Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-17

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] Greece condemns car bomb attack on Istanbul synagogues

[02] Patriarch Vartholomeos sends condolences to Istanbul chief rabbi

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos deplores Istanbul synagogue attacks

[04] Synaspismos party condemns car bomb attacks in Istanbul

[05] Three-day commemoration begins of student uprising against junta

[06] PASOK deputy quits ruling party, turns independent

[07] PASOK deputy Spyriounis says he will not stand for election

[08] Election law reform bill to parliament this week

[09] Main opposition repeats call for public debate with PM

[10] Coalition of the Left decries world leadership stance of US

[11] Wave of strikes this week

[12] Minister launches oil exploration project off northern island

[13] Greece orders enquiry into toxic waste disposal by UK ships

[14] Two men confess to spate of bank robberies in Athens, police say

[15] Earthquake jolts island of Cephallonia, no injuries or damage

[16] Verheugen says no EU talks for Turkey with Cyprus issue pending

[17] Erdogan in occupied areas for pseudostate celebrations

[01] Greece condemns car bomb attack on Istanbul synagogues

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis sent a telegram of condolence to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan for the victims in the attack, government officials said.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou also deplored the bombing.

''This was a barbaric and repugnant move, an act of wanton violence that resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians,'' Papandreou said in a statement.

''We send our condolences to the people and government of Turkey, the victims' families, and the Jewish community in Istanbul. We must continually strive against the forces of hate, violence, terrorism, racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism,'' he said.

The minister added that striving for human rights and civilized values cut across religious and political boundaries.

Government spokesman Christos Protopappas stressed that the government strongly deplored the attack and sent its condolences to the families of victims, the people of Turkey and their government.

The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, sent a telegram of condolence to Turkey's prime minister saying that Greeks strongly opposed any act of violence.

''The bomb attack in Istanbul is the expression of a global problem that must be rooted out,'' Karamanlis underlined.

[02] Patriarch Vartholomeos sends condolences to Istanbul chief rabbi

ISTANBUL 17/11/2003 (ANA/A.Kourkoulas)

''We condemn these abhorrent acts that hit unsuspecting people particularly when they are praying,' Vartholomeos said in his telegram.

The Patriarch wished the chief rabbi a quick recovery as the latter suffered a nervous breakdown after the explosions. The chief rabbi's son is among the wounded in the attacks. Vartholomeos will visit Rabbi Haleva on Monday in hospital.

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos deplores Istanbul synagogue attacks

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

''These criminal acts in Istanbul, acts of violence in Palestine, in Israel, in Iraq and in Saudi Arabia, have cost our innocent fellow men their lives, victims of hatred and racism,'' Christodoulos said from the pulpit.

''We wholeheartedly condemn yesterday's criminal acts in Istanbul against two places of worship for Jews, against the Jewish religion,'' he said during a church sermon in Goudi.

[04] Synaspismos party condemns car bomb attacks in Istanbul

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

In a press release, Synaspismos also expressed its abhorrence for the tens of innocent victims.

Democratic Social Movement party leader Dimitris Tsovolas also condemned the car bomb attack: ''We express our deep sorrow for the victims of the bomb attacks in Turkey and we condemn every act of violence regardless of its origin and target,'' Tsovolas said in a statement.

[05] Three-day commemoration begins of student uprising against junta

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

Policing the event are around 7,000 officers to ensure that the anniversary runs peacefully - especially its climax, a march to the US embassy on Monday, when 48 squads of riot police will be stationed along a route that includes embassies, ministries and banks.

Events marking the Polytechnic uprising are traditionally the scene of violent incidents between police and masked youths who penetrate the march.

PASOK issues message on Polytechnic uprising anniversary: The ruling PASOK party in a message on Sunday said the Polytechnic uprising showed that no social or political struggle under the most difficult conditions is 'lost' from the outset.

The gates of the National Technical University, known as the Athens Polytechnic, opened on Saturday for the start of three days of anniversary events to commemorate a student uprising on November 17, 1973 against the military junta ruling Greece at the time.

Since 1974, when the military junta was overthrown, ''until today, we have built a stable democracy in our country, setting as steadfast targets the deepening of democratic institutions and the upgrading of their quality,'' the message said.

Defense minister to EU, NATO meeting on Monday Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA) National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou is to attend a European Union meeting in Brussels on Monday with his counterparts from member countries of NATO that do not belong to the EU.

On the following day, Papantoniou will fly to Zagreb for a meeting of defense ministers from southeast European countries, his office said in a statement on Sunday.

[06] PASOK deputy quits ruling party, turns independent

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

''The leadership operates on a clique mentality, and whoever does not belong to the clique irrevocably joins the blacklist,'' the former minister said in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, which he represents in parliament.

''The pro-modernization (aspect) of PASOK is responsible for a mass withdrawal from civic life by formerly active members of the public and for their transformation into apolitical consumers, in order to serve establishment interests that can then operate unhindered with no social or political controls,'' he complained.

Papathemelis, who has served as a member of parliament continuously since 1981, said that the party in its current form bore no relation to the vision of its late founder, leader and premier, Andreas Papandreou.

Under PASOK governments, Papathemelis served as minister of public order and Macedonia-Thrace Minister. He was also a member of PASOK's central committee.

Gov't: PASOK to carry on with all aboard: Government spokesman Christos Protopappas said that Papathemelis' switch to independent status was a natural outcome of his views.

''The statement by Mr. Papathemelis was the inevitable outcome of his stance so far. PASOK will carry on with everyone (aboard),'' Protopappas commented during a visit to the island of Samos.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos told reporters that he regretted Papathemelis' resignation.

"I am really sorry about Mr. Papathemelis' decision, and I personally wish him the best of luck...At the same time we really do have to be honest about our ideological and political choices and preferences, and feel relaxed in our political identity," said Venizelos, who is also a deputy for Thessaloniki.

[07] PASOK deputy Spyriounis says he will not stand for election

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

''My decision has nothing to do with the person of Mr. Simitis, but with my conviction that there must be a time limit for a deputy's term as well as for that of the prime minister, who, after two four-year terms must step down,'' Spyriounis told the Athens News Agency in Thessaloniki.

[08] Election law reform bill to parliament this week

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

During a visit to Crete, the minister told reporters that the new law would come into force for national elections normally due in 2008.

The next general election is scheduled for April 2004.

[09] Main opposition repeats call for public debate with PM

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

''We want an active, well-informed, participating public...If the Prime Minister again declines (a public debate), if he is afraid of something, then he should say what it is, what he is worried about,'' Karamanlis told senior ND prefecture officials.

He also criticized the government for scheduling a vote on a new electoral law shortly before national elections that would lessen the autonomy of the leading party in the ballot, which is due in April, 2004.

Karamanlis cited opinion polls as showing that ND ranked top in voter preference, retaining a hefty lead.

Gov't: Right venue for debate with opposition is parliament: Parliament is the right venue for debate with the opposition, government spokesman Christos Protopappas said at the weekend.

He was responding to a fresh call on Saturday by the leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, for a public debate between the leaders of opposition parties and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

''Mr Karamanlis heightens issues in order to create division, but this is no time for tricks or bravado. Debate on problems in this country, in society, has taken place and will continue to take place within statutory procedures, within parliament,'' Protopappas said in a statement on Sunday.

''And naturally it cannot be used for Mr. Karamanlis' pre-election fireworks,'' the statement said.

[10] Coalition of the Left decries world leadership stance of US

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

''Threats to democracy and civilization are theories that state: "First comes security and then democracy.' 'First comes the market and then society' - along with theories about 'humanistic wars' and 'wars for democracy','' said Konstantopoulos, addressing the European Social Forum in Paris as a member of the forum's Greek contingent.

[11] Wave of strikes this week

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

In addition, lawyers have called a 48-hour strike for November 18-19 to protest against the state's alleged withholding of 120 billion drachmas since 1998 of money that belongs to the profession's ailing pension fund.

Finally, contractual staff at the culture ministry seeking permanent status are to walk off the job on November 17 at the start of a 48-hour stoppage.

[12] Minister launches oil exploration project off northern island

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos outlined a proposal by the European Union to embark on an express action plan aimed at increasing investment in the bloc's energy and transport networks, including Greek links to Balkan countries that would turn the country into an energy transit hub, especially the northeast.

Budgeted at 38 billion euros until 2010 for cross-border transport links, the plan would be applied in sections over the next three years. Another 10 billion euros is destined for energy networks, and 14 billion euros for high-speed communications networks, research and development, and growth and innovation, the minister said.

''The Kavala Oil project needs private backing,'' he added.

[13] Greece orders enquiry into toxic waste disposal by UK ships

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalidis was responding to media allegations claiming that two ancillary Royal Navy tankers, the Olwen and the Olna, had unloaded waste while in the port of Piraeus in 2001.

[14] Two men confess to spate of bank robberies in Athens, police say

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

The identity of the suspects was not released, although police said one of the men was was a 37-year-old drug addict who used spoils from the robberies to finance his habit; and the other, aged 24, had deposited his loot in bank accounts.

Following arrest, the men confessed to reaping 149,000 euros from 11 robberies in March to October this year, including Alpha Bank, Emporiki Bank, Egnatia Bank, Aspis Bank, Citibank, Post Office Savings Bank, the Public Power Corporation, and Hellenic Post Offices.

Among items confiscated from their home were 9,600 euros, two pistols, and hoods.

Under police surveillance for several days, the two were arrested after reportedly staking out branches of EFG Eurobank Ergasias and Alpha Bank.

[15] Earthquake jolts island of Cephallonia, no injuries or damage

Athens, 17/11/2003 (ANA)

The epicenter of the temblor was 290 kilometers west of Athens in waters between Cephallonia and Lefkas, at a depth of 15 kilometers.

[16] Verheugen says no EU talks for Turkey with Cyprus issue pending

NICOSIA, 17/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

United Democrats President George Vassiliou told CNA that Verheugen also pointed out that the key to a Cyprus solution is not in Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash' hands but in the hands of Turkey.

Verheugen was addressing the Europa Forum organized by the Helvet Quand foundation in collaboration with Financial Times. The Forum wrapped up its works in Berlin on Saturday.

In a speech during the panel discussion, Verheugen noted that some time in the future all Balkan countries would be able to join the EU, based on the same values and conditions that apply for Turkey.

According to Vassiliou, Verheugen said the Cyprus question is not officially a criterion to Turkey's EU bid, adding however that the person who thinks that accession negotiations could start with Turkey, with the Cyprus question unsolved, is not serious.

''We should all know that the key for the solution of the Cyprus question is not in Denktash' hands but in Turkey's'', Verheugen said, adding ''it is inconceivable to me that we should hold negotiations with a country which maintains 30.000 troops in a European country''.

During the discussion, British Minister for Europe Denis MacShane referred to the Cyprus question noting that Britain decisively supports the reunification of the island.

Vassiliou told CNA that MacShane said he could not think of any reason why Ankara is not proceeding towards a Cyprus settlement, taking into account the advantages Turkey would obtain from the reunification of the island.

He also pointed out that a blueprint for the reunification of the island is on the table, and this is UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan.

In his remarks, Vassiliou said Turkey is obliged to solve the Cyprus question, adding that the solution could assist Turkey's EU bid.

''A solution is necessary and desirable by all Cypriots but even more by Turkey'', Vassiliou pointed out.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

[17] Erdogan in occupied areas for pseudostate celebrations

NICOSIA, 17/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Greek Cypriot journalists, who had gathered at the Ledra Palace checkpoint to cross over into the occupied areas to cover Erdogan's speech at the celebrations and his meeting later with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, returned to the government-controlled areas of the Republic when they were asked to wear waistcoats bearing the symbols of the secessionist regime.

During his stay, Erdogan also met with members of the so-called government and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders.

Erdogan left the island on Saturday night.

On Friday, Greek Cypriot students staged demonstrations to condemn the anniversary of the pseudostate. Similar demonstrations were organized by Greek Cypriot communities in other countries, such as Britain.

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