Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Main opposition leader calls on Turkey to help solve Cyprus problem

[02] US welcomes cancellation of exercises by Greece, Turkey, Cyprus

[03] No pressure to cancel maneuvers

[04] Greece would welcome help for security in Athens 2004 Olympics

[05] Ruling party should again become force for change, minister says

[06] Frost & Sullivan forecasts ruling party victory in national election

[07] Communist party says two main parties share the same policy

[08] Democratic Social Movement launches election campaign

[09] Teachers to strike in November

[10] Athens Olympic venues are user-friendly for the disabled, expert says

[11] Police uncover cigarette smuggling racket to UK

[01] Main opposition leader calls on Turkey to help solve Cyprus problem

ANKARA 13/10/2003 (ANA/A.Panagopoulos)

Karamanlis was visiting the neighboring country to take part in a congress of the ruling Justice and Development party.

"I would call on Ankara to contribute to a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, which would allow all Cypriots to enjoy the fruits of their participation in the European Union," he told congress delegates.

"The European prospect for Turkey is not an easy route, but, despite this, it is necessary. It will lead Turkey to the crossroads with the West, without making the country lose its place as a gateway to the East," Karamanlis added.

He noted that the road to Europe meant justice, progress, prosperity and equality.

"We are looking forward to a full normalization of bilateral ties (between Greece and Turkey). International law, international conventions and the principles and values of the European Union constitute the foundations of our common future, a future of permanent peace and security in the 21st century," the ND leader said.

"We have to teach our children that on both sides of the Aegean live people who desire progress and prosperity, who honor friendship, and who may, in all circumstances, live together in peace and mutual respect," he added.

Karamanlis also met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for 30 minutes of talks.

During the meeting, the Turkish premier said that dialogue aimed at solving the Cyprus issue should continue, so that future generations would not have to face the same problem. He also sought talks on bilateral ties with Greece.

Erdogan also reiterated his interest in Justice and Development taking part in the European People's Party.

Also addressing the congress was Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, representing Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the ruling PASOK party.

Tsohatzopoulos, the deputy head of the European Socialist Party, said that Turkey's European orientation was gradually creating a new framework of rapprochement and growth in bilateral ties.

He said that Greece hoped there was a chance of working with Turkey to attain stability and a full normalization of ties, and find an equitable solution to the Cyprus issue.

[02] US welcomes cancellation of exercises by Greece, Turkey, Cyprus

WASHINGTON 13/10/2003 (ANA/A.Ellis)

''(We welcome) announcement by the Greek, Turkish and Cypriot governments of the cancellation of annual fall military exercises in Cyprus,'' state department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

''The decision will contribute to rebuilding a positive atmosphere for attainment of an overall solution in Cyprus, as well as to stability in the Aegean region...This is a good thing,'' Boucher said.

The spokesman also noted that the US was involved in attempts to reduce tension.

''We always encourage all the parties not to implement these military exercises,'' he said.

At the same time, the move was ''the outcome of mutual confidence that has evolved between Turkey and Greece in recent years,'' Boucher underlined.

''The foreign ministers of both sides have made a major contribution to that,'' he added.

[03] No pressure to cancel maneuvers

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

Cancellation was the result of cooperation between the two countries' (Greece and Cyprus) governments and the constancy of their position, which, in turn, had a positive impact on Turkey's line, Protopappas said.

''Many countries showed a natural interest in the move, especially the US'', he told reporters.

After talks on Saturday with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, Protopappas said the decision for cancellation was taken by the three countries involved.

''There was the closest cooperation and constant contact between the Greek and Cypriot governments. This is a matter that we would like to clear up in all directions...No-one has come under pressure,'' the spokesman told reporters.

''We have the Olympic Games in the near future and we want to see the best conditions of peace and security. Don't forget that the region is in upheaval over Iraq and the Middle East,'' he added.

Main opposition backs decision, disputes handling: Also in Nicosia, a deputy of the main opposition New Democracy party, Aris Spiliotopoulos, said on Saturday that he agreed with cancellation of the exercise in Cyprus, but censured the Greek government for allegedly making the announcement about Nikiforos on Cyprus' behalf.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counter-part, Abdullah Gul, on Thursday had jointly announced cancellation of the Greek and Cypriot Nikiforos and Toxotis exercises, as well as of Turkey's Tavros and Barbarossa exercises which were due to take place in the near future.

The announcement was made after a meeting between the two foreign ministers in the Turkish city of Antalya, on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Forum conference.

The two ministers said the decision was taken in the spirit of next year's Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens, and of rapprochement between the two countries.

Earlier, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis had said the decision to cancel the Nikiforos-Toxotis exercises and the Turkish Tavros-Barbarossa maneuvers had been a Greek initiative, in cooperation with Nicosia, in order to reduce tension.

Cypriot spokesman clarifies timing: During a news conference with Protopappas, Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said that statements on the cancellation made by Greece and Cyprus came within half an hour of each other, and were, in effect, simultaneous.

''Announcement was simultaneous in Antalya and here, with a difference of maybe half an hour, due to the fact that the president was in Limassol for an inauguration," Chrysostomides said.

"Delayed was the green light to release the statement, which was ready at the time when the (Greek) foreign minister announced the cancellation in Antalya,'' he added.

[04] Greece would welcome help for security in Athens 2004 Olympics

NEW YORK 13/10/2003 (ANA/P.Panayiotou)

The minister was speaking after taking part in a NATO ministers' meeting in Colorado Springs and contacts in Washington.

Debated at the NATO meeting were a new administrative structure introduced for the alliance, with Greece taking part in two military headquarters; the Prague commitment for new weapons systems; and creation of a rapid reaction force to handle terrorist acts.

Papantoniou made it clear that Greece was unable to afford new weapons systems.

"We have special problems of national security that compel us to spend 5.0 percent, now about 3.5 percent, of gross domestic product on defense," he said.

In addition, Greece was cautious about the dispatch of NATO troops to Afghanistan, and opposed sending troops to Iraq.

On Turkey, Papantoniou said: "There is an improvement in the climate, there is no progress in the basic issues that divide us from Turkey - airspace violations and provocation in the Aegean, as well as its intransigence in the Cyprus issue."

"We back Turkey's attempt to move towards Europe, but it will have to go ahead with a functional, just and viable solution based on the Annan plan, and withdraw its claims in the Aegean," he added.

[05] Ruling party should again become force for change, minister says

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

Asked to comment on probable voter fatigue after 10 years of PASOK governments, Papandreou said that the public wanted change after growing weary of red tape and corruption in state services.

"PASOK has shown that it can take Greece on the route to progress and change. PASOK governments have been identified with major innovations that have benefited the country and the public," the minister said.

"I realize that nowadays many members of the public think PASOK has itself become a part of the establishment, and that it is unable to take essential initiatives," he noted.

According to Papandreou, main opposition New Democracy lacks the dynamism for initiatives of this kind, demonstrated in what he called the party's "meager" proposals in its attempt to act as an opposition.

Turning to Turkey, the minister rejected allegations that he had conducted secret diplomacy in connection with the neighboring country.

"If and when exploratory talks reach a conclusion, and before negotiations begin, there will be a wide-ranging and in-depth briefing for parliament," he pledged.

Finally, asked to comment on the fresh crisis in the Middle East, Papandreou said that "a strategic deadlock exists for which the political leaders of Israel and Palestine bear what has become historic responsibility."

"Ongoing violence and terrorism may facilitate the option of political survival for the leaderships of both sides, but undermine stability and peace in the wider area," he added.

Ruling party secretary sees adverse opinion polls change tack: The secretary of the ruling PASOK party, Mihalis Chrysohoidis, said in an interview to the Sunday Vima newspaper that adverse opinion polls would improve following publicity of the government's social and economic charter for alignment with the European Union.

Also helping the government's popularity ratings would be announcement of ruling party tickets, Chrysohoidis said.

[06] Frost & Sullivan forecasts ruling party victory in national election

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

In a report published by the Sunday Vima newspaper, the company gives PASOK a 50 percent chance of an election win, against 45 percent for main opposition New Democracy. The remaining five percent covers contingencies.

The prediction spans the next 18 months, with a five-year projection carrying the same percentages.

Working in favor of the ruling party is the social and economic convergence charter with the European Union. Other assets are a steady improvement in relations with Turkey, and an EU summit hosted in Halkidiki in June, seen as a precursor to handling security for the Athens 2004 Olympics, the report said.

"Despite signs of public unease about the government of Prime Minister Costas Simitis, anticipated steady progress in the economy in relation to that of other countries in Economic and Monetary Union, will undermine assertions by New Democracy that the country needs a change of political leadership," it said.

[07] Communist party says two main parties share the same policy

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

''The major social and economic problems of the country...are not due to bad management or a lack of transparency. The main reason is the overall political line,'' Papariga told a news conference in Larissa.

''Their infighting is over the helm of government, over which of the two will be blessed by the Association of Greek Industry, the ship-owners, and the US,'' she said.

[08] Democratic Social Movement launches election campaign

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

The party's leader, Dimitris Tsovolas, launched a stinging attack on the government's performance, saying it had failed to meet pledges on raising the standard of living, failed to bridle inflation, and left joblessness unacceptably high.

Tsovolas also expressed disappointment that other left-of-centre political parties had declined to take up his offer of a joint plat-form in the upcoming ballot.

[09] Teachers to strike in November

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

In addition, rolling stoppages will start after November 18 if the government fails to meet strikers' demands, unions said after taking the decision to strike late on Saturday.

The main demand of teachers is a pay rise of about 20 percent.

Meanwhile, university lecturers are continuing their walkout although staff at the University of Crete voted at the weekend to return to work from October 13-28 in a goodwill gesture towards resolving problems with the government.

[10] Athens Olympic venues are user-friendly for the disabled, expert says

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

Addressing a world Olympic congress on sports sciences in Athens, Brown called for improvements to be made in the Greek capital, especially in public transport.

�Yesterday I visited all the Olympic venues and I would say that there will be extremely good accessibility for people with mobility difficulties,'' he told conference delegates.

''There are wide ramps and open spaces, and I was pleased to see that the organizers are taking the issue of mobility very seriously. People with mobility difficulties have also told me that accessibility on the new metro is very good," Brown said.

He added that new buses being purchased before the 2004 games must have special mechanisms installed to ease boarding the vehicles.

More than a thousand experts scientists from Greece and abroad took part in the congress, which ended on Saturday.

[11] Police uncover cigarette smuggling racket to UK

Athens, 13/10/2003 (ANA)

Three Greek nationals were arrested in Athens, and charges were brought in absentia against a fourth Greek and a UK national, who allegedly acted as receiver of the goods in Britain.

Seized in two warehouses were 33,400 packets of Sovereign and Benson cigarettes along with fraudulent invoices, rubber stamps and a truck for transportation of the goods.

At least ten consignments had been dispatched over the last four months, police said.

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