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[08] First of 'Thesprotia' group of N17 defendants maintains innocence

Athens, 23/08/2003 (ANA)

Speaking before the special appellate-level three-judge court on Friday, Iraklis Kostaris � one of a handful of �N17� suspects dubbed the �Thesprotia group� because of their kinship ties and origin from the eponymous NW Greece prefecture � stressed that he rejects violence as a means for social change, and that he categorically denies the charges against him.

In other statements, Kostaris claimed officers of anti-terrorism unit pressured him that he would be handed over to US and British authorities or implicated in other �N17� assassinations if he did not cooperate. He also claimed he was pressured to admit to being a member part of a group influenced by Yannis Serifis, one of the 19 suspects on trial and the only defendant out on bail.

In citing referring to the deadly ultra-left terror band, Kostaris said �someone would have to have a lot of time on his hands � I worked all the time and I had a family to feed.�

Finally, a question by a prosecutor on why he did not seek legal recourse against those individuals that implicated him in the �N17� investigation provoked an outburst by Savvas Xiros, the first suspect arrested in the �N17�.

Nearly half of the 19 defendants on trial on numerous felony counts have provided or been called to make rejoinders at the closely watched trial. Out of the three Xiros brothers being tried, Savvas refused to make a statement and answer related questions, while his younger brother Vassilis refused to continue reading from a prepared statement. The latter�s difficulty in reading a hand-written text caused sneering and derogatory remarks by many of the victims� attorneys participating in the trial, whereby he vehemently refused to continue after a brief recess.

[09] Archbishop of Athens receives honorary doctorate from Warsaw University

Athens, 23/08/2003 (ANA)

During the ceremony, Orthodox Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland Savvas stressed that the Greek prelate was being accepted by Poland not only as an Orthodox Church leader but as an ecumenical personage.

On his part, Christodoulos underlined the efforts of the Church of Greece to maintain the Christian Heritage of Europe, by tabling three proposals to the constitutional assembly that was drafting Europe�s Constitution.

[10] OA plane forced to land due to engine problems, flight delayed

Athens, 23/08/2003 (ANA)

Engine problems had earlier forced a two-hour delay in flight OA163 from its originally scheduled take-off at 08.30.

Besides frustrated passengers, no other incidents were reported.

OA was making efforts to put the passengers on other Berlin-bound flights, an airport spokesman said at press-time.

[11] Mild quake felt in northern Greece on Friday

Athens, 23/08/2003 (ANA)

A spokesman for the Geophysics Laboratory at the University of Thessaloniki said the tremor was recorded at 6.55 a.m. and that its epicenter was at 120 kilometers southeast of the northern Greek port-city of Thessaloniki.

Seismologist Costas Papazahos told the ANA that the tremor was part of regularly occurring minor seismic activity in the area.

He said the specific fault, a branch off the Northern Aegean fault, is regularly causing tremors of comparable magnitude.

Papazahos said that Friday's tremor was no cause for alarm.

[12] Government repeats readiness to resume negotiations

NICOSIA 23/08/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on a statement by the leader of the newly established Turkish Cypriot ''Solution and EU Party'', Ali Erel that after the so called ''elections'' in the occupied areas he will invite President Tassos Papadopoulos to accept the Annan Plan, the spokesman replied that the ''invitation for negotiations for us is nothing more than acceptance of the position that, yes, we want negotiations.''

Chrysostomides, who was speaking after meeting British MPs Rudi Vis, Syd Ramson and Nick Hawkins, said that ''if the Turkish side wants negotiations, then like I and the President of the Republic have said many times, we are ready to resume negotiations on the substance of the Annan plan for a final solution to the Cyprus problem, even before 1st May 2004.''

''If this is not possible, then our efforts will continue with the same dedication, for a solution even after May 2004,'' the spokesman added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

[13] Government hopes no Greek Cypriot will resort to illegal 'compensation committee'

NICOSIA 23/08/2003 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman said that if there are ''applications'' to the illegal ''committee'', the government will be able to handle the development, when the issue will be raised before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The spokesman expressed certainty that the ECHR ''will reject'' Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's machinations, which ''are contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Convention of Human Rights.''

Chrysostomides further assured that the government's efforts ''will continue with the same determination and desire to reach a solution the soonest, irrespective of the result of the so called 'elections' (in the Turkish occupied areas), so that all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can enjoy the benefits of accession to the EU.''

Invited to comment on statements by leader of the Democratic Party in the occupied areas, Serdar Denktash, that he has 35 ''applications'' by Greek Cypriots for compensation to the so called ''committee'', the spokesman said Rauf Denktash and his son's efforts to get ''applications'' were clear when the so called ''president'' of the committee said he did not have any before him.

[14] British MPs to ask their government to take specific line on Cyprus

NICOSIA 23/08/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Labor MPs Rudi Vis and Syd Rapson and Conservative Nick Hawkins were speaking after meeting left wing AKEL spokesman Andros Kyprianou on Friday.

They will remain on the island until next week to attend the Overseas Cypriots Conference and hold more meetings with political party leaders and Foreign Minister George Iacovou.

Rudi hoped the "end-game" for a solution to the Cyprus problem by May 2004 has reached "as we hope it will be a united island."

Hawkins said all parties in Britain "recognize there is a huge opportunity in view of the accession."

He said the MPS will "be taking a clear message back to the UK Parliament when we reassemble on the 8th of September" and "ensure that Britain plays a full part in making progress towards a just solution to the Cyprus problem."

Rapson said it is "very important to understand the very details of what's going on in this complex issue" and "encourage our government to take specific lines and to put pressure on the Americans as well."

Kyprianou said he asked the MPs to intensify their efforts to reach a solution, which will be just, viable and functional. He also asked them to urge Turkey to move from its intransigent positions so there can be a solution based on UN resolutions.

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