Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] 2004-2008 a period of 'major goals and high risk', PM Simitis says

[02] FM attends memorial service for Sweden's Anna Lindh

[03] Gov't denies 'angling for votes' via town planning bill

[04] Country not in pre-electoral period, gov't spokesman says

[05] ND's lead over PASOK in opinion polls decreasing, Costas Simitis preferred as PM

[06] Karamanlis leads ND delegation in Ukraine

[07] Chrysohoidis says Athens is now turning its attention to Cyprus issue

[08] Large-scale 'Parmenion' military exercise ends on Friday

[09] Greece lags behind in adopting EU internal market laws

[10] Petrol station owners renew threat of strike action

[11] Price ceiling for fuel to take effect on islands

[12] Greek stocks end week 2.08 percent lower

[13] ATHOC to hire around 6,000 unemployed people

[14] ND reaction

[15] ATHOC head briefs KKE party leader on Olympic preparations

[16] Conference on Olympic truce in Athens; message from Arafat

[17] UNICEF: Greece among developed countries with lowest child mistreatment rates

[18] N17 court hears attorneys for Bakoyiannis, Turkish diplomats

[19] Parliament president inaugurates conference on 'Mass Media and Culture'

[20] Two miners killed when mine shaft collapses in region of Amfissa

[21] Athens journalists denounce persecution of 'AFRIKA' newspaper

[22] Euro-court overturns appointment of EU institution's secretary-gen.

[23] Carlos Fuentes in Athens

[24] University scholarships for 14 Bulgarian students awarded

[25] Trial for Faran factory collapse postponed until Feb. 4

[26] Greece ready to build F-1 circuit, minister says

[27] Cyprus government wants complete demining of buffer zone

[28] Special House session adopts EU harmonization laws and regulations

[01] 2004-2008 a period of 'major goals and high risk', PM Simitis says

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

''It will be a four-year period of high risk because the (fate of the) major national and social goals will be judged within a fluid and uncertain international environment,'' the premier said.

He explained that in the focus during that period would be the national issues, convergence in all sectors, which he said would result in a reduction of unemployment, increase in real incomes, and all-around reinforcement of the protection of the economically weak.

The premier accused the main opposition New Democracy party of double-speak, confusion, popularism, exaggeration and misleading the public opinion.

He further described his recently-announced Economic and Social Convergence Charter as a ''roadmap for the giant leap forward, for the definitive change of Greece, a guarantee of security for the future''.

The premier said that the first goal for the 2004-2008 period was acceleration of the country's real and social convergence with the other EU countries''.

While in Igoumenitsa, Simitis also inaugurated the new court buildings in the town and emphasized in his speech the government's efforts over the past years to protect and bolster transparency within the state and public life.

"We are overcoming the obstacles and staying focused on our goal, which is to instill and constantly protect the public's sense of confidence in Justice," he said.

He said the justice system and the effort to ensure speed, efficiency and quality in the administration of justice was a central goal in government policy.

NDspokesman criticizes PM's Igoumenitsa statements, gov't spokesman replies:Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Friday criticized statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis in the town of Igoumenitsa, northern Greece, saying ''Mr. Simitis is insulting the intelligence of citizens by claiming arrogantly that only he knows how to govern.''

According to Roussopoulos, the prime minister with his stance ''apart from exposing himself, does not convince anyone with his old-party populism as well.''

The ND spokesman further said citizens ''are not trapped by his extortionate dilemmas and irresponsible talk of dangers and they are not misled by election promises made thousands of times and which, during the eight years of his tenure as prime minister, he should have implemented but did not.''

Replying to Roussopoulos, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the ND spokesman's ''abuse'' against the prime minister ''prove both ND's panic and the low level of ethics in the election campaign it is planning.''

In turn, Roussopoulos replied ''Mr. Protopapas' statement renders it obvious that the Simitis government has chosen in advance to raise the tones of confrontation and draw new dividing lines. We shall not follow it. We shall leave it alone to yesterday.''

[02] FM attends memorial service for Sweden's Anna Lindh

STOCKHOLM 20/9/2003 (ANA - F. Karaviti)

Papandreou was among the many world leaders and foreign ministers who flocked to Stockholm City Hall on Friday to honor the memory of Sweden's murdered foreign minister, who was stabbed by a knife-wielding assailant in downtown Stockholm on September 10 while shopping without bodyguards and died of her wounds the next day.

In a moving funeral oration during which he recalled many personal moments with Lindh, Papandreou said she had fundamentally understood the meaning of democratic values, from which she had never strayed and always upheld.

''The cynic may say she was naive in the courage of her convictions; she was naive to trust. I say she was brave enough to trust. That she led by her example - to the last moment in her life. However we may answer to the pain we feel today, we will truly honor her memory by never undermining the values of the open societies we have created,'' Papandreou said.

He also recalled Lindh as a person who had represented her country's finest traditions of democracy and openness:

''We politicians don't seem to have the time to show our emotions. You were an exception. Your sunny smile expressed the warmth in your soul...Your common touch was a gift. You touched our hearts and our minds, you simply touched our conscience. Daring, being honest, remaining loyal to your beliefs, demanding transparency, demanding openness and always expressing this with passion.

''And Anna, in this you personified your country, Sweden.''

The Greek minister stressed Lindh's struggle for Europe, noting that all of Europe was there to honor both her and Sweden, ''which has contributed so much to this democratic Europe we are building together. From the Baltics to the Balkans''.

''Dear Anna, you leave behind a wonderful husband Bosse, and two beautiful children David and Fillip. They can never bring back the magnificent woman, wife and mother called Anna. But I want to let you know that your European family is here. In full force. Your family now has a much wider family. It is Europe.''

Among those who spoke at the memorial service were Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, European Commissioner for external affairs Chris Patten and Swedish Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.

Also present at the service was Sweden's royal family, while Greece was represented by Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, Greek European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and parliamentary deputy Cosmas Sfyriou for the PASOK party.

Anna Lindh's funeral service, limited to an intimate family circle, will be held on Saturday.

FM's statements after memorial :

Immediately after the memorial service, Papandreou made the following statement to reporters:

"I came to Stockholm to represent Greece, but also all Greeks that have come to love Sweden for its great contribution to democracy during difficult times for our country. We mourn today for the unfair loss of a friend, Anna Lindh, whom we all loved and believed in. Anna Lindh contributed worldwide, not just to her country or to Europe. She worked for peace and human rights and was a great friend of Greece. She contributed decisively to the expansion of the European Union and always supported our just cause with regard to Cyprus and Turkey.

Above all, she was a very good friend, whom we have now lost".

[03] Gov't denies 'angling for votes' via town planning bill

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

''Those now protesting over our initiative to settle issues that concern the relief of simple people and the protection of public health should save their crocodile tears, since if we had not proceeded with this move they would now be accusing the government of lacking social sensitivity. Enough of this hypocrisy, we are instituting rules for transparency and efficiency with respect for people and their needs,'' Protopapas said.

Replying to criticism that the measures were a pre-election vote-catching ruse, Protopapas said that the critics had not understood that the government was proposing a new and comprehensive system for issuing planning permission that was transparent and allowed effective control.

Responding to questions, meanwhile, he said that municipalities retained the right to knock down unauthorized buildings, noting that Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis had promised to immediately release funds needed by local authorities for such demolitions.

[04] Country not in pre-electoral period, gov't spokesman says

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

"We are not in a pre-electoral period," government spokesman Christos Protopapas said during a press briefing, in reply to a comment by a journalist that the prime minister's address earlier in the day in Igoumenitsa had a "pre-electoral tone".

Protopapas said that the political climate reflected the "positive course" of PASOK, which was the result of "the political moves and initiatives of the government", adding that completion of those initiatives would create the conditions for a new electoral victory by PASOK in "the elections in the spring" of 2004.

Questioned on a press report that Simitis would undertake a "European role", Protopapas said that Simitis would head PASOK's electoral effort, noting that this had been clarified by the prime minister himself during his recent press conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair.

[05] ND's lead over PASOK in opinion polls decreasing, Costas Simitis preferred as PM

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

According to reports, an opinion poll prepared by the Metron Analysis company to be published in the Athens daily ''Ethnos'' on Saturday gives ND 39.3 percent and PASOK 32.2, while on the question of which party the public believes will win the next election ND is leading PASOK by 54.5 percent to 31.6.

The percentage of undecided voters amounts to 14.1 percent and according to the same poll Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis is considered more suitable for the premiership than ND leader Costas Karamanlis by 39 percent to 35.7.

An opinion poll by the Opinion company to be published in Saturday's edition of the newspaper ''Eleftherotypia'' gives ND 38.1 percent and PASOK 30.6, while the prediction for the winning party gives ND 51 percent and the ruling party 32.5. The undecided vote amounts to 16.3 percent, while Simitis is preferred as prime minister by 43.3 percent against 40 for Karamanlis.

According to other reports, yet another opinion poll by the Rush company to be published in the newspaper ''Kathimerini'' on Saturday gives ND 37.9 percent and PASOK 30.2.

[06] Karamanlis leads ND delegation in Ukraine

ODESSA 20/9/2003 (ANA)

A museum dedicated to the Filiki Etairia (Society of Friends), a secret organization of ethnic Greeks active in several parts of Europe and dedicated to throwing off dour Ottoman rule before the 1821 War of Independence, was the first stop on Karamanlis� itinerary. The Filiki Etairia was founded in Odessa in 1814.

The ND leader called the western Black Sea port city a historic site for Hellenism, as it kept alive the flame of independence for more than two centuries.

�Today, as Europe expands, at a time when it is debating its first constitutional convention, it is very important for us Greeks to remember just who we are; and what obstacles we faced. I believe that Greece and Hellenism can, even more swiftly, find their way to the European Union�s vanguard.�

The ND delegation also visited the mausoleum of Ecumenical Patriarch Grigorios V, who was hanged by the Ottoman Turks on April 10, 1821 at the onset of the Greek revolutionary struggle.

[07] Chrysohoidis says Athens is now turning its attention to Cyprus issue

NICOSIA 20/9/2003 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Speaking at a press conference after concluding a visit to the island republic, Chrysohoidis stressed that he ascertained during his contacts a full identity of views on national issues with all the political parties ''which are characterized by maturity.''

Referring to the Euroelections, Chrysohoidis said that PASOK will give a joint battle with the Social Democrats (EDEK), under the same common umbrella of the European Socialist Party. Replying to a relevant question, he termed as a possible development the intention of the Democratic Party (DHKO) to join the European socialists.

The PASOK delegation concluded its visit and departed for Athens.

[08] Large-scale 'Parmenion' military exercise ends on Friday

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, accompanied by National Defense General Staff Chief George Antonakopoulos, watched part of the exercise on Thursday night from on board the frigate ''Spetsai'', which was sailing in the central Aegean.

The exercise's scenario included the recapturing of a rocky islet.

The defense minister sent a wireless message of congratulations to all the participants in the exercise and praised the contribution of professional soldiers towards upgrading the armed forces' effectiveness.

Fleet Chief Thomas Katopodis gave Papantoniou as a gift the Enfield rifle he had been provided with when he had served in the Greek Navy.

The exercise, including 3,800 reservists, was completed on the island of Samos and in the Evros region in northern Greece. It cost 17 million euros compared to 20,341,000 euros in past years.

[09] Greece lags behind in adopting EU internal market laws

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

The EU executive, in its latest report on national progress in promoting internal market in the EU, stressed that Greece recoded a deficit in adopting community law to a rate of 3.4 percent of total EU directives.

Austria recorded the highest rate (4.4 percent), followed by Italy (4.2 percent), France (3.8 percent), Portugal (3.5 percent) and Ireland (3.4 percent).

On the other hand, Denmark (0.8 percent) and Spain (1.3 percent) recorded the best performances and are the only member-states to achieve a target of maintaining a deficit in adopting EU law to an average rate of 1.5 percent. These two countries have harmonized at least 98.5 percent of EU internal market legislation into their national laws.

A total of eight EU member-states (Austria, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Germany and Luxembourg) are recording a more-than-double average deficit in implementing community legislation. The 1.5 percent deficit target was agreed at the Stockholm EU Summit in March 2001 and was reaffirmed at the Barcelona Summit in 2002.

EU state and government leaders also agreed in Barcelona a "zero tolerance" target, demanding that no community directive will be pending integration with national legislation two years after. Greece, Denmark, Portugal and Finland are the only countries to meet the deadline.

[10] Petrol station owners renew threat of strike action

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

The federation of petrol station owners, in an extraordinary meeting, authorized its member-unions to declare a strike action next week.

Petrol station owners already have called off a strike action 10 days ago following agreement with the government.

Gas station owners agreed to install electronic cash registers at the pumps compatible with tax department regulations; and a price ceiling will be set in two weeks on liquid fuel in Corfu, Crete, the Dodecanese islands, Arta, Ioannina and the Cyclades islands.

[11] Price ceiling for fuel to take effect on islands

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

The ceiling will lie one cent above average prices in Attica to cover transport costs, and will last for a month, the minister told a news conference on Crete.

The move takes effect when the government decision is published in the government gazette, he added.

[12] Greek stocks end week 2.08 percent lower

Athens 20/9/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.88 percent higher at 2,039.38 points, off the day's highs of 2,045.79 points, after changing directions eight times during the session. The index ended the week with a net loss of 2.08 percent.

Turnover was an improved 148.1 million euros. The Investment index was the only one to end lower (-0.37 percent), while the Holding (4.91 percent), Publication (4.33 percent) and Construction (3.49 percent) indices scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.41 percent, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 indices soared 3.08 percent and 3.29 percent, respectively.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 284 to 62 with another 20 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover

at 174.8 mln euros Friday

Equity Index Futures: