Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis to ND MPs: Papandreou should take stand on electoral law, graft

[02] FM Papandreou desires wider consensus on major issues concerning country

[03] Gov't spokesman on PASOK's pre-election program, gov't policy

[04] KKE criticizes 'no-invite' to political debates

[05] No Greek troops to Iraq, foreign ministry says

[06] Public order minister to visit U.S. for talks on Olympics security

[07] Defense minister on Olympic security

[08] Greece improves rate in adopting EU legislation

[09] PM inaugurates new railway works on Athens-Thessaloniki line

[10] Kaklamanis receives presidium of expatriate parliamentarians

[11] Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidium to visit Greece this week

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch's visit to Austria postponed probably until late June

[13] Development, economy ministers outline Greek economy prospects for businessmen

[14] Greece reports on EU funds' absorption rate

[15] Athens Stock Exchange: Technical problem, trading suspended

[16] IOC's Oswald: Election period will not affect Olympic preparations

[17] Public order minister says road accidents reduced

[18] Annan sends reply letter to President Papadopoulos

[19] Cyprus government waiting for Turkey to clarify position on Cyprus

[20] PACE delegate: EU accession to bring confidence and solution

[01] Karamanlis to ND MPs: Papandreou should take stand on electoral law, graft

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

He said Papandreou could not ''link the start of his career [as party leader] with political opportunism''.

Papandreou is the sole candidate for ruling PASOK's presidency in a carefully orchestrated succession initiated by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who stepped down as leader of the party on January 8. The succession will be formally confirmed by a party grass-roots vote on February 8, but to all intents and purposes Papandreou has already taken over the task of leading PASOK to elections on March 7.

Simitis will remain prime minister until that time, while Papandreou will lead any PASOK government that emerges from the polls.

In his address to MPs, Karamanlis also announced that he had sent letters to all the party leaders, including Papandreou, asking them to ensure a ''civilized'' political contest in the run-up to elections.

Karamanlis said he had asked for absolute neutrality on the part of the state, for the media to adhere to codes of conduct and the Constitution, for ''meaningful dialogue on society's problems'' and for political argument and demeanor that would restore society's faith in the political system.

He also asked for all parties to protect the environment from littering and for at least three free-format televised debates on the entire spectrum of issues.

Reiterating that ND's opponents were policies and not individuals, he said the dilemma was whether there was going to be a change in policy or whether Simitis' policies would continue.

He also reiterated his party's focus on young voters, urging ND candidates not to vie for their votes so much as their trust.

On day-to-day problems, Karamanlis stressed that much could be achieved simply by reducing public-sector corruption while claiming that state health services could be improved by up to 30 percent for the same amount of taxes in this way.

[02] FM Papandreou desires wider consensus on major issues concerning country

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

Replying to questions by the press on what main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said on Monday regarding the way with which the election campaign should be conducted, Papandreou said he wants a nice election campaign through which the positions of the parties will be utilized and consensus will be reached which all parties will participate in and will support after the elections.

Papandreou further said he is pleased over the fact Karamanlis refers to such issues which, as he added, he hopes will become practice.

The foreign minister said that at the meeting with the directorate of PASOK's Parliamentary group he discussed all issues related to upgrading the role of deputies and Parliament, as well as relations between the party, the government and the Parliamentary group.

Papandreou stressed that agreement was reached on these issues, adding that upgrading the role of deputies and of Parliament is necessary, as well as improving relations between deputies, the party and the government.

He also said the Parliamentary group's directorate conveyed to him the climate of optimism and hope that all deputies have registered in their constituencies.

In another development, Papandreou visited the head office of PASOK's youth wing and called for mobilization.

Papandreou spoke of a ''new Greece and a new era in which we must make everything possible to enable us to break away from bureaucracy and release the forces of society.''

Referring to the election period, he spoke of a struggle which will be carried out with political characteristics and promised to try to live up to the expectations of young people.

''We want to struggle together for an open society with the participation of all and for a social model of employment and education for all,'' Papandreou said.

[03] Gov't spokesman on PASOK's pre-election program, gov't policy

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

"Of course PASOK's program will have new demands, new proposals and will be formulated at the party's conference on February 6," he said in response to questions.

[04] KKE criticizes 'no-invite' to political debates

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

KKE said all parties represented in Parliament and the Euro-Parliament should be invited to take part in order to avoid a monopolization of the political debate.

[05] No Greek troops to Iraq, foreign ministry says

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

"We are sending a major consignment of humanitarian aid in cooperation with the European Union and non-governmental organizations and we will steadfastly continue our policy of humanitarian relief for the Iraqi people," foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said.

[06] Public order minister to visit U.S. for talks on Olympics security

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

Floridis will meet White House security advisor Condoleeza Rice, CIA chief George Tenet, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and other U.S. government and law enforcement officials.

In statements on Monday, Floridis stressed that Greece will organized absolutely safe Olympics.

Public order minister on Olympics security exercise by U.S. forces in Greece: Public Order Minister George Floridis on Monday said that everything pertaining to a planned security exercise for the Olympic Games in Greece that involved United States forces will be conducted within the legal framework that will apply at that time.

He also expressed certainty that the exercise, dubbed "Blue Ulysses" and scheduled for February 6-8, will be absolutely successful.

Floridis was responding to a report in the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia" that rose questions regarding the legality of the exercise and whether it contravened the Constitution, while voicing concerns that there was not sufficient time to regulate the legal issues involved.

[07] Defense minister on Olympic security

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

He made the statement in response to a same-day article in an Athens daily claiming that a security exercise, with the participation of US forces, had been cancelled ahead of the ongoing campaign period.

Papantoniou, the former economy minister, also said there was no legal barrier to the armed forces� participation in security for the Games.

He spoke during a tour of a Hellenic Navy special forces training facility east of Athens.

[08] Greece improves rate in adopting EU legislation

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

The report said that Greece showed a shortfall of implementing community law at 3.1 percent as a percentage of total EU internal market directives, although Greece improved its position compared with a 3.4 percent rate in May 2003.

Belgium, Germany and France recorded the highest deficit rate (3.5 percent), followed by Luxembourg (3.4 percent) and Greece (3.1 percent). Denmark (0.3 percent), Spain (0.9 percent), UK, Ireland and Finland (1.4 percent each) reported the lowest shortfall rates and have achieved the target of containing the average implementation shortfall rate to 1.5 percent total EU directives.

The target was initially set in March 2001 during the Stockholm EU Summit and was reaffirmed at the Barcelona Summit in 2002.

EU member-states, however, improved their overall position with the average implementation deficit rate easing to 2.3 percent from 2.4 percent in May 2003.

The report said that only Denmark, Portugal and Finland are fulfilling the ''zero tolerance'' target set by EU leaders in Barcelona.

[09] PM inaugurates new railway works on Athens-Thessaloniki line

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

The new works shorten travel time on the Athens-Thessaloniki rail route by 20 minutes.

The PM traveled on the first train to take the new route up to Larissa, accompanied by Transport Minister Christos Verelis and OSE chairman Constantinos Yiannakos.

Future improvements to the railway network before 2008 are expected to further shorten the route by an extra 40 minutes.

Simitis stressed that the ongoing improvements in transport infrastructure created an environment that favored business, creating new potential to rapidly transport their goods to key markets while remaining in outlying regions where operating costs were lower, as well as promoting tourism to previously remote and inaccessible areas.

''We must continue this new thing that we started with an intensive pace and effort. This is why we must strive for convergence as soon as possible,'' the premier added.

With the completion of the above rail section, the total length of new double railway lines delivered for use in the country reaches 377 kilometers out of a total 483 kilometers that have been commissioned.

[10] Kaklamanis receives presidium of expatriate parliamentarians

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

The PADEE members briefed Kaklamanis on the course of their Union, in light of their General Congress which will be held in a few months time in Nafplio, Peloponnese. Kaklamanis was also briefed on the successes of the Greek expatriates who have undertaken public office in the countries they are residing in as well as on the problems which Greek-origin deputies face in countries of eastern Europe.

Kaklamanis congratulated the Presidium on its successes and also for its contribution in the signing of the Olympic Truce and assured the PADEE members that the Greek Parliament will remain supportive of their mission.

[11] Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidium to visit Greece this week

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

Presidency Chairman Dragan Covic and Presidency members Borislav Paravac and Sulejman Tihic will arrive in Athens on Wednesday, a Greek Presidency announcement said.

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch's visit to Austria postponed probably until late June

VIENNA 13/01/2004 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

Vartholomeos, who was invited by Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, was due to attend events marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Vienna National School, the oldest Greek school abroad, as well as for the 200th anniversary of the founding of the first Greek Orthodox Church, that of Saint George, in the Austrian capital.

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos was also due to attend the two anniversaries, scheduled for March 7.

The anniversary events are now scheduled to coincide with Vartholomeos' visit, probably at the end of June, according to an announcement made in Vienna on Monday by Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Vienna Mikhail.

[13] Development, economy ministers outline Greek economy prospects for businessmen

LONDON 13/01/2004 (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis)

Speakers included Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos who outlined for participants, representatives of major British and foreign companies based in London, the state of the Greek economy and opportunities and prospects it offers for investments.

The conference was also addressed by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Robert Finch, British Ambassador to Athens David Madden and British Foreign Undersecretary for security issues Baroness Simons.

''We succeeded in submitting specific proposals on the role of Greece in southeastern Europe. Because Greece basically constitutes the guiding force in the development of countries in southeastern Europe. Greece has objectively become the centre of economic activity and cooperation, it has become the centre of inter-European networks for electricity and energy, motorways, communications, security and banks and helps these countries in achieving the linking of their markets and their economies with the markets of European countries. The role of Greece is emerging, therefore, as a strategic one and a precondition for high rates of growth in the region,'' Tsohatzopoulos said.

''Our cooperation with Britain is considerable in small and medium-size enterprises. We have signed an agreement two years ago on joint programs to enable research and technology to be able to constitute a common object of investing and economic activity,'' Tsohatzopoulos added.

Christodoulakis, in the framework of the conference, met with his British counterpart Gordon Brown and said afterwards ''I had the opportunity of presenting the very high rates of development we have in Greece and this is creating the best preconditions for investing activity from England to our country and other business cooperation, particularly in light of the Olympic Games, which I believe provide an opportunity for more British investments in the tourism sector, as well as for initiatives for utilizing the Olympic and tourist installations after 2004.''

The finance minister added that he and Brown also examined the overall course of the European economy which appears to be recovering. He added that what is necessary for this recovery to become permanent is for structural changes to take place at a quicker pace and reforms which shall make the European economy function more effectively, comprehensively and cohesively and, of course, have better fiscal results.

[14] Greece reports on EU funds' absorption rate

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

The Greek minister said he expected another 2.4 billion euros to be absorbed this year if current absorption rates would be maintained throughout the year.

Economy and Finance ministry data showed that a total of 11,360 projects have been included in the Third CSF program out of a total 12,412 plans submitted, and that the country's absorption rate, as a percentage of total community participation, was 29 percent.

Mr Pahtas stressed that the government has secured 70 percent of Third CSF program's funds and that the next government would have to negotiate the remaining 30 percent.

[15] Athens Stock Exchange: Technical problem, trading suspended

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

The problem had not been repaired at press time, and no statement has been issued by the bourse on the expected time of re-opening of trading.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of January 12 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,293 1,263

[16] IOC's Oswald: Election period will not affect Olympic preparations

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

General elections in the country are slated for March 7.

�Olympic preparations will not be affected by the pre-election period. The new people that are likely to assume government positions after the elections are experienced and briefed over Olympic issues,� he told the state-run ERA Sports radio.

He also expressed a conviction that all the venues and projects -- including the closely watched roof construction over the main Olympic Stadium as well as the new tram and suburban rail lines -- will be delivered on time. Moreover, he said Greece is making an enormous effort and spending massive amounts of money on security for the Games.

Finally, he referred to the Athens Games� unique cultural value. �There will be great benefits in the quality of daily life, they (Games) will leave a legacy for the next 20 years,� he said.

[17] Public order minister says road accidents reduced

Athens, 13/01/2004 (ANA)

According to sources, 48 fewer people were killed in road accidents in 2003 than in 2002, representing a drop of 2.9 per cent, while there was a 9.1 per cent drop in those seriously injured and a 7.3 per cent drop in those lightly injured.

[18] Annan sends reply letter to President Papadopoulos

UNITED NATIONS 13/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Eckhard also said that the letter is consistent with the Secretary General's long-standing position. Annan has said that he wants to see genuine political will on the part of the two parties in Cyprus to negotiate for a solution and a commitment that any agreement reached will be put to a referendum.

Asked by CNA if the secretary-General has sent any letters on Cyprus to the parties, Eckhard said ''Yes, he sent a letter to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, as you can guess the content of the letter is consistent with his long-standing position.''

Asked if Annan has sent a letter to the other parties on Cyprus, the spokesman said he was not aware of any other letters beside that one.

He also said that Annan's letter was in reply to ''the letter by Mr Papadopoulos.''

President Papadopoulos on December 17 sent a letter to Annan reiterating his readiness to negotiate on the basis of a UN peace proposal and inviting him to call the two sides in Cyprus to talks. President Papadopoulos said in Nicosia on Monday that he would be receiving a reply from Annan on Tuesday morning.

He added that there is time for a settlement by May, when Cyprus joins the European Union, if the necessary political will is shown, and expressed the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to go to talks whenever the UN chief calls them.

Asked about prospects of finding a solution after the formation of the so-called government in the Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic, the president noted that ''the Turkish side's position is still uncertain'' and reiterated the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to take part in talks.

''We are ready for talks under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General on the basis of the Annan plan to discuss issues regarding the functionality of the plan to make it more functional and thus viable. Whenever he calls us, we are ready,'' he noted.

The president added that he wrote to Annan on December 17, asking him to call talks, adding that ''we are waiting to see the position of the Turkish side to see if they will respond.''

Asked if it was possible to reach a settlement by May 1, when Cyprus will officially become a full member of the EU, the president said ''there is time, if there is political will,'' adding that ''there is a lot of work to be done.''

[19] Cyprus government waiting for Turkey to clarify position on Cyprus

NICOSIA 13/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman was commenting on statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that efforts were being made to bring the twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to an acceptable format and persuade the Turkish Cypriots to accept it.

Replying to questions, Chrysostomides said the fact that Rauf Denktash remains the Turkish Cypriot side's negotiator in talks to solve the Cyprus problem and the fact that his son, Serdar, is part of a ''coalition'' in the new so-called government in the Turkish-occupied areas, ''are not positive elements.''

Commenting on statements by Rauf Denktash on the Annan plan, the spokesman said ''the conflicting statements we have become accustomed to lately create confusion and one is waiting for the Turkish policy to be clarified in order to see what Ankara's position will be and if there will be prospects to promote efforts to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of our positions.''

Asked if the formation of a ''government'' in the Turkish-occupied areas between Mehmet Ali Talat's Republican Turkish Party and Serdar Denktash's Democratic Party would make the situation any easier, the spokesman said ''any so-called institutional moves in the occupied area of Cyprus are illegal.''

[20] PACE delegate: EU accession to bring confidence and solution

NICOSIA 13/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Eorsi, who arrived here on Sunday for a five-day visit, expressed satisfaction with the fact that ''everybody on the island is ready to re-launch the negotiations on Cyprus, based on the Annan plan, and both the government and the opposition is in full harmony on this point.''

''I am absolutely sure that the EU membership will be able to bring confidence to the people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to be able to live in peace, like other nations in the EU, to reach a lasting solution,'' Eorsi said after a meeting here with right-wing party (DISY) leader Nicos Anastassiades.

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