will mark the turning point for a permanent change concerning the ''invisible'' citizens as she called Europe's handicapped.

[12] Torrential rain causes rough night in Athens

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

The worst hit regions in the Attica prefecture were Marathon, Markopoulo, Agios Stephanos and Kryoneri. In the greater Athens area, great problems were faced in Peristeri, Agioi Anargyroi and Kamatero, where roads were turned into torrents.

Parts of the country suffering most were the island of Angistri, near the island of Aigina, Oropos, where 30 houses were flooded and the fire brigade received 120 calls for help and the town of Karditsa, in central Greece, where sheepfolds and livestock were washed away.

The Kifissos River in Athens also gave cause for alarm as the level of waters reached a little lower than emergency levels, resulting in Pireos street being closed for several hours as a precaution.

Local storms are expected on Sunday in the western and southern regions of Attica, while bad weather conditions are also expected in the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecannese.

Gov't spokesman satisfied with handling of weather problems: Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Sunday expressed satisfaction over the way authorities handled problems created by bad weather conditions on Saturday.

"The government apparatus did very well yesterday," he said, adding that "there was general mobilization at the Civil Protection Secretariat and at the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works ministry."

[13] German G. Consul lays wreath for Jewish Holocaust victims

Athens, 27/01/2003 (ANA)

January 27th is celebrated in Greece as the day of memory for the Holocaust.

The German Consul condemned the events of World War II, while he stressed that everyone has to be vigilant so that such phenomena do not reoccur.

The leadership of Thessaloniki's Jewish community stressed efforts made to establish Mar. 15th by the Greek Parliament as the day of remembrance for the Holocaust in Greece, as that was the day in 1943 that the first Greek Jews were shipped to death camps.

[14] UN may produce new peace plan, says foreign minister

LIMASSOL 27/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The minister said, during the weekend, that the international community is expected to increase its pressure, mainly on the Turkish Cypriot side, and noted that if this year does not lead to a solution, it will lead to division.

''We do not have any information on a new revised plan but if the outcome of the discussions lead the UN to a second revision of the Annan plan, then it is possible that a new plan may be submitted,'' Kasoulides said.

Replying to questions, he said the international community is not going to let this historic opportunity go by without intensive efforts to find a settlement.

''We should all understand the importance of the times we are living in. If we ignore this, we will be making a big mistake,'' he added.

The minister pointed out that 2003 is a year that should lead to a solution.

''If this year does not lead us to a settlement, it will lead us to division,'' he added.

Kasoulides said he expects the UN to intensify their pressure, mainly on the Turkish Cypriot side.

UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who conducts the UN-led peace talks between the two sides, met twice in as many days with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the past couple of days.

The two meetings were in addition to the scheduled meetings (three times a week) he has with Denktash and President Glafcos Clerides in the framework of the direct talks. Saturday's Denktash-de Soto meeting lasted over two hours, according to the Turkish Cypriot press.

The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides have accepted the Annan plan as a basis for negotiations but both said they want to amend certain of its provisions.

Alvaro de Soto has said that changes to the plan could be made as long as the overall balance is maintained.

The question of Cyprus was part of discussions Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had on Sunday in Davos, Switzer-land with Turkish Premier Abdullah Gul and the leader of the Justice and Development party Tayyip Erdogan.

Athens mayor Dora Bakoyianni raised the Cyprus issue at her meeting with Erdogan in Davos as well.

[15] President: all should gain from a settlement

NICOSIA 27/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The president called on the international community to exert its influence on the Turkish side in a more forceful manner now than it has done in the past to help the latest UN effort towards a solution.

''Neither the Greek Cypriots nor the Turkish Cypriots have gained anything from the troubles of the past. We were all losers. Now we want to win, all of us, as part of a compromise solution, which will be acceptable to both communities,'' the president said, at the unveiling Saturday of a monument dedicated to two Greek Cypriots killed in the intercommunal fighting of the early 1960s.

He said the history of the island sends the message that political wisdom and responsibility are needed to handle the Cyprus question.

''We wish to live again together with our compatriots the Turkish Cypriots, whom we do not see as our enemies,'' he said.

The president said that the European Union decision to accept Cyprus in its ranks in May 2004 acts as a catalyst on the peace effort but also on the disposition of the Turkish Cypriots.

Turkish Cypriots demonstrated in their thousands in the past weeks in Turkish occupied Cyprus demanding a settlement on the basis of a UN plan and accession to the EU, which had made it clear that Cyprus will join the Union with or without a political settlement.

''The UN and our side are making every effort to find a solution as soon as possible. I would like to hope that this time the

international community will exert its influence on the Turkish side to a greater extent to bring this effort to a successful conclusion,'' he said.

The president and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are engaged in direct negotiations on a UN peace proposal for a comprehensive settlement. The UN has set 28 of February as a target date for a settlement to enable a reunited Cyprus to sign the accession treaty in April.

[16] British envoy in occupied Cyprus for contacts

NICOSIA 27/01/2003 (CNA/ANA)

He met party leaders, mainly from the opposition, Ergun Olgun, aide to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to the ongoing UN-led peace talks and the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Ali Erel.

On Monday Hannay will sit at a working breakfast with President Glafcos Clerides and then meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and House President Demetris Christofias. Later on he will see Denktash.

Hannay, who arrived here Saturday after talks in Athens,

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