Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-10-16

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stephanopoulos calls for Balkans to delete ''powder keg'' identity

[02] Foreign minister announces Powell's invitation to visit Athens

[03] FM says aim at Euroelections European peoples with peace, democratic solidarity

[04] Athens: Talks over CBMs does not affect basic goal of Cyprus solution

[05] ND leader supports equal participation of countries in EU decision making

[06] Greek foreign ministry condemns attack against Turkish Embassy in Baghdad

[07] Gov't condemns vandalism in Jewish cemetery

[08] PASOK will not take part in anti-war rallies in Athens

[09] Greece "very much interested" for pan-European network projects, FinMin says

[10] MP calls for inspection of bourse transactions by high-ranking civil servants

[11] Greek hoteliers say domestic tourism in worst crisis in 30 years

[12] Coalition party leader discusses pensioners' problems with unionists

[13] Finmin cites waste of funds in state healthcare

[14] Athens and Piraeus hospital doctors determined to continue strikes

[15] Central banker complains of misleading advertising

[16] Gov't to call tender for part-sale of Post Office Savings Bank

[17] Finmin calls for investment in Olympic projects after the games

[18] Greek consumers seek lower quality, cheaper food, report

[19] Olive oil producers react to new gov�t measures

[20] Greek stocks return early gains on Wednesday

[21] Olympic preparations the focus of Economist Group conference

[22] Cultural Olympiad organizes conference on biogenetics and biotechnology

[23] Evert says N. Greece bishoprics must remain under Church of Greece control

[24] ND MPs appeal for new laws to protect Iraqi women

[25] Gov't expresses condolences to Stathea family; judicial inquiry underway

[26] Development minister in hospital after suddenly feeling unwell

[27] Decision on musicians' copyrights company practices suspended until December

[28] Deputy development minister declares war on bootleg CDs

[29] Self-styled anarchists briefly take over ESHEA office

[30] Judge chastises lawyer for 'spinning out' Tzortzatos' defense in N17 trial

[31] Athens Journalists Union board holds talks with Parliament president

[32] Papadopoulos and Juncker discuss Cyprus problem and EU matters

[33] G/C and T/C parties welcome cancellation of military exercises

[01] Stephanopoulos calls for Balkans to delete ''powder keg'' identity

BELGRADE 16/10/2003 (ANA/N. Megadoukas)

''Ideas and principles, such as freedom, democracy, equality before the law, the rule of law, justice, security, stability, development and cooperation, should permanently find their real meaning in the entire peninsula,'' Stephanopoulos said.

Stephanopoulos visited and addressed the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro, stressing that the European identity and the European prospects of that country, which Greece is warmly supporting, ''are a political given and a geo-strategic necessity''.

''The future acceptance of all the countries of Southeastern Europe to the European Union will for ever delete from the international vocabulary the characterization of the region as a powder keg, with which the region has unfortunately being stigmatized and lift for ever the reasons that often in the past, even recently, contributed to its troubles,'' Stephanopoulos underlined.

He stressed that the entry to the European Union is ''a realistic prospect and not a utopian aim'' and the course to integration with the Union is ''the only secure and credible prospect''.

''The fundamental unifying element of the countries of Southeastern Europe with the EU member-states is the belief that we are formulating our own future with the same system of values,'' the Greek president said.

He noted that there are ''significant margins'' for the further development of the Athens-Belgrade relations, adding that bilateral cooperation in the transport and communication sectors is a significant part of the cooperation between the two countries.

''We can achieve more. We support and strengthen the efforts and cooperation of Greeks, Serbs and Montenegrin traders, businessmen and investors and we are resolved to facilitate and to promote in any possible way the business contacts,'' Stephanopoulos said.

He analyzed in detail the reasons for which the participation of Serbia-Montenegro in the EU will be beneficial for the people of the country and stability in the region and stressed that participation in the EU ''will confirm the repeatedly declared principle that in the building of post-Cold War Europe no exclusions can be acceptable''.

''It is necessary to convince the peoples of the region that the equal participation in the building of United Europe demands tiring efforts and the acceptance of a different attitude than that of the past,'' he said.

Stephanopoulos also said that even for the first time since the end of World War II there are democratically elected governments in the Balkans, which want to make their countries members of the European Union and noted that ''despite the weaknesses the EU showed in the beginning of the 1990s, especially concerning the Balkan region, it is today the moving force of positive changes that are coming in Southeastern Europe''.

Stephanopoulos addresses business forum in Serbia and Montenegro: President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, here on an three-day official visit, on Wednesday urged Greeks engaged in business activity within Serbia and Montenegro to continue making investments there, noting that this would further not only their own private interests but also those of their country.

Stephanopoulos arrived in Belgrade with a large delegation of Greek business people on Tuesday.

Addressing a business forum attended by Greeks, Serbs and Montenegrins at Belgrade's Hyatt Hotel, Stephanopoulos underlined that Greece supported rapprochement between the European Union and Serbia and Montenegro.

Only when all the countries in the western and eastern Balkans were part of the EU could stability prevail, leading to development and improved living standards for the people of the region, he added.

By continuing to invest in Serbia and Montenegro and contributing to its economy's growth, Greek business people were actually working for Greece's national interests, since they were allowing the Balkan country make progress in its European course, Stephanopoulos said.

The Greek president similarly urged Serb and Montenegrin business people to cooperate with their Greek counterparts, while referring to the delays in the country's privatization program.

The forum was next addressed by Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, who stressed that Greece wanted to help in the reconstruction of the Balkans, of which it was also a part, since it believed this would be a ''very good political investment in the future - a future that promises peace, stability, economic development and a European orientation for the entire region.''

Loverdos stressed that Greece was proud of its Balkan heritage, which made it part of the region.

''This obliges us to support our neighbors so that they too can enjoy the same European integration and the same development that we have benefited from over the past 30 years,'' he said.

Loverdos stressed the traditionally excellent relations between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro and said it wished to further cement these ties by upgrading economic cooperation.

He also pledged Greece's continued support for the ''establishment of a stable and democratic environment that will contribute to peaceful coexistence in southeast Europe.''

Loverdos referred to the key geographical position occupied by the Balkans between Russia and Europe and the fact that they were a ''very interesting market'' of 65 million people.

''We should make use of the commercial and economic possibilities afforded by these facts,'' he added.

After the forum, Stephanopoulos laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in the city and then had a meeting with Acting Serb President Natasha Micic.

On Wednesday afternoon he is due to speak at the Serbia and Montenegro Parliament and meet former Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica.

[02] Foreign minister announces Powell's invitation to visit Athens

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

He made the statement following a meeting at the Maximos Mansion, but gave no further details of the U.S. official's program.

Speaking of the recent crisis in relations between the Church of Greece and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Papandreou said that ''the state does not have the responsibility to intervene in such a conflict''.

Commenting on the recent terrorist attack in the Gaza Strip, the foreign minister expressed his sorrow, saying that many diplomats that were in the convoy that was attacked were working for the promotion of the ''road map'' to peace in the Middle East. ''The road map has been agreed on by the European Union, the United Nations, Russia and the United States so as to resolve the Palestinian issue. As a result, every such action, beyond the loss of human lives, for which we express our deepest sorrow, also makes us sad on a political level since it does not promote the peace process,'' he said.

''I believe that every such action proves the necessity for all sides to rise to the level of their responsibilities and to confront with seriousness the case for peace with the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005 and of course to assure the security of the state of Israel. These two issues are bound together inseparably,'' Papandreou concluded.

Gov't spokesman confirms planned visit by Powell: Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Wednesday confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell was planning to pay a visit to Greece in the framework of a wider tour of the region.

Protopapas said that Powell had made arrangements with the Greek foreign ministry to carry out a working rather than official visit, during which he would have talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Greek President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The spokesman said that Athens was making preparations for the visit but if anything should arise in the meantime, another venue or process would be sought for an exchange of views to take place.

Protopapas denied that there was any dissatisfaction on the part of the U.S. State Department over this issue.

[03] FM says aim at Euroelections European peoples with peace, democratic solidarity

BRUSSELS 16/10/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

Referring to issues to be examined at the EU summit, due to begin in the Belgian capital on Thursday, Papandreou said negotiations for the new European constitution will be of decisive importance for the future of Europe.

The foreign minister reconfirmed Greece's support for the EU's initiative for the development and construction of 29 major European projects, two of which are of Greek interest.

He also made special reference to the promotion of decisions taken at the EU Thessaloniki summit on issues concerning asylum and immigration.

[04] Athens: Talks over CBMs does not affect basic goal of Cyprus solution

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said certain initiatives have merely a �public relations dimension�, adding that various CBMs do not steer away from the primary goal of a Cyprus solution based on the Annan peace plan.

The spokesman also noted that both the European Union and relevant Commissioner Guenter Verheugen have commented directly on this issue.

Finally, Beglitis said he hopes Ankara will respect international law so it may achieve a significant step towards its European course, in reply to a press question over Turkey�s intentions regarding the hefty compensation it owes as the losing side in the Loizidou case.

Greek Cypriot defendant Titina Loizidou successfully sued the Turkish government at the European Court of Human Rights for violating her right to exploit and enjoy her property in the Cypriot port town of Kyrenia.

Loizidou�s property is located in the one-third of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.

[05] ND leader supports equal participation of countries in EU decision making

BRUSSELS 16/10/2003 (ANA/A. Simatos)

In a statement to the press shortly before a meeting of the European People's Party (EPP), the ND leader said that in an enlarged Europe all member-states should be represented on equal terms in the European Commission which, as he underlined, should be powerful.

Referring to the EU's common foreign and defense policy, Karamanlis noted the importance attached by his party to the existence of a mutual assistance and solidarity clause between European countries.

He also said EU member-states should jointly undertake the effective guarding of the EU's external borders and expressed support for the creation of a European coast guard.

Karamanlis further stressed the need for combatting illegal immigration and organized crime and for the creation of a common EU policy on issues concerning the granting of asylum.

[06] Greek foreign ministry condemns attack against Turkish Embassy in Baghdad

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

''In this difficult conjuncture for Iraq and the Iraqi people, such acts of blind violence and terrorism against foreign diplomatic missions contribute to the prolongation of instability and undermine the process for the reconstruction of Iraq,'' the Greek foreign ministry spokesman concluded.

The car bomb attack took place near the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

[07] Gov't condemns vandalism in Jewish cemetery

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

[08] PASOK will not take part in anti-war rallies in Athens

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

The spokeswoman also said that this period is significant in the development of PASOK's action and stressed the ambition of the ruling party to renew for the fourth time in a row its mandate, based on the radiance of the prime minister, the quality of the party's staff and the credibility of the government's work.

[09] Greece "very much interested" for pan-European network projects, FinMin says

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with other cabinet ministers chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr Christodoulakis said that south European states needed more road and railway networks, lacked oil and natural gas pipelines and needed more investments in telecommunications.

The Greek minister stressed that Greece was largely interested in promoting new programs for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises and noted that an informal EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday was considered crucial for the development of Europe.

An informal EU summit over the next two days is expected to discuss funding of pan-European network projects in the sectors of transport, energy and telecommunications.

[10] MP calls for inspection of bourse transactions by high-ranking civil servants

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

[11] Greek hoteliers say domestic tourism in worst crisis in 30 years

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

The Panhellenic Union of Hoteliers said that according to recent figures, arrival figures at the country's largest airports were particularly disappointing and stressed that September proved to be worse that the most pessimistic predictions made at the start of this year's season.

Arrivals at the Heraklion airport in Crete were down 7.9 percent in September compared with the same month last year, while arrivals at the airports of Thessaloniki, Corfu, Cos and Rhodes were down 8.12 percent, 6.61 percent, 11.65 percent and 15.75 percent, respectively.

The union's president, Vassilis Minaides, said that a decline in tourist arrivals in the first nine months of the year was expected to exceed 5.0 percent, with overnight stays down more than 10 percent over the same period.

Greek hoteliers said that political leadership of tourism authorities were responsible for lack of mechanisms to deal with tourism crises and an insuffient tourist promotion of the country against its main competitors (Spain, Turkey).

Union members said that the government's economic and tourism policy over the last few years led Greek tourism to a crisis of a structural nature. Mr S.Divanis, owner of a large hotel chain in Greece, predicted that around 40 percent of Greek hotels could be sold in the next five years.

[12] Coalition party leader discusses pensioners' problems with unionists

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

Constantopoulos accused the government of displaying authoritarianism and blissfulness at a time when society in its entirety is in a state of unrest because it is gripped by feelings of injustice, neglect and insecurity.

A pensioners' unionist said he briefed the Coalition party's leader on the serious problems facing thousands of pensioners and which concern pensions and health issues and expressed satisfaction over the support he found from Constantopoulos.

In another development, Constantopoulos exchanged views with the French Ambassador to Athens Bruno Delaye in a meeting on Wednesday. Their talks focused on developments in the European Union, the Middle East and general problems facing the region.

Constantopoulos also outlined his party's positions on Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of Cyprus.

[13] Finmin cites waste of funds in state healthcare

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

The waste came chiefly in the form of careless spending and payments for non-existent or unnecessary diagnostic tests and courses of treatment, the minister told the opening of a state healthcare branch in western Athens.

Total spending on people covered by state insurance had risen by an average annual 17.5 percent, with no accompanying price increase, he added.

[14] Athens and Piraeus hospital doctors determined to continue strikes

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

Unless their economic and institutional demands are met, the doctors will continue rolling 48-hour strikes even until the new year and they explained that it is not only their low salaries which are forcing them to claim at least the doubling of their pay with the addition of certain benefits, but the overall climate prevailing in the health sector as well.

Hospital doctors will convene at the Red Cross hospital on Thursday to ratify their decision to continue strikes, while the public should be aware that hospitals in Athens and Piraeus will be operating with skeleton staff on Thursday and Friday since doctors are on strike.

[15] Central banker complains of misleading advertising

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

Garganas outlined the terms of a bill that aimed to protect consumers from misleading advertising, while stressing that the Bank of Greece had no intention of restricting the banking business or setting prices for products.

The main problem lay in the ''fine print'' of contracts for banking products although some credit institutions had advertised returns on investment products that could only be attained in exceptional market conditions, he added.

The head of the central bank was hosting a luncheon for commercial bankers.

[16] Gov't to call tender for part-sale of Post Office Savings Bank

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

The finance ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision was taken after the main shareholder of Athens-quoted Attica Bank was unable to make an offer for a 35 percent stake in the state-owned savings bank.

The terms and conditions of the part-privatization will be announced in coming days, the statement said.

[17] Finmin calls for investment in Olympic projects after the games

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

"This is so that the major projects under construction will not remain as idle monuments to a great moment," Christodoulakis told a conference on the Olympics arranged by "The Economist" business magazine.

[18] Greek consumers seek lower quality, cheaper food, report

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

The report showed that a Greek four-member family spends 21 percent (350 euros) of the 1,700 euros needed for its monthly expenses (excluding rent, mortgage loan and education expenses) to food, while the average household cuts its spending on food by more than 17 percent.

INKA said that a total of 11,491 complaints were filed against food quality in the market in 2002, with 9,158 complaints filed in the first nine months of 2003. Complaints over food quality ranks second after complaints by Greek consumers over the cost of living in the last two years.

The report said that Greek consumers worry over genetically modified foods by 89 percent, over the mad cow illness by 86 percent, over pesticides 82 percent, dioxine 81 percent, snacks 73 percent, hormones 72 percent, food additives 65 percent and fast food by 60 percent.

INKA, in cooperation with ADEDY - the civil servants' union - and GSEE - the country's largest union umbrella - are organizing an open meeting on Thursday 16, October, to protest against increased cost and bad quality of living.

[19] Olive oil producers react to new gov�t measures

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

Union officials said that it would take a long time and many inspections and cross-reference checks to implement the government's decisions and protested that producers of more than 1,400 kilos of olive oil would not be fairly treated according to the new measures.

The president of the cooperative union Mr Manolis Gavalas is expected to visit Athens on Thursday to discuss with Agriculture ministry officials and to demand that all olive oil producers received their subsidies by the end of the year with the use of simple but credible criteria before starting inspections after-wards.

[20] Greek stocks return early gains on Wednesday

Athens, 16/10/2003 (ANA)

The general index, rose 0.18 percent to end at 2,118.46 points, after rising to 2,131 points early in the session. Turnover was a moderate 119.2 million euros.

The Wholesale and Holding sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.64 percent and 1.55 percent, respectively), while the Cement and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.38 percent and 1.22 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.17 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.55 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.57 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 163 to 114 with another 76 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 92.4 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: