Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] OECD: Greek demand up in first-half 2003, growth strong

[02] Greek side declares itself ''fully ready'' for resumption of Cyprus

[03] Athens mayor presents Medal to Cyprus president

[04] Verheugen comments on Turkey's accession prospects

[05] Thessaloniki anti-globalization protest 'seven' to be released

[06] Defense ministry compiles list of security assets ahead of Athens 2004 Games

[07] FYROM president lauds cross-border cooperation with Greece

[08] FYROM president Crvenkovski does not see name resolution soon

[09] Greece reaffirms adherence to EU Stability and Growth Pact

[10] Budget for 2004 begins parliamentary committee stage

[11] EU plans to attain 70pct employment this decade

[12] Greece lagging in EU research, innovation indices

[13] Thessaloniki bay to get local passenger ferries

[14] Greek trucks get permission to pass through Austria

[15] Greek core inflation contained, FinMin says

[16] Greek banks present significant comparative advantages, NBG governor

[17] Host-city Athens unveils Olympic Torch Relay Route for 2004

[18] Stephanopoulos receives Rogge

[19] ND leader receives IOC, ATHOC presidents

[20] London mayor prepares events to welcome Olympic Flame

[21] Bavarian authorities return recovered antiquities to Greece

[22] Air Force aircraft crashes, pilot ejects to safety

[23] Press minister addresses event on political advertising

[24] Diamantopoulou visits Harvard University

[25] CoE committee gives Turkey until Thursday to pay compensation

[26] US Congressmen seek positive steps from Turkey

[01] OECD: Greek demand up in first-half 2003, growth strong

PARIS, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

In a half-yearly report, the Paris-based OECD noted that low interest rates continued to act as a support, and net exports were recovering due to a global upturn.

As a result, an anticipated rise in gross domestic product (GDP) had gained ground and was forecast at 4.1 per cent in 2004 from 4.0 per cent in 2003, before dropping to 3.6 per cent in 2005, the report said.

The labor market is expected to show further improvement with a drop in joblessness to 8.8 per cent in 2005, 8.9 per cent in 2004, and 9.3 per cent in 2003.

An improvement in the fiscal situation, especially stricter controls on primary spending, need to be maintained in order to ensure a reduction of a high debt to GDP ration, the OECD said.

In addition, the foundations needed to be reinforced for long-term growth and competitiveness by means of more resolute action to tackle inflexibility in the labor market. Telecoms and energy firms also should open to competition.

Growth in the first half of 2003 was about 4.5 per cent on an annualized basis, forecast at 4.0 per cent for the entire year, much higher than the eurozone average, the report noted.

Although inflation was declining from a peak early in 2003, the average harmonized consumer price index stood at 3.6 per cent in the first eight months of the year, exceeding the eurozone average by 1.5 percentage points.

The public sector deficit for 2003 was estimated at 1.4 per cent in 2003. A slight deviation from the target was attributable to higher spending and lower European Union funding than expected for public investments.

The OECD forecast a deficit of 1.6 per cent of GDP in 2004 and 1.5 per cent in 2005 against a government target of 1.2 per cent for 2004.

[02] Greek side declares itself ''fully ready'' for resumption of Cyprus

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

During the meeting they ascertained the continued intransigency of Rauf Denktash's regime, which was also demonstrated during a visit to occupied Cyprus by Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Simitis said.

They also examined internal developments within the occupied north in view of polls organized by the illegal regime on December 14 and the continued naturalization of Turkish settlers within its borders.

Responding to questions regarding the naturalizations, Semites refused to make any predictions and said the concern of the Greek side was that the Turkish-Cypriot community would be able to express its wishes without actions that would compromise the result.

He reiterated that the primary goal remained a viable and functional solution for the Cyprus problem based on the UN peace plan, one that respected human rights and the established rights and obligations of EU member-states.

The Greek premier added that all aspects of bilateral relations between Greece and Cyprus were discussed during his talks with Papadopoulos, as well as developments in the surrounding region, Cyprus' upcoming EU accession and human rights issues on Cyprus.

These included Cyprus' participation in the EU and in the Intergovernmental Conference, the transfer of know how, preparations for the Athens Olympics in 2004 and cultural issues.

Simitis also called on Turkey to immediately comply with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights in the Titina Loizidou case and show the respect due to the international court.

Responding to questions, Papadopoulos said that rumors that Turkey had finally decided to pay the compensation awarded by the court to Loizidou had not yet been confirmed.

The Cyprus president noted that this was not the first time such rumors had circulated and expressed suspicions that Turkey was probably depositing the payment unofficially so that it could later be withdrawn, in accordance with whatever Ankara wished to achieve at that time.

''The rulings must be applied without terms and conditions,'' Papadopoulos stressed.

Asked about possible changes to the Annan plan, Papadopoulos said this was still under consideration and political decisions regarding which points should be stressed were still pending.

Asked whether Ankara might try to use the recent terrorist hits in Istanbul to ensure the inclusion of measures favorable to Turkey in the conclusions of the European Council in December, Simitis stressed that terrorist attacks were unrelated to these issues and that Turkey would gain greater support for its positions if it concentrated on necessary reforms and adapting to EU laws and practices.

Cyprus president meets with opposition party leaders

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday met with visiting Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and discussed the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Karamanlis stressed the necessity for a viable and functional solution for the Cyprus problem, a solution based on the European acquis communautaire and the European value system.

He called on the Turkish Cypriot side to change its stance and to contribute to the resolution of the island republic's political problem and to take advantage of the prospect of accession of Cyprus to the European Union, stressing the urgency of the restricted time limits for their decision making period.

Karamanlis also called on the Turkish government to contribute in the most positive and constructive way toward the resolution of the Cyprus issue, stressing that Turkey is obliged as a candidate member-state to adopt European behavior.

Papadopoulos also met with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) representative Orestis Kolozof who afterwards expressed pessimism over developments in the island republic's political problem.

Kolozof accused Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for his intransigence and Turkey for its support to the former: Later in the day, the Cypriot president met with Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos, with whom he also discussed the ramifications of the Cyprus problem.

Constantopoulos underlined the need for overcoming the problems created by Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, adding that ''the 'elections' in the occupied part (of Cyprus) is one of those developments that may formulate a different stage''.

''No one, of course, can ignore that the reason for the continuation of the island's division, the invasion and occupation of the island is Turkey's foreign policy and the behavior of (Turkish Cypriot Community leader Rauf) Denktash which is outside the bounds of international law and democratic logic,'' Constantopoulos said.

[03] Athens mayor presents Medal to Cyprus president

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

''Cyprus is guarding Thermopilae,'' Bakoyianni said, adding that every Greek should regard as its own matter the effort to secure a future for the island republic in peace and prosperity.

She also said that Greeks and Cypriots ''united with vision and common aims, sobriety and with realism will make justice prevail''.

On his part, Papadopoulos said ''the accession of Cyprus in the European Union is already a historic success of common efforts. A viable and functional solution to our great national issue, will be the highest and most joyous closure of a common struggle''.

[04] Verheugen comments on Turkey's accession prospects

BRUSSELS, 27/11/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

He added that ''it is difficult to imagine Turkey as a member of the European Union, before the Union adopts a common foreign policy and policy of security and defense''.

He condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, but stressed that ''they do not justify political allowances by the EU, nor do they make the country dangerous for Europe''.

Verheugen expressed his satisfaction that the Cyprus issue was not used as an obstacle for Cyprus' accession to the Union and wished that the problem may be resolved before May 1st, since, as he said, there will be difficulties after that date.

''The resolution of the Cyprus issue is not a condition for Turkey's accession, but Turkey has a political responsibility for its resolution,'' he said.

[05] Thessaloniki anti-globalization protest 'seven' to be released

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Five of the seven prisoners began a hunger strike while in prison to protest against their detainment without trial, while three of them were transferred to Nikaia Hospital earlier this week.

The five hunger strikers Carlos Martin Martinez, Souleiman Dakdouk Castro, Fernando Perez Gorraiz, Simon Chapman and Spyros Tsitsas, as well as their two fellow-detainees Mihalis Traikapis and Dimitris Fliouras, are expected to be released later on Wednesday afternoon, according to their lawyers.

Instead of being held in custody, the seven were released with restrictive conditions and have been forbidden to leave the country, while they are obliged to reside at the addresses they gave during their examination by a magistrate.

The case of the seven has attracted a great deal of attention, both at home and abroad, while Thessaloniki courts have been criticized for unnecessary harshness over their decision to keep the seven in custody.

The maximum allowable period of detention without trial in Greece is 18 months but critics claim that pre-trial detention is rarely implemented in similar, non-political cases.

Earlier on Wednesday, an appeal for the release of the seven was made by Spanish MEP Marset Campos, who also signed a letter of protest drafted by Coalition of Left, Movements and Ecology party MEP Alekos Alavanos on Tuesday, along with 27 of his colleagues in the European Parliament.

Two the protestors held in custody were Spanish nationals, while Campos said they were being held on ''doubtful charges'' and called on the EU presidency to intervene for their release.

Reacting to the decision, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said Greek justice had acted responsibly and done its duty and the Greek government ''can only express its satisfaction''.

According to Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, meanwhile, Greek justice had, as always, reached its decision responsibly and without being influenced.

Commenting on the plight of the seven detainees, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the government could not intervene for their release.

"There is independent justice in Greece and the conditions of incarceration in prisons are controlled by the public prosecutor in charge," the spokesman said.

He stressed that the government was only empowered to ask that procedures for issuing a decision in the case be accelerated.

"The government cannot release the seven," Protopapas underlined.

[06] Defense ministry compiles list of security assets ahead of Athens 2004 Games

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to state television station ''NET'' on the contribution of the Greek Armed Forces to the security of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, he also said that NATO AWACS planes manned by Greek officers will participate in the Games security network.

He reiterated that some 10,000 men and women of the Armed Forces will participate in the security of the Games and a special team of 200 cadres was assembled to confront any nuclear, biological or chemical threat.

In earlier statements, Papantoniou had said that the security of the Games is the exclusive responsibility of the Greek Police and secondly of the Greek Armed Forces.

[07] FYROM president lauds cross-border cooperation with Greece

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

''The situation on the borders between the two countries is calm, and some minor problems that arise due to illegal immigrants cannot in any way threaten the existing stability,'' Trajkovski said on Tuesday during a visit to the border station Bogoronijca, near Evzoni.

Trajkovski further said that cross-border cooperation between his country and Greece was "particularly successful", as was ascertained in the meetings between the border authorities of the two countries held regularly for the purpose of curbing illegal immigration.

[08] FYROM president Crvenkovski does not see name resolution soon

SKOPJE, 27/11/2003 (ANA-N. Fragopoulou)

"I cannot say that there is anything new or spectacular in the talks on the name issue, and at the present time it could not be said that a solution will be found soon," Crvenkovski was quoted by the FYROM press as saying during an address at the "Institute for Peace" in Washington, during an official US visit.

Replying to an observation on whether 20 years would pass before a solution was found to the name issue in the framework of UN-sponsored talks between Greece and FYROM, Crvenkovski said obviously the issue would be resolved sooner than that, adding his belief that, in the end, his country would be known in the UN with the name it desired, namely, "Macedonia".

According to the FYROM press on Wednesday, Crvenkovski was due to put forward the name issue, and FYROM's desire to soon become a NATO member state, in his talks with US secretary of state Colin Powell and vice-president Dick Cheney scheduled on Tuesday evening.

[09] Greece reaffirms adherence to EU Stability and Growth Pact

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Commenting on the Greek stance in an ECOFIN meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Mr. Christodoulakis stressed the country's stance was based on three factors: national interest, reaffirming EU institutions and supporting Germany and France in their efforts to achieve fiscal stability.

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister defended the government's stance hinting there trends in the EU of shifting focus from reducing fiscal deficits to reducing public debts.

Greece has not reason to accept changes in a Stability and Growth Pact, Mr. Christodoulakis said, adding "we will not accept an overthrowing of the pact towards other directions."

Mr. Christodoulakis also referred to the Greek economy's favorable outlook based on next year's budget, currently under debate in parliament.

The Greek minister expressed his disappointment over a protracted strike by National Statistics Service employees, currently in its eighth week.

[10] Budget for 2004 begins parliamentary committee stage

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Introducing the budget for the government, Manolis Benteniotis told the house's economy committee that the growth-oriented budget forecast a growth rate of 4.0 per cent in 2004, the highest in the eurozone; and it also featured a strong social angle.

The main opposition New Democracy party's economy spokesman, George Alogoskoufis, charged that government policy had branded Greece the European Union's laggard; and the budget was ''bordering science fiction''.

Greece has one of lowest EU employment rates, report shows BRUSSELS, 27/11/2003 (B.Demiris)

Greece has one of the lowest employment rates in the European Union, especially among women, that is accompanied by a high jobless rate despite recent job creation, the bloc's executive Commission said in a report released on Wednesday.

Also high in Greece is undeclared unemployment with productivity remaining low despite a recent increase, the report said.

Participation by the elderly in vocational schemes is very low, taking into account the low level of education of the working population.

In addition, an increase in immigrants to Greece has contributed to a rise in supply of labor, which also shows major regional disequilibrium concerning unemployment.

The report recommended leasing the administrative workload for enterprises as an incentive to recruitment and removing obstables to part-time work.

Also required were a further reduction in non-payroll labor costs and measures to tackle undeclared labor, the report added.

[11] EU plans to attain 70pct employment this decade

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

The EU is also working to boost employment among women, Diamantopoulou said in a speech at Harvard University in the US, invited by the Kokkalis Program.

[12] Greece lagging in EU research, innovation indices

BRUSSELS, 27/11/2003 (ANA/A.Simatos)

In response to a question by New Democracy eurodeputy Antonis Trakatellis, the Commission said that Greece badly lagged in 9 out of 16 sector indices and lay around the EU average in another four, with no data available for the remaining three.

Among the lowest indices were public spending on education as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP); total spending on research and development as a proportion of GDP; and internet access by private individuals as a percentage of households.

No data exists on postgraduate degrees in research and technology per 1000 residents aged 20-29, or for corresponding data arranged by gender, the Commission said.

[13] Thessaloniki bay to get local passenger ferries

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Budgeted at 9.0 million euros, the project is to be awarded 50,000 euros in 2003, Pahtas told a news conference in Thessaloniki.

Eight embarkation points have so far been approved, including the centre of the northern port city, he added.

[14] Greek trucks get permission to pass through Austria

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Greek eurodeputy for the New Democracy party, Kostis Hatzidakis, said on Wednesday that the problem had emerged after Austria imposed regulations on the emission of fumes from heavy vehicles passing through its territory.

Greek trucks that have been classed by Austrian authorities as polluting have been exempted from the regulation, Hatzidakis said in a statement.

The vehicles represent 60 percent of the Greek fleet but their number poses a minimal threat to Austria's environment, he added.

[15] Greek core inflation contained, FinMin says

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

He was commenting on a forecast made by Bank of Greece governor Nikos Garganas of an inflation rate of 3.3 percent by the end of the year.

"We had forecast that the core inflation would be contained around 3.0 percent, while inflation will fall further in 2004," Mr. Christodoulakis said.

He underlined that efforts should be made to achieve a convergence in the harmonized inflation rate with the EU average.

The Greek minister acknowledged that high growth rates in the country were fuelling inflation and stressed that a decision by the government to freeze public utility and corporations (DEKO) rates in the first half of 2004 would contribute in containing price inflation.

[16] Greek banks present significant comparative advantages, NBG governor

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Addressing a ''Euromoney Greece'' conference held in Athens, Mr. Karatzas stressed that Greek banks' advantages were their high rate of capital adequacy, the high grade of stability of the domestic banking system and their satisfactory profitability.

The Greek banker stressed that the country's largest banking group profits rose by 34 percent in the first nine months of 2003, while organic profitability was up 33 percent over the same period, compared with the same period in 2002.

Household debt to financial institutions in Greece was relatively low, at 24 percent of the country's GDP, compared with a 50 percent rate in the Eurozone and more than 70 percent in the US, Mr. Karatzas said. He noted that corporate debt was currently at 40 percent of GDP in Greece, down from 63 percent in the Eurozone.

Total borrowing by the private sector reached 64 percent of GDP but still remained significantly lower compared with Eurozone and US averages, he noted.

National Bank's asset value in the Balkans totaled 1.7 billion euros, with the Greek bank operating the largest branch network in Southeastern Europe, Mr. Karatzas said, adding that the banking system in the region attracted around one-tenth of the 7.0 billion euros in Greek investments in the Balkans in the period from 1990 to 2003.

The governor of Greece's largest bank said that average saving deposits in the Balkans was 34 percent of GDP in 2002, compared with 97 percent in the Eurozone, while the average assets of the banks in the region was 47 percent of GDP compared with 155 percent in Greece and 260 percent in the Eurozone.

Private sector borrowing was roughly 23 percent of GDP in the Balkans, sharply lower compared with the Greek and Eurozone averages.

Mr. Karatzas said that the Greek banking system has the potential to act as a main catalyst for expanding Greek business activity in the wider area of Southeastern Europe.

[17] Host-city Athens unveils Olympic Torch Relay Route for 2004

Athens, 28/11/2003 (ANA)

As she presented the route, the international section of which is now with the International Olympic Committee Executive Commission for approval, ATHOC head Gianna Angelopoulos underlined that it was the first truly global Olympic Torch Relay in the history of the Games, taking in all the five continents symbolized by the five Olympic Rings and for the first time including Africa and Latin America.

The flame will be lit in ancient Olympia on March 25, 2004 - the anniversary of the first modern Olympics held in Athens in 1896 - and then travel through the Peloponnese and the Saronic islands to the Panathenian ''Kallimarmaron'' stadium in Athens, where it will remain until June 4.

That date marks the start of the international Olympic Torch Relay, which will last 35 days and pass through 34 cities, including past host-cities of the summer Olympics, cities with symbolic importance like Lausanne, the seat of the IOC, and Beijing, host-city for the 2008 Games.

Some 3,600 torch bearers will carry the Olympic Torch on its travels, each for a distance of about 400 meters, while an estimated 260 million people around the world will have the opportunity to see the Olympic Torch pass through their city. It will travel a total of 78,000 kilometers, 1,500 of which in the hands of torch bearers, before returning to Greece in July.

The Torch Relay will then continue within Greece, passing through all 54 Greek prefectures in the hands of 7,700 torch bearers, before it returns to Athens on August 13 for the opening ceremony of the Games.

IOC President Jacques Rogge hailed the Athens Olympics Torch Relay as a ''unique opportunity in the life of the Olympic Movement'', noting that the Games traveled to the entire world before returning to the country of their birth and that the Olympic Torch would now do the same.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose ministry has a key role in preparations for the Athens Games, announced that President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos would be present at the torch-lighting ceremony in Olympia on March 25, a ceremony that will symbolically link the ancient Olympics and the memory of the first of the modern Olympics, with ancient Olympia at its centre.

''Only we in Greece have the privilege of possessing ancient Olympia, the authentic Marathon route, the Panathenian Stadium. For this reason the Olympic Torch of 2004 is the Torch of Olympic values but also the added value provided by 21st century Greece,'' he said.

Also present was Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who referred to the Olympic Truce said the first truly global Olympic Torch Relay was an opportunity to remember that the appeal for an Olympic truce had been the central message and possibly the greatest achievement of the ancient Games.

''In our days, sports cannot impose peace but they can inspire it. If we succeed in having peace for 16 days then perhaps, one day, we will be able to have peace forever,'' the minister said.

[18] Stephanopoulos receives Rogge

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Rogge briefed Stephanopoulos on the preparations for the Games and according to sources he expressed his certainty that the Games will be perfect, if the preparations continue at the same rate.

Rogge and Angelopoulos-Daskalaki also briefed Stephanopoulos on the route of the Olympic Flame, scheduled to pass through all five continents.

[19] ND leader receives IOC, ATHOC presidents

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

According to sources, Karamanlis stressed to Rogge that ND will do all in its power to maintain the issue of the Olympic Games outside the bounds of political confrontations, even though the government has placed the Olympic construction projects at the first slot of its pre-election campaign.

He also referred to the proliferation of advertisements in the mass media, concerning the projects for the Games.

Karamanlis reiterated that should ND win the next elections and undertake the governance of the country it will not change the organizational structure of the Olympic Games, promise he made to Rogge in September also.

Rogge expressed his satisfaction for this commitment by ND and thanked him for his decision.

During the meeting, the participants underlined Greece's ability to organize successful Games, and noted delays in the construction of the Olympic Stadium's protective cover, the tram system and the ring rail system of Athens, expecting, however, that the projects will be ready, if not on schedule.

They also discussed the security of the Athens Games, while Karamanlis reassured them that ND supports all the efforts made in this particularly sensitive sector.

[20] London mayor prepares events to welcome Olympic Flame

LONDON, 27/11/2003 (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis)

The mayor stressed that the city will try to mobilize on that day all the different communities of people living in London and to organize a grand Greek festival, with Greek food, music and art, so as to promote the cultural side of Greece along with the Athletic.

He added that every country has its own community in London and that he wants the route of the Flame to touch all the different communities, most of the entire Greek one as the Olympics are to take place in Greece.

[21] Bavarian authorities return recovered antiquities to Greece

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

The recovered antiquities were handed over to Corinth's Antiquities Curator by Ingolstadt's general prosecutor Wolfram Herrle and will be transported back to Greece by plane. Their final destination is the Archaeological Museum of Corinth.

They include 10 pottery vessels and two clay statuettes dating from the Mycenaean era and a copper vessel from the Byzantine era. According to the culture ministry's calculations, the 13 items originate from an illegal excavation at the ancient cemetery of Athikion in Corinth and were illegally exported from Greece by antiquities smugglers whose identity has not been discovered.

The items are in very good condition and, according to the archaeologists that examined them in 2000, they are important for advancing knowledge on Mycenean-era pottery techniques in Corinth, while the single Byzantine artifact is unique and reveals a wealth of information of Corinthian metalwork in that era.

The origins of the artifacts were traced by identifying the residues of earth found upon them

[22] Air Force aircraft crashes, pilot ejects to safety

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

The sources said the aircraft crashed at 10:45 a.m. two miles south of the extension of the airport's runway, in an uninhabited area, while on a training flight.

The pilot successfully used the ejection seat.

It was initially believed that the crash was caused by mechanical failure, and the causes of the accident were being investigated by the Air Forces' committee of experts, the sources said.

[23] Press minister addresses event on political advertising

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

Hytiris' focused on the role of advertising ahead of the elections, which as he said will be held on May 2nd and Protopapas focused on the same issue, while main speaker was Athanasios Samaras, who headed the Audiovisual Institute's (IOM) study ''Television Political Advertising - A quantitative approach for Greece''.

Academics, party representatives and journalists also addressed the event.

[24] Diamantopoulou visits Harvard University

Athens, 27/11/2003 (ANA)

She also spoke at the university's central auditorium, analyzing comparatively the European Union and U.S. models of governance and foreign, defense and economic policies.

Diamantopoulou stressed that the EU and the US are the biggest economic partners in the world and proposed an even closer cooperation on all levels, so that the EU may cooperate more actively with the US in the management of globalization.

[25] CoE committee gives Turkey until Thursday to pay compensation

NICOSIA, 27/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

the case of Titina Loizidou, then the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will begin a discussion on a document with suggestions on sanctions against Turkey.

According to diplomatic sources, deliberations continued on Wednesday at the committee regarding Turkey's compliance with the ECHR decision where Turkey was ordered to pay about one million dollars in compensation to Greek Cypriot Loizidou. The ECHR had also told Ankara to allow Loizidou access to her property in Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and allow her to enjoy peacefully this property.

During the debate, it was ascertained that Turkey once again refused to pay the damages.

The same sources said the CoE Secretariat completed the document with suggestions for possible sanctions against Turkey and the document is now an official CoE document.

[26] US Congressmen seek positive steps from Turkey

NICOSIA, 27/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)

Congressmen Frank Pallone and Michael Bilirakis also warn Ankara that failure to act might jeopardise US-Turkey relations.

The call came in a letter to Turkish Premier Tayyip Erdogan with

regard to the Court judgments in the case of Titina Loizidou, which Ankara has refused to execute for seven years.

''As Turkey looks to the US to champion its candidacy for eventual EU membership, we seek indications that Turkey is committed to the rule of law and principles of human rights,'' Congressmen Pallone and Bilirakis said in their letter, dated 25 November.

They said they look to Ankara for signs of a new willingness to work for a negotiated settlement to end the division of Cyprus, to

withdraw the Turkish occupation troops, and to allow all Cypriots to enjoy in peace the benefits of EU membership.

''Actions to the contrary will only serve to weaken American support for Turkey's EU bid and prevent US-Turkish relations from reaching their full potential,'' the letter said.

The Congressmen said that compliance with the Court decisions would be a ''very positive step Turkey could take to demonstrate its goodwill and sincere desire to show its respect for the rule of law, which all nations must honor,'' it added.

The Court judgments found Turkey guilty of human rights violations in Cyprus' occupied areas and ordered Ankara to allow access to Loizidou to her occupied property and pay her compensation amounting to one million US dollars.

Turkey has been dragging its feet in the execution of the rulings and is seeking to implement part of the Court decision relating to

payment of damages but to defer implementation of the part relating to unhindered access to the property in question.

The two Congressmen emphasized that the Court's rulings are ''final and binding'' and not subject to negotiation.

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