Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis says war in Iraq not inevitable, praises EU leaders' common stance

[02] PM says EU should contribute to Iraq's compliance with UN's resolution

[03] Simitis meets with Prodi, Patten in Brussels

[04] Simitis-Gul meeting prior to informal EU summit

[05] PM Simitis, UN chief discuss Cyprus on sidelines of EU informal meeting on Iraq

[06] Reports cite Greek aid to Turkey within NATO framework

[07] Spanish PM presses for implementation of UNSCR 1441

[08] Ambassador Vasilakis to address UN Security Council open meeting on Iraq crisis

[09] Chrysohoidis meets EU member-states� ambassadors

[10] 13 European leftist politicians address letter to Simitis over Iraq

[11] Defense minister meets main opposition sector head for defense

[12] Cyprus President elect Tassos Papadopoulos to visit Athens on February 24

[13] Stephanopoulos congratulates new Cyprus president

[14] The UN envoy is then expected to depart for Ankara.

[15] Parliament speaker begins official visit to India

[16] FYROM deputy PM requests information on course of Greek aid program

[17] Deputy DM meets with German ambassador

[18] Uncertainty pressures European economy, Greek FinMin

[19] EU likely to take Greece to court over Olympic Airways

[20] Greece, Italy seek closer tourist cooperation

[21] Greek stocks end slightly up on Monday

[22] Transport disrupted as weather takes turn for the worse

[23] Greek culture minister speaks on multiculturalism at Strasbourg council

[24] Prosecutor seeks outspoken publisher's testimony in blackmail furor

[25] D'Estaing to address Int'l European Movement event in Athens

[26] New Cyprus president Papadopoulos expresses commitment to viable solution

[27] President-elect pledges unobstructed continuation of the talks

[28] Papadopoulos wants no vacuum in Cyprus peace talks

[29] Annan says Cyprus solution possible by end of February

[30] President-elect ready for Annan's visit

[31] Clerides: mandate belongs now to Papadopoulos

[32] De Soto says talks must be concluded by February 28

[33] Greece to maintain close cooperation with new president

[01] PM Simitis says war in Iraq not inevitable, praises EU leaders' common stance

BRUSSELS 18/02/2003 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

He further stressed that despite the initial differences, the EU proved that it can have a unified stance and that the member-states can discuss openly and in a friendly climate.

Summing up the summit decisions, Simitis stressed the need for full respect of UN resolutions, which constitutes the centre of international legal order.

''We stand by the UN inspectors and we believe that they should have at their disposal all the means required to accomplish their mission,'' he said, adding, however, that the inspectors and the checks should not continue indefinitely and that Iraq should take advantage of the cooperation offered it by the international community and not to have illusions.

The prime minister added that the EU wishes to cooperate with the United States in order for there to be stability and expectations for a peaceful future, underlining that this corresponds to the wishes of all the peoples of Europe.

Simitis ascertained that the U.S. does not wish ''to go it alone'', noting that ''if they wanted to, they would have proceeded by now by themselves, but this is not happening because they desire international legalization for their actions.''

European Commission President Romano Prodi and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana congratulated Simitis for undertaking the initiative to call the summit as well as for the way he presided and handled the issue. Prodi underlined that through its decision, the EU responded to the demand of millions of European citizens who demonstrated on Saturday in support of peace.

Solana made similar statements, underlining the need for the disarmament of Iraq and its compliance to the orders of the international community.

The 15 leaders said in a joint statement after a one-day emergency summit, called by the Greek EU presidency to overcome differences on the Iraq crisis that the inspectors ''should be given the time and resources which the UN Security Council believes they need.''

The statement set no time limit on the inspection process but said it could not continue indefinitely in the absence of full Iraqi cooperation.

''Baghdad should have no illusions: it must disarm and cooperate immediately. It has a final opportunity to solve the crisis peacefully,'' the declaration said.

The Greek prime minister said the EU leaders were resolved to work closely with the United States and a continued military buildup was essential to achieve Iraqi cooperation.

[02] PM says EU should contribute to Iraq's compliance with UN's resolution

BRUSSELS 18/02/2003 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

''The EU's responsibility is that we contribute, pressure and secure a double target: Iraq's compliance with the UN's resolution and the prevention of war. What does this mean for our next step? So that there will be no war we must obtain the certainty, in a very short period of time, that Iraq cannot use weapons of mass destruction, neither now nor in the future,'' he said.

Referring to the Iraq crisis, as it currently stands, Simitis mentioned the UN Security Council's resolution 1441 which provides the opportunity for Iraq to be disarmed in a peaceful way and placed responsibility on Baghdad if it fails to utilize it.

''There is common ground in our discussion. Let us try to enlarge it. Let us try, believing that we are not chasing a mirage but something feasible. We should pursue what is feasible. We should prove to our peoples that together we can consolidate security and peace step-by-step,'' he told his European partners.

Simitis warned that the risk of new dividing lines being shaped in Europe, which has developed so far on common values and principles, should be prevented and not underestimated.

''We did not gather today to repeat our disagreements, to reaffirm deviations and return to our capitals leaving things where they were yesterday. What is required is that if we can, in light of the reports of the UN inspectors and the discussion held at the Security Council on Friday, examine how the situation is being shaped and reach a common course,'' he said.

Simitis said the citizens of Europe are expecting a constructive contribution from all that will lead to common ground for a unified stance.

He added that this appears to be difficult, particularly in the field of EU foreign policy and in developments in Iraq in particular. However, he went on to say, this was achieved in conclusions drawn at the Council of Foreign Ministers on January 27 and in the Presidency's demarche to Iraq on February 4.

Justifying the Greek Presidency's decision to call a special summit, the prime minister said ''it would be odd not to involve ourselves, not to take a position in the case of Iraq and, in extension, not to express a view on whether there will be a war and under what preconditions. I consider it self-evident for a European Union which has repeatedly underlined its responsibilities towards the world order being shaped. For a Europe which wants to respond to the need to shape a world of security, peace and justice.''

Simitis also stressed that the leaders of the 15 EU member-states should examine the repercussions of the Iraq crisis on efforts to revive the peace process in the Middle East (based on the road map by the ''quartet'', namely the United States, the EU, the UN and Russia), as well as on the general problem of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

[03] Simitis meets with Prodi, Patten in Brussels

BRUSSELS 18/02/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

Greece, who currently holds the EU rotating six-month presidency, last Monday called an emergency EU summit for a common EU stance on the Iraq crisis.

Simitis, who will chair the summit in the Belgian capital, did not make any statements to reporters after the meeting.

Accompanying Simitis at the meeting with Prodi was Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, currently EU foreign ministers council president. Responding to questions about the Middle East problem, Papandreou said that it was ''of the utmost importance for the EU, alongside the issue with Iraq''.

[04] Simitis-Gul meeting prior to informal EU summit

BRUSSELS 18/02/2003 (ANA)

According to government sources, the meeting was held in a positive climate, with talks focusing on the Iraq situation in general, Ankara�s warnings to Baghdad to cooperate with the UN as well as the Greek presidency�s latest initiatives.

Gul noted that Turkey is directly affected by the crisis, as it will face a tidal wave of refugees in case of war, while adding that Ankara has also requested economic aid from the EU.

Additionally, he said the Turkish national assembly will consider the issue of allowing allied troops transit through Turkey in case of action against Iraq.

Regarding the timely Cyprus issue, Simitis and Gul reportedly touched on certain aspects of the recently tabled Annan peace plan, specifically in terms of guarantees and security.

[05] PM Simitis, UN chief discuss Cyprus on sidelines of EU informal meeting on Iraq

BRUSSELS 18/02/2003 (ANA/Ch. Poulidou)

Annan and Simitis met on the sidelines of a crucial emergency EU summit meeting called by the Greek EU presidency to focus on the Iraq crisis.

According to government sources in Athens, following the meeting he will have with Papadopoulos, the UN chief will announce his proposals for the continuation of the procedure of the Cyprus talks.

Simitis is said to have assured Annan that Papadopoulos is in a ''positive climate'', at the same time noting that in the meeting he had earlier in the day with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, it was agreed that the negotiations on the guarantor treaty regarding Cyprus be concluded next week.

[06] Reports cite Greek aid to Turkey within NATO framework

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

In an unrelated development, defense ministry sources said Athens� conviction that a NATO peacekeeping force in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) will be replaced next month by a European Rapid Deployment Force still stands.

[07] Spanish PM presses for implementation of UNSCR 1441

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

In the letter sent to Simitis on Saturday, the Spanish premier urged him to ask for the rapid and ''strict implementation'' of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1441 that calls for Iraq's disarmament.

In their joint position, the '15' had agreed on the need to extend and ''intensify'' the work of United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq.

The emergency EU summit on Iraq and the Middle East crisis called by the Greek presidency to be held on Monday afternoon would ''have to maintain the agreement of last January 27,'' he added.

''I believe that our talks must focus on the strict application within a short period of time of resolution 1441,'' he said.

Spain was among the eight European countries that signed a letter in support of US positions on Iraq.

Describing the January 27 EU decision as the ''best starting point'', the Spanish premier noted that EU leaders would have to take into account the two reports presented by UN weapons inspectors to the Security Council.

He also stressed that the Community should not ''forget its commitments in relation to the Atlantic Alliance'' while expressing certainty that ''Europe can contribute significantly to peace and international security''.

[08] Ambassador Vasilakis to address UN Security Council open meeting on Iraq crisis

NEW YORK 18/02/2003 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

Following a request by the Non-Aligned Movement, an open meeting on the Iraq crisis will be held at the Security Council on Tuesday, during which representatives of countries which are not Security Council members will have the opportunity to air their views.

[09] Chrysohoidis meets EU member-states� ambassadors

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Chrysohoidis referred specifically to the setting up of a new agency for the surveillance of internal EU borders, the allocation of responsibilities and efforts to implement Seville EU Council directives. He said these issues should also be seen in light of a cohesive, diverse and common EU policy on immigration.

Participating ambassadors also discussed illegal immigration issues under the phenomenon�s two-fold dimension, i.e. internal measures in the EU and measures towards third countries, placing emphasis at this instance on Turkey.

Chrysohoidis reaffirmed the political will for Europe�s contribution to combating organized crime in the Western Balkans. An outline of Greek recommendations will be presented at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers� Council in Brussels, February 27 and 28.

[10] 13 European leftist politicians address letter to Simitis over Iraq

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

�We are totally against war as a means of solving international problems. The civilian population of Iraq, especially children, will be the primary victim in case the United States� military plans proceed. The people of Iraq will live through a new tragedy that will be tacked on to the terrible price they have already paid from the Gulf War, the international embargo as well as the barbarian and dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein,� the letter states, among others.

The letter signed by the president of Greece�s Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party, Nikos Constantopoulos; French Communist Party Secretary General Marie-George Buffet; Portuguese Communist Party General Secretary Carlos Carvalhas; Party of Communist Refoundation National Secretary Fausto Bertinotti; AKEL General Secretary and Cypriot House Speaker Demetris Christofias, as well as another eight well-known Parliamentarians.

[11] Defense minister meets main opposition sector head for defense

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Afterward, Papantoniou noted that the maximum possible consensus was necessary among political forces in the country with respect to defense issues and that the opposition had to exercise necessary controls in a democracy.

Molyviatis stressed that ND "surrounded the Armed Forces with respect" and said the party believed that there should be a single long-term strategy on national security issues that did not change with changes in governments.

Regarding the results of presidential elections on Cyprus over the weekend, the two men said the new president would contribute to finding a viable, functional and just solution to the Cyprus problem.

On Iraq, Papantoniou reiterated that the government's position calling for a "broad front" among European forces that would exhaust the margins for finding a peaceful way out of the crisis.

Asked if ND agreed with sending military reinforcements to Turkey within the framework of NATO to deal with possible dangers from Iraq, Molyviatis said the party believed that all issues related to the Iraq crisis should be based on respect for international law and the decisions of the Security Council.

[12] Cyprus President elect Tassos Papadopoulos to visit Athens on February 24

NICOSIA 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Papadopoulos will visit Athens for meetings with Greece's political leadership on developments regarding the issue of Cyprus, also in light of Simitis' meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the same day.

Simitis met Annan and Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul in Brussels on Monday. He will also meet outgoing Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on Tuesday.

[13] Stephanopoulos congratulates new Cyprus president

NICOSIA 18/02/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Meanwhile, the UN chief's special envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, also spoke with Papadopoulos and outgoing President Glafcos Clerides by phone.

According to reports, Clerides has requested that a Tuesday meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash be postponed.

De Soto will reportedly meet instead separately with Clerides and president-elect Papadopoulos on Tuesday morning.

[14] The UN envoy is then expected to depart for Ankara.

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Monday congratulated Cyprus President elect Tassos Papadopoulos for his success in Sunday's presidential elections, adding that the Greek Parliament ''in the framework of its close cooperation with the Cyprus House of Representatives will continue to provide its limitless and active support'' in achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Kaklamanis, who is on a visit to India, expressed certainty that Papadopoulos has experience and, with the recent mandate of the Cypriot people, he will be successful in completing the island republic's accession to the European Union and finding a solution to the Cyprus problem in a just and viable way.

Karamanlis praise for Clerides: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Monday sent a letter to outgoing Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides in which he praised the two-term Cypriot leader for his �lengthy, and historically important, contribution to the long course of struggles by Cypriot Hellenism�.

Karamanlis also noted that Clerides� greatest achievement was the island republic�s accession to the European Union.

Clerides� bid to win a third term as Cyprus� president fell short on Sunday as opposition candidate Tassos Papadopoulos took roughly 51 percent of the vote to win the presidential election in the first round.

[15] Parliament speaker begins official visit to India

NEW DELHI 18/02/2003 (ANA - M. Vihou)

Signing the visitors' book, Kaklamanis expressed "boundless respect for the memory, battles and contribution made by Gandhi to his people and all humanity," and said the world would be a better place if his ideals were adopted by the powerful policy makers of the present.

On Monday night, there will be a dinner at the Indian Parliament for the Greek delegation.

Kaklamanis meets with Indian counterpart in New Delhi: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Monday met with his Indian counterpart Yioshi Manohar and discussed with him international and bilateral issues.

Kaklamanis supported India's bid to join the United Nations' Security Council as a permanent member and spoke for the abolition of the veto the permanent members enjoy.

He also said that Greece supported the peaceful resolution through dialogue of the Kashmir problem.

The two men also discussed current affairs, focusing on international terrorism.

[16] FYROM deputy PM requests information on course of Greek aid program

SKOPJE 18/02/2003 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

The agreement, having duration of five years, was signed in August and the letter was a reaction to the non-ratification of the agreement by the Greek Parliament, as the agreements with the rest of the Balkan states were ratified in January.

Sekerinska stressed in her letter that the ratification would mean that several development projects would be implemented, further developing bilateral relations in light of the European Union Summit in June.

The total amount of the Greek program for the Balkans stands at 550 million euros of which 75 million were earmarked for FYROM.

[17] Deputy DM meets with German ambassador

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Apostolidis focused on the priorities of the Greek EU presidency concerning security and defense, including the sup-port for the EU arms industry.

[18] Uncertainty pressures European economy, Greek FinMin

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, ahead of a Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings Monday and Tuesday respectively, the Greek minister reaffirmed forecasts of a slowdown in economic growth in Europe in the first quarter of 2003, published by the European Commission on Monday, although he refrained from making any specific predictions over the slowdown rate.

Mr Christodoulakis, however, expressed his satisfaction over a current strength of the euro currency, noting that as far as Greece was concerned it was the first time that a worsening international economic climate did not lead to a drop in its currency rate.

The Greek minister stressed that Greek tourism was not expected to feel any negative impact from a current climate of uncertainty because "Greece is a safe country".

Mr Christodoulakis said that a Stability Pact included provisions of actions in cases of unexpected developments but stressed that there was no issue of relaxing national fiscal policies.

[19] EU likely to take Greece to court over Olympic Airways

BRUSSELS 18/02/2003 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

''The Commission will go to the European Court as it has not so far received a satisfactory reply from the Greek authorities about how the state will retrieve 194 million euros that the Commission thinks was wrongly given by Greek authorities to Olympic,'' the spokesman for the EU's transport commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, told the Athens News Agency.

''The deadline within which the Greek government had to provide a satisfactory answer ended last week. Transport Minister Christos Verelis sent a letter to the Commission Friday, which, however, was not deemed satisfactory. As a result, the Commission is expected to seek recourse at the European Court in coming weeks,'' the spokesman added.

Earlier in the day, Greece said it had not been notified by the Commission of any action to be taken in its dispute with state owned Olympic Airways (OA), for the carrier's refusal to return the monies.

''For the Greek government, the matter ended with the data it gave the Commission in reply to a request,'' a ministry spokeswoman told reporters.

The government repeated on Sunday that it will go to court over the Commission's request for repayment of the money.

''We will resort to Greek and European courts,'' Verelis had said in a statement.

The government has sent to the Commission a recommendation by the state's legal council and the findings of audits conducted by Deloitte & Touche, used by the EU to audit Olympic's finances.

Of the total sum sought, 41 million euros represented a state subsidy in the form of a share capital increase and the remainder comprised debts, according to the government.

Management of the ailing airline has disputed the Commission's decision that calls for the return of subsidies dating back to 1998 under a revitalization plan.

In December, airline president and CEO Dionysis Kalofonos said: ''OA is not in danger from the decision but rather from an unprecedented campaign by rivals, who talk of a fine of 193 million euros, hiding the content of the decision, which refers to 41 million euros, equivalent to OA's share capital rise in 1998.''

Verelis has said that the government will continue to try to privatize the airline in a bid to avert its closure and the loss of 6,000 jobs.

[20] Greece, Italy seek closer tourist cooperation

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with his Italian counterpart Stefano Stefani in the framework of BIT 2003 international tourist exhibition in Milan, Mr Georgakopoulos said that Italian tour operators were cautiously optimistic for the 2003 tourist season and said that tourist arrivals to Greece from Italy would raise this year.

The Italian government also expressed its support to a Greek EU presidency's proposal to consolidate VAT rates in tourism throughout Europe.

Mr Georgakopoulos also met with his Turkish counterpart Guldal Aksit and discussed promoting joint tourist programs and to develop bilateral tourist cooperation in general.

[21] Greek stocks end slightly up on Monday

Athens, 18/02/2003 (ANA)

Investors remained largely on the sidelines awaiting developments in the Iraqi crisis, with buying interest focusing on small and medium capitalization stocks.

The general index rose 0.38 percent to end at 1,685.76 points, with turnover a near-record low of 35.5 million euros.

The Metals, Textile and Food-Beverage sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.11 percent, 2.0 percent and 1.31 percent, respectively), while the Retail (1.20 percent), IT Solutions (0.34 percent) and Cement (0.22 percent) sectors suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.27 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.95 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index also rose 0.95 percent. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.45 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 216 to 82 with another 61 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 39.6 mln euros Monday

Equity Index Futures: